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
As spring settles in, 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. Look and listen for the tom turkeys as they gobble and dance for the females. Don’t forget to watch the skies for the returning white pelicans looping among the clouds. Also returning are tiny Chimney Swifts, various hawks and warblers (listen for the “teacher-teacher-teacher” of the Ovenbird along our trails). By the end of the month, the Marsh will be teeming with waterfowl and turtles will be basking on logs. Babies arrive to muskrats, opossums, mice, raccoons, geese and mink.


May
The month of May marks a transition between spring and summer. Most of the frogs and toads in our area are calling - only the bullfrog waits until June to add his voice to the glorious chorus. Dame’s rocket, columbine, blue Siberian squill, tiny downy yellow violets and Virginia bluebells are all showing their blooms at the trails’ edges. Majestic Jack-in-the-pulpits complete our May bouquets. Our bird numbers now include baby wild turkeys, eaglets, adult hummingbirds, thrushes, herons, ducks and goslings. Dawn’s birdsong symphony is at its highest volume of the year. Beavers, coyotes and mink are all weaning their young in late May and early June. Monarchs return to join many other species of butterflies during this colorful month. Mid-May also marks the emergence of morels if April had its share of rain!

June
June’s landscape is filled with colors of the rainbow. Elderberry, blue flags, jewelweed and motherwort all show off their flowers throughout the forest and marsh. Above the blooms, Red-spotted purple butterflies, Great spangled fritillaries and Hackberry butterflies add their beauty to our gardens and prairies. The antlers of white-tailed bucks are almost full-sized and are covered in velvet. Young screech owls, grackles, robins and house wrens are hatching. Soon, summer will be in full swing!