03/24/2024
When revisiting the glade I have been studying throughout this semester, there were clear signs of spring life that have been absent over the past few months. Throughout the forest, snow is falling of trees andstarting to melt, since it is 33 degrees out.
Most trees in the area are Red Pines that extended into the overstory and have not changed much in appearance aside from having more or less snow on their branches over the months. Scattered throughout are a few deciduous trees, many just starting to produce buds. I found what I think are the beginnings of Yellow Birch and Norway Maple buds.
I can also hear bird calls. I am not familiar with them all yet, but I can tell there are several different species, including a woodpecker pecking at a tree somewhere. I use the app “Merlin Bird ID” on my phone to help me identify what species I am hearing. I learn that what I am hearing are Black Capped Chickadees, American Crows, and Northern Cardinals. None of these species are totally migratory, but is still nice to hear their presence in the woods. The only tracks I noticed were of humans and domestic dogs. Overall, I noticed signs of spring in the budding trees and flowing water, if not yet in the species I saw or heard.