On Sunday, a group from Mariton went to Bear Creek to bird and explore this preserve. We started off with an American Redstart and Black and White Warblers. It was easier to see the warblers because the leaves are not as developed as they are at Mariton. We had a great look at a Chestnut-sided Warbler, and we heard them throughout the morning. We had a pair of Ovenbirds display only a few feet off of the trail. The Hermit Thrushes serenaded us with their beautiful song. Scarlet Tanagers were easily seen in the sparse oak foliage. Towards the end of the walk we saw what we think was a Bay Breasted Warbler. (It was a tough call, as we only saw bits of it over a minute or so.)
Besides birds, we spent a lot of time looking at wildflowers. We found Fringed Polygala (Polygala paucifolia) interspersed along the trails. (Photo by Carole Mebus.) We also saw Star Flower (Trientalis borealis) and Pinxter (Rhododendron nudiflorum) among other wildflowers.
Red Admiral butterflies were everywhere. This seems to be happening all over our region. We saw several during the Bird Census on Saturday. There was also an abundance of Red Admirals in 2007. They are quite beautiful when opened, but when folded they blended perfectly in with the lichen covered oak trees. (Photo by Carole Mebus.)
