March 1st. Finally, the ice is virtually all gone and much of the trail surface thawed.

 

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) on the left (south side) just as you reach the marsh.

 

Paddling away. Note the banded bird I saw yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

The three in pictures above were headed towards the larger group across the marsh.

 

The White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) were back feeding on the ground.

 

 

 

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhyncos).

 

More Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) every day.

 

A distant Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula).

 

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens).

 

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2nd. All clear of ice and the ground frozen again. Brutal cold and wind. I turned back early.

 

A bit of ice remains in footprints near the mural.

 

Note the Small Winter Stonefly (Allocapnia sp.) in the toe area of that footprint.

 

More ice patterns.

 

 

 

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhyncos), the only bird I saw.

 

 

 

March 3rd. White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) with perhaps a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) in the foreground.

 

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).

 

Two American Crows (Corvus brachyrhyncos).

 

 

 

Hoar Frost.

 

March 6th. Foggy after heavy rain overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

American Amber Jelly Fungus (Exidia crenata) or a closely related species.

 

 

 

March 8th. A male Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The female Hooded Merganser was about 100 feet away.

 

 

 

Three distant Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

Possibly Hazel Woodwart (Hypoxylon fuscum).

 

Despite yesterday's high winds, this was the only dead tree down near Raymond Brook Marsh. Lots of small branches down all along, naturally.

 

March 9th. A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) checked out the marsh, but opted to fly off.

 

 

 

One of a pair of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura). I get the impression that nesting season will be happening for many species soon.

 

 

 

Terrible picture but check out the metallic colors of this Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula).

 

Male Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) intensely displaying.