RECENT OBSERVATIONS

• This is the time of year when our naturalists climb up and clean out all of our Wood Duck nest boxes in preparation of the spring nesting season. Old nesting material is discarded, and cedar woodchips are placed in each of the boxes. Invariably, our naturalists find some boxes occupied by winter tenants - of course, we leave them be. This morning's discoveries included a sleeping raccoon and a red-form Eastern Screech-Owl. (2/12/25)
• We heard turkeys this morning - hens clucking and toms gobbling. Wild Turkeys toms start gobbling in late winter or early spring when they begin courtship. This seems a bit early? (2/11/25)
• We enjoyed watching a young Virginia Opossum munching on sunflower seeds at our feeders today. (2/6/25)
• More action on the deer carcass, with an adult Bald Eagle having a meal (1/31/25) and three American Crows having breakfast (2/4/25).
• A deer carcass on the Treetop Pond ice is attracting scavengers in search of a hearty winter meal. So far we've seen American Crows and two juvenile Bald Eagles. You can view the carcass from the nature center building or the Treetop Pond dock. Circle of life! (1/29/25)
• We've enjoyed a few visits from a special winter visitor: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Most birds of this species head south when winter's chill takes hold, but every once in a while one decides to stick around. This one has been hitting our suet feeders for some tasty fat. (1/28/25)
• Fresh snow on the ground means fresh tracks! There is a LOT of animal activity around the nature center, including whitetail deer, gray squirrels, red squirrels, cottontail rabbits, Virginia opossums, raccoons, and birds - including a big flock of wild turkeys. Check out the turkey tracks! (1/2/25)
• Today we spotted an Eastern Screech-Owl peeking out of one of our Wood Duck nest boxes. Screech-Owls generally use tree cavities as their day roost, but will use nest boxes when available - and we have about 30 of them on the property. Whenever you're out hiking at Seven Ponds, be sure to take a look at each Wood Duck box to check for one of these little owls. (11/20/24)