Spring Happenings Volume 3

Can you believe it? May is nearly here! The birds certainly know it – black-and-whites, hooded, worm-eating, and common yellow-throat warblers have joined the foray in the last week, as well as wood thrush, veeries (below), indigo buntings, red and white-eyed vireos, ovenbirds, and, as seen above, great-crested flycatchers.

A pair of Baltimore orioles has been frequenting the last of our suet, and Tom made a special trip into town for an orange and jelly feeder to keep them around. Also visiting our feeding station – though not for suet or sweet fruit – have been 3 separate families of geese! They may not be everyone’s favorite, but we enjoy watching the fuzzy babies waddle around the preserve.

Our territorial friend the Louisiana waterthrush (below, right) continues to serenade, particularly in the early morning, though he didn’t seem to mind the temporary company of a solitary sandpiper (below, left) last week.

In plant news, bear corn (below, left) – which, despite its odd appearance, is indeed a wildflower – is popping up all over the forest floor, and showy orchis (below, right) has just started to show itself!

Above: Bearcorn flowers. This plant is lacking in chlorophyl; instead of producing its own energy via photosynthesis, it syphons nutrition from the roots of beech and some oak species, particularly those of the red oak group.

Another unusual-looking plant currently in bloom is wood betony (below). Color varies, commonly burgundy and more rarely, as seen at Wahkeena, pale yellow.

Less likely to be seen, but still going about their business, are long-tailed salamanders.

And finally, another new addition to the Wahkeena flora and fauna registry! I just happened to notice a moth on the inside of our screen door while holding it for Tom last week, and we’re fairly certain it is an artichoke plume moth.

– Naturalist Leah