Campus "Nature News" by Science Teacher Tessa Johnson

March Nature News:
Bird Update: In early March the Advanced Forest Ecology Research class cleaned out the birdhouses to get them ready for the returning birds next month. They put up new houses too. The bigger houses are bluebird houses and they put them near each other because tree swallows will nest in them and scare off the house sparrows so the bluebirds can set up house (the house sparrows can be big bullies). The birds tend to like open areas so that is why you see them near the track and the fields.  Smaller wren houses will go up soon. 

Deer Pond Update: The wood frogs are back at Deer Pond! There are lots of eggs and if it stays in the 60s we will probably have tadpoles by the end of next week.  
 
April Nature News:
Orchard Update: The first six apple trees have been planted. We have two of each of the following: Red Gravenstein (fruits in July and August), Newtown Pippin (the most famous colonial apple but can be disease-prone), Cortland (a quintessential NY apple tree), and the Honeycrisp (just really yummy). We have a few more heritage fruit trees coming from California soon. 

Tree of the week: This week I am highlighting the Bradford/Callery Pear tree. These trees can be found in the Courtyard and used to be a beloved tree of landscapers all over. This tree is getting ready to burst into bloom! If you wonder what is causing that dreadful smell in the Courtyard – don’t worry, the flowers of this tree smell like fish. 

Deer Pond News: While the adult wood frogs have left the ponds tadpoles are starting to appear soon. And we are seeing some spotted salamander eggs in the ponds. They take longer to develop than the wood frogs and when they hatch, they look like little mini dragons with their external gills. Their eggs are clear and milky white. There are more of these in Peeper Pond as it is a higher quality pond because of its size and structure.

Tick Update:  This is just a gentle reminder that I have already seen some ticks so please be tick aware when you go out into the woods and do your nightly tick checks.