For your convenience, below is a digital copy of the back of our 2015 ‘windows onto the County’ calendar. This version includes live links so that you can easily find additional information about the particular sites mentioned.
A Guide to Exploring a Diversity of Habitats in Columbia County Throughout the Year
We have included public locations which you can explore on your own following directions from the links provided. We will also be offering public walks to each of the featured habitats throughout the year. For dates and registration, please go to http://www.hvfarmscape.org/events.
January:: May Hill Nature Preserve (http://natureinstitute.org/educ/naturepreserve/guide/index.htm)
Featured habitat: Red Maple Swamp (accessible by a boardwalk)
Image: Winterberry is a shrub that doesn’t mind wet feet and bears bright red berries late in the season.
February: Martin Van Buren Nature Area (http://www.nps.gov/mava/planyourvisit/upload/MVBNA.pdf)
Featured habitat: Hemlock Forest
Image: The sparse canopy of this Hemlock Forest indicates the presence of Woolly Adelgid. This tiny invasive insect has impacted Hemlocks in the southern part of their range and is now found in many Hemlock Forests in our County.
March: Wilson M. Powell Wildlife Sanctuary (http://www.alandevoebirdclub.org/AboutSanctuary.htm)
Featured habitat: Rocky Summit
Image: The view from Dorson’s Rock across the Hudson is spectacular. The sparse vegetation on the rocky summit includes Pitch Pine, Rock Tripe, and Cushion Moss.
April: Lake Taghkanic State Park (http://nysparks.com/parks/38/details.aspx)
Featured habitat: Little Bluestem Meadow
Image: This hidden meadow populated by the native grass Little Bluestem is just east of the Fitness Trail.
May: Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area (http://clctrust.org/public-conservation-areas/drowned-lands/ )
Featured habitat: Calcareous Talus Slope
Image: A Red Spotted Purple butterfly just emerged from its pupa on a Choke Cherry branch in the Calcareous Talus Slope of “Old Croken”, the limestone hill in the middle of Drowned Lands Swamp.
June: Taconic State Park – Sunset Rock (http://berkshirehiking.com/hikes/sunset_rock.html)
Featured habitat: Oak Heath Barrens
Image: Pink Lady’s Slipper is an unusual spring flower found in Oak Heath Barrens in our County.
July: Lewis A. Swyer Preserve (http://hvfarmscape.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/)
Featured habitat: Freshwater Tidal Swamp (accessible by a boardwalk)
Image: This Canada Lily, a species that has become rare in our area, can be observed flowering just off the boardwalk.
August: Olana State Historic Site (http://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/attachments/OlanaCarriageRoadMap.pdf)
Featured habitat: Meadows
Image: The sweeping meadows at Olana (the former home of painter Frederic Church) open up spectacular views onto the Hudson River. Upon closer inspection, the meadows are home to many native wildflowers and insects.
September: Siegel-Kline Kill Conservation Area (http://clctrust.org/public-conservation-areas/siegel-kline-kill/)
Featured habitat: Floodplain Forest
Image: Trees overhanging the Kline Kill contribute leaves and branches to the stream, these then become in-stream food and shelter for fish and aquatic invertebrates.
October: Hand Hollow Conservation Area (http://clctrust.org/public-conservation-areas/hand-hollow/)
Featured habitat: Beaver Pond
Image: Recently dead trees in Beaver Ponds are often used for nesting by Great Blue Herons. Eventually, the Herons move to new locations, as the decomposing trees become unsuitable for holding up their large nests.
November: Beebe Hill State Forest – No Bottom Pond (http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/66468.html)
Featured habitat: Calcareous Pond
Image: No Bottom Pond nearly dried out in 2006, showing how shallow a water body it is. The underlying and adjacent karst formations include caves and underground waterways which can result in unexpected water level changes.
December: Keep Conservation Preserve (http://www.keepconservation.com/preserves.htm)
Featured habitat: Red Cedar Forest
Image: If you look down in a Red Cedar Forest, such as on the trail near Towhee Knoll, you might see Dog Lichen.