George and foxgloves. Photo Credit Torrey Archer.
This week TLC visited the Jennings covenant. This site used to be home to sheep, but is now home to many native and invasive plant species. Although the invasive species are not ideal, they can be quite beautiful. Some of the more photogenic invasives were bachelor’s buttons and foxgloves. Some particularly persistent plants even grew out what appeared to be solid rock. It’s amazing to see how little soil is needed for them to thrive!
During our site visit we repeated the photo point monitoring pictures taken in 2014 to track changes to the landscape and surrounding area. It’s quite interesting to be able to see the difference only one year can make!
Along the way we came across a few deer, one who was kind enough to pose for us with some foxglove. We also witnessed two very large ant colonies that had taken up residence in fallen trees. Thousands of ants used the trees as “highways”, with a never-ending stream of ants running to and fro. We even witnessed a pile of dead woodlice (Armadillidiidae) at the opening to the ant colony – apparently ants enjoy a tasty snack of woodlice whenever possible!
This site also hosts Garry oak trees and associated species. Garry oak ecosystems are threatened, so every place that contains these rare species are incredibly valuable.
You can help TLC continue to protect important ecosystems across BC by supporting the monitoring and enforcement of our covenants. Please complete our online donation form to show your support today!
Deer posing for a quick pic with foxglove.
Photo credit Torrey Archer.
Foxglove and dandelion growing out of rock.
Photo credit Torrey Archer.
Covenant Coordinator Torrey Archer at the Jennings Covenant. Photo credit George Van.
Ants on a log. Two ant colonies had taken up residence in fallen trees on the property. Photo credit Torrey Archer.
Covenant monitoring volunteer George poses as he records details about the covenant area.
Photo credit Torrey Archer.
Bachelor’s Button.
Photo credit Torrey Archer.
