Top Photo: River otter latrine. Our roughly three acre wetland drains into a small creek which connects with Ellerbee Creek. Ellerbee eventually flows into the Eno River and from there Falls Lake, all part of the Neuse River watershed. These creeks, rivers and lake are the trails, roadways and highways in which river otters and other aquatic animals move across the countryside. I occasionally see one or two otters in our wetland, but their visits are usually marked only byRead more
Posts tagged: #Snapping Turtle
Goose Brood Loses One
Top Photo: Five goslings followed by parent through Catch the Wind (5.17.25). The Canada geese are down from six to five goslings (5.17.25). It’s not unusual for goslings to become victims of predators such as fox, coyote, various hawks or common snapping turtles while in the company of their parents. Each brood loses one, two or more over their first couple of weeks or months. It’s to be expected. They’re part of the local habitat. Ranger GregRead more
What “I” Saw Last Week (swallows, goslings, spring leaves, herps…)
Top Photo: Tree swallow delivers grass stems to nest in wetlands. Nothing but photos of a handful of sightings from the previous week. What did you see? Ranger GregRead more
April Is Big
Top Photo: Just out of nest, this yellow bellied slider was headed for the water when it was noticed and picked up by visitors. April has arrived, a big month in the Carolina Piedmont, a transitional month. Turtles that have spent the winter in the ground where their mothers deposited them as eggs last summer are making their way to water to begin the next phase of their lives. If they make it past this first summer they stand aRead more
Common Snapping Turtle Tumble
Top Photo: Common snapping turtles during spring mating. A disturbance just below the water’s surface caught my attention. Something was breaking the water’s surface about 100 feet or more out in the open water of the wetlands. Then it was gone. Was it a duck? No, all our winter resident diving ducks had already departed for the north, or wherever else they feel a need to be at this time of year. Was it an otter? Otters can stay belowRead more
Aquatic Turtle Nesting Season
Top Photo: Yellow-bellied slider returning from early morning egg laying near Butterfly House. It’s aquatic turtle nesting season. Our sliders, musk, painted, and snapping turtles all come ashore during this season to dig nests and lay eggs. They may travel quite a distance from water to do this, from Hideaway Woods to Earth Moves and all points in between. If you happen to see one of these turtles digging a nest, or hiking across one of our paths, give itRead more
It’s Tiny Turtle Time
Top Photo: Newly emerged eastern painted turtle makes its way to pond in Explore the Wild. Tiny hatchling turtles are beginning to emerge from last summer’s nests. On Wednesday March 23, I spotted three fresh-out-of-the-nest eastern painted turtles heading for the wetlands. These tiny turtles have been underground in the nest for perhaps 200 days or more after having been deposited there by their mother last season as eggs. If conditions are right the turtles will hatch and dig theirRead more
Bonus Features
Top Photo: A green heron contemplates its next move. While making the rounds on my weekly bluebird trail nest box inspections I often come across other creatures besides the bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens that use the nest boxes on the trail. Red-shouldered hawks nest in the woods next to the train tunnel as they have been off-and-on for years. The one pictured is a product of this year’s effort. I have to pass by the parking deck on the southRead more
What’s Happening on the Outdoor Loop
Top Photo: The Wetlands in summer. If you’re familiar with the museum’s outdoor loop through Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild, you may be happy to know that life goes on as it always has in the past. There are, though, a few changes around the bend. Here, a few familiar sights and a few behind the scenes sneak previews. Shrubby St. John’s wort is in bloom, as it is each year at this time. The 4 foot tallRead more