May Long Weekend Nature Study

This celebration marks the birthday of Queen Victoria, born on 24 May 1837.  The holiday is held on the Monday preceding 25 May annually.  It is also the unofficial start to summer and the gardening season in many parts of Canada.  If you live in the lower mainland or Victoria, you were already gardening and cutting the grass in February.  Here in the Cariboo, I often wait until 1 June before planting out tender seeds and seedlings.  Noting that we can get frost any month of the year.  This past weeks high daytime temperatures had me planting a little sooner than normal.

It was not long ago that I was lamenting that there was still snow on the hill meadow.  Well, that is all long gone and the rhubarb is ready for picking as are the chives and lovage (Maggi kraut).

A few new birds have arrived and the frogs are singing at night, though there seems to be fewer of them as well.

Of the birds that have returned one is an invasive species.  I am always of two minds on this subject.  I know the negative effects that invasive species can have on indigenous populations; loss of food, nesting sites, and aggression.  I do not like to wish the death of any creature but must consider how fast plants, birds, and animals that don’t below can overwhelm native populations.

Lovage/Maggi Kraut

Chives

Check out this link : https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/wildlife/wildlife-conservation/amphibians-reptiles/amphibians-in-b-c/frogs-toads

Boreal Chorus Frog

Western Toad

Cowbird

These birds often displace the eggs of other birds and lay their eggs for the foster parents to raise.

Check out this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird/overview

European Starling

   North American Starlings descended from 100 pairs set loose in New York’s Central Park in the early 1890”s.

Check out this link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/overview

Soopolallie/ Shepherdia canadensis/ Buffaloberry

  These berries are prized by native peoples; whipped up they produce a pink foamy substance; add a bit of sugar and you have a perfect refreshing dessert.

Check out this link: http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Shepherdia%20canadensis