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.

2025-06-06: first sighting of 2025

Robin Nest (Downspout)

Just around the corner from the portico, the robin nest on the downspout is active again this year. I believe this might be a double decker atop last year's nest.

2026-05-12: birds seen visiting nest regularly

Robin Nest (Stone Pillar)

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

Robin Nest (Fuller Wetland)

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

Chickadee Cavity (near Vernal Pool)

At the bend in the trail near the vernal pool, a pair of Black-capped Chickadees were frequenting a cavity at the top of the dead stump, best viewed from the north.

2026-04-13: two birds heading in and out of the cavity.

2026-05-09: no activity observed, possibly incubating.

Pileated Nest (near bench in forest)

From the bench just to the north of the pavilion, look north at a tall dead tree with lots of cavities. Kevin reported a Pileated Woodpecker excavating a cavity on the other side of the tree, possibly visible after the trail bends to the left.

2026-04-27: no activity observed, hopefully incubating.

Chickadee cavity (Podell)

At the north end of Podell boardwalk, about halfway between the north end and the sitting area, look east for a stump about 10 feet away and 10 feet tall. About three inches from the top is a cavity facing south. Two chickadees were seen visiting it.

2026-05-11: One singing right next to it, second bird came in and entered.

Red-bellied cavity (from Pergola)

Looking left from the pergola, a Red-bellied Woodpecker was seen entering a cavity in one of the dead ash trees.

2026-05-09: Male seen entering cavity.