2022 is shaping up to be a big year for western tent caterpillar. You may recognize this native critter, best known for its fondness for the leaves of many of our fruit trees including apples and plums. Tent caterpillars are the larval form of the western tent caterpillar moth. Life Read more…
Silver-haired Bat This bat species has been confirmed on Mayne Island using DNA testing. The Silver-Haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) ranges across North America from northern Mexico to southeastern Alaska. In British Columbia, this bat uses forests and grassland habitats that range in elevation between 0 and 1220 metres. These bats migrate Read more…
Six bat species have been confirmed on Mayne Island through DNA testing. Yuma Myotis Long-legged Myotis Silver-haired Bat Hoary Bat Big Brown Bat California Myotis Our overarching concern Currently in North America certain bat species are being impacted by a disease called White Nose Syndrome which is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus Read more…
Raccoons: Beach Bandits Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are small mammals found on Mayne Island and across North America. Similar to what has happened with blacktail deer, raccoon populations have increased following the loss of the large predators that once kept them in check, and that is causing problems for the species Read more…
Red Alder: Young Forest Community Members Red alder (Alnus rubra) is a deciduous tree that grows abundantly in the Pacific Northwest. Their range spans between California and Alaska, and they grow particularly well in British Columbia’s climate. In the past this species was thought of as being over abundant, but Read more…