Saying Thank you to Our Site— May 7th

May 7, 2022Uncategorizedeasirois

Today my lab friends and I, from NR1, took our final visit to our phenology site for our NR journey. The quality of memories that have been given by Centennial Woods can not be put into words.

During our last visit we spotted a Bard Owl, Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Hermit Thrust, White-breasted nuthatch, and Mallards. It was amazing to see tje woods vibrant with wildlife and tree blooms/growth! Having experienced this site throughout ecological pattern and season, this rebirth that is spring phenology takes the cake, (with the unfortunate lack if mushrooms lol) I will cherish the natural resources courses and this blog report as the spark of my appreciation for phenological changes!

BioBlitz City Nature Challenge May 2nd

May 4, 2022Uncategorizedeasirois

Species Observations:

Walking through Centennial Woods I observed many species that were greatly recognizable in the greater Burlington area. Northern Cardinals, Downy Woodpeckers, Chipping Sparrows, and Ruby Crowned Kinglets were extremely active around and in my phenology spot. The growth on the nearby trees and vegetation was vibrant and representative of springs phenological patterns. Ostrich Fern Fiddleheads, Clovers, and Blossoms could also been seen throughout the woods. This phenology site visit was part of my contribution to the City Nature Challenge, my lab group observed 85 species during the challenge, and I personally observed 15.

Spring Break Phenology

March 14, 2022Uncategorizedeasirois

Moscow, Maine- Houston Brook Falls

Over spring break myself and a few friends ventured back my home to Maine where I got the chance to bring my friends to all my favorite sites. One of these sites being Houston Brook Falls, these falls take about a 15 minute hike to reach and are engulfed in a coniferous forest. White Pines, Hemlocks, and Spruce lined the brook standing about 150 feet tall. The growth in this particular forest is much older than the growth you would find in Vermont which is due to the protection of these forest in Northern Maine. Unlike Vermont in the early 19th century, Maine made a point to preserve these lands by limiting logging and agriculture this far North. Thankfully this past land use has resulted in rich, diverse, and regenerating forests. The disturbance the falls created to the soundscape made it more difficult to spot different bird species in the area, however on our drive I spotted a Pileated Woodpecker and what I think was a Blue Jay. At my specific spot however I did not observe much bird activity.

Exploring Burlington

February 21, 2022Uncategorizedeasirois

My adventure around the Burlington area consisted of a walk along the bike path to the South End. The bike path follows along Lake Champlain, which this time of year is frozen over. My NR buddy Peter Todhunter ventured on the ice covered lake with me, where we saw tracks, phenomenal ice formations, and life freezing in time. The great willow trees along the bike path were barren yet full of so much life. The weather was clear and windy which allowed for tracking along the lake shore. We found tracks thought to belong to an otter or fisher coming up from the lake.

Phenology at Centennial Woods

January 28, 2022Uncategorizedeasirois

This semester I decided to change my phenology site to Centennial Woods. I loved the time I spent at Potash Brook, however I was looking for a change in scenery this year!

My trip to Centennial Woods was a snowy one. With fresh powder on the ground I managed to find one snow mystery (see below). As I wondered around Centennial I saw many changes occurring on the landscape. I found Hen of the Woods mushrooms that were freezing and beginning to fossilize, and an invasive species I was unable to identify taking over a cluster of new tree growth. I also spotted some American Robins in a crab apple tree on my walk to Centennial. The changes occurring here are beautiful and I can not wait to see what else enfolds while I visit this new site!

December Phenology at Potash Brook

December 9, 2021Uncategorizedeasirois

What is Changing at Potash Brook?

My phenology site is ready for the cold and ice months to come this winter. December is kicking us off with the first frosts and snow covers that begin the phenological changes in this area.

The herbaceous layer below is beginning to die and decompose, with only Partridge Berry and Ferns to be seen occasionally around the site. The fresh snow provides evidence of wildlife on my site, various bird and rabbit tracks were observed near the brook and on various fallen timber.

The ground still remains with light vegetation cover, due to the overwhelming abundance of fur and pine trees on the site and make the soil harsh and competitive of light. Only small patches of fern, moss, and partridge berry was to be found alive on the forest floor.

As I ventured outside my site I observed a large population of beech trees, which can be indicated by their late falling leaves this time of the year. Walking through Potash Brook allowed me to observe the difference in each stand and their compositions.

As is does each year, the ground is beginning to freeze and the history of the forest will be preserved with time and phenological processes. I look forward to visiting this site early next year to observe the further impacts this phenological process has had on the wildlife.

Potash Brook

Eastern White Pine

Event Map in Burlington!

November 11, 2021Uncategorizedeasirois

The Intervale Center : New North End, Winooski

On my exploration into the Intervale center with my classmate we made observations based off the vegetation and wildlife to predict what the land use history might be in that area. Entering the Intervale we learned that the true meaning of the word is a low laying track of land next to a river. We found that the Winooski is the river that serves this Intervale. The first landmark we established was the entrance to the Intervale Center. Once we were on the property we headed for the Stone Arch and pond. Here we observed a huge willow tree, quiet pond with some turtle friends, and lots of herbaceous species. As we ventured along the river we saw an abundance of silver maples, eastern cottonwood, box elder and basswood. The silver maples appeared to be much older than the other growth in the forest. We came to the conclusion that it must be due to farming deforestation. Leaving a line of trees along the river was a common tactic in farming to provide shade and prevent erosion. These silver maples extended over the river and stood to be about 40-60 feet tall. We also observed a plethora of invasive species such as common buckthorn and bittersweet. These species are monitored to protect the integrity of the forest. On the rest of our exploration we observed fungi, amphibians, ducks, and many species of birds. The floodplain provides a great habitat for these organisms with shelter and nourishment of bugs in the spring. Near the end of our hike we found the Intervale’s nursery grounds. Here we found an educational center and afforestation saplings as well as community garden plots and greenhouses. During this exploration it became clear to me that the Intervale Center was doing whatever they could do mitigate climate change and protect the natural phenology of these areas.

Birds Eye View Map

October 28, 2021Uncategorizedeasirois

Changes in the Site:

Since my first visit at Potash Brook I noticed many changes to my phenology site. The leaves have begun their autumn processes, the fungi are starting a fall out of season, and the weather is getting more wet and cold. My time on this day was spent here observing these changes to my site.

Establishing My Site:

October 14, 2021Post 1easirois

Geography of Potash Brook

My Phenology site resides on the North side of Potash Brook.

Walking from the University’s Central Campus you can reach my site by crossing the Main University Green to South Prospect Street to begin a 50 minute journey. Following South Prospect until you reach Fairmount St, taking a left down this road. Fairmount St eventually turns into Proctor Ave before you turn left down Meadow Rd/Eastwood Drive. Following this street under Interstate 189, the entrance to my site is to your left.

Once you have entered East Woods Natural Area the specific site is across the brook in a quiet but vibrant part of the forest.

**Why Potash Brook?**
This phenology site was special to me due to its hidden gems. I have always been fascinated by the smaller more complex systems that help run an entire ecosystem, and Potash Brook has just that. After our lab, my interest in this topic spiked and I decided to go back to Potash Brook. Visiting this site again I found various fungi, herbaceous species, mosses, and even more macro invertebrates. After these discoveries I knew that this site near Potash Brook was perfect to observe ecosystem phenology.

Woody and Herbaceous Species

The herbaceous species I observed on my site included the Intermediate Wood Ferns, Sensitive Fern, Canada Clearweed, Touch-Me-Nots, and a variety of mosses. The woody species varied from Eastern White Pine to Red and Sugar Maples. I found that the understory was lightly covered as the overstory disrupts much of the direct sunlight.

“Fungi are the grand recyclers of the planet and the vanguard species in habitat restoration.”
-Paul Stamets

Phenology in Burlington Vermont

A UVM blog