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Regulars Features Number 563, April 2009 Trout lily at TFN Nature Reserve, April 2008, photographed by Barry Tocher REGULARS FEATURES Coming Events 19 Ideas from Outings Leaders’ 5 Extracts from Outings Reports 8 WorksHop For Reading 13 TFN Environment Program 9 From the Archives 17 In the News 15 Ontario Endangered Species Event 10 Keeping in Touch 12 Bird of tHe MontH – Red-tailed Hawk 11 Monthly Meetings Notice 3 Garlic Mustard Local Day of Action 14 Monthly Meeting Report 7 President’s Report 6 Great Black-backed Gulls and 18 TFN Outings 4 Avian Botulism Weather – This Time Last Year 18 TFN 563-2 Toronto Field Naturalist April 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist is published by the Toronto Field BOARD OF DIRECTORS Naturalists, a charitable, non-profit organization, the aims of President Wendy Rothwell 416-762-5371 which are to stimulate public interest in natural history and Past President Pinky Franklin 416-488-3226 to encourage the preservation of our natural heritage. Issued Vice President Bob Kortright 416-699-8842 monthly September to December and February to May. Sec.-Treasurer Corley Phillips 416-923-6363 Views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those Nature Reserves George Bryant 416-762-6039 of the editor or Toronto Field Naturalists. The Newsletter is Communications Alexander Cappell 416-663-7738 printed on 100% recycled paper. Outings Gail Gregory 416-538-4713 Outings and Margaret McRae 416-429-7821 ISSN 0820-636X Web-master Nancy Dengler Monthly Lectures 416-488-3515 Marcus Feak 416-658-8148 Elisabeth Gladstone 416-266-6347 IT’S YOUR NEWSLETTER! Barry Mitchell 416-934-1705 We welcome contributions of original writing, up to 500 words, of observations on nature in and around Toronto, MEMBERSHIP FEES reviews, poems, sketches, paintings, and photographs of $30 STUDENT, SENIOR SINGLE (65+) TFN outings (digital or print, include date and place). $40 SINGLE, SENIOR FAMILY (2 adults, 65+) $50 FAMILY (2 adults – same address, children included) Include your name, address and phone number so submissions can be acknowledged. Send by mail or email. No GST. Tax receipts issued for donations. Send Deadline for submissions for May issue: April 6. membership fees and address changes to the TFN office. Please note: TFN does not give out its membership list. NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Jenny Bull (co-editor), Eva Davis, Karin Fawthrop, Nancy Toronto Field Naturalists Fredenburg, Elisabeth Gladstone, Mary Lieberman, Ruth 2 Carlton St., # 1519, Toronto M5B 1J3 Munson, Marilynn Murphy, Toshi Oikawa, Wendy Rothwell Tel: 416-593-2656 (co-editor). Web: www.torontofieldnaturalists.org Printing and mailing: Perkins Mailing Services Email: [email protected] The Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists' Baillie Birdathon 2009 Workshop, 31 July to 9 August Want to have a lot of fun and help Applications due 30 April birds and nature at the same time? Do a Birdathon this May! During a 24-hour period in May, The Doug Tarry Bird Study Awards foster the development of participants attempt to find as ornithological interests in Canadian teenagers. Recipients many bird species as they can, attend a week-long workshop/natural history camp or a month- sponsored at a flat rate, or on a long student internship at Long Point Bird Observatory. The workshop focuses on hands-on learning and training in field per-species basis. Birders can ornithology. Participants learn how to identify, age and sex designate a favourite conserva- tion organization to receive a birds, and to study their populations and behaviour. Instructors portion of the funds they raise. All teach the secrets of bird handling and banding techniques, contributions to Birdathon are tax- how to prepare specimens for scientific study, and an array of creditable. bird censusing techniques. The Award covers all direct costs including accommodation and meals. To find out more, go to www.bsc- eoc.org/ support/ birdathon/ or For more information go to www.bsc-eoc.org or contact Yousif contact Bird Studies Canada at Attia, Long Point Bird Observatory, Box 160, Port Rowan, ON [email protected] or N0E 1M0; fax: 519-586-3532; [email protected] 1-888-448-2473. April 2009 TFN 563-3 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN MEETING Sunday, April 5, 2009, at 2:30 pm After the ice age: The First Peoples in Ontario Peter Storck, formerly of the Royal Ontario Museum, and author of “Journey to the Ice Age: Discovering an Ancient World” VISITORS WELCOME! SOCIAL: 2:00 – 2:30 pm Bring your own mug for coffee or tea if you wish. Only paper cups provided. Donations are appreciated to offset the cost of refreshments. Room 001, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, 75 Queen’s Park Cres. East Emmanuel College is just south of the Museum subway station exit (east side of Queen’s Park). Enter at south end of building, down a few steps on outside stairwell. Wheelchair entrance: Second door south on Queen’s Park (no automatic opener). Elevator inside to the right. Room 001 is one floor below street level. For information: call 416-593-2656 up to noon on the Friday preceding the lecture. Upcoming TFN Monthly Meeting May 3 The natural treasures of Carolinian Canada Lorraine Johnson, editor of The Natural Treasures of Carolinian Canada: Discovering the Rich Natural Diversity of Ontario’s Southwestern Heartland Green Living SHow April 24-26, 2009 Direct Energy Centre, ExHibition Place Everything you need to “green” your life will be at the show. Once again the Toronto Field Naturalists will have a display, thanks to The Team at Bosley Real Estate (Elspeth Sinclair, Pat Laughren and Carolyn Marit), who have generously sponsored our exhibit booth. Drop by to say hello if you attend. Better still, plan to stay for a few hours to help promote the TFN, in which case we’ll give you a free pass to the show. Please call the office if you’re interested in volunteering. TFN 563-4 Toronto Field Naturalist April 2009 TFN OUTINGS • TFN events are conducted by unpaid volunteers. • The club assumes no responsibility for injuries sustained by anyone participating in our activities. • Children and visitors are welcome at all TFN events. Children must be accompanied by an adult. • If you plan to bring children in a stroller, be aware that there may be steps or other unsuitable terrain. • Please do not bring pets. • To get to outings on time, check TTC routes and schedules by calling 416-393-4636. • Outings go rain or shine: check the weather by calling 416-661-0123 so you will know what to wear. • Wear appropriate footwear for walking on trails which may be muddy, steep or uneven. Saturday, MARKET GALLERY – Nature Arts, Heritage Apr. 4 Leader: Susan Weiss 10:30 a.m. Meet outside the main front entrance to the St. Lawrence Market South (95 Front St. E.). The exhibit Lit. City: Toronto Through the Eyes of Authors and Artists will be viewed. Bring what you need for sketching, painting, photography or writing. Bring any work you want to share after lunch in the Market area. Sunday, LECTURE – After the Ice Age: the First Peoples in Ontario Apr. 5 Speaker: Peter Storck, formerly of the Royal Ontario Museum, and author of Journey to the Ice 2:30 p.m. Age: Discovering an Ancient World Emmanuel College, 75 Queen’s Park Cres. E. See page 3. Tuesday, HIGH PARK – Birds Apr. 7 Leader: Doug Paton 10:00 a.m. Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. W. at High Park Ave. Bring binoculars. Lunch stop at Grenadier Restaurant. Saturday, SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS – Birds Apr. 11 Leader: Bob Kortright 10:00 a.m. Meet on the south side of Kingston Rd. at Chine Dr. Bring lunch and binoculars. Thursday, TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN TO POTTERY ROAD – Nature Walk Apr. 16 Leader: Ed Freeman 10:30 a.m. Meet at the southwest corner of Lawrence Ave. E. and Leslie St. Nature’s early spring: a walk in nature along the West Don to the Ontario Science Centre and, if desired, further south to Pottery Rd. Bring lunch, binoculars, camera. About 1-1/2 hours to lunch at the Ontario Science Centre area, plus about 1-1/2 to 2 hours further to Pottery Rd. Not a circular route. Saturday, DENTON CREEK, GERRARD PRAIRIE AND ROSETTA McCLAIN GARDENS – Apr. 18 Lost Rivers Walk 12:30 p.m. Leader: John Wilson, Chair, Task Force to Bring Back the Don Meet in front of Victoria Park subway station. Rediscovering a long-lost tributary to Taylor Massey Creek. As part of a new effort to raise awareness about lost sections of the creek, ramble through the “Gerrard Prairie” on the Birchcliff Quarry site, visit the site of a proposed new development, see remnant forests on the Lake Iroquois shore cliff, drop in at the Bluffs Gallery of the Scarborough Arts Council, and release your cares at Rosetta McClain Gardens. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community and the Taylor-Massey Project. Sunday, HIGH PARK – Birds Apr. 19 Leader: Cameron Coneybeare 1:30 p.m. Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. W. at High Park Ave. Bring binoculars. April 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 563-5 Tuesday, YORK CEMETERY – Birds Apr. 21 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:00 a.m. Meet at cemetery entrance on Beecroft Rd. at North York Blvd. Bring lunch and binoculars. Saturday, CEDARVALE RAVINE – Earth Day Clean Up Apr. 25 Leader: Marcus Feak 10:00 a.m. Meet at Heath St. exit of St. Clair West subway station. Bring your own work gloves or sturdy rubber gloves. Bags will be provided. 3 hours. + Saturday, EAST DON TRAIL – Earth Day Clean Up Apr.
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