[NatureNS] BNS Acadian hike with George Forsyth Nov. 5/06

Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2006 09:54:11 -0400
From: Jim Wolford <jimwolford@eastlink.ca>
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Nov. 5, 2006 - BLOMIDON NATURALISTS SOCIETY FIELD TRIP: ³ACADIAN HIKE², at
Lockhart-Ryan Park in New Minas, led by George E. Forsyth.  On this chilly
day we had a huge turn-out, of about 30 people.

George pointed out how to identify the mostly leafless deciduous trees
(exceptions red oak, beech) by the bark etc.; of note to me were the
distinctive whitish patches of lichens on the bark of red oak.  George also
likened the feel of beech leaves, if you ignore the veins, to paper money.

George informed and entertained us with lots of information on geological
and geographical history, along with natural and human history, of the area.

Early in our afternoon walk we saw a high-flying ³V² of CORMORANTS,
presumably double-crested, almost certainly migrating toward the south.

Along the railroad tracks between the extension of Cornwallis Ave. and the
ACA Co-op business complex was a colony of COMMON MILKWEED which were
shedding lovely cottony seeds; every summer I check this colony for evidence
of breeding of monarch butterflies -- several caterpillars were seen back in
August?

Near the ACA Co-op along the RR was a single bush with large leaves, and
George said it was BUCKTHORN; if so, it is the 3rd and only native species,
Rhamnus alnifolia, known as alder-leaved buckthorn; the leaves on this shrub
were much larger than those of the two introduced species.  Dense brables
prevented me from examining the leaves closely, and there were no fruits
seen.  We also saw lots of nearly leafless European alder-buckthorn, R.
frangula, which still had blackish berries.

While we were walking along the RR west of the milkweeds, we heard a calling
BARRED OWL, and the calls seemed to be coming from the northeast end of Oak
Island (yes, another Oak Island!).  Bernard Forsythe called once or twice
and seemed to get answers(?).

Along the RR tracks and adjacent to the big sand and gravel quarry at the
end of the extension of Cornwallis Ave., George showed us a flat elevated
forested  area that very probably was a site of an Acadian cemetery.

Cheers from Jim in Wolfville, 542-9204

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