The water is freezing over, although there is still plenty of open water, but no waterfowl were visible. I heard at least two Carolina Wrens, some Song Sparrows and lots of Black-Capped Chickadees. Otherwise, it was quiet and uneventful. There were a few moths flying about, and one of the Song Sparrows pursued one of them.
It was a warm 47 degrees, a pleasant surprise. The sun did peak out today, which was another pleasant surprise since it wasn't predicted until tomorrow.
That looks like a lovely place. Has it recently been flooded - I notice the tree stumps in the water. That's an interesting sign. Here we have quite liberal access legislation and you are allowed to walk, cycle or horse-ride most places in the country as long as there isn't a crop growing there or it is a garden. You are allowed to take your dog with you, but the emphasis on the legislation is that you must be responsible. The real problem is that people have different ideas about what responsible is! I do fear for our wildlife in the limited spaces left here for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Nick,
DeleteIt's part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society's wildlife sanctuary properties. According to their website, this is a pond with a beaver pipe built into it that manages the water level suitable for beavers but prevents dam building. There are known beavers way on the back side, and I have noticed that sometimes the pipe requires maintenance to remove build up of branches and debris. The tree stumps have been that way as long as I have visited there. The osprey nest which is out in the middle of the pond on a tree snag used to be a great blue heron nest years ago (according to another hiker I spoke with). Wildlife sanctuaries are supposed to be pet-free, and because this one has no staffed visitor center, the policy is often abused by neighboring dog walkers. I like the additional signage, but in all likelihood, people will only do the right thing if someone is there to enforce it.