Orchid 2017 05g - Peterborough Field Naturalists · an abundance of rare grassland bird species,...

Osprey returning from a successful fishing expedition.

Photo taken near Serpent Mounds Park on April 8 by Enid Mallory.

Inside: PFN Wildlife Outing Trip Reports Butterfly Survey Results from Dance Nature Sanctuary A PFN Member Shares His Experience with Ticks Development of the Trent University Endowment Lands Loads of Pictures!

Orchid Know ● Appreciate ● Conserve Nature in All Its Forms

Bulletin of the Peterborough Field Naturalists Published nine times yearly. Publication Mail Agreement #4005104

May 2017

Volume 63, No. 4

peterboroughnature.org

The

TheOrchid,Volume63,Number4 May2017

-2-

InthisIssue:PFNComingEvents......................................................3

PFNJuniorFieldNaturalists(ages5-12).......................5

OtherEventsofInterest...............................................6

PFNVolunteerCorner..................................................6

President’sMessage–MoneyTalks............................7

PlantingforPollinators–AvoidNeonicotinoids..........7

SeasonalOccurrenceofButterfliesattheKLTDanceNatureSanctuary.........................................................8

TrentCommunityResearchProjectCompleted.........12

Poem:JustAnotherBoringAbstract..........................12

AtLongLast,anEndtotheSnappingTurtleHunt.....13

DevelopmentattheTrentEndowmentLands...........14

EarthDaySuperSpringCleanupinHarperPark........16

ShowoffthePFNLogo...............................................16

MyPersonalExperienceWithTheBlackleggedTick..17

PFNTripReport:April2ndWildlifeWalk...................19

PFNTripReport:April16thWildlifeWalk..................20

FromtheArchives–APoemByaFoundingMember21

TheOrchidDiary........................................................22

PFNMembershipApplication....................................25

WelcomenewPFNmembers!

KellyAndreoliandJuniorsKassandraAndreoli,MarissaAndreoli,andGabriellaAndreoli

Sheila&DarylBourgeoisandJuniorsCharlieBourgeoisandGeorgeBourgeois

NatashaLeahyandJuniorLeahRagazStephanie&KevinCollinsandJuniorsPatrickCollins

andWilliamCollinsJuniorReinPohlak

JuniorXavierGambleLauren&ClayDalesandJuniorsKaylaDalesand

ScarlettDalesMelanieLustedandJuniorsShaneNisbetandKeira

NisbetCarolynDonaldsonandJuniorWilliamDonaldsonRandallSkeltonandJuniorsLeeSkeltonandBailey

SkeltonH.I.Sheridan

CarolAlexanderEmilyJohnstonRandyBeacler

TristaMatthewsandJuniorsHaydenMatthewsandSarahMatthews

MikeWoodside&BradBrooks

Left:VesperSparrowonKelloggRoad,PortHope.Right:VirginiaRailatSawerCreekWetlandWildlifeArea.PhotostakenbyDaveMilsomduringOntarioFieldOrnithologistsoutingonApril23.


-3-

PFNComingEvents

Sundays

April2toMay28

8AM

NorthParkingLot,

RiverviewPark&Zoo

WaterStreet,

Peterborough

SundayMorningWildlifeOutings

OurregularspringwildlifewalkswillcommenceonSundayApril2andcontinueuntilMay28th.Unlessotherwiseadvertised,walkswillstartat8AMandwewillcarpoolfromtheparkinglotofthePeterboroughZooonWaterStreet.Outingsgenerallylastaboutthreehours.Bringsomechangetodonatetowardsgascostsandbringbinocularsifpossible.Inmostcases,theleaderswillconfirmthedestinationontheday.Accessibility:EasytoModerate.

May7:LynnSmith–seedetailsbelowMay14:tbcMay21:PaulFrost–seedetailsbelowMay28:DonMcLeod–seedetailsbelow

Sunday,May7

8AM

MeetatCavanGOTransitCarpoollot/busstop

AWalkontheOakRidgesMoraine

LedbyLynnSmith,thisoutingwillincludecarstopsaswellasacoupleofstrollsalongbackroadsandthroughsomehillycountryside.Bringbinoculars,scope,snacks,waterandperhapsbepreparedforsomemosquitoesand/orblackflies.8-11am.

MeetattheCavanCarpark/GOBusStop:FromPeterboroughtakeHwy115southandexitatCountyRd10/MillbrookCavan(Exit#38).Cometoastopsign.Gostraightandthecarpoollotisonyourleft,onSyerLine.

Accessibility:acombinationofeasytochallenging.Oneofthehikeswillincludesomehillyterrain(challenging).Otherwise,carstopsandrelativelylevelwalking(easy).

Wednesday,May10

7:30PM

CampKawarthaEnvironmentCentre

MonthlyMeeting:JacksonCreekOld-GrowthForest

Thismonth’sguestspeakerisMikeHenry,theleadresearcherandforestecologistbehindtherecentstudy"JacksonCreekOld-GrowthForest"byAncientForestExplorationandResearch.(http://www.ancientforest.org/publications/)

MikewillhelpusrediscoverJacksonCreekasourveryown4.5hectareurbanold-growthforest,withtreesreaching250yearsold,pre-datingtheoriginalsettlementoftheTownofScott'sPlains,whichisnowPeterborough.

Sunday,May21

8AM

Meetat1419IrelandDrive

ExploringLoggerheadMarsh,ProvinciallySignificantWetland

JoinTrentUniversity’sprofessorofaquaticsciences,PaulFrost,who,togetherwiththePFNhasbeenadvocatingtogetLoggerheadMarshprotectedfromtheimpactofencroachingurbandevelopment.

LoggerheadMarshisnowrecognizedasaprovinciallysignificantwetland.Itcontainsalargeareaofcattailmarsh,patchesofforestedwetland,andexpansesofwetmeadows.ItsoutflowstreamflowsthroughseveralforestedareasanddownstreamintoJacksonCreek.

Bringyourbinoculars!Accessibility:mostlyeasy,buttheremaybesomesmallslopesofmoderatedifficulty.Someareasmaybedamp,sogoodbootsarerecommended.

MeetnearPaulFrost’shouseat1419IrelandDrive,Peterborough.ThereisplentyofstreetparkingavailableonIrelandDrive.


-4-

PFNComingEvents

Sunday,May28

8AM

MeetatpublicparkinglotonCrawfordDrive

FleetwoodCreekNaturalArea

DonMcLeodwillleadawalkalongtheroadallowanceatFleetwoodCreekNaturalAreaandcirclingbackthroughtheMcKim/Garsonninproperty.Don’sspecialtyistrackingandtherearesandyareasalongtheroadallowancethataregoodspotsfortracks.Weshouldalsoseeagoodvarietyofbirdsincludingwarblers.

MeetatthepublicparkinglotonCrawfordDrive,attheendofHarperRoadandjustofftheParkwayandSirSanfordFlemingDrive.

Accessibility:Moderate,thereissomeuphillwalking.

Sunday,June4

7AM

MeetatTimHorton’sonLansdowneSt.W.

CardenPlainImportantBirdArea

Anall-dayvisittothewonderfulCardenPlain,anunusualalvarhabitatthatishometoanabundanceofraregrasslandbirdspecies,butterfliesandplants.JerryBallwillbeourguidetothisgloballyrarehabitat65kmwestofPeterborough.LoggerheadShrike,Golden-wingedWarbler,Osprey,BlackTerns,SedgeWren,YellowRail,UplandSandpiper,EasternBluebird,EasternTowheeandBrownThrashersareallpossibilities.

Bringsomelunch,water,cameraandbinoculars.

MeetatTimHorton’sattheSobey’sPlazaonLansdowneStreetWest.

Wednesday,June14

7:30PM


MonthlyMeeting:Ontario'sBats:Biology,EcologyandConservationsIssues

Guestspeaker:LesleyHale,DivisionalIntegrationCoordinator,MinistryofNaturalResources

Ontario'seightspeciesofbatsplayacriticalroleintheprovince'secosystemsasnocturnalinsectivores.Theyareconsideredoneofourmostvaluablespeciesgroupsforagriculturalpestcontrol.Therecentspreadofwhite-nosesyndromehascausedconcernforthefutureofmanybatspeciesinOntario,makingbatmonitoringandconservationmoreimportantthanever.

Saturday,June17

9AMtonoon


PlanetoftheBeetles

Beetlesarethemostdiversegroupofmulti-cellularorganisms.Comeandlearnhowtotellabeetlefromotherinsectsandhowtoidentifymanyofthemostcommonfamilies.Afteranintroductiontothisamazinglysuccessfulgroupofanimals,wewillusesweepnets,pondnetsandothertechniquestocheckoutthelocalbeetlefauna.ThissessionwillbeledbyPaulElliott.Accessibility:easytomoderate


-5-

PFNComingEvents

SundayJune25th

CelebrateCanada’s150thontheStoneyLakeTrails

ThisisadvancenoticeofafulldayofactivitiesontheStoneyLakesTrailswhichrunthroughtheKawarthaLandTrustpropertiesonthenorthshoreofStoneyLake.ThesetrailsweredevelopedbyRalphIngleton.TheyextendontootherlandsincludingtheViamedeResortProperty.Onthisday,anumberofeventsarebeingplannedrangingfromearlymorningbirding,floralinvestigations,generalnatureramble,andanafternoonbutterflysessionledbyavarietyofleadersfromthePeterboroughFieldNaturalists.Theday’seventswillendwithasocialhourcommencingat4p.m.attheBoathouseRestaurantofViamedeResort.Fulldetailsinthenextissueof“TheOrchid”.

ReservethisdatetocelebrateCanada’s150th.

PFNJuniorFieldNaturalists(ages5-12)

Sunday,May28 Archeryandinitiativegames.Joinusforamorningofarcheryandactiveoutdoorgames,ledbystaffatCampKawartha.Registrationisrequired(onthePFNwebsite).Bringyourlunchandstickaroundfortheirsummercampopenhouseintheafternoon(detailsonthecamp'swebsite).Parkingislimited,sopleasecarpoolifyoucan.

Sunday,June11 Aquaticinvertebratessampling.Putonyourgrubbyclothesandrainbootsandjoinusforacloselookatlarvaldragonflies,mayflies,aquaticbeetles,andzooplankton.WewillmuckaroundinthepondtocollecttheseaquaticinvertebratesandJayFitzsimmonsandSherriDeGasparrowillhelpustoidentifywhatwefindandteachuscoolfactsabouttheirlifecycles.Netsandmagnifierswillbeprovided.PleaseregisteronthePFNwebsitesowehaveasenseofnumbers.

Juniors'AprilTripReport:TurtleTourSubmittedbyLaraGriffin

WehadagreattimeonourtouroftheOntarioTurtleConservationCentre.TheOTCC'seducationalprogramofferstheperfectbalanceoftimetowatchtheambassadorturtlesandhatchlings,guidedhands-onactivitiestolearnaboutthefunctionsofwetlandsandhowhabitatlossandfragmentationaffectsturtles,coolfactsaboutOntario'sturtlespecies,andalookatthecriticalcareworkdoneintheoperatingroom.ManythankstotheOTCC'sknowledgeableandfriendlystaffandvolunteersforthisgreatlearningopportunity!Ifyoumissedthetour,likethemonFacebooktolearnabouttheirupcomingevents.


-6-

OtherEventsofInterest

Saturday,May6

BobcaygeonCommunityCentre

KawarthaLakesStewardsAssociationAnnualSpringMeeting

Pleasejoinusinamorningofscientificinquiry,presentations,andconversationregardingthehealthofourimportantKawarthaLakes.HearaboutKLSAactivities,includinganupdateonthepaleolimnologystudyand2017lakemonitoringprogram.Let’sdivedeepintothepasttolearnhowtoconserveourlakesforthefuture.Formoreinformation,visithttps://klsa.wordpress.com/.

Tuesday,May9

7:30PM

GreatHall#4,

ChamplainCollege,

TrentUniversity’s

WestBank

TheUrbanFutureofEarth:TheMoreWeChange,theMoreIt’sAlltheSame,

ThisisafreepubliclecturedeliveredbyDr.PeterGroffmanoftheCaryInstituteofEcosystemStudies.TheurbanenvironmentisincreasingallacrossNorthAmerica.Anapparentresultofurbanlandusechangeisthehomogenizationacrosscities,whereneighbourhoodsregardlessofgeographicallocationhavesimilarpatternsofroads,residentiallots,andcommercialareas.Thishomogenizationalsoaltersecologicaldynamicswithimplicationsforhydrologicalcycles,biodiversity,andnutrientcyclingacrossscalesfromtheyarduptothewholecontinent.Thistalkwillconsiderhowhomogenizationduetothe“humanelement”inurbanecologyaffectsnutrientcyclesandecosystemhealthintheseincreasinglywidespreadandhighlyrecognizableenvironments.

Saturday,May13

12-3PM

MarkhamCivicCentre

NorthAmericanNativePlantSocietyNativePlantSale

Wildflowers,shrubs,trees,vines&grassesfromapprovedgrowers.Hundredsofbooksforsale.Pleasevisitwww.nanps.orgfordetailsandplantlist.Freeadmission&parking.

FirstFridayofeachmonth

7:00PM

GuestServicesBuilding,RiverviewPark&Zoo

PeterboroughAstronomicalAssociationMonthlyMeeting

May5:AmateurAstronomy-AStatusReportbyRandyAttwood

May27:AstronomyDay-PublicViewingandActivities–Details,timesTBA-StaticDisplaysandSolarViewingattheRiverviewParkandZoo.Duskto11PM-ObservingatthetopofArmourHill.

FourthWednesdayofeachmonth

7:00PM

Lion’sCentre

347BurnhamStreet

PeterboroughHorticulturalSocietyMonthlyMeeting

Joinusat6:30PMforsocializing.Themeetingbeginsat7PM.Annualmembershipratesare$20individual,$25family,and$2guest.Allarewelcome-andyoudon’thavetobeanexperiencedgardener!Formoreinfovisitwww.peterboroughhort.com.

May24-SeanJamesofFernRidgeGardens:“GardenTrendsfor2017”

PFNVolunteerCorner

RallyingforRefreshments

TocontinueenjoyingrefreshmentsatourClubmeetingsweneed1or2peopletovolunteeralittletimetobringsupplies.YouareguaranteedasmileofappreciationfromallClubmembers.IfinterestedpleasecontactLynnSmith([email protected]).


-7-

President’sMessage–MoneyTalks

Ipromisetotalkaboutmoneyonlyonceayear.

Overthepasttwoyears,ThePeterboroughFieldNaturalistsreceivedagenerousbequestfromthelateRheaBringeman,along-timememberoftheClub.ThesefundshavebeeninvestedwiththeCommunityFoundationofGreaterPeterboroughandalreadyhavegeneratedastreamofincomefortheClub.Thischangeinourfinancialcircumstanceshasrequiredarevisionofouraccountingstatementsandreports,whichhasbeenablycarriedoutbyTreasurerDaveHeuft.

TheBoardhasnowapprovedaBudgetforthe2017fiscalyear.Becauseoftheincreasedlegacyincome,theClubhasbeenabletofundseveralinitiatives.TheseincludetheHarperParkfishstudy,thepurchaseofnewClubbanners,aplantorefurbishtheEcologyParkbirdfeeders,andmorefinancialsupportfortheJuniorFieldNaturalists.

Finally,IampleasedtoreportthattheClubisinanexcellentfinancialpositon,withgoodcashreserves.

TedVale,President

PlantingforPollinators–AvoidNeonicotinoids

SubmittedbyMartinParker;AdaptedfromNABAChatLine

Withthearrivalofthesummerplantingseason,oneshouldbemindfultoplantflowerswhichappealtopollinators:bees,hoverflies,butterfliesandmoths.ThefollowinginformationwaspostedontheNorthAmericanButterflyAssociationChatsitebytheNABAAdministrator,MikeCerbone.

‘Springtimeishere,andthatmeanstripstoyourlocalnursery!Somethingtokeepinmindthisseason,however,isthepresenceofneonicotinoidsintheplantsyoumaybepurchasing.Thesesubstancesaretoxictopollinatorslikebutterfliesandbees,andshouldabsolutelybeavoided!AlthoughIhavestartedtoseesomerecentimprovementintheself-reportingofpesticidescontainingneonicotinoidsatsomecommercialnurseriesandsimilarstores,keepinmindthatmanyvendorsstilldonotidentifyiftheirplantscontainneonicotinoids.Insomecases,theymaynotbeinformedthemselves(astheyareobtainingtheirplantsfromasourcethatalsodoesnotself-reportthis).Contactyourvendortofindoutiftheirplantsaretreatedwithneonicotinoids,andinquireaboutwheretheysourcetheirplantsfrom.Youshouldurgevendorstostopcarryingplantstreatedwiththesekindsofchemicalsthatcanharmwildlife!’

Whenbuyingplants,asktheselleriftheplantshavebeentreatedwithneonicotinoids.Iftheyhavebeenorthesellerdoesnotknow,considerbuyingtheplantsfromasupplierwhodoesnotuseneonicotinoids.

RedBreastedNuthatchbeinghand-fedatAlgonquinParkduringPFNoutingonApril1.PhotobyGregPiasetzki.


-8-

SeasonalOccurrenceofButterfliesattheKLTDanceNatureSanctuary

SubmittedbyMartinParker

TheKawarthaLandTrust(KLT)DanceNatureSanctuaryisa100-acrepropertyatcornerofthe12thLineofSmith(offormerSmithTownship)andPrestonRoadinthemunicipalityofSelwyn.ThepropertyincludesaportionoftheprovinciallysignificantMooreLakeWetlandFocusAreaandtheLakefieldCrevasseFillings,anEarthScienceAreaofNaturalandScientificInterest.

TheKawarthaLandTrustisinneedofdetailedinformationonthefloraandfaunaofitsproperties-informationwhichcanbecollectedandcompiledbyfieldnaturalists.FromApril10toOctober2016,volunteersfromthePeterboroughFieldNaturalists,coordinatedbytheauthor,completedawalkingsurveyofthebutterfliesoftheDanceNatureSanctuary.

Theprotocolforcompletingthesurveywastowalkapre-determinedroutethroughtheproperty,recordingallindividualandspeciesofbutterfliesobserved.Theroutewalkedcoveredtheovergrownmeadowareasinthewesternhalfofthepropertyandaroundthedugpondadjacenttothenaturalwetland.Theroutewaswalkedbyoneormorevolunteers24timesbetweenApril15andOctober12.Theresultsofthesesurveysaresummarizedinthefollowingtables.

Besidesrecordingtheoccurrenceofbutterflies,theobserverswerealsorequestedtorecordobservationsofbirds,mammals,reptilesandamphibians.Onacoupleofvisits,thespeciesofdragonfliesanddamselflieswererecorded.AlltheobservationsofbirdsweresubmittedtoeBird,andbutterflyobservationsweresubmittedtoeButterfly.Dragonflyanddamselflyspecieswererecordedonseveraltrips.AsummaryofthespeciesobservedhasbeensubmittedtotheKawarthaLandTrust.

Atotalof31speciesofbutterflieswereobserved.Thesurveyalsodeterminedtheseasonaloccurrenceofthevariousspeciesasshowninthesummarytables.TheseasonaldistributionoftheCloudedSulphurisanexcellentexampleofhowthenumberscanchangethroughthemonths.ThereweredistinctiveflightperiodsinMayandJuly,andthenthemajorflightcommencinginearlyAugustextendinguntilearlyOctober.TherewerealsoperiodswhennoCloudedSulphurbutterflieswererecorded.

Thesummerof2016wasnotedforitsdroughtconditionsandthishadamajorimpactonthepopulationsofbutterfliesattheDanceNatureSanctuary.Thedroughtreducedthepopulationsofnectar-bearingwildflowers.BylateJuly,mostofthebloomsoftheCommonMilkweedhaddriedout,removinganimportantnectarsourceforadultbutterflies.ThebloomsontheplantsaroundthedugpondandtheadjacentwetlanddidnotdryoutduetoavailabilityofsoilmoistureandinlateJulyandearlyAugustwasthemostproductiveareaforbutterflies.

Itisplannedtorepeattheweeklysurveysin2017toprovideadditionaldataonthebutterfliesoftheDanceNatureReserve.Ifyouareinterestedinparticipatinginthiscitizen-scienceprojectofthePeterboroughFieldNaturalistsandlearnmoreaboutournativebutterflies,[email protected].

Specialthankstoallthevolunteerswhocompletedthe2016surveys:MatthewTobey,SeanSmith,MichaelGillespie.BrianTinker,GerryBall,ThomUnrau,LukeBerg,BrentTurcotte,BarbSaunders,RobertPattonandMartinParker.


-9-

Month April May June July August September October

Day 15 19 30 12 19 24 31 10 15 23 30 7 11 20 27 1 7 17 5 11 16 27 6 12

Skippers

Juvenal’sDuskywing

1 1 2 1 1

WildIndigoDuskywing

1 1 1

CommonSootywing

1 1

ArcticSkipper 1

EuropeanSkipper

17 1 3

CrosslineSkipper

1

LongDashSkipper

11 2

DelawareSkipper

5

HobomokSkipper

3 4

Broad-wingedSkipper

1

DunSkipper 1 1 1 1

Skipperspecies 3 11

Swallowtails

BlackSwallowtail

1

GiantSwallowtail

1

EasternTigerSwallowtail

2

CanadianTigerSwallowtail

2 1 5 3

Sulphurs&

Whites

CabbageWhite 2 2 5 3 8 5 4 1 1

CloudedSulphur 7 5 2 45 5 3 4 15 12 19 35 8 36 59


-10-

Month April May June July August September October

Day 15 19 30 12 19 24 31 10 15 23 30 7 11 20 27 1 7 17 5 11 16 27 6 12

Hairstreaks&

Blues

EasternTailedBlue

1 2 1 1

SpringAzure 5 2 7

SummerAzure 1 1 3 1 1

SilveryBlue 24 7 8 1

Brush-Footed

Butterflies

GreatSpangledFritillary

3 4

Fritillaryspecies

1

NorthernCrescent

5 2 2 1

EasternComma

1

MourningCloak

1 2

Anglewingspecies

2 2

WhiteAdmiral 1 1 1

EyedBrown 2

LittleWoodSatyr

6 2

CommonRinglet

1 24 37 13 21 20 7 4

CommonWood-Nymph

23 1 1 1 2

Monarch 4 3 2 1

#ofSpecies 0 0 1 5 2 4 5 4 10 11 * 7 11 7 4 6 6 5 5 4 5 2 1 1

#Individuals 0 0 3 18 3 15 30 33 70 51 * 9 102 21 6 9 16 46 39 28 42 9 36 59

Notes: June30–ItwasrainingattheDanceNatureSanctuary

August1–CommonMilkweedbloomsdriedoutduetodroughtandabouthalftheplantsweredead


-11-

Celebrateour Native Plants!

Kawartha Lake Stewards Association

Annual Spring Meeting

When: Saturday May 6 from 10:00 – 12:00

Where: The Bobcaygeon Community Centre (51 Mansfield Drive)

Please join us in a morning of scientific inquiry, presentations, and conversation regarding the health of our important Kawartha Lakes. Hear about KLSA activities,

including an update on the paleolimnology study and 2017 lake monitoring program. Lets dive deep in to the past to learn how to conserve our lakes for the future.

With guest presentations by:

Dr. Eric Sager (“Swimming with plants: a Kawartha Lakes tradition”)

Eric Sager is a professor at Trent University and Fleming College, as well as the Director of the James Oliver Ecological Centre on Pigeon Lake. He has been passionately studying plants on the Kawartha's for over 10 years, and provides a wealth of first-hand scientific knowledge.

And

Mr. Doug Kennedy (“Shorelines, Streams – their Function, Importance and Restoration of Water Front Properties”)

Doug Kennedy is an Environmental Technologist, MNR certified Managed Forest Plan Approver, Butternut Health Assessor and owner of GSU. He has been work-ing in the environmental and horticultural industry since 1996.

ALL ARE WELCOME ---- ADMISSION FREE

We welcome donations to support the work of the KLSA.

For more information see our website: https://klsa.wordpress.com/

or send us an e-mail at [email protected]


-12-

GreatWorkVanessa!TrentCommunityResearchProjectCompleted

SubmittedbyLynnSmith

OnMarch29,PeterboroughFieldNaturalistsKimZippel,Ted&MarionValeandLynnSmithattendedafinalpresentationby4thyearTrentstudent,VanessaPotvin.VanessahadacceptedaprojectthroughtheTrentCommunityResearchCentrethatKimZippel,onbehalfofthePFN,hadsubmitted.Theproposalinvolveddigitallymappingthetencoreecologicallyimportantareasdescribedinthe1996reportentitled“PeterboroughNaturalAreasStrategy”.

Theintentofthe1996reportwastohavetheseareasincludedaspartofaNaturalHeritageSystemfortheCityofPeterborough.Vanessadigitallymappedthesesameareasin2016,20yearslater.Fromthere,Vanessausedgeographicalinformationsystem(GIS)softwaretoperformamapanalysistocalculatechangesinareaoverthe20-yearperiod.In2014,theProvinceofOntariostrengthenedprovincialpolicywitharequirementthatmunicipalitiesidentifyandprotectnaturalheritagesystems.Vanessa’sworkhasdigitizedabaselineofcoreareasfromwhichtheCityofPeterboroughcanidentifyanaturalheritagesystemandhopefullythenprotectit.

AlltheBesttoVanessainherfutureendeavours!

JustAnotherBoringAbstract

They'rea-maze-ing,theseetchingssprawledjustunderthebark,Madebyatunneling,yellowishwhitegrubwithstrong,brownjawsInmoistdeadwoodasitatestarchywood,leavingitstrademark,Andexcretingpowdery'frass',packingitbehindwithoutpause.Ifawoodpeckerdoesnotthiswildartistfindandextract,Thegrubwillcontinuetoleaveitswondrousengravings.Ifahumanweretocomposesuchpatternsinanabstract,Onecanbesureofalotofhypeand'academic'ravings.Butalloneisviewingarethetracesofabeetlelarva'sboring,Whichisofteneasiertoidentifythantheactualspecies.Ifonlywecouldseethroughbarkwhenwe'reoutexploring,We'dseedeadanddyingtreesriddledwithtunnelsfulloffeces.ThuspassesthelongeststageofametallicwoodborerbeetleUntilitpupates,becomesanadult,andreproduces...Awoodsafterafireorblowdownwon'tlonglookskeletalAsmorelarvaerecycledeadwoodintoseedlingpinesandspruces. MurrayArthurPalmer,2017

Orchidsubmissionsareencouraged!

ThesubmissiondeadlinefortheMayissueisFriday,May26.

SendsubmissionstoKathrynSheridanviaemail:[email protected]

orpostmailto:PFN,POBox1532,PeterboroughONK9J7H7


-13-

AtLongLast,AnEndtotheSnappingTurtleHunt

WrittenbyAnneBellofOntarioNature,April3,2017

Ithasbeenalongtimecoming.Alongsideourmembers,supporters,membergroupsandpartners,OntarioNaturespentyearstryingtoconvincetheGovernmentofOntariotoendthehuntingofsnappingturtles,aspeciesatrisk.Andfinally,onFridayMarch31,thegovernmentannounceditsdecisiontoterminatethehunt.Thiswastheonlycorrectdecisioninlightofirrefutablescientificevidencethatsnappingturtlescannotbesustainablyhunted.Takingjustoneortwoadultsfromapopulationonayearlybasiswillleadtodecline.

WearetrulygratefultothosewithintheMinistryofNaturalResourcesandForestrywhosupportedthisscience-baseddecision–frombiologistsandpolicyadvisorsrightuptoMinisterKathrynMcGarry.Thankstothem,snappingturtlesinOntarionowfaceonefewerthreatstotheirlong-termsurvivalandrecovery.Thegovernment’sdecisionsendsaclearmessagetothepublicabouttheimportanceofprotectingthisat-riskspecies.

Aboveall,weoweaheart-feltthankstothemanyorganizationsandindividualswhohavebeentirelesslyfightingtoendthehuntsinceatleast2007.Eleventhousandpeoplesignedapetitiontoterminatethehuntbackin2012.Evenmorespokeoutagainstagovernmentproposalthisyeartocontinuethehunt,demandinginsteadthatitbeclosed.Thisstrong,steadfastallianceofconcernedindividualsandscientificexperts–toonumeroustoname–hasfinallywontheday.

Ithasbeenacollaborativejourneyofdoggeddetermination,fueledbyletterstoministers,petitions,reports,opinioneditorials,actionalerts,blogsandsocialmediacampaigns.Whenthegoinggottough,thefairandinformedcoveragebythepressandbytheEnvironmentalCommissionerofOntariohelpedimmenselytobuoywearyspiritsandkeeptheissueinthepubliceye.

Thankgoodnesswenevergaveup.Thankgoodnessthegovernmentlistened.Thankgoodnessforsnappingturtles,thoseamazing,clunky,long-lived,prehistoric-lookingcreatureswhoplaysuchanecessaryroleinourlocalecosystemsandwhoseveryexistenceenrichesthehumanexperienceinsomanyways.

Snappingturtleconvoy;Credit:ScottGillingwater

Fromleft:amaleEveningGrosbeak,amaleRedCrossbill,andanonbreedingmaleAmericanGoldfinch.PhotostakenbyBrianWalesatAlgonquinParkApril1.


-14-

AReportonDevelopmentoftheTrentEndowmentLands

SubmittedbyBasilConlin

TheNatureAreasbelongingtoTrentUniversity,coveringanareaofabout783acres,areintrouble.TrentUniversityhaspartneredwiththeCityofPeterboroughtodevelop20parcelsoflandequaltoover315footballfields(nearly400acres),whicharecurrentlypartofvitalgreenspaceownedbyTrentUniversity.TheTrentLandsPlanoutlinesthatitwilldirectlybeconvertinghealthywetlands,grasslands,woodlotsandfarmlandintocommercial,residential,andindustrialdevelopmentsthatthreatentheintegrityofthesanctuary.TheLandsPlandetailsseveraldevelopments:anewarena,newsportsfields,astudent'scenter,adevelopmentironicallyentitled'InnovationPark',andparkinglotsthatthreatenspecieswithfragmentationandroadmortality.

IamverypassionateabouttheTrentWildlifeSanctuary,whichispartofTrentUniversity’sNatureAreas.Asanaturalist,Igothereseveraltimesaweekyear-roundtowatchthechangingseasonsandthespeciesthataccompanythem.Asofrightnow,Ihavedocumentedover1,000speciesofanimals,fromreptilessuchasthemilksnake,tomammalslikethefisher,birdslikegreathornedowlsandgreatcrestedflycatchers,toinsectssuchasamultitudeofprovinciallyrarespeciesincludingtheyellow-bandedbumblebee(recentlylistedasaSARinOntario),theClemen'ssphinxmoth(aspeciesthatislocalandinseveredecline),andtheendangeredmonarchbutterfly.Ofthesespecies,21arecurrentlylistedasSpeciesatRiskinOntario,yettheTrentLandsPlanmentionsnothingaboutenvironmentalassessmentsormitigationsuchasoverpasses,underpasses,orfencing.Infact,manydevelopmentswillbebuiltbesidewetlandsandadjacenttoordirectlythroughwoodlotsandgreenspaceswithoutanyplanningforhowthiswillaffectspeciesandecosystems.

ThefutureoftheTrentNatureAreascurrentlylookslikeitwillbefilledwithhabitatfragmentationandalossofbiodiversity.Woodthrush,aspecieslistedas'SpecialConcern'inOntario,isabirdthatregularlynestsintheTWS,fillingthewoodswithitsflute-likesong.Thesebirds,aswellasotherdecliningspeciessuchastheovenbird,needthick,dense,non-fragmentedwoodlotsinordertonestandraisetheiryoung.TheLandsPlanwillfragmentthesanctuary,leavinglesshabitatforforest-nestingbirds.Thisleadstotheedgeeffect,wherefragmentationchangesthestructureofanecosystemfortheworst.IntherelativelysmallwoodlotsthatexistatTrent,thesecouldleadtoprofoundecologicalchangessuchaslossofdenseforestcover.Werisklosingthesebreedingbirdpopulationsaltogether,leadingtolocalextinctionsthatwillhavemuchgreaterimpactstotheecosystemasawhole.

TheintroductionofnewroadsandparkinglotscouldspelldoomtoTrent’salreadysufferingpopulationsofreptilesandamphibians.Currently,18speciesofreptileandamphibianhavebeenrecordedontheproperty,includingblue-spottedsalamanders,westernchorusfrogs(aspeciesatrisk),milksnakes,red-belliedsnakes,stinkpotturtles(aspeciesatrisk),aswellasseveralnotablebutasofyetunconfirmedsightingsofBlanding'sturtles(athreatenedspeciesinOntario).Herps(non-avianreptilesandamphibians)androadsnevermixwell,andnew,non-mitigated,poorlyplannedroadswilllikelycausehigherratesofroadmortalityinthesealreadysmallandisolatedpopulations.ThenewsportsfieldsbuiltbesidePioneerRoadnexttoGzowskiCollegearealreadyimpactingavernalpool.ThispoolisoneofthemostimportantecologicalfeaturesontheTrentCampus.Itispristineandishometofairyshrimp,woodfrogs,chorusfrogs,springpeepers,greytreefrogs,hundredsofaquaticinsects,andbreedingbirdssuchasred-

BeltedkingfisheroverlookingconstructionatTrent.PhotobyBasilConlin


-15-

wingedblackbirdsandwoodduck.Over400speciesofplanthavebeenrecordedinTWS,includingmanyrareandlocalspecies,nowatriskfromdevelopments.TheTrentLandsPlandoesnottakeanyofthisintoconsideration.

Anewreport,calledtheLivingPlanetIndex,wasreleasedbytheZoologicalSocietyofLondoninpartnershipwiththeWorldWildlifeFund.TheIndexfoundthatanimalpopulationshaddroppedby58%worldwidefrom1970-2012,andthatifthistrendcontinues,two-thirdsofanimalspecieswillbeatriskofextinctionby2020.Althoughcontroversial,thisindexunderlineswhyweneedtopreserveourecosystems.Nowisthetimetoaskourselves,whatdowereallyneed?Doweneedmoresportsfieldsandhockeyarenas,ordoweneedtosavewhatlittlewehaveleftofourwildforthefuturegoodofournativespeciesandofourselves?Asanctuary-wideseriesofbio-blitzesarecurrentlybeingputtogetherbyDebbieJenkinsandseveralotherdedicatedpeople.ThefirstonewilltakeplaceinJunewithadatetobeannouncedshortly,tocatalogueeveryspeciesofplant,fungi,andanimallivingintheTrentWildlifeSanctuary.Nowisthetimetogetinvolved.HarperParkandJacksonParkarealreadybeingthreatenedandnowwestandtoloseoneofourlargestandmostsignificantnaturalareaswithinthecity.Sogetinvolved.LetTrentUniversityknowthatyoulikethecampusgreenforallofourfutures.ContactNeilEmerynemery@trentu.ca(ViceChairofResearchandDevelopment),LeoGroarke(President,TrentU)[email protected],andtheMajorofPeterborough,DarylBennett,[email protected].

SatelliteimageofTrentUniversity’slandholdingswithproposeddevelopmentscircledinred.ImageprovidedbyDebbieJenkins.Formoreinformationonthedevelopments,visit

https://www.trentu.ca/trentlandsplan/


-16-

EarthDaySuperSpringCleanupinHarperPark


OnEarthDay,April22,thethreePeterboroughareaRotaryclubscelebratedtheir10thyearoforganizingtheCommunitySuperSpringCleanup.Tocommemoratetheoccasion,volunteersmetatConfederationParkandweretreatedtocoffee,doughnuts,musicanddisplaytablessetupbyenvironmentallyfriendlyorganizations.DylanRadclifferepresentedthePeterboroughFieldNaturalistsandsetupatablewithournewbanner,ourrefresheddisplayboardandbookstosell.(Thankyou,Dylan!).Aftermorningrefreshments,wegatheredupgarbagebagsandglovesandheadedtoourfavouriteparkorcleanuplocation.

ThirteenvolunteersandafamilyoffourspenttimeinHarperPark.Forsomeofusitwasourfirsttimeparticipating.Interestinghowaplacecanlook“clean”until,withgarbagebaginhand,youreallystarttolook.Bytheendofthemorning,theHarperParkcrewhadhauledarespectableamountofgarbageontothesideoftheroad.JohnMartin,avolunteersince2012,pulledoutastove-perhapsthematetothefridgeheremovedthepreviousyear.

Thankstoallforvolunteeringyourtime!Seeyounextyear.J

ShowoffthePFNLogoonYourNextT-Shirt,HoodieorHat


Nexttimeyouareoutshopping,besuretodropintoMark’sWorkWearhouseat1135LansdowneSt.West.ThePFNLogoisreadyandwaitingtobeembroideredonyournextSpringFashionStatement.

It’sEasy!

• Chooseapieceofclothing;

• Takeittothedeskatthebackofthestore.

• TelltheclerkthatyouwouldliketohavethePeterboroughFieldNaturalistslogoembroideredonit.

• Youwillreceive10%offthecostoftheclothing(probablysomeexceptionshere)

• Thecosttoembroideris$5.75.

Youwillbecomeoneoftheelite“PeterboroughFieldNaturalistsLogo-wearingClubmembers”.

Itdoesn’tgetmuchbetterthanthat!


-17-

MyPersonalExperienceWithTheBlackleggedTick

SubmittedbyDonMcLeod

ThethreatofLymediseasewasthefarthestthingfrommymindwhenIenjoyedsomefinelatefallweatherinPeterboroughonNovember16,2016.ButthenextdaythatallchangedwhenIgotupandhadashower.WhiledryingmyselfwithatowelIhappenedtofeelwhatIthoughtwasascabonmyupperarmneartheelbow.Itfeltabititchyandresistedattemptstorubitoff.ThenItookacloselookinthemirrorandgaspedwhenIsawthelegsprotrudingfromthe"scab".Iexclaimedtomywife."Ohcrap,IthinkIhaveatick!"Towhichshereplied,"Eeeew!"

Mymindracedaboutwhattodonext.Thefirstreactionwastoquicklyremoveit,butfranklyIwasn'tsurehowtoremoveitproperly.IwasalsotryingtorecallwhenandwhereIcouldhavepickedthistickup.ThemostlikelypossibilitywasfromwalkingthroughHarperParkonthe16th.

Afterbreakfast,Ididsomequickonlineresearch(seelinksbelow).Itriedtofollowtheremovalguidelinesusingaqualitypairoffinetweezers.Thatdidnotgoaswellasplanned.PerhapsbecauseIhadtriedtoruboffthescab,thetickbodywasslipperyandsoftened,makingitdifficulttoremove.EventuallyIsucceededinremovingtheheadandbody.Thereappearedtobeasmallnarrowmouthpartstillimbeddedintheskin,butIwasunabletoremovethat.

IplacedthetickinaplasticZiplocbagandtookittoPeterboroughPublicHealthonKingStreetinPeterborough.Theyacceptedthetickandloggedthedetails.IwasinformedthatIshouldexpecttohearbackfromthemin2to3weeks.Thesamplewouldgothroughatwo-stepprocess:(1)TickID,(2)LymediseasetestifitisaBlackleggedTick.MeanwhiletheyrecommendedIcontactmyphysician.Ididthisassoonasweleftthebuilding.Mydoctor’sassistantsaidIdidnotneedtobookanappointmentunlessIexperiencedanyofthepublishedsymptoms.AslongasIhadtheheadremoved(whichIdid)thentherewasn'ttoomuchtodoaboutthesmallpartleftbehind

Thetick"wound"waspinkandslightlyswollenfortherestofthe17th.BythemorningofNovember18th,itlookedbetterandappearedasasmallpinkscab.IappliedalcoholandPolysporinperiodically,notbasedonanymedicaladvicebutjustmyownstrategy.Thetickwoundneverappearedastheoftenquoted"bull'seye"rashwhichcanappearwithearlystagesofLymedisease.

Sothenbeganthewaitinggame.AccordingtotheOntariogovernmentwebpageonLymedisease,symptomscanappearasearlyas3to30daysafterabitefromaninfectedBlackleggedTick.Luckily,Ididnotgetsickduringthatperiodfromanyvirusillnesswheresymptomsmightbesimilar.After30dayspassed,webreathedalittlesighofreliefbutwerestillfeelinganxiousuntilweheardbackfromthetesting.

Thetwo-stagetestingtookmuchlongerthananticipated.TheChristmasandNewYearholidayswereinthemixplustheremayhavebeenasurgeofsamplesfromthefall.AftersubmittingthetickonNovember17,theIDresultofBlackleggedTickdidnotcomethroughuntilDecember9.ThenitwasalongwaituntilFebruary9togetthewelcomenewsthattheticktestednegativeforthebacteriaBorreliaburgdorferi.OneadditionalpieceofgoodnewswassharedbythestaffatthePeterboroughHealthUnit:of50ticksidentifiedthroughtheunitasBlackleggedTick,nonetestedpositiveforthepresenceofLymediseasebacteria.So,whiletheticksarehere,LymediseasehadnotarrivedinthePeterboroughareathrough2016.Itseemsonlyamatteroftimebeforeitis.

Aftermystrugglewithusingfinetweezerstoremovethetick,Istartedasearchforbettertoolstoremoveticks.MostplacesIvisitedintowndidnothavetickremovers.OnetypeoftickremoverthatappearstohavemeritiscalledtheTickKey.Itisapieceofaluminumwithataperedslotusedtosnagthetickandremoveit.TheonlyOntarioretailsourcefortheTickKeythatIhavefoundisLeeValleyTools.WeareheadingtheresoonforgardensuppliesandwillpickupaTickKeyintimeforthe2017outdooractivities.IhopeIdon'thavetotestthistoolanytimesoon,butifIdo,Iwillreportbackwiththeresults.Happytrailseveryone!

https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease

http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/my-home-environment/my-environment/lyme-disease/

http://www.healthunit.org/hazards/documents/lyme.htm


-18-

http://chd.region.waterloo.on.ca/en/healthylivinghealthprotection/lymedisease.asp

http://www.tickencounter.org/

Blacklegged tick ID (source: Tick Encounter Resource Center, http://www.tickencounter.org/)

Public Health Ontario, Lyme Disease Risk Areas 2016 (source: http://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/eRepository/Lyme_disease_risk_areas_map.pdf)


-19-

PFNTripReport:FirstoftheSeason–April2ndWildlifeWalk

SubmittedbyMarlaWilliams

JerryBallwasprimedforanotherseasonofSundaymorningwildlifewalks.Astripleader,heledusonaroundaboutroutenorthandeastofPeterboroughonSunday,April2nd.Wesawand/orheardCardinals,BlueJaysandStarlingspriortoleavingtheZoo’sparkinglot,andthenabruptly(butsafely)pulledoveronUniversityRoadtoviewtwoTurkeyVulturesandanAmericanCrowwhowerecongregatingatthetopofatree.AccordingtoJerry,thevultureswerewaitingforthetemperaturetoincreasesothattheycouldwarmupandglideonthethermals.Itwasjustabovefreezing,andtheskywasclear.Waitaminute!Weseemedtohavelostoneofthevehiclesanditwasonlyfiveminutesintothetrip!Mitch,BillandJimappearedtohavegoneAWOL.Fingerswerecrossedfortheireventualreunionwiththegroup.

Lotsofpairsthismorning,aswepassedtwoCommonGrackles,twoMallardDucksandtwoRobinsonourwaynorthalongRiverRoad.Turningonto8thLineDouro,Jerry’sintentionwastocheckoutsomeoftheseasonalpondsinfarmers’fields.CanadaGeesewereaplenty,aswellasRed-wingedBlackbirdsandCommonGrackles.SomekeeneyesspottedanEasternMeadowlark,andbeforeweleftthatfieldwehadspottedaboutadozenmoremeadowlarks,aswellasaKilldeerandapairofDark-eyedJuncos

BackonRiverRoad,theOtonabeeRiveryieldednumerousBufflehead,whichJerryreferredtoas“Butterballs”.ApairofGoldeneyeduckswasspotted,andthenonehaplessfemaleGoldeneyewhowaspersistentlysurroundedbyfivedrakes.AfriendlydebateensuedinJerry’svehicle,whichsawJerryandBriandiscussingwaterfowlterminology(henversusdrakeversus“aduck”).JerryinformedthegroupthatGoldeneyesarealsoknownas“whistlers”,astheirwings

makeadistincthigh-pitchedwhistlingsoundwhileinflight.AGreatBlueHeronflewgracefullyoverheadaswelistenedtotheGoldeneyesatthesideofRiverRoad.SomeonementionedthattheyhadheardaSongSparrowcallingatthepreviousstop,butthatwasnotenoughforJerrytoretracehissteps.“Ifitwassomethingmega-rareIwouldturnaround”claimedJerry,ashecontinuednorthandtheneastonCountyRoad33towardsHighway28

TurningeastonStricklandRoad(that’sroad,notstreet,asJerrypointedout),andthennorthonDouro5thLine,thegroupobservedRobins,Mallards,aMourningDove,andsomeSongSparrowsbobbingalongwoodenfencerows.OnLynch’sRockRoad,westoppedtoadmireaRed-tailedHawkperchedinsomepoplartrees.Thereisaplethoraofbirdfeedersalongthisroad,whichyieldedAmericanTreeSparrows,Dark-eyedJuncos,MourningDoves,Red-wingedBlackbirds,AmericanGoldfinches,anEasternChipmunk,White-breastedNuthatches,Chickadees,andBlueJays.

Jerry’sruleofthumbistositnearabirdfeederforatleast15minutes,andbythattimemostofthebirdswillhavecomeandgoneatleastonce.

NextstopwastheSawer’sCreekwetlandarea.Morepairsabounded,includingTrumpeterSwans,SandhillCranes,Red-wingedBlackbirds,Grackles,andMallards.TheSandhillCranes“bugled”atthegroupastheyflewawayafewminuteslater.AnditwasaboutthistimethatMitch,BillandJimwerehappilyreunitedwiththegroup!Nottobeoutdone,theyreportedseeinganAmericanKestrelontheirsidetrip.

FurtherdowntheroadweweretreatedtotheundulatingflightofaPileatedWoodpecker,followedbyitsenergeticdrummingonanearbytree.OnDouro3rdLinewestoppedatapondtosearchforCommonSnipe,whichisJerry’s“where’sWaldo-typebirdoftheday”.Nosnipe,butsomeTurkeyVulturesandMallards.OnCentreRoad,wespotted

SandhillCraneatSawer'sCreek.PhotobyMarlaWilliams


-20-

anAmericanKestrelinthedistance,whichJerrysaidusedtobecalled“SparrowHawks”.TheKestrel’sdietincludesfrogs,snakes,insects,andbirdsasbigassparrows.

Inaroadsidetree,wehappenedtoseeandhearaSongSparrow,whichmayormaynothavecaughttheinterestoftheproximateKestrel.

AftercrossingHighway28,wecontinuedalongCentreLinetoRiverRoad,thensouthtothe9thLineofDouro.JerrywasstillsearchinginvainforWaldo(theCommonSnipe),andhopedthatsomeofthepondsonthe9thLinewouldyieldaSnipe.Nosuchluck,butKathrynspottedaGreatBlueHeronwhowasstandingquietlyinapondandflewawaygracefullyaftertoleratingusforacoupleofminutes.AbigthankyoutoJerrywhogenerouslysharedwithushisbirdloreandhistimeonaquiet,clearSundaymorning.

PFNTripReport:April16thWildlifeOuting

ByDonMcLeod

SixteenmembersandguestsofthePeterboroughFieldNaturalistsledbyMartinParkerspentthemorningofApril16thlookingforbirdsandotherwildlife.ThetravelroutewasfromPeterboroughtoRiceLake,withstopsalongtheway.ThehighlightofthefirststopwasseeingaWilson'sSnipeflyinghighoverhead.Wecouldalsohearitsquaveringhootsoundsduringtheswoopingdisplayflight.AlongCountyRd2,apairofOspreysonanestingplatformputonquiteashowwhileconsumingalargefish.Inthedistance,therewasanAmericanKestrelandcloseathandwesawandheardaVesperSparrow.OutonRiceLake,

therewereseveralScaupvisiblewiththeaidofaspottingscope.ThreePurpleMartinswereseenflyingalongthenorthshoreofthelake-definitelyoneofthehighlightsofthemorning.Thecarssplitupmid-morningquitebyaccident,butforonegroupthatprovidedsomeamazingsights.SandhillCraneswereseenandheard.ThesoundwasanamazinghonkandrattlecallthatcouldbeheardupanddowntheOtonabeeRiver.ApairofBlack-cappedChickadeeswereobservedbuildingtheirnestcavitybypickingoutsmallbitsofdryrotwoodfromadeadtree.ThesoundsofaYellow-belliedSapsuckerhammeringonsomemetalwerealsoheard.Laterinthemorning,somefolkswerefortunatetoobserveasmallflockofGreen-winged

Teal.Additionalspeciesthatwereidentifiedbysightorsoundthroughoutthemorningincluded:Red-wingedBlackbird,Mallard,CanadaGoose,CommonLoon,Double-crestedCormorant,Bufflehead,BeltedKingfisher,GreatBlueHeron,SongSparrow,AmericanTreeSparrow,ChippingSparrow,AmericanGoldfinch,AmericanCrow,BlueJay,NorthernFlickerandRed-belliedWoodpecker.

GreatBlueHeronnear9thLineinDouro.PhotobyMarlaWilliams

OspreyphotosubmittedbyDonMcLeod

Black-cappedChickadeebuildingnestcavity.PhotobyDonMcLeod


-21-

FromtheArchives–APoemByaFoundingMember

SubmittedbyMartinParker

THEFIRSTHEPATICAFrancisJ.A.Morris(1869to1940)Welcome!Sweetflower,thefirstlingoftheyear!AlittlewhileandthouwertfastasleepCouchedinthehollowofthewoodlandhere;Forallthykind,whenwintersnowsliedeep,ThenNaturemurmuredlow,asisheruse,Crooningo’erherstill-cradledyoung:hardbyThetinklingliltofrivuletletlooseFromicyclasp,theenduringpine’ssoftsigh,Bothbadetheerise,fordream-lovewasnigh.Eveninthequietdell,wherenowindsblowButalldaywarmairsbrood,thoughartalong:Thefellowsallarelaidinslumberlow,Andonthysunwardslopedeadleavesareshown,Drybrackenstrail,withdraggledtressesbrown.ThouvotaryofSpring!WithupwardgazeWhite-eyedthyfaceisliftednow,asthereThoudidoutpourthysoulinsongofpraiseNotthelessclearandsweetaswedespair,Tocatchwithourdullear,itscadencerare.ReprintedinTheOrchid,Vol.49,No.3,April2003.From“Peterborough–LandofShiningWaters”,publishedbytheCityandCountyofPeterborough,1967.NotefromOrchid:FrankMorris,afoundingmemberofthePFNandpoetofdistinction,taughtformanyyearsinPeterborough.Hisstudiesofthewildflowers,particularlyorchids,inthisareaandothersectionsofOntario,wereoutstanding.In1956,thePFN’sBulletinwasrenamed‘TheOrchid’inhishonour.

PhotostakenduringPFN’striptoAlgonquinParkonApril1.Left:SusanSauvehand-feedingCanada’snationalbird,theGreyJay.Right:AGreyJaypolitelypointingouttheparkingrulestoparkvisitors.PhotossubmittedbyGregPiasetzki.

Round-lobedHepaticaonSandyLakeRd,H-B-MTwp,PeterboroughCty,May7,2013.PhotosubmittedbyMartinParker.


-22-

TheOrchidDiaryAsummaryofnoteworthyobservationsbyPFNmembersandothersinthePeterboroughregion.

InformationiscompiledfromeBird,DrewMonkman’sSightingswebpage,theptbosightingsYahoogroup,andindividualsubmissions.

PleasesubmityourinterestingobservationstoMartinParkeratmparker19@cogeco.caorphone705-745-4750.

Mar.2&7 AlatereportfromtheJonesfamily.TheyspottedaGreatGreyOwlonMarch7thonahydropole

onValleyviewDriveandanotherindividualonMarch2alongthetrailtoJackson’sParkMar.24 AlatereportofanAmericanOpossuminhisyardoffBuckhornRoadnorthofLakefieldRoad.Itwas

feedingonapomegranateplacedoutforrobins.Mar.25 BillSnowdenreportedthatapairofAmericanKestrelswereatthenestboxnearEnnismore.Mar.28 SueParadisisexploredavernalpoolwithinHarperParkandfound100’sofFairyShrimpswhichare

anindicatorspeciesforvernalpools.Shenotedtherewasstilllotsoficeonthepoolandnofrogorsalamandereggsyet.

Mar.20 Dave&AnnHeuft reported thatBohemianWaxwingswere still feeding in the fruit trees in theOtonabeeDrivearea.

Mar.30 OspreyobservedbyDonMcLeodinLancasterBay,ChemongLake.Itwasseenhovering,thendivingandcatchingasmallYellowPerch.Stilllotsoficeonthelake,limitedopenpatchesfortheOspreytofish.

Apr.1 JerryBallreportedthatOspreyshavereturnedtothenestonIndianRiveratKeene,andaEasternMeadowlarkwasonthe8thLineofDouro.IainRaynerhadYellow-belliedSapsuckerintheBearCreekRoadarea.DonaldSutherlandhad2GadwallsintheKeenearea.ACommonLoonwasseenbyDonMcLeodasitflewaroundthesouthendofChemongLake-someicestillonthelake.

Apr.2 JerryBallspotted2SandhillCranesonthePFNSundayAMoutingintheBuckleyLakearea.LynnSmithhad5WoodDucks(2male,3females)visitthepondbesideherhouseintheCavanarea.SueParadisishadwhatwasprobablyaBlue-spottedSalamanderintheHarperParkvernalpool.MarilynFreemanheardaWilson’sSnipeinthemarshalongtheParkwayTrailwestofChemongRoad.BenTaylorhad1Double-crestedCormorantintheKeenearea.BrendanGreenhadaSwampSparrowatIslandViewDrive.

Apr.3 WarrenDunlophad1CacklingGooseontheBriarHillSanctuarypondand1LesserBlack-backedGullonRiceLakeoffHall’sLanding.6TundraSwanswereontheLakefieldLagoonbyBillCrinswithanother2onRiceLakeoffValleyViewDrivebyWarrenDunlop.

Apr.4 JerryBallspottedTreeSwallowsoverLittleLakeandWilson’sSnipeatBuckley’sLake.RobWelshreportedthatmostofStoneyLakeisstillicecoveredbutCommonLoonswerecalling.HenotedtheOspreyshadreturnedtothenestplatformatYoung’sPoint.

Apr.5 ToniSinclairheardherfirstCommonLoononBuckhornLakenearSixFootBay.TwoTrumpeterSwanswerespottedbyJanePhilottonUpperBuckhornLakeoffKawarthaHideawayRoad.LukeBerghadaCanvasbackonRiceLakesouthofKeene.

Apr.6 TheJonesfamilyhadaRedFoxintheiryardonValleyviewDrive.LindySpirakhadaSnowGooseatthewestoftheChemongLakecauseway.

Apr.7 DaveMilsomspottedaBarnSwallowattheLakefieldLagoon.IainRaynerhadaSavannahSparrowalongEdgewaterBlvd.


-23-

Apr.8 AneBirdreportfromananonymousbirderhadYellow-rumpedWarblerandRuby-crownedKingletontheLadyEatonDrumlin.

Apr.9 JerryBallobservedaDouble-crestedCormorantontheriver.Healsowentlookingforbutterfliesinthe area north of Flynn’s Corners (north of Buckhorn) and found 11Mourning Cloak, 2EasternCommaand2Compton’sTortoiseshell.AnanonymousbirderreportedoneBirdthataGreatEgretwasintheGannon’sNarrowsarea.MatthewGarvinhadaVesperSparrownearKeene.

Apr.10 ButterfliesfoundbyJerryBallalongSandyLakeRoad(offCountyRoad46)wereanimpressive41MourningCloakand1EasternComma.StewartMcDonaldhadafemaleYellow-rumpedWarbleratCatchacomaLake.SueParadisisspottedanEasternBluebirdsittingonanestboxattheKLTIngeleton-WellsReserveontheN.E.cornerofRiceLake.LukeBerghadaGreaterYellowlegsonapondalongDivisionRoad.

Apr.11 LukeBerg&BillCrinsreportedaNorthernMockingbirdatthesouthernendofDrummondLineScottGibsonhadaChippingSparrowatBissonnetteDrive.IanRaynerhadaBlue-wingedTealonTowerhillRoadpond.LukeBerghad2BrownThrashersand2FieldSparrowsintheHowardTownsCA.

Apr.12 IainRaynerhadaRough-wingedSwallowoverLittleLake.Apr.13 LukeBerghad3EasternTowheeontheLang-HastingTrailwestofDrummondLine.

HealsohadaPineWarbleronHall’sRoadinNorthKawartha.Apr.14 Jerry Ball observed 28Compton’s Tortoiseshell, 5Mourning Cloak, 2 Eastern Comma, 1Green

Comma and 1 Red Admiral butterflies north of Flynn’s Corners. In wetlands along theGalloway/CavendishForestAccessRoad,therewere74PaintedTurtlesand3Blanding’sTurtles.DonaldSutherlandhad2CaspianTernsatHiawathaFirstNation.

Apr.15 EmilyPettypiecereportedaGreaterYellowlegs.WoodFrogs

Sue Paradisis submitted a detailed report on the status of Wood Frogs in a vernal pool in theIngelton-WellsReserve.OnApril10,sheandMeredithClarknotedtherewaslotsofactivitybutnoeggs.TherewasoneclusterofBlue-spottedSalamandereggs.OnApril14,theWoodFrogswereactivelymatingwithoneclusterofeggs.TherewereseveralclustersofBlue-spottedSalamandereggs.

Apr.16 JerryBallhadaGreaterYellowlegsandBlue-wingedTealalongAndersonRoadnearDouroLake.MeldaBaxreportedaNorthernMockingbirdonthe8thLineofDouro.TedValereportedhearingaGreatHornedOwlcallinginthevicinityofMilroyDriveintheearlyhoursofthemorning.PhilShawreportedthatAmericanWoodcockshavebeencallingintheMeadowvalewetlandareaforacoupleofweeks.AnneHeuftreportedaChippingSparrowwasinheryard.JimCashmorefoundaCommonLooninthemorningwithinthelockbasinofLock19.Laterinthedayitwasgone.Onewondershowitarrivedanddeparted.Diditfollowfishthroughanopengate?

Apr.16PFNOuting

During the PFN wildlife outing the following noteworthy birds were observed: Wilson's Snipe,American Kestrel, Savannah Sparrow, Purple Martin, Sandhill Crane, Red-bellied Woodpecker,Green-wingedTeal.Manyothermorecommonbirdswerealsoobserved.

Apr.17 LukeBerghad2VirginiaRailsinthewetlandonUniversityDrive.Apr.18 JerryBallhad2HermitThrushesalongDevil’sFourMileRoadoffCountyRoad46.

MartynObbardspotted18BohemianWaxwingsintheBuckhornarea.SueParadisis&MeredithClarkhadaRed-shoulderedHawkattheKLTIngleton-WellsReserve.LynnSmithspottedaPurpleFinchinHarperPark.LukeBerghadaBroad-wingedHawkalongHubbleRoad.

Apr.19 ScottGibsonhadanUplandSandpiperandNorthernMockingbirdontheDouro4thLine.


-24-

Apr.20 JimCashmorehadaveryearlymaleRose-breastedGrosbeakinhisyardoffWallisDr.DonaldSutherlandhadasingingCarolinaWrenonthisdateandthenextdayintheJohnStreetarea.SeanSmithalsohearditonthe21st.LukeBerghadaHouseWreninhisyardinthecity.

Apr.21 BillSnowdenhadaWhite-crownedSparrow&White-throatedSparrowathisfeeder.BasilColinspottedaRedheadDuckontherivernearTrentUniversity.DonaldSutherlandhadaCliffSwallowontheRotaryTrailatTrentU.DanielWilliamshadaRed-neckedGrebeoffBeavermeadPark.LukeBerghadaBlue-headedVireoinhisyardinthecity.

Apr.22 JeffStewarthadaGreenHeronintheMillbrookarea.IanSturdeehadRuddyDuckatCordovaLake.DonaldSutherlandhadLesserYellowlegsinpondalongDivisionRoad.MatthewGarvinhadCommonGallinuleintheFairbairnStreetwetland.

Apr.23 DaveMilsom ledanOFOouting in thePeterborougharea. Highlights include3VirginiaRails atSawyerCreek&21Ospreys.DonaldSutherlandhadaPalmWarblerontheRotaryTrailatTrentU.

Apr.25 IainRaynerhadfirstNorthernWaterthrushnearEnnismore.Asofthisdate,141speciesofbirdshavebeenreportedoneBirdforPeterboroughCountyforthisyear.

PFNBoardofDirectors OtherVolunteersPresidentandOntarioNatureRep

TedVale [email protected] 741-3641 MembershipSecretary

JimYoung760-9397

Vice-President KimZippel [email protected] 740-0587 OrchidEditor [email protected]

Secretary MartinParker [email protected]

745-4750 OrchidMailing MaryThomas

Treasurer DaveHeuft [email protected] 743-6164 Jr.Naturalists [email protected]

MeetingCo-ordinator

PhilShaw [email protected] 874-1688 EcologyParkFeeders

JBJaboorDonFinigan

MeetingCo-ordinator

MarieDuchesneau

[email protected]

874-5739 OrchidDiary,CitizenScienceProjects

MartinParker

OutingsCoordinator

PaulElliott [email protected] 740-0501 MillerCreekStewardship

JimCashmore,JimYoung,BrianWales

HarperParkCommitteeChair

ReneGareau [email protected] 741-4560 AdvocacyCommittee

JimCashmore,JimYoung,MarilynHubley,MartinParker,TedVale

Co-webmaster DylanRadcliffe

[email protected] 991-0422 Webmaster [email protected]

PastPresident LynnSmith [email protected] 944-5599 PeterboroughCBC

MartinParker

SpecialProjects MarilynHubley

[email protected]

760-9378 PetroglyphsCBC ColinJones

PeterboroughButterflyCount

JerryBall

PeterboroughFieldNaturalists,P.O.Box1532,Peterborough,Ontario,K9J7H7

PFNMembershipApplication

Orchid 2017 05g - Peterborough Field Naturalists · an abundance of rare grassland bird species,...

Documents

Transcript of Orchid 2017 05g - Peterborough Field Naturalists · an abundance of rare grassland bird species,...