The phenology spot I chose near home is Derway Island which is on the Winooski River near the delta. This is a sliver maple ostrich fern riparian forest and swamp with the dominant trees being silver maples, green ash, elm, birch and cottonwood.
This location is very different to my previous location in Centennial Woods despite them both being in Burlington. Both provide contrasting habitats, with Centennial Woods being a mature growth forest dominated by white pines and red and sugar maples suited for drier soils. The trees in Derway Island are suited to damp ground with consistent annual flooding due to its proximity to the river. While there are many story levels in Centennial woods, there is very little understory in Derway Island save mostly ferns which could be a result of the regular flooding.
Because of the difference in habitat, there is a contrast in wildlife, with Derway Island hosting birds that prefer dense, swampy areas like wood ducks and northern waterthrush, while Centennial woods is home to birds that prefer mature pine forests like red-breasted nuthatch and black-throated green warbler.
Some interesting observations I made while at Derway island were rusted cars and other metal appliances which makes me think that people used to use this area as a dumping site.
Citations:
Map: Google Maps. (2020). [Derway Island. Burlington, VT] [Satellite]. Retrieved November 9, 2020, from www.google.com/maps
All Photos: Ethan Hobbs. (Photographer). (2020). Retrieved Nov 30, 2020 from my camera