LOWLIFE

Get down and dirty – and slow and low – to get an insight into the spectacular world of Arthropods, Reptiles and Amphibians, a group of the most fabulous creatures too often overlooked.

Northern Water Snakes will squeeze between rocks on the shoreline hunting fish while Garter Snakes rustle though leaves or lie across rocks basking in the sunlight. Crickets and Grasshoppers chirp through the Summer afternoons, making way for the Spring Peepers & Toads which form an evening chorus. Look closer still for many more animals living their lives amidst the leaf litter and rotting log piles such as Red Bellied Snakes. In the long marsh grass you may be lucky enough to spot a very rare Wood Turtle.

In the air are numerous arthropods – various Dragonflies & Damselflies; Swallowtail, White Admiral & Monarch Butterflies; myriad Moths; Bumble & Honey Bees and on warm June nights the forest is alight with hundreds of Fireflies.

In the water are Painted Turtles, Snapping Turtles and on land you may see a Blandings’ Turtle. There as also Crayfish & Clams (not great eating by the way) which you will see being eaten by the Otter and Mink. Shine a torch in to the waters’ edge at night and you will be amazed at what you can catch in a small net – Water Scorpions; Giant Water Beetles; Whirligigs; Caddisfly Larvae; Damsel & Dragonfly Nymphs as well as Water Stick Insects will all be attracted to the light. There are also Salamanders which are rarely seen outside the clutch of a water snake.