It was nice to return to familiar trails and as usual there were some surprises. On the Sharpes Creek Line to River Line section, I noticed that the Northern Tooth fungus on the beech tree has started to form. There was no sign of it on July 23rd but obvious on August 5th. I also saw a Tawny Emperor at the edge of the field. This is associated with Hackberry trees (as does the Hackberry Emperor), so there are not many sightings of these butterflies this far north. Talking of Butterflies, I also saw a Viceroy in our garden on August 9th (this is similar in appearance to a Monarch but smaller and has a black bar on its wings, and on August 14th near Conservation Road I saw three Viceroys. On Saturday Aug 10th I saw a Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, (at the Clinton Conservation area) so now I have seen 43 species of butterflies this year and I have seen at least one butterfly on 62 consecutive days.
There is quite a lot of earth moving by the edge of the Maitland trail in the second field in from Sharpes Creek Line. The landowner is going to build a house at the top of the hill, a bit North of where the Maitland Trail goes downhill. He has been scraping up the soil ready to put in a base for a very long driveway.
There was a large turnout of 21 hikers for the Tuesday Tromp at Bannockburn Conservation Area, perhaps some were enticed to come with the attraction of the after hike snack and social time at the Bayfield Berry farm. On Monday some of us hiked at Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area where we noticed that the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority have now completely renewed the long boardwalk, this is much appreciated.
At the Clinton Conservation Area trail, the Giant Ragweed is living up to its name with some plants as tall as twelve feet high.
Notes:
MAITLAND TRAIL REOPENED from Cherrydale Road (20km) to Nature Conservancy property (25km)
Saturday, August 24, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Millennium Trail. This is a meditative walk on the Millennium trail – meet at the church parking lot on Mill Road in Goderich to carpool to Nelson Road the end of the trail. pause and explore mindfulness techniques, walking meditation and forest therapy. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya MacIntyre at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519 616-3636. This is a level 1, slow pace, 1.5 hour walk.
Saturday August 24, 10.00 a.m Indigenous History hike at the Varna Nature Trails on Mill Road. Jordan George is a Kettle and Stony Point member who specializes in Indigenous research. He will share the history of Indigenous peoples in the Bayfield area. For more information, contact Ralph Blasting at 519-525-3205 or rjblastingjr@gmail.com.
Sunday, August 25, 2024, now postponed to Sunday September 1st– 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Here is an opportunity to get in shape for the Maitland El Camino. Hike from River Line to Cherrydale. Meet at Cherrydale Road and car pool to River Line. Bring a lunch and lots of water for this hike.
For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com. This is a Level 3, moderate fast pace, 5 hour hike.
Thursday August 29th 1:00-4:00p.m. Turtle hatchlings release at Morrison Dam by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority.
Maitland Trail Association ‘s El Camino on Saturday September 21st and 22nd is sold out.
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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