21-Oct-2019
Poppy
A few poppies still hanging on in late October.
21-OCT-2019
German yellowjacket (Vespula germanica)
According to Bug Guide: Native to Europe, Northern Africa, and temperate Asia. It apparently first appeared in Montreal in the 1960’s.
21-Oct-2019
Paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
This is the native paper wasp.
21-Oct-2019
Northern cardinal, male
One of several cardinals visiting the feeder in the Backyard Garden section of the wildlife garden. Another species that doesn't migrate and so is seen year-round.
21-Oct-2019
Grasshopper (Melanoplus)
One of dozens of grasshoppers around the garden on a sunny mild day.
21-Oct-2019
Striped sweat bee (Agapostemon sp.)
Checking out the insect hotel at the edge of the old woods.
21-Oct-2019
White-breasted nuthatch
This little bird is non-migratory and can be found year-round at the garden. Here it is enjoying some peanuts.
21-Oct-2019
Window at the garden's resource centre
As you can see, this window is covered in small dots which break up the pattern of the glass, even when vegetation is reflected in it, to prevent birds from striking the window. Too many millions of birds die annually from hitting glass windows, doors, buildings.... It is a preventable tragedy because solutions exist to prevent these window strikes.
21-Oct-2019
Song sparrow
A couple of song sparrows were seen at the garden; time for them to head south!
21-Oct-2019
Sweat bee (Halictini)
Five of these tiny sweat bees were feeding on sow-thistle (Sonchus), some of the few remaining blooms at the garden. It is getting tougher for nectar-feeding insects to find food as autumn passes and plants die off.
21-Oct-2019
Red oak
The more subdued bronze and burgundy colours of red oaks contrast with the intense scarlet of sugar maples and sumacs.
21-Oct-2019
Blue jay
It was a perfect autumn day with sun and mild temperatures. Birds were numerous around the wildlife garden, including five jays coming to the feeder in the Backyard Garden area. Also seen around the garden were: song sparrows, chickadees, cardinals, goldfinches, crows, robins, starlings, white-breasted nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, and overheard a red-tailed hawk, ring-billed gulls and canada geese.
