documenting the forest’s biodiversity, but we have made a very good beginning. 
Vascular Plants 
In the summer of 2004, Eleanor Thomson kindly offered to conduct a vascular plant 
survey in Larose Forest. Combined with orchid records from Joyce and Allan 
Reddoch and observations from a few other naturalists, her very lengthy list 
produced over 520 species for the forest. During 2005 a few more records were 
added for a total of 530 species to date (see Appendix 1 for a partial list). During an 
OFNC outing on August 4 2005, we found an interesting new plant for the forest. 
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain ( Goodyera pubescens). According to Joyce Reddoch, 
this plant was last found east of Ottawa in 1903. Unfortunately, another plant found 
in 2005 caused concern, not pleasure. A small stand of the very invasive Pale 
Swallowwort, or Dog-strangling Vine ( Cynanchum rossicum) was found along 
Cone. 8. These plants will be dug up before they set seed in 2006. There is still 
much left to find in Larose, but thanks to Eleanor and others, we have an excellent 
list to go on with ( http://www.ofnc.ca/conservalion/larose/plants.htmt ). 
Birds 
A number of species have been added to the Larose list since the original one was 
published in January 2004 (Hanrahan 2004). As of January 2006, 117 species of 
birds have been recorded in the forest, 93 species breed there, and a further five are 
suspected of breeding (Appendix 2). Many more species are yet to be added 
(http://www.ofnc.ca/conservation/larose/birds.html). A brochure about the birds of 
Larose Forest including a list of species is available from me (vanessa@magma.ca). 
The first Larose Christmas Bird Count held in January 2005 was organized by 
Jacques Bouvier and a second was in January 2006. This area promises to be a good 
addition to area CBCs. As word spreads more people will participate in the count 
which covers an area greater than the forest itself. 
Mammals 
Moose immediately come to mind when one thinks of Larose mammals, for it is one 
of only two places where this species may be reliably found in eastern Ontario (the 
other is the Alfred Bog). Twenty-one species of mammals have been recorded to 
date, including the Fisher, Coyote. River Otter and the occasional Black Bear 
(http://www.ofnc.ca/conservation/larose/mammals.html). 
Insects 
The only insects for which consistent records have been kept are butterflies. The list 
now stands at 46 species including a 1981 record of an Eastern Tailed Blue. I have 
been astonished at the remarkable diversity and sheer number of butterflies to be 
found in Larose. There are certainly a lot more yet to be added to the list which like 
all species lists for Larose Forest, is considered preliminary 
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