When I returned to my phenology site on the waterfront there was a significantly greater amount of snow on the ground and the water on either side of my little peninsula was frozen. Additionally some buds were visible on the trees, here is a picture of a bud I found on a sugar maple tree at the edge of the site.
In addition to this maple there were a couple birches and an american beech tree or two hanging around on the peninsula. Here is a quick labeled sketch of one of the birch buds I found on a paper birch tree:
On my spot I found some very very common tracks of a human walking their dog in the snow at the edge of my site. This is not at all a rare occurrence as the site is right next to the bike path, but I am interested in why the two decided to diverge from the path into the snow.
It appears as though a couple people have decided to take the same path as it was a little worn in, I’m not sure where it leads but it happens to go through the edge of my site, possibly to the water? In addition to these human made tracks I found a deer track leading into the bushes at the edge of my site. I was super surprised and also excited to see such tracks as I wouldn’t imagine deer would venture down into this section of Burlington where it is so busily inhabited.
Judging by the track size I’d say this deer is a doe, or a large fawn, but most likely not a buck, although that would be super exciting! Since my last visit before break the site seems to have changed a little and gained some new visitors! It’s all very exciting and I cannot wait to see what spring brings with it and what new animals might visit my spot.