WRN Outing to SpruceHaven, 10 September, 2022

 "They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the Earth."

Henry Beston

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Julie Arnold, Miriam Bauman, Alice Buehrle, Lynne Conway, Sharon Dillon-Martin, Bob Fraser, Angie Koch, Denise Leschak, Bev McBride, Ian Martin, Alan Morgan, Anne Morgan, Elaine Mowbray, Chris Petersen, Manfred Petersen, Pauline Richards, Mary Ann Vanden Elzen, Don Voisin, Mary Voisin, Judy Watson

Guests: Marianne McIntosh, Kathy Mostardi, Janet Valentine, Paul Valentine

Kathy, Lynne, Angie, Alan, Anne, Mary Ann, Janet , Denise, Chris, Manfred, Pauline, Sharon, Don, Ian, Paul, Marianne, Bob, David, Mary, Alice, Elaine, Judy

     It is a given that when the fall outing to SpruceHaven takes place an enthusiastic group of participants will be there to enjoy the splendours of a September day. The weather, as it turned out, was as near perfect as one might hope for.

     A Monarch (Danaus plexippus) greeted early arrivals.

     As usual, we started in the barn, with an explanation of the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) colony there, and the recent expansion by American Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota). The birds have already departed of course and are by now well on their way to South America, but here are a couple of pictures from our files.

Barn Swallows almost ready to fledge

Hungry young nestlings

American Cliff Swallow at the lip of its nest

     The birds may have left but their absence did not diminish the enthusiasm for hearing about their lives at SpruceHaven. Alan Morgan captured the moment in the following photograph.

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were feeding outside as we started our meander through the property.

     Let me say that we were singularly unsuccessful in taking pictures of the birds we saw, so the images used throughout this post are from our archives.

     As we made our way along the edge of Sanctuary Field adjacent to the New Forest it seemed that we barely had to turn our heads to see Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba).

     Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is both prolific and beautiful, well patronized by pollinators and a myriad of other insects.

     This plant is routinely afflicted by three types of gall, two of which are shown below.

     At the left is the gall of the Goldenrod Elliptical-Gall Moth (Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis), sometimes referred to as a spindle gall on account of its shape.

    The round gall on the right is produced by the Goldenrod Gall Fly (Eurosta solidaginis).

     This Bluet (family Coenagrionidae) is difficult to narrow down as to species.

     Glancing skywards often revealed Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) cruising overhead, many now already in migration.

     Jagged Ambush Bug (Phymata americana) is not at all uncommon.

     There are many species of goldenrod and I am not familiar with them all. We may have to be content with knowing this one with no greater precision than Solidago sp. 

     The larvae of the Carrot Seed Moth (Sitochroa palealis) feed on Wild Carrot (Daucus carota).

      Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are quick to exploit this rich resource and I am grateful to Alan for this great image from his files.

      Large compound eyes help to identify this handsome insect as a Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax).

     Staghorn Sumach (Rhus typhina) remains one of the most appealing plants for me, especially in the fall when the leaves turn a vivid shade of red and the fruit clusters are filled to bursting with winter food for various birds and mammals.

     The grasses (family Poaceae) of Sanctuary Field are diverse and beautiful; our tall grass prairie restoration is cause for great satisfaction.

     Wild Carrot is not to be denied.

     A sea of goldenrod is a sight to behold.

     Humans become insignificant in landscape such as this, causing us to reflect on what it must have been like for early European explorers to experience the grasslands of the Americas with its abundant wildlife. 

     Sadly, other than for a few small pockets, it is lost to us forever.

     Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) brings joy to all who see it.

     Alan captured it wonderfully in the following shot, still in the full flush of its inflorescence. 

     Several species of grasshopper exploded from beneath our feet, Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) perhaps laying claim to the most distinctive.

Picture courtesy of Alan Morgan

     

     American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) frequently called out its greeting to us.

     A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) prompted a discussion of the extreme variability of the plumage of this familiar species.

     Large numbers of Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) were passing through in migration - a visual delight for everyone.

     False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) is a beautiful plant, dotting the grassland here and there.

     To the best of my recollection Angie and I were the only two to see a Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) flying back and forth.

     Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is highly valued by pollinator and human alike.

     This is the web of the whimsically named Bowl and Doily Spider (Frontinella pyramitela).

     The web of an Araneoid Spider (Superfamily Araneoidea) provided a contrast in spider web architecture.

     Having already discovered two of the three types of goldenrod galls we were delighted to come across the third form, the Goldenrod Bunch Gall Midge (Rhopalomyia solidaginis), sometimes referred to as a Rosette Gall.

     This lonely snail eludes any identification that I can come up with.

     A Seven-spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) by comparison is a piece of cake!

     I was explaining the success of our nest boxes and the programme of monitoring adopted by WRN Teens when a moment of mirth seems to have overtaken us. Quite what caused it I am not sure!

Photo courtesy of Alan Morgan

     Angie spotted a bird on the communications tower and remarked, "It must be a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) - look at that small head." And she was right!

     Alan's keen eyes spotted a False Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus turcicus) and a picture was soon in the bag so to speak.

     Despite its name it primarily feeds on the seeds of False Sunflower, and as we have seen earlier, there was no shortage of host plans for this striking species.

     I extracted the nest of a Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) for everyone to examine, and again Alan obliged with a picture.

     You will note the abundant use of feathers by Tree Swallows, a key to identifying their nests.

     A thistle head was releasing its seeds to the wind, captured artistically by Alan.

    Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus), often referred to as High Bush Cranberry has a full crop of fruit in the fall.

     Birds such as American Robin and Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) will consume these berries, but it seems to be a food of last resort.

     At the edge of the grassland, hard up against the woodlot, a couple of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) took the opportunity to remind us that they will soon be leaving us.

     It was very satisfying to be able to lead this group on an exploration of the treasures of SpruceHaven. There was engagement and enervated discussion at every step of the way. Curiosity and the thirst for knowledge bubbled over.

     In the woodlot, fungi were in evidence. In the shot below you see Orange Mycena (Mycena leaiana) and a species of Puffball (family Lycoperdaceae).

     A tiny American Toad (Anaxyrus americana) did its best to distance itself from giant two-legged animals.

     It has been so dry that I had difficulty finding an Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus), but finally located a singleton in a rare wet spot.

     It was time to make our way to the house where Dave, Jamie and Sandy welcomed us with refreshments and scintillating conversation. It had been a wonderful morning and we owe sincere appreciation to our generous hosts for once again facilitating this exquisite fall outing.

    As always, I need to express my thanks to Miriam for being willing to do the photography (coincidentally it is twenty years ago today that I first met her), and to Alan Morgan for sharing his pictures too. Alan also kindly explained the geology of the area, further enhancing the experience for all who shared the morning together.

     Most of all, I am grateful to the participants who demonstrated their love of nature and permitted me to benefit from their enthusiasm. 

     Until next year my friends! À l'année prochaine mes amis.