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Recognizing Raccoon Tracks
This winter, we’re looking at how to identify PEI wildlife tracks and sign. Raccoons often stay in their dens and rely on fat reserves...
katemacquarrie22
Jan 193 min read
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The Story of PEI Part 2: Fossils
Some may say that PEI is geologically boring, but I think nothing could be further from the truth! Our sandstone bedrock holds...
katemacquarrie22
Jan 153 min read
128 views
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Cat Tracks vs. Dog Tracks
Whether it’s the potential for Bobcats here on PEI or reports of Eastern Cougar on the mainland, wild cats have a mystique that makes...
katemacquarrie22
Jan 123 min read
84 views
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The Story of PEI Part 1: Bedrock
Humans think in decades, forests operate in centuries, but the history of the land around us spans eons. This winter, we’ll look at the...
katemacquarrie22
Jan 83 min read
57 views
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Differentiating among Fox, Coyote, & Dog Tracks
Happy New Year and welcome back to my Wildlife Tracks & Sign series. Each week for the next few months, we’ll look at how to identify...
katemacquarrie22
Jan 53 min read
322 views
1 comment


A Year-end Thank You!
It’s been a busy year: more than 100 educational posts on the plants, fungi, and wildlife of PEI, and 48 in-person events at 25 locations...
katemacquarrie22
Dec 11, 20241 min read
40 views
4 comments


Blue Roundhead
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s fascinating fungi. We’ve reached the end of mushroom season – and this...
katemacquarrie22
Dec 8, 20243 min read
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Deer Mice
Just like us, PEI’s wildlife has been busy getting ready for winter. And just like us, our neighbours of other species use various...
katemacquarrie22
Dec 4, 20243 min read
94 views
3 comments


Spruce Sprite
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. Today’s mushroom may be small, but that...
katemacquarrie22
Dec 1, 20242 min read
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Wild Rose
The Rose Family gives PEI so many beautiful and delicious plants: Apples, Blackberries, Chokeberries, Chokecherries, Raspberries,...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 27, 20243 min read
41 views
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Scaber Stalks
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. Today, it’s not one mushroom, but an entire...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 24, 20243 min read
43 views
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British Soldier Lichen
PEI’s autumn leaves are gone, but there are still bright splashes of colour in the landscape. One of my favourites is the tiny but...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 20, 20243 min read
39 views
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Orange Jelly Spot
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. ‘Mushroom’ usually evokes the stereotypical...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 17, 20243 min read
35 views
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Labrador Tea
Fall is a great time to collect some of PEI’s aromatic wild leaves, perfect for spicing up food and drink during the cold winter months....
katemacquarrie22
Nov 13, 20243 min read
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Slimy Spike
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday! (A day early this week to respect Remembrance Day). ‘Slime veil’ probably isn’t a phrase you expected...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 10, 20243 min read
22 views
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Wintergreen
PEI’s gardens and farm fields may be winding down for the year, but there’s still lots of fresh wild food in the landscape. It’s the...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 6, 20243 min read
25 views
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Peppery Bolete
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. I’ve been seeing today’s mushroom all over the...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 3, 20243 min read
22 views
0 comments


Old Man's Beard Lichens
In honour of Halloween, let’s look at something that can make PEI’s trees look decidedly eerie: Old Man’s Beard Lichens ( Usnea  spp.)...
katemacquarrie22
Oct 30, 20243 min read
25 views
0 comments


Red-belted Polypore
Welcome back to Mushroom Monday, your weekly look at some of PEI’s easy-to-identify fungi. Mushroom identification doesn’t get much...
katemacquarrie22
Oct 27, 20243 min read
109 views
0 comments


Willow Pinecone Galls
Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI. I’ve had a few questions about...
katemacquarrie22
Oct 23, 20242 min read
37 views
0 comments
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