In Edwin Way Teale’s book “A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm,” he writes of sitting in a brush pile. The book was written in 1974 and I read it in 2007. Since 2007 I have been thinking of trying to do the same experiment of making a brush pile with space inside to sit and observe nature around me.
I am not sure how old the idea of a “sit spot” has been around but I had heard about using a special spot to sit and observe years before and had done it almost every day for a few months. With all that as background, I decided during late winter this year to make a brush pile for my sit spot and to sit at least 10 minutes for starters on as many days as possible.
I started piling brush when there was still snow on the ground by picking up loose branches in the area near the west end of the property. Gradually the pile got larger and larger by only adding a few branches each day. I put the pile next to some deer trails with hopes of someday being in the pile as deer went by. No luck so far but then I have been going fairly late in the day and only spending 10 minutes so I am not expecting much yet. Sometime later I want to spend a few hours in the spot starting before sunrise. That should be more rewarding. Meanwhile, following are a few observations from the brush pile:
No records for the first two sits . . .
Sit 3: Mar. 30, 2017
Turkey just called
Duck calling from being disturbed 5 min ago at willows
Flicker calling
Train & car noises in background
Also Crows in background
Hands cold!
Sit 4: 9:20 Apr. 2
far away Crows
moths fluttering
traffic noise - cars, jet
Cardinal, Song Sparrow, Woodpecker
Gull
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Flicker calling
Some grasses &moss green - all else grey, Brown
Chickadees
Sunshine & blue sky
Sit 5 - Apr. 3 - 9:10
Crows & Song Sparrow in background
(+ Jet & car traffic)
Blue Jay's call
unidentified bird chips
Red-winged Blackbirds calling & Cardinals
Robins chatting
Sun breaking through catching spider's Web
(jets & traffic noises never stopped)
Sit 6: Apr. 5, 9:00 a.m.
Crows close by
Mourning Dove, Robins call
(Usual traffic noises & jets)
Blue Jays scream
short, high chips - Chickadees?
scattered clouds with sunshine
Cardinal calling
Sit 7: Apr 9: 9:25 a.m.
Wood duck alarm
Crow cawing
Cardinal & Song Sparrow calling
(traffic noises)
Red-bellied Woodpecker call
Starlings chatter
Robin chirps
Red-winged Blackbirds
(Usual jet crossing overhead)
unidentified chirps
Sit 8: 9:25: Apr.10:+17°
(loud train & traffic noises)
(oh yes-jet too)
wind in trees
Flicker, Red -wing Blackbirds
Geese flying over
Song Sparrow calling
Robin chirping & singing
Crow cawing
more wind noise than usual
Sit 9: Apr.12 - 9:07 a.m.
Cloudy +4 (+1)
Goose overhead
Flicker, Crows, Song Sparrows
Dog barking in far distance
(Traffic & Jet)
Red-winged Blackbirds
(Train horn, traffic noise > loud)
unidentified chirps
Sit 10: Apr.14 9:17 a.m.
Sun +7
Cdn Goose overhead
Red-winged Blackbirds
(traffic, jet)
seed fluff floating by
Towhee?
Song Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Crows
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Looking Out
Sit 11: Apr 16-9:20
Cloudy +18
Cardinal, Song Sparrow
Robin
(Traffic, jet noises)
American Toad trilling
Field Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbirds
Horsetail coming up
Leaves on Honeysuckle growing
Apple tree leaves just starting
Garlic Mustard shooting up taller
Sit 12: Apr 17- 9:25
clear +8
Mourning Dove, Crows, Song Sparrow
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Traffic, jet)
Field Sparrow
Cardinal
Buzzing Fly
fast chirping - lower than F.Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbirds
Mallard flying over
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