Number 596 May 2013

Groundhog photographed by Moy Nahon in Edwards Gardens, May 2011 (see p 19)

FEATURES REGULARS th Coming Events 25 90 Anniversary Event 17 Extracts from Outings Reports 14 Toronto’s Staff-Tree Shrubs 18 In the News 21 TFN Grants Report 20 Keeping in Touch 19 Monthly Meetings Notice 3 Arils of Staff-tree Shrubs 20 Monthly Meeting Report 13 Toronto’s Future Climate Study 22 President’s Report 12 The Global Warming Trend: TFN Outings 4 23 A view from Toronto Weather – This Time Last Year 22 Membership Renewal 27 TFN 596-2 May 2013

Toronto Field Naturalist is published by the Toronto Field BOARD OF DIRECTORS Naturalists, a charitable, non-profit organization, the aims of President & Outings Margaret McRae which are to stimulate public interest in natural history and Past President Bob Kortright to encourage the preservation of our natural heritage. Issued Vice President & monthly September to December and February to May. Monthly Lectures Nancy Dengler Views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those Secretary-Treasurer Charles Crawford of the editor or Toronto Field Naturalists. The Newsletter is Communications Alexander Cappell printed on 100% recycled paper. Membership & Newsletter Judy Marshall ISSN 0820-636X Monthly Lectures Corinne McDonald Monthly Lectures Lavinia Mohr IT’S YOUR NEWSLETTER! Nature Reserves & Charles Bruce- We welcome contributions of original writing of observa- Outings Thompson tions on nature in and around Toronto (up to 500 words). Outreach Tom Brown We also welcome reports, reviews, poems, sketches, pain- Webmaster Lynn Miller tings and digital photographs. Please include “Newsletter” in the subject line when sending by email, or on the MEMBERSHIP FEES envelope if sent by mail. Please re-name digital photographs $20 YOUTH (under 26) with the subject and your name (abbreviations ok); scale $30 SENIOR SINGLE (65+) your photos to less than 1 MB each. In the accompanying $40 SINGLE, SENIOR FAMILY (2 adults, 65+) email include location, date and any interesting story or $50 FAMILY (2 adults – same address, children included) other information associated with the photograph. No HST. Tax receipts issued for donations. Send Deadline for submissions for September issue: Aug 1 membership fees and address changes to the TFN office. Please note: TFN does not give out its membership list.

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

Many thanks to the members of the Editorial Committee for their diligent proofreading and to everyone who sent in articles, reports, reviews, poems, haikus, news items, photographs, artwork. We appreciate all your contributions. Please keep them coming!

We welcome Vivienne Denton to the Editorial Committee. In addition to helping our proofreading team, Vivienne has started to compile the extracts from outings leaders’ reports.

Hope you enjoy nature in the summer and remember to share your experiences, knowledge and enthusiasm with us by word or picture! Young larch cones, photo Lynn Pady Your editors

May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-3

TFN MEETING

Sunday, May 5, 2013

2:30 pm

Ecology of Breeding Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Doug Tozer, ornithologist, Bird Studies Canada, will present his field research observations on the ecology of this “double keystone” species in Algonquin Park.

VISITORS WELCOME!

SOCIAL: 2:00 – 2:30 pm

Room 003, Northrop Frye Bldg, 73 Queen's Park East,

(Immediately southeast of Emmanuel College, south of the Museum subway station exit on the east side of Queen’s Park). Enter on either the west or north side of the building. The west entrance is wheelchair accessible.

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

TFN Lecture Series 2013-2014

Sep 8 The Making of the Peterson Field Guide to the Mammals of North America, Fiona

Reid, departmental associate in Mammalogy , Royal Ontario Museum

Oct 6 Salamanders and the Threats They Face, Matt Ellerback, salamander conservationist and advocate

Nov 3 The Flies We Despise: Reflections on the Wonderful World of Black Flies, Doug Currie, senior curator of Entomology, Royal Ontario Museum

Dec 1 The Don River, John Wilson, long-time veteran and former chair of the Task Force to Bring Back the Don

Feb 2 The Sky Above: Another Aspect of Our Natural World, Paul Delaney, popular lecturer and astronomy professor at York University

Mar 2 In the Eye of the Beholder: A Study of Beauty in the Natural World, Kyle Horner, wildlife photographer, birder and naturalist

Apr 6 The Reluctant Twitcher, Richard Pope, a relatively normal birdwatcher who became a reluctant twitcher in 2007 and wrote a book by the same name.

May 4 Sand Dune Conservation, Geoff Peach, co-founder of the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation TFN 596-4 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

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. •

Wed HUMBER – LAKESHORE –- HIGH PARK May 1 Leader: Ed Freeman 1:15 pm Meet at northwest corner of Armadale Ave and Bloor St W (Jane subway station) to view what was and is along a discovery walk ending at High Park.

Sat TRILLIUMS IN WILKET CREEK PARK – Nature Arts May 4 Leader: Mary Taylor 1:30 pm Meet at the northwest corner of Eglinton Ave W and Leslie St. Nature Arts members, please arrive early to do your sketching, photography or writing in the morning. Join Mary’s walk after lunch. This area features an + impressive population of white trilliums and other interesting spring wildflowers.

Sat SEVENTH ANNUAL JANE JACOBS WALK – Evening Ramble May 4 Leaders: Pleasance Crawford and Helen Juhola 6:45 pm Meet at the north end of Glencairn subway station, on the south side of Glencairn Ave. Walk includes neighbourhoods near Allen Rd, Ben Nobleman Park, Everden Rd and Cedarvale Park and Ravine, ending at St Clair West subway station. Duration 2 hours. Bring binoculars.

Sun ECOLOGY OF BREEDING YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS May 5 Speaker: Doug Tozer, Ornithologist, Algonquin Park 2:30pm Northrop Frye Bldg, 73 Queen’s Park Cres E (see page 3)

Tues ROUGE VALLEY – Spring Ephemerals and Nature May 7 Leader: Peter Money 11:00 am Meet at Pearse House, east of first bus stop north of the stop at Sheppard Ave E and Meadowvale Rd. Bring lunch and binoculars. Circular walk, 3 to 4 hours.

Sat DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY – Richmond Hill May 11 Leader: John Bacher 2:00 pm Meet at Yonge St and Weldrick Rd in Richmond Hill. Take Richmond Hill Viva blue bus from Finch subway station before 1:30 pm. Bring water and binoculars. The 150-acre David Dunlap Observatory Forest is threatened by a development proposal. To prevent re-zonings which would destroy the forest, it is important that people know about this forest which provides many ecological benefits. We will walk the perimeter of the forest.

Sun ST. CLAIR AVE E – ROSEHILL RESERVOIR – CHORLEY PARK – Nature Walk May 12 Leader: Ed Freeman 1:30 pm Meet at the St Clair subway station entrance on St Clair Ave E for a ramble to see what buildings, landscape and the past have to show us in addition to what nature has in store this day. + Sun AGGIE’S WILDFLOWERS – Lost Rivers May 12 Leader: Madeleine McDowell 1:30 pm Meet at Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas St. Rediscover the world of Agnes Dunbar Moodie Fitzgibbon, daughter of Susanna Moodie and illustrator of Canadian Wildflowers (published in 1867). All of Aggie’s specimens were from the Baby Point and Humber valley area. Many of these flowers still survive in the Magwood Sanctuary. Approx. 2 hours, returning to Lambton House for tea and a talk with Agnes. May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-5

Tues CEDARVALE RAVINE – Nature Walk May 14 Leader: Doug Paton 10:00 am Meet at the Eglinton West subway station. Walk will end at St Clair West subway station. A joint walk with the Life Institute.

Wed WATERFRONT GARDENS – Evening Ramble May 15 Leader: Peter Iveson 6:45 pm Meet at the southwest corner of Queens Quay W and Bathurst St beside the war memorial in Little Norway Park. Walk ends in the Music Garden. Check with TTC as Queens Quay streetcars not operating. Try Bathurst #511 streetcar to Fleet St or bus from King and Yonge or Bay and Front .

Sat LESLIE STREET SPIT – Birds, Insects and Plants May 18 Leader: Bob Kortright 10:00 am Meet at the park entrance at Leslie St and Unwin Ave. Bring binoculars and lunch. A joint outing with the Toronto Bruce Trail Club.

Sun DAYLIGHTING WILSON CREEK – Lost Rivers Walk May 19 Leader: Helen Mills 2:00 pm Meet at the northwest corner of Victoria Park Ave at Jonesville, one block north of Eglinton Ave E. An investigation of lost watersheds and water infrastructure. Visit: www.vanishingpoint.ca/why-did-we- bury-this-creek. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

Bob Johnson profiled in Collections

Bob Johnson, curator of Amphibians & Reptiles at Toronto Zoo, was profiled in the latest Collections newsletter (see below). Bob has long been a resource for TFN and was the author of TFN’s publication Amphibians and Reptiles in Metro- politan Toronto 1982 Inventory and Guide. Bob is in charge of the Adopt-A-Pond Wetland Con- servation Programme which provides educators, students and community groups with stewardship resources and educational opportunities to protect, restore and conserve wetland habitats and biodiversity. Adopt-A-Pond has six major off-site initiatives that address wetland conservation issues in Ontario. The Programme also runs projects on site at the Zoo to protect and celebrate wetland biodiversity. Check out their informative website at www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/

“After 40 years at the Zoo, every day is still exciting,” says Johnson. Whether it’s a chameleon with a toe infection, training staff to care for crocodiles or figuring out what to feed newly hatched tropical frogs, life is never dull! But sharing his knowledge is always the most rewarding part of his job. In addition to encouraging respect and appreciation for misunderstood creatures at the Zoo, Johnson explains that he and his staff work with Canadian Armed Forces troops that are going to areas inhabited by venomous snakes, and train them to recognize which snakes to avoid, understand snake behavior, and know what do to in case of snake bite. “It’s some- thing I’m particularly proud of,” he says. TFN 596-6 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

Tues ROUGE PARK – Nature Walk May 21 Leader: Orval White 1:30 pm Meet at the east end of the parking lot at the Glen Rouge campground, 7450 Kingston Rd, about 1 km east of Sheppard Ave and Port Union Rd. Bring binoculars. A 2-3-hour circular walk.

Sat GUILDWOOD PARK TO EAST POINT – Nature Walk May 25 Leader: Gisela Bach 10:00 am Meet at the parking lot at the Guild Inn, 201 Guildwood Parkway (Morningside #116 bus). We will walk along the shoreline of Lake Ontario to East Point Park and discuss invasive weeds and the impact trash has on our environment. From East Point Park we walk along Copperfield Rd through Grey Abbey Park back to Guild Inn parking lot. Bring lunch, binoculars. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants.

Sun TODMORDEN MILLS WILDFLOWER PRESERVE – Nature Walk May 26 Leader: Paula Davies 1:30 pm Meet at the entrance to the Wildflower Preserve at Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Rd. We will look for signs of active spring wildlife. Come early to tour the historic site (Doors Open Toronto).

Tues SENECA COLLEGE, KING CAMPUS – Nature walk May 28 Leader: Charles Chaffey 9:40 am Meet at the Regional bus terminal just north of Finch subway station, platform 15, to take York Region #88 bus at 9:55 ($). Drivers enter at 13990 Dufferin St, King City, to meet at Garriock Hall (parking opposite, $) at 10:45 am. Bring lunch, water, binoculars. Arrive back at Finch subway about 4 pm.

Wed WYCHWOOD PARK – Evening Ramble May 29 Leader: Doug Paton 6:45 pm Meet in the park on the south side of St Clair Ave W across from St Clair West subway station for a walk through Wychwood, ending at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage at Bathurst St and Davenport Rd.

Sat TAYLOR CREEK – Nature Arts June 1 Leader: Gail Gregory 10:00 am Meet at the north end of Chisholm Ave at a stairway entrance to Taylor Creek. (Either walk from Main subway station one block west to Chisholm and turn north to the end of the street, or take #62 bus along Chisholm to Lumsden - then continue walking north to the end of the street.) Nature walk and picnic in member’s garden. Please bring lunch. Coffee, tea, or juice provided. Bring what you wish for sketching, photography or writing.

Sun HIGH PARK – Trees June 2 Leader: Bohdan Kowalyk 1:30 pm Meet at the entrance on Bloor St W at High Park Ave for a circular walk. High Park has a great variety of native and non-native tree species of natural and planted origin. The wild lupins should be blooming.

FOR ENJOYMENT OF OUTINGS

• Wide brimmed hat for protection from sun • Long sleeves for protection from mosquitoes, poison ivy, thistles, nettles and ticks • Long pants for protection from mosquitoes, poison ivy, thistles and ticks (tuck your shirt into your pants) • Light-coloured clothing makes it easier to spot ticks • Long socks to help protect you from ticks (tuck your pant legs into the socks) • Hiking boots or running shoes • Rainwear • Sun glasses, sun screen and insect repellent • Binoculars and camera • Water or other beverage and a snack • TTC Ride Guide (free), map, notebook and pen

Bring your family and/or friends, but ... NO pets allowed May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-7

Wed CROTHERS WOODS and COTTONWOOD FLATS – Nature Walk June 5 Leader: Ed Freeman 10:30 am Meet at the southeast corner of Moore Ave and Bayview Ave (Loblaws) to walk along Cudmore Creek, Sun Valley landfill and Cottonwood Flats. We will see a past industrial area now naturalized. The walk ends at Redway Rd and Millwood Rd. Bring lunch and water.

Thurs THREE BURIED CREEKS OF MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY – Evening Ramble June 6 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 pm Meet at the northeast corner of Bayview Ave and Moore Ave to look for traces of Cudmore Creek, Mud Creek and Yellow Creek in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Finish at a coffee shop on Yonge St.

Sat CORONATION PARK – Heritage June 8 Leader: John Bacher 2:00 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Strachan Ave and Lake Shore Blvd W. Bring water and binoculars. Coronation Park was created by the environmental group Men of the Trees who dreamed of a future when armies would be replaced by reforestation corps, in their campaign to create conservation authorities and memorialize every unit of the Canadian Corps of the First World War. Walk will examine condition of plaques, and trowels may be helpful if these have been buried by neglect. We will also walk along the lakeshore to observe waterfowl.

Sun HUMBER MARSHES – Nature Walk June 9 Leader: James Eckenwalder, Associate Professor, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto 1:30 pm Meet at Old Mill subway station for an exploration of floodplain dynamics and riparian communities. Moderately steep slope down to and back up from the floodplain and no convenient washrooms. We recommend long sleeves and long pants.

Tues NORDHEIMER RAVINE TO RAMSDEN PARK – Evening Ramble June 11 Leader: Doug Paton 6:45 pm Meet in the park across from St Clair West subway station. Walk will end at Rosedale subway station.

Wed YORK CEMETERY – Trees June 12 Leader: Jack Radecki 10:00 am Meet at the Visitation Centre in the cemetery between Beecroft Rd and Senlac Rd. Lunch optional.

Sat HIGHLAND CREEK – Nature Walk June 15 Leader: Blair Campbell 10:00 am Meet at the southeast corner of Lawrence Ave E and Beechgrove Dr. We will follow Highland Creek north to Morningside Park where the walk will end. Bring lunch.

Sun THE GARDEN DISTRICT – Lost rivers June 16 Leader: John Wilson and invited Garden District Residents Association members 2:00 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Yonge St and Carlton St. Continue our city centre explorations. Walk the neighbourhood between Carlton, Yonge, Queen and Sherbourne streets, its parks, gardens and landscapes – lost, remnant and manufactured. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

Wed THE RAVINES OF MOORE PARK – Topography June 19 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 pm Meet at the southwest corner of Bayview Ave and Moore Ave. Finish at a coffee shop near Yonge and Bloor.

Thurs MORNINGSIDE PARK – Evening Ramble June 20 Leader: Orval White 6:45pm Meet by the washrooms west of the first parking lot. The entrance to the park is on the west side of Morningside Ave south of Ellesmere Rd and north of Kingston Rd. A 1½ to 2 hr. circular walk.

Sat SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS – Butterflies and Flowers June 22 Leader: Bob Kortright 10:00 am Meet at the southwest corner of Chine Dr and Kingston Rd. Bring binoculars and lunch.

Sun TODMORDEN MILLS TO ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE – Nature Walk June 23 Leader: Ed Freeman 1:30 pm Meet at Todmorden Mills entrance, 67 Pottery Rd for a walk along the Don to the Ontario Science Centre.

TFN 596-8 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

Tues THE UTTERMOST REACHES OF UPPER GARRISON CREEK – Evening Ramble June 25 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 pm Meet on the north side of St Clair Ave W at Lansdowne Ave to trace the two (buried) creeks that join to form Upper Garrison Creek. Finish at a coffee shop near St Clair and Bathurst.

Wed COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK – Nature Walk June 26 Leader: Kerry Adams 10:00 am Meet at the bus shelter in front of Father Redmond Catholic School on Col Sam Smith Park Dr, south of Lake Shore Blvd W at Kipling Ave. Bring binoculars if you have them for bird watching. Morning only.

Sat ETOBICOKE CREEK TO LAKESHORE – Nature Walk June 29 Leader: Ed Freeman 1:45 pm Meet at Tim Hortons, corner of The West Mall and Sherway Dr by the Trillium Health Centre entrance. Walk ends at Lake Ontario. Some rough ground, but mostly dirt and paved paths. About 3 hours.

Sun EXHIBITION GROUND, SUNNYSIDE BEACH TO HIGH PARK – Nature and History June 30 Leader: Kayoko Smith 1:00 pm Meet at the Dufferin Gate (take Dufferin bus from Bloor to Exhibition Ground). Start with historic CHIN Picnic. We will visit Scadding Cabin Herb Garden, Fort Rouille Rose Garden, and continue to Sunnyside Beach. We will enjoy reclaimed landscape on the way to High Park.

Tues DOWNTOWN RAVINES NEAR YONGE STREET – Evening Ramble July 2 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 pm Meet at the northeast corner of Yonge St and Bloor St E to traverse the Rosedale Ravine as we head for the Vale of Avoca. Finish at a coffee shop near Yonge St and St Clair Ave.

Wed PINE HILLS CEMETERY, TAYLOR MASSEY CREEK AND SUGAR MAPLE WOODLOT July 3 Leader: Jack Radecki 10:00 am Meet at the pedestrian entrance on the northeast corner of Birchmount Ave and St Clair Ave E. Walk ends at noon, then time for questions and snacks at the visitation centre.

Sat GUILDWOOD PARK – Nature Arts July 6 Meet at the entrance, 201 Guildwood Parkway (#116 Morningside bus from Kennedy subway station) and 12:00 noon bring materials for sketching, photography or writing. Afterwards members can join Orval White on the + Nature Walk listed below.

Sat GUILDWOOD PARK AND LAKESHORE – Nature Walk July 6 Leader: Orval White 2:00 pm Meet at the Guild Inn parking lot, 201 Guildwood Parkway, for a 3-hour loop nature walk, including a gradual but very high uphill section (Doris McCarthy trail). The walk will include the Lake Ontario shoreline and some streets in Guildwood.

Sun ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE TO YONGE AND LAWRENCE – Nature Walk July 7 Leader: Ed Freeman 1:30 pm Meet at the south door (school entrance) of Ontario Science Centre on Don Mills Rd. We will walk along Burke Brook over to Lawrence Ave E and Yonge St.

Tues BLACK CREEK – Nature and Heritage July 9 Leader: Madeleine McDowell 10:00 am Meet at northwest corner of Weston Rd and Gunn's Rd (Weston Road bus). Walk along Lavender and Black Creeks to Jane. After lunch, continue through Smythe Park to Scarlett Rd and back, finishing at Jane & Alliance. Bring water and lunch (or Tim's is on Jane, north of Alliance).

Thurs CENTRAL WATERFRONT – Evening Ramble July 11 Leader: Pleasance Crawford 6:45 pm Meet at foot of Bathurst St on south side of Lake Shore Blvd W. (#509 Harbourfront streetcar or #511 Bathurst streetcar; walk south from Fleet St). Route will include Little Norway Park, Toronto Music Garden (where we may overhear part of 7 pm performance), Spadina Quay Wetland, Spadina Wavedeck, and HTO Park. We'll compare today's waterfront with printouts of older views in the TFN Slide Collection. Walk will end by sunset (8:59 p.m.), near coffee and a TTC stop. Bring binoculars.

May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-9

Sat RAYMORE PARK – Hurricane Hazel July 13 Leader: John Bacher 2:00 pm Meet at southeast corner of Scarlett Rd and Raymore Rd 2 blocks south of Lawrence Ave W. Bring binoculars. Walk will be of former subdivision, destroyed by Hurricane Hazel, which has now become Raymore Park. Will examine reforestation efforts and memorials created to commemorate disaster.

Sun BRICK WORKS – Pollinators July 14 Leader: Dave and Norma Barr 2:00 pm Meet at the Brick Works near the metal gates beside the low curved brick wall just north of the main entrance off Bayview Ave. There is a free shuttle bus from Erindale Ave just north of Broadview subway station. This 2-hour walk is an introduction to the importance of pollination and some common insect pollinators active in an urbanized environment. As we observe them at work, we'll talk about threats to pollinators and some responses to those threats, how to identify and photograph pollinators, and how to use citizen science to aid in pollinator monitoring.

Tues GLEN STEWART RAVINE TO KEW GARDENS – Evening Ramble July 16 Leader: Bob Kortright 6:45 pm Meet at the park entrance 60m south of Kingston Rd on Beech Ave. Bring binoculars.

Wed ROSEDALE RAVINE – Topography July 17 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 pm Meet at the northwest corner of Gerrard St E and Broadview Ave to cross the Don, climb into the valley where Castle Frank Brook once flowed and climb out for coffee near Yonge and Bloor.

Sat LESLIE STREET SPIT – Butterflies and Flowers July 20 Leader: Bob Kortright 10:00 am Meet at the park entrance at Leslie St and Unwin Ave. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Sun MIMICO CREEK GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY – Lost Rivers July 21 Leaders: Richard Anderson, Ed Freeman and friends 2:00 pm Meet at the Bishop Allen Academy parking lot on Royal York Rd opposite Coney Rd intersection. Re-visiting a walk last held in 2005. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

Tues TOPOGRAPHY – Lost Rivers July 23 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Eglinton Ave W and Dufferin St to trace the path of buried Upper Lavender Creek through the hill country of the former City of York. Finish at a coffee shop near St Clair Ave W and Keele St.

Thurs LOWER HUMBER – Evening Ramble July 25 Leader: Mary Taylor 6:45 pm Meet at the Old Mill subway station. We will walk north to Magwood Park then out of the valley to street level, ending at Jane St and St Mark’s Rd. Take bus to Jane station or go for coffee.

Sat BEECHWOOD TO THE FORKS OF THE DON – Nature Walk Jul 27 Leader: Margaret McRae 10:30 am Meet on O’Connor Dr at Beechwood Dr. Bring lunch and binoculars. A circle walk or drop out early.

Northern mockingbird, photo June West. TFN outing, photo Barry Singh. Black-throated blue warbler, photo Frances Money. TFN 596-10 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

Sun HIGH PARK – Nature Walk Jul. 28 Leader: Ken Sproule 1:30 pm Meet at the main entrance to High Park on the south side of Bloor St W at High Park Ave. We will walk around Grenadier and West Ponds, returning to our starting point in approximately 2½ hours.

Wed ROSETTA MCCLAIN GARDENS AND SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS – Nature Walk July 31 Leader: Lynda McCaffrey 10:00 am Meet in the parking lot near the washrooms at the Rosetta McClain Gardens, Kingston Rd and Glen Everest Rd. Bring binoculars, camera and water. Morning only, circular walk.

Thurs FINCH EAST PARK AND THE HYDRO CORRIDOR – Evening Ramble Aug 1 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Steeles Ave E and Laureleaf Rd to see Bestview Creek, German Mills Creek, the East Don and the Finch Hydro Corridor. Finish at the coffee shop at Cummer and Bayview.

Sat RIVERDALE FARM – Nature Arts Aug 3 Leaders: Yoshie Nagata and Joe Bernaske 1:30 pm Meet at the farm entrance, 201 Winchester St. Bring what you need for sketching, photography or writing.

Sun BURKE BROOK – Heritage and Nature Aug 4 Leader: Janet Langdon 2:00 pm Meet at the TTC stop at Bayview Ave and Sunnydene Cres just south of Blythwood Rd. We’ll end near Lawrence Ave and Yonge St. Not a circular walk.

Wed ST GEORGE STREET – Trees and Architecture Aug 7 Leader: Richard Partington 1:30 pm Meet at the northwest corner of St George St and College St and wind our way to Bloor St W through the U of T campus, noting things of arboreal or architectural interest. 2½ hours. Bring binoculars.

Thurs HIGH PARK – Evening Ramble Aug 8 Leader: Wendy Rothwell 6:45 pm Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St W at High Park Ave for a circular walk.

Sat MIMICO CREEK – Plants Aug 10 Leader: D. Andrew White 10:00 am Meet at the northwest corner of Park Lawn Rd and Lake Shore Blvd W. We will walk the side trail and likely not go further than Sunnylea, but may have time to go past the break in the trail north a bit further. Walk ends at the base of Park Lawn Rd. Bring lunch.

Sun CHARLES SAURIOL CONSERVATION AREA – Birds and Plants Aug 11 Leader: Ken Sproule 1:30 pm Meet at park entrance just east of Don Valley Pkwy on south side of Lawrence Ave E (#54 bus from Eglinton subway station to Railside Rd/Underhill Dr). If conditions permit, we will return along the dirt path on the west side of the east Don which involves climbing a couple of small hills. Circular walk of approx. 2½ hours.

Golden-crowned kinglet (left), photo June West. Savannah sparrow (middle) and song sparrow, photos Skip Shand. May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-11

Wed DUNCAN WOODS CREEK – Topography Aug 14 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 pm Meet at the northeast corner of Finch Ave E and Don Mills Rd to follow Duncan Woods Creek, which flows north into German Mills Creek at Steeles Ave E and Leslie St, not far from a coffee shop at Steeles Ave E and Laureleaf Rd.

Thurs COTTONWOOD FLATS – Evening Ramble Aug 15 Leader: Scott Laver, Natural Environment Specialist, Parks, Forestry and Recreation 6:30 pm Meet at entrance to Lower Don Trail at bottom of Beechwood Dr next to the Police Dog Training Facility. Closest intersection: Beechwood Dr and O’Connor Dr. Bus #100 from Broadview or Eglinton subway station or bus #25 from Pape subway station to O’Connor. Walk or drive down Beechwood Dr under the DVP. Bring binoculars, sturdy footwear and water. Relatively flat paved and granular trails with no challenging terrain. Discussion of future and current restoration and identification of interesting natural heritage features. 1½ hrs.

Sat TAYLOR CREEK PARK – Nature and Plants Aug 17 Leader: Charles Chaffey 10:00 am Meet at the north entrance of Victoria Park subway station for a circular walk of about 3 hours. We shall explore the recently constructed wetlands and the wooded valley slopes.

Sun THE MEETING OF THE WATERS: POETRY WALK ON THE VALE OF AVOCA – Lost Rivers Aug 18 Leader: Helen Mills and friends 2:00 pm Meet on the south side of St Clair Ave E outside St Clair subway station.

Tues LAMBTON PARK AND HUMBER – Nature and Heritage Aug 20 Leader: Madeleine McDowell 10:00 am Meet at Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas St, for a circular trip ending with tea at Lambton House. Bus #55, Warren Park, stops at door, leaving Jane subway station at 9:45. Bring lunch or snack if you wish.

Sat EAST POINT – Plants Aug 24 Leader: D. Andrew White 10:00 am Meet at Greyabbey Trail at Morningside Ave and Guildwood Pkwy. We shall go to Beechgrove Dr. Usually that takes to 12:00 or 12:30 pm. Many leave for the bus at this point. I and others with cars would need to retrace the trail. On the east end there is an alternative trail closer to the roadway(s) on the north side of East Point Park. This may be quicker for the return.

Sun LOWER DON VALLEY FROM THE FORKS TO CROTHER’S WOODS – Birds and Plants Aug 25 Leader: Ken Sproule 1:30 pm Meet at the southwest corner of Overlea Blvd and the easternmost intersection of Thorncliffe Park Dr across from Swiss Chalet. (#25 bus from Pape subway station or #100 bus from Broadview subway station.) A circular walk of approximately 2½ hours along dirt paths. If conditions permit, we will return on the bike path along the valley edge which will involve climbing a number of small hills.

Tues BURKE BROOK TO SHERWOOD PARK – Evening Ramble Aug 27 Leader: Nancy Dengler 6:45 pm Meet at the southeast corner of Yonge St and Lawrence Ave E in front of Locke Library for a circular walk. Bring binoculars.

Wed GLENDON RAVINE AND SUNNYBROOK PARK – Trees Aug 28 Leader: Tom Atkinson 10:00 am Meet at Lawrence Ave E and Bayview Ave (the Glendon Campus bus stop). Bring binoculars and water. Morning only. Linear walk ending at Edwards Gardens. You may leave at Wilket Creek if you prefer.

Sat GLENDON RAVINE – Nature Walk Aug 31 Leader: Nancy Dengler 10:00 am Meet at the southeast corner of Bayview Ave and Lawrence Ave E for a circular walk. Bring a drink and binoculars. Morning only.

TFN 596-12 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

It has been a very busy month with lots of meetings and it will be leaving us so we will need several new members looks like we’ll have a hectic summer. (see Nominating Committee report below).

We had 46 people booked for the tour to Happy Valley to We have a number of Outreach programs this summer. look for salamanders and birds (see page 15). David and We will lead walks and have a promotional table at the Ann Love were very gracious and informative hosts. We bird festival at Tommy Thompson Park on May 11, and a are going back later in April as the ground and ponds bird festival at Sam Smith Park on May 25. There is the were still frozen so we didn’t see any salamanders. Leslieville Tree Festival on June 22 and the Butterfly Festival on August 24 at Tommy Thompson Park. (see Please read the update on the anniversary celebration Coming Events, page 25). We will also have 12 Outreach (page 17) and let us know if you would like to help with walks for Parks People in 12 different wards of the city any of the jobs still open. We will be selling the tickets and still need some leaders for them. We welcome people online and accepting credit cards as well as selling to advise us if willing to help with any of these outreach through the office starting in August. They will all be events. general admission seats. We hope to offer rides down the hill to the theatre and urge any drivers who can take Please be sure to renew your membership, either passengers to let us know. through our website or using the form on page 27. We hope to contact members who do not renew by June 30, I am very pleased with the variety of walks and new by email or phone, and would like to hear from people leaders we have for this summer. Several of our regular who are willing to make some reminder phone calls. leaders like Carol Sellers, Joanne Doucette and Miles Hearn had to drop out due to medical problems and other Stewardship events are plentiful from April through issues, and I was amazed to find so many new people September. We hope you will get involved in some of willing to step in and lead walks. I hope you will enjoy them. them. Margaret McRae

I am happy to announce that Stephen Kamnitzer is willing to join the Board of Directors and to look after our outreach portfolio. Corinne McDonald and Tom Brown

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee recommends the following slate of nominees to the Board for the year 2013-2014:

President: Margaret McRae Vice-President: Nancy Dengler Past President: Bob Kortright Secretary-Treasurer: Charles Crawford

Directors: due to retire in 2014: Judy Marshall, Charles Bruce-Thompson, + 1 due to retire in 2015: Lynn Miller, Lavinia Mohr, Charles Crawford due to retire in 2016: Alexander Cappell, Stephen Kamnitzer, +1

We have two openings on the Board.

TFN by-law No. 1, Section 5(g) provides that “any three members may submit, in writing, to the Secretary- Treasurer by July 15 the name of a candidate accompanied by the written consent of the nominee. Such nominations shall be published in the September issue of the newsletter and the names of such nominees shall be added to the list of candidates submitted by the Nominating Committee.” Nominations should be sent to the TFN office, 2 Carlton Street, Unit 1519, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3.

According to TFN by-law No.1, Section 5(b), “If an election is required it shall be by ballot mailed to all members. Ballots may be mailed to the auditor or deposited at the Annual General Meeting prior to the commencement of the meeting. The ballots will be tabulated by the auditor who shall announce the results.”

May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-13

MONTHLY MEETING REPORT

Insect Life Cycles: How Insects Cope with Winter, Sunday April 14 James Kamstra, ecologist and environmental consultant

James Kamstra’s extensive knowledge has earned him a flies and beetles. The larval stage is radically different place among those who recommend which species from the adult stage: for example, caterpillar and butter- should be listed as endangered in Ontario. In this fly. The change from one type of animal to another meeting, he shared his knowledge of insect winter occurs in the pupa – the chewing mouth becomes a survival in our area. Insects are a large and diverse nectar sucking tube, wings form and a butterfly group with a great variety of life cycles. While the vast magically appears. majority live in warm places, Canada has a surprising Insects’ life cycles are timed for winter survival and diversity despite our winter. One strategy is to go south keyed to coincide with their food source. For example, like some Canadians. Monarchs, other butterflies, the coral hairstreak butterfly lays eggs in the summer green darner dragonflies, and probably other insects that that hatch the following spring when the soft new leaves we don’t know about yet, migrate south for the winter. of oak and hickory are emerging. But most insects, like most Canadians, can’t escape We are starting to see some changes. The question mark winter. Some even thrive in winter. Springtails can butterfly normally migrates, but we are now finding tolerate sub-freezing temperatures, appearing as little their chrysalises here – last winter was so short that dark specks on the snow where they find their food. some individuals did not migrate. However, most insects hide from the cold. Many burrow into warmer places: June beetles burrow into the James illustrated his information-packed lecture with ground, ants try to get below the frost line, carpenter many wonderful photos illustrating our insects. Under ants go into wood where the temperature may be below the ice and ground, in the snow, in wood and rock freezing but is warmer than outside. Snow is a great cracks, insects are waiting for another spring. insulator that helps insects and other animals – it can be Lavinia Mohr only a few degrees below freezing in snow.

Insects have a multitude of other winter survival strate- gies. Leaf-footed bugs and western conifer bugs capital- Right: Fourspot ise on humans and go into houses for the winter. Many, skimmer eats like woolly bear caterpillars, have antifreeze chemicals deer fly, and can tolerate freezing. Some insects make their own Petroglyphs PP insulation such as a silk “sweater” around the pupa to keep it a little warmer. Goldenrod fly eggs release a Below: Meadow chemical that causes the formation of goldenrod galls katydid at where the larvae overwinter. Honey bees huddle in Shawnee NF, Ill. hives moving their wings to keep the temperature above Photos: James freezing. Praying mantis and other insects remain in the Kamestra egg stage. Only the paper wasp queen will survive the winter, starting a new hive in spring.

Insect life cycles fall into two categories: complete and incomplete metamorphosis. Incomplete metamorphosis (e.g. grasshoppers, katydids and dragonflies) involves egg, nymph and adult stages. The nymph is usually like the adult and the adult stage is usually just for breeding. In many insects, the larval stage is much longer than the adult stage. Mayflies spend one year as an underwater nymph and one day as an adult.

Complete metamorphosis involves egg, larva or cater- pillar, pupa and adult stages, as in butterflies, moths,

TFN 596-14 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

EXTRACTS FROM OUTINGS LEADERS REPORTS

Lost Rivers, walking Toronto's underground PATH, and European black ash, autumn olive, Russian olive, 17 Feb. Leaders: John Wilson and Lacey Williams. aspen, cottonwood, balsam fir, white and Norway It was minus 10°, cloudy and well-suited to a sheltered spruce, white, Siberian and Scot's elm, and white pine. mid-winter route. We explored hidden gems in the PATH system and mused on their reflection of nature: Birds, Col Sam Smith Park, 9 Mar. Leaders: Jim e.g. the Canada geese installation at Eaton Centre, the and Petra Grass. It was a beautiful cold morning with soaring canopy of the Allan Lambert Galleria in clear skies. Highlights were harlequin duck, horned and Brookfield Place, the naturalistic water features at First red-necked grebes, American coots, a lone snow Canadian Place and Sheraton Hotel. Lacey Williams’ bunting, a short-eared owl (in flight), a juvenile humanistic observations as a professional planner Cooper’s hawk, a northern shrike, brown-headed cowbird, and a great view of a mink. generated interest. Nature Walk, Don River and Nesbit Ravine, 12 Mar. Birds and Plants, Humber Bay West, 6 Mar. Leader: Leader: Roger Powley. We saw red-winged black- Miles Hearne. Among birds observed were northern birds, cardinal, tree sparrows, juncos, red tailed and mockingbird, cardinal, red-tailed hawk, tree sparrow, Cooper’s hawks, and kingfisher. Plants we noted were trumpeter swan, bufflehead, long-tailed duck, golden- chestnut, Caucasian wingnut, yellow cypress and tulip eye, red-breasted and common merganser, horned tree. grebe, greater scaup. Trees noted were green, white Birds and Trees, Ashbridge’s Bay and Eastern Beaches, 16 Mar. Leader: Bob Kortright. Best birds were three ring-necked ducks at close range in Ashbridge's Bay at the beginning of the walk, common redpolls roosting in sea buckthorn at the west (leeward) end of the park, and first year Iceland gull off Woodbine beach 1 minute east of the park. Signs of spring on a day that did not feel like it: a single red- winged blackbird, lesser scaup (most scaup in winter in Toronto are greater), the ring-necks, robins (some winter in our ravines, but not near the lakeshore), pussy willow and aspen flowers, and the warmth of the sun when it broke through the clouds.

Lost Rivers, Crookshank Creek walk for World Water Day, 17 Mar. Leader: John Wilson. We explored the lost watercourse for stories of cooperation, comity and conflict. There was very positive feedback from walkers on social equity issues related to urban development and natural heritage in communities facing challenges – South Cabbagetown, Regent Park, Trefann Court, Corktown – and efforts to address these through sustainable development initiatives in each of these communities, and especially in the new West Don Lands (Pan Am Athletes’ Village, Don River Park and Underpass Park).

Birds and Plants, Smythe Park, 19 Mar. Leader: Miles Hearne. Plants identified included: bur, black and red oak; basswood and linden; Kentucky coffee tree; weeping and crack willow; silver, Manitoba, sugar and Norway maple; cottonwood; white mulberry. Birds

seen were grackle, red-winged blackbird, chickadee, American mink and snow bunting, photographed by Janet Patterson at Col Sam Smith Park outing, March 9 cardinal, ring-billed gull, junco, mourning dove, goldfinch. We also saw a red squirrel. May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-15

Historic graves, trees and birds, St John the Baptist killdeer, a cowbird, a goldfinch and a red-tailed hawk. Norway cemetery and church, 23 Mar. Leader: We saw many long tailed ducks and red-breasted mer- Linda McCaffrey. We were fortunate to be allowed gansers, and quite a number of redheads, canvasbacks, into the lovely church with its magnificent stained glass buffleheads, and lesser scaup. Other waterfowl windows and cassavant organ. We saw graves of the included common mergansers, common goldeneyes, Ashbridge family, the Charles Coxwell Small family white-winged scoters, a northern shoveler and a ring- (Coxwell Ave) and RC Harris (famous Commissioner necked duck. Hundreds of herring gulls were in their of Works responsible for Prince Edward Viaduct and nesting area on the peninsula, and we saw about twenty Water Treatment Plant). We saw a magnificent beech double-crested cormorants. In the ponds and wetlands tree near the church and a solitary stressed Norway pine we saw two Blanding’s turtles, eight western painted [aka red pine, after which the original settlement, ceme- turtles and a muskrat. tery and church were named]. There was a report of a fox den, but we did not find it. SAVE THE DATE!

Birds and Trees, Leslie Street Spit, 30 Mar. Leader: Rouge BioBlitz 2013 Stephen Kamnitzer. Birds seen included numbers of September 14 – 15 red-winged blackbirds and song sparrows, a couple of Information: www.ontariobioblitz.ca

OUTING TO HAPPY VALLEY, April 3 has been in their family since the 1930s are now in the hands of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This land is close by the parcel acquired by the NCC that TFN contributed to in 2010 (TFN #576, p 8).

Setting out

Brrr! It was freezing cold and treacherous on this well- attended outing. The ponds were all frozen and it was Frozen pond way too cold to see salamanders. But what an amazing place to walk! The beautiful landscape certainly made up for the bone-chilling wind. Rolling hills left behind Fresh pileated by the retreat of the glacier, typical of the Oak Ridges woodpecker holes moraine, are now covered with mixed forest that has made us all hopeful grown in since the time that southern Ontario was that we would have logged away: deciduous broad-leafed trees such as a sighting of this beech, sugar maple, red oak, black cherry, white ash, large bird and some and birch, as well as the evergreen conifers spruce, participants were hemlock and white pine. rewarded as one flew through the Our gracious hosts, Ann and Peter Love, told us about bare trees (with no the history and ecology of the land, the secretive habits leaves out yet to of the salamanders that are normally active the first hide it!). week of April, and the various birds that winter and/or breed there. All but 10 acres of the 400 acres parcel that TFN 596-16 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

We “marvelled at marescence” (TFN #592, p 13) on the many beech saplings that still retained their now-bleached leaves, looking from a distance like the white leafy bracts of flowering dogwood!

At the base of older beech we found dried stems of beech-drops (Epifagus = on beech), a parasitic plant that takes its nourishment from the roots of beech.

And sadly, we saw the demise of mature beech from beech bark disease, caused by a Neonectria fungus that invades after injury caused by the beech scale insect. Coming from Europe, it has been working its way westward since first discovered in Nova Scotia around 1920.

The many white ash, with their characteristic diamond shaped bark are also threatened, as emerald ash borer has already arrived in the area.

Bark texture was very evident in the bare forest, from the dark “cornflakes” of black cherry to the smooth brightness of paper birch.

On the ground, splashes of green in the snow were provided by moss covered logs and stones and wood ferns lying down to wait for the first warmth. Hemlock, pine and spruce also provided colour and softness, and undoubtedly a cosy place for some wildlife to wait out the winter.

Many thanks to the Loves for hosting us, Margaret McRae for organizing the outing, and to members who provided car-pool rides. …………………………... Left: beech bark with cankers

Below: white ash (left) and black cherry bark

Right from top: marescent beech leaves; birch bark with fungi and lichen; moss and wood fern

May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-17

90th Anniversary Event Friday, October 4, 7:30 pm Papermill Theatre, Todmorden Mills

Our anniversary show will offer some of our history and love of nature in skits, haikus, readings, poetry and songs including sing-alongs. It will run to about 9 pm without intermission, followed by anniversary cake, coffee and tea.

Can you think up a catchy name for the event? Please send your suggestions to the office by May 3.

From mid-August, tickets will be available online through the TFN website, from the TFN office (Fridays 9 am to noon), or mail in your cheque to the office and pick up your tickets at the theatre on the night. Reserve early as it is a small theatre. Adults: $15, children 6 to 12 yrs: $5.00 (please, no children under 6 yrs). Office contact info on p. 2.

We hope to offer rides down and up the hill to and from the theatre for those who need assistance. Please let us know if you need a ride or can offer one.

There is still an opportunity for others to join us but jobs are filling quickly.

We still need people to: • handle publicity/promotion • record the show so we can put it on DVDs to give to the cast • prepare content for the digital projector and to run it • prepare the program for printing • assistance with scenery and stage hands • play a keyboard or guitar to accompany our singing or to play piano during our reception

On the night of the show we will need: • box office personnel • ushers • refreshment servers • cleanup people

If you are interested in helping with any of these tasks or if you would like to do something we haven’t thought of yet please let us know as soon as possible.

Margaret McRae Richard Partington

TFN 596-18 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

TORONTO WILDFLOWERS: STAFF-TREE SHRUBS

The staff-tree or spindle tree family (Celastraceae) has leaves are pointed) and bearing its flowers in axillary about 93 genera and 1200 species, mainly tropical or rather than terminal clusters. subtropical. The two native species found in the Our second native species is the strangely named Toronto area occur near the northernmost limits for running strawberry bush (Euonymus obovata), one of members of this family. Various species belonging to about 130 species of Euonymus. It is a low trailing the family have been used for medicinal purposes; shrub with short (to 30 cm tall) erect branches and, of edible oils, seeds, and fruits; wood for timber; and as course, is unrelated to true strawberries. The name arrow poison. However, the family’s main claim to could possibly come from its fruit, a warty orange to fame or infamy is the species Catha edulis, whose pinkish-purple capsule. This species has green (my leaves are called khat when infused or chewed. It is image) to purplish (The ROM Field Guide to Wild- widely used in Arabia and nearby areas as a flowers of Ontario, p. 238) flowers about 7 mm across. “stimulant” but illegal in Canada. It flowers in late May or early June. TFN’s Vascular Plants listed it as locally rare and reported it in the West Humber valley, at Downsview Dells (Humber), and in Wigmore Park (Don). In Ontario it only occurs in and south of the Lake Simcoe-Rideau eco-region except for an outlier on Manitoulin Island. It is not reported in other Canadian provinces. In the U.S. it is found in the Great Lakes region and to the east and south. Several introduced euonymus species occur in Toronto gardens and parks, including E. atropurpureus (burning bush) and E. alatus and E. europaeus (respectively Asian and European spindle-trees).

You may be familiar with American bittersweet’s bright orange fruits that, when they split in the fall, show scarlet seeds. The challenge, early in the year, is American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) to identify the much less conspicuous flowers. Running strawberry bush would be a real find in a new area and One locally occurring native species is climbing or should be reported to the TFN. American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), one of Article and photos by Peter Money about 30 species of Celastrus. The name bittersweet comes from the superficial resemblance of its berries to those of the unrelated European bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara). Its berries are poisonous to people but eaten by birds. This species is a woody vine up to about 9 m long with about 6 mm greenish flowers in terminal clusters. It blooms from late spring to early summer. It is found, according to Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide (1977) in rich thickets. TFN’s Vascular Plants of Metropolitan Toronto (2nd ed. 1994) listed American bittersweet as common, occurring in localities along the Humber, Don and Rouge rivers as well as in High Park and at East Point. It occurs from New Brunswick to Saskatchewan and throughout most of the eastern and central U.S.

Asiatic bittersweet (C. orbiculatus), an introduced species, hybridizes with C. scandens as well as invasively taking over from it. It can be distinguished Running strawberry bush (Euonymus obovata) by its nearly round bluntly toothed leaves (C. scandens May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-19

KEEPING IN TOUCH

I always look forward to reading Peter Money’s column each issue of the newsletter. It is informative and enjoyable and also often contains plants in Taylor Creek Park near where I live.

Perhaps you are aware of the recent report Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) in Toronto 2012*, put out by the city’s Planning Department. It seems to contain the most recent authoritative list of significant (rare) plants in Toronto. Caulopohyllum thalictroides is listed as being in 15 of the 91 sites; however Caulophyllum giganteum is not included in the list, apparently not considered significant enough. It was Charles Chaffey who first pointed out the difference in the two species to me. Often they both grow in the same area and can be compared side by side.

The other recent report that TFN members will want to be aware of is Sustaining and Expanding the Urban Forest: Toronto’s Strategic Forest Management Plan, 2012- 2022**. This is forward thinking in adopting a proactive maintenance stance and embracing digital imagery and mapping as well as recommending planting species to take into account expected effects of climate change. Melanie Milanich

* www.toronto.ca/planning/environment/pdf/esa_report_ volume1_sept2012.pdf ** www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/bgrd/background file-55258.pdf ………………………………………………………………. As a relatively new member, let me congratulate the creators of the Newsletter on a publication which is very informative, and professionally put together. I am including some images.

The groundhog [see front cover] was a surprise to me at Edwards Gardens. I often visit the Gardens and I am used to seeing chipmunks, squirrels and raccoons, but I had never seen a groundhog there. She (or he) let me get as close as a few feet, and posed long enough for me to take several shots. The photo was taken just about 2 years ago, in May of 2011.

I photographed the great egret [see back cover] in flight at The Humber Bay Park East last September (2012). Getting this "BIF" shot was a thrill. Moy Nahon PS: BIF is bird photographers’ abbreviation for Bird in

Flight, which is of course a challenge.

This immature red-tailed hawk (right) was photographed on Manning Ave, north of Bloor, on March 7, 2013. It was very intent on eating and seemed quite oblivious to my presence.

Miriam Garfinkle

TFN 596-20 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

Thank you Toronto Field Naturalists!

TFN has been sponsoring young people at Ontario Nature’s Youth Summit for several years now. Here are some testimonials from 2012’s participants:

Without the support of the Toronto Field Naturalists, young people from Toronto like Ben, Lucy and Diana, wouldn’t have been able to meet, share their stories, and grow as leaders for environmental issues of importance to us all. We thank you for your continued support of the Youth Summit and look forward to sharing our plans for 2013 with you! Ontario Nature

“I wanted to join the Youth Summit because I was a participant in the first Ontario Nature camping trip and I thought it was fantastic. I had heard about the Youth Summit from the trip and immediately I wanted to join. During my times in Asia, I lived in big cities and didn’t have a lot of chances to explore the wilderness. Now, when I came to Canada, I thought the best way to suit myself in was to first know the land here. The youth summit not only provided workshops that were educating but also some that included brilliant short nature hikes. It was also a great place to make new friends and meet with likeminded youth. These opportunities made me further want to join.” Ben, Toronto, age 17

“I want to remember the lingering sense of inspiration that I’ve gathered from this one fleeting weekend; the feeling that I want to make a difference to do everything in my power to protect our beautiful earth” Lucy, Toronto, age 16

“Thank you again for the opportunity to attend the Ontario Nature Youth Summit! It was such a worth-while use of my time due to the amazing workshops, captivating discussions and fantastic food! I truly felt like I grew and learned a lot over the weekend, hopefully utilizing some of the information to create change in my own community.” Diana, Mississauga, age 17

ARILS OF TORONTO’S STAFF-TREE SHRUBS The fruits of bittersweet (Celastrus, far left) and spindleberry (Euonymus, left) are colourful capsules that split open to reveal brightly coloured seeds. The fleshy coloured part of the seed is called an aril and is an outgrowth of the seed coat. As might be expected, the seeds attract birds which disperse them far from the parent plant. (Note: poisonous to humans.) Other familiar seeds that are surrounded by arils are yew, ginkgo and pomegranate.

Photos: Jenny Bull May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-21

IN THE NEWS

Please don’t feed the animals! ONTARIO NATURE Nature Network News There have been frequent articles in the media over the Extracted from www.ontarionature.org/discover/ last few years about coyotes in city neighbourhoods. In member_groups/nature_network_news.php each one, the advice given is “Don’t feed coyotes!” Ontario Reptile & Amphibian Atlas iPhone App Wild animals get used to people by being fed and Many reptiles and amphibians are species at risk, invariably become a problem. So, never feed coyotes and increasing our knowledge of where they are either directly or indirectly. Indirect feeding includes located is critical to protecting them. ON’s new app leaving garbage around or dropping food litter. Cats identifies more than 50 species, lets you submit allowed to roam free outdoors also become food for sightings to the Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, and coyotes. Pigeons too have become a problem from stores a record of your sightings. Free for iPhone being fed or picking up food litter. The TTC has and other Apple devices at www.ontarionature recently had to install a device at Bathurst subway .org/protect/species/app.php. A version for Android station that makes sounds like pigeons in distress. There devices should be available in the summer of 2013. are still pigeons outside the station but they no longer go inside to get food at the bakery. For more information ON Nature magazine now available on line about coyotes in the city, go to: www.toronto.ca/ Current and back issues at onnaturemagazine.com/. animal_services/ coyote.htm Note: In an article on member groups in the spring issue, TFN’s President, Margaret McRae, is Baby Bald Eagles at RBG featured on p 31. Extracted from: www.rbg.ca/botanicalnews "This is my Wild Ontario" After several years of nesting attempts, the bald eagles Enter ON’s photo contest! Send your best shot of Cootes Paradise Nature Sanctuary at the Royal representing wild Ontario. Each Facebook “like” Botanic Gardens in Burlington have finally managed to that your photo receives counts as a vote. The three hatch young on the north shore of Cootes Paradise photos with the most “likes” will be featured in ON Marsh. The first eaglet was noted during monitoring of Nature. Send your photos by e-mail with a one-line the nest site on March 22, with a second observed the description to [email protected]. next day. These are the first bald eagles to be hatched on the Canadian shore of Lake Ontario since populations New Nature Reserve throughout North America collapsed decades ago. The With the recent addition of Sauble Dunes Nature hatching of the eaglets coincides with a fresh supply of Reserve, ON’s system of reserves has grown to 24, migrating fish in the marsh where a fishway has been protecting a total of 2,600 ha of environmentally installed to allow native fish into the marsh while significant land. Sauble Dunes, on the Bruce preventing invasive carp. Peninsula, is one of the best remaining examples of beach ridges, sand plains, sand dunes and swales in Dutch elm disease genome mapped the region. To learn more, visit www.ontarionature Extracted from: media.utoronto.ca/media-releases/u-of-t- .org/protect/habitat/sauble_dunes.php. scientists-map-genome-that-causes-dutch-elm-disease/ 82nd AGM and Gathering, June 8 Researchers at the University of Toronto and SickKids At Cawthra Mulock Nature Reserve near New- Research Institute have successfully mapped the genes market. Explore the reserve’s rolling hills, wetland, in the fungus that causes Dutch elm disease. The creeks and woodlands, go bird watching, participate findings, published in the online journal BMC in a bioblitz and take a hike with expert guides. Genomics, could help scientists figure out how to Learn about the wildlife and unique features of the prevent the fungus from destroying elm trees in the property while helping ON increase knowledge of future. The fungus blocks the flow of sap, the tree wilts the species present. ON’s conservation successes and eventually dies, typically within two years of will be highlighted at the AGM and the achieve- infection. Dutch elm disease is believed to have ments of award winners will be celebrated at the originated in the Himalayas, travelling to Europe from Conservation Awards Ceremony. Free. Info and the Dutch East Indies in the late 1800s. It emerged in registration: www.ontario nature.org/discover Holland shortly after the First World War, earning the annual_general_ meeting.php or call 416-444-8419 name Dutch elm disease. ext. 271. TFN 596-22 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

WEATHER (THIS TIME LAST YEAR)

May 2012 had 5 days of 30°+ heat from the 22nd-26th with Fort May brought a return to very warm conditions, though Good Hope hitting 35.0°! Tuktoyaktuk, on the Arctic not so extreme as in March. Pearson Airport recorded a coast, hit 29.4° on June 25. (The Prairies in between mean temperature of 16.6°, 2.7° above the 30-year were somehow skipped with readings staying in the running average. This was the second-warmest May on mid-to-high twenties). As for Toronto, we hit 34.6° at record at Pearson, after 1991. Downtown had 17.1°, tied the airport on the 20th, and 33.6° downtown on the for second place with 2010, though 1975 and 1991 were 30th. We had a total of six days of 30°+ temperatures. only 1/10 of a degree cooler. Combined with March’s

unprecedented temperatures, this should have easily Toronto's Future Weather and been the warmest spring on record. However, April brought the three-month (March-May) average down so Climate Driver Study that it was the second-warmest spring on record with a www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ mean of 10.2° (after 2010 which was consistently warm pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-55155.pdf all three months).

Dryness continued, with Pearson having 44.4 mm of Released last October, this report on the rain, the lowest since 2005. The rain fell early in the effects of climate conditions on Toronto`s month. The period from the 19th on was consistently infrastructure, environment and its citizens in warm and dry, with only a trace of rain and tempera- 2040-2049 suggests that Toronto is likely to tures topping 30° on the 25th and 28th (not record- experience fewer but more extreme rainfall and breaking territory but persistent). Vegetation took on a snowfall events and more extreme heat waves summer aspect early in the month, and began to look with the number of days with temperatures dry by month’s end. higher than 30 likely to increase from 20 in 2000-2009 to 66 in 2040-2049. As might be expected, sunshine was much above normal by about 50 hours with a total of 283.8 hours. In The report was commissioned by the city after the very long record of sunshine hours going back to the several years of record weather events. For 1880s, this is the tenth highest total. example, a one-hour rainstorm in 2005 cost the city $47 million in repairs (including reconstruc- June 2012 tion of Finch Ave at Black Creek and damage The big news in June was more of the same unprece- to the trunk sewer in Highland Creek valley) dented heat, though not so much in Toronto itself, and cost the insurance industry $600 million in which merely racked up another warm but not record- payments for damages to personal property. breaking month. The average at Pearson was 20.6°, 1.8° above normal and well short of 2005’s record (22.6°). City Council is establishing a working group with members from City Divisions, Board of A cool, showery start to June was welcome after the Health, Toronto Hydro and reps from TRCA, to long, early, summer-like spring. But it did not last. review potential impacts, with focus on the Rainfall of 30-45 mm on June 1 constituted more than adequacy of the City’s infrastructure and half of the month’s total, and it was all over by mid- current policies. Reporting to the Parks & month. (This did mean monthly rainfall totals were at or Environment Committee by the end of 2013, slightly above normal in the low-to-mid 70 mm range, the group is to address the impact of potential but the amount and poor distribution of rainfall were not changes and financial implications of climate enough to get rid of the early-season drought.) Sunshine change. totaled 284.9 hours, 22 hours above normal. For more information, search using the report Meanwhile, an extreme heat wave reminiscent of last title, e.g. year’s built over the US Plains and reached Toronto in - Outcomes Report at www.toronto.ca/ an attenuated fashion during the last two weeks of the teo/pdf/tfwcds-summary.pdf month. The core stayed west, and it was unbelievable. - Presentation to Parks & Environment, Jan. 29, Hill City, Kansas, hit 46.1° on June 26. The heat ridge at www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ extended into the lower Arctic; the MacKenzie Valley pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-55628.pdf May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-23

Severe thunderstorm complexes, especially on the 29th, 17 and 35.0° on July 23. Our brush with drought also ran along the northeastern rim of the extreme heat. The ended with thunderstorms running along the north- storms of the 29th formed a squall line or derecho eastern edge of the extreme heat; for example, storms across the US Corn Belt and into Virginia, which moved through at the same time as St. Louis recorded caused severe damage. (Downburst winds from its hottest day. The first half of the month showed a lot thunderstorms get less attention than tornadoes which of drought stress on crops and ground flora, although are associated with updrafts, but can be almost as strong some areas northeast of Toronto were locally wet. But and cover wider areas). Toronto missed out on the the month grew wetter as it progressed, and total excitement, though. We were north of the derecho. rainfall ended up above normal. Pearson Airport had exactly 100 mm of rain (76.2 mm is the normal), and One way Toronto did share in the superlatives of this downtown got 88.7 mm. A storm brought 39.8 mm of month was the persistence of the warm spell. The 12- rain to the airport on the 31st. Sunshine remained month period from July 2011 to June 2012 was the above normal at 307.2 hours (normal is 281.9). warmest year in Toronto’s history with a mean tempera- ture of 10.9° – a gain of 3.6° from the period 1938 to August 2012 1982 when the annual mean averaged 7.3° at Pearson. This was the 13th consecutive month in the Toronto Our current 30-year average is 8.3°, and the previous area that was distinctly warmer than the long-term warmest year-period before 2012 was October 2001 to average. However, a definite break in the weather with September 2002 (10.4°), June 2005 to May 2006 the first cool spell since early June came during the (10.2°) and the calendar year 1998 (affected by a huge second weekend of the month, lasting up to the 21st. El Nino, also 10.1°). The trend reflects a combination of Humidity was definitely down. This made August global warming and urban heat island effects. actually seem like a cool month overall even though it really wasn’t. Hot conditions formed bookends, and the July 2012 highest reading was actually on the last day of the In July, 2012 racked up yet another hot month. Drought month, 33° at both Pearson and downtown. On the other gradually yielded to thundery humid conditions, first in hand, it cooled to 10.5° at Pearson on the 18th. (We the east end of the GTA but then more generally. used to routinely go below 10° in the suburbs at least Extreme drought and heat remained over the US Mid- once in July and August back in the 1970s and 1980s). west and northern Plains. The focus of the 2012 heat The monthly mean of 22.1° downtown and 21.6° at wave was slightly north and west of last year’s. Chicago Pearson was about half to one degree above normal. had 3 days over 38° (100° F) from July 4-6, while St. Rainfall was 79.4 mm downtown (slightly above normal) Louis had 15, evenly distributed through the month. On and 52.4 mm at Pearson (slightly below normal). July 25, St. Louis Missouri had a high of 42.2° and a Sunshine hours were 300.6, 42.7 hours above normal. low of 30.0°, conditions reminiscent only of the hottest With the landscape greened up after the late July rains parts of India, the Middle East, or the Desert Southwest. and somewhat cooler, sunny conditions, it was a What of Toronto? Pearson Airport had a monthly mean pleasant month, feeling more like Toronto and less like of 24.1°, fractionally cooler than 2011 and close to the lower Ohio Valley as most of the year had so far. other hot Julys of recent memory (1999, 2002, 2005, Gavin Miller and 2011). We hit 36.3° on July 4 and 6, 36.8° on July

THE GLOBAL WARMING TREND: A VIEW FROM TORONTO

Over the years, I’ve often referred to the warming trend the month were not uncommon. Blizzards and severe observed in Toronto’s climate and certainly many of the cold snaps occurred into April; in 1972, we had a monthly entries lately have been about how warm it is. temperature of -17° which is colder than what we get As I write this, we are coming to the conclusion of a now in many regular Januarys. That would not be relatively chilly March, about 7° cooler than last year’s possible today. Likewise, while we certainly had stupendous warmth. Areas just outside the city still summer heat waves just as hot as the present throughout have snow on the ground, and people are talking about our history of Toronto weather records, the cool spells how cold it is. But really we should be comparing this between the heat waves would bring chilly nights with March with other cool Marches of 30-40 years ago lows in the 6° – 7° degree range even in July and when -20° temperatures as late as the second week of August. Frost occurred in May and September in many TFN 596-24 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013 or most years; Pearson hasn’t had a freezing tempera- July 2011 to June 2012, 15.7°. On the broad climatic ture in September since 1993. Toronto’s warming trend scale these are enormous differences. is very visible when graphed and is probably more Along with the warming trend, other perturbations are intense than other localities because of the urban heat visible on the graph. Some of these are random occur- island (Figure 1). Pearson Airport was surrounded at rences, such as long warm or cool spells resulting from least partly by rural land until about 1990. Now it is the location of the jet stream (patterns such as the North thoroughly embedded in the urban matrix including Atlantic Oscillation). However, the distinct cool spell in Brampton and Mississauga as well as Toronto. the middle of the graphed period corresponds to the The greatest warming has been affecting minimum period after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. temperatures, while the graph shows mean maximum This huge volcanic eruption injected sulphates into the temperatures which are less affected by the urban heat stratosphere, which blocked sunlight for several years island. There is still a visible warming trend (I have not and caused global cooling. The summer of 1992 in done regression analysis to determine its statistical particular was incredibly chilly. Some scientists are significance or slope). It looks like a general rise of now theorizing that a series of smaller eruptions about 2° over that period (from about 12° to about 14°). between 2006 and 2009 are responsible for the less dramatic dip in the last part of the previous decade. El I started observing weather in the late fall of 1977 and Nino, the biggest of many oceanic cycles, also plays a have included official records back to 1978 (Pearson’s role. The massive 1998 El Nino is correlated with the observations started in 1937 while downtown goes back big warm-up above trend line observed around Month to 1840). I began posting the weather column in the 248, while the 1982-83 El Nino (just as intense) makes Toronto Field Naturalist in 1984. The coldest 12-month a fairly small blip between months 58 and 77. period (on the left) is 10.9° and covered June 1977 to May 1978. The warmest 12-month period was from Gavin Miller

Pearson Airport 12-month running max T from Jan 1978 to Feb 2013

17.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 13.00 12.00 temp 11.00 10.00

9.00 8.00 7.00 1 20 39 58 77 96 115 134 153 172 191 210 229 248 267 286 305 324 343 362 381 400 419 month

Figure 1. 12-month mean daily maximum temperatures at Pearson Airport from January 1978 to February 2013. Each data point represents the yearly average high temperature at the end of each month, i.e. the first point is the average daily high from February 1977 to January 1978, the second point is from March 1977 to February 1978, and so on up to the last point being March 2012 to February 2013. May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-25

COMING EVENTS

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

Jim Baillie Memorial Bird Walks – Toronto Ornithological Club Aimed at the intermediate birder, but beginners also welcome. Free to the public; no advance registration required. Information: www.torontobirding.ca • Sat May 4, 7:30 am – noon. Lambton Woods – spring migrants. Leader: Don Burton. Meet at James Gardens parking lot (access from Edenbridge Drive east of Royal York Rd, north of Dundas St W. • Sat May 11, 7:30 am – noon. High Park – spring migrants. Leader: Pat Hodgson. Meet at the parking lot inside the park entrance on Bloor St W at High Park Ave. • Sat May 18, 8 am – all day. Toronto Islands – spring migrants. Leader: John Nishikawa. Meet at Toronto Islands Ferry Docks at the foot of Bay St off Queen’s Quay to catch the 8:15 am ferry to Hanlan’s Point ($ for ferry). • Sun May 26, 7:30 am – noon. Colonel Samuel Smith Park – possible whimbrel, other migrants. Leaders: Jim and Petra Grass. Meet in the southerly parking lot at the foot of Kipling Avenue off Lake Shore Blvd W.

High Park Walking Tours 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, 10:30 am to noon. Meet at the benches across the road south of Grenadier Restaurant. Information: [email protected] or www.highpark.org

May 5 The Amazing Birds of the Park, Brian Bailey July 7 Shakespeare in the Park, Julia Bennett May 19 Grenadier Pond Awakes, Christine Tu-Parker July 21 Exploring Spring Creek Ravine, Stephen Smith June 3 Spring Babies at the Zoo, Sonia Dittkrist, Zookeeper Aug 4 Caterpillars, Moths and Butterflies, Don Scallen June 16 Native Wildflowers, Sharon Lovett Aug 18 Behind the Scenes at the Greenhouse, City Staff

Tommy Thompson Park Sunday Morning Bird Walks Apr 7 to Jun 9 and Aug 11 to Nov 10, 8am - 11am. Sunday morning guided bird hikes from the park gate (Leslie and Unwin) to Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station. Waterproof footwear in spring; ant-proof clothing in fall. Bring binoculars. Info: www.tommythompsonpark.ca/home/special.dot

Tommy Thompson Park Bird Festival Sat May 11, 7am - 4pm. Educational and fun displays, bird-banding. See some of 315 species spotted at the park. Register at www.springbirdfestival.ca for one or more of 11 types of hikes and photography workshops,

NANPS Annual Spring Native Plant Sale Sat May 11, 10 am – 3 pm. Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd, west of Warden Ave north of Hwy 7, Markham. Information: www.nanps.org/index.php/events/annual-plant-sale.

High Park Native Plant Sale Sun May 12, 11 am – 2 pm. Plants of the Endangered High Park Black Oak Savannah. Location in front of greenhouse.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park Bird Festival Sat May 25, 9 am – 1 pm. Meet at south end of the park. Guided bird walks hourly from 9 am. Live birds, reptiles and amphibians, backyard habitat building, art workshops, children’s activities and educational displays.

Toronto Zoo Information: Torontozoo.com/adoptapond or call Julia at 416-392-5999 • Sat May 4 and Sun May 5, 10 am – 4 pm. Adopt-a-Pond’s 14th Annual Spring Toad Festival • Sat May 18 – Wed May 22, 10 am – 4 pm. World Turtle Week

LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) Information and registration (recommended) at www.yourleaf.org/calendar/list-upcoming-events • Sat May 11, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Out of the Ashes Tree Tour: Lessons From the Emerald Ash Borer. Milne Park, Markham. Explore how we can play a role in the recovery and strengthening of our local environment. Free. • May 22, 23, 25, 29. Tree Tenders Volunteer Training. Northern District Library. Gain tree-related knowledge and skills. $70+HST (incl. manual).

Community Solutions in a Changing Climate: Coping with Change in Our Backyard

May 23 and 24. In this symposium, students, environmental NGOs and scientists will report and plan climate change adaptations. Organized by ACER, Carolinian Canada Coalition and Ontario Urban Forest Council, hosted by Humber College. Info and registration: acer-acre.ca/community-solutions-in-a-changing-climate. TFN 596-26 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

Queen's University Biological Station Oct 1-4. Fabulous Fall Fungi. Leader: Richard Aaron. Spend three full days learning to identify mushrooms and other fungi on the beautiful Frontenac Axis of eastern Ontario. Includes discussions on fungal ecology, edibles & medicinals, and how to demystify the scientific names. Suitable for all levels. $350 fee covers all meals, accommodation, instruction and printed handouts. Small class size (max 12), so early registration is advised. Information:www.queensu.ca/qubs/events.html.

Thickson’s Woods – Dog-Strangling Vine Removal Sat June 15, 8 am. Meet at the gated entrance to the meadow. Bring a sturdy shovel or garden fork and long-handled pruning shears. Information: [email protected] or 905-725-2116.

Leslieville Tree Festival Sat June 22, 12 noon – 4 pm. Leslie Grove Park (corner of Queen St W and Jones Ave). Music, entertainment, kids’ activities and green education. Local eco-friendly products, hand crafted goods, art and culinary delights available from local vendors. Free.

High Park Nature Centre: The Secret Lives of Wildflowers – A Workshop Series June 1, July 6, Aug 17, 10 am – 3 pm. Leader: Richard Aaron. $45 per workshop or $120 for series. Register online at: guestli.st/154812. Information: www.highparknaturecentre.com/ai1ec_event/secret-lives-of-wildflowers-spring- workshop/?instance_id=3872

Tommy Thompson Park Butterfly Festival Sat Aug 24, 10 am to 3 pm. See a variety of beautiful butterflies and moths amongst colourful wildflowers, migrating Monarchs. Guided butterfly hikes and fun activities for children. Information: www.butterflyfest.ca

The Market Gallery To Sept 14. South St. Lawrence Market, 2nd floor, 95 Front St E. Free. Building a City: People, Places and Life in Toronto 1845 – 1899. Note: gallery closed Sun, Mon and holidays. Information: www.toronto.ca/culture/the_market_gallery.

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.

Harbourfront Centre Through June 2013. Uncharted Waters: Toronto’s Enigmatic Harbour. An outdoor photography exhibition that explores the spectacular environmental and cultural resource that is the harbour of Toronto. Information: harbourfrontcentre.com/visualarts

Lost Rivers Information: www.lostrivers.ca • Sat May 4. Jane’s Walk. Leader: Helen Mills with Thorncliffe Park Women’s Group. Information: www.janeswalk.net. • Sun May 12, 2 pm. Ames Ponds Ramble. Leader: Ian Wheal. Meet at Pearse House, 1749 Meadowvale Road. TTC Bus 85 to Zoo Rd., one stop before Toronto Zoo, and walk east (follow signs for Rouge Valley Conservation Centre). This is a long hike, approximately 12 km, but well worth it. • Sun May 19, 2 pm. Daylighting Wilson Creek? Leader: Helen Mills. Meet on the northwest corner of Jonesville Cres and Victoria Park (one block north of Eglinton). An Investigation of Lost Watersheds and Water Infrastructure. See www.vanishingpoint.ca/why-did-we-bury-this-creek . • Sun May 19, 2 pm. Jewish Heritage of Long Branch. Judah Creek and Saul’s Creek. Leader: Ian Wheal. Meet at Long Branch TTC loop. • Mon May 20, 1:30 pm. Langstaff EcoPark. Leader: Ian Wheal. Meet northwest corner of Dufferin St and Steeles Ave W. • Sun June 9, 2 pm. Leslie-Withrow Woodgreen Women’s Military Gardens. World War One heritage. Leader: Ian Wheal. Meet at Chester subway station. Walk will end at Logan Ave and Queen St E.

Ian Wheal Walks • Sat May 18, 1:30 pm. East York in War of 1812: Naval Operations in Toronto area, 1813. Meet at northwest corner of Broadview Ave and Mortimer Ave. • Sun May 26, 6:30 pm. Bersaglieri Trots: Italian horse Military Heritage Trail. Meet at the northwest corner of Dundas St W and Runnymede Rd. A walk based on Great War activity in the area and horse and mule footpaths. • Fri June 21, 6:30 pm. Italian Backyard Gardens of Little Italy. Meet at northwest corner of College St and Grace Ave. • Sun June 30, 6:30 pm. Garrison Creek’s Military Heritage (War of 1812). Meet at entrance to Christie subway station. • Sun July 28, 2 pm. Water in the Junction: Access aquaducts, springs, streams and wells. Meet on the southwest corner of Dundas St W and Keele St. May 2013 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 596-27

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Your TFN membership expires June 30, 2013. To renew for the year July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014, and ensure a September newsletter, either • cut out this form, which has your address printed on the back, or • photocopy both sides of this form, or • print the Membership application form from the TFN website (www.torontofieldnaturialists.org) and complete it, ensuring that the name appears exactly as printed on your newsletter, or • submit from TFN website using PayPal. If your name or address has changed, please indicate this so our records will be updated. Send the form with your payment by June 30 to: Toronto Field Naturalists, 2 Carlton Street, Suite 1519, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3

Contact Information: (Note: We do not sell or swap our mailing list) Home phone: ______Work Phone: ______E-mail address: ______Please check your name and address on reverse of this page and modify if necessary.

Remittance enclosed __ $40 Single __ $50 Family (2 adults at same address, children included) __ $30 Senior Single (65+) __ $40 Senior Family (2 adults 65+) __ $20 Youth (under 26)

Plus a donation of $______(tax receipts issued for donations)

I/we might be willing Outings Outreach Office help Conservation to volunteer in the Newsletter Website Finance/Accounting Youth programs following areas: Other:______

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Spotted sandpiper at Col Sam Smith Park, photographed by Skip Shand. TFN 596-28 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2013

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

Great egret photographed by Moy Nahon at Humber Bay Park East, September 2012