The Ely Community Resources Young Naturalists conducted their first outing on April 1 and are currently reviewing ideas and plans for future outings. In the meantime, reports are flowing in from around the community of observations of spring activity amidst the changing weather.
You can count on temperatures rising and falling. Rain or snow falling, sun shining, wind blowing, ice forming and melting, water flowing, birds and mammals appearing, and fish spawning soon. The excitement exists in the only thing constant is change and everyday brings new sightings, observations, discussions and sharing.
April 1 – trumpeter swans, Canada geese, common goldeneyes seen on Shagawa River on field trip April 3 – American kestrel reported in Babbitt by Steve Engel April 3 – American woodcock flushed by Mary Shedd in Isabella April 4 – male American woodcock performing its evening display flight and calls reported by Steve Wilson April 5 – Steve Engel reports American Woodcock displaying on fields west of Babbitt April 5 – Steve Wilson photographed and reported trumpeter swan tracks on Grouse Lake. “There were also several characteristic, goopy bird droppings of considerable size. It wasn’t until the trumpeter swans started calling from the Little Isabella River below the lake outlet that I connected the dots. There were at least ten of them there the other day, and some were engaged in courtship displays of head/ neck bobbing, wing spreading and calling, which might explain the concentration of tracks in one spot.”
April 5 – Some people around the area still have feeders visited by redpolls (large groups), pine grosbeaks, evening grosbeaks, American goldfinches, along with red-wined blackbirds (which are also back in cattail marshes) and dark-eyed juncos which have arrived.
April 6 – A visit to the hardware store resulted in a report of driving through Winton and seeing two bald eagles mating. Bald eagles are already nesting and have already begun incubating eggs, but they continue to mate until egg laying is complete.
April 8 – On a trip off Highway 53 through the wetlands leading into Virginia, a pair of trumpeter swans were nestled together on snow-covered ice with snow falling around them. Pairs usually nest successfully each summer on the wetlands in this area.
April 8 – Reports of northern pintails and hooded mergansers at Shagawa River from the CR88 culverts. Shagawa River is going to continually provide looks at a flow of waterfowl and wetland birds until lakes provide some open water.
It shouldn’t be long before ice out and grouse drumming. Ravens and Canada jays are certainly already nesting, and many other local breeding species will be establishing territories and seeking mates. When will the temperatures bring forth the first frog calling?
The Ely Field Naturalists appreciate all the enthusiasm that this time of year engenders. Feel free to join in the exploring, discovering, sharing and learning that increases week by week. Contact us at [email protected]
