Many thanks to Jack & Elaine Berninger for leading our first Spring Field Trip of 2008 along the Adena Trail at Brookville Lake. In attendance were Tom Goldsmith, Elaine Goldsmith, Tom Dehwarbei, Rita Dehwarbei, Sharon Cottingham, Yvonne Cecil, Cheryl Coy, Joanne Guttham, Mike Connelly, Colleen Kammer, Larry Peavler and Lou Anne Barriger.
We gathered at the parking area for the Dam at Brookville Lake where we were greeted by early morning Fog with Temps in the high 40's. While Jack was giving his instructions, a Brown Thrasher decided to let us know he was there by singing from the top of a nearby tree. As we then headed across the Dam the guard rails seemed to be covered with Turkey Vultures stretching their wings trying to rid themselves of the Fog so they could take off; easy estimate - probably 20 Vultures. Besides the expected Cardinals, Nuthatches, and so forth we were able to see and hear several Rufus Sided Towhees. We were also serenaded, while we ate lunch by a babbling brook, by a Louisiana Waterthrush. Once finished with Lunch we were finally able to actually find the Waterthrush high in the trees above us.
As for Wildflowers the preceding cold temperatures kept many from being open but we were able to find many Bluebells, Cut Leaf Toothwort, Wild Leek, Harbinger of Spring and Hepatica, along with Devil's Urn and a Scarlet Elf's Cup. While we were probably two weeks early from having a Bonanza, for either Wildflowers or Birds, all in all I believe everyone enjoyed a great day and all can say that Spring has Definitely Sprung.