SUMMERSPRING

THE SEASON OF NEW LIFE - As the days get longer and the sun moves higher in the sky, slowly the Arctic jet-stream that brought forth our record cold temperatures retreats northward. Finally, the Spring of 2026 is becoming free to unfold. The vernal season is a notoriously fickle one in our part of the world and this year is a perfect example, oscillating warm and cold, sun and cloud, three steps forward, two steps back. With the recent warming trend it now looks like the myriad flowers, plants, trees and animals can all start their seasonal cycles. Epitomizing early spring is the reddish haze of the bud-caps of most of the hardwoods. Once they fall of, collecting in dark-red drifts, then that extraordinary, high-nitrogen, bright green of Spring will ever-so-gradually course up the valleys - first low, then high - the Season of New Life unfolding in a steadily increasing stream of verdure, soon (not soon enough!) to become a raging, unstoppable torrent of vibrancy. These old, old mountains will once again ring to the cries of new life as Spring progresses inexorably on.

FAUNA - There is nothing subtle about the return of animal-life to our region, all taking advantage of an early spring. From the raucous call of Canada Geese as they teem overhead on their way to the far north and strident busyness of the Redwing Blackbirds and Robins, Spring announces itself with noisy abandon. Commensurate with the increase in bird-life will always be an increase in insect-life as the two life-forms are inextricably linked, bound together for untold millennia as predator and prey. Indeed, there has been an outburst of every form of insect, including Compton Tortoise Shell and Mourning Cloak butterflies (two of the earliest to come out, because they both overwinter under leaf or shingle fully grown) and myriad moth- species, haunting light-bulbs, large and small. Enjoy the relatively bug-free early spring while you can, though recent rains have led to the first hatching of Non-biting (but very annoying) Midges. Our first amphibians of the season - Spring Peepers (a type of Tree Frog), Woodfrogs and Spotted Salamanders - have woken from their slumber. The incredible Woodies have a natural form of glycol in their blood that allows them to survive the winter - frozen under leaf- litter, then noisily mating in still-icy Vernal- and Woodland Pools. More and more migrating birds make their way up the great Hudson Valley Flyway, following ancestral routes deeply etched in avian DNA and guided by starlight and the earths magnetic field. Numerous species of Hawks and Herons hunt their way northward, stopping to feed along their way, hawks looking for the hapless small rodent, herons hunting newly-awakened Woodies, Sallies and Peepers (part of the reason for the sudden burgeoning of these amphibians is to insure against over-predation) - and any small fish they can find. The amazing Woodcock - our little Timberdoodle - has returned to our fields, its plaintive “peent” resonating far and wide. For local Bald Eagles this is the time for nesting and the eagle-couples can be seen taking turns feeding the new, rapidly-growing hatchlings. Now is when Bald Eagles are most protective of their nest, so this is a good time to give these wonderful creatures some space.

FLORA - As the world “greens up” around us, we know Spring is here. Fields and lawns are rapidly becoming brightly verdant. Ajuga, Crocuses, Daffodils, Ferns, Spring Beauties, Wild Chives, many species of wild grasses, all are awake with life now. Every day more plants pop out from little (or not so little) buds, soon to become flower or leaf. With mild days and cool nights, the sap flows well in all the hardwoods, most notably Maples (believe it or not, Sycamores, as well). The first of the Spring Epemerals - Canada Mayflower (Wild Lily-of-the- Valley) and Trout-lily are starting their seasonal march, the Mayflowers flowering early this year. Much of our entire forest floor is carpeted by them now with their tiny little white fireworks-like flowers reaching as high as they can. Trout-lily leaves resemble (somewhat) a trouts speckled skin and usually come up around the beginning of Trout season. Soon they will present their pretty little bell-like yellow flowers for our approval. Another fleeting aspect of Catskills spring is the bright blush of our native flowering spring shrubs - Crabapple, Dogwood, Shadblow (flowering as the Shad run starts, like the Trout-lily and trout), Wild Cherry and others, interspersed throughout the soon-to-be-leafed-out understory, add temporary color too our otherwise wan spring woods. This early period when the forest is wide open to the warm spring sun and sometimes even warmer south winds serves to give these flowers and plants of the forest understory a chance to grow before the trees leaf out, but also can present a problem as the leaf-litter on the forest floor dries out and becomes susceptible to spring wildfires. We’re running at least a week early for Spring hereabouts and it is definitely more evidence of Climate Change in my opinion.

THE FLOWER MOON - While Flower Moon is a popular (and logical) name for this time, different cultures and diverse tribes all have their own names for this month, such as the Hare Moon (Anglo-Saxon/Celtic), the Corn Planting Moon (Algonquin) and the Milk Moon (also Algonquin), because this is when Milkweed begins to bloom. The Cree called it the Frog Moon. Wildflowers bloom during May in the Oklahoma hills, but die as taller plants crowd them out, which is why the Osage call this month the Flower-killing Moon and the murder of Anna Brown took place in May, 1921, so the title of the book and movie - Killers of the Flower Moon - serves as a metaphor for what happened to the Osage.

WATCH WHERE (AND HOW) YOU STEP - this is a particularly sensitive time for many of these small plants like the Spring Ephemerals (especially since most of them are recovering from recently being Endangered/Threatened). After having been protected by snow and ice, some are still hidden, but many are fully exposed now. If we wear the wrong shoes on the trails right now, and avoid mud-puddles, we can cause unnecessary damage to these delicate little beauties and to the trail itself. By not walking down the middle of the path we make it wider, so PLEASE! - wear the right boots and stay on the trails, even if it means walking in mud. I thank you, trail-keepers thank you and our little plant-friends thank you.

THE EXCITEMENT OF SPRING - The increased daylight and higher sun-angle has not only triggered primordial responses from the animal- and plant-worlds but also from the realm of people as we prepare to venture forth into the green. For we respond to the same activators, the same natural “triggers”, but in different ways. Right about now, hiking boots and clothing, tents, packs and miscellaneous gear is being hauled out of closets, garages and sheds, examined for repair or replacement, as we start planning on exploring new, now snowless trails. Also, as the ice leaves ponds, streams and rivers, canoes, kayaks and small boats are uncovered and being apprised of seaworthiness, soon to slip into the clear, cold waters of Spring. Fishermen and turkey-hunters will begin the age-old ritual of preparing for their time to come on the waters and in the woods. Please remember the basics as you get ready - most importantly, please be safe out there. Keep hats, gloves and extra layers handy. On the waters, double-check all life-jackets and such, as well as watch out for new hazards in the water. Bring back out of the woods whatever you bring in (including dog-waste). Google “Leave No Trace 7 Principles”. Spring Turkey Season runs from May 1 to May 31, so please be extra cautious (and courteous to hunters you may meet on the trail) and perhaps wear bright colors (on Fido, too) if around hunting areas. Leashing is a good idea, as well. Both DEC and DEP have No Hunting areas for hikers (DEP requires an easy-to-get permit on all their lands).

Thank you, “Ranger” Dave Holden

(845)594-4863

woodstocktrails@gmail.com

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