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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,
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