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
- Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood)
- Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
- Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
- Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
- Ribes sanguineum (Red Flowering Currant)
- Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
- Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
- Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
- Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry)
- Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)
- Ardea Herodias (Great Blue Heron)
- Branta canadensis (Canada Goose)
- Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard )
- Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk)
- Bubo virginianus (Great Horned Owl )
- Selasphoras rufus (Rufous Hummingbird)
- Turdus migratorius (American Robin)
- Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow)
- Carpodacus mexicanus (House Finch)
- 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:
- Populus balsamifera (Black Cottonwood)
- Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple)
- Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
- Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)
- Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce)
- Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
- Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
- Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
- Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
- Mahonia nervosa (Dull/Creeping Oregon Grape)
- Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape)
- Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)
- Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
- Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
- Vaccinium parvifolium (Red Huckleberry)
- Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
- Dicentra formosa (Pacific Bleeding Heart)
- Oplopanax horridus (Devil’s Club)
- Lysichiton americanum (Skunk Cabbage)
- Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle)
- Petasites frigidus (Sweet Coltsfoot)
- Trillium ovatum (Pacific Trillium)
- Claytonia sibirica (Pink Purslane)
- Maianthemum dilatatum
- Genus Equisetum (Horsetails)