You may recall reading that over the last two years a lot of work has been done at Paunacussing Preserve. Natural Lands Trust removed a dam on an old farm pond and installed a berm to convert the area to a more dynamic wetland. Then we planted some 1,700 trees in the fall of 2009. In the spring of 2010, we planted 15,000 plugs of herbaceous plants. That allowed native wetland plants get established in the wetlands. Then last fall, volunteers helped plant another 700 trees to help convert agricultural fields back to forest. A lot of work to improve the environment.
Kevin Mault, NLT's Stewardship Assistant, was working at Paunacussing last week and experienced first hand the rewards of all that hard work. During the day he saw a Great-horned Owl, two Red-tailed hawks, Black and Turkey Vultures, Bluebirds, Chickadees, and Titmouses.
On the wetland, he saw a Great Blue Heron, some Canada Geese, and over two dozen mallards. That wasn't all. He also saw over a dozen American Black Ducks! Six pairs of Wood Ducks! Four Ring-necked Ducks! Two American Wigeons! And finally a beaver. As Kevin said in his email: "If this doesn't spell Healthy Ecosystem, I don't know what does." Well said.
