I TORONTO TORONTO Plants Mushrooms Mammals Number Flealth Invertebrates Fishes Ferns Coming Birds 9 10, ISLAND 16,18,19,20 22,23 24 events 532 14,16,21,22 I. 13,14,15, 12 scene 15,21,23 27-28
17,24,26 FIELD SUMMER
site Inside drawing ISSUE by Weather TFN Volunteers outings RENLS flewsietter publications President’s
Nominating NATURALIST Mary - meetings Anne 25—26 3—9,15 29 needed Committee submissions Miller, Report 30
2 47 / 12,16,28 10 Sept. Report 29 May 2003 2005 11 ______
TFN 532 - 2
TFNMEETINGS
Sunday, May 1, 2005 - FOREST STRUCTURE AND NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS, an illustrated talk by Richard Joos, hairman of at 2:30 pm the Toronto Bird Observatory, ‘who is working on at Dwanuel College his PhD in avian ecology at the University of Toronto. 75 çAieen’s Park Cres. st This talk will be about forest birds, mostly VISITORS WELCOME! neotropical migrants, but also some resident species. Suitable for the %hole family + a “social hour” with free coffee and juice beginning at 2 pm + time to renewmemberships (See form on oaqe 29.)
Meeting Place
subWay —_.. Bloor St. West ..
ROM I seconI door scuth of c at scxxth end of (2) Orles St. on O’een’ Charles St. West 1J1d1T1, dn Park Cresent Est a fec stem Of an —.subway___I_ cutside stairll ‘.bte: Dr does not - [MMANUEL have autaretic orener. COLLEGE St. Marys St. to ch 0 Eltroriic Elevator on inside to Classrtxm 001. the right. entrance Lecture rn is aie flcx,r t1c street Queen’s Pk. Cr. E. level.
People who enjoy regular encounters with wildlife have better overall mental health than those who do not. This does not require visits to ‘wild’ places; even people with access to a garden showed improved results compared with those without. Studies suggest that, as well as benefits to physical health from being in the open, there may be social and psychological advantages too. Encounters with nature provide a vital counterbalance to the stress of modern life.
from “Wild Therapy” by Stephen Moss in BD WILDLIFE, Vol. 23, No. 2, Feb. 05 (2)’ nEr1rI3
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532 -
ED.
3 TEN 532 - 4
TEN OUTINGS
REMEMBER: Children and visitors are welcome on all outings but please, NO PETS! To get to outings on time, check TTC routes and schedules by calling 416-393-4636. Check the weather by calling 416-661-0123 so you will know what to wear on outings which go rain or shine.
May 1 TFN MEETING
Wednesday ROUGE PARK - wildf1a.ers Nay 4 Leader: Peter Money 11 am Meet at the Pearse House, ]749 Meadowvale Rd. (north of Sheppard Ave. East). Bring Lunch.
Saturday WATERFRONT - nature arts May 7 Leader: Yoshie Nagata 10:30 am Meet in the food court on the second floor of the Queen Quay Terminal Building, foot of York St., south sides of Queen s Quay West. BrErg what you need for otcrajhy, sketchingt or psinting and anything you wish to shc the group WhEJ1 copsre our iroming ‘s ork after lunch.
Wednesday CENTENNIAL PARK - wildflers May 11 Leader: Peter Money 0 10:30 am Meet at the west end of Rathburn Rd. at the bus loop. Bring lunch.
Sunday LAMBTON HOUSE - heritage walk May 15 Leader: Madeleine McDowell 1 pm Meet at Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas St., on the east bank of the Humber River just south of Dundas St. West. This is a joint outing with the North Toronto Green Carnunity.
Tuesday TAYLOR CREEK - evening rarrble May 17 Leader: Gail Gregory 6:45 pm Meet at the south east corner of Woodbine Ave. and O’Connor Dr.
Wednesday G. ROSS LORD PARK - birds May 18 Leader: Carol Sellers 10 am Meet at the northeast corner of Finch Ave. West and Dufferin St. Bring lunch and binoculars. t>
•TFN events are conducted by unpaid volunteers. •Theclub assumesno responsibility for injuries sustained by anyone participating in our activities. •Children are welcome at all TEN events, but must be accompanied by an adult. TFN532-5 MAY OUTINGS (cont’d)
Saturday BELLAMY RAVINE - nature walk May 21 Leader: Karin Fawthrop 10 am Meet at the southwest corner of Kingston Rd. and Bellamy Rd. Bring binoculars. Morning only.
Tuesday GERMAN MILLS PARK - evening rarrb1e May 24 Leader: Theresa Moore 6:45 pm Meet at the northeast corner of Steeles Ave. East and Leslie St.
Thursday ROUGE VALLEY - wi1dflrs May 26 Leader: Peter Money 11 am Meet at the Pearse House, 1749 Meadowvale Rd. (north of Sheppard Ave. East). Bring lunch.
Saturday CHINE DRIVE RAVINE - nature walk May 28 Leader: Ken Cook 10 am Meet at the southeast corner of Kingston R. and Chine Dr. Bring binoculars. Morning only.
Wednesday EARL BALES PARK - nature walk June 1 Leader: Roger Pow1ey 10 am Meet at the northeast corner of Bathurst St. and Lyonsgate Dr. (5 blocks north of Wilson Ave.) Bring lunch and H1noculars.
Saturday ASHBRIDGES BAY PARK - nature arts June 4 Leader: Eric Lin 10:30 am Meet at the southeast corner of Lake Shore Blvd. East and Coxwe 11 Ave. Bring what you need for ±iotcrahy, sketching or a:inting and anything you wish to show the group when we canjere our riornng’ s work after lunch.
Sunday HIGH PARK - trees June 5 Leader: Bohdan Kowalyk 1:30 pm Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bhoor St. West opposite High Park Ave.
Wednesday WEST DON VALLEY - nature walk June 8 Leaders: Phoebe Cleverley & Pinky Franklin 10:30 am Meet at the subway exit on the south side of Old York Mills Rd. just east of Yonge St. Br±nglunchandbinoculars.
Sunday SHERWOOD PARK - environriental thees June 12 Leader: Janice Palmer 2 pm Meet at the park entrance on Sherwood Ave., 200 metres east of Mt Pleasant Rd. This walk, with nrx]erate curbing, will end where it tegiris. Can a perk te loved too nuch? Examine Sherwood’s special natural features, evidence of heaT use, rrethods used to reduc the resulting problens. TFN 532 - 6 JUNE OUTINGS (cont’d)
Tuesday HIGH PARK - nature walk June 14 Leader: Ron Allan 10 am Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. West opposite High Park Ave. Morning only. Hofully the lupines will 1e flowering.
Saturday HUMBER BAY PARK EAST - birds June 18 Leader: Valerie Allen 10:30 am Meet at the southwest corner of Lake Shore Blvd. West and Park Lawn Rd. Bring lunch and bincxDulars. This will te an all-day walk.
Sunday ASHERIDGE’S BAY WATERSHED - urbsn ecoly June 19 Leader: John Wilson 2 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Queen St. East and Neville Park Blvd. This is a joint outing with the North Ibronto Green CcTrrrunity.
Tuesday TAYLOR CREEK PARK - wildflowers June 21 Leader: Melanie Milanich 10:30 am Meet at th Victoria Park subway station. Bring lunch.
fe ryy Wednesday TORONTO ISLAND - evening ramble $ tickets June 22 Leader: Jenny Bull 6:45 pm Meet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. in time to take the ferry to Ward’s Island where we will meet the leader.
Saturday WEST DON VALLEY - nature walk June 25 Leader: Alexander Cappell 2 pm Meet at the northeast corner of Yonge St. and York Mills Rd.
Wedneday ROWNTREE MILLS PARK - birds & insects June 29 Leader: Carol Sellers 10 am Meet at the northwest corner of Finch Ave. West and Islirigton Ave. Bring lunch and binoculars. + Wednesday WESTERN GAP - evening ramble June 29 Leader: Peter Iveson 6:45 pm Meet at the southwest corner of Queen’s Quay West and Bathurst St.
Saturday MUSIC GARDEN - nature arts July 2 Leader: Rosemarie White 10:30 am Meet at the southwest corner of Queen’s Quay West and Bathurst St. B rino what you need for photograpy, sketching or painting and anything you wish to show the - grOup when ccxrere our nrrning’ s ork after lunch. 0 TFN 532 - 7 JULY OUTINGS (cont’d)
Wednesday DON VALLEY - landscape & natural features July 6 Leader: Ed Freeman 1:30 pm Meet at Chorley Park, southeast corner of Surnmerhill Ave. and Douglas Dr. (Take 1:20 pm Rosedale bus frOm Yofige St) This will ha a long walk to the Ontario Science Centre & hack. Bring a snack, water and a hat.
Thursday TORONTO ISLAND - evening rarrble fe $ July 7 Leader: Albert Fulton ic e tts 6:45 pm Meet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. in time to täie the ferry to Ward’s Island where we will meet the leader. We will ha looking at residential architecture, an artist’s stndio and gardens. The walk will end at the Island Archives.
Saturday EAST POINT - nature walk July 9 Leader: Ken Cook 10:30 am Meet at the southeast corner of the Guildwood Parkway and Morningside Ave. Bring lunch.
Wednesday HUMBER ARBORETUM - birds & insects July 13 Leader: Carol Sellers 10 am Meet at the Arboretum entrance behind Huinber College, off Humber College Blvd. and West of Highway 27. Bring lunch.
Saturday LESLIE STREET SPIT - birds & insects July 16 Leader: Ann Gray 10:30 am Meet at the southwest corner of Queen St. East and Leslie St. Bring lunch and binoculars. This will ha an all-day walk.
Sunday NORTH TORONTO - urhan ecolngy July 17 Leader: Helen Mills 2 pm Meet at the southwest corner of Yonge St. and Montgomery Ave. This is a joint walk with the North Toronto Green CCITITLIrLity.
Wednesday WILKET CREEK & SUNNYBROOK PARKS - nature walk July 20 Leader: Phoebe Cleverley 10:30 am Meet t the park entrance on the west side of Leslie St. just north of Eglinton Ave. East. Bring lunch and binoculars. + Wednesday LAKE IROQUOIS SHORELINE - evening ranble July 20 Leader: Alex Wellington 6:45 pm Meet at the southeast corner of St. Clair West and Caledonia Rd.
Tuesday PROSPECT CEMETERY - trees July 26 Leader: Jack Radecki 10 am Meet at the cemetery entrance on the north side of St. Clair Ave. West, just west of Landowne Ave. Morning only. TFN 532 - 8 JULY OUTINGS (cont’d)
Wednesday LAKE IROQUOIS SHORELINE - evening rartble July 27 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Bayview Ave. and Moore Ave.
Sunday TODMORDEN MILLS - insects July 31 Leader: Merne Powers 11:30 ‘am Meet at the entrance to the park on the south side of Pottery Rd., downhill and west from the corner of Broadview Ave. and Mortimer Ave. Bring lunch.
Wednesday LAKE IROQUOIS SHORELINE - evening rantle August 3 Leader: Alex Wellington 6:45 pm Meet at the northwest corner of Bathurst St. and Davenport Rd.
Thursday GERMAN MILLS PARK - otogray August 4 Leader: Robin Powell 10:30 am Meet at the northeast corner of Steeles Ave. East and Leslie St. Bring lunch and canra equipnent.
Saturday EGLINTON WEST PARK - nature arts August 6 Leader: Mary Cummirig 10: 30 am Meet at the Eglinton West subway station. Bring what you nee for photcxratiy, sketching or painting and anyt±inq you wish to shc the group when we carpare our mDrning’ s rk after lunch.
Sunday CHARLES SAURIOL NATURE PRESERVE - nature walk August 7 Leader: Robin Powell 10:30 am Meet at the entrance on the south side of Lawrence Ave. East, just east of the Don Valley Parkway. Bring lunch.
Tuesday DON VALLEY - evening rantle August 9 Leader: Rosemary Aubert 6:45 pm Meet at the Broadview subway station.
Wednesday HUMBER BAY PARK - nature walk August 10 Leader: Barbara Kaithoff 10 am Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Lake Shore Blvd. West at the foot of Park Lawn Rd. Bring binobulas. rbrning only.
Saturday RAINBOW CREEK - Aiotogra±iy August 13 Leader: Robin Powell 10:30 am Meet at the northwest corner of Steeles Ave. West and Islington Ave. Bring lunch and cameras TFN 532 - 9 AUGUST OUTINGS (cont’d)
Thursday BASELANDS TO CHERRY BEACH - nature walk August 18 Leader: Boris Mather 10:30 am Meet at the southwest corner of Queen St. East and Leslie St. Bring lunch and binoculars.
Saturday ROUGE VALLEY - birds and bigs August 20 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:30 am Meet at the Rouge GO Station. Bring linh and binoculars. This will te an all-day walk.
Wednesday MARITA PAYNE PARK - birds August 24 Leader: Carol Sellers 10 am Meet at the northwest corner of Steeles Ave. West and Dufferin St. Bring lunch and binoculars.
Saturday WARDEN WOODS - insects August 27 Leader: Merne Powers 1 pm Meet at the southeast corner of St. Clair Ave. East and Warden Ave.
Sunday ROUGE VALLEY - photography August 28 Leader: Robin Powell 10:30 am Meet at the northeast corner of Sheppard Ave. East and Meadowvale Rd. Bring lunch and carrera equiprent. C
FRAGILE or BRITTLE FERN
— a rare native Toronto fern
Drawing by 0. Andrew White
Highland Creek, Spring, 1999
0./. LJ TFN532—1O C
President’s Report
Probably as never before, the Toronto Field Naturalists need volunteers. The recent retirement of the lontime volunteers. Helen and Aarne Juhola. has lefi vacancies in 4 key positions. These are the secretary-treasurer. newsletter editor, outings manager. and office manager. To maintain our core activities, newsletter, outings, monthly meetings and financial activities, these 4 positions must be filled by September this year. This is especially true of the secretary-treasurer position which could be argued is one of the most important in the TFN leadership. Our finances have been so well managed for so long that this position has become deceptively low profile.
As well as the vacancies described above, 3 new directors and a president for the board are needed. Recently the board has received many good ideas for changes to TFN activities. However, unless we get the resources (volunteers) to implement them, they will remain just good ideas.
At the Special General Meeting in March, the proposed membership fee increases were approved. This approval,however,does not free the TFN Board from the responsibility of finding cost savings. Starting with the 2005-06 season, membership cards for renewals for iernbers will not be issued any more. There will be a significant savings in postage and time. We could save even more in postage (and time) if more members renewed their Q memberships by the end of June. Robin Powell
NORTHERN CARDINAL drawing by Shawn Smith based on a photo by Rick Bowers
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11 TFN 532 — 12 C VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The following is a brief list of the activities of the 4 key vacancies that must be filled by Sept. 2005.
Newsletter Editor: Assemble articles, monthly meetings, outings, etc., in the established formats, coordinate editorial committee to ensure accuracy and completeness, ensure newsletter gets to the printer and mailer according to the established schedule, and prepare newsletter index Outings Manager: Consolidate outings information from coordinators for publication in newsletter, coordinate outings reports.
Office Manager: Maintain membership list, phone call log, filing, office supplies, and publications inventory Secretary-Treasurer: Keep the books, prepare fmancial statements, pay bills, prepare Federal and Provincial registered charity returns, manage reserve fund Robin Powell Please call the office (416)593—2656 and leave your name and the position in which you are interested. 0 R.P. C
Scarlet Cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea) drawing by Eva Davis
The cup fungi come in many colours: Vellow, brown, orange, and the radiant
brilliance of this scarlet cup. A spring species, it can be found peeping through dead leaves and even, upon occasion,
through the snow — a photographer’s dream. In Toronto Region, it has been encountered in Thornton Bales Park, King Conservation Area.
ref.: MUSHROOMSOF NORTHAMERICA by Orson K. Miller, Jr. 0 TFN 532 — 13
KEEPINGINTOUCH
Feb. 20, 2005 Fredericton is a lovely city of about 50,000 inhabitants on the banks of the majestic Saint John River. Besides its wealth of historic buildings, its libraries and galleries, and its urbane life, Fredericton takes a keen interest in its natural habitat and boasts some lovely parks like Odell Park, our version of High Park, with many kilometres of walking trails within a huge woodlot. Deer dwell here. The Great Homed Owl nests here. It is possible to see flocks of White-winged Crossbills foraging on cones in the upper branches of some of the park’s spruce trees.
When I moved to Fredericton, it was natural for me to attempt to replace something I had lost by moving away, namely TFN, with a similar group; joining the Fredericton Nature Club was therefore almost a no-brainer decision for me. The Fredericton Naturalist Club has fewer than one hundred members, but many of these are keen birders, botanists, or other types of naturalists.
To date, I have attended two monthly meetings (held mid-week in Ode]] Park Lodge) and two outings. The first meeting, a “Members’ Night” in early January, was an unqualified success. The most notable presentation was a “slide show” of digital photographs of birds by a club member. At the same meeting, an enthusiastic employee of Nature New Brunswick promoted the idea of fostering a “young naturalists group” within our organization: this idea may become * reality soon. I certainly recommend the idea of a “members” night to TFN.
I also was privileged to participate in the Fredericton Christmas bird count: count day, the Sunday before Christmas, was cold and snowy and my brother and I stopped by mid-afternoon after tallying 16 species in the New Maryland sector of the count; other parties were more successful, and the total count boasted a species tally in the upper fifties including some unusual winter birds like Red-bellied Woodpecker, Oregon Junco, and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.
Only six club members attended the club’s formal winter outing to the Fundy coast -- but what a day for birding! We viewed over forty species including many Common Eiders, a Harlequin Duck, numerous Bald Eagles, a Red-Headed Woodpecker, and a Golden-Crowned Sparrow that had been wintering at a feeder in St. George, NB since December. That last bird would be a “crowning” species for anyone’s list and is only the second NB record for this bird in NB. Andre Vietinghoff * Comment: Twice each year TFN has had a “members event” when the nature arts outing is held inside and members are invited to bring their slides and snapshots to share with others.
Age creeps up on me Nature constantly renews I [ Thank heavens for that! haiku by Joan Hayes TFN 532 — 14 KEEPING IN TOUCH (cont’d) C
March 1, 2G05 One wintry day in early 2003 we looked out our sunroom window and saw a stranger in our garden. On looking intently at this stranger, we came to the conclusion it was an opossum. Hardly believing our eyes, we phoned the Wildlife Services of the Toronto Humane Society who confirmed that opossums had indeed been spotted in our area. Our ravine garden is in the Humber River Ravine area south of Bloor Street. This ‘fellow’ was in very poor shape - very thin - his long tail nearly all gone - barely able to crawl. We tried giving him some food - fruit, bananas, etc., but he did not seem able to eat. The Wildlife Services came and took him away. They later called to tell us they had been unable to save him. They told us they believe opossums are arriving from their home in the southern U.S. on the large transports arriving daily at the Ontario Food Terminal on The Queen sway not far from our home. The summers of2003 and 2004 we saw an opossum several times under the bird feeder but never in the winter. Now, a few days ago — February 2005 - I looked out about 7 p.m. and what did I see but two raccoons with an opossum beside them walking across the garden in ttie snow. These creatures are longer than the raccoons, with long noses and lots of teeth. Every once in awhile this opossum would open its mouth and show its teeth to one of the raccoons who immediately took a step back. It was quite a sight. Two nights later we saw them again. However, as of now, no sightings, although we see the raccoons nearly every night. They love to stand in the heated birdbath water. What a joy for us and the rac coons to share our garden with this newcomer. [See also n’s itn on 22.] Catherine Cratchley
flrawinc by (‘,ail Greaory
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PROJECTS
WILDFLOWER REPORT The native wildflower which we most frequently find blooming in Toronto is the daisy fleabane. It’s been reported from May to November. This is similar to the introduced jeweiweed or spotted touch-me-not. Please continue to report all plants you find in bloom in any month, designating each with the “star” symbol as usual. Eventually we hope to produce a list of blooming dates for our Toronto plants for those inter ested in this aspect. Please send your observations to the TFN office. Diana Banville
MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
A big thank.you to the following members who enthusiastically spread the word about the TFN at Canada Blooms. Jackie Adams, Ann Atkinson, Elizabeth Block, Anne Byzko, David Caldwell, Nina Carlisle, Phoebe Cleverley, John Eastwood, Elizabeth Gladstone, Dana Hopson, Helene Johnston, David and Sylvia Main, Mildred Maasland, Melanie Milanich, Reta McWhinnie, Frances Money, Siobhan Montague, Yoshie Nagata, Evelyn O’Doherty, Yves Oger, Kathleen Reader, Gerry Shepherd, Rachelle Todesco, Margaret VanWagensveld and Miriam Webster. TFN had a flurry of new memberships after the show.
Would you like to go to the zoo? On Saturday May 7, 2005 the Toronto Zoo will be celebrating International Migratory Bird Day. We need volunteers for half a day to help with the TFN display. FREE ADMISSION to the zoo. Interested? Call the TFN office (416)593—2656 or Pinky Franklin (416)488-3226. We also need volunteers for Sat. May 14. (See page 28.) Pinky Franklin
Bat Sightings
The Task Force to Bring Back the Don is interested in any sightings of bats in the Don Valley or neighbouring parks and ravines. If you see any bats or find indications of bats roosting please report your K information to John Routh by e-mail to [email protected] or by [) phone 41 6-694-46 80. Remember to include the date, time, specific location, and what exactly you saw. If there are multiple bats, try to estimate how many. It would be useful if you could also include the species of the bat(s) but it is not necessary. C
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- 17 TFN 532 — 18 PROJECTS (cont’d) J
PLANTWATCH
PlantWatch is part of a national NatureWatch series of volunteer monitor ing programs designed to help identify ecological changes that may be affecting our environment. A joint venture between the Canadian Nature Federation and Environment Canada’s Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network Coordinating Office (EMANCO), PlaritWatch partners include repre sentatives from each province and territory. Our goa’ is to encourge Canadians of all ages to get involved in helping scientists discover how, and more importantly why, our natural environment is changing. The Plant- Watch program enables “citizen scientists” to get involved by recording flowering times for selected plant species and reporting these dates to researchers through the Internet or by mail. When you submit your data electronically, it’s added instantly to Web maps showing bloom dates across Canada, so your observations make a difference right away.
Plant watching has a long tradition and rich history. In 1750 the Swedish scientist and artist Linnaeus turned plant watching into a systematic science. He made calendars of flowering times for 18 places in Sweden, also noting the exact climatic conditions at these times. This was the foundation of modern plant phenology, which spread to many European countries and revealed, over the centuries, that some spring wildflowers are super—sensitive weather instruments. Over one hundred years ago in Canada, Nova Scotia’s Superintendent of education, Dr. Alexander H. MacKay had students collect plant, animal, agricultural and weather phenology from 1897 - 1923. Then ih- 1987 the Alberta Wildflower Survey started and blossomed into a program that initiated Alberta PlantWatch. The Alberta program then advised in the creation of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland PlantWatch. Today there are PlantWatch programs in each Province and Territory. The plants chosen bloom every spring, largely in response to rising temper atures. However, some species are flowering almost a month earlier than they were-a century ago! Scientists believe climate change is affecting blooming times - a trend that is continuing. They predict that the great est increas&a in temperature will be in Western and Northern Canada, while some parts of Eastern Canada actually may be cooling. By reporting on the PlantWatch species found in your community, you can help researchers dis cover how common plants are responding to climate change — and track where changes are taking place in Canada and at what rate. You can get plant-watching instructions and forms from the website (www.plantwatch.ca) or from Nature Canada (formerly the Canadian Nature Federation) by calling 1—800-267—4088. fran P1antWatch (www.plantwatch. ca)” n The Victoria Nata1ist, March, April 2005 Q TFN 532 — 19 FORREADING ROM WILDFLOWER GUIDE WINS AWARD
The Canadian Museums’Association has selected the ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario by Timothy Dickinson, Deborah Metsger, Jenny Bull and Richard Dickinson for an “Award for Outstanding Achievement”. This beautifully illustrated guide is organized by plant families and includes Ontario range maps, up-to-date classifications and a wealth of information. Published in 2004, it is available in bookstores and the ROM reproductions shop at $29.99 M .M.
DISCOVERY WALK PAMPHLETS RE-ISSUED Nine self-guided “Discovery Walks’ that link city ravines,parks, gardens, beaches and neighbourhoods have been developed by the city’s parks department. A set of practical brochures is available, including useful notes on points of interest and maps of the walking routes. Maps feature access paints reachable by public transit, information on distance, and approximate walking time necessary to complete an itinerary or sectiris thereof. On location, informative signage helps walkers learn more about an area’s social history and environment. These pamphlets are free and may be obtained by calling 416-392-8186. [They are available at Civic Centres.] adapted frQn an by Francesco Contini in the GLOBE & MAIL, Sept. 3, 2003 article U] TFN 532 — 20 C,
THE ALIENS ARE INVADING TORONTO
One of the most common shrubs in Toronto’s wild areas is common buckthorn (Rhamnus cethartica). It is easy to recognize because the female plants produce clumps of pea—size black drupes. It also has dull thorns in the crotches of the branches. It has unique small dark green leaves with veins like dogwoods. The buckthorn does not lose its leaves readily in the winter like our native plants, so this can help identify it. The flowers are inconspicuous and are borne on ridged spurs which resemble a buck’s antlers. It was originally called the buck’s horn tree. Although often planted as a fencerow shrub, it has escaped and is one of the worst introductions into North America. It can reproduce quickly and out-compete native shrubs. There has been no effective program to eliminate this plant. They are now trying to rid it from High Park. I say this is one of the worst intrcduced shrubs into North America for three reasons. The first reason is it is European and is therefore dis placing native plants. The second reason is that it is the alternate host to crown rust of oats. This rust affects oats’ yield and quality. There are hundreds of varieties of these crown rusts, so farmers are con— tinually fighting new ones. The third reason is it is a winter host to the soya bean aphid. Remember a few years ago we were inundated with millions of these tiny winged females. There were literally clouds of them all over the city. They are also detrimental to soya bean production. The best method of control for buckthorn is hand removal where chemicals are not involved. A lot of labour is not involved as it will take some time for the shrub to grow again even if there are seeds in the soil. The only positive thing about this shrub is it provides winter food for birds. The fruit is extremely cathartic if humans consume it. The berries were once used medicinally as a strong laxative. They added cinnamon, nutmeg and aniseed to counteract the bitter taste. A natural green dye comes from the fruit. It is well tialned, as it 5rj a thorn in the side of farmers and it costs them many bucks in lost revenue.
Roger Powley C
0 TFN 532 — 21
INTHENEWS
TEETH LIKE STEEL, ABLE TO SWIM IN SEWERS The brown rat is probably humankind’s most successful enemy. Formerly known as the Norway rat - although they originated in central Asia - the brown rat has been with us for a very long time and, no matter what we try, they persist. They can chew through concrete and metal. They can crawl through a hole the size of a quarter. They can swim well enough to catch fish and hold their breath long enough to emerge from the sewers, up the pipes and out our toilets. They can go 14 days without eating and engage in cannibalism when the need arises.
One well—known belief about rats — that there is generally one rat for every human in major cities - is pure mythology. After decades of exten sive study in Baltimore and New York, a biologist determined that a more accurate figure would be closer to one rat for every 36 urban residents. That would put about 70,000 rats in Toronto. Preventing rat infestations is not that difficult. There are three elements that make a residence desirable: food, water and access. To keep rats out, make sure you don’ t leave any food around and, even more important, deny them a constant water supply. Also, inspect your house for access points. Small rats can squeeze in through a hole the size of a pencil. If you are unfortunate enough to have rats, don’t try to solve the problem yourself. And, whatever you do, don’t buy a cat and expect results. Cats are excellent mousers, but aren’t really equipped to take on rats, which are bigger, more aggressive and likely to use teamwork. extracta. fran an article by Jerly Langtcn in the Toronto Star, March 19, 2005
LET’S TALK MOSQUITOES Human infection by West Nile virus may be more common in North America than in Europe because of a hybrid mosquito that bites both birds and humans, carrying the virus from one to the other. European mosquito species tend to bite either birds or humans, but not both, according to the Smithsonian Institution. frun SCEIAL SIUDIES by Michael Kesterton, in E GEDBE ANDMAIL, March 11, 2004
THOSE OVERLOOKED MOTHS Moths are ‘butterflies of the night.’ How often do we pass by moths under a porch light or fluttering under a street lamp without giving them a second glance? Yet moths, with their intricate patterns and curious coloration, are equal in beauty to butterflies. What’s more, they far outnumber butterflies. Nearly 11,000 species of moths are found in North America north of Mexico, compared with about 765 species of butterflies. Motha are so plentiful that many have yet to be given common English names. fran SODIAL FItJD]ES by Michael Kestertan, in T4E GLOBE ANDMAIL, March 11, 2004 who branches. The The The Centre A as able, city of thin, confused bourhoods the The Ontario. of extracted easy Scarborough. and pollution productivity and Research away inadequate road-rage, $465.2 extracted large (OCFP) IN MEET PHYSICTANS TFN532-22 recently they opossums serious THE will fran them Research appearance eight may urban opossum opossum, animal options report fatalities in - from YOUR hairless clawless parking million and relating environmental NEWS “Rort trap the are fran fran have as by cited bird environrrnt caused from each NEW unreliable Ontario released characterizes and public is anxiety they WEIGH keen is the an last living for an has (cont’d) North animals in a considered Batenan lots article article NEIGHBOURS and big species widespread Last about ears offices, in other. as in positive walking to Ontario strange grow proven to five 2,060 TN direct well the transportation; behaviour, America’s toe, Medical opossums, in that and year adapt. and report AGAINST ty the health or itself Contest” older. years, attics — report by premature post-traumatic as Jonathan Patrick that animal a and even food or push in shops environmental alone health—care a size sprawl -- their physical long, negative by Association biking; low 2003. doesn’t a committee in THE URBAN many The and only if feed or buildings source. links Boake of then long and the Spicer they there risk the a flight chimneys, scaly as OPOSSUMS are only a deaths, marsupial, of child Ontario them, restaurants; GLOBE in SPRAWL house flattened, it and mentalhealth areas zoning sprawl were prevent in pedestrian—unfriendly for which were now siness costs potential tail is cites stress the pattern, attitude mental ND So back figures which can disease being watching cat highly with 48,690 BlcxDr-Bay as College far 115 to that MAIL, came that and animals urban learn Edge, from with has raccoons disorder. increased calls pointed there encourages health high reported divides estimate Jan. $585.6 from their that for it and likely emergency limited swept Feuaiy the impacts 1kn through to short of sprawl uses volumes 31, harm have to parasite from will residents Family problems identify roads Crier, nose. million often call, 2004 east the that traffic low-density to in legs, activity smog—related 17, been reliance settling is as such the room stay streets; Markham Toronto cling of and Februaiy 2005 across do. from their a Physicians the transmission. window. major an It few at traffic; in in as who with visits, accidents farther child has oppos As to people, southern centres least lost stress, here, on reports 2005 were Wildlife and the neigh tree well, cause and an air •1
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23 to TFN 532 — 24 IN THE NEWS (cont’d)
KILLER FLAP ON LESLIE SPIT
Naturalists see the cormorant controversy as a cruel irony in which a native species coming back from the brink is being set up for unwarranted punishment. And they’re outraged that the rod and gun lobby—which they believe has oversized clout at the province’s Ministry of Natural Resources —is pushing to expand a cull that saw 6,000 of the birds shot last spring in Presqu’ile Provincial Park, west of Belleville, joining similar efforts in a rising number of American states. Naturalists believe there is plenty of room in the park for all species to keep moving on to new areas with trees, allowing natural regeneration t take its course at sites they’ve vacated. Cormorants, they note, only nest on very isolated points and islands, where they concentrate so densely that - they take up relatively little space.
Central to the issue is the paradox that the Leslie Street Spit is a human creation, gradually built up with dumped landfill from construction since 1965. But itts been claimed by a succession of plants, trees and wild creatures, becoming one of the city’s most important nature preserves.
The Spit’s night heron population has increased in tandem with the cormorants over the past five years, points out the Toronto Ornithological Club’s Glenn Coady, who believes the park is well on its way to becoming the most diverse colony of herons and other waterbirds in Canada. Within the past two years, a handful of great blue herons and great egrets have started nesting there, after the cormorants were well established. “Cormorants are actually catalysts for other birds to arrive,” says Peaceful Parks Coalition’s Anna Maria Valastro, noting that, as at the Leslie Street Spit, green herons, terns, gulls and many other colonial species also com monly nest at the same locations as cormorants. “Nature is not a green museum. It’s not stagnant. It evolves,” she says. “Every time we manage, we lose knowledge.”
While anglers vilify cormorants and ignore the impact of their own activities, the introduced sports fish species they promote, such as Pacific salmon, and rainbow trout, are massively stocked each year and suppress native predators including lake trout and whitefish. Over the past five years, the waterbird’s overall numbers have also stabil ized on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, though that may be due in part to manage ment efforts at Presqu’ile and in New York Statesays Ministry of Natural Resources’ senior avian biologist Bruce POllard. He thinks cormorants are probably running out of ideal nest sites en isolated islands and points. “It may be, like any species occupying a new habitat, that after initial rapid growth, as they fill up their new environment, they reach the carrying capacity.” [For nre information abut action on this issue, see TEN 530, ge 8.]
extracted fran an article by Tim Tiner, in 3d, rch 24-30, 2005 t] TFN 532 — 25
THEWEATHER(THISTIMELASTYEAR)
May 2004, Toronto May was overall fairly close to normal with a mean temperature of 13.6°C downtown and 13.2°C at Pearson Airport. Cool weather early end late in the month was offset by a sultry spell mid-month initiated by a warm front that eased in between May 8th and 10th, during which temperatures rose into the high twenties and the tree canopy flushed out. The month was fairly wet and cloudy, with frequent thunderstorm activity. There was a trace of snow on May 8th at Pearson. Sunshine hours were well below normal, being 186.1 hours as opposed to the normal of about 230 hours. It was the fifth consecutive May with above normal rainfall, but amounts were not excessive: 89.0 mm downtown and 98.8 mm at Pearson Airport. This is in the range of 15-20 mm above normal. June 2004, Toronto June was a pleasant month with only one two-day period of heat and smog, when it rose to 32.7°C downtown on June 9th. Otherwise, relatively breezy and cool conditions prevailed, as an upper-level trough swung frequent cold fronts across southern Ontario. The mean temperature downtown was 18.0°C, the lowest since 1992, and at Pearson it was the coolest since 1993 with a mean of 17.6°C. These means are only frac tionally below the long-term average, but most recent summers have been very warm. Rainfall was variable due to the typical summer pattern of hit-and-miss showers and thunderstorms. Downtown had 44.6 mm, over 25 mm below normal and the lowest since 1994. But Pearson’s rainfall was 62.8 mm, just a few millimeters above normal. The most notable outbreak of thunder storms was on June 14th, when some reached severe categories in the afternoon northwest of Toronto. Sunshine was 281.9 hours, almost 30 above normal and the highest since 1999. July 2004, Toronto July 2004 was rather cool with an unseasonable upper—level low over Ontario. The result was, along with relatively cool temperatures, frequent showers and frontal passages, and below-normal sunshine. These conditions were consistent through the month. The mean temperature (20.7°C at Pearson Airport and 21.1°C downtown, was not exceptionally low. It was fractionally warmer in 2000. But, aside from that year, summers in Toronto have mostly been hot recently. Sun shine was 211.6 hours, over 60 below normal and the lowest since 1992 with 206.4 hours. Rainfall was frequent but not exceptionally heavy or of long duration. It fell mostly in the evening and early morning. Downtown had 70.6 mm and Pearson had 119.8 mm. This was only 3 mm above normal downtown, but about twice normal at Pearson, which had the rainiest July since 1992.
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C 0 TFN 532 — 27
COMING EVENTS
Tthronto!Ornitho1oital Club - Jim Baillie Memorial Bird Walks - aimed at th intermediate birder, but beginners are welcome. Free. • Sat. Nay 7.from 7:30 am to 12 noon with:Bob Yukich. Meet in the parking area inside the Blôor St. entrarxce to High Parkto experience spring migratibon. • Sat. May 14 from 7:30 am to 12 noon with Don Burton. Meet in the parking lot at James Gardens (access from Edenbridge Dr.) to see Warbiers at Lambton(Woods. • Sat. Nay 21 from 7:30 am to 12 noon with Steven Favier. Meet in the southerly parking lot at the foot of Kipling Ave. to see whiibrel and other migrants. • Mon. May 23 from 7:45 am (all day) with Luc Fazioto see the peak miqretion at Toronto Islands. Meet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay St. to catch the 8 am ferry to Hanlan’s Point. Bring lunch. The ne)ct J:iin Baillie Maoria1 Bird walk will take place in Septer. Toronto Entomologists’ Association • For information about summer outings see www.ontarioinsects.org or call 416—222-5736. High Park Walking Tours • Tuesday evenings beginning May 17 at 6:45 pm. Walks will begin iust south of the Grenadier Restaurant in High Park. Call 416—392-1748 or 416-392—6916 for more information.
Rouge Valley Conservation Centre walks (1749 Meadowvale Rd.) • Nay8 — Nature photography & spring wildflowers. Meet at Pearse House. • May 29 - Eastern Rouge Park. Meet at Amos Ponds at Old Finch Ave. and Pickering Towriline. • June 12 - Turtles and wetlands. Meet at Pearse House. • June 26 - Southern Rouge Park. Meet at Twyn Rivers area parking lot east of the Little Rouge River on the south side of Twyn Rivers Dr. • July 10 - Summer in the valley. Meet at Pearse House. • July 31 - tree walk. Meet in parking lot, Twyn Rivers Dr. and Sheppard Ave. East (Glen Eagles Vista) • Aug. 14 - Geology and geomorphology of the Rouge Valley. et at Farse 1-buse. • Aug. 28 - Mouth of the Rouge. Meet at 195 Rouge Hill Dr. at east end of parking lot, Port Union Rd. and Lawrence Ave. East. All walks begin at 1:30 pm and last about 2 hours, go rain or shine, are free (donations accepted gratefully). Families are encouraged, dogs discouraged. Call 416-282—8265 for more details.
Thickson’s Woods Pancake Breakfast in the Meadow - May 7 from 9 am to 12 noon. Call 905-725-2116 for more details about this fund-raising event.;
Natural History Travel - small group nature travel to a variety of destinations (led by TFN member, George Bryant). Interests include birds, plants, insects, astronomy and historic sites. For more information, call 416—762-7941 or 1—800—371—7779 TFN 532 — 28 COMING EVENTS (cont’d) C
North American Plant Society — Wildflower Plant Sale - Sat. May 14 from 10 am to 4 pm at Downsview Park. Volunteers from TFN are needed for this event. Call 416-631-4438 for information about this event. Call Pinky Franklin at 416-488—3226 if you can help.
Toronto and Region Conservation • Paddle the Don (or Hike the Don) - Sunday, May 1 from 9 am to 12 noon Canoe trip begins at Ernest Seton Park. • Bring Back the Birds - Sunday May 15 from 9 am to 11 am with an early bird hike at 7 am. Meet at the foot of Leslie St. • Songbirds and Waterfowl in Highland Creek — Sunday May 29 from 9 am to 11 am. Meet at Col. Danforth Park just south of Kingston Rd. • Pond Life - Thursday June 9 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Meet at the Don Valley Brick Works, west side of Bayview Av., south of Pottery Rd. • Butterflies and their Gardens - Sat. June 25 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Meet at Humber Bay Park East. Call 416-661—6600, extension 5660 to register.
Task Force to Bring Back the Don • Sunday, May 8 from 11 am to 1 pm - C rothers Woods a Saturday, May 14 at 11 am — Riverdale Farm Ponds • Sunday, May 15, 2 pm to 4 pm - Burke Brook • Saturday, May 28 from 2 pm to 4 pm — Beechwood Wetland For full information call 416—392-04.01. Ian Wheal Heritage Walks • Sun. May22 at 2 pm. Meet at the northeast corner of Gerrard St. East and Pape Ave. • Sat. June 25 at 2 pm. Meet at the northwest corner of Pathurst St. and King St. West. • Sunday, July 24 at 2 pm. Meet at the northeast corner of Caledonia Rd. and Eglinton Ave. West. • Sunday, Aug. 28 at 2 pm. Meet at the southwest corner of Queen St. West and Dovercourt Rd. Call 416-570-6415 to confirm. D
Perhaps the best that can be said about [tree) planting is that it’s more important symbolically than ecologically, that the planted trees become visible monuments to the dedication of a piece of ground to woodland. At its most damaging, it is pure PR, a cliché gesture of correct intentions by politicians and corporate bodies. What must this do to peoples’ view of nature’s independence, especially childrens’? Doesn’t it simply reinforce the ancient heresy -— the root cause of all our environmental problems —— that nature is subservient, incapable of surviving without our assistance?
fran ‘ature Cure” ty Richard Ma1y in B3D W]IDLIFE, Vol. 23, No. 2, Feb. 2005 ______
TFN 532 — 29
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL NOTICE Your membership in TFN expires June 30,2005. To renew it for the year July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 • and ensure receiving a September newsletter, please send payment by June 30, 2005 to the address on the back of this newletter.
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DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER: July 15, 2005 TFN 532 - 30 TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS Publications Mail Registration No. 2 Carlton St., #1519 40049590 Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3 416-593-2656 Web site: www.sources.com/tfn
TORONTO FIELD NATURALIST
Published by the Toronto Field Naturalists, a charitable, non-profit organization, the aims of which are to stimulate public interest in natural history and to encourage the preservation of our natural heritage. Issued monthly September to December and February to May.
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TORONTOFIELDNATURALISTSCLUB: ITS HISTORYANDCONSTITUTION,1965 $2.00 INDEXOF TFN NEWSLETTERS(1938to present) $10.00 TORONTOREGIONBIRDCHART,1983 $ 5.00 CHECKUSTOF PLANTSIN FOURTORONTOPARKS; A WLKETCREEK, HIGHPARK,HUMBERVALLEY, GRAPHICGUIDETO ONTARIOMOSSES, 1985 $ 5.00 LAMBTONWOODS,1972 $2.00 GUIDETO TORONTOFIELDNATURALISTS’ TORONTOThE GREEN,1976 NATURERESERVES,2001 $ 5.00 MetropolitanToronto’simportant naturalareas 0 are described and recommendations given for TORONTOISLANDS:PLANTCOMMUNITIESAND their conservation and management; NOTEWORTHYSPECIES, 1987 $ 5.00 includes maps, bibliographyand index $10.00 TODMORDENMILLS,1987 $5.00 TORONTOFIELDNATURALISTS’RAVINESURVEYS ea $ 5.00 VASCULARPLANTSOF METROPOLITANTORONTO,1994 $10.00 Survey #1 — Chatsworth Ravine, 1973 Survey#2 — BrookbanksRavine, 1974 TORONTOCHECKLISTS(birds, other vertebrates, Survey #3 — Chapman Valley Ravine,1975 butterflies,other invertebrates, mosses, other plants) each 500 Survey #4 — Wgmore Ravine, 1975
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