Sometimes
I find it hard to leave Round Lake to go somewhere else to hike,
paddle and bird watch. There’s so much to see and do here, whether
it’s the water, woods, gardens, or trails, that I’m happy to be
home and out and about. A constant sighting this spring and summer
has been Rabbits! I think there’s a cottontail in every garden,
yard, wooded edge, and trail this season. I have one that visits
daily and nibbles the Lupines and chews a specific patch of grass. It
sits very still in the yard as we come and go. It is undetected by
the dog. The mild winter, without extremely cold temperatures and
lots of snow cover, helped rabbits and their young ones readily find
vegetation to eat. They start reproducing in February and keep on
hopping until fall. New development and habitat loss have likely
caused more cottontails to move into the village too. Development has
caused a greater number of garter snakes to be on Bob Sweet’s
property than in the past. For the very first time, Florence Cruz,
who lives near the new development, has had two broods of Blue Birds
in her nest box at her home on Cleveland Avenue. Gil Rigney was happy
to see a Bluebird drinking from the birdbath in her yard. We can
provide cover, food, water, and nesting spots in our village gardens
to help wildlife through this habitat change.
Then
there’s the chipmunks. They are everywhere! I remember a time when
it was just squirrels, Round Lake’s very first residents. It seems
that those of us with vegetable gardens all have a chipmunk raiding
garden story. From grape, cherry and even the large tomatoes, to
ground cherries, strawberries and even hot peppers. What did they
devour of yours? In my garden the squirrels sit on the tomato cages
and take bites out of the beefsteak tomatoes. The chippies take the
husks off the ground cherries before enjoying them. With the hot
peppers they stop at the seeds which are the hottest part. But if
they didn’t, that would teach them. I don't remember such bad
behavior from them in the past, do you?
I
am always eager to see Monarch butterflies around and finally had a
first of the season sighting at my milkweed on July 28th.
A female flew over all fifty plus of my milkweed plants, stopping and
doing what looked like laying eggs. The next day I found an egg on
the underside of a milkweed leaf, where Monarchs typically place an
egg. I started watching and photographing the egg and then the
caterpillar. Unfortunately, the caterpillar disappeared after several
days. It was too soon to be off forming a chrysalis but hopefully it
got to that point. Photos are on my blog. I did see Monarchs through
the month of August in my garden, down on the outlet and at the Round
Lake Preserve. It's great habitat for them there with Milkweed and
wildflowers growing in the fields up from the Anthony Kill. My
friend, JudySelig, reported sightings around town and in her garden
on Washington Avenue, as well. Thanks to Aaron Morris who spreads
different kinds of milkweed and butterfly weed around the village by
giving it to friends and neighbors. I definitely saw more Monarchs
this season than last. Let's keep planting Milkweed! I have plenty of
pods of seeds I'd love to share. Let me know. Jane, I remember you
want some!
Lastly,
the lake is such a wonderful, bird watching, fishing, full moon
rising, sunset and sunrise, relaxing and beautiful place to be.
Whether you go down to the boat launch, preserve, or get on the lake
in a boat, you are rewarded with sightings (Great Blue Heron,
Great-crested Cormorants, Bald Eagles, Kingfishers, Ospreys, and
more) and just a quiet calm get away. Enjoy it all Round Lakers! Why
would we live anywhere else? Hope everyone had a wonderful summer,
Diane.
