Number 576, December 2010

Blue jay, water colour by Diana Banville

REGULARS FEATURES

Coming Events 18 An Exciting Opportunity 8 Extracts from Outings Reports 10 for the TFN From the Archives 16 Biodiversity – What You Can Do 19 Keeping in Touch 15 Bird of the Month – Monthly Meetings Notice 3 13 Monthly Meeting Report 9 American Robin President’s Report 7 ’s First Native Plant 14 TFN Outings 4 Garden Weather – This Time Last Year 17 Toronto’s Marsh Marigold 12

TFN 576-2 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

Toronto Field Naturalist is published by the Toronto Field BOARD OF DIRECTORS Naturalists, a charitable, non-profit organization, the aims of President Bob Kortright which are to stimulate public interest in natural history and Past President Wendy Rothwell to encourage the preservation of our natural heritage. Issued Vice President Margaret McRae monthly September to December and February to May. & Outings Views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those Sec.-Treasurer Walter Weary of the editor or Toronto Field Naturalists. The Newsletter is Communications Alexander Cappell printed on 100% recycled paper. Monthly Lectures Nancy Dengler Monthly Lectures Corinne McDonald ISSN 0820-636X Nature Reserves Marcus Feak Webmaster Lynn Miller Elisabeth Gladstone IT’S YOUR NEWSLETTER! We welcome contributions of original writing, up to 500 MEMBERSHIP FEES words, of observations on nature in and around Toronto, $30 STUDENT, SENIOR SINGLE (65+) reviews, poems, sketches, paintings, and photographs of $40 SINGLE, SENIOR FAMILY (2 adults, 65+) $50 FAMILY (2 adults – same address, children included) TFN outings (digital or print, include date and place). Include your name, address and phone number so No GST. Tax receipts issued for donations. Send submissions can be acknowledged. Send by mail or email. membership fees and address changes to the TFN office. Deadline for submissions for February issue: Jan. 7. Please note: TFN does not give out its membership list.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Toronto Field Naturalists Jenny Bull (co-editor), Karin Fawthrop, Nancy Fredenburg, 2 Carlton St., # 1519, Toronto M5B 1J3 Elisabeth Gladstone, Mary Lieberman, Judy Marshall, Ruth Munson, Toshi Oikawa, Wendy Rothwell (co-editor). Tel: 416-593-2656 Web: www.torontofieldnaturalists.org Printing and mailing: Perkins Mailing Services Email: [email protected]

Tax Deductible Donations A Perfect Holiday Gift

TFN is dependent for funding on

Consider sharing the benefits of TFN membership dues and donations.

We rely on the generosity of our membership with your friends! members for special projects and

extraordinary expenses. We are confident that, once they discover the pleasures of our outings, lectures, newsletters If you wish to make a donation to TFN and the companionship of other nature-lovers, this may be done by sending a cheque they will want to renew. to the TFN office (see above), or go to our web site, www.torontofieldnaturalists.org So we are offering a Holiday Special – half the and click on “Donate Now through normal membership fee when you, a TFN CanadaHelps.org.” member, give a gift membership to someone As a charitable non-profit organization who was not previously a member. This covers we issue receipts for use as deductions newsletters for December thru May, which on your income tax return. include outings lists to the end of August.

December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-3

TFN MEETING

Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 2:30 pm

Spiders of Tom Mason, Curator of Invertebrates and Birds,

A lively encounter with the ticks, mites, spiders and other arachnids found in Ontario, including the fascinating mechanisms by which they trap their prey, their reproduction, and how they form an important component of our local ecosystems

VISITORS WELCOME!

SOCIAL: 2:00 – 2:30 pm

Room 001, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, 75 Queen’s Park Cres. East

Emmanuel College is just south of the Museum subway station exit (east side of Queen’s Park). Enter at south end of building, down a few steps on outside stairwell. Wheelchair entrance: Second door south on Queen’s Park. Elevator inside to the right. Room 001 is one floor below street level.

For information: call 416-593-2656 up to noon on the Friday preceding the lecture.

Toronto Tree Calendar

Upcoming TFN Monthly Meetings Toronto Tree Portraits 2011 Calendar draws from some of Toronto’s most inspiring trees, Feb. 6 Beyond Fur, Feathers & Flowers: the linking them with poetry ranging from the 17th century Underworld of Fins & Filter Feeders to modern times. Images by Shawn Staton, Team Leader, Species at Risk Toronto photographer Rodrigo Program, Fisheries & Oceans Canada Moreno. Tree poetry compiled and introduced by Sonia Day. Mar. 6 Tallgrass Prairie and Savannah Habitats of Southern Ontario Cost: $16.95. To order, call Gavin Trevelyan, former Eastern Coordinator Toronto Parks and Tree for Tallgrass Ontario Foundation at 416 397-5178, or visit Apr. 3 The Earth on Display: a Toronto View www.torontoparksandtrees.org Also available at many retail Ed Freeman, Geologist and TFN member outlets. May 1 Ontario’s Far North Proceeds go directly towards Justina Ray, Executive Director, Wildlife preserving and enhancing Conservation Society Canada Toronto’s trees in parks, natural areas and other public spaces.

TFN 576-4 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

TFN OUTINGS

• TFN events are conducted by unpaid volunteers. • The club assumes no responsibility for injuries sustained by anyone participating in our activities. • Children and visitors are welcome at all TFN events. Children must be accompanied by an adult. • If you plan to bring children in a stroller, be aware that there may be steps or other unsuitable terrain. • Please do not bring pets. • To get to outings on time, check TTC routes and schedules (www.ttc.ca or 416-393-4636). • Outings go rain or shine: check the weather by calling 416-661-0123 so you will know what to wear. • Wear appropriate footwear for walking on trails which may be muddy, steep or uneven.

Thurs HUMBER BAY PARK EAST – Birds Dec 2 Leader: Wendy Rothwell 10:00 am Meet at the southwest corner of Lake Shore Blvd W and Park Lawn Rd. Bring binoculars. Morning only.

Sat – Nature Arts Dec 4 Leaders: Yoshi Nagata and Joe Bernaske 10:30 am Meet at the VIA Rail Information Booth in the centre (ground level). Bring what you need for artwork, photography or writing. We will have lunch at Maple Leaf Square, then walk to Harbourfront.

Sun LECTURE – Spiders of Ontario Dec 5 Speaker: Tom Mason 2:30 pm Emmanuel College, 75 Queen’s Park Cres E. See page 3.

Wed ALLAN GARDENS – History and Plants Dec 8 Leader: Curtis Evoy 10:00 am Meet at back parking lot (free) of Allan Gardens off Gerrard St E between Jarvis St and Sherbourne St. TTC accessible: Yonge subway to College St; eastbound Carlton streetcar to Sherbourne St. Morning only.

Sat GULLS ON THE WATERFRONT Dec 11 Leader: Joanne Doucette 1:00 pm Meet at the Princes’ Gate, (short walk from CNE Loop – 511 Bathurst streetcar or 509 Harbourfront streetcar). We will walk eastward looking for gulls and other winter residents of Toronto Harbour. Bring binoculars. Dress warmly. A leisurely walk with dropout points and the option of coffee afterwards.

Wed – Birds and Plants Dec 15 Leader: Miles Hearn 10:00 am Meet at the main entrance to High Park at Bloor St W and High Park Ave. We will look for resident winter birds and practice identification of trees and shrubs in winter. Bring binoculars. A circular walk. Morning only.

Sat BIRKDALE AND THOMSON MEMORIAL PARKS – Nature and Heritage Dec 18 Leader: Orval White 2:00 pm Meet outside the Birkdale Community Centre, 1299 Ellesmere Rd, west of Brimley Rd. 2 hr loop nature walk plus some Scarborough history.

Sun FORGOTTEN TRIBUTARIES OF GARRISON CREEK – Lost Rivers Dec 19 Leader: Richard Anderson 2:00 pm Meet at the southwest corner of Bloor St W and Dufferin St. This walk aims to explore the tributaries on the western branches of the creek. A joint walk with Toronto Green Community. December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-5

Wed YELLOW CREEK – Exploring Toronto Topography Dec 22 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Sherbourne St and Bloor St E (Sherbourne subway station). Some climbing. About 2 ½ hours. Will end near St Clair Ave and Yonge St.

Tues LOWER DON VALLEY – Nature and Heritage Dec 28 Leader: Margaret McRae 1:00 pm Meet at the southwest corner of Broadview Ave and Pottery Rd. We will visit the Todmorden Mills Heritage Site and Wildflower Preserve and follow the river north past the weirs and Cottonwood Flats. Walk will end at Beechwood Dr and O’Connor Dr. Bring binoculars and dress warmly. Hills at beginning and end.

Wed UPPER WILKET CREEK – Exploring Toronto Topography Jan 5 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 pm Meet at the northeast corner of Grantbrook St and Finch Ave W. The Finch West bus (#36) is frequent. About 2 ½ hours. Walk ends at Sheppard Ave W and Willowdale Ave.

Sat HIGH PARK – Nature Arts – Photography Jan 8 Leader: Wendy Rothwell 10:30 am Meet at the entrance to High Park on Bloor St W at High Park Ave. Enjoy a morning of photography, then + warm up with lunch at the Grenadier Café. Participants can then join the TFN walk at 1 pm which follows.

Sat HIGH PARK – Oak Savannah in Winter Jan 8 Leader: Joanne Doucette 1:00 pm Learn to recognize some of the indicator species of this rare ecotype in winter. Meet at the park entrance on Bloor St W at High Park Ave. Bring binoculars. Hills, some stairs. Washrooms on site.

Wed COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK – Birds and Plant Identification in Winter Jan 12 Leader: Miles Hearn 10:00 am Meet at the southeast corner of Lake Shore Blvd W and Kipling Ave. Bring binoculars. Morning only.

Sat HUMBER BAY PARK EAST – Birds and Trees Jan 15 Leader: Bob Kortright 1:00 pm Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Lake Shore Blvd W at Park Lawn Rd. Bring binoculars. Circular walk. Dress warmly.

FOR ENJOYMENT OF WINTER OUTINGS

• Long underwear • Binoculars • Layered clothing • Camera • Waterproof boots • TTC Ride Guide • Thick socks • Snack • Warm hat • Thermos for hot drink • Mittens over gloves • Sunglasses • Icers to prevent falls TFN 576-6 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

Sun TADDLE CREEK AND THE MARKET CREEKS – Lost Rivers Jan 16 Leader: Helen Mills and Ian Wheal 2:00 pm Meet at the mosaic labyrinth outside Holy Trinity Church (between Bay St and the Eaton Centre). Come and meet Goodwin Creek. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

Wed NEWTONBROOK CREEK – Exploring Toronto Topography Jan 19 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 pm Meet at the northwest corner of Yonge St and Drewry Ave. From Finch subway station, 10 minute walk north or take bus. Walk ends near Finch Ave E and Bayview Ave. Some hills.

Sat MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY – Trees Jan 22 Leader: David Andrew White 10:00 am Meet at the Davisville subway station. Bring lunch.

Thurs COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK – Birds Jan 27 Leader: Wendy Rothwell 10:00 am Meet at the southwest corner of Lake Shore Blvd W and Kipling Ave. Bring binoculars. Morning only.

Sat TFN NATURE RESERVES – Nature in Winter Out of Town Jan 29 Leader: Joanne Doucette 9:00 am Snowshoe through this beautiful forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine and learn about tracks and signs of animals in winter. If there is no snow, we will walk. Snowshoes not provided. Bring lunch and something + to drink. Dress warmly. Carpooling. For more information e-mail or phone the TFN office at

Sat UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO GREENHOUSES – Botany Jan 29 Leader: Nancy Dengler 10:00 am Meet at the 33 Willcocks St entrance to the Faculty of Forestry, Earth Sciences Centre, University of Toronto (Spadina streetcar, half a block east of the Willcocks St stop). Dress in layers for tropical conditions. Morning only.

Nature Images Event

Saturday, February 5, 2011 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

S. Walter Stewart Library Auditorium, lower level Wheelchair accessible.

All TFN members are invited to participate in the annual showing of digital images, slides and pictures and enjoy the new year with light refreshments. Bring up to 20 slides or your digital images, preferably on a USB memory stick, or on a CD. Or bring photo albums to share with the group. Artwork and journals can also be displayed on a table.

Contact Lynn Miller at or for further information and to verify the compatibility of your media with our equipment.

To reduce waste, please bring your own mug.

The library is at 170 Memorial Park Ave. at Durant Ave., west of Coxwell Ave. between Cosburn and Mortimer. Take the TTC bus north from Coxwell station to Mortimer or Cosburn. Limited free parking available. December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-7

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

A great deal is happening within our club as well as in At the farm I especially loved the summers, when my the world of biodiversity – both threats and actions father lowered the level of the pond exposing mudflats being taken to address them. At the global level, the that were quickly found by shorebirds on their way nations of the world meeting in Nagoya, Japan in late south. Every summer my brothers and I enjoyed(?) October “agreed to a sweeping plan to stem the loss of pruning tens of thousands of Scots pine Christmas species by setting new 2020 targets to ensure greater trees, or pruning hedges, painting, building or repairing protection of nature…” This would be more fences to contain the cattle that grazed in the spaces encouraging if the nations of the world had not failed left by trees cut for sale. At summer camp in to meet previous commitments to biodiversity and still Haliburton, I was one of the few campers for whom a have not agreed on more than the barest outlines of a nature walk was the favourite activity. That love of framework to address climate change, but it is much nature kindled in me as a child never left me, although better than nothing. Closer to home, TFN contributed the amount of time spent outside certainly diminished last month to comments Ontario Nature has submitted through engineering studies at the University of to the current review of the Provincial Policy Toronto. Free time increased substantially after Statement that governs planning in Ontario. And in graduation, but was soon reduced when I started Toronto, five successors to Birds of Toronto in the City working on an MA in Economics, and again with the of Toronto’s biodiversity series are approaching birth of my first daughter (and second and third). Still, completion, with more planned for next year. we enjoyed watching birds at home, and on trips.

Within the club, in addition to the great outings and Since the early 1990s when I joined the Long Point lecture over the past month, we have welcomed Bird Observatory, which later became Bird Studies member Walter Weary to the board as Secretary- Canada, I have followed progress being made on bird Treasurer. Thank you, Walter, for stepping into this conservation in Canada and around the world, and have very important role, and thank you, Karen Walton, not read more and more about evolutionary biology and only for adding Secretary-Treasurer duties to your very taxonomy. After the Toronto Bird Observatory gave busy schedule over the past six months, but also up bird banding on Mugg’s Island and established, implementing a new accounting system on a new with Toronto Region Conservation, the bird banding computer. We also welcomed Corinne McDonald to project on the Leslie St Spit (Tommy Thompson Park her first board meeting. A major focus of the board or TTP) in 2003, I volunteered to assist there, which continues to be consideration of how best to use our greatly improved my ability to identify birds, financial resources, further augmented by additional especially by ear, and led to a term on the board of the contributions from the estate of Arthur Dvorak – more Toronto Bird Observatory. I still enjoy leading groups on this elsewhere in this issue and in future months. to what is now called the TTP Bird Research Station. In this, my second President’s report, I would like to Just last weekend we found cave swallow – a rare tell you more about myself – things I couldn’t fit into visitor from New Mexico – as well as visitors from the last month’s report: I first developed a love of nature north that we hope will find sustenance either to fuel on my parent’s farm in north Pickering near their migration or to carry them through the winter Claremont, begging my mother from about age 5 to let here: short-eared and saw-whet owls, northern harrier, me join her when she went birdwatching, and reading goshawk, rough-legged and more common hawks, the original Peterson bird guide so I could recognize snow bunting, pine siskin, along with the usual every one I saw. I never thought of it at the time, but kinglets, sparrows and waterfowl. perhaps my mother became a birdwatcher at least But we know there is much more than birds to partly in order to improve relations with her father-in- appreciate in the natural world around us. Through the law, Frank, one of Ontario’s leading conservationists in TFN I learned of and joined the Toronto Entomologists the 1940s, author of the first edition of Ducks, Geese Association and the Mycological Society of Toronto in and Swans of North America, and founder of the order to learn more about insects and fungi, both an Canadian National Sportsmen’s Show. In recognition endless source of fascination. of the considerable funds donated by the Sportsmen’s Shows, Toronto Region Conservation established the Bob Kortright Kortright Centre for Conservation.

TFN 576-8 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TFN

The protection and preservation of wildlife has, since and amphibian species have been identified, including the beginning, been a primary objective of the TFN – the Acadian flycatcher, hooded warbler and the hence the acquisition of our nature reserves near cerulean warbler – all species at risk in Canada and Uxbridge many years ago. However, as explained in Ontario.” the October 2010 newsletter (page 11), the board At the present time, the NCC is pursuing an exciting believes that it is better for the TFN to work with opportunity to conserve another key section of the partners to protect land rather than purchase land Happy Valley Forest Nature Reserve. The Taylor independently. At our Annual General Meeting in property – 70 acres – is an expansive, rolling property October, the membership approved a motion to remove of high habitat diversity situated in the heart of the restrictions from the Nature Reserve Fund, allowing Happy Valley Forest, within the Area of Natural and these monies to be used for a broader range of Scientific Interest. If they are successful in securing purposes that meet TFN objectives. The board feels it this property, it would bring the total lands protected would be appropriate to use a significant part of these by NCC projects in the Happy Valley to 547 acres. An monies to fulfill the objective of protecting our natural agreement for the NCC to purchase the property has heritage, and it seems the best way to achieve this goal been signed, all available government matching funds is to partner with an organization which has the are being requested, and the NCC is proceeding to expertise to locate, purchase and maintain the most raise the $851,157 in private sector matching funds valuable and vulnerable nature habitats. An needed to complete the funding package. There is opportunity of this type has come to our attention, and great urgency about this because the property is poised we would like to know how our members feel about it. for development, with zoning and a building permit, At our Monthly Meeting in December 2009, Mark and even some servicing, currently in place. Stabb of Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) The TFN board is considering making a donation of presented a stimulating lecture about steps being taken $100,000 towards the purchase of the Taylor property. to conserve biodiversity on the Oak Ridges Moraine This would give us the satisfaction of helping to rescue (see Newsletter #569, page 7). This led to a recent valuable habitat which would otherwise be lost to TFN outing to explore part of the Happy Valley Forest development. We would, of course ensure that the Nature Reserve (located just west of Hwy 400 and TFN gets appropriate recognition for its participation south of Hwy 9) and learn about NCC’s continuing in this project. Please let us have your views on this endeavours to preserve this remarkable natural area proposal by December 15. (see page 10). The forest supports a diverse TFN Board assemblage of life. NCC reports, “Over 200 species of plants, 110 breeding birds, 21 mammals and 19 reptile

High Park Nature Centre

At High Park Initiatives’ recent Annual General Meeting, I was impressed by a presentation of the High Park Nature Centre’s achievements during the year ending May 2010. With a small but dedicated and well- qualified staff, they offer an incredible variety of educational opportunities for children, young people and families, promoting respect, appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment. HPI’s annual report contains many enthusiastic commendations from parents and teachers for the stimulating programs their children and pupils had enjoyed. In the spring, the High Park Nature Centre received a 2010 Award of Excellence (Environmental Awareness Category) from Green Toronto Awards.

It made me feel good to know that the Toronto Field Naturalists’ donation of $25,000 is helping to facilitate the continuation of these excellent programs, and some exciting new ones, in the current year. For an insight into how our contribution is making a difference, visit www.highparknaturecentre.com.

Wendy Rothwell

December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-9

MONTHLY MEETING REPORT

From Prickly Pears to Polar Bears: A Look Behind the Scenes of the ROM’s Biodiversity Gallery Sunday, November 7. Deb Metsger, Assistant Curator, Natural History,

Deb’s behind-the-scenes knowledge about the making of the gallery brought it to life and, I imagine, motivated many to visit the exhibit. The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity contains 2500 specimens and was completed in less than two years. Its three themes – life is diverse, interconnected and at risk – are demonstrated in the biodiversity spine, ecosystem experiences and the Earth Ranger studio. Deb walked us through these themes and described how some of the specimens were sourced and prepared.

The introductory cases in the spine demonstrate biodiversity explored, at risk and distributed. Only 10% of the world’s species have been named. Fifty new species are described each day. Most species are smaller than a large bee. Biodiversity is not evenly distributed. It decreases from the equator to the poles; there are cold and hot spots and the hands of man have had an effect.

Seven ecosystems – Coral Reef, Western Atlantic, Great Lakes Basin, Grasslands, Tropical Forest, Boreal Forest and Arctic – are displayed around the sides of the gallery. It was interesting to note that the fish in the Western Atlantic display are labeled with not only their Greater spear-nosed bat removing an arilate seed from scientific and common names, but also their a monkeypot fruit after its cap has fallen to the ground. commercial names and that the Coral Reef’s aquarium On display in Life in Crisis: the Schad Gallery exhibit was set up and is maintained by an outside of Biodiversity at the Royal Ontario Museum contract with Big Al’s. Photograph: Brian Boyle, ROM Sourcing the material was not always easy and it involved contacts in all corners of the world. While the entomologists have an insect fair in Montreal, Deb had material fades and deteriorates when exposed to light. no similar source for plant material. However, a phone Deb described the spruce tree on display. It was first call to Puerto Rico one Friday brought fresh cocoa pods preserved with glycerine. Then the tree was sprayed the following Tuesday. Apple picking in New York with glue to prevent needle drop. Finally, every needle provided apples produced with Kazakhstan seed for the was hand painted! domestication exhibit. A fellow scientist at the New The gallery continues to grow and change. An adult York Botanical Gardens provided a monkey pot fruit. male bison is coming, as is a coast Douglas-fir tree Only the greater spear-nosed bat distributes its fruit, and “cookie”. Technology plays a big part with interactive a talented taxidermist reconstituted the museum’s screens and e-labels. Curators will take turns leading pickled specimen. An artist in San Francisco, using only tours through the gallery. pictures, constructed a model of the rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. The gallery is clearly a worldwide collaboration or, as Deb called it, a continental affair. No wonder it is such Plant specimens were a challenge as there were no a success! accurate commercial products available and dried Corinne McDonald TFN 576-10 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

EXTRACTS FROM OUTINGS LEADERS’ REPORTS

Nature Arts at Edwards Gardens, Oct. 2. Leader: osprey. On the water: more than a dozen common Joanne Doucette. We saw beechdrops and various loons and about 40 mergansers, mostly common. goldenrods and asters in bloom; bumblebee, monarch Landbirds were hard to see but a Carolina wren was butterfly, mosquito and grasshopper; hundreds of heard by a few of us. Many had a good look at a blue- migrating bluejays and much evidence of pileated headed vireo and many kinglets, but the sparrows gave woodpeckers; and fox tracks, possible coyote tracks. I us only glimpses. was surprised at the number of native plants remaining despite the presence of dog-strangling vine along Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Oct. 20. Leader: Wilket Creek. Sketching and painting were difficult Pleasance Crawford. As we were looking up at the because of the weather but we were able to warm up in tall spruce where a pair of red-tailed hawks had the Toronto Botanical Gardens buildings. abandoned their nest in May, we saw a pair soaring overhead. Soon, one of them perched briefly on a low : Old Mill to Lambton House, Oct. 5. branch very close to where we were standing. We saw Leader: Madeleine McDowell. Egrets and cormorants 3 green darner dragonflies and some fine tree and performed nicely, as did a little crowd of golden- shrub specimens, including a native persimmon with a crowned kinglets. The leaves were colourful and the single fruit remaining. We admired the mottled bark asters plentiful. The Humber was picturesque but the and glossy, wavy-edged leaves of Persian ironwood weather was not. We checked out the site of Rhode’s tree (Parrotia persica). Picnic stand with before and after photographs. It was amazing to imagine where we ………………………………………………………… stood being under six feet of water in the flood. There Happy Valley Forest Nature Reserve, Oak Ridges were salmon swimming in the pool below the weir Moraine - An old growth forest in the making, Oct. south of Dundas St but the water was turbid and they 23. Leader: Mark Stabb, Central Ontario Program were difficult to see. They had been leaping for the Manager, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). two weeks before; two days after the walk they On our circular walk through several NCC nature resumed and continued for more than a week. After reserves, we experienced the hilly topography left crossing the Dundas Bridge we saw the native behind by melting glaciers 12,000 years ago, now plantings that the City has done at the approaches. blanketed by fallen leaves. We paused at several vantage points in the closed canopy forest of tall sugar Lower Garrison Creek, Oct. 11. Leader: Alexander maple, beech, white ash and large-toothed aspen, home Cappell. The creek is in sewers today, but there are to species-at-risk such as Acadian flycatcher, hooded still signs of it: curving streets which parallel the warbler and cerulean warbler. former creek bed; weeping willows; front lawns of houses and the houses themselves above street level; a Mark talked about the four ages of forest trees: chain of parks with shallow depressions or ravines in saplings that may survive in the shaded understory for them. decades; mature trees; standing deadwood “chicot” that provides food and housing for woodpeckers and a host Guild Inn, Lake Ontario, Oct. 16. Leader: Bob of other species; and fallen trunks providing a nursery Kortright. In the woods west of the Guild Inn were a for hemlock and yellow birch seedlings, as well lovely variety of trees (shagbark hickory, white ash, black cherry, musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana), ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), beech, and English oak as well as invasive alien plants (common buckthorn, autumn olive, Asian bush honeysuckles, Japanese knotweed, dog-strangling vine and garlic mustard). Among the mushrooms we saw we were able to identify chicken-of-the-woods, birch polypore, lacquered polypore, and turkey tail. A local naturalist showed us Gloeophyllum sepiarium (no common name) on a pine on the lawn. Despite the northwest winds we saw only 7 turkey vultures, one or two local red-tailed hawks, and what appeared to be a very late Photo: Ron Dengler December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-11

as for other plants, as they decay back to the soil. The biodiversity of Happy Valley Forest was highlighted by the many fungi, including honey mushrooms, turkey tail brackets, orange jelly and witch’s butter. After a lunch break we walked along the Oak Ridges Trail on the closed road allowance adjacent to Humber Source Woods (recently acquired for conservation by NCC and the TRCA) to a vernal pool, now dry, but a breeding location in spring for common yellow-spotted and rare Jefferson salamanders.

Photo: Ron Dengler

Mark explained how the biomass of all the salamanders actually exceeds that of all other vertebrate species in the forest, an example of the hidden biodiversity that thrives in the Happy Valley Forest. The outing provided an ideal opportunity to observe NCC’s approach to identifying and conserving threatened biodiversity hotspots around the GTA (Toronto’s urban sprawl was very evident on the drive up!), where there is still an opportunity to purchase and protect land (such as the Taylor Property that connects other nature reserves) and care for the habitat into the future. Nancy Dengler

Photo: Augusta Takeda Fungus photos: Augusta Takeda TFN 576-12 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

TORONTO’S MARSH MARIGOLD (KINGCUP) AND SOME RELATIVES

Marigold, states the Oxford Dictionary, is from a Here common names become manifestly ridiculous; not Middle English form of Mary, combined with gold from only are these flowers not marigolds, but they are not a Middle English dialect, in turn from the Old English even a golden colour! These three species are confined golde, probably referring to the golden colour of to various mountain ranges that occur from Alaska and marigolds. The locally occurring marsh marigold the Yukon as far south as northern New Mexico. C. (Caltha palustris) has an alternate name of kingcup in palustris is circumpolar from the Arctic coasts of North the UK, which may simply refer to a large, king-sized, America and Eurasia south to, in North America, South buttercup-like flower. Carolina, Iowa and Nebraska. It also occurs on Iceland but I have not found references to it on the Canadian Arctic islands, Greenland, or Svalbard.

C. palustris and the other Caltha species do not have petals but rather petal-like sepals, which are bright yellow in C. palustris. The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario states there are 5 to 9 sepals in this species. I illustrate 5- and 8-sepal varieties. The flowers range from 15 to 40 mm wide. Near the Arctic coast, flowers are less than 20 mm wide, according to Page Burt in her field guide Barrenland Beauties – Showy Plants of the Canadian Arctic. The ROM guide describes the leaves as 5 to 18 cm across, heart- to kidney-shaped, dark green and thick and shiny. Like Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris other members The generic name for this plant, Caltha, comes from the of the Greek kalathos, goblet, from the shape (sometimes!) of genus, C. the flower. The specific name palustris means “of palustris marshes”. The genus Caltha belongs to the buttercup occurs in family (Ranunculaceae) along with the many buttercup swamps, species (Ranunculus) and anemones (Anemone). Marsh marshes, marigold is a complete misnomer as true marigolds are and on members of the aster family (Asteraceae), which edges of comprises a very different family of flowering plants. streams.

North America has at least four species of Caltha. The 8-sepal marsh marigold, Caltha palustris three generally recognized species, other than C. palustris, all usually have white flowers (one has an uncommon yellow- The TFN’s Vascular Plants of Metropolitan Toronto flowered subspecies). lists it as locally uncommon but found in Lambton I illustrate one, C. Woods (Humber), several areas on the Don drainage leptosepala, the (West and East Don Valleys, Todmorden Mills, and I mountain or elk’s-lip have also seen it at Wilket Creek), Highland Creek, and marsh marigold, the Rouge Valley. The ROM guide reports it as photographed in a part blooming from April to June in Ontario and notes it is of Medicine Bow one of the first spring flowers. In Toronto look for it in National Forest in late April or early May in wet areas. It certainly southern Wyoming. brightens my early spring visits to, although dampening

Mountain marsh marigold, my feet in, our local wild areas. Caltha leptosepala Article and photographs by Peter Money

December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-13

BIRD OF THE MONTH – AMERICAN ROBIN

Robins in winter? In Toronto? For many, the March likelihood of being killed by predators or colliding with sighting of a robin signals spring, but as Bob Curry cars or windows. points out in Birds of Hamilton and Surrounding Areas, At night robins gather in large communal roosts which it can be difficult to distinguish the first returning in winter can number in the hundreds or thousands. Such migrants “from birds that have been quietly wintering in enormous roosts are more common in the U.S. but have nearby sheltered valleys.” also been reported in the Hamilton area. Although the My introduction to over-wintering American robins was winter flocks disperse as the breeding season begins, in in High Park on a walk led by the late Helen Smith in their Guide to Bird Behavior Donald and Lillian Stokes 1991. Helen knew which woodlot was sheltering a small state that even during breeding season the males flock of robins. She told us that although the robins we continue this communal night time roosting habit “and see in the city during summer move south for the winter, then return to the area of their nests during the day.” others from farther north make a rest and refuelling stop Immature birds join the night roosts as soon as they’re here and, depending on winter food supplies, some of able, as do the females when the nesting period ends. these stay here rather than continuing southward. In the 1950s the American robin faced a serious threat. A walk with friends a few years later in Sunnybrook That story has stayed with me ever since reading Rachel Park remains etched in my memory. It was one of those Carson’s seminal book Silent Spring over 40 years ago. magical winter days on which snow coated every branch The heavy use of DDT to fight Dutch Elm Disease as and twig. In one woodlot the branches also held a large well as mosquitoes and other pests, resulted in massive flock of robins, their deep brick-red breasts highlighted robin mortality and infertility. Amidst the battle to save against a glistening white and black background. We the elms, ornithologists at Michigan State University stood on the trail for a while, simply gazing at the beauty noticed the campus was “serving as a graveyard for most of the scene. Passersby stopped a couple of times and of the robins that attempt[ed] to take up residence in the asked what we were looking at. When we pointed out spring”. Michigan’s Cranbrook Institute of Science the robins, they barely glanced at the birds before appealed to the public to turn in for examination “all carrying on their way, no doubt as baffled by our birds thought to be victims of DDT poisoning”. Soon their behaviour as we were by theirs. freezers were filled to capacity and one caller “reported 12 robins lying dead on her lawn as she spoke”. Robins Last winter during the Christmas Bird Count, robins by were the canary in the coal mine. Ultimately a North the dozens were so actively rummaging in the leaf litter American ban on DDT saved them and countless other and making intermittent short flights among the trees species but tragically it is still used elsewhere. and shrubs that my team leader and I found it a challenge to estimate their numbers. That day the final robin tally Half a century later the Atlas of Breeding Birds of for Toronto was 815. Robin numbers on the Toronto Ontario 2001 - 2005 listed the American robin as Christmas Bird Count have fluctuated considerably but Ontario’s eighth most abundant bird, with an estimated since a record high of 1467 in December 1998, population in this province of some 10 million. In spring substantial numbers of robins have been found here in robins appear throughout the city, searching the lawns every subsequent winter. for earthworms and insects but during winter we’re less likely to see them around our neighbourhood. Those Hawthorn, crabapple, mountain ash, dogwood, honey- who take a walk in sheltered areas of parks and ravines, suckle and other berries comprise the main winter diet. however, have a good chance of finding a flock of robins Fermented berries sometimes cause the birds to become to brighten any winter day. intoxicated. The results can appear comical but for the Marilynn Murphy robins, intoxication spells danger, increasing the

Note: Birds of Hamilton and Surrounding Areas, published in 2006, is available through the Hamilton Naturalists Club at a recently reduced price. Visit www.hamiltonnature.org/publications/ birdsofhamilton or call them at 905-381-0329. Silent Spring is readily available in libraries and bookstores. TFN 576-14 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

TORONTO’S FIRST NATIVE PLANT GARDEN: 34 YEARS LATER

Can you believe I live in downtown Toronto and for the My new forest appeared in the form of seeds, seedlings, last 34 years have been surrounded by hemlocks, eastern cuttings, and saplings, acquired from friends, plant white cedars, juneberries, striped maple, hackberry, rescues and nurseries. It takes at least three years for a leatherwood, witchhazel, American hazelnut, choke- native plant garden to settle in and look naturalistic. berry, and spicebush? These trees and shrubs are all Patience is a necessity otherwise this genre is not for native to my Don River watershed, except chokeberry you. Passers-by would frequently stop and ask gardening which kicks in at the Lake Simcoe watershed. As well, questions and offer praise for what they saw. I seized amongst these woody plants there is a herbaceous each encounter as an opportunity to proselytize for the ground cover of native wildflowers including wild native option. ginger, eastern columbine, trilliums, sedges, Dicentra As the seasons passed and the gardens began to resemble spp., wild strawberry, and numerous ferns and mosses. patches of the Bruce Trail or the Rosedale ravine, I These are some of the plants that grow happily in my began to appreciate a living connection to human history front and back yards near Broadview and Danforth. and the maple-beech forest ecology. Previously I had The site wasn’t always this beautiful. When we moved only read of the various plants which the Ojibway and into our semi-detached home in 1976, all 75 homes on Iroquois had used in their daily lives. Now I saw many the street had front grass lawns with attendant of these plants on a daily basis at my own doorstep. production-line exotics, usually European spiraea, Similarly native species cited in the early works of Euro- golden juniper, red geraniums and dusty millers. The pioneers such as Simcoe, Moodie, Traill and Scadding streetscape was an example of the monotony of the were scattered throughout my gardens. The Euros petrochemical pesticide, sod and nursery industries that learned their plant lore from the indigenous people who could be found on any street from Vancouver to St. used many of our native plants for food, medicine and John’s. Sometimes things do change for the better. tools. Catherine Traill planted a native plant garden at Today on my street only six lawns remain. The rest have her homestead near Peterborough in 1836. all been converted to creative gardens of exotics and sometimes natives mixed in, often with accents of rock, Continued on next page logs and sculpture. Most are naturalistic in appearance.

Since our front yard was the first on the street to convert from a landscape in bondage to one in harmony with Nature, I like to think it acted as a catalyst for change. Why did I chuck our front and back green lawns? Primarily because I felt divorced from Nature. Having spent every summer of my formative years working or vacationing in Ontario’s “Rock and Lake Country,” its presence became something my body and spirit craved on a daily basis. With a family, full-time job and limited funds I could no longer drift off to the wilds at leisure. So I decided to bring the wilds to me. Hence a mini forest ecosystem was planted on my doorstep.

At this time the public and press appeared to be generally hostile to lawn removal, being replaced by “weedy” looking landscapes. It was perceived by many to be unneighbourly, suspicious and guaranteed to reduce adjacent real estate values. The native plant garden, drawn by Zile Zichmanis

December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-15

KEEPING IN TOUCH

What a class production! With the October 2010 issue The President’s Report gives due acknowledgment to of the newsletter, you have excelled yourselves (and not the constant work of Pinky Franklin and Barry Mitchell, because you have included a past article of mine)! The behind-the-scenes players of enormous importance, and covers alone are worth framing: Lynn Pady’s beautiful not least to the retirement of Wendy Rothwell who has monarch caterpillar and Augusta Takeda’s stiffly been a president par excellence. Welcome to Bob sculptured teasels: the one fluid motion, the other Kortright, our new president, and Margaret McRae, our nature’s version of spiky death. The extracts from new vice-president. outings leaders turn me green with envy. The article on And long live the TFN newsletter! I eagerly await its “Gentians in Toronto” reminded me of the first time I arrival every month. May the gods of planet Earth be ever saw these lovely creatures as a blue fringe around a with you! small northern lake on St. Joseph’s Island. I took them Eva Davis to be a variety of Canadian iris.

Continued from previous page.

And now I sit in my native oasis ruminating on all these extremes. Bees monopolized my back porch last connections. My garden now has meaning and I have summer and I was forced to build a picket fence for my ceased to feel alienated from Nature. Others appreciate front garden to deter cats and dogs from depositing. this patch too, especially crickets, grasshoppers, butter- This, of course, is quite insignificant compared to the flies, sowbugs, green flies, bees, juncos, chickadees, damage wreaked upon our planet by my species. I like purple finches, cardinals and bluejays which use this to think my native plant garden mimics the maple-beech site for breeding, feeding and roosting. forest which formerly occupied this site, from the Over the decades, I have given away thousands of seeds shower of pale yellow flowers on the leatherwood in and plants to deserving friends and neighbours. Never early April to the dazzling display of darker yellow have I used biocides or commercial fertilizers. Each flowers on the witchhazel in mid-October. And that’s fall, the night before City garbage pick-up I what I like. clandestinely gather bags of leaves from my Jim Hodgins neighbours’ curbside and scatter them on my garden’s TFN member Jim Hodgins is the former editor of leaf cover. Neighbours do all the work, my garden gets Wildflower magazine (North American Native Plant all the nutrients. Society). Zile Zichmanis is a professional

A few years ago I did an exhaustive literature search to illustrator and Jim’s wife. determine if any native plant gardens in Toronto pre- References: dated mine. The only reference I found was the rockery Gilpin, W. 2002. Wild in the City. Wildflower 18(2):44-45 garden of Adele Austin who was the daughter of a Hodgins, J. 1988. Creating a Nature Preserve in Your wealthy banking family who lived in Spadina house Own Backyard. Wildflower 4(1):27 opposite . In her book, The Canadian Hodgins, J. 1991. Oasis: A City Garden. Wildflower Garden Book under the nom de plume, Dorothy 7(2):10-14 Perkins, she describes her rockery garden in 1918, Johnson, L. 2001. The New Ontario Naturalized consisting of woodland natives, and exotics such as Garden. Whitecap Books. 188 pp. digitalis and European columbine. Threndyle, G. 2001. Where the Wild Things Grow. Ontario Gardener, Fall 2001, pp. 30-31 As in Nature, all is not Georgian Bay sunsets, nor seductive nodding white trilliums. Death lurks in every FREE TO A GOOD HOME garden. Raccoons occasionally break branches on my robust 25-year old leatherwood, squirrels do the same TFN has recently been offered a run of back issues on my hemlocks. My native viburnums, dwarf (1986 to 1991) of Wildflower magazine (NANPS). chinquapin oak and redbud were killed off by winter If you would like all or some of these magazines, please phone Sue at 416-755-4862.

TFN 576-16 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

FROM THE ARCHIVES

From the TFN Newsletter number 6, February 1939

One of the most interesting developments in the bird world in southern Ontario in recent years has been the noticeable increase of the pileated woodpecker. This magnificent bird is better known to some as the log cock, or the cock-of-the-north. By any name it is the king of our woodpeckers, and one of our finest birds. Close to the crow in size, it has a wing-spread of about two-and-a-half feet. A rich black over most of the body, its slim neck and head are striped with glossy white, and surmounted by a splendid crimson crest. When its wings are spread in flight, large patches of white are revealed, so that the bird may be spotted at a great distance by the brilliant flashes of white. Though normally a rather quiet bird, it is often very noisy, especially at mating time. Unlike other woodpeckers, they cut square or rectangular holes, working at an incredible speed with the force of a sledge hammer, in search of the woodborers and carpenter ants that constitute the major part of their diet. In such a large square hole they raise their two young, whose clamors fill the woods when the parents fail to bring back food as soon as they like.

With the cutting off of the original forests in this region and the later increase of gunners this bird decreased rapidly, but it is now coming back. Under protection it has become accustomed to live closer to habitation, even appearing in orchards and near to houses. It seems to be able to get on with smaller trees than formerly. We all look forward to the time – not far distant, we hope – when this fine bird will be a common permanent resident among us. Pileated woodpecker drawn by Diana Banville

Messrs R. D. Ussher and O.E. Devitt are making a Has the present increase come from a few birds left in study of this species and will appreciate any untouched swamps or woods in our area? Or have they information, observations or otherwise, which our moved in from the north woods? Have you found a members can give them about the pileated woodpecker nest? If so, in what sort and size of tree? We will be in southern Ontario. glad to forward your observations.

Pileated woodpecker was featured by Marilynn Murphy in Bird of the Month in December 2009 (TFN# 568). The following is an extract:

Pileated woodpeckers seem to be thriving. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario 2001 - 2005 reports “almost a 50% increase in the probability of observation in the province” compared with findings in the previous atlas 20 years earlier. Thanks to forest regeneration and protection from hunting, since the 1940s pileated woodpecker populations have been recovering from historic low levels. The atlas map shows confirmed breeding evidence in several parts of the Greater Toronto Area and possible or probable breeding throughout the rest of the GTA.

December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-17

WEATHER (THIS TIME LAST YEAR)

December 2009 The result was this hybrid month with rather cold

December was quiet with near-normal temperatures weather at the beginning and end, and a longish spell of under an increasing El Niño regime. It averaged -1.1º mild, quiet conditions in between. True to El Niño downtown and -2.4º at Pearson Airport. Weather form, though, there was little snowfall and no snow on systems consistently by-passed us to the south leaving the ground for much of the month. Weather systems us dry, or occasionally to the northwest when they passed either to the south or the northwest. The only brought rain instead of snow. The one exception was on snow that fell was associated with some lake effect, the 9th to 10th when we received most of our snow. mostly early in the month. Pearson’s total was 10.2 cm, Monthly snowfall totals were just 7.2 cm downtown and while downtown had 10.0 cm. Rainfall was close to 14.2 cm at Pearson Airport. It rained around Christmas, normal, but the shortfall of snow meant that total so there was no snow on the ground at that time (indeed precipitation (in the 20-30 mm range) was about half only for a short time mid-month was there snow cover). normal. Most of the month had minimal snow on the ground. The rain brought total precipitation amounts up to above average: 90.1 mm downtown and 80.4 mm at The cold spell immediately following New Year’s was Pearson Airport. of epic proportions in the southern USA and western

The lack of snow cover combined with moderate but Europe, but in Toronto it was relatively tame. At one distinctly freezing weather in the second and third point for example, all of Britain had snow cover. weeks of the month did allow area rivers such as the Record cold hit Florida with damage to citrus crops Humber to freeze over. The month was seasonably similar to the 1980s. The persistent cold penetrated the dark and cloudy with 76.8 hours of sunshine, not far Caribbean, with temperatures dropping to around 10º in from normal. Cuba and Mexico. One weather map showed a trough connected with the cold front extending down close to January 2010 the equator near Costa Rica.

January was torn between a moderate-to-strong El Niño Mild, quiet weather prevailed from the 13th to 26th and an intermittently powerful negative North Atlantic when it was slightly above freezing most of the time. Oscillation. The former tends to push mild Pacific air There were no extremes of warmth or cold, with no across the centre of the continent and thus Toronto is readings reaching +10º or -20º all month. The last few usually mild and dry. The latter tends to push strong days of the month saw a return of Arctic high pressure Arctic air masses south across eastern North America which didn’t penetrate as far south but still kept (and western Europe). Overall, temperatures averaged moisture at bay. Ice and snow moved across the mid- close to or fractionally above normal in the Toronto southern USA. Globally, it was the warmest January on area, lying between anomalous arctic and subarctic record according to satellite records and it was the warmth and southern chill (weird…). The monthly second warmest spike on record (after the 1998 El averages were -4.2º downtown and -5.2º at Pearson Niño). Airport. Gavin Miller

TORONTO BAILLIE FUND GRANT DEADLINES ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB Bird Studies Canada is now accepting applications to the James L. Baillie CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT Memorial Fund for Bird Research and Preservation (the Baillie Fund) for 2011. Priority is given to projects that engage the skills and enthusiasm of This year’s Toronto Christmas amateur naturalists and volunteers to help us understand, appreciate, and Bird Count will take place on conserve Canadian birds in their natural environments. Deadlines: Sunday, December 19. Regular Grants Dec. 15, 2010 If you are interested in taking Small Grants Jan. 15, 2011 part, visit www.torontobirding.ca Student Award for Field Research Feb. 15, 2011 and email the TOC Outings For more information, go to Bird Studies Canada at www.bsc-eoc.org or Councillor. call 1-888-448-2473 ext. 166. TFN 576-18 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

COMING EVENTS

If you plan to attend any of the following events, we recommend that you contact the organizing group beforehand to confirm time and place.

Toronto Entomologists’ Association (TEA) Sat Jan 22, 1:15 pm. What’s this “Bug?” The Good, the Bad and the Arthropods. Antonia Guidotti. Room 206 Victoria College. Information: www.ontarioinsects.org

High Park Walking Tours 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, 10:30 am – noon. Meet at the benches across the road south of Grenadier Restaurant. Donations welcomed. Information: 416-392-1748 ext. 5 or [email protected] or www.highpark.org • Dec 12. The Park Readies for Winter. Leader: Terry Fahey • Dec 26. Holiday Hike and Brunch. Hosts: Walking Tours Committee

Rouge Park Weekly Guided Nature Walks Explore Rouge Park’s trails with a Hike Ontario Certified volunteer leader. Information: visit www rougepark.com/hike, e-mail [email protected] or phone 905-713-3184 Monday thru Thursday

Edwards Lecture Series Thurs Jan 27, 7:30 pm. When Native Plants are Not the Answer. Speaker: Belinda Gallagher. Floral Hall, Toronto Botanical Garden. Admission $20/students $15. Information: www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/programs/edwardslectures htm

The Market Gallery Until Feb 26, 2011. South St Lawrence Market, 2nd floor, 95 Front St E. Free. Brickworks/Artworks documenting an urban environment along The Don, featuring the work of artists from the Don Valley Art Club. Note: Gallery is closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Information: www.toronto.ca/culture/the_market_gallery.htm or 416-392-7604

Harbourfront Centre – Beyond Imaginings Until June 2011. An outdoor display. Eight artists encounter Ontario’s Greenbelt. Free

Lost Rivers Walk Sat Dec 11, 1:30 pm Amos Ponds, Class A Wetlands, Rouge – Pickering. Leader: Ian Wheal. Meet at Pearse House, 1749 Meadowvale Ave, east on the Toronto Zoo on-ramp. Information: www.lostrivers.ca.

Ian Wheal Walk Sat Dec 4, 2 pm. Homeless Immigrant Children Sheltered by Canadian Pacific Railway. Meet at the southwest corner of King St W and Strachan Ave.

RESOURCES FOR NATIVE PLANT GARDENING: See article page 19

TBG (Toronto Botanical Garden) www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca or 416-397-1340 Excellent library, native plant garden and a new woodland walk under construction.

NANPS (North American Native Plant Society) www.nanps.org or 416-631-4438 Web site with information on plant sources, newsletter, speaker series, workshops, excursions and plant sales.

LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) www.yourleaf.org/species-available or 416-413-9244 Provides native trees and shrubs to Toronto residents at subsidized prices, including site consultation and planning.

HIGH PARK VSP (Volunteer Stewardship Program) www.highpark.org/VSP/SpringPlantChartMay092010.pdf Holds a native plant sale every spring. Plants grown from local seed.

CITY OF TORONTO www.toronto.ca/trees or 311 Plants trees on street allowances fronting residential properties free of charge. 36 species are offered, 13 of which are native to southern Ontario.

TRCA (Toronto Region & Conservation) www.trca.on.ca/yards or 416 661-6600 Offers web tips, workshops and Healthy Yards Fact Sheets, including Beneficial Insects, Butterfly Gardens, Bird Gardens, Naturescaping, and Native Plants for Your Garden.

December 2010 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 576-19

BIODIVERSITY – WHAT YOU CAN DO

Entomologist Douglas Tallamy, University of Using Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) as a Delaware, wrote Bringing Nature Home: How You Can measuring stick, Prof. Tallamy has developed charts Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants (Timber Press, showing the number of species attracted by trees and 2007), with the aim of changing the way North herbaceous plants. The results are available in Excel Americans landscape their gardens (see review in TFN format at www.bringingnaturehome.net. His top 10 563, April 2009). picks for the Eastern Atlantic are listed below.

Prof. Tallamy was the speaker at the Toronto Botanical Prof. Tallamy commented that many people feed birds Garden on October 27, co-sponsored by NANPS and in the winter, but often neglect to do so when they LEAF (see box on previous page). In a beautifully really need help – in the spring and early summer when illustrated talk, Prof. Tallamy documented the extent of they are feeding their young. At that time of year, biodiversity loss in the US: 95% of the land is now insects are their exclusive diet, and if we neglect to either developed, paved or planted with non-native provide insect habitat in our gardens, the young will not plants. But he offered another compelling statistic – survive. He also told us not to destroy snails as they provide a vital source of calcium for eggshells. that if Americans were to confine their lawns to just those areas needed to walk and play, and plant native Using his own home as an example, he showed just plants in the remainder, the contribution to plant what is possible. In a little more than ten years, and at diversity would be equal to that of the sum total of the modest cost (for example, planting acorns), he changed 20 largest U.S. National Parks! a barren area which was mostly lawn into a luxuriant

Prof. Tallamy pointed out that plants sustain all other native plant area hosting multiple species of insects life forms. Any loss in plant diversity results in a loss (including the most stunningly beautiful caterpillars) of diversity of all other life forms. Insects have and birds. evolved over time to live on one or a small number of I’d been wondering what to do with my small city plant species, by overcoming the plants’ chemical garden following the death of a 20' yew and removal of defences. Many birds and animals in turn rely on a rampant forsythia. These losses brought light where insects for food. He showed how North American there was formerly shade but resulted in a noticeable native plants host more insects and thus contribute reduction in the number of birds, which enjoyed their more to biodiversity than the imported European and protection. I’ve always hated the lawn: the squirrels and Asian species that we love to plant in our gardens – the racoons both tear it up, planting acorns and where they frequently have no natural insect predators. extracting bugs. Prof. Tallamy has provided the He told us not to be afraid of insect damage to our inspiration, and Jim Hodgins’ article on page 14, nicely plants, which is seldom extensive. sums up that craving for nature that no rose garden can ever satisfy. I’m going native! Won’t you join me in Eastern kingbird on alternate-leaf dogwood. doing our bit for the planet? Mary Lieberman

Prof. Tallamy’s Top Picks for the Atlantic Seaboard

(# of lepidoptera species supported in brackets)

Woody Plants Herbaceous Plants Oak (534) Goldenrod (115) Black cherry (456) Aster (112) Willow (455) Sunflower (73) Birch (413) Joe Pye weed (42) Poplar (368) Morning glory (39) Crabapple (311) Sedges (36) Blueberry (288) Honeysuckle (36) Maple (285) Lupine (33) Elm (213) Violet (29) Photo: Douglas Tallamy, printed with permission Pine (203) Geranium (23)

TFN 576-20 Toronto Field Naturalist December 2010

Toronto Field Naturalists Publications Mail Registration No. 40049590 2 Carlton St., #1519 Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3

TFN Outing, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, December 2007, photographed by Norah Jancik