New cattail growth is ankle-high, and the understory in the forest is starting to green up. We had our first box hatch out on Friday (according to reports from a photographer), and the hen and thirteen ducklings put on a show skittering about the main pond this morning. Unfortunately, we’ve also had our first nest failure, as box #3 has been predated and the remaining two eggs abandoned. Common Yellowthroats and American Coots made their first appearance this week; Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers were numerous. Myra found a Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) feeding by the boardwalk.
In past weeks, at least one Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) has been audible and fleetingly visible, and a passing-through Sora (Pozana carolina) was reported the week of March 29. Jennifer spotted a Beaver on that trip, too. Common Snipe and Great Egrets have also arrived.