Steph's Nature Blog

Today has been a day. This morning, I went to the quarry to see if I could find the first few catbirds of the season coming up from the tropics. Merlin told me they were my bird of the day, so I felt it was only fate. Luckily, the birding gods were on my side, and I saw about 5 flitting about the brambles. Their bubbly chatter bounced around the woods, and I felt like I was back home on my back porch again.

I await their arrival every year. I don’t know why, but they’ve always made me excited. Catbird arrival, mayapples pushing through the ground, and that sweet spring smell in the air has always triggered something deeply nostalgic in me. Typically, I can’t wait for this time of year, but this time it’s a bit more complicated. Spring means change, and wrapping up my first year of college makes this seasonal shift more bittersweet than usual. What more, I’ve watched Centennial in most of its forms; from the crisp autumn to the bitter, cold months of winter, life always persisted in some way. Now, deep in the throes of spring, I see it bounce to life once again.

I guess, in that way, I’ve become attached to this place. I’ve witnessed it in many phases, and the fact that I kept coming back must mean I’m attached, right? Well, I’ve certainly explored more local places over the semester that inspired me more, but there’s a homely charm to the slippery boardwalk in Centennial that can’t be replaced. I will definitely miss this place.

Of course, there is also the ecological community that thrives here. I have not had many wildlife encounters at my spot, but I know that there are still so many processes I can’t see. Maybe it was to my benefit that I chose a quieter spot. It’s made me really stop to look closely at what’s going on. I’ve been reminded that not everything beautiful is vast, and sometimes I just need to slow down to see the big picture.

Thank you for this opportunity to document the changes in the seasons, as well as in myself. I’ve realized how intertwined phenology is with our lives. We move with the seasons, and I know I must move on now to the warm embrace of summer and the experiences that await me now. However, just like the seasons, there are always remnants of the past scattered everywhere, and those sweet moments will never be forgotten.

A few trees we recorded data on^^^

Our group went out to collect data on March 30th. The snow that had just melted a few days prior was replaced with a fresh coat overnight, which was a bit of a let down since I’m sick and tired of this winter thing. We did, however, still manage to collect our phenology data— albeit sparse.

There weren’t many buds breaking that we observed. Many of the trees still showed signs of dormancy. I guess it was good that they didn’t fully break yet considering the mixed signals Vermont weather gives this time of year. There were no flowers, and any leaves were remnants from the previous fall. I know back home the trees were beginning to show more signs of life, which made the activity a bit somber (I miss my warm PA spring weather man). Most trees were in the same phenophase, with some exceptions being the maples, which exhibited more signs of impending life. The oaks looked relatively dormant still. There was, however, life still kicking on the bark of many trees in the form of lichen.

While browsing the NPN’s website, I came across an article that asked whether understory or overstory plants were leafing out faster. Data from previous observations rendered the answer inconclusive, however, data from the study . The study examined plants along the Appalachian trail, and determined thar understory plants were leafing out earlier than canopy species. Overall, all plants showed earlier phenology. This data may have further implications for forest conservation in the midst of a changing climate.

City Nature Challenge!

This was a very cool event. I loved the opportunity to go out and observe nature as part of a wider challenge. While the competitive spirit was in the air between lab groups, it became a good chance to spend time outdoors together with friends and rack in observations.

I’ve used iNaturalist before, but not like I have within the past 4 days. I usually don’t like to use my phone while out in nature, however, it’s fun to be able to make observations in the field and get real time feedback from the ai, then later have actual people identifying with you.

I made a good chunk of my observations at Oakledge Park. My friends and I went down there to spend the Saturday, and I took it as an opportunity to rack in some observations. While I wasn’t super hopeful that I would see any remarkable species, like the harlequin ducks reported in the area, I was pleasantly surprised

Observing some species, particularly birds, I also began noticing how certain species use different levels of the forest. In the Redstone pines, I saw many kinglets and yellow-rumped warblers in the canopy, but some chose to come down to the understory. Whereas the pine warbler and American redstart preferred to stay higher up. The redstart was more inclined to spend time in the oak, while the pine warbler- apt to its name- preferred the white pines. As of now, I’ve made 76 observations and identified 56 different species, which is humble in comparison to my friends (who are lowkey insane- they’re out hunting for more species as I write this at 8:58pm).

I’m thankful to the City Nature Challenge for getting me out of my rut indoors and forcing me outside. I’ve also used my camera more times this weekend than any other time of the semester. To commemorate that, I’ve included a bunch of shots taken during the course of the BioBlitz. I hope you enjoy!

For this phenology assignment, I decided to make the bulk of my observations at the Burlington waterfront area. Where there’s water, there’s typically wildlife, so I decided to follow that idea and record my sightings by Lake Champlain. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you view it), the lake was frozen, and I’m not sure if the same principle applies in that case. It was really fun to see all of the people walking on the lake, however, the wildlife sightings were quite sparse. What was interesting, though, is that I feel like I viewed more wildlife in the more densely populated area of Burlington as opposed to my phenology spot in Centennial. Maybe it’s because the wildlife in the city are more accustomed to human activity? Who knows.

We started off by the ECHO center, where the amount of robins would make you think it’s spring. It has been warming up recently, though not by much. Robins (Turdus migratorius) are year-round residents, however, I seem to notice them more as the days warm.

It’s always easiest to spot bird activity throughout each season, which is half the reason I love birding so much. When other animal observations are unreliable, birds are always around. Which brings me to my next few observations: gulls, cardinals, and sparrows (oh my).

While it still feels like we are in the trenches of winter, signs of spring are popping up. The day length, animal activity, budding, and other phenological signs within the landscape tell us that maybe Punxsutawny Phil was wrong yet again. Anyways, I’ve been enjoying witnessing these shifts as they occur, and can’t wait to update the blog with some green pictures soon.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/262876635

Hello again! Nice to be back at my spot after winter break, and to fully examine with fresh eyes the changes that occurred over that period of time.

It’s 2pm and yet the light seems so low. Winters here are cold and dark, and while many of Vermont’s species are hardy and toughened for the conditions, I’d much prefer the warmth of the dorm room with some hot cocoa. Nonetheless, it’s undoubtedly beautiful out here. The freeze is everywhere, including Centennial Brook, which serves as the natural border between my phenology spot and the rest of the woods. I don’t think I had ever seen a brook quite frozen over like that, which was a marvel to say the least.

Despite the freeze, the snow isn’t as abundant on the ground as it was even a week ago. There have been occasional rises in temp over the past few days, and it’s been the only time I’ve looked at 30 degrees Fahrenheit and thought to myself “thank god it’s a warm day.”

All the ferns which I’ve been observing over the span of these months have finally called it quits. They’re still green, however, but dry as crisps.

I had hoped to encounter more signs of wildlife on my trip, but I didn’t find too much. I saw a lot of dog and human tracks, which wasn’t exactly what I was searching for. I did, however, find a set of tracks which I feel confident enough to ID as Eastern Cottontail Rabbit. I didn’t have my guide with me while there, but checking it when I got back to the dorm proved to be a match in size.

I know a cottontail isn’t anything remarkable to most, but I am always indulged to see those fluffy rabbits, and knowing they’re out and about still is exciting nonetheless!

As for other wildlife, the winter avifauna was as I noted before on my last Centennial trip. There were plenty of Hairy Woodpeckers calling from between trees, and nuthatches giving their nasally nyuk calls on occasion. For these little birds, the work never stops, especially during brutally cold months as these. Nuthatches are accessing their caches they stored before the wintertime and staying in mixed flocks of chickadees and titmice.

In conclusion, it seems the landscape has truly become dormant this time. Many of the landscapes residents have slowed down or stopped altogether, but regardless, the severity of winter commands the resiliency of every living being, from the bundled-up college student to the hibernating tree frog, frozen until the thaw of spring.

12/7, 1:15pm, Cloudy- Snowing, 27°F

This is the first substantial snow of the season!! I can’t believe how early it happened. I’m used to major snow events in January or February, but seldom in December. Everything seems quiet in the snow, and today was no exception. There was little in terms of wildlife activity, but maybe there was more going on beneath the snow’s surface that I wasn’t keen on. While walking to my spot, I observed many different flocks of geese, mostly Canada though I could’ve sworn that there was a flock of snow geese above as well.

While the world seems to slow after a snowfall, there are almost always woodpeckers hard at work on a dead tree.

Some Norway Maples and American Beeches are still holding steadfast to their leaves. I could hear them rattling with every gust of wind. While walking to my spot, I accidentally fell into a gap between the boards, and, suffice it to say, the wetland is still there.

I’m impressed with the ferns’ abilities to survive. I guess I never took notice of how long they persist into the season, but this fern in particular has been holding on for a long while. Even as it gets pounded by brutal Vermont temps and precipitation, it remains a staple in the forest landscape.

I accidentally brushed off the fresh coating of snow when I got to the rock I usually perch on, and I noticed that the mosses and lichens that call it home were also still alive and well. Perhaps it was because the snow was so fresh, but I do know from prior research that mosses never stop growing- they’re actually considered evergreen plants! As long as there is moisture, they’ll continue to grow and disperse.

I was eager to set out after I saw how much snow had fallen to potentially indulge in some winter wildlife tracking, however, I was disappointed to find that there were no tracks visible besides the ones left by dogs and their owners. I hope next time I’m able to get back out to Centennial there is a coating of snow and ample time for critters to leave prints.

Until next time! I can’t believe the semester has already ended and I had the privilege of seeing this beautiful landscape ebb and flow with the seasons as I have into my first season of college.

11/24, 2:10p.m., Cloudy, 50°F

I’ve touched on briefly the similarities that my home state, Pennsylvania, shares with Vermont in a previous post. While I’ve observed many similarities, I’ve also picked up on some major differences, namely the forest composition. Vermont is situated near the cusp of the coniferous and eastern deciduous forest border in North America. More of the species found in Vermont are hardy and tolerant to the colder climate, such as the coniferous trees of which there are many different species (Norway Spruce, Eastern White Pine, Cedar, Hemlock, etc). Below, I have included a map of North America which illustrates this difference.

For how long I’ve been visiting this spot, I’m ashamed to say I have never done such a deep dive on it as I have these past few days; particularly, of the tree species present in the area.

I would say that the area is comparable to my spot in Centennial Woods, as there is still a significant amount of foot traffic. Both are relatively rural. However, there is more development right outside of Centennial.

I sat in my spot for a while and sketched what I saw. There were larger stones in this section of the creek than in Centennial. The vegetation directly by the stream was sparse, and evidence of erosion was apparent. The small field adjacent to the spot at Trout Run lacked species typical of a wetland habitat.

Some species I was able to identify include:

• White Oak (Quercus alba)
• Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
• Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana)
• Big Tooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata)
• Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
• Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
• Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
• Black Willow (Salix nigra)
• American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Some of the beeches had still had leaves, which I had observed in the Burlington area as well. Much like Centennial, this forest does not feel like old growth. Many of the tree species there thrive in disturbed areas, and the fact that the area has been so developed and that the reservoir is a man-made alteration on the land indicates this is a younger stand. Nonetheless, I loved this opportunity to learn more about a spot that’s given me so many memories.