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16, 22 March

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  Spring is a bit later to arrive at the Hamilton Forest and Wetlands than it is down here in Parksville.  I think it's a combination of slightly higher elevation and distance from the sea.  Despite that, yes, spring is making its approach known. The salmon berries are coming into bloom, one of the first harbingers in these parts. They are a modest blossom, but the first vivid pink is a cheerful contrast to the limited spectrum of winter.   The light is changing as well, as the sun approaches its equinox elevation. Mosses are showing new growth. The frog chorus continues, with a variety of voices from different species.  So far the bullfrogs aren't in evidence, unlamented. The water level in the marsh is rising as the snow on the Beaufort Range melts. Rain had threatened throughout the morning, but only a slight drizzle materialised. 22 March An anniversary of sorts--moving into the third year of monitoring seasonal changes in the Forest and Wetlands. ...
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7 March

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  A mild grey morning.   Rain threatened but didn't materialise.  The forest was dark, and very quiet near the path's entrance.. Approaching the junction with the loop trail, I spotted an unusual sight. We had examined the beginning of the loop trail last week, but hadn't seen flagging tape on last Sunday's visit.  I decided to find out what the flagging tape had to say. About 100 metres along the loop trail, a new trail had been marked and opened to the left. It looked to have been very carefully planned, well graded and well cleared.  There was no debris from vegetation clearance left behind, nor were there footprints on the path. It passes to the east of the stand of hemlock that had attracted my notice beside the loop trail, and has a lovely abundance of moss, some of it on very large stumps.  The forest through which the trail passes is even more beautiful than the trail that passes to the dock--possibly because it is free of signs of human passag...
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2 March

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Seasonal change is moving ahead full steam.  The days feel warmer, leaf buds are emerging, and even wildlife is livelier.   One of the resident Douglas squirrels was present, although he evaded my camera.   Pacific wrens ornamented their chip call with their wonderful song--the first that's been heard this season.  And the frog chorus is starting rehearsals!! The winter has taken its toll on the fungi, but new growth is starting to appear. The strange bright pink jelly fungus is spreading. A new red-belted conk (or red-belted polypore?) has appeared. Some new fungi that need identification are emerging. A snag that has been a host to fungi for two years has developed new growth, yet to be identified. Mosses are putting out new growth. The former Moss Muppet has now become a Moss Monster and is gradually losing its integrity. Meanwhile, the Nurse Stump is showing new huckleberry seedlings. Out at the Marsh a variety of frog voices greeted us, and two very early s...
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23 February

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Winter seems to be on its way out in the Forest and Wetlands.   The weather is warming up, snow has been replaced by rain.  Ephemeral ponds begin to abound.  We will hope that they will nurture a collection of amphibians.   In the forest, tree frogs vocalise. The Forest's mosses seem even more luxuriant than in past weeks. The progress of the huckleberry seedlings on the nurse stump that we've been tracking for months looks as though it may have been halted by collision with an alder. The leaves on one of the little seedlings have turned brown--perhaps there will be a regeneration.  There is an additional tinier seedling to the right of the apparently damaged plant that looks quite lush.  The old "woodpecker stump" that finally collapsed after gradual reduction by pecking is definitely breaking down into nutrient debris.   Not all things change quickly in the Forest, but this is what that decomposed stump looked like in May of 2023....
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