When I visited my place on 5/12/21, I noticed many changes in the vegetation. As I looked around the clearing, I saw that the majority of the buds on the oak trees have broken and the trees are displaying their new leaves. The leaves on these oak trees are currently orange and yellow and have not fully developed yet. The maple trees in the clearing are also displaying their new leaves, which are reddish green and still developing. There is also a paper birch that is displaying its new leaves which are very small and green currently. There are many clumps of grass growing all over the clearing. Additionally, there are a vast amount of ostrich fern fiddleheads growing down the hill closer to the brook. Most fiddleheads were green but some were also red. The vegetation along the edge of the brook have new leaves. In addition to the vegetation, I saw a lot of bird activity. I heard the calls of crows, black-capped chickadees, gulls, and song sparrows and I spotted a black-capped chickadee in a tree. I also heard a bird call I had never heard before but wasn’t sure how to identify it. I also saw a chipmunk and four separate grey squirrels foraging on the ground. Finally, there were many small insects flying around the brook.
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photographs of vegetation].
Reflection
One way that nature and culture intertwine in Centennial woods is through recreation. Many people use the trails in Centennial woods for hiking and running, and spending time in the woods is a great way to have fun and build a stronger connection to nature. I’ve also seen many people out birding, hammocking, and walking their dogs. The possibilities are endless, and you can enjoy the woods alone or with friends. Another way nature and culture intertwine here is through education. Many classes at UVM have labs or activities in Centennial because it is so accessible and allows for students to apply what they are learning in the classroom. I definitely consider myself a part of my place because I’ve created such a strong connection with it throughout my visits there. When studying the environment, we must also consider the people who interact with it. Our actions have direct impacts on the environment, so it is crucial for us to treat the places we interact with with respect. As we have learned throughout the year, humans are inextricably linked with the natural world, and we must understand this idea in order to save this planet we call home.
For the City Nature Challenge, I explored both the Intervale Center and Centennial Woods. On Saturday (5/1/21), I attended Spectacular Nature Day at the Intervale and made 20 observations. It was really exciting getting to help plant some ostrich ferns, learning about the wildlife and vegetation in the floodplain, and birding! Some of my most memorable observations here included a tufted titmouse perched on a tree branch, multiple groups of young gypsy moth caterpillars under the peeling bark of a silver maple, and three painted turtles sunbathing on a log. I had a very good experience using iNaturalist and was able to upload my observations quickly and efficiently. I’ve used the app in the past and am always amazed by how easy it is to document my findings and how accurate their suggestions usually are. On Sunday (5/2/21), I visited Centennial Woods and made 17 observations. Some of the most memorable observations from this visit were a chipmunk jumping in and out of a cavity in a snag, two large mallard ducks (one male, one female) quacking and swimming in the water, a black-capped chickadee that landed in a bush right next to me, and an interesting orange fungi that appears to be pinewood gingertail. I thought it was really interesting how diverse the observations from around the world were and had a good time scrolling through the species list. Participating in the City Nature Challenge helped me learn so much more about the many species that surround us, and I really enjoyed being a part of this important citizen science project!
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photographs of different wildlife and vegetation].
Here is a species interaction diagram showing six different species in Centennial Woods. Downy woodpeckers and pileated woodpeckers both feed on woodboring beetles, and are indirectly competing for this food source. Eastern gray squirrels and wood boring beetles both feed on various parts of the white oak tree, and are therefore indirectly competing for this food source.
During my visit to my phenology site on April thirteenth, I encountered many different types of wildlife. As soon as I entered my site, I observed a grey squirrel foraging for food on the ground, and then it climbed up a nearby tree. I also observed two more grey squirrels during my time there, and they all seemed to be foraging for food. Another animal I encountered was a chipmunk. This curious creature was scurrying around on the ground, most likely looking for food. It crawled up onto a log and then we stared at each other for quite a while. I used my binoculars to take a closer look at it and was fascinated by how still it was sitting. Then, it jumped down to take a long drink of water from the brook. In addition to the squirrels and chipmunk, I watched many birds. I had my binoculars so I was able to see many birds up close and watch what they were doing. I saw a group of three black-capped chickadees chasing each other and flying between the branches of a hemlock tree. I also spotted two different woodpeckers (either hairy or downy woodpeckers). Both had black wings with white spots, a white underside, and a red spot on the back of their heads. I spotted the first woodpecker because I heard it pecking on a snag and was able to follow the sound. The second one flew right in front of me and landed on a nearby tree. I watched as both woodpeckers pecked at the snags they were on, looking for insects and steadily moving up the tree. I also saw a few American robins near the brook that seemed to be looking for food on the ground. In addition to these animals that I could identify, I encountered some birds that I had trouble identifying. For example, I had a really good view of a medium-sized bird with a grey back, white underside, and black and white head with a long beak. I also saw through my binoculars a small grey bird that pecked at a tree and grabbed a small insect. Many birds were chirping and calling high up in the trees throughout the day. Finally, I saw a large spiderweb between two trees glistening in the sun, a large black fly that landed on my leg, and a beautiful black butterfly that landed on a log. It was a warm and sunny day, and I was very excited to encounter so much wildlife.
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photographs of wildlife in Centennial Woods].
Buds Breaking
I observed many buds starting to break as I walked around. I noticed that almost all of the buds on the barberry bushes I saw had already broken and the leaves were spreading out. I saw buds breaking on a variety of other plants too. Some were already completely open, while others were just starting to swell and open up.
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photographs of different tree buds].
On Tuesday, March 2nd, I walked around Burlington and noticed various phenological changes happening around me.
First, I noticed that the snow and ice on sidewalks and in people’s lawns are melting. This is a result of the warmer temperatures that we have been experiencing recently, and a sign that spring is not far away.
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photograph of melting snow on sidewalk].
I also spent a lot of time observing different trees and their buds that they formed before winter started. These buds will soon open to reveal the tree’s new leaves. The trees have been saving energy over the winter by protecting these leaves in their buds until the warm spring weather arrives (Winter).
I tried to identify the trees while walking around, but it was difficult to see them up close and get pictures when they were very high off the ground:
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photographs of different tree buds].
I also noticed some cones on a Norway Spruce, and found a lot of cones on the ground along the side of the sidewalk.
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photograph of Norway Spruce].
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photograph of cones on ground].
I also observed some wildlife activity while I was walking. First, I saw a gray squirrel run across the sidewalk in front of me and climb up a nearby tree. Squirrels have been less active during winter because they collected a large amount of food before the season started, and prefer to stay sheltered and warm in their nests (Hunt 2011). The warmer temperatures have led to the squirrels being more active, indicating that spring is approaching.
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photographs of a gray squirrel].
I have also been observing many birds such as the American Robin foraging for food. Although some robins stay here year-round, the majority migrate to warmer areas and are coming back to New England around this time. I have seen a lot of them looking for food such as earthworms on the ground in areas where the snow has melted, but they must also feed on berries and other fruits until the snow is completely gone (Holland & Kaneko 2019).
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photograph of American Robins].
References
Holland, M., & Kaneko, C. (2019). Naturally curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England. Trafalgar Square Books.
Hunt, V. (2011, December 9). What Do Squirrels Do in Winter? Lincoln Park Zoo. https://www.lpzoo.org/what-do-squirrels-do-in-winter/#:~:text=In%20the%20winter%2C%20squirrels%20spend,been%20very%20busy%20caching%20food.
Winter: Cycle of life: Booklet: Forest academy. https://www.theforestacademy.com/cycle-of-life/winter/#.YEVFk2hKg2w.
Today I visited my place in Centennial Woods for the first time since last semester. The most obvious change that I observed was the large amount of snow on the ground now that it’s winter. Now that temperatures are lower than they were in November (today was about 30 degrees Fahrenheit) and it’s snowing often, the clearing looks much different. It was snowing very lightly while I was at the clearing. The deciduous trees such as oak and maple in the clearing are now completely devoid of leaves, which is different because there were still some brown leaves hanging onto the branches when I was there back in November 2020. The evergreens such as the Eastern hemlocks, Eastern white pines, and Northern white cedars still have their green needles. Another thing I noticed was that the brook was still flowing steadily underneath the snow, which I could see through two holes in the snow layer.
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Video of Centennial Brook flowing under snow].
During my time exploring the area, I noticed many signs of wildlife activity. First, I found some tracks that went across a log over the brook. The tracks had already started to fill with new snow, so I was unable to identify what animal had left them. The prints were small and the log was not very wide, so I think this animal was smaller in size. In addition to these tracks, I found different tracks in a few different areas. There were some larger tracks leading down to the brook, some more larger tracks in the middle of the clearing, and even more tracks as I started to head up the hill on the far side of the clearing. I followed the tracks in the center of the clearing and found some urine in the snow at the base of a tree, as well as a pile of feces, and I think these may have been left behind by someone’s dog (I see people walking their dogs here often, so this is very likely). The other tracks were also filling with snow so it was difficult to identify what animal left them. In addition to my findings, I had evidence of wildlife activity when I heard multiple birds chirping in distant trees.
References
Shepherd, A. (2021). [Photographs of trees and wildlife tracks in Centennial Woods].
Centennial Woods has a diverse history of human land-use, and there are many pieces of evidence there today that indicate what that land-use history included. One piece of evidence that can be seen in the forest today is the barbed wire that is embedded in a large oak tree. This barbed wire indicates that the land was once used as an agricultural site. This is because barbed wire is commonly used as a property boundary and to keep cattle inside a certain area (C. Schaffer, personal communication, September 14, 2020). Another piece of evidence in the forest is the cement wall that is covered in graffiti. Although the origins of the cement wall are disputed, it is believed to be part of a bunker that was formerly used by the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program (Brooks & Poleman, 2020). Additionally, there are the burned remains of the rope tow shed from the former South Burlington Kiwanis Ski Area, which was active from 1962 to about 1967 (South Burlington). Even more evidence of land-use can be seen in the form of the many trails and footbridges throughout Centennial Woods. These trails indicate both recreation and education as uses of the forest. For recreation, people travel these trails in ways such as hiking and running. For education, many classes conduct labs and other hands-on learning experiences in Centennial Woods, like NR 001 for example! Along some of the steeper trails, there are large logs embedded horizontally across the trails. These were put in place by humans in order to redirect water off of the trails to prevent erosion (C. Schaffer, personal communication, September 14, 2020). Finally, the vegetation gives clues to how the land was used by humans in the past. For example, pine and birch trees are considered to be pioneering/early successional species, so they indicate that the land was once cleared and is now being reclaimed by nature (“The Changing Landscapes”).
Although there is not clear evidence of it, the land originally belonged to the indigenous Abenaki people. They valued and respected the land, and used it much differently than the people after them. Then, the European settlers arrived beginning in the early 1600s. Europeans settlers used this land in many ways including logging, agriculture, forestry, and harvesting natural resources. This caused massive deforestation in the late 18th and early 19th century. In the late 19th century, the farmland in this area was sold and divided. From 1891 to 1968, the University of Vermont slowly accumulated the area by buying it from five landowners. At one point, Centennial Woods consisted of 216 acres, but has shrunk over time to its current size of approximately 65 acres. Sadly, before Centennial Woods was reclaimed as a natural area to be preserved by UVM in 1974, it was used as a dumping ground for waste and other things (Brooks & Poleman, 2020).
References
Brooks, C., & Poleman, W. (2020, September 10). NR 001 Lecture 4. University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
(2004, July 23). South Burlington Kiwanis Ski Area. New England Lost Ski Areas Project. Retrieved Dec. 5, 2020, from http://www.nelsap.org/vt/sburl.html
The new phenology place that I chose is located in the woods behind my house in Mendon, Massachusetts. I chose this location because it is a special place that I used to always visit as a kid. During the spring and summer, a brook runs through the woods and creates a small pool at this specific location. This area is surrounded by many large rocks, dead trees, and living trees. At this time of year, the stream has dried up, so no water is flowing. Visiting this place brought back many fond childhood memories for me, and I enjoyed investigating the ecology and phenology of this location.
When I investigated the ecology of my new place, I noticed many similarities and differences between this area and my place in Centennial Woods. First, all the deciduous trees have lost their leaves, and the ground is covered in these brown dead leaves. I noticed that most of the leaves I was seeing seemed to be Northern red oak leaves and white oak leaves. This makes sense because oak trees tend to lose their leaves later than other trees here. I also saw a few maple leaves and other types of leaves here and there. This is similar to my place in Centennial Woods because the last time I visited there, the ground was covered in dead leaves, and pretty much all of the trees had dropped their leaves already. Also, the oak trees were the last to drop their leaves in Centennial Woods, just like here in Mendon. Another similarity I noticed was that there were many Eastern white pines in this area, just like in Centennial Woods. One difference I noticed was that these pines were shorter and had a smaller diameter than the ones in Centennial Woods, leading me to believe that they are younger, or they just grow differently in these different conditions. Another similarity I noticed was that the tallest trees in this forest stand seemed to be the oak trees. While I explored this new place, I realized that there were many large rocks everywhere, which is not as much the case in my area in Centennial Woods. I witnessed a lot of primary succession occurring because there was a lot of moss growing on most of these rocks. I also noticed as I walked around that there were many fallen decomposing trees all over the ground, which is also not the case at my location in Centennial Woods.
Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of forest in Mendon, MA at sunset].Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of the new phenology place in Mendon, MA].Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of trees in Mendon, MA].Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of moss growing on a rock].Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of leaves on the ground].
Wildlife
The first sign of wildlife that I noticed when I arrived at my location was the chirping of multiple birds high up in the trees above me. I could not spot the sources of the sounds, but I know there were multiple different species since I heard a few different chirps and squawks. I also saw several large nests tucked between branches high up in some of the trees around me that I assumed belonged to squirrels. After doing more research, I am confident that these were squirrel nests because they were large, round, “messy,” and composed mostly of leaves (Identification). Looking closely near my feet led me to find a pile of deer poop. I know there are white-tailed deer in these woods because I’ve seen them before, and I’ve gotten pictures of them on my trail camera before (as seen below). I then found more evidence of squirrels when I found a pile of acorn shells and scraps on a rock. A squirrel must have been foraging here not long before I arrived, stocking up for winter. I see gray squirrels in my yard and in my woods very often.
Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of deer feces].Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of acorn scraps].Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of a squirrel nest in a tree].Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of a white-tailed deer taken on Feb. 24, 2018 using a motion-detecting trail camera].
Signs of Human Use
There are many houses along the edges of this stretch of woods, so it is hard to tell whose property ends where. This means that many people have access to these woods, and there are multiple signs of human use that were obvious to me as I explored. One is the wooden board that runs across the path of the stream. When I was younger, my sister and I found this piece of wood that someone had left in the woods, and positioned it so we could use it as a little bridge to walk across the stream. Another sign of human use that I noticed was an abandoned orange dodgeball. Finally, there were some orange ribbons on a few trees, most likely marking someone’s property or placed there by hunters.
Shepherd, A. (2020). [Photograph of wooden board at new phenology place in Mendon, MA].
As soon as I entered the clearing, I saw many birds chirping and flying from tree to tree. I really enjoyed the sounds of their chirping. I saw a group of three birds perched in a short tree that I think were American robins. I then saw two blue jays flying high in the trees. Soon after, I saw a pileated woodpecker with a bright red head that landed on a dead tree! Additionally, I saw a gray squirrel foraging on the ground in the leaves. Later, I sat down on a log and watched all of the birds above me. One of the two blue jays landed in the tree above me and started calling the the other that was in a different tree. I saw many smaller birds that I thought were probably chickadees or warblers. A black-capped chickadee landed on a branch very close to me. During my time at my place, I saw a few more gray squirrels, all foraging alone.
Today when I visited my place, I immediately noticed that there are way more leaves on the ground than last time, and these leaves are all very brown and are decomposing. I noticed that the oak trees have lost many more leaves than the last time I was here. One of the oak trees has no leaves at all, and the other ones have leaves that are orange-brown. Last time, I noticed that one of the white oak trees had leaves that were still green in the center, but now these leaves are completely orange-brown. This same tree has lost some of its leaves, but many are still there. At this point, there are not many vibrant colors, except for a few trees still having yellow leaves. The primary color I see is the green of the eastern white pines, eastern hemlocks, and the northern white cedar. Many trees around my place have completely lost all of their leaves, such as the sugar maple and red maples. Additionally, I noticed that there are still many green ferns on the hill leading down to the brook.
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