By Tom Estill
Two days after the first official day of spring (March 20th) in 2025, the flower Coltsfoot was observed to be the first flower to bloom at Pine Hill Park, as it always is. And after the flowers start to fade and wilt, its leaves only then appear. Most, though not all, of the ice at both Rocky and Muddy Ponds was mostly gone. A few Canada geese and common mergansers were observed at Muddy Pond. The only birds observed were the Song Sparrow, robin,
white-breasted nuthatch, crow, and black-capped chickadee.
On March 31st, the snow was finally gone at the park. More species of birds were observed including the Northern Cardinal, brown creeper, dark-eyed junco, Eastern bluebird, American goldfinch, Black-capped chickadee, crow, white-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker, blue jay, and tufted titmouse.
During the first week of April, a small flock of golden-crowned kinglets, red-bellied woodpecker and numerous yearly residents were seen in the forest, while one Canada goose was seen sitting on a nest near where the creek from Rocky Pond flows into Muddy Pond. A few Canada geese nest there every year. The first Eastern newt was observed at Rocky Pond and a robin and Cooper’s hawk were seen along lower Giorgetti. Oak trees were beginning to flower and Flowering Arbutus flowers were getting ready to bloom. Wood ducks were heard calling at the south side of Rocky Pond as they always do this time of year, and that wonderful earthly smell was prevalent throughout the whole park. The forest floor was awakening after months of being frozen under the snow cover.
On April 6th, small flying insects were becoming more numerous, gray squirrels were scurrying about, a mated pair of common mergansers were seen at Rocky Pond, and Eastern phoebes, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers had returned. A northern flicker was also observed, a bird not commonly seen in the park.
By the middle of April, Canada geese were nesting at both Rocky and Muddy ponds, turkey vultures were seen flying over the rocks that overlook the west side of Rocky Pond, and one Osprey was seen next to its nest at Muddy Pond. Trailing arbutus was in flower, its scent truly heavenly. Spring peepers were calling at Rocky Pond, song sparrows were singing in the reeds at Rocky Pond, and a Cooper’s hawk was seen near its old nest near the first bridge on middle Giorgetti trail.
During the third week of April, trout lily leaves were starting to emerge from the forest floor, 2 osprey were chasing one another while a third looked on at Muddy Pond, a pair of brown creepers were seen making a nest behind loose bark on a tree near the edge of Muddy Pond, painted turtles were sunning themselves on logs at Muddy Pond, the first Hermit thrush of the season was heard singing in the forest, and a Cooper’s hawk was seen sitting on that nest on Middle Giorgetti trail, while another one was seen feeding on a tufted titmouse nearby.
On the last day of April I saw barren strawberry, common strawberry and bellwort all in flower. 2 osprey were seen at their nest on Muddy Pond and fern fiddleheads were finally emerging from the forest floor.
On May 4th, I saw many red efts walking along the forest floor after a few days of rain had recently fallen on the park.
After nearly two weeks of continuous rain, it finally let up enough for me to hike the park once again. And on May 10th, I was lucky enough to be in the park when our spring migrants were flying through the park. Never in my life had I observed 4 Scarlet Tanagers together on the same large shrub. Without a doubt, one of America’s most beautiful birds. And to see 4 on one shrub! I couldn’t believe it. One of the highlights of my 13 years hiking throughout the park. A house wren was seen building its nest in one of the bird houses near the trailhead. Birds seen included American goldfinch, rose-breasted grosbeak, black-and-white warbler, northern cardinal, crow, chestnut-sided warbler, yellow warbler, American redstart, black-capped chickadee, red-bellied woodpecker, gray catbird, song sparrow, least flycatcher, veery, wood thrush, yellow-rumped warbler, brown-headed cowbird, brown creeper, downy woodpecker,
red-winged blackbird, blue jay, tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, blackburnian warbler, ovenbird, hermit thrush, yellow-throated vireo, robin, Eastern towhee, northern flicker, red-eyed vireo,
blue-headed vireo, black-throated green warbler, and a white-throated sparrow. At Muddy Pond were seen Canada geese, common mergansers, osprey, dark-eyed junco, and a belted kingfisher. What a great day in the forest!
On May 15th, spring born baby American toads could be seen hopping all about the park. Chipmunks were scurrying about, the gorgeous indigo bunting was seen at its usual spot beneath the power lines on the Carriage Trail on the way to Rocky Pond, and the park was filled with the songs of dozens of species of birds.
The next day, May 16th, I saw a number of American Giant Millipedes, Eastern Tiger and Sulfur Butterflies, a deer along the Carriage trail, and numerous species of birds once again.
On May 18th, a great blue heron was seen at Muddy Pond flying towards its nest in the wetland area that feeds into Muddy Pond on its north side.
On May 26th, I saw a bird I don’t see very often in the park, a Northern Oriole. And always at Rocky Pond for just a few days then not to be seen again. A few days later on the 29th, I saw a large garter snake slithering among the rocks that overlook Rocky Pond. Moccasin flower, bunchberry, Azalea, and starflower were all flowering.
During the first few weeks of June, I continued to see numerous birds, most of them already in their nests with males making known to other birds of the same species their territories by singing and chasing off intruders. What a wonderful time to be in the forest. Ox-eye daisies, red clover and king devils were all flowering. Of course, you had to start dealing with the
annoying biting insects this time of year. After coming down with Lyme Disease this time last year, I’ve been extra vigilant when it comes to using bug spray and checking myself for attached ticks when I get home. You, too, need to be very careful when hiking in the forest. Stay on the trails, avoid high grass areas, and don’t hesitate to use bug spray.
That’s it for this issue. Enjoy your time in the park, and please respect our gracious neighbors by staying on the trails.
