Leave it to Beaver

That’s right… It looks like the Beaver has been busy at the Hebron Nature Preserve. Where do you ask? Well, on the Beaver Dam Trail, of course! Tuesday (5/21), I was out with volunteer Kathy Donna putting up informational nature signs and as we turned onto the Beaver Dam Trail, we nearly stepped right into it. Coyote scat… that is… and… just twenty steps away we could see that the Beav had been indeed busy. First, he fell a tree and this trail blazer is very glad it fell in the opposite direction of the path. Since it was too big for him to drag off, he decided to gnaw on one closer to the trail. Oh no… here’s hoping he decides to leave it be and find something more his size. I don’t want to go back to find this monster tree down in or across my trail! Okay, it’s “his” trail too.

By the way… if you are looking for a great spot to picnic, the activity area (see map on the HNP page) at the preserve is perfect for a blanketed picnic. It’s open and gets plenty of sun. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Here’s some photos.

Coyote Scat 1

Coyote Scat 2

Coyote Scat 2

At First Glance

Tree “engravings”

Teeth impressions – Very Impressive!

This was no work of a Woodchuck!

Can you do this?

Beaver Artistry

“Activity Area”

 

Vandalism at HNP!

Yesterday we were notified that vandalism had occurred at the South Grimes Hill Road entrance to the Nature Preserve. We were told there were signs down and beer bottles everywhere. Imagine our response… what?! The executive director, Pat Wesner, visited the Preserve to find that someone backed up a vehicle and knocked over our welcome/information board and ripped apart a trailhead sign that told of animals you would find in the area. They also took the sitting area and trashed the stumps and benches around. The police were notified and a report filed. Who would do such a disgusting act? Vandalism hurts everyone.

We do not have the funds to build a new welcome board or trailhead sign. It’s a shame. Today, I did my best at straightening up the sitting area but we will need new stumps to place the benches on.

If you hear anything about what took place here at the Preserve, please let us know. We definitely want the people who did this.

Before – our trailhead sign & sitting area

Before – our Welcome & Information Board

After – Destruction of our Board

After – Destruction of the trailhead sign

After – Destruction of our sitting area

Pember Visits Hudson Falls Primary School

5/9/13 – The Pember Museum presented a wildlife program at the Hudson Falls Primary School for the 3rd grade class. The topics included: Fallow Deer, antler velvet, Cross Fox, Red Fox, Snow Leopard, Raccoon Dog, Hawksbill Sea Turtle and Amazon Parrot. Range, habitat, diet, description and other interesting facts were presented. Burt, the Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot was presented for his home region of Costa Rica and Mexico. Sometimes he was good and sometimes he kept interrupting me! He took flight twice… right over the heads of listening children. Ooh-awh. The antler in velvet belongs to the Elk and not the Fallow Deer but most have never seen or touched antler velvet.  The Snow Leopard is owned by Harry VonHaggin who ran the Flag Acres Zoo. It was one of their zoo cats which had passed from old age. It was good of him to loan it to me (Bernie) to be used for wildlife education. The Cross Fox is really a Red Fox but in a cross color phase. Look it up. 25% of wild Red Foxes are born in this color phase. Do you know the percentage of wild Red Foxes born in the silver color phase? The Raccoon Dog is in the Canidae family. It is also called a Tanuki, Finnish Raccoon or Asiatic Raccoon. It can also climb trees like our Grey Fox. What? The Hawksbill Sea Turtle mount and shell were donated to the museum. Can you believe that it hatches at 1.5 inches and grows to be 34 inches and about 170 pounds? What isn’t shown in the photos below are the large photos I had displayed for each animal specimen so the children could visibly see what the animal looked like in life.

Thanks to the 3rd grade children and teachers of the Hudson Falls Primary School!

young Elk antler in velvet

The setup

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard Skull

Cross Fox & Red Fox

Fallow Deer

Raccoon Dog

Bugs Bugs Bugs!!

They’re baaaaack!! Oh yes, along with the migratory birds are the bugs! I was at the Preserve this afternoon doing a mowing around the schoolhouse and portions of its trail and I was attacked. Serves me right for not wearing my hat with netting and long sleeve shirt. You bet I wear that ged-up. I really didn’t expect to be eaten but should have known better. May brings the black flies and other munching bugs. My poor left ear was bitten 3 times. Okay, I survived and will be more prepared the next time.

Speaking of the Porter Schoolhouse. Can anyone please donate some 8×8 landscaping timbers to repair our steps? They are rotten and need replacing. This is what they currently look like. We need your help. Thanks! (BTW – tax deductible as we’re a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.)

Merck Rescue

Here are the names of the good people at the Merck Forest & Farmland Center who helped clean up the trails at the Hebron Nature Preserve yesterday, April 24. They are:

Tom Ward, Executive Director
Kathryn Lawrence, Assistant to the Director
Amy Malsbenden, Visitor Center Engagement Specialist
Chris Wall, Trail Maintenance Coordinator
Sarah Ullman, Education Director
Dan Sullivan, Assistant Farm Manager
Becca Osbourne, Apprentice
Carolyn Loeb, Apprentice
Melissa Carll, Communications Coordinator

Once again, the Pember Museum THANKS them for their hard work!

Here’s a link to their website: http://www.merckforest.org/

BEFORE

AFTER

Merck to the Rescue!

The staff at the Merck Forest and Farmland Center of Vermont rescued the Pember Museum by providing trail clearing today at the Hebron Nature Preserve. Fallen trees have been stacking up out there and it was far too much for this educator to handle with my 8″ rechargeable chainsaw and parttime hours. I truly did not have faith that the Woodland Loop left trail could be salvaged when multiple trees fell within its path during Superstorm Sandy. It was a mess. Well, you’ve seen the photos. Now ALL the trails are open except the West Trail which still have trees down but is still passable with a walk around the fallen trees. I’m waiting on the names of the staff to post here but I wanted to give thanks and praise to them. I was not able to participate in the clean up but Executive Director, Pat Wesner assisted and reported to me that we have clear trails. She took some photos and here they are.

Program Photos

I just added photos for the Snakes & Lizards program (see tab under Program Photos). The Tide Pool wind chimes program photos are below. These chimes, although rated for children age 8 and older proved to be a bit difficult even for adults. I contacted the company about how tough it was tying knots and keeping it around the delicate starfish. They replied informing me that they have thought of replacing the stiff hemp cord with a softer one. It was nice to have a company listen to your feedback.

Museum Visitor

Burt, the Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot will be back at the Museum on April 4, April 9, and April 17… so far. Stop by to say “hello.” He has certainly missed everyone. All winter he just looked out the window at the wild birds, and the cats did not want to share that window. But Burt prevailed.

My Window!

Them Dry Bones

Come join us on Thursday, March 28 beginning at 3:30pm. We will be presenting a program called Them Dry Bones. This program is free for children of all ages. Registration is necessary for craft supplies. We will examine real bones, check out real animal skeletons, view real animal x-rays and create a craft using a real animal bone. Real-ly!

If you think you “might” bring your child, please call prior to the 27th. Otherwise, I might not have enough bones to go around and I certainly do not want to disappoint anyone! Our phone number is 518-642-1515. If you get the answering machine, just leave your child’s name, your name and number. That’s it!

Name the Bones!

A favorite book of skulls.

Real animal x-rays

Bone craft

Another fabulous reference

Tim-brrrrrr

The weather last year and so far this year has not been kind to our Hebron Nature Preserve. Why, do you ask? I think the photos will explain everything. Let me walk you through our trails with an update.

Trail Update Feb 2013

By looking at the trail map, the red highlighted areas are not passable. The yellow areas have a tree or trees down but by climbing over, walking under or around, it is passable.

The South Marsh not only has trees down across or in the path, but has been underwater for almost two years. Because there is no way to cross this area of the path, it’s not possible to mow and therefore 6 foot marsh weeds have grown. In addition, an area where 8 pallets were laid to provide a walkway were washed away into the reeds by Hurricane Irene and I was not able to get out there last summer to recover and rebuild.

The Woodland Loop Slate Pit sitting area has been destroyed by a plow. I will try to get out there with a shovel after the ground has thawed to return this great little spot back to it’s original splendor.

The left trail at the Woodland Loop entrance has a number of trees down from the December 21st wind storm. They missed our bulletin board but did destroy the trail marker. Neighbors spent 4 hours working on removing the trees but only made a small dent. Therefore this trail is closed completely. The foot bridge near the Fern Thicket on the Woodland Loop left trail also has a tree across it. I hope to have it removed today when I venture out this afternoon.

The Woodland Loop right trail has two pines across the trail. They are too big for me to chainsaw with my little guy, but I plan on trimming the branches so we can safely straddle and walk over them.

I have not been to the floating bridge which crosses over Black Creek since the summer. At that time it had two of the floating pieces broken apart from the rest of the bridge, but had been tied in place with a rope. It was still passable for those with a brave heart. The hand rope has slacked and will need repair also.

The South Loop trail has a new tree down in the path. However, it is one that can be straddled and climbed over along with several others that have been down for the past 4 years.

On the West Trail, the Observation Deck was struck by a fallen tree. Thankfully it only split one of the top boards and is still available for use. The marsh bridge just past the deck as you are going to the Hemlock woods was also washed out of place by Hurricane Irene. It is passable with caution. Once across you will see a cluster of trees down across the West Trail path and at the entrance to the Hillside Trail. Damage all courtesy of Superstorm Sandy. This is passable to the left around the 10 foot root ball. My plans today will be to make a better clearing around this and using my trail marking tape to keep you heading in the right direction. I’m hoping this area will not be under water. If it’s too marshy, we’ll try the right side. The Hillside Trail I would suspect has many trees down. The last time I tried it, I could not tell the trail.

Further into the Hemlock Woods are more trees down. We came across them during the Owl Prowl. At this time, you can pass by walking around but it’s not easy. I believe I’ll be able to clear the smaller ones in time. A couple have been down for years and they are easy to climb over.

Plowed under Woodland Loop Slate Pit sitting area

Woodland Loop – left trail

Woodland Loop right trail

Woodland Loop right trail

Woodland Loop fern bridge

West and Hillside Trails

Root ball for cluster of trees

Trust me, 10 foot high root ball

West Trail blockage looking north

Now, I have been told by many people that they are willing to help and then expect me to hold their hand. Some have been saying for years that they will help but I haven’t seen it. You have my permission to take your chainsaw and loppers to clear our trails. Please be sure to take a buddy. If you would prefer to be included in a work crew of volunteers, please call the museum and leave your name, number and availability.

If you do clear our trails, please let me know so I may give you recognition here and on our Facebook page.

Thank you and I’m sorry about the trail closures.