The Blue Bill

Quarterly Journal of the Kingston Field Naturalists

ISSN 0382-5655

Volume 59, No. 4 December 2012 Contents President’s Page Gaye Beckwith ...... 239

Kingston Area Birds Autumn Season 1Aug-30Nov 2012 Mark Andrew Conboy ...... 240

Kingston Butterfly Summary 2012 John Poland ...... 244

Coffee & Conservation Shirley E. French ...... 249

Fall Round-up 2012 Nov03-04 Ron D. Weir ...... 251

Frontenac’s Gibson Lake Loop: A Must to Hike Terry Sprague ...... 255

Odonate Sightings & Yearly List 2012 Kurt Hennige ...... 257

KFN Outings Sep-Nov 2012 Jaansalu, Grooms ...... Robertson, Benderavage ....260 Salamanders of the Kingston Region Matt Ellerbeck ...... 265

Local Conservation Concerns Shirley E. French ...... 266

Orthoptera in the Kingston Area Paul Mackenzie ...... 268

Checklist of Orthoptera for the Kingston Area Paul Mackenzie ...... 278

2012/2013 Officers The Blue Bill is the quarterly journal (published President: Gaye Beckwith March, June, September and December) of the Kingston Field Naturalists, P.O. Box 831, Kingston, 613-376-3716 ON (Canada), K7L 4X6.

[email protected] Website: http://www.kingstonfieldnaturalists.org

Honorary President vacant Send submissions to the Editor by the 15th of the th month prior to the month of publication (i.e. by the 15 of February/May/August/November) to the address above, or to the editor via e-mail to: [email protected] Please include contact phone number. Vice-President: Mark Conboy Submissions should be in MS Word format or in “plain text” format (PC or MacIntosh) or unformatted in the [email protected] body of an e-mail.

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement Past President: Janis Grant #047128 613-548-3668 [email protected]

Treasurer: Larry McCurdy 613-389-6427 [email protected]

Recording John Cartwright Secretary: 613-766-2896 [email protected]

Membership John Critchley Secretary: 613-634-5475 [email protected]

Nature Reserves Erwin Batalla 613-542-2048 [email protected] Conservation Chris Hargreaves 613-389-8993 [email protected] Blue Bill Editor Alex Simmons 613-542-2048 [email protected] Junior Naturalists Anne Robertson 613-389-6742 [email protected] Education Shirley French 613-548-8617 [email protected] Field Trips Kurt Hennige 613-386-1772 [email protected] Bird Sightings Mark Conboy [email protected] Bird Records Ron Weir 613-549-5274 [email protected] Speakers Gaye Beckwith 613-376-3716 [email protected] Newsletter Connie Gardiner 613-545-2354 [email protected] Publicity/Website Chris Grooms 613-386-7969 [email protected] Slideshow Gaye Beckwith 613-376-3716 [email protected] Ontario Nature Janis Grant 613-548-3668 [email protected] Member-at-large Darren Rayner 613-766-2210 [email protected]. Member-at-large Ken Robinson [email protected] Member-at-large Rose-marie Burke 613-549-7583 [email protected] Archives Peter McIntyre 613-548-4738 [email protected]

The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 239

President’s Page Gaye Beckwith In September the KFN executive offered working for environmental members an opportunity to give causes suggestions pertaining to the operation birding trips and information on of the club. A survey with 9 questions rare or good birds in the area was distributed in the newsletter and an electronic version was made available on the KFN website. Eighteen responses have been received: 12 via the website and 6 on paper. Below is a summary of the key points of the respondents.

Members were asked to indicate the number of years they have been with the KFN and their age category. We had a wide distribution in both of these questions from new members to over 40 years and from young to old. the diversity of interests of members Interests was the next category surveyed. appeal to youth To no one’s surprise, an interest in Birds the depth of knowledge within was listed by 82% of the respondents. the club Our club, during its six-plus decades of reading about the club's existence, has had a strong enthusiasm activities for birding and been a provincial leader a good healthy membership for the protection of bird species. A knowledgeable group of people significant percentage of members chose willing to teach and share Conservation, and Butterflies/Insects as information high on their interest list. Field Trips, strong support for local land Rambles and Hiking remain an important conservation initiatives (e.g. aspect of the club, with Astronomy, acquisition & monitoring) Botany, Geology, and Aquatic Life also no pressure to participate selected. Some indicated that our Educational Workshops are important. We also received a variety of suggestions which will be considered by Respondents were positive towards the executive and implemented where what the KFN is presently offering: applicable: high quality of speakers, some more social interaction at the with challenging content meetings to ensure everyone camaraderie with people from feels welcome many walks of life Page 240 December 2012

project voices in meetings to examples of club activities which need ensure everyone hears questions volunteers to make them successful. and answers occasional trips further afield Hopefully the responses are attract more young members via representative of members’ feelings. The social media (Facebook, Twitter, executive appreciates the positive Blog etc.) feedback, a salute to the many people a succession plan for our junior who have built this club during the past and teen program six decades. It’s up to the current and help new members “break into” future executives to continue with the the group ‘good things’ and to improve in the more events geared to working areas that we can. At our last general people, (evenings, summer) meeting, we stressed welcoming people more information re natural and will strive to ensure that we are history and about invertebrates inclusive with all members. and other lesser-known species a permanent location to house Perhaps the greatest impact the club will club records, and materials see in the future is the continued use of fund-raising using the website. technology to support us. Bird records are now being added to eBird on the Results indicated a willingness from internet, allowing the world to see members to contribute their expertise to what’s being seen in the Kingston the club by leading outdoor sessions, Region. At a recent executive meeting, presenting at a monthly meeting or several members used smart phones writing an article for the Blue Bill. and tablets to look up information to Others are willing to sit on the answer or clarify queries. executive, help with research and conservation committees and to help Thank you to those members who filled when needed. The Short-Eared Owl out the survey. You have given your Survey, the Bioblitz, membership executive much ‘food for thought’, activities, Youth program, refreshments which will help keep the KFN a vibrant at meetings, clean-ups, bird roundups and significant organization. and Christmas Bird Counts are Kingston Region Birds Autumn Season 1Aug to 30Nov 2012 Mark Andrew Conboy The most exciting birding this autumn species, but nothing like was seen came in late October and early elsewhere on Lake Ontario and Lake November as Hurricane Sandy sent a Erie. Winter finches began to move into host of interesting birds to the Great our region from the north and Cave Lakes region. Observers in our region Swallows appeared from the south. were lucky enough to locate a few good The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 241

Here are the highlights from the autumn Biological Stn. (Conboy) 7-9Sep; 4 at season. Chaffey’s Lock Rd. (Conboy) 12Nov.

Snow Goose: Highest count and first Upland Sandpiper: 2 at Amherst Isl. migrants were 5 at Bath (O’Toole) 6Oct. (North Leeds Birders) 3Aug. The latest migrant was 1 at Bath (Hennige) 6Nov. The only other sighting Ruddy Turnstone: 2 at Amherst Isl. was 1 at Wolfe Isl. (Hennige) 2Nov. (North Leeds Birders) 3Aug; 4 at Salmon Isl. (Mackenzie) 8Aug. Brant: The only observations were of 450 off Patterson Park in Kingston White-rumped Sandpiper: A fairly late (Martin) 30Oct and 6 off the El Dorado migrant was 1 at Amherst Isl. (O’Toole) Beach Preserve (Shrimpton) 2Nov. 24Nov.

Trumpeter Swan: Widespread sightings Baird’s Sandpiper: A handful of records from north of the city and the islands from Amherst Isl. and the Amherstview beginning 17Oct (Conboy), except for Sewage Lagoons (KFN) 30Aug-13Sep. one injured bird which over-summered on Lake Opinicon (Conboy). The highest Purple Sandpiper: 3 at Wolfe Isl. count was 13 at Charleston Lake (Martin) 1Nov. Provincial Park (Robinson) 14Nov. Red-necked Phalarope: 1 at Tundra Swan: Highest count was 120 at Amherstview Sewage Lagoons Prince Edward Pt. (Keen) 16Nov. The (Mackenzie) 28Aug. first migrants were 10 at Amherst Isl. (Grooms & Hennige) 3Nov. Red Phalarope: 1 at Bath (Hennige) 13Oct. American Black Duck/Mallard Hybrid: 1 at Patterson Park (Martin) 30Oct. Black-legged Kittiwake: 1 at Wolfe Isl. (Martin); 1 at Bath (Hennige) 6Nov Canvasback: 3 at Wolfe Isl. (Hennige) 27Oct. Little Gull: 1 at Prince Edward Pt. (Hennige) 16Nov; 1 near Waupoos Red-throated Loon: 1 at Prince Edward (Hoar) 18Nov. Pt. (Vandermeulen) 19Nov. Iceland Gull: 1 at Bath (Hennige) 6Nov. Golden Eagle: 1 at Henderson Bay (Shrimpton) 2Nov; 1 at Amherst Isl. Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Amherst (Hennige) 19Nov. Isl. (Conboy) 28Aug.

Sandhill Crane: 2 near Elgin (Burns) Glaucous Gull: 1 at Amherst Isl. 10Aug; 1 at Queen’s University (Grooms & Hennige) 3Nov.

Page 242 December 2012

Jaeger sp.: 1 at Amherst Isl. (Hennige) Common Redpoll: widespread 29Oct. observations 4Nov onward (KFN).

Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 at Prince Hoary Redpoll: 1 at Amherstview Edward Pt. (Blancher) 16Sep. Sewage Lagoons (Hennige) 15Nov.

Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 at Prince Evening Grosbeak: widespread Edward Pt. (Conboy) 28Aug; 1 at observations 18Oct onward (KFN). Amherst Isl. (Hennige) 1Sep. Other species observed during the Cave Swallow: 3 at Prince Edward reporting period: Canada Goose, Mute County (Hennige) 5Nov. Swan, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Red-breasted Nuthatch: There was a Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, fairly strong flight into our region. Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Northern Mockingbird: 1 at Amherst Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, White- Isl. (Hennige) 1Sep; 1 at Kingston (KFN) winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed 21Nov. Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Prairie Warbler: 1 at Amherst Isl. Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, (Hennige) 1Sep. Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Common Clay-coloured Sparrow: 1 at Prince Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Edward Pt. (Conboy) 28Aug. Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Bittern, Great Nelson’s Sparrow: 1 at Amherst Isl. Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, (Conboy) 28Aug. Black-crowned Night-Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Orchard Oriole: 1 at Prince Edward Pt. Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, (Conboy) 28Aug. Northern Goshawk, Bald Eagle, Red- shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Pine Grosbeak: fairly widespread, but Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged limited sightings throughout the region Hawk, Virginia Rail, Common 9Nov onward (KFN). Gallinule, American Coot, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Red Crossbill: fairly widespread, but Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, limited sightings throughout the region Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, 23Oct onward (KFN). Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-winged Crossbill: widespread Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed observations 28Oct onward (KFN). Dowitcher, Wilson’s Snipe, American Woodcock, Wilson’s Phalarope, The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 243

Bonaparte’s Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Caspian Tern, Black Tern, Common Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Mourning Tern, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-billed American Redstart, Cape May Warbler, Cuckoo, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Cerulean Warbler, Northern Parula, Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow Northern Saw-whet Owl, Common Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Blue Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Warbler, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red- Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Green Warbler, Canada Warbler, Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Wilson’s Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Woodpecker, American Kestrel, Merlin, Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Vesper Peregrine Falcon, Eastern Wood-pewee, Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Fox Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln’s Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Least Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White- Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great throated Sparrow, White-crowned Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Scarlet Northern Shrike, Yellow-throated Vireo, Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose- Blue-headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Bobolink, Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, Raven, Horned Lark, Northern Rough- Common Grackle, Brown-headed winged Swallow, Purple Martin, Tree Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, Purple Swallow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Finch, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Cliff Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch and House White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Sparrow. Creeper, House Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Carolina Wren, Blue-grey Observers: Peter Blancher, Cody Burns, Gnatcatcher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Mark Conboy, Chris Grooms, Kurt Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Hennige, Tyler Hoar, Christopher Keen, Bluebird, Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Paul Mackenzie, Paul Martin, North Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Leeds Birders, Paul O’Toole, Chris Wood Thrush, American Robin, Grey Robinson, Antony Shrimpton, Josh Catbird, Brown Thrasher, European Vandermeulen. When three or more Starling, American Pipit, Bohemian observers were involved in a particular Waxwing, Cedar Waxwing, Lapland sighting, the observer has been cited as Longspur, Snow Bunting, Ovenbird, KFN. Northern Waterthrush, Golden-winged

Page 244 December 2012

Kingston Butterfly Summary for 2012 John Poland I have been telling everyone what a The great excitement this summer in wonderful summer it was for butterflies, Ontario and the Kingston area was the but that is not strictly true. It was a large numbers of migrant butterflies rather poor year for butterflies, but a that were seen. Four butterflies new to great year for butterfly enthusiasts. our area were observed.

Over ninety percent of the butterflies In April I wrote an article for the Blue found in the Kingston region are Bill (Vol. 59 #2, 2012) on Kingston’s residents; they overwinter here in one of migrant butterflies. This was prompted their life stages. The hot dry summer by the huge influx of Red Admirals on was not conducive for reproduction; as 16April and subsequent days. At the a result their numbers were much lower time I thought their numbers would be than normal. This was very noticeable high all summer. However, as with for skippers that prefer moist conditions resident butterflies, their numbers and which are normally plentiful in dwindled during the hot dry summer. July; most skipper species were There was concern that they may not observed but numbers were low. Of the have survived cold weather in late 82 resident butterflies on the KFN list, April, but migrating adults were still 68 were seen this year, the lowest total around in good numbers in May. A for resident butterflies for many years. large migration of Question Marks and Among the butterflies not observed this American Ladies accompanied the Red year were the Brown Elfin, Tawny Admiral invasion. Numbers remained Crescent and Silver-bordered Fritillary. high until mid-June. Orange Sulphurs started appearing in late April and their The Wild Indigo Duskywing, new to the numbers remained high all summer. Kingston area, was discovered at the Lennox generating station this summer Painted Ladies are rare in the Kingston as reported in the Blue Bill (Vol. 59 #3, area and some years are not seen at all. 2012). Individuals have subsequently A few were seen during the Red been seen in Kingston, Howe Island and Admiral influx in late April, but in early Sandhurst Shores, and are most likely to August, a massive migration occurred. become permanent residents in our area Unlike the Red Admiral invasion which using Crown Vetch as their food plant. was mostly restricted to central and eastern Ontario, the Painted Lady The Giant Swallowtail continued to be migration stretched from Ontario seen frequently and now appears to be through Quebec. These beautiful established in our area. In fact, it has butterflies were still around in good become one of the most observed numbers in September. I do not know butterflies especially in residential areas. whether they subsequently migrate southward to the U. S., but recently an The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 245

article appeared from the U. K. butterflies in late August and September (Ecography 16October and The Guardian were gardens. The flowerbeds at 19October 2012) where a similar Churchill Park on Brock St. proved to be phenomenon occurred in the summer of one of the best locations in the Kingston 2009. Buddleia were saturated with area as there were large beds of them – I wish they were easier to grow colourful Zinneas and blue Salvias. in Kingston. A project run by Conservation Butterfly involving more than 10,000 people across the country found that they did indeed go back. In fact, radar at one location recorded an invasion of 11 million and a departure of 26 million. It was difficult to know because the Painted Ladies departed from 500 meters up. I learned from this article that these butterflies travel up to 9000 miles from as far north as the Arctic Circle to tropical Africa taking up Fiery Skipper John Poland to 6 generations to complete the journey, Fiery Skippers were seen there in late further than our Monarchs, but not all to August and were still around in early the same small location. October. Up to 30 of these fast moving

small skippers were seen at once. They The other 3 migrant butterflies on the were also observed at several other KFN list are normally only rarely seen. locations. The Sachem is similar skipper. This year Buckeyes were seen A female was seen at the Churchill everywhere in large numbers from gardens on 7September and also on the August to October. Little Yellows, only butterfly bush near the booking station been recorded 7 times before in the at Rockport on 2September. Kingston region, were seen on 6 occasions. Both of these butterflies were seen at the Lemoine Point Conservation Area. Grey Hairstreaks were also seen more frequently.

Four new migrant butterflies were seen this summer in our area, the first new butterflies for five years. Because of the long hot summer there were few wildflowers around in late August and September and those that were, notably asters and goldenrod, are not popular nectar sources for butterflies. Therefore Pipevine Swallowtail Janet Elliott the best places to look for migrant Page 246 December 2012

A Pipevine Swallowtail was photographed on a butterfly bush in a The final and rarest butterfly was a nearby garden from 2-7August. White-M Hairstreak seen nectaring on Boneset at Prince Edward Point in late August.This butterfly had only been observed north of the Point Pelee area once before.

What will next year bring? - another northward expansion for migrant butterflies, better conditions for our resident butterflies to flourish or even a few northern strays?. I can’t wait until Spring.

White-M Hairstreak Bruce Ripley

Reported Butterfly Sightings for 2012

Butterfly First Date Last Date Number of Broods

Pipevine Swallowtail 2 Aug 7 Aug 2

Black Swallowtail 6 May 13 Sep 2-3

Giant Swallowtail 18 May 5 Oct 2-3

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail 21 May 16 Jun 1

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 5 Jun 31 Aug 2

Mustard White 19 Apr 13 Jul 2

West Virginia White 13 Apr 12 May 1

Cabbage White 22 Mar 17 Oct 3+

Olympia Marble 2 May 12 May 1

Clouded Sulphur 6 May 22 Nov 3+

Orange Sulphur 26 May 22 Nov 3+

Little Yellow 18 Jun 11 Jul 1

Harvester 16 Aug 16 Aug 2

American Copper 5 May 19 Jul 2-3

Bronze Copper 14 Jun 8 Oct 2 The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 247

Butterfly First Date Last Date Number of Broods

Bog Copper 13 Jul 13 Jul 1

Coral Hairstreak 11 Jul 23 Jul 1

Acadian Hairstreak 10 Jul 11 Jul 1

Hickory Hairstreak 11 Jul 11 Jul 1

Banded Hairstreak 10 Jul 10 Jul 1

Hoary Elfin 2 May 2 May 1

Henry’s Elfin 13 Apr 18 May 1

Eastern Pine Elfin 8 Apr 15 May 1

Juniper Hairstreak 21 May 21 May 1

White-M Hairstreak 16 Aug 25 Aug 1

Gray Hairstreak 11 May 13 Sep 2

Eastern Tailed Blue 6 May 4 Oct 3+

Spring Azure 7 Apr 20 May 1

Summer Azure 15 Jun 1 Oct 2

Silvery Blue 7 May 29 Jun 1

Great Spangled Fritillary 22 Jun 25 Sep 1

Aphrodite Fritillary 24 Aug 24 Aug 1

Meadow Fritillary 6 May 6 May 2

Harris Checkerspot 5 Jun 24 Aug 1

Northern Crescent 27 May 1 Oct 1

Pearl Crescent 11 May 9 Oct 2-3

Baltimore Checkerspot 22 Jun 22 Jun 1

Question Mark 16 Apr 22 Nov 2

Eastern Comma 13 Mar 18 Oct 2

Gray Comma 19 Mar 21 Oct 2

Compton’s Tortoiseshell 18 Mar 21 Mar 1

Mourning Cloak 13 Mar 22 Oct 1 Page 248 December 2012

Butterfly First Date Last Date Number of Broods

Milbert’s Tortoiseshell 16 Mar 5 Jun 2

American Lady 16 Apr 25 Sep 3+

Painted Lady 2 May 15 Nov 2

Common Buckeye 5 May 11 Nov 2

Red Admiral 16 Apr 12 Nov 2

White Admiral 5 Jun 12 Sep 2

Viceroy 30 May 1 Oct 2

Monarch 15 May 25 Oct 2-3

Hackberry Emperor 21 Jun 21 Jun 2

Northern Pearly Eye 22 Jun 31 Jul 1

Eyed Brown 15 Jun 23 Jul 1

Appalachian Brown 18 Jun 13 Jul 1

Little Wood Satyr 24 May 13 Jul 1

Common Ringlet 15 May 27 Sep 2

Common Wood Nymph 27 Jun 24 Aug 1

Chryxus Arctic 27 Apr 6 May 1

Silver Spotted Skipper 27 May 7 Aug 2

Northern Cloudywing 21 May 12 Jul 1

Dreamy Duskywing 11 May 5 Jun 1

Juvenal’s Duskywing 27 Apr 5 Jun 1

Columbine Duskywing 2 May 23 Jul 2

Wild Indigo Duskywing 4 Jul 17 Sep 3

Arctic Skipper 25 May 27 Jun 1

Least Skipper 3 Jun 11 Sep 2

European Skipper 9 Jun 4 Jul 1

Fiery Skipper 25 Aug 4 Oct 1

Leonard’s Skipper 18 Aug 18 Sep 1 The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 249

Butterfly First Date Last Date Number of Broods

Indian Skipper 23 May 9 Jun 1

Peck’s Skipper 15 Jun 17 Sep 2

Tawny Edged Skipper 21 May 25 Sep 1-2

Crossline Skipper 22 Jun 10 Jul 1

Long Dash 5 Jun 26 Jun 1

Northern Broken Dash 23 Jun 19 Jul 1

Little Glassywing 22 Jun 18 Aug 2

Sachem 2 Sep 7 Sep 1

Delaware Skipper 24 Jun 12 Sep 1

Hobomok Skipper 19 May 24 Jun 1

Broad Winged Skipper 8 Jul 31 Jul 1

Dun Skipper 6 Jul 24 Aug 1

Common Roadside Skipper 11 May 9 Jul 2

Coffee and Conservation Shirley E. French Coffee consists of two species, Coffea According to Donald (2004), coffee leaf canephora (robusta) and Coffea arabica. rust arrived in Brazil in the 70’s and a Arabica is higher quality coffee; robusta, later outbreak occurred in Nicaragua. more bitter, is used as filler in cheaper The spread of the disease was not as bad brands (www.coffeehabitat.com). Coffea as initially predicted based on the arabica is naturally an understory shrub devastating historical rust outbreaks in adapted to a shady habitat. Farmers try India and Sri Lanka in the late 1800’s. It to increase yields by growing sun- is likely the higher elevation and cooler tolerant hybrids of C. arabica. More temperatures prevented the rust from fertilizer and herbicides are needed. becoming an epidemic (Donald, 2004). Because plants grow faster, they age Nonetheless, the pressure was already more quickly: sun-grown coffee plants on to change to more technically-run produce well for 15 years; shade-grown agrosystems of sun-grown coffee. ones yield for twice as long. Before 1990, few papers were published Why did ~40% of Latin American coffee on bird studies in coffee plantations, but plantations “technify” in the 1990’s? from 1996 to 2004 each year there were Page 250 December 2012

two to nine publications on the subject diversity of both resident and migratory (Komar, 2006). The consensus was that birds, and an avian epidemic could be diverse agroecosystems are less likely to devastating. have an outbreak of pests because of a greater diversity of consumers attracted An impressive list of 92 species of North to the area (Armbrecht et al., 2004; American migratory birds has been Perfecto et al., 2004). More species of reported (~15 publications) to forage in birds are thought to be attracted to coffee plantations in Latin America shade-coffee plantations than sun- (Komar, 2004). For that reason alone I grown, and they may have more think we should pay attention to how species, especially migratory ones, than coffee is grown. Should you buy local forest patches. organically grown coffee? Should we be concerned about the watersheds and the In Komar’s (2004) extensive critical health of the people living in the area? review, he states “none of these To be just we also need to consider fair assumptions have been tested by trade issues. There is no doubt; our rigorous studies that assess collective market power can be a conservation value specifically”. As an conservation tool. Food for thought example, he argues that even though while you sip your next cup of coffee. migratory birds are shown to be abundant in shaded plantations, they Armbrecht, I., Perfecto, I., and Vandermeer, are also numerous in disturbed habitats J. (2004) Enigmatic Biodiversity Correlations: that include sun plantations. He asserts Ant Diversity Responds to Diverse Resources. that most migratory species are not Science 304: 284-286. Donald, P. F. (2004) Biodiversity impacts of “threatened” so are therefore of “low some agricultural commodity production conservation importance”. The Cerulean systems. Conserv. Bio. 18: 17-37. Warbler is a threatened species that Groom, M. J., Meffe, G. K., and Carroll, C. R. Komar acknowledges as being a more (2006) 3rd Ed. Principles of Conservation frequent forager in shade-coffee Biology. plantations (Jones et al., 2000). Jones, J., Ramoni-Perazzi, P., Carruthers, E. H. and Robertson, R. J. (2000) Sociality and Outcomes may not be the ones foraging behavior of the Cerulean Warbler in intended. Groom et al. (2006) comments Venezuelan shade-coffee plantations. Condor that shade-grown organic coffee farms 102: 958-962. Komar, O. (2006) Ecology and conservation of are typically family businesses that have birds in coffee plantations: a critical review. Bird free-roaming chickens feeding amongst Conservation International 16: 1-23. the coffee plants. The concern is the Perfecto, I., Vandermeer, J. H., Lopez potential for the transfer of avian Bautista, G., Ibarra Nunez, G., Greenberg, diseases from the poultry to wild bird R., Bichier, P. and Langridge, S. (2004) populations. Wild birds have little Greater Predation in Shaded Coffee Farms: The resistance to the strains of infection that Role of Resident Neotropical Birds. Ecology they could contract from poultry. 85(10): 2677-2681. Tropical regions are notable for the . The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 251

Fall Round-up 2012 Nov 03-04 Ron D. Weir The 47th KFN Fall Round-up took place Party #1: Alex & Erwin Batalla, Betsy & between 1500h Saturday Nov03 and Gaye Beckwith, Hugh Evans, Rose- 1500h Sunday Nov04. Participants Marie Burke, (American side within numbered 38. During Saturday, sun and Kingston circle, Amherstview sewage scattered cloud made birding very lagoon, Elevator Bay & Lemoine’s Pt., pleasant, with a fairly brisk north wind Greater Cataraqui R.) (6). and a temperature about 8oC. The night remained clear but with strong Party #2: Kurt Hennige, John Northerly winds through Sunday with Cartwright, Chris Grooms, Gary Ure temperatures varying from 4oC to 10oC. (Amherst Isl., Wolfe Isl., Dupont Lagoon & Elevator Bay, Greater Cataraqui R., A total of 132 species was realized, Amherst Sewage Lagoons, Cartwright above the 42-year 1970-2011 average of Pt.) (4). 120. The cumulative total stands at 242 species with the addition of Pomarine Party #3: Sharon David (Howe Isl.) (1). Jaeger and Cave Swallow. Among the noteworthy finds were Pacific Loon, Party #4: Joel Ellis, Peter Good, Kathy Cackling Goose, Golden Eagle, and nine Innes, Paul Mackenzie, Bud Rowe, Ron species of finches including Pine Weir (Prince Edward Pt., Kingston area, Grosbeak, redpoll and both species of Adolphustown, Sillsville, Wilton Creek crossbills. at Morven, Amherstview sewage lagoon) (6). The totals in the following table have had known duplications removed; the Party #5: Gerald Paul (Little Cataraqui total individuals for a species may not Cr., Elevator Bay, Dupont lagoon) (1) equal the sum of the contributions from each party. Party #6: Andrew Edwards, Ken Edwards (Amherst Isl., Cataraqui R., The composition of the parties and the Elevator Bay, Prince Edward Pt.) (2). sites visited are given before the summary table. Following the 24-hour Party #7: Robert & Dawn Scranton, count, birders met at the home of Harm & Madeline Vandersweep, Brian Marian and Joel Ellis for potluck supper. Morin + 12 other from the Cornwall and As usual, Marian and Joel were Area Birding Club (Amherst Isl.) (17) excellent hosts, and a warm thank you is extended for their continued hospitality Party #8: Miscellaneous: Hugues Bonin, and opening their home to us. David Kelly

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Species Party Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOT Pacific Loon - - - 1 - - - - 1 Common Loon 50 25 76 4 - 35 10 - 200 Pied-billed Grebe 10 2 4 43 - 12 - - 71 Horned Grebe - 1 - 40 - 25 8 - 74 Red-necked Grebe - - - 4 - 1 1 - 7 Double-crested Cormorant 6 7 1 15 2 10 - - 41 Great Blue Heron 4 10 2 10 - 11 2 - 39 Turkey Vulture - - - 3 - 3 - 2 8 Cackling Goose - - - - - 1 - - 1 Canada Goose 2500 1600 345 4350 1800 3000 20 100 13715 Mute Swan 2 1 2 43 3 8 - - 59 Trumpeter Swan ------10 10 Tundra Swan 20 30 - - - 25 - - 75 Gadwall 20 50 25 55 85 150 - - 385 American Wigeon 70 20 240 655 - 17 - - 762 American Black Duck 10 65 15 8 19 40 6 - 163 Mallard 120 74 215 660 215 x 35 - 1,319 Northern Shoveler 10 15 - 45 - 90 - - 160 Northern Pintail 20 8 - 47 1 45 - - 121 Green-winged Teal 2 8 58 45 - 70 10 - 193 Canvasback - - - - 17 - - - 17 Redhead 1000 700 - 60 95 20 - - 1875 Ring-necked Duck 100 25 82 2130 185 200 2 - 2724 Greater Scaup 10 800 - 15550 450 200 200 - 17210 Lesser Scaup - 250 - 310 - 75 5 - 640 Surf Scoter 1 1 ------2 White-winged Scoter - - - 175 - 300 - - 475 Black Scoter - - - 8 - 9 - - 9 Long-tailed Duck 11 3 - 76 - 75 - - 165 Bufflehead 55 110 75 60 38 x 45 - 383 Common Goldeneye 52 80 - 85 2 80 25 - 324 Hooded Merganser 50 12 3 138 17 25 - - 245 Common Merganser 2 60 178 35 38 45 2 - 360 Red-breasted Merganser 40 35 - 105 14 x 60 - 254 Ruddy Duck 5 13 - 35 - 21 - - 74 American Coot 100 16 - 20 3 25 - - 164 Bald Eagle - - 1a 1a2i - 1a 3i - 8 Northern Harrier - 7 2 1 - 5 10 - 25 Sharp-shinned Hawk - - - 1 - 1 - - 2 Northern Goshawk - - - - 2 - - - 2 The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 253

Species Party Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOT Red-shouldered Hawk - - - 1 1 - - - 2 Red-tailed Hawk 4 5 7 10 4 14 20 - 64 Rough-legged Hawk 2 1 - - - 6 10 - 19 Golden Eagle - - - 1i - 2i - - 3i American Kestrel 2 7 - 1 - 1 4 1 16 Merlin 1 1 - - - 2 1 - 5 Peregrine Falcon - - - - - 1 - - 1 Ruffed Grouse - - 1 - - 1 - - 2 Wild Turkey 67 - - 11 - - 3 - 81 Black-bellied Plover 1 3 - - - 2 - - 6 Killdeer - 2 - - - 2 - - 4 Greater Yellowlegs - 1 ------1 White-rumped Sandpiper ------1 - 1 Dunlin 10 6 - - - 2 - - 18 Wilson’s Snipe - 2 ------2 American Woodcock - 1 ------1 Pomarine Jaeger - - - - - 1 - - 1 Bonaparte's Gull 40 30 - 55 - 40 20 - 185 Ring-billed Gull 30 45 25 375 275 x 50 - 800 Herring Gull 2 35 15 28 4 x 4 - 92 Glaucous Gull - 1 ------1 Great Black-backed Gull 1 - 1 1 1 5 1 - 10 Rock Pigeon 12 30 - 5 - x 25 - 62 Mourning Dove 10 14 85 16 - x 25 - 150 Eastern Screech Owl - 1 ------1 Great Horned Owl 1 1 - 2 - - - - 4 Barred Owl 1 1 - 5 - 2 - - 7 Long-eared Owl 1 - - - - - 1 - 2 Short-eared Owl - - - - - 1 - - 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl ------1 - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 1 - 1 - - 1 - 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 - 2 1 - 1 1 - 6 Downy Woodpecker 2 - 12 4 - 5 4 - 27 Hairy Woodpecker 3 - 3 2 - 4 - - 12 Northern Flicker 1 - - 3 2 1 1 - 8 Pileated Woodpecker ------3 - 3 Eastern Phoebe - - - - 1 - - - 1 Northern Shrike - - - 2 - 1 - - 3 Blue-headed Vireo - 1 ------1 Blue Jay 10 6 35 26 10 x 12 - 89 Page 254 December 2012

Species Party Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOT American Crow 18 9 8 130 36 x 5 - 206 Common Raven 2 2 - 4 1 4 2 - 15 Horned Lark - 1 ------1 Northern Rough-winged - - - 1 - - - - 1 Swallow Cave Swallow - - - 5 - - - - Cave/Cliff Swallow - - - 4 - - - - 4 Black-capped Chickadee 14 26 28 50 - x 10 - 128 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 1 - 5 - 5 1 - 18 White-breasted Nuthatch 7 5 12 4 - 5 4 - 37 Brown Creeper - 2 2 1 - - - - 5 Carolina Wren - 1 ------1 Winter Wren - 1 - 1 - 2 - - 4 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 3 5 10 - 12 8 - 40 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 2 - 2 - 5 1 - 11 Eastern Bluebird - - - - - 3 - - 3 Hermit Thrush - 7 - 7 - 4 1 - 19 American Robin 52 26 9 80 - 400 4 - 571 Gray Catbird - - - 1 - - - - 1 European Starling 5 121 25 45 90 x 45 - 321 American Pipit - 45 ------45 Bohemian Waxwing - 2 ------2 Cedar Waxwing 10 100 4 25 - 50 - - 189 Yellow-rumped Warbler - - - 11 - 5 1 - 17 Palm Warbler - - - - - 1 - - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 1 ------1 Eastern Towhee ------1 - 1 American Tree Sparrow 15 15 - 6 - x 15 - 51 Chipping Sparrow - - - 3 - 15 - - 18 Savannah Sparrow - 1 ------1 Fox Sparrow 1 4 - 4 - 3 5 - 17 Song Sparrow 1 4 - 23 - x 1 - 10 Swamp Sparrow 1 1 - - - 1 - - 3 White-throated Sparrow 5 9 - 3 - 1 2 1 21 White-crowned Sparrow 1 3 - - - - 3 - 7 Dark-eyed Junco 40 55 32 56 - x 10 15 208 Lapland Longspur 1 2 - 55 - - - - 58 Snow Bunting 25 86 - - - 41 30 100 282 Northern Cardinal 3 1 2 6 - 3 1 - 16 Red-winged Blackbird 205 40 115 50 - 30 50 - 622 The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 255

Species Party Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOT Rusty Blackbird - 2 7 - - - - - 80 Common Grackle - 1 5 4 - 1 - - 11 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 2 - 2 - - - - 6 Pine Grosbeak - - - 1 - - - - 1 Purple Finch - 3 2 15 - 6 - - 26 House Finch 21 - 12 3 - 2 10 - 48 Red Crossbill ------1 - 1 White-winged Crossbill - 15 - - - 17 10 - 42 Common Redpoll 1 - - 5 - 18 - - 24 Pine Siskin 10 65 18 65 - x 12 - 170 American Goldfinch 11 5 8 125 - x 5 - 154 Evening Grosbeak 20 1 - 60 - 6 - - 87 House Sparrow 1 18 1 - 4 12 14 - 50 TOTAL SPECIES 76 97 45 89 29 95 64 - 132 PARTICIPANTS 6 4 1 6 1 2 17 - 37

Frontenac’s Gibson Lake Loop: A Must to Hike Terry Sprague It was the Maclean Lumber Camp we we had been psyching ourselves up for were now staring at, or at least what this hike for several months, and we remained of it. We were in a remote were well prepared for the 15 kms section of Frontenac Provincial Park ahead of us. This is pioneer country, where we had walked for six hours and accented by humble attempts at had not seen a soul. It was one of those scratching a living from the granite rock, days that naturalists dream about – a and several mica mines. There was balmy November day, bright sunshine logging, but after the industry suffered and nary a stir from any of the few losses from fires and harvesting, the remaining leaves stubbornly clinging to large scale logging and lumber industry the trees. There was silence, broken only began to wane, and settlers turned to by a scattering of black ducks, disturbed open pit mining. The story of their by the noise of us shuffling through struggles can be seen all along this thick carpets of dead leaves. portion of the Park. Earlier, we had passed by the 1843 Mark’s Cabin This was the Gibson Lake Loop trail in remains and nearby Crab Lake Mine. Frontenac Park’s northern side, accessed by driving to the Kingsford Dam off A few ironwoods had fallen beside the Canoe Lake Road, then walking two trail, no match for the strong winds that kms. along another trail before reaching travel down the precipitous ridges. where we wanted to begin our hike. But Mostly, the walking was pleasant, over Page 256 December 2012

barren plateaus with spotty patches of There is a Frontenac Challenge in the grass brown from the summer drought, fall and participants are offered the struggling to hold the sparse soil in challenge of walking all 160 kms of trails place. Oaks, elms and both yellow and in a two month period. It is a white birch stood like sentinels, demanding endeavor, especially the sometimes scant in numbers, other grueling 21km Slide Lake Trail. I did times morphing into dense woodland one inner loop several years ago and where we wondered how they managed while it is reputed to be the most to survive at all in the thin soil. breathtaking section of the park, it is also the most difficult, involving lots of crab walking on all fours and “bum rocking” (the art of sitting on rocks when descending, one stone at a time). That one needs to be started at daybreak if expected to finish before darkness falls. One friend from Tweed has done it for 17 consecutive years. With arthritis in his feet, he is a prime example of outdoor enthusiasts ignoring discomfort and medical problems and just getting out there, and doing it.

For those with me a week ago, our Lunch was at a side trail to a lakeside Frontenac Challenge will be to walk all campsite where we listened to ravens of the trails, even if it takes us five years calling and the drumming of a distant for we want to savour the beauty and woodpecker. One along the trail turned serenity of the trail system and not out to be a pileated woodpecker, and worry about deadlines. We will do the two others showed themselves as hairy Slide Lake Loop, but in the spirit of woodpeckers. We didn’t need to be told Johnny Cash’s hit song, one piece at a that a pileated was in the area, as we time. We may need to walk some of the saw several holes that these giant same trails several times to access woodpeckers had made in the snags. different portions of the trail, but we Ducks took flight, most of them will do it, me, my friends and unidentified due to the distance Ibuprofen, the breakfast of champions! although one closer flock banked as it Or, we may decide to throw caution to passed over the lake, revealing the wind and do the entire thing in one themselves as black ducks. Two adult sweep. bald eagles took advantage of the sun and gave us superb looks at their We are so fortunate to have this contrasting black and white colours. magnificent park practically on our doorstep, where we can immerse ourselves in nature and history, if only The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 257

for a few hours, and think back to the were commenting on our hike that we pioneers who helped shape this didn’t see one speck of garbage. While wilderness area. They are no longer the Friends rightfully deserve credit, we around to tell their stories, but the can also attribute the condition of the dedicated staff at the Park and trails to the park’s users who are of a especially the Friends of Frontenac can different mentality, that this park is bring these stories to life. Books, like my special, so let’s keep it that way. favourite, Their Enduring Spirit by Christian Barber and Terry Fuchs are Terry Sprague is a professional also a big help. naturalist, free-lance writer and KFN member who lives in Prince Edward The trails are always in super shape, County. thanks to the efforts of the Friends. We

Odonate Sightings & Yearly List 2012 Kurt Hennige This List includes records for the at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons by Kingston Checklist area and Charleston Philina English, the first confirmed Lake & Menzel Provincial Parks. Eighty record for this species. The drought of species were recorded this year. The 2012 impacted common breeders and season started with a very early sighting lower numbers were observed. Recently of a Common Green Darner on 19March established species from further south in Charleston Lake Provincial Park. like Eastern Amberwing and Black Saddlebags were noticed in new locations and in higher numbers.

Species not recorded in the Kingston area until 5 or 6 years ago but now seen annually are: Emerald Spreadwing, Aurora Damsel, Elfin Skimmer, Eastern Amberwing, Sphagnum Sprite, Shadow Darner, Swamp Darner, Horned Clubtail, Rusty Snaketail, Eastern Least Clubtail, Swift River Cruiser, Beaverpond Baskettail, Ebony Red Saddlebags by Philina English Boghaunter, and Wandering Glider.

Contributors:P. English, M. Conboy, M. A new species was added to the Burrell, D. Edwards, J. Hall, B. Ripley, J. Kingston Checklist: a Red Saddlebags Poland, K. Hennige, V. P. Mackenzie, L. (Tramea onusta) photographed on14July Nuttall, C. Robinson, C. & M. Seymour Page 258 December 2012

1st for 2012 Species Latin Name Location 19March Common Green Darner Anax junius Chrlstn Lk PP 19April Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica QUBS 5May Beaverpond Baskettail Tetragoneuria canis Third Depot Lk Rd 5May American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffii Third Depot Lk Rd 6May Dot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta Enterprise 9May Four-spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata Bayview Bog 9May Eastern Forktail Ischnura verticalis Bayview Bog 10May Dusky Clubtail Gomphus spicatus Chrlstn Lk Burns Ln 11May Spiny Baskettail Epitheca spinigera QUBS 11May Springtime Darner Basiaeschna janata Frontenac PP 11May Chalk-fronted Corporal Ladona julia Frontenac PP 11May Boreal Bluet Enallagma boreale Frontenac PP 13May Northern/Vernale Bluet Enallagma cyathigerum Blue Mountain Road 14May Racket-tailed Emerald Dorocordulia libera QUBS 14May Harlequin Darner Gomphaeschna furcillata QUBS 15May Common Baskettail Epitheca cynosura QUBS 17May Taiga Bluet Coenagrion resolutum Menzel 17May Common Whitetail Plathemis lydia Menzel 17May Aurora Damsel Chromagrion conditum Menzel 17May Ebony Boghaunter Williamsonia fletcheri Menzel 17May Hagen's Bluet Enallagma hageni Menzel 19May Stream Cruiser Didymops transversa QUBS 23May Ebony Jewelwing Calopteryx maculata QUBS 24May Powdered Dancer Argia moesta Millhaven Creek 25May Belted Whiteface Leucorrhinia proxima Charleston Lake 25May Frosted Whiteface Leucorrhinia frigida Charleston Lake 25May Cyrano Darner Nasiaeschna pentacantha CLPP 26May Eastern Pondhawk Erythemis simplicicollis QUBS & Chrlstn Lk 26May Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa QUBS 26May Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella QUBS 26May Elegant Spreadwing Lestes inaequalis QUBS 26May Ambr-wngd Spreadwing Lestes eurinus QUBS 26May Calico Pennant Celithemis elisa QUBS 26May Lancet Clubtail Gomphus exilis QUBS 27May Fragile Forktail Ischnura posita CLPP boardwalk 27May Sedge Sprite Nehalennia irene CLPP boardwalk 29May Orange Bluet Enallagma signatum QUBS 30May Slaty Skimmer Libellula incesta CLPP Tllw Rock Bay Tr 31May Dragon Hunter Hagenius brevistylus QUBS 2June Halloween Pennant Celithemis eponina Chrlstn Lk Burns Ln 2June Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas Millhaven Creek The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 259

1st for 2012 Species Latin Name Location CLPP, Blue Mtn (1st for 3June Sphagnum Sprite Nehalennia gracilis park) 5June Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis QUBS 5June Lilypad Clubtail Arigomphus furcifer QUBS 7June Rusty Snaketail Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Salmon River 7June Elfin Skimmer Nannothemis bella 2nd Depot Lake 7June Rainbow Bluet Enallagma antennatum Salmon River 7June Eastern Least Clubtail Stylogomphus albistylus Salmon River 7June Horned Clubtail Arigomphus cornutus 2nd Depot lake 10June Prince Baskettail Epitheca princeps Charleston Lake 11June Fawn Darner Boyeria vinosa QUBS 14June Violet Dancer Argia fumipennis violacea Ch Lk PP 16June Northern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus Ch Lk PP 16June Swamp Darner Epiaeschna heros Amherst Island 16June Stream Bluet Enallagma exsulans Amherst Island 16June Vesper Bluet Enallagma vesperum QUBS 16June Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum Amherst Island 16June Marsh Bluet Enallagma ebrium Amherst Island 17June River Jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis Napanee River 17June Swift River Cruiser Macromia illinoiensis Napanee River 19June Skimming Bluet Enallagma geminatum QUBS 22June Canada Darner Aeshna canadensis QUBS 22June Whitefaced Meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum QUBS 24June Green-striped Darner Aeshna verticalis QUBS 29June Black-shouldered Spinyleg Dromogomphus spinosus Red Horse Lake 29June Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera QUBS 3July Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile Amherstview S Lagoon 3July Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata Amherstview S Lagoon 10July Lance-tipped Darner Aeshna constricta Verona Hambly Lake 12July Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa QUBS 12July Lake Darner Aeshna eremita Lake Opinicon 13July Black-tipped Darner Aeshna tuberculifera QUBS 14July Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens Wolfe Island 14July Red Saddlebags Tramea anusta Amherstview S Lagoon 15July Mottled Darner Aeshna clepsydra QUBS 16June Swamp Spreadwing Lestes vigilax CLPP 21July Autumn Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum Frontnc PP Slide Lk Tr 30July Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum Bayview Bog 2August Sweetflag Spreadwing Lestes forcipatus Amherst Island 18August Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener Frontnc PP-Slide Lk Tr

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KFN Outings Sep-Nov 2012 08Sept Teen Trip to Mitchell Creek 29Sept Field Trip to Main Duck Isl. Michael Jaansalu Chris Grooms

On September 8, Michael, William, Silas, Main Duck Island (St. Lawrence Islands and Rowan accompanied Anne Nat. Pk.) is one of a crescent-shaped Robertson on a field trip to Mitchell island chain extending into Lk. Ontario Creek on the west side of Frontenac from Prince Edward Point, crossing the Park. On the way there, we discussed US/Canada border and ending with the edge of the Canadian Shield and Stony Island off-shore from Robert G. stopped to collect mica at the side of the Wehle State Park. This arch of islands is road. The weather was overcast said to once have been the eastern shore interspersed with thunderstorms, and it of the Lake and may form a stepping was these storms that made us abandon stone flyway for migrating birds. our initial plan of canoeing in favor of going for a hike on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Mitchell Creek Property instead.

On our hike, after being delayed by a thunderstorm, we used magnifiers on fungus, a Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar, Large-toothed Aspen and Red Oak leaves, some spiders, and a snail. We walked through a Pine Figure 1 Map showing Main Duck Island between plantation, heard a Blue Jay, picked Prince Edward County and New York State raindrops, found a bone in an American Main Duck Island has long been of Beech tree, observed lots of fallen trees interest to naturalists; the KFN has and branches, ate Basswood buds, and made numerous field trips there. In the discovered what happens when you get 1970’s the KFN did several years of stuck in a downpour in improper gear: banding focussed on migrating owls. you get very wet quite quickly. Through this history we know that the

Island is a migratory stopover for many We then drove, wet and cold, to the bird species. So it was with alarm and Helen Quilliam Sanctuary for lunch in concern for the birds that KFN received the car before going to Sydenham to the news that the Island environs are write in our notebooks and get ice being considered for an offshore wind cream (we weren’t too cold for that). farm. In that light, KFN Conservation Despite that, we got home early. It was a Committee organized a field trip to satisfying, event-filled day even though Main Duck Island on 29September2012. we abandoned the canoeing part. We hope to make regular trips to keep a

club presence, maintain an interest in The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 261

the Island in the naturalist community, Main Duck on a boat chartered from and to collect natural history data to Ducks Dive. We had excellent weather, help defend birds and bats from the with NNW winds and moderate wave effects of any potential wind farm. height. Everyone was enthusiastic and happy with the trip. A list of bird At 8 a.m., 10 members of the KFN species observed follows. departed Prince Edward County for

Common Name Genus Species Comment Canada Goose Branta canadensis Wood Duck Aix sponsa Gadwall Anas strepera American Black Duck Anas rubripes Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Common Merganser Mergus merganser Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Common Loon Gavia immer Dble-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Not seen on island Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Merlin Falco columbarius Not seen on island Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Herring Gull Larus argentatus Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Common Tern Sterna hirundo Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata Page 262 December 2012

Common Name Genus Species Comment Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Brown Creeper Certhia americana Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus American Robin Turdus migratorius Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis European Starling Sturnus vulgaris American Pipit Anthus rubescens Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina Northern Parula Parula americana Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Blck-thrtd Green Warbler Dendroica virens Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula American Goldfinch Spinus tristis

13 Oct Teen Trip to HQS relatively warm. The tree colours were Anne Robertson close to peak. It was an ideal time for a good hike. On the way Michael spotted Just two Teens were able to join Erwin an Eastern Bluebird on a nest box near and Anne to explore the SW corner of Sydenham, a late sighting. We saw a the Helen Quilliam Sanctuary on dozen Wild Turkeys crossing the road 13October. The weather was fine and near Big Salmon Lake Road. The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 263

After consulting various maps, we left Here we looked at a sedge, Carex the cars to walk on the Rideau Trail to lupulina. This sedge has a stigma that where it meets the Porcupine Trail curls (very small but very neat!). thence south, close to the east boundary of the south lot of the Sanctuary, as far Lunch was on a rocky outcrop near as the view of Gould Lake. We found a Destination Pond where we wondered if squatter’s camp which we recorded for anyone else had ever been before us. We future checking. We then explored up a returned by the same route for easier new valley to a small (almost dry) walking but would like in the winter, on beaver pond in another wetland system the ice, to explore to Destination Pond which extends from here NE back to the down the string of wetlands from the road and SW to Gould Lake. This pond road. On our way back, Erwin showed is in the southwest portion (100 acres) of how his GPS could keep us going in the the sanctuary. correct direction. We took the old yellow trail to meet up with the present En route we took GPS waypoints of route of the Porcupine Trail with a significant locations and photographs to detour to look at the Wood Duck pond. illustrate these. We made Michael the American Basswood tree person (he enjoys eating basswood buds) and we made Samuel the American Beech tree person. Samuel photographed his tree, its leaves and buds as well as the Beechdrops, a parasitic plant that grows on Beech tree roots. We photographed several beaver ponds and some fungi and a spider. We eventually found an old beaver dam near the now named Destination Pond.

Here 4 nest boxes have been installed; a couple of predator guards are damaged. We saw a pair of Hooded Mergansers and a Great Blue Heron take off.

Back at the cars we wrote in our field notebooks before returning home tired but satisfied that we had explored an unknown corner of this KFN property and named a new pond.

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20Nov Ramble to Collins Crk Trails probably formed in a volcanic Joe Benderavage environment, and when it was still semi-solid, it gained its unique texture Mud, mud, inglorious mud! At 9 a.m. under pressure. The rock contains a on a blustery November 20, Carol and white intrusion, probably of quartz,and Murray Seymour led ten KFN hikers to the larger matrix rock may be olivine. explore natural features along very muddy trails in the vicinity of Collins We studied the hairy basal leaves of Creek. We encountered a farmer’s field Mullein, used by women as a natural where butterflies congregate during make-up for reddening the cheeks. We summertime, and we admired a found Hop Hornbeam and Poplar; magnificent clump of birch trees. Prickly Ash was discovered, unwittingly, by a hiker who happened A highlight was an area of exposed to lean against it. We examined the red limestone, extensively fissured, bearing buds of a Basswood tree, which some of fossil remains of round Crinoids that us tasted, but found uninteresting. look like plants, but are animals. The Delicate Fairy Cup lichen were spotted. limestone was so well covered by fallen And Tooth fungus with little “fangs”. leaves from nearby Oak trees that some Lichens abound in the area, with many of us stumbled into the covered fissures. types of mosses growing on rocks. We marvelled at coil formations from Squid-like animals, and other creatures At the path’s edge we noticed Dog- of the Ordovician period. Especially strangling Vine, Wild Parsnip, evident among them was a fossil group Bittersweet, Grey Dogwood, Zig-zag named Orthocone Nautiloids. Fossils Goldenrod, and a female colony of from this period are over 450 million Staghorn Sumac. We were amazed to years old. Some were curved or coil-like, see what appeared to be White while others had ice-cream-cone shapes. Honeysuckle still in flower on this late We saw some long, linear forms and November day. Nearer the flowing some with structures resembling water of Collins Creek, some tree trunks intermittently alternating windows, bore Bracket fungi, and Virginia through which a strand of tissue Waterleaf was seen. A shelf-like flat probably excreted water from the rock in midstream, high and dry, served creature’s inner chamber. as a marker of the high volume of water that flows in April and May. We As we advanced along the trail, we admired a female Downy Woodpecker came upon a magnificent, fine-grained on a tree trunk and heard and saw rock, a metre wide and as high, with a Raven pursued by Crows. uniform greenish cast. It was described as an ‘erratic’, meaning that it was Thanks to our assiduous leaders, we unlike local rock, having come from arrived back at the starting point at afar, likely transported from the exactly noon, as planned, in spite of Canadian Shield by a glacier. It some unexpected twists and turns. The Blue Bill Volume 59, No. 4 Page 265

Salamanders of the Kingston Region Matt Ellerbeck, Salamander Advocate & Conservationist Ontario has an abundance of the Ambystomatidae, commonly known biodiversity, including a group of as mole salamanders. These are larger secretive animals, the salamanders. then the streamlined Red-Backs. Mole Twelve salamander species are found salamanders are stoutly built, and quite across the province; several occur in the abundant, but rarely seen, as they spend Kingston, area. The most common is the much of their time deep in subterranean diminutive Red-Backed Salamander habitats, especially the Yellow-Spotted (Plethodon cinereus), which has an orange Salamander, shown below, which may to red stripe down its back. They also only emerge after heavy rains. occur in almost uniformly dark blue or purplish coloration, known as ''Lead- backed'' Salamanders, shown here.

A more aquatic species of salamander in the area is the Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens). Newt is a name given to salamanders in the family Salamandridae, many of which are primarily aquatic. After the larval stage, Individuals with yellow and white Eastern Newts enter the ''Red Eft'' stage stripes, and even almost solid red forms, which is terrestrial. During this stage occasionally occur. Some estimates state newts are solid orange with brilliant red that in pristine habitat as many as 1,000 spots. After 3 years they darken to Red-backs can be found per acre! greenish-gray with a yellow underside. They retain red spots, but less of them. Also found in the area are the beautiful The tail becomes flattened and they Yellow-Spotted (Ambystoma maculatum) return to the water. and Blue-Spotted (Ambystoma laterale) Salamander. Both have dark The largest salamander species found in background colors (black to dark blue) the area is also an aquatic form: the with spots of bright yellow and blue Mudpuppy. The name comes from the over the body. Markings are variable false belief that these salamanders bark and unique to individual salamanders. if they feel threatened. They reach a Both species are part of the same family, maximum size of around 18 inches.

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Mudpuppies differ from other to wear lightweight and light colored salamander species as they do not lose long-sleeve shirts, a hat for sun their external gills and metamorphose protectionto and natural ore into a terrestrial form. They retain gills environmentally friendly oils as insect and essentially stay in their larval stage repellents). for their whole life. This is known as pedomorphosis or neoteny. Along with If a salamander is encountered on land gills, mudpuppies can absorb oxygen or water admire it by observation only. through the skin and occasionally Salamanders have very absorbent skin surface for air, as they do possess lungs. and the oils and salts from human Most of their respiration, however, does hands can harm them. If worn, insect occur through the external gills. repellents, sunblock, and lotions can be absorbed. The skin damage could result Given that six forms of salamander can in secondary infections, and bone and be found in the area, one may ask why muscle injuries can result from they are rarely seen. These amphibians struggling. For these reasons prefer to remain hidden under debris or salamanders should never be handled. in fossorial habitats, only coming out Taking measures to protect salamanders seasonally to mate or breed, or at night is important as some species face the after heavy rains - not usually time threat of extinction, and several in people are hiking or visiting woodlands. Ontario are listed as Species At Risk by Whether we see them or not, the Committee on the Status of salamanders are there and we can do Endangered Wildlife in Canada several things to help them. The first is (COSEWIC). is not wearing insect repellents or Further information can be found at sunscreens when visiting woodlands, [email protected] forests, and wetlands. (An alternative is www.savethesalamanders.com

Local Conservation Concerns Shirley E. French This fall, I have been auditing the public about a conservation issue. Conservation Biology (422) given by The students’ outreach approach varied Dr. Paul Martin at Queen’s University. from going to schools, making The students were assigned a major brochures, talking to people in their project in which they were to select a target group, to setting up a website. I topic concerning conservation in the have summarized the presentations in Kingston region. An important the table that follows. These are topics component of their project was to bring the students have selected as important. science to the community and inform

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Student Topic Summary of Conservation Issue Loons & Important to inform cottagers on the biology of loons to ensure good Cottaging boating habits (even canoeists), fishing practices, and keeping shorelines natural. Energy The pros and cons of various energy sources from natural gas to Alternatives nuclear power, hydroelectricity to wind energy. Cottage Minimizing habitat alterations, the importance of dead woody debris, Shoreline macrophytes, and other habitat features used by wildlife. The potential Development negative effects of adding sand, removing plants (such as trees that help stabilize the shore) and offering solutions and alternatives. Conservation & Researched the most popular fish species consumed in Kingston and Seafood provided information about sustainable fishing practices, what to avoid (e.g. Halibut caught by trawling as opposed to line fishing). They investigated five large local grocery stores to see which ones supported sustainable fishing practices. Homeowner’s Their target group is young people starting out in a new apartment or Guide, Eco- house. Information about inefficient usage of energy and water. What friendly to look for in appliances that are more eco-friendly. Making informed decisions about the products you buy and use. Bumblebees Their role in pollination. Threats to their survival (monoculture e.g. corn; pesticides, herbicides, pathogens, invasive species) and what is needed for bees to flourish. They thoroughly covered the issues on their website. http://beependent.wordpress.com/learn-more/ Catch & Release How to handle fish when they are being caught to minimize stress to Fishing them. Information about the type of hook to use, how to release the fish, etc. Polar Bears How climate change is impacting the polar bears and how we can contribute to reducing our carbon usage. Bird They targeted a young age group, conveying their message about bird Conservation conservation through a puppet show (e.g. inform kids that cats are a (kindergarten to danger to birds). In a fun way show kids what they can do to attract grade 1) birds to their yard and provide them with a safe environment. Invasive Bird Targeting children about the issue of invasive species, in this case birds. Species (grade They designed a game that demonstrated how an invasive species can 6) have an advantage over a native species and how that can threaten their survival. The What one needs to consider when buying beef. The benefits of grass-fed Moovement- cattle (e.g. less methane produced) vs grain-fed. The benefits of buying More local food but also eating less red meat because of the contribution to Sustainable greenhouse gases and a loss of biodiversity. Where to shop for locally Choices raised beef and organic beef in Kingston.

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Student Topic Summary of Conservation Issue Golf & They cover pesticide effects on frogs and turtles (eggs are most Pesticides susceptible), offer solutions and want to implement a Green Golf Certificate in Kingston based on their sustainable golf green solutions. A very informative website: http://igarcha.wix.com/sustainablegolf#!about/cjg9 Organic Wastes Target audience is university and college students. It is about reducing food waste, and “helping you compost today for a better tomorrow”. http://foodsmart.weebly.com/index.html Eco-friendly These students selected five chemicals found in household products Personal Care that can be detrimental to human health, can end up in our water systems and wildlife. They have a list of eco-friendly alternatives. The chemicals of concern are triclosan, triclocarbon, parabens, synthetic musk, and sodium fluoride. https://www.facebook.com/LessIsBest Other topics of concern (I was not able to attend these presentations): Eco-friendly Home & Garden; Firewood & Invasives; Small Animals and Highways

Orthoptera in the Kingston Area Paul Mackenzie Many members of the KFN are keen field observers and well-informed on various aspects of our flora and fauna. Birds have been a special interest of many. Others study bats, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, dragonflies, vascular plants, trees, ferns, mushrooms and the list could go on. The more we are aware of, the more we appreciate nature, which is all around us and in us.

The insect order Orthoptera comprises grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Are they a manageable group that could be identified during field trips? There are about 24,000 species worldwide, but only about 72 species in our area compared to about 377 species of birds. Many are identifiable in the field, but some groups require careful examination. Identification by naked eye or binoculars or from photos, or even by sound, is possible for some. Others can be identified if caught and examined with a hand lens. This article is an introduction to local Orthoptera, and mentions the most commonly encountered species. Consulting the references is highly recommended. A checklist of local species follows this article.

First a little about observing, catching and handling these animals. Diversity is highest in late summer and early fall. In spring and early summer there are many immature forms, which are more difficult than adults. Some species prefer wetland grasses, some dry fields or sandy areas; some live on the ground and some at the tops of trees. Some are nocturnal. In some places grasshoppers flush in dozens as you walk. Some hide behind the stems of long grass or shrubs, and may drop to the ground when disturbed. They may not be as easy as you expect to catch with a net, unless they perch near the top

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of a plant or on relatively open ground. Some can be approached slowly and photographed or caught by hand. Some grasshoppers spit out a dark sticky “tobacco juice” as a defense. They have strong hind legs and can escape quickly given a chance, and if they are caught by a leg, the detached leg may be all you are left holding. The body may be held between fingers and thumb so they cannot get a purchase with the hind legs, but can be seen from several angles. They may try to bite, but are generally harmless against the fingers although the largest ones can pinch human skin.

Next a little anatomy. Like many insects the adult’s body is comprised of head, thorax and abdomen, with 6 legs and two pairs of wings (if present) attached to the thorax. The exoskeleton covering the top and sides of the thorax is called the pronotum. I had imagined that those with short wings or no wings were nymphs, but the adults of some species have short wings or no wings, and some species have short and long-winged forms. When present, the forewings act as covers for the wider folded hind-wings. The genitalia at the end of the abdomen include ovipositors in females and cerci and furcula in male grasshoppers. Body length measurements are not standardized. From the front of the head to the tip of the abdomen is used if the wings are shorter than the abdomen, and to the tip of the wings if they are longer than the abdomen. Some authors include the ovipositor which can extend far beyond the tip of the abdomen.

And now a little taxonomy. The Orthoptera are divided into two suborders: Ensifera (katydids and crickets), are “long-horned” with antennae longer than the body. Caelifera (grasshoppers) are “short-horned” with antennae shorter than the body.

Ensifera in our area are in three families, the Crickets (about 11 species), the Katydids (about 15 species), and the hump-backed Camel Crickets which are nocturnal, and rarely seen. Crickets have 3-segmented tarsi and Katydids have 4-segmented tarsi, but you don’t need to count the joints, as you will recognize our common crickets as dark and ground-dwelling (except for the pale delicate Tree Crickets) and Katydids as attractive green (or brown) insects on foliage.

Caelifera (grasshoppers) of the Kingston area are also in three families. Most are Short- horned Grasshoppers (Family Acrididae), one is a Sand Cricket (Family Tridactylidae) and several are Pygmy Grasshoppers (Family Tetrigidae).

Now a little cultural diversion. In China, Japan and parts of south-east Asia for hundreds of years pet crickets have been kept in the palaces of Emperors and in private homes. Competitions are held for their singing ability and poems are written about them. The songs of the tiny Golden Bell Cricket are highly regarded. Others are kept for cricket fighting competitions, with betting on the outcome. Individuals only live and sing for a few months, but are cared for tenderly. Cricket cages sold in markets may be small enough to carry in a pocket, or large elaborate bamboo cages. Cages may have Plexiglas tops through which to watch the cricket and a plugged hole in the side for

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adding food (fruit or commercial cricket food). Grasshoppers and crickets are eaten in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. They are sold in markets in south-east Asia. They are a good source of animal protein. Plagues of locusts are described in the Bible, and are still a major problem in some African countries. Franklin’s Gulls are remembered in Utah for helping Mormon farmers by eating locusts during a plague in 1844. Rocky Mountain Locusts devoured western crops in 1874-75 but that locust is now extinct, and few specimens were preserved despite their abundance.

Sound Production Calling songs are produced by stridulation, that is, by rubbing body parts against each other. Often this is the hind femur against the fore-wing or the fore- wing against the hind-wing. These body parts have rough files for sound production. Another method of sound production used by Band-winged Grasshoppers is crepitation or wing-snapping while displaying the wings in flight. Parts of some Orthoptera songs are above the human hearing range. A male can make more than one type of song; There are calling songs and courtship songs, and females sometimes reply. In our area the Snowy Tree Cricket is known as the thermometer cricket due to the effect of temperature on its rate of song: to find the temperature in Fahrenheit, count the number of chirps in 13 seconds and add 41.

Identification Good ID keys are available on the net at BugGuide.net and Singing Insects of North America which has sound recordings of some species. Many species in our area are in reference 1 below. Reference 8 is exhaustive and requires more expertise.

Family Gryllidae - Crickets. Let’s start with ordinary-looking crickets that live mostly on the ground. Crickets are divided into blackish Field Crickets, smaller Ground Crickets, and delicate pale Tree Crickets. The blackish ones seen on the ground are Field Crickets if they are over 14 mm long and Ground Crickets if less than 14 mm long.

Field Crickets (Grillinae) include the Spring Field Cricket and the Fall Field Cricket which look and sound the same but have different life cycles. The Spring Field Cricket overwinters as a juvenile and matures in spring. The Fall Field Cricket overwinters as eggs; adults appear in summer when the Spring Field Cricket adults are dying out. Both chirp at a rate of 2-3 per second. The House Cricket is Straw-coloured with dark brown markings. It is introduced and likely does not have wild populations established in Ontario but is available commercially as food for reptiles and amphibians.

Ground Crickets (Nemobinae) look like small Field Crickets. We have 5 species in range. Two are common in lawns. Allard’s Ground Cricket is black and has a continuous trilling song, whereas the Striped Ground Cricket has alternating light and dark stripes longitudinally on the head and sings in chirps at 3-5 per second. The Gray Ground Cricket and the Carolina Ground Cricket are similar. A hand lens is required to key them out by features of ovipositor or tibial spurs.

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Fall Field Cricket (nymph) Ground Cricket Gryllus pennsylvanicus Allonemobius species

Photos by Paul Mackenzie

Tree Crickets (Oecanthinae) are a fascinating group. They sing at night. The song is lower pitched than other crickets. They are found on leaves of shrubs, trees or even grass. In fact the Four-spotted Tree Cricket is often found within 30 cm of the ground. They are less than 20 mm long, pale greenish with delicate wings, narrow heads, and slim femurs compared to katydids. There are 4 species here and they are keyed out by the pattern of dark spots at the base of the antennae, which requires a hand lens or very sharp eyes. However, the Black-horned one can be recognized by black legs and antennae, and the arboreal Snowy Tree Cricket is quite pale. I found a Narrow-winged Tree Cricket at knee height on grasses at Kingston Mills. A photo shows the diagnostic J- curved black spots at the base of the antennae. This species, known to occur in southwestern Ontario, was reported from Presqu’ile by David Bree. Narrow-winged Tree Cricket Black-horned Tree Cricket at Lost Bay Reserve Oecanthus niveus (”EE-CAN-THUS”) Oecanthus nigricornis

Photos by Paul Mackenzie

Family Tettigoniidae. Our Katydids can be divided into four subfamilies. Most of our katydids are bright green although brown forms do occur.

Meadow Katydids (Subfamily Conocephalinae) are unobtrusive in grass and shrubbery. The long antennae and, in females, the long ovipositors are obvious. Identification to species may not be possible in some females, but the shape of the cerci, which can be seen with a hand lens, is species-specific in males. However, body size narrows local choices. We have two under 30 mm long (not including the long ovipositors). The smallest has wings shorter than the abdomen and is called the Short-winged Meadow

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Katydid. It is 12-16 mm long. The Slender Meadow Katydid is 18-28 mm and has wings extending past the tip of the abdomen. Short-winged Meadow Katydid Slender Meadow Katydid Conocephalus brevipennis Conocephalus fasciatus

Photo Paul Mackenzie, Abbey Dawn marsh Photo by Dennis Doucet c permission

Two Meadow Katydids over 30 mm long are in range, the Common Meadow Katydid (male has green cerci with a curved tooth shorter than the shaft beyond the tooth) and the Gladiator Meadow Katydid (male has brown cerci with a long curved tooth). Common Meadow Katydid Gladiator Meadow Katydid Orchelimum vulgare Orchelimum gladiator

Photos c permission by Jim McCormac, Ohio

Coneheads (Subfamily Copiphorinae) have projections on the forehead. Only one species is clearly in range, the Sword-Bearing Conehead, which has the front of the head elongated to a cone-shaped point with a black tip which is visible to the naked eye. In the female, the tip of the sword-like ovipositor is up to or beyond the wing-tip. Female Sword-bearing Conehead Neoconocephalus ensiger View of cone

Photo by Carl Strang c permission by Kenneth E. Barnett c permission

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False Katydids (Subfamily Phaneopterinae) are over 3cm long, and up to 7 species are in range. All Katydids detect sound on the fore tibiae, but this group has a wide tympanic opening there which is grossly visible, while in other subfamilies this is a narrow slit. Identification to species is possible by song and in some by size and shape of wings, but many require examination of the shape of dorsal process of the male genitals for definitive ID. See the list of False Katydid species in the appendix.

Tympanic opening in tibia of a False Katydid. Texas Katydid on Bedford Road

Photos by Paul Mackenzie

Shield-back Katydids (Subfamily Tettigoniinae). One species, Roesel’s Bush-cricket, (Metrioptera roeselii) looks a bit like a grasshopper, but the long antennae are a give- away. Introduced from Europe to Montreal in 1950, it has spread. Long and short winged forms. Short-winged form of Roesel’s Bush-Cricket Long-winged Form of Metrioptera roeselii

Photo c permission by Brandon Woo Photo c permission by Dennis Doucet

Short-horned Grasshoppers Family Acrididae. Most local grasshoppers belong to one of four subfamilies of this family. I imagined that locusts were bigger, but the terms locust and grasshopper seem interchangeable in common names.

Band-winged Grasshoppers (Subfamily Oedipodinae). Fourteen species may be here, but only 5 have been confirmed. Most of have colours in the spread underwing which show in flight. Some species do flight displays making a clicking noise with the wings (stridulation). To confuse the band-winged concept, they include the Clear-winged Grasshopper, and the Sedge Grasshoppers which have unbanded wings.

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Everyone will have noticed the Carolina Locust (Dissosteria carolina), a large common grasshopper which flushes from the ground showing a black wing spectrum with a wide yellow border. No other species in our area has this pattern. Once they land, their cryptic sandy colours make then almost invisible

Carolina Locust : Dissosteria carolina Wings in flight

Photo by Paul Mackenzie in HQS Photo c permission by Deeana Brown Several have the wing colours reversed, with a wide yellow inner band and a darker band outside. This pattern is seen on Boll’s Grasshopper, a woodland species, and Marbled Grasshopper which inhabits sand dunes.

Spur-throated Grasshoppers (Melanoplinae). These grasshoppers look like typical small grasshoppers. They have a protuberance at the throat which is visible from below between the forelegs. It can be small.

Spur on throat Australian species with spur

Photo source unknown by permission Arthur Chapman

Genus Booneacris: The two in the checklist should be looked for in bog habitats. They are wingless. Most (15) of our species are in the large genus Melanoplus. There is variation within a species in the amount of brown and green on the body. Many species require a hand lens or good marcrophotos to see the diagnostic genital shape features of males. Females are often not separable in the field.

The Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is a common member of this group in fields and roadsides. The tibia is red and the underside of abdomen is yellow. The male’s abdomen looks swollen at the tip compared to the narrower abdominal tip of a female.

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Red-legged Grasshopper male Male sub-genital plate

Photos by Paul Mackenzie

The Red-legged is not the only one with red tibia. The Migratory Grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) looks similar when the tibia is red although the abdomen is not yellow below. Look at the male sub-genital plate. Note in the Migratory Grasshopper the small cleft in the middle of its sub-genital plate (at tip of abdomen). It also has a wider blunter end of the cercus, which is the pale structure to the side.

Migratory Grassshopper Male sub-genital plate

Photos by K. S. Matz with permission

The Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivitattus) is easy to recognize in the field. It is larger than the ones above, and has prominent pale stripes forming a V on the wing edges from above.

Two-Striped Grasshopper

Photo by Paul Mackenzie on Abbey Dawn Rd.

The Pine Tree Spur-throated Grasshopper (Melanoplus punctulatus) lives in forest and is less well known. It perches on tree trunks but is well camouflaged by black and white barring which extends to the femurs.

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The Appendix lists other spur-throated grasshoppers that should be looked for here.

Slant-faced Grasshoppers (Subfamily Gomphocerinae) do not have spur throats and the face is flatter and more slanted as seen from the side.

The Marsh Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus curtipennis) is small, males 12- 20mm and females 20-35mm. Tips of femora are black. The Sprinkled Broad-winged Grasshopper (Chloealtis conspersa) is similar in size. Males have more black on the sides of the pronotum. In both species the wings are longer in males than females.

Marsh Meadow Grasshopper Sprinkled Broad-winged Grasshopper Pseudochorthippus curtipennis Chloealtis conspersa

Photo by PM on Abbey Dawn Rd Photo c permission by Brandon Woo

Several other slant-faced species are listed in the checklist.

Pygmy Grasshoppers Family Tetrigidae. As the name suggests these are small, about 9- 14 mm long and I have yet to see one. BugGuide says “To see these you have to reorient to looking for something really small. They are active, hard to follow with the eye, and very well camouflaged.” They are squat shaped and come in many colour phases. They are often near water. Some jump or fly into the water to escape and then swim to shore. A good macrophotograph of the dorsum and one from the side are needed to accurately id the species. Here are illustrations of three species which could occur here. The Black- sided Pygmy has been found at QUBS.

Ornate Pygmy G. Obscure Pygmy G. Black-sided Pygmy G.

Two photos with permission by IIona Loser, Wisconsin photo permit by Brandon Woo

Summary: Perhaps anyone taking the trouble to read this account will be more likely to look closely at these interesting insects. I encourage members to keep a record of the dates and locations of species identified so that more local data can be collected.

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````Acknowledgements: Thanks to Steve Paiero for suggestions and for additions and corrections to the checklist. Thanks to David Bree, Mark Conboy, Owen Lonsdale and Bruce Ripley for providing material and advice for this article, to the photographers who gave permission to use their photos and to Alex Simmons the Editor of Blue Bill.

References and resources 1. Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Katydids and Crickets of the United States by John Capinera, Ralph Scott, Thomas Walker, Cornell Press 2004 2. List of Orthopteroids at Queen’s University Biological Station Steve M. Paiero and Mark Conboy. Updated December 2010. Unpublished 3. An annotated list of the Crickets and Grasshoppers of Prince Edward County, Ontario by Fred Urqhuart. 1941 Available at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/title/52197#page/27/mode/1up 4. Checklist of Orthoptera of Ontario compiled and forwarded by David Bree. Unpublished. 5. Vickery, Vernon R. and Kevan, Keith D. 1985 The Insects and Arachnids of Canada Part 14: The Grasshoppers, Crickets and Related Insects of Canada and Adjacent Regions. Research Branch Agricultural Canada Publication 1777. 6. Singing Insects of North America. A useful website on Crickets and Katydids by Walker and Moore with range maps, photos, song recordings. 7. BugGuide.net. A good interactive website with lots of information and photos. 8. Eades, D. C.; Otte, D.; Cigliano M. M.; Braun, H. Orthoptera Species File Online. Version 2.0/4.1. Worldwide coverage and many keys.

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Checklist of Orthoptera for the Kingston area Paul Mackenzie

Here are 72 species whose range includes the Kingston area. No systematic survey has been done. Species marked* were listed in QUBS area by Steve Paiero and Mark Conboy

Common names are unofficial ones from references, internet sites and NHIC.

SUBORDER ENSIFERA: CRICKETS & KATYDIDS - antennae longer than the body

FAMILY GRYLLIDAE (Crickets) Subfamily Gryllinae: Field Crickets Acheta domesticus House Cricket (not wild here) *Gryllus pennsylvanicus Fall Field Cricket *Gryllus veletis Spring Field Cricket

Subfamily Nemobiinae: Ground crickets Allonemobius allardi Allard’s Ground Cricket *Allonemobius fasciatus Striped (Pale) Ground Cricket Allonemobius griseus Gray Ground Cricket *Eunemobius carolinus Carolina Ground Cricket Neonemobius palustris Sphagnum Ground cricket (restricted to sphagnum bogs; known from Ottawa and could be here)

Subfamily Oecanthinae: Tree Crickets *Oecanthus nigricornis Black-horned Tree Cricket *Oecanthus fultoni Snowy Tree Cricket *Oecanthus quadripunctatus Four-spotted Tree Cricket Oecanthus niveus Narrow-winged Tree Cricket (found by David Bree at Presqu’ile and at Kingston Mills by Paul Mackenzie)

FAMILY TETTIGONIIDAE (Katydids and allies) Subfamily Conocephalinae: Meadow Katydids *Conocephalus brevipennis Short-winged Meadow Katydid *Conocephalus fasciatus Slender Meadow Katydid Conocephalus nigroplerum* Black-sided Meadow Katydid Conocephalus attenuatus* Long-tailed Meadow Katydid *Neoconocephalus ensiger Sword-bearing Conehead Orchelimum gladiator Gladiator Meadow Katydid Orchelimum vulgare Common Meadow Katydid

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Subfamily Phaneopterinae: False Katydids *Amblycorypha oblongifolia Oblong-winged Katydid *Scudderia curvicauda Curve-tailed Katydid Scudderia furcata Fork-tailed Bush Katydid *Scudderia pistillata Broad-winged Katydid Scudderia septentrionalis Northern Bush Katydid Scudderia texensis Texas Bush Katydid

Subfamily Tettigoniinae: Predaceous / Shield-back Katydids *Metrioptera roeselii Roesel’s Katydid

Subfamily Meconematinae Meconema thalassinum* Drumming Katydid or Oak Bush Cricket (introduced species that appears to be spreading along the lake shores)

FAMILY RAPHIDIPHORIDAE (Camel Crickets) *Ceuthophilus guttulosus Thomas Camel Cricket *Ceuthophilus meridionalis Striped Camel Cricket

SUBORDER CAELIFERA: GRASSHOPPERS - antennae shorter than the body

FAMILY ACRIDAE (Short-horned Grasshoppers) Subfamily Oedipodinae: Band-winged Grasshoppers Arphia pseudonietana North-west Red-winged Grasshopper Arphia sulphurea Sulphur-winged Grasshopper Camnula pellucida Clear-winged Grasshopper *Chortophaga viridifasciata Northern Green-striped Grasshopper *Dissosteria carolina Carolina Locust *Encoptolophus sordidus Clouded Grasshopper Pardalophora apiculata Coral-winged Grasshopper *Spharagemon bolli Boll’s Grasshopper Spharagemon collare Mottled Sand Grasshopper *Spharagemon marmorata Marbled Grasshopper Stethophyma gracile Northern Sedge Locust Stethophyma lineatum Striped Sedge Grasshopper Trimerotropis maritima Seaside Grasshopper Trimerotropis verruculata Crackling Forest Grasshopper

Subfamily Gomphocerinae: Slant-faced Grasshoppers *Chloealtis conspersa Sprinkled Broad-winged Grasshopper Chloealtis abdominalis Thomas’s Broad-winged Grasshopper *Pseudochorthippus curtipennis Marsh Meadow Grasshopper Orphulella pelidna Spotted-wing Grasshopper

Page 280 December 2012

Orphulella speciosa Pasture Locust

Subfamily Melanoplinae: Spur-throated Grasshoppers Booneacris glacialis Wingless Mountain Grassshopper Booneacris variegata Variegated Wingless Grasshopper *Melanoplus bivitattus Two-striped Grasshopper Melanoplus borealis Northern Spur-throated Grasshopper Melanoplus bruneri Bruner’s Spur-throated Grasshopper Melanoplus confusus Little Pasture Spur-throated Grasshopper Melanoplus dawsoni Dawson’s Spur-throated Grasshopper Melanoplus fasciatus Huckleberry Spur-throated Grasshopper *Melanoplus femurrubrum Red-legged Grasshopper Melanoplus huroni Huron Short-winged Grasshopper Melanoplus islandicus Forest Locust Melanoplus keeleri luridus Keeler’s Spur-throated Grasshopper Melanoplus mancus Smith’s Short-winged Grasshopper *Melanoplus punctulatus Pine Tree Spur-throated Grasshopper *Melanoplus sanguinipes Migratory Grasshopper Melanoplus stonei Stone’s Grasshopper Melanoplus viridipes Green-legged Grasshopper

FAMILY TRIDACTLYIDAE (Sand Crickets) Neotridactylus apicalis* Larger Sand Cricket

FAMILY TETREGIDAE (Pygmy Grasshoppers) Subfamily Tetriginae: Grouse Locusts Paratettix cuculatus Hooded Grouse Locust Tetrix arenosa angusta Obscure Grouse Locust Tetrix brunerii Brunner’s Grouse Locust *Tetrix ornata ornata Ornate Grouse Locust Tetrix subulata Slender/Awl-shaped Grouse Locust

Subfamily Batrachideinae: Pygmy Grasshoppers Tettigidea lateralis Black-sided Pygmy Grasshopper