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March 15, 2009: Pair of Canada geese crossed the lane from the marsh to the pond at the culvert 1500 hrs. First seen here this "spring." Only a small patch of pond ice free where the water flow thru the culvert occurs.
March 16: Lone goose has joined the pair above.
March 18: The pair of geese were grazing on patch of green grass near the old "main garden." Trouble already!
March 25: A pair of mallard ducks flew from a patch of open water in the marsh across into same in the pond.
March 28: Five deer grazing on greening grass across the lane by the front, right corner of old barn foundation.

April 11: Two deer moved across the old 'main garden' after grazing on grass above it. There are now 11 geese present on the pond and marsh. They have been on the lane by the culvert as I drove out in late afternoon
Apr. 16: Three deer went down slope at back of field across the road.
Apr. 19: 0800, one male and one female turkey came into the front yard.
Apr. 20: Saw a small beaver swimming in the pond very close to the edge of the lane at 1700 hrs. Bad news!!
Apr. 22: The numerous geese are now coming up to graze and lounge around the old "main garden". Big pain!

May: Unfortunately, I did not keep a running account of the wildlife sightings this month.However, here is a summary-
Two pairs of geese stayed here and nested. One pair on the large island in the pond and the other some where in the upper marsh to the southwest of the lane and pond. One pair had five goslings and the other two. These families spent much time together, including coming up to the mowed grass around the old main garden. I discouraged them! There was one sighting of two deer along the border of the lower field. They went through the brush to the pond, presumably for a drink.

June 4: Saw first snapping turtle, a very small one, on the lane on the marsh side by the culverts. Also, one box turtle laying eggs in the lane part way up the slope to the house.
June 6: One turtle in the grass below the house as I mowed. Moved it to the lower border.
June 16: Three wild turkeys 'paraded' up toward the woods along the far side of the lane directly opposite the house.

July 6: Three woodchucks, adult and two youngsters, browsing grass/clover across the lane. Went back into the old "chuck" hole at the base of the rock face at the side of the ramp to the old, long gone barn. Trouble!
July 7: Saw a 'chuck come out from beneath the room behind the breezeway to feed. Saw the three across the road again. Saw one of them, I believe, later walking across front yard from the big maple toward the postlight! Double trouble!
July 8: One 'chuck' done in" after seen by the flats, etc. in the sun across the lane. 
July 10: Undoubtedly, deer have been eating off the tops of sunflower plants in the 2nd strip of newly planted area in field
July 15: Noticed that gloriosa daisy plant in planted area at end of side wall had been chewed on. Later saw a 'chuck near the end f the wall. It will not be eating anything any more.
July 16: Two 'chucks seen across the lane and going back into the hole in the end of the stone face of the old barn ramp.
July 18: 2 'chucks seen out the kitchen window in the early AM eating grass/clover. They are under the room behind the breezeway. Saw chipmonks in multiple places during the morning. I am overrun with pesky rodents this year!
July 19: May have "hit" 1 chuck. They are also going into the "back shed" via the rocks at the bottom of  walls.
July 21: My 80th birthday! Three wild turkeys across the lane. A very large "gobbler," a hen and a youngster.
July 22: The three turkeys back again pecking in the grass between flower beds and unmowed field. Saw one 'chuck across the lane c.0530. Also one behind the house c.0700. I "hit" the  across the lane 'chuck @ 1300.
July 23: The 3 turkeys appeared across the lane once again. Came up the near edge of the field where mowed.
No sign of the 'chuck across the lane nor any behind the house. The one or two there may have decided to go.
July 25: Saw one 'chuck behind the house. [This continued into August.]

August 2: Lone Canada goose grazing in lawn to north of  blueberries. 2 turkeys across the lane; 1 to front yard
Aug. 7: Doe and big fawn across the road between back flower bed and the parked big trailer at edge of field.
Aug. 9: 2 grown deer across the lane in same spot as those on the 7th. Grazing grass or eating hollyhock leaves.
Aug.12: Discoverd a woodchuck had burrowed under the dirt floor of the "back shed." One wheel of the small roto-tiller collapsed the tunnel and sat at about a 45 degree angle with the other wheel still on firm ground. Large mound of dirt evident.
Aug. 13: Woodchuck far out in grass across the road. Went back into the usual hole at base of old barn ramp stone face.
Aug. 14: Wood chuck behind the house! Same one? More than one? Red squirrel live trapped in front of breezeway!
Aug. 15: First time to see a pair of Great Blue Herons around the pond. Previously there was only one.
Aug. 18: A Snowy Egret was at edge of the pond at the far side near the right 'corner' of the pond. Seen previous years, too.

9-6-09: A small snapping turtle moved across the side yard between power pole and front wall. I put put it on the road hoping it would go downhill to the pond/marsh, but it went up across the ramp to the former barn and off somewhere.
9-16-09: Snowy egret back on the pond after several weeks absence.
9-25-09: First flock of migrating Canada geese came in for a visit to the pond. Not many, however.
9-29-09: Two deer grazed in the back field in the early afternoon.
9-30-09: Five deer grazed close to the lane in the field across the lane from the house; one even on the mowed grass area!

10-5-09: Many Canada geese on the pond. I estimate at least two hundred.
10-8-09: Deer have eaten off all the leaves on the many sunflower plants. Even ate some of the flower petals around the center seed portion of the heads! A reduced number of geese on the pond. Two deer crossed the lane at the base of the upgrade to the house at 2130 as I drove home from fire station.
10-17-09: Deer have eaten the entire seed head on most of the sunflowers. Chewed on the nicotiana plants. Likewise hostas under the corner apple tree in side yard.
10-22-09: Huge congregation of Canada geese on the pond. Estimate 3-400. 4 deer eatening sunflower stalks at back edge of 2009 planted strip in field behind house.

November 2009: Many sightings of deer in various places. Many Canada geese frequenting the pond. Small ducks in the marsh. Red squirrel running around. Also saw it snatching tall grass into its mouth to build a winter "nest." This was at the corner of the addition to the breezeway seen from the kitchen window. Nice place under the addition where woodchucks have "holed up," too. Only bluejays seen flying about. At 0300 on the 21st heard a pack of coyotes wailing to the rear of the house in the back field or the woods beyond.

December 2, 2009: 1500 hours- put up two coffee can sunflower feeders on the chain strung across front yard.
12-3-09: Mid-morning- Saw at least 2 chickadees taking seeds from the coffee can feeders! [When I put out suet feeders, these little guys will visit them, too. See pic.]
12-4-09: Early morning- Bluejays have appeared at the feeders. There is a red squirrel scrounging on the ground under them.
12-5-09: Female hairy woodpecker at a sunflower feeder in front yard; doves and a gray squirrel scrounging under the feeders.
12-6-09: Goldfinch in winter plumage at a sunflower feeder.
12-12-09: Male northern cardinal investigating the sunflower feeders. Put up three suet feeders.
12-13-09: New visitors at the feeders: Male Red-bellied woodpecker; Junco; Nuthatch and Tufted Titmouse. Resident red squirrel chased another and two grays away!!
12-26-09: Sparrows have been coming in to feed. They are ground feeders, so I have to spread seed on the ground and on pieces of plywood.
12-27-09: Young male turkey scrounged under the front yard hanging bird feeders.
12-29-09: Gray squirrel came down chain from maple tree to reach birdfeeders. This is only the second time so far, with long hiatus since the first one.

January 10, 2010:  The young "tom" turkey was back scrounging bird seed under feeders. He also went to the seed spread in front of the breezeway.
One gray squirrel continues to harass me by coming down the chain to reach the hanging feeders in the front yard.

March 12, 2010: Pair of Canada geese on "Elderberry Island" in the pond. Probably same pair as last year and maybe before. I sland has been a nesting spot for years.
3-17-10: For the second time, a male Red-bellied woodpecker, with brillant red head, was at the suet feeders in the front yard.
3-18-10: Saw first red-winged blackbird (male) scrounging under the front yard bird feeders.
3-25-10: In the AM. two geese grazing at top, far end of  old 'main garden,' a favorite spot. While the geese grazed, eleven turkeys came toward the  from the far end of the 'out back' field. They herded the geese ahead of them as they proceeded toward the blueberry, etc. plantings and the  out of sight. At about noon, "Spitzie," my recently adopted dog, was down by the pond and marsh and was attracted to two, male mallard ducks in the  marsh.  They swam away from the near shore, with "S" following along the  southeast shore through muck and brush. Undoubtedly, the first time "S" has encountered ducks in the water. A very iteresting day at "the farm!"

April 21, 2010: Canada goose nesting on the large island in the center of the pond. This spot has been in use for years.
4-26-10: Several wild turkeys strolled up the lane in front of the house on their way to the woods- c.0700. Small turtle at side of lane by culverts. Second seen.

May 9, 2010: Woodchuck seen behind the kitchen. It is making its "home" under the breezeway extension and, possibly, in the "back shed" off the rear of the LR. These locations have regularly been used in the past. My dog "Spitzie" is aware of the 'chuck and spending time sniffing around.
5-25-10: Family of Canada geese on the road at 1600. Woodchuck spotted across the road directly out from regularly used hole in the rock face of the old barn ramp.

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