Observations: April 24, 2000 Time: 2:15 pm Weather: Cloudy, drizzle

A Dangerous Feast The Red-Berried Elder (Sambucus racemosa) is a member of the honeysuckle family and is one of the first green shrubs in the park after the long winter. This shrub rarely grows larger than 2.5 m (8 ft.) and is found in disturbed soils, such as those along the park's roads. Large (5 -7 mm), greenish buds, resembling miniature cabbage heads begin to expand in March and leaf out in April. Clusters of small white flowers burst into bloom in May, long before most other shrubs. These insect pollinated flowers will produce bright red berries that are are poisonous to humans! (Over 32 species of birds and a host of four legged animals such as squirrels and mice can eat them safely.). During the winter, the buds are included in the diet of the park's deer, Ruffed Grouse and the occasional moose. One of the plants alternative names is "Stinking Elder" due to the pungent odour of the flowers and twigs when crushed.

"Barking" for dinner in the Moonlight The Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is a slow moving, bristly creature. It is most active at night, but can be seen during the day resting in trees (roosting) or sometimes lumbering through the stands of spruce and fir within the park. When spring comes, the porcupine's winter diet of spruce and fir bark changes to greens like Common Plantain, grasses and clover. You'll still see the evidence of their nocturnal winter snacking because patches, and even whole tree trunks, have been stripped of their protective layer of bark. On the south side of the park are many damaged trees. The salt spray from the Bay makes this tree bark irresistible to this member of the rodent family. In the spring visitors may see a mother porcupine and her single new born. The 560 g (20 oz) baby will reach a weight of 14 kg (30 lb.) during its 20 year maximum life span. The newborn's 5 mm (1/4 in) long quills quickly harden and reach a length 60 -70 mm (2.5 - 2.75 in). An adult may have more than 30,000 quills, each with a muscle to raise and lower it for defence. Despite their slowness on the ground, porcupines are very agile climbers with 25 mm (1 in) long curved claws and paw pads to help them climb.

The Naturalist's Notebook is a regular publication. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to see addressed, please call John Gilbert, Manager, Fish and Wildlife, J.D. Irving, Limited, (506) 632-7777 or email honeyman.kelly@jdirving.com