Heard the first "beez-buzz “ along the creek this morning where the Blue-winged Warblers usually arrive near the colony of Yucca arkansana. They are such beautiful birds to observe in their breeding territory here at Ninestone.
Don took photos of the second Brown Thrasher we’ve heard nearby and I've heard a couple of Red-eyed or Philadelphia Vireos whose songs I often confuse. A first Kentucky Warbler sang yesterday, and lately there have been flocks of Goldfinches twittering in treetops. Even a pair of Pine Siskins remained eating bird seed yesterday.
Earlier this week I explored a feeder creek where the Goldenseal blooms. Black & White Warblers, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a White-eyed Vireo all sang above the emerging Green Dragons, Black Cohosh, Wild Geraniums, and a newly discovered Dirca palustris shrub. Nearby along a wet shady bluff Dwarf Larkspur and Shooting Stars were in flower. Up beyond the waterfall back in the bog that is protected by tangles of Spicebush and Greenbrier, there is an Alder thicket surrounded by emerging Sensitive Ferns, unidentified Iris, and Golden Ragwort. There was a remaining Hermit Thrush, and more including a Yellow Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, and Hooded Warbler… the last four species identified with the help of Merlin.
One female Three-toed Box Turtle, one Prairie Lizard, a Southern Black Racer, two Western Rat Snakes, a dramatic Hognose Snake, and one Big Brown Bat have been observed so far.
Butterflies are becoming more plentiful. Spicebush and Tiger Swallowtails on Fothergilla, a Red-Admiral on the American Bladdernut flowers, one Goatweed Leafwing sunning in a path, small Skippers and Pearl Crescents flit about, and Zebra Swallowtails nectar on False Garlic below the leafing and flowering Pawpaw trees.
The native Coral Honeysuckle, Ohio Buckeye, and a Fire Pink, all favorite native plants of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, are finally flowering!
Looking forward to what shows up after the weekend rain.
Judith
Ninestone, Carroll County
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