The power of a peanut

The animals along the boardwalk in Summerside are a source of interest and enjoyment for many walkers. If you walk in the morning, birds and rodents are foraging and will take food from your hand if you are patient. However, there is a protocol for each species. 

Chickadees, the smallest of the lot, cannot take peanuts in the shell. 

Consequently, we crack the shells, 

remove the peanuts and break them in two. Then the tiny birds can fly off with half a peanut.

They are careful at first when you offer up peanuts but if one of the birds thinks he can trust you, soon several are in line to take the tasty morsels.

Then there are the blue jays. They will take peanuts however they are offered up, in the shell or not. They are reluctant to take peanuts from your hand, preferring them on the ground or railing. But if you are patient, they too will approach your hand to take them. 

The jays watch the area near the bridge carefully. At least one of them is always around and if a walker offers food, 

notice goes out and before long, you can have up to a dozen birds there. 

When you walk on after feeding them, some of the birds will fly from tree to tree along the way with you. They don’t want to miss out on anything.

The rodent population is represented by chipmunks and squirrels. We haven’t seen chipmunks around the boardwalk for a few weeks now but they disappear every winter into their burrows. 

However, the squirrels are still busy gathering food and will come around any walker.

They don’t hesitate to take peanuts from anyone. They usually inspect peanuts theyare given and eat any with cracked shells. Shells which are in perfect condition are taken away possibly for winter storage.

People in the area are photo worthy too. When we arrived on the boardwalk Monday morning, we could see through the trees that people on the bridge were feeding the animals. 

Later, as we continued our walk, people were busy feeding the animals further along the boardwalk, a lot of them in one area. 

The sun that day made for a poor photo however.

Animals and people are conditioned in a mutually beneficial relationship. It is enjoyed by all.

Friends along the boardwalk

The boardwalk in Summerside is a great place for exercise throughout the year. We are never bored with the section which we frequent because there is always something different to see. Each season brings its own beauty and summer doesn’t disappoint. These are some of the animal friends of the boardwalk which we have enjoyed on our walks the last several weeks.

Red squirrels are as busy as ever and approach walkers for food which many provide. 

The tiny rodents have favourite areas, such as the bridge or a favourite bench where walkers pause and enjoy their company. 

Eastern Chipmunks collect maple seeds which fall on the boardwalk. 

They also take sunflower seeds from walkers although they are not as bold as their fellow rodents, the squirrels.

Dozens of Blue Jays hang out near the bridge too. 

They gather if one stops on the bridge. If you leave peanuts, they will quickly take them. The birds also provide the alarm system for the other animals if a predator comes into the area.

The Common Grackles are noisy and spend time around the bridge as well. 

They will eat seeds left in various feeders but are not as willing to be around people as the jays are.  

Red-winged blackbirds are their usual noisy selves. 

The males will chase off any crows who get too close to their nests among the bulrushes, where the females tend the young.

Every June, Sora visit the stream along the boardwalk. 

These birds are elusive and can be difficult to photograph. I was lucky enough to be there at the right time. Notice the length of its claws.

Herring gulls frequent the area 

and American Black Ducks live along the stream too. We didn’t see any ducklings this year however.

Recently, another walker pointed out a Leopard Frog in the grass along by the boardwalk. 

It was well camouflaged as it watched the proceedings. It stayed quiet and barely moved as we watched it for ten minutes. We had never see a frog there before.

The Song Sparrows are numerous along the length of the boardwalk. One doesn’t have to walk far to hear them perform.

Great Blue Herons visit the bay throughout the season and often stop by the salt water marsh and stream. 

Recently one took flight as we arrived at the gazebo and landed in a tree overlooking the boardwalk.

One great sight along the boardwalk this summer has been a pair of Belted Kingfishers. They perch in the trees along the shore and fish along the coastline. They fly to an area, hover, look below in the water and dive into the water to catch food such as fish, then fly into the trees with it. I have watched them on several occasions now and was lucky enough to take video of one such fishing expedition. You can see it here.

Finally, the last photo is of the end of a culvert which empties by the side of the boardwalk. A young fox on the walkway escaped into the culvert when people came along. We saw it poke its head out once and waited for another glimpse, to no avail. We hope to get its photo one day.

 

  

The hole in the boardwalk gang

Along the boardwalk this time of year, young animals are in abundance. It is a pleasure to walk with them and enjoy the sights and sounds. Chipmunks are among the young and my husband and I spent time recently enchanted with two we called the Hole in the Boardwalk Gang.

These two are tiny, probably this year’s kits, just making their way in the world of the boardwalk.

They discovered or chewed a hole in the wood along the trail and spend their time poking their heads out of the hole to the delight of walkers of all ages 

who give them peanuts and seeds. It is impossible to see the duo and not smile. 

We’ve taken numerous photos and watched others do the same. 

The two are a delight to young and old alike who stop and chat with fellow chipmunk admirers, 2 meters apart of course. 

Our latest conversation revealed there are three little rodents appearing through the same hole. I’d love to have that photo.