My phenology spot appears to be fairly active over the winter. When I visited recently the river that makes my location an island was frozen over. Although not solid enough for a human to walk across quite yet (we had to balance carefully over a fallen tree), the ice was surely solid enough for most animals. As soon as we crossed over to the island, we saw rabbit tracks (pictured below). These tracks, along with other rabbit tracks, wandered all over the area. Other tracks we identified include squirrels and a some type of bird, possibly a raven. The squirrel tracks led to a spot with over hanging branches acting like a canopy (also pictured below). The snow under the branches was all trotted apon and indecipherable, which tells us that the squirrel could have been searching for food or lying down under the cover created by the tree.
Rabbit Tracks
More tracks under a canopy of branches
Below is an image of a bud is found at my spot and all over the island. I am not perfectly confident on its identification, but my best guess would be a silver maple. My phenology spot is almost entirely comprised of silver maples, so it would makes sense if this bud was also one, and it does share some key characteristics, such as smooth buds and crescent shaped leaf scars, but it is not a complete match. I will make sure to watch these buds as they develop so I can hopefully reach a more desicive answer.
A slightly out of focus bud
Sketch of bud
An intrepid NR2er confidently identifying tracks
Overall, the biggest phenological change to my spot is that it can now be reached by animals and critters since the river froze over. This means that there will be an increase in activity on the island. Signs of this include features such as a more noticeable amount of vegetation gnawed on. The fact that my phenology spot can only be accessed in the winter when the river is frozen and the summer when it is dried, means that the animals in the Casavant Natural Area have a dynamic and constantly shifting relationship with the spot.