March 2010 (part 1)

Spring has sprung! Or - at the very least - it's on it's way. The month started out with warm temperatures and sunny days. Red-tailed hawks and Red-shouldered hawks can be seen perched around campus and soaring high in the sky on warm days. Skunk cabbage - the first wildflower - has broken through the frozen ground and is growing along the creek. Mallards are swimming around our swamp and Canada Geese can be heard honking as they continually fly overhead in large groups.

Early season "Stream Ecology" classes have already found amphibians, including small, young salamanders and some very cold frogs.

Robins continue to pull worms up from the thawing ground and woodcocks have been seen in the forest - although noone has witnessed their unusual and fascinating mating dance yet.

The mammals are moving around more, which results in some great wildlife encounters. Virginia oppossum, red fox and bobcat have all been seen in the area, and some lucky staff members have seen the first black bear tracks of the season!