by Tom Estill
The first day of Spring found Rocky Pond still covered in ice with a few small areas around the edges showing open water. On the East side of the Pond a larger area of open water could be seen. That’s the side of the pond which receives the most sunlight. A Cooper’s Hawk was seen in the area along the Lower Giorgetti where it nested last year. As I would find out weeks later, it did not nest in the old nest which it has done for a number of years in the recent past.
A few days later, it was hard to find any snow in the park. Both ponds were still frozen over, but the East side of Muddy Pond showed a large area of open water. A pair of common mergansers were seen swimming in that small area. The entire perimeter of Rocky Pond had a narrow band of open water. An Eastern Newt was seen swimming near the shore. Turkey vultures were seen flying over the large boulders below overlook. Some of them would occasionally fly down among the rocks and rest. I have no doubt they were looking for a place to nest, but never will due to the popularity of hikers climbing among those boulders. Barred owls could be heard “hooting” at the North end of Muddy Pond. Many gray squirrels were seen running about.
On March 29th, no snow could be found anywhere in the park, both ponds were almost completely devoid of ice, a pair of hooded mergansers were seen at Rocky Pond, while at Muddy Pond you could find numerous common mergansers. A barred owl was heard “hooting” near the powerline of the Pond Trail. No wildflowers were seen.
During the first week of April, southern migrants were being observed in increasing numbers. At the ponds were seen Common mergansers, hooded mergansers, mallards, wood ducks,
green-winged teal, ring-billed gull, and Canada geese, while in the forest black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, tufted titmouse and the Eastern Phoebe were seen. Shrub and tree buds were starting to appear, especially along the 3 Giorgetti trails. Bluebirds were seen “checking out” the wood bird nest boxes near the trailhead.
On April 4th, temperatures were in the 60s, and there was a strong south wind. And many migrants were taking advantage of that wind. A single Osprey was observed on its Muddy Pond nest for the first time, a Carolina wren was singing, and the first warbler was seen-a yellow-rumped warbler.
On April 8th, the first wildflower was seen, the Coltsfoot flower. ALWAYS the first of the season. The flower is very common along either side of the trailhead boardwalk. And just 2 days later Trout Lily leaves were starting to be visible on the forest floor. Also on this day was the first sighting of the Mourning Cloak butterfly. One of the first to be seen each early spring,. Robins and song sparrows, which hadn’t been seen in months, were singing and preparing for nesting season.
On April 11th, 2 osprey were seen on the Osprey nest, a Canada goose was sitting on its nest at Muddy Pond, spring peepers were heard for the first time at both ponds, and a hermit thrush was seen in the forest.
The next day, 3 Osprey were seen at Muddy Pond. Female was on the nest, while the 2 males were interacting with one another.
In mid-April, one Canada goose was sitting on an island nest, where they nest every year, with another swimming close by keeping guard. The wonderful smelling trailing arbutus was flowering, and wood frogs were calling from both ponds. Though tree buds started to appear the first week of April in trees along the lower Giorgetti trails, they were now starting to appear on trees in the upper trails. On April 17th, painted turtles were sunning themselves in large numbers at Muddy Pond and a broad-winged hawk was seen for the first time this season.
On April 21st, a pair of otters were seen swimming in the middle of Muddy Pond. Though occasionally seen at Muddy Pond, it’s rare that I’ve seen them at Rocky Pond.
During the last week of April, a very large snapping turtle was seen in Muddy Pond, and Shadbush was in flower bringing such wonderful color to the understory.
It wasn’t until the first week of May that the forest felt that it was really coming alive. Many birds were singing, fiddleheads were appearing in increasing numbers, more flowers were blooming, and there was a noticeable warmth in the sun. On May 8th, during a birdwalk, I saw or heard yellow-bellied sapsuckers, Eastern phoebe, song sparrow, American redstart, yellow-rumped warbler, cardinal, gray catbird, Eastern towhee, white-breasted nuthatch, crow, American goldfinch, tufted titmouse, hermit and wood thrushes, overbird, common yellowthroat, least flycatcher, great crested flycatcher, blue jay, yellow-throated vireo, chestnut-sided warbler,
red-bellied woodpecker, house wren, black-capped chickadee, and at Muddy Pond-Canada geese, osprey on their nest, painted turtles sunning themselves and spring peepers still calling.
On May 10th, after a day of raining, the trails were covered with Red Efts. And I heard my first gray treefrog calling. 2 downy woodpecker males were fighting over one female. I also observed 2 birds I rarely see in the park, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Lesser Yellowlegs sandpiper at Muddy Pond. Gay wings, jack-in-the-pulpit, painted trillium and wild strawberries were all in flower.
On a May 18th birdwalk with Dave and Shelley we were treated to the sight of a Scarlet Tanager, Rudy-throated hummingbird, parula warbler, blackburnian warbler, and black-throated green warbler, all seen in the park only at this time of year.
On May 27th, while at Rocky Pond, I witnessed three northern water snakes in a mating ball. They uncoiled from each other and immediately swam off, to return just a few minutes later to continue their mating behavior once again.
By the end of May, Muddy Pond was about half covered in water lilies, something that happens each year as the water temperature rises.and more sunlight falls upon the water plants.
On June 5th, I helped a group of homeschoolers and their parents plant an American Chestnut tree along the Middle Giorgetti Trail. I had them all line up in front of the seedling for a picture, and as I was getting ready, a beautiful deer came out of nowhere and walked close behind the group as if nothing was happening. They’ll never forget that, I’m sure.
Mid-June found a one inch toadlet crossing middle Giorgetti trail, a magnificent Indigo bunting under the powerline on the Pond Trail(Same place and time every year for the last 14 years), and beautiful White Admiral and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. House wrens are nesting in the birdhouses in the area near the trailhead.
On June 16th, Tor Collins of Randolph, VT who is helping me at the park this summer, planted 2 dozen milkweed seedlings in the Monarch Way Station Area at Rocky Pond, and a dozen buttonbush flower seedlings along the shore of Rocky Pond. The buttonbush flowers produce a huge number of seeds which waterfowl feed on. It’s hoped that such plantings will attract more waterfowl to Rocky Pond.
That’s it for this issue. If you have any interesting sightings in the park and would like to share them with the readers, please send your story to Tom Estill at testill@cksrutland.org
Enjoy your time at Pine Hill Park and please stay on the trails during your walks there.