Tim rambles on #2

Today's post is about STAR OF THE SEA Reserve, managed by the Dartmouth National Resources Trust (DNRT) but which also crosses into town-owned land. I volunteered with DNRT a few weeks ago where I helped put up some nesting boxes for the Eastern blue bird (https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12942-Sialia-sialis) and learned to identify some of the main invasive plants in the area: garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed and multiflora rose.

I've visited the reserve three times, two during the day for some longer walks (1 and 8 May) and once in the evening to see the setting sun over the water (3 May). All three visits have been rewarding. The DNRT manages a large network of small reserves and it's inspiring seeing the results of their conservation efforts.

The reserve sits on the coast of southern Massachusetts along the Apponagansett Bay, which is itself a small inlet withing the greater Buzzards Bay. The land around it is claimed by some relatively large houses, given its proximity to the water. On its southern (coastal) edge of the reserve is a salt marsh habitat, home to mud fiddler crabs and wading birds and subject to large intertidal water level fluctuations.

Just north of that the habitat changes to deciduous woodland/wetland (blue trail on their map), and at this time of year much of the forest is flooded (post-winter snowmelt and spring rains make this the wettest season in New England). The difference between the extent of flooding on 1 May, after a weekend of rain, and 8 May (a sunny weekend) was clear; much of the water had retreated though some streams and large pools remained. This part of the reserve has many wildflowers, mostly wood anemone, violet spp., northern starflower, sessile bellwort, jack in the pulpit, marsh marigold, canada mayflower and dwarf ginseng. There are also lovely dense pockets of cinnamon fern, sensitive fern and some other fern species, as well as horsetails and fan clubmoss.

Further north of this (red trail on their map), the habitat changes slightly, though I am still trying to pinpoint all the exact differences. The elevation is marginally higher, with there being fewer wet areas, but not drastically so. The soil is possibly more acidic and sandy, as the dominant trees here are eastern white pines, and the soil is lighter in colour than the southern habitat. There are also almost no wildflowers here, as far as I have observed anyway. There also seems to be more light hitting the forest floor in this area, possibly because of the canopy features of pine. Fewer ferns too. And less deciduous leaf litter of course. The floristic transition therefore makes sense: light, water and nutrient availability all change quickly between the habitats

The DNRT describes the reserve like this: "DNRT’s Star of the Sea Reserve was extensively mined for sand and gravel and the old gravel pits, with all the top soil gone and excavated down to the water table in spots, is made up of grey birch, scrubby oaks and bayberry, the insectivorous sundew and cranberry growing in the poor soil conditions. In the eastern portion, rushes, orchids and Joe pye weed indicate some of the wetter areas, along with cacophonous groups of spring peepers."

Perhaps another key to the difference in habitats (besides elevation) is land use history- the northern parts maybe were not mined while the southern habitat was. Either way I find the subtle changes very interesting.

Another interesting observation I've been pondering is the total lack of skunk cabbage. I've seen this spring wetland species at every other wetland area in MA and Rhode Island I've visited or driven through over the last month. The large network of seasonal puddles in this reserve seems perfect habitat for skunk cabbage. Maybe it's been locally extirpated as a result of the sand mining? I'd appreciate any insight on this.

I've also yet to see the orchids and joe pye weed mentioned on the DNRT site but it may be too early for them.

Lastly, I unintentionally started an interesting discussion around the confusing taxonomy and identification of the white violets (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160609506). I noticed a population of these growing near the boardwalk in a wetland section and assumed it was the same white bog violet I'd seen in Warren RI, but now I've learned how important leaf characteristics are in IDing this big genus. I love that about iNat- it's a great way to improve my botanical skills.

Also saw a cute eastern garter snake (which looks a lot like the cape skinks I am used to seeing in my garden in Kirstenhof in SA) and two wood frogs, which is a lifer species for me.

Posted on 09 May, 2023 13:46 by tim_kirsten