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Family Photos > My new back yard (27)

The Stroud Reserve

When you come into the front gate to the Stroud Reserve, the first major habitat type that you run into is the East branch of the Brandywine River. This is a slow moving water way that is popular for fishing and kayaking. Besides aquatic animals, it is reguarly visited by Bald Eagles and Ospreys.
The Stroud Reserve

The wooded stream is another wetland type found on the reserve. This type of wetland provides moist soils for a variety of different plants. This is a large patch of skunk cabbage. Birds that are attracted to this type of wooded wetland are Wood Thrushes and woodpeckers. This is the only location on the reserve that I have seen 5 species of woodpeckers; Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpecker and Northern Flicker.
The Stroud Reserve

The tree canopy is less on this stream which allows for a greater shurb component. This location favors birds like Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat and Blue-winged Warbler.
The Stroud Reserve

This is the edge of another wooded wetland which is an old oxbow of the Brandywine river. This area of standing water has unique plants that are not found any where else on the reserve. It often attracts Swamp Sparrows, Wood Ducks and Mallards.
The Stroud Reserve

All of the woodlands on the reserve are second growth (or perhaps thrid, fourth or fifth growth). The lands here have been under northern European influance for a very long time, over three centuries. Nonetheless, the understory in this patch of trees host an impressive native plant community. Birds attached to this include, Scarlet Tanager, Great Creasted Flycatcher and Barred Owl.
The Stroud Reserve

The trees in this patch of woods are much younger thus allowing a much thicker undergrowth. Most of the shrubs here are invasive species of huneysuckle and autumn-olive. Birds that like this habitat type are Gray Catbirds, Eastern Towhee, and Gray Catbirds. Yes, I said catbird twice as I have come to discover that the Stroud Reserve is the catbird capitol of the entire known universe. There are some many catbirds packed into the landscape here that they almost qualify as a colonial nester!
The Stroud Reserve

Here is a woodland that is inbetween a complete tree canopy and a thick strub layer. It is also a favorite of catbirds.
The Stroud Reserve

By far and away, the most dominate habitat type is open agricultural lands. Some of the lands here are still under cultivation. These lands are leased to a farmer in cooperation with the Stroud Water Research Center to study how agriculture can best be done to improve water quality. These lands attract birds like Horned Lark, Red-winged Blackbird and Bobolink. Bobolinks perhaps the coolest bird that occurs here. Their vocalization is best described as something that R2D2 would say. Really, go check them out. You will be amazed.
The Stroud Reserve

A big set of power lines cuts across the reserve creating a different type of treeless habitat; some of it grasses, and some of it shrubs like multiflora rose and blackberry. Field Sparrows like these areas a lot.
The Stroud Reserve

Some of the old fields are being restored to woodlands. Here Eastern white pines have been planted as well as other deciduous trees in the background. Baltimore Orioles and House Wrens seem to like this area.
The Stroud Reserve

The most unique habitat type on the reserve is the serpentine outcrop. Serpentine, or soap stone, creates soils that are toxic to most plants. In turn the some of plants that grow here are rare and only found on serpentine soils. The bird life isn't markedly different from the surrounding areas.
The Stroud Reserve

The serpentine soils create one of the few natural openings in the eastern forest. Fame-flower, a very rare plant for Pennsylvania is found here.
The Stroud Reserve

One of the residents of the more mature woodlands along the Brandywine River are Barred Owls. Now that I know that there is a pair of them in this particular patch of woods, they are hard to miss. Back in in the last week of April, one of the adults started doing a broken wing distraction display indicating that they had a fledgling nearby...
The Stroud Reserve

...and this would be that fledgling. I found it sitting in a tree just above my head on May 8th. A fluffy little thing.
The Stroud Reserve

This is not a fledgling. This is Fred Gender, the manager of the Stroud Reserve. Fred has had a similar life path as me, starting out on the east coast, then heading west, and then returning close to home. You can tell he is a biologist by the big truck that the reserve as given him. All real biologist drive big trucks that can hold a deer or two in the back. By the way, because I worked with shellfish the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife only gave me a minivan. One of these days, I'll get a job that comes with a truck...
The Stroud Reserve

They give Fred a variety of vehicles for riding around the reserve. Here he is on an open canopy vehicle that allows for greater vitamin D intake. As a by product, it also cuts the grass along the roads and trails of the reserve. I appreciate this as it keeps the risk of coming into contact with a bacteria laden tick to a minimum. However, one thing that could be improved on is that in the mornings dew settles on the grass making the toes of my shoes moist. Fred - if you could do something about that it would be great! Thanks!
The Stroud Reserve

This is the barn that was part of property when it was real working farm. It was built in the late 1800's. It is on the nataional register of historic buildings.
The Stroud Reserve

This home was built in 1724 and on the eastern boundary of the reserve and is still in use as a family dwelling. One of the oldest buildings that I have seen in Chester County. When it was built, there was unbroken wilderness between here and our home in Washington State. Lots has changed in nearly three hundred years!
The Stroud Reserve

This house lies on the western boundary of the reserve, I don't know how old it is, but I would guess early 1800's. Old stone buildings like these are part of the character of Chester County.
The Stroud Reserve

Another old stone home on the eastern boundary of the reserve.
The Stroud Reserve

The reserve is open to the public and is used in a variety of ways. Believe it or not, my use of the reserve to observe wildlife and study plants is in a distinct minority. Most people use it for walking or jogging. This is Stan, one of the regular walkers that I see there.
The Stroud Reserve

The most popular use of the reserve is for dog walking.
The Stroud Reserve

The reserve is open to horseback riding. I ran across these ladys on horseback many times during the course of this particular day because the horse in the middle refused to cross any streams. So, they would have to turn around and find another route.
The Stroud Reserve

The reserve is a great place to take the kids. This is William, who is checking under the bark of an old stump for interesting bugs.
The Stroud Reserve

Here the boys and I checkout one of the areas that is under going restoration.
The Stroud Reserve

One of the more uncommon uses of the reserve, a painter. I told her I was a painter but preferred the studio so annoying people like myself wouldn't come up and talk to me while I was trying to work.
The Stroud Reserve

One of the popular spots for people is the bridge over the river. William loves checking out the banks for bugs and other critters. Many people fish and boat on the river.