UPDATE:  3/28/16  Bluebell Watch Continues

The three Bs of spring – blooming bluebells, bald eagle chicks and black bear sightings. These all herald the start of warmer weather in our area. At Riverbend Park the Virginia Bluebells are certainly fulfilling their promise with most of the plants in bud, and some beginning to bloom in the warmer, sunnier spots.

As the warmer weather continues look for bumblebees visiting the flowers and hanging upside down under the blooms or hovering nearby as they insert their long proboscis or “tongue” into the blossom in search of nectar and pollen. Bumblebees are popular pollinators in the spring ephemeral world, not least because they can be found flying at temperatures as low as 41 degrees which makes them ideal pollinators for these early spring bloomers. The bumblebee also benefits by getting pollen and nectar with which to stock its new nest.

Bumblebees are not the only pollinators; other bee species, bee flies – flies that mimic bees and pollinate many of our spring ephemerals, butterflies and even hummingbirds can be seen hovering around the Bluebells. Once the blooming is really underway find a quiet spot and sit and watch a Bluebell patch for a few minutes and see which pollinators are visiting the flowers.

As the plants grow the purple leaves turn a grayish green and become quite large. These smooth, oval shaped leaves persist for several weeks after the flowers have set seed and withered. This is the case with many of the spring ephemerals; in fact in some species, such as the Bloodroot, the leaves continue to grow and produce food which is stored in the underground rhizomes or corms for use in the following spring. The Virginia Bluebells have a rhizome which acts as a food store.

As spring progresses more wildflower species begin to bloom. The first Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) was spotted yesterday and the forest floor is rapidly being covered by the spotted leaves of this important plant. Trout Lily colonies can be very large and old and help to stabilize the soil. The Trout Lily only blooms when the plant has two leaves and only a few plants in the colony will bloom each year. The deep red flowers of Sessile Trillium, or Toadshade, (Trillium sessile) are making an appearance, and the twin leaves of Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) are pushing through the soil. Part of the fun of spring wildflower watching is seeing the different species begin to bloom one after the other.

Look up as you walk along the Potomac Heritage Trail and you will see many other signs of spring. Spring bird migration is underway and a group of Yellow Rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata) was spotted flitting through the trees in search of insects to fuel their journey. And let’s not forget the Eastern Bluebirds (Sialis sialis) busily prospecting for desirable spring residences, zipping around in their smart blue and red spring plumage. Check out some of our many nest boxes near the Visitor Center and in the meadow and you may see a Bluebird sitting on top of the box scanning for insects. Riverbend’s 23 Bluebird boxes are monitored throughout the summer by volunteer monitors.

When you visit Riverbend Park drop into the Visitor Center and pick up a spring wildflower sheet to help you identify the different species.

Join us on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for our fourth Annual Bluebell Festival and celebrate the arrival of spring with wildflower walks, live animal demonstrations, wagon rides, live music and other family fun activities.

Naturalist led Spring Wildflower Walks at Scotts Run Nature Preserve (April 9th)   and Riverbend Park (April 17th) are a great way to get to know these lovely harbingers of spring, and discover the folklore associated with them.

For more information call 703-759-9018 or view our website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend

Written by Marijke Gate, Naturalist at Riverbend Park

 

 

Bluebell Watch 2016

Spring has finally arrived and the first Virginia Bluebell blooms have been spotted at Riverbend Park, heralding one of the most spectacular seasons in our part of the Potomac Gorge. The deep purple shoots pushed their way through the winter debris littering the floodplain during the last few days of February and this week the first flowers were seen. Look in the sunny spots for plants in bloom, those in the shade are still small clumps of green and purple leaves with just a few flower buds visible. In a couple of weeks the whole floodplain will be covered in a sea of green and blue.

The beautiful blue flowers that carpet the banks of the Potomac River make spring a very special time at Riverbend Park. The large, bright green leaves contrast with the drooping, bell like flowers. Most of the flowers are a clear sky blue but occasionally a white or pink blossom can be found. Before the flowers fully open they are a deep pink color and gradually change to the lovely blue of the mature bloom. The individual flowers hang downwards to protect the pollen from the rain and allow only certain pollinators such as the bumblebee access to the nectar.

Virginia Bluebells or Mertensia virginica, are not the Bluebells of the English woodlands or the Bluebonnets of Texas but are members of the Borage or Forget-me-not family and are sometimes known as the Virginia Cowslip. Other names are the Oysterleaf for the faint taste of the sea when the leaves are chewed, or Lungwort for the belief that the plant could cure lung ailments. These perennial plants can be grown in moist soils, especially those which are in dappled shade. Like other spring ephemerals Virginia Bluebells appear and bloom before the trees are fully leafed out and take advantage of the early spring sunlight hitting the forest floor. Plants can be purchased at native plant sales and from some garden centers but be warned that that they can take many years to become established so don’t expect a spectacular show of blue in the first few years.

Spring at Riverbend Park is not only about Bluebells. Many other native spring wildflowers can be found lining the river banks. Right now you can find delicate Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), sometimes called Fairy Spuds for their tiny, potato-like corms, and tiny Harbinger of Spring (Erigenia bulbosa). The flashy but short-lived blooms of the Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) can be found on sunny banks, and Northern Spicebush bushes(Lindera benzoin) are covered with yellow flowers that can be seen on the twigs before the leaves make their appearance. As the spring progresses different plants will begin to flower. Check back for more updates on the spring ephemeral progression.

Spring wildflowers are not the only signs of spring along the Potomac. Eastern Phoebes are making their distinctive call all along the riverbank and a Tufted Titmouse was seen vigorously displaying to a potential mate. Bluebird boxes are ready for a new batch of chicks and the Red Maple trees are coloring the tree canopy with a cloud of deep red flowers.

Join us on Saturday April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our fourth Annual Bluebell Festival and celebrate the return of the Bluebells and the arrival of spring with wildflower walks, live animal demonstrations, wagon rides, live music and other family fun activities in celebration of spring.

Naturalist led Spring Wildflower Walks at Scotts Run Nature Preserve (April 9th)   and Riverbend Park (April 17th) are a great way to get to know these lovely harbingers of spring, and discover the folklore associated with them.

For more information on these or any of our spring activities call 703-759-9018 or view our website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend

Check back for regular updates on the Bluebells’ progress.

 

Written by Marijke Gate, Naturalist at Riverbend Park