27-APR-2009
Tree Swallows
Several pairs of tree swallows were checking out nest boxes. The female inspecting while the male stood guard.
27-APR-2009
Green frog (Rana clamitans), in the BYG pond
Down in the pond and the ravine this morning, toads were trilling away. This will continue for some time yet as mating frenzy heats up, and then... silence as the toads leave the water and retreat back to the upland areas. Also in the pond, a smallish painted turtle completely ignoring our newly-made turtle raft!
There were four of these frogs in the BYG pond, as there were last year, so I'm assuming that they overwintered safely and these are the same four we last saw in the fall. We saw this one and the other three at the end of the guided walk.
27-APR-2009
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadense) in Ash woods
In the Ash woods large patches of bloodroot in full flower, red trilliums just beginning to open, and solomon's seal, and barren-ground strawberry ready to bloom soon.
24-APR-2009
Bee fly (Bombylius major)
It was a sunny afternoon, warm out of the wind, and after a morning spent shovelling manure onto a fire site at the garden, I spent a few hours in the afternoon looking for insects. There were dozens of bee flies around, along with several honey bees, some paper wasps, a few large bumblebee queens, hundreds of Andrenids, and many nomada bees. As well, there was a mourning cloak, a spotted lady-beetle, lots of flies, etc. The garden was buzzing!
24-APR-2009
Paper wasp, (Polistes dominulus)
These wasps are just beginning to be seen.
24-APR-2009
Spotted lady-beetle (Coleomagilla maculata)
This tiny native lady-beetle is often one of the first beetles seen at FWG. Once the dandelions bloom, they'll be all over the place!
24-APR-2009
Andrenid bee on willow
A common species in early spring.
24-APR-2009
Red-winged blackbird, female
So far, only one female has been seen at the garden, but I'm sure there are others on the way! Tree swallows were back again, and an eastern phoebe was calling and calling along the trail to the centre. There were also some fox sparrows searching the leaves for food, and pine siskins in the woods. A raven flew calling overhead. Flickers, robins, chickadees, song sparrows, juncos, white-throated sparrow, cardinals, house finches, goldfinches, were all common today.
23-APR-2009
Yellow dung fly (Scathophaga stercoraria sp.)
Not far from the starlings were several red maples in full flower. While checking for insects on them I saw this beautiful golden fly, with the unfortunate name of yellow dung fly!
23-APR-2009
Yellow dung fly (Scathophaga sp.)
Another shot of this pretty fly. These predacious flies are typically found around fresh dung.
23-APR-2009
Yellow dung fly (Scathophaga stercoraria sp.)
These flies are very bee-like with their fuzzy bodies. There were no butterflies to be seen today, too windy. But scores of Andrenid bees, lots of flies, and several woolly bear and ctenucha moth caterpillars were around.