I’m so excited to get to make this post. My phenology site here in Burlington is in Centennial Woods, and I’ve felt from my first day there way back during our self-guided walk of the forest that it reminded me of one of my favorite places back home: the Middlesex Fells Reservation. It’s a fair bit bigger than Centennial –over 2,200 acres across 5 different towns– but it’s a New England forest through and through just like our Centennial. I hadn’t been since before I left for college, but I’ve spent so much time here throughout my life, and I was finally able to go back during break. I was lucky enough to have my girlfriend with me who isn’t used to the area, and it really emphasized how special the place is to me when I felt like taking her there was introducing her to a family member.
I like the whole area, but my favorite spots have always been Wright’s Tower and Bellevue Pond. They’re both right by the South Entrance which is in my hometown of Medford, MA. The site of the tower gives what I think is the best view in the area with a beautiful scene of the Boston skyline, the suburbia that surrounds it, and the hills and greenery around and past the city. I’ve spent hours sitting by the rocks up there just taking it all in and enjoying being there; it’s easily one of my favorite spots there is. The pond is another awesome spot. In recent years it’s been dried up, but there was water last week! Not to mention the countless weekend my family spent by the water catching frogs, tadpoles, crayfish, snakes, and getting leeches stuck to our boots. I wonder if the shoe I lost as a kid is still stuck in that mud.
Now to some phenology of the Fells in the early spring; I get distracted pretty easily talking about what I love. The Fells is a pretty big place, so I won’t get to everything, but it’s a healthy forest. There’s an abundance of Pines of a few species, but notable Eastern White Pines which we’re pretty darn familiar with in Centennial. Another conifer found all over Vermont, Eastern Hemlocks (a favorite tree of mine) can be found throughout the woods of the Fells. An invasive we know well in Burlington, a few buckthorn varieties have made a home there as well. We have Boxelder, Norway, Red, and Sugar maples as well as White, Red, Black, and a few other species of Oak Trees. There’s five species of Birch trees and American Beech is well established there. Not to mention, there’s plenty of Poison Ivy. All in all, the Fells are a LOT like Centennial and most of the forests in Vermont in plant phenology; the conifers are thriving, the deciduous trees are bare but healthy, and most grasses are unidentifiably dried up, but spring rains will liven up Centennial and the Fells alike soon!
Now to something a little more exciting to me: animals! The wildlife in the Fells is also remarkably similar to that of Centennial/Vermont with lots overlapping species including red and grey squirrels, red and grey foxes, Eastern Coyotes, chipmunks, skunk, opossum, white-tailed deer, mice, rabbit, raccoon, and more. It’s such an amazing ecosystem in the Fells with a few ponds, reservoirs, and a lake to accompany the diverse forest there.
I know I already said it, but I’m so happy I got to share this with NR 002. I hope y’all enjoy the pictures and vibes of the Fells even a fraction of the way I have for so many years.
Peace & Love, y’all 🤙🏽