Birding Down East by Norman C. Famous
[ Top ]
Exploring Bogs
The bog at Quoddy Head State Park is a small coastal raised bog and
is somewhat flat in cross section.
The flora is comprised of a small microcosm of dwarf and stunted shrubs and herbs.
Botanically, the best time to visit the bog is during June and July.
Fortunately, this corresponds with the best birding season.
Note the mosquito perched on a grass pink orchid (Calopogon pulchellus) flower.
Males of this species are common pollinators of small greenish-white flowers,
especially orchids. There is also a non-biting mosquito that breeds in the
water-filled hollow leaves of the insectivorous pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea)
and all mosquitoes serve as food for
the insectivorous sundews (round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and
intermediate-leaved sundew (D. intermedia), both breed in this bog).
The first plant species to flower in the bog in early May is leatherleaf
(Chamaedaphne calyculata), which is followed by black crowberry
(Empetrum nigrum, a green carpet forming species) which produces small,
tart berries fondly consumed by whimbrels in the Canadian Maritimes,
Newfoundland, Labrador, and eastern Maine.
Next, the cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), bog laurel, and a few sedges flower.
Related to raspberries and blackberries, the cloudberry or
baked-apple berry fruits (slide) are harvested commercially in Newfoundland, Labrador,
and northern Europe where they are made into a liqueur, jellies, ice-cream toppings
or mixed with apples in pastry tarts.
The fruit matures at Quoddy Head during the last 2 weeks of July.
They are a real treat! A number of small heaths or bogs near the coast are called
'Baked Apple-berry Heath' by the local population.
They are harvested locally by old-timers from Jonesport to Campobello Island,
New Brunswick. It is a dying tradition. Please stay on the boardwalk! and
let the out-of-reach berries remain for educational purposes.
