The phenology spot in Centennial Woods has changed quite a bit since the last time I ventured out there. This time the leaves have completely left the trees and the air was quite a bit colder. I entered on the side by the Staghorn Sumac and wandered through. Instead of the changing leaves I saw hang there before was replaced by the bare branches and red pine cone looking structures. Ice now covers the path leading down to the bridge making it a little bit harder to get to. The little pond itself is now covered with ice, which, in some places, is thick enough for you to stand on. I look around the pond and I see that the Hemlock and Eastern White Pines have retained their green color. I focus on the marsh section and see dead and dried up phragmites which in the warmer months would house Common Yellowthroats.
Dead branches all around protrude from the water which in the spring, summer, and fall would have active reptiles and amphibians. I move to the path along the pond and see that the only big of green on the ground comes from ferns. On the hill overlooking the pond I am able to see more tree diversity. In addition to the White Pine and Hemlocks I see the following: White Ash, White Oak, Red Oak, Red Maple, and the occasional Black Cherry. The bird life seemed pretty central to the Hemlock trees. The most commonly seen bird on the walk was the Black-capped Chickadee. They tended to stick to the behavior of hanging upside down as they attempt to get the seeds within. Also seen or heard throughout the hike were American Crows, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Downy Woodpecker. Any migratory birds that were in the area the last time I went to the spot have now gone. It is now just wintering birds trying to bulk before the winter gets harsher.
I looked for different animal tracks but there weren’t as much snow as I would have hoped. On the hike over to my spot, however, I caught squirrel tracks and the tracks of Dark-eyed Junco which I had observed feeding from the ground a few moments prior.