This week’s trip to the quarry culminated in the re-examination of the paper birch tree I got to know earlier this month. While I was hoping to see significant changes in the birch’s budding, flowering, and overall phenological state, there were not many noticeable differences. The buds are certainly a bit larger than before, but otherwise, the tree looks very similar to how it did two weeks ago.
I did notice some other phenological differences in the quarry though! There was much-increased bird activity, of which I identified Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Dark-eyed Junco, and Fish Crow using the Merlin app. Additionally, the pond has begun to melt and grasses are beginning to spring up again!
