Wildlife: 24 Elk sighted on the farm for two days 4-17 & 18. Mostly calves and yearlings. One older lead cow. Bulls were in velvet. Barn Swallows arrived 4-20-00. Groups of Tree and barn Swallows are flying over the wetlands today. Small Pollywogs are visible in the frog ponds. In the series of upland ponds the lower ponds have many more than the upper ponds. A very small pond 8 by 6 ft less than a foot deep constructed about 1996 is well populated. This pond is well vegetated with grasses and sedges and no visible newts. Small flocks of Teal and a few Mallards are using the wetlands and ponds. Many Snipes and some shore birds are visible in thwe mudflats and shallows. Killdeers are starting to nest.
Wetlands & Streams- Most of the upper wetlands have drained down except for the ones along the new stream channel. I have been taking shoots from Veronica americana or American brooklime from the lower wetlands and planting them along the edges of the upper ponds. This is rated as an edible plant for salads or a potherb. It also provides shoreline cover for pollywogs.
Plants: The Checker-mallow are still in the primary growth stage with mostly obular leaves with a very few beginning to show the secondary divided leaves. Propagation cuttings will be taken form the divided leaf shoots. Pea plants are spreading in the upper wetlands near Muddy Valley Road. They seem to prefer moist swales that are not inundated for long periods. It may be a valuable legume for farmed wetyland rotation, or it may be a pesky weed. The extension service has a sample for ID.
Forest: The wild Cherries are fading rapidly and the wild apples are in bloom. The deer grazed the blooms from the Sessile trillium in the woods. The riparian Trilliums were in peak bloom about the middle of April. The wild Geraniums and Camas are in peak bloom.
Farming- Have been mowing part of the fields near the houses.
Residential- Planted 18 new Blueberry plants around the main house.
Commercial: Sent an 7ft by 9inch diameter Bitter Cherry log to John Sorrenson Cabinetry in Alaska to test for woodworking purposes.