Mink spotted along 724!

Numerous Minks have been spotted and reported by wildlife expert and avid hunter Barry Dawson.  Along route 724 heading toward reading is where the Mink was spotted.  The mink spends a lot of time in the water hunting for food.  It is a mammal that has waterproofing oil glands that will cover its fur.  The mink can dive up to 16 feet to capture its food which consists of snakes, birds, muskrats, rabbits, mice and chipmunks.  Although they may look cute, stay back!  They have an awful smell similar to a skunk but unlike the skunk, they cannot aim their spray.  The picture below is courtesy of google images.

Spring Mating Season for Toads

Springtime is mating time for many different species of animals.  On Father's day this past Sunday a number of tiny toads and frogs were seen at Coventry Lake.  The toad in this picture was taken by Laurie Kolka in the hands of Rich Kolka.  The toad instantaneously urinated as that is one of its defense mechanisms.  Toads differ from frogs by being able to live further from water and they have drier skin. 

Barn Swallows seen at Hopewell

The Barn Swallow is a bird that has a unique type of nest.  It makes its nest out of mud and anything else it can find.  It will place the next in structures such as barns, bridges and garages.  Barn swallows will often follow mowers or tractors to eat the flushed out insects in mid-air!  These birds are easily identified by their iridescent blue head.  They are very fast fliers.  The picture is courtesy of Google images.

Den of Foxes seen near Schuylkill River!

A Den of Foxes was spotted last week along the Schuylkill River.  She reports seeing six kits in the nest.  This post contains the Google Earth image of where the Foxes were seen.  This was sent by Kristen Weir who is an avid cyclist and outdoors person.  Check her out on http://sprocketblog.wordpress.com. 

  Google image link

Snake seen at Hawk Mountain

A Northern Black Racer snake was seen and photographed at Hawk Mountain by Rachel Evans of Reading PA.  The picture was taken with a cell phone so the quality is suspect but I believe it to be a Northern Black Racer.  The tell tale sign of a black racer is when it tries to flee it holds its head up high and moves swiftly through cover. It looks like it is trying to do this in the picture! It is all black with 17 rows of scales.  If grabbed it will bite repeatedly and thrash about violently.  It is carries non-poisonous venom.