Month: February 2022

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making it work! 🦠🤒

My phenological explorations were a little bit complicated this week. I tested positive for Covid and am stuck in Jeanne Mance at the moment, so my findings were, unfortunately, pretty limited. :( I tried to get outside safely, but staying away from people, being unable to use any sort of transportation, and not having proper clothes with me has made things tricky. I also don’t have my tracking book, which made things kind of tough as well. But what can you do, here’s what I got. 

The first place I explored was the Intervale (during the school day so I wouldn't run into anyone). I didn't see any sighting of our focal mammal or bird species themselves, but I did find a good amount of clear tracks. It was extremely icy on the path along the Winooski, but it made for some really great conditions for track observing! To be honest, my iNaturalist experience wasn't great. My iNaturalist app was having a really tough time identifying most of the tracks, for some reason, but using the Guide to Animal Tracks in Vermont I was able to make some educated guesses. So it's all good 👍🏼
white-tail deer tracks! these tracks fit the description of being about 2.5-3″ long and followed the diagonal walker pattern. it looks like after the first two tracks the deer may have stopped with all four feet on the ground, and then the tracks got difficult to discern.
a larger white-tail deer track! i thought it might be a moose initially, but it seems to be closer in size and shape to a white-tail deer
interesting thaw circle patterns! iNaturalist identified it as an unknown member of the pine family.
i think that this track belongs to a coyote. it’s definitely canine, and there appears to be sharper nail marks that don’t splay out in different directions (whereas a dog’s track would have very blundt nails and their feet lack the strength to hold their toes in one direction)
some really huge scat I observed! (don’t worry, i didn’t actually put my hand on the ground that close to it.) it wasn’t pellet-like, meaning it probably didn’t belong to a moose or deer, and it’s size didn’t fit those species either. i think this scat may have belonged to a black bear,
so. many. tracks.

The other location I was able to observe was down by the waterfront around sunset two nights in a row. By taking the backroads down, I was able to avoid most of the pedestrian traffic. While walking down, I noticed a  lot of potential dens spots. My one species sighting, although not on of our focuses, was of a Cottontail Rabbit. But, it was so cute that I couldn't help but include it. Another phenological change I observed was the frozenness of the lack around its edges, in true February fashion. There were some really cool slushy waves coming through because of the wind.
the hole in the log behind the thin, insulating blanket of snow would be a perfect nesting area for small mammals
this hole in the ground could be the perfect den for a fisher
Lake Champlain: February edition from the second night I ventured down. the edges were much more frozen solid than they were the night before.
Cottontail Rabbit!
so beautiful it’s worth the cold

I’m looking forward to the next Phenology assignment when I can really dive in with no restrictions, but I’m grateful I had the opportunity to get outside regardless. :)