Field Notes

Monthly Weather Review
Rainfall Total – 2.8 in
Highest Temperature - 84°F
Lowest Temperature - 39°F
Average Wind Speed – 7.1 mph

Thursday, April 2nd

• A Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) was observed stretched across a branch, taking advantage of the warm spring temperatures to bask in the sun.

Monday, April 6th

• A Barn Owl (Tyto alba) was seen quietly observing nearby while researchers reset a game camera to continue monitoring nesting activity inside the metal silo.
• Using an endoscope for a closer look inside the silo, staff confirmed the presence of three Barn Owl (Tyto alba) eggs.

Tuesday, April 7th

• The first Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) hatchling of the season was observed on the property, marking an exciting sign of successful nesting activity.

Thursday, April 9th

• Several Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) hatchlings were seen exploring the paddocks together, already moving quickly across the open ground despite their small size.
• Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) hatchlings were observed using an endoscope, their bright yellow beaks standing out clearly inside the nest box.
• A Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) remained standing guard inside a nearby nest box while researchers conducted monitoring.

Friday, April 10th

• Two Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were observed flying over Fireworks Pond during the early morning hours.
• While conducting pond sampling, CWF staff heard the calls of a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) and several Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) nearby.

Tuesday, April 14th

• Two dragonflies (species undetermined) were observed chasing one another around Turtle Pond, a common territorial behavior during warmer months.
• Two Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) were seen investigating a bird box that later contained five eggs, showing how quickly nesting activity increases during spring.

Wednesday, April 15th

• An Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) was observed carrying an insect in its beak to feed hatchlings in the nest box below.

Thursday, April 16th

• A Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) was seen hopping through the grass while foraging along the field edge.
• An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) butterfly was observed fluttering from branch to branch throughout the woodland edge.

Thursday, April 23rd

• A Barn Owl (Tyto alba) was seen perched in a nearby tree while observing researchers working around the silo area.

Tuesday, April 28th

• A Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) was discovered beside a game camera while staff were changing memory cards.

Thursday, April 30th

• An Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) was observed crossing one of the property trails during the afternoon.
• Common Ragwort (Senecio vulgaris) was observed in full bloom across portions of the property.