Tracks:
One of the first and only tracks that I discovered within the first few moments after I arrived at my phenology spot, were the tracks of the Red Squirrel. I witnessed one scale a tree and disappear as it jumped from branch to branch. Some of the characteristics of the tracks that led me to my final assumption included the gate of the animal, which I assumed followed a bounding pattern, as the hind feet are slightly in front of the front ones. In addition, the straddle and stride of the tracks were consistent with those of a red squirrel, not a grey squirrel, as their feet are quite larger.
Twigs:
One of the deciduous trees that I ID’d today was what I believe is a red maple. The bud was very red, and had a particular smell. Some of the other twigs I uncovered included: the sugar maple and box elder. My specific phenology location isn’t occupied by many deciduous trees; most of the trees in my spot are evergreens/not deciduous.
Since my last visit to this spot, there is a thicker/more icy layer of snow on the ground, and the top layer of organic material isn’t visible. The last time I visited, leaves and soil were visible in several spots. I got the sense that there was even more of a lack of animal activity in the area since early December. Most of the plants (including smaller saplings and bushes) are in the same state as they were before, they have remained dry and even have layers of ice/frost on their stems.
