Devin Floyd Devin Floyd

The May 1 Byrom Park Bioblitz, species noted by Team 10

The Central Virginia Blue Ridge

has a new forest preserve on the way. On May 1, a large group of scientists and naturalists (60+) descended upon the area for a preliminary biological assessment. I was on team 10, and here are some of the things we saw.

-On the eastern flank of the Blue Ridge in Central Virginia

-Lat/long: 38.227902,-78.660403

-Elevation survey range (Trail E) 1270' -1850'

-Survey Team #10

Geology

-Catoctin Formation (Metabasalt)

-Charnockite

At site E-10, in the stream, there were large and beautiful specimens of microcrystaline quartz ranging from bright greens to deep reds. This very well could have been a material source for Native Americans.

Noteable Habitats

Wildflower meadow (E-1).

This spot is unusual in that it is a bit of a flat area on the mountainside. The bedrock is the mafic and mineral rich Catoctin greenstone, probably adding to the diversity at the site. This habitat would be a good wildflower destination, particularly for its thick grove of showy orchis, but also for the dozen or so other wildflowers that are blooming there on May 1.

Mafic Boulder (E-2).

Wildflowers

The woods were full. Most of these were observed at site E-1, at the top of the E trail.

Indian Cucumber Root (not in bloom)

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Showy Orchis

False Solomon's Seal (budding)

Early Meadow Rue

Tall Meadow Rue

Perfoliate Bellwort

Wild Geranium

Pink Lady's Slipper (along E trail at elevation 1320 +/-)

Early Saxifrage

Puttyroot Orchid (***past bloom***).

A reader more knowledgable than I pointed out that this plant flowers after the leaves die back! So, this plant was NOT past bloom.

Ferns

Common Polypody (growing on the giant mafic boulder, E-2)

Cut-leafed grape fern

Amphibians

American Toad

Northern Dusky Salamander

Seal Salamander

Southern Two-lined Salamander

Eastern Red-backed Salamander

White spotted Slimy Salamander

Eastern Newt, red eft stage

Mammal tracks

Bear scat

Bobcat urine...territory marker (pee -yhooo!). (At E-8)

Trees

Giant White pine (E-8) circ. 8', 5".

Giant Chestnut Oak (E-9) circ. 10', 6".

Groves of slippery elm, witch hazel, spicebush

A low elevation striped maple

Other

Canadian Owlet moth caterpillar (on the early meadow rue)

Gold Brown Rove Beetle (in the bear scat)

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