On December 5th, I traveled to my phenological site to observe any changes that had occurred.

Observed Changes:

• Wildlife Activity: The wildlife activity during this time decreased significantly. Upon arriving, the only animal I observed was a gray squirrel rummaging around the fallen foliage on the forest floor. Additionally, every time I came here in the past I saw or heard bird species at the very least. However, on this winter day I saw nor heard a single bird. The only signs of animal presence was a pile of animal scat on the ground and small holes dug by squirrels.
• Foliage: All tree species had shed their leaves and pine needles except for…
  • Eastern Hemlock
  • Longstalk Sedge
  • Intermediate Fern
• Organic Material: There appeared to be no new fallen foliage on the forest floor. However, there were signs of decomposition as the eastern white pine needles that were on the bottom of the foliage pile had turned brown and were decomposing. There were no signs of decomposers from my observations.

What aspects of my phenology place did I enjoy most? I cannot even begin to explain how much I enjoyed my phenology place. As a individual who spends most of their time exploring and enjoying nature, I found this location to be own little haven. I loved sitting in the forest quietly, listening and observing the ecosystem around me. This project itself peaked my curiosity and interest as I was able to connect my phenology knowledge to the real world. I loved this project!