31 May 2009
Song sparrows with caterpillars
Diane was at the FWG this morning, and despite the cold, windy, and at times rainy, weather,she said "A few birds were flying and singing and I was able to photograph some of the birds. The highlight was seeing and being able to photograph Song Sparrows with caterpillars in their beaks. One of the Song Sparrows has no tail. I assume it got injured, but it is still able to fly. Both sparrows would fly and come back to the evergreen for a long period with caterpillars in their beaks. It was fun to watch."
31 May 2009
Song sparrow with caterpillars
Another view of the song sparrow
31 May 2009
Eastern kingbird with nest material
Diane saw this kingbird flying around with some nest material so perhaps they are going to nest in the garden again after an absence of a few years. Not that they have ever been far away! They have nested in the Arboretum, right next door to the FWG.
31 May 2009
Cedar Waxwing
These waxwings won't be nesting for awhile, as they nest later than many species.
31 May 2009
Baltimore oriole
Diane notes "I saw Baltimore Orioles in different locations of the garden and they were singing their lovely song. "
31 May 2009
Yellow Warbler
Another species that is beginning to nest now at FWG. "Cedar Waxwings were there in small number, plus American Goldfinches and also a few Yellow Warblers such as this one. I was happy to see a Eastern Kingbird in the old field. Cardinals were signing in many areas of the gardens. Red-winged blackbird were near the pond and flying in the fields. I even saw one chasing a bird away from its nest."
23-MAY-2009
Garlic mustard day
Yesterday, May 22, was the International Day for Biodiversity. FWG participated but we held an event today, Saturday. The theme this year was invasive species and the focus was on garlic mustard and Rusty Crayfish. At FWG we have no rusty crayfish so the emphasis was on garlic mustard. We had a talk for about 40 minutes on this species, its biology, ecology and advances in biocontrol for garlic mustard. We the then took the group to look at this plant in situ, and after lunch, spent an hour pulling up the stuff. The event was coordinated in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature.
23-MAY-2009
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
This is a large patch on the east slope of the Ash Woods. While garlic mustard is more or less under control in most areas of the garden (we've been working at it for years!), this large population has grown over the last few years and really surprised us this year by the extent of its spread. We worked further up the slope and six of us managed to fill two very large garbage bags with garlic mustard. But we have a lot more to do yet.
23-MAY-2009
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
Another view of the garlic mustard on the east slope of the woods.
23-MAY-2009
Garlic mustard site
This is one area on the top edge of the east slope where three volunteers removed a lot of garlic mustard from amongst other vegetation.
23-MAY-2009
Garlic mustard site
This was the second site we worked on. Before we began, the are now bare was full of garlic mustard. Of course, we know we'll be back year after year for some years to control the new growth.
