Winter Walk in the woods

Now that winter is officially with us that does not mean that there is little to see when you go to Government Island.  A cold day is a great time to get a good look at a side of nature that is usually hidden by leaves and greenery. Even after having foot surgery I took a nice walk and recorded some winter treats to share on this site.  This is a good time to remind readers that a large portion of the walk at GI is handicap accessible.  So bundle up and let's go into the winter woods!

When the leaves have dropped it is a good time to discover what has been hiding behind the foliage. Nests of all kinds are suddenly in plain sight. But not only birds build their homes in the bushes and trees. Insects also create places to deposit the next generation.

I have been told that this insect casing (above) is most likely that of a praying mantis.  I have seen several  handsome specimens of praying mantis in this area, so maybe my sources are correct.

While we are looking for signs of insects, galls are easy to spot in the winter. Galls are created by insects in search of food or as protected places for development between stages of life.  In the fields around the parking lot you can find many examples of goldenrod galls.  Further along into the island, if you turn right onto the mulched path, there is an infestation of oak galls. These grow on, you guessed it, oak trees.  There are many oak seedlings along the path. Many of them have clusters of oak galls.

Not a gall, but easily seen in the winter, you might spot some black knot fungus on a cherry tree.  Not a good thing to see.  Once the fungus attacks a cherry tree, the wood is no longer of any value.  Speaking of cherry trees...as you walk into the park, look for the 2 large downed cherry trees on the right and another on the left side of the path. July's derecho took these beauties down. What a shame.  They were lovely trees.

Winter is great time to observe the various types of fungi that grow in the forest.  This tree is covered with a shelf fungus.  You'll often see it on downed, dead trees, but it also grows on what might look like a healthy tree.  A tree with shelf fungus is not a healthy tree!  The fungus emerges from inside the tree signalling that the processes of decay have already started.  Look carefully.  Shelf fungus grow parallel to the ground. If an infested tree falls over, the shelf fungus will slowly re-orientate itself until it is again parallel to the ground.

 There is still a little green to be seen in the winter woods.  The mountain laurel bushes are evergreens.  Make sure you come back in late spring to enjoy the flowers.  Red cedar stays green.  Not my favorite tree, but the birds need the cover and eat the berries.  Another touch of green can be found in the honeysuckle vines.  Another "not my favorite" plant.  Look and see how the honeysuckle wraps itself round young trees, strangling them.

One more thing to look for in the winter woods is berries.  Many have already been eaten by the birds and critters, but look, you'll see a few. Along the bridge near the parking lot I found a new, for me, example of a winter berry.  They are yellow, about the size of a cherry tomato. But DON'T eat them.  They are the fruit of the horse nettle and are poisonous.

 This is enough for now.  Please don't let the 'drabness' of the winter woods keep you from enjoying their beauty. It is just a different type of beauty. Guided walks will resume in February when my foot is healed. Until then, enjoy the blog and enjoy the winter woods.
P.S....learn more about nature at the website for Virginia Master Naturalists.  Or visit us on Facebook on the Central Rappahannock Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists site.
Thanks, Maria C., VA Master Naturalist

Purchasing the Island

In 1791, George Washington was asked by Congress to appoint three Commissioners to oversee the building of the nation’s new federal city and buildings.  After they were appointed, they, along with Washington, chose Pierre L’Enfant to explore the lands around the Potomac River to see if they could find stone suitable for the construction of the Capitol and President’s House.  They did not want to use stone from Europe, but rather use stone indigenous to the new United States of America. 

Pierre L’Enfant visited Brent’s Island in Stafford, I believe, at the encouragement of George Washington.  (George had used the stone from the island for his steps at Mount Vernon, as he was very familiar with the island since he grew up here.)  In December, 121 years ago, L’Enfant purchased the island for 1,800 pounds or $5,400.  He was purchasing it for the U.S. Government. 
                                           Jane C., historian

 

Winter birding at Government Island

As winter approaches, Government Island has started to look a bit bleak.  However, the bare trees and lack of ground covers and grasses makes it an ideal time to stroll the path enjoying clear views of the many birds that winter over in our area.  These past few weeks have given visitors ample opportunities for birding and photography.  Here are a few of the feathered beauties I spotted on 2 recent sojourns into the park.

As always, take time to view the fields around the parking lot, and along Austin Run and the old beaver pond.  These areas are a haven for small birds due to the large amount of seeds that have been dropped by the died back vegetation.  Here you might find yellow-rumped warblers, sparrows of various types, and might see and hear the belted kingfishers as they rat-a-tat along the creek.  Not as stunning as the male red-winged blackbird, this female red-wing is still a handsome specimen.

And of course, there are always sparrows to watch for at this time of year.  Frequently, they can be seen hopping around in the leaf debris digging up something tasty to eat.  I find the white-throated sparrow to be an attractive little bird.

Wandering along the path at this time of year it is easier to see into the trees.  Listen for the calls of the many types of woodpeckers that frequent the area.  This yellow-bellied sapsucker was gathering lunch when I spied it in the trees between the path and Austin Run.

Not far from that sighting this wren popped up and posed for its photo.  I love the Carolina wrens.  They are quite sassy and almost friendly. I guess they are just naturally curious little darlings.

As I wandered closer to the beginning of the bridge where Austin Run makes its sharp right turn, I spotted a real treat.  At first I thought it was an ovenbird, but later it was ID'd to be a hermit thrush.  Well, I try for accuracy!

Although I hate poison ivy, and GI has more than enough of the nasty stuff, it does provide winter food for our feathered friends.  Here we have a junco helping himself to the white berries of the poison ivy plant.  Beware...the berries are just as reactive to humans as the rest of the plant.  The warbler in the earlier photo is also dining on poison ivy berries.

When you arrive out to the marsh overlook area, winter is especially a better time for birding.  The aquatic plants have all died back making the marsh surface a great feeding ground for birds.  At this time of year you will see killdeer busy eating away at scattered seeds.  The photo isn't one of my best, but I had the wrong lens with me and the lighting was not conducive to National Geographic quality photography!

Now that we have reached the marsh we will almost every time see a great blue heron out there somewhere.  This big male was busy preening those glorious feathers of his.

As I close this entry, I leave you with one more photo of some winter inhabitants, gulls.  I have to admit to laziness and haven't pulled out my Stokes or Sibley to ID which kind of gulls they are.  I'll let you do the work. But there are plenty of these guys out there, squawking and fussing as they pig out on the seeds from this past summer's aquatic plants.

Until next time, get out and enjoy Nature.  She is wondrous at any time of year.
Maria Cannata, Master Naturalist, Central Rappahannock Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists