Humans have recorded natural events since the beginning of time, from sunrise and sunset to the arrival of migratory birds and the ripening of various crops. Recording these natural events is known as phenology. Below is a list of the natural history events occurring in our area right now. You may use this as a guide while exploring the Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods Nature Centers. Please note that the timing of events always depends upon weather and various environmental factors.

April
The swallows return and purple martin scouts are checking out nest sites. Word that the bloodroot is in bloom will clear out the Naturalists’ office in a hurry! Look for early flowers along the greening trails including Dutchman’s breeches, white fawn lily and timber phlox. By the end of the month, the marsh will be teeming with waterfowl. The warblers are returning by now too (listen for the “wichity” of the common yellowthroat along Stream Trail). Babies are arriving to muskrats, opossums, mice, raccoons, geese, and mink. You will see turtles basking on logs. Early frogs and toads start calling in the dawn and the dusk…and sometimes all day!

May
May opens with spring and ends at the beginning of summer. Most frogs and toads in our area are calling….only the bullfrog waits until June to add his voice to the glorious chorus. Dame’s rockets, columbine, blue Siberian squill, tiny downy yellow violets, and Virginia bluebells are all showing their blooms at the trail’s edge. Majestic Jack-in-the-pulpits complete our May bouquets. Bird numbers now include baby wild turkeys, eaglets, adult hummingbirds, thrushes, herons, ducks, and goslings. The birdsong symphony at dawn is at its highest volume of the year. Beavers, coyotes, and mink are all weaning their young in late May and early June.

June
Blue flags, elderberry, jewelweed, and motherwort all show off their flowers. Red-spotted purple butterflies, great spangled fritillaries, hackberry butterflies and the first of the monarch butterflies can be seen floating above gardens and prairies. Young screech owls, grackles, robins, and house wrens are hatched. The antlers of white-tailed bucks are almost full-sized and covered in velvet. Soon summer will be in full swing.