Late March 2017 Phenology Report
It’s been a gray, drizzly day today as I write this and the driveway is full of fallen catkins from the neighbor’s aspen trees. Tomorrow has the forecast of snow showers followed by a day of sun and yet another system to move in after that.
Daffodils and crocuses are blooming in yards in town and the first wildflowers are just starting to bloom. I saw a report of Yellow Buttercups blooming in the Gardiner area on Facebook this week, so will need to get out next week and see what all I can find.
I took a drive up North Fork last weekend and saw that the catkins are just out on the willows up at Pahaska where the snow levels have melted considerably. The Bald Eagles still had an adult in the nest. The other wasn’t seen while I was there, but I bet the fishermen down on the river had a better chance as they put in more time in that location than I did. Mountain Bluebirds were spotted around the Eagle Creek area, so they’re following the melting snow as that was about the edge of the more solid snowpack.
Bighorn Sheep were down by the road in groups of 30 or so. And I spotted two bison closer to the Wapiti Valley than Yellowstone. The one boy who stood to gather in the warmth of the sun looked like he had lost quite a bit of weight compared to ones I’ve seen this time of year along the North Fork in the past. Deep snow will do that. Two larger herds of Elk were down on the Wapiti Valley floor in a couple of spots – as were the many Mule Deer. No bears to report or heard reported along North Fork yet.
In town this week, the Turkey Vultures returned – I had wondered about them the other day when the gal who owns the property where they often roost at night was cleaning off her car windshield. Nice to have them around to watch, but my heart does go out to the people who deal with their smelly mess all summer long.
And the battle of the box started today. Last year my mom and her friend put out a Kestrel nest box that remained empty because both sides gave up. This year the Northern Flicker male that’s been around all winter laid claim to it and has been drumming and calling for a mate enthusiastically the past couple of weeks finally drew in a lady friend.
An earlier check on the box showed it a couple of inches full of the small bark mulch we have in the garden, so that boy’s been busy getting that house ready. But today, a Starling showed up and didn’t hesitate to hop in for a look. So, we will again work at discouraging the Starlings from hanging around as best we can and root for the Northern Flickers.
Spring is well underway here. Time to get outside more.
Have a great weekend!