As we drove in the driveway a sandpiper was walking along the edge of the creek. I’m not sure what kind but it made a nice picture.

We had a wonderfully warm few days – we even ate dinner on the porch which is pretty good for early May. While we were eating we heard a large flock of crows harassing something in the trees across the valley – I think it must have been an owl because we thought we could hear it hooting quietly. It was getting late and dark, and finally the crows started drifting away towards their roost. There was one crow left, still cawing loudly, and then all of a sudden it stopped abruptly. It sounded like the owl got it in mid-caw.

I spent a lot of time figuring out how to girdle Aspen trees (see my other blog entry). It’s hard work – good upper body exercise – but I’ve finally figured it out and I think I can get a lot done this season.
Here’s one group of aspen that I worked on.

We went out for dinner at Ellen and Ann’s – our friends in Alma – one night. It was fun to see them and nice to have friends nearby. It makes us feel a bit more connected to the neighborhood.

I found a couple plants that I didn’t remember having seen before – but they’re already in the inventory – Prunus pennsylvanica, Fire Cherry – several small trees blooming on the point of Indian Grass Prairie. Viburnum lentago, Nannyberry – blooming on the edge of Sumac Prairie Field. And last week I figured out that the maples we have are Acer rubrum, Red Maple. The Prairie Smoke in Star-grass Opening finally bloomed. I’ve been watching it for 2 years and finally found one small blossom.

Prairie Smoke

The dandelions are all in bloom – some of the upper fields are covered with them. Once the prairie gets taller they disappear, but right now they’re the dominant plant in lots of places.

The bluebirds seem to be fine in spite of the freezing weather last week. The only ones that had problems were the ones in the box that was pushed over by the bear. When I opened their box several broken eggs fell out, so I guess they didn’t survive being tipped over. Once I discarded the broken eggs the adults came back – hopefully they’ll try again. The other boxes all had at least 3 or 4 eggs, and the one in 3 Finger Valley had babies. Here’s the dad busily feeding them.

The migrating birds are all arriving – Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were waiting for us when we arrived, and the Orioles and Hummingbirds came the next day. The only warbler I saw – and heard – was a Blue-winged Warbler. I have to relearn their song every year – I can never remember it. And there were lots of Ovenbirds in the woods.

I found one bat in the bathouse – the first one for the year.