May 15, 2019

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 60°F, mostly cloudy and breezy at 2:00 PM on May 15, 2019.
• Today seemed like the only rainless day in a week.
• This week's trail report covers the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.

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The Trails

• The Old Hayfield at Gifford House was really looking like spring now.
• Along the paths, buttercups were coming up.
• The first dandelions had finished blooming and their seeds were ready to blow away.
• Several rose-breasted grosbeaks were arguing in the back of the field.
• Below them, invasive Tartarian honeysuckle was starting to bloom.
• And in the grass, a colony of Bird's-eye speedwell was in operation.
• Out in the Sedge Meadow, cinnamon fern was uncoiling.
• Along the edge of the back Old Hayfield, invasive Russian olive was getting ready to bloom.
• Near by, the obscure flowers of burning bush were opening.
• With all the recent rains, the Wappinger Creek was full and roaring.
• Near the little confluence, false hellebore was getting big.
• Even from a distance, the fungus on the sycamore was obvious.
• That was quite the colony they had going.
• Even the noise and turbulence of the creek was not enough to mask my approach. The two common mergansers were out of sight in a moment.
• The mystery plant was in it's usual place.
• When the flower buds open, I will try again to figure them out.
• Narrow-leaved bitter cress I know too well as a recent invasive in our area.
• Small-flowered crowfoot has a small flower, indeed. It's in the buttercup family.
• Golden ragwort will be putting on a better show shortly.
• At the "Appendix", a veery popped into view, then out again.
• The carpets of Canada mayflower were beginning to bloom.
• Mixed in was the occasional starflower.
• Here and there, spotted wintergreen still had last season's fruit.
• And once in a while, last year's fruit of partridgeberry could be spotted hugging the ground.
• Next week: the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.