Facebook www.facebook.com/cvnature/
Purple Loosestrife on the Loose
Contributed by Karen
Jocie Brooks has posted some lovely photos of beautiful native plants like Henderson’s checkermallow (Sidalcea hendersonii) found in wetlands like our estuary. I recently hiked the estuary with Brian H. and Jason G. from Sellentin’s Habitat Restoration, on the lookout for purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and yellow flag iris (Iris pseudocorus), plants that shouldn’t be there. Both of these plants make themselves right at home in moist habitats such as ditches, ponds and shorelines with such speed and ease that they can easily displace the beautiful and ecologically functional plants like Henderson’s checkermallow as well as cattails, sedges and rushes used for food, shelter and nesting material by local wildlife. Both plants can make such dense stands that water movement can be changed and open water eliminated.
Hiking across the estuary sounds easy but involves navigating many deep, slippery channels hidden by vegetation while packing removal tools and heavy sacks of purple loosestrife and yellow flag iris remains. Thank you Brian and Jason for continuing to monitor and remove these invaders.What track…is that?
Take a guess! I’ll reveal the answer in a few days.
Hint: these tracks were in the mudflats at low tide on Comox Bay. This critter often likes to hang out near the shore, where there is lots of food!
Recently, I’ve started collecting photos of tracks, scats and sign. Though I’m new to this, the exercise of looking for animal/bird sign helps sharpen my observation skills as a naturalist. I’d like to share these photos to raise awareness of the many creatures living around us that we seldom see, but if we look, we may find a sign of their presence. Encountering wildlife, even indirectly, deepens our connection with the natural world.
-Jocie BrooksHey all, we have a park interpreter at Cumberland Lake Park who does free programming Thursday to Monday every week in July and August. Programs include interpretive hikes (max 8 people - have not reached this max yet), presentations and kids activities. You can find more information on our Facebook page at Cumberland Lake Wilderness Society. We have a bat night this Thursday at 8:30pm where we will be learning about bats and listening to the bat echo-location calls. It will be on the main beach with plenty of space for physical distancing. Cheers,
www.facebook.com/events/294301338651010/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22search_results%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D]%7DThis content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
Category Archives: Field Trips
Tree of the Year 2020: Cycle Tour Challenge
Karen Cummins contributed this article to encourage you to visit the trees nominated for Tree of the Year 2020. Our family loves to cycle and it is our usual mode of transport whenever possible. For viewing special trees in our … Continue reading
March 1, 2020 Sunday Bird Walk – Cumberland Marsh
New birders are welcome to join experienced birders for this early Spring bird watching outing to Cumberland Marsh. This walk will be about 1.5 km in length on level pathways. We will be bird watching for about 2 hours. Meet … Continue reading
NatureKids: Upcoming Explorer Days, March & April 2020
March 8: Seaside Treasures – We will go on a beach walk at Goose Spit Park to find and identify different beach items. Note: the time will be earlier than usual (11am to 1pm) to match with low tide times. More … Continue reading
NatureKids Explorer Day Report – Fun in the Forest – Feb. 9, 2020
Hello NatureKids families! What a refreshing afternoon in the Seal Bay Park forest. We learned how forests can be magical by providing us with many different things such as homes, food, jobs, products, clean water, and oxygen. Not only do … Continue reading