There are still a few places left for the Camp Dinner this Friday but please check with Susan at 569-2935 for availability before you pay. It is always a great event! Also, about two dozen people braved the rainy forecast and took a walk on Stamp Act Island with Jeff Lougee of the Nature Conservancy and Peter Goodwin of the Stamp Act Island Committee. Another hike will most likely be planned for next year so if you missed this one, you will have another chance.
The Stamp Act walk started at the North Beach and went past the old dead pine that was the first tree the eagles nested in. It then went to an area with three bird orchids, a rare plant that happens to like the beach forest in one part of the island. They are small plants, a couple of inches high and have white flowers about 1/4 inch long. Next stop was the area that wasn’t logged and there are some very tall pine trees, one which holds the new eagle nest. One group came back past a hollow hemlock that had burned a number of summers ago with the fire being put out by the fire department. One group also made a stop at the swamp that was the site of a heron rookery. The herons have left as the swamp grew in with shrubs and is now not a water barrier to the old nest trees. With no water barrier, raccoons can climb the trees and eat the eggs or young herons. This is most likely the reason that the herons left. While there was a heavy rain shower toward the end of the walk, everyone seemed to have a good time and learn about the island.
There were lots of canoes and kayaks that were at the beach for the hike.
Below, Jeff Lougee talks about what will be seen on the walk.
One of the three bird orchids.
Jeff Lougee showing kids a plant found on the island. While most of these plants are found along the lake shores, the Island is a place that is undisturbed so it is a nature classroom.
Below, there are kids holding hands around what is thought to be the oldest pine on the island.
Peter Goodwin, on the right was one of the leaders of the hike.
Photos by Julie Brown