This mid-April visit to Casavant was not what I expected! “April” conjures up images of balmy, 60 degree and sunny days, perhaps with a few showers. However, today’s visit was amid a snow and hail covered ground, with temperatures hovering around freezing.
However, the snow didn’t completely hide everything. Signs of spring were popping up all over Casavant. Spring wildflowers were beginning to pop up through the leaf litter and snow. Maples and beeches were beginning to bud, showing sure signs of spring. I’m pretty sure I heard (from Mary Holland’s description) what might have been a wood frog courtship call coming from the stream! It also could have been something else, since my site is near a residential area with lots of strange noises.
My phenology site is near a large open field, where dog owners bring their dogs to play with and couples come out to enjoy the sunshine. Naturally, there is an edge between the forest and the field area. The natural area also borders other habitats, such as the Winooski River, as well as residential areas. I don’t think that my place provides habitat for any forest interior species seeing as it is a relatively small wooded area and has a lot of edges with a lot of different habitats.
