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.
23-MAY-2009
Purple Loosestrife Beetle (Galerucella calmariensis)
During my talk on garlic mustard, I discussed the issue of biocontrol. One success story in recent times is that of the release of the purple loosestrife beetle, Galerucella which is going a long way to controlling this invasive species. Here, you can see one of the tiny beetles.
23-MAY-2009
Purple Loosestrife Beetle (Galerucella calmariensis) on purple loosestrife
You can see all the beetles busily at work munching on the leaves.
23-MAY-2009
Purple Loosestrife Beetle (Galerucella calmariensis)
Another view of this hard-working little beetle.
23-MAY-2009
Four-spotted skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)
Getting away from invasive species, I saw this native dragonfly at the FWG today, although I have to confess this photo was taken elsewhere in Ottawa, a few days ago, because I couldn't get close to the one at FWG.
22-MAY-2009
American redstart, male
Today was a day of birds in pairs. A pair of green herons looking very much like they are checking out nest sites. A pair of eastern kingbirds, a pair of Baltimore orioles, a very active pair of American redstarts who were singing endlessly, yellow warblers checking out one of their favourite nesting areas, lots of tree swallows nesting, chickadees happily on the nest in some nest boxes
22-MAY-2009
House wren
A pair of house wrens was in a nest box!! As far as I know, this is the first nesting of this species at the FWG. I was listening to the redstarts raising a ruckus, when I became aware of a wren calling from somewhere behind me. Imagine my surprise when one popped out of a nest box, and another flew to the top. I was able to get photographs without going close, although I've had to crop them a lot. I would hate to see them disturbed. It is not that house wrens are uncommon, or uncommon nesters in gardens, but just that we've not had them nesting at FWG before (as far as I know!).
22-MAY-2009
House wren pair
Apart from the wrens and the other birds mentioned, there was a barn swallow zipping across the pond, a flock of cedar waxwings, and all the other usual birds. A few days ago a merlin was in the Ash woods making quite a fuss. On that day I also saw an accipiter, moving too fast to see whether it was sharp-shinned or cooper's. It flew (zoomed) across the pond and then down the ravine.
22-MAY-2009
Cedar waxwings
Part of a flock of 8 at the garden this afternoon.
22-MAY-2009
Eastern kingbird
Today there were a lot of insects around, including about 8 cabbage white butterflies, two clouded sulphurs, 4 silvery blues and another 3 blues which flew by very fast and vanished. Both silver blues and spring azures are flying now, although the latter are almost at the end of their flight season. Near the pond was a very freshly emerged damselfly. It was far too new for me to ID it. These just emerged odonates are really tough to put a name to as they often bear no resemblance to what they will look like very soon. As well, bumblebee queens, lots of nomada bees, polistes, yellowjackets, and so forth. This kingbird will be happy with the abundance!
22-MAY-2009
Green frog (Rana clamitans)
I saw the muskrat in the pond with a mouthful of cattails. Although I patiently waited for nearly 30 minutes, he didn't re-emerge. In the meantime I was entertained by the toads who were trilling again after a hiatus. Found a dead leopard frog today. Herons usually swallow them whole, but this one was missing a leg and had other injuries.... maybe a crow caught it and then dropped it. We see few of these frogs at FWG, so it could even be that it was dropped by a bird who'd caught it elsewhere. Fortunately, this green frog was very much alive and well. Speaking of amphibians, treefrogs were calling from many locations in the garden.
19-MAY-2009
Eastern bluebird, male
I found a pair of eastern bluebirds in the Arboretum which was a bit of a surprise. No mockingbird, unfortunately, which is what I had been looking for.
19-MAY-2009
Eastern bluebird, male
Another photo of the very colourful male.
19-MAY-2009
Chipmunk
Saw this little chipmunk sticking his head out of a hole in a tree root. Seemed to me to be a pretty cute sight!
17-MAY-2009
Muskrat
Stopping to look over the pond, Gillian noticed this muskrat busy amongst the cattails.
11-MAY-2009
Green heron
Heading down the slope behind the BYG, Gillian found lots of yellow-rumped warblers and warbling vireos, as well as this green heron by the little island. While walking back to the FWG, she noticed eastern kingbird and... great find, a northern mockingbird!!
13-MAY-2009
Toothwort (Dentaria triphylla)
I was also in the Ash Woods yesterday morning and photographed the Toothwort as well. Here you can see the leaves which resemble to a large extent, those of Dewberry (Rubus).
13 May 2009
Toothwort (Dentaria diphylla)
France noticed this large clump of Toothwort, a native plant, in the Ash woods.
13 May 2009
Red baneberry (Actaea rubra)
France photographed this lovely baneberry flower. This native plant produces bright red glossy berries in summer.
13 May 2009
Periwinkle ( Vinca minor)
France was at the FWG today and saw a number of flowers blooming around the garden. Here she has photographed the Periwinkle flowers in the Ash woods. Unfortunately, periwinkle is an invasive plant, a garden escape that does too well in wild areas.
13-MAY-2009
Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) on plum blossom
There were two mourning cloaks at FWG yesterday on the plum blossoms. Last year I photographed them on the plum as well.
13 May 2009
Great blue heron
France saw this heron in the Arboretum, where it has been hanging out most days. Yesterday I saw it flying from the Arboretum over the FWG, and then circling back again to the Arboretum.
13 May 2009
Bumblebee
These big queen bumblebees are quite common now. Yesterday I saw one entering a hole in the ground underneath a tree. Soon we'll be seeing the workers.
13 May 2009
False solomon's-seal (Smilacina racemosa)
This native plant is spreading quickly in the Ash woods. France caught the flower buds still unopened.
12-MAY-2009
Rose-breasted grosbeak, male
Not taken at the FWG, but nearby. However, I saw one of these beautiful birds this morning at the garden. Orioles were singing from all over the garden, and males and females could be seen in many places. The green heron was back in the pond, yellow warblers were checking out potential nest sites.
12-MAY-2009
Common raven
Two ravens were calling and circling over the garden for at least 10 minutes, followed by a retinue of crows eager to see them off! This photo is not great, but it does show the distinctive silhouette of the raven with its wedge-shaped tail.
12-MAY-2009
Great blue heron
Down in the Arboretum a great blue heron was in the stream near the Canal.
12-MAY-2009
Serviceberry flowers and leaves (Amelanchier sp.)
I can't believe how much is in bloom. Every day things leaf out and blossom, while for other plants their blooming for the year is over already. It seems like only yesterday that we were waiting for any sign of green to be poking above the soil.
12-MAY-2009
Stop and smell the flowers
Chipmunks, amongst many other creatures, love the fresh leaves, buds, flowers. Here is a photo of one munching the plum blossoms.
09-MAY-2009
International Migratory Bird Day 2009
Today was International Migratory Bird Day, always the second Saturday in May. The forecast was for rain and thunderstorms so I was worried that nobody would turn up, despite the pleasant weather of the early morning hours when there was even sun. However, 23 people did assemble for the walk, fewer than we've had in recent years, but a good crowd given the weather predictions. The walk was once again very capably led by Peter Fuller.
09-MAY-2009
International Migratory Bird Day 2009
The rain began about 10 minutes after the group set out. Light at first, it soon became a steady downpour, but they remained out for about another hour. And not surprisingly because the birding was really good! Peter found all sorts of neat things including a scarlet tanager, a green heron, yellow warblers, rose-breasted grosbeak, white-crowned sparrows, etc.
Here is a list of birds submitted by Peter Fuller:
Ring-billed gull
Mallard
Great blue heron
Green heron
Red-tailed hawk (possibly, but too far too see well)
Tree swallow
Northern rough-winged swallow
Rock pigeon
Mourning dove
Northern flicker
Hairy woodpecker
White-breasted nuthatch
American crow
Blue jay
Common grackle
European starling
Red-winged blackbird
Brown-headed cowbird
Scarlet tanager
American robin
Gray catbird
Warbling vireo
Chestnut sided warbler
Black-throated green warbler
Yellow-rumped warbler
Yellow warbler
Nashville warbler
Black-capped chickadee
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted grosbeak
American goldfinch
House finch
White-crowned sparrow
Chipping sparrow
Song sparrow
Additionally, Peter had the following species on the same day before the walk began while scouting out the area: Canada goose, Killdeer, Barn swallow, Pileated woodpecker, Downy woodpecker, Red-breasted nuthatch, Eastern kingbird, Baltimore oriole, Blackburnian warbler, Ruby-crowned kinglet, White-throated sparrow, Savannah sparrow.
So, all in all, a pretty respectable list of birds for a showery morning.
09-MAY-2009
Crow in birdbath
While the birding group was out birding, this crow was taking the opportunity to have a drink in the BYG birdbath.
09-MAY-2009
Mallard pair
And these mallards were having a great time in the Backyard Garden (BYG) pond. I am not sure that the eleven green frogs were happy about this as mallards will take frogs.
09-MAY-2009
chipmunk
And while the birds and birders were busy, this little chipmunk was also busy digging up the garden. Notice the dirt on his nose.
08-MAY-2009
Tree swallow in the rain
Tomorrow's walk will, besides looking at birds, look at native plants too and which ones are important food sources for birds. Hopefully the rain won't be as torrential as it was for awhile today when this swallow was drenched.
08-MAY-2009
White-crowned sparrow
There were also lots of white-crowned sparrows, chipping sparrows, song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, pine siskins, goldfinches, tree swallows, red-winged blackbirds, chickadees, house finches, and many more.
08-MAY-2009
White-crowned sparrow
Another view of the White-crowned sparrow.
08-MAY-2009
Canada plum
The plants have grown phenomenally fast. All the crabapples and other flowering shrubs are beginning to bud and bloom and flowers are popping up all over.
08-MAY-2009
Green frog (Rana clamitans)
By the way, there were ELEVEN green frogs in the BYG pond!! Getting a bit crowded I'd say!
5 May 2009
Bumblebee queen (Bombus sp.) on a dandelion
It was one of those days when you weren't sure whether to keep a sweater on or take it off. In the sun it was warm but when the wind blew and the sun was hidden by clouds, it was surprisingly cool. These conditions are not great for butterflies as they tend to stay put on such days, and many other insects were harder to locate today.
However, bumblebee queens are really common now and they are so busy that nothing deters them. YOu may have noticed them flying slowly and low over the ground, as if patrolling, which in a sense they are. They are looking for a safe place to start their colony. Once this has been achieved, the queen must get busy provisioning it with pollen. She lays her eggs on the pollen balls and then broods them, just as a bird does. So, the two separate queen bees in these photos have obviously both found a suitable nest site and are now busy gathering pollen, one on a willow and one on a dandelion.
5 May 2009
Bumblebee queen (Bombus sp.) on willow, head-on view
5 May 2009
Mating bees
Still on bees for a moment, I noticed these two minute bees mating on a dandelion. I only got a couple of photos, from behind, so I am not sure what species they are, but possibly one of the small carpenter bees. They might also be Halictids (sweat bees), but without a better look I can't really say. Notice the pollen on their wings, legs and bodies!
5 May 2009
Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
I found an Asian lady beetle on a plum tree, the second lady beetle of the spring, the other one being the tiny native spotted lady beetle, back in April.
5 May 2009
Black-capped chickadees
Chickadees have taken over another nest box. I watched them from behind a tree for awhile and it was quite amusing. At one point one went into the nest box, probably arranging the nest material to satisfaction. Meanwhile, the other one flew onto the roof of the box and stretched his (or her) head in all directions as if looking for his partner. Eventually, he alighted on the post behind the box and began peering into the box through the air gap at the back as if to say "are you in there?". Meanwhile, the other one was peering out of the entrance hole.
5 May 2009
Apple blossom time
More and more flowers are opening in the woods and elsewhere. Foamflower is just about ready to bloom, solomon's seal is pushing up from the ground in leaps and bounds, wild ginger is out and blooming (but you have to really look to find the flower), and now the crabapples are in bud, soon to be in flower. The crabapples, none of them native species, are wildly attractive to birds, squirrels and insects at different times of the year!
5 May 2009
Violet, dog (Viola conspersa)
Most violets are notoriously difficult to ID, and I have just about given up. Fortunately, there are a few (very few) which are relatively easy, and this is one.
5 May 2009
Painted turtle
This turtle was basking on a rock at the Arboretum, next door to the FWG. I haven't yet been able to photograph the one in our pond, so took this shot instead. This one is quite a bit smaller than the FWG one.
3 May 2009
Walk at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
A well-attended walk at the FWG this morning, was co-sponsored by the Ottawa Wildlife Festival and the FWG.
3 May 2009
Walk at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
France Rivet was kind enough to take these photos of the walk and of some of the things observed.
3 May 2009
Two male Red-winged blackbirds
You can just see the second one hidden by the cattails on the left of the photo. This was taken at the Amphibian pond.
3 May 2009
Red-winged blackbird, female
The blackbirds are busy nesting now that the females have returned.
3 May 2009
Hawthhorn (Crataegus sp.)
There are many species of hawthorns and we don't know which ones we have at FWG. They are very hard to identify down to species level. However, the fruit of these shrubs is eaten by squirrels and some birds.
3 May 2009
Walk at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
3 May 2009
American goldfinch, male
Seen and heard on the walk, lots of goldfinches, including this beautiful male in fresh spring plumage.
3 May 2009
Heading through the Ash woods
3 May 2009
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadense)
These native spring ephemerals bloom prolifically in the Ash woods as well as in the BYG
3 May 2009
Walk at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
2 May 2009
Sweat bee (prob. Agapostemon sp.) on dandelion
It was a sunny but cool day with strong, cold winds. Few insects and birds were about, but this tiny sweat bee was exploring a dandelion.
2 May 2009
Magnolias against blue sky
Despite the wind ripping the petals off, the magnolia still had lots of flowers.
2 May 2009
Black-capped chickadee
Many birds are already nesting, for example cardinals, crows, house sparrows, and these black-capped chickadees.
2 May 2009
Black-capped chickadee at nest box
2 May 2009
Mayapple
The mayapple is just coming up, but already bloodroot flowers are gone! Amazing how quickly the flowers come and go. Trilliums are now open, bellwort is flowering, violets are appearing....
