CRITTER NOTES—

Saturday, May 12th a pair of Canada Geese was again acting as if they were going to attempt a re-nesting on the island. Then, two more adult pair showed up together, each with chicks; one pair with five and the other with four. Remember, my missing pair had five to begin with. Mysterious.

I certainly hope they all do not try to make this their summer home. That could get squishy.

Later in the afternoon a Wild Turkey gobble-strolled his way along the driveway, seeming to pay close attention to the view of the pond. Then he simply meandered into the south woods and went on his way.

Mrs. Muskrat also is busy acting like she is in a parenting mood. That’s not good. They are burrowing, air breathing mammals, and if left uncontrolled, can ultimately wreck an earthen dam. In fact, numerous places around the pond already show cave-in type damage on the banks where they have gotten established before I could discourage their presence.

They tunnel a burrow entrance in the bank below the water surface then continue their tunnel slanted vertically until they get well above the water line—where they can breathe in their den and be quite safe. That’s actually a fairly clever design.

Eviction tools include 1) aggressive trapping, and 2) 20 gauge buckshot.

May 18th; a lone pair of Canada Geese is present today honking loudly as the rising sun melts the dancing tendrils of mist over the pond. The curiosity of the whereabouts of the original chicks continues.

Meanwhile a squadron of Barn Swallows flies a tireless orbit of random shapes over the pond, occasionally splashing the still water for a drink or zooming acrobatically to capture yet another insect breakfast. They are known to mate while in flight and will travel 600 miles daily while gathering food for their young.