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General
Meadow Creek, a branch of Anthony Creek, extends from Neola to above the Lake Sherwood impoundment. In terms of bedrock, the area of our inventories is underlain by the Mississippian Pocono Formation ( Cardwell et al 1968 ). Elevations range from 2200 feet ( 671 m ) to 2680 feet ( 817 m ) near Lake Sherwood. In only a few adjacent places does the Watershed attain elevations exceeding 3000 feet ( 915 m ) asl. Soils appear to be prevailingly acidic,and in at least some places, such as the vicinity of Lake Sherwood, clay-rich. Generally the Pocono Formation is dominated by massive sandstone with minor shale, coal beds and other rocks. Presumably where clay-rich soils occur, bedrock is locally shaly or possibly is fault gouge. This range of possibilities is supported by the generally low relief and subdued topography in the vicinity of the Lake.
As is well-known from reports of the original forest cover ( Brooks, 1910 ), White Pine was generally abundant in the Anthony Creek Watershed and indeed in adjacent watersheds such as that of Knapp Creek and elsewhere immediately west of Allegheny Mountain. This circumstance appears to indicate a strong climatic factor in its occurrence since a variety of rocks underlie these areas. While this tree is frequently associated with light, sandy soils, it seems here to thrive on heavy clay as well. It does so well in fact that it seems to be able to hold its own with deciduous species and in some cases show a spontaneous resurgence in these forests after their original reduction by logging and fires. This behavior with respect to deciduous species appears to contradict experience in such regions as the Lake States where White Pine is regarded as dependant on large openings to become established.
Four separate inventories were conducted in the Watershed, one along the Meadow Creek mainstem, one along Laurel Run, one along the Upper Meadow Creek Trail at Lake Sherwood and one along the Lake Sherwood Trail.
Meadow Creek Mainstem
Source Walk: 5-20-98
The location of this inventory was confined to a stream-side site somewhat over a mile ( 1.6 km ) upstream from the Ruckers Gap road junction with Route 14, which parallels the Creek. Our inventory was opportunistic in that the site was our over-night camp on this clear and pleasant evening.
Elevation here is near 2500 feet ( 763 m ) asl. Sandstone exposed along the stream is almost horizontal and a measurement of the stream water yielded pH= 5.0. Meadow Creek was high and its roar loud enough to obscure most faunal sounds.
The forest appeared to be young, perhaps of the order of 50 years in age, with a canopy dominated by White Oak, but with abundant Northern Red Oak, Red Maple, White and Pitch Pines, some Virginia Pine, White Ash, Sugar Maple, American Basswood, Canada Hemlock, Black Birch, Black Locust, Black Cherry and Sassafras. The understory included Serviceberry, Flowering Dogwood and the hawthornCrataegus flabellata. Shrubs along the stream were Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) , Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) , Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifoius) , Silky Willow ( Salix sericea) , Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum), Wild Plum (Prunus americana) , Smooth Alder (Alnus serrulata) , Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) and Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) .
A stand of Red and Sugar Maples, Northern Red Oak, Black Birch and Hemlock had a ground cover consisting of Heartleaf (Hexastylis virginica) , Four-leaved Yam (Dioscorea quaternata) , Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) , Cut-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago arguta ), Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) , Bunch Flower (Veratrum parviflorum) , Plume Lily (Smilacina racemosa) , White Clintonia (Clintonia umbellulata) , Carrion Flower ( Smilax herbacea) , Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) and Carex gracillima. Also found in the nearby forest were Downy Many Knees (Polygonatum pubescens) and Fly Poison (Amianthium muscaetoxicum) .
A community more in the open consisted of a side-lighted stand of American Basswood, Northern Red Oak, Red Maple, White Ash, Black Cherry, Downy Serviceberry, Hophornbeam and Sassafras with Summer Grape (Vitis aestivalis) , Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia ), Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) , Maple-leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) , Witch Hazel, Creeping Five-leaf (Potentilla simplex) , Big-leaf Aster (Aster macrophyllus ), Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa ) and the only Spotted Wintergreen ( Chimaphila maculata) seen in the Watershed.
A likely more acidic community at the forest edge along the road consisted of Mountain Laurel, Heartleaf, Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana) , Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis) .
Other species seen along the road, particularily in richer soil areas, and which may have benefitted from road-derived nutrients, were Flat-top White Aster (Aster umbellatus) , Late Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) , Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia) , Bloodroot ( Sanguinaria canadensis) , Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) , Steel's Meadowrue (Thalictrum steeleanum) , Variable Panic Grass (Panicum commutatum) and Carex laxiflora.
Birds heard above the sound of the stream were Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) . Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) , and on the morning after a night of rain, Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) and Baltimore Oriole (Icterus glabula) . Also heard were the calls of Spring Peepers (Hyla crucifer) .
Laurel Run
Source Walk: 5-21-98
Flowing directly north, Laurel Run joins Meadow Creek at an elevation of 2212 feet ( 675 m) upstream from a sharp bend in the latter. Our traverse during a rainy morning extended south along the stream for about 1500 feet ( 458 m ) to the first ford. Because our stay was brief, no attempt was made to record all species along this relatively rich acid-mesic bottomland.
The canopy near the stream is dominated by White Oak with substantial Northern Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, Red and Sugar Maples, Black Birch, American Basswood, Tuliptree, White Pine, Canada Hemlock, White Ash, Sassafras and a little Big-tooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata) . A single Wild Crabapple (Malus coronaria) was seen.
The shrub layer was dominated by Great Rhododendron ( Rhododendron maximum) with abundant Witch Hazel and less common Ninebark, Wild Raisin (Viburnum cassinoides) , Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) and doubtless others.
The entire stretch of bottom land surveyed appeared to be covered by a rich but distinctly acid-disposed flora. Included were Interrupted and Bracken Ferns, New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) , large patches of Barren Strawberry, Wild Sarsaparilla, Goats Beard (Aruncus dioicus) , Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) , Ground Pine (Lycopodium flabelliforme) , Bunch Flower, White Clintonia, Creeping Five-leaf, Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia) in bloom, Four-leaved Yam, a luxuriant patch of an unidentified Iris, Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) , Wood Betony, Tall Meadowrue (Thalictrum pubescens) , Blue Monkshood (Aconitum uncinatum) , Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata) in bloom, Hairy-jointed Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium barbinode) , Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) , Big-leaf Aster, Mountain Oatgrass (Danthonia compressa) , the forest bluegrass Poa alsodes, Carex stipata and C. laevivaginata. A number of the more acid-loving species such as Teaberry and Ground Pine were concentrated under Rhododendron.
Like that of the bottom land forest, the canopy of the adjacent upland forest is dominated by White Oak and, although fewer species are present, Northern Red Oak, Red and Sugar Maples, Shagbark Hickory and White Pine also occur in the area inventoried. A little Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum) occurs in the understory. Found in the ground cover were Cucumbertree seedlings, Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) , Round-lobe Hepatica (Hepatica americana) , Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) , Squaw Root (Conopholis americanus) and Carex laxiflora. Under a large White Pine bordering the bottom land, and on its north side, a large patch of blooming Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) decorated the forest floor. Accompanying the Mayflower within a meter radius were Mealy Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata) , Downy Many Knees, Canada Brome Grass (Bromus purgans) , Bunch Flower, Hairy Disporum (Disporum lanuginosum) , Lovage (Ligusticum canadense) , Black Cohosh, New York and Interruped Ferns and Carex gracilescens.
Birds seen or heard on the traverse included Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue Warbler ( Dendroica caerulescens) , Rose-breasted Grossbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) and the only Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) thus far in the Watershed, or indeed along Anthony Creek as well.
Despite the presence of isolated northern species such as Canada Mayflower and Wild Sarsaparilla, there is little evidence of cold air trapping in this valley. This result is perhaps to be expected, given the relatively low mountain ridges in the vicinity.
Upper Meadow Trail
Source Walk: 6-16-98
The Upper Meadow Trail extends from the parking lot at the southwest end of Lake Sherwood to the crest of Meadow Mountain. Our traverse was limited to perhaps a half mile ( 0.8 km ) of this trail. The initial elevation is near Lake level and the Trail does not rise much above this over the extent of our traverse.
Our inventory began under the threat of rain in mature forest canopy with White Pine to two feet ( 0.6 m ) or more in diameter and even thicker but less tall White Oak . Red Maple of smaller size was common, while the understory consisted of Striped Maple, Crataegus flabellata, Downy Serviceberry, Hophornbeam and, in moist areas, Muscletree.
Ground cover in the upland forest included conspicuously-blooming Fly Poison, Mountain Bellwort (Uvularia pudica) , the forest grass Brachyelytrum erectum, a few plants of the northern Large Round-leaved Orchid (Habenaria orbiculata) , Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens) , New York Fern and the uncommon grass Calamagrostis porteri.
Flowing through this forest was a quite strong springbrook with a yellow clay bottom and shale fragments. pH of the water was 5.5. The flora associated with this springbrook included Witch Hazel, Ground Berry (Rubus hispidus) , Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) , Rattlesnake Fern (Botrychium virgiianum ), lush examples of the sedges Carex scabrata and C. debilis, also C. baileyi, C. swanii, C. gynandra, White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus) , Crooked-stem Aster (A. prenanthoides) , Wreath Goldenrod, Tall Meadowrue, Round-leaf Pyrola (Pyrola rotundifolia) , Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum ), Indian Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana) Blue Monkshood, Bunch Flower, Indian Pipe, Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) , Barren Strawberry, Plume Lily, Hairy Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytoni) , Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) , Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) , Woodland Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum) , Upright Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) , Creeping Five-leaf, Mad-dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) , Mountain Oat Grass and Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa) . Fungi noted were Collybia dryophila, Pluteus flavofuligineus and Hygrophorus psitacinus.. Ovenbirds, Scarlet Tanagers and a distant Wood Thrush were heard here.
Now moving onward through upland forest with a mature canopy of White Pine and White Oak, we noted,in succession, seedlings and saplings of White Ash, Downy Serviceberry ( Amelanchier arborea) , saplings of Hemlock, Christmas Fern, the fungus Amanita flavoconia or "Yellow Patches", Spittle Bugs on White Pine saplings, Wild Liquorice (Galium circaezans) , Canada Brome Grass (Bromus purgans) , Sugar Maple saplings, a 32 inch ( 0.87 m ) dbh White Pine, Purple Bedstraw (Galium latifolium) , dead and diseased but also healthy-appearing Flowering Dogwood, Black Cohosh and White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) . Pressing ahead we saw Thyme-leaved Bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia) , Nodding Fescue, the alien Canada Bluegrass (Poa compressa) , Carex laxiflora, then abundant Mountain Oat Grass at the trail edge, more Sugar Maple saplings, large White Pine and White Oak with a very sparse ground flora and a heavy leaf mat consisting almost entirely of White Oak leaves. Next seen were scattered Hemlock, more Downy Serviceberry,followed by the call of a Wood Thrush, then more Canada Brome Grass, Carex appalachica, Four-leaved Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) in bloom, Great Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) , the panic grass Panicum boscii, Brachyelytrum erectum ,the fungus Crepidotus applanatus, Oxalis Stricta ( a virtual constant along the Trail ), more Thyme-leaved Bluets, the fungi Amanita vaginata and Laccaria laccata, then the first Teaberry with ever-present Fly Poison, followed by more ailing Flowering Dogwood, the fungi Collybia confluens and Mycena haematopus ( edible and with a blood red latex ) in association with the moss Hypnum and Delicate Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum) on a dead down bole. Emerging from the moss Dicranum was the tiny fungus Rickenella fibula. These were followed by Upland Low Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) in association with Teaberry and numerous seedlings of White Pine, then American Chestnut sprouts, Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) , Round-leaved Pyrola, Arrow-leaf Violet (Viola sagittata ), a Cladina lichen, a Gall of the Earth (Prenanthes sp ), Deer Berry (Vaccinium stamineum) , a little Bowman's Root (Gillenia trifoliata) and the edible fungus Suillus pictus. .
We had been passing over gently-rolling terrain and now reached the main road ( Rt. 14 ). On crossing the road we began to see Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) . Also seen here was our first Black Gum, Carex complanata and the fungus Amanita muscaria var formosa, followed by abundant White Pine, White Oak and Red Maple. The base of a large White Oak harbored a community of the mosses Aulocomnium heterostichum, two species of Anomodon, aBrachythecium, a Mnium, Forsstroemia trichomitria, Thuidium delicatulum,Platygyrium repens and a Campilium. Associated with them were Upland Low Blueberry, Teaberry, Brachyelytrum erectum and Mountain Bellwort. Nearby, on a rotting down bole stained by the green fungus Chlorociboria aeruginasces, we saw a brilliant metallic green and red 0.5 cm click beetle (Elateridae) in one of those curious juxtapositions that seem to be frequent in wild nature. A little farther on a small White Oak had, at breast level, a striking colony of the beautiful moss Neckera pennata.
At this point the trail was interrupted by a power line opening populated by Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) and a few plants of Devil's Bit (Chamaelirium luteum) . Mountain Laurel in bloom also made a scattered appearance. Upon again entering the forest, we saw our first Cucumbertree and the fungus Marasmius rotula. We soon approached a springbrook in the vicinity of which was Witch Hazel, Saw Brier (Smilax glauca) , abundant New York Fern, Bushy Panic Grass (Panicum dichtomum) , Carex digitalis, an undetermined species of Iris, Leucobryum cushion moss and the long-rooted edible fungus Xerula furfuracea. Nearby we sighted a large stick nest in a White Pine.
As we continued along the trail, Black Huckleberry appeared to increase in abundance and we encountered the first Chestnut Oak and Pignut Hickory, although White Pine, White Oak and Red Maple still dominated the canopy. Here we also saw Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) , a Red Maple sapling encrusted withUsnea lichen and the moss Ulota crispa, while the ground cover contained abundant Rattlesnake Weed (Hieracium venosum) . Next noted were our first Pitch Pine, the fungus Tricholomopsis platyphylla ( a species said to be edible " with caution " ) and the call of an Ovenbird. We then passed through a small section of a clearcut, perhaps 20 years in age. Beyond the clearcut large White Pine were accompanied by Chestnut Oak, Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans) , Arrow-leaf Violet, Thyme-leaved Bluets, Indian Tobacco ( Lobelia inflata) and an unidentified species of Clitocybe fungus. Also identified on soil here was the moss Rhynchostegium serrulatum. These were succeeded by the call of an unidentified Vireo and the moss Campilium chrysophyllum at the base of a sapling.
We then entered another, perhaps 15 year old, clearcut, seeing patches of unidentified haircap (Polytrichum) moss, a species ofInocybe fungus, dead Flowering Dogwood and Gay Wings (Polygalla paucifolia) . The soil here, as elsewhere, appeared to be clay-rich.
At this point our traverse was terminated due to impending rain, and we retraced our route. During our return it appeared that we were being "followed" for some distance by a Scarlet Tanager, who called repeatedly, although it is possible that more than more than one bird was involved.
On our return to the parking lot we became aware of both Black and Scarlet Oaks in its vicinity, although we had seen none on our traverse. Our arrival was also soon succeeded by a violent hailstorm that produced 3 cm diameter hailstones that dented an aluminum camper shell roof on our vehicle. This storm, which piled hailstones in small drifts, was followed by a large fall in temperature for a short period.
Additional fungi collected on this traverse and identified by R. Hunsucker were the following:
Amanita geminata
Lycoperdon marginatum
Tylopilus indecisus
Austroboletus gracilis
Micromphala foetidumLichens and additional bryophytes from the traverse were also identified by R. Hunsucker. In the following a lichen and a liverwort are explicitly indicated and mosses are the rest:
Heteroderma leucomelaena-a lichen on White Oak bark
Mnium cuspidatum-on base of White Oak
Mnium affine varciliare-at base of White Oak on soil, rotten wood
Brachythecium oxycladon-at base of White Oak on bark
Campilium chrysophyllum-on bark at base of White Oak
Fissidens osmundioides
Haplohymenium triste-on trunks of White and Northern Red Oaks
Tortella humilis-on bark at base of White Oak, other trees
Pylasiella intricata-on bark of White and Northern Red Oaks
Frullania brittoniae-liverwort on bark of Oak, Red Maple
Lake Sherwood Trail
Source Walk: 6-17-98
This and connecting trails circle Lake Sherwood. Our traverse began at the point of origin of the previous traverse, extended southeast along the Lake shore, turned sharply northeast, still following the shore, then returned to its origin along the northwest shore.
Our early morning start was greeted by calls of Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrush, Red Wing Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Green Frogs (Rana clamitans) . Our initial course was through forest dominated by large, if not old, White Pine, with Northern Red, White and Black Oaks and abundant Red Maple. A detail here was the Great thickness of the leaves of Northern Red Oak, which resenbled those of Black Oak, a characteristic also noted along Meadow Creek. Shrubs and ground flora included Upland Low Blueberry, Hairy Bedstraw (Galium pilosum) , Wood Betony, Carex gracilescens and the fungi Trichaptum biformis ( "the sawdust maker" ), Scizophyllum commune and Stereum complicatum. Other birds seen were White-breasted Nuthatch ( Sita carolinensis) and Flicker (Colaptes auratus) . On the nearby Lake shore we identified the Burreed Sparganium androcladum, which is said to favor "muddy shores", perhaps reflecting the local clay soil.
Again within the forest, we were attracted by an unusual community under Northern Red Oak on a northeast-facing earth bank. It was dominated by Squaw-weed ( Senecio obovatus ) in close association with Carex willdenowii, Panicum boscii, Wild Liquorice, Black Cohosh, Brachyelytrum erectum, Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius ), Wreath Goldenrod, Plume Lily, Downy Wood Violet (Viola sororia) , Great Chickweed, a Little Teaberry and a few seedlings of Red Maple. A dense sprinkling of Red Maple seedlings surrounded the community.
Continuing along the trail, we successively noted Thyme-leaved Bluets, more Squaw Weed with Carex gracilescens and Black Haw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) under White Pine, then Rattlesnake Weed, Sugar Maple, the call of an Ovenbird, Pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys) . Hophornbeam and New York Fern. Next seen was a somewhat unusual plant, a species of Polemonium, most likelyP. reptans ( Greek Valerian ), a native despite its common name. Although it resembles its rarer congener P. vanbruntiae ( Jacobs Ladder ), it is smaller and less upright. However we could not make a positive identification despite the presence of seed capsules. The Polemonium was here associated with Carex gracilescens and New York Fern in moist clay-rich soil. Also present nearby was Cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) , which resembles Polemonium in the form of its leaves.
Where a springbrook discharges into the Lake we saw an unidentified loosestrife ( Lysimachia sp ), Carex lurida, Three-way Sedge (Dulichium arundinaceum) , more Polemonium, the mint Stachys cordata, the edible fungus Hygrophorus flavescens ( characteristic of damp mossy soils ) and numerous emerging dragon flies, apparantly trying their wings. Here too we heard a Wood Thrush call.
The trail now passed along the base of a steeper slope with some quite large Hemlock and Northern Red Oak, but with Pignut Hickory of undetermined species, White Oak, Red and Sugar Maples, Hophornbeam and the ever-present White Pine. After a short distance we reached the western end of the Lake dam. However, just before reaching the dam, and under a canopy of White Pine and Scarlet Oak, we found the uncommon Northern Bedstraw (Galium boreale) in close association with Calamagrostis poteri, Plume Lily, Teaberry, Blue Wood Aster, Big-leaf Aster, Sweet-scented Bedstraw, Wild Geranium and Four-leaved Yam.
On the grass-covered earthen dam we observed Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster ) over the Lake, an Eastern Kingbird (Tyranus tyranus) and numerous droppings of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) .
At the east end of the dam, immediately west of the spillway, there is a stand of very large White Pine, some 40 inches ( one m ) dbh. In association were a few Black Birch, Red Maple, Sugar Maple saplings and Hophornbeam. A common shrub here was Early Low Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) , a northerner, and in some places Upland Low Blueberry as well. Ground cover included Ground Berry (Rubus hispidus) , Canada Mayflower, Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, Fly Poison, Partridge Berry, the rush Juncus effuses, New York and Hay-scented Ferns. Beaver sign abounded .
On crossing the spillway we entered once more a forest of large White Pine and White Oak. As we continued north along the east shore, we successively noted the following: the calls of Scarlet Tanager and Red-eyed Vireo, more large White Pine, large Scarlet Oak, then Sugar Maple, more White Oak and a dense growth of the sedge Carex pensylvanica. Following were Hog Peanut ( the first seen by us in the area ), White Snakeroot, Hairy Sweet Cicely, and along a springbrook, the two spinulose shield ferns Dryopteris intermedia and the deciduous D. carthusiana as well as Spiked Lobelia (Lobelia spicata) in bloom.
We now entered an area of small White Pine, perhaps the site of a former field. Here vigorous ground-dwelling mosses included Dicranum and Pleurosium schreberi and were associated with Cladina lichen, a Galerina fungus and Creeping Five-leaf under pine.
Farther along the Trail we saw Rattlesnake Fern, White Pine, White Oak and more emerging dragon flies along the shore, then the first Pitch Pine, the fungus Amanita flavoconia, Black Huckleberry, Upland Low Blueberry and suddenly, abundant Ground Pine. Continuing, there was Leucobryum cushion moss, Deer Berry, Interrupted Fern and abundant Rattlesnake Weed. Hearing the call of an Ovenbird, we entered an area of concentrated Black Huckleberry, more Pitch Pine, Calamagrostis porteri and in the Lake's shallows, Three-way Sedge. As elsewhere, yellow clay formed the Lake bank and bottom.
We soon came to another springbrook, noting that where it entered the Lake there were large beds of Sphagnum moss and Three-way Sedge, and on the near bank, Fly Poison and the only Mountain Aster (Aster acuminatus) seen on either traverse. As we continued along the trail edged by the northern blue grass Poa alsodes,, now filling its seeds, a Scarlet Tanager called again. Following these were abundant Ground Pine, Intermediate Shield and Hay-scented Ferns and a few plants of Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, while in an adjacent small embayment, a Spring Peeper called briefly, although it was near mid-day. Not far beyond there was stunted Christmas Fern ( Polystichum acrostichoides) and, in yet another springbrook, the manna grass Glyceria melicaria and on its edge, Interrupted and Royal (Osmunda regalis ) Ferns. Under adjacent large White Pine, White and Scarlet Oaks were Teaberry, Rattlesnake Weed, Trailing Arbutus, the wood rush Luzula echinata, cushions of Leucobryum moss, Cladina lichen and a single plant of Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) in bloom. Also seen here was a single plant of Heartleaf in association with the forest grass Brachyelytrum erectum. Red-eyed Vireos and Chickadees of an unidentified species also called here.
Not far distant in the forest interior we saw a few large clumps of Great Rhododendron, the only example of this species seen on either traverse. Also noted at the forest edge was the only example of the sedge Carex intumescens seen by us.
The canopy now consisted of abundant Pitch Pine accompanied by White Pine, White Oak and Red Maple with diseased Flowering Dogwood in the understory.A Scarlet Tanager and an Ovenbird called, and from the Lake,were joined by a Green Frog. As we approached the head of the Lake we identified the first-seen shrub of Maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina) .
Our completion of the circuit on the west side of the Lake was rapid and included few observations, since this side is developed for camping. Seen however were Minnie-bush (Menziesia pilosa) , Maleberry, an isolated occurrence of Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum) , perhaps related to introduced nutrients, more Northern Bedstraw, our first Poverty Oat Grass (Danthonia spicata) , Smooth Alder, Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) , Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris ) and the Broad-leaf Cattail (Typha latifolia) . Obvious also on this side of the Lake was the replacement of Scarlet Tanagers by American Robins (Turdus migratorius) , a tolerator of human-induced degradation. While it is likely that the Lake shore would have added many more species to our tally, many of these would also be a consequence of human disturbance.
The following are additional fungi identified by R. Hunsucker from collections along the Lake Sherwood Trail:
Clitocybe sp- on ground
Dacrymyces palmatus-on Pitch Pine down bole
Tremellodendron pallidum- on ground in mixed woods
Collybia confluens-on ground in mixed woods
Leucopaxillus albissimus-on hardwood and conifer leaves
Cantharellus minor-among Climacium americanum in mixed woods
Tremella mesenterica-on dead hardwood branches
Tricholomopsis platyphylla-on rotting down trees
Suillus granulatus-on soil under White Pine, its favorite habitat
Cryptoporus volvatus-on trunk of dead standing Pitch Pine
Tylopilus indecisus-on ground in oak-Red Maple-White Pine forest
Spathularia velutipes
Marasmius siccus-on ground in mixed forest
Galerina sp-among Dicranum scoparium in White Pine-Oak-Red Maple forest
Lactarius sp-on ground in mixed forest
Ganoderma applanatus-on decaying down trees
Summary
Among the markedly northern species identified on these traverses are Early Low Blueberry, Beaked Hazelnut, Canada Mayflower, Wild Sarsaparilla , Large Round-leaved Orchid, Mountain Aster and Northern Bedstraw. All have very limited occurrences, appearing almost as curiosities and likely related to very local conditions. As previously indicated for the lower watershed, this is an expected consequence of the modest elevation and the lack of nearby high slopes that might serve as sources of cold air to drain into the area. It seems likely that the presence of certain species, such as Northern Bedstraw near the Lake shore may be related to the cooling effect of the water during the early part of the growing season.
Reference
Brooks, A. B., 1910, Forestry and Wood Industries, Vol. 5, West Virginia Geological Survey, Acme Pub. Co., Morgantown, W Va.
Cardwell, Dudley H., Robert B. Erwin, Herbert P. Woodward and Charles W. Lotz compilers. 1968. Geologic Map of West Virginia, slightly revised 1986. West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey.