Tidal Pools & Sea Birds “Nature Walk” at Cattle Point – A Fun Time for all (Sunday June 9, 2013)

FOUP Co-Chair Margaret Lidkea sends the following message about the Friends of Uplands “Park Tidal Pools & Sea Birds” event that took place at Cattle Point on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

Sunday was so much fun!  It was good to look up on the shore and find so many people talking sharing information.  Who said it would be a great idea to have a geology day??? 

And Margaret adds, for all our FOUP Steering Committee Members who came out and participated:

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND HELPING WITH THE TIDAL POOL EVENT!!! Thanks Ben for arranging for Annette, to Chris for organizing the Tidal physics (I copied your handout to my computer) and to Carol for sending us a list and suggesting that we have a Cattle Point Flora and Fauna list on our website!  I feel blessed to have you in my life. Lady Suzanne, is now on our Steering Committee. She is a biologist and a Homeschool parent, so we plan to run a family event each month starting in September. Here are some photos of us, but does not include the Red rock crab because we were anything but crabby.

HUGE HUGS, Margaret

Species list Cattle Point

Uplands Park Nature Walk – Tidal Pools & Sea Birds (10:30AM – Sunday, June 9-2013)

Sunday June 9 10:30 to 1 pm Tidal Pools and Sea Birds
Low tide at Cattle Point offers an opportunity to view a diverse ecology in tidal pools and sub tidal crevices.  Learn how to tread softly on the rocks to find anemones, crabs, and to watch the birds interact with this foreshore ecological niche.  Bring binoculars and wear water shoes/boots. Hosted by The Friends of Uplands Park.

Vernal Pools Nature Walk in Uplands Park with James Miskelly (May 26, 2013)

Biologist James Miskelly, ecologist for the DND and Board member for Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, led a fascinating tour of the vernal pool ecosystems in Uplands Park.  Thank you James.

The rain held off and about 16 community members enjoyed the Friends of Uplands Park Nature Walk and learned about some of the 31 rare plant species in Uplands Park that are associated with wetland and vernal pool ecology.

We learned about the Graceful Cinqfoil, Toad Rush, Montia Linearis,  Tall Wooleyheads (red listed), Tall Buttercup (wetland exotic), Bigleaf Lupin, Chocolate Lily, Winged Water-Starwort (blue listed),  Straight Beaked Buttercup, Scouler’s Popcornflower, Yellow Rattle, Mountain Sneezeweed, Water Plantain Buttercup (red listed), and Indian Consumption Plant.

Here are some photos from today’s walk.

Rare Water Plantain Buttercup in Uplands Park

Water Plantain Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius) is found in only two places in Canada.  Small fragmented patches, around a vernal pool, and a trail running through, are in Uplands Park. Thanks to Libby & Rick Avis, who joined the April 28th, Friends of Uplands Park Spring 2013 Nature Walk, for sending these photos.
 

 

 

 

Images taken by Kathleen Matthews, a few days later, show the foot prints and bike tracks on the trail through these rare plants.

Friends of Uplands Park Nature Walk “Vernal Pools NOT Mud Puddles” (Sunday May 26 1 to 3 pm)

Please join us this spring for our free nature walk series. Explore Uplands Park rain or shine with volunteer naturalists from Friends of Uplands Park. Rocky paths may be wet so wear suitable shoes/boots.  No washrooms; no dogs please. Meet at the Uplands Park sign on Beach Drive (across from the parking lot at the entrance to Cattle Point).  Free Drop-In. Our next Nature Walk is:
“Vernal Pools NOT Mud Puddles” (Sunday May 26 1 to 3 pm)
Uplands Park “mud puddles” are actually vernal pools in the endangered Garry Oak Ecosystem. Many of the 31 rare plant species in Uplands Park are associated with wetland vernal pool ecology. Come discover these pools, learn how they are formed and discuss how you can protect them.

    

 

 

Nice Afternoon for “Sea of Camas” Nature Walk in Uplands Park

About 18 people joined Margaret Lidkea for a vibrant Sea of Camas Nature Walk in Uplands Park, on a lovely Sunday afternoon (May 12, 2013). The Central Meadow was beautifully in bloom with Camas and even a few Shooting stars, and a White Camas (not to be confused with the Death Camas). We learned about the cultivation of the Camas Meadows by the First Nations. Also present in the Central Meadow is a growing population of Yellow Rattle, native to BC but perhaps a concern for our Uplands Park Central Meadow? Margaret shared her knowledge of the rare plants in the Central Meadow vernal pools where we saw tall woolly-heads, water-plantain buttercup, and popcornflowers. We also saw some deer prints in the wet area bordered by Mountain Sneezeweed, evidence that deer are sometimes in Uplands Park. Here are some of the photos from our Mother’s Day Nature Walk in Uplands Park.

Mothers Day “Sea of Camas” Nature Walk in Uplands Park – Sunday May 12, 1 to 3 pm

The Sea of Camas – Sunday May 12. 1 to 3 pm
The Garry Oak Meadow of Uplands Park becomes a sea of blue Camas flowers that sparkles with Western buttercup. Camas bulbs are a traditional First Nations food staple and the Camas meadows in Uplands Park are a legacy of their heritage. Learn about the different types of Camas, the other wildflowers, the challenges of preservation and what we can do to help this endangered ecosystem.

You are invited to join us for our new Friends of Uplands Park 2013 Nature Walks. Explore Uplands Park, rain or shine, with volunteer naturalists from Friends of Uplands Park. Rocky paths may be wet so wear suitable shoes/boots. There are washrooms. No dogs please.

Meet at the Uplands Park sign on Beach Drive (across from the parking lot at the entrance to Cattle Point). Free & Drop-In. No need to register.