Animals
Frogs and toads have always been a part of the farm. Evening walks to the pond are always accompanied by the pond peepers and their high pitched chorus. The addition of large mouth bass in our pond seemed to cut back on the numbers of frogs over the past two years. We have managed to keep a fairly large population of bullfrogs, though, at the pond. As you walk by the pond's edge you will hear them jumping into the safety of the shallow water.
What we have noticed this year is a large population of toads. There is one that lives in our feed room and several that I have noticed in the vegetable garden. These warty fellows are always welcome since they help to keep the insect population at bay.
This week, as I mowed,I noticed for the first time a huge amount of tiny toads. I am not sure if these are just young toads or a species of smaller toads. Almost everywhere you step you can see them hopping through the grass to avoid your step. I am wondering if we have so many as a result of the wet weather we have had most of this year.
- Meanwhile, At The Duck Pond...
Part of my every day chores is a stop at the duck pond to feed the ducks and fish. We have kept a stable population for several months now...5 tame ducks and 4 wild mallards that now call our pond home.At one point we were up to 36 ducks,but the local...
- Feathers And Fur
My new little guinea keets are doing quite well...at least the ones that remain. Apparently the first day after their arrival, several escaped through a crack beneath the brooder door.(a very tiny crack)We would never have known it (without counting),save...
- Tiny Miracles
Early this weekend during AM chores, I headed to the pond to put feed out for the ducks. Upon entering the duck hut, I saw Mrs. Duckles on her nest.She was hissing at me. I looked a bit closer.... she wasn't alone,no, there were several just hatched...
- What Do Honeybees Do.....
On a hot afternoon???? They hang out at the water's edge of course!Take a walk to the pond on any given hot afternoon, and you will be aware of a constant vibration....the buzzing of hundreds of bees as they visit the water's edge for a refreshing...
- More Signs Of A Wet Summer
An increase in the toad population leads me to believe our total rainfall has been greater than average this summer. There are other signs around the farm, too. The rain barrels are always full...and we do use them for routine watering. Today, I found...
Animals
Where Did All These Toads Come From?
Frogs and toads have always been a part of the farm. Evening walks to the pond are always accompanied by the pond peepers and their high pitched chorus. The addition of large mouth bass in our pond seemed to cut back on the numbers of frogs over the past two years. We have managed to keep a fairly large population of bullfrogs, though, at the pond. As you walk by the pond's edge you will hear them jumping into the safety of the shallow water.
What we have noticed this year is a large population of toads. There is one that lives in our feed room and several that I have noticed in the vegetable garden. These warty fellows are always welcome since they help to keep the insect population at bay.
This week, as I mowed,I noticed for the first time a huge amount of tiny toads. I am not sure if these are just young toads or a species of smaller toads. Almost everywhere you step you can see them hopping through the grass to avoid your step. I am wondering if we have so many as a result of the wet weather we have had most of this year.
- Meanwhile, At The Duck Pond...
Part of my every day chores is a stop at the duck pond to feed the ducks and fish. We have kept a stable population for several months now...5 tame ducks and 4 wild mallards that now call our pond home.At one point we were up to 36 ducks,but the local...
- Feathers And Fur
My new little guinea keets are doing quite well...at least the ones that remain. Apparently the first day after their arrival, several escaped through a crack beneath the brooder door.(a very tiny crack)We would never have known it (without counting),save...
- Tiny Miracles
Early this weekend during AM chores, I headed to the pond to put feed out for the ducks. Upon entering the duck hut, I saw Mrs. Duckles on her nest.She was hissing at me. I looked a bit closer.... she wasn't alone,no, there were several just hatched...
- What Do Honeybees Do.....
On a hot afternoon???? They hang out at the water's edge of course!Take a walk to the pond on any given hot afternoon, and you will be aware of a constant vibration....the buzzing of hundreds of bees as they visit the water's edge for a refreshing...
- More Signs Of A Wet Summer
An increase in the toad population leads me to believe our total rainfall has been greater than average this summer. There are other signs around the farm, too. The rain barrels are always full...and we do use them for routine watering. Today, I found...