Monarch Migration Festival 2010

On Sunday September 19th we had our 10th annual Monarch Butterfly Migration Festival and we’re happy to report that it was a great success!












We would like to thank everyone involved for making the day run so smoothly, from the vendors to the volunteers. We couldn’t have done it without you!












The less than perfect weather didn’t seem to keep anybody home either…we had just over 1000 people down at the Visitor’s Centre throughout the day!





And when the sun finally decided to show it’s face, the guided butterfly hikes spotted 6 species of butterflies including Monarchs, Painted Ladies, Cresents, Sulfurs, Cabbage Whites and a Black Swallowtail.



Dale and Laura are the two people who really made it all happen!





Another creature we were delighted to see that day was a Blanding’s turtle hatchling. Back in June when these turtles leave the water to dig their nests, we noticed a large female looking quite interested in the gravely soil around our parking lot. Luckily the nest wasn’t predated by raccoons or skunks during the summer and we have seen 2 hatchlings so far.



Blanding’s turtles have a black, highly-domed carapace (upper shell) with yellowish spots or streaks. The plastron (bottom shell) is yellow with black markings. The tell-tale sign of Blanding’s turtles is their bright yellow throat and notched upper jaw which gives them a permanent “smile”. Adult Blanding’s turtles have a hinged shell, which allows them to close their shell tightly when predators come knocking.

Unfortunately Blanding’s turtles are listed as a threatened species in Ontario due to loss of wetland habitat and road mortalities. So if you are lucky enough to see one of these little turtles wandering around on the road, give them a hand to the other side.

September 8, 2010

Hello Everyone!

Well, the summer season here at Rondeau has come to an end. The summer staff are making their way back to their respective universities as we speak, leaving Emily Slavik and I alone at the Visitor Centre. Although I have been working here at Rondeau for the past 4 years, I feel like I should introduce myself. My name is Laura Penner and I will be writing to you all while Kip is away at teacher’s college. I apologize for the late posting, but it took a few days to work out a fall schedule and figure out our staff availabilities.

Although the Visitor Centre may appear empty and quiet, we are still quite busy planning for school groups and the upcoming Monarch Migration Festival. I will also be putting the finishing touches on the new tracking display later this week so be sure to come check it out!

For anyone who will be coming to visit the park this month, you will notice that Rondeau Road is closed to vehicle traffic. Once the weather begins to cool down, our cold-blooded friends love to bask on the sun-warmed asphalt. It takes a really keen eye to tell the difference between a Ribbon snake and a small twig when you are driving along admiring the beautiful fall colours.

For those who have never had the chance to see a Ribbon snake, just picture a slender Eastern Garter snake. Ribbon snakes are dark brown or black and have three yellowish-white stripes that run down the length of their bodies. To tell the difference between these similar snakes look for the Ribbon snakes bright white lips and chin. There is a sharp boundary between the light coloured lips and the dark colour of the upper head (this boundary on a Garter snake is blurred and not so defined). Ribbon snakes will also have a small white or yellow spot just before the eyes.

These relatively small snakes prefer meadows or forest edges near permanent bodies of water such as marshes or lakes. They often feed in water, capturing frogs, small fish and some invertebrates. Unlike some other snake species who lay thin-shelled eggs, Ribbon snakes give birth to live young who are independent immediately after birth. Another feature Ribbons share with the Garter snake is the ability to secrete a musky liquid upon its tormentor…so think twice before you grab one for closer inspection.

Eastern Ribbon Snake





Attached you will find the schedule of programs for the month of September. Visitor Centre hours will be Friday to Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm.

I hope to see you soon, and keep your eyes peeled for snakes on the road.

Laura

What’s on at Rondeau?

September 2010

Saturday September 11
Guided Hike – 10:30am at the Tulip Tree Trail
A Walk through Time
Time changes everything, even nature. Come see first-hand how time has changed Rondeau from a sandy beach to a lush forest.

Saturday September 18
Guided Hike – 10:30am at the Tulip Tree Trail
What’s in a Name
Why are we known as Carolinian Canada and the banana belt? Come learn all about this unique area and the creatures that live here.

Sunday September 19
10:00am – 4:00pm at the Visitor Centre
Monarch Migration Festival
The Monarchs are on the move. Join us for a day of butterfly hikes, tagging demonstrations, children’s crafts, local artisans, Adopt-a-Monarch program, a bbq and so much more!

Saturday September 25
Evening Program – 7:30pm at the Visitor Centre
Owl Prowl
Come learn how these amazingly adapted birds locate and hunt down their prey in complete darkness. We may even get to see one!

Sunday September 26
Guided Hike – 1:00pm at the Visitor Centre
Brilliant, Busy and Beautiful

Did you miss the Monarch Migration Festival? Come along on this hike to learn all about our most beautiful insects and their amazing life cycle.
*If you would like an electronic copy of Rondeau Events send an email to emily.slavik@ontario.ca*

Visitor Centre Hours:
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
10:00am – 4:00pm