Blustery Spring Cold and Night Heron Return

Saturday morning after a windy day and night, a not-quite frosty cold has returned. I returned to the Woods through the NE Gate to see what was happening. The Tree Loop was in good shape and other trails had no down trees, only smaller branches. The yellow-crowned night heron (one at least) had returned to the NW Pond and was warming in the morning sun in its favorite SW corner. The Main SW trail has finally dried all the way through the Beaver Dam. Soil is sodden just, short of muddy but no standing water there. Good to avoid mosquito development.
Along the Northern Loop all four of the invasive Ailanthus tree of heaven saplings had early leaves dead and hanging from the cold 25 F a few days ago. Bradford pear leaves on Pipeline Trail also seem to have had some (less) damage. Young, just emerging leaves of pin oaks also look damaged.

On the forest floor, the green is spreading.. Polygonum pink lady's thumb and Elephantopus elephant's foot's larger green leaves are common. Understory box elder are opening small leaves. The green closing-in of the forest is beginning.. slowly. No deer to be seen, but good population of robins foraging. There were many symphonies of songs and squeaks in the trees with the wind this morning. Many leaning trees dead or live with the strong winds produce a chorus of many voices in the Woods. New trail from Hackberry Alley to Big Tree Grove, blue flagged.

Cold snap and mallards

Friday and Saturday, temperature steadily dropped strongly to 25 F, a killing cold snap for many plants with brand new young leaves. The 4 stems of Ailanthus tree of heaven had some of the earliest leaves. Sunday afternoon the upright young leaves were turning from spring green to dark green to black. Good news, helps to keep this invasive in check.
No sign of the pair of yellow crowned night herons; but in their place there was a pair of mallards. It would be nice if someone nests on the NW pond.
Ponds are nicely filled. The NW Pond at 2.48' in depth and the Eastern at 2.08' The East Pond has a significant accumulation of flotsam. Flotsam in the west of the NW Pond too. Rafts of floating (decomposing?) algae. I'd like to know what species are in there.
Warblers and other small woodland birds active. Saw first Morchella of the year, blonde brown in color. Deer herd of 13 a few days ago. Good mix of older protective animals, 1-2 year olds and several new. No spotted fawns. They ran from me, but not far. Stopped and watched me as I sang to them. Largest group I've seen in years(?) there. Silver tassels of box elder are all opening, hanging, bedecking their branch tips. The Woods are bursting with new spring life. From the forest floor to tips of shrubs to tops of trees, green-up is beginning.

Spring Seesaw Yellow Crowned Night Herons

After a week of soft warm spring days that brought out a full bloom of Missouri violets Viola sororia across the eastern and northern Woods, the temp dropped April Fools Day/ Easter to a high of 49. Chilly late afternoon, I walked in via the NW Pond and found a pair of yellow-crowned night herons quietly waiting for their dinner to swim by, along the shallow shore. Half way along the North South trail, I disturbed a barred owl who flew soundlessly a short distance northwest. Overhead, east of the N-S trail, the red shouldered hawk flew in circles. By the Beaver Dam, chickadees, titmice and cardinals were busy foraging. It is a mystery to me how small birds can survive and find enough food on chilly days.

The jet stream relented and we enjoyed more soft warms days. I planted my garden tomatoes. Then noon Friday the cold returned. This morning we woke to ice on the ground and dry bits of snow falling. A return to the Woods provided a second glimpse of the yellow-crowned night heron; but not much else moving. Violets all closed to survive the 25 F. Now blue skies and warm sun.