From the Field: Atlantic

Postcards from the Field: Rich LaPaix

Shell Conservation Intern Rich LaPaix

Postcard from Newfoundland:

Working in the great outdoors has been a lot of fun! I just returned from 10 days of field work at Lloyd's River Escarpment, with my fellow Shell Conservation Intern Mark MacDonald. At Lloyd's River we collected biological information, recorded community observations of local flora and fauna and took GPS and photo reference points throughout the property. Lloyd's River has an abundance of orchids and large tracts of White Pine, a tree uncommon to the province. Some of the rare plants we saw during our trip were Alternate-leaf Dogwood, Meadow Horsetail and Mad-dog Skullcap, a wildflower from the mint family. One evening while preparing supper Mark and I saw a Caribou crossing a river near our campsite; the first we have seen this summer. Although I kept my eyes open for an endangered Newfoundland Pine Marten during our trip, I never caught sight of one. The Marten lives in old-growth forests throughout Newfoundland and is believed to inhabit the Lloyd's River Escarpment.

Lloyds River, NL

Mark and I also made a puzzling discovery at Lloyd's River. We found holes in a tree that resembled the markings of a Pileated Woodpecker, although this species is not known to reside in Newfoundland. We took pictures of the markings and have been circulating them throughout the birding community, where they have caused quite a bit of interest.

This was the second time that Mark and I have worked in the field together. In July, we conducted similar fieldwork in Nova Scotia. At Northeast Bay , located in the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, we found some significant vegetation, including the Checkered Rattlesnake-plantain and an extremely rare Twayblade orchid. We were also lucky enough to observe a Flying Squirrel that rested above our heads on a branch.

I recently graduated from Dalhousie University with a degree in Biology & Environmental Studies. In the future, I would like to get involved in natural resource management and work in some facet of conservation. Immediately after my Shell Internship I would like to travel throughout the Maritimes, enjoying the scenic landscape and surfing.

Cheers,

Rich LaPaix