It seems new eggs are arriving every day now. Today, the first killdeer nest was found for this season. Last year almost every nest had 4 eggs. It is not too hard to locate a nest. The distressed parent does a broken wing display to try and lure potential danger away from its nest. Also, they prefer to lay their eggs in gravelly areas where their eggs can be very well camouflaged.

Guess who is peaking out from between my fingers? It is a common critter here on the farm but not often seen by many people who visit. They make trails that run under the grass and beneath the biomulch. It is a meadow vole. To me, they look like miniature teddy bears, short brown fur, round ears and coal black eyes. They do eat some things that we would prefer them not too, but they also eat many things that also help the plants. One of the identifying features of a vole is its very short tail.

Canadian Geese Nesting at the Farm

For weeks now, we have been seeing flocks of Canadian geese grazing in fields near the farm, but in the last few weeks they have begun pairing up. In the picture above, a female goose tries to make herself as unnoticeable as possible while still keeping an eye on potential danger. Below is a nest that is located near the tree line of the farm. Near the end of April, the eggs will be hatching and the parents taking the goslings straight off to water, where they will find better protection from predators.

Caterpilar in March

Early March has been cold and wet. We have been busy seeding in the greenhouse and repairing the hoop houses that will soon be receiving all of those amazing seeds that are sprouting. While skinning the newest greenhouse on the farm, I noticed down by my feet the wonderfully, fuzzy woolly bear cruising a long the edge of the frame. Gently picking it up, it curled into a tight circle. What wonderful creatures they are. They are usually seen more often in the fall getting ready to over winter. But, every once in a while, I am pleasantly surprised to see one out in the early spring. This one is in its final instar and is probably looking for a place to make its cocoon. In a week or two after the cocoon stage, the larvae will pupate into an Isabella Tiger Moth, Pyrrharctia isabella.