Wildlife around Melville Ponds
The Melville Ponds Recreation area abounds with wildlife. Here are a few samples. Click on the thumbnail image to see a larger one.
Ducks	After the Patriots day storm, Melville upper Pond was about two feet above normal level. Here three Mallard ducks were captured (on film) swimming OVER the on ramp to the fishing platform.
Swans	Usually, each year, a pair of swans, like this pair, take up residence in each of the Upper and Lower Ponds and raise from one to six young. The young swans emerge in May or early June and stay with their parents until they migrate south in the fall. The young swans attain full size by the time of migration, but retain their gray color until they leave. Swans are quite terratorial in nature and have been observed chasing away transcients who wanted to stop for a rest in THEIR pond.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit	Jack in the Pulpit, is also known as Indian Turnip, can reach 25 inches in height. The flowers are irregular in shape and are up to 3 inches long. They are green with purple or brown stripes. Blooms first appear in mid spring and continue into late spring. Eventually, the blooms turn to a cluster of bright red shiny berries. Jack in the Pulpits are commonly found in rich moist woods.
Marsh Marigolds	Also known as Cowslips. This wildflower is common in swampy areas and along stream banks. Marsh Marigolds bloom in early spring but seem to disappear quickly. .
Snapping Turtle Turtle Eggs	It is said that every pond in New England has a pair of Snapping Turtles. If you see one, it is not recommented to get too close. This one was found moving from one pond to another. This turtle is about 14 inches (long dimension of the shell). Some grow 18" or more. They mate in late May and lay eggs in gravelly areas, such as shown here. The insert shows expended eggshells. These probably became somebody's lunch, rather than baby turtles.
Other Animals	Evidence of other animals may be found by the tracks that they leave. The tracks of racoons, at least two species of bird, a coyote (or maybe just a dog) and possibly a deer were found in the mud near the boating dock.
Primrose	The Promrose is quite pretty when in full bloom in mid-June and fills the air with a delightful scent. It is an aggressive plant, spread by birds and grows rapidly throuout the summer months. It waits patiently trailside to reach out and grab you as you walk by.
Poision Ivy	Watch out for Poison Ivy. It is plentiful this year. Contact with it, if left untreated, results in blisters, itching and a rash and lasts about a month. Skin areas which have come in contact with the plant or its oils (which may be airborne) should be thoroughly clensed within an hour. See your druggest for recommendations. Poison Ivy may exist as a vine or a bush or entwined about another standing object as shown here. The leaves are usually shiny and in groups of three as shown in the insert.
Muskrat	Muskrat or woodchuck? Bill says its a muskrat. What do you think? This one let me get to within 15 feet before he scampered into Melville Upper Pond.
Purple Loosestrife	Considered an invasive species, Purple Loosestrife now appears to be less aggressive than originally thought. This sample, against a backgroung of wild grapevine, was found at the northwest corner of Melville Pond number 2.

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