1/22 Visit to Phenology Spot

Animal activity:

  • Animal tracks were found, but it was mostly near the start of the trail and almost exclusively Cottontail Rabbits
  • Some tracks were found at the spot, but they were old and mostly covered. It is likely that these tracks are also Cottontail Rabbits given their abundance of tracks everywhere else.
  • No other obvious signs of wildlife was found, though there was a sighting of scat near the trail, as shown in picture 4
Rabbit tracks near the start of the trail, indicating recent activity due to a fresh snow fall
Large, spherical scat near the trail, likely originating from a hiker’s dog

Phenological changes:

  • The obvious major change is the thick layer of snow that covers the entire area
  • Additionally, because the valley is frozen and snowed over, animals can cross the valley quite easily. Not that any animals actually are given the lack of tracks, but it is possible
  • Many trees and smaller woody plants are weighted down by the snow, possibly creating easier access shelters for smaller active animals