For example, in the few years that we’ve been monitoring the yearly cycles here at Riverwood we’ve noticed that the timing of our American toads’ spring pilgramage to their nuptial ponds has shown considerable variation. A few years ago they were mating by the end of April and the next year it was nearly the end of May. This event is dependent on several natural phenomena: average daily temperature, soil temperature, the emergence of prey species and so on.

The annual migration of robins, turkey vultures, wrablers, hawks and other species are also dependent on many factors. There are good years and bad years of course but the realization that Global Warming is both a natural and human-enhanced event has raised other questions. What if the flowers bloom earlier that before will their insect predators respond to this change or will their own cycles be disrupted? If this were to happen what effect will it have on the migrant bird who rely on them? What about the raptors that prey on the song birds who eat the insects that feed on the flowers?

We just do not know the answer. Our phenolgy database will help us understand what is happening.

We live in this world too and while we see the importance of this information we do not like to dwell entirely in the realm of science. Life should be experienced and enjoyed and the phenology database can enrich and inform our visit to Riverwood. Do you want to improve your chances of seeing a deer? Enter deer in the search bar and you will see all the listing for deer. You will see that some months are better than others. Check out other species too!