May 11, 2021

Spring has continued to be cool this year, with consistent daytime temperatures in the mid to high-50s, and low 60s. There’s been occasional rain, but no downpours. Despite this, we’re still experiencing a moderate drought in most of Vermont, with the remainder classified as “abnormally dry.”

At the moment I’m watching a phoebe, and hearing a black-throated green warbler, song sparrow, and black-and-white warbler. The phoebes have been rebuilding the nest on the side of our house after it mostly collapsed last fall, and they’ve been building it quickly. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are back, and this morning also heard a blue-headed vireo, ovenbird, and northern parula (also spotted with my binoculars). Veeries have been making their “veer!” call, but no wood or hermit thrush yet. I was worried about this since I loved hearing them last year, but looking back they seemed to start singing around mid-May in 2020, so there’s time yet.

Morels have reappeared in our woods between an old ash and a dead elm tree. There are eight, but one is miniscule and not getting any bigger. Not far away is a half-free morel. It was a good season for trillium, though they are fading as the understory and canopy leaf out. Trout lilies by the brook. Jack-in-the-pulpits are up. Britt has been clearing out the periwinkle on the slope on the south side of the house, and bloodroot seemed to enjoy that.

Coyote scat on the footpath to the morel patch.