Turtles and Tulip Trees Draw Visitors To Rondeau Park

June is an exciting time in Rondeau Provincial Park. This month is nesting season for the six species of turtles found in Rondeau – Snapping, Midland Painted, Spotted, Northern Map, Blanding’s and Spiny Soft-shell Turtles. Turtles crossing the road are likely females looking for a good nesting location. Park staff ask that these busy turtles are helped anyone who sees them keeping traffic at bay until they cross the road or by moving the turtle across the road in the same direction it was travelling. This will help to ensure that our native turtles have an opportunity to nest successfully in a spot of their choosing.

As well as keeping eyes on the road, visitors’ attention is also directed to something that is happening high in the canopy of the forest. One of the Carolinian indicator species, the Tulip Trees have started to flower over the last week. When full grown the Tulip Tree is the tallest tree found in Rondeau reaching heights of up to 30m. Tulip Trees are one of the easiest trees to identify in the Park due to their distinctive leaf shape – and during the month of June their bright orange flowers can be spotted at the top of the tree canopy. Tulip Trees take between 15 and 20 years before they are able to produce a flower. Staff encourages everyone to get out to the Park and see these beautiful flowers before all that remains are a few scattered petals on the boardwalks and roadsides.

For further information about activities at Rondeau Provincial Park telephone 519 674 1772