Annual Visit of Waterloo Region Nature to SpruceHaven

14 September 2019

Leader: David Gascoigne

Club members participating: Miriam Bauman, Shirley Bauman, Betty Brechun, Theo Byrne, Catherine Campbell, Lynn Conway, Daniel Entz, Fraser Gibson, Anne Godlewski, George Greer,  Brad Hale, Cathy Hale, Bill Hall, Victoria Ho, Dale Ingrey, Nina Ingrey, Adriaan Kemp, Barb Kemp, Denise Leschak, Hugh McCaul, Louise McCaul, Alan Morgan, Anne Morgan, Janet Ozaruk, Meg Slater, Frank Steinmoeller, Marj Steinmoeller,  Henriette Thompson,  Selwyn Tomkun, Don Voisin, Mary Voisin, Andrew Wesolowski, Lorraine Wesolowski, Stephen West, Susan Youngson.

Guests: Nicholas Bauer, Sarah Colter

     Judging by the impressive attendance for this annual outing I can say with confidence that this is the most anticipated event on the Club's schedule. There was a nucleus of regulars supplemented by many members visiting for the first time, and a couple of guests.

      Everyone is not in the picture above, but it gives you an idea of the level of participation.
     We always begin our day's activities in the barn which houses our Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) colony, which is where it really all started.

     This majestic old structure is looking quite grand this year having received  a fresh coat of paint and repairs where necessary.
     It is a great pleasure for me to have so many people interested in what we do and to explain the full scope of our monitoring and research activity.

        Newcomers are filled with knowledge before they leave and veterans of this event are always happy to learn of improvements in tracking devices, and to hear of discoveries we have made during the season. There is no doubt that these birds still hold many secrets we have yet to discover.
     The swallows have all departed for South America, but the nest below reminds us that they called SpruceHaven home for another breeding season. Given the conflagration in the Amazon, and the uncertainty of the conditions awaiting these migrants, it is unclear how many will survive to return next spring. It is with no small measure of sadness that we contemplate the  future of Barn Swallows and other aerial insectivores, when it seems that anthropogenic interference and continued habitat degradation and elimination, renders their existence ever more precarious -  to say nothing of the poor choices we continue to make in electing our political "leaders."

       We moved outside to continue with our walk and it seems that Selwyn Tomkun was anxious to point out something to me.

  
     We have installed numerous boxes for Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) and have had a reasonable level of success in attracting these charming little owls to use the boxes as winter roosts, but so far none have bred in them.

     We continued with our walk.

     And there was more to do in terms of explaining the various programmes we have underway at SpruceHaven and the success of our nest boxes.

     This past season Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) fledged record numbers of young and we also had great success with Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and House Wren (Troglodytes aedon). We continue to be motivated to help cavity-nesting species who find fewer and fewer natural nest sites and we have plans to erect more nest boxes this fall in readiness for next year's breeding season.
     We were lucky to have Fraser Gibson on hand to explain the features of the latest advances in beehives.

     The "jewel in the crown" this year is the conversion of approximately forty acres of farmland to native grassland. Soil samples were taken and the land seeded with the mix of plants that would have been characteristic of a tall grass prairie at the time of European settlement of our area.

     It looks a little weedy right now, but as the new growth establishes its dominance this will start to change. We have a reasonable expectation that by next year we will attract Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), followed by other grassland species in succeeding years. It is a very exciting prospect.
     Already I have noticed an increase in Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), and Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows were seen hawking insects over the field , and Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were feeding on the ground in large flocks . When Kevin and I were banding last weekend Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris) flew overhead.
     

     There was more to explain!

       Everywhere is awash with Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) at this time of the year, and it is both beautiful to see and provides rich foraging for butterflies and other pollinators.

     A Wooly Bear Caterpillar was seeking a place to hibernate for the winter; it will pupate in the spring to emerge as an Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella).

     These fungi on a tree were very interesting, but I am afraid that I am unable to identify them.

     We went into the woodlot to introduce everyone to our salamander monitoring project.

      I was lucky that under only the second board I turned over there was a cooperative Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) for all to see.

  
          It is a measure of the deep interest that our group has in the natural world, that very few participants had dropped out along the way, and those that faltered did so only due to mobility issues and not from any lack of interest.

     It was time to head to the house for coffee and refreshments and we wended our way across the future grassland, slowly I might add, as everyone stopped to check out every treasure that revealed itself.

      I am sure I am not the only one who cast a glance across this rolling terrain with visions of a tall grass prairie blowing in the wind a few years hence.
      Everyone enjoyed warm Westfall/Hill hospitality and relived the events of the day and marvelled at just what SpruceHaven has come to mean to us all.

     Dave, Sandy and Jamie have proven themselves to be true visionaries and custodians of nature. Their commitment to habitat restoration and the preservation of the natural world extends far beyond what one might reasonably expect from even the most dedicated conservationist. As one who gets to deal with them every day I am constantly reminded of their largesse, the magnanimity of their philosophy and their fundamental decency.
     I know that you will all join me in saluting these champions. It is a privilege to have them in our lives.

Waterloo Region Nature Annual Field Trip to North Shore of Lake Ontario 2019

09 March 2019

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Scott Beemer, Kitty Corbett, Fraser Gibson,  Victoria Ho, Denise Leschak, Geraldine Sanderson, John Sanderson, Roger Suffling, Selwyn Tomkun.

Guests: Sal Aziz and son, Logan (8 years old and keen!), Tyler Hampton, Debbie Hernandez, Brigitte Huber,Carole Martin.

     When we left home it was a crisp minus fourteen degrees but the forecast was for a pleasant day with the temperature climbing to around zero before the day was out. We met at our normal spot, car-pooled to the extent possible and set off for a fine day of birding.  Old friends and new arrived, club stalwarts and welcome guests, all with the goal of enjoying a fine day with many birds to keep us company.

     As has become customary on this outing, our first point of call was at the DesJardins Canal in Dundas, where the signature bird at this time of the year is Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). We were not disappointed.

     For some this was a lifer and they were exceptionally happy to see this handsome duck.

     A couple of Redheads (Aythya americana) were also seen swimming among the ubiquitous Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).

     There was also a good number of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on the canal, open water of course being a major draw for waterfowl in winter.

     In fact, given the succession of cold nights we have experienced recently, I was afraid that finding open water might be a problem, but the flow in the canal is obviously sufficient to prevent ice from forming.

     This was not to be the case at LaSalle Park and Marina and we were greeted by ice across Burlington Bay, with barely a single patch of open water.

     Obviously this had an effect on the number of species present.

    Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) had no hesitation about venturing out onto the ice, but certainly there was nowhere for them to feed, and supplements of corn are provided under such dire conditions.

     Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis), resourceful as ever, find ways to make a living, and are resplendent, beautiful and unappreciated by many.

     In a tiny ribbon of water at the very edge of the lake, ducks and geese congregated together, with a few diving ducks mixed in with the dabbling ducks, including this female Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula).

     One of the greatest pleasures for a naturalist, young or old, is to feed a wild creature, whose confidence in you is rewarded with a zen moment of interconnectedness with other life forms on this wonderful planet we are slowly destroying. So it was for Logan.

     This youngster already has a firm connection to nature and I commend both him and his father, Sal, who spares no effort to nurture and encourage his interest.
     I am not quite sure which person is at the other end of this outstretched hand, but it was a matter of little concern for the Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) coming in for food. Human and bird in harmony - now there is an image for the ages.

     Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is a resident species and is familiar to all.

     Ice and snow are no deterrent to a hardy woodpecker, nor to swans, ducks and geese it seems.

     The contrast between the native Trumpeter Swan and the introduced Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is shown in the following two images.
     

     Actually the Trumpeter Swans seemed to be engaged in a ritualized display, possibly portending courtship, for there was no aggression at all, and several birds took part in the ceremony.

     No doubt this handsome male Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) had affairs of the heart on his mind too.

     Common Goldeneyes were well charged up with hormonal urges and both males and females were engaged in courtship displays.

     This fine male would no doubt have great genes to pass on to the next generation.

     We left LaSalle and moved onto to Paletta Park where warm, clean washrooms awaited the ladies, who especially appreciate such comforts in winter. After a quick lunch eaten mainly in our vehicles we strolled down to the water.

     Ring-billed Gulls were resting on the ice, a behaviour which nearly always elicits a question from someone about how they stay warm.

     Mallard was far and away the most common species, ever handsome, ever hardy, ever resilient and pleasure-giving, but seldom appreciated due to its familiarity.

     At Paletta Park we saw a couple of Hairy Woodpeckers (Dryobates villosus), the only location where we encountered this species.

     Our final stop for the day was at Bronte Harbour in Oakville and this proved to be the jewel in an already lustrous crown. Ice covered most of the harbour, save for a few very small areas of open water in the corners against the walls, and ducks were concentrated there, so close one could almost have reached over and touched them.

     Fraser Gibson, an eminence grise of Waterloo Region Nature to be sure, remarked that he had previously seen Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) only at a distance and was captivated to see them so close; one could actually see them swimming under water and emerging from under the ice.

     Greater Scaup was very common.

     Again it was possible to see both males and females at very close quarters and reinforce one's identification skills. The birds came to the surface after a dive, with mussels in their bill enabling everyone to see how they process their food.
    Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) was not quite as numerous as other species, at least not close in, but some could be seen off in the distance riding the not insignificant swell of Lake Ontario.

     There were little flotillas of Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) sometimes as many as twenty birds together swimming in a straight line one behind the other.

Common Merganser ♂

Common Merganser ♀

     Several White-winged Scoters (Melanitta deglandi) were seen but we were able to photograph the female only.

     In addition to occupying the sparse patches of open water in the harbour many ducks were on the lake side of the breakwater riding the roiling waves of a windy day on Lake Ontario. The picture below gives the impression of calm water but the swell was actually quite pronounced.

     It was with great pleasure that we saw many Redheads.

     This female Common Merganser was resting on an ice floe.

     On the way back along the breakwater we saw Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) surprisingly enough the only one on the day as I recall.

     Many people lingered for a while to observe the ducks at close range and really get the chance to appreciate their various behaviours and survival skills. It was really quite remarkable.
     We parted company having very much enjoyed each other's company and knowing that an enriching day had been had by all. Same time next year folks!

All species: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, American Black Duck, Redhead, Greater Scaup, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal.  Total: 26