{"id":96,"date":"2021-07-13T15:57:36","date_gmt":"2021-07-13T19:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/malcolmpreserve_wonderblog\/?p=96"},"modified":"2021-07-13T16:15:24","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T20:15:24","slug":"malcolm-preserve-summer-nature-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/malcolmpreserve_wonderblog\/2021\/07\/13\/malcolm-preserve-summer-nature-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Malcolm Preserve Summer Nature Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is a Malcolm Preserve Nature guide for the summer time that shows you the multiple species and organisms that can be found within the preserve. This guide will allow curious people to identify some of the most common species within the area whilst they walk through the trail system and learn more about each species. Malcolm Preserve is an 11-acre woodland area in Carlisle, Massachusetts. The woodland used to be a 38-acre farm that grew fruits, vegetables, and other crops for local sale over 100 years ago. Within this guide, some of the trees, commonly found plants, several species of animals and fungi will all be identified that frequent the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malcolm Preserve is a great place to visit in the summer, with few people around and a well-preserved woodland area, you are able to really immerse yourself in nature. You can take your dog for a great walk or just walk through and spot many different animals whilst you trek through the woods. There are many different areas to explore within the preserve. You can either walk through lush wooded areas where the paths are lined by an abundance of green ferns or there are also meadows to walk through and wetlands to look at. Each different area contains many different species to search for and find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the trees found in the area include both coniferous and deciduous trees. While this isn’t an old growth forest, since it used to be farmland, there are some older, very large trees that inhabit the area. There are also many smaller trees and saplings that line the trails. Several plant species also grow within the preserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern White Pine:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pinus strobus<\/em>7<\/sup> is a large deciduous tree that can be identified by its needles. These trees have cylindrical, 3-5 inch needles that are gathered in clusters of five. Older trees have reddish-brown, finely scaled bark whilst younger ones have a dark brown or green bark. These are found all throughout the Preserve and in the fall, they drop pine cones that litter the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cinnamon Fern:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Cinnamon Fern5<\/sup>, Osmunda cinnamomea<\/em>, is one of the most abundant plants within Malcolm Preserve. This fern will have several large pinnately-compound, yellowish-green, fronds that stem outward from single stem and form the fern. These ferns grow in clusters and, in the early spring to summer, the ferns will curl inward to form a fiddle head. These are easy to spot within the preserve as they lie right next to the trail, covering the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On warmer, sunny days, some of the species you’ll be able to find includes reptiles and other cold-blooded species that require the sun for regulating their body temperature. One of those such species is the Garter snake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Garter Snake:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thamnophis sirtalis<\/em>3<\/sup>, The Garter snake is an elusive reptile that can be difficult to find. They often want to be left alone, so they aren’t easily spotted, but if you go to Malcolm Preserve on a day where not many people are out and you are very quiet there is a good chance you will see one. If you are quiet and listen for rustling within the leaves, you can typically see one within the forest debris, slithering away from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are one of the most common snakes in the Northeast and can be easily identified by their dark-brown to black coloring with three yellow stripes that line the length of their body. They are typically around two feet long and are not harmful to humans. This snake was quick moving and as soon as I got the picture, it hid under the leaves around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Painted Turtle:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Painted Turtle6<\/sup>, Chrysemys picta<\/em>, is a small turtle that will be able to be found near the pond or wetland areas of Malcolm Preserve. They are called Painted Turtles because of their bright orange markings on their shells and body that make identifying them easier. They are typically 5-7 inches in length and will be found sitting on a log or on the shore next to the water. I found this turtle making its way towards the pond. As I got nearer to it, it stopped moving and ducked its head inside its shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst the sunny days bring out warm loving creatures, the rain will bring out species that thrive in damp, shadier climates. Certain species you will be able to find include worms, slugs, toads and fungi. The mud will also make it easier to spot animal tracks, such as deer or turkeys, that have walked through the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coral Mushroom:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mushrooms, such as this one, will appear after a few days of repeated moisture when the ground has been thoroughly moist. These fungi thrive off of decaying logs in which they consume. Mushrooms provide an important role in the ecosystem and prevent a build up of forest debris and dead or decaying organic material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This coral mushroom2<\/sup>, Clavulina cristata<\/em>, is a whiteish-creme colored fungus that appears similar to corals that can be found in the ocean. Coral mushrooms can be found growing on the bottoms of older trees or upon decaying longs or root systems. There are several different species of coral fungus and some are also edible. However, it can be very difficult to discern between different species and, therefore, should not be eaten unless you are absolutely certain it is the correct species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arion Slugs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Arion slugs4<\/sup>, Arion subfuscus<\/em>, are very common in the Northeast, although they are not native. Originally hailing from Northwestern Europe, these slugs were introduced to the the U.S. and now frequent the area. They can be found consuming fungi, decaying logs, or within the mud at Malcolm Preserve. They range in appearance from darker to lighter brown with a smooth, ridged body. Their coloring comes from the mucus that they produce that coats their body. They also have what appears to look like antenna protruding from their heads. Those antenna are actually tentacles that contain their eyes at the end. They are easy to find after rain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the summer, warm-blooded animals will be able to be seen throughout the trails. Deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and several species of birds inhabit the preserve and can be found all throughout the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild Turkey:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These wild turkeys8<\/sup>, Meleagris gallopavo<\/em>, like to frequent more open areas and feed off of wild raspberries and other plants within the meadows of Malcolm Preserve. They often travel in groups and can be easily identified by their large size. As one of the largest ground dwelling birds in the Northeast, they can quite easily be seen. They are brownish in color with some darker variations on their wings. The males can be differentiated from females by their red and blue skin on their necks and they have larger plumage than the females. The one pictured above is a female I found outside a house just next to the preserve, it was snacking on their raspberries they had growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Chipmunks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo taken from Chipmunks in the Garden1<\/sup>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Chipmunks1<\/sup>,Tamias striatus<\/em> , are easily observed within Malcolm Preserve. They are small rodents with a brown body. They have darker stripes along their backs and lighter underbellies. Within the woodland area, chipmunks can be seen perched on top of the stone walls that line the sides of the trails. They will often be eating acorns and other seeds that have fallen to the ground. They are one of the easiest species to find because there are so many of them in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are just a few of the commonly found species that can be seen throughout Malcolm Preserve. There are many others that also frequent the area. By taking time and quietly observing, these species will be able to found and observed. It is always interesting to watch wildlife perform their daily practices and learn more from them. It is also interesting to see how each species interacts with the preserve and how their presence plays a role in their ecosystem. Hopefully this nature guide will allow people to become more aware of what species exist within Malcolm Preserve and the surrounding areas. I also hope this will show people help people to be able to better identify species and become more familiar with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found that whilst I was gathering my research for this final blog post and identifying each species, it led me to understand Malcolm Preserve better. I now know exactly what kinds of species exist in the area and feel comfortable being able to identify them again. This blog also made me think about how much of the ecosystem is weather dependent and can change quickly with new weather. I feel that I now understand the preserve on a deeper level and I want to continue to observe and identify more species in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. \u201cChipmunks in the Garden.\u201d UNH Extension. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/extension.unh.edu\/blog\/chipmunks-garden. <\/li>
  2. \u201cCrown-Tipped Coral.\u201d Missouri Department of Conservation. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/mdc.mo.gov\/discover-nature\/field-guide\/crown-tipped-coral. <\/li>
  3. \u201cEastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis Sirtalis).\u201d Species Profile: Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) | SREL Herpetology. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/srelherp.uga.edu\/snakes\/thasir.htm. <\/li>
  4. Mollusks : Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/www.carnegiemnh.org\/science\/mollusks\/va_arion_subfuscus.html. <\/li>
  5. \u201cOsmundastrum Cinnamomeum.\u201d Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/plants.ces.ncsu.edu\/plants\/osmundastrum-cinnamomeum\/. <\/li>
  6. \u201cPainted Turtle (Chrysemys Picta).\u201d Species Profile: Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) | SREL Herpetology. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/srelherp.uga.edu\/turtles\/chrpic.htm. <\/li>
  7. \u201cPinus Strobus.\u201d Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine, White Pine) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/plants.ces.ncsu.edu\/plants\/pinus-strobus\/. <\/li>
  8. \u201cWild Turkey.\u201d Wild Turkey – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Accessed July 13, 2021. https:\/\/www.dec.ny.gov\/animals\/7062.html. <\/li><\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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