TRAILS MOWED. Excellent condition.
It was a learning curve today as our brand new Kubota tractor was delivered last Thursday. While the “Land Pride” mower and PTO are the original, everything else is different and it took a lot of concentration to finish the trails today.
Trails are in excellent condition with minor wet areas on Inner Loop West and Outer Loop West (near Beaver Pond). Amazingly, all is quite green.
There are signs of much animal activity in the tall grasses along the trails and, it appears, a bear has destroyed three bird nesting boxes in search of food over a month ago (no recent activity). There are several disrupted anthills. Now that the berries and tree fruits are beginning, attention should be diverted. No bears have been reported for over a month nor have we personally seen any recently.
A group of 5 wild turkeys were spotted on Inner Loop East.
Many butterflies, including quite a few Monarchs, were flitting about as well. Look for Monarchs in areas of Milkweed along Inner Loop North near Eagle Rest Area; Outer Loop East and Oak North; and Escarpment Ponds.
Quite a few bird sightings while mowing: Scarlet Tanager (female); Eastern Phoebe; American Goldfinch; Turkey Vulture; Great Blue Heron; Red-Winged Blackbird; Barn Swallow; House Finch; American Crow; Common Grackle and a few unidentified.
You will soon notice that the Emerald Ash Borer is beginning to take its toll on our property. There are a noticeable amount of dying trees along the trails particularly Inner West and Big Rock Trail area. It is sad and nothing can be done. We will be removing those very close to trails as we get to them. They will be repurposed into benches for trails; sawn into boards for bridges or, if too small, split for firewood or cut for greenhouse furnace. Small branches are chipped/shredded and used for mulch.
