A lot has changed in my spot since the last time I was there about a month ago. The biggest change? Snow. When I visited my site this time around, it was snowing, adding to the good inch or so already there. At this point in the season, absolutely all the leaves are off the trees. Given that my spot is primarily made up of black cherry and red oak, there’s a huge gap between the forest floor and the canopy, or even the lower branches of most of the trees. The combination of the snow and the open canopy makes it feel much brighter there than before, even at dusk. There are still some shrubs holding on to their leaves, and some grasses are pushing through the snow, but the lovely little fern grove has fully died out. I’m guessing what did them is the multiple thaws and freezes they have gone through in the last few weeks.
While I was there today, I kept an eye out for any signs of wildlife that may have been in the area. With all the fresh snow, tracks and scat would have been easy to see. Unfortunately, the only tracks I found were those of humans and their dogs. Given that this is the first snow that a lot of UVM students were here for this year, it makes perfect sense that people would be out walking in the woods. The heavy traffic through the area is probably part of the reason that there weren’t (signs of) any larger significant wildlife, especially dogs who were most likely off leash. Something that I noticed that I didn’t notice last time was lots of casings of woolly bear caterpillars on one of the large red oaks in the area. They looked like little brown shell casings stuck to the bark with a little bit of caterpillar fuzz on the outside. Woolly bears are a freeze intolerant insects, some of which hatch in the fall and eat lots in order to hibernate over winter. I am guessing that these casings are either old and I didn’t notice them before, or these particular caterpillars are just really late to the game. Something else I noticed that is definitely recent is a bunch of little holes through the snow and into the ground. Vermont has various types of shews, mice, and voles, so I’m guessing that it’s one of them making these. I’m looking forward to coming back in to more snow and seeing if their little burrow entrances are still open and in use.
This was my last planned time at my phenology spot for this semester. Given that it has become a place that I’ve started going to when I feel overwhelmed or just need a break, I’m thinking I’ll end up there at least one more time before I head home, probably in some finals induced frenzy. I’m finding myself hoping that not much happens there over break so I don’t miss it, but I’m also excited for the possibility of huge differences (mostly in the form of lots of snow) when I return in January. Until next time, Centennial Woods. See ya soon.