Easter Reptiles and Amphibians

Mating Wood Frogs

The last day of my four-day Easter weekend dawned cool and overcast. Deb and I headed out to the east end together to check out a couple of trails near the Mer Bleue Bog. We started off at the boardwalk where we were greeted by the songs of at least two Fox Sparrows in the dense vegetation beyond the parking lot. Two Eastern Phoebes were attempting to catch flies in the open area between the parking lot and the picnic shelter, while a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was tapping nearby. We didn’t see a lot on the boardwalk; only the usual early marsh birds were present, as well as a pair of Wilson’s Snipes which we heard calling from the marsh. The most interesting birds were three Common Ravens flying over together while being chased by a couple of crows. One of the ravens did a barrel-roll trying to evade the crow, reminding me what magnificent fliers they are.