JOURNAL OF THE HAMILTON NATURALISTS’ CLUB Volume 67 Number 2 October, 2013

© photo Tim King

The Great Blue Skimmer is a spectacular looking dragonfly as the above photo shows. This individual was© Barryphotographed Armstrong at the pond complex on the south side of 8th Concession West, 400m west of where Spencer Creek crosses 8th Concession. This was the first record of this rare Ontario species for the Hamilton Study Area. Tim King photographed this individual on 6 August 2012 at this location. Several people arrived there the next day almost expecting to see the skimmer. However they were disappointed as this was a “one-day-wonder”. In This Issue: Differentiating Touch-Me-Nots Great Blue Skimmer: New for the Hamilton Study Area Noteworthy Bird Records April 2013 The Junior Naturalists Program The Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark System Burlington Heights Heritage Lands Committee Report Member Profile – Denys Gardiner Membership Director’s Report Table of Contents

From the Editor...... Bill Lamond 28 A Green Gem Indeed David Galbraith 29 The Junior Naturalists Club for 2013-14 Barb McKean 30 HNC Member Profile – Denys Gardiner Bill Lamond 31 Killdeer – Part of the Plover Family June Hitchcox 32 A Tale of Two Touch-Me-Nots Paul D. & Anna-Marie Smith 33 HNC Receives Ontario Trillium Grant Jen Baker 35 Dates to Remember – October/November Fran Hicks/Liz Rabishaw 36 Dragon’s Den – A Great Blue Skimmer in Flamborough (Hamilton) Bill Lamond 38 And Now for Some Good News! – Kirtland’s Warbler Bill Lamond 40 Membership Director’s Report for 2012-13 Maggie Simms 41 Buck and Crows – A Strange Encounter Joanna Chapman 41 Noteworthy Bird Records April 2013 Rob Dobos 42 Burlington Heights Heritage Lands Committee Report Giuliana Casimirri 46 Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark Sysytem Jen Baker 47

Naturalists discuss a stream and wetland restoration site at the Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve northwest of Newmarket during Ontario Nature’s 82nd annual AGM June 8, 2013. A dam was built on this site in the 1960s to create a recreational pond. Over the years, the structure gradually fell into disrepair and was in danger of collapsing. A collapsed dam would have resulted in a catastrophic flood, damaging downstream habitats and properties. Soon after Ontario Nature acquired this property, the decision was made to drain the pond, remove the derelict dam and restore the stream so that it would flow freely. The project was completed in August 2008. In terms of the ecological benefits of the removal, the dam acted as a barrier to aquatic organisms, and the pond warmed the downstream water during the summer months, degrading those habitats. The removal of the dam and pond was an important step in restoring this aquatic system to its natural state – a coldwater, free-flowing stream. Wetland meadows along the stream are now returning. Such meadows are important to the survival of various arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals and fish. The species of native fish in Ontario’s streams that require swift-flowing water to complete their life cycle are known as fluvial specialists. They include White Sucker, Blacknose Dace, Emerald Shiner and Common Shiner. Some freshwater mussels also require flowing water. They include the Purple Wartyback, the Elktoe and the Snuffbox. The Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve, situated just north of the Oak Ridges Moraine, offers spectacular rolling hills and forested ridges that are a wildlife sanctuary. In addition to the restored wetland, the reserve supports a variety of habitats including mixed forests of beech, maple and hemlocks. Fields are also regenerating naturally, bringing forth a lush mix of grasses and a cornucopia of flowers dominated by goldenrods, milkweed and asters - photo Gord McNulty.

Page 26 The Wood Duck - October, 2013

Volume 67 Number 2 October, 2013 CN ISSN 0049-7886 - Publications Mail Contract No. 40048074 http://www.hamiltonnature.org [email protected]

Publications Committee: Rob Dobos, Kevin McLaughlin, Don McLean, Michael Fischer, Herman van Barneveld, Jean & Jim Stollard. The Wood Duck is the official publication of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and produced by members of the Club. It is published nine times a year from September to May, inclusive. Deadline for receipt of material is the 5th of the month preceding publication date. As long as credit lines are included, articles may be reprinted without permission, unless otherwise specified. Opinions expressed in the Wood Duck are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club. The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club promotes public interest in the study, conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage. Meetings are held monthly September to May inclusive and field events are scheduled throughout the year. Visitors are welcome. The HNC is a registered charity and all donations as well as membership fees are tax deductible. HNC BOARD 2012 - 2013 Executive Past President: Bill Lamond 519 756 9546 [email protected] President: Michael Fischer 905 526 0325 [email protected] Vice-President: Jim Heslop 905 648 5770 [email protected] Secretary: Joyce Litster 905 627 1203 [email protected] Treasurer: Jim Heslop 905 648 5770 [email protected] Directors Bird Study Group: George Holland 905 945 3962 [email protected] Conservation & Ed: Terry Carleton 905 515 4101 [email protected] Field Events: Fran Hicks 905 304 5998 [email protected] Director-at-Large: Gord McNulty 905 525 9927 [email protected] Membership: Maggie Sims 905 331-1496 [email protected] Programs: Peter Scholtens 905 388 6415 [email protected] Publicity: Lindsay Burtenshaw 289 389 9074 [email protected] Sanctuary: Warren Beacham 905 627 3343 [email protected] Volunteers: Doris Southwell 905 632 4358 [email protected] Wood Duck Editor: Bill Lamond 519 756 9546 [email protected] Coordinators Website Coordinator: Clarence Bos [email protected] Social Coordinator: Catharine Flatt 905 544 5843 Junior Naturalists: Brian Wylie 905 627 4601 [email protected] Mailing: Jean Stollard 905 634 3538 [email protected] Land Trust Program: Jen Baker 905 524 3339 [email protected]

Report rare bird sightings to: Cheryl Edgecombe 905-637-5923 Send Noteworthy Bird Records to: Rob Dobos, 21 Sunrise Cres., Dundas, L9H 3S1 email: [email protected] MEMBERSHIP FEES – Please remit to HNC PUBLICATIONS - To order contact Alf Senior The Membership Director, Hamilton Naturalists’ Club 905 527 0905 or [email protected] P.O.Box 89052, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4R5

Life Membership $ 750.- Hamilton Nature Counts 2003 $ 75 Single Membership $ 45.- Checklist of the Birds of Ham./Wentworth $2.- Senior Single Membership $40.- Date Guide to Birds of Ham./Wentworth $1.- Student Single Membership (on-line-only free Naturally Hamilton - Guide to Green Spaces free access to Wood Duck; for those 25 or under) Checklist of Ontario Butterflies $1.50 Senior Joint Membership $45.- The Habitats of Hamilton and Halton Poster $4.- Family Membership $50.- A Monthly Guide to Nature and Conservation. $5.- Junior Naturalists - 1st child $80.- Hamilton Mammal Atlas $15.- Jurnior Naturalists - additional children $70.- Birds of Hamilton and Surrounding Areas $45.- Honorary Life Member n/a Reptiles and Amphibians of Ham. Area (check local library)

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 27 reside. I would also like to include a photo of the member. Now From The Editor….. the Club has over 600 members, so at nine profiles a year it might take a century or so to profile everyone! Feel free to send in your would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My own profile or better still, write a profile on a member you know. Iname is Bill Lamond and I am the new Editor of the Wood Hopefully this is not a “tooth-pulling” exercise. I have started Duck. I am also the current Past President so I am wearing two the ball rolling in this issue by profiling my father-in-law Denys hats on the HNC Board although Past President is not a very Gardiner (no nepotism here). Hopefully he will be amused. This demanding portfolio – at least compared to being Editor. will give all of you an idea what I am looking for.

For the last few years I have been interested in becoming the The second recurring feature I would like to introduce is a “good Editor and I decided to take the plunge this past spring when news” column which I will entitle, “And Now For Some Good the previous Editor, Herman van Barneveld, decided to step News!” There is so much bad news; threatened species, destroyed down after two years of being on theWood Duck file. I thank habitats, environmental disasters, decimated fish stocks, not to Herman for his fine service as he did a wonderful job of bringing mention Global Warming. I think in order to keep our spirits the Wood Duck into the “colour age”. Herman has succeeded in up, to fight on as it were, we need to be encouraged and “good producing a very fine looking product and I hope to emulate his news” stories provide some “fuel’ to keep us motivated. There work the best I can. However, this is all new to me and it has been are “good news” stories out there on the environmental front a very steep learning curve. I thank Herman for schooling me on and we just need to promote them and be inspired by them. Of the Adobe InDesign CS6 program the Club has to produce the course our own HNC and the Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust is a “Duck”. Nonetheless, there is still a huge amount of capability very good news story. This month I have written the first article with this program that I am incapable of using. For the time with a column on the resurgence of the Kirtland’s Warbler. Any being I will be producing a very basic-looking Wood Duck. So ideas or articles for future columns on this topic would be greatly bear with me. appreciated. Please!

Every Editor has his/her own ideas of how they would like to do The Monthly Meeting this month is the Annual General Meeting things. I’m sure many of you would like to see different things which is always great fun. Seriously though, it is something we in the Wood Duck. I am no different, and I have a few ideas for have to do and I think we want and need to do it, to keep our recurring columns in the Wood Duck. Two small features that I organization on track. The actual AGM is fairly short and the would like to include in each issue are a Member’s Profile and speaker afterwards – Kyle Horner speaking on Madagascar – a “good news” column. The former is pretty self-explanatory. should be really interesting so please come out. You will be asked Every month I would like to see one HNC member profiled. Just to vote on accepting the Minutes of the last AGM (please see a small note about the member; birthplace, early years, years page 32) and you will be asked to accept the Treasurer’s Report of membership, interests, what they do for a living, where they from 1 May 2012 to 30 April 2013. A paper copy of this report will be available for everyone to view at the meeting.

Annual General Meeting Monday, October 7, 2013, 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Kyle Horner Topic: Madagascar! Separated from mainland Africa by hundreds of miles and millions of years, Madagascar is home to some of the strangest creatures on Earth! And with an endemism rate of over 90%, it hosts countless species that can be seen nowhere else in the world. This presentation will journey through the eastern highlands of this unique country and explore a diverse selection of its spectacular wildlife, all illustrated by colourful photos of course! Kyle Horner is a naturalist, environmental educator and nature photographer from Guelph, Ontario. He earned a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph, and has worked or volunteered throughout Canada, the United States, Costa Rica and Madagascar. A lifelong birder, Kyle’s latent fascination with reptiles, amphibians and bugs exploded in university and became more obsession than interest. When he’s not chasing dragonflies with a giant camera, he is working his day job at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Page 28 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 A Green Gem Indeed David Galbraith Head of Science, Royal Botanical Gardens

Chair, Steering Committee, Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark System Project

t is easy to overlook something in your own back yard. How support life within the patches of intact habitat we still have. Ioften have you spoken with someone from Toronto who has That effort has led over time to the development of the proposal never visited the CN Tower or the ROM, or from Hamilton who for the Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark System, a permanent has never been to Dundurn Castle, or to the Steam Museum? collaboration or network of natural areas and recreational trails We seem to be more interested in things that are far off. Perhaps that includes RBG’s natural lands as well as properties owned by they seem more exotic, rarer, more elusive. the other participating agecies:

What could be more amazing, though, than a place in Ontario The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, the City of Hamilton, City where some 1,000 years ago people congregated in the summer of Burlington, Halton Region, the Hamilton Conservation to gather food and share in some of the first agriculture practices Authority, Conservation Halton, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, in the province, and where 9,000 years before that, people were and McMaster University (with great support from the hunting and fishing, shortly after the retreat of the glaciers? A Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan Office). place that is listed as an Important Bird Area, an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area, an Area of Natural and Scientific Agreeing to form the ecopark system is a voluntary step for these Interest, and is even scheduled in the Ontario Endangered agencies. The goal is to work better together to conserve and Species Act as critical habitat for endangered plants? And that restore natural areas and also to provide for better recreational this place is right in the heart of the Hamilton-Burlington experiences on our respective trails. Following lots of input from conurbation? A place protected by amazing foresight and the the public and stakeholders, in 2009 the participants formulated work of civic leaders like Thomas Baker McQuesten and groups a vision for the Ecopark system: like the Hamilton Bird Protection Society? A place where for the Our vision for the Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark first time ever, Bald Eagles have come to nest and raise chicks System is that it will be known internationally as a along this part of the Lake Ontario shore? protected, permanent and connected natural lands This place is, of course, Cootes Paradise Marsh and the sanctuary from the Harbour to the Escarpment surrounding terrestrial lands that together are the nature that promotes ecosystem and human health within sanctuaries owned and managed by Royal Botanical Gardens. Ontario’s Greenbelt. The more we look into these amazing properties the more This vision continues to guide the development of the ecopark stories there are to tell, of rich natural and cultural heritage, system, through an extensive strategic plan. Although the and of communities today that make use of this green space development of this Ecopark system has been, until 2013, a as an important part of a healthy urban life. Research in the “project,” we have now formalized its existence through an past decade has led to the description of these lands as the plant agreement among the participating agencies. There has already biodiversity hotspot for all of Canada, because such a large been terrific progress on cooperation on trails and other proportion of the plant species of the country is growing wild in management issues, and in both Hamilton and Burlington, new these wetlands, prairie, and forested habitats. lands have been added to the ecopark system through purchases As wonderful as these lands are, the reality is that they are or donations in 2013. In Hamilton, the Hamilton Conservation fragmented, and land-locked by growing urban areas. Habitat Authority Foundation has launched a campaign for fund-raising fragmentation is a major threat to biodiversity at all levels. Even for both land purchases and also the remediation of HCA though the RBG nature sanctuaries seem large, covering more property along the Desjardins Canal. The Ecopark Campaign than 900 hectares, we also know that they have lost plant species has already resulted in the purchase of the York Road Acreage, over the past half-century, most likely because of the effects of about 50 acres adjacent to RBG’s North Shore nature sanctuary. fragmentation. In Burlington the Holland Family has made a very generous donation of 37 acres of open space to the city, for inclusion Is it possible to “fight the fragmentation?” I believe that some under the umbrella of the Ecopark system. of the effects of fragmentation can be opposed if good planning can be applied. For more than 20 years people have been We are looking forward to making this vision a reality. The working toward ensuring that ecological corridors in our area founders of the RBG had amazing foresight in the 1920s to are recognized, protected, and strengthened, precisely to help protect Cootes Paradise Marsh and its surroundings, and the

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 29 Grindstone Creek Valley in Aldershot, too. Today we are seeking from Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada. Plant Diversity and Resources to keep that vision alive, and ensure that generations to come 33(1): 123-131. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1143.2011.10235 see our area as a healthy, sustainable, and enjoyable place to live, Laking, Leslie (2006). Love, sweat and soil: a history of Royal work, and raise families, with connected to the nature that is Botanical Gardens from 1930 to 1981. Hamilton, ON: Royal Botanical right in our own area. Gardens Auxiliary. ISBN 978-0-9691759-4-0.

References All of the reports and background documents for the Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark System can be found on-line at: http://www. Galbraith, D. A., Iwanycki, N. E., McGoey, B. V., McGregor, J., Pringle, J. S., Rothfels, C. J., and Smith, T. W. 2011. The Evolving cootestoescarpmentpark.ca Role of Botanical Gardens and Natural Areas: A Floristic Case Study

Junior Naturalists Program for 2013-2014 Starting Now Don’t Miss Out on the Fun! Enrol Your Kids Today

Program Highlights Meets 4th Saturday of each month, September 2013 – May 2014 For Ages 7 to 12 Fee: $80/first child, $70/each additional child A joint HNC/RBG program with RBG in charge of program delivery.

Since the Club was formed in 1986, it has provided children with learning experiences that generate a life-long respect and appreciation of the natural world. Learn the art of nature photography, be a part of hands-on conservation projects, and identify, track, learn and explore! We are pleased to announce that Barb McKean, RBG’s Head of Education, will be returning to be involved with the Jr. Nats! Note: For children to be eligible, parents must be either Hamilton Naturalists’ Club or Royal Botanical Gardens members.

Registration To register your children, go to the RBG ticketing website http://tickets.rbg.ca/PEO. Sign in or create an online account by clicking “My Account” (top right-hand of screen). In the left sidebar, click on “For Kids, Families & Teachers”. Scroll down to Junior Naturalists Club and register. Or you can call 905-527-1158 ext. 270 and speak to Liz Rabishaw.

Naturalist Helpers Needed We will need additional naturalist helpers to assist the RBG staff with this program. It’s a rewarding experience to share your knowledge with the Jr. Nats so please consider volunteering to help. Our Club needs to do its share to help with this program. To volunteer or get more information, call 905-527-1158 ext. 247 and speak to Barb McKean.

Special Note: For Ages 12 to 15, RBG has a new program they are calling RBG Outdoors Club. For more information and registration see the Fall 2013 issue of the RBG magazine Paradise Found, follow the procedure for Junior Naturalists registration detailed above or call 905-527-1158 ext. 270.

Great Egret at Brant Park Conservation Area, Brantford - 10 Aug 2013 Northern Ribbon Snake - 15 July 2013 - Grass Lake, Waterloo Region photo Robert Porter. photo Bill Lamond. Page 30 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 November HNC Monthly Meeting from members of the Club helped to fund this initiative. Date: Monday, November 4, 2013 Rick Ludkin’s “work” background is in the field of Chil- Speaker: Rick Ludkin dren’s Mental Health. For over forty years Rick managed the Hamilton-based treatment programs for Woodview Topic: The Matangwe (Kenya) Bird Studies Club Children’s Centre. Rick has always been interested in birds and began bird banding in the mid-70s. In the Fall In January/February 2013 Rick spent 4 weeks in a small of 1995 has started and continues to run a migration village in rural western Kenya. This was the beginning of monitoring banding station at Ruthven Park National what he hopes will be a long term project. Using donated Historic Site, just outside of Cayuga. guide books and binoculars he taught grade 6, 7 & 8 stu- dents how to watch/identify, monitor and then band the A few years prior to his retirement in 2010, Rick began birds in their area with a view, in the long run, to de- to do bird-based field work in the Canadian Arctic. He veloping an expertise that they can use to participate in spent part of one summer on Devon Island (studying research and or the growing eco-tourism business. The Northern Fulmars and Snow Buntings) and four sum- Matangwe Bird Club grew out of this project. The talk mers on Southampton Island (studying Common Eiders will be an outline of the results, to date, of that project. and Snow Buntings). After that he spent two summers in Donations from the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and Svalbard (studying Thick-billed Murres).

Member Profile - Denys Gardiner by Bill Lamond

enys Gardiner was born in Simcoe on 26 December 1939 2000 Checklist of the Birds of the Hamilton Dto parents Ralph & Mabel. Soon afterwards, his family Area. In 1988, Denys moved to Brantford moved to Fort Erie where he was raised along with his three with his new job as Chief Building Official siblings – two older brothers and a younger sister. His dad with that City. He retired with glee in 1995. introduced Denys to bird-watching at the young age of seven He has been less active in HNC circles and birding soon became his life-long passion. since his move to Brantford but he is still a very active birder, making almost daily He went to Wintemute elementary school and to Fort Erie lists of the birds he has seen whether in the High School and graduated from the University of Waterloo field or at his feeder. Denys & Sharon have in 1963 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Denys’ first job was two children, Kathleen [my wife] and son with the Abitibi Power and Paper Company in Sault Ste. Marie Chris, and two grandchildren, Sarah (age in 1964. It is there that he met his future wife Sharon Malloy 17) and Eric (age 16) [my kids]. They are in 1965 and they were married a year later in 1966. He worked expecting their third grandchild in April for Abitibi for three years and later as a consulting engineer 2014 from Chris and his wife Kara. for Proctor & Redfern, also in the Soo. He moved back to Fort Denys Gardiner at Point Erie in 1967 where he worked in the Works Department for Denys and family have spent time at Pelee, 13 May 2012 the City of St Catharines. In 1969, Denys moved to Burlington Point Pelee in May annually since 1972. photo Glenda Slessor. with his new job in the Building Department of the City of It is the highlight of his birding year. He Burlington where he was employed until 1988. also vacations almost annually in Florida and in Elizabeth, Maine, mostly for the birds. Denys had some artistic training In 1973, Denys joined the HNC when encouraged to do so when younger and used to paint a fair bit. His drawing of a by Chauncey Wood. Denys was a very active birder in the Wood Frog can be found in The Reptiles and Amphibians of Hamilton area as the Noteworthy Bird Records of that time the Hamilton Area. When not birding, Denys is an avid reader, will show. Many birders will thank Denys for adding American crossword puzzler, gardener and can be found encouraging Oystercatcher and Swainson’s Warbler to their life-lists his grandchildren at their soccer, hockey and rugby games. which Denys found at Windermere Basin and at Long Point, respectively. Denys led several Club hikes over the years and Currently Denys lives in Brantford with wife Sharon. He was part of the original Hamilton Bird Records Committee spends a fair bit of the summer on Lake Erie at his cottage at and was a co-author to both editions of the Date Guide to the Peacock Point and he will be found annually at Point Pelee Birds of the Hamilton Area. He also designed the 1988 and during the first two weeks of May.

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 31 MINUTES of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING general, the balance of the meeting was confined to the legal of the HAMILTON NATURALISTS’ CLUB requirements of our Annual General Meeting. October 1, 2012 6. Treasurer’s Report 1. Call to Order a) Financial Statements HNC President Michael Fischer called to order the Annual The Chairperson called upon the Treasurer, Jim Heslop, to General Meeting of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club at 7:35 p.m. present the Financial Statements for the year ending April 30, at the Royal Botanical Gardens Centre auditorium. 2012. Following the presentation of the Financial Statements for the fiscal year starting May 1, 2011 and ending April 30, 2012, 2. Appointment of Chairperson and Secretary Jim Stollard moved that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as Peter Scholtens moved that Michael Fischer act as Chairperson distributed by paper copy at this meeting. J. Neysmith seconded and Joyce Litster act as Secretary for the meeting. Jim Stollard the motion. Motion carried. seconded the motion. Motion carried. b) Appointment of Auditor 3. Quorum The Chairperson again called upon Jim Heslop to appoint the Notice having been given to all members by means of the Club’s auditor. Jim moved that Gibb Widdis, Chartered E-newsletter and word of mouth, and there being at least 30 Accountants, be nominated as auditor of the Corporation for the members present, the chair declared that the Annual General fiscal year ending April 30, 2013 at a remuneration to be fixed Meeting was duly constituted. by the Board of Directors, and the Board be hereby authorized to fix such remuneration. Glenda Slessor seconded the motion. 4. Minutes of the Last Annual General Meeting Motion carried. Warren Beacham moved that the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on October 3, 2011 be accepted as distributed. The 7. Nomination Committee Report motion was seconded by John Fischer. Motion carried. The Chairperson presented the report of the Nominating Committee. No further nominations having been received by 5. Club Activities for the Past Year the Secretary prior to October 1, 2012, as required by the Club Summary of the Club’s activities for the past year appeared in the bylaws, Michael Fischer moved and Jean Stollard seconded that September and October Wood Duck. There being no questions the following list of persons, who had previously consented to concerning those activities or about the Club’s activities in act, be elected as Directors of the (continued on page 39)

KILLDEER, Part of the Plover Family By June Hitchcox

t is a little late in the season to be talking about nesting Killdeer Killdeer have devised several tricks to keep intruders Ibut they are fascinating shorebirds. I have been watching a away: “broken wing” - they feign a broken wing, dragging it and pair nesting at the Bronte Marine Park all summer and thought limping along while running away from the nest area, showing that you might be interested. Killdeer are the same colour all their orange rump and tail which resemble blood, with the year: brown above, white below; 9”- 11.25” long; 2 black breast- intruder in full pursuit – then they fly away when far from the bands (juvenile has just one); black bill; rusty-orange on rump nest. Another trick is to sit on an imaginary nest – then fly away. and tail. They eat grubs, insects, worms – suddenly sprinting They also are very noisy – screaming “kill-dee”, which distracts across the ground and coming to a sudden stop to eat. an intruder from looking for the nest and that is the call which gave it its name. Smart bird, the Killdeer. They nest on the ground right out in the open: golf courses; pastures; roof tops; fields; sandy beaches; gravel paths and parking lots – just a scrape in the ground, sparsely lined with bits of grass – 4 pale-buff, spotted eggs that blend well with the surroundings. Both parents share the 24 +- day incubation (the large amount of yolk in Killdeer eggs require a longer incubation than, for instance, the eggs of songbirds) - and 25 days until fledged. Chicks have stripes on the back for camouflage. Nesting begins as early as April – cold – and they often have a second brood. To keep the eggs warm, when sitting on the eggs, they let down a patch of feathers known as “brood patch” to allow their Killdeer, juvenile - 19 September 2004 - Townsend Sewage Lagoons warm skin to contact the eggs to keep them warm. photo Brandon Holden

Page 32 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 A Tale of Two Touch-Me-Nots

By Paul D. & Anna-Marie Smith

t all began in our friends’ yard in Greensville. From just inside their front gate, touch-me-nots grow in profusion along the Ifence, down the slope to their back yard and again on the slope down into the floodplain of the Spencer Creek. Even on the first visit in mid-spring, before the flowers had appeared, they were unmistakeable with their tall succulent stems, covered in a silvery bloom. But there was something different about these plants, compared to the ones that grow in similar profusion around our

Figure 2. Pale Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens pallida) flower - 21 August 2009 - photo Paul D. Smith. Checking Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide and Peterson’s A Field Guide to Wildflowers of Northeastern & Northcentral North America, we found no mention of the leaves in either account. Even the more technical references Gray’s Manual of Botany and Britton & Brown’s An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Adjacent Canada make no mention of any difference Figure 1. Spotted Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens capensis) flower. between the leaves. In his Field Manual of Michigan Flora, Voss 19 August 2009 - photo Paul D. Smith very emphatically states that these two species “are impossible yard in Flamborough. These leaves were more finely toothed, like to distinguish in the absence of flowers”. Was the difference the serrated edge of a knife, instead of the more coarse rounded we noticed a coincidence or was there a consistent difference teeth of our Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis). Our between the species? A further search on line brought us to “The friends confirmed most of their plants were indeed Pale Touch- Northern Plant Database” an online resource for identifying me-not (Impatiens pallida). Although familiar with both plants, plants in northern Ontario. In their account, they describe the we had not paid much attention to the leaves since the plants are larger leaves of the Pale Touch-me-not as having more regularly so easy to tell apart by their blooms. The flower of the Spotted toothed margins. Touch-me-not (Figure 1) is typically a rich orange colour with reddish brown spots. The flower of the Pale Touch-me-not is This sent us on a quest to find as many different and widely a pale yellow with fewer spots and with a shorter, wider shape spread patches of both touch-me-not species as we could within see below). It had never come to mind that the plants could be the Hamilton Study Area (HSA). We found plants in bloom from distinguished by their leaves alone. Halton Hills to Cayuga and from Glen Morris to Oakville. In the end we collected 117 leaves from 39 plants of the Spotted

Figure 3. Leaf variation in Pale Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens pallida). Figure 4. Leaf variation in Spotted Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens capensis). (Clockwise from top left Aug. 21, July 2, July 2 and Aug. 27 2009 - photos (Clockwise from top left Aug. 19, Aug. 30, 30, & 30 2009 - photos Paul D. Paul D. Smith. Smith.

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 33 Touch-me-not from 13 sites and 108 leaves from 36 plants of Now it has become a bit of a game for us each year, to guess the Pale Touch-me-not from 12 sites. We pressed all 225 leaves from the leaves which species they are, whenever we come upon and measured their length, width, and counted total number of a patch of touch-me-not plants not yet in bloom. Try it yourself teeth and the number of teeth per centimetre. We even visited and see if you can tell the difference. the herbarium at the Royal Botanical Gardens to look at plants from further a field. They were also very helpful in providing References access to some of the more technical references we looked at. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb. Little, Brown & Company. 1977. And what did we find? In the end all that measuring told us A Wildflower Guide to Flowers of Northeastern & Northcentral North very little. The leaves of the Pale Touch-me-not averaged longer America by Roger Tory Peterson & Margaret McKenny, Houghton and wider but weren’t significantly so. There was virtually no Mifflin Co., 1968. difference in the proportion of length to width or in the number of teeth per centimetre of leaf margin. Gray’s Manual of Botany by Merrit L. Fernald. D. Van Nostrand Co. 1970 But despite the lack of significant difference in these easily An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Adjacent measured characteristics there seemed to be something visibly Canada, 2nd Edition, by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Addison Brown. In different in the leaves of these 2 species. The Pale Touch-me-not 3 volumes. Dover Publications, Inc., 1970 appeared to have more obvious, deeper veining and the teeth Field Manual of Michigan Flora by Edward G. Voss and Anton A. appeared to be finer (Figure 3). The impression of the Spotted Reznickek, University of Michigan, U of Michigan, 2012 Touch-me-not was of a smoother, more subtly veined leaf Northern Ontario Plant Database Website, by S.J. Meades, D. (Figure 4). It may not always be possible to make the distinction, Schnare, K. Lawrence and C. Faulkner. (2004 onwards). Version 1, but certainly in the two places we found them together, at Stoney January 2004. Algoma University College and Great Lakes Forestry Creek Battlefield House along a tributary of Stoney Creek, Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada., Accessed at http://www. and in the Spencer Creek flood plain in the Kinsmen Park in northernontarioflora.ca/, February 27,2013. Greensville, it was easy.

© photo Brandon Holden

Adult Northern Gannet along Stoney Creek lakeshore at Green Road Male Golden-winged Warbler - 19 May 2013- Dyer’s Bay Road on 1 September 2013. This is the earliest record for the HSA by a month at Bartley Drive, Bruce Peninsula - photo Tom Thomas. This beautiful and the first ever adult for Hamilton! You just never know what can turn warbler is all but gone from the Hamilton Study Area, having had it up at the western end of Lake Ontario within the HSA. There is a good genes swamped by the closely related Blue-winged Warbler. A few chance that the next new bird for Hamilton will be found at Lake Ontario. Golden-wings are still seen in migration and usually one pure (?) bird (Brown-chested Martin anyone?) - photo Brandon Holden. is seen every year in the breeding season. Surely not for much longer.

Next Bird Study Group Meeting - Monday, 21 October Join us for a lively evening of bird chatter and interesting information from the bird world. On this night we will be joined by Erica Lagios who will be discussing recovery efforts for the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike, a Provincially and Nationly Endangered passerine. Erica has a BSc from the University of Toronto in Environmental Science & Zoology, and a Natural Resource Planning & Management Certificate from the Canadian Centre for Environmental Educa- tion and Royal Roads University. Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Burlington Senior’s Centre, Auditorium B, 2285 New St, Burlington. Come early for treats and bird-friendly coffee.

Page 34 TheWood Duck - October, 2013 HNC Receives Ontario Trillium Grant to Create Volunteer Program by Jen Baker he Hamilton Naturalists’ Club has a long and proud infrastructures and practices at the HNC; a recommendation Thistory of accomplishments due, in large part, to the for adding or revising HNC policies and procedures relevant to active engagement of volunteers in its work. Emerging trends volunteers; an inventory of volunteer roles (80 and counting!), in volunteerism indicate that motivations for volunteering are and the development of role descriptions. Risk management growing and changing. Busy lifestyles, multiple generations in the assessments and risk mitigation strategies will follow. A general workforce, a rise in corporate social responsibility, an emphasis orientation presentation has been drafted. Orientation and in community service learning in post-secondary institutions, a training for specific roles, committees and/or projects will also diverse population base, and a new vision of retirement demands be created. An initial review of technology options for records that volunteer programs adapt to ensure the continued influx management is done and will be revisited in more detail later. of volunteers. Like many nonprofit organizations today, the HNC faces these challenges in engaging and retaining quality Once the foundations are laid, active targeted recruitment will volunteers from the community at large, and in some cases, get underway. We are aiming to connect with new partners and from within its membership. The HNC is pleased to announce attract new volunteers from the diversity that characterizes the it has received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to Hamilton region. We are also hoping that the articulation and develop a volunteer management program to enhance its ability communication of volunteer roles within the HNC will entice to attract and engage volunteers. members who may not have volunteered in the past to expand their contribution to the HNC in this way in the future. For those of you not familiar with volunteer management, it is, in essence, a cousin to Human Resources. A well-managed The overarching strategy for the project is the creation of a volunteer program enables nonprofit organizations to recruit, program that is sustainable by Club volunteers. The Trillium train, and strategically engage volunteers. It is designed to attract grant includes the cost of the volunteer management staff for highly qualified volunteers and facilitate their integration into an the development phase of the project only. In order to keep the organization and its work. program functioning after this phase, a Volunteer Engagement Team (VET), consisting of volunteers with roles dedicated to The first phase of work will take place from June 2013 to June various functions within the volunteer program, will be created. 2014. The second, less intensive phase will take place from July The VET will be led by the Director Volunteers. 2014-June 2015. Lee Jones, a volunteer management consultant, has been hired to provide leadership and expertise for the project. Many of you will meet Lee over the coming months. She She will work under the direct supervision of Jen Baker (HNC welcomes input, feedback and questions about the development Land Trust Coordinator), and an advisory committee of Warren of the volunteer program. In the interim if you would like more Beacham (Sanctuary Director) and Doris Southwell (Volunteer information, or have questions about the project, please direct Director). Volunteers and members interested in joining the your inquiries through Jen Baker who can be reached at 905- advisory committee are welcome. Meetings are open and anyone 524-3339 or [email protected] wishing to attend should contact Jen Baker.

The HNC volunteer program will be set up to meet the standards of the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement. The Code was developed by Volunteer Canada and the Canadian Administrators of Volunteers in 2002 to articulate the value and benefits of volunteers, provide a framework for decision- making, promote standards for involving individuals in meaningful ways, and creating conditions whereby volunteers are integrated strategically into the work of an organization. The Code has 14 components - Mission Based Approach, Human Resources, Policy and Procedures, Volunteer Administration, Risk Management and Quality Assurance, Volunteer Roles, Recruitment, Screening, Orientation and Training, Support and Supervision, Records Management, Technology, Recognition, and Evaluation. A master project plan has been created for the project. Initial steps Presentation of cheque from the Trillium Foundation for Volunteer Program at HNC Monthly Meeting on 9 September 2013. Left to right, Lee Jones, Jen Baker have included an assessment of current volunteer coordination and Nancy McGibbon-Gray from Trillium Foundation - photo Angie McNulty.

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 35 DATES TO REMEMBER - October 2013 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HNC HIKES All of our leaders are volunteers who enjoy sharing their knowledge and time. The HNC assumes no responsibility for injuries of any kind sustained by anyone as a result of participating in any of these activities. Please assess your own ability to participate. Hikes are sometimes cancelled or rescheduled. You are advised to check the HNC website (www.hamiltonnature.org) before setting out to ensure that the hike has not been rescheduled. Generally, pets on hikes are discouraged as they startle wildlife, damage nests, and interfere with the enjoyment of others. Contact the leader before bringing your pet or for other questions.

We also publicize Royal Botanical Gardens hikes and events: “Learning at the Gardens” programs of interest to Naturalists; more information and on-line registration available at http://tickets.rbg.ca/PEO/. Most programs require pre-registration one week prior. Please note there is often a charge for these activities. although RBG members receive a discount on most programs. Questions? Please call 905-527-1158 ext 270. Check RBG website for meeting locations for hikes which are not listed below.

6 Oct. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hikes: Every Sunday (Sept - May, including holiday weekends). Free RBG Nature Hike (donations welcome). This week: Hendrie Valley. Meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking lot on Plains Road.

6 Oct. (Sunday) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. HNC - VISIT TO THE DONKEY SANCTUARY IN GUELPH. Meet and be charmed by these donkeys in their world. Brush a donkey and discover the wonder of connecting with one of these marvellous animals. Learn about the day- to-day lives of donkeys and what is involved in their lifelong care at the DSC. Hike the Nature Trails, enjoy a picnic by the pond, and stop at the Long Ears Boutique. The Sanctuary is located on Concession Road 4 in Guelph. Contact Fran Hicks at hicksfran@ cogeco.ca for details or questions about carpooling.

7 Oct. (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC Annual General Meeting. Also with speaker Kyle Horner: Topic: Madagascar! Separated from mainland Africa by hundreds of miles and millions of years, Madagascar is home to some of the strangest creatures on Earth! And with an endemism rate of over 90%, it hosts countless species that can be seen nowhere else in the world. This presentation will journey through the eastern highlands of this unique country and explore a diverse selection of its spectacular wildlife, all illustrated by colourful photos of course! Come early for social and refreshments. Royal Botanical Gardens, Main Center, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington.

12 Oct. (Saturday) 9 a.m. to noon. RBG Outdoors Club, ages 12 to 15, every other Saturday to January 2014. RBG Nature Centre. Eco-stewardship based projects, excursions, activities. Fee: $235 for Fall/Winter. (Winter /Spring also available.)

13 Oct. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hike: Free RBG Nature hike. Meet at Princess Point parking area.

19 Oct. (Saturday) 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. SPOOKY HOLLOW VISIT AND FALL WORK DAY. It’s off to our Carolinian forest sanctuary for a day out exploring the woods and doing trail maintenance. Bring a lunch and dress accordingly. Contact: Warren Beacham, [email protected]. Rain date is Oct. 20.

20 Oct. (Sunday) 2 - 4 p.m. Fall for Autumn, Family Program at the Nature Centre. A guided hike answering questions about why leaves change colour, migrating birds, then gather leaves and make a masterpiece to take home. $12 (family rate $30).

20 Oct. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hike: Free RBG Nature hike. Cootes North Shore. Meet at Nature Centre.

21 Oct. (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC - Bird Study Group meeting. This month: Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program with Erica Lagios. Burlington Senior’s Centre, Auditorium B, 2285 New St, Burlington.

23 Oct - 6 Nov. (Wednesdays) 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Creative Photography by Night, a three-part course at the RBG Nature Centre. Indoor classroom time, lessons practiced outdoors. Fee: $90

26 Oct. (Saturday) 9:30 a.m. to noon. Junior Naturalists Club, ages 7 to 12, 4th Saturday of the month, September to May 2014 at RBG Nature Centre Centre. Learning experiences to generate a life-long respect and love of the natural world. Parents must be either HNC or RBG Members. Fee: $80/child, $70/siblings. RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum Old Guelph Road (see article page 30).

26 Oct. (Saturday) 9 a.m. to noon. RBG Outdoors Club, ages 12 to 15, every other Saturday to January 2014. RBG Nature Centre. Eco-stewardship based projects, excursions, activities. Fee: $235 for Fall/Winter. (Winter /Spring also available.)

27 Oct. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hike: Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes South Shore. Meet at Aviary parking lot on Oak Knoll Road.

Page 36 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 DATES TO REMEMBER - November 2013 2 Nov. (Saturday) 1:30 p.m. HNC - Looking for Late Wildflowers. Join Dean Gugler and Fleur-Ange Lamothe for a late season wildflower hike at Princess Point parking lot. The warm waters of the Hamilton Harbour and the extra light from the street lights keep the flowers blooming longer than one might expect. Contact Dean Gugler and Fleur-Ange Lamothe: (519) 647-2371. Princess Point Parking Lot, Pay to Park. Waterfront Trail.

3 Nov. (Sunday) Hamilton Fall Bird Count. This will be the 40th fall bird count. Quite a milestone. Believe it our not, there is one birder who has participated on every count so far. Let’s hope the streak continues! Bill Lamond is the compiler of the fall bird count. Call him or email to confirm you are participating this year. [email protected] or 519-756-9546.

3 Nov. (Sunday) 2 - 4 p.m. An Apple a Day, RBG Family Program the Nature Centre. Participants drink apple cider, hike out to see wild apples, and, to finish, apple pie! Fee: $12 (family rate $30).

3 Nov. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hikes. Free RBG Nature Hike (donations welcome). This week: Hendrie Valley. Meet at Cherry Hill Gate parking lot on Plains Road.

4 Nov. (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC Monthly Meeting. Speaker: Rick Ludkin. Topic: The Matangwe (Kenya) Bird Studies Club. In Jan/Feb. 2013, Rick spent 4 weeks in a small village in rural western Kenya. This was the beginning of what he hopes will be a long term project. Using donated guide books and binoculars he taught grade 6, 7 & 8 students how to watch/identify, monitor and then band the birds in their area with a view, in the long run, to developing an expertise that they can use to participate in research and or the growing eco-tourism business. The Matangwe Bird Club grew out of this project. The talk will be an outline of the results, to date, of that project.

5 Nov. (Tuesday) 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Once and Future Great Lakes Country - An evening with John Riley, Senior Science Advisor, Nature Conservancy of Canada. At RBG Main Centre. Fee: $15.

9 Nov. (Saturday) 9 a.m. to noon. RBG Outdoors Club, ages 12 to 15, every other Saturday to January 2014. RBG Nature Centre. Eco-stewardship based projects, excursions, activities. Fee: $235 for Fall/Winter. (Winter /Spring also available).

10 Nov. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hike: Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Meet at Princess Point parking area.

16 Nov. (Saturday) 8 a.m. to noon. HNC - Lakeshore Birding - Van Wagner’s to 50 Point. Kevin McLaughlin has been leading fall birding outings for the HNC for more than 30 years and recently has been focusing more on waterbirds. There will be stops at various points along the lake during this popular annual excursion. This is a morning walk that may stretch into the afternoon if conditions are good. Meet in the parking lot just north of Hutch’s Restaurant (Van Wagner’s Road). Contact Kevin at [email protected]

17 Nov. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hike: Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes North Shore. Meet at Nature Centre.

18 Nov. (Monday) 7:30 p.m. HNC - Bird Study Group Meeting. This month: Forest Birds at Risk with Jody Allair from Bird Studies Canada. Burlington Senior’s Centre, 2285 New Street, Burlington, Auditorium B. Lots of free parking near the New Central Library.

23 Nov. (Saturday) 9 a.m. to noon. RBG Outdoors Club, ages 12 to 15, every other Saturday to January 2014. RBG Nature Centre. Eco-stewardship based projects, excursions, activities. Fee: $235 for Fall/Winter. (Winter /Spring also available).

23 Nov. (Saturday) 9:30 a.m. to noon. Junior Naturalists Club, ages 7 to 12, 4th Saturday of the month, September to May 2014 at RBG Nature Centre. Learning experiences to generate a life-long respect and love of the natural world. Parents must be either HNC or RBG Members. Fee: $80/child, $70/siblings. RBG Nature Centre, Arboretum Old Guelph Road.

24 Nov. (Sunday) 2 p.m. Get Back to Nature Hike: Free RBG Nature hike (donations welcome). Cootes South Shore. Meet at Aviary parking lot on Oak Knoll Road.

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 37 The Dragon’s Den A Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) in Flamborough (Hamilton) and a Summary of Ontario Records by Bill Lamond

he Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) is a large, very More recently, vibrans was recorded at six sites in 2012, three of Tattractive dragonfly. It is rare in Ontario and only occurs in these being previous locations: 1) at Ojibway Park (Paul Pratt); extreme south-western Ontario. Thus, a record in the Hamilton 2) a female on the West Beach of Point Pelee on 29 July (Blake Study Area (HSA) is highly significant. On 6 August 2012, Tim Mann); and 3) a female at Fish Point, Pelee Island on 6 August King found and photographed a male Great Blue Skimmer (Lucas Foerster). The other three records were at new locations: along 8th Concession West, Flamborough, near Spencer Creek 4) Blake Mann observed a female at Skunk’s Misery on 1 July (see cover). This was the first record of vibrans for the HSA and [first Middlesex County record]; 5) Paul Pratt observed this perhaps the northern-most record of this southern species in species at LaSalle, Essex County on 18 August; and 6) of course, Ontario. the record from Tim King on 6 August in Flamborough [first record for Hamilton-Wentworth]. The Great Blue Skimmer was first recorded in Ontario (and Canada) at Point Pelee on 21 June 1951 by Eric Thorn. This Tim King observed this individual at the pond complex along individual was considered to be a non-breeding stray (Walker 8th Concession West on the south side of the road, about 400m & Corbett 1975). This species was not recorded again in the west of where Spencer Creek crosses the road. The Great Blue Province until 1987 when Paul Pratt recorded it from Pelee Skimmer was in the pond that is set within the forest closest to Island and also at Ojibway Park, Windsor. In 1993, Pratt found the road (see photo next page). From Tim: this species at Rondeau Provincial Park, Kent County, the first Ontario record away from Essex County. This species was At first I thought it was an Eastern Pondhawk but the “S3- recorded again in Kent County on 6 July 1999 when Paul Catling, 10” looked rather long and the overall dragon looked too Cory Catling and Vivian Brownell – in a survey of odonata big and it flew nothing like an Eastern Pondhawk. It was of Wheatley Provincial Park – found 15 Great Blue Skimmers being territorial and was chasing Twelve-spotted Skimmers and Common Whitetails.” within the park. The large numbers and presence of ovipositing females at Wheatley strongly suggested that this was a resident Tim King notified a couple of Hamilton dragonfly enthusiasts population (Catling, Brownell & Catling 2000). that night about his exciting find. He sent around some photos too which made us drool with anticipation of seeing this dragon Records of this species became more frequent in the following the next day. I fully expected to see it when I arrived the next decade, either a real change in distribution or an artefact of morning. I met Brian Wylie there around 10 a.m. but it was more knowledgeable naturalists. Steve Marshall observed this rather cool. We waited for things to heat up and get the dragons species at St. Clair National Wildlife Area on 9 July 2002, the active. The dragonflies did become more active with time, but by first record for Lambton County. Another Lambton County noon-hour, it was apparent that the Great Blue Skimmer was not record was at Port Franks where R. DiFruscia reported a female present – at least not where it was the previous day. This pond on 11 September 2004. In 2007, this species seemed to stage complex is large and most of it is inaccessible by foot so it may an incursion into Ontario as individuals were seen at four new have been present. Bob Curry arrived later that afternoon with locations as well as at Ojibway Park again. These new locations similar expectations of seeing it but came up empty – a one day were: 1) Clearville, Kent County [northeast of Rondeau P.P.] wonder. 22 June, one male (James Holdsworth, Dave Martin, Linda Wladarski); 2) Bickford Woods, Lambton County 11 July, one This year (2013) Paul Pratt found a population of 5-6 vibrans male (James Holdsworth); 3) Amherst Point, Essex County at a wooded slough at Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Essex [mouth of Detroit River] 30 July (Paul Pratt); and 4) Gobles County on 21 August. This location was not too far away from Bog, near Gobles, Oxford County [first Oxford County record] the well-known hawk-watch tower. I, along with Bob Curry and 4 August, four males (James Holdsworth). The following year a Brian Wylie, visited this site two days later and were delighted female was observed at the Tip of Point Pelee on 14 June 2008 by to see at least four Great Blue Skimmers in this same slough – a Alan Wormington, probably a migrating/dispersing individual.

Page 38 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 life sighting for Brian and me. A few other oders went to see this “I strongly suspect that this species is present at several sites every same population shortly thereafter and were similarly thrilled. year in Essex/Kent. I haven’t gone out looking for odes in recent years and yet I still bump into it with regularity. I’ve seen females ovipositing at Ojibway several years and saw one ovipositing at Holiday Beach this year. I’m sure if people were out looking it would be found every year.”

Acknowledgements I would like to thank Paul Pratt for providing me detailed information on Essex County and Kent County records. James Holdsworth, Blake Mann and Bob Curry provided information on records from other counties.

Catling, P.M. and V.R. Brownell, C.H. Catling. 2000. Notes on the Odonata of Wheatley Provincial Park. Pp. 20-21 In P.M. Catling, C.D. Jones, P. Pratt (eds), Ontario Odonata, Vol. 1, Toronto Entomologists’ Association, Toronto, Ontario.

Great Blue Skimmer, male - 6 August 2012 - 8th Concession West, Walker, E.M. and P.S. Corbett. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Flamborough, 400m west of Spencer Creek - photo Tim King. Alaska. Universirty of Toronto Press. 307 pp.

Despite all the records of Great Blue Skimmer at various locations over the last 26 years, this species has not completely established itself in the Province. It is not known whether the species is still regular at Wheatley Provincial Park. Although it has been seen frequently at Ojibway Park over the years, it is not seen there every year — it has been seen in only five years of the last 12. At the Gobles Bog, where four males were seen on 4 August 2007, no individuals were seen at this “colony” the following week when surveyed again by James Holdsworth. Probably an ovipositing female had been at Gobles earlier in Location of Great Blue Skimmer (green arrow) on 6 August 2012. Note the year to account for the four males, but these males seemed Spencer Creek on the right of the picture about 400m east of location. to disperse rapidly. I’ll give the last word to Paul Pratt on the Image from googlemaps. current Ontario status of the Great Blue Skimmer:

(continued from page 32) Corporation until the first annual members was declared duly elected. general meeting of the Corporation or until their successors have been elected or appointed, subject to the provisions of the bylaws Jim Stollard moved and Kathy Leisti seconded that the following of the Corporation and the Business Corporations Act of Ontario persons be nominated to hold office in the Club for the following 1982, namely: year or until their successors are elected or appointed:

Michael Fischer Michael Fischer President Jim Heslop Jim Heslop Vice-President Joyce Litster Joyce Litster Secretary Bill Lamond Jim Heslop Treasurer Fran Hicks, Field Events Director Bill Lamond Past President Warren Beacham, Sanctuary Director Peter Scholtens, Program Director The majority of the members voted for the motion and none George Holland, Bird Studies Group voted against. Motion carried. The proposed slate of officers Elaine Serena, Volunteer Director was declared accepted. Herman van Barneveld, Wood Duck Editor Gord McNulty, Director at Large 8. Adjournment Lindsay Burtenshaw, Publicity Director On a motion from Gord McNulty, seconded by Peter Scholtens, the members voted to adjourn the Annual General Meeting at The majority of members voted for the motion and none 8:05 p.m. voted against. Motion carried. The proposed slate of Board

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 39 And Now For Some Good News! The Recovery of the Kirtland’s Warbler by Bill Lamond

he Kirtland’s Warbler is a good news story. Despite it being one It was clear that Jack Pine habitat would have to managed for the of the rarest birds in North America, it is far more common Kirtland’s Warbler to increase. In Michigan during the mid 1970s, Tnow than it was just a short time ago. Man’s manipulation of the 54,000 hectares of Jack Pine was designated for management as landscape had pushed it to the brink of extinction in the middle Kirtland’s Warbler nesting habitat. These lands were intensively of the 20th century. Ironically however, intensive conservation managed by controlled burns. One of these “controlled burns” efforts in the last 40 years likely saved this species from joining got out of control which created a huge amount of future nesting the Passenger Pigeon, Labrador Duck and Bachman’s Warbler habitat. However it was concluded that logging and replanting on a most distressing list. on a 50 year rotational basis would replace the burns. The other half of the management equation was controlling Brown-headed The Kirtland’s Warbler was probably never a very common Cowbirds, a very frequent nest parasite of this warbler. Studies bird in North America, at least in the last millennia. It has quite proved that cowbirds were seriously affecting warbler chicks specific habitat requirements that limit its distribution. Breeding and cowbird parasitism was believed to be a major factor in the habitat is typically in Jack Pine Barrens – particularly sub-mature species decline. In 1972 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service began stands – and much of this habitat is well to the north, well beyond controlling cowbirds with large live traps. Any caught cowbirds the current range of this species. The former breeding range of were euthanized. Kirtland’s Warbler nesting success improved this species is not precisely known, although it is known to have dramatcally as a result. Nest parasitism has declined from 69% to less than 5%. The average number of young warblers fledged/nest has increased from less than one to almost three birds. As distasteful as the cowbird control program may be to many people, it has surely helped in the recovery.

For several years after 1974 the population remained low. Again in 1987 only 167 singing males were recorded. However since then, these intensive manipulations have met with great success. A census of singing males in Michigan in 2012 revealed 2,090 males, an astonishing figure, 12 times the population of 25 years ago. Not surprisingly, with this rapid increase the species has started to spread out and expand its range. Those who frequent Point Pelee will know that it is now annual as a migrant. It has been recorded almost every year since 2002, with multiple Kirtland’s Warbler at Edgelake Park on 5 May 2012. This bird was seen by many area individuals in some years. And of course there is the birders who added it to their HSA lists. Several Hamilton birders at Point Pelee at the time recent Hamilton record from 5 May 2012 at Edgelake missed it, but based on this species rapid population growth, there will be others. This was Park in Stoney Creek. But more importantly, this the 3rd record for Hamilton and the first since 1969 - photo Barry Cherriere. species has re-occupied some of its former breeding range in Ontario. Starting in 2006, three singing males were nested (rarely) in southern Ontario until about 1950. After that found at CFB Petawawa, the very location that the last breeding time its range contracted to a fairly small area in the northern individuals were encountered in Ontario almost 60 years ago. part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The following year a nest was found with two young successfully fledging. Since then this species has been recorded annually at Even though this species may not have been common before Petawawa with nests found in a few years. The species has also Europeans, early settlers did not do this species any favours as spread to the north and west with at least 24 singing males being forests were cleared including Jack Pine forests. In addition, fire recorded in 2012 in five counties of Wisconsin and several males suppression was “king” in the early part of the past century and on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In Ontario the MNR has Jack Pine stands are naturally maintained by periodic fire – Jack begun some forest management with Kirtland’s Warbler as the Pine is adapted to fire and, as a consequence, so is the Kirtland’s focus. In Algonquin Park, poplar saplings have been removed Warbler. Fire suppression efforts greatly reduced available in a few square kilometres to favour Jack Pine stands, and in the habitat for this species and as populations dropped, Kirtland’s Pembroke area, a new forest management plan includes specific Warbler became vulnerable to nest parasitism from Brown- strategies to create habitat for Kirtland’s Warblers. headed Cowbirds. This species reached a low water mark in 1974 when a census revealed only 167 singing males – a total global The Kirtland’s Warbler has been saved from extinction. However, population of less than 500 birds! Subsequently the species was due to its strict habitat requirements it will always be a rare bird. listed as Endangered (U.S.) in the same year. Nonetheless its survival is something to celebrate. Page 40 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Membership Director’s Report for 2012-2013 By Maggie Sims, Membership Director

he HNC was very pleased to welcome 44 new members you include your email address with your membership Tduring the 2012-2013 membership year including 14 information. This newsletter highlights various items of student memberships – this is particularly exciting news as our interest and details about future Club activities and outings. younger members help to keep our Club vibrant. Currently we have 659 named members in 457 memberships. This includes Please remember that our membership year runs from 48 life members. In reality, we have more members than September 1st through August 31st. It is important to renew as this but I know I am missing some information, particularly soon as possible for the 2012-2013 year to ensure you do not from those who have family memberships. Our database miss any issues of the Wood Duck. If you have not renewed by automatically counts single and joint memberships accurately. the beginning of November then, unfortunately, the November However, family memberships often include more than two issue will be your last. Renewals can be made electronically people but I do not always receive those details. If you are through PayPal via our website, by mail, or in person at any of renewing a family membership this year, it would be most our Monthly Meetings. helpful if you would write in the names of all the people included in the membership so I can update the database and In the Spring the Board voted to purchase a new, modern we can have a more accurate count. database to help us manage our membership information as the old system is very outdated. I am looking forward to The key benefit of membership is a mailed copy of our monthly getting all the details transferred over so that I will be better colour publication, the Wood Duck. In addition, members able to keep your information up to date and accurate! also receive the President’s monthly e-newsletter provided Buck and Crows – A Strange Encounter by Joanna Chapman

the crows away, but then I remembered that although the buck y house sits at the base of a hillside in Dundas, in a perfect is injured, he gets around fairly well, and can be on his feet in a Mlocation to study wildlife. On Friday, March 18th 2011, I hurry if he wants to. watched one of the strangest wildlife interactions I have ever seen. As I watched more closely, I could see that the crow was pecking gently at the wound and if the buck For several years there has moved its head towards the leg, that been a buck White-tailed Deer crow would move back and another who crosses along the hillside crow would take over. This process and often sleeps quite near continued for about five minutes, the house. His muzzle is now and then the crows flew off. After a white from age, his eyes are a moment or two, the buck stood up little droopy, and he moves and wandered about a little before more slowly than he used to. settling down again. Throughout For the past month he has this strange episode, the older buck been travelling with a much younger buck, one that has a badly appeared to show no particular injured hind leg, with a visible wound. The older one seems to interest. be guarding the young one, standing aside to make sure he eats, and generally appearing to be looking out for his “buddy”. The following day I looked at the injured leg through my Yesterday afternoon they were both lying down close to each binoculars. The wound was no other and resting. As I watched, four American Crows moved worse – maybe it even looked into the trees nearby and began cawing softly. They then flew slightly better, time will tell. down to the ground beside the young injured buck. For a couple Were the crows cleaning the of minutes the crows walked around, then one began to peck wound? Were they removing maggots? I have no idea. at the buck. At first I was horrified, and almost ran out to scare

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 41 NOTEWORTHY BIRD RECORDS – APRIL 2013 By Rob Dobos

Total number of species recorded in the HSA during 2013 to April 30: 209. Underlined species or dates require documentation by the Hamilton Bird Records Committee. Capitalized species require documentation by the Ontario Bird Records Committee. For species marked with “#”, all reported records are listed. For all other species, only highlights are listed. Note that the species order follows the most recent American Ornithologists’ Union checklist and supplements.

Observers: Frances Alvo (FAv), Jack Alvo (JAv), Phil Armishaw (PAr), Paul Baldassi (PBa), Kim Barrett (KBa), Gerry Binsfeld (GBi), Dave Brewer (DBr), Duane Brown (DBn), George Bryant (GBy), Wayne Bullock (WB), Chris Burris (CBu), Mike Cadman (MCa), Barb Charlton (BC), Barry Cherriere (BCh), Barry Coombs (BCo), Antonio Coral (ACo), Sara De Cloet (SDC), Karl Dix (KD), Rob Dobos (RD), Dave R. Don (DD), Judy Eberspaecher (JE), Cheryl Edgecombe (CE), Gavin Edmondstone (GE), Brian Enter (BEn), Dave Flook (DF), Janet Forjan (JFo), Brett Fried (BF), Denys Gardiner (DG), Brandon Holden (BH), George Holland (GH), Ellen Horak (EHk), Jackson Hudecki (JHu), Mourad Jabra (MJa), Eugene Jankowski (EJ), Beth Jefferson (BJe), Mark Jennings (MJ), Adam Jutrznia (AJu), Kevin Kerr (KKe), Bonnie Kinder (BKi), Ethan Kistler (EK), Billi Krochuk (BKr), Gordo Laidlaw (GLa), Bill Lamond (BL), Bruce Mackenzie (BM), Len Manning (LMa), Lou Marsh (LMr), Arlene McCaw (AMC), Jim McCaw (JMC), Kevin McLaughlin (KM), Lois McNaught (LMN), Matt Mills (MM), Brian Mishell (BMi), Dave Moore (DMo), Bill Morden (BMo), Ken Newcombe (KN), Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH), Josh Nieuwenhuis (JNs), Ed O’Connor (EOC), Terry Osborne (TO), Mark Peck (MP), Richard Poort (RPo), Rob Porter (RPr), David Pryor (DPr), Joanne Redwood (JRe), Dorlisa Robinson (DRo), Dan Salisbury (DS), Aaron Schat (ASc), Caleb Scholtens (CSc), Peter Scholtens (PSc), Jim Sigurdson (JSi), Janet Sippel (JSp), Paul Smith (PS), Dave Smitley (DSm), Mike Street (MS), John Struger (JSt), Bruce Taylor (BT), Lisa Teskey (LTe), Peter Thoem (PT), Tom Thomas (TT), Fred Urie (FU), Liz Vanderwoude (LV), Mike Veltri (MV), Mike Waldhuber (MWa), Rob Waldhuber (RW), Jim Watt (JWa), Glenn Welbourn (GWn), Angie Williams (AWi), Ken Williams (KWi), Brian Wyatt (BWt), many observers (m.obs.).

Legend: Plumages, etc.: County/Region/City: * -first occurrence for the year m. -male Brant [BR] F -first occurrence for the f. -female Haldimand [HD] migration ad. -adult Halton [HL] L -last occurrence for the ba. -basic Hamilton [HM] migration alt. -alternate Niagara [NG] HSA -Hamilton Study Area imm. -immature Peel [PL] SM –singing male juv. -juvenile Waterloo [WT] terr. –territorial bird 1st yr. –first year Wellington [WL]

Snow Goose#: On Apr 13, one white morph + one blue Blue-winged Teal: Four at Ofield Rd & Conc HM 4[ ] and morph at Stormwater Pond at Hwy 407 S of Britannia Rd three at Middletown Rd S of Conc 4 [HM] Apr 10 (BC); three [PL] (DPr), then at James Snow Parkway & Britannia Rd [HL] past Fifty Rd [HM] Apr 13 (KM); four at Valley Inn [HL] Apr 16 (MP) and later at 4th Line & Britannia Rd [HL] (LMa,LTe). (KN); five at th8 Line & Britannia Rd Apr 24 (RD). Ross’s Goose#: One white morph at 8th Line & Britannia Rd Northern Shoveler: Two past Beamer C.A., Grimsby [NG] [HL] Apr 12-14L (EJ; m.obs.). Apr 4 F (NPH); 50 at Windermere Basin [HM] Apr 8 (RD,CE); Brant#: One at CCIW [HL] (DMo; JSt) then later on Hamilton six at Ofield Rd & Conc 4 Apr 10 (BC); 12 at8th Line & Harbour off LaSalle Marina [HM] (BKr,EK; m.obs.) Apr 22 Britannia Rd Apr 13 (RD); 37 past Bronte [HL] Apr 16 (MJ). was a very early migrant. Northern Pintail: Two at 8th Line & Britannia Rd Apr 13 (RD). Cackling Goose#: Two at 8th Line & Britannia Rd Apr 1 L Green-winged Teal: 26 off Van Wagners Beach [HM] Apr 7 (MP). (RD et al.); 34 at Ridge Rd E of 8th Rd E [HM] Apr 19 (CE,DD); Tundra Swan: Two at Ofield Rd N of Hwy 5 HM[ ] Apr 6 L 35 at 8th Line & Britannia Rd Apr 29 (RD); 14 at Windermere (RD,CE). Basin Apr 26 (RD,CE). Wood Duck: 20 at Hendrie Valley [HL] Apr 4 (LMa,BCo). Redhead: 14 off Van Wagners Beach Apr 7 (RD et al.); 44 at Gadwall: 70 at NE Shore of Harbour [HM] Apr 6 (RD); 10 at Puslinch Lake Apr 21 (MCa,BWt). Pusinch Lake [WL] Apr 21 (MCa,BWt). Ring-necked Duck: Seven at Dundas Marsh [HM] Apr 17 Eurasian Wigeon#: One m. at Green Mt Rd Quarry Pond (RD); seven at Green Mt Rd Quarry Pond [HM] Apr 21 (RD). [HM] Apr 2 L (FU). Lesser Scaup: 104 at Puslinch Lake Apr 21 (MCa,BWt). Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid#: An apparent hybrid King Eider#: One 1st yr. m. off Green Rd [HM] Apr 20-21L m. at Puslinch Lake [WL] Apr 21 (MCa,BWt). (BH). American Wigeon: Five at 8th Line & Britannia Rd Apr 23 Surf Scoter: 130 off Millen Rd [HM] Apr 25 (RD). (CE). Black Scoter: One 1st yr. m. off Millen Rd Apr 25 (RD).

Page 42 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Long-tailed Duck: One at Mountsberg C.A. [HM/WL] Apr 13 Osprey: A terr. pair at Mountsberg C.A. Apr 7 (EK); a pair (RD). nesting on a cell tower at Hwy 403 & Hwy 6 N [HL] Apr 9-30 Ruddy Duck: 50 off Woodland Cemetery [HM] Apr 14 (RD et (RD; m.obs.); 12 at Beamer C.A. Apr 14 (NPH); a pair nesting al.); 35 at Tollgate Pond [HM] Apr 16 (RD); 162 at Dundas Marsh on a cell tower at Hwy 8 W of Christie C.A. [HM] Apr 16-on (fide Apr 147 (RD); 117 at Puslinch Lake Apr 21 (MCa,BWt). BM); one terr. at a nest at Tyneside Rd S of White Church Rd Ring-necked Pheasant#: One m. + one f. at Mud St & 7th Rd E [HM] Apr 28 (RPo). [HM] Apr 26 (MS). Bald Eagle: A total of 29 counted at Beamer C.A. Apr 1-28 Ruffed Grouse#: Up to three at Westover Rd N of Conc 8 [HM] (NPH); one ad. at King St & Red Hill Parkway [HM] Apr 1 (RW); Mar 1-Apr 22 (PS); one f. at Valens Rd N of Conc 6 [HM] Apr 5 the nesting pair at N Shore of Cootes Paradise [HM] tended (PS). two chicks Apr 1-30 (m.obs.); three chicks hatched from a nest Wild Turkey: Up to 11 at Westover Rd N of Conc 8 Mar 1-Apr at Brant C.A. [BR] Apr 4 (DBn); one at Puslinch Lake Apr 21 29 (PS); 45 at Hwy 5 N of Parkside Dr [HM] Mar 26 (PS). (MCa,BWt). Red-throated Loon#: Two off Burlington Beachstrip [HL] Apr Northern Harrier: 14 at Beamer C.A. Apr 9 (NPH). 9 (CE,RD); one past Fifty Rd [HM] and one off Peace Park, Sharp-shinned Hawk: Birds at Beamer C.A.: 106 –Apr 8, 147 Grimsby [NG] Apr 13 (KM); seven off Grays Rd [HM] Apr 23 –Apr 9, 222 –Apr 15 (NPH). (KM), and two there Apr 25-26 (LMa et al.); nine over Dundas Cooper’s Hawk: A pair nesting at Edgelake Park [HM] Apr 17- Valley C.A. [HM] Apr 28 (CE et al.). 30 (RD; m.obs.); a pair nesting at Shell Park [HL] Apr 21-on (CE Common Loon: Birds past Beamer C.A.: 6 –Apr 7, 17 –Apr 18, et al.). 8 –Apr 23 (NPH); birds on Apr 13: 8 –Fifty Rd (KM), 15 –Green Northern Goshawk#: Birds at Beamer C.A.: 1 –Apr 6, 1 –Apr Rd (BH), 3 –Mountsberg C.A. (RD). 13, 1 –Apr 21 (NPH); one over Shoreacres [HL] Apr 25 (DF). Pied-billed Grebe: One at Desjardins Canal, Dundas [HM] Apr Red-shouldered Hawk: Birds at Beamer C.A.: 68 –Apr 4, 44 1-14 (JRe); two off LaSalle Marina Apr 1-10 (JRe,LMa), and two –Apr 6, 19 –Apr 17 (NPH). there Apt 28 (KN et al.); four at Grand River at Wilkes Dam, Broad-winged Hawk: Birds at Beamer C.A.: 1 –Apr 13 *, 335 Brantford [BR] Apr 6 (BL); two off Bayfront Park, Hamilton [HM] –Apr 17, 420 –Apr 23 (NPH). Apr 19 (LMN); 20 at Puslinch Lake Apr 21 (MCa,BWt). Rough-legged Hawk: Ten at Beamer C.A. Apr 6 (NPH). Horned Grebe: Two off Confederation Park [HM] Apr 7 (RD Golden Eagle#: Birds at Beamer C.A.: 1ad. + 1 2nd yr. –Apr 6, et al.); five off Burloak Waterfront Park HL[ ] Apr 9 (CE); two at 3ad. –Apr 8 (NPH). Mountsberg C.A. and one at Clappisons Corners Wetland [HM] Virginia Rail#: One at Kerncliff Park, Burlington [HL] Apr 16 * Apr 13 (RD); eight off Bronte Cemetery [HL] Apr 21 (RD et al.); (DD); one terr. at Dundas Hydro Pond Apr 23 (JFo); one terr. at 19 at Puslinch Lake Apr 21 (MCa,BWt); eight off LaSalle Marina Dundas Marsh Apr 26 (RD). Apr 28 (RD et al.). Sora#: One at Middletown Marsh [HM] Apr 19 * (BC); one terr. Red-necked Grebe: 19 off Burloak Waterfront Park Apr 9 (CE); at Dundas Hydro Pond Apr 23 (JFo); one terr. at Dundas Marsh 60 off Fifty Rd Apr 13 (KM); 35 off Green Rd Apr 13 (BH); 14 Apr 26 (DPr; RD). off Bronte Harbour Apr 14 (RD et al.); a terr. pair at Burloak American Coot: Eight at Windermere Basin Apr 8 (RD); three Waterfront Park Apr 21-on (RD et al.); one at Puslinch Lake Apr at CCIW Apr 17 (RD); 14 off LaSalle Marina Apr 30 (RD). 21 (MCa,BWt). Sandhill Crane#: A terr. pair at Grass Lake [WT] Apr 7-30 (BEn; Eared Grebe#: Two off LaSalle Marina Apr 28*-30 (GBi,ACo; m.obs.); birds past Beamer C.A.: 3 –Apr 13, 3 –Apr 15, 3 –Apr m.obs.). 21, 1 –Apr 22, 2 –Apr 27 (NPH); two over Hwy 6 N of Parkside American Bittern#: One at Dundas Hydro Pond [HM] Apr 14 * Dr Apr 13 (PS); two over Westover Rd N of Conc 8 Apr 17 (PS); (JFo); one past Frances Ave, Stoney Creek [HM] Apr 19 (GH). unknown number heard calling overhead N of Westover [HM] Great Blue Heron: Birds past Beamer C.A.: 7 –Apr 7, 10 –Apr Apr 23 (DBr); four at Dundas Marsh Apr 26 (JHu et al.). 14, 10 –Apr 18 (NPH); seven past Van Wagners Beach Apr 7 American Avocet#: A flock of 16 heading W over High Level (RD et al.); nine past Fifty Rd Apr 13 (KM); approx. 60 occupied Bridge Apr 16 * (KN) provided the earliest record for the HSA. nests NE of Lower Baseline Rd & Trafalgar Rd [HL] Apr 13 (RD). Spotted Sandpiper: One at N Shore of Cootes Paradise Apr 12 Great Egret#: One past Beamer C.A. Apr 13 * (NPH); one at * (BT); one at Red Hill Parkway & QEW Stormwater Pond [HM] Bronte Marsh [HM] Apr 16 (MJ); one at Confederation Park Apr Apr 17 (RD), and seven there Apr 26 (RD,CE). 16-26 (RW,MWa); two over Valley Inn Apr 21 (KN); two past Solitary Sandpiper: One at 8th Line N of Britannia Rd Apr 18*- Green Rd Apr 26 (GH); one at Hendrie Valley Apr 27-29 (LMN); 24 (JSi; RD); two at Binbrook [HM] Apr 26 (LV); one at 5th Rd E three past Winona Rd [HM] Apr 28 (KD). N of Green Mt Rd [HM] Apr 30 (KM). Egret species#: One unidentified small white egret past Winona Greater Yellowlegs: Two at 8th Line & Britannia Rd Apr 1 * Rd Apr 28 (KD). (MP), and 12 there Apr 23 (CE); three at Campbellville Rd W Green Heron: One over Henderson Survey, Brantford [BR] Apr of Milburough Line [HM] Apr 7 (EK); seven at Woodhill Rd S of 24 * (BL); one at Clappisons Corners Wetland [HM] Apr 26 (TT); Hwy 5 [HM] Apr 13 (EHk); 10 at Ridge Rd E of 8th Rd E [HM] Apr one at Appleby Creek at Pineland School [HL] Apr 30 (CE). 19 (CE,DD); 13 at 5th Rd E N of Green Mt Rd Apr 27-30 (KM); Black-crowned Night-Heron: One ad. past CCIW Apr 11 F seven at Middletown Rd S of Conc 4 Apr 29 (BC; m.obs.). (RD); three at Confederation Park Apr 16 (GH). Willet#: One at Windermere Basin Apr 22*-30 (JAv,FAv; m.obs.). Black Vulture#: One at Dufferin Quarry, Milton [HL] Apr 10 * Lesser Yellowlegs: Two at 5th Rd E N of Green Mt Rd Apr 15 (GLa); four at Beamer C.A. Apr 23 flew past west then later flew * (DD), and 25 there Apr 30 (KM); 11 at 8th Line & Britannia Rd east (NPH) and may have been birds from the wintering flock Apr 24 (RD); seven at Middletown Rd S of Conc 4 Apr 29 (RD; at Queenston. m.obs.); four at Windermere Basin Apr 30 (KM). Turkey Vulture: 400 over High Level Bridge [HM] Apr 5 (TO); Upland Sandpiper#: Four at 11th Rd E & Mud St [HM] Apr 22 * 622 at Beamer C.A. Apr 6 (NPH). (MV), and two there Apr 23-27 (LMa; m.obs.). The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 43 Least Sandpiper: Two at Windermere Basin Apr 30 * (KM). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Five at Edgelake Park and four at Pectoral Sandpiper: Birds at 8th Line & Britannia Rd: 2 –Apr Confederation Park Apr 7 (RD et al.); five at Riverview Park, 3 * (DPr), 15 –Apr 21 (DRo), 4 –Apr 23 (CE); 20 at 5th Rd E Oakville [HL] Apr 8 (DD); seven at Sherwood Forest Park [HL] N of Green Mt Rd Apr 27 (RD et al.), and 27 there Apr 28 (CE) and 15 at Confederation Park (GBy,DS) Apr 9; five at (LMa,PBa,AJu). Woodland Cemetery and eight at Sherwood Forest Park Apr Dunlin: Birds at Windermere Basin: 2 –Apr 8 * (RD,CE), 5 – 14 (RD et al.). Apr 9 (GBy,DS), 11 –Apr 21 (BCh); two at 5th Rd E N of Green Northern Flicker: 20 at Confederation Park Apr 9 (GBy,DS); Mt Rd Apr 28 (LMa,PBa,AJu), and three there Apr 30 (KM). 63 past Frances Ave, Stoney Creek [HM] Apr 16 (GH); 32 at Long-billed Dowitcher#: Three at Middletown Rd S of Conc 4 Beamer C.A. Apr 18 (NPH). Apr 29 * (BC; m.obs.). Pileated Woodpecker: One at St. George St, Brantford [BR] Wilson’s Snipe: Two at Middletown Rd S of Conc 4 Apr 6 Apr 19 (BL); one at Shell Park Apr 21 (RD et al.). (RD,CE); birds at 5th Rd E N of Green Mt Rd: 17 –Apr 6 (RPo), Merlin: A terr. pair at Howe Ave, Hamilton Mountain [HM] Apr 18 –Apr 9 (DD), 32 –Apr 21 (RD), 25 –Apr 27 (KM). 1 (JRe); one at Valley Inn Apr 2-3 (RPo; JNs); nine counted at Little Gull#: One ad. off Green Rd Apr 21 * (BH; GH); two ad. Beamer C.A. Apr 4-23 (NPH); one terr. at James Hillier School, off Oakes Rd, Grimsby [NG] Apr 27 (KM). Brantford [BR] Apr 6 (BL); one at Bronte Harbour Apr 11-21 Bonaparte’s Gull: 20 off Van Wagners Beach (RD et al.) and (MJ; RD et al.); one past Fifty Rd (KM) and two past Green Rd 12 past Green Rd (GH) Apr 7 F; 50 off Green Rd Apr 13 (BH); (BH) Apr 13; one at Aurora Cres, Burlington Apr 19 (CE). 25 at Windermere Basin Apr 14 (LMa,BCo,DSm); 39 at Bronte Peregrine Falcon#: A terr. pair at Burlington Lift Bridge [HL/ Apr 16 (MJ); 30 over Dundas Apr 16 (RD); 50 over High Level HM] Apr 1-30 (RD; m.obs.); one at Beamer C.A. Apr 15 (NPH); Bridge Apr 17 (BCo); 1000 off Green Rd Apr 21 (BH; GH); 190 one at James Hillier School, Brantford Apr 22 (BL); two over off Burloak Waterfront Park Apr 21 (RD et al.); 700 off Oakes Edgelake Park Apr 25 (RD). Rd, Grimsby Apr 27 (KM). Eastern Phoebe: One at 8th Rd E & Dofasco Trail [HM] Apr Thayer’s Gull#: One ad. + one 2nd ba. off Green Rd Apr 13 2 F (LMa,LTe); one at Hendrie Valley Apr 4 (LMa,BCo) was (BH), and one ad. there Apr 16 (GH). likely the overwintering bird; three at Edgelake Park and four at Iceland Gull: One off Green Rd Apr 7 (GH), and one ad. + one Confederation Park Apr 7 (RD et al.); 12 at Confederation Park imm. there Apr 13 (BH; GH); one 1st ba. at Bronte Harbour Apr Apr 9 (GBy,DS). 11 (MJ); one 1st ba. off Shoreacres Apr 13 (DD); one 1st ba. over Great Crested Flycatcher: One at Confederation Park Apr 30 Woodland Cemetery Apr 14 (MM et al.); two ad. at Windermere * (BKi). Basin Apr 14 (LMa,BCo,DSm); one ad. at Suncor Pier, Bronte Eastern Kingbird: One at Binbrook C.A. [HM] Apr 21 * (PAr) [HL] Apr 25 (MJ); one 1st ba. off Fifty Rd Apr 27 (KM). was the second earliest for the HSA; one at Confederation Park Lesser Black-backed Gull#: One ad. + one 1st ba. + two 2nd Apr 23 (JWa) provided the third earliest record for the HSA. ba. off Green Rd Apr 13 (BH); one ad. at Windermere Basin White-eyed Vireo#: One at Fifty Point C.A. Apr 27 * Apr 14 (LMa,BCo,DSm), and one 1st ba. there Apr 16 (RD); one (CE,RD,DD). ad. + one 3rd ba. at Suncor Pier, Bronte Apr 25 (MJ). Blue-headed Vireo: One at Shell Park Apr 24 * (EK). Glaucous Gull: One imm. off CCIW Apr 10 (RD); birds off Warbling Vireo: One at Confederation Park Apr 30 * (GH). Green Rd: 2ad. + 2 1st ba. –Apr 13 (BH), 1ad. –Apr 24 (GH), FISH CROW#: Two over LaSalle Marina Apr 15 * (RD); one at 1 imm. –Apr 26 (GH); one 2nd alt. at Windermere Basin Apr 23 Bronte Harbour Apr 16-18 (MJ; m.obs.); one at Shell Park Apr (KM,DPr); two 1st ba. at Suncor Pier, Bronte Apr 25 (MJ). 28 (CBu). Great Black-backed Gull: One 1st. ba. at Suncor Pier, Bronte Common Raven#: A nesting pair at Vinemount Quarry, 10th Rd Apr 25 (MJ). E & Green Mt Rd [HM] Apr 1-30 (m.obs.); birds at Beamer C.A.: Caspian Tern: One past CCIW Apr 3 (RD); 17 at Puslinch 1 –Apr 6, 1 –Apr 18, 1 –Apr 25 (NPH); one near Sedgewick Lake Apr 21 (MCa,BWt). Forest Park, Oakville [HL] Apr 10 (BJe); one at Dalkeith Dr, Common Tern: One off Green Rd (BH) and one off LaSalle Brantford [BR] Apr 29 (DD). Marina (BCo,DSm,EOC) Apr 13 *; 16 at Bronte Harbour Apr 16 Horned Lark: One ad. at a nest w/three eggs at NW Brantford (MJ); 24 off Forty Mile Creek, Grimsby [NG] Apr 19 (CE,DD); [BR] Apr 7 (BL). 75 past Green Rd Apr 21 (GH); one at Puslinch Lake Apr 21 Purple Martin: Two at Hwy 8, Grimsby [NG] Apr 7 * (BM); four (MCa,BWt). at 10th Rd E S of Ridge Rd [HM] Apr 21 (RD). Forster’s Tern#: Nine past Fifty Rd Apr 13 * (KM, RPo); two Tree Swallow: 24 at Bronte Harbour Apr 1 (MJ); 260 off Suncor at Bronte Harbour Apr 14 (GE; RD et al.), and two there Apr Pier, Bronte Apr 11 (MJ). 17 (BCh et al.); one off LaSalle Marina Apr 15 (RD); birds on Northern Rough-winged Swallow: one at Van Wagners Apr 16: 7 –Bronte Harbour (MJ), 2 –LaSalle Marina (EK; RPo), Ponds [HM] Apr * 10 (EK). 5 –Valley Inn (KN; PSc,CSc). Bank Swallow: Birds on Apr 16 *: 1 –Bronte (MJ), 1 –Valley Barred Owl#: One terr. at Preservation Park, Guelph [WL] Apr Inn (PSc,CSc), 1 –Mountsberg C.A. (MCa). 12-21 (FU; KKe). Cliff Swallow: One at Bronte Apr 16 * (MJ). Northern Saw-whet Owl#: One at Enmore Ave, Ancaster Barn Swallow: One at Bronte Harbour Apr 1 F (MJ). [HM] Apr 27-28L (fide MS). Tufted Titmouse#: One SM at Crieff [WL] Mar 15-Apr 15 Chimney Swift: One at Appleby College, Oakville [HL] (CE) (DBr); one at Kelson Ave at Lake [NG] Apr 28 (LMa,PBa,AJu). and two at Beamer C.A. (NPH) Apr 18 *; one at Confederation Red-breasted Nuthatch: Two at Edgelake Park and three at Park (CE,DD) and one at Aurora Cres, Burlington [HL] (CE) Confederation Park Apr 7 F (RD et al.). Apr 19; one at Bronte Apr 21 (CE et al.); four at Dundas Hydro Brown Creeper: One at Edgelake park and two at Pond Apr 25 (LMa et al.). Confederation Park Apr 7 F (RD et al.); 12 at Shoreacres Apr Belted Kingfisher: Four at Beamer C.A. Apr 18 (NPH). 18 (RD,CE). Page 44 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 House Wren: One at Inglewood Dr & Gloucester Rd, Hamilton Eastern Towhee: One at Edgelake Park Apr 7 F (RD). [HM] Apr 3 * (BCo) provided the third earliest record for the American Tree Sparrow: One at Van Wagners Ponds Apr 27 HSA. L (RD,CE,DD). Winter Wren: One at Chedoke Radial Trail W of Dundurn St Chipping Sparrow: One at Dunning Ct, Dundas [HM] Apr 6 [HM] Apr 9 F (PSc). (MM); 50 at Confederation Park Apr 19 (CE,DD). Marsh Wren#: One at Confederation Park Apr 25 * (CSc et al.) Clay-colored Sparrow#: One at Shoreacres Apr 23 * (JSi) was provided the second earliest record for the HSA. record early for the HSA. Golden-crowned Kinglet: Birds on Apr 7: 8 –Edgelake Park Field Sparrow: Two at Riverview Park, Oakville Apr 8 F (DD). (RD et al.), 14 –Confederation Park (RD et al.), 12 –Shell Park Vesper Sparrow: One SM at 11th Rd E S of Mud St Apr 27 F (AMC,JMC); 32 at Riverview Park, Oakville Apr 8 (DD). (KM; RD,CE,DD); one at Britannia Rd W of Guelph Line [HL] Ruby-crowned Kinglet: One at Beamer C.A. Apr 7 F (BF); Apr 26 (KBa); two at Middletown Rd S of Conc 4 Apr 29 (DD). 20 at Forty Mile Creek, Grimsby and 15 at Shoreacres Apr 19 Savannah Sparrow: Two at 8th Rd E & Green Mt Rd Apr 21 F (CE,DD); 27 at Shell Park Apr 21 (RD et al.). (RD). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: Two at Shell Park Apr 14 * (BMi). Fox Sparrow: Two at Beamer C.A. Apr 2F-6 and four there Apr Eastern Bluebird: One m. at Confederation Park Apr 7 (RD 7 (NPH); four at Edgelake Park and two at Confederation Park et al.). Apr 7 (RD et al.); four at Lakeside Park, Mississauga [PL] Apr 9 Veery: One at Shoreacres Apr 29 * (WB). (JWa); five at Sherwood Forest Park Apr 14 (RD et al.). Hermit Thrush: One at Kerncliff Park, Burlington Apr 5 F (EK); Song Sparrow: 200 at Confederation Park Apr 9 (GBy,DS). eight at Shoreacres and four at Forty Mile Creek, Grimsby Apr Swamp Sparrow: One SM at Valens Rd & Conc 6 [HM] Apr 17 19 (CE,DD); nine at Shell Park Apr 21 (RD et al.). F (RD,CE); three at Shoreacres Apr 23 (RD,CE). Wood Thrush: One at Confederation Park Apr 25 * (BCo). White-throated Sparrow: One at Sherwood Forest Park Apr Gray Catbird: One at Iroquoia Heights C.A. [HM] Apr 24 * 14 F (RD et al.); four at Beamer C.A. (NPH) and seven at Shell (WB); one at N Shore of Cootes Paradise Apr 26-27 (JHu et Park (AMC,JMC) Apr 18; 15 at Van Wagners Ponds Apr 19 al.); one terr. at Dundas Valley C.A. Apr 28 (RD et al.). (RD). Brown Thrasher: One at Beamer C.A. Apr 7 F (BF); two at Harris’s Sparrow#: One ad. continued at Ellis Rd W of Inglewood Dr & Gloucester Rd, Hamilton [HM] Apr 16 (LMa); Wellington Rd 32 [WL] Apr 1-27L (m.obs.; JSp). one at E 15th St & Mountville Ave, Hamilton [HM] Apr 16 (GWn). White-crowned Sparrow: One at Brant Rd 22 & Sawmill Rd American Pipit: One past Beamer C.A. Apr 27 F (NPH). [BR] Apr 24 F (ASc); one at Beamer C.A. Apr 28 (NPH). Bohemian Waxwing#: Birds at Olympic Park, Dundas [HM]: Dark-eyed Junco: 60 at Confederation Park Apr 19 (CE,DD). 20 –Apr 8 (RD), 40 –Apr 11 (RD), 200 –Apr 14 (RPo); 25 at Rose-breasted Grosbeak: One m. at Brant Rd 22 & Sawmill Centennial Park, Dundas [HM] Apr 9-10 (JHu; m.obs.); 14 at Rd Apr 24 * (ASc); one m. at Ray & Peter Sts, Hamilton [HM] Nassagaweya 4th Line & Sideroad 15 [HL] Apr 10 (LMr); 150 at Apr 30 (BCo). Grand River at Wilkes Dam, Brantford Apr 12 (BL,DG); 150 at Bobolink: One m. at Burloak Waterfront Park Apr 20*-21 (MJ; University Plaza, Dundas [HM] Apr 13-14 (TO; m.obs.); 100 at m.obs.) was record early for the HSA; one terr. m. at 10th Rd E Mohawk Rd & Rice Ave, Hamilton [HM] Apr 14 (LMa,LTe); 30 at & Dofasco Trail Apr 27 (RD,CE,DD). York St & Baldwin St, Dundas [HM] Apr 21 L (JHu). Eastern Meadowlark: One at Windermere Basin Apr 8-26 (RD Snow Bunting: One at NW Brantford [BR] Apr 7 L (BL). et al.). Northern Waterthrush: One at Confederation Park Apr 23*- Rusty Blackbird: Two at Fifty Point C.A. Apr 28 (RD,CE,DD); 27 (EK; RD,CE,DD); two SM at Westover Rd N of Conc 8 Apr four at Kelson Ave at Lake Apr 28 (LMa,PBa,AJu). 28-30 (PS). Baltimore Oriole: One m. at Frances Ave, Stoney Creek [HM] Blue-winged Warbler: One at Shoreacres Apr 30 * (MJa). Apr 14 * (GH) provided te second earliest record for the HSA; Black-and-white Warbler: One at Shoreacres Apr 28*-29 one m. at N Shore of Cootes Paradise Apr 25 (PT). (AMC,JMC; CE); one at Sherwood Forest Park Apr 29 (CE). Purple Finch: One at Inglewood Ave & Gloucester Rd, Hamilton Common Yellowthroat: One at Van Wagners Ponds Apr 22 * Apr 16 F (LMa); four at Beamer C.A. Apr 23 (NPH); two SM at (GH) provided the second earliest record for the HSA. Westover Rd N of Conc 8 Apr 24-27 (PS); one m. + one f. at Yellow Warbler: One at N Shore of Cootes Paradise Apr 27 * Sunrise Cres, Dundas [HM] Apr 25-27 (RD). (JHu et al.). Red Crossbill#: One m. + one f. at Confederation Park Apr 7*- Black-throated Blue Warbler: Two m. at Sedgewick Forest 26 were found to be nesting (AWi,KWi; m.obs.). Park Apr 30 * (CE). White-winged Crossbill: One m. + one f. at Confederation Palm Warbler: One at Shoreacres Apr 17 * (RPo), and one Park Apr 7 (RD et al.). hypochrysea there Apr 28 (AMC,JMC); one hypochrysea at Common Redpoll: Up to 65 at Westover Rd Mar 5-Apr 4 and South Shell Waterfront Park [HL] Apr 20 (MJ). one f. there Apr 15 (PS); one at Confederation Park Apr 8 (LMa). Pine Warbler: Two at LaSalle Park Apr 16 F (RPo), and six Pine Siskin: Up to seven at Sunrise Cres, Dundas Apr 1-30 there Apr 17 (BKr); 10 at Bronte Creek Prov. Park [HL] Apr 19 (RD); 13 at Beamer C.A. Apr 18 (NPH); three near Victoria (BMo). Park, Hamilton [HM] Apr 30 (SDC). Yellow-rumped Warbler: Birds on Apr 7 F: 1 –Beamer C.A. Evening Grosbeak#: One past Beamer C.A. Apr 15 F (NPH). (NPH), 1 –Confederation Park (MM et al.), 1 –Shell Park (AMC,JMC); five at Riverview Park, Oakville Apr 8 (DD); six at Please send your bird records for May 2013 by Oct 5 to: Rob Arkendo Park, Oakville [HL] Apr 9 (JWa); 30 at Shoreacres Apr Dobos, 21 Sunrise Cres., Dundas, Ont., L9H 3S1; ph: (905) 18 (RD,CE); 26 at Sedgewick Forest Park Apr 30 (CE). 628-0297; e-mail: [email protected] Black-throated Green Warbler: One at Edgelake Park Apr 26 * (GH).

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 45 Burlington Heights Heritage Lands Stakeholder Advisory Committee Report Giuliana Casimirri - [email protected]

he Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System (CEEPS) System (NEPOSS) will be developed as part of the management T‘Burlington Heights Heritage Lands’ stakeholder advisory planning process. More information on the NEPOSS planning committee met on June 25th. The ‘Burlington Heights system can be obtained from: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ Heritage Lands’ is one of six core natural areas in the Cootes Business/LUEPS/Publication/STDPROD_096481.html). to Escarpment EcoPark System and is the first area for which HNC members are invited to participate in this management a management plan is being developed with multiple partners. planning process in a number of ways: A draft report entitled ‘Burlington Heights Heritage Lands 1. Provide comments and feedback on the draft report directly Management Plan Inventory and Issues Report’ is available at: to: http://www.cootestoescarpmentpark.ca/Burlington-Heights- Deborah Herbert Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System Project Manager Management-Plan#SAG. Based on a desk review of available Royal Botanical Gardens PO Box 399 inventories and reports, this draft report summarizes the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3H8 vegetation communities, as well as significant fauna in the area Tel: 905-527-1158 ext 225 Fax: 905-577-0375 (pages 30-45 focus specifically on the natural heritage of the E-mail: [email protected] or cootestoescarpmentpark@ gmail.com area and issues of concern). 2. Attend future community and stakeholder presentations At this stage, the consultants preparing the management plan and meetings. A meeting to review draft land classification are interested in any and all ideas (both big and small) about zones is planned for mid-October 2013. The CEEPS website issues or opportunities related to the protection, restoration or will list these events http://www.cootestoescarpmentpark.ca/ enhancement of the area. I am sure many of you are familiar I look forward to continuing to participate in this innovative with these forests and wetlands and naturalists’ local knowledge collaborative planning process and I will keep you up to date. and insights are especially relevant. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. In the next few months, a land classification and zoning system based on the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space

Launch of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System, June 22, 2013, Camilla and Peter Dalglish Atrium, Royal Botanical Gardens. photo by David Galbraith (see articles on pages 29, 46 and 47).

Page 46 The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System – Canada’s newest EcoPark! by Jen Baker These natural lands are also situated in the Hamilton-Burling- n June 21, 2013 the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark ton region, one of Canada’s most vibrant and rapidly growing System became a reality when the 10 partners signed urban regions. Economic growth and urban development have O caused the natural areas to become fragmented by roads, rail the Memorandum of Understanding (see photo page 46) and lines and other features of urbanization. The result is a discon- created a unique partnership that will work to reconnect, restore nected patchwork of smaller protected areas, each valuable but and protect valuable, environmentally sensitive lands while isolated and ultimately unsustainable. Fortunately there are still creating a lasting legacy for current and future generations. tremendous opportunities for the partners to protect and re- Larger than Central Park, the Bois de Boulogne or Hyde Park, store natural lands. the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is one of the largest near-urban parks on earth (see map below). As a collaboration between ten local government and non- profit organizations, the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is an innovative project with land-owning agencies The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is a collaborative working together to protect and restore their natural lands, initiative to protect, restore and connect over 2,000 hectares of secure additional lands to create ecological corridors, and publicly-owned natural lands at the western end of Lake On- deliver sustainable recreation and education opportunities. We tario. This is one of the most biologically rich areas of Canada, are already seeing the benefits of the partnership with natural home to nearly a quarter of the country’s wild plants and more lands being secured both west and east of Highway 6, the than 50 species at risk. It is also the last intact ecological con- development of the Burlington Heights Management Plan, and nection between Cootes Paradise wetlands and the Niagara Es- coordinated invasive species management. carpment. The environmental and cultural importance of the natural lands has been widely recognized. Designations include The project is made possible through funding from the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve (Niagara Escarpment), Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Provincially Significant Wetland (Cootes Paradise and Lambs Foundation, along with financial and in-kind contributions from the ten partner organizations. Hollow Wetland on Grindstone Creek), Important Bird Area of national significance (Cootes Paradise), Important Am- If you have questions or would like more details about phibian and Reptile Area (Cootes Paradise, Carroll’s Bay and this exciting and innovative initiative, please visit www. Grindstone Valley nature sanctuaries), as well as several Areas cootestoescarpmentpark.ca, or contact Jen Baker at land@ of Natural and Scientific Interest and Environmentally Signifi- hamiltonnature.org or 905-524-3339. cant/Sensitive Areas.

The Wood Duck - October, 2013 Page 47 Join The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club Board !

There are positions open on your Board of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club. I strongly encourage you to consider joining the HNC Board as it is a very rewarding experience to become part of this dynamic organization. I have said it before, but we are the best naturalists’ club in this province. If you have thought before about becoming part of the Board now is the time to join. You will become part of a 94 year old organization that values nature and the protection of nature as our mission. Our slogan says it all, “Protecting Nature Since 1919”. Currently the positions available are Secretary, Director at Large, Conservation & Education Director, and Trea- surer. These are important positions for the HNC and although these positions may appear challenging, you will have others to guide you in fitting into your role. You will become part of the decision making process of this 600+ member Club from minor decisions about paper purchasing to major issues such as the Club’s finances. As well, you will become involved in land purchase issues in association with our Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust. If you are interested in joining the Board contact Past President Bill Lamond (page 27) or any other member of the HNC Board. Who knows? — maybe some day you’ll end up being the President!

© Photo by Herman van Barneveld

Luna Moth at the HNC’s Cartwright Nature Sanctuary on the very late date of 7 August 2013. This must be a second brood individual, a brood that has rarely been recorded in Ontario — a strange year for that to occur with the cool summer we had. “Wasn’t there a photo of a Luna Moth in the last issue?” Well, yes there was, but this species is so rare in the area that I just couldn’t resist putting in another photo of this so very photogenic moth. What better way to document the record than to publish it in the Wood Duck! photo Herman van Barneveld.

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