A UVM blog Centennial Woods Phenology Blog

During the urban Bioblitz, I explored down South Prospect Street and Centennial Woods.

I really liked how the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge allowed you to see what everyone else was posting and leave comments. It was cool to see the community come together to identify local species. I also found it helpful that other could leave comments on my posts to help me identify or confirm my identification.

I identified roughly four species during this challenge, including a female American robin, a white-breasted nuthatch, a white-tailed deer, and some scat that was either from a red or gray fox I think.

Seeing reports from other participants was very interesting. Some people saw the same species that I saw, and others saw signs of totally different animals. It showed me how diverse the species are in Vermont, and how species differ between cities. Additionally, it was amazing to see what people were finding around the whole world.

A final trip to my spot for the year:(

For starters, there are new trees down by the stream. I assume this is due to the rain we had recently. Additionally, the snow has melted and ferns are starting to pop up. It was also pretty muddy because of the snow and rain. Unlike in the beginning of my blog, I can finally hear birds at my sight! Through my time at this spot, I have come to greatly appreciate the sound of the stream running over the stones as I sit on the big rock. I have also always wanted to hop over to the little island in the stream, so today I did that!

Centennial Woods serves as a natural escape spot for UVM students and Burlington locals. It is a space for everyone to come and enjoy nature. I would consider myself a part of this place because I have watched it grow and change over the year. As it has gone through the seasons, so have I. I feel connected to this place and lucky that I’ve gotten to experience its beauty and transformations.

Bye bye Centennial! See you soon<3

New orange fungus towards the top of the tree

Buds looking pretty much the same, maybe a little bigger

Still has birch polypore

Bark looks a little more crusty? I think a lot of the “paper” part has peeled off

I headed down to Centennial Woods to revisit my paper birch tree. It still had birch polypore at the base, and I noticed more groups at the top this time. There are definitely more prominent buds today, but still no flowering. A new branch (more like a twig) has started to grow towards the bottom, allowing me to see the round buds.

I also noticed that the top of my tree kind of looks cut off, and there were pieces on the ground a few feet from the base. I’m not positive if these pieces came from my tree, but it’s something to consider. It could have broken off during the rain, and then split in half.

I chose my backyard (and behind it) for my phenology blog. Since I have been home, I noticed that there was a controlled burn around the pond behind my house. This helps get rid of invasive plants, making a clean area for the native ones. it’s like a fresh start. I also saw 2 ducks and 2 either crows or grackles. On the edge of my backyard going into the woods, I noticed some moss, which I never realized was there before. It was nice to take some time to observe my backyard and listen to the birds.

The tree I chose was a paper birch. I knew this because of the flaking, white bark, meaning it wasn’t a gray or yellow birch. This birch was not flowering. I think it had tiny buds that were starting to appear, but it was hard to tell because they were so small and rather high up. The tree also has birch polypore (fomitopsis betulina) on the base on the trunk and higher up. Upon further research, I learned that it can be used as an antiseptic and a tonic. The tree also has some moss on one side.

2/12: The first observation that I came across is what I think is a female American robin, based on its size and coloring. This was along South Prospect Street in a tree.

In the same area, I saw some small, round tracks, but I’m not sure what they are.

2/15: Then, I took a trip to Centennial Woods. I had to go off the path to actually find anything. First, I saw a bird in the trees with gray-blue wings, a white chest and black head. I think it was a white-breasted nuthatch, but I’m not positive.

It also took quite a lot of searching, but my friend Cara and I found some deer tracks (I think). They were half in ice and half in mud, so they were a little wonky.

We also found some scat. It was super small, cylinder and I think pointed. It also had hairs and small bones in it. I want to say it was either a red or gray fox because of these characteristics, but I’m not sure which one.

The process of finding signs of animals that weren’t dogs was pretty challenging. I had to learn to take it slow and really look for anything that would help me indict that there was an animal around. I also realized that I had to go off of the main paths.

Since the last time I have visited my spot in Centennial Woods, there are officially no more leaves on the trees and everything is covered in snow. I had expected the stream to be frozen, but it was still running over the rocks down the little hill.

The only animal tracks I was able to find were some dog paw prints at the base of the trail going into Centennial Woods. However, I did hear some birds in the trees, which I don’t normally hear at my spot in Centennial.

I also noted that the fallen tree that I had observed on my last visit now seems more splintery, and is covered in snow.

Isabel Sykora

The trees in my site do not have leaves left except for a few still hanging onto a few branches. Leaf litter still covers the forest floor, but there are not colors of orange and yellow anymore, it’s all dark and brown. It’s also a little wet and mushy from the snow, rain, dew, etc.

I did not actually see any animals when I was at my site, I never really have, but I did see a few remnants of what I think are squirrel tracks.

Through my semester observing this spot of Centennial Woods, I have thoroughly enjoyed sitting by the stream and listening to it trickle down the rocks. It has been very nice to go learn in a peaceful and comfortable place. I have also enjoyed being able to observe the changes throughout my site through the seasons.

Isabel Sykora

I chose the wooded area and pond behind my house for my at-home phenology site in Elgin, Illinois. The first thing I noticed was I saw and heard a lot more birds in this area as compared to my spot in Centennial Woods. I saw some robins and a male cardinal.

Similarly to my Centennial phenology site, the trees are mostly stags, however there are still a few green leaves. The floor is also covered in leaf litter in both sites.

I think that this place is special because it is a nice contrast to the suburban neighborhood and town that I live in, and offers some natural beauty and habitats for birds, coyotes and deer. It’s also special to me because I’ve spent most of my life living here and getting to enjoy it.