Visit to RIM Park with Chinese Home School Group

23 April, 2026

      It was a long, cold winter this year and spring seemed reluctant to move in, but finally we benefitted from a day when the temperature was predicted to soar to the high teens. We all looked forward to a pleasant walk without the need for winter boots and thermal underwear!

     We got off to a great start even before setting out on the trail proper. Ospreys (Pandion haliaeetus) have returned from the south and have re-occupied their nests atop the light standards.

     I was able to set up a scope so that everyone could see the birds well. A stool helped the smaller children to reach the eyepiece and by adjusting the focus for them, each child was rewarded with their first intimate look at an Osprey.

     Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) has become increasingly more difficult to locate in recent years as more and more grassland is commandeered for urban development; habitat loss is significant for all grassland species. 

      It was immensely exciting, therefore, to witness a pair in a small field near the trailhead, showing well and permitting everyone to see and appreciate this beautiful bird.

     At times the birds were quite close; at other times distant but perched for an extended period, and we put the scope to full use.

     Several Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) also cavorted in the field and it was  satisfying to see this common, yet very striking bird, at close range.

     I think that Penny especially was impressed with this species.

     American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was also present and seldom out of sight.

     A Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) assiduously worked the river, up and down in search of fish.

     The river was swollen and filled with silt, opaque, dense, and brown, no doubt causing the bird great difficulty in locating its prey.
     As we walked along the trail we kept our eyes peeled for spring ephemerals and were soon rewarded with patches of Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana).

     The sublime perfection of these delicate little flowers takes my breath away each year. 

     There is magic in the living world.

     Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) was seen in several spots, surprisingly still without a flower.

     Here is a glimpse of what is soon to come.

     I have seen Yellow Trout Lily flowering in other locations so I am not quite sure why it is behind at RIM Park.

     Amphibians are starting to emerge, so it was with particular delight that we saw our first Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) of the year.

     The larvae of Virginia Ctenucha Moth (Ctenucha virginica) overwinter and emerge in spring, feeding primarily on grass, but also other plants.

     American Beaver (Castor canadensis) has been active.

     These are the leaves of Great Mullein (Verbascum thapus).

     Considerable mirth occurred when Ingrid googled the plant and found out that it is colloquially known as Cowboy's Toilet Paper! I will say no more on this issue...or is that tissue?!

     Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), that classic early spring butterfly, graced us with its presence.

     Surprisingly, we barely saw Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis); a single small patch if I am remembering correctly.

     On these walks I always get the sense that the children really enjoy the experience of being outdoors and exploring, having fun and learning at the same time. Recently Penny, Charlotte's mother and teacher, gave her an assignment to write about a bird walk, and here is the result.

"Bird walks are very interesting. There are two things I really like about bird walks.

 

First, when we were going on a bird walk, we had a friend named David who knows a lot about birds, animals, and nature. 

 

On the way there, I was looking around and finding all sorts of things. On the way back, I talked to David about the things he liked, and he kept pointing out things and telling me what they were. I found something furry and very smooth; I asked him about it, and he said he thought it was fur from a rabbit's belly. Then I found a walnut. I basically found everything I could find in that forest. 

 

There were birds very high up, so I couldn't see what they were called or what they looked like. David helped me by looking through the binoculars so he could see which bird it was and tell me its name. 

 

It is enjoyable talking to people who know a lot about nature because they can tell you what makes nature so wonderful. I was always sticking close to him and asking, "What is that? What is that? What is that?" 

 

Second, discovering little treasures on the way is joyful too. You can gather those little things up and put them in a drawer you like. Every time you think about nature, you can open that drawer and take the things out to look at them.

 

Bird walks are just a lot of fun."

I don't think it gets any better than this.