It was a sunny late morning that I
decided to walk a nearby community trail that I’d never taken, even though it’s
only three miles from my house! Even
though I’m not participating in the cool “2019 5MR Challenge”, I want to give Many Thanks to
Jen Sanford for touting the Five-Mile-Radius concept for birders. It’s certainly made me go birding in some
local spots that I’ve been ignoring for the past 30 years . . .
One of these places is the “McLane
School Trail”, which has since been christened the “Ralph Munro Trail”
after
local former Secretary of State and all-‘round good guy Ralph Munro.
The winter has been tough on the local
habitat this year, what with windstorms and heavy snows resulting in a bit of
blowdown. This tree was cleared off the
trail, and I counted about 50 growth rings.
That would indicate that the tree began growing about 1969 – the year
that the Moon Landing occurred!
The sword ferns were matted down from
the snows as well, but that just provided perches for the Pacific Wrens.
The McLane trails committee have been
active in developing habitat and educational projects along the path, and in
honoring those community members who have been instrumental in creating this
little gem in west Olympia.
 |
| Bob Barnes Bog |
 |
| Barb Bergholz Bayou |
This is a fun path for local birding,
and I am really grateful to the members of the Forest and Trails Committee who
put in the work to make this place a public resource!!
 |
| Singing the praises of those who did all the work . . . |
The birds thank you as well!
 |
| Pacific Wren |
 |
| Hutton's Vireo |
McLane School Trail a.m. eBird
Checklist is Here
McLane School Trail p.m. eBird
Checklist is Here
No comments:
Post a Comment