Burlington Phenologists,

Together, we've surpassed 300 observations in our Season Clock project! The bi-colored striped sweat bee and wood frog both made their first appearances in Burlington this year and have been added to the clock: https://burlingtonwildways.org/projects/burlington-seasons-clock-2020 . Box-elder bugs, garter snakes, robins, and skunks are continuing to have a strong presence in our town as the calendar flips by.

As we daydream of colors bursting in the air for Independence Day, we must open our eyes and notice that nature is celebrating its own variety of hues. Purple-flowered raspberries and milkweed are in bloom while vibrant caterpillars and butterflies are just waiting to be seen. In July, we should be able to find monarchs, black swallowtails, and Isabella tiger moths Keep your eyes peeled for any of the Season Clock species, and remember that making the last observation of the year can be just as helpful as finding the first!

-Gustave Sexauer
Burlington Wildways

Burlington Phenologists,

It has finally happened. The monarchs have arrived! A true sign of summer and vindication for planting and mowing around the blooming milkweed plants. Other keen observers found an osprey and that the basswoods are flowering.

With the year now half over, we can take stock of all we've seen so far. Averaging around two observations a day, people in Burlington have spotted 39 of our 44 focus species. We've already surpassed the number of observations of these species from last year! (306 in 2019, with 342 at last check this year.) Keep up the good work and be on the lookout for all 44 of our focus species.

Current clock:
https://burlingtonwildways.org/projects/burlington-seasons-clock-2020

-Gustave Sexauer
Burlington Wildways

Burlington Phenologists,

Our town is aflutter with life as we push through the hottest time of the year. Both monarch and black swallowtail butterflies have been found in the past weeks and more are surely on their way. Our harbinger of midsummer, the yellow garden spider, also made its first appearance of the year. This leaves just one in-season life-form yet to be found: the Isabella Tiger Moth. While its caterpillar form, the woolly bear, is often identified by kids to adults, the mature form was only photographed once in Burlington, back in 2018.

August is typically a slow month on iNaturalist in Burlington, with people recording fewer species than any other spring or summer month, but with the lush foliage and thriving wildlife abounding, let's aim to change that!

Check on the current clock and see a GIF past years' clock data here:
https://burlingtonwildways.org/projects/burlington-seasons-clock-2020

-Gustave Sexauer
Burlington Wildways