This Week at Hilton Pond

Bill Hilton Jr.
Executive Director
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
York, South Carolina 29745 USA

Signs Of Spring, 2008 (22-31 March 2008)

When spring arrives at Hilton Pond Center, you can bet the old macro lens will be working overtime as we try to document the sudden profusion of blossoms that come with warmer days and shorter nights. "This Week at Hilton Pond" we take a look at signs of spring among our flowering plants--some native, some not. We also discuss the definition of a "weed." To view our flower-filled photo essay for 22-31 March 2008, please visit http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek080322.html .

As always we include a tally of all birds banded and recaptured--plus miscellaneous nature notes about some rambunctious Carolina wrens, late-flying turkey vultures, and our first local ruby-throated hummingbird of the season.

Figure 1. The Chickasaw plum, Prunus angustifolia (above), is one of many wild plants whose flowers brighten the spring season around Hilton Pond. (Photograph copyright Bill Hilton Jr.)

“T” Is For “Trouble” (1-7 April 2008)

A few years ago, we found some light-colored sticks in Hilton Pond that formed a "T." We took this letter to stand for "Trouble," and our newest photo essay reveals further evidence of what could be a real problem for trees along the banks of Hilton Pond. To understand what the heck we're talking about, please visit the 1-7 April 2008 installment of "This Week at Hilton Pond" at http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek080401.html

As always we include a list of all birds banded, plus miscellaneous nature notes.

Figure 2. When we found two sticks in Hilton Pond forming the letter “T,” we knew it meant we were in for “Trouble.” (Map copyright Bill Hilton Jr.)

The Green Leaves Of . . . SPRING! (8-14 April 2008)

As spring makes its way northward in the Northern Hemisphere, the most delightful aspect for us is green-up--when once-naked trees and shrubs acquire new spring foliage in every imaginable shade of green. "This Week at Hilton Pond" our photo essay deals with spring greenery via close-up views of some woody plants showing off their new leaves. To view the installment for 8-14 April 2008, please visit http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek080408.html.

As always we include a tally of birds banded and recaptured during the period--including the year's first ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Figure 3. The spring leaf of the Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis (above), is mostly green but contains anthocyanins that apparently protect its tender new growth from ultraviolet damage. (Photograph copyright Bill Hilton Jr.)

Unexpected Freshwater Snails (15-21 April 2008)

Sometimes nature shows up where we least expect it, which was the case "This Week at Hilton Pond" when we encountered a new snail species for the Center's checklist--in a five-gallon bucket. For an essay about this unexpected mollusc--including some interesting close-up views--please visit the 15-21 April 2008 installment at http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek080415.html

As always we include list of all birds banded or recaptured--and there were lots in both categories--along with miscellaneous nature notes.

Figure 4. The organism above, Lymnaea columella, has no common name even though it may be one of the most common freshwater snails in the southeastern U.S. For personal reasons, we call it the “Bucket Snail.” (Photograph copyright Bill Hilton Jr.)

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