Trail Talk 360 - April 23, 2025

The warm sunny morning on April 14th brought out more spring flowers.  I saw several Sharp- lobed Hepatica in full bloom, some Bloodroot close to full bloom, Periwinkle in bloom, Blue Cohosh and Trout lilies coming up and most of our Daffodils and Violets were fully out. In the evening, the Spring peepers were in full voice at many ponds in the Hullett Sugar Bush. The next evening the temperature was down to 4oC and the peepers were quiet, but I heard a Downy Woodpecker, and a sound similar to a peeper, I took out my phone, opened Merlin to identify the song, but by then it was all quiet.

            According to Wikipedia, the Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is a small chorus frog widespread throughout the eastern United States and Canada. It prefers permanent ponds due to its advantage of avoiding predation. In northern regions, the frog is able to endure below-freezing temperatures due to the capacity of its liver to exude and flush the bloodstream with a glucose cryoprotectant.  This acts both as an anti-freeze in its blood, and allows organs like the heart to enter into a state of protected dormancy.  The peeper earned its name from its chirping call, which marks the beginning of Spring. The peeper is a small brown to tan coloured frog 1.9 to 3.2 cm in size with a dark cross on its back. I have never yet been able to see one when they are peeping. I did get a photo of one in September 2020 when it was near the Huron Hospice.

I have seen an Isobella Tiger moth caterpillar several times, but have yet to see any butterflies.

There was a good turnout for the Saturday April 12th hike at Naftel’s, including two from London. We stopped at the bridge to see if there was any fish in the creek.  After the hike, several of us also hiked the George G. Newton Nature Reserve, owned by Ontario Nature, maintained by Huron Bruce Nature. I was surprised to see most of the blazes had been painted over or scraped off. On contacting Huron Bruce Nature, I was informed that they were not responsible.     

Hikers on any Maitland Trail outing are reminded to sign the 2025 Online waiver

NOTES:

The Menesetung bridge across the Maitland River at Goderich will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists from April 21st for 16 to 20 weeks.      

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

Saturday April 26th   9am -11.30 am the second part of the Maitland End to End from Jenkins to Benmiller. This 11 km section of the Maitland Trail has two challenging sections through a variety of forest types including the relatively mature forest of the Morris Tract. We will enjoy a view of the falls at the Falls Reserve Conservation Area and a full stop lunch at the shelter there. Wear sturdy footwear, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent – bring lots of water and a lunch. For car shuttle arrangements and to confirm your attendance, please contact Con Melady at 519 524-8730. This is a Level 2, moderate pace hike, 3.5+ hours with break and shuttle.

Saturday April 26th 1 pm on the Sawmill Trail   For those who like a more leisurely pace, the BRVTA are holding a

Family Hike called ‘Secrets of the Woods’. Discover the hidden wonders in the woods and along the riverbank of the Bayfield Sawmill Trail. Environmental educators Michele Martin and Janneke Vorsteveld will guide hikers of all ages in searching for the small creatures and plants to be found along this 2 km trail through forests, along the Bayfield River.

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 Tuesday Trompers form on the MTA website - maitlandtrail.ca

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.