Last night Dave Anderson showed me all the trout lily he exposed under the vinca and winter creeper that he pulled off the slope in front of his house. His house faces High Street and the rain garden.

A neighbor asked about the flowers currently in bloom in the ravine (yellow, buttercup-like; blue, grass-like; and white droopy flowers). The yellow flowers are winter aconite (European non-native, Eranthis hyemalis), the blue flowers are Siberian squill (non-native, fairly invasive, Scilla siberica), and the white flowers are snowdrops (non-native, Galanthus sp.). We are currently discussing with our mentors about possible issues with such large blooms of non-natives, but at this time have not decided on a course of action. The first step in maintaining a healthy ecosystem is knowledge of what is there.
–Derek

Please keep an eye out for a macaw that may wander into the area. Forwarded message below:

A macaw got loose today (Thurs 3/18) from the Bethel Rd. area. Could possibly end up in our area. It would most likely be very terrified.

He is homed in the Bethel Road area, he flew out the door headed North. Not saying he will stay that way. Please please if you spot, or hear anything please contact me ASAP 614-207-8326

He is not by nature a mean bird but he is slick so of course if you can get him please do so. But if you spot him or he is high please make a call to me so we can track his route.

Thanks
614-207-8326

UPDATED: The macaw was found and rescued with help from the fire department.

The Franklin Soil & Water annual native plant and tree sale is underway. Orders must be received by March 26, and your orders can be picked up April 16 & 17.  Get together with your neighbors to order different bundles of seedlings to spread native species around the area.  (Most orders are for 5-10 bare rooted seedlings of a single species, similar to the trees we plant in the ravine area each year.) 

It would be great to develop an area filled with Spicebush, Ninebarks, and Witchhazels to demonstrate native alternatives to the honeysuckles we work so hard to get rid of.  Go to their website for more information.

From Dave Anderson:

 I rescued a lost cat from the ravine March 8 in the afternoon near Overbrook and High St. A homeless man saved it from High street motorists and handed it off to me. He and the cat were sitting on the stairway at the turn in the road. The cat is young, male, immaculate, and very beautiful. I won’t offer a description but if someone phones with an accurate description of markings, etc then we return the cat to its owner. THIS IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL AND GENTLE CAT. I’m sure there’s a heartbroken cat owner looking for a lost kitty. My guess is that it lives on Ceramic, Westwood, or Glenmont. It seemed very confused and lost but allowed me to carry it home. Normally I would let the cat find its way back but this animal seemed totally clueless. It is definitely a house cat and probably lived confined in a one-story environment because it doesn’t navigate stairs very well. Lost cat owners can call me at 306-2172 or e-mail me at greenman@copper.net. Thanks, Dave Anderson.