Ted had a good day hosting five behind-the-scenes tours on this first Saturday that we were open. He looked slow and tuckered out for the last group.
Purple finch
Tasha seems to have a bed at the base of the big white pine “Cub Tree” and a favorite branch high up that gives a view of the pond area. Tasha came when Sharon called her name. She seemed comfortable with people and on the lookout for bears. On her second trip to the viewing area, she hung back when she saw Lucky and never did come all the way. 
WoodchuckSomeone said they saw two bears up behind the pond. That had to be Tasha and Holly with no chases seen.
Out the window, a new bird for this year, a purple finch showed up to add his pink color to the mix.
I stood outside the door on the second floor deck for a few minutes to see if the gull was the same one as usual now that there are 6 or 7 circling here now. Then I noticed the woodchuck eating sunflower seeds just 12 feet away. The woodchuck is becoming more comfortable.
Mr. Marten took his share of the beef fat I put out for the crows and gull. He also seemed to enjoy the date mash that he eagerly bit into.
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| Pileated pair - 4/4/17 | Pine marten | Pine marten |
A little excitement a few days ago (April 4) was the male and female pileated woodpeckers checking out the old nest together. I think the female went inside the nest hole. When the male flew away, she was not visible. A couple seconds later, she flew from the tree, making me think she was in the nest hole. Pairs of pileated woodpeckers nested there in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2014.
I put Quill’s formula out the last couple nights in case he came. Nothing yet. No bears seen in the neighborhood yet.
I’m looking forward to the Black Bear Field Courses.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center