Before the First Step

Hacklebarney State Park

Field Study No. 4

Location

Hacklebarney State Park — Main Trail → Red Trail loop

Season

Late Winter

Observed By

Suellen - Alex - Sheldon - Charlie

What We Noticed

As soon as we got out of the car,
We heard a Pileated Woodpecker calling from the trees near the parking lot.

Charlie followed scent trails through the forest,
moving with deep focus.

Sheldon walked the entire hike
and climbed the large stone stairway without needing the backpack.

The trail was short:
Main Trail → Red Trail loop → up the stone steps.

The forest carried the feel of something just beginning to change.

• damp bark

• air beginning to soften

• light lingering a little longer

Field Notes

Hearing a woodpecker immediately upon arrival often means you are within its established territory.

Pileated Woodpeckers tend to return to the same areas over time
as long as the habitat remains healthy.

Their calls can make a forest feel awake
before the walk has even begun.

Reflection

Before our first step,
the forest had already begun the conversation.

Try This

Before starting a walk,
pause in the parking lot or at the trailhead.

Listen for what is already happening
before you begin moving through it.

Best Experienced

• early arrival
• quiet trails
• edge-of-season walks
• moments before movement begins