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Pileated House Picking and Habitat Definition

05 Mar

My phenology spot lies between this White Pine Red-Oak Black-Oak Forest separated by powerline. This area is maintained to prevent the succession of adjacent trees in order to maintain the integrity of the powerlines. As a result, this area allows the establishment of a small patch of staghorn sumacs.

A. My phenology spot lies within a clearing separating a White Pine Red-Oak Black-Oak Forest (PRB Forest). My phenology spot focuses on how a powerline has fragmented this PRB Forest and if this area was not managed my phenology spot would follow under succession to become apart of the PRB Forest. The main indicators of the nearby forest being a PRB Forest is the focal tree species being eastern white pine and red oak with supplement tree species such as American beech and eastern hemlock. In addition, these forests have river-based areas (Centennial Brook), low elevations (< 1400 ft.), and well-drained soils (Hartland very fine sandy loam soil) making it preferable to pines and oaks. This reflects how this land was once owned by the Ainsworth family and was operated as a sheep farm (look at Human History and Seasons Changing Blog). With the abandonment of the Ainsworth Farm pioneer and desired species such as eastern white pine and red oak grew and could be eventually replaced by American beech. Within this forest composition, grey squirrels and chipmunks occupy the area and can be best-seen through my interaction with a pair of pileated woodpeckers.

When visiting my phenology site I heard a loud drumming noise nearby and was lured deep into the interior of the adjacent PRB Forest. Navigating fifty yards inward I saw a feather clung critter on a mature eastern white pine. It was a pileated woodpecker fixed into a perpendicular position drilling a hole looking for any available prey or maybe a new roosting area for young. As I stood there the woodpecker was called for by another nearby pileated woodpecker. Dismounted from the tree the woodpecker expanded its wings and fluttered towards the outgoing call. Pileated woodpeckers are a focal species of PRB Forest and are a sign of a strong natural community. Despite my phenology spot being a disturbed area, the nearby areas maintain its integrity based from its tree composition, physical characteristics, local history, and animal residents. Therefore, my phenology spot could become apart of this surrounding White Pine Red-Oak Black-Oak Forest.

This pileated woodpecker sporting its red cap is seen perched on a mature eastern white pine. With their chisel-like beak the break up the cambium tissue of these trees making cavities for nuthatches and other animals.

B. Based in early March my phenology spot is seeing less and less snow. Despite snowfall earlier on March 4, the snow is melting off from pines, phragmites, and certain sunlit areas. All of the melted snow runs into Centennial Brook and can be seen with faster stream discharge into the Winooski watershed, despite it still being covered by ice. Other than Centennial Brook as the soil thaws out snow water will percolate into the soil allowing the return of native plant and animal species. Moisten soils help provide existing woody plants and help promote the arrival of herbaceous plants such as fern species and jewelweed. In addition, melted snow water will form vernal ponds which act as future habitats for dormant wood frogs and salamander species as they awaken in the Spring to breed. Centennial forest has well-drained very fine loamy soil allowing the retention of water for these species in the spring and warm summer months. Water is also stored in a nearby man-made water retention pond collecting incoming melted snow water and salts and pollutants from nearby streets. This relationship between the hydrology of snowfall and the substrate of well-drained soil allows the rebirth of my phenology site filled new with fauna and flora.

 
 

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