Flora, Fauna, and Fungi

Lake Matoaka its surrounding forests are inhabited by a spectacular diversity of flora, fauna and fungi:

Nearly 1,000 taxa have been identified since 2017 (iNaturalist)!
183 bird species have been observed to date. Check out the illustrated E-Bird checklist for what you can find in different months, and generate a printable checklist generated the eBird data.
Try your hand at W&M's free bird scavenger hunt, developed by PERL, W&M Libraries, the McLeod Tyler Wellness Center, and the Bird Club of W&M.
545 vascular flora species are detailed in this 1969 thesis project by Allene Claire Phillips Barans.
For a walking tour of trees, try the William & Mary Campus Greenspace Map. It is also available on the W&M mobile phone app.
Check out this wmfieldguide put together by Anna Ledwin ('21) for select species on campus.

The diversity of life includes many non-native species. Work on invasive plant species removal on campus includes English ivy, autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius), mahonia (Berberis japonica), Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima).

On the Forest Floor

Virginia Pennywort is a mycoheterotroph, meaning it gets nutrients though a symbiotic relationship with fungi.

Mining bees were North America's primary pollinators before honeybees were introduced. Look for these docile bees in early spring in areas with exposed soil, well-drained and lightly shaded soils.

American Toad — The trilling calls of American toads are a welcome sound of spring in the College Woods.

Yellow fungus with snail — Neither fungus nor lichen nor slime, yellow slime mold is a protist that devours bacteria, yeasts and other microorganisms. They are part of the College Woods food web... see the tiny snail snacking on it?

Tulip tree moth — Although tuliptree silk moths can have wingspans up to 4.5", they are so well camouflaged, they're rarely seen until the end of their lives unless you are lucky enough to spot one by a light. As adults, they live to reproduce... only 7-10 days. Eating occurs in their larval stage. Caterpillars feed on the leaves of tulip trees, pawpaw, and some others.

Pickerel Frogs are one of the earliest frogs we hear in the College Woods.

The College Woods are home to the amazingly beautiful yellow lady slippers (and their associated fungal associate)! More...

Snakewort is a liverwort, a non-vascular plant. Although it occurs all over the world, it can be locally limited in distribution. Look for it in moist and shady spots adjacent to creeks and springs.

The College of William & Mary is known for its scurry of squirrels who have acclimated to campus and the presence of students. The Flat Hat compiled their best shots into a video that also highlights the surprising appearance of squirrels in Williamsburg's colonial history. More...