Periodic inspections of the Ashley Schiff Preserve by Glenn Richard

February 7, 2003

A snowy day, great for taking pictures.

March 17, 2003

A nice warm sunny day with only a few patches of snow remaining. Polytrichum mosses are bright green, ready to start growing again.

March 18, 2003

Another nice warm sunny day with less snow remaining than on the previous day. The Project WISE visited the Preserve today.

March 20, 2003, 3:30 PM

A cool, gray start for spring.

Snow remains on the embankment along the northern edge of the Preserve.

An American Beech still holds onto its leaves from last year.

A very small amount of snow remains on an embankment along the southern edge of the Preserve compared to what is on the northern edge. This south-facing embankment receives more sun than the north-facing one along the northern edge, an example of the effects of microclimates.

There is almost no snow at all in the woods, except in the bottom of this glacial kettle, where ornamental evergreens provide some shade.

Snow at the base of one of the ornamental evergreens.

March 28, 2003, 3:00 PM

Temperatures in the upper 50s, fair. Not surprisingly, there is no snow left in the woods. Buds are swelling on some plants, namely:

• Black Birch
• Maple-Leaved Viburnum
• Sassafras
• Black Cherry
• Red Maple

April 3, 2003, 3:00 PM

Glacial Erratic

Polytrichum moss

Spotted Wintergreen

Fungus on log

Maple Leaved Viburnum and Japanese Honeysuckle

Club Moss

Club Moss

April 8, 2003, 11:30 am

Yesterday, a few inches of snow fell.

Catbrier Tendrils	Catbrier Thorns
Red Maple	Multiflora Rose
Fox Grape	Black Birch

April 30, 2003

Hayscented Ferns beginning a new year of growth.