Probably the richest and most important habitats are our wetlands. The waters of marshes, streams, ponds and swamps teem with plant life. As we know, plants are the basis of nature’s food chains. That mass of plants sustains the consumers (herbivores and carnivores) who rely on the plants capturing sunlight’s energy.

If you need proof of the diversity and productivity in wetlands, travel to the Assateague or Chincoteague marshes, the Brigantine area of South Jersey, or anywhere along the Delaware or Chesapeake bays. Saltwater invertebrates feed fish, larger invertebrates, mammals, and myriads of birds.

But we don’t have to travel that far to see how productive these habitats are. The Times News region may not have those expansive wetland areas, but we do have ponds and farm ponds, small lakes, and areas like the Lehigh Canal and Tippet’s swamp that are rich in plant and animal diversity.

The Lehigh Gap Nature Center owns lands bordering the Lehigh River with a number of ponds. Many marshy areas exist along some of our abandoned railroad beds which unintentionally trapped the spring runoff and created small marshy areas. The Mahoning Creek, Lizard Creek, and Aquashicola Creek, to name a few, have some streamside wetlands.

When I venture out to explore and bird, I always include at least one wetland area. I know that besides a variety of bird species, I will see other animals, their tracks, or signs of their activity from the night before. Raccoons, mink and foxes will search along the shore areas for frogs, crayfish, tadpoles or small mammals. Wood turtles hibernate in these areas and I often, especially this time of the year, find a few basking in the sun getting ready to move out into the forests. Painted turtles, musk turtles, and banded water snakes live in or feed in these waters.

Belted kingfishers hover or perch above the water waiting to prey on small fish. Just last week I disturbed a green heron as it skulked among some shrubs along a pond’s edge. Snapping turtles, meanwhile, rest near the bottom waiting for some unwary prey to stray too close. Sometimes, all I see is their snout poke above the water’s surface to gulp in some air before submerging again.

Great blue herons will stealthily wade into these waters and approach close enough to spear a fish, frog or even a snake. The green heron’s method is to slowly stalk the pond edge or walk out onto a partially submerged tree to look for fish or frogs.

More common than you realize, mink, mostly nocturnal, will be searching for muskrats, their favorite prey item. Muskrat numbers have been declining and the mink’s diet may have to be altered for them to be successful.

Take a look at a wetland area near your home. Spend an hour or two watching the nature interactions in and around it. Don’t forget, numerous birds will be there as well, many snatching insects that may have just emerged from the water’s surface. Explore, get out there, and enjoy.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: Frogs and toads have a third eyelid with many uses. It is called the nictitating membrane.

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: True/False: Most birds have a nictitating membrane as well.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.