Killdeers Earl Plato
Think of local birds with unique mannerisms and high on the list would be the killdeer. When I picture this bird and its antics at luring would-be predators away from their vulnerable young the name Ken Benner comes to mind. Ken has had a long time love affair with killdeers. He sent me a write-up recently telling of Norma, his wife, and their preoccupation with this species.
“In the 1970’s my stone driveway became a nesting spot, They (the killdeers) didn’t know it was a bad choice.” Ken tried to accommodate them by placing an old Mercury car hubcap along with small gravel on the edge of the driveway. “... and a nest was formed.” This driveway nesting site was repeated over the years. The killdeer a shorebird? Of course. Ken pens ‘Plover’ family on the note. He’s right. The killdeer is probably our most familiar shorebird. Yet where do we usually see this bird? Open fields - golf courses - plowed fields - you know where. Their nests if you can call them that are very simple. Bob Chambers and I have viewed the eggs in Ken’s nest - three pale buff and spotted or speckled eggs. The Benner killdeers were in a slight depression in the gravel sparsely lined with grass. Year after year these fascinating birds return to the rural setting on Sunset Drive, Fort Erie.
“Kill-DEEE!” Kill-DEEE! Again and again repeated that it seems endlessly.
Approach the nest of eggs or of the newly hatched and you know the scenario. The adult feigns injury. The bird hobbles along with wings dragging as if badly wounded. The would be predator follows the parent killdeer until it is far away from its nest. The Killdeer then takes off and pronounces loudly “Kill-DEEE!” An amazing bird!
Picture this robin-sized bird. Brown above and white below with two black bands on its breast. Look at its beak with your bird glasses. What colour do you see?
Enjoy and protect our song birds this summer.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Looking Back Think Big
Looking Back Earl Plato
This article is basically about "the old days", nostalgia times. I had pulled a picture from my clipping file without a date on it. Always write down on the back the date and the source of your pictures and articles. Believe me, I am looking at a giant fish hanging shark-like or marlin-like from its rear fin facing head down. What is it? Hey, yesterday I found my notes in a different file! It says that it's a 158 pound, seven foot lake sturgeon found on a beach of Lake Erie, Erie County. That's right just across the lake! From the attire of the fellow posed next to the hanging giant I would say it was taken in the last 15-20 years. I am going back in time now and share some research and memories about, The Methuselah of the Great Lakes. In an interview some years back with John Miller, son of the late Niagara Peninsula naturalist, Bert Miller, I recorded these words, "My dad always had a boat to fish with at the old homestead at Miller's Creek. He would go out into the river with his nightline. It would be several 100 feet long with 35 to 40 hooks on it and anchored at each end. While it was still light out he would have to take good land bearings so that when he went out the next day he could locate the line. Next morning he would take a grappling hook and pull up the line. Hopefully there would be sturgeons on the giant hooks. The biggest sturgeon he ever caught was about 125 pounds. That would supplement his income a little bit for he would go over to Buffalo and sell it." Note: This was in the 1920's before the Peace Bridge was built (1927). How did he get to Buffalo or Black Rock? Was it by ferry boat or did he row? The lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) is our longest- lived freshwater fish. Lake sturgeon once flourished in the Great Lakes with fish up to 152 years old. My source was a State of new York Conservation magazine. By the turn of this century with market demand at its highest the fish was almost eliminated. Dam construction and the degradation of its habitat didn't help. Today as an endangered species this most ancient fish should eventually become plentiful again in Lake Erie and other Great Lakes as we pursue the pure waters program. I hope so.
This article is basically about "the old days", nostalgia times. I had pulled a picture from my clipping file without a date on it. Always write down on the back the date and the source of your pictures and articles. Believe me, I am looking at a giant fish hanging shark-like or marlin-like from its rear fin facing head down. What is it? Hey, yesterday I found my notes in a different file! It says that it's a 158 pound, seven foot lake sturgeon found on a beach of Lake Erie, Erie County. That's right just across the lake! From the attire of the fellow posed next to the hanging giant I would say it was taken in the last 15-20 years. I am going back in time now and share some research and memories about, The Methuselah of the Great Lakes. In an interview some years back with John Miller, son of the late Niagara Peninsula naturalist, Bert Miller, I recorded these words, "My dad always had a boat to fish with at the old homestead at Miller's Creek. He would go out into the river with his nightline. It would be several 100 feet long with 35 to 40 hooks on it and anchored at each end. While it was still light out he would have to take good land bearings so that when he went out the next day he could locate the line. Next morning he would take a grappling hook and pull up the line. Hopefully there would be sturgeons on the giant hooks. The biggest sturgeon he ever caught was about 125 pounds. That would supplement his income a little bit for he would go over to Buffalo and sell it." Note: This was in the 1920's before the Peace Bridge was built (1927). How did he get to Buffalo or Black Rock? Was it by ferry boat or did he row? The lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) is our longest- lived freshwater fish. Lake sturgeon once flourished in the Great Lakes with fish up to 152 years old. My source was a State of new York Conservation magazine. By the turn of this century with market demand at its highest the fish was almost eliminated. Dam construction and the degradation of its habitat didn't help. Today as an endangered species this most ancient fish should eventually become plentiful again in Lake Erie and other Great Lakes as we pursue the pure waters program. I hope so.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I am hooked on fungi
Confession Bell 10 by Earl Plato
I have four beautifully coloured fungi photos on my walls. The late nature photographer John Lessle from Buffalo, New York photographed all of these in Marcy Woods. I confess that I love mushrooms. We went on a walk in Marcy Woods a past spring and found different mushrooms (fungi). An expert on mushrooms led us. Dr. Robert Fisher PhD. of St. Catharines was our guide. Bob and his associate Eira are scientists with a precise knowledge of fungi. By 10 a.m. we had signed in at Dr. Marcy’s farm and headed for the Woods. It was damp and ideal for mushroom growth. This was a three hour ramble of “find, stop, inspect, discuss, and preserve”. We found 39 fungi species. Dr. Fisher said excitedly four were new finds for him! Photos were taken of our finds. The following Monday night Bob Fisher was our guest speaker of the Bert Miller
Nature Club. His slide show and his displays of fungi were outstanding. He again pointed to the danger of eating just any mushroom. Some of his examples were that of the Amanita Genus that are deadly poisonous. Bob Fisher was an accomplished nature artist and has shows throughout the Niagara peninsula. He had two of his great mushroom paintings there. Wonderful detail.
I have four beautifully coloured fungi photos on my walls. The late nature photographer John Lessle from Buffalo, New York photographed all of these in Marcy Woods. I confess that I love mushrooms. We went on a walk in Marcy Woods a past spring and found different mushrooms (fungi). An expert on mushrooms led us. Dr. Robert Fisher PhD. of St. Catharines was our guide. Bob and his associate Eira are scientists with a precise knowledge of fungi. By 10 a.m. we had signed in at Dr. Marcy’s farm and headed for the Woods. It was damp and ideal for mushroom growth. This was a three hour ramble of “find, stop, inspect, discuss, and preserve”. We found 39 fungi species. Dr. Fisher said excitedly four were new finds for him! Photos were taken of our finds. The following Monday night Bob Fisher was our guest speaker of the Bert Miller
Nature Club. His slide show and his displays of fungi were outstanding. He again pointed to the danger of eating just any mushroom. Some of his examples were that of the Amanita Genus that are deadly poisonous. Bob Fisher was an accomplished nature artist and has shows throughout the Niagara peninsula. He had two of his great mushroom paintings there. Wonderful detail.
Monday, February 25, 2008
We're Off on a scorpion Hunt
We’re Off On A Scorpion Hunt! By Earl Plato
It was Fall some years ago when Elaine and I headed to the limestone quarries off Ridgemount Road, Ridgeway. We were going to look for scorpions! Scorpions? In Fort Erie, Southern Ontario? Yes. Let me explain. This was an active quarry site . Huge dump trucks were moving in and out. We drove past the crusher and down a rough road in he southwest corner. Here a bulldozer was creating a pile of limestone slabs. I walked up to the dozer and asked where the fossils were. He pointed to a pile a little further on and said, :That’s where they look for those things” We started looking in the jumbled pile. We were looking for fossilized descendants of the Horseshoe crab. They are called eurypterids or sea scorpions. The ones found in Ridgemount quarry were about five inches in length. They have five pair of legs. Four short pair were used for walking. The other pair were spread out into paddles, There were five abdominal plates or segments, There were gills on the underside. Strange creature, eh. We knew what we were looking for I had been to the Buffalo Museum of Science. They have a great display of eurypterids there. Eurypterids flourished in Western New York and our Niagara Peninsula in the Devonian era when the land was covered under a vast inland sea, The ones displayed were giant sea scorpions. As I said the ones we would find on subsequent visits were small replicas. Eurypterids - Fort Erie’s great little fossils.
It was Fall some years ago when Elaine and I headed to the limestone quarries off Ridgemount Road, Ridgeway. We were going to look for scorpions! Scorpions? In Fort Erie, Southern Ontario? Yes. Let me explain. This was an active quarry site . Huge dump trucks were moving in and out. We drove past the crusher and down a rough road in he southwest corner. Here a bulldozer was creating a pile of limestone slabs. I walked up to the dozer and asked where the fossils were. He pointed to a pile a little further on and said, :That’s where they look for those things” We started looking in the jumbled pile. We were looking for fossilized descendants of the Horseshoe crab. They are called eurypterids or sea scorpions. The ones found in Ridgemount quarry were about five inches in length. They have five pair of legs. Four short pair were used for walking. The other pair were spread out into paddles, There were five abdominal plates or segments, There were gills on the underside. Strange creature, eh. We knew what we were looking for I had been to the Buffalo Museum of Science. They have a great display of eurypterids there. Eurypterids flourished in Western New York and our Niagara Peninsula in the Devonian era when the land was covered under a vast inland sea, The ones displayed were giant sea scorpions. As I said the ones we would find on subsequent visits were small replicas. Eurypterids - Fort Erie’s great little fossils.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Eagle fix
Looking for Eagles Bell8 Earl Plato
My eagle appetite had been filled at least for a while. On a summer Friday the four of us Canadians headed over the international border to ‘eagle’ country. Our destination was the Iroquois National Refuge north of the village of Alabama, N.Y. I didn’t want this to be a wild goose eagle) trip” so I called Head Ranger Gerhart and she confirmed that they had three eaglets alive and well. We arrived at the Center about 10 a.m. We entered the Refuge off Casey Road. As we entered the building there was a set scope focused on the giant eagle nest. You could see little eaglets peering over the edge. Inside was a TV monitor showing three eaglets. Note: two fixed TV cameras are attached to two trees beside the eagle nest. The actual nesting site was near the edge of the swamp to the north of the center. The largest of the three kept getting in the way of the camera. The two smaller eaglets sat in the bottom of the nest. No parents in sight. They were undoubtedly out hunting for food for their young ones. We were told that the father eagle was born and bred at Iroquois Refuge. He was fifteen years old and his mate about seven years old from an unknown location. They hatched one egg. Two more fertilized eggs from another center were introduced to the nest about two weeks later they too successfully hatched. That accounts for the discrepancy in size of the young eaglets. We estimated the size of the nest. I am six feet tall Ranger Gerhart said that it measured over seven feet across!
We left the center map in hand. We stopped at the Cayuga Lookout and saw the male eagle. A local resident was there with his scope set up. He invited us o have a look. Magnificent sight.! FTHER EAGLE? The resident said so. We continued on to the Mallard Lookout. No mallards at this time but there were two ospreys (fish hawks) fishing in he swamp below us. We saw the nearest osprey grab a fish and fly to a stand of dead trees. The second osprey followed the mate and landed on a branch above the other. Quite a beautiful sight. Time to head back across the Peace bridge. It was a great raptor day, eh.
My eagle appetite had been filled at least for a while. On a summer Friday the four of us Canadians headed over the international border to ‘eagle’ country. Our destination was the Iroquois National Refuge north of the village of Alabama, N.Y. I didn’t want this to be a wild goose eagle) trip” so I called Head Ranger Gerhart and she confirmed that they had three eaglets alive and well. We arrived at the Center about 10 a.m. We entered the Refuge off Casey Road. As we entered the building there was a set scope focused on the giant eagle nest. You could see little eaglets peering over the edge. Inside was a TV monitor showing three eaglets. Note: two fixed TV cameras are attached to two trees beside the eagle nest. The actual nesting site was near the edge of the swamp to the north of the center. The largest of the three kept getting in the way of the camera. The two smaller eaglets sat in the bottom of the nest. No parents in sight. They were undoubtedly out hunting for food for their young ones. We were told that the father eagle was born and bred at Iroquois Refuge. He was fifteen years old and his mate about seven years old from an unknown location. They hatched one egg. Two more fertilized eggs from another center were introduced to the nest about two weeks later they too successfully hatched. That accounts for the discrepancy in size of the young eaglets. We estimated the size of the nest. I am six feet tall Ranger Gerhart said that it measured over seven feet across!
We left the center map in hand. We stopped at the Cayuga Lookout and saw the male eagle. A local resident was there with his scope set up. He invited us o have a look. Magnificent sight.! FTHER EAGLE? The resident said so. We continued on to the Mallard Lookout. No mallards at this time but there were two ospreys (fish hawks) fishing in he swamp below us. We saw the nearest osprey grab a fish and fly to a stand of dead trees. The second osprey followed the mate and landed on a branch above the other. Quite a beautiful sight. Time to head back across the Peace bridge. It was a great raptor day, eh.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
NATALIE
Natalie Earl Plato
Received word from cousin’s daughter, Natalie Plato, government scientist at Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Not quite what I expected. Natalie apologized that as my northern reporter she didn’t have time to send me a nature report. Instead she sent a recent copy of Canada’s Arctic Journal, Above & Beyond.
Many topics caught my eye but one in particular, “Nature’s Light Show.” From her home base in Yellowknife Natalie has spectacular views of the Northern Lights.
While in Algonquin Park in late summer in past years we have seen the shows of Aurora Borealis. Spectacular flashes and rays in the night sky from the North was a sight to see. The sounds of the Wolf Howl was great too. Cathy Olsen writing in Above & Beyond, shares some observations from Yellowknife. These descriptions of the Northern Lights below are not what we southerners think as Northern Lights.
“ Far North in the night sky a faint glow appears
on the horizon. Green and red flames of light
stretch across the sky. A glowing curtain of
light forms waving and swirling above you.
As the light fade away the dark night closes
over you once again.” Mish Denlinger
The incredible beauty of nature’s light show has captured the imagination of many cultures and folklore is rich with explanations for the Aurora Borealis. A 17th century scientist named the Northern lights - Aurora for the Roman goddess of the dawn and Borealis - for the Latin Meaning "Of north" Olsen says, “Yellowknife’s location makes it the most popular area on earth for those who want to experience the thrill of the full Aurora Borealis.” That I didn’t know.
The “fuel” for the Northern lights comes from high-energy particles carried by the sun’s solar winds traveling to earth at a speed of about a million miles per hour. Olsen says, “ When they reach the earth, 40 hours after leaving the sun, the particles are deflected by our planet’s magnetic field toward the polar regions.”
I have written back to Natalie Plato, who had spent some weeks in Antarctica last year, and asked her about “Southern” Lights of the Aurora borealis. I hope she will reply.
Cathy Olsen ends her article with, “ It is estimated that fewer than five per cent of the people on earth have seen the magnificent colours of the Aurora Borealis.”
To see the real thing for us southeners it looks as if we have to head north of the Arctic Circle, eh.
***
Received word from cousin’s daughter, Natalie Plato, government scientist at Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Not quite what I expected. Natalie apologized that as my northern reporter she didn’t have time to send me a nature report. Instead she sent a recent copy of Canada’s Arctic Journal, Above & Beyond.
Many topics caught my eye but one in particular, “Nature’s Light Show.” From her home base in Yellowknife Natalie has spectacular views of the Northern Lights.
While in Algonquin Park in late summer in past years we have seen the shows of Aurora Borealis. Spectacular flashes and rays in the night sky from the North was a sight to see. The sounds of the Wolf Howl was great too. Cathy Olsen writing in Above & Beyond, shares some observations from Yellowknife. These descriptions of the Northern Lights below are not what we southerners think as Northern Lights.
“ Far North in the night sky a faint glow appears
on the horizon. Green and red flames of light
stretch across the sky. A glowing curtain of
light forms waving and swirling above you.
As the light fade away the dark night closes
over you once again.” Mish Denlinger
The incredible beauty of nature’s light show has captured the imagination of many cultures and folklore is rich with explanations for the Aurora Borealis. A 17th century scientist named the Northern lights - Aurora for the Roman goddess of the dawn and Borealis - for the Latin Meaning "Of north" Olsen says, “Yellowknife’s location makes it the most popular area on earth for those who want to experience the thrill of the full Aurora Borealis.” That I didn’t know.
The “fuel” for the Northern lights comes from high-energy particles carried by the sun’s solar winds traveling to earth at a speed of about a million miles per hour. Olsen says, “ When they reach the earth, 40 hours after leaving the sun, the particles are deflected by our planet’s magnetic field toward the polar regions.”
I have written back to Natalie Plato, who had spent some weeks in Antarctica last year, and asked her about “Southern” Lights of the Aurora borealis. I hope she will reply.
Cathy Olsen ends her article with, “ It is estimated that fewer than five per cent of the people on earth have seen the magnificent colours of the Aurora Borealis.”
To see the real thing for us southeners it looks as if we have to head north of the Arctic Circle, eh.
***
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A Walk in Marcy Woods
Marcy Woods - Bird Heaven
We stopped to listen for the forest birds. Instead we heard the Chorus frogs, Spring peepers and then the “chucking’ sounds of the little Wood frog in the Marcy pond. No sound of the American toads or the ‘baaing’ of the Fowler’s toad. Maybe another time. Marcy Woods is bird country especially during migration times.
We reached the cabin and took a break. Now we would take the Upper Trail and be on the lookout for birds. Some saw Turkey vultures soaring overhead. Two Red-tailed hawks were spotted. We heard the beautiful calls of the White-throated sparrow and then a moment later saw two Red-bellied woodpeckers. Yes, in the distance to the north came that powerful hammering sounds of the Pileated woodpecker. There in the underbrush was a Hermit thrush wagging its tail. Some identified a Yellow-bellied sapsucker, a Brown creeper, and a White breasted nuthatch. The place is filled with birds. The calls of Bue jays and crows echoed throughout the woods. We crossed the bridge and descended the steps on our way out. Hooded warblers had been seen here the past week. None today. Someone pointed the budding in the wetlands of the beautiful Marsh marigolds. Soon they would be in full bloom and we would then return to Marcy Woods. Want to come along?”
We stopped to listen for the forest birds. Instead we heard the Chorus frogs, Spring peepers and then the “chucking’ sounds of the little Wood frog in the Marcy pond. No sound of the American toads or the ‘baaing’ of the Fowler’s toad. Maybe another time. Marcy Woods is bird country especially during migration times.
We reached the cabin and took a break. Now we would take the Upper Trail and be on the lookout for birds. Some saw Turkey vultures soaring overhead. Two Red-tailed hawks were spotted. We heard the beautiful calls of the White-throated sparrow and then a moment later saw two Red-bellied woodpeckers. Yes, in the distance to the north came that powerful hammering sounds of the Pileated woodpecker. There in the underbrush was a Hermit thrush wagging its tail. Some identified a Yellow-bellied sapsucker, a Brown creeper, and a White breasted nuthatch. The place is filled with birds. The calls of Bue jays and crows echoed throughout the woods. We crossed the bridge and descended the steps on our way out. Hooded warblers had been seen here the past week. None today. Someone pointed the budding in the wetlands of the beautiful Marsh marigolds. Soon they would be in full bloom and we would then return to Marcy Woods. Want to come along?”
Little 'Red'
The Feisty Red Squirrel Bell7 by Earl Plato
Wanna fight? My diminutive red squirrels at the family farm seemed always ready for a fracas. Territorial? You bet. Whenever the neighbour’s larger grey squirrels dared venture onto our property, what happened? The ‘reds’ would be there fiercely defending their territory. During our time at the farm we never saw the ‘reds’ lose a battle. Amazing for such a small guy. What do you know about our red squirrels? One thing for sure - the red squirrel is smaller in size than the grey and black squirrels. To me our red squirrels had a scraggly long tail and appeared much smaller than our more flesh- filled greys across the road. Research tells me that the red squirrel is slightly smaller than our Eastern grey/black squirrels. I tend to disagree based on my observations at our Sherkston farm.
Many of us have fed peanuts and other nuts to grey squirrels in parks. As far as I know red squirrels don’t do this. As a tree squirrel they have sharp, curved claws and sharp teeth. They bite and scratch. Not a very friendly mammal. We had lots of trees that bore seeds that served as their main food.
Longevity? Research again the lifespan of the red squirrel is on the average of three years. We were on the family farm for five years and I believed hat our pair of ‘reds’ were one and the same. Further research says that individuals may reach 7 years of age.
If you have red squirrels note their active period - at the farm it was early morning and in the late afternoon and evening. In the afternoon they avoided the heat of the day as they often rested in their two small globular nests high in the maples.
Interesting note: In an article I wrote years ago about the ‘red’. I verified through the web research this: “ The red squirrel is protected collects mushrooms and dries them in trees” Source: www.redsquirrels.info
I love field mushrooms and these little guys harvested my mushrooms in the back fields of the farm! No. I never shot any. To each his own, eh.
Check my Google blog: Nature calls - for my nature articles.
Wanna fight? My diminutive red squirrels at the family farm seemed always ready for a fracas. Territorial? You bet. Whenever the neighbour’s larger grey squirrels dared venture onto our property, what happened? The ‘reds’ would be there fiercely defending their territory. During our time at the farm we never saw the ‘reds’ lose a battle. Amazing for such a small guy. What do you know about our red squirrels? One thing for sure - the red squirrel is smaller in size than the grey and black squirrels. To me our red squirrels had a scraggly long tail and appeared much smaller than our more flesh- filled greys across the road. Research tells me that the red squirrel is slightly smaller than our Eastern grey/black squirrels. I tend to disagree based on my observations at our Sherkston farm.
Many of us have fed peanuts and other nuts to grey squirrels in parks. As far as I know red squirrels don’t do this. As a tree squirrel they have sharp, curved claws and sharp teeth. They bite and scratch. Not a very friendly mammal. We had lots of trees that bore seeds that served as their main food.
Longevity? Research again the lifespan of the red squirrel is on the average of three years. We were on the family farm for five years and I believed hat our pair of ‘reds’ were one and the same. Further research says that individuals may reach 7 years of age.
If you have red squirrels note their active period - at the farm it was early morning and in the late afternoon and evening. In the afternoon they avoided the heat of the day as they often rested in their two small globular nests high in the maples.
Interesting note: In an article I wrote years ago about the ‘red’. I verified through the web research this: “ The red squirrel is protected collects mushrooms and dries them in trees” Source: www.redsquirrels.info
I love field mushrooms and these little guys harvested my mushrooms in the back fields of the farm! No. I never shot any. To each his own, eh.
Check my Google blog: Nature calls - for my nature articles.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Wood frog of Marcy Woods Pond
Bell6 by Earl Plato
I am getting excited for Marcy Woods. Plato, it’s still winter time! What is brown, wears a mask, can freeze solid for months and when it thaws can breed a few days later? It is the Wood frog
(Rana sylvatica) and it is found in Marcy Woods. John Urqrhart of Toronto Zoo writes, “ Wood frogs are fascinating creatures and can be found all over North America.”
Why would a Wood frog want to be able to freeze solid? There are two main reasons we are told. One, it enables this species to go anywhere and survive even the Arctic Circle. Two, the advantage of freezing is that he can hibernate closer to the surface and thus are the first frogs to emerge in the spring. That early emergence means the Wood frog is free of amphibian predators.
For years I and with some of my daughters and other nature lovers walked the Lower Trail at Marcy Woods to hear and see the little masked amphibians. Near the vernal pools and the Marcy pond you first hear the “quacking”. No kidding. At times past it was a very loud clamour. You know the scenario. As you approached the Wood frogs grew silent. Stop and wait some minutes. Then the quacking call resumed.
One year daughter Allison and I came upon a great number of mating Wood frogs at the Marcy pond. We are told that Wood frogs are known as explosive breeders. I believe it. These little frogs had come to the pond and did most of their breeding in a few days. Last year I missed the narrow breeding time. This year I hope to be more alert. What we have seen at peak mating time were a hundred or more of these Wood frogs scrambling over each other ‘quacking’ like mad ducks doing everything they can to find a mate. The two of us went to the far side of the pond and watched as the male frog quacked and was approached by a female. Urqurhart wrote, “The male frog grabs her and holds on in amplexus until she lays her eggs while he externally fertilizes them.” We returned three days later. No Wood frogs. They had gone their separate ways.
If you take time to enjoy this miracle of nature. Be careful not to disturb our little Wood frogs during their mating frenzy. They breed only once a year in order to survive in this contaminated world. Photo below was taken at Marcy Pond
I am getting excited for Marcy Woods. Plato, it’s still winter time! What is brown, wears a mask, can freeze solid for months and when it thaws can breed a few days later? It is the Wood frog
(Rana sylvatica) and it is found in Marcy Woods. John Urqrhart of Toronto Zoo writes, “ Wood frogs are fascinating creatures and can be found all over North America.”
Why would a Wood frog want to be able to freeze solid? There are two main reasons we are told. One, it enables this species to go anywhere and survive even the Arctic Circle. Two, the advantage of freezing is that he can hibernate closer to the surface and thus are the first frogs to emerge in the spring. That early emergence means the Wood frog is free of amphibian predators.
For years I and with some of my daughters and other nature lovers walked the Lower Trail at Marcy Woods to hear and see the little masked amphibians. Near the vernal pools and the Marcy pond you first hear the “quacking”. No kidding. At times past it was a very loud clamour. You know the scenario. As you approached the Wood frogs grew silent. Stop and wait some minutes. Then the quacking call resumed.
One year daughter Allison and I came upon a great number of mating Wood frogs at the Marcy pond. We are told that Wood frogs are known as explosive breeders. I believe it. These little frogs had come to the pond and did most of their breeding in a few days. Last year I missed the narrow breeding time. This year I hope to be more alert. What we have seen at peak mating time were a hundred or more of these Wood frogs scrambling over each other ‘quacking’ like mad ducks doing everything they can to find a mate. The two of us went to the far side of the pond and watched as the male frog quacked and was approached by a female. Urqurhart wrote, “The male frog grabs her and holds on in amplexus until she lays her eggs while he externally fertilizes them.” We returned three days later. No Wood frogs. They had gone their separate ways.
If you take time to enjoy this miracle of nature. Be careful not to disturb our little Wood frogs during their mating frenzy. They breed only once a year in order to survive in this contaminated world. Photo below was taken at Marcy Pond
Just A Stump, eh!
Rambling in nature by Earl Plato
A stump is a stump is a stump. Not so, at least according to this stump lover. I love Marcy’s Woods, Greater Fort Erie’s pristine 350 acres of second growth trees. Yellow birch, beech, black oak, maple, hemlock, and a few giant tulip trees are found there. If you love trees just for the sake of their longevity you will enjoy a walk along the Lower Trail of Marcy’s Woods.
One morning, a while back, I took my sketch book, my collapsible tripod seat and headed for my stump. If you know Marcy’s Woods the yellow birch stump was located just before the Lower Trail takes a sharp swing south. I spent about an hour drawing the remains of the stump that stood about fifteen feet tall. Someone knocked the stump down in the months that followed. The late owner Dr. George Marcy didn’t believe in removing stumps or logs unless they blocked the walking paths. The remains of the old stump is still there helping to produce new organic life as it decays.
I like the Yellow birch not because it far outlives our common White or Paper birch but because it is associated with the Carolinian trees found at Marcy’s. Just a few hundred feet into the trail you find the first of several huge Yellow birches. It has a yellowish sheen to the rather loose and laterally peeling bark on the trunk. You might even think that the bark had been lightly buttered here and there. Come out sometime for a walk here and you can agree or disagree with my above observation.
How old was my old stump? Yellow birches can live from 60-100 years or more. What I drew was the remnant of a mighty tree that was probably alive in the last century.That’s the 1800’s! Keep rambling in nature.
A stump is a stump is a stump. Not so, at least according to this stump lover. I love Marcy’s Woods, Greater Fort Erie’s pristine 350 acres of second growth trees. Yellow birch, beech, black oak, maple, hemlock, and a few giant tulip trees are found there. If you love trees just for the sake of their longevity you will enjoy a walk along the Lower Trail of Marcy’s Woods.
One morning, a while back, I took my sketch book, my collapsible tripod seat and headed for my stump. If you know Marcy’s Woods the yellow birch stump was located just before the Lower Trail takes a sharp swing south. I spent about an hour drawing the remains of the stump that stood about fifteen feet tall. Someone knocked the stump down in the months that followed. The late owner Dr. George Marcy didn’t believe in removing stumps or logs unless they blocked the walking paths. The remains of the old stump is still there helping to produce new organic life as it decays.
I like the Yellow birch not because it far outlives our common White or Paper birch but because it is associated with the Carolinian trees found at Marcy’s. Just a few hundred feet into the trail you find the first of several huge Yellow birches. It has a yellowish sheen to the rather loose and laterally peeling bark on the trunk. You might even think that the bark had been lightly buttered here and there. Come out sometime for a walk here and you can agree or disagree with my above observation.
How old was my old stump? Yellow birches can live from 60-100 years or more. What I drew was the remnant of a mighty tree that was probably alive in the last century.That’s the 1800’s! Keep rambling in nature.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Are birds just birds?
Birds are birds are birds - not so. One of my favourite flocking bird is the Cedar Waxwing. I like it for its beauty and its disposition. Disposition? Watching these birds on a cold January mid-morning at the Stevensville Conservation Park or alighting on our pines on the family farm you notice something about these birds. They come as a group of ten or so and always seem to give the impression of being amicably inclined. In other words - they seem to get along. Whether eating little Russian olives at Stevensville Conservation Park or the feed scattered on my picnic table feeder they get along. They seem to enjoy the society of their kind. Share and share alike - no pecking order do I observe among them. Not so with other winter birds. We had three pairs of Bluejays come regularly to our table feeder. One pair would land to feed and the second pair would drive them out until the third pair came screaming and took over and controlled the feeding scene. Watch flocking crows at a feeding site - you see bickering and quarreling. They are prone “to explode into cawing” at any provocation. One of my least favoured bird is the Starling. Watch as they drive out the smaller songbirds from the feast of seeds. They strut around and by sheer numbers they drive out other birds. Some flocking birds seem to get along. As for me and my bird likes - I’ll take the Cedar waxwing. Life style - Let’s get along with each other in 2008.
Carolinian Canada
Carolinian Fort Erie-a unique habitat. What does it mean - Carolinian?
It comes from name for the geographical location where Southern Ontario plunges southward latitude-wise. From Point Pelee in the west to Fort Erie in the east there is a band of land bordering Lake Erie where the climate is generally warmer and the winters not so severe. Here plants and animals that normally thrive in North and South Carolina can live here. Hence the term Carolinian Canada
It comes from name for the geographical location where Southern Ontario plunges southward latitude-wise. From Point Pelee in the west to Fort Erie in the east there is a band of land bordering Lake Erie where the climate is generally warmer and the winters not so severe. Here plants and animals that normally thrive in North and South Carolina can live here. Hence the term Carolinian Canada
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Little Whiz!
Little Whiz of Bird Land Earl Plato
“Faster than a speeding bullet?” Not quite. That ‘blur’ that went by us was a bird. I am sitting on my daughter and son-in-law’s porch in Wainfleet overlooking the Welland River. The ‘bullet’ went by and then in a second returned and hovered at the feeder. The Ruby-throated hummingbird, its wings truly a blur, was feasting at Diane’s feeder. She keeps it clean and faithfully refills the container. She has established loyal and healthy customers.
This smallest of all of our birds is attracted to tubular flowers such as trumpet flowers. I was told that in the wild - plants such as bee-balm of Shagbark Trail, jewelweed at Marcy’s Woods, thistle and petunia serve as sources of food. At their Wainfleet home Diane has filled the artificial feeder with a mixture of honey and coloured sugar water. Of course the colour is red.
Hummingbirds have remarkable powers of flight. You know what I mean. As far as I know they are only birds that can fly backwards and hover in one spot. Amazing!
“Humming” - that’s the sound they make in flight thus their name. Are you lucky to have a pair near your home?
Writer’s note: Magazine Birder’s World suggests two or more feeders if you are lucky to have more than one pair. These little guys are very territorial and will fight for area control.
At Ridgeway Fest this past July a lady brought in a Ruby-throated hummingbird’s nest to us at the Bert Miller Nature Club stand. The nest was only about two inches wide. She told us the neatly woven nest was held together with spider silk. Spider silk? Yes.
***
My recent article on the killdeer received telephone responses from Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. Moreover, Jean Davis of Pound Avenue wrote me a two page letter telling of her love for these birds. Jean is just a block away from Sunset Drive and Ken Benner’s killdeer site. In her interesting letter about a mother killdeer being snatched off her nest. I quote Jean as follows: “... morning arrived and when I looked at the ‘empty’ nest there was a killdeer sitting on those eggs. Believe it or not, he stayed there on the nest for about three weeks until the babies were hatched. I was absolutely amazed.” Note: Jean said “he”. Yes, this was a ‘father’ delivery! Ask her why. Love those killdeers.
“Faster than a speeding bullet?” Not quite. That ‘blur’ that went by us was a bird. I am sitting on my daughter and son-in-law’s porch in Wainfleet overlooking the Welland River. The ‘bullet’ went by and then in a second returned and hovered at the feeder. The Ruby-throated hummingbird, its wings truly a blur, was feasting at Diane’s feeder. She keeps it clean and faithfully refills the container. She has established loyal and healthy customers.
This smallest of all of our birds is attracted to tubular flowers such as trumpet flowers. I was told that in the wild - plants such as bee-balm of Shagbark Trail, jewelweed at Marcy’s Woods, thistle and petunia serve as sources of food. At their Wainfleet home Diane has filled the artificial feeder with a mixture of honey and coloured sugar water. Of course the colour is red.
Hummingbirds have remarkable powers of flight. You know what I mean. As far as I know they are only birds that can fly backwards and hover in one spot. Amazing!
“Humming” - that’s the sound they make in flight thus their name. Are you lucky to have a pair near your home?
Writer’s note: Magazine Birder’s World suggests two or more feeders if you are lucky to have more than one pair. These little guys are very territorial and will fight for area control.
At Ridgeway Fest this past July a lady brought in a Ruby-throated hummingbird’s nest to us at the Bert Miller Nature Club stand. The nest was only about two inches wide. She told us the neatly woven nest was held together with spider silk. Spider silk? Yes.
***
My recent article on the killdeer received telephone responses from Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. Moreover, Jean Davis of Pound Avenue wrote me a two page letter telling of her love for these birds. Jean is just a block away from Sunset Drive and Ken Benner’s killdeer site. In her interesting letter about a mother killdeer being snatched off her nest. I quote Jean as follows: “... morning arrived and when I looked at the ‘empty’ nest there was a killdeer sitting on those eggs. Believe it or not, he stayed there on the nest for about three weeks until the babies were hatched. I was absolutely amazed.” Note: Jean said “he”. Yes, this was a ‘father’ delivery! Ask her why. Love those killdeers.
bird life
nature Earl Plato RUDE BIRD BEHAVIOUR - Why? Kevin Cook, a free lance nature writer, gave me some insight as he contended two seasonal events that may help to explain this phenomenon. Firstly, he said that many people report seeing "rude" behaviour among birds during winter months. Moreover, he continues, with the assumption that during winter people expect to see birds at feeders and thus notice bird behaviour more closely. Secondly, seasonal flocking brings birds into proximity where they can act rudely to one another. Cook says that many bird species seasonally exchange their individual lifestyles for collective lifestyles. They flock together during winter even though they spend their spring and summer defending territories against their own kind. How come? Cook says that these behaviours contrast so starkly that one could imagine a great cosmic switch had been thrown somewhere. Switch on and the birds behave independently; switch off and the birds behave collectively. Yes, a cosmic switch does exist and is actually called photoperiodism. The natural process of photoperiodism has been recognized for countless centuries. The Bible talks about "evening being light." On about March 21st we have equal day and night and on about June 21st we have the greatest amount of daylight. Summer has arrived. Daily hours of daylight and darkness vary cyclically, and therefore predictably through a calendar year. With the exception of those species that inhabit caves and the great, dark depths of lakes and seas, earth life responds according to how much sunlight it absorbs.With much exposure to sunlight an organism produces a certain set of hormones in higher quantities, and they dominate corresponding life functions. Make sense? As the supply of sunshine dwindles - Sept. 21st and then Dec. 21st, when the least amount of sunshine in our area is available, the hormonal balance shifts, causing changes in the bird's behaviour. Kevin Cook contends that when you watch a pair of nesting robins chase away other robins, you are actually witnessing a cumulative response to a given supply of solar radiation. This supply steadily increases from the first day of winter. It teaches a critical point near the first day of spring, at which time the robins begin enjoying more hours of daylight time than of darkness. This flips the switch. The increasing sunlight stimulates the production of hormones that ultimately dictate a change in robin behaviour. The robins abandon their winter flocks, establish territories, mate and rear young. Think about it. It makes sense.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Crows
Crows Earl Plato
A nature friend once remarked to me long ago, “You’ve seen one crow you’ve seen them all. Same colour - same call.” I didn’t question him at the time but over the years of writing nature articles for the Review I have received some great crow stories that, I believe, helps to dispel the above comment. Do you believe that crows are not ordinary birds? Gordon MacDonald of Niagara Falls some years ago shared with me some great “crow” stories with me via E-mail. Gordon says, “your article on crows revived many fond memories regarding these fascinating birds.” We share with you some of his report. For space we must edit the letter. “About 30 years ago, our son and daughter, were each given a baby crow by a Hydro linesman, who had to remove the nest from a transformer. ...We weren’t enthusiastic. ... The birds were promptly named Arthur and Prudence. Unlimited time was lavished on them.. Arthur was larger but lacked the enthusiasm and curiosity of the smaller and slightly crippled Prudence. On a diet of dog food and table scraps both grew to impressive sizes. ... the kids always seemed to be walking about or riding their bicycles with a crow perched on their shoulders. Living in the country they had the freedom to come and go as they wished but it wasn’t without dangers. One day Arthur was attacked by a big hawk in the back yard. Prudence, in turn, attacked the hawk and managed to drive it off. Arthur lost an eye and was traumatized. As result of this incident he stayed indoors in his cage. He continued to fail and was dead in a month.”
The annual bird count in the St. Catharines Ontario area a few years ago went from over 100,000 to less than 2m00. Cause? West Nile virus. Have any crow stories? Call me at 905-894-2417 or e-mail me at plato1@vaxxine.com
***
This October in Niagara there are wild turkeys wherever you looked. Elaine and I saw forty or so crossing Wilhelm Road last week. The day before we saw at least fifty on Garrison Road west of Rose Hill Road sauntering in the fields. Then amazingly on Michener Road (the day after the Bert Miller Nature Club Meeting) Ron Simonson and I on the way to Marcy Woods saw another large group of wild turkeys on the south side of the road. The Audubon Guide says, “They are swift runners.” Finally Elaine and I saw while on a bus trip to Vermont in late October two pockets of ten turkeys. We watched as the one group moved quickly to meet the other group. Yes, they can move fast when they have to. The trainer at the Morgan Horse farm there said to us Canadian Travelers, “Thanksgiving is coming soon for us. Most of those turkeys you see will end up on a plate.” Wild turkeys have returned to Niagara in larger and larger numbers. Not too many years ago they were hunted to almost extinction. 331 were sighted at the 2007 bird count in Niagara, Ontario. Coming back, eh?
A nature friend once remarked to me long ago, “You’ve seen one crow you’ve seen them all. Same colour - same call.” I didn’t question him at the time but over the years of writing nature articles for the Review I have received some great crow stories that, I believe, helps to dispel the above comment. Do you believe that crows are not ordinary birds? Gordon MacDonald of Niagara Falls some years ago shared with me some great “crow” stories with me via E-mail. Gordon says, “your article on crows revived many fond memories regarding these fascinating birds.” We share with you some of his report. For space we must edit the letter. “About 30 years ago, our son and daughter, were each given a baby crow by a Hydro linesman, who had to remove the nest from a transformer. ...We weren’t enthusiastic. ... The birds were promptly named Arthur and Prudence. Unlimited time was lavished on them.. Arthur was larger but lacked the enthusiasm and curiosity of the smaller and slightly crippled Prudence. On a diet of dog food and table scraps both grew to impressive sizes. ... the kids always seemed to be walking about or riding their bicycles with a crow perched on their shoulders. Living in the country they had the freedom to come and go as they wished but it wasn’t without dangers. One day Arthur was attacked by a big hawk in the back yard. Prudence, in turn, attacked the hawk and managed to drive it off. Arthur lost an eye and was traumatized. As result of this incident he stayed indoors in his cage. He continued to fail and was dead in a month.”
The annual bird count in the St. Catharines Ontario area a few years ago went from over 100,000 to less than 2m00. Cause? West Nile virus. Have any crow stories? Call me at 905-894-2417 or e-mail me at plato1@vaxxine.com
***
This October in Niagara there are wild turkeys wherever you looked. Elaine and I saw forty or so crossing Wilhelm Road last week. The day before we saw at least fifty on Garrison Road west of Rose Hill Road sauntering in the fields. Then amazingly on Michener Road (the day after the Bert Miller Nature Club Meeting) Ron Simonson and I on the way to Marcy Woods saw another large group of wild turkeys on the south side of the road. The Audubon Guide says, “They are swift runners.” Finally Elaine and I saw while on a bus trip to Vermont in late October two pockets of ten turkeys. We watched as the one group moved quickly to meet the other group. Yes, they can move fast when they have to. The trainer at the Morgan Horse farm there said to us Canadian Travelers, “Thanksgiving is coming soon for us. Most of those turkeys you see will end up on a plate.” Wild turkeys have returned to Niagara in larger and larger numbers. Not too many years ago they were hunted to almost extinction. 331 were sighted at the 2007 bird count in Niagara, Ontario. Coming back, eh?
Rondeau
Rondeau Park Earl Plato
We have been on many a boardwalk through Ontario’s wetlands. This last day of May we, four Fort Erie senior couples, were in Rondeau Provincial Park. Next to Algonquin Park it is Ontario’s largest provincial park. We first stopped at the Spicebush Trail. Let’s go for a walk. Locally we have lots of Spicebushes in Marcy Woods. However, here in Rondeau the entire trail is laced on both sides with these Carolinian shrubs. I took a leaf from one and rolled it in my fingers. “Smell.” I scratched a twig and both times the lemony pungent fragrance of the spicebush assailed our nostrils. This day I got my “Spicebush fix” for the year. To those of you who walked the Lower Trail of Marcy Woods in early spring do you remember the scene? Of the dozen or so Spicebushes there you saw a light, yellow haze in the spring woods. They were the myriad of six yellow sepals (not petals) on each branch. Here in Rondeau I can imagine a marvelous sight of tens of dozens and dozens of Spicebushes in bloom. As I recall the blooms only last a few weeks. Under a canopy of taller deciduous trees - maple, beech, oak, and yes giant tulips and others they seem to thrive in this very moist environment. Boardwalks allowed us to walk over the many pond areas. More and more and more Spicebushes for once they are established they send up new shoots off the spreading root systems.
Writer’s Note: Every part of the Spicebush is fragrant. Scratch a twig in the spring and detect a pleasant odour. Later in mid-summer the green berries will turn into a deep shiny red. Naturalist Ed Teale would take the berries and crush them into a cookie mix. Yes, according to Ed spicebush cookies have a distinct flavour. One of his favourites.
Next: One of the best reasons why I like Spicebushes.
We have been on many a boardwalk through Ontario’s wetlands. This last day of May we, four Fort Erie senior couples, were in Rondeau Provincial Park. Next to Algonquin Park it is Ontario’s largest provincial park. We first stopped at the Spicebush Trail. Let’s go for a walk. Locally we have lots of Spicebushes in Marcy Woods. However, here in Rondeau the entire trail is laced on both sides with these Carolinian shrubs. I took a leaf from one and rolled it in my fingers. “Smell.” I scratched a twig and both times the lemony pungent fragrance of the spicebush assailed our nostrils. This day I got my “Spicebush fix” for the year. To those of you who walked the Lower Trail of Marcy Woods in early spring do you remember the scene? Of the dozen or so Spicebushes there you saw a light, yellow haze in the spring woods. They were the myriad of six yellow sepals (not petals) on each branch. Here in Rondeau I can imagine a marvelous sight of tens of dozens and dozens of Spicebushes in bloom. As I recall the blooms only last a few weeks. Under a canopy of taller deciduous trees - maple, beech, oak, and yes giant tulips and others they seem to thrive in this very moist environment. Boardwalks allowed us to walk over the many pond areas. More and more and more Spicebushes for once they are established they send up new shoots off the spreading root systems.
Writer’s Note: Every part of the Spicebush is fragrant. Scratch a twig in the spring and detect a pleasant odour. Later in mid-summer the green berries will turn into a deep shiny red. Naturalist Ed Teale would take the berries and crush them into a cookie mix. Yes, according to Ed spicebush cookies have a distinct flavour. One of his favourites.
Next: One of the best reasons why I like Spicebushes.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Desert of Maine
A Desert in Maine by Earl Plato
We stayed at Freeport, Maine on the way back from Nova Scotia. Early in the morning I headed down U.S. No. 1. I turned right at the Sunoco Station and headed east down the Desert Road. My wife and relatives slept in while I was off on one of my early morning rambles. It was a pleasant drive through low rolling hills and I crossed three meandering brooks. At 7:45 a.m. I arrived at the Desert Dunes Gift Shop. There was someone stirring inside as I tried the doors. The sign said Closed and beneath it were the hours 9 a.m. to dusk. A lady came to the door and I used my favourite intro line. “Good morning, I’m a Canadian. I know that you’re not open but could I have a little oak at the desert dunes? My wife and relatives are back in Freeport and we will be heading back to Canada shortly.” Big friendly smile from her. I parked my car. No charge just to take a peek, eh.
On the display board of the Desert of Maine I saw several photos of the Spring House. It was built in 1938 and by 1963 it was almost completely covered by a 25 ft. sand dune. I was puzzled for we were miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. I read on that geologists established that a glacier slid through here 8-10.000 years ago at he end of the last Ice Age. As it melted it created the great sand dunes. A thin layer of top soil covered the the crystal sand of the dunes in the years that followed. Poor farming techniques led to soil erosion and the original owners the Tuttles sold the 500 acre farm to Henry Goldrup. It is he and his family that spent sixty plus years preserving the Desert of Maine. Today The Dobsons run this unique spot. I had climbed a low sand dune and from this vantage spot could see the 1783 Barn Museum. Behind rose gigantic sand dunes I estimate 100 feet and more. There was a marked nature trail. Should I enter? Hey, I hadn’t paid! I was just a curious Canadian. Shades of Crystal Beach, Ontario for back in the picnic area a man was checking out his little steam engine that later would take tourists on a great trip through the dunes. Back in the shop I saw bottles of various shapes and sizes. The Desert contains various shades of sand. The Dobsons had mastered the art of manipulating the fine sands into intricate shapes and patterns in the containers, Beautiful memento of this unique place. Back to Freeport and home. I have a friend in Maine. Will I return some day?
We stayed at Freeport, Maine on the way back from Nova Scotia. Early in the morning I headed down U.S. No. 1. I turned right at the Sunoco Station and headed east down the Desert Road. My wife and relatives slept in while I was off on one of my early morning rambles. It was a pleasant drive through low rolling hills and I crossed three meandering brooks. At 7:45 a.m. I arrived at the Desert Dunes Gift Shop. There was someone stirring inside as I tried the doors. The sign said Closed and beneath it were the hours 9 a.m. to dusk. A lady came to the door and I used my favourite intro line. “Good morning, I’m a Canadian. I know that you’re not open but could I have a little oak at the desert dunes? My wife and relatives are back in Freeport and we will be heading back to Canada shortly.” Big friendly smile from her. I parked my car. No charge just to take a peek, eh.
On the display board of the Desert of Maine I saw several photos of the Spring House. It was built in 1938 and by 1963 it was almost completely covered by a 25 ft. sand dune. I was puzzled for we were miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. I read on that geologists established that a glacier slid through here 8-10.000 years ago at he end of the last Ice Age. As it melted it created the great sand dunes. A thin layer of top soil covered the the crystal sand of the dunes in the years that followed. Poor farming techniques led to soil erosion and the original owners the Tuttles sold the 500 acre farm to Henry Goldrup. It is he and his family that spent sixty plus years preserving the Desert of Maine. Today The Dobsons run this unique spot. I had climbed a low sand dune and from this vantage spot could see the 1783 Barn Museum. Behind rose gigantic sand dunes I estimate 100 feet and more. There was a marked nature trail. Should I enter? Hey, I hadn’t paid! I was just a curious Canadian. Shades of Crystal Beach, Ontario for back in the picnic area a man was checking out his little steam engine that later would take tourists on a great trip through the dunes. Back in the shop I saw bottles of various shapes and sizes. The Desert contains various shades of sand. The Dobsons had mastered the art of manipulating the fine sands into intricate shapes and patterns in the containers, Beautiful memento of this unique place. Back to Freeport and home. I have a friend in Maine. Will I return some day?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Beware!
Beware Earl Plato
Bees, yellow jackets, and wasps - the female side of our family are not too happy about their presence at anytime. They have had allergic reactions to their stings. Late summer and family picnics seems to high light the Hymenopteras greater appearances. Yes, I have been stung several times but fortunately no problems. This article is about wasps. I have always been fascinated with them. At the rental cabin near Kincardine, Ontario I watched for a few summers these wasps at work under the cottage eves. My nature writer mentor, Ed Teale, shared the following: “The sun glints on the burnished black body of the mud wasp and on its legs marked with white. Clutched in those legs, it carries its paralyzed prey. Always the prey is the same - a spider.”
Writer’s note: Every year at Marcy Woods on the Upper Trail in late August you meet Orb spiders - hundreds of them and their wondrous webs. Back down the trail at the old Marcy cabin someone had knocked down the five mud wasp nests. Scattered on the ground were the broken hard shells in which dead spiders were exposed.
“With quick, nervous movements, it drags its victim into one of the tubes. Then it reappears and is airborne in an instant. With in each tube the space is divided by masonry partitions into smaller cells. Beginning at the end, the wasp crams in its prey, lays an egg on the close-packed mass of spiders, then walls them in. This process is repeated until all the space in the tube is occupied.”
Writer’s note: Who seems to do all the work? The female mud wasp.
“Within each cell a larva hatches from the deposited egg, gorges itself on spiders and pupates. The adult that emerges bites its way to freedom through the hard shell of the tube.”
Writer’s note: What about the male mud wasp? Among Hymenoptera it has an “exceptional” purpose.
“ The male mud wasp stands guard over the partially stocked tubes while the female is away hunting spiders. If the nests were left unguarded at such times small parasitic wasps of the genus Chrysis would dart into the mud wasp cells and lay their eggs on the food collected for the mud wasp larvae.”
Note: Not a bad deal for the male mud wasp, eh? Human kind the woman goes to work and brings in the pay check. The man stays home and guards the children. It works for the mud wasps. Be observant in nature.
Bees, yellow jackets, and wasps - the female side of our family are not too happy about their presence at anytime. They have had allergic reactions to their stings. Late summer and family picnics seems to high light the Hymenopteras greater appearances. Yes, I have been stung several times but fortunately no problems. This article is about wasps. I have always been fascinated with them. At the rental cabin near Kincardine, Ontario I watched for a few summers these wasps at work under the cottage eves. My nature writer mentor, Ed Teale, shared the following: “The sun glints on the burnished black body of the mud wasp and on its legs marked with white. Clutched in those legs, it carries its paralyzed prey. Always the prey is the same - a spider.”
Writer’s note: Every year at Marcy Woods on the Upper Trail in late August you meet Orb spiders - hundreds of them and their wondrous webs. Back down the trail at the old Marcy cabin someone had knocked down the five mud wasp nests. Scattered on the ground were the broken hard shells in which dead spiders were exposed.
“With quick, nervous movements, it drags its victim into one of the tubes. Then it reappears and is airborne in an instant. With in each tube the space is divided by masonry partitions into smaller cells. Beginning at the end, the wasp crams in its prey, lays an egg on the close-packed mass of spiders, then walls them in. This process is repeated until all the space in the tube is occupied.”
Writer’s note: Who seems to do all the work? The female mud wasp.
“Within each cell a larva hatches from the deposited egg, gorges itself on spiders and pupates. The adult that emerges bites its way to freedom through the hard shell of the tube.”
Writer’s note: What about the male mud wasp? Among Hymenoptera it has an “exceptional” purpose.
“ The male mud wasp stands guard over the partially stocked tubes while the female is away hunting spiders. If the nests were left unguarded at such times small parasitic wasps of the genus Chrysis would dart into the mud wasp cells and lay their eggs on the food collected for the mud wasp larvae.”
Note: Not a bad deal for the male mud wasp, eh? Human kind the woman goes to work and brings in the pay check. The man stays home and guards the children. It works for the mud wasps. Be observant in nature.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Winter Birds Part2
For Alison Bell4 by Earl Plato
Social Life in Winter Birds
Watching birds in winter is easier than in summertime. Why? It’s obvious; Less cover and because so many birds flock together. At the farm we had the huge gathering if Starlings. In Niagara Falls there are large roosts of Crows.
There you can see their feeding habits with their sentinels posted. At our farm feeder we had a pecking order with the Blue Jays. The first pair of jays would alight; feed a short while then a second pair arrived and chased the first pair away. A few minues later the third and dominant pair landed sending the second pair away. This pair ate without any further attempt at dominance. Stokes tells us that in winter time social behaviour occurs between certain species. He mentions Titmice, Kinglets, Chickadees, and Woodpeckers intermixing at feeding times. Chickadees and Titmice are the more aggressive species. Observe and enjoy the social behaviours of winter birds.
Breeding Among Winter Birds
Do you believe the following statement by Donald Stokes?
“The breeding of most mammals and the courtship of many birds occurs in the middle of winter.” Observe the Mallards and Black ducks in the river at the north end of Fort Erie. They display various courtships throughout our winter. Hairy woodpeckers also begin courtship displays in December. Blue jays engage in a strange group display during February and March. Note: I have not observed this ‘jay’ phenomenon yet. This 2008 I’ll keep my eyes open
A Hairy woodpecker in Marcy Woods
Social Life in Winter Birds
Watching birds in winter is easier than in summertime. Why? It’s obvious; Less cover and because so many birds flock together. At the farm we had the huge gathering if Starlings. In Niagara Falls there are large roosts of Crows.
There you can see their feeding habits with their sentinels posted. At our farm feeder we had a pecking order with the Blue Jays. The first pair of jays would alight; feed a short while then a second pair arrived and chased the first pair away. A few minues later the third and dominant pair landed sending the second pair away. This pair ate without any further attempt at dominance. Stokes tells us that in winter time social behaviour occurs between certain species. He mentions Titmice, Kinglets, Chickadees, and Woodpeckers intermixing at feeding times. Chickadees and Titmice are the more aggressive species. Observe and enjoy the social behaviours of winter birds.
Breeding Among Winter Birds
Do you believe the following statement by Donald Stokes?
“The breeding of most mammals and the courtship of many birds occurs in the middle of winter.” Observe the Mallards and Black ducks in the river at the north end of Fort Erie. They display various courtships throughout our winter. Hairy woodpeckers also begin courtship displays in December. Blue jays engage in a strange group display during February and March. Note: I have not observed this ‘jay’ phenomenon yet. This 2008 I’ll keep my eyes open
A Hairy woodpecker in Marcy Woods
Winter Birds
For Alison Bell4 by Earl Plato
Social Life in Winter Birds
Watching birds in winter is easier than in summertime. Why? It’s obvious; Less cover and because so many birds flock together. At the farm we had the huge gathering if Starlings. In Niagara Falls there are large roosts of Crows.
There you can see their feeding habits with their sentinels posted. At our farm feeder we had a pecking order with the Blue Jays. The first pair of jays would alight; feed a short while then a second pair arrived and chased the first pair away. A few minues later the third and dominant pair landed sending the second pair away. This pair ate without any further attempt at dominance. Stokes tells us that in winter time social behaviour occurs between certain species. He mentions Titmice, Kinglets, Chickadees, and Woodpeckers intermixing at feeding times. Chickadees and Titmice are the more aggressive species. Observe and enjoy the social behaviours of winter birds.
Breeding Among Winter Birds
Do you believe the following statement by Donald Stokes?
“The breeding of most mammals and the courtship of many birds occurs in the middle of winter.” Observe the Mallards and Black ducks in the river at the north end of Fort Erie. They display various courtships throughout our winter. Hairy woodpeckers also begin courtship displays in December. Blue jays engage in a strange group display during February and March. Note: I have not observed this ‘jay’ phenomenon yet. This 2008 I’ll keep my eyes open
A Hairy woodpecker in Marcy Woods
***
Social Life in Winter Birds
Watching birds in winter is easier than in summertime. Why? It’s obvious; Less cover and because so many birds flock together. At the farm we had the huge gathering if Starlings. In Niagara Falls there are large roosts of Crows.
There you can see their feeding habits with their sentinels posted. At our farm feeder we had a pecking order with the Blue Jays. The first pair of jays would alight; feed a short while then a second pair arrived and chased the first pair away. A few minues later the third and dominant pair landed sending the second pair away. This pair ate without any further attempt at dominance. Stokes tells us that in winter time social behaviour occurs between certain species. He mentions Titmice, Kinglets, Chickadees, and Woodpeckers intermixing at feeding times. Chickadees and Titmice are the more aggressive species. Observe and enjoy the social behaviours of winter birds.
Breeding Among Winter Birds
Do you believe the following statement by Donald Stokes?
“The breeding of most mammals and the courtship of many birds occurs in the middle of winter.” Observe the Mallards and Black ducks in the river at the north end of Fort Erie. They display various courtships throughout our winter. Hairy woodpeckers also begin courtship displays in December. Blue jays engage in a strange group display during February and March. Note: I have not observed this ‘jay’ phenomenon yet. This 2008 I’ll keep my eyes open
A Hairy woodpecker in Marcy Woods
***
Winter Birds
nature calls by Earl Plato
What to Look for in Bird Behaviour this Winter
Nature in Winter by Donald Stokes is a great reference book for the bird loving public. Here in the winter of 2008 I wish to share with you some of his astute views of our winter birds. Stokes says there are four main areas of bird behaviour to look for in winter. They are as follows: feeding, territorial, social, and breeding. Let’s look at them briefly: First two in a series. . Feeding: - Makes sense, eh, that eating enough food to keep warm is the main activity of birds in winter. What to feed, how much, and where have to be considered if you decide to feed birds this winter. In town now my location is poor. I know of least three who have highly successful feeding sites. They are Bill Howie of Niagara Falls, Bud Henningham of Fort Erie and John Piett of Ridgeway. All three have great numbers of winter birds feeding at their stations. All three pay the expensive cost of the various types of feed. Remember all birds are not alike, They may like sunflower seeds or niger. You have to know your birds. Stokes says observe your birds and determine the right seeds or combination there of. On our farm we observed cardinals feeding on the fruit of Staghorn sumachs in dead winter, They also ate Red Cedar berries completely while along side would be Chickadees who would hold these same berries in their feet and peck out the seeds. All three men mentioned above had planted trees and shrubs for protection and a food source. Great1 Note: Once you start winter bird feeding never stop! Little lives may depend on it.
Territorial Rights - Territory for winter birds is defined generally as an area defended against intruders. Juncos and Titmice are seen as flocks and inhabit certain defined ranges. They maintain their territorial rights. However, many other winter birds live in well-defined areas they do not defend. These areas are called ranges. At our Sherkston farm we had Downy woodpeckers and Nuthatches in pairs or as single birds that stayed the winter in a particular area or range. Defenders of their territory are yes, chickadees. They establish a territory as a flock in winter. At the farm east of the old silo in a row of fruit trees they lived there as a flock rather than by individual birds. Wonderful little guys. We are told that Mockingbirds in late fall establish a territory that contains adequate food for the winter. To have a flock of them around in winter would be great. These birds have a variety of display and calls. “Listen to the mocking bird!” Enjoy your winter birds.
What to Look for in Bird Behaviour this Winter
Nature in Winter by Donald Stokes is a great reference book for the bird loving public. Here in the winter of 2008 I wish to share with you some of his astute views of our winter birds. Stokes says there are four main areas of bird behaviour to look for in winter. They are as follows: feeding, territorial, social, and breeding. Let’s look at them briefly: First two in a series. . Feeding: - Makes sense, eh, that eating enough food to keep warm is the main activity of birds in winter. What to feed, how much, and where have to be considered if you decide to feed birds this winter. In town now my location is poor. I know of least three who have highly successful feeding sites. They are Bill Howie of Niagara Falls, Bud Henningham of Fort Erie and John Piett of Ridgeway. All three have great numbers of winter birds feeding at their stations. All three pay the expensive cost of the various types of feed. Remember all birds are not alike, They may like sunflower seeds or niger. You have to know your birds. Stokes says observe your birds and determine the right seeds or combination there of. On our farm we observed cardinals feeding on the fruit of Staghorn sumachs in dead winter, They also ate Red Cedar berries completely while along side would be Chickadees who would hold these same berries in their feet and peck out the seeds. All three men mentioned above had planted trees and shrubs for protection and a food source. Great1 Note: Once you start winter bird feeding never stop! Little lives may depend on it.
Territorial Rights - Territory for winter birds is defined generally as an area defended against intruders. Juncos and Titmice are seen as flocks and inhabit certain defined ranges. They maintain their territorial rights. However, many other winter birds live in well-defined areas they do not defend. These areas are called ranges. At our Sherkston farm we had Downy woodpeckers and Nuthatches in pairs or as single birds that stayed the winter in a particular area or range. Defenders of their territory are yes, chickadees. They establish a territory as a flock in winter. At the farm east of the old silo in a row of fruit trees they lived there as a flock rather than by individual birds. Wonderful little guys. We are told that Mockingbirds in late fall establish a territory that contains adequate food for the winter. To have a flock of them around in winter would be great. These birds have a variety of display and calls. “Listen to the mocking bird!” Enjoy your winter birds.
nature sketch
I had about five minutes to make this rough sketch below.
Later I enhanced it. We were in Stigilmeier Park on
The border of Reinstein’s Woods. On the trail we saw a beech tree
that a pleated had made a huge cavity in search of ants. A great pile of woodchips were at the base of the tree. Amazing.
Later I enhanced it. We were in Stigilmeier Park on
The border of Reinstein’s Woods. On the trail we saw a beech tree
that a pleated had made a huge cavity in search of ants. A great pile of woodchips were at the base of the tree. Amazing.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Give a Hoot, eh
Owl Calls by Earl Plato
\
It was pitch dark outside. We were tented at the Split Rock Boy Scout Camp north of Ridgeway, Ontario. Back then I was the Patrol Leader of the Owl Patrol. I tried to live up to our animal moniker. I had learned to imitate bird calls from area naturalist Bert Miller. An owl hooting was one I mastered. It was approaching midnight when the loud hooting of an owl began. I recognized it as that of a Great horned owl. It has a deep, “Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.” (usually six consecutive ‘hoots). I started my hoots and for over a half hour we carried on a dialogue. It seemed to be coming closer. Was I that attractive? Then my seconder directed his powerful flashlight high in a nearby maple tree and a Great horned owl’s face was revealed. A great memory.
What do you know about our owl calls? Locally we have Screech owls and little Saw whet owls in our little village of Ridgeway. Screech owls make a mournful quavering “Whe-ee-ee-cee-oh” Want to be scared? I did as a kid when I climbed up into our haymow and met a Barn owl! “I was a frightening “Hiss-hiss-ssshhhish!” plus unearthly screams. Other owls Bark, cluck, whistle and more various screams.
Blayne Farnan of Port Colborne is our area owl expert. He will lead our Bert Miller’s Nature Club members on our annual Owl Prowl this winter of 2008.
Birders usually depend on sighting a bird. I have some bird watching enthusiasts who have great listening skills. Unusual bird sounds abound in nearby marshes. At Mud Lake north of Port Colborne Blayne Farnan introduced us to the mating calls of the American bittern. That dark evening we heard its call that sounded like some one working an old hand pump. “Cloog-ka-chook!” We were told that this call can carry over a half mile. Hear it and you’ll remember this powerful sound.
Each spring I take out my bird call tapes. Each year I try to learn some new bird calls. Nature is great enjoy it in 8!
\
It was pitch dark outside. We were tented at the Split Rock Boy Scout Camp north of Ridgeway, Ontario. Back then I was the Patrol Leader of the Owl Patrol. I tried to live up to our animal moniker. I had learned to imitate bird calls from area naturalist Bert Miller. An owl hooting was one I mastered. It was approaching midnight when the loud hooting of an owl began. I recognized it as that of a Great horned owl. It has a deep, “Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.” (usually six consecutive ‘hoots). I started my hoots and for over a half hour we carried on a dialogue. It seemed to be coming closer. Was I that attractive? Then my seconder directed his powerful flashlight high in a nearby maple tree and a Great horned owl’s face was revealed. A great memory.
What do you know about our owl calls? Locally we have Screech owls and little Saw whet owls in our little village of Ridgeway. Screech owls make a mournful quavering “Whe-ee-ee-cee-oh” Want to be scared? I did as a kid when I climbed up into our haymow and met a Barn owl! “I was a frightening “Hiss-hiss-ssshhhish!” plus unearthly screams. Other owls Bark, cluck, whistle and more various screams.
Blayne Farnan of Port Colborne is our area owl expert. He will lead our Bert Miller’s Nature Club members on our annual Owl Prowl this winter of 2008.
Birders usually depend on sighting a bird. I have some bird watching enthusiasts who have great listening skills. Unusual bird sounds abound in nearby marshes. At Mud Lake north of Port Colborne Blayne Farnan introduced us to the mating calls of the American bittern. That dark evening we heard its call that sounded like some one working an old hand pump. “Cloog-ka-chook!” We were told that this call can carry over a half mile. Hear it and you’ll remember this powerful sound.
Each spring I take out my bird call tapes. Each year I try to learn some new bird calls. Nature is great enjoy it in 8!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Nature Article - Walking Fern
An Unique Fern Earl Plato
We read about the unique fern found at Warsaw Caves. As a boy I visited the large potholes in our Niagara Glen. I was lowered through one by Bert Miller and was amazed how rock can be worn down. We saw some cave-like openings here. We saw Hart's tongue ferns and Walking ferns, both rare specimens. Some years ago Ernie Giles and I went looking in the Niagara Glen for the Walking ferns. We found them near the old potholes. Walking ferns are found at Warsaw Caves. Sorry for digressing but seeing them brought back pleasant memories. I recognized the long, narrow, fine-pointed arching leaves which radiate from the rootstock. Where the end of a leaf would touch the earth it would take root and sprout a new plant. They seem to appear as if walking away from the parent plant, hence the name. Like those Walking ferns of the Glen these rare plants prefer a habitat of shade and moist limestone. You can go caving and see some rare ferns at the same time at Warsaw.
***
Take your children and grandchildren to Shagbark Trail in Ridgeway. Take curious children who have a butterfly net and an insect bottle. We were looking for insects and amphibians. We would turn over rocks and logs, Remember to place them back in the same position each time. Ashlyn and Conlan did. We found three salamanders. No centipedes this time. Yes, Allison caught with their butterfly net a Common sulphur butterfly. We released it after seeing that it had one black dot on each wing. Shagbark Trail - be curious in nature.
***
While riding his bicycle on the Friendship Trail recently Ken had a robin-sized black bird with white wing bands fly in front of him. A first time sighting for him. He called me and described the unusual bird. I thought first of a Eastern kingbird. “Larger than that,” Ken said. I looked in my bird books and in the one there was a Kingbird and above it a Northern shrike. Large as a robin with bright, white bars on its black wings. “A Northern shrike, I believe.” Not so Earl. Ken came to my house and looked at our bird guides. “Here it is - a Northern mocking bird.” Has anyone seen any Northern shrikes locally?
We read about the unique fern found at Warsaw Caves. As a boy I visited the large potholes in our Niagara Glen. I was lowered through one by Bert Miller and was amazed how rock can be worn down. We saw some cave-like openings here. We saw Hart's tongue ferns and Walking ferns, both rare specimens. Some years ago Ernie Giles and I went looking in the Niagara Glen for the Walking ferns. We found them near the old potholes. Walking ferns are found at Warsaw Caves. Sorry for digressing but seeing them brought back pleasant memories. I recognized the long, narrow, fine-pointed arching leaves which radiate from the rootstock. Where the end of a leaf would touch the earth it would take root and sprout a new plant. They seem to appear as if walking away from the parent plant, hence the name. Like those Walking ferns of the Glen these rare plants prefer a habitat of shade and moist limestone. You can go caving and see some rare ferns at the same time at Warsaw.
***
Take your children and grandchildren to Shagbark Trail in Ridgeway. Take curious children who have a butterfly net and an insect bottle. We were looking for insects and amphibians. We would turn over rocks and logs, Remember to place them back in the same position each time. Ashlyn and Conlan did. We found three salamanders. No centipedes this time. Yes, Allison caught with their butterfly net a Common sulphur butterfly. We released it after seeing that it had one black dot on each wing. Shagbark Trail - be curious in nature.
***
While riding his bicycle on the Friendship Trail recently Ken had a robin-sized black bird with white wing bands fly in front of him. A first time sighting for him. He called me and described the unusual bird. I thought first of a Eastern kingbird. “Larger than that,” Ken said. I looked in my bird books and in the one there was a Kingbird and above it a Northern shrike. Large as a robin with bright, white bars on its black wings. “A Northern shrike, I believe.” Not so Earl. Ken came to my house and looked at our bird guides. “Here it is - a Northern mocking bird.” Has anyone seen any Northern shrikes locally?
Winter Birds
What to Look for in Bird Behaviour this Winter by Earl Plato
Nature in Winter by Donald Stokes is a great reference book for the bird loving public. Here in the winter of 2008 I wish to share with you some of his astute views of our winter birds. Stokes says there are four main areas of bird behaviour to look for in winter. They are as follows: feeding, territorial, social, and breeding. Let’s look at them briefly: First two in a series. Feeding: - Makes sense, eh, that eating enough food to keep warm is the main activity of birds in winter. What to feed, how much, and where have to be considered if you decide to feed birds this winter. In town now my location is poor. I know of least three who have highly successful feeding sites. They are Bill Howie of Niagara Falls, Bud Henningham of Fort Erie and John Piett of Ridgeway. All three have great numbers of winter birds feeding at their stations. All three pay the expensive cost of the various types of feed. Remember all birds are not alike, They may like sunflower seeds or niger. You have to know your birds. Stokes says observe your birds and determine the right seeds or combination there of. On our farm we observed cardinals feeding on the fruit of Staghorn sumachs in dead winter, They also ate Red Cedar berries completely while along side would be Chickadees who would hold these same berries in their feet and peck out the seeds. All three men mentioned above had planted trees and shrubs for protection and a food source. Great1 Note: Once you start winter bird feeding never stop! Little lives may depend on it.
Territorial Rights - Territory for winter birds is defined generally as an area defended against intruders. Juncos and Titmice are seen as flocks and inhabit certain defined ranges. They maintain their territorial rights. However, many other winter birds live in well-defined areas they do not defend. These areas are called ranges. At our Sherkston farm we had Downy woodpeckers and Nuthatches in pairs or as single birds that stayed the winter in a particular area or range. Defenders of their territory are yes, chickadees. They establish a territory as a flock in winter. At the farm east of the old silo in a row of fruit trees they lived there as a flock rather than by individual birds. Wonderful little guys. We are told that Mockingbirds in late fall establish a territory that contains adequate food for the winter. To have a flock of them around in winter would be great. These birds have a variety of display and calls. “Listen to the mocking bird!” Enjoy your winter birds.
Next: Social Life in Winter Birds
Nature in Winter by Donald Stokes is a great reference book for the bird loving public. Here in the winter of 2008 I wish to share with you some of his astute views of our winter birds. Stokes says there are four main areas of bird behaviour to look for in winter. They are as follows: feeding, territorial, social, and breeding. Let’s look at them briefly: First two in a series. Feeding: - Makes sense, eh, that eating enough food to keep warm is the main activity of birds in winter. What to feed, how much, and where have to be considered if you decide to feed birds this winter. In town now my location is poor. I know of least three who have highly successful feeding sites. They are Bill Howie of Niagara Falls, Bud Henningham of Fort Erie and John Piett of Ridgeway. All three have great numbers of winter birds feeding at their stations. All three pay the expensive cost of the various types of feed. Remember all birds are not alike, They may like sunflower seeds or niger. You have to know your birds. Stokes says observe your birds and determine the right seeds or combination there of. On our farm we observed cardinals feeding on the fruit of Staghorn sumachs in dead winter, They also ate Red Cedar berries completely while along side would be Chickadees who would hold these same berries in their feet and peck out the seeds. All three men mentioned above had planted trees and shrubs for protection and a food source. Great1 Note: Once you start winter bird feeding never stop! Little lives may depend on it.
Territorial Rights - Territory for winter birds is defined generally as an area defended against intruders. Juncos and Titmice are seen as flocks and inhabit certain defined ranges. They maintain their territorial rights. However, many other winter birds live in well-defined areas they do not defend. These areas are called ranges. At our Sherkston farm we had Downy woodpeckers and Nuthatches in pairs or as single birds that stayed the winter in a particular area or range. Defenders of their territory are yes, chickadees. They establish a territory as a flock in winter. At the farm east of the old silo in a row of fruit trees they lived there as a flock rather than by individual birds. Wonderful little guys. We are told that Mockingbirds in late fall establish a territory that contains adequate food for the winter. To have a flock of them around in winter would be great. These birds have a variety of display and calls. “Listen to the mocking bird!” Enjoy your winter birds.
Next: Social Life in Winter Birds
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Kill-dee
When Nature Calls by Earl Plato
Mr. “K“ that‘s whom I call Ken Benner of Sunset Drive, Fort Erie.
Why “K”? Since 1980 Ken has had a love affair with Killdeers.
In the area behind his house killdeers have nested each year until recently. On the driveway to his large storage barns Mr. K. would find various circles of stones and often there were four pale buff spotted eggs nestled on a bed of sparsely lined grass. On bare stone too? Yes. You know the scenario, eh. The adult killdeer feigns injury. Hobbling along with wings dragging as if badly wounded it leads the predator away from its nest. Time and time again Ken saw the killdeers’ reactions. An amazing sight to see every year. Not so in 2007 but maybe in 2008. Ken wants to hear that familiar call, “Kill-DEEE, Kill-DEE repeated over and over this year. This robin-sized plover loves open country. Ken Benner has plenty of open space. However, we learn that one of the top 10 decreasing bird species in Ontario in 2007 we our Killdeer? Sorry Mr. K. What are some reasons for the decline in killdeer numbers? E-mail me at: plato1@cogeco.ca if you wish to share reasons for the dramatic decline in numbers. Thanks.
***
The January 30th Ontario Bird Count Report show some not so surprising news about the increase in our bird populations. Name three species that have greatly increased in numbers. Yes, Canada goose, Wild turkey, and Turkey vulture. I agree. Another bird in increasing numbers is our American friend, the American Bald Eagle. I have seen them in greater numbers in Fort Erie in recent years. A beautiful eagle landed in a tree on our Niagara Parkway across from Grand Island. We stopped and had a good look. They have been seen at Erie Beach and the Lake Erie shore line. See one and you won’t soon forget this huge raptor.
Here it is below. With permission from Cornell Ornithological Laboratory.
Mr. “K“ that‘s whom I call Ken Benner of Sunset Drive, Fort Erie.
Why “K”? Since 1980 Ken has had a love affair with Killdeers.
In the area behind his house killdeers have nested each year until recently. On the driveway to his large storage barns Mr. K. would find various circles of stones and often there were four pale buff spotted eggs nestled on a bed of sparsely lined grass. On bare stone too? Yes. You know the scenario, eh. The adult killdeer feigns injury. Hobbling along with wings dragging as if badly wounded it leads the predator away from its nest. Time and time again Ken saw the killdeers’ reactions. An amazing sight to see every year. Not so in 2007 but maybe in 2008. Ken wants to hear that familiar call, “Kill-DEEE, Kill-DEE repeated over and over this year. This robin-sized plover loves open country. Ken Benner has plenty of open space. However, we learn that one of the top 10 decreasing bird species in Ontario in 2007 we our Killdeer? Sorry Mr. K. What are some reasons for the decline in killdeer numbers? E-mail me at: plato1@cogeco.ca if you wish to share reasons for the dramatic decline in numbers. Thanks.
***
The January 30th Ontario Bird Count Report show some not so surprising news about the increase in our bird populations. Name three species that have greatly increased in numbers. Yes, Canada goose, Wild turkey, and Turkey vulture. I agree. Another bird in increasing numbers is our American friend, the American Bald Eagle. I have seen them in greater numbers in Fort Erie in recent years. A beautiful eagle landed in a tree on our Niagara Parkway across from Grand Island. We stopped and had a good look. They have been seen at Erie Beach and the Lake Erie shore line. See one and you won’t soon forget this huge raptor.
Here it is below. With permission from Cornell Ornithological Laboratory.
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Man- John Lessle
NN2405 Earl Plato
Do you mind if I recall an earlier day at Marcy Woods? It was early spring 1997. “The days were getting longer now. I was up early waiting for dawn on another clear early May day. I love spring for it is again the special beginning-of-the-world’s freshness and beauty. This day I received a call from old friend, Buffalonian, John Lessle, What can 80 year olds do? They can walk up the steep stairs at Marcy’s Woods with me and take the high trail that I simply call the Bird Trail. John and I met out there and headed for the Bird Trail. John is an expert nature photographer but this day we each had only our binoculars, mine were the little Nikon bird glasses and his were old World War II big but powerful and with remarkably clear definition. We had a three hour walk on a beautiful Monday. This was my fourth trip here in four days. Why not? The hepaticas were out in full bloom up here and the dutchman’s breeches were coming out. Here and there trilliums were close to opening their blooms. On this day there were few song birds but that will change. They didn’t call this Bird Trail for naught. Eveb with no cameras present John gave me some valuable lessons on nature photography that day. John’s portfolio of photographs taken over the years and throughout the year at Marcy’s are outstanding. John is an artist with the camera` just as Dave and Joy Marr of the Bert Miller Nature Club photographed so beautifully Marcy Woods over the years. John simply says that he did it by doing. “You’ll make mistakes, Earl, but remember that all artists do.” I had taken photos the day before with my closeup lens and I wondered how good or bad they will turn out. I had done some things that John told me not to do. I have to remember next time. We met a number of people on this day. John is a very friendly person. We met Jim from Niagara falls and he recognized my name. He said that he reads my nature articles. Jim had seen a rufous-sided towhee near the start of the trail. He was excited about Marcy’s. We pointed up to the Bird Trail and John said to Jim, “Take it on your way out.” Remember to make new friends but keep the old.. I will John.
***
John Lessle, nature phtographer, has turned 87. On April 19th Ray Willwerth and I took him to Swayze Falls at Short Hills Provincial Park. Amazing man! I had taken him there last fall. He wanted to see the giant old Oak tree again. We did. God’s two venerable living creations.
Do you mind if I recall an earlier day at Marcy Woods? It was early spring 1997. “The days were getting longer now. I was up early waiting for dawn on another clear early May day. I love spring for it is again the special beginning-of-the-world’s freshness and beauty. This day I received a call from old friend, Buffalonian, John Lessle, What can 80 year olds do? They can walk up the steep stairs at Marcy’s Woods with me and take the high trail that I simply call the Bird Trail. John and I met out there and headed for the Bird Trail. John is an expert nature photographer but this day we each had only our binoculars, mine were the little Nikon bird glasses and his were old World War II big but powerful and with remarkably clear definition. We had a three hour walk on a beautiful Monday. This was my fourth trip here in four days. Why not? The hepaticas were out in full bloom up here and the dutchman’s breeches were coming out. Here and there trilliums were close to opening their blooms. On this day there were few song birds but that will change. They didn’t call this Bird Trail for naught. Eveb with no cameras present John gave me some valuable lessons on nature photography that day. John’s portfolio of photographs taken over the years and throughout the year at Marcy’s are outstanding. John is an artist with the camera` just as Dave and Joy Marr of the Bert Miller Nature Club photographed so beautifully Marcy Woods over the years. John simply says that he did it by doing. “You’ll make mistakes, Earl, but remember that all artists do.” I had taken photos the day before with my closeup lens and I wondered how good or bad they will turn out. I had done some things that John told me not to do. I have to remember next time. We met a number of people on this day. John is a very friendly person. We met Jim from Niagara falls and he recognized my name. He said that he reads my nature articles. Jim had seen a rufous-sided towhee near the start of the trail. He was excited about Marcy’s. We pointed up to the Bird Trail and John said to Jim, “Take it on your way out.” Remember to make new friends but keep the old.. I will John.
***
John Lessle, nature phtographer, has turned 87. On April 19th Ray Willwerth and I took him to Swayze Falls at Short Hills Provincial Park. Amazing man! I had taken him there last fall. He wanted to see the giant old Oak tree again. We did. God’s two venerable living creations.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Winter Walk
Winter Walk Earl Plato
I am waiting for a good thaw! By the time this article is printed maybe we will have had one. So let’s think about that possibility now in the middle of winter. Nature writer, Ed Teale, did and we share some of his observations and mine now. The Thaw. More of the wonderful same! More of mild air, more of the warm sunshine, more gentle winds from the southwest. More hours filled with the healing balm of a mid-winter respite. For a third day the thaw continues. We head out to the Point Abino trails. The drifts have melted some, making walking easier. Walkers and cross country skiers have been there ahead of us. The melting has obscured most of their marks, however, to our right and left, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice still reveal their particular foot prints. The year 2,005 will hold much nature-wise. All the wild creatures are responding, as we are responding to this taste of spring in winter. We watch a gray squirrel uncovering hidden nuts on the sun filled north slope. The tappings of the downy woodpeckers surrounds us. They hammer on the dry, resounding limbs. We listen attentively for that great hammering sound of the Pileated woodpeckers. Not on this beautiful day. A flock of birds land behind us. They have come from the wetland area to the northwest near Marcy Woods. Glasses up. There is a red band on the shoulders. Red-winged blackbirds? I think so. Spring can not be far away! When things get to be overwhelming take a winter “thaw.” Take a few days to see this old world and its accompanying natural wonders in a little different light. A walk in the great outdoors is one way to dispel the winter “blahs.”
***
An e-mail this February from Trudy Winters re: Bald Eagle. “Just wanted you to know that we saw a beautiful Bald eagle during our walk yesterday. We had walked along the shoreline from the end of Thunder Bay Road to just past Buffalo Road (on Lake Erie shore). He was in the tree tops just as we got to the point. ... I sure wish I had my camera with me, maybe next time.” Writer’s Note: I walk this location and yes, Judy, too often, I forget my camera.
I am waiting for a good thaw! By the time this article is printed maybe we will have had one. So let’s think about that possibility now in the middle of winter. Nature writer, Ed Teale, did and we share some of his observations and mine now. The Thaw. More of the wonderful same! More of mild air, more of the warm sunshine, more gentle winds from the southwest. More hours filled with the healing balm of a mid-winter respite. For a third day the thaw continues. We head out to the Point Abino trails. The drifts have melted some, making walking easier. Walkers and cross country skiers have been there ahead of us. The melting has obscured most of their marks, however, to our right and left, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice still reveal their particular foot prints. The year 2,005 will hold much nature-wise. All the wild creatures are responding, as we are responding to this taste of spring in winter. We watch a gray squirrel uncovering hidden nuts on the sun filled north slope. The tappings of the downy woodpeckers surrounds us. They hammer on the dry, resounding limbs. We listen attentively for that great hammering sound of the Pileated woodpeckers. Not on this beautiful day. A flock of birds land behind us. They have come from the wetland area to the northwest near Marcy Woods. Glasses up. There is a red band on the shoulders. Red-winged blackbirds? I think so. Spring can not be far away! When things get to be overwhelming take a winter “thaw.” Take a few days to see this old world and its accompanying natural wonders in a little different light. A walk in the great outdoors is one way to dispel the winter “blahs.”
***
An e-mail this February from Trudy Winters re: Bald Eagle. “Just wanted you to know that we saw a beautiful Bald eagle during our walk yesterday. We had walked along the shoreline from the end of Thunder Bay Road to just past Buffalo Road (on Lake Erie shore). He was in the tree tops just as we got to the point. ... I sure wish I had my camera with me, maybe next time.” Writer’s Note: I walk this location and yes, Judy, too often, I forget my camera.
Bird Behaviour Eh
nature Earl Plato RUDE BIRD BEHAVIOUR - Why? Kevin Cook, a free lance nature writer, gave me some insight as he contended two seasonal events that may help to explain this phenomenon. Firstly, he said that many people report seeing "rude" behaviour among birds during winter months. Moreover, he continues, with the assumption that during winter people expect to see birds at feeders and thus notice bird behaviour more closely. Secondly, seasonal flocking brings birds into proximity where they can act rudely to one another. Cook says that many bird species seasonally exchange their individual lifestyles for collective lifestyles. They flock together during winter even though they spend their spring and summer defending territories against their own kind. How come? Cook says that these behaviours contrast so starkly that one could imagine a great cosmic switch had been thrown somewhere. Switch on and the birds behave independently; switch off and the birds behave collectively. Yes, a cosmic switch does exist and is actually called photoperiodism. The natural process of photoperiodism has been recognized for countless centuries. The Bible talks about "evening being light." On about March 21st we have equal day and night and on about June 21st we have the greatest amount of daylight. Summer has arrived. Daily hours of daylight and darkness vary cyclically, and therefore predictably through a calendar year. With the exception of those species that inhabit caves and the great, dark depths of lakes and seas, earth life responds according to how much sunlight it absorbs.With much exposure to sunlight an organism produces a certain set of hormones in higher quantities, and they dominate corresponding life functions. Make sense? As the supply of sunshine dwindles - Sept. 21st and then Dec. 21st, when the least amount of sunshine in our area is available, the hormonal balance shifts, causing changes in the bird's behaviour. Kevin Cook contends that when you watch a pair of nesting robins chase away other robins, you are actually witnessing a cumulative response to a given supply of solar radiation. This supply steadily increases from the first day of winter. It teaches a critical point near the first day of spring, at which time the robins begin enjoying more hours of daylight time than of darkness. This flips the switch. The increasing sunlight stimulates the production of hormones that ultimately dictate a change in robin behaviour. The robins abandon their winter flocks, establish territories, mate and rear young. Think about it. It makes sense.
A Different Bird
I have not see many shrikes in my birding life but I know that they are endangered. The Internet bird hotline tells me that they ( Northern shrike) are very rare in Ontario. As a Bert Miller follower as a youth I learned to appreciate not only flora but fauna too. Bert was a great birder. I told him of the cache of grasshoppers, beetles and even a field mouse impaled on thorns on a bush near our nearby C.N.R, rail line. Bert said to me, “Look fot the masked butcher, Earl.” Back then we called this bird the “Butcher” shrike. I did and saw the robin-sized bird more than once as it returned to its food storage site. Years passed - no shrikes in Fort Erie until recently when the birder hotline said that they were returning to Niagara. Great! That is when in the Saturday Star, Bob’s Aaron’s article caught my wife, Elaine’s eye, and she saved me the interesting piece.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Mr.K.
Alison Bell2 by Earl Plato
Mr. “K“ that‘s whom I call Ken Benner of Sunset Drive, Fort Erie.
Why “K”? Since 1980 Ken has had a love affair with Killdeers.
In the area behind his house killdeers have nested each year until recently. On the driveway to his large storage barns Mr. K. would find various circles of stones and often there were four pale buff spotted eggs nestled on a bed of sparsely lined grass. On bare stone too? Yes. You know the scenario, eh. The adult killdeer feigns injury. Hobbling along with wings dragging as if badly wounded it leads the predator away from its nest. Time and time again Ken saw the killdeers’ reactions. An amazing sight to see every year. Not so in 2007 but maybe in 2008. Ken wants to hear that familiar call, “Kill-DEEE repeated over and over this year. This robin-sized plover loves open country; Ken Benner has plenty of open space. However, we learn that one of the top 10 decreasing bird species in Ontario in 2007 we our Killdeer? Sorry Mr. K. What are some reasons for the decline in killdeer numbers? E-mail me at: plato1@cogeco.ca if you wish to share reasons for the dramatic decline in numbers. Thanks.
***
The January 30th Ontario Bird Count show some not so surprising news about the increase in our bird populations. Name three species hat have greatly increased in numbers. Yes, Canada goose, Wild turkey, and Turkey vulture. I agree. Another bird in increasing numbers is our American friend, the American Bald Eagle. I have seen them in greater numbers in Fort Erie in recent years. A beautiful eagle landed in a tree on our Niagara Parkway across from Grand Island. We stopped and had a good look. They have been seen at Erie Beach and the Lake Erie water front. See one and you won’t soon forget this huge raptor.
Here it is below. With permission from Cornell Ornithological Laboratory.
Mr. “K“ that‘s whom I call Ken Benner of Sunset Drive, Fort Erie.
Why “K”? Since 1980 Ken has had a love affair with Killdeers.
In the area behind his house killdeers have nested each year until recently. On the driveway to his large storage barns Mr. K. would find various circles of stones and often there were four pale buff spotted eggs nestled on a bed of sparsely lined grass. On bare stone too? Yes. You know the scenario, eh. The adult killdeer feigns injury. Hobbling along with wings dragging as if badly wounded it leads the predator away from its nest. Time and time again Ken saw the killdeers’ reactions. An amazing sight to see every year. Not so in 2007 but maybe in 2008. Ken wants to hear that familiar call, “Kill-DEEE repeated over and over this year. This robin-sized plover loves open country; Ken Benner has plenty of open space. However, we learn that one of the top 10 decreasing bird species in Ontario in 2007 we our Killdeer? Sorry Mr. K. What are some reasons for the decline in killdeer numbers? E-mail me at: plato1@cogeco.ca if you wish to share reasons for the dramatic decline in numbers. Thanks.
***
The January 30th Ontario Bird Count show some not so surprising news about the increase in our bird populations. Name three species hat have greatly increased in numbers. Yes, Canada goose, Wild turkey, and Turkey vulture. I agree. Another bird in increasing numbers is our American friend, the American Bald Eagle. I have seen them in greater numbers in Fort Erie in recent years. A beautiful eagle landed in a tree on our Niagara Parkway across from Grand Island. We stopped and had a good look. They have been seen at Erie Beach and the Lake Erie water front. See one and you won’t soon forget this huge raptor.
Here it is below. With permission from Cornell Ornithological Laboratory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)