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I decided to choose a new location for the spring semester phenology project, as I felt the Burlington Country Club golf course was not exactly a good location to observe natural phenological processes due to the overwhelming human influence in the area. To get to my new phenology spot, I entered Centennial Woods by the UVM Medical Center and continued down trail until reaching the meandering frozen stream. At this point I decided to wander off trail to the left until I came across a small clearing that borders the stream. There were many signs of wildlife at my location.First, I discovered what I believe to be the tracks of a cottontail rabbit, who crossed the stream I stood on the bank of and continued down the bank back into the denser sections of forest. As I stood photographing the evidence of wildlife imprinted into the snow, the familiar smacking of beak against bark was clearly audible. I was lucky enough to spot a pileated woodpecker searching for food in a nearby tree. After I made my presence known with a stumble, the pecking stopped but the bird remained in the tree. Some deciduous tree species I was able to identify by their buds and bark were sugar maple, red maple, Norway maple, and paper birch, with one bud that I was unable to identify.
Pictured above: Tracks of what I believe to be a cottontail rabbit.
Pictured above: Pileated Woodpecker, located towards the bottom, red feathers on head help with identification.
Pictured above: Paper Birch on left, buds of sugar maple and Norway maple and one bud that I was unable to identify
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Pictured above: Sketch of Norway Maple Bud