SPRING 2018 - Been a while
WINTER CLEANUP
It's been a crazy spring so far, we were in the 70 the end of February, then back to cold in March, and a wet April, we've already swept up 150+ pounds of sand that was put on the icy walkways this winter. Our plow guy made a mess of the lawn (due the warm stretches) and driveway this year, much more to do here.
I heard someone say dog poop was excessive this winter and oh boy was it.
Trees and brush, WOW!
Between the 11+ trees that came down around the yard to shrubs that died due to the subzero temps in January this winter was one for the record books.
Good new is my new Stihl chainsaw I got last year is awesome, took care of some 14" Elm that was threatening to come down with no problem. Still 4 to 5 standing dead elms needing to come down, I'll wait till I have help for some of these near the road we'll need to chain and pull these over as they are leaning towards the road. I figure I could spend about a month this year just clearing blow downs and snow damaged trees this year. So far we're only taking the trees that are visible from the yard, the others are in the woodlot and would be a full time job for someone (Not me) to clear, there are enough blow downs there that the deer herd has had to start using other trails in and out of the deer yard.
SPRING CRITTERS
Birds
All the birds are now vying for all of the birdhouses in the yard
Sparrows, Redpolls, a pair of tree swallow scouts cam in on the 12th, and the Bluebirds came in a couple weeks ago... Martin house isn't up yet, weather isn't cooperating, it's big so I need to make sure whatever we do will stand up to the winds we'll get right through May.
Worms
Earthworms showed up Thursday the 12th here, Robins will be happy, then of course winter came back Sunday April 15th, 1/4" of sleet so far.
Deer
So far in 2018 looks like the herd is at about 7 deer on a semi daily basis. Deer feeder Jarrod gave us for Xmas is working well.
Woodcock
We have somewhere between 3 and 4 or so Woodcock between the neighbors pond and Lake Chloe that call and flutter back and forth between the properties here almost nighty. A loud "Peent" is the call we hear!
Turkeys
We saw 10 or so up the street, they made it through the winter, we've only seen them here in the yard a couple times in previous years and not since. Bummer.
Did she say BEAR?
Black Bear - April 7th during the day in the deer yard, I ran to get the camera of course he/she decided to head back out the way it came in, so I got just a butt... Rosie thought it was last years cub, not as big as the one we had last year, but he/she was big.
We heard them peeping in Bedford heading back from Easter dinner at Sheila's, must be cooler here we have not heard them here this year yet.
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