Welcome to Heather's Highlights

Things to see in the park this month
November 2003

First Some Bird Sightings
Go directly to the plant highlights

LBJ's and OTHER TIDBITS

· On my first visit to Butterfield ten days ago I had JUST put my foot (my left one) on the path when we were welcomed by the most gorgeous sight, a golden-crowned kinglet with his golden crown as brilliant as it could possibly be.
· Golden-crowned kinglet, aka Regulus satrapa is aptly named. Regulus is Latin for "little king" and satrapa is Greek for "a ruler". Don't kings and rulers wear gold crowns?
· The little kinglets are members of a sub-family that includes gnatcatcher as well as kinglets and they belong to a larger family that includes the thrushes. In other words they are somewhat distant cousins to the robin, Turdus migratorius!

golden crowned kinglet

·· Behind our welcoming party of one was a larger party or chorus. Looking ever so insignificant were tiny bushtits (Psaltriparus minimus), acting as bushtits will, trickling though the shrubbery and constantly calling to each other with news of the latest find or the time of day. They are a "drop-in" crowd, here this moment, gone the next.
· Bushtits are not found further north than southern Vancouver Island and at this time of year they will sleep huddled together for warmth

bushtits at a feeder (not in the park) plus a finch with red showing

· Cousins to the bushtits are the chickadees and we saw and heard a number of the chestnut-backed chickadee (Parus rufescens).

chestnut backed chickadee (photo stan smith)

· Heard but not seen were nuthatches (Sitta Canadensis) voicing their whereabouts with their characteristic call of a nasal "ank, ank, ank"

· Later in our walk I was reminded of the LBJ's or little brown jobs, a term used affectionately by naturalists and bird watchers for the plethora of small brownish birds. We were walking through an area of ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor) which was looking its tattiest. Ocean spray, along with saskatoon and salal are very important plants in this area for they are home to several species of songbirds, including some of the ones mentioned above as well as juncos. Ocean spray will redeem itself in our human eyes next spring when it breaks out into bouquets of creamy, frothy flowers, which in turn will produce the seeds to help the feathered flock survive the next winter.

Below are some interesting plants in the park. These photos are taken on site.

click on the images below for a larger version

LUNG LICHEN OR LUNGWORT - Lobaria pulmonaria - it rhymes

· A good example of 2 plants living' together and "lichen" it. One of the "plants" is a fungus that along with other lichen fungi, uses a form of agriculture. The lichen fungus cultivates a specific species of alga within itself. The green alga can photosynthesize, supplying both plants with carbohydrates, vitamins and proteins. In return the fungus provides a structure and protection for the alga and may absorb moisture for the two plants in this symbiotic relationship.The photo to the left above shows lungwort growing on a maple trunk.
· This lichen used by native peoples and early Europeans in the treatment of lung disease.

VANILLA LEAF - Achlys triphylla - three leaf

· Seen in November as the leaves wither and die. Watch these leaves in the next few weeks. You will notice that all that remains is a lacy network of veins.
· Used by the Saanich people of VI (and probably others) as an insect repellant. Try drying some leaves and hang them in the front of your tent or camper doorway next summer.
· So-named because of the delicate sweet vanilla aroma.
· An infusion was used for TB and drunk as an emetic.
· One of the most common woodland ground covers on VI. It can be propagated from seed or rhizomes (underground stems) to produce a beautiful dense ground cover.

VIOLA sp.

· Amazing bright patch of colour close to the path down from the garage.
· Look closely at the lower petals. The stripes on the lower petals serve as a "honey guide" for bumblebees and butterflies.
· All leaves and flowers of Viola sp. are edible.