Home-Owner Association Clinics come to a close

In addition to the complete demolition of my March Madness bracket (I only have 4 of the Sweet Sixteen), Sunday also brought the last in a series of clinics for a local Home-Owners-Association.  Over the past 12 months, our Landscape Visionaries team has conducted clinics with their trail club ranging from erosion control on the trails, invasive species management to general plant identification. 

All hands were on deck at the clinic!

It has been a pleasure to work with an engaged group of individuals who are interested in seeing the open space in their HOA become better habitat.  Our last clinic focused on clearing some of the winter debris off of the trail, pulling up Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), cutting down some of the invasive plants that were encroaching on the trail (Amur Honeysuckle: Lonicera maackii; Multi-flora Rose: Rosa Multiflora; Oriental Bittersweet: Celastrus orbiculatus) , and finding the first few native spring ephemerals.  We did not see any native plants in bloom, but I was able to find my least favorite spring flower in full bloom: Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria).  

Barred Owls--Not taken on Sunday--our camera's
weren't quick enough. These are from Bucktoe Creek Preserve!

The biggest excitement of the day came when we heard some crows making a ruckus in the nearby pines.  I explained that in all likelihood the crows were busy harassing an owl somewhere in the boughs of the pines.  We briefly looked through the pines, but could not catch a glimpse so we continued along the trail.  An hour or so later, as we headed back to the beginning of the trail a mob of crows flew over our head in hot pursuit of a Barred Owl.  Almost everyone on the trail was able to get a great glimpse of the Barred Owl! We then made our way out to the pond in time to scare off a few pair of Ring Necked Ducks--though two remained behind so everyone could view them.  

If your HOA is interested in gaining the tools needed to maintain your open space, contact TLC's Landscape Visionaries team to schedule your clinics today by email: stewardship@tlcforscc.org or phone: 610-347-0347 x 103.