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!
