The mosses seem to like this spring. There was a large patch of Rough Goose Neck Moss in the Robertson Tract.
There are now great patches of wild leaks poking up from the leaf litter. They are a bit like a young Bloodroot, but if you smell them, you will be reminded of onions. On Wednesday April 3rd, I saw my first Hepaticas this year. They are sharp-lobed hepatica, as opposed to round lobed hepatica, which I think only occur further South than our area.
One flowering shrub out now is Daphne. It is usually found near early settlers homes. The purplish flower comes out before the leaves. There were at least two shrubs in the Maitland Woods, but one has since disappeared. I first came to know the plant when I was in Sault Ste Marie during a naturalist outing on Whitefish Island where there were well over a dozen in bloom.
Notes
Saturday April 13th 10 am Join Tanya MacIntyre for a hike on the Millennium trail. This is a meditative hike for approximately 1.5 hours – Meet at the church on Mill Road in Goderich and carpool to Nelson Road. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya MacIntyre at redroofrecovery@gmail. com. This is a Level 2, leisure pace walk.
Saturday April 20th 9 am Join Anne Melady for a hike on private property at 7277 Highway 8 just East of St Columban. Walk through this delightful property of farm fields, across the railway tracks and back to the bush and a cabin. 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, leisure pace, 1.5 - 2 hours.
Saturday April 20th 1 pm Join the BRVTA hike on their Bayfield SAWMILL Trail for a leisurely paced hike for all ages to explore nature along the trail and riverbank.
Saturday April 20th For those in top shape, join the World Wildlife Fund for a fundraiser climb of the 1776 steps up the CN Tower!
Monday April 22nd 10 a.m. Join the BRVTA Earth day clean up starting at the Pavilion at Clan Gregor Square.
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 1.5 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.