Nature Blog Archives - Page 4 of 4

E.H.Williams Nature Observations June 30th, 2020

The nicest flowering plant right now is the shrub snowberry, found in abundance at stake #12. One of the nicest spots along the trail is the glade at #14, while the deepest woods are between #20 and #23. A scarlet tanager is always singing near #23. In the past 2 days I’ve found 18 species of birds; most conspicuous by song are yellowthroat, catbird, song sparrow, veery, and redwing. Since the beginning of the growing season, I’ve recorded 88 species of plants in flower along the trail (I’m maintaining a record of their flowering phenology). The first berries (fruit) are appearing. Chipmunks are abundant along the trail, and occasionally a woodchuck, rabbit, or green frog appear, along with several species of butterflies.

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E.H.Williams Nature Observations June 15th, 2020

I walked all of phase 1 (north & south) this morning, and here’s a report of nature along the trail. You may find this interesting.

The most abundant flowers now are multiflora rose and Dame’s rocket, with dogbane, valerian, and cinquefoil among the nicest natives in flower. I’m maintaining a chart of flowering phenology of all plants along the trail, and thus far 61 plant species have flowered, with many more yet to come.

I saw and heard 24 species of birds. Among the easiest to see are song sparrows and yellow warblers. Other birds included scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, yellowthroat, chestnut-sided warbler, veery, phoebe, pewee, cardinal, oriole, blue-winged teal, cardinal, and redwings.

Six species of butterflies were along the trail: cabbage white, clouded sulphur, question mark, pearl crescent, little wood satyr, and hobomok skipper.

Want to test your knowledge? Hover your mouse over or click on an image to reveal it’s name!