Birds and Butterflies of the Trail
Because of the varied habitats, over 150 species of birds have been identified on the trail, including raptors, water birds, woodland birds, and meadow birds. The Friends have placed over two dozen bluebird houses along the trail and surrounding area.
Most of these photographs were taken on the trail by wildlife photographer Martin Wall.
Most of these photographs were taken on the trail by wildlife photographer Martin Wall.
Pollinators Are Important!
One out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of the efforts of pollinators, including many fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Pollinators not only are necessary for our own food, but also support the food and habitat of animals. Pollinators are attracted to brightly colored, fragrant flowers and feed on nectar produced by the flowers. As they travel from one flower to another, they pollinate the plants, resulting in further development of plant species. Numerous plants rely on pollinators, such as butterflies, for reproduction.
Rockingham County Naturalist Club members Mike Vaughan and Milton Hundley were crucial to the building of the trail we see today. Among other things, they planted the first butterfly garden on the trail. In more recent years, longtime horticulturalist and trail volunteer Keith Davis has planted non-invasive butterfly bushes (peach and light blue) across from the Stew Site. Keith also added two Pollinator wildflower gardens at the entrance to the trail. He sows wildflower seeds there every spring for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, bats and other pollinators to dine on. We get to look at them!
Some 30 to 40 species of butterflies visit our gardens: see below for a few examples! Photos by longtime trail photographer Lynn Monsees Carter.
Rockingham County Naturalist Club members Mike Vaughan and Milton Hundley were crucial to the building of the trail we see today. Among other things, they planted the first butterfly garden on the trail. In more recent years, longtime horticulturalist and trail volunteer Keith Davis has planted non-invasive butterfly bushes (peach and light blue) across from the Stew Site. Keith also added two Pollinator wildflower gardens at the entrance to the trail. He sows wildflower seeds there every spring for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, bats and other pollinators to dine on. We get to look at them!
Some 30 to 40 species of butterflies visit our gardens: see below for a few examples! Photos by longtime trail photographer Lynn Monsees Carter.