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PO Box 646
Zoar OH 44697
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Zoar OH 44697
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This site last updated on
08/07/2009 01:34 PM -0400
Wetland Field Notes 2009
Observations of plants and animals as I explore the wetland - Pam Feagler
January 18, Sunday (ok Sandy,
this one's for you!)
The temp finally reached 29 today, a relative heat wave from the
0's we have been enduring. To celebrate the sunshine and mild temps. Jim
and I walked the trails just to get out of the house. The snow is about 8"
deep which makes it very hard to walk but it was reflecting the brilliant
sunshine so it was so worth the trip. An added bonus was the aerobic
workout we enjoyed while trudging through the snow.
The lake is frozen over, as it has been since mid November. In the 8 years I have been working here the lake has never been frozen for this long. We were surprised to see the bald eagle flying over the lake into the trees because there is certainly no openings for fishing, maybe he was just checking. The Tusc River is mostly open so we have seen the eagle over there more often.
The spillway back at the dam is frozen solid, but the river is still flowing. We watched as the water started to fall over the small dam and disappear under the solid ice. Further downstream the ice was gone and the water was flowing out from under the ice. We could hear the ice moving and heaving as the water flowed under, it was quite beautiful.
We then continued walking up the River Trail, a few birds, mostly red bellied woodpeckers, flew on ahead of us. The sky quickly turned gray and the snow started falling, but without the wind it was falling soft and thick. The woods were so quiet you could almost hear the snowflakes landing against the trees.
We got to the end of the marked trail, and headed directly through the marsh towards the open water. A winter treat is to walk across the 700' or so of frozen lake to the other side. This is where we dream of the boardwalk. Jim suggested we walk farther apart in case the ice was weak...I was sure it was frozen solid. I even stomped and jumped around just to prove it was...until we got directly in the middle of the lake and we both heard the ominous cracks under our feet. Jim said "go faster" and we did. The water is only a foot deep there, but the prospect of falling through is still terrifying in those temps.
The moral of the story kids, never assume that water is frozen enough to walk on. Shallow or deep, 1 acre or 30, don't risk it.
January 22, Thursday
What a gorgeous day to be outside! It actually reached 35 today.
February 24, Tuesday
In spite of the temp of 5, the sunshine is brilliant and the birds are singing
for mates. A morning visitor spotted the Pileated woodpecker flying across
the lake and we could still hear him drumming in the trees down the trail to the
west. On this quiet frigid morning the drumming just echoes over the
landscape as the giant bird claims its territory. Our largest woodpecker
is very shy and is hard to sneak up on, but when it flies you can easily see its
crimson head as it glides through the trees.
Sherrie and I had a treat this morning as the sun warmed the ice on the lake. A symphony of creaking, popping, grinding, and bubbling could be heard as the thinning ice shifted and splintered on the water. We could hear sharp rumbles as possibly air pockets bubbled underneath the ice seeking escape routes. Some of the sounds were like an eerie bird call amplified across the ice. It was wonderful to spend time just listening to the music of the ice, even in the cold.
I mentioned the birdsong, which we are hearing more of. The time is near when songbirds begin claiming nesting territory and mates. The bald eagles have already set up "house" and are nurturing eggs, and red tailed hawks can be seen adding sticks to nests in preparation for their brood. In our area, watch for migrating birds and water fowl to appear in March as they head north to Canada for breeding. We have seen a dramatic decrease in the variety and quantity of migrating birds at our wetland since Katrina. Each spring we watch the birds coming through hoping for a return to larger numbers, not only to count species, but to enjoy the colors and habits of an amazing collection of animals. I just can't stay indoors during migration season...camera and field guide are standing by.
February 26, Thursday
Two days later and it's 50, even cloudy it feels balmy. A
large flock of ring-billed gulls is standing on the remaining film of ice so I
stopped to watch them closer. They were pretty lazy as they pecked through
the rotten ice and casually pulled small fish through the holes. Some went
through the ice but quickly stepped back out. Must be well fed too because
they left a lot of partial fish lying around that none of the other gulls were
interested in. A larger gull, possibly a 2nd winter herring gull, pulled a
fish through the ice and promptly left it lay untouched. It then seemed to
follow something under the ice as it chipped away in a line until it jammed its
head down and brought up another fish through the new hole. This one was
eaten pretty fast, but the first one was left...must have been bad.
I saw the first hooded mergansers today, male and female, napping at the northern end. Scared up a male wood duck, also the first one. Both eagles were in their tree, I could easily hear their distinctive calls above the noise of the gulls. This time of year we are supposed to be watching for nesting owls, haven't heard any yet but I did come across a collection of 4 pellets under the white pine. Will have to plan a night watch on that tree to catch sight or sound of the owls.
I walked all the trails today, making mental note of the spring tasks and