Perhaps it was due to the recent publicity concerning the Mary Immaculate Center property being offered for sale by the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Or maybe it was just the spectacular weather.

Either way, 21 participants came out for a hike through the 460 acres, located between Cherryville and Indian Trail roads, Sept. 15.

The hike was hosted by the Bertsch-Hokendauqua-Catasauqua Watershed Association (BHCWA) as part of the annual Know Your Watershed Day, a day of watershed awareness and education. Know Your Watershed Day was coordinated by the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, in partnership with its community watershed organization members from across the Lehigh Valley.

BHCWA's hike was the fifth in a series of seasonal tours through the center property. BHCWA volunteer naturalists Mike Nagle and Bud Cole led the group in search of fall wildflowers, butterflies and migrating birds.

The hike was scheduled to include monarch butterfly tagging in conjunction with the University of Kansas Monarch Watch Program. Unfortunately, at the 10 a.m. starting time, it was a bit too cool for the monarchs to be out and about. This was especially true in the shaded areas. No monarchs were caught or tagged. The monarchs and other butterflies are most active during temperatures of 80 degrees or higher.

Nagle, a local expert on invasive plants, pointed out examples of the alien species and discussed the aggressive nature of these plants. Most of the understory on the property, similar to other local natural areas like Whitehall Parkway, Trexler Nature Preserve and the proposed Jordan Creek Greenway, have quickly become covered in Japanese stilt grass. It is very aggressive and quickly crowds out its native neighbors often eliminating the native species entirely. The grass produces a multitude of seeds at the end of its stalks and these seeds are viable for up to five years.

Other invasives include multiflora rose, autumn olive, several bush honeysuckles, barberries, tree of heaven (also called ailanthus), Japanese knotweed, Oriental bittersweet and mile a minute weed. These alien plant species do not have native insect predators since they are native to other world regions. They quickly spread and crowd out the native plant species, especially in disturbed areas.

Hikers observed turkey vultures, crows, wild turkeys, several woodpeckers, tufted titmice and chickadees. Plant and wildflowers species seen include poke berry, several species of ferns, evening primrose, both orange spotted and pale yellow touch me nots, white wood asters, New England asters, New York asters, goldenrod, Queen Anne's lace, white snake weed, bergamot, ragweed and boneset. There were many examples of fungi growing in damp shaded areas as well.

The Indian Creek winds its way through the floodplain along Indian Trail Road on the eastern section of the property. Canada geese and mallard ducks were observed floating in the larger of the two ponds.

The property was lumbered about 10 years ago. Tree species identified during the hike included the invasive Norway maples, native sugar and red maples, tulips, catalpas, hickories, American beech, red and black oaks and yellow and black birch.

BHCWA hopes to plan another hike through property this winter.

The watershed members are hopeful that the floodplain and wooded hillsides will be preserved for the future. Members have contacted officials at the Wildlands Conservancy, other Northampton watershed associations and Northampton County government. Look for more information on the watershed's website.

BHCWA meets the second Monday of each month 7 p.m. at the Pennsville Tavern.