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Wednesday 12 September 2018

Nature Park

We have visited the Westmoreland River Nature Park several times since it opened in August of last year. A group of volunteers has worked to restore the Westmoreland Watershed and the park on Stordy’s Pond is part of their plan. 




Around the pond, there are two docks for fishing 





and bird boxes for tree swallows. 





There is also a Monarch Waystation, with milkweed plants and shelter for the butterflies. 





A ladder helps fish swim to the pond rather than navigate the river.





This year, the group built stands overlooking the ladder and the river. 


During our lastest visit, there were many butterflies, mainly sulphurs and whites, in the vegetation along the path around the head of the pond. I also saw this Viceroy, which I mistook for a Monarch.





Vegetation planted along the waterways and the pond provide rest areas for the fish. The Spotted jewelweed on both sides of the ladder was a great addition.





We met a fly fisherman who caught huge rainbow trout in the pond last spring. He enjoys the park and marvels at the work of the watershed group.

Last year, I took a photo of other fishers of this pond, the Double-crested cormorants.





This year, cormorants swam and dived in the water. They like the changes to the area as well.





Thank you volunteers! 


18 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

Looks like a very fine place.

DJan said...

What a wonderful place! To provide sustenance and shelter to the beautiful monarchs warms my heart. The whole area is truly magical. Thank you volunteers, and thank you Marie, for introducing me to this place. I hope you visit again and take me along. :-)

Debbie said...

a wonderful, very natural park. looking after the importance of preserving nature!!

William Kendall said...

A very worthy endeavour! Beautiful shots.

Celia said...

Such a lovely park and wonderful that volunteers are so active maintaining it. Still much good in the world.

Bill said...

What a wonderful place indeed.

Barbara said...

I'd love to have a blanket and a thermos and spend the day watching the butterflies and clouds fly by.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What awesome and very important volunteer work! Kudos to them all!

Elephant's Child said...

Huge thanks to the volunteers (world-wide) who create a haven for wildlife (and people).

Joanne Noragon said...

I am in awe of the group and their work.

Shammickite said...

Nice to see the posting about the Monarch butterflies. There have been quite a few around here this summer, but I suspect it might be because a lady one street away has been collecting the eggs, hatching then into the caterpillars, and then keeping the pupas safe until the butterflies hatch. She was supposed to come to a pt luck lunch last week, but she couldn't come as she had 3 butterflies drying their wings! Good for her!!!!!

Rick (Ratty) said...

Looks like a great place. I really like when they set up new nature parks.

Ginnie Hart said...

I would want to be a fly fisherwoman there, Marie. Seriously! And my son, who used to tie flies while in 5th grade, would love to come with me, I'm sure. :)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Cormorants are really quite obliging I find ☺ You are lucky to have so many beautiful walking areas close at hand Marie, such a lovely way to spend a day, even if it is cold.

Catarina said...

A job well done by the volunteers... for everyone to enjoy.

Marie Smith said...

Ginnie said:

You first got me at "the oldest house on Prince Edward Island," Marie. But when I saw the eel fishing, my ears picked up, because it's a HUGE industry here in The Netherlands, especially smoked.

You can find her blog at. https://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157

Mage said...

That's just a beautiful and magical place. Thank you.

Jenn said...

WHat a lovely park! I love the Monarch Waystation. Those guys have a long journey.