(11) Wetland
drawing by
Susan Van Horn
At the wetland, freshly-cut cattails and lodges of dead vegetation indicate the
presence of muskrat. Tracks of raccoon,
deer and
red fox cover the muddy edges
where land and water meet. In spring the wetland teems with life as migrating birds
pause to feed while others stay to nest. Mallards,
Canada geese and blue-winged teal
can often be seen in the open water. Hidden in the dense cover of wetland grasses and sedges, the sora, marsh wren,
and Virginia rail make their nests. The shrubby
edge of the wetland provides habitat for the common yellowthroat,
willow flycatcher
and swamp and song sparrows. This is an area where nesting sites need protection and privacy.
Plants that thrive in this wet area include blue-joint grass,
bur reed,
arrowhead, water plantain,
swamp milkweed and blue flag.