This Week at the Park - April 25-May 2, 2025
May has arrived, a little warmer and drier than you'd expect. The NOAA drought information system information for Kennett Square predicts the drought we've been in since last September will be lifted this month.
As I noted perviously the Green Herons have returned. This morning I saw not one, not two, but THREE Green herons in the tree they've been nesting in for the past three years.
Two of the green herons were working on this year's nest
I know Green Heron's are typically solitary. Other heron species nest in colonies, but Green Herons do not. Could this be one of last year's herons that were born in this tree? Could this be some kind of cooperative breeding situation known in other birds but (so far as I can tell) not in green herons?
I'll keep watching and let you know.
Northern Flickers are making a racket as they settle into nesting season. A robin making its morning calls. The Baltimore Orioles are squabbling for mates. This breeding pair of Tree Swallows will soon have some chicks to raise, The Catbirds are back! They talk a blue streak. The south end of a northbound Belted Kingfisher I chased around one afternoon. The Nesting White-Breasted Nuthatch you'll remember from this post.
A Snapping Turtle, a Pond Slider, and a young Painted Turtle. Look close and you will see that the plates (called scutes) on the young Painted Turtle's shell will shed soon.
The wild geraniums are blooming. Yellow Round leaf Ragwort. Jack-in-the-pulpits going strong. Black Haw bushes are all in flower, Poison Ivy is everywhere! The Witch Hazel is now in leaf.
This Red Squirrel was enjoying breakfast.
