November 28th

The new phenology place I choose isn’t too far from my other one. Over break, I went to the Audubon Vermont nature center in Huntington to a spot by a brook. I think this is a special place partially because I have many memories coming here during my childhood, either as a summer camper or a camp counselor leading other kids. This place is also important ecologically, as it serves as an important habitat for amphibians and reptiles like red salamanders, wood frogs, and garter snakes. The area is surrounded by mature hardwoods mostly Eastern Hemlock, Yellow Birch, and Red Maple. This time of year, most animals are collecting food and getting ready to hole up for the winter. This place is similar in many ways to my other phenology spot at the Intervale, because they are both at the same latitude. However, in this new site there is running water, which doesn’t freeze over as quickly as still water, which is found at the pond at my other place. There are almost no Easter Hemlocks at my other place, and there are no Eastern Cottonwoods or ash trees at this new place. There is very little understory at this spot at the Audubon, largely because humans walk in this spot frequently. Each place represents a diverse habitat that serves as an important ecosystem for a diverse array of species.

This is a gift that I left at my site, a few hazelnuts for the squirrels and chipmunks!