Interest grows in native wildflowers

Interest grows in native wildflowers

My first Bobolink!

The story on Bobolinks: http://onnaturemagazine.com/songs-of-the-bobolink.html

Where I saw one today:


View Bobolink Location in a larger map

Meadowlily Nature Preserve

Lady’s Slipper Cypripedium calceolus

Warbler Woods ESA - May 21, 2011

Sweet Woodruff (top), Wild Geranium (middle) May Apple (bottom)

Silent Spring Toronto?

I've heard rumour that not a single amphibian has been sighted in the City of Toronto this spring.  Is it true? I was calling this the "year of the frog" on account on the wet conditions and unusual number of amphibian sightings.  What is going on in Toronto?   Increased UV exposure, Chytrid Fungus or estrogen analogues (e.g., flame retardents) influence on reproductive health?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in_amphibian_populations

Port Huron in the Dirty Dozen

http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110516/NEWS01/105160305/Port-Huron-listed-among-worst-sewer-discharges?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Softshell Turtles for sale

Prompted by a facebook post, which depicted a softshell turtle the author had bought at a local grocery store for $5.99 (he was excited to make turtle soup), I decided to do some "investigative reporting". After some hunting, I found a pile of softshell turtles in the seafood isle of a London international  grocery store.  I took some pictures and stealthed away.

According to Lake Region Audubon (http://lakeregionaudubon.org/articles/whats_killing_our_wildlife/whats_killing_our_wildlife.html):

"For years, the Florida softshell turtles were over-harvested  to supply the Asian market.   In 2008, the Florida Fish & Wildlife estimated that more than 3,000 pounds of softshell meat were being flown out of the Tampa International Airport with thousands more from other major airports. Finally, in 2009, alarmed by the abrupt decline, the FWC approved a new rule for commercial harvesting of turtles as well as individual species protection."

A google search led me to conclude that that the turtles are likely farmed  (Photo of Chinese Softshell Turtle).  Chinese Softshell Turtles, not our native and beloved Spiny Softshell turtles. I also found many bags ($3.00/bag) of Chinese Mystery Snail for sale (see previous post).  I didn't take pictures, as these were in the live food area, where multiple staff man the counter. 

According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_farming):

The majority of world's turtle farms are probably located in China. According to a study published in 2007, over a thousand turtle farms operated in China.  According to the responses obtained from 684 of those farms, these farms had the total herd of more than 300 million animals, and sold over 128 million turtles each year, with the total weight of about 93,000 tons. Extrapolating from this sample, the researchers estimated that about 300 million farm-raised turtles are sold annually by China's registered turtle farms, worth (presumably, at the wholesale prices) around US$750 million. They note that a large number of unregistered farms exist as well.

Birding at Westminster Ponds - Day 2

Today we saw:
Green Heron
Veery
American Redstart
Common Grackle
Wood Duck
Mallard
Song Sparrow
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Scarlet Tanager
Canada Goose
Eastern Kingbird
Northern Cardinal
Downy Woodpecker
Chimney Swift
Red-winged Blackbird

Due to the cool rainy conditions, there were not nearly as many birds today.

Birding at Westminster Ponds

Today we saw:
Scarlet Tanager
Chimney Swift
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Eastern Kingbird
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Purple Martin
Northern Flicker
Canada Goose
Slate-coloured Junco
Belted Kingfisher
American Robin
Flycatchers
Grackle
Mallards
Wood Duck

On tuesday we saw a Yellow-spotted Salamander

Baby Groundhogs and Beavers

Spring has only just arrived, yet some of the best of it has already come and gone.  It all happens so fast this time of year. This week I have tried to see all the wildflowers, warblers, baby birds, tree blossoms, salamanders and other sights of the season.  Yesterday, I had the pleasure to care for four  pudgy baby beavers.  Today Jake found a thirsty 4-5 week old abandoned whistle pig (groundhog) that we took to Salthaven.  Sorry no pictures ... I dropped my camera and the focus is no longer working. A terrible time of year to be cameraless!!!!

Why are fish struggling in Lake Erie?

Below is an email I received from enviro-mich (hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN)) that I would like to share: 

All

Many fishermen have shared that they are seeing a dozen or more dead adult walleye in the lake when they are out.  Dave Spangler, President of Lake Erie Waterkeeper and Lake Erie Charterboat captain shared at the waterkeeper meeting last night that they are seeing 'dazed' walleye a foot or more in the water that are not interested in bait and appear to be dying.  These are some of the symptoms witnessed in 2006 with VHS which killed thousand of sheephead and yellow perch.  ODNR has sent walleye samples out for the testing to determine the cause of the deaths and reports should be in soon.  On our beach on Maumee Bay we have seen a few dead sheephead and bass as well as walleye.

You may recall that in late winter this year there were large numbers of Canadian geese dead that we have not seen before. No cause was determined.

In addition the walleye larval counts at the mouth of the Maumee River and in the Lake Erie shoals by the UT Lake Erie Center and ODNR are very very low indicating a very very small 2011 walleye hatch.

This is all troubling for the fish and the lake.

Cold water and heavy rainfalls are contributors to whatever is happening with water quality and the fish.  Data from the Detroit wastewater plant, the largest in North America, shows that over 13 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage has entered Lake Erie this year.

Lake Erie is truly challenged.  Reductions in sewage discharges and phosphorus runoff are desperately needed. 

Lake Erie provides drinking water for 11 million people, there are many troubled warning signs. It is hoped that the gathering of groups on June 8th for the Lake Erie Imrpovement Forum will produce a cooperative collaborative efficient plan to help Lake Erie

Sandy

Lake Erie has the Great Lakes Warmest, Shallowest, Fishiest Waters
Lake Erie is threatened by excess nutrients creating lots of algae
Sandy Bihn, Director
Lake Erie WATERKEEPER Inc.
westernlakeerie.org
3900 N. Summit
Toledo, Ohio 43611
419-691-3788 Cell 419-367-1691 Fax 419-261-2288
sandylakeerie@aol.com

Chinese Mystery Snail in the Sydenham

On friday I found snail shells I had not seen before.  There were a many snail shells on the mud flats under the bridge where in the previous year I only observed native mussel shells. I put some in my pocket and looked up the species when I got back to the office.  Turns out that this invasive Chinese Mystery Snail that I found competes with our native snails. 

Shells that I found on the clay/mud flats of the Upper East Sydenham.

Bummed out by my discovery, I  read a little more.  According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources"Chinese mystery snails can serve as vectors for the transmission of parasites and diseases.  Some of the parasites and diseases that the Chinese mystery snail has been known to play host to can infect humans.  Their shells will clog the screens of water intake pipes inhibiting the flow of water.  Also, they naturally compete with our native snails for food and space. "

Is it too late to use copper sulphate?  http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100812/LIFE/8120306/-1/NEWSMAP  How would this treatment effect native species? Most importantly: Why are invasive species, plants and animals, still sold at places such as pet stores, nurseries, kijiji, and live at food marts (by the bag full)?

Chinese Mystery Snail - internet photo

View Chinese Mystery Snail location in a larger map

Watchlist of Potential Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species

http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/glansis/watchlist.html

Live Eagle Webcam

April 15, 2011: It rained today on the eagle nest. Very windy too.  Mom looks to be getting a little grumpy.  She is all preened and puffed-up after getting drenched.  I can't stop watching.

 http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Window Strike

Video of the release 

UPDATE!! Our feathered friend will be released tomorrow, April 14th at 8:00am at the office.  He has recovered well.  

I was reading my mail at the office front window at the end of the day, when I heard a loud knock on the window.  To my dismay I saw a still Hairy Woodpecker lying on some rocks by the window.  I gasped,  dropped the mail on the floor in shock and rushed towards it.

I picked the him up tentatively, holding either side of his head.  He barely moved.  Through the window a group of confused coworkers watched with concern. I rushed back inside, past onlookers and downstairs to find a box to put the bird in, trying to protect it from any added shock.  My hands were a little shaky. I then left a message at Salthaven and headed to Mount Brydges.

When I arrived, a seasoned volunteer, Deb,  greeted me with concern. We took the Hairy in to the clinic.  As I carried the box I could feel the bird stirring.  A good sign.  We opened it up and peeked in - the bird was standing!  As Deb picked him up he struggled strongly.  I was elated for a second. He seemed strong.  Until Deb showed me his one eye was badly injured.  He could not open it. 

We retrieved Brian Salt from the raptor trailer where he was busily grinding down a hawk beak and talons. He came with us to examine the woodpecker. Again the Hairy struggled fiercely.  Brian administered some medicine to alleviate the swelling and advised that if everything goes well, I may be able to bring the bird back to the office for release in three or four days.  It is a good feeling to have a trusted place to leave an injured animal to recover. Thank you  Salthaven!

Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Tree

 

I read awhile ago that the terminal bud of the tulip tree looks like a duck bill.  Ever since, identification of these trees in winter has been simple.

Rubber boots definately required! Westminster Ponds, London, ON

The trail - almost over my rubber boots.

Today I walked around Saunder's Pond (yellow), about 2kms in total.  Yesterday's path around Tumbleson Pond is in red.  Despite it being cool and cloudy there were still turtles basking.

Bird List
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Song Sparrow

Lots of woodpecker activity

Northern Cardinal
Wood Duck
Ring-necked Duck
Mallard Duck
Canada Goose
European Starling
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Kingfisher (by sound and fleeting ID)
Bufflehead
Black-capped Chickadee
"Slate-colored" Dark Eyed Junco
House Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird

No coat needed - Westminster Ponds, London ON

How many turtles can you see?

Bird List
Pied-billed Grebe
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Duck 
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
American Robin
Red-tailed Hawk

Other
Midland Painted Turtles
Cottontail Rabbit
Question Mark Butterfly (tentative ID)

I wanted to get a rough idea of how far I travelled yesterday, following any curiosity that popped up.  I put a rough track on Google Earth and looks like more the 4kms. I marked some of my observations on the map below. Turtles are at UTM: 17T 0482350, 4754996

Strathroy Sewage Lagoons

Waterfowl List

Horned Grebe
Northern Shoveler
Bufflehead
Blue-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Goldeneye
American Coot
Bonaparte's Gull
Canada Goose
Mallard

Other Birds
Turkey Vultures
Song Sparrow
American Robin
Northern Cardinal

Other Animals
Muskrat

The water in beside the lagoon was a funny colour. Iridescent and rusty with lost of algae growing.

Spring comes and goes so fast. Don't miss the willow catkins. This twig was observed at Strathroy Wetlands Marsh Walk on my lunch. On the right is willow gall.  Also spotted a great blue heron - a resident.

From http://www.talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=1892:

Pine-cone Willow Gall Midge
Rhabdophaga strobiloides

General Description

By Nora Bryan

You will probably never notice the minute, slender, fragile Pine-cone Willow Gall Midge, which is found everywhere willows are found. If you've ever been puzzled at what appear to be pine cones growing on willow shrubs, then you've seen the interesting galls that these tiny flies make. These galls, which are about the size of a white spruce cone, really do like pine cones, except that they are pale green and a bit fuzzy.
It is the larval stage, or maggot that lives within the characteristic gall. The larva is a minute featureless maggot. If you ever were to see one under a microscope you would see it's characteristic T-shaped breastplate.
Galls are a kind of arrangement between the host plant and the gall-making insect, and they can have very bizarre forms. Although galls rarely do significant harm to the host plant, they probably don't gain any benefit from the gall either. The gall is a reaction of the plant to the specific gall-making insect. The insect is concealed within the gall, and has to create an opening in the gall to get out when it is an adult.