Meadow Report

The reconstructed meadow at Halibut Point has continued to evolve through its third season. 

Bobolink

In a new sign of habitat maturity a male Bobolink scouted out nesting territory in the springtime. It apparently found the sanctuary too small for its requirements and stayed only briefly.

Goldfinch

Goldfinches, on the other hand, have found the varied ecology and the ripening seeds of coreopsis much to their liking.

Coreopsis flower buds

Because Coreopsis lanceolata is a perennial many of the plants that got a start in earlier years have strengthened to produce a strong show of flowers in 2024.

Coreopsis and Crown Vetch

Last year, in the new meadow's first truly floriferous season, Gloriosa Daisies predominated. Their blazing presence was much diminished this summer. Being an annual they need to keep reseeding and find their way into the long-term blooming cycle of the meadow. 

Wild Indigo Duskywing on Coreopsis

Coreopsis did provide eye-catching swathes of yellow, though without the multi-hued impact of the Gloriosa Daisies.

White-tailed Deer in Coreopsis

Their sunny discs gave the meadow a sustained cheeriness over the summer.

Eastern Smooth Beardtongue

Late developers in the wildflower seeding mix planted during the renovation are finally contributing to the floral diversity.

New York Ironweed (foreground) and Purple-headed Helenium

While it can't be said that all these plants would have grown on Cape Ann originally, the various North American natives have woven a gardenesque beauty among the grasses.

Ryegrass

The great variety of grasses in the meadow reflects a long history of introductions by human activity whether agricultural or accidental.

Yellow Foxtail

Ecological restorations are approximations where the possibilities of beauty if not purity can always be found.

Goldenrod, Indiangrass, and the old barn

in morning light

It is tempting to think in terms of successions leading toward a climax state, to a virtue of stable permanence, to fulfillment of an ultimate design. but it is change itself that characterizes our condition and newness that shapes reality.