Sunday, October 4: Cycle the Seine: This event was postponed to 2016.
The August bike tour attracted thirteen enthusiastic folks from all parts of Winnipeg. They enjoyed the information that was shared at each of the stops along the way while experiencing the beautiful trails in the south part of St. Vital.
Between 50 and 60 participants joined tour leader Charles Burchill for an entertaining introduction to the plants of the South Trail. Charles provided a detailed list of the plants that he had found during preliminary visits to the area: 2015 Handout (Plant Tour). The tour was entertaining and informative – touching on plant identification, traditional uses, and other points of interest. Many thanks to Nature Manitoba for contributing to Save Our Seine’s 25th Anniversary by recommending this event and tour leader.
A small group of enthusiastic cyclists joined SOS board member Denis DePape for a 20-kilometre circle tour of the parks and trails of South St. Vital. The route included the Bois-des-Esprits Trail, Louis Riel Senior Trail, Bishop Grandin Greenway, St. Vital Park, Henteleff Park, and South St. Vital Trail. Participants came from River Park South, Fort Garry, Wolsley, Island Lakes, and Meadowood. The 9 a.m. start allowed the tour to finish before the heat and humidity became too much.
The weed-pulling crew returned to tackle the famous “triangle” of weeds along the South Trail. This nest of burdock and stinging nettle has spread out along the adjacent trails in all three directions. We removed about 20 bags of weeds from the triangle and will monitor the results. Another event is planned for June 29th at 6:30.
The weather cooperated for Save Our Seine’s first-ever Family Fishing Derby. It rained before the event but cleared off before the derby started. Even the mosquitoes were tolerable. Several good-sized fish were caught and prizes were awarded. Some photos from the event are posted on the FaceBook page.
A hard-working crew of gardeners plucked dandelions, thistle, leafy spurge, burdock, nettle, and other unwanted plants. As the invasive weeds disappeared, the landscape revealed the beauty of the less-obvious native plants that were struggling to hold on. Weeders discovered native violets, Alexanders, anemones, wild sarsaparilla, false Solomon’s seal and other woodland delights.
Approximately 30 people participated in a birding walk offered by SOS in partnership with Nature Manitoba. The weather was amazing and the birding was even better. People were treated to the sights and sounds of 57 different species of migrant and resident birds – as identified by leader Christian Artuso. The group’s rate of speed was a whopping 400 metres per hour. View the group’s checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23592189 Here is a pdf version for printing: List of Birds Seen on Birding Walk. Thanks to Nature Manitoba for helping make SOS’s 25th Anniversary a success.