April in Vermont

Below are excerpts from Ellen’s journal. She has kept her Walden Hill Journal going since we moved from Illinois. We hope you enjoy reading them for a vicarious experience of Vermont.

Apr. 5, 2005 A light dusting of snow this sunny morning. Water drips from the roof in a steady stream. What was 4 feet of snow when I left mid-March for Florida, is now down to mere inches. A tiny island of ice is all that remains of the glacier that had built up on the front porch. Jeff tells me that March went out softly, “like a lamb”. A week of 40° weather and full sunshine gradually ate away at the snow and slowly thawed the roads. For now it looks like we’ve had a mostly benign mud season. Very heavy rains during the beginning of the month also aided in washing away the snow and thawing the roads. But heavy rains also brought flood watches all along the East Coast. The Winooski has overflowed, flooding fields along Route 2 and reaching to the edge of the road. Our own field is sporting a few bare patches. We had a lone robin pecking for worms yesterday as a light rain turned to snow. This morning, he’s perched up in the shad, avoiding the snow and waiting for open ground to reappear. A few juncos and song sparrows have joined the chickadees at the feeder. We’re having a hard time keeping the feeders full with our greedy “flock” of squirrels. We may need to bring the feeders in for a while to encourage them to move elsewhere. Meanwhile we’ll enjoy the new birds returning with spring, like the two pair of elegantly attired evening grosbeaks ground-feeding this afternoon.

Apr. 7, 2005 A flock of about 50 juncos has congregated on the lawn feasting on seeds and worms that the rain has brought to the surface. Our vernal stream has eaten away its snow cover and is flowing rapidly through the field. The frog pond overfloweth. Even the garden is finally surfacing. The heavy rains last weekend found their way into our electrical box and slowly worked its way down, shutting off our power. Matt the electrician came to the rescue and replaced the box and the corroded circuit breakers. Being perched on the hill may give us an outstanding view but it leaves us vulnerable to the elements, especially when high winds combine with rain, forcing water into the most unlikely places.

Apr. 10, 2005 We’ve been enjoying a weekend of perfect early spring weather. Daytime temps have found the 50° mark under cloudless, sunny skies with nighttime readings back below freezing. I assume there’s some sugaring going on around here. The majority of the snow has melted and streams are easing back into their regular channels. Our mini-pond is full and clear. The sound of fast flowing water marks the beginning of spring. Being able to empty the compost without donning snowshoes is another sure sign of spring. Jeff found some fresh droppings in the field so the deer must be moving out to forage in the reemerging grass. Two of our three stairways are now cleared of snow. Nights have been brilliantly starlit. There’s no moonlight to take away from the splendor of the stars.

Apr. 12, 2005 More avian signs of spring. Individual robins have given way to flocks, gliding on roller skates across the field. Eastern kingbirds have returned, flicking their white-banded broad tails and flickers are aerating the ground. Bright red dots bob on rapidly drilling heads. But most exciting is the return of a brightly colored male bluebird. He took up his usual lookout atop the nesting box as though it were only yesterday since he last appeared. It seemed early for his return but last April 22nd I made a journal entry of sighting both male and female bluebirds and the male usually comes scouting ahead of time. Purple finches frequent the feeder as well. Slowly but surely the seasons progress.

Apr. 13, 2005 Just a hint of flurries this morning with Mt. Washington showing a more substantial coat of fresh snow. Clouds negated the warmth of the sun so we stoked up the stove to take out the morning chill. Took a stroll up Walden Hill Road. There’s still plenty of snow at the higher elevations but the bare south-facing slopes are sparsely dotted with coltsfoot blooms. I’ve been raking stones and sand from the yard and adding them to some bare spots on the drive. It took me three days to complete the area between the drives and will probably take just one more session to clear the other side of the upper drive. Then I’ll need to rake the larger stones along the drive out of the lawn so that we won’t put too many dents in the blade once we mow.

Apr. 17, 2005 Another sunny, spring weekend. The snow pack is definitely receding, osiers are blushing and a hint of rust red is beginning to show in the tamaracks and maple crowns. There’s even a hint of green in the lawn. My first sun-dried laundry is blowing in the breeze and the garden is tilled and ready for some moo doo. Swallows have returned and decorate the skies with their swooping aerial ballet. We’re into a possible record-breaking dry spell now that the melt-off is basically over. Our neighbor down the road was burning leaves to fertilize his beautiful perennial flower beds and wound up burning most of his field. Fortunately the volunteer fire departments form Danville and Walden came to the rescue.

Apr. 21, 2005 Much-needed rain yesterday is really bringing on the green. Bright sunshine and clear blue skies today with a stiff breeze made me think it’s a good day for outdoor laundry. But a look at the thermometer showing 25° made me revise my plans. We took a leisurely, long walk around the reservoir a few days ago. Very impressive moose tracks led down the road and to the water. Most of the road is clear of snow. The same holds true for our woods now. Evidence of deer are scattered throughout the trail and drumming grouse abound. I also heard some very forceful woodpecker hammering but the bird remained elusive. Found one lone tiny yellow violet in bloom and pulmonaria is opening in the perennial garden.

Apr. 23, 2005 Gray, misty morning. Birch trees stand out stark and white, tall elongated statues against the muted hills. Green grass gives way to golden brown fields which in turn meld into blushing wine-red osiers. Hills are topped with rust-colored crowns of swamp maples and birches and tamaracks are beginning to hint at a flush of new growth. Vermont’s other foliage season is slowly unfurling.

Apr. 24, 2005 Very dramatic full moonrise tonight. The torrential rains stopped by late afternoon and the sun finally came out around 5:00. No clouds are left now; the moon has full reign. Peepers are peeping but not too boldly yet. The male bluebird returned today with a mate and they seem to be nest building. Last year’s pair abandoned their nest and left two unhatched eggs. Hopefully this year’s will follow through.

Apr. 26, 2005 More signs of spring: honking of migrating geese early morning and a bright yellow goldfinch appeared at the feeder. Vernal pools pulsated with the cacophonous quacking of wood frogs punctuated by individual shrill peepers. Yellow marsh marigold buds dot the swampy areas; day lily leaves and poppy leaves are poking through the ground.

Apr. 30, 2005 A very wet end to the month of April. At least the precipitation is definitely rain, not snow or something in between. The hills are showing a reddish tinge as swamp maples and birches put forth early buds and the fields are green. Crocuses and daffodils are up in town but spring is more tentative on Walden Hill. We’re still on the long wait for Spring to finally burst forth from winter’s lingering grasp.