June 27, 2023: Snapping Turtle

This very large snapping turtle was soaking up the sun on a log in pond P. (Tana Tesdall, 5/25/23)

June 25, 2023: Young Fawn

This young fawn stood still and posed for quite some time. It just stood there eating crownvetch and watching everyone go past on the path by the north lake. (Tana Tesdall, 6/16/22)

June 21, 2023: Nest-building Cedar Waxwings

Nest building is in full swing at Ada Hayden. This Cedar Waxwing was one of several that were collecting nest material at The Bluff (Greg Courtney, 6/05/2023).

May 2, 2023: Tree Swallows are Back

Early April has seen a dramatic return of Tree Swallows at Ada Hayden. This male was near the “Big House" on North Lake. Many more have settled into nest boxes along the Upland Trail (Greg Courtney, 4/11/2023).

Apr 29, 2023: Pelicans on the Wetlands

White Pelicans have been stopping periodically at Ada Hayden this month. These five were among two dozen individuals at Pond E on April 11th. (Greg Courtney, 4/11/2023).

Apr 27, 2023: American Beaver

An American Beaver was observed swimming along the peninsula (lake-side), making its way to the culvert to the pool below Weir N.  I relocated the beaver in the pool, but when I was discovered, the beaver quickly headed back into the culvert.  I moved off to the side and the beaver slowly came out of the culvert. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 4/13/23)

Apr 13, 2023: Blue-winged Teal

The last common waterfowl species to arrive at the Park is the Blue-winged Teal.  Note the white crescent on the face of the males. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 4/6/23)

Apr 7, 2023: First Nest

This is the first Canada Goose to sit on a nest this year at the Park.  If we receive a lot of rain this month, the nest could get flooded. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 4/6/23)

Mar 29, 2023: Ring-necked Duck

A male Ring-necked Duck takes flight from Jensen Pond.  This duck is misnamed, as the ring around the neck is hardly visible.  (Even with a specimen in hand, the ring is hard to see.)  However, the ring around the bill is quite evident, hence the duck should be called Ring-billed Duck. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 3/28/23).

Mar 25, 2023: Sandhill Crane

Two beautiful, rarely seen, Sandhill Cranes are flying over Ada Hayden on the west of the bluff. (3/19/2023, Xiaoqing Wu)

Mar 15, 2023: Red-shouldered Hawk

 

This red-shouldered hawk was seen on one of the bird boxes along the Upland Trail. (Wu, 3/14/2023)

Mar 5, 2023: Walking with a Goose

I was walking on the south lake trail just east of Harrison park lot access with a friend when this Canada goose landed on the trail next to us. It just stood next to us and when we tried to walk away, it walk with us all the way to the Stone Brooke access trail. (Paul Domoto, 3/2/2023)

Feb 11, 2023: Lots of Points!

A White-tailed Deer buck (10-11 points) found near the Upland Trail's south trailhead.  Another buck with a more abnormal rack followed closely behind.  They should be dropping their racks soon. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 2/4/23)

Dec 29, 2022: Bald Eagle

This adult Bald Eagle and just lifted off from the south lake ice. The eagle had been feeding on the carcass of a Canada Goose. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 12/26/22)

Nov 21, 2022: Horned Grebe

The Horned Grebes migrating southward through our area are already in their Winter (non-breeding) plumage.  On the 6th, 3 were present. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/6/22)

Nov 5, 2022: Bobcat

This bobcat was caught on a trail camera at the park on October 25th at 3:30 in the morning. Bobcats are nocturnal and very elusive - it is unlikely that anyone would see one during the day. They also travel great distances and can move up to 10 miles per day. This is the first known documented sighting at the park. (Tana Tesdall, 10/25/22)

Oct 25, 2022: Solitary Sandpiper

 

A Solitary Sandpiper searching for invertebrates along the north side of Pond O. It started near the western weir and worked its way to the northeast shore, seemingly unconcerned about my presence just 10 meters away. (Greg Courtney, 10/22/22)

Oct 23, 2022: Lone Goose

A lone Canada Goose at Jensen Pond.  Geese numbers have been quite low since the 13th, after an uptick in numbers earlier in the month. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 10/22/22)