Oct 20, 2002
BRUCE TRAIL - off Dunby
Road
Meeting report by Alexis & Nathan Burnett
Photos by Alexis Burnett & Walter Muma
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Photo by Alexis Burnett
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Today's Tracking Day started out at 10am
on the Bruce Trail off Dunby Road. We started out down the trail
only to find a cherry tree that had a large build up of sap on the
side near the base of the tree. We figured that something that
drilled into it, allowing the sap to overflow out of the large tree.
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Photo by Walter Muma
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Photo by Walter Muma
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We also noticed that milkweed (left) is almost ready
for harvesting for cordage, although not quite.
As well, the mullein (right) is ready to be harvested
which can be used for a hand-drill.
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As we continued down the trail we noticed an animal lay which
the group thought belonged to either a fox or a coyote. The trail leading
from the lay seemed to be shared by rabbits and foxes, which told us that
the habitat had a large population of rabbits and rodents. Next, we
proceeded into a gully on the hill where we found a few clear coyote
tracks. |
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Photo by Alexis Burnett
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In the gully we found what we believed to
be coyote scat, although it was composed entirely of apples, which
made us undecided.
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The group headed down to the marsh to find where a deer had
jumped the stream and continued to go through the marsh, up and onto the
bank. Here we also saw many rabbit trails, leading to and from the cedars.
Near the edge of the bank a lot of coltsfoot and water mint was growing -
it was really flourishing.
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Photo by Alexis Burnett
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We continued on and found an awesome spot to stop for
lunch.
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Photo by Walter Muma
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After lunch we crossed the river and began to loop back
towards the trail. We encountered a small waterfall that was really
flowing fast.
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Photo by Alexis Burnett
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Continuing on we found some
false and true tinder fungus hanging off of a large yellow birch
tree in the forest. One of the group found a raccoon latrine site at
the base of a tall maple. Also, we found small
piles of scat (photo at left) which some group members thought to be
from wild turkey, while others thought it was mammal scat. Everyone
had different opinions of the mystery scat! Later
research by Julie suggested that it might be ruffed grouse scat. |
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Photo by Alexis Burnett
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Further up the hill and deep in the open meadow someone
found a possible cottontail or grouse bed. Fairly fresh, too. Deer
rubs also marked the landscape in the meadow and were found mostly
on young apple trees. |
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Photo by Alexis Burnett |
Throughout the day we found multiple signs of porcupine,
raccoon and rabbits. In a smaller marshland on the way back to the
trailhead we found teasel, wild grapes, and all sorts of berries and
fruits all used by many animals as they get ready for winter. Staghorn
sumac berries were collected to make a type of cold tea, similar to iced
tea. Grouse were heard and seen in the forest and sharp ears caught sound
of a ruffed grouse beating. Red squirrels chatted away in the nearby
trees, collecting seed from the cedars. Mushrooms were everywhere, but few
were identified on this excursion. Back near the trailhead some members
harvested mullein. Insect exoskeleton. |
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Photo by Walter Muma
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Today was a great day, and we would like to thank everyone
who came out and we hope to see you all there on our next tracking day.
Enjoy the Autumn colours!
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