Week 1 - Green-Wood Cemetery

As the new year begins, I've decided to try and document the annual natural cycles in Green-Wood Cemetery. Fifty-two entries seems like a daunting task, so let's see how it goes.

Doldrums. People keep asking me, "Where are the birds?" It may feel like we're becalmed in the Horses Latitude, but there are changes afoot. There always is. There's never a stagnant season.

Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry trees are brightening a mostly gray landscape. As are the emerging blossoms on the Jalena Witch-hazel. Crabapples, hawthorn, hollies, barberry and persimmons are still providing lots of fruit for robins, waxwings, flickers and several other wintering songbird species.

The diversity of raptors in the area seems to have really increased. No doubt these opportunists are taking advantage of the seasonal struggles of smaller creatures. Over the past week I observed at Green-Wood Cemetery: American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture and Bald Eagle. Be wary little critters.

Hardy species like the huge Great Blue Herons and diminutive kinglet will usually remain through even the coldest months. So far, overwintering sparrow populations are relatively sparse, but I suspect that will change as the the month progresses. I expect to see hellebore in bloom soon and an increase in waterfowl. Stay tuned...