December 22, 2024: Winter Solstice '24

The first day of winter sure came in with a bang, bringing the coldest temperatures of the year, with last night dropping down to 4 degrees Fahrenheit.  But we sure have been on the New Hampshire weather roller coaster, as it was 51 degrees on Tuesday.  All combined, the lake still hasn't frozen over.  But before the warm up we got in some good skating on the coves.

This time of year, before snow covers the lake, there are always interesting phenomena to see, such as these black holes with spider veins, perhaps caused by melt water seeking out low spots in the ice to drain down into the lake.

After the warm-up, melt water on the surface of the ice turned parts of the lake into a mirror.

Too bad we didn't get a flash freeze before more snow fell on what would have been an impeccable skating surface.

⛸

During the warm spell the bears came back out for one last forage for food - I hope.

A nice Black Bear pawprint in soft snow.

But with the cold back, the birdfeeders are once again out and open for business, and they're getting a lot of action now!

I still struggle with Downy versus Hairy, but I think this is a Hairy Woodpecker based on the large beak and lack of spots on the tail feathers

I found something unexpected on top of the snow one day:

Might this be a baby snapper shell?

What animal came up with this small turtle to snack on?  Probabably a mink or an otter.  

I had an incredibly fortunate encounter on the trails this week, and as a result, we're all treated to a rare opportunity to experience Lake Wicwas from a new perspective.  I was on a winter run on Wednesday in the Hamlin Town Forest, and as I approached Crockett's Ledge heading south from the White Mountain Ledge, I heard the unmistakable buzz of a drone.  (Insert jokes about New Jersey here ;-) 

As I came onto the open ledge I found operator Bruce Bouley, his drone hovering overhead.  I stopped to talk and I learned that it's his brother that has a house on Loon Point Road, and he's quite familiar with the area.  I asked if he would send me some pictures, and he told me he would post a video on his YouTube channel.  Yesterday I found the video which you can watch below.  It's really neat - you can see exactly the size and location of the open water on Wednesday, as well as narrow channels of water in the ice and many large ice patterns.  See how many of the houses, islands, coves, and wetlands you can recognize!  

Thank you Bruce for that fantastic opportunity to experience Wicwas and its surroundings from above!  

Later in the week there was still open water.  I didn't get out early this morning to see if the lake finished freezing over, but it probably didn't even with the cold temperature last night due to the strong northwest wind that was blowing across the open area (that's why it's often the last place to freeze).  But I'm guessing once the winds die down it will be the end of a liquid Wicwas.  I just hope the loon that's been observed multiple times over the past two weeks gets the hint and heads out in time.  But someone is watching it, and he's been in touch with the Loon Preservation Center, so they're prepared for a rescue if necessary.  I hope to be able to provide an update on both topics next week.

Until then, with the shortest day of the year now behind us, may the warmth of the intensifying sun's rays shine upon you!

Merry Christmas!

March 27, 2016

Last week I noted our Wood Duck pair had returned to establish its nest near the lake.  This week we watched as they had to fend off a small flock of would-be home-seekers that thought Wicwas looked like a nice place to raise a family. 

An intruding group of Wood Ducks exploring Lake Wicwas

But our local pair came down to defend their turf.

Our ducks standing their ground

There was a stand off, but after a bit of non-verbal communication (see the male pecking at the water) they were able to convince the visitors that this cove had been claimed.  Click here to watch video.  (I had to upload the videos to youtube to keep the resolution from being really bad - even there it's not great.)

The intruders did make a couple more approaches with the same result;  they ultimately gave up.

On the retreat

Earlier we had the unusual sight of a duck walking around in tree branches.

A duck in a tree?

It was Mrs. Woody, waiting patiently while Mr. Woody prepared the nest, probably working on enlarging a cavity in a rotten tree.  Wood ducks have claws on their feet - unusual for ducks - that let them climb around in the trees.  Mrs. Woody sat and watched patiently from her perch on the branch.

Waiting for her home to be ready

Hopefully we'll have little woodies in a few weeks;  these are truly stunning birds.

Female Wood Duck

This wasn't the only display of duck mating behavior this week - perhaps the earlier ice-out means we are seeing more mating activity than usual.  We witnessed a group of male Hooded Mergansers trying to win over a sole female by impressing them with their beauty and strength.

It began with some preening and head-bobbing while the female watched from under a hemlock tree - you'll see her dive and then swim back out to watch the antics.  Click here to watch video.

Then they went on to chasing each other and circling around the none-too amused female.  Click here to watch video. And a second.

As time went on the behavior escalated in more aggressive tactics.  Click to watch.

Until finally she decided she'd had enough and flew off with the whole bunch in hot pursuit.  Click to watch.

It must be frustrating when there aren't enough mates for all, but just like the deer and many other species, it ensures propagation of a strong gene pool.

The last of the bird feeders have now been taken in to ensure the bears don't learn to associate with humans.  It took the downy woodpecker's long beak to extract the final few seeds that the chickadees and nuthatches couldn't reach.

A downy woodpecker cleans out the last of the seeds

Soon enough, humming birds will swap places with the winter flocks, as they coax the sweet nectar from the bounty of Linda's summer flowers that will supplant the seed-feeders on the posts! 

Finally, we had a rare but special visitor to Lake Wicwas this week: a pair of the aptly-named Goldeneye.  These fabulous birds were stopping here for a short rest and a meal on their way to breeding grounds in northern New England or Canada.

Female Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Male Common Goldeneye

A week like this with so much activity causes me to reflect on the amazing range of animals that this precious habitat attracts and supports.  And to remember the many generous people over the years who have worked so hard to protect this unspoiled spot in our ever-developing world.