Wilson Trail Sightings

Garter Snake by Stone Wall (warm summer mornings)

In the summer months, when mornings are warm enough, scan the base of the stone walls leading to the VC entrance. Garter snakes occupy some of the small holes, and like to either poke their head(s) out of the holes, or sometimes just sit on the gravel along the edge. Their favored holes are on the south side, about 1/3 in from the parking lot.

2026-06-03: present around 11am once warmed up

Robin Nest (Stone Pillar) - inactive

Where the mulch trail begins off of the sidewalk, next to the Wilson Trail stone pillar, there is a robin nest on the tree just above it.

2026-05-08: parent seen feeding young

2026-05-21: no activity, likely fledged and inactive

Robin Nest (Fuller Wetland) - inactive

Where the boardwalk ends at Fuller Wetland, look to the right for two big dead trees lopped off about 20-feet high. An American Robin has a nest in the tree to the left about 4 feet from the top.

2026-04-27: nest building

2026-05-09: female occupying nest

2026-05-31: no activity

Red-winged Blackbird Nest (Fuller Wetlands)

In the western stretch of Fuller Wetland, past the hawthorn and river birch tree, there is a red-winged blackbird nest across the channel, about a foot above water level. See photos.

2026-05-31: nest occupied by female.

Canada Goose Eggs (Owens Platform)

In the island to the left of Owens Platform is a Canada Goose nest with some seemingly abandoned eggs, including one that has fallen to the water.

2026-06-03: Four eggs in nest, one close to water.

Oriole Nest (Footbridge)

Just past the footbridge, looking across the stream for a hanging Baltimore Oriole nest as pictured. (The dead snag in front also had a Great Crested Flycatcher cavity earlier in summer, but facing away, not visible from the trail.)

2026-06-03: GCFL and oriole both seen visiting their respective nests.

Oriole Nest (Sherwood Platform)

From Sherwood Platform looking right (southeast), the big maple tree is again hosting a Baltimore Oriole nest, located around 10-11 o'clock about two feet from the edge (see photo). The nest is easily visible from Sherwood, and likely not visible from the Charlie Harper bench.

2026-05-21: nest present.

2026-05-31: female seen entering nest (to incubate?).

Bear corn / Cancer-root (Shelter, early summer)

Next to the shelter in the woods, in early summer, you can find some Conopholis americana ("bear corn" or "cancer root") growing from the roots of the adjacent oak tree. They're all shriveled now for 2026.

2026-06-17: past their prime.