Trout Creek July 10 2011

Here are the news:

• I was in the ER very early for 3 hours and the weather was mild with minimal wind and sunshine.

• I saw or heard 18 species of birds, including my first ever Swainson's Thrush, species #78.

• Many flowers were in bloom, but an equal number were in seed.

• the best find was another 13 species of the red-listed Dalles milk-vetch, Astragalus sclerocarpa. Apparently this is one of only two known sites in BC. In the last week close to 100 plants have been found! The other (blue) listed species, Narrow-leaved Brikellia is in bud, a late bloomer.

• I saw or heard no mammals and only a few insects; no butterflies or grasshoppers. The toadflax is looking poorly, no doubt because of the mecinus beetle; there are very few flowers and all the plants are small and shriveled. I found only one beetle, so that must have struck out for "greener pastures". Unfortunately, in an infested area I found only one Mariposa Lily in bloom where there used to be many.

• I pulled out 11 knapweed plants and 10 rosettes. They were scattered throughout the reserve with few on the old road that was once severely infested. Much less with bio-control than 20 years ago !

• there was no sign of human activity.

• all needed fence repairs are outstanding. As the old wooden posts rot out I am concerned that much of the fence will be in disrepair in the near future. If staff time can be used the cost for T-bar to replace the wood will be minimal if posts are replaced and minor repairs are done annually.

• the new stile still needs to be stained.

• local ecologist Don Gayton has put in several plant transects as part of the Parks 100 initiative.

Cheers........Laurie