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13 September

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  The drought persists.  Rain is forecast for tomorrow, and again toward the end of this week.  We can but hope.  For now, the Forest and Wetlands are drier than we can recall seeing them in the three years we've been observing and recording.   Vernal pools have vanished. Moss is drying out. The thimbleberries continue to wilt. In the Marsh, the water level has sunk what appears to be at least another six inches. The standing water that is typically present in the Marsh is subsiding.  So far, the peaty mud looks to be holding moisture, but its value as habitat is declining. Bullfrogs remain in the diminishing water supply. Five turkey vultures circled the Marsh.   I wondered whether they might be assembling prior to their autumn migration. For the first time in some months, a female northern harrier hunted over the Marsh. We heard a Hutton's vireo singing in the woods as we left. Despite the drought, it appears that the autumn migration may b...
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6 September

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  Another drought-stricken week. The forecast is for rain this coming week.  We can but hope. Meanwhile: The bracken fern is dying back,  Mosses are drying and cedar is definitely showing heat stress. Despite dry weather autumn fungi are appearing. Oyster mushrooms sprout despite the dryness of this snag. We're not certain what this fungus is: This is a species of crustose fungi that grows on wood.  Our mushroom expert wasn't certain which one.  It's a curious looking thing, in any case.  Try enlarging the photo to see the detail. I think this is an example of what I described as a "poached egg" fungus last year.   It could be a young red-belted conk, although last year's "poached egg" never turned dark, as red-belted conks do.   ..... The water level in the Marsh continues to sink.   Evidenced by the gauges, but this visit we noticed a disturbing confirmation: Two of the posts securing the dock fit tight against its boards....
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24, 30 August

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  24 August The Forest and Wetlands are increasingly and alarmingly dry.  Mosses, once lush, are fading. The remaining ghost pipes stand, blackened. Vitality persists.  Huckleberry springs from nurse stumps and trailing blackberry still trails. Two patches of slime mold are fruiting and showy.  This patch appears to be making its way along the log and onto a fern. Sometimes called "scrambled egg slime mold," this is a showy fruiting body. (Reader, caution.  Don't let this put you off scrambled eggs!) Cedars continue to provide squirrels with little snacks. The water level in the Marsh continues to sink. Near the dock, the mud is replacing water, and we're not seeing as many frogs. The snows of last year are gone from Arrowsmith, and the forest is showing heat stress. We left the dock, hoping to see rain in our future, but walking through a dry forest. 30 August The effects of drought persist in the Hamilton Forest and Wetlands.  Given that the intent of thi...
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