Health Valley Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

15 October, 2025

     A female Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) rested contentedly on a rock in the Conestogo River.

      This Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a majestic old tree.

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were numerous, finding a variety of berry-bearing bushes and trees to feed on.

      Elm Mushroom (Hypsizgus ulmarius) is quite distinctive.

     Other bracket fungi are more difficult to identify, and the following are in the kingdom Fungi, but I can't say much more than that.

     Just like trees, we should sometimes reach for the sky.

Ashes (genus Fraxinus)

     Of all our local mammals American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) surely rivals Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) on the cuteness scale. This one is jealously guarding a large snack.

     There is a move afoot to restore the Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladius dioiceus) to our area. 

     It is a hardy, resilient native species and should be encouraged.

     Knapweeds (genus Centaurea) attract a range of pollinators.

     Given the substrate and its general appearance and colour, this fungus is probably Orange Mycena (Mycena leaiana).

     I should have examined the underside to be sure.

     A Common Water Strider (Aquarius remigis) is a never-ending source of fascination for me.

     We were excited to see three Great Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) still fattening up in preparation for their long migration.

     This one had caught a small fish.

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was probably hoping for something a little bigger.

     We noticed that this Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) had been banded, but it was not possible to read the number.

     The yellowlegs seemed to hang around both the Canada Geese and Mallards (Anas platyrynchos). Perhaps the probing activities of the ducks and geese stirred up morsels more easily captured.

     Large Milkweed Bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) are very attractive insects, with different instars being present on the same host plant.

     The seeds of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) will soon be dispersed by the wind, to go on to found new growth of this plant, so vital to the survival of Monarchs (Danaus plexippus).

     A Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) gazed at us from its secure position on the river.

     Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Corthylio calendula) are a study in perpetual motion, and are tiny little birds to boot, so Miriam did well to get this shot.

     Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is both common and beautiful.

     The sharp call note of a male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) first alerted us to its presence.

     We also heard the distinctive churr of a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) but it remained partly hidden.

     To complete the chorus, White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) uttered their nasal quank to alert us to their presence.

     A female Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) was a pleasing discovery.

      To complete our walk we came across a bright yellow Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) nestled in the mowed grass at the edge of the parking lot.

     It seemed entirely appropriate that a much maligned species should be there to bid us a cheery farewell.

     The Clouded Sulphur agreed.

Health Valley Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

21 July, 2025 

     I am not sure whether this female Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) turned her back in disdain, or wanted to show off her dorsal features.

     Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) is surely one of the most common plants in an Ontario meadow.

     At the top right you will see a Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva), almost as ubiquitous as the plant itself.

     Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum) is spectacular, and an Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is happy to hang out there.

     A female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is probably through with her maternal duties for the year.

     The evidence of Gall and Rust Mites (family Eriophyidae) is commonly seen.

     I think that most people are familiar with spittle masses, commonly known as "cuckoo spit", but  probably do not know the insect whose nymph creates it. Here is one of those species, the aptly named Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumerius).

     Orbweaver spiders in general are easily found, Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) being one of the most common species in our area.

     Most gardens will harbour one or two webs.

     Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius) was introduced from Europe and seems to be displacing the native species R. hirtus.

    A glance along the river revealed two likely suspects.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

     Female Narrow-winged Damselflies (family Coenagrionidae) are not always easy to narrow down to species.

     I believe that this is a Green-legged Orbweaver (Mangora maculata) with Miriam's hand behind to see the details a little more clearly.

     Bee-mimic Robber Flies in the complex Laphria canis are very hard to distinguish as to species in the field.

    They are almost indistinguishable from bumble bees at a first glance, a trait that serves them well as they pursue their carnivorous diet, feeding on wasps, beetles and other insects. 

     An alert Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) would not hesitate to make a quick meal out of them.

     A male Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) is just one of a host of dapper dandies in the odenate realm.

     Surely even the most arachnophobic among you will fall in love with a member of the Orchard Spiders and Allies (genus Leucage).

     Bracket Fungi (family Polyporaceae) are found in a variety of forms and sizes, often massed together on downed trees.

     When people ask, "What is your favourite (insert a word)?", it's a basically impossible question and should never be posed! Chicory (Cichorium intybus) would rank highly on my list, however, if the category were flowers.

     Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is nothing short of majestic.

     Sadly, it's almost impossible to find a mature, old growth tree today, most of them having been harvested long ago, especially in southern Ontario.

     American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) seems to be eternally perky and cheerful, and is a welcome companion on most of our local rambles.

     Eastern Harvestman (Leiobunum vittatum) suffers from an identity crisis, often being mistaken for a spider or a crane fly.

     There is something uniquely elegant about the name of Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus germinatus).

     Important work is being done to rid the area of invasive Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

     American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is an opportunist in the selection of a nest site.

     It was exhilarating to see efforts being made to provide habitat for pollinators - vitally needed as the world faces steep declines in their abundance. 

     As we were about to leave an American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) was cawing loudly. Was it saying, "Good riddance!" or "Thanks for being a friend."

     We can only hope it was the latter!