Canada South Land Trust friends and members gathered at 4:00 p.m. at the Ojibway Nature Centre for a prairie walk and supper on June 16, 2007. Our guide was Kristen Fawdry who introduced us to prairie plants during a tour of the demonstration garden just at the Nature Centre’s entrance.
We admired the showy Canada Anemone with its large white blooms. Kristin showed us spittle bugs on several plants that were covered in a mucous that resembles spit. Another plant in bloom was Fleabane, so named as it was thought to get rid of fleas. Ohio Spiderwort was also in the demonstration garden next to the Nature Centre. This plant species bloomed earlier in the day so we did not see its blossoms which were completely closed without a hint of colour. Beside the Ohio Spiderwort were several plants of Slender Bush Clover, a rare plant species for Canada found in 1975 on the Ojibway Prairie and known only from another Canadian site near Sarnia.
Leaving the demonstration garden we proceeded down Titcombe Road, entering the prairie at the walk over. Kristen provided a historical background which helped us understand how this site has survived. As the prairie flooded regularly, the land was not developed for agriculture. Ojibway prairie was within the Town of Ojibway which was planned for development but when the Depression struck, development did not progress. Luckily the site was recognized as important with efforts underway a few decades later to protect the site.
Kristen told us that prairie plants must have full sunlight in order to thrive. Shrubs growing on the prairie prevent the growth of prairie plants as prairie species do not do well in shade. We noted Prairie Willow, dogwood species and American Hazel in abundance. It is anticipated that a burn will occur next year which will reduce or eliminate the shrubs.
Of note on the prairie is the Black Oak savannah which is a rare plant community, even more rare than prairie plant communities. Dry prairie communities are notable as these communities produce a profusion of plant species.
Kristen lead us along the left hand prairie trail which provided us an opportunity to view prairie plant species, some of which were in bloom, and included Tall Meadow Rue, Pale Spiked Lobelia, Black-eyed Susan, Bracken Fern, Marsh Vetchling, Purple Milkweed, Carrion Flower, Prairie Thistle, St. John’s Wort, Prairie Dock, Purple Meadow Rue, Solomon’s Seal, Spreading Dogbane, Lowland Blueberry, Common Dewberry, Canada Anemone, Whorled Loosestrife, Timbleweed, Butterflyweed, Prairie Rose, Common Milkweed, Deptford Pink, Hoary Puccoon and Yarrow.
A number of butterfly species are found on the Ojibway Prairie as the many prairie plant species offer an array of host plants for butterfly larvae. Paul DesJardins, a butterfly enthusiast, identified the following species for us including Great Spangled Fritillary, Little Wood Satyr, Least Skipper, Southern Cloudy Wing, Northern Pearl Crescent, and Viceroy.
Bird species seen or heard during the late afternoon hike included Gray Catbird, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, and Ring-necked Pheasant.
Upon completion of our walk, we enjoyed a buffet supper of a selection of fresh salads and sandwiches catered by Cramdon’s Pub and Grill. Dessert was a choice of deep dish apple pie or rhubarb and strawberry pie with ice cream.
Thank you to Kristen for sharing her knowledge of the Ojibway Prairie. Thank you to everyone who supported this fund raising event.