April 18, 2018

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 52°F, cloudy and breezy at 2:00 PM on April 18, 2018.
• This is the first trail report of the season. It was a snowy winter; storm damage was considerable and spring has been slow to arrive.
• This week's trail report covers the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.
• Inspite of the cold and rain (and snow), the Fern Glen has progressed over just a few days.
• And on sunny days in recent weeks, a few mourning cloaks and eastern commas have been out.

The Trails

• It didn't look - or feel - much like spring at the Gifford House's Old Hayfield trail head.
• With major winter damage taken care of, minor road repairs were in progress on the road to the Carriage House.
• There, magnolia blossoms were testing the air. Careful... a freeze will do them in.
• At the start of the Scots Pine Allée, Japanese cornelian cherry was looking peak.
• It's actually a dogwood.
• But the fruit does resemble a cherry.
• The view down the Scots Pine Allée was calm and peaceful. Not so a couple weeks ago with scattered branches and leaning trunks crossing the path.
• The trail through the Old Gravel Pit had gotten off light with little damage.
• A small, dark green shrub caught my eye.
• This sure looked like a holly. I presume it escaped from cultivation - I know of no native like this. To the books...
• The patch of club moss had overwintered well.
• Finally, the Fern Glen came into view.
• But first, a look at the American hazel nut across the street was in order.
• The male catkins were out, but the tiny, red female flowers were not to be seen.
• Over in the beds by the pond, Dutchman's breeches was budding up.
• Sharp-lobed hepatica was up and waiting for a little sun to open.
• They range from white through pink to blue. I like the hairy stems on all of them.
• Early meadow rue was errupting.
• The stump at the left was all that remained of the tree that came down on bridge at the back of the pond.
• Swamp marigold survived the tree falling and the bridge repairs. Invasive Japanese primrose in the back will not survive when I get back.
• Right at the edge of the bridge, coltsfoot was blooming.
• And skunk cabbage was everywhere.
• Behind the kiosk, false hellebore was pushing up leaves.
• Farther down the path, ramps were coming up.
• The deck, unfortunately, was coming down. The root ball of a fallen tree had nudged the corner off the block.
• Speckled alder was sporting male catkins, little red female flowers, and last years cones.
• Back at the pond, trillium leaves were unfolding.
• The water was clear and worth studying.
• Amphibian egg masses dotted the bottom of the pond.
• Water striders were skimming the surface, but no newts were to be seen in between.
• The Cary Pines Trail had quite a bit of winter damage.
• previous winter's damage was still evident.
• In places, it was interesting to observe the layers of damage from over the years. This trail gets pounded
• Next week: the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.