Our oldest pond, the duck pond, had a dramatic winter. Over the last couple of years, the cattails had filled in almost two-thirds of the surface and open water was getting scarce. One was tempted to schedule a renovation--to drain it down, dig out the cattails and make a fresh start.
No need. While the pond was mostly frozen solid, a clan of muskrats moved into the bank and kept themselves well-fed by feasting on the cattail roots. So, while nothing appeared to have happened in the pond, when the ice melted, all the cattail stalks fell down and there isn't a one left standing. There's hardly any left in the pond by the house either since, having devoured everything at home, the muskrats had tunnelled under the snow and ice to feast there, as well. When the ice melted, the water level dropped through the holes they had left in the bank, but Gypsy's efforts to unearth them obviously sped their departure and the filled-in holes have not been opened again. So, there are still a few cattails left for the red wing blackbirds to nest in.
Of course, there are also plenty down in the marsh, but the red wings seem to like nesting close to the house. Perhaps it's easier to catch bugs. A swarm of swallows were swooping over the pond the other morning, scooping up mosquitos or may flies. But, they were tree swallows--white belly, blue/black backs--rather than the barn swallows we'd like to see nesting in the garage. Though a nest has been started, the swallows have not been much in evidence. No mosquitos either. So. perhaps, May was just too cold.
Sun's out today. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Posted by Hannah at May 30, 2005 08:30 AM