This morning, somewhere around 25 nature-loving folks got to see what is behind this gate. The Dari Haddon property in Cramahe Township is being severed and much of it will soon become the Northumberland Land Trust's newest reserve.
We'd hardly got out of our cars when a strong, clear bird call welcomed us. "It's a Barred Owl!"
Dari told us that she often hears the Barred Owl and it lives near a pond in the woods. We stood quietly and listened to its calls for a few minutes.
When you are with a group of nature-lovers, some are bound to be birders. And, this one knows how to imitate a Barred Owl. We waited for 5 minutes or so, but the owl did not fly over to us.
If I were a Barred Owl, I'd live in this forest. According to Cornell's Lab of Ornithology: Barred Owls live year-round in mixed forests of large trees, often near water. They tend to occur in large, unfragmented blocks of mature forest, possibly because old woodlands support a higher diversity of prey and are more likely to have large cavities suitable for nesting. Their preferred habitats range from swamps to streamsides to uplands, and may contain hemlock, maple, oak, hickory, beech, aspen, white spruce, quaking aspen, balsam poplar, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, or western larch.
We saw hemlocks, maples, oaks, beech......
But surprisingly, all of those brains combined could not figure out what that fallen tree below was. Maybe the Barred Owl knows.
There were beautiful little surprises along the way......
.... and beautiful big surprises. I expected a flat woods. It was far from flat.
Dari Haddon has owned this property for decades and has cleared and maintained a network of trails there.
Her biggest challenge has been clearing fallen trees which always seem to fall on trails. 🥴 Today, many hands made light work as a decent-sized tree was lifted high enough for everyone to walk under.
When we reached the pond, I understood why a Barred Owl would choose to live here. Everywhere you look, it feels like camouflage. It was hard to tell what was water and what was swamp.
Immersing yourself in nature always brings out smiles.
We never did see the Barred Owl. Seeing fungi would have to do for today.
Maybe that's good. Maybe the Barred Owl saw us. And, if owls can be thankful, I am guessing it was thankful.
“Here is your country.
Cherish these natural wonders,
cherish the natural resources,
cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage,
for your children and your children's children.
Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty,
its riches or its romance.”
Theodore Roosevelt
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