Goose Pond Mountain with 4-H, 20 May 2007

The 4-H group certainly in the right place at the right time today! They were able to observe quite a few creatures and their habitats here in Goose Pond Mountain State Park (including the Created Wetlands boardwalk). Lynn and Kelly took the group onto the trail leading into the woods and up the mountain, where they saw and heard numerous birds, and various insects. They also saw the largest black rat snake either of them had ever seen! As the 4-H group moved over to the boardwalk area, the Orange County Audubon Society's Nature Strollers group provided the 4-H'ers with nets, with which they caught tadpoles, frogs, and waterbugs (including a large male waterbug carrying eggs on it's back). Not only did they spot a juvenile Northern Water Snake, but they spotted one enjoying it's lunch... a large bullfrog tadpole (which seemed almost too big for it to consume)! They were able to observe the egg cases of the praying mantis, and they even saw the baby insects emerging! They also spotted an American Robin's nest... with the bird sitting quietly on her eggs! They learned many things about forested wetlands and the creatures that inhabit this area firsthand... by observing them in the wild. Though we didn't spot any Eastern Bluebirds, the 4-H group participants each built their own bluebird nest boxes to bring home. It was a wonderfully productive day at Goose Pond Mountain State Park.

Special thanks to Kelly and Lynn (President of the Orange County Audubon Society) for leading the 4-H group today.
Stay tuned for Laurel's field notes. Until then, enjoy some of Kat's pictures from the day!