Nature Journal Entry: 4/7/2023

5:48pm, Marshlands Conservancy, 51f, full cloud, wind: 12mph from NW

So at Marshlands, there’s a huge meadow that used to be a farm field or meadow for the Jay estate One of the goals of The Conservancy is to maintain it as meadowland for those species that rely on that habitat. To maintain it they mow it down to the ground every spring. This brings two questions to mind:

• First, what normally would maintain our meadows (before European settlers that is) in a biome like this? Was it fire or the browsing from herbivores? 

• Second question, How long would it take for the forest to encroach and take the meadow over?

Now that the meadow has been mowed down to next to nothing, the deer that frequent this area seems absolutely at a loss of how best to handle it. There were two that ran across the field and, while doing so, were dodging back and forth looking for a place to find some kind of shelter. To their increasing worry, they couldn’t find any until they finally ran into the woods on the north side of the field. It’s gonna take some adjusting, but by the time the summer rolls around everything will be back in order.

 

Now that the meadow has been mowed down to next to nothing, the deer that frequent this area seems absolutely at a loss of how best to handle it. They were two that ran across the field and, while doing so, were dodging back and forth, looking for a place to find some kind of shelter. To their increasing worry, they couldn’t find any until they finally ran into the woods on the north side of the field. It’s gonna take some adjusting, but by the time the summer rolls around everything will be back in order.

I think it’s possible that the osprey nest on the main island, the one that was started at the tail-end of last season, has new tenants who are doing some renovations to it. I can’t be sure, but it seems like from the last time I was here more sticks have been added to it. From my own observations and from talking to others, who regularly visit the marsh, one or two have been either perching nearby or eyeing it for the better part of the week. Time will tell if we have new residents. Hopefully, it’s true.

Today was truly the definition of dreary. Full overcast sky, cool temperature, and a breeze out of the northwest. It is the exact opposite of how it was on Monday and Tuesday. But, in spite of all the gloom, the cold, the wind, and the clouds, there was another promise of spring and summer. The marsh grasses are starting to poke up through the gold and buff color mat of last year with nice tender new green shoots. Soon, the marsh’ll be back to its usual self. I’m just gonna need to exercise some patience between now and then. 

Confirmed observation from the other day: Last time I was here I could hear American oystercatchers somewhere out in the harbor but I couldn’t see them. Today I can see at least two on the small rock island just to the south of the main island. Like the marsh grasses erupting from last year's stalks, this is another promise of a summer yet to come.

(Photo from and all credit to eBird)