A field trip report by YNC volunteer (Halifax chatper) Mirabai Alexander

Wonderfully windy day at the ‘Backlands,’ a Jack Pine Barren behind new residential development near Mica Crescent Rd. Huckleberry leaves blushed a light shade of red, tousled by the 65 km gale. The afternoon was punctuated with periods of light rain, but no complaining young naturalists were deterred, instead distracted by the sweet pieces of the winter green plant we found along the trail. Hiking through small wetland areas we considered how these areas may act as a seed refugia, or protect against fire. As we moved towards Williams Lake, several dwarf spruce, and grey birch dotted the path, while rolling rocky slopes made excellent slides, and widely spaced planks of stream crossings meant for mountain bikers required extra caution for small rubber boots! Forming a circle against the wind we listened to our guest lichen expert (Frances Anderson) show how lichens clustered more densely on rock faces exposed to wind, getting caught in the tiny crevices. Moss expert (Anne Mills) taught how moss succession can change in a slow hot forest fire, and a fast forest fire. Our leader Karen pointed out a rare S2 species, Mountain Sandwort, which is also found along the shores of Lake Superior in Ontario. Only a single black-capped chickadee announced himself on our hike back; though I had my eyes to the sky in hopes for a Common Nighthawk, which had been reported in the area before. Common Nighthawks may breed in the barrens; their nest a mere scrape with two eggs.