Wetlands & Wildlife

—Mary Gillick, Program Director

Spring is finally here!  We are seeing the signs all around us.  The pond ice has thawed and the first hints of green are sprouting along the brook.  We have seen the white snowdrops open for the first time along the banks and in the yard bees are flying from the hive.

Plants closest to the wetlands that were dormant for the winter sprout as the soil thaws and are grazed on by deer, rabbits, and groundhogs. 

The first flush of algae rapidly grows in sunny spots in the ponds. Cold-blooded creatures like beetle and fly larva become more active in April and feed on the algae.  They in turn are food for returning migratory aquatic birds like wood ducks and geese. 

The wood ducks nest in trees near ponds and streams.  Each year geese nest on the island in our main pond.   The water offers protection from predators until the young hatch and are able to swim after their parents.

Wetlands that hold water through early summer are home to the tadpoles of wood frogs and spring peepers.  As soon as the water is free of ice these small brown frogs lay their eggs near submerged vegetation. The small tadpoles finish their life-cycle and become adults before the wetlands dry up in August.

Water also regulates against sudden spikes of temperature for developing larva and tadpoles.  The water gradually warms up as the dragonfly nymphs and beetle larva develop.  Later in the spring we see the turtles become active and prey on invertebrates and froglets.

Water truly is a necessity for all plant and animal life.  Come out to visit the pond and see spring returning!