Wood betony or Canada ~ousewort - an uncommon Toronto ... · an illustrated talk by Deborah...
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Wood betony or Canada ~ousewort - an uncommon Toronto native - field drawing by Diana Banville Inside Birds 17,20,23,24,25 Coming events 28-30 Fishes 17-18,22 Invertebrates 11,16,23,25 Issues 20,21,22-23,24,25 Mammals 24 Projects 12,15-16 Plants 1,14,15,19,21 TFN OFFICE JOURS: Fridays TFN - meetings 2 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 31 nature reserve 2,5,12 newsletter submissions 31 nominating committee report 13 outings 3-11 President's report 12 publications 32 Weather 21,26-27 9 am to 12 noon
Transcript of Wood betony or Canada ~ousewort - an uncommon Toronto ... · an illustrated talk by Deborah...
Wood betony or Canada ~ousewort- an uncommon Toronto native -
field drawing by Diana Banville
InsideBirds 17,20,23,24,25Coming events 28-30Fishes 17-18,22Invertebrates 11,16,23,25Issues 20,21,22-23,24,25Mammals 24Projects 12,15-16Plants 1,14,15,19,21
TFN OFFICE JOURS: Fridays
TFN - meetings 2MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 31nature reserve 2,5,12newsletter submissions 31nominating committee report 13outings 3-11President's report 12publications 32
Weather 21,26-27
9 am to 12 noon
TFN 524 - 2
TFN MEETINGSSunday, May 2, 2004 - PASSIONATE ABOUT PLANTS: CELEBRATING THE ROYAL
ONTARIO MUSEUM'S BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS AND THEIRat 2: 30 pm COLLECTORS
an illustrated talk by Deborah Metsger, AssistantCurator of Botany, Royal Ontario Museumat Emanuel College
75 Oleen' s Park Cres. East This talk will explore some of the specialVISITORS WELCOME! collections held in the Royal Ontario Museum's
green plant herbarium and tell the stories of theBring a friend. people who collected them.
+ a "social hour" beginning at 2 pm with free coffeeand juice
+ an opportunity to RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN TFN(See page 31 for renewal form).
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004
NEXT NEWSLETTER: September (to be mailed in mid-August)
,(
Wo f<.KWJRK my IDrICE: rage 12
NA'lURE RESERVE 0Ul'ING: p:ige5 sketched by Diana Banville
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TFN OUTINGSREMEMBER: Children and visitors are welcome on all outings but please, NO PETS!To get to outings on time, check TIC routes and schedules by calling 416-393-4636.Check the weather by calling 416-661-0123 so you will know what to wear on outingswhich go rain or shine.
SaturdayMay 110:30 am
May 2
ThursdayMay 61: 30 pm
FridayMay 76:45 pm
SaturdayMay 810 am
WednesdayMay 126:45 pm
ThursdayMay 1310:30 am
SaturdayMay 1510: 30 am
SundayMay 162 pm
GLENDON CAMPUS - natureartsLeader: Mary TaylorMeet at the gates to Glendon on the east side of Bayview Ave.at Lawrence Ave. East.Bring what you need for pmtograp,y, sketchingor p3i.ntingand anythingyouwish to showthe groupmen we carp:rre ournoming's Y.Drkafter lunch.
TFN MEETING
SILVERTHORN - naturewalkLeader: Ruth MunsonMeet on the south side of Eg1inton Ave. West at Blackthorn Cr.(west of Caledonia Rd.)
LOWER DON VALLEY - eveningrambleLeader: Rosemary AubertMeet at the Broadview subway station.
G. ROSS:r..amPARK - naturewalkLeader: Heather MackieMeet at the northeast corner of Finch Ave. West and DufferinSt. Bring lunch.
WINDFIELDS PARK - eveningrarrbleLeader: John EastwoodMeet at the southeast corner of York Mills Rd. & Bayview Ave.
CENTENNIAL PARK - springflowersLeader: Peter MoneyMeet at the northwest corner of Rathurn Rd. and Mill Rd. Br:ing lun:::n.
ROUGE 'MARSHES- birds & hlgsLeader: Carol SellersMeet at the Rouge Hill GO station (south side of Lawrence Ave.East at East Ave.). Bring lunch and binoculars. All-dayouting.
HUMBER VALLEY - AgnesM:xxly Fitzg:i.1:i:xlnwildf1~r walkLeader: Madeleine McDowellMeet at the Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas St. on the east bankof the Humber River.'Ihisis a jointoutingwith the North TorontoGreen Camunity. t>
TFN 524 -4
wide brim on hatfor protectionfrom sun
long socksto help youavoid ticks
hiking bootsor
runningshoes
freeTTC RIDE GUIDE
Metro map
notebook &
Bring your familyand/or friends
FOR ENJOYMENT OF OUTINGS
long sleevesto protectyou from:mosquitoespoison ivythistles
slacks
to protectyou from:mosquitoespoison ivythistlesticks
sun glasses
rainwear
insectrepellent
camera thermosor
flask
snack
~ "Y'money
TTC fare
REMEMBER ALSO TO BRING A PLASTIC BAG FOR GARBAGE ALONG THE ROUTE! E.D.
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MAY OUTINGS (cont'd)
TuesdayMay 186:45 pm
ThursdayMay 2011 am
SaturdayMay 222 pm
SundayMay 232 pm
WednesdayMay 2610 am
ThursdayMay 276:45 pm
SaturdayMay 2910 am to5 pm
SHERWOOD PARK - eveningrambleLeader: Janice PalmerMeet at the park entrance at the east end of Sherwood Avenueeast of Mt. Pleasant Rd. (north of Eglinton Ave. East).
ROUGE VALLEY - springwildfl~Leader: Peter MoneyMeet at the Pearse House, east of the first bus stop north ofSheppard Ave. East on Meadowvale Rd. Bring lunch.
DON VALLEY - nature walkLeader: Ed FreemanMeet at Chorley Park (corner of Glen Rd. & Douglas Dr.).Walk will end at Ontario Science Centre.
MUD CREEK - springwildflCMerSLeader: Helen MillsMeet at the Wilson subway station (Wilson entrance).This is a jointoutingwith the NorthTorontoGreen Comunity.
EAST DON VALLEY - birds & b..rtterfliesLeader: Ann GrayMeet at the northwest corner of Leslie St. and Sheppard Ave.East. Bring lunch and binoculars.
TAYLOR CREEK VALLEY - eveningrambleLeader: Gail GregoryMeet at the southeast corner of Woodbine Ave. and O'Connor Dr.stair climbing incltrled.
TFN NATURE RESERVES - a day in the countryLeaders: Robin Powell & Jerry SpevakCall 416-593-2656 if you want to attend. Leave your name andtelephone number and send a cheque for $15 made out to theToronto Field Naturalists to the TFN office, 2 Carlton St.,#1519, Toronto M5B lJ3.
as Lines The bus leaves from Old York Mills Rd. just east of Yonge St.. _;,._~ (south exit of York Mills subway station) promptly at 10 am$15 1Il eovanceand returns there at 5 pm.
Bring lunch and wear waterproof footwear.
SundayMay 302 pm
BROOKBANKS RAVINE - urtEn ~lONLeader: Helen MillsMeet at the southeast corner of York Mills Rd. and Fenside Dr.(east of the Don Valley Parkway).'Thisis a jointoutingwith the North TorontoGreenCcmn.mity.
TFN 524 - 6JUNE OUTINGS
TuesdayJune 110:30 am
SaturdayJune 510 am+
SaturdayJune 510:30 am
WednesdayJune 910 am
ThursdayJune 106:45 pm
SaturdayJune 1210 am to12 noon
SundayJune 131:30 pm
MondayJune 146:45 pm
WednesdayJune 1610 am
HIGH PARK - hU!TEl1& naturalheritagewalkLeader: Roger PowleyMeet at the High Park subway station (Quebec Avenue entrance).Bring lunch and binoculars.
HUMBER BAY PARK EAST - bbXSLeader: Valerie AllenMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Lake Shore Blvd.West at the foot of Park Lawn Rd. Bring lunch and binoculars.
All-dayouting.HIGH PARK - natureartsLeader: Andrew WhiteMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. Westopposite High Park Rd.Bringwhat you need for Ii1otogrartJy,sketchingor printingand anythingyouwish to shew the groupWhen ~ carp:treour morrring's '\\Ork after lunch.
MT. PLEASANT CEMETERY - treesLeader: Roger PowleyMeet at the Davisville subway station.Bringbinocularsand your favooritetree book, fuming only.
SHERWOOD PARK - stewardshipeventLeader: Janice PalmerMeet at the administration building in the park which isdownhill and east (following the road) from the park entranceat the east end of Sherwood Park Avenue (east of Mt. PleasantRd. and north of Eglinton Ave. East). Look for the red car.Instructionsand equiprentwill be provided. Bring your CMIl gardeningglovesif you wish. '!hiswill be easy '\\Ork for thebenefit of the park,
WIGMORE PARK - naturewalkLeader: Kathleen FallMeet at the school on the west side of Sloane Ave. north ofEglinton Ave. East. Bring lunch. Morning only.
HUMBER FORKS AT THISTLETOWN - urban ecologyLeaders: Luciano Martin and Joan O'DonnellMeet at the northeast corner of Albion Rd. and Arcot Blvd./Irwin Rd. near tennis courts. Joint outingwith North Tor. Green Camunity.
HIGH PARK - eveningrarrbleLeader: Bohdan KowalykMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. Westopposite High Park Ave.
JAMES GARDENS - naturewalkLeader: Monique FisherMeet at the park entrance on Edenbridge Dr. (east of Royal YorkRd. and north of Dundas St. West).Bringbinocularsand a snack. furrringonly.
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JUNE OUTINGS (cont'd)
PROSPECT CEMETERY - na~WcUkLeader: Pleasance CrawfordMeet at the cemetery entrance on the north side of St. ClairAve. West just west of Lansdowne Ave. Morning only. Bring a snack.
SaturdayJune 1910 am
LOWER DON VALLEY - urban ecologyLeader: Don HaleyMeet at the northeast corner of Queen St. East and River St.'!hisis a jointoutingwith the North TorontoGreen Camunity.
SundayJune 202 pm
WESTERN BEACHES TO HUMBER RIVER - eveningramble Isinrrersolstice]Leader: Helen MillsMeet on the south side of King St. West at Roncesvalles Ave.'lhls is a jointoutingwith theNorth TorontoGreen Camunity.
MondayJune 216:45 pm
TAYLOR CREEK PARK - wildfl~rsLeader: Melanie MilanichMeet at the Victoria Park subway station. Morning only.
TuesdayJune 2210 am
WARDS ISLAND - eveningrambleLeader: Jenny BullMeet at the Wards Island ferry dock at 7:15 pm. Ferry leavesfor island from mainland promptly at 7 pm.
Wednesdayferry$ tickets June 23
7 pm
ROUGE RIVER VALLEY - natureWcUkLeader: Blair CampbellMeet at the northeast corner of Sheppard Ave. East andMeadowvale Rd. Bring lunch and be prepared for a long walk.
SaturdayJune 2610 am
Wednesd!'lYJune 3010 am
DERRYDOWNS PARK - birds & insectsLeader: Carol SellersMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Finch Ave. West(between Jane and Keele).Bring lunch and binoculars. [::::--
IN PRAISE OF TAXONOMYAnswering the question "What is that?" means that over time, onebuilds a vocabulary of names, an activity which may sound, about asexciting as watching pudding set. But not to this taxonomicaldevotee. I believe in knowing the names of thimgs, the assignmentof which is such a human necessity. Taxonomy allows me accessto a massive bOQY of knowledge. A name is a pathway to gettingacquainted.fran SHAPEDBY WIND AND WATER: REFLEX:TlOOSOF A NA'IURALISTby A.R. ZWinger,Milkweed Eili.tians, 2000
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JULy OUTINGS
ThursdayJuly 16:45 pm
SaturdayJuly 310:30 am
'lliursdayJuly 810 am
SaturdayJuly 102 pm
TuesdayJuly 1310: 30 am
'IhursdayJuly 156:45 pm
SaturdayJuly 1710 am
SundayJuly 182 pm
WednesdayJuly 211 pm
WATERFRONT GARDENS - eveningrambleLeader: Peter IvesonMeet at the southwest corner of Bathurst St. and Queen's QuayWest.
HIGH PARK - natureartsLeader: Nancy AndersonMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. Westopposite High Park Ave.Bring ~t you need for IflatcgraIfIy, sketchingor p3intingand anything youwish to shc:Mthe groupWhen ~ c:x:::mp:rreour rroming'swork after lunch.
VALE OF AVOCA - naturewalkLeaders: Jo and John ButlerMeet at the St. Clair subway station (on south side of St.Clair Ave. East).Bringbinoculars. fuming only.
LAWRENCE PARK - urban ecologyLeader: Helen MillsMeet at the southeast corner of Yonge St. and Lawrence Ave.'!hisis a joint cm.:ing with the NorthTorontoGreenCmmmity.
BELTLINE EXTENSION - naturewalkLeader: Roger PowleyMeet at the Eglinton West subway station.Bringbinocularsard a lunch. fuming only, hrt walk rrayccntinueafter lunch.
DOWNTOWN TORONTO DISCOVERY WALK - eveningrambleLeader: Jerry BelanMeet at the entrance to Union station (in front of theDiscovery Walk sign).
LESLIE STREET SPIT - birds & hrtterfliesLeader: Ann GrayMeet at the foot of Leslie St.Bring lunchand binoculars. 1his is an all-daycm.:ing.
HINDER PROPERTY - url::enecologyLeader: Peter HareMeet at the park entrance on the east side of Bathurst St.(opposite the Jewish Community Centre), north of SheppardAve. West.'!hisis a joint outingwith the North TorontoGreenCatmmity.
TODMORDEN MILLS - insectsLeader: Merne PowersMeet at the entrance to the park which is downhill and westfrom the corner of Broadview Ave. and Mortimer Ave.
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JULY OUTINGS (cont'd)
SaturdayJuly 2410:30 am
SundayJuly 252 pm
WednesdayJuly 2810 am
ThursdayJuly 296:45 pm
SaturdayJuly 3110:30 am
WESTERN LAKESHORE - history& natureLeader: Boris MatherMeet at the northwest corner of the Queensway and WindermereAve. Bring lunch.
CAVES OF RIVERDALE - urban ecologyLeaders: Ian Wheal, Dagmar Baur & Ed FreemanMeet at the Broadview subway station.'!hisis a jointouting with the North Toronto Green Comunity.
MARITA PAYNE PARK - birds & insectsLeader: Carol SellersMeet at the northwest corner of Steeles Ave. West and DufferinSt. Bring lunch and binoculars.
ST. JAMES CEMETERY - eveningrarribleLeader: Anne ScottMeet at the northeast corner of Wellesley St. East & Parliament St.
DOWNS VIEW DELLS - urten ecologyLeader: Steve JoudrayMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Sheppard Ave. West(west of Keele St.) Bring lunch. Morning only. C>
ED1-lARDSGA~D~NS sketched by Diana Banville
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\AUGUST OUTINGS
SundayAugust 12 pm
MondayAugust 26:45 pm
WedJ.esdayAugust 41 pm
SaturdayAugust 710: 30 am
SundayAugust 810: 30 am
$ ferrytickets
WednesdayAugut 1110:15 am
SaturdayAugust 1410 am
SundayAugust 152 pm
WednesdayAugust 1810 am
WILKET CREEK - urban ecologyLeader: Peter HeinzMeet at the southwest corner of Lawrence Ave. East andLeslie St.This is a jointoutingwith the North TorontoGreen ecnm.mity.
GERMAN MILLS PARK - eveningrarroleLeader: '!heresaMooreMeet at the northeast corner of Steeles Ave. East andLeslie St.
TODMORDEN MILLS WILDFLOWER PRESERVE - naturewalk. & ~ IErtYLeader: Mfr.±am WebsterMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Pottery Rd.,downhill and west from the corner of Broadview Ave. andMortimer Ave. Bring colddrink, sturdy shoesarrl garden gloves.
BOTANY HILL PARK - natureartsLeader: Anne LeonMeet at the southwest corner of Ellesmere Rd. and Orton Park Rd.Bringwhat you need for I=hatcgrarhY,sketchingor patnt.inqand anythingyouwish to show the group when we canprreour rroming'swork after lunch.
CHAPMAN VALLEY - naturewalkLeader: Ken CookMeet at the plaza on the west side of Royal York Rd. oppositeWestonwood Rd. (north of Eglinton Ave. West). Bring a snack.
HANLANS POINT - nature walkLeader: John EastwoodMeet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay St.Bring lunchand binoculars.
G.ROSSLORD PARK - naturewalkLeader: Heather MackieMeet at the northeast corner of Finch Ave. West and Dufferin St.Bring lunch.
EAST DON GARDENS - urban ecologyLeader: Helen MillsMeet at the northwest corner of Victoria Park Ave. andJonesville Cr. (one block north of Eglinton Ave. East).'!his is a joint outing with the North TorontoGreen Camunity.
EAST DON VALLEY - birds & tutterfliesLeader: Carol SellersMeet at the northwest corner of Sheppard Ave. East andLeslie St.Bring lunch arrl binoculars.
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AUGUST OUTINGS (cont'd)
SaturdayAugust 211:30 pm
SundayAugust 222 pm
WednesdayAugust 2511 amto3pn
. ferry$ tickets
'Ihurs:layAugust 262 pm
SaturdayAugust 2810: 30 am
TuesdayAugust 311 pm
WESTERN LAKESHORE - heritagewalkLeader: Ron AllanMeet at the northwest corner of Queen St. West and RoncesvallesAve.
EGLINTON PARK - urban ecologyLeader: Helen MillsMeet at the southwest corner of Yonge St. & r-britganery/Broadwayl)ve.This is a jointoutingwith the NOrth Torcnto Green Carmmity.
HIGH PARK - naturewalkLeader: Pat JonesMeet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. Westopposite High Park Ave.BringLunchand binoculars.
TORONTO ISLANDS - native-plantgarden tourLeader: Jim HodginsMeet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. to take theferry to Wards Island.
ROUGE VALLEY - nature walkLeader: Robin PowellMeet at the northeast corner of Sheppard Ave. East andMeadowvale Rd. Bring lunch. This will be a long walk.
WARDEN WOODS - insectsLeader: Merne PowersMeet at the southwest corner of St. Clair Ave. East andWarden Ave. o
poly phem""s mott.,(SilK moth groC4p) 13 em.
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PRESIDENT'S REPORTMimico Creek, with headwaters in the city of Brampton, is one of the mosthighly urbanized watersheds in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Trees havebeen removed, wetlands filled, watercourses modified and extensivelow-density residential/commercial development pushes right up to theedges of the creek. The existing trails along the edge of the creek arefragmented and incomplete due to the many barriers, e.g. infrastructurehighways 401, 410, 427, and 409) and golf courses (Islington and RoyalWoodbine). Fortunately for the Mimico Creek watershed there is strongpublic support for passive and active recreation, linked parks and trails,and natural environment preservation. Several years ago the Etobicoke andMimico Creek Watershed Coalition was formed. It's made up of represent-atives from the private and public sectors as well as special-interestgroups from the adjacent communities. Part of the work of this coalitionhas been the preparation of plans for trail linkages and renaturalizationprojects. The following are some examples of renaturalization work thathas been started or will be implemented too in the not-to-distant future.Just north of Lakeshore Rd., work has already started on the renaturaliz-ation of Bonar Creek, which is a small tributary that comes in from thewest. Originally there was a small sewage treatment plant here that wasrecently demolished. It's hoped that Environmental Assessment for thisrenaturalization project will be started perhaps this fall. The scopeof the environmental assessment has not been started yet but it's clearthat a storm-water management facility will be part. of the project. Justto the north is an area known as Mimico Estate. It's an area, mostlyhydro corridor, that lies between the QEW and the Queensway. The TorontoRegion Conservation Authority (TRCA) has managed to convince TorontoHydro to allow an enhanced wetland to be created in this Hydro corridor.The TRCA is confident that work can start this year. Further north, justsouth of Eglinton Ave. West, lies West Deane Park, wch is the only parkon Mimico Creek of significant size. Originally it was a vast expanse ofmown grass but now large areas have been allowed to'renaturaliz~ naturally.Much further north, lies a significant wetland just outside the Torontocity limits. It's the only remaining wetland on Mimico Creek. It wasalmost lost when part of the wetland was filled in to create a cricketpitch. The TRCA is determined to preserve this remaining wetland andenhancements are planned to start this year. There's a significantcommunity interest in this wetland project. Along Mimico Creek are anumber of dams and weirs. Long-range plans involve removing these fishbarriers and installing rapids as has been done in the Lower Don River.Thanks once again to the newsletter editorial team, Helen Juhola,Diana Banville, Patricia Brind, Eva Davis, Karin Fawthrop,Nancy Fredenburg, Toshi Oikawa, and MariI~ Murphy, who have workedhard to produce this year's newsletters.
Robin PowellT,FN NATURE RESERVE WORK PARTY - to be held in early May. Call 416-593-2656
and leave your name and telephone number if you are interested in attending.
o
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REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating Committee, chaired by Phoebe Cleverley, recommends thefollowing slate of nominees to the Board for the 2004 - 2005 year:
President: Robin PowellVice President: to be appointed
Past President: Phoebe Clever leyElaine FarragherGail GregoryAlex Wellington
Directors due to retire in 2005
Directors due to retire in 2006 Karin FawthropHelen JuholaJerry Spevak
Directors due to retire in 2007 Alexander CappellPinky FranklinNancy FredenburgAarne Juhola
TFN by-law No.1, Section 5(g) provides that "any three members maysubmit, in writing, to the Secretary-Treasurer by July 15th the nameof a candidate accompanied by the written consent of the nominee.Such nominations shall be published in the September issue of thenewsletter and the names of such nominees shall be added to the listof candidates submitted by the Nominating Committee". TheSecretary-Treasurer is Aarne Juhola, 112 - 51 Alexander St.,Toronto, Onto M4Y lB3.According to TFN by-law No.1, Section 5(b), "If an election isrequired it shall be by ballot mailed to all members. Ballots maybe mailed to the auditor or deposited at the Annual General Meetingprior to the commencement of the meeting. The ballots will betabulated by the auditor who shall announce the results".
Phoebe Cleverley,Nominating Committee o
PLANNING FOR HEALTHA new age of clinical and epidemiological research has led toexamination of environmental factors that lead not only to illhealth but also to enhanced health. Once environmental-healthspecialists join with professionals, from planners to biologists,to understand more about how nature can improve our well-being,environmental health will become a factor in all planning decisions•.• with nature having an economic value that puts it in the centreof planning agendas.fran "Editorial"by R.K. Cox in HOCWilDLIFE,Vol. 22, #1, Jan. 2004
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KEEPING IN TOUCHMarch 16, 2004
The T.F.N. magazine is a wonderful publication. The articles on the snifferwasps and criminal crows were priceless, as were the stories about thegoldfish (not dumb!) and the lemon-scented geraniums.Thank you for your hard work.
Esther McGibbon
Blue Phlox (Phlox family)
The last time I saw asolitary bloo~ of thislovely, smallish, nativewildflower was ten yearsago. Here it was growingin profusion, a sight forsore eyes.
Terra Cotta ProvincialPark, t'ay ~003
(rare native of Toronto)
If there are no signposts to what's here, we seem unable to focus onour surroundings -- that is, unless we have a camera, [though it]can and oftendoes causeUS to miss the essence of a moment.fron"Editorial"by R.K. Cox in BBC WILDLIFE,Vol. 21, No.5, May 2003
o
[>
TFN 524 - 15
PROJECTSTORONTO REGION WILDFLOWER-BLOOMING PROJECTSo far so good! TFN files have produced a list of about 600 plants forwhich seasonal records have been kept over the past few decades. Of these,500 show bloom~ng dates. From th~ it is often possible to extract,blooming periods for a given species: about 35 species' start blooming inApril, so it seems (though 5 start bl~oming earlier). It wor~s outsomething like this! in round numbers, May is the "peak" month for"species-starting-to-bloom" -- (160) compared to June (150), July (90) andAugust (60). June is the "climax" month for "species-still-in-bloom fromearlier months"It looks as though there could be about 260 species in bloom at anyonetime in June. In July and August, it's obvious, "continuing" speciesgreatly outnumber those just starting.Thanks to all those whose reports have supplied the data to make this muchpossible. It will be interesting to see, as we keep working on it, howthe whole blooming project may change. Please continue to send reportsthe TFN office at 2 Carlton St., #1519, Toronto M5B IJ3.
toD.B.
ON THE SCENT OF GOLDENROD
Thi~ past fall we discovered that grass-leaved (flat-topped) goldenrodhas a wonderful honey scent -- very similar to that of Buddleia (butterflybush). None of the textbooks or field guides (apart from Peterson)mention scent, but the 1913 edition of Britton and Brown does have scentedgoldenrod as an alternative common name. In addition, the closely relatedAtlantic coastal species is very definitelY sweetly scented. The questionis whether graSS-leaved goldenrod is always scented or whether it is agenetic variation which only crops up occasionally. Have others noticedthis phenomenon?fran an article1:TyJoan Crowe in the HART'S 'lU'UJE HERAlD,Vol. 16, No.3, Winter 2003[> [~Sound Naturalists,Box 401, ~ Saund', Q'lt: N4K 5P7] t>
A major dilemma faced by science today is to separate naturalclimate variations from those induced by humans. Long-term dataare extremely limited. A few long-term records, such as tree ringsand ice cores can be analysed, but few parts of the world haveavailable historical records.exceed fifty years; Environrrent.records began in 1948.fran EIGHI'EENll:!-cENruRYNAnJRALIsrs OF Hl.JDa:NRI\Y1:TyS. Hooston, T. Ball & M. Hooston,
M:::Gill-Queen'sUniversityPress, 2003
Modern weather records rarelyCanada considers that meaningful
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PROJECTS (cont'd)BEETLE-WATCH
If you believe that you may have found an Asian long-horned beetle, call1-800-442-2342.
1. Asian long-hornedbeetle next to a dineon a log (speciesto be looked for inour area because ofwidespread treedestruction elsewhere),
2. Wounds in bark comparedto dime-si~e (where femaleAsian long-horned beetlehas chewed egg-laying sites.)
3. Comparative size ofexit-hole of emergingadults.
based on r:hotos in the BULLEI'IN of the RichrrondHill Naturalists,#435 o
TFN 524 - 17
The Favourite Spot
In the early 1950sone of our frequent Sunday activities after churchwas to drive into the country for a picnic. This was in the days beforetelevision; most people worked Saturdays and had only one day ofrest. My father had grown up on a farm and loved the opportunity toescape the city. On one of these drives near the city we discovered apristine area where a winding brook bordered by open grassy gladescrossed the road at intervals. Footpaths followed the water's edgethrough the woods and into shrubby fields. The aspect was quiet andpleasant; we revisited it so often we christened it The Favourite Spot.
It was here that I was introduced to fishing, not with a rod and reelbut with a pole, string and a bit of worm. I learned to recognizeseveral species of fish including Johnny darter, stickleback and creekchub. One minnow was very distinctive. During the breeding season,the males of the redside dace are steel blue on the back, with goldand scarlet stripes on the side, rendering them more beautiful thanmany tropical fish. The redside dace is now on the Ontarioendangered species list. I have not seen any since childhood.
On one of our spring walks my father discovered a bird nesting in ahawthorn. It did not flush but crouched over the eggs allowing us toobtain close views of the yellow eye-ring and lower mandible,distinctive field-marks of the yellow-billed cuckoo. Although nevercommon during the breeding season this species was oncewidespread throughout the province. The range has shrunkconsiderably in recent decades. It now occurs mainly in Essex andKent counties, the extreme southwest comer of Ontario. Certainlythis is the only nest of yellow-billed cuckoo I have ever observed.
A grove of butternut trees grew near one of the bridges and duringone warm September afternoon we harvested a bushel-basket full.My father thought we could toast them in the oven for a gourmetexperience. This was a failure as we discovered that weevils hadbeaten us to the reward. I have not forgotten the fragrant smell of theroasting kernels nor the brown stain on our hands left by the nuts. c>
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THE FAVOURITE SPOT (cont'd)
One day while we were enjoying our picnic by the creek, agentleman confronted us. Although he was quite pleasant, he askedus to leave as we were trespassing on private property. We departedquickly and never returned.
For fifty years I retained fond memories of our Sunday afternoonfamily outings by the creek. I sometimes wondered how the area hadfared under the onslaught of the expanding metropolis to the south.But it was impossible for me to return, as I was a child at the timeand could not remember the directions. My younger brother has amuch superior memory. In reminiscing with him I discovered he hadalways known the exact location. Themeandering creek was atributary of the Rouge River; the narrow road crossing it wasWarden Avenue south of Major MacKenzie Drive.
I returned last summer to The Favourite Spot, a bit apprehensive aboutwhat changes I would discover. As expected, the green fields abovethe creek where once we stalked a groundhog amongst dandelionshad been replaced by estate housing. Fortunately the creek alongwith the floodplain and steep banks remained intact and had notbeen molested. But the open sunny glades that beckoned us toexplore the edge of the creek no longer existed. In their stead was adense forest with individual trees reaching higher than ever. For thefirst time I realized that the open aspect of the area with many pathshad simply been the result of cattle pasturing. Perhaps this practicehad been abandoned just before we discovered the area and began tohave our Sunday picnics. Left to nature, the creek valley haddeveloped into a mature forest. The grove of butternuts was nolonger there. Natural forest succession had probably replaced them;if not, they would have succumbed to the fatal butternut canker.From the bridge over the creek, I looked down at the riffles andpools of the creek. I hope the redside dace still finds refuge here.
George Bryant o
TFN 524 - 19
HEAVEN ON EARTH
If you go down to the woods today -- and the occasion is the Victoria Dayholiday -- you won't see a soul! Not even that famed teddy bears' picnic.The woods in question follow the sometimes over-flowing course of SouthFletcher's Creek, a tributary of Etobicoke Creek. And given you havediscovered where to look -- off the truly beaten tracK -- there aresights to behold. Gentle slopes purple with common blue violet. Patchespartial to spring-beauty. Areas devoted to toothwort. Yellow violetsare seldom far from their purple cousins, though never as profuse, andforget-me-nots tUrn the more water-logged areas sky-blue. Infertilefronds of field horsetail are prolific and wild cucumber is just puttingout its heaven-reaching feelers. There is even the bonus of an emergingcluster of bronzed-to-black mica caps (Coprinus micaceus), and asprouting of the bLacket polypore dryad's saddle (PolypoLus squamosus),with its beautiful pattern of feathery brown striations on yellow. Falsenettle. The ubiquitous dandelion. And, inevitably, gaLlic mustard.Everywhere. All the grassy areas planted at the entrance to the woodsare threaded with tiny speedwells.Along with this is the peace which is the obverse of human 'busyness'.There are only nature's sounds. The rasping call of redwing blackbirds.The fluster of mallards who thought that on this day at least they wouldhave the CreeK to themselves. The lovely reiteration of cardinal song.The wind in the trees. The whispering of insects about their business.And, after that winter, spring sunshine: There are many versions ofheaven, but I can't think of the others at the moment.
Eva Davis o
Fragrant water-lily -- Have you seen it in bloom before June 27in Toronto?
drawing by Diana Banville based on a photo in TFN files
TFN 524 - 20
IN THE NEWSECOTOURISM CAN BE HARMFUL, PROFESSOR SAYSEcotourism often damages the environment, the cultures and the unspoiledwilderness it sets out to protect. So many travellers are taking part inecologically conscious holidays that they are harming the remote partsof the world they are visiting; for example, whale-watching expeditionson the St. Lawrence River have traumatized whales, prompting them tobeach themselves. In 1950, tourists made 25 million international trips.That number jumped to 700 million in 2000 and is expected to increase to1.6 billion in the next 20 years.fran an articlein the GIDBE & MAIL,March 15, 2004
FUN FOR PEOPLE, HELL FOR ANIMALSEcotourism deserves to succeed. Wealthy visitors get to see rare orspectacular wildlife, while the money they spend goes to local -- oftenpoor -- people who, in turn, protect animals and their habitats. So itis a shock to discover that ecotourism is damaging the wildlife on whichit depends. Some effects are subtle and their significance is not clear.Ideally we want to know which human activities do real harm and stop them.At the first sign of population decline, tourism should stop and expertsshould investigate. Several bodies, including the UN's World TourismOrganization, are in talks to create a global certification scheme toensure that ecotourism trips meet global, standards.. These should includea provision for wildlife monitoring, paid for as part of the price ofholidays. An industry that sells itself on sustainability must make sureit really is.franan editorialin ~sr, Mar. 6-12,2004
WHEN YOU SEE A BABY BIRDIf you see a baby bird on the ground, that's not necessarily a bad sign.Birds need to spend time on the ground practising to fly. It's perfectlynormal. If there is no nest in sight or the nestling or adult birdappears sick or injured: Gently place the bird in a paper bag" withholes for ventilation. Place the bag on top of a warm heating pad. Keepthe bird in a warm, dark and quiet place until it is transported toanimal care. Do not try to feed the bird, which may be in shock.fron an articleby MichaelKesterton,in THE GLOBE AND MATI..,June 27, 2003
THANK YOU, NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS!!!Many thanks to those who write articles, send us drawings, and provide
us with clippings from newspapers. You all make the newsletter interestingand informative. Very special thanks to Gavin Miller wh o has been reportingon Toronto's weather since 1984 (that's 20 years). Also thanks to themembers who organize the outings and meetings which make the club what it is.Keep up the good work. H.J.
TFN 524 - 21
IN THE NEWS (cont'd)
THE REMAINS OF THE WINTERThere are 15 snow-dump sites -- such as the one just off the Don ValleyPar~way's Bayview/Bloor off-ramps, and the one on Unwin Ave. in the port-lands -- piled high around the city. How much snow are we talking about?At the height of winter, the Bloor/Bayview site's 14,OOO-truckload capacitywas just about reached. A snow-disposal feasibility study in the wake of1999's blizzards pegged the city's annual dumping requirements at 150,000truckloads. That's about a million tonnes.The last remnants can hold on into late June. The detritus left behindincludes hockey sticks, bicycles, garbage cans, lots of litter, andresidue that has to be cleaned up and taken to the appropriate landfills,with settling ponds taking care of the gritty elements, the kind of stuffthat hangs around road and highway surfaces.frcm an articleby Orris Yaung, in '!HE'ICRCNID SI'AR,March 7, 2004
v
SOLUTION TO ELIMINATE DANDELIONS?A common fungus could blanch dandelions out of existence by robbing thepesky weeds of the green-coloured chlorophyll they need to live. Thefungus could replace some chemical herbicides. Scientists at AgricultureCanada found the naturally-occuring fungus, called Phoma .macrostorna, canbe spread on soil to prevent weeds from growing, without harming grass.The fungi was isolated from sickly Canada thistles, across the country.frcrnan articlein ME'lRO,March 4, 2004 t>
STANLEY PARK, Torontosite drawing by Mary Anne Miller, Oct. 2003
~rG.nle'f?a.t\..( .10/0:1
TFN 524 - 22IN THE NEWS (cont'd)
WHERE A GIANT GUARDS THE ROCKThe production of stone quarried in Ontario has doubled since 1997. Nearly300,000 tonnes of stone were cut from quarries in 2002, compared with166,000 tonnes in 1997 and the value has grown to $28 million from$12.2 m.i.Lk Lon ,
Most building-stone is imported because Ontario doesn't have the processingcapacity to supply the growing demand for stone. In fact, much of the stonequarried in Ontario is sent around the world in its raw form to be processedfor architectural work. Some of it arrives back in Ontario after cutting,carving, sh~f.lingand polishing elsewhere in the world.
The shortage of brick has contributed to the growth of stone as anexterior cladding. Stone is also being used more in landscaping.More people are choosing to spend money on their homes rather than travelLcr.g.frcrnan articleby Pat Brennan,in 'IHETCRCNIOSTAR,March 13, 2004
NOW IS THE TIME TO SAVE THE CREDITA coalition of 29 environmental and ratepayer organizations representing10,000 members has been formed as a watchdog and lobby group to fight forthe protection of the Credit River in the face of rampant development inPeel Region. The Credit River Alliance has proposed a seven-point actionplan for governments to implement before rapid urbanization pushes thealready stressed river beyond the point of no return.The Credit has suffered damage in recent years and is becoming moreimpaired by flooding, erosion, sediment runoff, 'cbntamination and reducedf~ow. The river is a crucial asset to all of Ontario. It has huge annualruns of salmon and steelhead (rainbow trout), and around the Forks-of-the-Credit (in Caledon) there is a world renowned brook and brown troutfishery.Among Ontario's rivers, the Credit has the most diverse cold-water fisherywith brook, brown and rainbow trout, as well as chinOOk (king), coho,pink and Atlantic Salmon. The Credit is the source for all the eggscollected for the province's Lake Ontario salmon stocking program.Fingerlings raised in the hatchery are then planted in various rivers,including the Credit. The immature fish migrate to the lake and eventuallyreturn to their own rivers to spawn.The river also supports 42 warmer water species, including largemouth andsmallmouth bass, rock bass, pike and sunfish.The 88-kilometre-long river snakes its way from the spillways of theNiagara Escarpment through Peel and east Halton to Lake Ontario. Thewatershed covers about 1,000 square kilometres. About 21 per cent of thiswatershed is urbanized, and studies have indicated that when it hits40 per cent there will be too much stress on the river to support the coldwater species unless there are dramatic changes in how development takesplace.
TFN 524 - 23IN THE NEWS (cont'd)
Mississauga's population is expected to go from the present 680,000to 745,000, Brampton's from 350,000 to about 600,000 and Caledon's from50,000 to 85,000 over the next two to three decades. Before newsubdivisions are built, topsoil is scraped off. This contributes toflooding and erosion and also washes silt into the water, smothering fishspawning beds and food supplies. After completion, rain and meltingsnow contaminated with salt, oil and chemicals flow from storm sewers intothe river, causing pollution and also contributing to flooding and erosion.Agricultrtral and industrial uses also contribute to the degradation of theriver.The Town of Orangeville pumps treated sewage effluent into the Credit.In 2002 an accidental discharge from sewage sludge tanks killed invertebratelife along a section of the river below the plant. There's also pressure onthe river from water-bottling companies, golf courses, private andmunicipal wells and, in recent summers, drought.Alliance members realize they can't stop development but also believethere's no excuse for mnn.i.cLpaLdt.Les not to impose tougher controls ondevelopment to ensure the river is protected.fran an article1¥ Mike Funston,in 'IRE'ItRCNIDsrAR,March 8, 2004
:~..-...- -.:.-:::.:.:--=---::-:.-- -~~::C-~~.'-.:.:-. ~-.--- .... _._--_ ..
.-- -.-:":::-"'"-"""-- :;;;:--.- ;-;-"":'~:-'-'~---- ,._.-
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drawn byDiana Banvillebased on afield sketchHanlan's PointAugust 20, 1986
THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER is often seensummer, sometimes in family groups,
on Toronto Islands induring TFN outings.
TFN 524 - 24IN THE NEWS (cont'd)
CONTINUED PROTECTION FOR THE EASTERN WOLF AROUND ALGONQUIN PARKThe ban on trapping, hunting and killing wolves in the townships surroundingAlgonquin Park has been extended indefinitely, providing additionalprotection for this important predator. Recently recognized as a distinctand separate species from the gray WOlf, the eastern wolf is a smalleranimal whose primary food source is the white-tailed deer. While thisspecies is found throughout a wide range of territory spanning from Quebecto Manitoba, Algonquin represents the largest tract of land where thisanimal is protected from hunting and trapping.Concern was raised by numerous groups regarding the long-term survival ofthis animal in Algonquin Park as Park wolves were sometimes trapped or shotif they ventured out of the sanctuary of the park. The decisinn to extendthe ban was applauded by organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund andthe Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.fran'IHE QUCKADEE(Huntsville),Vol.46,No.5.
IF WE DON'T GIVE A HOOT ABOUT SPOTTED OWLS, WHAT WILL MOVE US?
After a long and bitter campaign by environmental groups, scientists andbackbench MPs, the Liberals finally passed a Species at Risk Act (SARA)in 2002. The law was supposed to come into effect last June, butEnvironment Minister David Anderson let government bureaucrats -- whoopposed the protections set out in the law when it was passed -- delayimplementation for an extra year.Once the act finally comes into force, it states that the places where aspecies feeds and rears its young will be protected. Feeding areas werespecifically added to the law by MPs when the legislation was being passed,a move strongly resisted by bureaucrats at the time. In a discussionpaper released last week, bureaucrats have now decided they will refuseto protect feeding areas, despite the law's inclusion of the term.The law's protections for the habitat of endangered plants and animalsapply only to species lucky enough to find themselves on the 5 per centof Canada within federal jurisdiction -- that is, national parks, defencelands and, yes, post offices. But animals tend not to know when they arestepping outside of federal land. And as soon as they do, the protectionsare no longer automatic. The law does allow the federal government tostep in when provincial laws are not adequately safeguarding a species.Yet Mr. Anderson has indicated that he doesn't want to use his authorityto intervene to save the spotted owl in B.C. Earlier this month he stated"I don't think we want to test the act for its muscle."fran an articleby David SchiIrller,Karen Kraft Sloan am Rick Smithin 'IHE GIDBE ANDMAIL, March 26, 2004
TFN 524 - 25IN THE NEWS (cont'd)
PROVINCE TRAINS ITS GUNS ON CORMORANTSThe province is currently soliciting public comment on its plan to shootsome 6,000 cormorants to protect vegetation on two islands at Presqu'ileProvincial Park near Brighton, east of Toronto. An Environment Canadafact sheet says that "studies have repeatedly shown that in a naturalenvironment, cormorants feed primarily on small, largely non-commercial,shallow-water fish" like alewife and rainbow smelt.As for another concern -- that the cormorant consumes the pan fish that'sprey for major sport fish like trout and salmon -- Environment Canada says"cormorants consume only about 0.5 per cent of the prey fish, which is in-significant when compared to about 13 per cent taken by sport fish~''I'heissue at Presqu' ile is that cormorants have denuded Gull Island andthreaten to eliminate the vegetation on High Bluff Island. Last year,ministry staff used fire pumps and long poles to destroy nests, andagricul~ural sprayers to oil egg3, eliminating 62 per cent of the islands'12,000 nests. Still, the population increased, which is why shooting isconsidered necessary this year. The purpose is to preserve the vegetationand the variety of birds nesting on those islands.The double-crested cormorant wasn't a problem 30 years ago. It was almostextinct on the Great Lakes, wiped out by toxic chemicals and reduced to10 nesting pairs in 1973. Controls on DDT and PCBs have allowed the birdto rebound to a number that's now estimated at 3::0,000.Great blue herons, black-crO~led night herons and the recently arrived greategrets also nest on the islands along with large numbers of ring-billedgulls and Caspian terns.franan articleby Kate Harries,in 'IRE'KROmD SI'AR,M3rch20, 2004
OLDEST KNOVlN LAND ANIMALA fossil of the oldest known land animal, a millipede, has been discoveredin Scotland. It is estimated that the worm-like creature is 420 millionyears old, and, like its modern descendants, doesn't have the 1,000 legsits name suggests.franan articleby Stemen Strauss,in '!HEGWBE AND MAIL,January31, 2004
CANADA POST: AUDUBON'S BIRDS
The second of the three-year stamp series, Audubon's Birds, will beissued May 14, 2004. The four 49¢ stamps depict ruby-crowned kinglet,White-winged crossbill, Bohemian waxwing and boreal chickadee.The 80¢ stamp portrays Lincoln's sparrow.franCanadaa Post;' s DETAILS,Vol. XIII, No.2, April-June2004 o
TFN 524 - 26
THE WEATHER (THIS TIME LAST YEAR)May 2003, TorontoMay was a very wet and cloudy month, leading to relatively saturatedconditions, compared to the more frequent drought that has prevailed morethan half the time since 1997. The jet stream hovered nearby, directinglow pressure systems at southern Ontario all month. Temperatures averagednear the long-term normal but felt relatively cool due to cloud cover andlower daytime readings.The rain was the big story. There were 15-17 days of measurable rainfall,depending upon rtthe locality and the time of measurement. Pearson Airporthad 152.8 rnrn of rain, 232% of normal and the second heaviest on record(after 1942 which had 208.5 rnrn). Downtown checked in at 135.8 rnrn, almosttwice normal and the highest since 1974's 141.7 rnrn. Note that thesevalues exceeded those of 2000 (the year when runoff contaminated the wellsat Walkerton), at least locally. Moderate to heavy rains seemed to occurevery few days all month. Notable events were on May 5th (from a systemthat brought violent tornadoes to a section of the ruS. from Kansas toTennessee), May 16th, May 23rd-24th, and locally north of the city onMay 27th. This latter event brought torrential downpours and hail to theKleinburg/Woodbridge area but virtually nothing to the main part of Toronto.Sunshine for May was 183 hours (about 40 hours or more below normal) andthe lowest since 1984. with the active weather systems, wind speedsaveraged above normal. Toronto Island's 18.0 km/h was 3 km/h above normaland the highest since 1974 (18.2 km/h). Pearson Airport's winds averaged15.9 km (normal is 14.1 km/h).
June 2003, TorontoIt was something of a replay of lastyear (2002),..with cool moist weathercontinuing from May for the first part, ahd then a major pattern changeto dry weather, eventually accompanied by heat, later on. Almost all therain fell in three events on June 4th, 8th-9th, and 12th-13th, but thiswas enough to bring the monthly totals to the 75-85 rom range across thecity, about 10-15 rom above normal.Fairly cool conditions lastedup to June 21st. Several days did not reach20°C for the high. This was followed by a heat wave from June 23rd-26th.The peak temperature was 34.4CC at Pearson on June 25th (highest monthlymaximum since 1995).Overall, June was still relatively cool and wet -- the coolest andwettest since 2000 with mean temperatures hovering within O.soC of thelong-term average. On the other hand, the mid-to-later part of the monthwas able to bring sunshine up to 272 hours, the highest since 1999(295 hours).Monthly wind speeds continued to run well above normal. Pearson'saverage wind was 15.4 km/h (normal 12.9 km/h), the highest since 1990(15.5 km/h). Toronto Island averaged 14.9 km/h (normal 13.3 km/h), thehighest since 1981 (15.8 km Zh ), t>
TFN 524 - 27THE WEATHER (cont'd)
The heavy rains of May and early June contributed to a bumper crop ofmosquitoes in the Greater Toronto Area this year, but they were not of theWest Nile Virus-bearing kind, which favour small urban puddles later in thesummer.
July 2003, TorontoJuly was a pleasant and unremarkable summer month in the Greater TorontoArea. Temperatures averaged close to normal with no severe heat -- theonly spell of 30°C+ weather was from July 3rd-6th, and relatively weak.Brisk, cool weather occurred intermittently during the middle part of themonth. Rainfall was just slightly below normal and evenly distributedthrough the month. The extremely Wet mid-to-late spring ensured that soilmoisture remained abundant -- along with the heavy mosquito crop.The winds dropped below normal -- Toronto Island's 11.9 km/h was the lowestsince 1994 (11.2 km/h). Normal is 12.1 kID/h.
August 2003, TorontoAugust began with a weak upper level trough that brought persistently veryhumid conditions, near-normal temperatures, and almost daily thundershowers(mostly light in our area). This gave way to positively hot conditions butsomewhat reduced humidity near mid-month. The latter part of August wasdry, sunny, and fairly warm.The notable features were the humid early part of August, and the black-outon August 14th, which lasted into August 15th in many areas. This poweroutage was not of meteorological origin, but due to a cascading series ofglitches that affected a huge area of eastern North America from Ohio tothe U.s. Atlantic coast. During the black-out, Torontonians had aspectacular view of the night sky with the Milky Way and meteors falling,in spite of some haze associated with the heat. For the first time indecades, the corona of artificial light that separates city-dwellers fromthe heavens was extinguished. The episode was also noteworthy for thelack of disastrous consequences and the civility of people's response.The very heavy rains associated with the early-month upper-level weatherpattern stayed mostly to the south. Rainfall at Pearson was in fact over25 mm below normal, totalling 53.4 mm. Temperatures averaged abovenormal: 22.1°C at Pearson Airport (normal is 19.8°C). Because of therecent trend of hot, dry summers, it was still the coolest August since2000 and the wettest since 1999.
Gavin Miller 0
Nature operates under a definition where efficiency means no waste.Everything is used. Everything has a purpose. And everything, ofcourse, enjoys its season.fran "Speej-0bsessedsocietyout of whackwith nature"by Carreron Snith inthe 'IDRCNTO STAR,Feb. 14, 2004
TFN 524 - 28
COMING EVENTSToronto Ornithological Club - Jim Baillie Memorial Bird Walks - aimed at
the intermediate birder, but beginners are also welcome. Free.• Sat. May 1 from 7:30 am to 12 noon - Spring Migration in High Park
with Bob Yukich. Meet in the parking lot inside the Bloor St.entrance at High Park.
• Sat. May 8 from 7:30 am to 12 noon - Warblers-in Lambton Woods withDon Burton. Meet in the parking lot at James Gardens (access fromEdenbridge D'r,).
• Sat. May 22 from 7:30 am to 12 noon ~ Whimbrel and other migrantsateoL ..Sam Smith Park, with .Steven F.aYier.. Meet in .t.he southerlyparking lot at the foot of Kipling Ave.
• Mon. May 24 from 7:45 am (all day) - Peak migration at Toronto Islandswith Luc Fazio. Meet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. tocatch the 8 am ferry to Hanlan's Point. Bring lunch.The next Jim BaillieMEm:>rialBirdwalkwill take place in Septenl::er.
Rouge Valley Conservation Centre - guided theme hikes beginning at 1:30 pmat the Pearse House. Free, but donations accepted.• May 9• June 13• July 11• Aug. 8Call 416-282-8265 for more information.
+ Nature Notes beginning at 7:30 pm at the Pearse Housee May 27 - Frog Watch• June 24 - Turtles in the Rouge• July 29 - Rouge Geology• Aug. 26 - to be announced
The Market Gallery, 95 Front St. East. Free.• The Provincial Asylums i~ Toronto and Mimico (March 6 to June 20)
Wed. - Fri. 10 am to 4 pm; Sat. 9 am to 4 pm; Sun. 12 noon to 4 pmCall 416-392-7604.
North American Native Plant Society• Sat. May 8 from 10 am to 3 pm - Wildflower Sale at the Toronto Botanical
Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. East (at Leslie St.) Call 416-631-4438.
Society of Ontario Nut Growers• Sat. May 8 - Annual auction of nut trees as well as less common fruit
and ornamental trees - at the Toronto Botanical Gardens (see above).For more information about SONG call 905-934-6887.
TFN 524 - 29
COM IN G EVENT S (c ont 'd)
Thicksons Woods Spring Festival - Sat. May 8 from 8 am to 12 noon, afund-raising event featuring an outdoor breakfast, tours of woods andmeadow, bake sale, silent auction etc. The site is located on ThicksonsRoad at Whitby, south of Hwy. 401. Call 905-725-2116 for more details.
latenotice
Toronto Potters Spring Show - April 23 to 25 at the Toronto BotanicalGarden (Leslie & Lawrence). TFN's Elizabeth Block's pottery, decoratedwi th images of birds & other animals, will be on display. (416-397-1340).
Ian Wheal Heritage walks• Sunday, May 30 at 6:45 pm - Niagara./Palmerston children's gardens.
Meet at the southwest corner of King St. West and Tecumseth St.• Thursday, June 3'at 6:45 pm - Coachbuilders and Raftsmen
Meet at the southwest corner of King St. West and Bathurst St.• Sunday, July 4; ,at 6:45 pm - Junction Triangle Industrial Heritage
Meet at the Dundas West subway station.• Saturday, July 31 ,at 1: 30 pm - Railway barons of Earlscourt
Meet at the southwest corner of St. Clair Ave. West and Lansdowne Ave.Call 416-570-6415 for more details.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Conservation Seminars• Saturday, May 15 from 10 am to noon - Leslie St. Spit at the foot of
Leslie St. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide.• Thursday, May 27 from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Don Valley Brick Works.• Saturday, June 26 from 1 pm to 3 pm at Humber Bay Park West.
Please call 416-661-6600, ext. 5660 at least two business days beforean event to register.
Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve• Sunday, May 2 at 2 pm - Spring wildflower walk. Everyone welcome.
For more infqrmation call 416-423-1504.
North Toronto Green Community (416-781-7663)• Sat. May 15 at 2 pm - Terraview/Willowfield Parks on Taylor/Massey Creek
Meet in the parking lot on the west side of Pharmacy Ave. just southof Hwy. 40l.
• Sat. Aug. 7 at 10 am - Rockclif£e greenhouses. Meet at the northwestcorner of Weston Rd. and Gunn's Rd.Call 416-781-7663 for more information •
• Sat. May 29 at 2 pm - Wilket Creek (Windfields Park). Meet at thesoutheast corner of York Mills Rd. and Bayview Ave.
Rainy day in MaySudden queque of butterflies!Children with umbrellas.
Arthur \.JadeSpring 2002
\TFN 524 - 30
COMING EVENTS (cont'd)
Toronto Entomologists Association - summer outings• Sat. .oiune19 at 10 am - 
[ $30 Family (2 adults, same address, children included)[ $25 Single $25 Senior Family (2 adults 6s..-)
[ ) $20 Student $20 Senior Single[ ) $ Donation (tax receipts issued for donations)
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Time dated material such as notices of meetings should be submitted at least sixweeks before the month in which the event is to take place.
r> Send material to: Toronto Field Naturalists2 Carlton St., #1519Toronto, Ont. M5B 113
TFN 524 - 31
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL NOTICEYour membership in TFN exoires June 30, 2004. To renew it for the yearJuly 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005, and ensure receiving a September newsletter,please send payment by June 30, 2004 to the address on the back of thisnewletter.Please renew NOW to save us the expense of sending you a renewal notice,and, please NO post-dated cheques!I wish to [ ) renew
[ ] give a donationRemittance enclosed in the amount of:
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IT'S YOUR NEWSLETTERRequested: Essays (no longer than 500 words), reviews (no longer than 300 words),poems, cartoons, sketches and newspaper clippings.
Subjects: plants, animals and natural areas in the Toronto region, especially reportsof personal experiences with wildlife, including locations, dates, and any sourcesconsulted.
Editor: Helen JuholaPoetry, Art and Nature Observations: Diana BanvilleAssistants: Patricia Srind, Eva Davis, Karin Fawthrop, Nancy Fredenburg,
Toshi Oikawa ,Marilynn Murphyy Robin PowellPrinter: DM PrintingMailer: Perkins Mailing Services
TFN 524 - 32TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS2 Carlton St., #1519Toronto, Ontario MSB IJ3416-593-2656Web site: www.sources.com/tfn
Publications MailRegistration No.
40049590
MR. & MRS. A.O. JUHOLAXA .3 2 (F)
TORONTO FIELD NATURALIST
Published by the Toronto Field Naturalists, a charitable, non-profit organization, the aims of which are to stimulate publicinterest in natural history and to encourage the preservation of our natural heritage. Issued monthly September to Decemberand February to May.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB:ITS HISTORY AND CONSTITUTION, 1965 $ 2.00
CHECKLIST OF PLANTS IN FOUR TORONTO PARKS;WILKET CREEK, HIGH PARK, HUMBER VALLEY,LAMBTON WOODS, 1972 $ 2.00
TORONTO THE GREEN, 1976Metropolitan Toronto's important natural areasare described and recommendations given fortheir conservation and management;includes maps, bibliography and index $ 8.00
TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS' RAVINE SURVEYS ea $ 4.00Survey #1 - Chatsworth Ravine, 1973Survey #2 - Brookbanks Ravine, 1974Survey #3 - Chapman Valley Ravine, 1975Survey #4 - Wigmore Ravine, 1975Survey #5 - Park Drive Ravine, 1976Survey #6 - Burke Ravine, 1976Survey #7 - Taylor Creek-Woodbine Bridge
Ravines, 1977Survey #8 - West Don Valley, 1978
INDEX OF TFN NEWSLETTERS (1938 to present) $10.00TORONTO REGION BIRD CHART, 1983 $ 4.00
A GRAPHIC GUIDE TO ONTARIO MOSSES, 1985 $ 4.00
GUIDE TO TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS'NATURE RESERVES, 2001 $ 4.00
TORONTO ISLANDS: PLANT COMMUNITIES ANDNOTEWORTHY SPECIES, 1987 $ 4.00
TODMORDEN MILLS, 1987 $ 4.00
VASCULAR PLANTS OF METROPOLITAN TORONTO, 1994 ...$ 8.00
TORONTO CHECKLISTS (birdf>, other vertebrates,butterflies, other invertebrates, mosses, other plants) each SO¢
HUMBER FORKS AT THISTLETOWN, 2000 $ 4.00
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All publications may be ordered from Toronto Field Naturalists,2 Carlton St., #1519, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3. (Add $2.00 per itemfor postage and handling).
Please note: It has always been the policy of the Toronto Field Naturalistsnot to give out its membership list.
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