Nature Notes

In a poll of citizens across the United States, Spring runs neck-and-neck with Summer as the second-favorite season of the year (Autumn is the overwhelming winner). It might be the overall runner-up, but Spring sure feels like a welcome change to Winter to my sunstarved face and cold fingers and toes.

Plants and animals around Lake James are feeling the same way. Early wildflowers have been popping since late February, though the daffodils and crocuses are not native, but escaped ornamentals that have gone feral across undeveloped landscapes.

Spring brings out the best in several understory tree species, including dogwood, redbud, serviceberry, silverbells and fringe tree. Wild azaleas add to the fireworks and the resulting splashes of color amid the backdrop of fresh green buds is a sight for sore eyes after a winter of greys and browns.

Migrating birds are returning to Lake James, either to take up residence and raise their young or as a stopover for destinations further still. Broad-winged hawks, purple martins, spotted sandpipers and black-throated green warblers are just a few of the species birdwatchers are excited to welcome back. I’m especially looking forward to spotting the first indigo bunting of the year. These small songbirds prefer early successional habitats, which the park has an abundance of after the last decade of appropriate prescribed fire applications. The male indigo bunting is an electric blue color and picks the tops of trees and shrubs from which to belt out his lusty song.

It will be interesting to see if the famous red foxes of Fox Den Loop trail raise another litter of kits in their well-worn burrow beside the trail. Someday that site will become unsuitable for one reason or another, but up until now generations of foxes have been born and raised there, to the delight of many early morning hikers.

Come out to the park soon and hit the trail. The weather’s fine.