A Tree for Betty Cooper

      At least once in a lifetime, everyone should have a Betty Cooper as a friend. She was an amazing person in so many ways, warm, friendly, intelligent, independent, determined, with a deep well of knowledge on all matters related to the natural world. She was also encyclopedic in her knowledge of Waterloo Region Nature, her favourite nature club, and there was hardly a fact she couldn't recall from memory, and if it didn't come immediately to mind she certainly knew where to find it!

     Miriam took the picture below when Betty took part in one of my walks in October 2020. It was approximately a 3.5km round trip along the Mill Race in St. Jacobs, on a decidedly cool October day.

     Betty was ninety-three years old.

     As a keen naturalist Betty loved all trees, but her special passion was reserved for oaks. So, it was entirely fitting that we decided to plant an Eastern White Oak (Quercus alba), at the rare Charitable Research Reserve in Cambridge, ON, to honour this lady who was as straight and as strong as an oak herself.

     Many of her friends gathered to take part in the ceremony.

     Along the way we all helped to set the tree in the ground and fill the hole.

     The shovel was passed from hand to hand.

     Soon, thanks mainly to the care and attention provided by Fraser and Jim, it looked just right.

     Larry and David replaced a rock in its original position, exactly as Betty would have wished.

     Jenna provided some water.

     And Betty's tree stood tall and straight, ready to flourish, majestic as only an oak can be, and a fitting reminder of our stalwart departed friend.

     Betty's two good friends, Elaine LaRonde and Mary Ann Vanden, delivered some touching remarks, far better than I could compose, and I urge you to read them here. 

Elaine

"I feel very honoured to be asked to pay tribute to our mutual friend Betty. Some of you had the privilege of knowing Betty far longer than I did. It wasn’t until I joined the board of KWFN that I really got to know Betty and discovered what an integral part of the club she was. She was the archivist, the historian, the librarian – it seemed that anything you wanted to know about the club’s history you could find out from Betty. Much later I discovered what an important force she had been throughout her 62 years as a member of the Naturalists.

As Mary Ann mentioned in Betty’s obituary in The Heron Betty and her husband, Fred, had been heavily involved in KWFN – almost from the beginning of the club. They both served on the board, published The Heron, volunteered on special projects like the Bluebird Project and the Peregrine Falcon Release Project. Betty’s fingers were in many pies – of the natural sort!

It wasn’t just Betty’s dedication to the club that brought us all here today. She demonstrated so many fine qualities in her every day life as well. I’m convinced that if you look up the meaning of the word “independence” in the dictionary, you would find Betty’s photo. I certainly became aware of her independent spirit when I began to drive with her to club meetings. While we were still meeting at Wing 404 she would inevitably have a heavy box of books or plants to take to the meeting. I would try to carry the box for her only to have her insist that it would be too heavy for me and she would refuse to release it until she reached the car. Considering that she was almost twenty years older than me, this was always a bit embarrassing!

Betty loved all aspects of our natural world but her special love was for gardening – especially native plants. I know she exchanged planted species with other plant lovers in KWFN and was always generous in sharing with others. I feel privileged to have some special plants in my yard which started as seedlings in Betty’s garden. Betty didn’t just share her plants with others, she also shared her wisdom and kindness too. When my husband died a few years ago, she walked with me and helped me see that life continues even after losing your life’s partner – a lesson that she had learned many years earlier when her beloved Fred had died.

Even in her nineties, Betty had a zest for life. She loved her home and her garden, her feline friend, “Puss”, her church life and her friends, her neighbours who really valued her and her friends from KWFN/WRN, which was such an important part of her life. When her family moved to BC and asked her to join them, Betty said, “No thanks” – her life was here. We were her family too! Even during COVID, and as her health deteriorated, she was always interested in knowing how other people were doing. She would have been thrilled to see her naturalist friends here today. And how appropriate to have this oak tree planted in her memory."

Mary Ann

Planting White Oak Ceremony at rare in Honour of Betty Cooper 

Fri. May 6, 2022

"To honour Betty Cooper, a decision was made to plant a tree. But what kind of tree? 

That was the question posed to Elaine and me.

Our response was immediate: an oak. Let me explain why.

The story begins in the late ‘90s. I was a teacher then, in Kitchener, at St. Bernadette School. 

I remember many times being outside on yard duty and noticing the line of trees along the back fence of the school playground. One tree, in particular, stood out to me. It was a tall, stately oak, just on the other side of the fence. In those rare moments when I didn’t have little kids tugging and swarming all around me, I would sometimes stop to admire that magnificent oak.

By the early 2000s:

- I was retired

- I’d joined the club

- I’d met Betty

- She invited me over to her home

And, as often happens the first time at someone’s home, she wanted to show me around. 

She first took me to her front garden there on Highland Rd. Many of you have seen it. 

Next, she led me to her back yard. She unlatched the gate, we stepped through and I just stopped in my tracks. 

“Betty, Betty – on the other side of your fence, that’s the school where I used to teach!” Well, she was pretty amazed at that.

“Ya,” I continued, “and, right along the fence, I remember, there was this really magnificent oak tree I used to admire.”

Betty turned, and pointed to the back corner of her garden. “Is that it?”

I recognized it immediately. “Ya, that’s it! That’s the one!”

We were both astonished at the coincidence.

Well, then, she couldn’t resist. She started telling me the story of that English Oak in her back yard.

Betty’s paternal grandfather, Rex Pierce, grew up in Dover, England. Then, as a young single man, he immigrated to Canada settling in London, ON. Soon after, he joined an English social club in London where, on one occasion, the Sherrif of Nottingham came to speak. The Sherrif brought acorns which he’d gathered from English Oaks growing in the royal gardens at Westminster Palace. These he distributed to attendees at this meeting. Rex Pierce made sure he got one, and planted it. 

Betty’s English Oak is a direct descendant of that original acorn. She considered it part of her family heritage.    

The sapling being planted today in Betty’s honour is a White Oak, not an English Oak. However, as a gardener and long time member of our club, Betty understood the importance of planting native trees. She’d be happy that an oak has been selected, and doubly happy to know that it is a native oak.

And, I’m quite confident that Betty’s hope and wish for this little White Oak sapling would be that it, too, should thrive and grow into a strong stately tree just as magnificent as the English Oak in her back yard."

     We'll miss you Betty, but we'll think of you as we nurture this tree in your memory. You can count on that!

Odds and Ends - and Lily

     We have not been out and about as much as usual of late, due to atrocious weather at times, and Miriam had an adverse reaction to her second COVID vaccination, so this post is a combination of odds and ends.

05 July 2021

     The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) colony at SpruceHaven has had a banner year, and young birds are to be seen everywhere, with many second clutches now being incubated.

     These nestlings are about ready to fledge.

     Time to lose a little weight and learn how to catch your own food!

06 July 2021

     This attractive Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilare) was a very welcome visitor to our backyard.

     On balance, stink bugs, are probably beneficial in a garden, keeping weeds under control. They may attack tomatoes which look like they have been pricked, but stink bug numbers are seldom high, so they are not a significant problem.

     We have no tomatoes, and we are happy to share the yard with this individual. It is welcome to chew on all the weeds it wishes!

10 July 2021

     We had the sad duty of attending the funeral of our good friend, Betty Cooper, who illuminated this Earth for ninety-three years. In addition to many diverse interests Betty was dedicated to nature in all its richness. 

     We will miss her.

     Last October, she walked the entire length of the Mill Race Trail and back, and this picture of the two of us walking together is one I will treasure forever.

12 July 2021

     Our Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is doing splendidly well and bringing us much pleasure.

     It appears not to be well patronized by Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) but other insects, including this Cuckoo Leafcutter Bee (Genus Coelioxys), are not reluctant to exploit it.

     Our Red Hot Poker (Family Asphodelaceae) is not native, but produces copious quantities of nectar and is known to be visited by Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) and Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula).

      The plant is to the side of the front porch, so we seldom see it other than coming and going. Perhaps we need to pay more attention!

13 July 2021

     If I go to look out the window right now I can almost be assured that there will be a Mourning Dove (Zenadia macroura) or two in the backyard.

     No matter how many times I see it, I am never immune to its beauty. 

     We are often drawn to birds by their bright colours (and who can not react to multi-coloured tropical species?), or their extravagant behaviours, but there is a time to appreciate subtleties too.

     Every movement by a Mourning Dove seems measured and deliberate, its plumage a model of subdued hues, but it is possessed of a rare beauty all its own. 

14 July 2021

     Is anything quite as peaceful and quintessentially pastoral as a field of cows?

     A Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) was taking good care of her family on the pond.

     At this farm a couple of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) are rented each year, and their presence may afford a little extra protection for these ducklings. 

     This Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) would not hesitate to carry off one them to feed his own growing brood.

     I am woefully ignorant about cereal grains, but I am assuming this is some kind of wheat, and there seems to be a bumper crop.

     We spotted five Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) in one location and are quite sure that carrion was in the vicinity.

     We didn't take the time to try to find it - rotting carcasses are not our favourite things to discover!

    We are so accustomed to seeing Turkey Vultures soaring on currents of air, it always adds a touch of extra excitement to view them perched.

     They have an impressive wing span.

Lily

     Under the new COVID guidelines of the Province of Ontario, we are allowed to gather in our house - up to five people, so Heather and Lily payed their first visit.

Lily is almost thirteen months old, happy, curious and very mobile. She will attempt several steps provided you hold her hand; the moment you release it she sits down! Any day now, I predict she will take her first unaided steps.

     It was exciting to have her play with us in the house and interact in ways not possible when she is confined to her stroller on a walk.

     I am showing you all the pictures Miriam took, and I think that any commentary from me would be superfluous.

     It makes no difference at all, but Blogger in its own inimitable fashion rearranged the sequence of the pictures.

     The weather in various parts of the world seems to be causing great distress for many. Stay safe everyone, but get used to it. Climate change is already here.

COVID Walks along The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

     The series of outings I initiated last month, now known as COVID walks, involving small groups of eager birders, has been very well received, and it was apparent that we should continue with them. The Mill Race in St. Jacobs seemed like a perfect spot to run the third set of walks, and spaces were quickly filled.

Sunday 25 October 2020

Participants: Jason Earle, Walter Friesen, Tara Hurley, Stephanie Shaw, Brian Smith, Joel Ziegler

Jason, Stephanie, Joel, Tara, Brian, David, Walter

     As soon as everyone got to know each other, we set off along the trail, happy to be together on a crisp Ontario morning, anxious to see what we could discover.

     It was not long before a male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) decided to welcome us to his world.

     The Mill Race Trail is one of the best places I know where a sighting of White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) is almost a safe bet, and often there are multiple views of this enchanting little bird. Such was the case today.

     The other aspect of the trail which birders and non-birders alike, young and old, and in between, find appealing is the fact that Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) have become so accustomed to humans bringing food for them, that the chance to feed from the hand is virtually assured.

     I took along seed so that everyone could try it out, and the chickadees were equal opportunity visitors, and without exception everyone experienced the pleasure.

     None was more thrilled than Walter, who despite his many years and many walks, had never previously had the joy of doing so. In fact the birds seemed to understand this and made up for lost time, alighting on his outstretched hand more than anyone else's. He became The Chickadee Whisperer! We did not manage to capture a bird on his hand but witness the sheer joy on his face as a bird left with its prize of a hulled sunflower seed.

     And Brian was sharing the pleasure of the moment too. In fact, it captures the essence of the walk, the time spent together, the enchantment of immersion in nature, and the primal response to intimate association with a wild creature.

     How could you not be impressed with the resplendent garb of a male Mallard (Anas platyrynchos)?

     Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is our smallest woodpecker, and in many respects respects resembles the similar, but larger Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus). 

     There are various ways to tell the two birds apart, but for novices it is sometimes difficult.

     The surest way to do this when dealing with a male, is that the red crown patch on a Downy Woodpecker is solid, whereas on a Hairy Woodpecker it is broken. 

     Miriam, to her great credit, upon hearing me explain this marker to the group, captured a picture of a male from the rear, showing the continuous head ornamentation.

     Now that's cooperation! Both from the woodpecker and from Miriam!

     As I mentioned earlier White-breasted Nuthatch is a constant companion too, and Stephanie actually succeeded in having one feed from her hand but the only picture we got was blurred unfortunately.

     Brian wasted no opportunity to offer food on his outstretched hand.

     We saw a couple of Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) but none seemed willing to pose close enough for a decent picture.

     If you needed to be reminded that fall is a glorious time of year, you had only to look around.

     This Japanese Barberry (Family: Berberidaceae) looked exceptionally splendid to me.

     Stephanie derived a good deal of enjoyment from feeding the chickadees.

     Sheep in an adjacent farmer's field could hardly be classed as wildlife, but were nonetheless pleasant to see for all that.

     Perhaps this female Mallard had enjoyed our visit and came to say goodbye.

     We had certainly relished our time on the trail. And we'll be back tomorrow to do it all again with a new group of eager naturalists. I can hardly wait!

All bird species noted: Mallard, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch, Common Starling, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal.  Total: 17.

Monday 26 October 2020

Participants: Lynn Conway, Karen Golets, Beth Hobson, Curtiss MacDonald, Cathi Stewart

     

   Cathi, David, Curtiss, Karen, Lynn, Beth

     Even before we entered the trail proper, a male Downy Woodpecker entertained us as it fed on sunflower seed left by some kind human benefactor.

     It is a familiar bird, but delightful in every way, permitting close approach, and even taking food from the hand on rare occasions.

     There is a sense of irony that Miriam recently saw a live shrew in our backyard, and today we saw another one , lured no doubt by the ready availability of bird seed. It would dart out from the hollow centre of this stump and retreat just as quickly.

     It was really difficult to get a picture, since it was visible for the briefest of moments and I think there is insufficient detail to even attempt identification.

     We left the shrew to its own devices and ambled along a little farther.

      A beautiful leaf caught Miriam's attention.

     In nature there is beauty all around. Curtiss mentioned how he been being paying attention to the diverse forms of trees recently, remarking to us on the bizarre ways in which some of them grow.

     As you will have gathered from yesterday's account, to hand feed a chickadee is one of the goals of this walk, and everyone was anxious to give it a try.

     Beth seemed to take special delight in doing it, and in truth they were drawn to her hand, forming a steady shuttle waiting for their turn at the table.

     For at least one member of the group it was the first time visiting the Mill Race Trail.

     As you might imagine, a return visit is in the cards, and Karen too indicated that she intends to escort her grandchildren out there. I know that Lynn walks in this area frequently.

     There is magic in the air when a chickadee comes to visit!

     And there was no less magic when a Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) paused in its usual frantic flitting among the leaves to permit a picture or two.

     For an excellent account of how these tiny waifs survive our harsh and unforgiving winters, I highly recommend Winter World by Bernd Heinrich.

     Rarely, a particularly confident White-breasted Nuthatch will emulate a chickadee and land on a hand, and Karen was chosen first for this singular honour today.

     A chickadee quickly followed to ensure that the nuthatch didn't get all the food!

     While the walks I lead are principally in quest of birds, we do not neglect any interesting facet of nature, and we were delighted to be able to watch at least three Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) going about their preparations for winter, necessitating a few months spent beneath the ice, probably in a cozy beaver lodge in company with American Beavers (Castor canadensis) who readily tolerate these lodgers.

     It is a source of comfort to know that these denizens of our waterways are no longer ruthlessly hunted for their pelts.

     What is more emblematic of fall than a carpet of leaves?

      And may I offer you the scintillating qualities of water droplets - nature's finest jewels without a doubt.

     Fungi beggar the casual observer with identification issues; it is to say the least a difficult taxon, but I am confident that this specimen is Hairy Bracket Fungus (Trametes hirsuta), quite common and widespread, fruiting on hardwood logs or stumps.

     Cathi indicated a keen interest in knowing more about these fascinating organisms and is seeking to acquire Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada by George Barron, clearly the best local guide that I know of.

     The following species remains a mystery, however!

     It was located at the base of a hardwood tree and was very large - easily 30cm or more I would say.

     Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) were found in large numbers industriously searching for food.

     On the ground.....

     And in the trees.....

     Curtiss and Karen had walked ahead, engaged in lively conversation, and discovered that they live in the same building.

     At times it is indeed a small world.

All bird species noted: Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Great Blue Heron, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch, Common Starling, American Robin, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal.   Total: 18

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Participants: Betty Cooper. Bill Prociw, Liz Prociw, Mary Ann Vanden Elzen

Liz, Bill, David, Mary Ann, Betty

     A friendly Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) was there to greet us as we entered the trail, to the best of my memory a first-time encounter at this location.

          Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is far more common, bold and sassy, ever willing to mooch a little food from its human friends.

     It is undeniable that it fits any definition of "cute" you care to evoke, and it is a great favourite with all who walk along the Mill Race Trail.

     A muskrat would probably not elicit the same sentimentality as a chipmunk, but is nonetheless a very pleasing sight for the ardent naturalist.

     It was Curtiss yesterday who was keen to draw our attention to trees and their various shapes, sizes and contorted configurations. Today it was Mary Ann who was quick to point them out.

     The bank seems to be getting undercut here, and this specimen seems to be in serious danger of being toppled by a strong wind.

     Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) were never out of earshot, and rarely out of sight either.

     I suspect that the resident population was being joined by a migratory component, which seems to be particularly strong this year.

     The old trestle bridge is not used as much as it was in former times when the grist mill in St. Jacobs was operating, but from time to time a train trundles over it.

     On this series of walks Red-bellied Woodpecker has been particularly hard to photograph and today that streak was maintained. 

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were very common, feeding on an abundance of berries. In times past every one of them would have been preparing for migration, but in recent years many have remained with us throughout the winter.

     And now, let me come to the undisputed star of the show, of this entire series of walks, in fact.

     My good friend, Betty Cooper, is ninety-three years old, and is still in great shape, and able to undertake a walk of this nature at 6°C, with a round trip length of around 2 km. Furthermore, she is the most interesting and energized conversationalist ever.

     What a pleasure it was to have her along.

     Having checked with her whether she had any objection to having her age revealed on my blog (and receiving her approval), we found a spot for her to sit to pose for a picture.

      Mary Ann, ever resourceful, found another great spot, testing it herself first.

     Betty moved over for another portrait.

     Miriam and I cannot adequately express our feelings of enormous pleasure to have Betty join us. She elevated the walk to a whole other level. And it makes me even more anxious to get this darned pandemic over and done with, so that Betty can once again come and have lunch with us.

     What a naturalist! What a treasure! What a gem!

    

All bird species noted: Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, American Robin, House Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal.  Total: 16

Wednesday 28 October 2020

Participants: Carol Anderson, Ross Getsinger, Linda Hartnup, Alan Hills, Victoria Ho, Donna Ivey, Selwyn Tomkun.

Victoria, Selwyn, David, Linda, Alan, Ross, Carol, Donna

     It was a glorious sunny day with the temperature getting up to a very pleasant 12 degrees, enjoyable for everyone, though the birds were somewhat sparse. 

     Nevertheless everyone expressed great enjoyment in an afternoon walk in the company of chickadees - to say nothing of the conviviality of friendships made or cemented, and the sheer joy of human company during the period of COVID restrictions.

     Selwyn wasted no time in reaching out his hand, laden with seed.

     The rest of the group followed suit in short order.

     For some, this was their first "chickadee on the hand" experience.

     Mallards were seldom far from us, often announcing their presence with their characteristic loud quacks.

     This female dazzled us with her beautiful speculum.

     Bur Oaks (Quercus macrocarpa) have either shed their leaves or are about to do so as they enter winter dormancy.

     Whatever the time of year, Common Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a beautiful addition to any sylvan scene.

     It was quiet on the trail, and the birds were either well-hidden or not present, and we made several stops to spend time with the chickadees.  Miriam refers to the following as "the Mill Race Pose!"

      Numerous Dark-eyed Juncos scrabbled through the leaf litter, turning up seeds and other tasty morsels, delighting everyone with their characteristic white tail flash as they shot up from the ground at the slightest disturbance.

     There was not a chickadee on the trail that Ross didn't want to make friends with.

     And who could take issue with that?

     If I am not mistaken this is the nest of a Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.), but if anyone thinks it is that of a Hornet (Vespula spp.) please let me know.

     The Mill Race looked serene bathed in autumn sunlight.

     American Robins were seen frequently, both on the ground, and gorging on berries.

     I think that Selwyn was emitting a special pheromone today, for not only did he attract many chickadees to his hand, a White-breasted Nuthatch spent serious time with him.

     Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were feasting on the same berries as the robins, and it looks as though there is an ample crop to see them through the winter.

     It was not a walk filled with many bird species but a grand experience nonetheless. It was great to be together, and for Linda and Alan their first outing with Waterloo Region Nature. I hope there will be many more.

     À la prochaine mes amis!

All bird species noted: Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal.   Total: 13

Thursday 29 October 2020

Participants: Elaine LaRonde, Sandye Moores, Diana Spearn, Min Min Tong

Elaine, Miriam, Sandye, Min Min, Diana

     Before setting off on the trail we usually check the Conestogo River from the causeway and were delighted to see a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) still present, surely now nearing the end of its fall migration through southern Ontario.

     A Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) rattled down the river, but declined to perch anywhere visible, and a Mennonite couple went about their daily business.

     We had not been long on the trail when we saw a Mink (Mustela vison) darting along the far bank of the Mill Race, but it was mostly in deep cover, and seldom revealed itself in full view, and then only briefly. Our photograph is not of sterling quality!

     As you have already gathered everyone comes prepared to feed the chickadees and our group demonstrated its proficiency in assuming the Mill Race pose!

     It did not take long for Elaine to succeed and Min Min recorded the moment.

    
     You will recall the discussion above about the red patch of colour on the heads of male Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, and having captured the continuous band on the Downy Woodpecker, Miriam was able to illustrate the broken band on a Hairy Woodpecker.

     We have paid scant attention to squirrels in these daily accounts, but no walk was without the companionship of Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), mainly in their black form found only in the northern part of their range. It is presumed that this colour morph confers some unknown northern adaptation.

     Reflection in the water is always interesting, and so close to Halloween, this gnarled and spindly stump seemed to fit the mood.

     Wild Teasels (Dipsacus fullonum) have become sentinels in the fields and meadows, and will poke their heads into the wind as the snows of winter descend on us.

     They nodded to us as we left to head for home.

All bird species noted: Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Yellowlegs, Mourning Dove, Ring-billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal.   Total: 17

Mammals seen during the five outings: Shrew sp., Eastern Cottontail, Eastern Chipmunk, Grey Squirrel, American Red Squirrel, Muskrat, Mink, White-tailed Deer

General Comments

     The restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus have affected some more than others, but the common complaint voiced by most,  concerns the lack of contact with friends and family, surely the most basic and instinctive component of human sociability. These COVID walks, in some small measure, have alleviated some of that stress, providing naturalists with the opportunity to assemble safely with like-minded people to enjoy nature together.

     I am very appreciative of all those who have joined me on our outings and I hope we will be doing it again soon. COVID may have us down, but it certainly does not have us out!