Friends of Murphys Point Park

Super Kids In Parks Find Lots of Critters

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Friends of Murphys Point

What a gorgeous day for a pond study at Murphys Point! Several Super Kids In Parks, grown-ups and volunteers came out on Sunday, April 28 to muck about in ponds and along the shore of Loon Lake as part of a great program led by park naturalist Tobi Kiesewalter.

We started off from the main park entrance and meandered along the “in” road towards the Park Store, stopping at a couple of “vernal pools” along the way. These spring ponds form from melt water and run off in the spring and tend to dry up over the summer. While they are active, though, they are like nurseries for all kinds of amazing creatures that come to breed there, including frogs, salamanders and multitudes of insects!

At our first stop we saw a sleepy snapping turtle and some bullfrogs. We played a quick card game where we tried to match adult creatures to their babies, and soon learned there are an awful lot of insects whose babies don’t look anything like them!

Sleepy snapping turtle on log.

Adult/baby matching game.

At the next stop Tobi had set out a container of water scooped from a vernal pool, which was alive with a variety of insect larvae. We learned that mosquito larvae breathe by using a snorkel-like appendage at their rears. We saw a tiny fingernail clam, water fleas and one of the coolest finds was fairy shrimp. These tiny, orange-tinged, translucent crustaceans are related to lobsters. The adults we saw live for only a few weeks and breed in the vernal pools. Their eggs, however, can lay dormant for many years, even when the pools dry up!

Alive with creatures!

Mosquito larvae

Super cool fairy shrimp in a vernal pool!

Fingernail clam

The next pool featured water beetles, green frogs and snails (with some hepatica along the way).

Friends!

Hepatica

The next vernal pool stop.

Water beetles

Frogging!

After a quick snack at the chalet, we headed for the shores of nearby Loon Lake, where we were cut loose with nets and containers and made lots of great discoveries. Tobi had set up a minnow trap earlier, and we were able to study tadpoles, several species of dace and baby fish. We saw many other insect larvae, including damselfly and mayfly, and a couple of watersnakes even made appearances. All this with the sound of geese, songbirds and hawks all around us, not to mention some turkey vultures.

Snack time (thanks, Judy!)

Tobi’s minnow trap – can you see the watersnake?

All sorts of water creatures!

Damselfly larvae

Exploring the shore of Loon Lake

Thanks to Tobi and our volunteers Heather, Judy, Linda and Steph for another great SKIP program, and to everyone who participated. It was a great day for sure! Watch the website for details of future SKIP programs.

Lots to see!

Posted in flora and fauna, Friends of Murphys Point, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, SKIP, Super Kids In Parks, Uncategorized, Volunteer | Tagged Friends of Murphys Point Park, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, SKIP, Super Kids In Parks, tay valley township | Leave a comment

SKIP: Get Ready for a Pond Study!

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Friends of Murphys Point

Spring brings all sorts of wonderful things, and you’re invited to explore some of them at Murphys Point Provincial Park on Sunday, April 28!

The last in the current series of Super Kids In Parks programs features a pond study. Bring your rubber boots and get set to talk a frog walk.

SKIP is an outdoor learning program hosted by the Friends of Murphys Point Park that aims to help kids ages 7 to 10 connect with nature through a range of activities that promote active and healthy living.

While the activity is geared towards 7- to 10-year olds, the whole family can get involved.

“We’re going to walk into the park from the main road and check out some of the vernal, or spring, pools along the way to the Park Store area,” explained Senior Park Naturalist Tobi Kiesewalter, who will be leading the program. “Hopefully we will hear or even see some breeding frogs. Then we’ll settle in along the shore of Loon Lake behind the store and see what we can catch with a few dip nets.”

The program is slated to take place from 1 to 3 p.m. starting from the main park entrance at 2243 Elm Grove Road. Participants should dress for the weather and be sure to wear rubber boots.

Space is limited, so pre-registration is preferred (click here for info about fees and registration). Children ages 7 to 10 can be dropped off (with a signed permission form) for the program or families can take part. Space permitting, registrations may be accepted at the door.

The program is rain or shine, but if it must be cancelled due to severe weather a message will be posted here 10 a.m. on April 28.

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Friends of Murphys Point, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, SKIP, Super Kids In Parks | Tagged Friends of Murphys Point Park, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, SKIP, Super Kids In Parks, tay valley township | Leave a comment

Join the Friends for a Geology Tour at AGM

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Friends of Murphys Point

Did you know there is a veritable treasure trove of geological wonders right in downtown Perth? Learn all about it with the Friends of Murphys Point on Sunday, April 21.

Check out the Perth Museum (11 Gore St. E.), between 4 and 5 p.m., where you can explore the new geology display featuring specimens from the collection of renowned amateur geologist Dr. James Wilson, from the mid-1800s. Dr. Wilson is credited with discovering Perthite and Wilsonite. You can also see the beautiful jewellery creations of local artisan Stephen Clark.

Following a brief annual general meeting for the Friends of Murphys Point at 5 p.m., the geology tour continues with a walkabout to the Crystal Palace/Tay Basin with Dr. Allan Donaldson, a retired professor of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, and chair of Friends of Canadian Geoheritage.

Dr. Donaldson will introduce you to an outdoor geology museum with his tour called “The Geological Landscape of Perth, Canada.” His presentation promotes the Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization’s self-guided tour of Civitan Court at the Crystal Palace, called “Introduction to the Geodiversity of Perth.” Examine the landscaping and rock specimens at the Crystal Palace and learn about the relationship between the people who settled this area and the local geology that influenced their lives. In the event of bad weather, Dr. Donaldson will present a slide show and samples at the museum.

“Geology plays such an important role in the interpretation programs at Murphys Point that we thought this would be a fitting tribute to this aspect of natural and cultural history,” said Cindy Deachman, Friends president. “It’s also a great chance for people to come and learn something about the Friends and our programs while experiencing a neat feature in downtown Perth.”

The Friends formed as a registered charity in 1995 and offers many and varied programs that are managed by a volunteer Board of Directors representative of the community. Programming is developed and carried out by dedicated volunteers on a year-round basis to meet the organization’s mandate to enhance the natural and cultural resources of Murphys Point Provincial Park, just 20 minutes from downtown Perth.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Memberships will be available prior to the meeting (and online) for those interested. The event is free, but donations are welcome.

“Part of the AGM will include an election of directors and an overview of some of our interesting volunteer opportunities,” Ms. Deachman added. “Anyone who is interested in learning more about being a director or volunteer is encouraged to contact us.”

For more information about the Friends, peruse this website, contact Cindy Deachman at 613-267-5385 or e-mail friendsofmurphyspointpark@yahoo.ca.