HONOR’S HAVEN NATURE ALMANAC 5

Around the lake at Honor’s Haven, young woodchucks (or groundhogs) born earlier this year eat clover plantain and grasses to not only grow but to add a layer of fat for the upcoming winter hibernation.  By the way, woodchucks are true hibernators, which mean that their body temperatures drop to just above freezing, and their bodies go into a state of suspended animation.  In contrast, bears are not true hibernators, even though they sleep through most of the winter, their bodies only drop a few degrees and they occasionally wake up for short period of time – so it’s not a good idea to make a lot of noise if you crawl into a bears den in the winter.

The group pictured on the right with seven goslings is the largest group raised here this year.  In addition we had two other smaller groups as well.  Canada geese are one of the species of bird that mates for life while both parents are involved in raising the young.

In contrast, with both Mallard and Wood Ducks, only the female raises the young. This year Honor’s Haven had about a dozen Mallard ducklings grow up at the lake.Mallards are our most common duck.

We also had one small group of Wood Ducks.  They started with four ducklings but lost one very early on.  The picture on the left shows the three that remained with their mother.  Unlike most ducks which make a nest in the reeds or tall grass on the shoreline,  Wood Ducks, true to their name build their nest in a hollowed out tree.  Shortly after the ducklings hatch, their mother coaxes them to jump out of the nest.  Being very downy and very light, they survive their fall.

Then they follow their mother to water where they live until they are able to fly.

Of the many birds that nested at Honor’s Haven this year was the Great Crested Flycatcher. As can be seen in the picture on the right they are appropriately named.  Not only does it have a great crest on its head, it also catches flies as can be seen by the fly in its bill.  This one nested in a dead tree near Honor’s Haven’s blue trail.

Another bird that nested near the blue trail is the Red-eyed Vireo.  In this case, the nest was right on the blue trail.  As can be seen in the picture on the left, the Red-eyed Vireo’s nest is very delicately made, hanging under the branches that hold it.  They often use birch bark in its construction but will sometimes use discarded man-made material if that is unavailable.  Summer is a great time to get out and watch the youngsters both human and wild.