iNaturalist is great for identifying plants and birds, but fungi are often a problem. I took a photo of a fungi on a stump and the suggestions were: Oyster Rollrim, Sheep polypore, Albatrellus avellaneus and Lilac Oysterling. After I returned and cut some of the fungi off so that the gills were exposed, iNaturalist listed Lilac Oysterling as the first suggestion, which was later confirmed by experts.
While I was sitting on our bench, (which I rarely do) trying to photograph a rose-breasted Grosbeak, I saw a brown bird at the feeder which did not look like the usual ones. Fortunately, my photograph turned out well and it was a Pine Siskin, a new bird to me. I caught a glimpse of another new bird to me, a red headed woodpecker on the Maitland Trail at Sharpes Creek Line. While hiking at Hullett on May 8th, we were surprised to see two swans flying overhead.
Thyra has started using “Merlin” to listen to bird songs and finding out that there are quite a few warblers in our area that we rarely if ever see.
Jane Davidson died on May 1st. In the early years of the Trompers, a different meeting place and contact person was assigned each month. Jane Davidson talked about standing there, hopefully, each week in September 1998 and no one showing up. Thanks to her and other dedicated walkers’ persistence, they did not give up and slowly but surely people began to turn up, and from then on, the group grew, and now typically average 16 Trompers. I once asked Jane about a flower in the garden – it was a Star-of-Bethlehem. I asked her if it was a weed, she said, “If you like it, then it is not a weed, if you don’t like it then it is a weed!”
Three of us tackled the garlic mustard on the G2G between Lucknow Line and Sharpes Creek Line, a two-hour stint that filled 4 garbage bags of the plant. While working, we saw at least 40 Midland Painted turtles in the ponds. Later on in the section, I saw a garter snake on the Sharpes Creek Bridge and after stopping to take a photo found there were two snakes there. I suspect that the many cyclists using the trail were totally unaware of the snakes.
Notes
The work on the G2G tunnel under County Road is scheduled to start on May 21st which means that that portion of the G2G and county road will be closed for up to 26 days.
The Bayfield River Flats are closed during construction of a pedestrian bridge, scheduled to be completed by the end of May.
Saturday May 25 10:00 a.m. Millennium Trail. This is a slow meditative walk on the Millennium trail for approximately 1.5 hours – meet at the church on Mill Road in Goderich. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya MacIntyre at redroofrecovery@gmail. com. This is a Level 1, leisure pace, 1 ½ hours.
Sunday May 26th 10 a.m. to noon A BRVTA Hike at the Huronview Demonstration Farm
Sunday May 26th 9 a.m. Cycle - Goderich G2G. This is a biking opportunity from Goderich to Auburn Bridge and return - 30 km. Meet at the rock before the Menesetung bridge. Must have bike in good working condition. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Sally Brodie by texting 226-378-1648. This is a Level 1, moderate pace bike ride, 2 hours.
Sunday May 26 6:00 p.m. Sifto Loop. Meet at rock on North Harbour Road. Mindfulness in Nature walk, pause and explore mindfulness techniques, Walking Meditation and Forest Therapy. Designed for those who want the benefits of meditation but prefer to move! Dress appropriately for moving slowly, please leave your pets at home (dogs are already very Zen!). For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Janie van Essen via email jvanessen@hotmail. com or text 519-955-4402. Leisurely pace about 1 ½ hours.
All participants taking part in the Maitland Trail events should sign the waiver for 2024, preferably the online version.
Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca
Midweek Hikers hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays, contact Patrick Capper.
Both groups meet at 9 a.m. and are open to non-members provided they sign the MTA On-line waiver.
If you have questions or something of interest for Trail Talk email me Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.
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