My digital notebook of outdoor observations and adventures.
Time: 12:30 – 13:00
Location:
General: Roanoke River Greenway
Specific: Between the Colorado Street Bridge and small feeder creek
Coordinates/Elevation:
Companions: None
Habitat: Riparian corridor-river, creek, sycamores, winter–early spring vegetation
Current
Temp: ~65°F (warmer than yesterday)
Sky: Mostly sunny with a few wispy clouds
Wind: Not noted
Precipitation: None
Recent
Last 24h: River still high from recent melt/flooding; snow nearly gone except a few patches near the bridge
Last week / seasonal context: Extended snow cover for weeks; now warming and showing first greens of early spring
Purpose/Focus of outing: Midday walk from work; observing river conditions, wildlife, and seasonal transitions.
Route/Area covered: Greenway near work → toward Colorado Street Bridge → across small feeder creek. → back along same route
Notable phenology today:
- First noticeable greening of grass after long snow cover
- Increased sun warmth & longer days
- Possible increase in stone fly activity based on fisherman’s comments - Groundhog out of hibernation
Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) - 1 male (green head), 1 female; flying then landing, later resting in eddy behind brush
Groundhog (Marmota Monax) - 1 individual; walking through underbrush; notable as end of hibernation period
Small unidentified songbirds - heard on north side of river near creek bridge; not seen
Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) - flaky bark, seed pods still attached; various sizes
River conditions - high, fast, slightly clearer than yesterday, still murky; nearly up to the Greenway
Leaf litter accumulations - pressed against twigs/branches by high water; possibly affecting stone fly habitat
Creek conditions - very clear; bottom visible; ~1 ft deep; trickling under bridge after being flooded
Stoneflies (order Plecoptera) — Two adults observed crawling on a wooden railing, identified by Herb the fisherman. One male and one female; male larger with more prominent wings.
Fishermen - multiple; one (“Herb”) fly‑fishing with stone-fly‑style flies; no catches reported
Walked the usual route along the Roanoke River Greenway, pausing often to observe river height, clarity, wildlife presence/absence, and to talk with a familiar fisherman (Herb). Reflected on absence of typical bird activity and on seasonal transitions after snowmelt.
Morphology/ID clues: Male with green head; female brown.
Habitat micro-site: Resting in calm eddy behind leaves and brush on river edge.
Notes: Only ducks seen today, compared to recent geese-heavy days.
Observation: Walking carefully through underbrush on North side of river. Seemed unhurried and slow.
Notes: Recently listed to “Ologies with Allie Ward” podcast about marmots. Learned that they are true hibernators. This sighting and its apparent lethargy leads me to believe this is one of the first to emerge.
Vocalizations: Light birdsong heard near the north side of the river as I approached the creek bridge.
Notes: None visually identified.
Morphology/ID clues: Flaky bark; hanging seed balls.
Notes: Present in varied sizes along the riverbank. More large individuals on the North side bank.
River: High, fast, slightly clearer than yesterday, still murky; nearly up to the Greenway.
Creek: Very clear; ~1 ft deep; trickling under bridge after flooding.
Notes from Herb: stone flies develop as nymphs in leaf litter underwater, then emerge in spring and rest on riverside rocks. He tied flies to mimic them for seasonal fishing conditions.
Identification: - Morphology/ID clues: flattened body; wings held flat over back; emerged adults - Microhabitat/substrate: handrail above fast, high river; abundant leaf-litter nearby - Confidence/Similar groups: high at order; comparison to other recent identifications on iNaturalist lead me to believe the individuals I saw were of the superfamily “Nemouridae”
River wildlife relatively quiet today; no geese, no herons spotted, ducks scarce.
Fishermen present in greater numbers due to warmer weather but not catching fish.
Leaf litter buildup due to river level rise may influence aquatic insect activity.