Tryon Creek Naturalist Notes

Trillium ovatum

Spring at Tryon Creek is a feast for the senses. Cottonwood trees are preparing to leaf out, scattering their sweet resinous bud casings around yellow violets, purple-green nettles and white trilliums below. By the creek, Skunk Cabbage are displaying their showy yellow blooms, living up to their nickname of “Swamp Lantern”. Every day seems to bring a new bird song, whether from winter birds who have starting singing spring songs or from newly returned birds setting up breeding territories. This week the dry mornings have been bursting with the bubbly sounds of Purple Finch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pacific Wren, and American Robin.

By far my favorite harbingers of spring at Tryon Creek are our increasingly conspicuous Barred Owls. Because they are preparing to nest, this pair of large owls spends much of their time hanging around their usual nest site, making it somewhat easier for us owl lovers to find them. Though they tend to quietly sleep the day away high up in a cedar or maple, with a little patience and keen observation skills you just might spot them. The picture below was taken Sunday March 25^th.  The owl above is sleeping with its head tucked back behind it, while the one below is sleeping standing up. Have you seen any owls in the park? Come into the nature center and ask about recent sightings, or share any of your own spring observations with us. We would love to hear what you discover!

Sleeping Beauties

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