Field Notes

Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Rainfall Total: 2.68 inches
Highest Temperature: 62.3^oF
Lowest Temperature: 38.3^oF
Highest Wind Speed: 5.1 mph

2/2/24

• Red Maple (A. rubrum) observed in flower near NC Ephemeral Pond.
• NC Ephemeral Pond holding water, holding water since Jan. 9
• Barn Owl sighted near Cemetery Road.
• Initial growth of Catchweed (G. aparine) observed in Fireworks forest.

2/6/24

• Snag tree at NC Ephemeral Pond has fresh Woodpecker holes.
• Steele Prairies mowed to promote new season growth – initial growth of Small’s Ragwort (P. anonyma), Black Eyed Susan (R. hirta), Goldenrods (Solidago sp.), Starry Rosinweed (S. asteriscus), Big Bluestem Grass (A. gerardii), and Dogfennel (E. capillifolium) all observed in Steele Prairies. Portions of Steele Prairie left unmowed.

2/9/24

• Initial growth of Bittercress species, Violet species, Red Deadnettle, and Henbit Deadnettle sighted along Thompson Creek stream banks.
• Ivy Leaf Speedwell (V. hederifolia) in flower along Creekside.
• First flower of Virginia Spring Beauty (C. virginica) sighted at Kayak Put-In.
• The first flower of Carolina Jessamine (G. sempervirens) in flower at Lower Guest House.
• The first Northern Cricket Frog observed on Thompson Creek Bank.

2/12/24

• Initial development of Pinecones sighted on Loblolly Pine (P. taeda) along Cemetery Road.
• Fox Skull found in Halfmoon.
• Redbanks Prairie mowed to promote new season growth – Loblolly Pine saplings (P. taeda) and Brazilian Vervain (V. brasiliensis) removed. Portion left unmowed.
• Fireworks Prairie mowed to promote new season growth – Sweet Gum saplings ( L. styraciflua) removed. Portion left unmowed.
• Fireworks East Prairie mowed to support new season growth – Sweet Gum saplings (L. tyraciflua) and Loblolly Pine saplings (P. taeda) removed. Portion left unmowed.

2/16/24

• The first Red Wing Blackbird heard and sighted in Fireworks, Male and Female observed.
• The first Carolina Chickadee observed in woods along Cemetery Road.
• The first Tufted Titmouse observed in woods along Cemetery Road.
• The first Trout Lily (E. americanum) observed in flower on Love Shack Trail.

2/19/24

• First Tiny Bluet (H. pusilla) observed in flower near Turtle Pond.
• Eastern Cottontail Rabbit observed near Turtle Pond.
• First flower of Common Blue Violet (V. sororia) observed along edge of Knight Log Deck.

2/23/24

• The first flower of Birdeye Speedwell (V. persica) observed in flower along edge of Horse Paddocks.
• Virginia Spring (C. virginica) Beauty observed in flower at Kayak Pull-Out.
• Initial growth of Yellow Buckeye (A. flava) observed along Muddy Branch, Leaves present showing breaking leaf buds and increasing leaf size.

2/26/24

• Common Blue Violet (V. sororia) in flower near Otter Pond.
• Two Canadian Geese sighted at Otter Pond.
• The first frog eggs of the year observed in Otter Pond.
• The first Spring Azure Butterflies of the year observed at Otter Pond.
• Four Turtles observed basking on logs at Otter Pond.

2/28/24

• Bradford Pear (P. calleryana) Tree on neighboring property in full bloom.

Aerial views of 3 prairies showing February growth progression

Author: Brianna Bergamini