FIELD NATURALIST· Number 382, October 1986

COVER TO COVER: PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2 - THIS MONTH'S COVER 2 - OCTOBER OUTINGS 3 - OUTINGS REPORT 5 - TORONTO REGION BIRD RECORDS 7 - TORONTO REGION MAMMAL REPORT 9 - FOR READING 10 - TFN LIBRARY REPORT 12 - OCTOBER 12 - HISTORICAL STREAMS OF TORONTO 14 - IN THE NEWS 19 - STRANGE SIGHTINGS 22 - NATURALISTS "GO WILD" IN TORONTO 24 - WILL BIRDS HELP MAIL FLY FASTER? 24 - DON ' T EXHAUST MY FUTURE 25 - POLLUTION PROBE'S ECOPARK 26 - IN EXCHANGE 28 - THE WEATHER THIS TIME LAST YEAR 29 - HAIKU 29 - NATURE HOLIDAYS 30 - COMING EVENTS 31 - TFN MEETINGS 33 TFN 382 President's Report

This being my first report as president, I've been scratching my head wondering what to write about. A perusal of past reports seems to indicate that much latitude is given. Certainly those matters which directly affect the club and its members will be the prime focus. Through this column I hope you will be able to keep abreast of the major internal and external issues with which the club will be dealing. The individuals who make up the club are, in my opinion, one of its most important ingredients. Therefore, I will give mention, as much as possible, to the volunteers who, of course, are the motive force behind this organization. Jean Macdonald who has done a fine job as president for the past two years, deserves ou1 thanks, as do Mary Smith, Winifred Smith and Muriel Miville who have just retired from the board of directors. Speaking of the board, I should mention that there was only one meeting over the summer and that was to approve the financial statements . I urge all members to examine the statement as published in the September 1986 newsletter. The bottom line, however, is that we are in good financial shape, which bodes well for stable membership fees. Thanks, to Aarne Juhola, our secretary-treasurer, for keeping the books and watching over our financial situation in general. Moving from internal matters I would just like to mention an important external issue. Many people have yet to be touched by the message of how precious , fragile and interdependent all living things are. Societies have yet to realize that our need to use cannot be let to run rampant and that only a deep-seated desire to preserve can pull in the reins. The Toronto Field Naturalists, not wanting to spread itself too thin, addresses these problems almost exclusively on a local level. Individual members, however, can operate with a much widerscope. Through support of the Federation of Naturali sts and the Canadian Nature Federation, one can influence attitudes on a provincia l and national level. In this light the TFN heartily encourages its members to back both of these umbrella groups. The program for the upcoming general meetings promises to be both informative and entertaining; as well, the outings committee has provided us with many exciting forays into Metro's natural areas. I hope you plan to attend as many of these events as possible. Phil Joiner 0

This Month's Cover

Curled Dock (Rumex crispus) by Louise Herzberg $ This attractive wayside plant from Europe now flourishes here. It is a member of the buckwheat family ( which seed cqps<-1 /-l' also includes rhubarb). The curled dock often assumes a-f .bro -, ,,' dod < a blush in summer, later turning a handsome purplish-brown, and can appear black against the snow. Louise found this plant, growing in Todmorden Mills, a likely subject for her drawing. Note the seed capsule. Among the other Rumex in our area are broad dock, Mexican dock, the golden dock on Leslie Street Spit, and red sorrel, herb patience and two waterdocks in the Rouge Valley. DB 2 D TFN 382

. - Upcoming TFN il'ffti, -fi·~- {~f'I.~ . ·::-5,...... , _r ~ --:- ~~ (NO DOGS) OUTINGS - ' ,, - - 'r--,/.. RAIN @IT' Everybody Welcome! '6 ... ~ O=ll ~ W1 lli

!OCTOBERj Wednesday - Nature Walk Mimico, Etobicoke Oct. 1 Leader: Marion Strebig 11 am Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd. West at Park Lawn Road. (We will be walking north.) Bring lunch.

Sunday LESLIE STREET SPIT - Birds lakeshore, Toronto Oct. 5 Leader: Bruce Parker 10 am Meet at the foot of Leslie Street. Lunch optional. + OUT OF Sunday YORK COUNTY FOREST - mushrooms north of Metro TOWN Oct. 5 Leader: John Morgan-Jones 10 am to .£!.ll Eva Davis (694-8928) if you want to attend. Confirm by sending 4 pm your cheque for $12.00 to the TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS MUSHROOM minibus* OUTING to Eva at 203 - 1080 Kingston Rd., Scarborough MlN 1N5. Bus leaves Finch passenger pick-up (Kiss & Ride) promptly at 10 am and returns there at 4 pm. Bring lunch.

Wednesday ECOLOGY HOUSE GARDEN - garden tour Toronto Oct. 8 Leader: Henny Markus 10 am Meet at 12 Madison Ave. (one block east of Spadina, just north of Bloor Street West). See page 26 for more information.

Saturday HIGH PARK - nature arts Toronto Oct. 11 Leader: Mary Cumming 10 am Meet at Colborne Lodge (or: Colborne Lodge Drive, just north of the Queensway). Bring lunch, stool, sketching materials and/or camera.

Sunday TAYLOR CREEK - fall colours Scarborough /East York, Taylor Creek Oct. 12 Leader: Eva Davis 1:30 pm Meet outside the Victoria Park subway station on Victoria Park north of Danforth Avenue. Monday TORONTO ISLAND - birds lakeshore, Toronto Oct. 13 Leader: George Fairfield 9 am Meet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street to take the 9 am ferry. Bring lunch and membership card.

Wednesday URBAN WILDERNESS GARDENS - fall garden tour Toronto Oct. 15 Leader: Karen Parker 10 am to Meet at the southeast corner of Victoria Park and Kingston Road. 12 noon Morning only.

* See footnote at bottom of page 4. I>-

3 TFN 382

OCTOBER OUTINGS (cont'd)

Saturday SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS - geology lakeshore, Scarborough, Pickering Oct. 18 Leader: Nick Eyles 10 am to Call Eileen Mayo (445-4621) if you want to attend. Confirm by 5 pm ~ing your cheque for $12.00 payable to TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS BLUFFS OUTING to Eileen at 405 - 44 Stubbs Dr., Willowdale M2L 2R3. minibus* Bus leaves Kennedy passenger pick-up (Kiss & Ride) promptly at 10 am and returns there at 5 pm. Bring lunch. Warning: This may be a strenuous outing with some climbing and may also be muddy.

Sunday LESLIE STREET SPIT - Birds lakeshore, Toronto Oct. 19 Leader: Jim Rising 10 am Meet at the foot of Leslie Street. Lunch optional. + Sunday EAST DON VALLEY - Bestview Trail East Don, North York Oct. 19 Leader: Bill Granger 10:30 am Meet in the schoolyard on Bestview Drive east of Tarbert Road (Tarbert is the first block east of Bayview and runs south from Steeles Avenue East.) Lunch optional.

Wednesday CANADIANA BUILDING - nature arts Toronto Oct. 22 Leader: Geraldine Goodwin 10:30 am Meet at the entrance to the building on the west side of Queen's Park (north of College and University). Bring sketching materials and stool. Lunch optional.

Saturday MORNINGSIDE CREEK - nature walk Rouge, Scarborough Oct. 25 Leaders: Robin Powell & Helen Juhola 10:30 am ~Helen Juhola (924-5806) at you want to attend. Confirm by to 4 pm sending your cheque for $12.00 payable to TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS ROUGE OUTING to Helen at 112 - 51 Alexander St., Toronto M4Y 1B3 . minibus* Bus leaves Kennedy passenger pick-up (Kiss & Ride) promptly at 10 : 30 am and returns there at 4 pm. Bring lunch. Warning: This will be a strenuous outing.

Sunday HUMBER BAY EAST - birds lakeshore, Etobicoke Oct. 26 Leader: Maisie Newby 10 am Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd. West at Park Lawn Road. Lunch optional.

Wednesday - nature walk Etobicoke Creek, Etobicoke Oct. 29 Leader: Isabel Smith 11 am Meet at the bridge over Etobicoke Creek on Lakeshore Blvd . West. Bring lunch.

* Please note: The use of a minibus indicates we will be visiting an environmentally sensitive area. The minibus limits the number of participants to 13, and this is the reason that those with cars, when they enquire about tagging along, are requested not to do so. We receive many such queries and, if we agreed to the extra numbers, the ESA's visited would end by receiving much larger groups than they are able to sustain. 0

4 TFN 382 OUTINGS REPORT

Fall, 1985: September, October, November Introduction This is a special report to encourage TFN members who have never been on outings to participate. I was a TFN member for six months before i got up the nerve to go on an outing, in April, 1982; it started from the Eglinton West subway station, which location I knew, and it was to the Cedarvale Ravine, which~ knew was near Bathurst and St, Clair, so there was no fear of getting lost and not knowing how to get home to Bathurst and Steeles. it was easy to spot the others in the station; some had binoculars, some had little back packs, others wore hiking boots and the leader had a green ribbon pinned to her shirto It was a pleasant April day and 1 had no special clothing or equipment. Later, I bought binoculars and a map of Metro Toronto 0 which, together with a TTC route map (the "Ride Guide , avai­ lable free in subway stations), will get me to any TFN outing in Toronto. I carry lunch and maps in a plastic shopping bagx and, for wet or muddy conditions, wear winter galoshes (but they are heavy, and water-repellent boots would be better;. At the end of an outing, the leader directs you or takes you t o a street where you can get the iTC - people with cars have to go back to where they are parked. After several outings, you get to know the other frequent participants and also learn how to dress for the outings - usually all t hat's required is: long pants; shoes you can walk in, even sneakers ~but not sandals;; warm clothes in winter; a raincoat or umbrella if you expect rain. Fall 1985 uuting Statistics We had 42 outings for which leaders handed in reports ( from which we get our statisti cs and which state where t hey went and what they sawJ and 754 participants, with an average of 25 peo­ ple per outing in September, when the weather was still nice, and an average of 8 per outing in November, when the weather was already cold. (Note: the 'l'FN has kept a file of leaders' outing reports since the late 1960s - they are useful to researchers because t hey contain a lot of information over a long time about flora and fauna all over ~oronto, often not available from any other source.) Some Fall 1985 uuting Highlights On Septe~ber 1, Ilmar Talvila le~ 40 people into Lambton Woods to see birds. ~hey saw only~ in the first lt hours and, after lunch, half the group left; then the birds appeared and ilmar•s-• report concluded with 43 species. * I usually carry an extra plastic garbage bag for litter, I>

5 TFN 382

OUTINGS REPORT (cont'd) un September 2, Aarne and nelen Juhola led the "Deviant .flora" outing in the streets and lanes near the art gallery in down­ town Toronto - no special clothing or equipment required. The 45 people attending were split into two grou~s and were shown for the first time the many unusual plants growing downtown in the streets and which t hey had never noticed before. The hit was a fruit-bearing fig tree in front of a house ; t he owner explain­ ed how she kept it from freezing in the winter and sold a small fig tree in a pot to one of the group. un October 5, Ann Reynolds led a minibus outing to Bronte Pro­ vincial Park, outside ~oronto. Th e TFN has a number of outings by chartered bus to places where the TTC doesn ' t go, but these, too, are walking tours; the bus serves only to take you to the walking site. un this outing, many species of fungi were seen, as well as salmon up to 40 long , caught by fishermen in Bronte 1.,;reek. On October 20, oill Granger, arborist Supervisor of North York and a member of the York university Arboretum Committee, led a tree and shrub outing at and around rork u. !Ie pointed out which planted trees were successful, which n ot, and why, and showed us how careless lawn mowing had injured the trunks of trees planted at great expense. On November 16, James uarratt led an outing in the Bellamy Ra­ vine. The weather was so bad, so cold and rainy, that only he, the leader, _showed up, demonstrating t he truth of the TFN's motto, .. Rain or Shine"G He walked the ravine himself and wrote an excellent, detailed report which is now an important re­ cord because as the report of almost a year ago points out, t he city had decided to fill in the ravine.

Sandy Cappell □

common plantain TFN 382 Toronto Region BIRD RECORDS

REPORTS RECEIVED: Norm Murr, Leslie Street Spit, April 13, May 10, 18,25, August 4, 9.

This report, covering spring and late summer visits to The Spit, shows an interesting pattern.

LOONS . Common L. appeared on all spring visits, and again August 9. GREBES. A few horned g. April 13 and a pied-billed May 18. CORMORANTS. Three double-crested c. observed in flight August 4. HERONS. Black-crowned night-h. A few seen on all visits, with flocks of up to forty on August 4, twenty to thirty in a new nesting colony; two downy young observed in one nest. Great blue h. - seven May 10, fifteen-twenty Aug. 4 , one Aug. 9. Green h. - one August 4. WATERFOWL. Number of species: nine April 13, May 20, six May 18, five May 25, four Aug. 4, and seven August 9. Oldsquaw common on all spring visits, one August 9. Canada Goose - only five reported April 13, but common on all other visits, with goslings appearing May 18. Mallard - common in pairs April 13, few May 10, common rest of season. SHOREBIRDS. Killdeer common on April 13 and remained so on all spring visits, with a few August reports. Spotted sandpiper - three reported May 10, common May 18; also May 25 on which date some were observed feigning injury. Nooe reported on August visits.. Four additional species were observed in spring migration, May 18, dropping to three migratory species May 25. By August 4 some species were in fall migration,; eight species coonted, rising to nine Au~ust 9. Largest flocks were dunlin (38) and ruddy turnstone (20-30) May 18; whimbrel (24) May 25. GULLS & TERNS. No comment April 13. Ring-billed and herring gull, common tern, Caspian tern "common" on all other visits. An immature Forster' s tern was watched for five minutes - being chased by two common terns on August 4. Two great black-backed g. observed August 9. DOVES. One or two rock doves observed on a few occasions, seven overhead May 10. Mourning dove - a few seen each visit, the largest number being seven August 9. CUCKOOS . Three black-billed c. seen August 4. SWIFTS. Five chimney swifts at the base of The Spit May 25; "common" August 4, but none reported August 9. KINGFISHERS. May 10, 18, one seen at base of The Spit. WOODPECKERS. The most frequently encountered was the northern flicker, five seen April 13, two May 10, August 4, 9. A red-headed w. turned up May 18 and a hairy August 9. C>-

7 TFN 382

TORONTO REGION BIRD RECORDS - cont'd

PASSERINES - Thirty regularly-nesting Toronto species were reported. Nine were on hand April 13, an additional twelve species by May 10, seven more May 18 and one more May 25. Of these species, sixteen were reported on August 4 and twelve August 9, not counting the purple martin, a dozen of which were reported on the latter date, and which had not been seen during nesting season. In fact others of the thirty species apparently did not nest on The Spit., e.g. - the blue jay was reported as passing in migration in May , with no August reports. Other common nesting spec ies reported in May but not in August are: Gray catbird, bobolink, eastern meadowlark, brown-headed cowbird, rose-breasted grosbeak; only one August report - American robin and common grackle. Reported as abundant or common in spring and August, but with no nesting reports, were: European starling, barn swallow, yellow warbler, and American goldfinch. Any June or July records you may have of these species could c omplete the picture.

NEW SPECIES FOR TFN 1980 1 s CHECKLIST for The Spit: (NM) Willow Flycatcher - "singing May 25", "singing and scolding" Aug . 4. Alder Flycatcher - "singing May 25". Forste!."'s Tern - no description. Have you observed these birds? If so, please describe. Thank you, Norm Murr - also for your mammal, reptile and :amphil:1ian '. report-s . All details are kept on file in the TFN Library. Call 690-1963 if you wish t o [> borrow them. Send your observations for the Toronto Region to Diana Banville, [> 710 No. 7 Crescent Place, Toronto, Ontario, M4C 517, or call any member of the Editorial Committee.

DB D r

Great blue herons by Geraldine Goodwin

8 TFN 382

Toronto Region Mammal Report

During the past year ( summer 1985 through spring 1986) we have received ~I\AMI\/\Al.~ - \)ci'I PG_,.. ,.\<-,1\1"\/\~l ;85 reports on fourteen of the thirty-three juNt: ,4 - \<.Ale<" DeN '-1Ai.u2'( - EcC.u.E·( B't' 'Ti~E: 81...001, ·viAIY.it...T . RABBITS : eastern cottontail Bats were observed at baseball games (SP), a skunk eating garbage (BJ). A fox at the tip of The Spit was the only one reported for the period (NM). 11 1 have not seen a red fox in G. Ross Lord Park since June 4, 1984" (SC). (See DP note on this species above.) Grey squirrels were reported as moul ting, mating, feeding , scolding, and sporting reddish-blonde coat (BJ, LZ, HK, DB). Some evidence of beaver activity in Humber Marshes was reported (MD, BJ}, and a muskrat sighting at Warden and St. Clair (LZ). A sick muskrat was reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources who said there are two i llnesses to which the species is pl'.'Cl"E{BJ).Only two muskrats were reported for G. Ross Lord Park where they were previously plentiful (SC). Groundhog sightings f6r 5 locatf~~s. (00 M: l'fv1 TFN). Call 690-1963 for further details on file in TFN Library. PARTICIPANTS: Diana Banville (DB), Sandy Cappel l (SC), Mary Cumming (MC), Eva Davis (ED), Viva Heaton (VH), Beth Jefferson (BJ}, Helen Juhol a (HJ), Helen Kramer (HK), Norm Murr (NM}, Maisie Newby (MN), Bruce Parker (BPr), Betty Paul (BPI), Don Peuramaki (DP), Suzanne Poodrey (SP), Grace Somers (GS), . Joan Watson (JW), L~rissa Zvieldris (LZ), TFN Outings (TFN). Please send in your reports or phone any member of the Ed itorial Committee. DB & HJ D

9 HOW TO SHOOT AN AMATEUR NATURALIST by Gerald Durrell. Collins, 1984. 205 pages. Public Library No. 591 DUR.

This is a delightful account of the successes and failures that marked the making of the popular TV series, An Amateur Naturalist. Many of you have seen it on the CBC or TV-Ontario. WelH

Going behind the cameras with the autho~ we learn that the show's directors, assisted by local naturalists, scout out the desired wildlife "stars". And that when nature won't cooperate the imagina­ tion of the directors is boundless. Such as the time autumn leaves in the New Forest refused to fall on cue. So several garbage bags were filled with soggy golden leaves and hauled to the crew's abode . There, to the consternation of the owner, they were dried out with the help of an electric fire , Then it was back to the woods where they were filmed as a crew member tossed them down from a tree. Or the time in Greece when a number of captured terrapins refused to be "caught" in front of the camera. Finally, down to the last terrapin on hand, the director shot the scene backwards; the release was made to look like the capture.

Thus while the camera doesn't lie, viewers don't always see the whole truth. To convey the impression that the Durrells were flying a colourful hot-air balloon, each time before the cameras rolle~ the pilot had to drop out of sight under a blanket on the basket's floor.

Mixed in with these revelations in Durrell's book are many informa­ tive bits of nature lore, In the American desert the camera caught a roadrunner feeding her dead chick to her other youngsters: Durrell notes that in the desert nothing is wasted. He writes of the marvellous way in which the tent caterpillars leave scented clues along the best paths to food. And he tells how hawk-like kites, bought in Toronto's Chinatown, were flown in the Rockies to test the reactions of small birds and mammals.

We've come to expect G~rald Durrell's passionate and eloquent defence of threatened species and habitats. Reading this book, we're not _disappointed as he makes the case for saving England ' s hedgerows and the forests of the tropics.

And he's lyrical in his description of an English spring. Also of the northern lights; one night before going to sleep he and his wife were entranced by the constantly shifting curtains of colour in the winter sky beyond the skylight in their Canadian bedroom. Durrell skillfully uses metaphor and simile with words that sing. This is a good book to read aloud.

Harold Taylor [> 10 TFN 382

FOR READING (cont'd)

MEDICINE FOR THE OUTDOORS: A GUIDE TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROCEDURES AND FIRST AID by Paul A. Auerbach, M.D., Little, Brown and Company, Boston, Toronto, First edition 1986, 347 pp, $17.95 paper, $35.00 cloth Leaders of wilderness trips will value this medical guide for use where medical assistance is not immediately available. It is written for intelligent lay persons whose companions may become ill or injured in the wilderness. The book reviews general first aid principles and treatment of minor injuries and illnesses. Information on assessing the victim's situation is outlined in clear and understandable language; techniques and procedures for treatment are discussed . Severe injuries and major medical problems which could occur are described. Illustrations serve to assist in applying the procedures. A list of toxic and non-toxic plants and a glossary of medical terms are also included. Recommended for all groups sponsoring children and/or adult outside activities; for example, Boy Scouts, Community Group programs, seniors' canoeing,etc. Eileen Mayo

R~CENTLY PUBLISHED and/or RECEIVED:

ARBORETUM GUIDE: PROSPECT CEMETERY, 1985, Toronto Trust Cemeteries

BLACK CREEK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: A PROPOSAL FOR EROSION CONTROL AND TRAILS ON THE , 1985, Black Creek Project

JHE BIRDING HANDBOOK: EASTERN LAKE SUPERIOR by T.S.H. Baxter, A Superior Lore Publication, 55 Broadway Ave., Wawa, Ont. POS lKO, $4.50

PHYSIOGRAPHY OF SOUTHERN ONTARIO by L.J. Chapman and D.F. Putnam, Ontario Geological Survey Map P 2715 (coloured); scale 1:600,000; 1984

DON VALLEY LEGACY: A PIONEER HISTORY by Ann Guthrie, The Boston Mills Press, Erin, Ont. $9.95, 1986

OFFICIAL PLANS: A CITIZEN'S GUIDE (1985), Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Ont.

ZONING BY-LAWS: A CITIZEN'S GUIDE (1985), Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Ont. free pamphlet

COTTAGE COUNTRY: AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANUAL FOR THE COTTAGER. Ministry of the Environment, Ontario, fourth edition, 1986

LAVEiWER CREEK: AN INVESTIGATIOi.~ OF CONTAMrnATION IN A POLLUTED TORONTO RAVINE WI'i'li Ai~ EMPtlASIS ON i1ETALS Aim PIIYTOTOXICITY by Gavin Miller, April 1986, unpublished manuscript

WATEct FIT TO DRIHK? Consumer facts about the use of home water treatment devices. Hinistry of the Environment, Ontario, pamphlet D 11 TFN 38:l TFN Library Report

Recent Acquisitions: (to August 25, 1986)

8 BOOKS have been donated by Mildred Easto on BIRD BEHAVIOUR, THE WHOOPING CRANE, THE WELLAND CANAL, WILLIAM E. SAUNDERS biographical notes, NATURALISTS' ADVENTURES, including the popular book which Mildred reviewed in TFN 344:17:DEC 81, entitled LOVE AMONG THE BUTTERFLIES based on journals of Margaret Fountaine, also 5 booklets on NIAGARA, DUCK IDENTIFICATION, FARM BIRDS, and other subjects. Articles, booklets, folders, papers, lists received were on these subjects: TREES IN QUEENS PARK (from Marjory Tilley); OSPREY NEST PROTECTION (from Don Carmichael); WATER BIRDS OF THE NIAGARA & WING TIPS Vol. 1 #3 (from Orris Hull); CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF KENYA (Gloria Summerville); E.T.SETON biographical notes, ENVIRONMENT, WETLANDS, SUGAR MAPLE (from Mary Cumming); URBAN NATURAL HISTORY with•biblt.ography (from Roy Merrens - thanks in large part to Roy, this file is growing)• WINDOW HAZARDS for birds and DDT (Jean McGill); POISON IVY (Nan Schofield)• ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS (from Christine Hanrahan); Botanist MONROE LANDON biographical notes, WILDFLOWER GARDENING, SOCIETY, SPECIES, PRAIRIE (from Jim Hodgson); FOREST LIFE (from Peggy Love); BIRD SPECIES including three Toronto species, double-crested cormorant with bibliography, American kestrel with instructions for nest-box, ruby-throated hummingbird (from Jacques Gravel). A valuable file on resident species is accumulating. wish to thank all our donors. The material we receive indicates the interests our members and reveals how many-faceted is the study of natural history. you would like to borrow any of the above material, -call 690-1963.

DB D

OCTOBER

Autumn's "dying fall" is at its most breathtaking this month. Trees put on their final magician's display: yellow, orange, burgundy. Sumac, taken for granted the rest of the year, burns scarlet along the parkways. No need to travel to distant scenic spots. Metro's ravines have it all! The predominant floral motif is royal: purple asters and goldenrod. Fungi, although past their high point of the year, can still be found -- late clusters of the honey mushroom, trees draped with the roseate brackets of the sulphur polypore, lawns popping forth the delicious "pink bottom", cousin to the Agaricus cultivated for commerce. There is the occasional monarch butterfly, the straggler that missed the massive migration south, while late convoys of Canada geese may still be observed marshalling for flight. Rightly, religious and civic traditions celebrate the crowning of the year's labour on the part of both Nature and mankind. October remains a cornucopia to be harvested mentally against the months to come. Eva Davis D

12 TFN 382

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Map of Toronto showing positions of historical streams, as determined from old maps. This configuration of streams approximates the pre-settlement condition. V TFN 382

( ____H_I_s_T_o_R_Ic_A_L_s_T_R_EA_M_s_o_F_T_OR_o_N_T_o ______) In the City of Toronto an area four km by seven km, or 3644 ha, is excluded from the watersheds of the Humber and the Don Rivers. This "Toronto watershed" extends, very approximately from the Kingsway on the west to St. Clair Avenue on the north and to Mt. Pleasant Road on the east. With the exception of High Park, this area is completely urbanized and has been so for at least 70 years. The natural streams that once drained the area no longer flow above ground. They were buried and their valleys filled in the 1800's to provide level land for construction or because the streams had become severely polluted and thus a nuisance. To understand the hydrologic conditions of the Toronto area prior to urbanization, I wanted to document Toronto's vanished streams. One impetus for this study was an exhibit entitled "Mapping Toronto's First Century: 1787-1884" at the Canadiana Gallery of the from January to April in 1984. My objectives were to document features of the original drainage system of the "Toronto watershed", including locations, names and descriptions of the streams, and to document the sequence of obliteration of the streams and their valleys. The exhibit at the Canadiana Gallery contained some 30 maps of early Toronto and its environs. These included town plans, military maps, real estate surveys and fire insurance surveys at various stages in the development of the city. Together these facilitated a partial reconstruction of t~e original drainage patterns . Using notes, sketches and acetate overlays, I transferred details of the streams onto a modern (1 :25,000 scale) topographical map of Toronto. The old maps provided most of the information required to locate the streams, especially when details could be related to nearby roads or intersections . In many cases, however, contour lines on the modern map were useful to indicate the exact position of the stream channel or ravine. A sequence of obliteration of the streams was suggested by their gradual omission from newer maps. Where possible, the disappearance of a stream was confirmed on at least two relatively contemporary maps. Anecdotal information about early hydrological conditions in the watersheds was sought in historical accounts of the area. Especially useful were the Ontario Department of Planning and Development Conservation Reports for the Don and Humber Valleys. The map on page 14, which is only a small portion of the map I prepared, shows the approximate locations of the steams shown on historical maps of Toronto. It is likely that more streams existed than are shown. In many cases, the locations of the missing streams may be inferred from contour lines on the 1:25,000 scale topographical map. Several major tributaries of the lower Don and Humber Rivers were also routed underground and their ravines converted to parkland. Their locations are also included on the map on page 14. Named after Fort York which was built at its mouth, Garrison Creek was the largest and farthest west of the streams. It drained an area of approximately 1438 ha. A portion of the Garrison Creek ravine between Queen and Dundas Streets has been incorporated into . The former Christie Street gravel pits (Christie and Bloor Streets), now a playground, are also l ocated on the Garrison Creek strearnbed. [>

15 TFN 382

HISTORICAL STREAMS OF TORONTO (cont'd)

Russell Creek , the next stream of any consequence east of Garrison Creek was named after Governor Simcoe's secretary, Peter Russell, who owned a farm on the upper portion of the watershed. Russell Creek,which drained an area of approximately 244 ha, entered just west of University Avenue. None of the old maps indicated a ravine associated with Russell Creek. Taddle, or "The Town", Creek drained most of the land (675 ha) between Russell Creek and the watershed and entered Lake Ontario near the foot of Parliament Street. The original site of York was laid out by Simcoe in the "hook'' of the Taddle near the waterfront in 1792. The Taddle Creek ravines were shown on the old maps to be smaller than those of Garrison Creek. Traces of the main Taddle ravine are presently visible behind the Royal Ontario Museum Canadiana Gallery on the west side of Queen's Park and along Philosopher's Walk behind the Royal Ontario Museum at Bloor and Queen's Park. Other Streams At least three other streams drained into Lake Ontario between the mouths of Garrison, Russell and Taddle Creeks. These unnamed , small streams probably flowed intermittently, especially after 1820 or so, when their watersheds had been completely cLe.ared. On maps where these streams were shown, they were indicated as short ravines . Two small tributaries of the Don River,which drained downtown Toronto east of Jarvis Street between Queen and College Streets,entered the Don just south of . Some maps showed small ravines for these streams. Hydrological Anecdotes Two streams and several springs interfered with traffic on Yonge Street between College and Bloor in the early 1800's (Taddle Creek watershed, east branch). Eighteen culverts or sections of corduroy (log) roads were installed along Beverley and St. George Streets between Davenport Road and Queen Street in the early 1800's (Russell Creek and Taddle Creek watersheds). A mill operated on Garrison Creek just north of between 1824 and 1852 . Sequence of Stream Obliteration The effect of urban development on Toronto's streams as measured by the length of the stream channel indicated on the old maps was negligible before 1820. From 1820 to 1874 gradual losses occurred mainly in the smaller streams and in the portions of the larger streams in the heart of Toronto near the waterfront. Between 1878 and 1884, Garrison Creek and Taddle Creek became unworthy of the cartographers' attentions. The reasons for this probably were the decreased physical presence of those streams and the degraded condition of what remained. After 1884, only headwater sections of Garrison Creek (drainage ditches?) were mapped. These were eliminated shortly after 1913 when the Borough of York was developed . Following is a brief summary of the information obtained from the ROM map exhibit regarding the fates of these Toronto streams.

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16 TFN 382

HISTORICAL STREAMS OF TORONTO (cont'd)

Garrison Creek shown complete below Davenport until 1878 - not shown below Davenport in 1884 - headwaters above Davenport shown in 1Sl3 Russell Creek -- shown complete until 1874 - not shown at all in 1878 Taddle Creek shown complete until 1851 not shown below University Avenue and Elm Street in 1862 - pond at University College eliminated in 1882 not shown at all in 1884 "Downtown" Don River tributaries shown until 1851 - not shown in 1862 Small waterfront streams shown until 1812 shown as dry ravines in 1818 - not shown at all in 1842 Hydrology Before 1793, the Toronto watershed was almost entirely forested with a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees . Many streams drained the sandy soi~although there was sufficient standing water to breed the mosquito populatlons mentioned so often in the journals of the local inhabitants. By the 1840's, most of the Toronto watershed had been urbanized or cleared for agriculture. As has been observed wherever such clearing occurs, runoff would have increased and infiltration would have decreased. Without trees and forest duff to absorb precipitation, the streams in the Toronto watershed would have experienced higher flows during spring runoff and lower flows during the summer when there would be· a decreased amount of groundwater to supply them. The streams were probably heavily silted as a result of runoff from construction sites and polluted, at least in the lower reaches, from feedlots, domestic sewage and other organic materials from breweries, distilleries, starch factories and other industries near the harbour. In the area near the waterfront, small ravines had been filled in and buildings had been constructed adjacent to the remaining streams . As roads were improved and rebuilt, small streams were directed through culverts and, finally, completely enclosed in sewers. There would have been little incentive to do otherwise; when Taddle Creek beside University College was buried in 1882, the reasons included "the stench and fever from the Taddle" caused by discarded refuse and dead animals. The other small streams in the area were probably regarded as similar impediments to progress. Fish Numerous accounts exist of Atlantic salmon runs in the Don, Humber, and Credit Rivers. I have not found am' reference to salmon runs in Garrison, Russell or Taddle Creeks, although Garrison and Taddle Creeks were probably large enough. Ian Montagnes mentioned records from the middle 18OO's of "brook trout and shiners" in Taddle Creek. Certainly these fish would have been in all the permanent streams. Conclusion Rehabilitation of Toronto's historical streams is not a reasonable objective. A healthy stream cannot exist without a natural watershed. However, many city parks are located where streams used to flow and this aspect of Toro n.to' s

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17 TFN 382

HISTORICAL STREAMS OF TORONTO (cont'd) natural heritage should be emphasized to remind us that beneath the asphalt and brick, an untamed landscape once existed. Robert Steedman References Aitken, A. 1793. PLAN OF YORK HARBOUR SURVEYED BY ORDER OF LT. GOVR. SIMCOE. l" = 20 chains. coloured manuscript. National Map Collection, Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa Anon. 1838. SKETCH OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF TORONTO SHEWING THE POSITION OF THE BLOCK HOUSES. black and white manuscript. National Map Collection, Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa Boulton, W.S. 1858. In BOULTON ATLAS, John Ellis, Toronto. 1"=100'. coloured lithograph. Canadian History Department, Metropolitan Toront3 Library Board, Toronto Fleming, S. 1851. TOPOGRAPHICAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF TORONTO, IN THE PROVINCE OF CANADA. Kugh Scobie, Lith. l" = 12 chains. lithograph. Canadian History Department, Metropolitan Toronto Library Board, Toronto Caviller, M. 1878. WADSWORTH AND UNWIN'S MAP OF THE CITY OF TORONTO. Wadsworth and Unwin/Copp Clark and Co., Lith., Toronto. 111 = 300'. lithograph with coloured manuscript additions, Canadian History Department, Metropolitan Toronto Library Board, Toronto

11 1 Goad, C. E. 1884. CITY OF TORONTO AND SUBURBS. 1 = 1000 • lithograph. Archives of Ontario, Toronto Hart and Rawlinson, 1874. CITY OF TORONTO. Copp Clark and Co. coloured lithograph. Canadian History Department, Metropolitan Toronto Library Board, Toronto Huntsman, A.G. 1944. WHY DID ONTARIO SALMON DISAPPEAR? Trans. Roy. Soc. Can. Series 3, Vol. 38, Sec, 5:83-102 John, H. and J.O. Browne. 1862. PLAN OF THE CITY OF TORONTO. Fuller and Beneke, Lith., Toronto. 111 = 330'. lithograph with hand colouring. Canadian History Department, Metropolitan Library Board, TorQnto Ontario Department of Lands, Fores~ and Mines. 1913. MAP OF TORONTO AND VICINITY (geological). 111 = 1 mile. coloured lithograph. To accompany Part 1, Vol. 22, Report of Bureau of Mines, 1913 ODPD. 1948. HUMBER VALLEY C0NSEtVA!ION REPORT ODPD. 1950. DON VALLEY CONSERVATION REPORT Phillpotts, G. 1818. PLAN OF YORK. 611 = 1 mile. coloured manuscript. National Map Collection, Public Archive;of Canada, Ottawa Williams, G. 1812. SKETCH OF THE GROUND IN ADVANCE OF AND INCLUDING YORK, UPPER CANADA. coloured manuscript. National Map Collection, Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa □

18 TFN 382 In.The News

Thanks to the many members who have contributed clippings for this section of the uewsletter. Please continue to submit your clippings to any member of the editorial committee.

PROF STUMBLED Oi~ SUPER LAWN WHILE CHECKING GRASS PLANTidGS Jan Weijer was making a routine check of select grass plantings last year when he made a startling discovery -- one plot was weed-free and half the height of adjacent weed-filled plots. That observation has led to what the University of Alberta genetics professor says could be a lawn that seldom needs watering, never needs weeding or fertilizing and has to be mown only three times a year. Weijer says the super grass, gathered from the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains and perfected over 12 years, could eventually replace all varieties used in lawns around the world. It grows in poor soil under most climatic conditions, and reproduces without pollination. It also excretes a natural herbicide that prevents most other weed seedliugs from growing, although Canadian Thistle and dandelion weeds already in the soil may continue to grow. Four companies have already called with offers to purchase rights to the discovery . Quality grass seed now sells for about $4 a kilogram. The narrow­ bladed, short-leaved grass -- actually several varieties of agropyrons, festucus and native poas -- is being used exclusively by Parks Canada for reclamation of overused camp sites. The bad news for excited homeowners is that the super grass won't be available commercially for at least six years the time required to build up seed stock. condensed from an article in the TORONTO STAR, Aug. 7, 1986

ANXIETY ABOUT LOST TREES BARRIE TORNADO'S LEGACY Child victims of the May 31, 1985, Barrie tornado mourn lost trees more than their destroyed homes and belongings, a report prepared by the Simcoe County Children's Aid Society says. Sadness caused by a loss of familiar landmarks such as trees and parks, and anxiety that arose whenever a storm threatened, lasted much longer for children than social workers had expected, the report said. It recommended that children's aid societies in Ontario prepare contingency plans for helping child victims of natural disasters. To help children aged 11 to 14 deal with the trauma caused by the tornado, about 50 children attended activities at a local school each week. They planted trees in the ravaged area, talked with senior citizens who live in a housing complex on the fringe of the tornado's path and listened to scientists from the Ontario Weather Office. condensed from an article in the GLOBE AND MAIL, Aug. 9, 1986

19 TFN 382

IN THE NEWS (cont'd)

BIRDS TERRORIZE SCARBOROUGH STREET A huge flock of starlings roosting in the tall trees of Donalda Park has Donalda Crescent residents living in a state of siege. The sky over Donalda Park becomes thick with a "dark cloud" of starlings each night between 7: 30 and 8 :30 pm. Most of the three-hectare (seven-acre) park, j ust north of Midland and Sheppard Avenues, is covered with tall, dense forest. Scarborough's parks department estimates that 30,000 to 40,000 birds descend on the park, then leave again like clockwork by 6 am the next morning. They leave behind a street full of soiled cars, soiled houses and frustrated residents . The worst part is the smell! The problem has become increasingly worse over seven years. The parks department has tried to scare the birds from the park with flashing lights and horns, but so far has only made the problem worse. The birds were driven t o Scarborough because roosting grounds in Pickering and Markham have been lost t o development. The parks department is consulting with provincial environment experts in an attempt to find a solutuion. condensed from an article in the TORONTO STAR, Aug. 14, 1986

WORLD ' S OLDEST BIRDS UNEARTHED Scientists have found the 225 million-year old fossils of at least two of the world's oldest birds in a Texas quarry. The birds of genus Protoavis -- meaning ancestral bird -- are at least 75 millions years older than the prev iously f ound oldest example of a suspected bird ancestor, called Archaeopteryx. Because the latest fossils are more bird-like than Archaeopteryx while retaining some of the characteristics of dinosaurs, they strengthen the theory of an evolutionary relationship between dinosaurs and birds . condensed from an article in the TORONTO STAR, Aug. 14, 1986

AERIAL PHOTOS HELP SCIENTISTS IN WAR AGAINST THE MOSQUITO In the ski es over Canadian Forces Base Borden, near Barrie, a battle is raging that could destroy millions of the enemy by chemical warfare. The enemy, in this ca se , is the mosquito -- that biting bane of mankind. Infrared photos taken from a small plane at about 1,000 metres (3,000 feet) can locate breeding sites of mosquitoes with 95 per cent accuracy. The infrared photos, which can pinpoint breeding areas of only 3 square metres (the size of a big desk) have eliminated the need for daily spraying of all bush areas around the military base. from the TORONTO STAR, Aug . 15, 1986 PESTICIDE BUSINESS FEELS HURT BY THE ENVIRONMENT Faced with mounting public concern over the health hazards of chemical pesticides and declining farm incomes that are depressing sales, the agricultural chemical industry is regrouping. The industry isn't happy about it. Its representatives talk of "sensation-seeking media" and government decisions on pesticide regul­ ation that are driven "more by the potential risks of a pesticide than its expected benefits". Yetthe Canadian Agricultural Chemicals Association, representing more than 40 companies doing business in the country, is sufficiently concerned to have changed its name to the Crop Protec tion Institute of Canada.* condensed from an article in the GLOBE AND MAIL, Aug. 18, 1986

* We think this is a fine example of an "environmental euphemism".

20 TFN 382

IN THE NEWS (cont'd)

'WHITE' POLAR BEARS REALLY TRAr~SPARENT, RUSSIANS CONTEND Soviet scientists have discovered that the fur of polar bears is not white but transparent. It looks white because the hollow, colourless hairs reflect sunlight on to the bear's hide. The fur concentrates dispersed ultraviolet radiation, and every hair, directing that radiation at the perfect right angle to tht:! surface of the animal's nide, works as a sort of lense. The hide, converting solar energy into heat, is a perfect "prototype of a solar power station". condensed from an article in the GLOBE AND MAIL, Aug . 20, 1986

FOSSIL FOREST: 45-MILLION-YEAR-OLD WOOD FOUND PRESERVED IN ARCTIC Canadian scientists have discovered a 45 million-year-old fossil forest about 1,100 kilometres from the North Pole. Hundreds of the ancient stumps and logs are so well preserved scientists were able to saw and burn wood samples. The fossil wood had not petrifed, or turned to stone, like other fossil forests in the world. The scieutists do not yet know why the wood was so well preserved, but they are studying such factors as climate. Although the stumps and logs now are exposed they were once buried and that may have contributed to the preservation. Some of the stumps are a metre wide and the~gs can reach lengths of up to 10 metres. Among the trees found at the one-kilometre square site were dawn redwo ods and water firs, both of which now are found in southeastern Asia, and other species not known to science. The exact location of the site will not be revealed because of fears that human activity could destroy the ancient forest. condensed from an article in the GLOBE AND MAIL, Aug. 28, 1986

MEXICO PdOTECTS OUR MONARCH BUTTERFLIES The government has declared a reserve in the fir forests northwest of Mexico City to keep farmers from destroying trees on which orange and black monarch butterflies shelter in winter. Each year about 100 million of the beautiful butterflies make a journey of more than 4,800 kilometres from southeastern Canada and the eastern United States to forests of oyamel fir in a migration unique among insects . Man has become the main threat to their winter home because the forests along the border between Michoacan and Mexico states are a major source of income for farmers in the region. Without government protection, lumber harvests and clearing for agriculture could destroy the habitat. Scient­ ists are not sure whether the monarchs could adapt to other conditions. The declaration of the reserve "should be recognized as a big step forward that will allow future generations in the United States, Canada and Mexico to enjoy the beauty of the monarch and the spectacle of its migration," said Curtis Freese, director of Latin American and Caribbean programs for the World Wildlife Fund. The World Wildlife Fund has provided an average of more than $30,000 US annually for the past five years for scientific research on the monarchs and to develop Monarca, a private Mexican organization to protect them. Monarchs have few natural enemies. Eating them makes most birds sick, but mice and two species of birds do prey on them. Their worst enemy is man, who provokes their death by destroying the habitat of the species, which is the forest, a natural cushion that buffers winds and abrupt temperature changes. Butterflies born at the end of summer in North America migrate, arriving around Nov. 1. It takes them about two months to reach their winter haven from the northernmost sites.

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21 TFN 382

IN THE NEWS (Butterflies) (cont'd)

They colonize only during the winter period, covering the towering oyamel trees like another layer of bark when the air is cold. Ecologist William Calvert of Texas, a leading researcher, has found that thinning of the forest lowers the nighttime temperature and a slight drop during storms or cold waves can kill thousands of butterflies. The monarch colonies were known only to local farmers until Canadian zoologist Fred Urquhart found them in 1975. Rodolfo Ogarrio, a lawyer who heads Monarca, noted that creation of the reserve was announced 10 years after the August 1976 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC article that made Urqhhart's discovery public. The decree protects almost 16,000 hectares in four areas, which are to be expropriated by the government. In each there is a nucleus, where no timber cutting will be allowed, surrounded by a buffer zone that is to be carefully managed. The forests are in the Chincua, Campanario, Chivati-Huacal, Pelon and Altamirano mountain ranges. condensed from an article in the TORONTO STAR, Aug. 31, 1986 D

Strange Sightings ITHE MIDAS TOUCH}

On April 3, 1986, I spent most of my lunch-hour in G. Ross Lord Park. The first thing I heard was the voice of a gull - very loud and raucous. It was so insis­ tent, I thought I would go and see what was happening. Tne noisy bird was an adult herring gull and he was standing on an island (a log on a tiny mudflat) in the pond, with a very large goldfish in his beak. From a distance he looked like he had a prize carrot but on closer viewing with binoculars it was a prize fish, 8-9 inches long and 4 inches across at its widest point. It was really too large to swallow and, on his precarious perch, too slippery to hold. Instead of keeping quiet about his good fortune he was advertising his find to the world. Before long he had many volunteers surrounding him, all eager to help out! I had to leave before he resolved his problem - or had it resolved for him. On April 7, I witnessed there a repeat happening. This time there were two birds involved - a mature herring gull and a smaller ring-billed gull. Each one had an enormous goldfish. That of the ringbill was so heavy he had a hard time lifting it! Each bird was again surrounded by false friends ready, eager, and willing to "help out"! Where do all these fat goldfish come from? This pond is a branch of the West Don, no doubt quite polluted, but while I am prepared to believe people dump their goldfish, I doubt they are this large when they are "disposed of". Evidently they live and thrive in this area but I am puzzled why I have never seen this happening before. I have spent a lot of time watching gulls, terns, and shorebirds, including great blue and black-crowned night herons, but until these last few days, hadn't seen any of them catching huge goldfish. I had my own golden prize April 6, on The Spit bird walk. I saw my first coltsfoot in flower this year. Maisie Newby t>

22 TFN 382 S'I'RAf{;E SIGHTil{;S (cont'd) ,.,K_N_O_C_K_, _K_N_O_C_K ____ W_H_O_' _S_T_H_E_R_E_?-i. I

During my recent visit to the Bancroft Gemboree (summer 1986), I awoke to an urgent pounding at my cabin door. 6 am! Either I had dreamt it or a car was backfiring. I turned over. The knocking continued. Determinedly. All right -- there was a fire in the cam~ site,an emergency of some sort? Literally falling out of bed, I charged, pyjama-ed, uncombed, to the door. It opened upon a trellised porch and there on the balustrade, at touching distance, was a flicker, the crimson Von the back of the head bright in the hazy light. We stared at each other and I foolishly blurted: "Oh! -- It's~!", for all the world as though I had a roll-call of flicker acquaintances who dropped in at dawn. And truly, if I have to be wakened early (morning not being "my" time), I can't think of anyone I'd rather see. Eva Davis

I : A CONCERT IN THE RAIN •

One of the joys of the carillon concerts at Hart House during the summer is the background "music" of chimney swifts . On July 13 at 8: 20 pm as clouds rolled in, I was counting "two ... , four ... , six" chimney swifts. Suddenly a flash, a rumble and a torrent of rain. To my surprise, not only did the carillon concert continue, but the "music" of the chimney swifts increased. I counted, and counted and counted -- 200 chimney swifts chittering and swooping (feeding) above us amidst the flashing, thundering deluge. So, if you want to see chimney swifts, you might try going to a concert in the rain. Helen Juhola

----~----·------~ l· NEW FACES AT THE TD CENTRE: Look just west of the IBM Tower and i you'll see that the bronze cows comprising Joe Fafard's sculpture '. The Pasture have been herded behind a hoarding. The cows do not ; want to wander down Wellington Street in search of a greener you­ : know-what. They are not being urged to jump over the moon by a runaway dish or spoon. The reason for the hoarding is that they - and you - are being protected from the construction activity ne~t 1 door. The management says the hoarding will remain until the summer. There is an article in ONT_iIBIO CRAFT Spring 1986 about this sculpture. It is fun to take a trip downtown to see these cows even though they are behind the hoarding - they are easily seen.

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23 TFN 382

!NATURALISTS "Go WILD" IN TORONToJ

In Toronto, members of TFN dream of field trips outside Toronto. Guess where out-of-town clubs take their field trips? Well, in the past year the South Peel club in Port Credit has visited High Park, the Leslie Street Spit, the Humber Marshes and Lambton Woods; the Richmond Hill club has visited the East Don Valleyat Finch and the Humber Arboretum; and a highlight for London naturalists was a bus trip to the Metro Toronto Zoo. And when a TFN member enquired this spring about exploring the East Don north of Steeles (outside Metro Toronto), she was told by the Markham Parks Department that what she wanted to do was impossible because the valley was occupied by a private golf course and, in fact, Markham is short of parkland. It would appear that we can't count on going outside Metro for our excursions but must be even more serious about protecting our valuable natural heritage right here. Helen Juhola □

[ WILL BIRDS HELP MAIL FLY FASI'ER?

Four flying birds are helping to polish up the image of Canada Post. The birds we're talking about are currently on the 34c stamps. Since they appeared in May the stamps have attracted the enthusiastic approval of stamp users and collectors. They were issued to mark the XIX Ornithological Congress held in Ottawa in June. If you've been licking these stamps you may have wondered why the birds on them are the Great Blue Heron, the Snow Goose, the Great Horned Owl and the Spruce Grouse. Well, Canada Post had several criteria for this issue: they wanted birds that most Canadians would have a good chance to see. Also each bird should represent a different habitat to illustrate the great diversity found in Canada. As well , each bird should have a different food source, with one being a predator. And so they settled on the Great Blue Heron, a wading bird of temperate zone marshes; the Snow Goose that breeds in the Arctic; the Great Horned Owl, the predator and a nocturnal hunter of the forests. Canada Post described the fourth bird, the Spruce Grouse, as "perhaps the most Canadian of the four since its habitat is almost exclusively Canadia~•. (It has crossed the border and been recorded in about a dozen of the northern states.) To heighten the impact of the stamps on the viewer the birds are pictured as though they have just been startled into flight. In fact, the Great Horned Owl is fleeing from the beam of a flashlight. When you look closely at the stamps you will see that the effect of movement is accentuated by a simple device: a portion of the bird, usually a wing ti~ has been allowed to break the design area. The paintings for the four stamps are the work of Quebec artist Jean-Luc Grondin, who had previously made a name for himself with his paintings of birds in flight. With these excellent depictions he joins a select group of bird-stamp illustrators that includes Robert Bateman and Glen Loates. Harold Taylor D

24 TFN 382

:.Don't exhaust-~ - future" l l__ my_ The above is the title of a fact sheet issued by Environment Canada and directed towards car owners and drivers.

On July 5, 1985, Canada, along with Austria, Switzerland, and the Scand navian countries, signed the Declaration on Air Pollution by Motor Vehicles.

This is a landmark move by the Federal Government to attempt to reduce automobile exhaust pollution. The new Canadian vehicle emissions standards, amongst the strictest in the world, will come into effect on September 1, 1987, for all 1988 model-year cars and light-duty trucks. The aim is to reduce automotive pollutants by over 45% by the end of the century. The Government intend also to investigate new emissions standards for heavy-duty gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. They plan the virtual elimination of the lead presently used in gasoline by December of 1992.

The Government are to be congratulated on grasping this particular political nettle.-,Motor vehicles discharge lead oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. Fuel additives contribute the largest amount of lead to the air and children are particularly susceptible to lead toxicity. Carbon monoxide deprives people of oxygen, while nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain.

Misfuelling (the use of leaded gasoline in a vehicle designed to run on unleaded fuel) is illegal in Ontario and Quebec. Cars built since 1974 can usually use unleaded fuel, so there is seldom excuse for the careless or uncaring driver.

The fact sheet goes on to advise owners on how to keep their vehicles non-polluting. (I remember reading, years ago, that owners in Madrid driving cars which emit polluting smoke are simply ordered off the road until they can prove to the police that they have had their engine~ tuned. Given this is truly a feature of Madrid life, I have always envied this city's pedestrians.)

However, it is immensely heartening that those in control are becoming aware that we cannot continue brainlessly to poison the very cradle of our being, and that the earth's capacity to absorb insult and injury is not an inexhaustible option. It is up to each of us to be persistent in voicing our concerns to our elected representatives. Only numbers will bring about change. E.D.

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25 TFN 382

POLLUTION PROBE'S ECOPARK

The Pollution Probe Foundation assisted by scores of volunteers is turning a parking lot of 10 Madison Avenue (one block east of Bloor and Spadina) into an ecologically sound, low maintenance community green space. "Ecopark" demonstrates how we can eliminate synthetic pesticides and reduce consumption of precious water and energy resources in urban landscaping. Ecology Park is divided into the following sections: • Urban agriculture -- an organic fruit and vegetable garden. • Herb garden -- organically grown culinary, dye and medicinal herb~ • Lawn alternatives -- groundcovers, herbs and wildflowers you don't have to mow. • Edible landscaping -- an esthetically pleasing garden that produces food. • Prairie garden -- establishing a native prairie in downtown Toronto. A viable alternative to the conventional residential, commercial or park landscape. • Woodland -- from parking lot to woodland. Indigenous plants have been used in this woodland restoration. Some of the plant species selected attract wildlife. The park's design was developed by a volunteer steering committee, mrticult­ urists and landscape architects who share Pollution Probe's interest in promoting more ecologically sound approaches to urban landscaping. Site preparation for the park began last fall when volunteers removed large quantities of asphalt and concrete, spread topsoil, sowed annual rye grass, buckwheat, and wildflowers and planted a variety of trees and shrubs. The purpose of this temporary planting was to show community Probe's commitment to the revitalization of 10 Madison Avenue. Since mid Apri~ 1986 Ecology Park has undergone more dramatic changes as the proposed site plan becomes a three dimensional reality. Raised beds, fences and retaining walls have been constructed, berms developed and groundcovers, wildflowers, vegetables, treesand shrubs planted. As this season progresse5' the plants are becoming established and the site is beginning to generate its own unique character. The months ahead will find Ecology Park staff and volunteers preparing the site for winter, developing - signs, educational fact sheets and working on the "Green City Symposium". The symposium will be held February 18 to 20, 1987 at the Civic Garden Centre. It will bring together speakers from North America, Central America, Europe and the U.K. to discuss-how to•and the politics of urban wilderness, non-park open space (utility corridors, boulevards, etc.) and urban agriculture. To get involved or to find out more about Ecology Park, visit Ecology House, *12 Madison Avenue, or call 967-0577. Henny Markus ·* See outing on page 3. □ r--. .. . ------·-~ - - -~ ------· · "It does no good for the conservationist to be militant or hostile but to be diplomatic and help change the old ideas by writing, giving talks, setting an example, influencing the young, and by precise research and presenting the evidence truly." from a review of OUT OF THE WILD by Mike Tomkies published by Jonathan Cape ~~~t home in Wildernesse by Brian Jackman in BBC W~:DLIFE: Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan. 86)

26 TFN 382

-~~-/-~ . ':;:);"•·--- -~ ·---.. ~ :,, ..,<­ 7· 7' • .. ·- r· ~: :

...-•-' ~- : /-;- ,, - . - ,; ·, t

" t ~~.-: · (: : ~;-~•illl!!!:;:::::::1..,__ 7~~.r ;,.;.~ ~- . .. '

"Where we found the fungi" - Wilket Creek Park Sept. 14 1985 by L.Z. - TFN Nature Arts Group - reproduced from coloured felt-pen drawing.

27 TFN 382 IN EXCHANGE

CARDINALS' WILD FOOD

At the back of my garden there is a an old apple tree overgrown with wild grape vines. On a cold January day there were four Cardinals spaced out among the vines. They were engaged in some activity so I focussed my telescope on them to see what they were doing. They were eating the grape vine buds; the bird took the bud in its beak and twisted it from the vine then moved the bud around its beak until it had shucked off the outer skin. It then proceeded to crunch up the bud and down it. Each of the birds observed were doing this and when they had dealt with one bud, they would move on to the next and repeat the same actions. This observation has partly answered the question of what Cardinals eat when not nibbling on sunflower seeds at the feeder . Helen Saunders from THE PINTAIL (Presqu'ile Brighton Naturalists) Vol. 2, No. 1, Jan-Mar, 1986

BIRD BEHAVIOUR OBSERVATION

There is a process kn~\ln in the bird world as anting. Some birds pick up ants and rub them on the underside of their wings. Then they may eat the ants or drop them, The reason for this activity is a mystery. It has been suggested that ants give off formic acid which may act as an insecticide against parasites. Other things besides ants may be used. At the cottage on a summer morning I often go outside to eat an orange while scanning the trees and listening for bird life to greet me. One day I dropped the pieces of orange ?-eel and dashed off to follow an unfamiliar sound. On returning to the house from another direction I neglected to pick up the peeling. Some time later I was much surprised when I happened to look out the kitchen window. There on the ground were eight grackles very busily pecking at the orange peeling and oiling their feathers. By the time they were finished I'm sure they were the nicest smelling grackles there ever were. Were they anting or just making use of some free preening oil? Helen Emery from THE BLUE HERON (The Brereton Field Naturalists' Club of Barrie) Vol 30, No. 1, April 1986

PAYING FOR THE PRIVILEGE

Environment Minister McMillan says that hunters and "other wildlife enthusiasts" will have to pay for the privilege. Just how does he plan to do that? Perhaps a license to walk through Tarzanland? Ten cents extra for each bird picture you have developed? Now wouldn,t it be more to the point to tax those who deplete the things we try to preserve -- trail bi~e users? or people who dr~in wetlands? or build shopping malls on prime farmlandj by Nan Macnair in EARTHlAYS (Lambton Wildlife Incorporated, Sarnia), May 1986

D 28 TFN 382

The Weather This Tune Last Year

October 1985, City of Toronto October was quite a normal month weatherwise. Both Toronto City and the airport had mean temperatures fractionally above the average. Rainfall was near or slightly below normal. Sunshine and windspeeds were also close to the long­ term average with no extremes of temperature during the month. A zonal even flow of the atmosphere prevailed most of October. Sunny days were interspersed with some light rain. The middle of the month was just a little damp and c1oudy. After the 24th, conditions became more stationary and high pressure prevailed. Not a trace of rain fell after the 24th. On the night of the 27th to 28~h, much colder air arrived and brought the first hard freeze to most of the ~oronto region, although the inner city escaped. By Halloween, milder air returned, although brisk easterly winds were setting in, in advance of Hurricane Juan. Although the weather may have not been remarkable, the show of fall colours was. It was one of the best in memory. Warm, dry conditions in September followed by the absence of heavy rain or early frost in October led to a drawn-out display through much of Ontario. The colours, as well as being vivid, were prolonged over three or four weeks from late September to late-middle October. Phenological observations: 1. White ash at Roxborough Drive in Rosedale 1984: \ change: not available 1985: \ change: not available ½ change: Oct. 3 ½ change: Oct. 4 peak: Oct. 12± peak: Oct. 10 drop: Oct. 14, morning drop: Oct. 12-17± colour: yellow, not grand colour: fine, rich maroon with some yellow 2. Sugar maple at King's College Drive, 1984: \ change: Oct. 9 1985: \ change: Oct. 16 ½ change: Oct, 10 ½ change: Oct. 19 peak: Oct, 13 peak: Oct, 23 drop: Oct. 14-27 drop: Oct. 24- Nov. 7± colour: bright orange-red colour: bright orange-red (It. should be noted that this individual sugar maple turned colour later than most members of its species in Toronto, at least in 1985,) Gavin Miller □

Whimsical nature takes the pain out of groping to understand Life.

haiku by Karen Parker

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I NATURE HOLIDAYsl All year round there are many organizations offering trips for naturalists, near and far. The most popular with our members have been: Canadian Nature Tours, 355 Lesmill Road Don Mills, Ont. MJB 2W8 Telephone 444-8419. This organization is operated by the Feder­ ation of Ontario Naturalists and Canadian Nature Federation. It not only offers trips to points in Canada and the u. s. but elsewhere. Nature Travel Service, 127A Princess St., Kingston, Ontario, K?L 1A8 Telephone (613) 546-3065. Gustave J. Yaki, President. Trips to points in Canada, U.S. and around the world covering all fields of nature study are offered.

Elderhostel Canada, p,o. Box 4400, Frederickton, N. B., E3B 5A3, Tel. ( 506) 43J-464?... ( In Toronto call, Continuing Comrnuni ty Education, Humber College, Tel, 675-3111, Ext. 241.) Among uni­ versity courses offered to people over 60, some are natural history-oriented with field trips. Educational organizations around the world participate.

Clive and Joy Goodwin, 45 LaRose Avenue, Apt. 103, Weston, Ontario M9P 1A8, are offering a trip to Southern California and a trip to Florida next year. Birding is their speciality but other aspects of nature are included. Telephone 249-9503.

NATURE TRIPS

Quite a file has built up again on nature travel. We receive many folders on trips and lodging, more or less of interest to the naturalist. Some are for the hiker, some for the photographer, some for the birder, and others for the all-round naturalist. Groups are heading for Greece, Africa, the Galapagos, and,closer to home, to many points within Canada and the United States. There are good deals for seniors, some challenges for the adventurous, some oppor­ tunities for relaxation in the midst of nature. After you have referred to [> our list in TFN 379, if you need any further ideas, call TFN Library, 690-1963.

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They gave us apples. The one which I've chosen has a leaf on the stem.

haiku by Diana Banville

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Tommy Thompson Memorial Walks: (1) led by Anne Marie Van Nest, Horticulturalist, will meet at Edwards Gardens at the park entrance on Lawrence Ave. w., just west of Leslie St. on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2:00 p.m. and (2) led by Co-leader Phil Joiner will meet in Wilket Creek park at the park entrance on the west side of Leslie St., north of Eglinton Ave. E. (opposite the Inn on the Park) on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2:00 p. m. For information, call the Civic Garden Centre, telephone 445-1552. A Tour of Nut Tree Plantings will follow the fall meeting of the Society of Ontario Nut Growers, Vineland Station on Saturday, Oct. 18, 1986. A picnic lunch (Bring your own) at 12:00 noon will be followed by the general meeting and tour. For details, contact: Mrs. Marion Grimo, R.R. #3, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. LOS lJO. The Annual General Meetin~ of the National and Provincial Parks Association of Canada will be held from Friday, September 26 until Sunday, September 28 at the Bond Place Hotel, 65 Dundas St. East in Toronto-~For further information, call 366-3494. A Public Hearin on Great Lakes Water Qualit will be held on Thurs., October 23rd, 19 at 7: p.m. in Council Chambers, Toronto City Hall . For a brochure and/or further information call Sarah Miller at 977-2410. A Women's Fall Colours Weekend will be held from October 3 to October 5, 1986 with canpeing, hiking and camping on Georgian Bay. For information, call YWCA Camping Dept., 80 Woodlawn Ave. E., Toronto, telephone 961-8100. The Royal Canadian Institute will open its fall series of free lec­ tures in the Medical Sciences Auditorium, University of Toronto, on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. For information, call 928-2096. "Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy" by Dr. Margaret Thompson, geneticist, on October 19. A l ecture by J. R. Nursall, Biological Council of Canada, Univer­ sity of Alberta on October 26. "Identifying Gulls", a new course by Clive and Joy Goodwin will start on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7130 p.m. Call 249-9503 for details. The Annual General Meetin~ of the Ontario Field Ornithologists will take place on October 2 and 26 at the Scarborough Civic Centre. For more details, contact Reid Wilson at 831-1745. TVOntario presents: "Profiles of Nature" beginning Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. (26 / JO minute programs) National Geographic Explorer beginning Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. (13 / 30 minute programs) p,.

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COMlVIING EVENTS (cont'd) TVOntario presents (cont'd) "The Birth of the Bees", Mlonday, September 29 at 8:00 p.m. (1 showing - 52 minutes) Learning and Discovering at the Royal Ontario Museum: Wildlife Art Weekend: Both sketching and photography will be included in this event. A Friday evening lecture, a Saturday field trip and a Sunday workshop will complete the weekend. Friday October 17 to Sunday noon. Introduction to Astronomy: This will be a series of ntne lectures supplemented by demonstrations in the Planetarium's Star Theatre. Mondays, Sept. 29 to Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m. Autumn Stargazing Workshops will be held on Mondays, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15 at 7:00 p.m. No advance registration is required. Field Tri to Central Nia ara Escar ment on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9: a.m. to : p.m. will be led by Dr. Walter Tovell. Fascinating Fossils: On Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m., there will be a bus trip to a southern Ontario bedrock location. This trip is rated strenuous. For information, G.,_all Continuing Education at the ROM, tel. 686-5788. - ,. Drawing Wildlife: This course is offered by the Toronto Board of Education, Continuing Education.at Northern Secondary School, 851 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto. Tel. 483-0730. Classes are Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for 10 weeks; registration on Sept. 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 and Sept. 17 from 7:00 to 9:00 at the School. Great Lakes Landscape Photography with Barry Ranford, a presentation at 2 pm, Marine Museum of Upper Canada, Stanley Barracks, Exhibition Place. For more information, call 595-1567.

A Limestone Legacy: Niagara Escarpment Showcase is an exhibition outlining the Niagara Escarpment Plan, Oct. 4 to Oct. 26 at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, near Kfeinberg. For more information, call 661-6600.

Ministry of the Environment of Ontario Open House at 125 Resources Road, Toronto from Wed. Oct. 22 to Sun. Oct. 26. For more detail, call Sharon Lennox at 248-7488. D

Conservation is not a matter of preserving bits of the past -- it's about conserving choice for the future. The fact is that we have borrowed this world from our children and [this generation] is the first to leave its children with fewer choices than it inherited. The causes are short-sighted greed, coupled with unprecedented technical power, and an ignorant lack of respect for the environt1tent. from "Please, Sir, can be have our world back? by Chris Baines in BBC WILDLIFE, Vol 4, No. 3, March 1986

32 Tfo 382 f1EE TIN°:~~e 'tJE'- .....,..=:-...... GENERAL M E E T I N G S Board of Educatio~ Centre, 6th Floor Auditorium 155 College Street, at Mccaul

Monday, October 61 1986 at 8:00 p.m. (Coffee at 7:15) "Come Pick a Toadstool with Me" - Jack Parkin of the Mycological Society. With a slide presentation, Mr. Parkin will discuss the more colourful species, the best edibles, the most common with stress on the vast array of form and colour differences and last, but not least, the deadly ones.

Monday, November J, 1986 at 8:00 p.m. (Coffee at 7:15) "Loons" - Tom Klein, Ashland, Wisconsin.

G RO UP M E E T I N G S Bird Group: First of a series of five lectures on shorebirds - Wednesday, October 8, 1986 at ?:JO p.m. at the Board of Education Centre, oth Floor Auditorium Botany Group: "Alvar Vegetation of Ontario: Our Famous Limestone Barrens" - Steve Varga - Thursday, October 9, 1986 at ?:JO p.m., Room 203, Botany Bldg., University of Toronto, northwest corner of College and University

Environmental Group: "Natural History of Todmorden Mills" - a presentation with slides by Helen Juhola and Louise Herzberg - Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. - Room 252, Board of Education Centre, 155 College Street, at McCaul Junior Club: "Garter Snakes in Ontario" - Ric Christie - Saturday, October 4, 1986 at 10:00 a.m. - Planetarium Auditorium, immediately south of the Royal Ontario Museum

TFN publications, hasti- notes, prints of selected newsletter covers, pins and crests are for sale at all General Meetings.

33 TFN 382 I SECOND CLASS t',AIL Registration Number TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS 6669 83 Joice y Boulevard $ Toronto, Ontario MSM 2T4

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\ TORONTO FIELD NATURALIST l published eight times a year by the Toronto Field Naturalists, a charitable, nonprofit organization, the aimsof which are to stimulate public interest in natural history and to encourage the preservation of our natural heritage. Editorial Colilmi ttee Heleu Juhola (924-5806) 112 - 51 Alexander St., Toronto, Ont. tt4Y 1B3 . Diana Banville (690-1963) 710 - 7 Crescent Place , Toronto, Ont • tl4C 5L7 Alexander Cappell ( 663- 77 38) 109 - 35 Cedarcroft Blvd. , Willowdale M2R 2Z4 Eva Davis (694-8928) 203 - 1080 Kingston Rd. , Scarborough MlH lN5 Mildred Easto (488-0962) 416 - 28 Broadway Ave., Toronto, Ont. M4P 1T5 Eileen Ma yo (445-4621) 405 - 44 Stubbs Dr., Willowdale, Ont. H2L 2R3 Mary-Louise Stewart (960-9860) 203 - 221 Russell Hill Rd. , Toronto H4V 2T3 Members are encouraged to submit notices, re ports, articles up to 1,500 words In length and illustrations at least six W@eks before the month in which the event is to take place or the 11111ter1a1 is required to appear.

Other Publications- TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB: TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS' RAVINE SURVEYS. $ 2.00 ea. ITS HISTORY AND CONSTITUTION Survey #1-Chatsworth Ravine, 1973 by R.H. Saunders, 1965 ••••••••••••••••• $ .so Survey #2-Brookbanks Ravine, 1974 Survey f3•Chapman Valley Ravine, 1975 CHECKLIST OF P\.ANTS IN FOUR TORONTO Survey #4•Wigmore Ravine, 1975 PARKS: WILKET CREEK, HIGH PARK , HUMBER Survey IS-Park Drive Ravine, 1976 YALL£Y, L:AMBTON WOODS, 1972 ••••••••••••••• .50 Survey f6·Burke Ravine , 1977 TORONTO THE GREEN , 1976 Survey #7-Taylor Creek-Woodbine Metropolitan Toronto's i mportant natural Bridge Ravines , 1977 areas are described and reconmendations Survey IS-West Don Valle y, 1978 given for their conservation and mana ge· .... ment; includes maps, biblio graphy and INDEX OF TFN NEWSLETTERS (1938-1978) 10.00 index • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• •• • • • •• • • • • • 2.50 ANNUAL TFN INDEX ••••• , •••• , •• , •••••••• , • .25 ea. FIELn CHECKLIST OF PLANTS OF SOUTHERN AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILts OFME'TRO ONTARIO, 1977 •••• 5/$1.00 or • • • • • • • • • • • • .25 ca. TORONTO, 1983 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2.00 TORONTO REGION VERTEBRATE LIST (fishes, TORONTO REGION BIRO CHART, 1983 ••••••••• 2.00 � p a hibians,re tiles,ma11111a1s),1985 5/Sl.OO or .ZS ea. A GRAPHIC CUID£ TO ONTARIO MOSSES, 1985. 2.00 TORONTO REGION BIRO lIST, 1985 5/$1.00 or • .25 ea. GUIDE TO TORONTO FIEU> NATURALISTS' NATURE RESERVE, Leaskdale, Ontario, 1986 2.00

Meft'bership Fees $20 Family (2 adults same address) $15 Senior Family (2 adults 65+) Sl5 Single SlO Single Senior Sl O Student Tax receipU 1ss� for donations Pub l; cation orders ( add 50¢ per item for postage and handling), members hi Pfees and address changes should be sent to:· 83 Joicey Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M5M 2T4 (488·7304) ISSN 0820·683X

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