Visceral July

Swamp Azalea at Stump Pond on July 4th

Getting off the boat on Friday,  it was immediately clear that it is Privet Time in Nantucket. Nantucket's smells define the progession of the seasons.  Over the 4th of July,  it was Swamp Azalea time,  with its deep and rich scent in the wet places.  The advantage of Privet aroma is that it is all over the isle!

Colicroot at Windswept Cranberry Bog on July 4

Colicroot

Some late daisies in Squam  Swamp

St. Johnswort

The great crested flycatcher,  eastern wood pee-wee,  and red-eyed vireos were out in force in Squam Swamp.  Also some towhees,  a cardinal and some chickadees.   They were eating the skeeters that bit me.

Josh and I went hunting for Wood Lilies in the Middle Moors today.  But no such luck...maybe later in the month.  High bush blueberries also not ripe at Mirror Pond.    But a wonderful nothern Harrier some False Indigo and early Sickle Leaves Asters.

Gratiola Aureus

Sickle Leaved Asters

Windswept Cranberry Bog, Wild Iris and Blue Eyed Grass

Windswept Cranberry Bog

And Wild Iris

A Great Crested Flycatcher, near Stump Pond

Wild Geraniums

Squam Ferns all grown up

June 7

Daisy Weekend of the Black Billed Cuckoo on Almanac Pond Road,  and American Redstart at Polpis

Barnard Valley Road,  Late Bluet and Golden Heather

Almanac Pond Road

First Rugosa on the Bluff

May 25 was Beach Plum Weekend

Squam Swamp

Starflower,  Trientalis Borealis

Beach Plum

Squam Swamp

Black and White Warbler at Squam Swamp, thanks to David Policansky

Wild Lily of the Valley,  Canada Mayflower,
Maianthemum Canadense

Yellow Warbler at Squam,  thanks to David Policansky

Ram Pasture Hike and Windswept Cranberry Bog

Egret in Clark's Cove

We had a great hike through the Ram Pasture down to Clark's Cove and the Ocean.  Nothing is yet leafed out;  mostly robins and chickadees around.  Saw the egret flying as well as osprey.  Looks like a couple of chicks in the Clark's Cove osprey pole nest.  Lots of wood anemones along the sunny spots along the road.

 Several hundred gulls (black backed and herring, down the beach by Hummock Pond.  A seal on the beach suns himself.

Stump Pond,  May 3, 2015

Some delights at Windswept Bog and Stump Pond:  first eastern Kingbird of the year,  and a yellow warbler.  Mostly redwings and towhees otherwise.  Saw my first catbird of the year during the birding club's walk around Sconset.  We'll call it Goldfinch Sunday.  Heard Carolina Wrens and a chipping sparrow;  saw harrier and downy woodpeckers, house finches, robins,  song and house sparrows.    Maybe the last gannets swooping close in at the beach.  Saw them again later at the house.  Also loons,  scoters and eiders.

Spring is late in arriving

Squam Swamp May 1

Emerging Fiddleheads

 Walk on Friday,  May 1.

The swamp is coming back to life!  On Sunday, Andrew McKenna Foster of the Maria Mitchell  tells me about the 4 toed salamanders that are uniqut to Nantucket and Squam Swamp,  but I missed them on my Friday walk.

No sounds of Great Crested Flycatcher yet;  just the chickadees...

A Mayflower

Early Maple bloom

Wood Anemones blooming in Squam Farm,  and also along the Ram Pasture Road

First Bluets,  Quaker Ladies,  in Squam Farm,  also at Windswept Bog

First violets