Every-time a new species is discovered at the site it will be displayed here at the top of every new post.
Today’s new species was found hiding below the grasses.
Glechoma (ground ivy) Unfortunately it is too late in the season to se it pretty purple flowers. But stay tunes next spring when things begin to bloom!
To give you all a better look at the larger picture of the landscape, here is birds eye view map of my location.
A birds eye view
In addition to the new species I would like to show off some pictures of some pretty cool fungi I have found. Unfortunately I am not a fungi expert so I am not able to identify these species but I will keep working on it!
Found growing on the central sugar maple.Growing on a boxelderAlso found on a pretty boxelderAnother cool shroom on a boxelder
Finally, I would like to talk to about the overall changes to the landscape. The grasses have almost entirely lost their color as well as the other herbaceous plants. The Japanese knotweed is still green and looks like it wont ever change color. It has been 2 weeks since my last visit and I have observed some migrating geese trail their feathers along the water as well as a few songbirds, in my previous visit however, I did not observe any wild life.
Thank you all for visiting and observing the phenological changes with me!
I have chosen to study and explore an area along the Winooski river walk located approximately 0.7 miles up the river from Salmon Hole. My spot is a shaded clearing above the river. There is a natural archway created by two boxelders. In the middle of the clearing there is a large sugar maple shading the area. To the right of the clearing there is a wall of Japanese knot-wood about 4.5 feet tall stretching to the hill. To the left of the tree there is some grass and then a steep drop off to a thin bank and then the river. Jutting out of the bank is a fallen boxelder and large pile of wood in the water.
I chose this spot because I thought the bending boxelders made it look quite magical. The trees are large with many patches of interesting moss and mushrooms. The height gives a good vantage point of the river. The Japanese knotweed provides a natural wall to the space almost creating a room between the river and the knotweed.
The arch way from insideView down the river
The woody species and plants:
Sugar Maple
Boxelders
Golden rods
Panicled Asters
American Beech
Japanese knotweed
Ostrich Ferns
BoxelderAmerican BeechJapanese Knotweed
How to get there:
If you are starting from Salmon Hole, follow the trail 0.6 miles up the river.
From the Intervale, follow the trail about 0.6 miles down the river.
If you are starting on Waterman Green, Facing the Waterman Building, take North Prospect Street north approx. 0.6 miles until you reach Route 2. Then cross the intersection to Intervale road. Approximately 500 ft down the road on the left is a trail head. Follow the down the stairs and cross the bridge. Continue along the river until you reach a fork in the trail. Take the left and YOU HAVE ARRIVED!!! You will know you are there when cross under an arched tree (a boxelder to be exact) and reach a shaded clearing covered in grasses. Around and above you will be beautiful arching trees!
