May 31, 2026: Challenged by Cherries

I've always been challenged by the various cherry trees we have in the Lakes Region, and this spring, with many blooming, once again I couldn't tell them apart.  So I decided to make a concerted effort to finally figure them out.  There seem to be four species that grow here, although I learned that one of them isn't actually a cherry tree, but a fruiting shrub, growing up to six feet high.  That's the one that's blooming widely all around the lake, the Black Chokeberry.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Black Chokeberry grows along the shores of lakes and wetlands, and also on field edges - I've seen them at 2000' elevation on the ledges of Mt. Roberts in the Ossipee Mountains.  Their flowers grow in clusters, as do their fruit.

Chokeberry is flowering now all around the Lakes Region

Chokeberry fruit in September.

The fruit stays on the plant into winter, providing a late winter food source for year-round fruit-eating birds like bluebirds and cedar waxwings.

There are two varieties of chokeberry that grow in New Hampshire, black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), but I'm pretty confident most of what I see is the black variety as they are a more northern species, growing as for north as Canada.  Also, the color of the fruit I've seen in the fall is a good indicator.  If you look inside a chokeberry fruit you'll find multiple seeds (like a fruit) rather than the single pit of a cherry.

Moving on to the true cherries (genus prunus), the grand champion is the Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) which can grow up to 80' tall and is highly valued by craftsmen for its beautiful wood.  It has blossoms and fruit that grow in racemes - a long, thin tubular shape. 

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Black cherry was planted on many New England farms and you can find them at the Meredith Page Pond Town Forest near the Barnard Ridge Road trailhead.  There is a very large one in the old orchard being rejuvenated, as well as several smaller ones in the field.   

Common Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) has flower clusters similar to black cherry, but its leavers are wider and more rounded, and it's a smaller tree, growing only to 18' tall.

Common Chokecherry

Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is also a small tree, growing to about 20'.  Its flowers and fruit grow in clusters similar to Black Chokeberry.

Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)

The three prunus cherries are all considered pioneer species, as they quickly emerge in open areas following fire or logging (the chokeberry is not).  A great example of this is the stand of pin cherry trees that rapidly took over a clear cut abutting the Eames Conservation Area in the Hamlin-Eames Town Forest.  If you hike the White Trail where it runs along the boundary line you can see this stand just over the stone wall that is the boundary.

So, we have pin cherry, black cherry, common chokecherry, and black chokeberry.  No wonder I've been confused by cherries!

Black Cherry:

Habitat:  old fields and woodland edged
Height:  40'

Flowers:  5" long racemes 

Fruit:  1/2", dark red to black

Leaves:  5", elliptical, toothed

Pin Cherry:

Habitat:  clearings

Height:  20'

Flowers:  1/2" in clusters 

Fruit:  small, red

Leaves:  4", lanceolate

Common Chokecherry:

Habitat:  water edges, roadsides

Height:  18'

Flowers :  4" racemes

Fruit:  1/2" red to black

Leaves:  elliptical, finely toothed

Black Chokeberry (not a cherry):

Habitat:  water edges

Height:  12'

Flowers : 3" clusters 

Fruit:  1/4", black, in clusters

Leaves:  2", oval, finely toothed

This week found me near Squam Lake, hiking up Eagle Cliff  (where I found many black cherry trees!) and over to Red Hill.  It was a cool, sunny morning and the lake and mountains were beautiful.

Squam Lake from Eagle Cliff.

The hike along the ridge from the cliff to the Red Hill fire tower was a spring nature tour.  I heard 17 different birds, including a loon carrying all the way from the lake on that quiet morning.  Other treats included seeing a bright red Scarlet Tanager (which I often hear, but rarely can see high in the canopy) and hearing both Hermit and Wood Thrushes.  

The wildflowers were as captivating as the birds, and I even found a new flower I hadn't even heard of before:  Rock Harlequin.

Rock Harlequin  (Capnoides sempervirens)

It's a tall, spindly plant with pretty pink and yellow blossoms at the top.

The North Carolina State Extension states rock harlequin thrives on rocky cliffs, granite domes, and in rock crevasses with poor drainage.  They prefer acidic soils in climates with cold winters and cool summers. [Ref:  NC State Extension]  This is exactly where I found these; they were growing in a sunny spot right at Eagle Ledge, amidst a large patch of bluets.   

Bluets

Often when I see bluets they're more white than blue, but these flowers up high had a nice blue hue.

A few wild columbine were also blooming alnog the ridge trail.

Columbine

May and June spring hiking can be slow with all the nature to observe, so remember to bring along the bug spray when you're out.  It is also loon nesting season, and there is news on that front.  The Wicwas northern pair has selected a site and is now on the nest, hopefully with two eggs to incubate.  They chose the same site as 2024, which didn't work out for them - the nest was predated, after which they built a second nest in a different location.  Let's hope things go better this year.  The site is well hidden and well away from boating traffic, so no signs will be placed there.

Both members of the southern pair have now been confirmed by their bands (thanks DT!) and with only a single loon being seen in their territory now, it's likely they have a nest with eggs too.  If you happen to come across it on your travels, please let us know so we can take any precautions needed to protect it.  

Friday's 3" of rain raised the lake level by 6" even with the dam lowered in preparation.  Hopefully both pairs can defend their nests from the rising water.  Last year we fledged only one chick, Spangle.  We hope to increase that number in 2026!

Spangle, shortly before leaving the lake in early December 2025.

May 4, 2025: Fiddleheads Erupt

A few sunny days in late April really get things moving - the sun is as strong now as it is at the end of July.  In warm, damp, sunny spots ferns are shooting out of the ground, their fiddle heads mimicking the top of a violin.  

While on shaded forest floors, the Trailing Arbutus are now in full bloom.

They are so small you may have to look carefully to find them.  Trailing Arbutus, along with Partridge Berry are some of our forests' more common ground covers, helping to maintain moisture in the soil as well as providing food and cover for the smallest of animals.  I saw my first bee of the year buzzing among the Trailing Arbutus - it was a bumble bee, the primary pollinator of this plant.  These large bees with a hairy coat can stand colder temperatures, and are the first  bees to emerge after winter.  If you find Trailing Arbutus flowers, pinch one of their flowers and smell the strong, sweet perfume that attracts the bees. 

More birds arrive daily now - this week there's been a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers here every day.  

Yellow-rumped Warbler.

They flit erratically among the bare branches picking off insects and caterpillars. 

Caught this one in action.

Yellow-rumpeds spend the winter farther north than most warblers so they arrive early, allowing us to see them rather than just hear them since the bare tree branches give them no cover.  

How they got their name.

Bare tree branches let me watch a Tufted Titmouse forage around in a young successional forest picking off insects and spiders.  

We'll lose those bare branches in just a few more days so the birds will be well hidden up in the treetops.  The trees are now starting to put out leaves; the view down on treetops from Crockett's Ledge shows tinges of pale yellow-green aspen and dark red maple buds.

Just a smattering of color against brown branches.

Other new arrivals this week include Oven Bird, Common Yellowthroat, and Veery.  But my bird of the week was this Broad-winged Hawk which spent time hanging out amidst the warblers.

Broad-winged Hawk

I was surprised that while it was here the warblers will still flying around in the trees.  The hawk wasn't trying to be secretive because it twice flew from one tree to another. 

It also walked up and down a branch, showing off its talons.

So the warblers were certainly aware of its presence.  Are warblers smart enough to tell a broad-winged hawk apart from the smaller Merlin and Kestrel, and know that broad-wings mostly go after small animals on the ground?  They should keep in mind that these hawks do occasionally take a bird on the wing.

One quiet morning as I was listening to the birds' sunrise serenade beside the lake, I jumped a foot in the air when a beaver gave a loud slap just a few yards away from me. I hadn't seen it coming and it really is startling when you're not expecting it. I watched it swim back and forth, and it presented me with a couple more tail slaps.

There was another noisy event on the lake this week:  The loons are back to fighting over either territory or mates.  Two days after I took a nice trip around the lake and was pleased at seeing two pairs of loons peacefully enjoying their separate territories, I witnessed the most intense loon battle I've ever seen.  I heard a ruckus and looked out and saw two loons in a wing-rowing chase winding back and forth across the lake at breakneck speed - they looked like waterskiers carving up the cove.  When they reached the end of the cove they went back and forth multiple times, chasing, diving to make sharp stops and turns, barely losing a beat.  I had watched for a long time not wanting to look away, but eventually I got my camera.

They went out of my sight, but then came back and I took more video until they went far down the lake.  I checked my watch only after they'd been at it for at least a few minutes - I have no idea how long it was going on before they caught my attention, but it was ten minutes that I watched before they went back out of sight, still in active combat.  

I'm amazed at their endurance; that video was only two and a quarter minutes of a fight that went on well over ten minutes and they never once stopped going full tilt.  I can only assume one of the contestants is the north territory male.  It seems it would be one doing the chasing to drive another away, but it could be the other way around.  It could also be two females fighting over who gets to pair with the male.  Hopefully someone will give up rather than fight to the death.  But what will happen if the weaker bird gets so exhausted it can't escape?  I was happy to see a pair together fishing peacefully in the northern territory the next morning.

Some of the trees and shrubs I like to watch progress in spring are Service Berry, Black Cherry, and Hobblebush Viburnmum, all of which are pushing out small leaves now.  The viburnum is the furthest along, already forming flower buds.  

Hobblebush Viburnum early buds.

All three of these shrubs/trees might have blossoms by next week - stay tuned!

July 28, 2024: The Lesser Purple Fringed Orchid

I found a few new summer plants over the past two weeks including this spectacular member of the orchid family:

Lesser Purple Fringed Orchid (Platanthera psycodes)

That's one of the longer common names for a plant that I've come across.  I saw these along the Livermore Trail in Waterville Valley last week on my hike to Mt. Tripyramid, but it took me a while to identify it.  According to the U.S. Forest Service its scientific name comes from the Greek figure Psyche, which was represented as a butterfly, because this orchid's petals have the shape of a butterfly.  [U.S. Forest Service]  

Lots of fringes on the lower lip.

It further states that the Lesser Purple Fringed Orchid is not rare, but thrives in wet, shady areas where "the mosquitos are so thick they will carry you away" so maybe I've always hurried past them.  

On a later walk scouting for invasive species (I found a patch of invasive Burning Bush that I took care of) I noticed this plant that I couldn't quite place - the pods were like milkweed, but it wasn't quite right.  Another walker came along and suggested looking to see if there was a milk-like substance in its stems or pods, and sure enough, there was.  

Poke Milkweed. (Asclepias exaltata)

Looking up the plant I found it's a variety of milkweed called "poke milkweed".  Thanks GE for the suggestion!

There are still blueberries to be found around the lake but time is running short.  On one blueberry excursion along the edge of the lake I came across an area of lily pads that had been whitewashed.

Any guesses as to what caused this?  If you guessed Eastern Kingbirds, I think you're right, but then it could also be an Eastern Phoebe like this one I saw on my morning kayak. 

Eastern Phoebe decorating lily pads while waiting for the next bug to enter its zone.

Both of these flycatchers sit on branches overhanging the water to watch for bugs, and as they wait, their droppings fall in the lake - or in this case, on the lily pads.  But no fear - they may not like you picking blueberries in their territory and will chatter away at you, but they won't come close enough to drop anything on your head!  Also on this morning's paddle I caught a Great Blue Heron flying overhead.

Great Blue Heron

In addition to blueberries, there are lots of red berries ripening up now, including these which will eventually turn black - if the birds and animals let them.

Black Cherry, not quite fully ripe.

One animal that really likes these cherries is the black bear, and I found a stand that showed evidence of a bear visit.

Branches bent over, possibly by a bear.  (Yes SD, this is your favorite bear location.)

Black bears are not particularly gentle consumers of berries.  Whether it's black cherry or blueberry, they will bend a branch down or simply break it off so they can sit down and munch on the fruit.

Another likely bear sign.

Our banded male from the northern nesting territory does appear to have accepted a new mate.  It continues to spend lots of time fishing and preening with another loon right around the failed nesting site.  And the number of loon altercations has declined so maybe the other contestants have conceded the contest.  

Let's end this week with last night's sunset.

It may be pretty here in New Hampshire, but it sure isn't pretty in Canada and California where the fires are burning.

May 8, 2022: Buds and Blossoms

Last week the red maple and the trailing arbutus - two of the earliest plants to wake up in the spring - were on display.  This week things really got moving with a lot more gearing up for summer, including some small but pretty flowers.

Common violet (Viola papilionacea)

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

It's not surprising that the tiniest flowers - the arbutus - were first to bloom, followed by slightly larger blossoms, with the largest ones - think sunflowers - not blooming until late in the summer.  And then just yesterday I saw my first trillium of the year, a purple one.

Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum)

With the early head start on most other trees, the red maples are already forming small red leaves on their branches.

Early red maple leaves.

Black cherries have also put out leaves and are now forming buds that will turn into bouquets of delicate white flowers, and eventually cherries.

Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

The blueberry buds are swelling and will burst out soon.

Blueberries getting ready for summer eating.

That always gets me thinking of blueberry pancakes even though I know I still have two months to wait.

The oaks are always the laggard in the forest, whether it's putting out the leaves in the spring or hanging on to them late into fall.  But they are forming buds now, and some of them will survive long enough to become leaves.  Others will meet a different fate:

Look at that tasty morsel.

No leaves on that twig!

As the compost pile has warmed up and started cooking again we've had some visitors digging in it overnight so I set out the camera to see who our late night dinner guests are.  My first guess was correct:

This nice plump raccoon seems to have survived the winter just fine.

But it also has a least one other dining companion sharing the table.

A turkey looks for discarded seeds.

The turkeys are just picking over the dry plant debris, not digging down into the pile like the raccoon looking for more substantial items.  I guess I need to bury new additions to the pile a bit deeper.

We have seen plenty of of turkeys around the lakes as well as signs of them digging in the leaves throughout the woods; I hope they're eating lots of tics!

Scouring the woods for seeds and bugs.

Scratching up leaves - the dry land version of the snowy egret scratching in the mud in Shem Creek.

Wishing you all a Happy Mother's Day!

Sweet White Violets for Mom!