As winter began, I was ready and
waiting for a few good snowstorms. I planned to snowshoe, take
photos, complain about shoveling, make large quantities of soup, and
hang out by the gas heating stove. My plans were dashed! No- show
snow. We dodged the Huge snow event of 2016. We managed to get an
inch or so here and there. But by now I am not interested. I am
thinking in green and not in white. I'm also worried that this
winter's roller coaster weather pattern is really confusing our
gardens. My daffodils, crocuses, and grape hyacinths broke ground a
few weeks ago, along with Hellebores having flower buds, and peonies
poking through the soil. They must have been shocked by below zero
temps, a warm-up to the fifties, ice, rain, thunderstorms, flooding.
I think wildlife is faring better than flowers this winter season.
Without the snow cover, animals can
find and get food much easier. Grasses, weeds, seeds, nuts, acorns,
and fruits aren't hidden. Just about daily, I see a red squirrel on
South Lawn making its way to a pine tree for cones. I have seen
evidence of fox and skunks nosing around yards and open space for
grubs and worms. They leave behind small circles in the dirt where
they have been dining. Without a deep snow pack, it is a lot easier
for animals to prowl and move around too. One day out walking by the
lake, I noticed fox tracks in the smear of snow on the ice by Round
Lake's inlet. I walked along Route 9 and saw that the tracks
continued across the lake, not far from shore, until about Silvera's
house. Maybe the fox took a turn into the village at this point.
Birds are also benefiting from a no snow season, as weed seeds,
fruits, nuts, and grasses are available to them as well.
On a walk across the ball field back
in January, I noticed a lot of mole hills on the side closer to
Goldfoot Road. Under a tree I spotted what looked like a couple of
owl pellets, not far from the mole activity. The next day I went back
and scooped up the pellets to take home and dissect. Hair and very
small bones were sticking out of them. By the size I would think they
were from a Great-horned owl. It seems that the Great-horned has
staked out the north end of the village and the Barred Owls keep to
the south side. This is most likely due to the fact that the G-H Owls
will go after the Barreds. When I dissected one of the pellets, I
found the incisor/jaw set-up indicating a rodent. Since the mole is
not a rodent maybe the owl had eaten a squirrel - there was a
headless squirrel on the other side of the field. I haven't had a
chance to examine the second pellet but I will up-date you when I do.
There are pictures on my blog of the pellets and findings.
Speaking of owls, John Shafts got a
great picture of a Barred Owl over in a tree on Washington Avenue.
The same day a Red-tailed Hawk dined on a squirrel on the front lawn
of Jeff Max's house. At one point the hawk tried to fly off with his
dinner but couldn't get lift. Many of us were able to get photos as
Red was there for quite some time. I have spotted turkey tracks on
the west side of the ball field. If you see a flock in town, please
let me know so I can send in a count to DEC.
On February twelfth I counted birds in
the village for the Great Backyard Bird Count. The count provides a
snapshot of what birds and how many are in a given spot. I did the
count as a hike around the village, checking feeders, parks, wooded
edges, and trees. For each species of bird, I get to report the most
I see at any given moment. A Red-tailed Hawk put in an appearance,
soaring down Andrews Avenue. I saw the usual feeder birds,
Chickadees, White-breasted nuthatches, Tufted titmice, Northern
Cardinals plus a Northern Flicker but unfortunately didn't see the
Pileated Wood Pecker or Barred Owl that day. Thanks to Gary and Kate
for looking out for them too! In all I counted twenty-one different
species. Another hot spot for the bird count was the Round Lake
Preserve. A participant counted nineteen species including two Bald
Eagles and a Northern Harrier(Marsh Hawk).
Well, stay dry, stay warm and stay
well. If we get a late season snow storm I'll be making soup!
