Northacres Park showered us with blossoms and animal sightings while we worked in the woodland with dedicated local forest stewards from the Green Seattle Partnership. Our original winter event was cancelled because of the extensive snow coverage(!) so we were eager to work here. We enjoyed seeing osprey, active humming birds and an exquisite spotted towhee nest. Thanks to an observant 9 year old volunteer who caught sight of the ground nest while weeding, a few folks were able to see the delicate eggs from a distance before we taped it off. Later we could see a bird-parent or two returning to the nest.
We split into teams to execute a variety of tasks from planting and mulching to tackling noxious weeds. Some of the little native plants such as hemlock and deciduous huckleberry are particularly adapted to growing on rotten wood so an area near a log was chosen and some half decomposed wood was mixed into the planting hole. The madrona trees were in full bloom and bees could be heard enjoying them. We look forward to returning to Northacres park!