Number 564, May 2009

Offshore sanctuary, watercolour by Gail Gregory

REGULARS FEATURES

Coming Events 25 Ideas from Leaders’ Workshop 9 Extracts from Outings Reports 20 Nominating Committee Report 13 For Reading 19 Garlic Mustard Removal 15 From the Archives 23 Keeping in Touch 17 Bird of the Month – Monthly Meetings Notice 3 Black-throated Blue Warbler 16 Monthly Meeting Report 14 Tommy Thompson Park 18 President’s Report 12 Citizen Science 21 TFN Outings 4 Membership Renewal 27 Weather – This Time Last Year 24 TFN 564-2 Field Naturalist May 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 which are to stimulate public interest in natural history and Past President Pinky Franklin to encourage the preservation of our natural heritage. Issued Vice President Bob Kortright monthly September to December and February to May. Sec.-Treasurer Corley Phillips Views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those Nature Reserves George Bryant of the editor or Toronto Field Naturalists. The Newsletter is Communications Alexander Cappell printed on 100% recycled paper. Monthly Lectures Nancy Dengler Outings Gail Gregory ISSN 0820-636X Outings and Margaret McRae Web-master Marcus Feak Elisabeth IT’S YOUR NEWSLETTER! Gladstone We welcome contributions of original writing, up to 500 Barry Mitchell words, of observations on nature in and around Toronto, reviews, poems, sketches, paintings, and photographs of MEMBERSHIP FEES TFN outings (digital or print, include date and place). $30 STUDENT, SENIOR SINGLE (65+) Include your name, address and phone number so $40 SINGLE, SENIOR FAMILY (2 adults, 65+) $50 FAMILY (2 adults – same address, children included) submissions can be acknowledged. Send by mail or email. Deadline for submissions for September issue: August 7. No GST. Tax receipts issued for donations. Send 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 Fredenburg, Elisabeth Gladstone, Mary Lieberman, Ruth Toronto Field Naturalists Munson, Marilynn Murphy, Toshi Oikawa, Wendy Rothwell 2 Carlton St., # 1519, Toronto M5B 1J3

(co-editor). Tel: 416-593-2656 Printing and mailing: Perkins Mailing Services Web: www.torontofieldnaturalists.org Email: [email protected]

New Toronto Parks and Trails Map

The new Exploring Toronto's Parks & Trails map will be launched on the morning of Sunday, May 3, at Todmorden Mills Museum & Arts Centre, 67 Pottery Road. This will coincide with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority's visually spectacular annual “Paddle the Don” event.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-3

TFN MEETING

Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 2:30 pm

The Natural Treasures of Carolinian Lorraine Johnson, editor of The Natural Treasures of Carolinian Canada: Discovering the Rich Natural Diversity of ’s Southwestern Heartland

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. 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 Meetings

September 13 The Importance of Parks Ralph Toninger, Senior Project Manager, Restoration Services, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

October 4 Sixty Years of Birding in Toronto – What Changes We Have Seen George Bryant, TFN Board Member and life-long birder

November 1 The Carden Alvar: A Rural Oasis Ron Reid, Executive Director of the Couchiching Conservancy

December 6 Aiming high (and dry): The Nature Conservancy of Canada Conservation Projects on the Oak Ridges Moraine Mark Stabb, Program Manager for Central Ontario, Nature Conservancy of Canada

February 7 Toronto’s Urban Forests Andy Kenney, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto

March 7 Towards a Bar-coded world Paul Hebert, Project Leader, Canadian Barcode of Life Network and Director, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario

April 11 Disturbing the Disturbed: Using Biological Control to Recover our Invaded Forests Sandy Smith, Professor, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto and international expert on biological control

May 2 The Appalachians and Their Margins Peter Money, TFN member, retired geologist, enthusiastic nature photographer and amateur naturalist.

TFN 564-4 Toronto Field Naturalist May 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 AND WILKET CREEK PARK– Nature Arts May 2 Leader: Mary Taylor 10:30 a.m. Meet at the entrance to Edwards Gardens, south side of Lawrence Ave., west of Leslie St. Bring what you need for sketching, painting, writing or photography. Bring lunch, or money for food in the cafe of the TBG. Bring any work you wish to share with the group at lunch. Nature walk will continue in the afternoon.

Sunday LECTURE – The Natural Treasures of Carolinian Canada May 3 Speaker: Lorraine Johnson 2:30 p m. Emmanuel College, 75 Queen’s Park Cres. E. See page 3.

Monday JANE JACOBS TRIBUTE WALK – Evening Ramble May 4 Leaders: Pleasance Crawford and Helen Juhola 6:45 p m. Meet at the north end of Glencairn subway station, south side of Glencairn Ave. Bring binoculars. Walk includes Cedarvale Ravine and ends at St. Clair West subway station.

Friday PROSPECT CEMETERY – Nature and Built Heritage May 8 Leader: Pleasance Crawford 1:30 p m. Walk will begin and end at the cemetery entrance on St. Clair Ave. W., at the north end of Lansdowne Ave. Bring binoculars.

Saturday ROUGE PARK – Spring Wildflowers May 9 Leader: Peter Money 11:00 a.m. Meet at Pearse House, 1749 Meadowvale Rd. TTC recommended as parking will be limited due to another event. Bus #85B Sheppard East from Sheppard subway station or 86A from Kennedy subway station. Bring lunch. Binoculars optional but welcome. This is planned to be a 3- to 4-hour circular walk. It includes trails on some moderately steep slopes.

Sunday TAYLOR CREEK PARK – Wildflowers May 10 Leader: Melanie Milanich 1:00 p m. Meet on Victoria Park Ave. at the subway exit. Walk will end at Thorncliffe Park.

Tuesday BELT LINE – Nature walk May 12 Leader: Jack Radecki 10:00 a.m. Meet at beltline entrance of Mount Pleasant Cemetery, just south of Davisville subway station (from subway, exit south to traffic lights at bridge, cross Yonge St., climb stairs to wrought iron gates). We will view trees, arboretum plantings, urban forests and associated wildlife. Bring binoculars. Morning only.

Thursday MORNINGSIDE PARK – Evening Ramble May 14 Leader: Orval White 6:30 p m. Meet by the washrooms near the first parking lot, west of the park entrance on Morningside Ave., south of Ellesmere Ave. and north of Kingston Rd. A 2-hour loop walk.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-5

Saturday DON VALLEY – Nature Walk May 16 Leader: Margaret McRae 10:00 a.m. Meet at the northeast corner of Beechwood Dr. and O’Connor Dr., west of Pape Ave. This will be a circular trip to the Forks of the Don, partly on narrow informal trails. Those who wish may drop out at Don Mills/Gateway or Thorncliffe Park. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Sunday LOWER DON VALLEY - Lost Rivers Walk May 17 Leader: John Routh 1:00 p m. Meet at Broadview subway station. We will walk north towards Pottery Rd. and along trails from Todmorden Mills to Crothers’ Woods. Investigate forests and water features, human and natural. Moderate exertion required. Duration: 2-3 hours. This is a joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

Wednesday G. ROSS LORD PARK– Birds and Butterflies May 20 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:00 a.m. Meet at the northeast corner of Finch Ave. W. and Dufferin St. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Thursday CEDARVALE RAVINE - Evening Ramble May 21 Leader Ruth Munson 6:45 p m. Meet at Heath St. exit of St. Clair West subway station.

Friday WARDEN WOODS – Garlic Mustard Pull (see page 15) May 22 Leader: Bob Kortright 10:00 a.m. Meet at the southwest corner of Warden Ave. and St. Clair Ave. E., opposite Warden subway station. + Friday SOUTH HUMBER PARK – Garlic Mustard Pull (see page 15) May 22 Leader: Wendy Rothwell 10:00 a.m. Meet at park entrance on Stephen Drive opposite Cloverhill Rd. (TTC bus #66 ‘Prince Edward’ from Old Mill subway station or the Humber Streetcar Loop.)

Saturday – Birds and Nature May 23 Leader: Bob Kortright 9:00 a.m. Meet at the park entrance at Leslie St. and Unwin Ave. Bring lunch and binoculars. A joint hike with the Toronto Bruce Trail Club. Expect a much faster pace than our usual walks. + Saturday HIGHLAND CREEK AND EAST POINT PARK – Nature walk May 23 Leader: Blair Campbell 10:00 a.m. Meet at the southeast corner of Lawrence Ave. E. and Beechgrove Dr. We will focus on birds and landforms. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Sunday EAST DON PARKLANDS – Nature walk May 24 Leader: Phil Goodwin 1:30 p m. Meet at Second Cup in the plaza on the south side of Steeles Ave. E. at Laureleaf Rd. We will visit the old forest, the East , German Mills Creek and restoration projects. Duration: about 2 ½ hours.

Wednesday FINCH HYDRO CORRIDOR – Topography May 27 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 p m. Meet at the northwest corner of Don Mills Ave. and Finch Ave. E. Walk will end at Bayview Ave. (near a coffee shop) between Finch Ave. E. and Cummer Ave. TTC bus stops abound at both ends.

Thursday EDWARDS GARDENS – Spring Rhododendrons May 28 Leader: Kathleen Fall 10:00 a.m. Meet at southwest corner of Leslie St. and Lawrence Ave. E. Bring camera and binoculars. Morning only.

Saturday MILLIKEN MILLS PARK – Birds and Nature May 30 Leader: Mohammad Ansari 10:00 a.m. Meet at the southeast corner of McCowan Rd. and Steeles Ave. E. TTC bus # 129 north from Scarborough Town Centre to Steeles, or bus #53 Steeles East to McCowan. Drivers may enter park on McCowan just south of Steeles or on Steeles east of McCowan. Bring binoculars and snack. Morning only.

TFN 564-6 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

Sunday LAMBTON WOODS – Wildflowers May 31 Leader: Leslie Fitzgibbons 1:30 p m. Meet in front of the washrooms at the entrance to on Edenbridge Dr., east of Royal York Rd.

Tuesday WATERFRONT NATURE WALK – Evening Ramble June 2 Leader: Peter Iveson 6:45 p m. Meet at the southwest corner of Bathurst St. and Queen’s Quay W. beside the monument in . We will visit several waterfront gardens, ending at the Music Garden.

Thursday – Nature Walk June 4 Leader: Wendy Rothwell 10:00 a.m. Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. W. at High Park Ave. Bring lunch and binoculars. We hope to see the blue lupines in bloom. + Thursday TODMORDEN MILLS WILDFLOWER PRESERVE – Evening Ramble June 4 Leader: Paula Davies 6:45 p m. Meet at the bridge in Todmorden Mills on the south side of Pottery Road, down the hill from Broadview Ave.

Saturday TOPHAM PARK IN EGLINTON FLATS – Nature Arts June 6 Leaders: Anne Byzko and Nancy Anderson 10:30 a.m. Meet in the parking lot that runs off a turn in the driveway on the south side of Eglinton Ave. W., 300 yards east of Jane St., between Weston Rd. and Jane St. There is a big white-domed building (tennis club) as a landmark (there is no signage). This will be a circular route: plein air art, writing, photography or just enjoying this small pond. In the morning we can sketch, write, photograph or walk around the pond. Bring lunch and water and any work you want to share.

Sunday MORNINGSIDE PARK – Nature Walk June 7 Leader: Orval White 2:00 p m. Meet in Morningside Park by the washrooms immediately west of the first parking lot, west of the park entrance on Morningside Ave., south of Ellesmere Rd. and north of Kingston Rd. Bring binoculars. Loop walk, 2-3 hours.

Tuesday PINE HILLS CEMETERY – Birds and Butterflies June 9 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:00 a.m. Meet at the southern cemetery entrance at the northeast corner of Birchmount Rd. and St. Clair Ave. E. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Wednesday TOM ATKINSON’S GARDEN (75 Ternhill Crescent) – Evening Ramble June 10 Leader: Tom Atkinson 6:45 p m. Meet at the first bus stop on the south side of Lawrence Ave. E., east of Leslie St. TTC bus #54 Lawrence Avenue East from Eglinton subway station. Naturalized garden, featuring native woody plants, many Carolinian, plus native orchids. Questions welcomed.

Saturday BLACK CREEK, AND WESTON INTERFLUVIUM– June 13 Nature and Heritage 1:30 p m. Leaders: Alex Wellington and Alexander Cappell Meet at the northwest corner of Black Creek Dr. and Lawrence Ave. W. Walk will end on Weston Rd. above Jane St. Duration: 3 to 3½ hours.

Sunday HIGH PARK – Trees June 14 Leader: Bohdan Kowalyk 1:30 p m. Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. W. at High Park Ave.

Tuesday ETIENNE BRULE PARK – Fish June 16 Leader: Andrew Drake 10:00 a.m. Meet at the Old Mill subway station. Learn about the fish in the Humber River, their habitat requirements and the role of shoreline vegetation for ecosystem functioning. Wear waterproof footwear. Polarized sunglasses recommended but not required. Morning only.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-7

Wednesday YORKVILLE HERITAGE - Evening Ramble June 17 Leader: Doug Paton 6:45 p m. Meet at on the west side of Yonge St. across from Rosedale subway station.

Saturday HIGH PARK – Insect Watching June 20 Leader: Bob Kortright 10:00 a.m. Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Bloor St. W. at High Park Ave. The Pollinator Watch Program will be demonstrated so that interested members can participate if they wish. See page 21 for information. Other insect watching programs will also be discussed as we view insects in the field. Cameras, pencils and notebooks will be helpful to record what you learn. Lunch optional.

Sunday MAJOR GRAY’S TREE TRAIN – Lost Rivers June 21 Leader: Ian Wheal 2:00 p m. Meet at the Bathurst St. entrance to Old Fort York (off the bridge). Walk will end in Parkdale. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

Tuesday ROUGE VALLEY – Nature Walk June 23 Leader: Orval White 10:30 a.m. Meet at the east end of Glen Rouge Campground parking lot, 7540 Kingston Rd., east of Port Union Rd. Bring binoculars. Duration: 2-3 hours. Bring lunch.

Wednesday SHERWOOD PARK – Urban Issues June 24 Leader: Janice Palmer 6:45 p m. Meet at the main entrance to the park at the east end of Sherwood Ave. TTC bus #103 from the Eglinton subway station stops at Sherwood Ave. and Mt. Pleasant Rd. The park is 200 m to the east. Limited parking also available on the street and in a small lot outside the park. Can an urban park be loved too much? We will look for evidence of uses and abuses of the park and actions taken or contemplated to protect the natural heritage of this 16.2 hectare park. Bring binoculars and bug repellent if you wish. Duration: 2 hours.

Saturday CHARLES SAURIOL CONSERVATION RESERVE – Nature Ramble June 27 Leader: Charles Chaffey 10:30 a.m. Meet at the southeast corner of Don Mills Rd. and The Donway South. Following muddy, steep and uneven paths used by mountain bikers, we will reach Eglinton Ave. E. and Wynford Drive at about 12:30 p m. Lunch optional. + Saturday CHARLES SAURIOL CONSERVATION RESERVE – Nature Ramble June 27 Leader: Charles Chaffey 1:30 p m. Meet on the north side of Eglinton Ave. E. just east of the Wynford Dr. overpass. We will follow muddy, steep and uneven paths used by mountain bikers. Walk will end at Don Mills Rd. and Gateway Blvd./Overlea Blvd. about 4 p m.

FOR ENJOYMENT OF OUTINGS

• Wide brim on hat for protection from sun • Long sleeves to protect you from mosquitoes, poison ivy and thistles • Slacks to protect you from mosquitoes, poison ivy, thistles and ticks • Long socks to help you avoid ticks • Hiking boots or running shoes • Rainwear • Sun glasses, sun screen and insect repellent • Binoculars and camera • Thermos or flask; snack • TTC Ride Guide (free), map, notebook and pen • Bring your family and/or friends, but … NO pets allowed TFN 564-8 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

Sunday NORDHEIMER RAVINE – Nature Walk June 28 Leader: Rachel Gottesman 1:00 p m. Meet on the south side of St. Clair Ave W. across from St. Clair West subway station. Bring binoculars.

Tuesday TWO VALLEYS AND A SHORELINE – Nature walk June 30 Leader: Alexander Cappell 1:30 p m. Meet at the northeast corner of Avenue Rd. and Davenport Rd.

Thursday FORKS OF THE DON – Nature and Environment – Evening Ramble July 2 Leader: Mary Taylor 6:45 p m. Meet at the northwest corner of Coxwell Ave. and O’Connor Dr.

Saturday SCADDING CABIN – Nature Arts and Heritage: Celebrating Toronto’s 175th Year July 4 Leader: Kayoko Smith 10:30 a.m. Meet at the Dufferin Gates of the Exhibition Grounds. In the morning, we can sketch, write, photograph in the garden of Scadding Cabin as well as learn some of the history of the cabin. Bring lunch and any work you want to share.

Sunday TAYLOR CREEK PARK – Nature Walk July 5 Leader: Dianne Dietrich 1:00 p m. Meet on east side of Victoria Park Ave. at the subway entrance. We will explore the ravines between Victoria Park and Dawes Rd. including native plantings and newly constructed pond/wetlands. Bring binoculars. Circular walk. Duration about 3 hours.

Monday CEDARVALE RAVINE – Evening Ramble July 6 Leader: Marcus Feak 6:30 p m. Meet at the Heath St. exit of St. Clair West subway station. Bring binoculars.

Tuesday MORNINGSIDE PARK – Birds and Butterflies July 7 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:00 a.m. Meet at the first parking lot on the west side of Morningside Ave. south of Ellesmere Ave. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Saturday GLENDON RAVINE – Nature Walk July 11 Leader: Nancy Dengler 9:30 a.m. Meet at the entrance to Glendon College at Lawrence Ave. E. and Bayview Ave. TTC bus #124 Sunnybrook from Lawrence subway station. If driving, enter through Glendon College gate and drive down into the ravine to the parking lot for the athletic facility. The group will walk through that parking lot at about 10 a m. Bring binoculars. Morning only.

Sunday , WEST DON – Nature Walk July 12 Leader: Phoebe Cleverley 1:30 p m. Meet at the community centre in Earl Bales Park just south of Sheppard Ave. W. and east of Bathurst St. A 2-hour loop walk. Bring binoculars.

Tuesday DERRYDOWNS PARK – Birds and Butterflies July 14 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:00 a.m. Meet in the parking lot near the park entrance on the south side of Finch Ave. W. between Jane St. and Keele St. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Wednesday BEECHWOOD VALLEY – LOWER DON – Evening Ramble July 15 Leader: Margaret McRae 6:45 p m. Meet and end at the northeast corner of Beechwood Dr. and O’Connor Dr. Bring binoculars.

Saturday WEST DON – Nature Walk July 18 Leader: Marcus Feak 10:00 a.m. Meet at the southwest corner of Sheppard Ave. W. and Bathurst St. Bring binoculars, lunch and bug spray. Ends approx. 1:30 p.m.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-9

Sunday SOMERS CREEK AND ORIOLE PEANUT COMMUNITY GARDEN – Lost Rivers July 19 Leader: Helen Mills 2:00 p m. Meet at the corner of Don Mills Rd. E. and Deerford Rd., north of Sheppard Ave. E. Walk will include the Oriole Peanut Community Garden, with its communal, public and over 100 individual family gardens, and apartment greening at 12 Deerford Rd., with its proposed butterfly garden. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

Tuesday EAST DON: FINCH TO STEELES – Great Rivers of July 21 Leader: Alexander Cappell 10:00 a.m. Meet at the northwest corner of Leslie St. and Finch Ave. E. Morning only.

Thursday HARBOURFRONT – Evening Ramble July 23 Leader: Phoebe Cleverley 6:45 p m. Meet at the southwest corner of York St. and Queen’s Quay near Second Cup. We’ll see what progress Waterfront Toronto has been making along the lake and stroll through the Music Garden, checking out birds and plants on our way. Bring binoculars.

Saturday LESLIE STREET SPIT– Birds and Butterflies July 25 Leader: Ann Gray 10:00 a.m. Meet at the park entrance at Leslie St. and Unwin Ave. Bring lunch, water, hat, binoculars, camera, sunscreen.

Sunday ROSETTA McCLAIN GARDENS AND BLUFFS – Nature Walk July 26 Leader: Bob Kortright 1:30 p m. Meet at the park entrance on the south side of Kingston Rd. at Glen Everest Rd. Bring binoculars.

Ideas from the Outings Leaders' Workshop, continued from April newsletter Part 3 - Challenging Situations Compiled by Ruth Munson and Gail Gregory from the Outings Leaders' Workshop held January 17, 2009.

What situations have you found when leading and how have you overcome them?

A. Keeping the Group Together

• Pace may vary depending on the sightings of the day. • Offshoot groups lagging at one spot may slow the pace. • Participants may move at differing paces. • Ask participants to report leaving the walk. • Ask back-up person to watch for stragglers so leader knows who has left and who may be lost! • After lunch is an especially difficult time to keep track of the group.

B. Seeing and Hearing

• Identify other experts in the group to aid in answering questions. • If one person is dominating the questions suggest having a later discussion. Ask the group if anyone else has a question. • A heckler. We were surprised at this being reported as a situation. We can only hope it won't happen again! • Socialize but don't drown out the leader! Step aside to have your personal conversations. • Allow time for enjoying special vistas and sightings.

C. Physical Challenges

• Inclement weather. Remember that the leader can decide to cancel a walk at the meeting place if conditions warrant. • Find a shady spot for information sharing on a hot day. • Make group aware of poison ivy in an area you are passing. • Arrange for mutual help in case of accident (see next summary for the Safety discussion in detail). TFN 564-10 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

Tuesday COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK– Nature Walk July 28 Leader: Kerry Adams 10:00 a.m. Meet at the southwest corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Kipling Ave. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Wednesday HIGH PARK – Evening Ramble July 29 Leader: Wendy Rothwell 6:45 p m. Meet at southwest corner of Bloor St. W. and High Park Ave.

Saturday CHARLES SAURIOL CONSERVATION RESERVE (North) – Nature Arts Photo Hike August 1 Leaders: Yoshie Nagata and Joe Bernaske 10:30 a.m. Meet at the park entrance at Lawrence Ave. E. and Old Lawrence Ave., just east of the Don Valley Parkway. Parking available (but not a circular route). Some hill walking. Good opportunities for quick sketching and writing along the way. Lunch will be at a coffee shop on Eglinton Ave. E. and Bermondsey Rd. Bring any work you’d like to share.

Sunday LAWRENCE PARK AND BURKE BROOK – Local History and Nature August 2 Leader: Janet Langdon 2:00 p m. Meet at the southeast corner of Yonge St. and St. Edmund’s Drive, one stop light south of Lawrence subway station. Circular route. Some steep hills.

Wednesday EAST DON TRIBUTARY: Great Rivers of North York: Finch to Sheppard – Evening Ramble August. 5 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 p m. Meet at the northeast corner of Leslie St. and Finch Ave. E.

Thursday TAYLOR CREEK AND E.T. SETON PARKS - Wildflowers August 6 Leader: Melanie Milanich 10:30 a.m. Meet at Main subway station. Walk will end at . Bring lunch. Duration: 3 hours.

Saturday MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY – Trees August 8 Leader: David Andrew White 10:00 a.m. Meet at Davisville subway station. Bring lunch.

Sunday SUN VALLEY AND – Nature Walk August 9 Leader: Margaret McRae 1:30 p m. Meet and end at the northeast corner of Beechwood Dr. and O’Connor Dr. west of Pape Ave. Bring binoculars.

Tuesday HUMBER ARBORETUM – Birds And Butterflies August 11 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:00 a.m. Meet at the entrance to the Humber Arboretum behind Humber College. The college is on Humber College Blvd. between Finch Ave. W. and Highway 27 (closer to Hwy 27). Bring lunch and binoculars.

Wednesday DISTILLERY DISTRICT HERITAGE - Evening Ramble August 12 Leader: Anne Scott 6:45 p m. Meet at the southeast corner of King St. E. and Parliament St.

Saturday – Nature Walk August 15 Leader: Bob Kortright 10:00 a.m. Meet at the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street in time for the 10:15 a m. ferry to Hanlan’s Point. Bring lunch, binoculars and money for ferry.

Sunday CASTLE FRANK BROOK AND SAN LORENZO COMMUNITY ORGANIC GARDEN – August 16 Lost Rivers 2:00 p m. Leader: Helen Mills Meet at the southwest corner of Dufferin St. and Lawrence Ave. W. outside Villa Columbo. A joint walk with the Toronto Green Community.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-11

Tuesday ROUGE VALLEY – Nature Ramble August 18 Leader: Charles Chaffey 1:30 p m. Meet at the bus stop on the east side of Meadowvale Rd. at the bridge to the zoo. We will explore northward on Hillside Nature Trail and Cedar Trail, returning to our starting point. Bring binoculars, duration 2 ½ hours . Thursday WARDEN WOODS AND TAYLOR MASSEY CREEK – Evening Ramble August 20 Leader: Melanie Milanich 6:45 p m. Meet at Warden subway station. Walk will end at Victoria Park subway station. We will view new wetlands and restoration projects.

Saturday ROUGE BEACH TO PETTICOAT CREEK – Birds and Butterflies August 22 Leader: Carol Sellers 10:00 a.m. Meet at the Rouge Hill GO station at Lawrence Ave. E. and East Ave. We will car pool from there to Rouge Beach. Bring lunch and binoculars.

Sunday LAMBTON WOODS – Wildflowers August 23 Leader: Leslie Fitzgibbons 1:30 p m. Meet in front of the washrooms at the entrance to James Gardens on Edenbridge Dr. east of Royal York Rd.

Tuesday LAMBTON PARK AND HUMBER RIVER – Natural Heritage August. 25, Leader: Madeleine McDowell 10:00 a.m. Meet at , 4066 Old Dundas St., on the east bank of the Humber River. TTC bus #55 Warren Park from Jane subway station to Warren and Lundy. Walk will end at Lambton House where we will have lunch with the option to continue along the river to Old Mill subway station. Bring lunch.

Wednesday WEST DON AND HINDER ESTATE– Evening Ramble August 26 Leader: Alexander Cappell 6:45 p m. Meet on the east side of Bathurst St. where the Don River goes under the street, north of Sheppard Ave. W. Walk will end at Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave. W.

Saturday CREEK – Nature Walk August. 29 Leader: Ed Freeman 1:45 p m. Meet at Tim Hortons at the corner of The West Mall and Sherway Dr., by Trillium Health Centre entrance. Walk ends at . Some rough ground, but mostly on dirt and paved paths. Duration: about 3 hours.

Sunday EAST DON PARKLANDS – Nature Walk August. 30 Leader: Barry Singh 2:30 p m. Meet at the southwest corner of Steeles Ave. E. and Leslie St.

TFN outing along the Belt Line, May 2006, photographed by Pleasance Crawford TFN 564-12 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The TFN is a multi-faceted organization, and our Joe shared examples, including some he had written, members appreciate nature in a variety of ways. For and challenged us to try our hand at it as we explored some, it is the simple delight of experiencing hopeful the greenhouses. This proved more difficult than I had signs of spring – the conk-la-reeee of Red-winged anticipated! Joe wrote this one following our outing: Blackbirds, pussy willows bursting forth and Cabbage Whites flying scampering chipmunks. For people of scientific mind, the appeal may be studying the amazing interactions upward circling each other within nature – how flowers are designed to attract the dancing into fall insects they rely on for pollination, or the indispensable We are fortunate to have gifted haiku-writers among role of fungi in the health of a forest. Some of us take our members, and enjoy printing their poems in the delight in watching behaviour – birds building their Newsletter. Thank you, Joe, for initiating the writing nests and feeding their young. Some TFN members idea, and we look forward to learning other genres on have become expert in certain fields, and share their future nature arts outings. knowledge and enthusiasm by writing articles for the Newsletter. Thank you, Marilynn Murphy, for your But the TFN is about more than appreciating and continuing “Bird of the Month” series. enjoying nature. We also recognize the importance of protecting and preserving it. The garlic mustard pulls On the first Saturday of each month, a Nature Arts on May 22nd provide an opportunity to do this (see outing enables members to combine love of nature pages 5 and 15 and for details). I hope many of you with artistic talents, and our newsletter is enriched by will participate. Thank you, Bob Kortright, for the images they capture, by drawing, painting or organizing this project. photography. Thank you, Gail Gregory, for the charming watercolour on this month’s front cover. I As you will see, we have a wonderful assortment of thoroughly enjoyed participating in the outing at Allan outings for you to enjoy during the spring and summer Gardens on March 7th co-led by Barry Singh, a months, where I hope to see many of you. If you have talented photographer, and Joe Bernaske, who special holidays planned, I hope they will include introduced a new aspect of nature arts – writing. The encounters with nature. I am looking forward to re- initial subject was haiku, a nature-oriented poetic form visiting Rondeau Provincial Park – one of my favourite from Japan which has been adopted and modified by places – and participating in the Huron Fringe Bird North Americans. I felt Joe captured its essence well: Festival.

• A crystallized moment of reality sensed with Please be sure to renew your TFN membership in heightened awareness and expressed with simple good time, so as not to miss your September imagery newsletter (see page 27).

• A reminder to pause and be present in the moment Wendy Rothwell to the details around us by using all our senses • A whole new way of seeing something

Gail Gregory, artist Joe Bernaske teaching haiku-writing Yoshie Nagata, photographer

Photographed by Wendy Rothwell at May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-13

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee recommends the following slate of nominees to the Board for the year 2009-2010:

President: Wendy Rothwell Past President: Pinky Franklin Vice-President: Bob Kortright Secretary-Treasurer: Corley Phillips Directors: due to retire in 2010: Alexander Cappell, Margaret McRae due to retire in 2011: Nancy Dengler, Elisabeth Gladstone, Corley Phillips due to retire in 2012: Barry Mitchell, Marcus Feak

George Bryant and Gail Gregory have advised that they intend to step down from the board when they complete their current term, creating two openings in September 2009.

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

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

Exciting Opportunity! Share your enthusiasm for the TFN!

We can’t offer you fabulous wealth or travel to exotic places, but we can offer you a share An attractive advertisement promoting of the “power of the purse”! Toronto Field Naturalists is being posted on the website If you have training and/or experience as an (www.torontofieldnaturalists.org). accountant or bookkeeper, and can contribute a modest amount of your time in assisting Please make known to prospective with TFN’s financial administration, we members the benefits of TFN membership would like to hear from you. – exhilarating outings, stimulating lectures, an interesting and enjoyable Please contact: newsletter and friendships with fellow Corley Phillips nature-lovers – by printing the poster and Barry Mitchell ) putting it up in your local library, or [email protected] community centre, etc. to arrange a get-together. If you want further information, don’t hesitate to send us your Don’t have a computer? Just phone the questions. office and we’ll be happy send you a few posters.

TFN 564-14 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

MONTHLY MEETING REPORT

After the Ice Age: The First Peoples of Ontario Sunday, April 5, speaker: Peter Storck, formerly of the , and author of Journey to the Ice Age: Discovering an Ancient World

It is generally accepted that the original peopling of the farmland and the act of ploughing disturbs the Americas was the result of the migration of Asians archaeological record. across the Bering land bridge. They spread throughout Peter’s second major discovery occurred north of the continent – to South America in the south and Uxbridge. Here he found 2000 pieces of stone – chips Nova Scotia in the east. In 1929, evidence of the off the tools being sharpened through a process called existence of Paleo-Indians had been found in the flintknapping, a sophisticated technology. He also southeastern United States. But when did they come to found the contents of what had once been a fire pit. Ontario? These 293 pieces of animal Peter’s pioneering work on bone, weighing 290 grams, this question and how he were probably smashed by made his discoveries make a the people to make soup and fascinating story. The Paleo- then put into the fire. They Indian stage of occupation is make the largest collection of characterized by the use of ancient animal bones east of projectile points. These early the Mississippi. hunters are said to have been The bones, tiny fragments, here 10,000 to 12,000 years were finally identified. One ago when northern Ontario belonged to the paw of a was still under ice and glacial hare, the second, caribou toe Lake Algonquin lapped what bones and the third, an arctic we know as southern fox. So with both tools and Ontario. the animal remains discov- How does an archaeologist ered, the ancient people are know where to look for placed in time and we know evidence? Peter walked, something of their life. beachcombing into the past. Peter then went looking for By walking the ancient other parts of the landscape raised shorelines formed over of their lives and the stone the last several thousand used in their tools and years, he searched for the weapons provided a clue. It sites where he might find the tools and campsites of was a flint-like substance, white chert. Three years early man. later, a geological colleague found the source, up near His first major discovery, close to Alliston, was a Collingwood. drumlin in a farmer’s field. A drumlin is a geological Peter’s pioneering work leaves questions for future term for an elongated hill deposited and shaped by exploration. For instance, why did these Paleo-Indians glacial ice. Here, he found spear points, hammer use white chert, sourced in a snow belt when they stones, knives, spear blanks and tools for working probably entered Ontario from the south? leather. For those interested in the details of this story, I highly However, this was not enough to establish that the recommend his readable book, Journey to the Ice Age, ancient people had been there when the lake was for details of his findings as well as the story of how an present. For that he needed organic material such as archaeologist works. At the back is a self-guided tour charcoal and remains of extinct animals to put the keyed to the narrative in the book. You, too, can drive people in the place. The difficulty is that what was into ice age Ontario and beyond! once the bottom of lakes and lagoons is now our rich Corinne McDonald May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-15

GARLIC MUSTARD REMOVAL

As announced in the April newsletter, please join fellow TFN members to pull garlic mustard on May 22 from 10 a.m. to about noon at Warden Woods or

South Humber Park (for directions see Outings page 5).

There will be city staff at each site to show us how it is done. Wear comfortable clothes, sturdy closed- toed shoes, bring drinking water and sunscreen.

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a shade-tolerant biennial that produces a cluster of basal leaves in its first year, and a leafy flowering stem up to 1 m tall in the second year. It has a strong garlic odour, especially if the leaves are bruised. Garlic mustard is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae).

The first year basal leaves are long-stalked and

kidney-shaped, from 3 to 17 cm across. The leaves on

the second year stem are alternate, stalked, triangular,

3 to 6 cm long, with coarsely toothed margins.

The flower cluster is a raceme of small, white, four-petalled flowers, 6 to 7 mm wide. Flowers are produced from April to June.

The fruits are narrow capsules,

up to 6 cm long, on short stout

stalks. Flowers and fruits develop over time from the

bottom of the raceme up to the top, so you may see the

long capsules at the base of the raceme while there are

still flowers opening at the top.

Large plants in suitable habitats may produce over 2,700 seeds. In dense stands in woodland habitats, seed production can range from 9,500 to over 100,000 seeds per square metre per year. When mature, the capsules burst open and can throw seeds several meters. Further distribution is primarily by humans and other animals inadvertently carrying seeds, or mud containing seeds. Natural or human-made roads and trails thus become prime corridors for invasion.

Populations spread an average of 5.4 m/year, which

may not sound like a lot until you add it up: 6,400 2 Informat on drawn from BEAN s Removal protocol for garlic km /year in North America! Garlic Mustard can mustard in Ontario, ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of dominate forest groundcover within 5 to 7 years of Ontario, Ottawa F e d Natura sts F etcher W d fe Garden introduction. Gar c Mustard factsheet, and TFN s photo arch ve. TFN 564-16 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

BIRD OF THE MONTH BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER

It was not until I joined the Toronto Field Naturalists to me louder, simpler and easier to recognize than that with its wonderful leaders, especially the late Helen of many warblers. Smith, who began drawing my attention to them, that I Insects comprise the main warbler diet, for some knew such gorgeous birds as warblers existed in species their entire food source. The Black-throated Toronto. A whole new world opened up. May is now Blue Warbler, however, has somewhat more varied my favourite month of the year, the best chance to see tastes. Besides insects, it also eats some fruit and 25 or more warbler species during their spring occasionally seeds, mainly in fall and winter. In the migration. Within this family of beautiful birds, the fall, blues have also been known to consume sap from Black-throated Blue Warbler was one of the first I sapsucker holes and at feeders they will eat suet and learned and remains a favourite. A never-to-be- peanut butter. This flexibility must help the rare forgotten sight was of a Black-throated Blue Warbler lingerer, like the two recorded in last winter's Toronto and a Scarlet Tanager feeding in full view against a Christmas Bird Count. Each warbler species has its background of bright yellow forsythia, a startling own methods of catching insects. Blues tend to move a contrast of primary colours. That May day a cold wind little more slowly and generally at lower levels than had driven the tanager down to shrub level and, after many warblers and both these habits make it easier for several minutes, finally drove me away, leaving the us to observe them. Occasionally blues can also be birds where I’d found them. seen gathering insects on the open ground.

For nest sites, Black-throated Blue Warblers prefer dense shrubs in deciduous or mixed forest interiors. This necessitates travelling beyond Toronto and in Ontario the densest breeding concentrations of blues are in the Southern Shield and to a lesser extent in the Northern Shield. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario 2001 - 2005 reports an expansion in southern Ontario, probably due to forest regeneration. More good news can be found in the Toronto Ornithological Club's spring warbler survey, conducted for more than 35 years. While that survey shows marked declines for many warblers migrating through the city, for blues “no significant trend up or down” has been detected. Black-throated Blue Warbler photographed in Cuba by Frances Money, February 2009 Warblers migrate mainly at night. They cross Lake Ontario when conditions are favourable and Toronto is well situated as a stop-over both in spring and fall. For Although warblers are best appreciated with the help of several weeks warblers can be found in the city's parks, binoculars, the “blue” is more obliging than many and cemeteries and backyards, preparing for the next leg of sometimes allows good looks even without binoculars. their journey. Other than the abundant Yellow The male’s deep blue, black and white pattern is unlike Warbler, very few warblers stay in the city to nest. any other warbler and makes him easy to recognize and Around the end of May blues disappear from Toronto remember. The little white patch on the wing, often until the southbound journey begins in August. By referred to as the pocket-handkerchief, is quite mid-October all but that rare straggler are gone and distinctive on the male and helps us recognize the unless we follow them to the Caribbean, we can only otherwise drab olive female. So different are the sexes look forward to next May for their reappearance. The in appearance that early observers considered them bird seen by Frances Money in Cuba may be the one different species. Unlike those “confusing fall you see in Toronto. warblers” which appear as pale imitations or in some cases very different from their spring glory, blues Marilynn Murphy change little with the seasons. The male’s song seems

Note: For more nformat on, see A Field Guide to Warblers of North America by Jon L. Dunn & K mba L. Garrett and the webs tes of The Toronto Orn tho og ca C ub and Corne Lab of Orn tho ogy. May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-17

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Two Does and a Fawn going up or down, and if it is raining or snowing), few Those who know me realize I rarely birdwatch without people know about the new wind speed indicator on a rubber boots. This is because I like to go through building near the corner of Yonge and Carlton, wetlands and swamps where most people hate to go. opposite the TFN office.

Most of the green areas of Toronto are in river valleys. The beacon was installed as a piece of art, and is called Finding wild tableland which is forested is highly “The Harbinger” (not of spring). Instead, colours unusual. The norm in Toronto is, as soon as you climb indicate wind speed. If the colour is blue, there is little a hill from a valley you find someone’s private wind, but as the wind increases, the colour changes to property. I was pleasantly surprised when birding green, then red, and finally white, with many shades in north of Sheppard on the east Don. I climbed a hill and between. The beacon can be seen by anyone walking found forested tableland. The area was covered with on Yonge in the evening. It can also be seen from as deer tracks so I was hopeful of finding some animals. I far away as . was not disappointed for in the distance I saw a white Helen Juhola tail flashing. The doe did not move too far from me and sat down with her ears perked up. I tried to avoid My wife and I have been members for several years. I scaring her so made my way back to the bike path. I am submitting a couple of photos of interesting insects went on a route through the wet lowlands hoping to from our native plant garden in . flush a woodcock. I didn’t have much luck finding One is of a Nessus sphinx moth that was feeding on early spring arrivals. While I was walking on the paved our milkweed in the summer of 2008. The other is of path two more deer were jumping over logs on the far two milkweed bugs mating (presumably). Keep up the bank of the river. They appeared to be a doe and year great work with the newsletter. old fawn. Although I only saw 18 species of birds, John Teshima seeing 3 deer made the hike more than worthwhile. Next week may bring in some bluebirds, meadowlarks or flickers. This time of year is always exciting as you never know what you may discover. Roger Powley

Wind Speed in Colour While many people probably know about the weather beacon on top of the Canada Life building on University Avenue (which shows if the temperature is

This is the last newsletter of the 2008- 2009 season. Thanks to all members who sent in articles, letters, book reviews, reports, poems, artwork and photographs. And a big thank you to Newsletter Committee members for your hard work, especially co-editor, Wendy Rothwell, without whom your newsletter might not arrive on time!

Please keep the newsletter in mind when you’re on summer outings, and send us your observations of and on Toronto nature for next season’s issues. Jenny Bull TFN 564-18 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

Tommy Thompson Park (TTP) – Highlights of 2008

By Andrea Luger, Restoration Services Division, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

2008 was a busy year at TTP, also known as Leslie St. natural areas, with organic soils largely absent. This Spit. Although it was a cold and snowy winter, staff of makes TTP less than ideal for plant growth. Organic TRCA started the year by installing various structures matter provides plant roots with the nutrients and around the park such as wood duck and owl boxes and micro-organisms they need and improves the moisture fish cribs. Later, the soil slope on the edge of Cell One holding capacity of the soil, allowing plants to take up was altered to make a vertical wall that Bank Swallows more water. To improve conditions, planting nodes can burrow into and build their nests. (A vertical slope were created with topsoil imported from local develop- offers protection from mammalian predators.) Log ment sites and these areas were planted or seeded with tangles and brush piles were installed on the Toplands native species. Nine hundred trees and shrubs were and around Triangle Pond for small mammals, and planted. Herbaceous species were planted in wet turtle nesting habitat was created near several wetlands. meadows and sand dunes, increasing plant diversity, improving soil stability and enhancing wildlife habitat Log tangles, root wads and large boulders were placed by providing food and cover, including over-wintering on the ice a few metres off the shoreline of Embayment and nesting habitat. C. When the ice melted they naturally fell into position, creating structural habitat, feeding and spawning Non-native invasive species are a concern in some areas opportunities for fish, and substrate for invertebrates. of TTP: the shoreline of Triangle Pond is predomi- Logs emerging above the water are ideal for turtle nantly composed of common reed; some meadow areas basking and waterfowl roosting. In the summer native in the park have been taken over by dog strangling vine; aquatic vegetation was planted along the shoreline to and purple loosestrife is found near wetlands. Physical increase biodiversity, reinforce stability, and provide removal techniques were used to control dog-strangling food and cover for both aquatic and terrestrial species. vine and common reed before their seeds had matured and dispersed. Vegetation surveys were also completed around Cell One and the four Embayments. These annual surveys allow us to map natural succession and changes in vegetation community structures.

As non-functioning light standards in the park are removed there are fewer perches available for raptors to rest and survey the surrounding area for foraging opportunities. To compensate for this, a 7 m raptor pole has been installed in a meadow area near Embay- ment D. The pole, which has a snake hibernaculum at its base, is expected to become a favourite location for Juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper, photographed by park visitors looking for birds of prey – already a Seabrooke Leckie, TTPBRS volunteer Peregrine Falcon is enjoying this new vantage point! Creation of a two-basin wetland on the Toplands More poles will be erected in the coming months. continued throughout the year. Topsoil was added and Continued on p. 19. contoured. A water control structure was placed between the two basins in order to manipulate water levels independently in each basin so that shorebirds of varying sizes can benefit. The wetland was filled with water pumped from Lake Ontario, and mud from the base of Triangle Pond was spread across several areas to increase the number and diversity of invertebrates available for shorebirds. We are looking forward to the arrival of migrating shorebirds in the spring!

Although fine materials have been placed above the construction rubble and clean dredgeate that forms the Peregrine Falcon on the new raptor perch, land base of TTP, the soil profile at TTP is atypical of photographed by Ian Sturdee, TTPBRS volunteer.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-19

FOR READING

The Songs of Insects By Lang Elliott and Wil Hershberger The book closes with a few tips on which insects you Houghton Mifflin Co., 228 pages, $26.95, includes 70- might want to keep as household musicians for a while. minute CD. Coneheads are attractive but their songs are loud and

This is a very handy new book to help you enjoy the harsh while cricket trills and chirps are quite pleasant! sounds of late summer. It covers 75 singing insects - This is a fun and informative book. crickets, katydids, grasshoppers and cicadas - in the Carol Sellers eastern and central US and Canada. Both authors are well-known, Elliott for his bird songs and Hershberger Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies for insect songs. There is a brief background of Algonquin Park and the Surrounding Areas introduction to the insect groups such as how and why By Colin Jones and Matt Holder, illustrations by Peter they sing, but most of the book is devoted to species Burke and Andrea Kingsley. The Friends of Algonquin Park, P.O. Box 248, Whitney identification. The 75 species covered are separated ON K0J 2M0. into 6 types of crickets, 5 types of katydids, 2 of long- Available only from www.algonquinpark.on.ca, horned grasshoppers and 2 of cicadas. There is a short 263 pages, $28.95. introduction for each type followed by usually 2 pages for each species. The left page has a picture of the This new field guide is an important contribution to our species on white, a range map, sonogram and some knowledge of odonates. Many guides cover only pertinent comments about the species. The right page dragonflies or damselflies; this guide covers both in has a full-page photograph of the species on great detail. Although the title refers to Algonquin vegetation. The photographs are outstanding! When Park, the guide is very complete for Ontario. It covers there are several species that look similar there are also 135 species, omitting only a few species from southwestern and far northern Ontario. additional drawings of parts of the insect that would distinguish them. I should mention that all the Each species is given a complete description noting its photographs are of live insects; I don't know how they identification markers, a comparison to similar species, got the crickets to stay still. notes on habitat and behaviour, flight period, status

The CD is amazing. It is difficult to actually see insects (common, rare, etc.) and its range. A good-size singing; those that sing during the day often hide coloured drawing shows the top and/or side view. themselves and those that sing at night have perfect Often there are black-and-white drawings of specific cover. Also, some insect songs are so high-pitched that details that could be used to identify the species. The many older people can't hear them. For this CD, the depth of information conveyed by the drawings is extremely informative. authors used a device that lowers the pitch into a range where one's hearing is still normal. That said, I did This book didn't come out until fall so I haven't had a have to turn the volume way up for a couple of the chance to use it, but I'm certainly looking forward to it. katydid songs. Each species on the CD is introduced with a brief narrative, followed by the song. If there is Carol Sellers a difference in the song because of temperature, e.g. cold cricket/warm cricket, both songs are recorded.

Tommy Thompson Park Highlights continued from previous page

The new trail system installed in 2007 was a big hit Many exciting restoration projects are scheduled for with park visitors. By separating the trails by their main TTP in 2009. There will be spring and fall plantings of uses, people had more room to discover the park at their native trees and shrubs, wildflower plantings in the leisure, reducing the number of conflicts with cyclists. summer, improvements to trails, and shoreline The three main trail systems are the Primary Pedestrian stabilization and wetland habitat improvements in the Trail for walking and jogging, the Multi-Use Trail for Embayments. cyclists and the Nature Trail for nature observers. TFN 564-20 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

EXTRACTS FROM OUTINGS LEADERS’ REPORTS

Port Union Waterfront Trail, March 4, led by Karin Ashbridges Bay, March 17, led by Margaret Catto Fawthrop Twenty-three bird species in total. We heard a Belted A Red-tailed Hawk followed us from Rouge Hill GO Kingfisher and saw Mourning Doves nest-building in a station to the Highland Creek bridge. Other than 2 spruce. American Robin and Song Sparrow were cardinals and 2 Rock Doves, the only birds were singing, also Red-winged Blackbird and Common waterfowl. The Long-tailed Ducks were the noisiest. Grackle. On the beach next to the creek there was a beaver Leslie Street Spit, March 28, led by Bob Kortright munching on sticks. Everyone had a good view. The warm sunny forecast led almost 50 members and East, March 10, led by Bob Kortright friends to visit the Spit to see birds – 8 lasted the full 11 Although the mink, Black-backed Gulls and two km. Those who left early missed the cormorants which Horned Grebes were the only slightly unusual sightings, appeared to arrive during the day, since we saw none many in the group were also delighted with good views until well after lunch and they first appeared behind us! of all three merganser species, Redhead, scaup, About half the species were those (mostly waterfowl) Bufflehead, goldeneye, and juvenile and adult plumages which have been around all winter. The blackbirds, of three gull species. For many, sightings of Red- cowbirds, grackles, Killdeer, and Song Sparrows have winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, and even Gadwall been back for several weeks. More recent signs of were first of the spring. spring included the Ring-necked Ducks, Red-necked

Col. Sam Smith Park, March 14, led by Wendy Grebes, cormorants, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Rothwell woodcock, kingfisher, kinglets, creepers, butterflies, On this bright sunny morning, 35 eager participants coltsfoot in bloom, pussy willows, and garter snakes turned out to see both winter waterfowl and newly returned migrants. In the lagoon, we watched White- winged Scoters and Horned and Red-necked Grebes. The voices of Red-winged Blackbirds and Song Sparrows were a delightful sign of spring. And it was a thrill to see four Trumpeter Swans fly over in formation.

LOON by Heather Cadsby

Many people like birds. Birds travel a lot. Many people can’t sit still. They get jealous, go weird. Some birds are weird. Pussy willows photographed by Augusta Takeda, Take the loon for instance. Leslie St. Spit, March 28 Underwater He spreads his wings seen in a couple of places–males apparently attempting And flies after fish. to mate with females emerging from hibernacula. The On the surface mockingbird was seen by some at the base of the Spit. He runs. The woodcock flushed in our midst during our lunch In the air stop, dropping back down into the shrubbery so quickly He moves like a hunchback. many did not see it. Unfortunately many also missed And that’s not to mention perhaps the most unusual sight for the day – a Sandhill His crazy feet Crane flying high above us to the west, where they are Goofy jewellery more often seen. A group led by the president of the And wild cry. Loons have no use for people. Toronto Ornithological Club spotted a Western Grebe Many people like loons. far offshore, but we were unable to find it.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-21

CITIZEN SCIENCE

Citizen Science is a term used to describe the PlantWatch began in Alberta in 1987 to track changes participation of citizens in the collection of data for in flowering times of certain plants after it was noticed scientific analysis. From glass eels in the Hudson River that some plants appeared to be flowering earlier and watershed and lichens in Toronto to bird migration earlier each spring – some species now flower a month across North America, these data allow scientists to earlier than a century ago. PlantWatch is now part of track species distributions and population numbers for Environment Canada’s NatureWatch, which also use in analysing many different ecological issues such tracks climate change with a program called IceWatch. as the effects of climate change, invasive species, Ice events – the freeze and thaw dates of lakes and habitat loss, and pollution. Ideally, these analyses will rivers – are easily recorded. Since climate change is not lead to better government policy and management. consistent across the country and because there are Programs may include extensive training or simply large gaps in the current monitoring network, citizen involve a few minutes of instruction. Here is a scientists are important in supplying much needed data sampling of some projects you can get involved in. from many more regions.

A new citizen science program, Pollination Canada, WormWatch is a nationwide earthworm census. collects observations from the Canadian public for a Citizens report on the presence of worms in their soil in nationwide survey of pollinators. The program monitors order to help understand soil ecology as well as to help insect populations and diversity in gardens, parks, along figure out the question of whether Canadian earthworms country roads – anywhere flowers are growing – to help were all killed in the last ice age and are now found due scientists better understand the crucial relationships to introductions from Europe, or whether in fact some between pollinators, ecosystems, plant diversity, and survived the ice age in certain regions. human activity. On June 20, there will be an intro- The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) started in 1900 as a duction to this program on a TFN Outing led by Bob way to encourage people to switch from the tradition of Kortright (see p. 7). shooting birds at Christmas to counting them instead.

The first count involved 27 people in 25 sites across With populations of reptiles and amphibians dropping at Canada and the USA. The most recent count tallied an alarming rate and over 1500 species on the verge of reports from over 2000 sites across the Americas. extinction or already recently gone, Analysis of the data collected from the last 40 years of administers two programs – Ontario Turtle Tally and the CBC was reported on in last month’s newsletter Ontario FrogWatch –to monitor turtles, frogs and (TFN # 563, p. 16). toads (see below). Continued on next page.

TFN 564-22 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

CITIZEN SCIENCE continued from previous page.

There are many other Citizen Science programs across North America. These observations can be used involving monitoring of birds such as the Great Back to help monitor bird populations over time and across Yard Bird Count held over one weekend a year (the the landscape. As a participant, you can even use eBird most recent with over 90,000 checklists submitted from to keep track of your own sightings and checklists! 35 states and provinces) and Project FeederWatch Anyone can access the data to create charts showing which collects data on observations of birds that visit occurrence of particular species over time in particular feeders in backyards and nature centers from November places—across the whole of North America, just in to April. These data help scientists track broadscale Ontario, or even at one of six locations in Toronto! movements of winter bird populations and long-term One of the newest programs citizens can participate in trends in bird distribution and abundance. Many bird is the Ontario Wasp Watchers Project -- watching for species or groups such as hawks and hummingbirds also a native ground-nesting wasp that can indicate the have their own monitoring programs. presence of new infestations of the emerald ash borer A new international system called eBird, launched in (EAB) beetle before it becomes established as a serious 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National pest. While the EAB is virtually undetectable, the native Audubon Society, is amassing one of the largest bio- wasp that preys on EABs can be observed bringing diversity data resources in existence. In 2006, partici- them back to its underground burrow where they are pants reported more than 4.3 million bird observations stored as food for the wasps’ larvae.

If you’d like to become part of this extraordinary world-wide movement of citizen scientists, start by finding a program that fits your circumstances. Time commitment can vary from one to many hours per year, the place can be as close as your kitchen window or requiring travel some distance from home, and expertise can be at the beginner level of species recognition through to advanced.

For more information about these programs, google the project’s name. You can also phone Bird Studies Canada at 1-888-448-2473 for information and registration in many Canadian projects including Project FeederWatch, Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, eBird Canada, Marsh Monitoring Program, and Project NestWatch. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (416-661-6600 ext. 5574) also runs a monitoring program throughout Toronto and region for which they provide training for volunteers. For a list of Canada-wide programs see CitizenScience.ca

CANADIAN LAKES LOON SURVEY

IF YOU’RE IN LOON COUNTRY IN THE SUMMER: • survey any Canadian lake at least once in June (for loon pairs), once in July (for newly hatched chicks) and once in August (for the number of young that survive); • keep an eye out for other common waterbirds; • record your information and send it to Bird Studies Canada by mail or internet for analysis.

Your reports join hundreds others from across the country to support the conservation of loons and lakes. To register: 1-888-448-BIRD (2473) or www.bsc-eoc.org/cllsmain.

• Loons are one of the oldest groups of birds living today, with a history of more than 50 million years. There are five species of loons worldwide, four of which breed in Canada. The majority of the world’s Common Loons breed on Canadian lakes. • Quiet “hoots” or “mews” are intimate chats among loons floating together. The wild “yodel,” with repeated triplets at the end, is a territorial call given by males. The familiar tremolo or “laughing” call is a distress call that loons give when alarmed or threatened. The cause could be another loon, a predator or a curious human. If loons give this call with you near, you may have approached a loon’s nest or chick too closely. • At present, loon populations are stable but reproductive success is higher in western regions than in the east. Human activities have decreased the abundance and breeding range of Common Loons in North America in the last 150 years. Factors include acid rain, shoreline development, water level fluctuations, and water craft. Loons are also threatened by the deadly Type E botulism when they migrate through the Great Lakes. There are several US states where loons are threatened, endangered or no longer present.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-23

FROM THE ARCHIVES

From TFN Newsletter #212, April 1965. Wilderness Adventure, by Ronald G. Tozer

It is 4:30 pm on a lazy July afternoon in Algonquin Another few steps forward and there is a great crashing Park. As I get up from my chair in the museum's lab, of brush ahead of us. With haste we move on to my companion, a man some forty years older than I, discover a large grove of striped maple which has been remarks with reserved enthusiasm, “Should we go to heavily browsed and broken down. We have disturbed Longspur Lake tonight?” a moose (or maybe two) which has likely eaten here for several days. The moose can feed on these saplings We gather cameras, binoculars, sheath knives, which are too large for deer. flashlight, hand axe and mosquito repellent. We strap The sun lowering in the west the canoe on the car and drive urges us on once more. We to the beginning of the trail, have not gone much farther which covers about three miles when a small bird flutters up between the highway and from beside the path. Longspur Lake. Carefully we peer at the dead leaves, but it is a full The sun is still quite high as minute before we discover we arrive and unstrap the the nest--the arched bower of canoe. I hoist the canoe onto the ovenbird with its set of my shoulders. My friend Russ, eggs. We are pleased since axe in hand, sets forth ahead of this bird's nest is very me on the trail, watching for difficult to find. Moving on our former blazes and re- now, the ground begins to marking those which have slope toward the lake, and I become dull. hear the raucous cries of the The young maples grow young great blue herons in profusely here in the deep the nesting colony on the shade of the climax forest. lake's two islands. There is a pungent odour of Jack pines, drawn by Eva Davies Arriving at the lake-edge, we decaying leaves, fungi and pause to “breathe in” the mosses. Before us is a low area which is open to the beauty of the area. The sun, with its deeply slanted azure sky and supports a luxuriant growth of intricate rays, casts an ochreous hue upon the hemlocks, pines hay-scented fern. The trail turns off to the left and up a and spruces of the shore. A light wind is rippling the ridge which has a huge rounded boulder, the size of clear, cold waters of this northern lake, and now a loon your car, near its crest--a reminder that we are in the gives its quavering call, to be answered immediately by glacially-eroded Precambrian Shield. Nearby are another, and then still another until we can see four of several beech trees which have healed-over scratches, these large divers. (Later we discovered that a pair was caused by bears' claws, on their smooth gray bark, and nesting on each of the islands). what look like large stick nests in the upper branches. Russ explains that the black bears climb these trees and The canoe is launched and we paddle out toward the pull the branches in to the centre to get the beechnuts, islands, pausing when halfway there. The movement of leaving these nest-like assemblages. our paddles ceases, and our senses become completely attuned to the evening scene. A Swainson's thrush Shouldering the canoe again, we set off toward the repeats its escalating phrases from the top of a lake. I listen for birds and can pick out an ovenbird, a hemlock. Serpentine herons sit in tall pines, framed veery, a raven, and far off the shrill cry of a broad- like ghostly sentinels against the western sky. Gently winged hawk. Another wet spot is traversed by way of drifting, we are awed with this wilderness spectacle. a damp rotting log which is identified as hemlock, due Suddenly this somniferous interlude is interrupted by to the reddish-orange bracket fungus (hemlock conk) the far-off howls of wolves, just as the sun dips below growing on the side. Several dead balsams remain the horizon. It is getting late. We must head back. Yet standing here, and in the quiet of the forest we are able to hear the rasping of bark beetles within these trees. Continued on page 26.

TFN 564-24 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

WEATHER (THIS TIME LAST YEAR)

May 2008 The big news, however, was rainfall. Downtown had May was relatively cool, especially in comparison to 121.1 mm of rain (normal is 67.5), which was the the warm April. Mean temperatures were about 1° to highest for July since 1996 (123.2 mm). But Pearson’s 1.5° below normal, with few extremes; warming up to 193.2 mm was about 2.5 times the normal and made it 28° briefly later in the month but mostly below 20°. It the wettest July on record there, beating the former was particularly cool the first couple of days and again record set in 1980 (182.3 mm). Incredibly, there was the 18th to 21st. Monthly means downtown and at no severe flooding of the kind recorded in the summers Pearson Airport were 12.7° and 11.9° respectively. of 1986, 1996 and most recently in August 2005, Showers were frequent, but generally not too heavy; though mild to moderate incidents were repeated. total precipitation was 68.8 mm at Pearson Airport and Rainfall was fairly well-distributed over the month 53.7 mm downtown (actually below the normal 73.2 with several heavy downpours, notably on the 8th, 19th mm). Sunshine hours were close to normal. It was to 20th, and 22nd to 23rd. actually a rather pleasant month overall with unusually Also unusual was the co-occurrence of abundant extended springtime conditions for Toronto (lasting sunshine with the rainfall—290.9 hours, almost 15 from early April to the end of May) and no early start hours above the normal and close to what we received to summer. Flowering shrubs persisted most of the during the droughty July of 2007! month. August 2008 June 2008 August was a relatively cool month. It began with June brought changeable weather but ended up being frequent thunderstorm activity carrying over from July slightly warmer and wetter than normal. The monthly due to an upper-level trough, but a trend toward drier mean temperature downtown was 20.0° and at Pearson (and somewhat warmer) weather ensued after mid- it was 19.6°, about 1° above normal in both cases. The month. Downtown had a monthly mean temperature of average warmth, however, was due to a distinct heat- 20.6°, which is 0.7° below normal, and Pearson Airport wave from the 6th to 9th that peaked on the 9th with had a mean of 19.7°, also 0.7° below normal. It was the highs of 33.5° downtown and 34.1° at Pearson Airport. coolest August since 2004. Pearson failed to reach 30°, This ended in classic fashion with thunderstorms. After peaking at 29.4° on the 18th, but downtown reached the heat wave, however, conditions were generally 30.2° on that day. It was the lowest monthly maximum moderate, and downright cool from the 17th to19th for August at Pearson since 1992. with daytime temperatures in the teens and nighttime temperatures in the suburbs below 10°. Monthly rainfall was 81.4 mm downtown. This is only 1.5 mm above the 1971-2000 average, but because of Frequent weather systems brought repeated showers the dry trend of recent Augusts, it was the highest for and thunderstorms. None of these were particularly the month since 1999! Pearson’s total rainfall was 92.6 severe, although there were isolated flood incidents on mm. This was enough to make the June to August (and the 23rd. It was the wettest June since 2000, with 99.2 May to August) period the wettest on record at Pearson mm of rain downtown and 110.4 mm at Pearson. With Airport. 396.2 mm fell in the three-month much of the rain being of convective origin, sunshine meteorological summer period, beating 1986’s 335.9 was down only slightly below normal—228.5 hours as mm. (May to August had 465.0 mm which beat 1986’s compared to the long-term average of 254.0 hours. 411.1 mm). Downtown’s June to August total was July 2008 301.7 mm, the most since 1986 which had 355.7 mm. Near-normal temperatures and heavy rainfall A certain degree of global cooling has occurred since a characterized July. (Overall it felt a bit cool though warm spike in January 2007. The origin of this reverse humid.) Downtown had a mean temperature of 22.2°, trend (or its ultimate duration) is uncertain, but may which is exactly the long-term normal. Pearson’s 21.5° have something to do with a strong La Niňa over 2007- was only 0.1° above the long-term average. Summer 2008, as well as unusually low solar activity. Arctic sea heat was moderate this year, with Pearson reaching just ice declined sharply this August, though, pointing 31.1° on a couple of days, and a total of five 30°+ towards the second lowest minimum on record after days. Downtown never breached the 30° mark all 2007. month, peaking at 29.9° on the 16th. Gavin Miller

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-25

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

Jim Baillie Memorial Bird Walks – Toronto Ornithological Club These outings are aimed at the intermediate birder but beginners are also welcome. Information: www.torontobirding.ca • Sat. May 2, 7:30 am – noon. Spring Migration, High Park. Leader: Bob Yukich. Meet in parking area inside Bloor St. entrance across from High Park Ave. • Sat. May 9, 7:30 am – noon. Warblers, Lambton Woods. Leader: Don Burton. Meet in parking lot in James Gardens (access from Edenbridge Dr.). • Mon. May 18, 7:45 am – all day. Peak Migration, Toronto Islands. Leader Luc Fazio. Meet at ferry docks at foot of Bay St. to catch the 8 am ferry to Hanlan’s Point. Bring lunch. • Sat. May 23, 7:30 am – noon. Whimbrel and other Migrants, Col. Sam Smith Park. Leader: Steven Favier. Meet in the south parking lot at the foot of Kipling Ave.

North American Native Plant Society (NANPS) Information: www nanps.org, 416-631-4438. Sat. May 9, 10 am – 3 pm, sale of hard-to-find native plants and related books. Free talks on green roofs (11 am) and the decline of the native bumblebee (12:15 pm), Markham Civic Centre, Atrium, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham.

High Park Walking Tours Meet at the benches across the road south of Grenadier Café. Donation requested. Information: 416-392-1748 ext. 5 or [email protected] or www.highpark.org Sunday morning walks, 10:30 am Thursday evening walks for families • May 10 Returning Migratory Birds, Steven Favier. • May 21, 7 pm. Nature walk. • May 24 Spring Babies at the Zoo, Zoo staff. • June 14 Myths and Legends of High Park, staff. • June 18, 7 pm. Nature walk. • June 28 June Wildflowers, Ron Luft. • July 12 Summer Sunshine Photo-buff walk, David Allen. • July 16, 8 pm. Bat walk. • July 26 From Caterpillars to Butterflies, Don Scallen. • Aug. 9 Plants of the Oak Savannah, Jane Schmidt. • Aug. 20, 8 pm. Bat walk. • Aug. 23 Restoring the Forest, Toronto Urban Forestry.

High Park Volunteer Stewardship Program Information: www.highpark.org, click on VSP icon Sun. May 3, 11 am – 2 pm. Native Plant Sale in front of the Greenhouse off Centre Rd. Parking at Grenadier Café.

Colborne Lodge, High Park March 6 – May 24. As part of the City of Toronto’s 175th Anniversary Celebration – a display of John Howard’s 1834 and 1835 watercolours of some of the early City landscapes and structures.

Toronto Entomologists’ Association (TEA) See www.ontarioinsects.org for summer outings.

Rouge Valley Conservation Centre Sun. May 10, 1:30 p.m. Nature Walk. Leader: Orval White. Meet at Pearse House, 1749 Meadowvale Ave., for a 2-hour loop nature walk in the Rouge Park. Bring binoculars.

The Market Gallery South St. Lawrence Market, 2nd floor, 95 Front St. E. Free. Note: Gallery is closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Until June 13, 2009: Lit. City: Toronto Through the Eyes of Authors and Artists.

Tommy Thompson Park Spring Bird Festival Sat. May 23, 8 am – 4 pm. Including guided hikes, bird identification, bird banding demonstrations, spring migration bird counts, habitat restoration, and introduction of new booklet Birds of Toronto: A Guide to their Remarkable World with speaker Bridget Stutchbury. Registration required for some events. Information: www.trca.on.ca/ttp or 416-661-6600 ext. 5770.

Continued on next page. TFN 564-26 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

COMING EVENTS continued from page 25

Lost Rivers Walks Information: www.lostrivers.ca • Sat. May 2, 2 pm. Jane’s Walk. Meet outside Wellesley subway station. • Sun. May 3, 1 – 3 pm. “Jane’s Bike Ride.” Pedal the Don (cycle from Sunnybrook to the Waterfront). Meet at the southeast corner of Yonge St. and Lawrence Ave. E. near library; finish at the Paddle the Don take-out event. Information: or • Sun. May 10, 1 pm. Aggie’s Wildflowers. Leader: Madeleine McDowell. Meet at Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas St. W., on the east bank of the Humber River. A 2-hour circular tour of wildflowers in the Magwood Sanctuary, starting with a talk about Agnes and returning to Lambton House for tea • Mon. May 18, 2 pm. Geology Walk. Don Inverted Triangle: Todmorden to Moore Park to Leaside along Iroquois shoreline. Leader: Ian Wheal. Meet at southwest corner of Broadview Ave. and Mortimer Ave. • May 23-24, 10 am – 1 pm. Mud Creek Quarry Tour at Evergreen Brick Works for . Tours will be held on the hour. • Tues. May 26, 1:30 pm. Turtle viewing sites, Eglinton Flats ponds and wetlands. Leader: Ian Wheal. Meet at the southeast corner of Eglinton Ave. W. and Jane St. • Sat. June 6, 2 pm. Franco-Ontarien Histoire. Leader: Ian Wheal and his amis. A walk among historic sites with a French heritage theme. Meet at the northwest corner of Spadina Ave. and Queen’s Quay. Interpretation in French and English. • Sun. June 7. A walk for International Rivers to Oceans Day with Riversides, Lower Don and Don Delta. Check website for details. • Tues. June 30, 1:30 pm. Humber Marshes. Meet at Old Mill subway station. • Sun. July 5, 1:30 pm. Saul’s Creek: Jewish Military Heritage. Leader: Ian Wheall. Meet at Long Branch TTC Loop. • Mon. Aug. 3, 1:30 pm – 5 pm. Amos Ponds and Altona Forest (Rouge River). Meet at Rouge Valley Conservation Centre (Pearse House), 1749 Meadowvale Rd., east on the Toronto Zoo on-ramp.

Ian Wheal Walks • Wed. July 1, 2 pm. The Horse in Toronto. Meet at the northeast corner of Queen St. E. and River St.

City of Toronto Tree Plantings Weekends, May 2 – June 7. Information: 416-392-5323 or www.toronto.ca/parks/tat/treeplanting.htm

School of Continuing Studies, University of Toronto Mushroom identification course, September 14 – October 3 (4 evening classes and 2 Saturday field trips). Instructor: Richard Aaron. Cost: $199 + GST. Information: learn.utoronto.ca/site3.aspx or e-mail [email protected].

FROM THE ARCHIVES continued from page 23 we will linger a time longer, as if to savour every the barred owl—“Who cooks for you? Who cooks for possible moment with nature. We paddle back to the you all?”—accompanies us when we near the highway. shore and place the canoe in a safe location. Starting As we step on the pavement the midnight hour passes. back along the trail, we soon need our flashlight to find We are both physically tired, but our spirits have been the blazes. As the trail passes near Jack Lake I hear the awakened by the occurrences of the past seven hours. “Jug-o-rum” calls of bullfrogs, and a sound like stones There is a pond beside the road, and a lone beaver being knocked together, emitted by mink frogs. By the swims across its moonlit surface. A speeding time we reach the opening where the hay-scented fern automobile flashes around a bend, flooding the scene grows, a large moon has come up to cause weird with its headlights--the beaver slaps its tail--and our shadows among the tree trunks. The haunting query of wilderness adventure is summarily ended.

May 2009 Toronto Field Naturalist TFN 564-27

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Your TFN membership expires June 30, 2009. To renew for the year July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, and ensure a September newsletter, either • Cut out this form, which has your address printed on the back, or • photocopy both sides of this form, or • print the Membership application form from the TFN website and complete it, ensuring that the name appears exactly as printed on your newsletter. If your address has changed, please indicate this so our records will be updated. Send the form with your payment by June 30 to: Toronto Field Naturalists, 2 Carlton Street, Suite 1519, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3

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

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

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

I/we might be willing to volunteer in the following areas:

Outings Promotion Office help Environmental issues

Newsletter Website Finance/Accounting Youth programs

Other: ______

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Cherry blossoms in High Park, photographed by Wendy Rothwell TFN 564-28 Toronto Field Naturalist May 2009

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

American Lady butterfly, on knapweed, photographed by Margaret McRae