After a warm and windy day on Wednesday, cold front moving through last night bringing cooler temps and early morning rain shower. The warmer temps this week popped the leaves out finally and the trees through the forest looking much greener. Compared to other Springs, we are a week or so behind on the leaves, mainly because of the cooler weather this Spring. However, the underbrush has been popping up with many wildflowers sprouting up the past few days. A nice variety of birds at the Maplelag feeders and fun to watch them get along and take turns feeding.  The mountain bike course is open but will be wet in a few spots. We have marked all the key intersections. The course begins behind the Great Northern building and signs are placed at key intersections. Follow the mowed/cleared trail otherwise. There is no trail fee to ride the trails. The riding has been great the past few weeks with no bugs and good sight lines because of no underbrush. Click here for the bike trail report page.

http://picasaweb.google.com/6birdman6/May21stBirdPhotos

http://picasaweb.google.com/6birdman6/May18thNaturePhotos

Another interesting, typical Spring, weekend of weather. Dusting of snow and cold temps Saturday morning giving way to sunshine and warmer weather on Sunday. Leaves still slow to pop out on the trees and looking through the woods, still looks like end of April. Compared to other Springs, we are a week or so behind on the leaves, mainly because of the cooler weather this Spring. The mountain bike course is open but will be wet in a few spots. We have marked all the key intersections. The course begins behind the Great Northern building and signs are placed at key intersections. Follow the mowed/cleared trail otherwise. There is no trail fee to ride the trails. The riding has been great the past few weeks with no bugs and good sight lines because of no underbrush. Click here for the bike trail report page.

http://picasaweb.google.com/6birdman6/May10thTrailReportPhotos

About as nice as it can get for a early May day. Light winds, mix of sun and clouds and pleasant temps. We had over a half inch of rain yesterday afternoon which really perked up the grass and underbrush. Many buds popping out on the treess and lots of forest plants starting to emerge. The shot of rain was timely as we finished planting the trees moments before the rain. The warmer temps this week should really get things moving in the woods. The forest is bursting with activity of nature…a great time of the year to be in the woods etc. The mountain bike course is open and in very good condition. Some of the best riding of the year with good sight lines, nice temps and no bugs!! We will sign the course the next week. A few low spots soft and holding water here and there but all in all good conditions and some great riding.

http://picasaweb.google.com/6birdman6/May6thTrailReportPhotos

Hard frost last night leaving the grounds and roofs solid white.  Up and down Spring weather continues with a dusting of snow yesterday morning.  Beautiful conditions this morning which should lead in to warmer temps today before we cool down again with chances of precipitation. Has been slow to green in the woods but slowly the trees are budding and other forest flora trying to emerge from the forest floor. With ice off of Little Sugarbush, the waters are alive with many types of waterfowl, including ducks, geese, trumpeter swans and a group of cormorants and pelicans dropping in last night. We have been working on the mountain bike singletrack and hope to have the entire course cleared this week. We have been riding on the course and riding has been good. We will sign the trail aftter we blow out the course and have the trail officially open.

The snow from Sunday’s storm has melted off and the trails are starting to dry up. The ponds and sloughs are very high as a result of the excessive moisture this Fall, bringing the water tables to their most highest levels in recent years. Has been a beautiful week in the woods and we have enjoyed having up to 30 trumpeter swans swimming and flying over Little Sugarbush this week as well. On a still calm morning, it is quite fascinating to watch and listen to. Photos below from this past week.

http://picasaweb.google.com/6birdman6/LittleSugarbushSwanPhotos