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| Mature trees cut on slope above parking lot |
It could have been much worse. Three years ago, when the Eversource (then NStar) tree destruction threat first emerged, I had great worries about Charles River Peninsula and
previewed some possible results.
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| Shrubs removed around crab apple tree |
Much to my relief, most of the key fruiting trees were untouched and most of the trees lining the rail-trail slope are intact (with the exception of the parking lot area).
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| Shrubs removed along river bank |
But much of the dense shrubbery (much of which, to be honest, was probably glossy buckthorn...) that sheltered birds in the winter is gone now in the power line easement.
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| Shagbark hickory still standing but missing limbs |
And key elements enabling some of my favorite CRP bird sightings are gone. The blue-winged warbler's favorite shagbark hickory branch, for example. Or the shrubbery around the crab apple tree where the white-eyed vireo would skulk.
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| Shrubbery removed along property edge |
But habitats change. CRP is just more of a grassland now.
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| Across the river, December 2015 |
The most dramatic change was actually just across the river. Check out the vegetation three years ago below (granted, mid-summer not late fall).
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| Across the river, July 2012 |
Figures this would happen at the same time I extolled the shrubby virtues of Charles River Peninsula in December's
Bird Observer....
