29 August 2021 Founders Day-Out

     A.T. and Tibbs met at Shaïka an overcast Sunday morning to discuss cycling and eccoterritory issues.  The cappuccinos were great as usual.  They then headed over to the Birds' Ravine for some he-man work and to check on the bird feeders.  They moved some big objects out from the skateboard park as well as some large 4x4 wood beams to a storage location for future use.   

4x4 Beams in Storage for Future Use

Visitors to the Falaise

     Having met an extended family making their way onto the Falaise the thought came to mind that maybe a sign-in registry similar to those found at the heads of wilderness trails might be good.  New members for Sauvons la Falaise! might be found this way, interesting comments from the hikers would also help.

Tibbs at the Top of the Entry Ramp at the Western End of the Bande Verte

A.T. surveying the Bande Verte pathway, plantings, and new installations

     Back on the bikes they cycled down St Jacques to the western entry ramp of the Bande Verte.  The cycling was very pleasant, especially because of the cedar chip mulch strewn about newly planted trees, wonderful scent.  The variety of trees was impressive and they were not seedlings but were at 5+ years old.  There were white oak, spruce, mountain ash, poplar, white pines, and others, as well as shrubs of various types.   It seems the intervening spaces were seeded not with monoculture grass but with a native variety of low plants.  The wet weekend was certainly helping the new growth.

A Newly Planted Pine Tree With Bed of Cedar Chip Mulch

Tibbs Inspecting the Great Mystery of the Pipe From Nowhere With Rockfall

Probable Installation for the Brown Snake of Stone and Driftwood

     A.T. and Tibbs are quite certain that the strange rock beds topped by dried-out wood piles that they spied were for the rare brown snake.  They were of different sizes, some quite small.   They inspected the great mystery of  large drainage pipes at the top of rockfalls.   These pipes do not seem to be connected to any drainage system.

The Cycle Path Under the Decarie Expressway

     The great pity is that the remnant of the Lac aux Loutres (sometimes called Lac St Pierre) was not preserved and enhanced.   The opportunity for wonderful biodiversity was diminished.   Wetlands are a gold mine in that regards.   Hopefully when the city of Montreal takes possession from the MTQ ways will be found to bring it back to life. 

Where the Pond Should Be With Pavilion at Crest of Hill