The April morning greeted us with overcast skies and a temperature of 37 degrees making it a chilly start for the monthly marsh monitoring. Snow dusted the nearby mountains with what is hopefully winter’s last hurrah. Forty-two species were tallied.
In spite of this, some migrants have returned to the marsh. Along the boardwalk a Virginia rail was calling. An American bittern was heard then seen as it took flight north.
Eastern PhoebeNumerous swamp sparrows were singing as was one marsh wren.
Several woodpecker species were noted with some couples getting down to the business of guaranteeing a new generation.
Male red-winged blackbirds proclaimed territorial rights, while a cold looking Eastern phoebe hunted for insects.
Bloodroot, early saxifrage, and marsh marigold were wildflowers seen along the road on the west side.
A Cooper’s hawk glided silently and low near the tree line setting off alarm calls from blue jays and chickadees. The raptor disappeared into the trees without snatching any prey.
The lovely golden-green hue on the trees that is ephemeral is aptly written by Robert Frost:
Nature’s First Green is Gold,
Her Hardest Hue to Hold.
Time to enjoy this season and the coming wave of more migrants.