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2009 News and Information

Bring Your Flashlight and Discover the Night Life at Terra Nova Park

25 August 2009

As the sun goes down, howl at the moon and follow naturalists through trails and fields to look for bats, owls and other wildlife during Night Watch at Terra Nova Rural Park, 2431 Westminster Highway, on Saturday, August 29.

The evening is a great time to catch sight of a variety of animals because there is a “shift-change” from the animals that come out during the day, to those that are most active at night. It is also an ideal time to see species that are most active during twilight. Some animals, such as rabbits and mice, can be active during either day or night.

Animals may be nocturnal for a variety of reasons: to avoid predators, eat night-flying bugs or stay out of the sun’s heat. Owls and cats have developed extremely sensitive eye-sight and hearing that allows them to hunt prey, such as mice and rabbits, in almost total darkness. For instance, the long-eared owl’s eye-sight is so powerful that in light equivalent to that of only one candle, it can spot a mouse 600-meters away. Bats can fly and catch prey with absolutely no light at all using echolocation, which allows them to “see” by sending out high frequency sounds. When these sounds bounce off hard surfaces in an echo, the bat uses its finely tuned ears to sense its surroundings and the location of its prey.

The variety of animal habitats found at Terra Nova make it a great place to hold Night Watch.
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2009
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Terra Nova Rural Park, 2431 Westminster Highway
Meet at the Terra Nova Farm Centre (follow the signs from Westminster Highway and No. 1 Road)
Admission: $4 per person
Learn more about these fascinating nocturnal creatures and witness their night-time activity. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight. This family program is suitable for all people ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Please call 604-276-4300 or register online at www.richmond.ca with class code NP-37492.

For more information on Night Watch at Terra Nova Park, please contact Rich Kenny at 604-718-6185.