Diario de sophiejhart

Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012

Location: Heron Rookery, University of Washington Campus, Seattle, Washington, 98105, United States of America (lat: 47.652752, long: -122.307470)

Time: 2:50 pm – 3:15 pm

Weather Conditions: approx. 47°F, significant rainfall, 100% cloud cover

Summary of Observations: Small grove of trees, primarily Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum). Abundant English Ivy (Hedera helix) groundcover. Some Dull Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervosa), English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) on lower level of forest stand as well (though less abundant). Also observed over twelve heron nests, and a pair mating. I am interested in learning more about the mating habits of herons, and in monitoring the nests throughout the Spring.

Species List:

1. Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)
2. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
3. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
4. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
5. Hedera helix (English Ivy)
6. Mahonia nervosa (Dull Oregon Grape)
7. Ilex aquifolium (English Holly)
8. Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel)

Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Location: Pack Forest, Eatonville, Washington, United States of America (lat: 46.841642, lon: -122.30135)

Time: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Weather Conditions: significant cloud cover, very muddy trail, little to light rainfall

Summary of Observations: Went on two separate, brief hikes at Pack Forest. Began both hikes in a large clearing, where we observed many Pacific Wrens. Clearing bordered in many locations by Scotch Broom. Hiked through a forest of primarily Douglas Firs, with some Western White Pines, Red Alders, and Western Hemlocks. Also saw a few Bigleaf Maples and Black Cottonwoods. Many of the trees and fallen logs were covered in mosses and lichen. Specifically saw abundant Old Man’s Beard, Common Orange Lichen, Evernia prunastri, and Parmelia sulcata. Understory primarily composed of abundant Sword Ferns and Salal, but also Oregon Grape, Red Flowering Currant, Indian Plum, and Salmonberry. Also saw some English Ivy and Deer Ferns. Heard Chestnut-backed Chichadees while hiking.

Species List:

1. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
2. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
3. Pinus monticola (Western White Pine)
4. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
5. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
6. Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood)
7. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
8. Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
9. Xanthoria parietina (Common Orange Lichen)
10. Usnea (Old Man’s Beard)
11. Evernia prunastri
12. Parmelia sulcata
13. Troglodytes pacificus (Pacific Wren)
14. Poecile rufescens (Chestnut-backed Chickadees)
15. Ribes sanguineum (Red Flowering Currant)
16. Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
17. Mahonia nervosa (Dull Oregon Grape)
18. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
19. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
20. Hedera helix (English Ivy)
21. Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)

Location: Trail of the Shadows, Longmire, Washington, 98361, United States of America (Lat: 46.750609, Long: -121.813263)

Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Time: late afternoon/early evening

Weather Conditions: approx. 30°F, partially cloudy, snow on ground partially melted

Summary of Observations: Walked the Trail of Shadows loop at Mt. Rainier National Forest. Trail winds through the Longmire hot springs and surrounding forest. Noticed significant iron content in streams; turned them all a reddish-brown. Forest comprised of Mountain Hemlocks, Western Hemlocks, Pacific Yews, Pacific Silver Firs, Alaska Cedars and Yellow Cedars. Understory was covered with snow in many areas, but I observed Oregon Grape, Devil’s Club, Kinnikinnick and Deer Fern. Also saw Western Skunk Cabbage near hot springs.

Species List:

1. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
2. Tsuga mertensiana (Mountain Hemlock)
3. Taxus brevifolia (Western/Pacific Yew)
4. Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (Yellow/Alaska Cedar)
5. Abies amabilis (Pacific Silver Fir)
6. Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
7. Mahonia nervosa (Dull Oregon Grape)
8. Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape)
9. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)
10. Oplopanax horridus (Devil’s Club)
11. Lysichiton americanus (Western Skunk Cabbage)

Location: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia, Washington, 98516, United States of America (Lat: 47.071729, Long: -122.717242)

Date: Sunday, April 1

Time: early afternoon

Weather Conditions: temperatures in low-mid 40s (°F), significant cloud cover

Summary of Observations: Trail winded through grasslands, woodlands (specifically, a deciduous riparian forest), and freshwater marshes. Ended with a boardwalk lookout over a tidal estuary. During the first part of the walk (more in the woodlands, nearer to the visitor’s center), observed understory of abundant Sword Ferns, Salal, Indian Plum, Red Flowering Currant, and Salmonberry. Also saw some Snowberry, Kinnikinnick, and Pacific Ninebark. Woodlands comprised of primarily Alders, Cottonwoods, and Big Leaf Maples. Here, saw and heard Song Sparrows, observed a Great Horned Owl in what I think was a Red Alder, and observed a Rufous Hummingbird feeding on Salmonberry. As we moved into the grasslands, observed American Robins and House Finches scavenging. In the marshes, saw many Canada Geese. Also observed what I think was a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk in the trees above the marshes (I forgot to record which tree it was in). Many cattails in the water. Walking out to the boardwalk, came across a dead salamander. I think it may have been a Long-toed Salamander, but I am uncertain because it seemed to have faded in color. Looking out over the tidal estuary, we observed Great Blue Herons in the water, along with Mallards and more Canada Geese. Also saw a juvenile Bald Eagle fly past.

Questions: Noticed what looked like restoration work in a few locations along the path- wondering what they were planting/protecting?

Species List

1. Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood)
2. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
3. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
4. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
5. Ribes sanguineum (Red Flowering Currant)
6. Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
7. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
8. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
9. Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry)
10. Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)
11. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)
12. Ardea Herodias (Great Blue Heron)
13. Branta canadensis (Canada Goose)
    
14. Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard )
15. Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk)
16. Bubo virginianus (Great Horned Owl )
17. Selasphoras rufus (Rufous Hummingbird)
18. Turdus migratorius (American Robin)
19. Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow)
20. Carpodacus mexicanus (House Finch)
21. Ambystoma macrodactylum (Long-toed Salamander) (??)

Location: Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Bellevue, Washington, USA

Date: April 19, 2012

Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Weather Conditions: significant rainfall, 100% cloud cover, muddy trail, flowing creeks and streams, mid-high 40s (°F)

Summary of Observations: Hiked through temperate rainforest of primarily Douglas Firs, Red Alders, Black Cottonwoods, Western Red Cedars and Western Hemlocks. Fewer Big Leaf Maples and very few (~2) Sitka Spruces. Many of the alders and maples had long moss hanging over their branches. Understory comprised of very abundant, flowering Salmonberry. Spotted multiple butterflies pollinating the Salmonberry. Also abundant in the understory was Oregon Grape (both tall and creeping) and Sword Fern. Less abundant, though still prevalent, was Huckleberry (mostly in fallen nurse logs), Red Flowering Currant, Indian Plum, Deer Fern and Salal. Spotted minimal invasive Blackberry and European Holly (though we did see one very large holly tree). Saw one patch of Devil’s Club, also saw a few Horsetails. Groundcover primarily flowering Pacific Bleeding Heart, Pink Purslane, and Maianthemum dilatatum. Also saw some invasive, weedy grasses as groundcover. Near the streams and riverbeds, saw large, flowering Skunk Cabbage. Also saw a lot of flowering Trillium, and some Sweet Coltsfoot near one of the trailheads off the old mining road (near the clay pit). Spotted some Stinging Nettle along the trail.

Species List:

1. Populus balsamifera (Black Cottonwood)
2. Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple)
3. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
4. Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)
5. Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce)
6. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
7. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
8. Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
9. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
10. Mahonia nervosa (Dull/Creeping Oregon Grape)
11. Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape)
12. Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
13. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
14. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
15. Vaccinium parvifolium (Red Huckleberry)
16. Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
17. Dicentra formosa (Pacific Bleeding Heart)
18. Oplopanax horridus (Devil’s Club)
19. Lysichiton americanum (Skunk Cabbage)
20. Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle)
21. Petasites frigidus (Sweet Coltsfoot)
22. Trillium ovatum (Pacific Trillium)
23. Claytonia sibirica (Pink Purslane)
    
24. Maianthemum dilatatum
25. Genus Equisetum (Horsetails)