Field Notes

Monthly Weather Review
Rainfall Total – 3.8 in
Highest Temperature - 90°F
Lowest Temperature - 57°F
Average Wind Speed – 5.8 mph

• Tuesday September 2^nd
  • During water quality testing, staff spotted a observed a Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) snake swimming downstream in Thompson Creek.

While checking beetle traps at Turtle Pond:

• Two Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon) were seen flying back and forth across the pond, calling loudly as they went.
• Their activity startled a Great Egret (Ardea alba), which flew across the water and landed in a tall Pine Tree.
• Along one trail, staff observed a cluster of tanned mushrooms, likely Ringed Honey Mushrooms (Desarmillaria caespitosa), thriving in the damp soil.

Friday September 5^th

• While out with interns at Turtle Pond, staff observed a Northern Beaver (Castor canadensis) gliding through the water. Its sleek dive and rippling wake made for an exciting and rare afternoon sighting.

Wednesday September 10^th

• CWF Staff teamed up with Dr. Eric LoPresti to set up five moth traps and collect pollen samples from flowering plants.

Friday September 12^th

• Interns learned the ropes of water quality sampling:
  • Practiced calibrating equipment.
  • Collected and recorded data properly.

Tuesday September 16^th

• Water levels were so low that samples couldn’t be collected from the bridge, so staff climbed down under the bridge to reach the creek directly.

• Another snake was spotted swimming downstream at the same site as earlier in the month. However, this time it was a Banded Water snake (Nerodia fasciata).

• While driving the game camera route, staff noticed early signs of Fall. Yellow Crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis) and Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) added splashes of gold and orange across the landscape.

Thursday September 18^th

• While checking beetle traps, staff encountered a Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona domiciliorum) resting on an Oak leaf. The spider appeared to have taken refuge after her web was accidentally disturbed.

Friday September 19^th

• Interns spent the afternoon exploring Muddy Branch, observing:
  • American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus).
  • Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum).

• A deceased Luna Moth (Actias luna) – still stunning even in stillness.
• A small group of Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) was also spotted along a roadside, calling loudly as they foraged together.

Tuesday September 23^rd

• Along Thompson Creek, several Maple trees began showing their first shades of red and gold – some of the earliest signs of Fall.
• In the morning sunlight, a Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus) was seen carefully building her web, each silk strand glimmering like threadwork.

Friday September 26^th

• Interns suited up with waders and bathyscopes to survey Freshwater Mussels in the creek.
• (Picture 11)
• One intern discovered a Ring-neck Snake (Diadophis punctatus)—and even posed for the brave photo above!

• While searching, they came across a strange jelly-like sac. After research, they identified it as a frog egg sac with female’s ovaries still attached—an odd but fascinating find that sparked lots of discussion.