Betty Learmouth
Bill Balkwill reported on May 11, 2008 that migrant bird species were passing through the Balkwill Lands. Species observed included Ovenbird, Wood Thrush and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Other sightings include a female Towhee which has been around for a few weeks, a number of Grey Catbirds, and a male and female Indigo Bunting in the front yard. The Wood Duck continues to incubate her eggs in the nesting box at the pond.
As Bill was working in the strawberry patch, he heard a racket from a group of crows. When he looked up he saw a young eagle in a nearby tree. This bird had a dirty white head and a partially white tail indicating that it was in transition to an adult bird. Once the eagle realized Bill was looking at it, it flew off.
Bill has been checking the tallgrass prairie following the burn on April 17, 2008. Although the prairie soil is dry and cracking, plants emerging include Compass Plant, Prairie Dock, Hairybeard Tongue, Blue-eyed Grass, Whorled Milkweed, and Grey-headed Coneflower. The Balkwill Prairie restoration site is one of the most diversified prairie sites which the Essex County Stewardship Network has put in place.
Within the woodland, Bill has found the white flowered form of Wild Geranium. Several plants of Goldenseal have been introduced into the woodland and are thriving in dry habitat. Those introduced to wet habitat have disappeared.
The invasive species Phragmites has appeared in one location and Bill is working to prevent its spread.
On May 22, 2008, Bill Balkwill reported sighting a small rabbit size fawn, asleep on a mound in wet area in the northwest portion of the woodland. Bill quietly left the area without the disturbing the fawn.
Bill reported two recent encounters with Wild Turkey. The first was an observation in the northern portion of the woodland between lanes 6 and 7 of a large Wild Turkey hen leaving her nest of approximately twelve eggs. The second sighting was of a Wild Turkey at the top of a White Oak at about 8:00 p.m. in a roost to the west of lane 4. Bill said this turkey answered to a call from the east.
On June 8, 2008, Bill Balkwill reported sightings from late May. An all white Blue Jay was observed for one half a day on May 24, 2008. This individual had an ivory bill and legs. Bill was not close enough to observe the colour of the bird's eyes. Other sightings in late May included a Red-headed Woodpecker that was present for a day and a half. A Northern Mockingbird was present for two days.
The tallgrass prairie restoration site is doing very well following the burn. A recommendation is that a prescribed burn take place every two years. As of June 8, 2008, the Hairybeard Tongue is beginning to bloom. Several stalks of Blazing Star have been noted this year with their blooms anticipated in mid summer.
Several Goldenseal plants were placed in the Balkwill Woodland in recent years. Plants introduced to a wet habitat have not survived but those in a dry situation have thrived with six plants present. Helleborine, an alien species of orchid, has been noted this year along the Old Logging Road in the vicinity of the Bladdernut thicket. Last year one or two plants were observed. This year at least a dozen plants have been observed with still others emerging.
On June 19, 2008, Bill Balkwill reported that on a recent walk on the Balkwill Lands, he and Land Trust member Henry Dreidger had observed an adult Wild Turkey with eight young. Another observation was a Luna Moth, seen east of the Old Logging Road at the woodland edge. This sighting was a "first" for Henry.
Within the tallgrass prairie restoration site, Bill has found two Ohio Spiderwort plants which are blooming. Everyone is awaiting the flowering of the Blazing Stars.
Along the Old Logging Road, on either side, at least twenty plants of Helleborine are preparing to bloom.
Amphibians are active around the pond restoration site with Green and Leopard Frogs spotted and a single Chorus Frog calling. Tadpoles are to be found in the pond which is filled with water due to a wet spring and cooler temperatures.
On July 2, 2008, Bill Balkwill reported that his brother Jack observed the white Blue Jay on June 30, 2008 about one half mile away from the Balkwill Lands. This unusual Blue Jay was seen with its mate, a Blue Jay in traditional plumage.
On the prairie restoration site, Culver's Root has been identified. Five stalks of Blazing Star have been found with other stalks to be discovered as these plants bloom. Bill Balkwill credits the spring burn with the fine condition of the tallgrass prairie restoration site.
A male Scarlet Tanager feeding in the Balkwill's berry patch was a wonderful sighting on June 29, 2008. Other berries available to the Scarlet Tanager at this time are serviceberry and mulberry. Eastern Bluebirds are feeding young with a second nesting of another pair of Eastern Bluebirds underway
An unusual sighting was that of a large Eastern Gray Squirrel consuming a larger bird, possibly a young Cedar Waxwing.
Another sighting recently was of a White-tailed Deer with a fawn. Bill Balkwill had spotted the doe in the wheat on the agricultural lands where she was nursing the fawn, then the two departed the area.
On August 11, 2008 Bill Balkwill reported several bird sightings about the Balkwill residence. A Northern Mockingbird was observed within twenty feet in the yard and which was thought to be an immature. Warbler species in migration have been observed in the sweet corn.
The local Cooper's Hawk has been attacked by the resident Purple Martins. One actually hit the hawk on its back. The Cooper's Hawk and has not been seen since the attack. Bill is wondering if these are local Purple Martins or males in migration as five males were observed on the power line.
Japanese Beetles have been observed this year in the prairie restoration site especially in the Showy Tick Trefoil. The blooms of the Swamp Rose Mallow have also attracted this pest.
On September 12, 2008, Bill Balkwill reported successful nesting of Wood Ducks with young observed with the female as a group of five or six tiny young scurried away from the nesting box.
Several butterflies, resembling small Sulphurs, have been observed twice near the Balkwill residence. Both the Balkwills and Ernie and Linda Kennette have studied these intriguing butterflies.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nested successfully with two young observed in the garden area around the Balkwill residence. One of the young was observed at the Trumpet Vine where it was observed crawling into the Trumpet Vine blooms. The young were also attracted to the hibiscus blooms. The two young were often observed together until one drove the other away after about two weeks of being together. The second young did eventually reappear.
Heavy rain from Hurricane Ike, over 2 inches, on September 13 and 14, 2008, has not caused any flooding on the Balkwill Lands as the precipitation has simply disappeared into the parched soil following a prolonged drought through August and into early September.
On November 9, 2008, Bill Balkwill reported that oak trees in the woodland were providing wonderful colours, especially the smaller trees. A woodland walk on November 8, 2008 provided a glimpse of a flock of Black-capped Chickadees, the largest flock encountered for several years. Great Horned Owls have been heard in the woodland.
Three to eight Eastern Bluebirds are around the Balkwill residence. A single Red-headed Woodpecker was seen for about an hour on November 5, 2008. A Red-bellied Woodpecker is seen on a daily basis. Sparrow numbers are dropping as the days become cooler.
Streams of American Crows and flocks of blackbirds have been noted as they pass overhead during their fall migration. A Red-tailed Hawk was seen near the residence's front window. A female Kestrel has been spotted about the Balkwill Lands.