Trail Talk 365 - May 28, 2025

May 20th was a sunny day with a high of 17 oC, and I saw Northern or Pearl Crescents near our garden, so I went to Hullett Sugar Bush hoping to see more butterflies and saw three Pearl Crescents.  The following three days were cloudy and raining so no butterflies were out.

                  I really appreciate iNaturalist which often comes to my rescue when I don’t know or can’t remember a plant, butterfly, tree, insect etc. While hiking on the River Bend loop we saw a small tree with white flowers, which I should have known was a Hawthorn, which has many different species.  There was a plant at the place with a large flat rock, that I knew that I had looked up before, it was a leaf cup.  At the Clinton Conservation area trail, when trying to get a photo of a Cabbage White, I discovered some Bulbous Cress, a flower new to me.  Near the start of the Morrison Dam Trail, there is a tree that has flowers similar to a Horse Chestnut. It is an Ohio Buckeye which has leaves with five leaflets.  There is a similar tree at the Clinton Conservation Area with seven leaflets, which is a Texas Ohio Buckeye.  The Horse Chestnut is not related to chestnuts but belongs to the Buckeye family.

            One unusual visitor to our Greenhouse was a Snowberry Clearwing, (hemaris diffinis) which is similar to the other hummingbird moth, the Hummingbird Clearwing (hemaris thysbe). The moth was resting on a wire and was the first one I had ever seen at rest. These moths lay eggs, usually on Honeysuckles and Dogbane.

            Despite the light rain on Thursday, eleven hikers came out for a hike on the Hullett Sugar Bush Trails.  We did not see any frogs there. This year I have only seen two, one at our small pond a week ago, and one in the Bayfield River.

Usually, I only see Groundhogs from a distance, but I came close to one on the Sugar Bush Trails. Columbine and Yellow Lady Slipper orchids are now in bloom.

Hikers on any Maitland Trail Association outings are reminded to sign the 2025 Online waiver.

The Menesetung Bridge across the Maitland River in Goderich is now closed to pedestrians and cyclist for 16 to 20 weeks.

Spring Turkey hunt is from April 25th to May 31st.       

Sunday, June 1, 2025 9-11 a.m. Benmiller to Morris Tract Meet at the Morris Tract Provincial Nature Reserve, 36833 Londesboro Road to carpool to Benmiller. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Anne Melady at jamelady@hotmail.com. This is a Level 2, easy pace, 2 hours.

Saturday, June 7, 2025  9.30 am to 12.30 pm Cycle: Point Clark Light House to Bruce Beach Road

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Donald Andrew at 519 530-9019 by calling or texting. This is a level 1, easy ride. Difficulty – Beginner, crushed gravel, some pavement, some off-road trails. Bring water.

The distance is approximately 14 kms one way. After a rest then head back to the start.

Saturday June 14, 2025 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Note change in time Benmiller to Sharpes Creek Line. This is the third of the End to End hikes. For more information and to confirm your attendance contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.

June 14, 2025 6.30 pm Maitland Trail Association 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The speaker is Adam Shoalts, a professional adventurer and best-selling author. Limit

Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, complete the form on the MTA website.

Midweek hikers meet at 9 a.m. and hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.