Tufted Titmouse
In these unprecedented and uncertain times, spring continues to move forward. I would like to share some interesting local observations that have taken place in recent days.
For the past two weeks, there has been a persistent male tufted titmouse singing its heart out trying to attract a mate. Their typical song "peter peter peter" is incessant and sounds like a UPS truck backing up.
We are on the northern limit of the range of this bird. It wasn't very many years ago, such a sighting would have been very rare. This photo was taken in the summer of 2013.
Nesting Canada Goose
Canada geese are now pairing up and starting to nest. I was recently asked if I thought the Canada geese activity along Wacouta Road last spring would take place again.
Given the fact Wacouta Pond is dramatically lower this spring, I would be surprised if there would be a repeat performance. I guess we will have to stay tuned.
Tundra Swans
For many years, I would notice the spring migration of tundra swans to the arctic would occur during my maple syrup season. Given the fact the maple run commenced the first week of March this year, the swan migration was nearly 3 weeks late. I observed and heard several flocks migrating overhead the week of March 22nd.
Adult Bald EAgle and Eaglets
It has always been my observation in the Wacouta area that bald eagle eaglets start hatching the last week of March and the first week of April. The Minnesota DNR has an active eagle cam featuring three recently hatched eaglets. This photo was taken at a nest site in Frontenac State Park in the spring of 2015.
Eaglets
At the same nest, I photographed these eaglets a week later. Remarkably, they grow and change extremely fast. This might be due to the fact the adults provided an abundance of nourishment in the way of fresh fish.
Wood Duck Pair
As we were eating breakfast this morning March 29th, we were treated to our first pair of wood ducks this spring landing on our backyard pond. I have been observing several wood ducks in the immediate area for the past ten days, but these were the first to stop by for a visit.
Turkey Vulture
The biggest surprise this spring has been the lack of turkey vultures. For many years, the first sighting would be on the spring equinox (March 19th this year). As of March 27th, no vultures have been spotted. This photo was taken in our yard on the first day of spring in 2019.
Pocket Gopher Mound
With the last of the frost retreating, a definite sign of spring is pocket gopher activity. During my interpretive hikes at Frontenac State Park, I quiz my groups asking them what animal is responsible for making these mounds? I receive answers ranging from moles to termites.
Most of my hikers are surprised to learn that in Minnesota we have two gophers. Pocket gophers and "Goldy" gopher from the University of Minnesota. Actually "Goldy" gopher is not really a gopher, but instead a thirteen-lined ground squirrel.
Pocket gophers are rodents named for their fur-lined cheek pouches. These pockets are used for transporting bits of plant food that they gather while foraging underground. In addition, they possess special adaptations for their burrowing lifestyles including clawed front paws for digging, small eyes and ears.
Pocket Gopher
Growing up in a small rural community in southeast Minnesota in the 1950's, there was very little opportunity for a teenager to make money other than by having a paper route. To supplement that income, I decided to run a pocket gopher "trapline."
Back in those days, farmers hated pocket gophers because of their destructive activity. Most of that damage took place in pasture lands and hay ground. Hence, farmers and respective townships declared open warfare against gophers by offering bounties. A pair of front feet from each gopher brought ten cents from the farmer and the township.
Because bounties were only paid at the monthly town board meetings, one had to be creative as how to best store the feet to reduce the risk of foul smells at home. I solved that problem by nailing the feet on a board and storing in the garage.
Due to the fact almost all gopher activity takes place underground, I hardly have ever observed a gopher above ground. On March 25th as I was hiking along the Rattlesnake Bluff Trail, I was fortunate enough to observe and photograph a gopher putting the finishing touches on a new mound.
Comments