Nature Journal

A couple of days ago, one of my neighbor's saw a Carolina Wren in a bush near her house. She's familiar with this bird, having seen it in the past when living in a more southerly state.

This bird is uncommon in southern Vermont, but it is believed that the Carolina Wren's range is expanding northward. There have been other sightings in Vermont and also at least one report of nesting in this general area.

I haven't heard the coyotes much in the last four years or so - and have only rarely seen their tracks. I thought I might have heard a little whining last year, but wasn't sure if it was a coyote. I hope they come back around this year. I love their "songs."

I remember one winter when I woke up during the night to the sound of a coyote outside my bedroom window. It sang the most beautiful song I think I've ever heard. It went on for about 10 or 15 minutes. Then it stopped and the coyote was gone. I don't think I'll ever forget that experience.

In the summer and fall, I enjoy watching the bats flying near my house. They come out at twilight and I can see their silhouettes against the evening sky.

One evening last summer, while I was standing on my back porch, a bat came whizzing by about two feet from my head. It came from one side of the house and was headed back around the other side.

Just seconds later, another bat - or was it the same one? - came flying by my head again. And soon, yet another one flew by. I still wonder today if it was the same bat flying 'round and 'round my house or if there were several bats.

By this time of year, the bats are nowhere to be seen. Some bats are in hibernation - for example, the little brown bat and the eastern pipistrelle. And some - like the hoary bat - have migrated southward.