Spring was lovely -- while it lasted. We had a few weeks of really nice temperatures in the 50s, 60s, and even a couple days in the 70s. I knew it wouldn't last because it was March, and we've had snow in April in years past. Still, it is so hard to adjust back to freezing temperatures! I feel like I've been plunged into ice water the minute I go outside. It's interesting to watch the animals. Our livestock guardian always gets feisty when the weather turns cool. He was bouncing around like a puppy the first day of the cold snap. The pigs clearly prefer the warmer weather. They are back to spending all their time in their shelter unless they're eating.
We put 80 eggs in the incubators almost two weeks ago, so they'll start hatching around the 16th or 17th. We haven't had incubator chicks in four years, so this should be fun.
Speaking of spring babies, I think we'll have a lovely parade of new wild babies this year. A pair of wild ducks have been visiting the pond daily, and a pair of Canada geese have also showed up and become very protective of the pond. There was a pair of geese visiting daily before the flood. We think they had a nest behind the pond, which would have been washed away in the flood. It looks like they might be contemplating a nest on the banks of the pond now, which would be very exciting! Usually the geese bring their babies to visit at a fairly young age, but it would really be special if we were able to see them from Day 1.
When we first moved out here, the pond was dead except for frogs. There were no fish, and as a result, we received very few visits from wild birds. I guess we're doing something right, since we're getting a lot of visits from wild birds now. It looks like wood ducks have taken up residence somewhere close, because they visit the pond daily. And I often see them fly over to the creek or roost in the trees around the pond. Maybe we'll see some babies this year? I can always hope! This picture shows three males on the left side and two females on the right.
Today we had a visit from a female bufflehead, which is a duck, according to our Birds of Illinois book. She was apparently diving for invertebrates in our pond. I guess she liked what she was getting because she stuck around for a good portion of the day. She won't be around long though, because they only migrate through our area during the spring and fall. Maybe she'll stop by again on her way south in six months?
