A June Retrospective in Our Yard

      It is hard to believe that June is drawing to a close, so it's time for a review of what we have observed during the month.

At home, Waterloo, ON

02 June, 2023

     Many American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are already incubating second clutches, and this youngster is finding its own way in life.

     American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), on the other hand, does not normally lay until the end of June, with incubation occurring in July.

09 June, 2023

     The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) is a European species that has become widespread in North America.

     In many areas it outcompetes native species, and while it is useful in controlling aphids, its efficacy in so doing is somewhat overrated. 

     Several Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillars have been seen in our yard feeding on Common Rue (Ruta graveolens); many we have watched from first instar through subsequent moults.

     As I create this post on 27 June I am sad to report that most have been lost to parisitoid wasps or birds and only one remains. We hope that it is able to pupate successfully and emerge as a magnificent butterfly.

     Most caterpillars do not make it to final emergence as butterflies or moths, and I know that they are a critical source of food for many other organisms. Indeed, neotropical migrant birds would be unable to raise their young without caterpillars, but we are nevertheless saddened to see the loss of the ones we had observed daily, and checked on regularly. It is remarkable how attached you can become to a caterpillar.

17 June, 2023

     European Harvestman (Phalangium opilio) is distantly related to spiders and is frequently found around human habitation. Commonly referred to as Daddy Longlegs, it is - in contradiction of popular myth - completely harmless.

     Jumping Spiders are fascinating arachnids, and a Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus) is exceptionally handsome too.

     Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar), a long-standing name, is considered to be a pejorative term in this era of political correctness, and for a while the moth was known as LD Moth in deference to its scientific name, but now the appellation Spongy Moth seems to find acceptance. Its larva is both distinctive and destructive; and should be destroyed whenever possible.

     Its introduction into North America is yet another classic illustration of human folly.

     The following Ichneumonid wasp is probably in the genus Therion but I have been unable to identify it as to species. 

     Perhaps this individual was the agent of the demise of our swallowtail caterpillars, all in the service of provisioning its own larvae, of course.

18 June, 2023

     You will appreciate just how large and beautiful our swallowtail caterpillars had become.

     The larva of an Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) reveals another invasive insect, this species probably having arrived in consignments of fruit, and now thriving here.

     Never a day passes without Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) in our backyard.

     They are lovely elegant birds - and native too!

24 June, 2023

     An industrious Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) moved from flower to flower gathering nectar.

     It is always uplifting to watch pollinators at work, but especially in recent times when they have become very scarce in many areas.

     This bug has the intriguing name of Twice-stabbed Stink Bug (Cosmopepla linteriana).

     It is a generalist feeder and apparently quite common, although I don't recall having seen it before. I will be sure to check on the derivation of its unusual name.

     Finally, let me give you one last view of one of our wonderful caterpillars, on the last day we saw it alive.

    It had so much promise. We will miss its company.

    We visited several local parks and wetlands in June too, but I'll save the report of those outings for the next post. 

Some Local Beauties

      I thought I would share with you a few of the local beauties in my life, all seen around here recently. I beg to assure you that the list is not exhaustive!

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

     This common bird, is uncommonly beautiful.

     Rarely a day goes by without a Blue Jay, but they are never less welcome for their familiarity.

Recent Activity in the Backyard - Mostly Hummingbirds

     We like to think of our backyard as a little urban oasis, and we feel that our claim has been validated of late.

     The excessive heat of summer is unkind to man and beast alike and Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) find ways to stay cool.

     A fur coat is perhaps a disadvantage at times!

     Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) are fixtures in our yard, and their numbers build up into the winter when it is not unusual to see twenty or more, attracted by the food we provide, of course.

     They seek shade in the foliage and drink regularly from the bird bath.

     It would be wise for this Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata) to seek a little more cover, lest it become a quick snack for an opportunistic bird.

     Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are deep into their moult cycle, and some can look pretty ragged at this time of year.

     For most of the year Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) has been an irregular visitor at best, but that has all changed recently.

     Whenever we sit out on the patio it is mere minutes before a hummingbird appears and recently there have been two individuals that arrive together, with a minimum of squabbling, rare for a species that seems to have pugnacity and aggression built into its DNA.

     We have been wondering whether these are two fledglings from the same nest who are still learning to face the world together and have not yet parted ways.

There is no way we can prove this, and the literature seems to contain nothing to corroborate our supposition, but for whatever reason they seem to get along.

     I am guessing that the bird above, with distinct streaking on the neck with a hint of suffuse red, is a young male.

     The bird below may well be his sister.

     These young birds are probably already entering a hyperphagic state and are laying down extra fat to fuel their imminent migration.

     The perils that these tiny birds, weighing barely more than the dime in your pocket, will face on this peril-laded hegira, defy comprehension. They will need all the skills that are hard-wired in their brain and more than a little luck to make it to their wintering quarters in Mexico and Central America.

     The adult female shown below is resting after drinking her fill from our sugar water feeder.

     If you too have hummingbird feeders in your garden to attract these little gems, please be sure to keep them clean and regularly replace the syrup so that it does not become rancid or get filled with ants seeking the sugary prize and drowning for their efforts.

     There is something about a hummingbird that appeals to everyone. Perhaps it is their size that conveys vulnerability, but gram for gram they are amongst the toughest competitors in the world.

     I could not begin to put a price on the pleasure they have given us and we wish them well on their journey.

     May they return to see us next spring and stay to raise their own young. 

     And let us do all we can to help them. We owe them no less.

Backyard Highlights and Other Delights (And Lily)

If you listen to birds, every day will have a song in it.

Kyo Maclear

22 July 2021

Our Backyard, Waterloo, ON

     A female Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) visited our backyard for a couple of days and seemed to show interest in a nest box that was clearly too small for it, with an entrance hole that would barely permit the bird to squeeze inside.

     She has moved on so I assume that she came to the same conclusion!

     Our backyard wouldn't be the same without a couple of Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) to entertain us.

     They rank high on the adorability scale and can become very confiding when a little food is offered.

     Male House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) are exceedingly handsome birds and these two fed together at the same feeder without so much as a ruffled feather.

     A female came along and supplanted one of the males; perhaps romance was on her mind.

     For several weeks a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) missing his head feathers has been visiting us. 

     I can't quite figure whether this is a protracted moult or feather mites are at work, although there does seem to be a hint of new feathers emerging. It is not hard to appreciate the dinosaur origins of birds when you see a cardinal in this condition.

     Here is what we are more used to seeing.

     A Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a delicate and beautifully plumaged little bird, and we are always happy to see them in our yard.

     Not quite so welcome is a rat (Rattus sp) that visits from time to time.

     Despite our best attempts to trap it we have failed so far, capturing only chipmunks and a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) but we will keep on trying. Its reward will be a long ride into the countryside where it will have the pleasure of starting a new life.

     Mourning Doves seem to be the most placid of all birds and find a quiet place to rest and watch the goings-on of others, quite detached from the hustle and bustle taking place around them.

26 July 2021

Our Backyard, Waterloo, On

     Small moths that come to rest on the walls of the house, or in the porch, usually fly away before we get a chance to photograph them. Not so with these two.

Common Idia Moth (Idia aemula)

Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata)

     Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) have discovered the milkweeds (Asclepias) and this female is ovipositing. 

     We will be sure to keep a keen eye for caterpillars when they emerge.

Questions Posed by Elaine

     A regular reader of my blog, Elaine, has posed a variety of question regarding birds and their breeding biology and lifestyle. I have committed to answer them a few at a time, so here are a few more.

Q. Does the number of eggs laid vary from the first to subsequent clutches?

A. Not always. Some birds, American Robin (Turdus migratorius), for example, routinely lay two clutches,  each containing four eggs. In other species second clutches may contain fewer eggs, especially if the food required by the female for egg formation is in short supply.

Q. Are juvenile birds from the first batch more successful migrating?

A. If the young birds are fit and healthy at the time of departure the migratory outcome is the same. Condition at the time of departure is the key factor.

Q. Do (formerly) juvenile birds return to the location where they were born the following year?

A. Rarely to the exact location, but often to the same area. However, if pair formation occurs away from the breeding site, as with waterfowl, for example, it is unlikely that both partners will have been born in the same area; therefore one of the pair will not return to its natal territory. There is a wide variation across a range of species.

Q. Do "our" birds also nest in their migratory destinations.

A. No. Before departure their reproductive system shuts down and their gonads shrink. Superfluous weight impedes migration. A return to reproductive viability does not happen again until the following spring, when a whole series of factors combine to stimulate and reactivate the endocrine system.

30 July 2021

Health Valley Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     

     American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) is far less common than Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) at this time of the year, but for some reason this section of the Conestogo River seems favoured by the few that spend the summer here.

     Conditions seem to have been just right for Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) and the fruit crop is impressive.

     It is often located in close proximity to a river or stream, and I have seen it over the past few days along both the Grand and Conestogo Rivers.

     Miriam and I arrived a little earlier than Heather and Lily, and Lily waved a cheery hello.

     A stately Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) moved along the river stealthily in search of prey, pausing now and then.

     A young bird still has much to learn and might benefit from keeping a keen eye on a skilled adult.

     Lily was intent on taking it all in.

     Many hungry mouths at an American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) colony were keeping parents busy delivering food to their young.

     Chicory (Cichorium intybus) was blooming everywhere.

     A Furrow Bee (Halictus sp.), well dusted with pollen, evidently found it attractive.

     Several young Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were honing their flycatching skills.

     A couple of American Robins just seemed to be enjoying each other's company.

     Upright Hedge-parsley (Torilis japonica) is an attractive plant, thriving even in depleted soils.

      The sign on this bench left us a little puzzled, and the addition of a vase of roses only added to the mystery.

     The pond damsel below is in the genus Argia. Only two species are found in the province, both in similar habitat, and not entirely unalike in appearance. I am pretty sure, however, that this is a Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta).

     Both species are prone to alight on bare ground like this, and are surprisingly quick when approached.

     Common Fibre Vase (Thelephora terrestris), also know as Earth Fan, is an interesting fungus.

     Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is another common bracket fungus of our area.

      Neither Miriam nor I can could instantly identify this pretty pink flower, but Heather, hearkening back to her time spent as a field biologist, knew instantly that it is Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria).

     At the end of our walk we decided to go for an ice cream. Heather thought she would get away with giving a lick or two to Lily. Fat chance!

     Lily grabbed onto that cone and wasn't relinquishing hold for anybody!

     Amazingly she started at the top and worked her way down and hardly even made a mess.

     Next time it will have to be one extra, Heather!