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Finalized Phenology Blog

Posted: May 7th, 2019 by emmcdonn

After visiting my Phenology site for the last time I was swept away in memories of my place. I’ve noticed that some barberry leaves are starting to come out along with more trees that are blooming. More ferns are starting to comeout in the undergrowth although in my Eastern White Pine stand there is still a scarcity of greenery found on the ground.

Some barberry is starting to turn green.

In my Phenology spot nature and culture join together in the forms of various recreation activities, music, and history. In Centennial woods many people can be found with their dogs or by themselves hiking the trails, hammocking, and birding. During my visit I also heard someone playing music which also adds to the culture of the place. And of course history is intertwined in this spot with the abenaki tribes who were here before the European settlers to now fellow Burlingtonians. I remember in the winter seeing fellow classmates skiing the trails creating a fun activity that can be enjoyed in this nature spot.

I do believe myself to be a part of my place because in my mind in order to be a part of something you need to have been there and reflected on it and been changed by it. By creating this blog I have become apart of my Phenology spot, but also by just walking on the trails and impacting the dirt I have left a part of myself. Perhaps for years to come as people read my blog and visit my spot they will learn to that they have become a part of this wonderful nature spot.

Earth Day Post

Posted: May 7th, 2019 by emmcdonn

After visiting my site in Centennial Woods I found very few spring wildflowers except fiddleheads and ferns, moss, various fungi and unidentified grasses and other plant. So far very few trees have begun to flower that I’ve noticed. They have definitely begun to bud which you can see on most deciduous trees.

My hand drawn sketches are of the babbling Centennial brook meandering its way across my Phenology site and of a Pileated Woodpecker I observed while there.

Spring Break Post

Posted: March 18th, 2019 by emmcdonn

The environment I immersed myself was an old plantation owner’s property in Henderson, North Carolina. The current owners turned it into a little farm with pasture out front for their 5 horses to graze on. In the back there were 2 tea cup pigs and 4 chicks in a hen house. The tree’s down there were already blooming with flowers and the temperature was quite warm. I saw few birch trees, a handful of loblolly pines, some red maples, and a few Oaks.

My phenology site in contrast has no blooming tree’s and there has been snow on the ground for the past few months. My site is along a brook while the old plantation property had no water running through it except a pool and a pond. The wildlife seen in North Carolina included a small herd of deer, a red fox, many different birds I couldn’t identify, and a eastern cottontail. At my phenology spot the only wildlife I’ve seen are grey squirrels and American crows. Both my phenology site and the NC property had animal tracks. As the old plantation owners had 6 dogs I’m pretty sure I saw dog prints in the mud and in Centennial in the snow I’ve seen dog prints as well.



Phenology Spot Natural Community

Posted: March 8th, 2019 by emmcdonn

I would describe my Phenology’s natural community as a wetland community. My spot has an eastern white pine stand but also borders a meadow with Centennial Brook running a portion of it. The conifer stand and meadow explain the sandy soils in the substrate. I also noticed oaks as I saw and heard their leaves rattling around. I also saw a yellow birch.




Some phenological changes include the snow and ice melting. I observed that paw prints left on the ice were easier to see than those left on the ground.

Directions to New Spot

Posted: February 6th, 2019 by emmcdonn

Getting to my new Phenology spot is quite easy. Starting from Central Campus you turn onto Carrigan Drive and follow it east to Catamount Drive and enter Centennial Woods from there. Follow the path weaving your way north and than east along the Centennial Brook. After you cross the brook once and continue until you reach a t intersection turn left off of the trail and by the brook is my new spot.

 

New Phenology Site Map

Posted: February 5th, 2019 by emmcdonn

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&hl=en&mid=1v318Th9igNe2YXbKmRhrXzCK9ZhKlQ0e&ll=44.47820472998508%2C-73.18573400000002&z=17

Wildlife Activity

Posted: February 5th, 2019 by emmcdonn

Here are some pictures of my new spot.

Photo Credit: Liz McDonnell

Using the Mammal Tracks and Scat Pocket Guide I believe that some white tailed deer, grey squirrels, dogs, and white footed mouse have moved through my spot.

A list of deciduous tree species I believe were on my site include:

Sugar Maple

American Beech

Red Maple

Northern Red Oak

February 4 (9 PM) – Document wildlife activity at your place by posting photographs of animal tracks and other signs. Using the Winter Twig Identification handout as a guide, make a list of the deciduous trees species you are able to identify at your site, and incorporate some close-up photos of some twigs in your blog. In addition, make a sketch of a twig from your site (labeling the parts), and upload it to your blog.  If you are returning to your site from last fall, describe the phenological changes that have occurred since your last visit. If you have chosen a new site, include a map showing your new location, and provide a written description of how to get to your place.  (2 points)

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