On Monday morning Red-winged Blackbirds seen at a feeder at Aton Forest in Norfolk: a small flock of thirteen.
First of the year Red-winged Blackbirds, March 8th
Snow-fleas observed - A sign that Spring is coming soon!
Snow-fleas (Hypogastrura nivicola, Order Collembola, Class Insecta) were first seen on Monday, March 1st and have been common on snow and in puddles during the week. These animals are not true fleas, but are harmless springtails and can propel themselves by short flea-like jumps using their tail or furcula that is tucked under the body. In late winter these tiny dark grey-blue creatures (they are only 1-2 mm long) crawl about in masses on top of snow. They may be feeding, but the literature is uncertain on this matter. Normally they live in the soil feeding on detritus, algae, bacteria, and fungus. In terms of soil animals, their populations form some of the largest sources of biomass .
Trail Work Day at Aton Forest, Friday and Saturday, October 9 & 10.
Hello Friends of AF!
Please help us clear the trails at Aton Forest Friday, October 9th from 1 to 4 pm and Saturday, October 10th from 9 am to 12 noon. In case of rain, I’ll contact those who RSVP to reschedule, or you can call or email me.
We’re still cleaning up trails and need your help to get the trails in shape our Open House on Saturday, October 17th.
We will meet at the AF Headquarters, 270 North Colebrook Road, Norfolk. If you arrive late, look for my red Chevy pickup along North Colebrook Road and the trail we are working on should be obvious. You can also try to reach me on my cell phone on the workday, but service is spotty around AF (860-248-1053).
Please wear suitable clothing, gloves and footgear for hiking and some heavy clearing of downed wood and brush. If you have hand tools for brush cutting please bring these as well. Most work will entail cutting downed wood to manageable sizes and dragging brush off the trails. Call or email me if you have any questions. Thank you.
Please RSVP
* * * * * * *
Hope to see you soon,
John P. Anderson Jr.
Executive Director, Aton Forest, Inc. and
E-mail: johnanderson7440@sbcglobal.net
Office: 860-542-5125
If you know others who might be interested in attending these get-togethers, please send me their contact information.
If you are no longer interested in being notified about these meetings, please e-mail me at johnanderson7440@sbcglobal.net.
Aton Forest Open House, Saturday, October 17, 10 am - 4 pm, Norfolk, CT
ATON FOREST
An Ecological RESEARCH Field Station
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, OCTOBER 17, 2009 - 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 p.m.
ATON FOREST, INC. HEADQUARTERS
270 NORTH COLEBROOK ROAD, NORFOLK, CONNECTICUT
Telephone (860) 542-5125 E-mail contact@atonforest.org
10:00 AM: Bird Walk – Meet at the AF Log Cabin & Beaver Pond at 70 S. Sandisfield Rd. & walk to AF Hq (an easy 1 mile hike)
12:00 PM: Welcome – Meet the AF, Inc. officers & directors
12:30 PM: Talks and posters on recent AF activities, programs for 2010 and tours of the Egler House
Naturalistic Landscaping by Larry Weaner
American Chestnut Research
2:30 PM: A Nature Hike into the interior of the Forest – Leaving from AF Headquarters (a moderate hike of about 2 miles)
Dulcimer Music by Mixolydian
Light Lunch and Refreshments provided
Aton Forest Open House
Saturday, October 17, 2009, from 10:00 AM To 4:00 PM
All are welcome to the 7th Annual Aton Forest Open House!
Beginning at 10 AM there will be a bird walk in the vicinity of a beaver pond and along portions of a bird research survey line. Then at 12 PM will be the official welcome and introduction of the Aton Forest, Inc. officers & directors. Following this will be a variety of talks and demonstrations related to activities at AF. Finally around 2:30 PM there will be a hike into the interior of the Forest. Music & refreshments will be provided for all to enjoy.
For updated information please visit our website at www.atonforest.org. Aton Forest is located at 270 North Colebrook Road, Norfolk, Connecticut. For more information: Telephone: (860) 542-5125; E-mail: contact@atonforest.org; Website: www.atonforest.org.