Spring 2022 eNewsletter
Overview:
- Amphibian Egg Mass Surveys results
- iNaturalist -join in the City Nature Challenge April 29-May 2
- Nature tables - drop by on May 1 and 14
- Trail resurfacing announcement
- Wildlife Sightings at the Park
- Upcoming volunteer opportunities
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Amphibian Egg Mass Surveys
Results are in! We were out a few weeks ago on April 5, counting amphibian egg masses in the new wetland. Adding up the numbers, we found 3 Red-legged Frog masses (blue-listed!), 167 Pacific Treefrog (which are tiny, so I'm sure we didn't find all of them!), and 7 Northwestern Salamanders, and one Long-toed Salamander. We also saw 3 adult tree frogs, and heard more chorusing.
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Photos - Red-legged Frog Eggmass, Surveying the new wetland, Pacific Treefrog; Maddie Edmonds
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iNaturalist - City Nature Challenge
Join in the City Nature Challenge from April 29 - May 2, 2022, by making observations on iNaturalist! You can contribute to citizen science during this international biodiversity challenge no matter where you are.
All you need to do is:
- Download and use the iNaturalist app (or access iNaturalist from a web browser).
- Use iNaturalist to make observations of wild animals, plants, or fungi from April 29th to May 2nd.
Don't forget to make some observations at Colony Farm!
Learn more about how to use the app and events in the Tri Cities and beyond!
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Nature Tables
We will be running a pop-up nature table in the park on several upcoming weekends - come drop by and see our display, or join in as a volunteer. We will be set up near the main parking lot. (Cancelled if it is rainy)
- Sunday May 1, 1-3pm (City Nature Challenge/iNaturalist theme)
- Saturday May 14, 10am-12pm (World Migratory Bird Day theme)
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Trail Resurfacing Announcement
Starting the week of April 21, work will occur on the trails throughout the park, and should take about 2 weeks. Trails will remain open but visitors should expect short delays and to encounter construction equipment and crews. Please follow safety signs and directions from crews!
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Photo: Derek Moore (@mycolonyfarm on Instagram)
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Rufous hummingbirds are back! These tiny, feisty birds are highly territorial and often interact aggressively. Colony Farm is a great place to get up-close looks at these interactions.
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Photos: Derek Moore (@mycolonyfarm on Instagram)
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As spring migration kicks in, you should also keep an eye out for Mountain Bluebirds among many other birds stopping over to refuel at the park. And some birds are already breeding in the park, like this Canada Goose with ducklings in tow.
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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
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We are getting set up with a new volunteer platform, Better Impact. If you are interested in volunteering at the park, please create an account by filling out an application here.
Make sure you say you volunteer with Colony Farm so that you are placed in that category.
Once the application is processed, you should be able to find & sign up for upcoming events under the "Opportunities List". Here are a few upcoming events (more details in the postings)
- May 1, 10am-12pm Nature Table (City Nature Challenge/iNaturalist theme) - help out with running the pop-up display booth
- May 6/7/8th, 8am-5pm Oregon Forestsnail Surveys - help out with an Oregon Forestsnail tagging project in partnership with Kwikwetlem First Nation
- May 14, 7:30am-9:30am, Bird Survey - help us count birds near the Sheep Paddocks wetlands
- May 14, 10am-12pm Nature Table (World Migratory Bird Day theme) - help out with running the pop-up display booth
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For the latest on our activities you can also follow us on social media @colonyfarmparkassociation (on Facebook and Instagram).
Sign up to volunteer with us.
If you want to pass along the link, anyone can subscribe to the eNewsletter here - http://eepurl.com/hrB5yX
Membership fees are optional this year due to the pandemic. To join or renew your membership, please fill out this form (Contact us at colonyfarmparkassociation@gmail.com with any questions or for further instructions for mailing a cheque.)
If you would like to support the Park Association financially, you can contribute to our donation page through through the Pacific Parklands Foundation.
Email colonyfarmparkassociation@gmail.com if you have stories or photos to share with us. You could be featured in a future newsletter!
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