Pack Forest, Eatonville, Washington: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Location: Pack Forest, Eatonville, Washington, United States of America (lat: 46.841642, lon: -122.30135)

Time: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Weather Conditions: significant cloud cover, very muddy trail, little to light rainfall

Summary of Observations: Went on two separate, brief hikes at Pack Forest. Began both hikes in a large clearing, where we observed many Pacific Wrens. Clearing bordered in many locations by Scotch Broom. Hiked through a forest of primarily Douglas Firs, with some Western White Pines, Red Alders, and Western Hemlocks. Also saw a few Bigleaf Maples and Black Cottonwoods. Many of the trees and fallen logs were covered in mosses and lichen. Specifically saw abundant Old Man’s Beard, Common Orange Lichen, Evernia prunastri, and Parmelia sulcata. Understory primarily composed of abundant Sword Ferns and Salal, but also Oregon Grape, Red Flowering Currant, Indian Plum, and Salmonberry. Also saw some English Ivy and Deer Ferns. Heard Chestnut-backed Chichadees while hiking.

Species List:

1. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
2. Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf Maple)
3. Pinus monticola (Western White Pine)
4. Alnus rubra (Red Alder)
5. Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock)
6. Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood)
7. Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)
8. Blechnum spicant (Deer Fern)
9. Xanthoria parietina (Common Orange Lichen)
10. Usnea (Old Man’s Beard)
11. Evernia prunastri
12. Parmelia sulcata
13. Troglodytes pacificus (Pacific Wren)
14. Poecile rufescens (Chestnut-backed Chickadees)
15. Ribes sanguineum (Red Flowering Currant)
16. Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
17. Mahonia nervosa (Dull Oregon Grape)
18. Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry)
19. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)
20. Hedera helix (English Ivy)
21. Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom)

Posted on April 13, 2012 03:58 AM by sophiejhart