Two of our Bruce Trail Conservancy Trail Ambassadors, Anna Zandvliet & Kate Bonn, have had some amazing species sightings along the Niagara Escarpment this summer in the Sydenham section of the Bruce Trail (Blantyre to Wiarton). Check out this update:
Over the past 9 weeks, Kate and I have identified about 150 species of plants, insects, fungi, etc. using iNaturalist. Here are some highlights:
One of my first observations was at Jones Falls – a species of chocolate tube slimes. It looked like this old tree trunk was being turned into a brown shag carpet. Fungi and slime molds have the best names – chocolate tube slime, fairy fingers, Dryad’s saddle… So imaginative.
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Along the road is not where you expect to find cool colourful creatures. But sure enough, on the road on our way to Bluewater Park, we found a pink primrose moth. We were passing some evening primrose, and I saw something pink in the middle of a flower. It struck me as weird, so we stopped and found this beautiful little moth. As the name suggests, evening primrose is the host plant for this species’ larva.
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We were walking in the Kemble Mountain area - near Dodd’s Hill - and I saw what looked to me like a fried potato. But when Kate picked it up, it was hollow. iNaturalist said it was in the genus Amphibolips. Through a little googling and the help of iNaturalist members, I discovered it was an old oak apple gall of the larger oak apple wasp.
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One of my favourite observations was the American cancer root. We found it in the Lindenwood Management Area. At first, it looked like a bunch of pinecones standing up. It didn’t look like a plant or fungi, so I was stumped. That was because this is a non-photosynthesizing, fully parasitic plant. It gets its nutrients from attaching to the roots of oak or beech trees.
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The best observations are the ones you aren’t looking for and just happen by chance/luck.
1) Join the Bruce Trail Conservancy's iNaturalist Project, AND
2) Check "Project Journal Posts" under your iNaturalist Account Settings > Notifications > Email Notifications.
Thank you for your interest in the Bruce Trail Conservancy and our work to preserve a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.
Comentarios
Anna Zandvliet & Kate Bonn, great photos. Thanks for introducing us to some fascinating species found along the trail. And, I appreciate you sharing your wisdom "The best observations...."
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