Trail Talk 366 - June 4, 2025

May 26th was a sunny day with a high of 17oC. I thought after about a week of cold and often wet weather the butterflies would be out. On May 26th I just saw one cabbage white and two azures, and on the next day which was again sunny and warm I only saw one butterfly, a cabbage white.   Although this was very disappointing, I saw an indigo bunting flying along the Maitland Trail near Sharpes Creek Line, but I was not able to take a photo of it.  One interesting insect I saw was a theronia hilaris, an ichneumon wasp. I had to look up ichneumon – a small parasitic hymenopterous insect depositing eggs in or on larva of another insect. Hymenopterous is a large order of insect with four membranous wings.   This particular wasp lays its eggs on a living host, which is often an unwanted pest. The larva then consumes the living host.

The lady’s slipper we usually find in Huron County are yellow lady slippers which can have one or two blooms. The pink lady slippers are rarely observed in our area but are common in the Bruce Peninsula where both yellow and pink are common. Further north the pink ones (aka moccasin flowers) are the most common.

                  I have noticed that this year nearly all the mayapples have blossoms, compared to last year when only about 10% had blossoms. The wild lily-of-the-valley are now in bloom. They are also known as Canada Mayflower.  They are much smaller than the garden variety of lily-of-the-valley which are aliens and invasive. You can see large patches of them on the Sifto Loop and in the Maitland Woods.

The Menesetung bridge across the Maitland River at Goderich is now closed to pedestrians and cyclists. 

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 14th  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

Sunday June 15th 9am to 10.30 am Hike a private property near Dublin - 7277 Highway 8. The walk takes you along the Bayfield River and up through the bush of old growth and recently planted bush. There will be a trip to the Dublin Restaurant after the hike. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Anne Melady at jamelady@hotmail.com. This is a Level 1, easy pace, 1.5 - 2 hours.

June 14th 6.30 pm Maitland Trail Association 50th Anniversary Dinner Event at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The speaker is Adam Shoalts a professional adventurer and best-selling author. (Registration now closed).

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.