23-DEC-2016
Northern cardinal, male
There were several cardinals around the garden, along with big flocks of starlings and robins, as well as at least 10 chickadees around the feeder in the Backyard Garden, a white-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker, house finch, and a nice bonus, a red-breasted nuthatch.
23-DEC-2016
Red-breasted nuthatch
It was a pleasure to see this much smaller nuthatch at the peanut feeder in the Backyard Garden.
23-DEC-2016
White-breasted nuthatch
A constant at the feeders both in the Backyard garden and the feeder by the old woods. Here, at the suet, but often at the peanut feeder.
23-DEC-2016
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Not the actual flowers but remnants of them, on this autumn flowering shrub.
23-DEC-2016
House finch, male
Visiting the Backyard Garden feeder. We don't see the numbers of house finches that we once did, not only at the Fletcher garden, but around the region.
23-DEC-2016
Viburnum trilobum
A touch of red on a winter's day. The fruit of this shrub is rarely, if ever eaten by wildlife, and we are not entirely sure if this is a cultivar or not, as the native V. trilobum is said to be tasty for birds.
23-DEC-2016
Aster seeds
Many birds love these seeds, and goldfinches in particular will feast on them.
23-DEC-2016
Eastern edge of the garden
This is the eastern boundary of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, where the stream that runs out of the pond, through the ravine, crosses under the Arboretum path and eventually into the Rideau Canal.
23-DEC-2016
Butterfly Meadow in winter
Looking south from the north edge of the Butterfly Meadow. Waiting for spring under winter's snow.
23-DEC-2016
Ravine
Under sunny skies and fresh snow, but with some open water due to mild temperatures.
02-DEC-2016
Grey squirrel, black phase
Keeping a wary eye on us as it perches on the branch of a big red oak in the new woods. This is a busy time of year for these animals as they continue finding and hoarding food for the winter.
02-DEC-2016
Turkey tails (Trametes versicolor)
These polypore fungi decorate many logs and stumps all over the place, including at the FWG. Their colours can vary somewhat, and when they are fresh they can be quite striking. When old, they look dried out and colourless.
02-DEC-2016
Brush pile
This may look like just a pile of logs and branches, but it is in fact, a constructed brush pile, made by volunteers for the use of wildlife. Small mammals and birds can escape into here when needed. I've seen rabbits dive for cover in a big brushpile when dogs come along, and I've often seen birds such as white-crowned sparrows sitting on top of, and then moving into, these piles.
02-DEC-2016
Roosting box
These boxes were designed for roosting birds and about 5 of them were made for the garden by Scouts and placed by them at various locations. Mostly grey squirrels have taken them over. Not to worry though, as there are ample tree cavities for birds who need a warm site to roost. Other species will huddle against the trunk of a tree, particularly in conifers (not all birds will use roosting boxes or, by extension, cavities).
02-DEC-2016
Mushroom
I stumbled across a very large stand of these mushrooms, many of them having been chewed in place, or pulled up, chewed and discarded. Red squirrels are especially fond of mushrooms and these all looked very freshly worked, so perhaps the squirrel was gathering some to store, as they will hang them in the fork of a tree to dry.
02-DEC-2016
Mushroom feast
Another image showing some half eaten mushrooms that a red squirrel has pulled up and discarded.