Health Valley Trail, Waterloo, ON

28 April, 2025 

     We have been visiting this trail which runs from Waterloo to St. Jacobs, a distance of about 5km quite frequently of late. We have been rewarded with great sightings.

     Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is frequently encountered exploiting the rich resources of the Conestogo River. You will see the sequence here as a fish is caught and swallowed.

     That was a pretty small fish, perhaps a minnow of some kind, and it will take a lot of them to satisfy a hungry heron.

     At this time of year most of the Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) we see are males.

     The females are incubating eggs in secluded spaces or guarding young without help from the male.

     A male Northern Cardinal, by contrast, is a dedicated father, putting equal time into parenting duties.

     Large White Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) always add charm to a southern Ontario landscape.

     Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia) are a welcome sight, too.

     We came upon evidence of humans with too little to occupy their time.

     We spotted a female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) probing in the grass, no doubt seeking food for growing nestlings.

     Are you not entranced by Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)? I know I am, and Miriam is, too.

     And who can deny the delicate beauty of White Fawn Lily (Erythronium albidum)?

     Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) often announce their presence with their distinctive call, and are then not hard to find along the river.

     A Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) bathed vigorously. 

     The river was becalming and peaceful; quite magical really.

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) might be immune to aesthetic considerations, but this habitat provides a reservoir of nesting material and food aplenty to raise two or three broods. What more could a robin ask for?

     Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) spread across the forest carpet, punctuating the dun evidence of last fall's leaf drop.

     Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) was lancing upwards in substantial concentrations.

     Colt's-Foot (Tussilago forfara) is a bright yellow burst of exuberance, guaranteed to always please.

     A male Red-winged Blackbird is polygynous, and a desultory parent in consequence, providing grudging support to his first consort and little help at all to the other members of his harem.

     A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is loved by all.

     Hooded Sunburst Lichen (Xanthomendoza fallax) is possibly favoured by a hummingbird for construction of its nest.

     Despite its bright colour it blends well into the dappled light of a tree and camouflages in excellent fashion. 

     Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) was seen here and there, sometimes in extensive patches.

      Several Spotted Sandpipers (Actitus macularius) worked the river, probing for food in every likely nook and cranny.

     An American Robin gathered worms to stuff into hungry mouths back at the nest. 

     A stately Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) impressed us with his regal demeanour.

     Butterflies seem to be scarce this year, and we were happy to see a couple of Northern Azures (Celastrina lucia).

     We observed lots of Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) warming their bodies in the spring sunshine.

     A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) displayed typical aloofness to human passers-by.

     A Mallard was no less interested in us.

     As we neared our car to return home, a Great Blue Heron soared high overhead like a retrospective into the dawn of avian life on Earth.

     A fitting end to a great walk.