At the weekend, the Nature Park took part in the event 'Doors Open Richmond', and in two places at once! Kris and our two Swiss volunteers, Lea and Markus, plus our artist Mona who created these amazing nest pictures and with Kris created and built the displays, welcomed members of the public into the Nature House to see our brand new display, 'Nests : It's an Egg Thing'. Kris was also here Sunday to answer visitors' questions. The display which looks just stunning, will be in the Nature House for a while, so if you haven't yet been, do come and see it!

Meanwhile, Rich was showcasing our travelling pond and other activities over at Terra Nova. He is developing walks and programs over there for Richmond Nature Park.

Posted by Janis.

 This week at the Nature House, we have two volunteers from Switzerland. Lea and Markus first visited Ottawa and now they are spending time in BC, fortunately for us, that includes three weeks here at Richmond Nature Park. Lea is also writing a blog for us auf Deutsch. I'm especially happy about this and feel that it really enriches our website and hopefully will bring Richmond Nature Park to the attention of other German speakers.

In the picture, Lea and Markus are standing on our brand new steps. These feel very grand and the cedar used to build the handrails and sides, looks and smells so beautiful right now.

Planting in the wildlife garden and round the new amphibian pond has really started in earnest. The timing couldn't be better. With spring well under way, even after a couple of false starts, the place is looking and feeling truly revitalised.

    The green of the salmonberry bushes seems lusher than ever this year and the pink flowers more abundant.

The warm weather at the weekend has opened the blueberry leafbuds and drawn the honeybees out to visit the early spring flowers.

We have seen a number of red-sided garter snakes on the paths and to the side, also green frogs basking in the mud on the edge of the pond and the park is full of birdsong.

This week, Alex, Kris, Rich and I were lucky enough to see a pair of hawks constructing their nest. We won't reveal where in the Park the nest is, because we don't want the pair to be disturbed, but it was very exciting to see them fetching twigs and disappearing inside, with just tail feathers bobbing about to show how hard they were working.

The Flowering Currants, both white and red are in full bloom right now, and the Oregon Grape is just on the edge of opening fully. All three attract the attention of our honoured guests the Rufous Hummingbirds looking for nectar.

But another visitor to the currants is the bumble bee, a great early pollinator and native species, at a time of year when the temperature is not yet high enough for the honey bees, introduced from Europe, to safely come out and join in the important work of helping nature to set fruits and seeds.

After the spring cleaning of the Nature House floor, Kris painted the roots of our 'indoor tree' back. I like it a lot, I can imagine woodland creatures living here.

On the outside, the new steps are being built. They will lead to the entrance on the west side of the building and visitors will be able to view the garden on all sides as they walk up them.

I can't leave out the snow that we had last week, reminding us that winter is only just behind us and she can still reach out and magically transform the Park, if only for one morning.

Posted by Janis