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When I approached my phenology location I recorded some observational changes:

• Increased amount of buds on trees
• Grass seemed more lush and green
• All bushes had finally bloomed
• More people outside
• Increased amount of birds
• Warmer overall outside

Observed Relationships: At my chosen phenology place, it helps to blend together the concept of nature and city. It allows me to evaluate how the culture of humans and nature intertwine with each other whether it’s through similarities or differences. During the summer and spring, many humans and animals similarly like to be outside unlike in the colder seasons such as winter where there seemed to be both a decrease in observable species. I also see people sitting outside or doing yoga, taking advantage of the fresh air and their environment due to the amount of peace, beauty, and tranquility it brings. Much of the time they do not directly interact with each other and often don’t acknowledge each other’s existence. For example, many people don’t directly interact with the squirrels, birds, and bugs, but they coexist and acknowledge each other’s presence. Although they may not interact with each other on purpose, humans and their natural environment often affects animals and the environment, decreasing species diversity. This may be due to lack of food, increased light, increased noise, and lack of possible shelter. At my phenology place which is surrounded by developed area, there is a decrease in species variation as well as overall species diversity and population when compared to more natural areas.

Final Thoughts: After being apart of the Burlington community and visiting my phenology place quite often, I consider myself a part of my place. I consider myself a part of my phenology place because I have been able to be in that exact location year round just like the plants and animals that live there year round as well. I have developed a relation to the plot of land, and like the animals, I consider it another part of my home. I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty of the location and the value it brings to both my mind and heart whenever I am there. I also will continue to visit it year round as long as I am a part of the Burlington community. Overall, I am excited to continue to observe the landscape and how it changes over time in my forthcoming years in Burlington.

Over these four-day urban BioBlitz Challenge I explored the following areas:

• Down by Lake Champlain (Waterfront Park)
• University of Vermont Campus
• Main Street

My Experience: My overall experience using iNaturalist was fun. I had used it previously in the past but I had never used it to be apart of an overall challenge. I think it is a fun way to get people more interested and invested in their environment. It also made me more conscious about nature in the city landscape rather than just when i’m walking in natural areas. I still love how convenient the app is when trying to identify a specific species and it always sparks my curiosity seeing what other species people have found in my area. As I reviewed the reports from other incoming cities I found it funny how dandelions were one of the most common overall. It was not one of the first species that would come into my mind if someone were to ask me that question, yet they are everywhere! I think I have gotten so used to seeing them, I don’t even think much of them, but once I read the report it made me laugh! My overall experience with the app and challenge was delightful!

As I participated in the challenge I found many species including the following:

• Eastern Grey Squirrels
• Seagulls
• Ants
• Red Maples
• Eastern White Pine
• Green Ash
• Hackberry
• Rhododendrons
• Daffodils
• Dandelions
• Juniper

Comparison (Old vs New): My new phenology location takes place in Clinton New Jersey unlike my other phenology location which is located in Burlington Vermont. Both phenology places have people inhabitants nearby and a body of water. However the phenology location in New Jersey has a large river (Rariton River) while the phenology location in New Jersey has a massive lake (Lake Champlain). The location in Clinton also has warmer weather than the location in New Jersey. Due to these differences I have seen a difference in species of both flora and fauna in both places.

Some Bird Activity:

• Blue Jay
• Canadian Geese
• Immature Male Mallard

Some Woody Plants:

• Eastern Hemlock
• Red Oak
• Linden

Photographs:

Map:

New Place: Centennial Woods

What Did I Encounter?

I went for a walk today through Centennial Woods. It was a bit overcast and windy. On my walk through Centennial Woods I first found a few animal droppings. They looked pretty fresh and about 3 inches long and oval shaped. I would guess they are from some sort of dog type of dropping. Next I found some animal prints that also looked like they were from some type of dog or coyote. I believe it was more of a domesticated dog than a coyote though because the nail markings appeared longer. If it was a wild coyote or dog, the nail imprints would show up more more like dots because they would be sharper than a domesticated dog/coyote, less thick and blunt. The paw size was around 2 1/4″. Finally, I heard and saw 3 American Crows fly through the air above my head. It felt really refreshing getting out and observing a new location. 🙂

Experience with iNaturalist App

Overall I liked the iNaturalist app. I found the explore page of the app where you could view other people’s findings who have the app very interesting and fun! I thought it was very easy to use as well and it was super user friendly. I liked how it would give you a couple of suggestions about what type of species it could be as well. Another feature I found very cool was the record sound option, so you could not only take photographs but also figure out a species just based off of sound!

Images:

Phenological Changes:

• Grass is Brown
• Snow on Ground
• Leaves from trees have officially fallen
• Increased Winds
• Colder Temperature
• Overall much less lively
• Much more barren

Animal Tracking Photographs

December Observations: The site is much more different. It is much colder, although the lake has not frozen over, the water temperature is much colder. The majority of the trees (especially the green ash) have officially lost their leaves and snow has hit the ground. When I visited I didn’t see any animals or insects, and there were a lot less people walking on the boardwalk. Overall it seemed much more lifeless as well as quiet. The bushes were still intact and there were closed buds.

15 Minute Experience: As I sat at my Phenology Site for 15 minutes there was a sense of peace in a way but also happiness. The day that I sat down it was sunny and there was a lot of movement going on. All though it was getting colder, I would still see people walk around, laugh, smile, talk, and overall be active. I enjoyed listening to the waves break against the shore and there was also a nice slight breeze. It did get cold after a little while though but afterwards I did feel much more peaceful

Changes In Appearance: There were more leaves that had changed color to orange and yellow, the air was a little colder but not my that much, bushes stayed the same/looked the same as before. Saw more leaves on the ground than previously.

Route Description: Walked by foot down Main Street> Lake Street> Phenology Site.

Location Link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1LwX65iNVgr5fm0wYQI6flNs0eP7KDdjx&usp=sharing

How To Get To Location: To get to my chosen location starting from the Aiken center, you will walk down Main Street towards the waterfront until you find yourself across from Union Station where Main Street Intersects with Battery Street. Cross Battery Street onto Lake Street and follow until you see the Creemees Ice Cream by the waterfront. To the right you should see a paved walking/bike path lined with trees on either side. Continue on the walking/bike path for approximately 700 ft. To your left should be a green patch of grass with a statue at the end of it: That area is my phenology site.

Why I Chose the Location: I chose that specific location as my phenology site because I think it had a good mixture of scenery. From my spot you can see the lake and the mountains as well as the trees along the pathways. I think the mixture of scenery was important to me when choosing my phenology site because then I can see how different landscapes change in contrast to one another.

Vegetation Description: As for immediate vegetation, there are a few bushes on the side closer to the lake and then trees on the right side (along the path way). The trees were beginning to change color slightly in some of the leaves but the bushes stayed a purply-green color.

List of Common Woody Plants: Green Ash, Basswood, Barberry

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