March 26th. The male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

Raven with Diane and Leslie, out for a walk.

 

At Raymond Brook Marsh, looking towards Old Colchester Road.

 

Walking back west, I spotted this Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) heading across the trail.

 

It was very far away and I had to hustle to catch up to it.

 

About the largest snapper I've seen on the trail. Prehistoric looking.

 

Heading for the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note the claws.

 

 

 

 

 

March 27th. American Robin (Turdus migratorius) strutting.

 

 

 

 

 

First Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) I've seen at Raymond Brook Marsh this year! Very far away.

 

Seems particularly skinny.

 

 

 

 

 

A pair of Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) and a male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris).

 

Speckled Alder (Alnus rugosa) catkins and female cones.

 

Ornamental Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) under the train mural.

 

Closed in the cold.

 

East of Route 207, the Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) pair.

 

Subtle metallic colors in the head and neck.

 

The Buffleheads, plus four Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).

 

Six Ring-necked Ducks; female upper left.

 

One of two Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) in the drainage channel across the trail from the pond. Much less commonly seen than Painted Turtles.

 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus). At the upper right, note the rounded yellow spadix with it's array of tiny flowers nestled inside the speckled maroon spathe.

 

March 28th. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) about 50 feet from where it was yesterday morning, now joined by a male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

Boiler slag, found near the Colchester Spur junction. Perhaps left over from the steam era?

 

Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) at the pond east of Route 207.

 

 

 

Taking a break.

 

March 29th. Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Not sure what it's eating. Too big for a corn kernel.

 

A female Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).

 

The Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are back in force. (I'd been seeing small numbers, never landing, for a few daya).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

 

 

Male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)...

 

 

 

...and a female.

 

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) showing off metallic sheen in the sunlight.

 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) buds starting to open - so far, just on a couple of trees.