For bikers who like to add some wildlife viewing to their rides, the Capitol City Trail is a happening place this time of year, especially in the mid evening (7:30-8:15 this week).
Cricket frogs, and soon chorus frogs and American toads, can reach almost deafening volumes along several parts of the trail. At the edge of a private yard about 100 yards south of the Hatchery on the Glacier Valley Road (bike lane segment) there has been a gang of 10-12 turkeys, with one huge tom strutting his stuff as 9-10 hens pretty much ignore him as they forage for insects and seeds. Other turkey spots include an open field with a treed fence row dividing it, about half way between MM and Larsen Road. There are sometimes a few deer way down in the fence row that parallels the trail. There are deer in many places as the light fades. This past week there have been several along the railroad tracks just east of Syene Road. Sometimes a few graze in with the turkeys on Glacier Valley Road. Then at dusk, watch out for the bunnies in the stretch from South Town Road north to the Beltline. Warblers are in several wooded area in Fitchburg, the public hunting grounds, and the wooded hill just east of Lake Farm Park. Good viewing with birding binocs until the leaves start to obscure the view. Also may have heard a couple woodcock north of the trail, in the open meadow below the resting bench and across the creek, 1/4 mile west of Lake Farm, and maybe a Wilson's snipe or two in the same area. Tomorrow's weather looks lovely for an evening ride! Jeff Schimpff _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
