Waterloo Region Nature Outing to West Perth Wetlands, Mitchell, ON, 17 August, 2024

     As far as I know, this was the first ever WRN outing to this location and there was great enthusiasm for it.

 

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Jim Bowman, Alice Buehrle, David Collins, Mary Collins, Pauline Copleston, Lisa Den Besten, Helen Fowler, Bob Fraser,  Steve Gyorffy, Victoria Ho, Curtiss MacDonald, Kuldip Malhotra, Geoff Moore, Ruthann Moore, Audrey Nicols, Shannon Pennington, Tracey Rainer, Anita Smith, Selwyn Tomkun

Guests: Katie Fowler, Brenda Gyorffy

     The weather forecast had varied from a threat of substantial rain to potential dangerous thunderstorms and five people cancelled, two had health issues, and there were two no-shows.

     As best we could tell, bad weather was predicted for later in the morning/early afternoon so we headed off to Mitchell like the intrepid birders we are.

     We did have one monumental deluge, but we were mostly under shelter. It lasted for about twenty minutes, and after that it was bright and sunny, as pleasant as Miriam's morning smile, for the rest of our stay.

     A few people had elected to drive directly there, some having other business in the vicinity, and they were waiting for us upon arrival - the rest of us carpooled from St. Agatha.

     The little shelter you see was where we all took cover when a celestial can opener unzippered the clouds, and mostly we stayed dry.

     Bob Fraser, that model of civility and old world graciousness, went to his car to retrieve Audrey's raingear. 

     Who knew the old curmudgeon had such couth?

     The birding was actually pretty good and we saw several interesting species, but mostly they were a little ways off, and frequently hidden or partly hidden by reeds and other vegetation. The quality of the photographs reflects this.

     This was a typical view.

     Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) breed at West Perth Wetlands and in mid to late August are recovering their brilliant plumage, having survived the dangers of remigial moult; soon they will resemble the "Beau Brummel among birds," to borrow from Arthur Cleveland Bent's colourful description.

     

     In the picture above are also seen Greater (Tringa melanoleuca) and Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes).

     Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) was common too.

     Several Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) probing in the mud with their long bills, searched for worms.

     Lesser Yellowlegs and Killdeer associated together.

     There was food for everyone, and Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer and Wilson's Snipe all secured prey, feeding with different techniques thereby all getting their share of the resources of the rich wetland ecosystem.

     A raft of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos), oblivious to the downpour, kept each other company.

     In no time at all the weather began to improve and our spirits were buoyed.

     Anita's sunny yellow jacket reflected our mood, and we set off to walk around the ponds.

     The weather seemed to improve by the minute.

     West Perth Wetland was originally part of a sewage lagoon complex and one pond is still fenced off; perhaps it is still active in some way, or the sediment is toxic. I am not sure.

     We lined up along the fence to peer through at the birds present there.

     Those of us with telescopes were happy to share with others to make sure everyone got a good look at the birds.

     An American Coot (Fulica americana) delighted us all, but it was difficult to get a good picture when focussing through the mesh.

     The Knapweeds (genus Centaurea) were nothing short of spectacular.

     A pair of House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) played hide-and-seek with us, and never did give us a clear shot. The male was coyer than the female.

     Goldenrod (genus Solidago) bloomed prolifically, providing copious volumes of nectar and pollen for pollinators of every ilk.

     Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) struggled to establish a presence amid the tangle of Knapweed and Goldenrod, but succeeded here and there.

     Small Whites (Pieris rapae) flitted gaily from one bloom to the next.

     And Mallards continued to do not much of anything!

     Droneflies are sometimes deceptive and challenge the identification skills of budding entomologists. Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax) proves the point.

     How about this Long-nosed Swamp Fly (Eurimyia stipata)?

     Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) is a familiar damselfly, well-known to many.

     We were very happy to see a couple of Least Skippers (Ancyloxypha humitor).

     Two species of land snail in the genus Cepaea abound in Ontario, Brown-lipped (C. nemoralis) and White-lipped (C. hortensis) and I am singularly incapable of differentiating one from the other.

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a true magnet for pollinators, dispensing copious quantities of nectar.

     Here it is being patronized by an Orange-tipped Wood-Digger (Anthophora terminalis), a species that visits a wide variety of plants, but appears to have a preference for those with long corolla tubes.

     As you can see it collects pollen in exchange for the sweet liquid it takes from the flower, often disappearing right into the corolla.

     The wetland was serene and beautiful for insect and human visitor alike.

Photo credit - Brenda Gyorffy

     As is usually the case, Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) was the most common bee, vigorously collecting nectar and dispersing pollen.

Photo credit - Brenda Gyorffy

     This non-native bee was introduced several hundred years ago, with populations originating in many areas throughout the Eastern Hemisphere.

Photo credit - Brenda Gyorffy

     It is now widespread through eastern North America, especially in rural areas.

     A scintillating male Bluet (genus Enallagma) obligingly came to rest directly in front of us.

     A couple of Common Carpet Moths (Epirrhoe alternata) flitted from flower to flower, perhaps only as a reaction to being disturbed by us.

     An Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis), upon realizing that it had been spotted, slithered off quickly into the grasses and wildflowers.

     It was the keen eyes of Pauline Copleston that noticed a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) fly onto a perch on the far side of the lagoon.

     A female Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) sailed in to entrance us all.

     There are those naturalists who favour camouflage clothing and it always strikes me they could do no better than bedeck themselves in the garb of a Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens).

     A turtle of unknown identity popped up its head as we were nearing the end of our trek, as though to bid us farewell and commend us for not permitting a less than favorable weather forecast to deter us.

      It had indeed been a fine day.

Photo - Brenda Gyorffy

      Thanks to everyone for coming out to share in the fellowship of like-minded naturalists. We'll do it again soon!

A Visit from Caroline and Andrew

     My daughter, Caroline, and my son-in-law, Andrew, drove down from Ottawa last weekend for a visit, and a great time was had by all. 

30 September, 2022

West Perth Wetlands, Mitchell, ON

     This location is a perennial favourite of ours and at this time of the year, with migration well underway, can be very productive. As it turned out, the birds were relatively sparse, but it was a glorious fall day, with lots of other things to see and enjoy. A welcoming committee of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) is always a welcome sight.

     Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus) looked splendid in the bright sunshine of an October morning.

     Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) was less numerous than usual, but was nevertheless the most common shorebird present.

     Were they so inclined Canada Geese would be able to admire their own reflection.

     European Craneflies (Tipula paludosa) have been noted hanging around the porch and the garage door recently, so it was good to see them in a more natural setting.

     Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is known to feed into December, so it was no surprise to encounter them in the fields and scrub surrounding the wetland.

     This species transmits parasites that mature in Wild Turkey (Melagris gallopavo), but is preyed upon by a variety of birds, amphibians and small mammals.

     The caterpillar of a Virginian Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica) will overwinter as larva.

     Common Eastern Bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) were still foraging, although one might conclude that the supply of nectar must surely be minimal by October.

     Lesser Yellowlegs is clear proof that familiarity does not breed contempt.

     Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) is a very dramatic butterfly and they were ubiquitous that day.

     It is rare, at least for me, that Orange Sulphur outnumbers Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) but on this occasion it was certainly the case.

     We are not generally given to taking pictures of ourselves, since we are clearly the least interesting species, but a family picture to record the day seemed appropriate.

Caroline, Andrew, David

     Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is a common breeding species at the West Perth Wetlands but we found very small numbers and no resplendent males.

     Young American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) fresh from the nest showed their proficiency at both flying and begging for food from harried parents.

     I have no doubt that we observed at least a couple of dozen Myrtle Warblers (Setophaga coronata) migrating through the area.

     We saw several Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) but most were too far off to take a picture. This one individual was a little more obliging than the others.

     The most remarkable event of the day was when we detected what we thought initially to be a lump of mud, that turned out to be a Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Several Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) were clambering up on to its back to use it as a basking platform, pushing each other back into the water in the process.

     This was one tolerant Snapping Turtle!

     A young Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), probably barely  independent, did not look healthy.

     It scratched almost continuously leading us to wonder if it had mange, or a similar condition.

     The is the time of year when Wooly Bear caterpillars, the larvae of the Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctica isabella), are frequently seen trundling along the ground seeking a secluded spot to overwinter.

     A Brown Stink Bug (Euchistus servus) seemed quite content to spend its time on the back of the car.

     It had been an entertaining morning and we left to go to Stratford to have lunch at Fellini's, a restaurant Miriam and I have patronized a few times over the years, generally if we have a reason to celebrate. A visit from Caroline and Andrew seemed just such an occasion.

01 October, 2022

Westmount Sports Park and Environmental Reserve, Waterloo, ON

     In 2016 I was preoccupied with the opening of this facility and Andrew had not seen "my" sign - see here, so we all went down to take a look.

     

Martin Creek Road, Woolwich Township, region of Waterloo, ON

     A large flock of very noisy American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) were exploiting corn spilled in the field at the time of harvesting.

The Mill Race Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     The Mill Race Trail, as always, looked very inviting and we were happy to embark on our walk.

     It was hardly any time at all before endearing Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) came to see whether we had brought breakfast - and of course we had!

     There seems to be a trend of late for people to leave objects along paths and trails for others to admire or take home. Some are quite elaborate creations, as was this leather feather.

     We left it there for others to enjoy.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) form a classic restful image along any of the waterways of the region.

     An American Black Duck (Anas rubipres) seemed content to keep them company.

     At every turn we were reminded that fall has arrived and with it the splendour of an eastern deciduous woodland preparing for winter.

     Perennial Sow Thistles (Sonchus arvensis) are set to have their seeds borne by the wind.

     American Beaver (Castor canadensis) bears the title of Nature's Architect with good reason. Their work on the Mill Race has reduced the downstream flow to a mere trickle.

Stargazing in Macton, ON

     Andrew has been a keen amateur astronomer since I first knew him as a teenager, and we were anxious to join him in an exploration of the night sky. Marj (Miriam's sister) and her husband, Dave, permitted us to set up our equipment at their farm, where the sky is unimpeded by light pollution from the city.

     It was all new and fascinating for Miriam and me, and here is what we saw.

Solar system: Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune (Likely), Uranus, Mars, and the moon.

Galaxies: The Milky Way, Andromeda (M31), Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and Cigar Galaxy (M82)

Star: Vega

Star Clusters: Perseus Double Cluster (open), Great Globular Cluster (globular, M13) and M92 (globular).

     Some of the distances involved defy belief and are impossible to grasp, at least for me. The Cigar Galaxy is 12 million light years from Earth and the Andromeda Galaxy 2.5 million light years away. It would be a really good idea if we learned to take better care of the Earth - our only home.

02 October, 2022

St. Jacobs, ON

     One of the exquisite features of living in this part of southern Ontario is the presence of a large and vibrant Mennonite community. To witness the parade of horses and buggies going to church on Sunday mornings is an event cherished by many. It is familiar to us, but new to Andrew, so we made a point to witness the spectacle before he and Caroline left for home. 

The pictures need no further comment from me, but I invite you to conjure in your mind the sweet strains of a cappella hymns wafting from the church. Like most orthodox or fundamentalist sects of any faith, men and women are seated separately.

     We had a wonderful weekend together and we were sorry when it came time to part company. If only we lived a little closer to each other......

Trivia

     On Monday I led a walk for Waterloo Public Library with an enthusiastic group of about twenty people, and one of the participants asked me for the definition of a keystone species. It occurs to me that others may have heard the term and have only a vague understanding of what it is. A keystone species is an organism that defines an ecosystem, without which the natural environment would be different. The organism does not have to be numerically superior to be considered a keystone species. Woodpeckers, for example, might be a keystone species by providing most of the holes required by other organisms. Without their presence the community would change radically.