Mariton: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager.  Archival photos by Carole Mebus.

I love all the seasons (including December), but in my mind this is one of the best times of the year.  The natural world will change daily for the next month and a half.  Granted, some of the changes will be subtle, but if you pay attention you will hate to miss one day.

Spring ephemeral wildflowers appear, while others are fading and going to seed.  New bird species arrive every morning greeting us with new songs and colors.  It is tough to get very far when you are looking up at birds and down at wildflowers.

We start our weekly bird walks at Mariton tomorrow (Tuesday).  This morning, I walked into several gatherings of warblers including Black and Whites, Yellow-rumpeds, Black-throated Greens, Parulas, and the first Ovenbird of the season.  It will be interesting to see what migrates in tonight to greet us tomorrow morning.

On Saturday, there will be a guided wildflower walk at Mariton.  There are lots of wildflowers out now, but many more to come as spring progresses.

For more information, or if you would like to register for one of the walks, please contact me at Mariton.

Wildflowers are poppin’,

Bunnies are hoppin’,

New birdsongs to hear.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!