Hidden Pond Nature Center

CONTACT INFORMATION: The Nature Center is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays), and weekends from 12-5 p.m.
703-451-9588 TTY 711
8511 Greeley Blvd.
Springfield, Virginia
Jim Serfass
Manager

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Hidden Pond Almanac

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Natural events, happenings, and fearless predictions based upon 40 years of observations at Hidden Pond.  Your observations may vary. Hidden Pond is not responsible for errors, erratic behavior or other whims of nature.

--In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir

April

First Week

Winter is not over until we have seen snow on the blooming forsythia, according to folk wisdom. The redbud tree Cercis canadensis is now in bloom; the magenta pea-like flowers of this small tree add spectacular color to the banks of the Pohick Creek. Red maple flowers will now turn into winecolored winged seeds. Pastel green tulip poplar and sycamore leaves emerge. Pickerel frogs, spring peepers, cricket frogs, chorus frogs all call now for mates. American toads usually spawn now. Daffodils bloom.

Second Week 

The small native shad bush tree Amelanchier Canadensis, now in bloom along stream and riverbanks, reminded early Americans that the shad fish migration is on and that’s why the shad bush was given that name. The forest floor is now carpeted with spring beauties, trout lilies, cutleafed toothwort, and Virginia bluebells. Canada geese usually begin to incubate their eggs now. White-throated sparrows depart for Canada. Mostly quiet during the winter, they now seem to sing “sweet, sweet, Canada Canada Canada”. Full “pink” moon April 12.

Third Week

Dogwood blossoms at peak; sadly many wild dogwoods have disappeared due to disease. It seems they are being replaced by various wild cultivars of the Bradford pear which are inferior, weak, invasive and the flowers stink. Morel hunters head for their secret woodland places to search for these tasty mushrooms. Tiger swallowtail butterflies emerge from pupa, mate and lay their eggs on wild cherry tree leaves. New foliage provides cover so that cardinals, robins, and mockingbirds can begin nest building.

Fourth Week

Hummingbirds and chimney swifts usually arrive now. Pink lady’s slippers bloom, usually dusted with oak pollen. Warbler migration at peak. Gold finch males now molt into dazzling yellow plumage. Wild azalea blossoms have a sweet fragrance; domestic azaleas, though showier, not so much. In the early evening we hear the wood thrush fill the forest with the sound of summer. Carolina wrens hatch. The nestlings, usually 5 or 6 will leave the nest in 12 days.

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