A Visit to SpruceHaven with John and Michelle

      Covid-19 has made changes to the lives of most of us, few of which are welcome, and one of the consequences of the pandemic is the lack of contact with friends. We had  not seen John and Michelle since before the inception of the virus so it was with great pleasure that we were able to meet up for a tour of SpruceHaven in order to show them the modifications to the landscape since their last visit.

     How pleasant to stroll down one of the many pathways.

     And on into the woodlot where the true glory of fall is showcased at its best.

     The ladder you see at the bottom left of the above picture is used to access the various nest boxes we have installed throughout the woodlot.

     This upscale residence, complete with a complimentary layer of wood shavings, has been home to an Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) for the past two winter.

     Is there any doubt that the owl is inhabiting prime real estate?

     Michelle took this great shot of an Eastern Red-backed Salamander ( Plethodon cinereus), still easily found beneath rotting logs, or under the boards we have placed for them, but soon they will be seeking shelter deep in the soil as the iron grip of winter descends upon their woodland home.

     There are several colour morphs of this familiar lungless salamander, the two most common in our area being the redback shown above;  leadback coming in a close second.

     I am woefully inadequate when it comes to identifying ferns, but there are a few species which present no great difficulty, such as Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia), one of our more common species in a maple/beech woodland.

     Herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum) has but recently ceased blooming, but the leaves remain an agreeable feature to enjoy on a bright autumn day.

      The grassland we are restoring, appropriately named Sanctuary Field is coming along splendidly.

     If I am not mistaken these berries are Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus), not a true cranberry, but winter forage for a number of species. 

     Giant haybales in the field across the road from SpruceHaven reminded us that fall is a busy time for the  farmer too.

     Hardy little Myrtle Warblers (Setophaga coronata) are always the last of the warblers to leave Ontario in the fall, and many were fattening up in preparation for their departure.

     White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) were no less concerned with bulking up for their journey south.

      Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a deep-rooted, hardy grass that will form the backbone of our prairie ecosystem. It can attain a height of around 250 cm.

     Chipping Sparrows (Spizella passerina) were finding an abundance of food as the grassland delivered its bounty of seeds.

     Michelle was intently focussed on something that had caught her eye.

     Those tussocks of grass all around her look like ideal nesting places for Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) and we have high hopes that this species will discover the Sanctuary Field next year.

     The seeds of Tickseed (Coreopsis sp.) are highly favoured by American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) and other seed-eating birds.

     Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is past its prime but has been a colourful and prolific component of our emerging prairie landscape.

     There is a low-lying area adjacent to the grassland we call The Swale, always wet in spring, that is now being modified into a proper wetland, where we hope to see various species of duck during migration, and perhaps induce Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) to breed there. Shorebirds may also favour us with their presence once the restoration is completed and provides attractive habitat for them.

     Work had just begun.

     When I returned two days later, the whole area had been modified and I was excited to contemplate the species we may see there next spring. 

     Run-off from surrounding higher ground should quickly fill this depression, creating a pond rimmed with vegetation.

     The magic of it all causes me to pinch myself every day. 

     It was a pleasure and an honour to be able to share it with Michelle and John.

     I will end this post with something completely unrelated. 

     Recently I led a walk for a group of young children from an alternative school and two of their teachers who wanted to have their students exposed to outdoor education. It proved to be a wonderful adventure for all concerned and at the end of the walk the kids presented me with cards they had made from leaves they had collected and pressed. 

     Of all the things I do, the education of young people is the most significant. For that I need no thanks; to watch them learn is thanks enough. 

     But to see the effort, and the thought, they put into these items was heart-warming indeed.

     Thanks to Katherine and Kayli, two fine, dedicated young women, exceptional teachers, and to a group of children who made my day special.

     It really doesn't get any better than this.