March 9th. A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) at Crenberry Bog.

 

 

 

Another pair of Mallards, this time at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The usual Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) east of route 207.

 

 

 

A female Ring-necked Duck.

 

March 10th. A young male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus).

 

 

 

March 12th. A few Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) in the vernal pools east of Old Hartford Road.

 

Not a real chorus yet, though there were more callling further way from he trail.

 

Caterpillar of the Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia).
See the adult moth and much more here: https://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?phylo=930323

 

Head and true legs bottom center.

 

March 13th. American Robin (Turdus migratorius). One of two males I saw foraging together.

 

March 16th. Hummock grasses are greening up.

 

Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are back. (Thanks Red, for pointing them out.)

 

 

 

A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

 

Slender and...

 

...very vocal.

 

 

 

A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) on the channel side.)

 

 

 

Bubbles on the exit stream below the little falls.

 

 

 

 

 

An afternoon visit to Cranberry Bog. I saw two pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 17th. The invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is putting out fresh leaves.

 

Nice warm light shortly after dawn.

 

The same warm light on male catkins of Alder (Alnus sp.).

 

 

 

Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) is just starting to leaf out. Midges (Family Chironomidae) seemed to be attracted to it.

 

 

 

The two male American Robins (Turdus migratorius) I've seen feeding together recently.

 

But today their peaceful co-existence was interrupted on several occasions...

 

...by fighting on the ground and...

 

 

 

...in the air a few feet off the ground...

 

 

 

...before peace returned.

 

Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) have been around for a few days, but this was the first picture I managed to get.

 

March 19th. Just one Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) today.

 

This male Wood Duck (Air sponsa) and its mate have been hanging out by a nest box on the south side of the marsh.

 

They've very skittish though and I fear they'll look for a more private nest site.

 

A male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) catching the early light.

 

A female Hazel (Corylus avellana) flower.

 

Female flower (upper left) is dwarfed by the large male catkins.

 

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) leaf buds are just beginning to open.

 

A Willow (Salix sp.) showing tiny pussies.

 

Wild Chives (Allium schoenoprasum).

 

March 20th. A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The female was nearby.

 

Black-capped Chicadee (Poecile atricapilla).

 

A male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Lots of Mallards around today.

 

 

 

Six Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus).

 

Similar yellow eyes as Grackles, but shorter tails, often with brown speckles in their plumage, compact form, etc.

 

These three are Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula).

 

Below and to the right, the Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) taking a break.

 

At least 42 in this photo.