All posts by GVMEcology Admin

Dryspike Sedge is Fruiting Now

Uncategorized
Dryspike Sedge
Dryspike Sedge

05/24/2010 Jim E. emailed this information on Dryspike Sedge (Carex foenea): “It IS “an early fruiting species, but not what I thought.  I saw it today on the trail of the USFS’ meadow inholding near here.  Rather short with a tight spike on a single culm.  The genus Carex is extremely difficult to key out (at least for me), with many species here on the Eastern Slope.  A graduate student at CU/Boulder did his doctorate on these critters. You might pass this on to the few others for their take on this very common Carex adapted to dry conditions.”

Meager spring blooms this year

White, Wildflowers

5/19/2010 Email from Jim E today: “I spotted a small plant with basal leaves and a flower cluster atop a stalk. It looked like a saxifrage, but not the one I’m familiar with.  Finally found it in the list under Saxifrage (Micranthes rhomdoidea) and it matches the figure in Weber & Wittmann.  Lots of Pasqueflower still, but little else other than Chiming Bells or Bluebells (Mertensia lanceolata).  And common, a close-to-the-ground Dwarf Mountain Fleabane (Erigeron compositus).

Perhaps early June, we might have another meadow amble to refresh some of the names of the herbaceous gems.  I’m at a loss for the short white-flowered mustard that looks like Candytuft.” Note from Ellen:  Jim keyed it out to Candytuft.

Cow Moose Spotted at Gate 1

Wildlife

5/4/2010 Jim E. reported “~9p as I approached home last night along the Red Feather Lakes road just before Gate 1, I spotted a cow moose crossing in front of me! Definitely NOT an elk, as they tend not to be in this area; at least not the gangly critter I saw.”

Jim has documented additional moose sightings in GVM:

“And late summer of ’08 I saw a confused bull moose on Haystack Rd. below my house.  At 7a on September 10, I wrote in my journal: “A warm night—I could not believe my eyes as I looked out the front picture window—a large black moose—huge white antlers!  On the main road below.  He then trotted up the path to my neighbors.  Next he was out to the east in a meadow—fast mover.  What a joy!”
Jim continued, “Then last fall [2009], September 26th to be exact, I spotted large tracks on my driveway—either moose or, unlikely, elk.  I flagged down a neighbor, John, in his truck.  A retired forester, on seeing the tracks, he said they were either from a young cow or bull moose.”

Hunting for Musk Thistle at Riddle Lake

Land Stewardship, Noxious Weeds
Musk Thistle Rosette at Crellin Lake
Musk Thistle Rosette at Crellin Lake

4/27/2010 From Ellen: “I have  adopted Riddle Lake this season and will continue the weed management work that the Ecology Committee started last season. This lake, located about a 1/2 mile inside Gate 1, is one of three in GVM. As for the other two, Batterson  Lake is managed by Judd and Crellin Lake by Jeff and Peggy. It  has  been a very late season in GVM, but I found signs of spring: a few Pasque Flowers at the SW end. Nearby, I located (and dug up) 100 Musk Thistle rosettes and just 1 mullein rosette. I also collected trash (not too much) along the south shore.”

April 14 2010 Ecology Meeting Agenda

Committee

GVM Ecology Committee Agenda April 14, 2010

1) Secretary: permanent or rotating

2) Whose going to do what – pass around sign up sheet

a) Demonstration garden

b) Filing Captains: identify weeds and priorities for work teams and spraying by Judd, Steve, Jeff

c) Individual Land Steward Projects: Judd – Batterson Lake weeds and trail

d) Help on Community Work Days

3) Community work day (most generally weeds, but could be other things such as tree thinking

a) When: Saturday or Sunday and which weekend?

b) Spread around the filings?

4) Pull4Colorado – Linda Bell

5) New initiatives – Judd – see attachments

a) Pasture management

b) Slash pile management

6) Other