the aquila...2018/11/12 · the aquila although much of our original research is complete, my...

Issue #12 November 2018

The Aquila

Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons (Mike McEvoy)

THIS ISSUEBirdsofThickson’sWoods-Blue-wingedWarblerResearchUpdateThickson’sWoodsMothsFungi

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The Birds of Thickson’s WoodsNature Reserve

Blue-wingedWarblerVermivoracyanoptera

(EdMcAskill)

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Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera)

Margaret BainWhen I first started birding, many moons ago it must be admi�ed, Blue-winged Warblers were rare in southern Ontario. I will never forget the thrill of hearing the breathy, buzzy song of my “lifer” Blue-winged Warbler in Tilden’s Woods at Point Pelee in early May of 1980 and then being shown this small jewel busily foraging in the trees overhanging the boardwalk.

Very few field-guides show the true brilliance of the Spring male in breeding plumage – brightest daffodil yellow overall with a thin dark eyeline, bluish-grey wings with two white wing-bars, and bright white undertail coverts.This is a small but feisty warbler. Any rumour of another singing male nearby, whether real or electronic, will bring it hurtling out of the bushes looking for a fight.

Its preferred habitat is scrubby areas of bushes and small trees in regenera�ng old fields or along forest edges and roadsides. Recently, the Ontario popula�on of Blue-winged Warblers has been expanding northeastwards from the extreme southwest of the province, and it’s the Blue-winged’s close cousin the Golden-winged Warbler that is in retreat.

However, overall numbers of Blue-winged Warblers south of the border in the eastern United States, the core of its breeding range, have been declining markedly in the last few decades, perhaps due to further succession of patchy, scrubby areas into more mature forest, and this may well happen eventually in Ontario too.

Blue-winged Warblers winter in Mexico and northern Central America, not all that far as migra�ons of small passerines go, but they are surprisingly rare in winter in North America. My only winter record, years ago, was a stunning male reported by a stressed-out beginning-birder in the Lynde Shores woodlot in Whitby, determined to show us doub�ng oldsters that he really had found a Blue-winged Warbler on December 3rd, as indeed he had!

Blue-winged Warbler (Ed McAskill)

Blue-winged Warbler (Ed McAskill)


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Research – UpdatePhill Holder

Research within the Thickson’s Woods Nature Reserve con�nued this year, albeit at a slower pace than during the previous four years, as some of the projects concluded.

Milk SnakesThis has been a good news, bad news, good news story. A�er earlier success at finding and recording these beau�ful snakes, including a mixture of yearlings and adults, 2017 was a disaster. We did not record a single snake. No sigh�ngs by residents or reports of road kills on nearby streets or the Waterfront Trail. Neighbours on adjacent proper�es also reported a lack of snakes. It was very disappoin�ng. This year we were beyond thrilled to have at least four records of Milk Snakes. Three were photographed, and we can tell from the head pa�erns that not only were they unique individuals, but also different from ones we had recorded in previous years. We are so happy. Is this a comeback from the brink?

MammalsAlthough we applied for trapping permits early in the year, administra�ve changes at the MNRF resulted in our permit being issued too late for us to complete compara�ve studies.

From observa�ons, we know that the White-footed Mice are doing well, as are Meadow Voles. Since shrews are ac�ve at night and seldom observed,

it is difficult to say how they fared in the hot summer. One local residence did have several visits by one or more Northern Short-tailed Shrews.

Possibly due to the abundance of mice, the local Mink are doing well, with regular sigh�ngs. They’re o�en seen patrolling the rocky Lake Ontario shoreline. The White-tailed Deer con�nue to thrive, much to the dismay of local residents. It seems deer like to munch on the plan�ngs of some of the keen gardeners around the Reserve. While it used to be a mission to keep rabbits out of gardens, now the topic of conversa�on is how to foil the local deer which are people friendly and not easily deterred. We see raccoons all the �me, but the resident popula�on is considerably reduced. We believe that the numbers were at an all-�me high in 2017 and the Reserve was overpopulated. Just ask the residents, as these cri�ers are more destruc�ve than the deer. We wonder if the increase in coyotes that are becoming more urbanized is having an impact?

One of the adult Milk Snakes (Lampropel�s triangulum), photographed this Spring (O�o Peter).

White-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopus (Mike McEvoy).


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BatsAlong with moths, these wonderful animals are worthy of con�nued study as we wind down other research projects. Unfortunately, our permit to trap bats in the Reserve came too late in the season to conduct a proper survey. We will try again next year. We caught Big Brown Bats last year and they were healthy and seem to be thriving. Since we frequently record five other species acous�cally, the goal is to catch some of these to assess their health. It’s an exci�ng experience to hold one of these wonderful intelligent animals, so intriguing, yet so mysterious. Bat Detector technology is rapidly changing and hearing and iden�fying bats with the new detectors is ge�ng increasingly popular and more accurate. If you have not experienced hearing bats as they fly overhead, you are missing out on something truly wonderful. As long as there is interest, we will con�nue with our Bat Talk and Walk with Toby Thorne, who has become an invaluable asset to our bat research and educa�on throughout the province. Our last ou�ng recorded four species, Big Brown Bat, Red Bat, Hoary Bat and Silver-haired Bat. A great night!

Bu�erfliesThis year we have had an unprecedented number of Giant Swallowtails, almost daily visitors to local gardens. The first Ontario Bu�erfly Atlas, published in 1991 by the Toronto Entomologists Associa�on, lists the Giant Swallowtail as uncommon, with records essen�ally restricted to the north shore of Lake Erie. The latest Atlas (2014) has sigh�ngs all along the north shore of Lake Ontario and north to O�awa. These huge bu�erflies feed on Prickly Ash and Hop trees. I think it’s a classic case of northward range expansion due to global warming. But I’m really happy to see them!

Giant Swallowtail Pipilio cresphontes (Phill Holder).


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It’s heartening to know that Thickson’s Woods Land Trust has started to monitor the water quality of Corbe� Creek north of the 401. This will help determine the type and source of pollu�on that is having such a nega�ve impact on Corbe� Creek Marsh. The hope is that solu�ons to the pollu�on of wetlands can be found, so the insects, rep�les and amphibians that lived here historically will return. Since star�ng our research five years ago, I have spent well over 250 days at the Reserve and rep�les and amphibians have been hard to find. We have seen the odd Green Frog, Wood Frog, Painted and Snapping turtles but very sporadically and in such low numbers that a healthy popula�on cannot be sustained. So I was very encouraged, that a resident recently complained, about a sleepless week in early May - kept awake by sounds from the marsh. She had the foresight to record the sound on her ipad and played the recording to Dennis Barry, who quickly iden�fied Woods Frogs calling. While that is exci�ng news for me, it is a sad reflec�on on how the marsh has deteriorated over the last several years that a long �me resident, who backs onto the marsh heard unfamiliar sounds that kept her awake. A healthy marsh should be full of sound at night, especially in the spring. And not just frogs. Insects and birds should also keep the residents awake. I’m sure that those of you that have co�ages, will know what I mean. A healthy marsh comes alive at dusk as the inhabitants “party all night”. The problem with Corbe� Creek Marsh is that it is generally silent at night. An indica�on that all is not well. I’m hoping that we can encourage local businesses to par�cipate in trying to restore the habitat of the marsh to the point where all the residents hear the wonderful nocturnal sounds of a healthy environment.

Above right; A photograph I took from the bridge over the east branch of the marsh showing signs of pollu�on. (Phill Holder) Right: Wood Frog Lithobates sylva�cus. Although this was not taken at Thickson’s Woods Nature Reserve, I am hopeful that I will be able to publish an ac-tual Thickson’s Wood Frog photograph in the upcoming years. (Mike McEvoy).


Wood Frog Lithobates sylva�cus (Mike McEvoy)

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Although much of our original research is complete, my curiosity is far from sa�sfied.

We have discovered a whole new ecosystem, much of it uniden�fiable to us, or with data available only in obscure postgraduate papers. I’m talking about all the insects, spiders and other creepy crawlies that have all members of our research team increasingly inquisi�ve. There’s so much to look at, so much to record, so much to iden�fy. It’s doub�ul we’ll ever get to the point where I can say, “Yes, I have recorded all the biodiversity of this great Reserve,” the quest con�nues to be challenging and rewarding.

The lights of the moth traps a�ract more than moths; ants, beetles, flies, lea�oppers and grasshoppers all have found their way onto the egg cartons. Recently there were two Giant Water Bugs in our traps.

We have caught them before but infrequently. Looking quite scary at about 65mm long, this is what is called a “true bug”. Part of the criteria of the designa�on of this insect is that they cannot chew, but pierce their prey with a beaklike mouthparts and suck out the insides. As well as other insects, they also feed on frogs, fish and even snakes. They can fly and are o�en a�racted to lights, but if you find one, be very cau�ous as they have a very nasty bite. In fact they are o�en called toe-biters as lake swimmers who step on them unsuspec�ngly feel the painful consequences.

Above and Right: One of the Giant Water Bugs Lethocerus americanus I kept to photograph before releasing it. Above Right: I’m o�en asked how I photograph some of these insects. Most of the moths sit pa�ently posing while they are photographed. For more ac�ve or troublesome insects, I use the portable studio I made with Plexiglas sides. The camera sits on bean bags to provide easy adjustment.


Portable studio (Phill Holder)

Giant Water Bug Lethocerus americanus (Phill Holder)

Giant Water Bug Lethocerus americanus

(Phill Holder)

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Summer Fishfly Chauliodes pec�nicorni (Phill Holder)

At over 75mm long, another large insect a�racted to the moth traps is the Summer Fishfly Chauliodes pec�nicorni. This is a female, iden�fied by the fine antennae. Males have a feathery antenne. Unlike the Giant Water Beetle, these docile flies do not bite.

This species spends most of its life span as a larva, living only a few days as a flying insect. The above photograph was taken in my li�le studio and when the Fishfly was released it flew into a bush, lying along a branch (Right). A�er a few minutes the it had worked its way to the back of the branch and became virtu-ally invisible unless you knew it was there..

The BeetlesMany beetles are also a�racted to our moth traps, including this species of burying beetle called Roundneck Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus orbicollis (right). This a�rac�ve beetle is nocturnal and feeds on carrion, dung and ro�ng fruit. While this species is easily iden�fiable, the majority of beetles are far from easy to iden�fy. Dennis Barry recently spent a few hours looking through literature to iden�fy a par�cular type of click beetle.

A tremendous challenge but we are commi�ed to learning more about the beetles of the Reserve.


Summer Fishfly Chauliodes pec�nicorni (Phill Holder)

Roundneck Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus orbicollis (Mike McEvoy)

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This guide provides key features needed to iden�fy Ontario rep�les in the field. There are over 140 detailed photographs to support the un-derlying text, depic�ng the key iden�fica�on features of each species.

It can be used by naturalists, biologists and herpetologists but was specifically designed for individuals who have limited to no rep�le iden�fica�on skills.

Wayne King travelled through forests, woodlots, meadows, marshes, ponds, swamps, bogs, rivers and streams to photograph every rep�le species known to exist in Ontario.

NewPublicationAvailableSoon

MattHolderFieldIdentificationSeries

ReptilesofOntarioBy

WayneKing

Published by Hawk Owl Publishing

$25


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SILKWORM AND SPHINX MOTHS

ofSouthern Ontario

DAVID BEADLEMatt Holder Environmental Education Fund

Published by Hawk Owl Publishing

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Southern Ontario

JEAN IRON

Matt Holder Environmental Education FundPublished by Hawk Owl Publishing

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TOBY J. THORNEwith illustra�ons by Fiona A. Reid

Ma� Holder Environmental Research FundPublished by Hawk Owl Publishing

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TheFloraofKawarthaLakesAnIllustratedChecklistoftheFloraoftheCityofKawarthaLakes

ByDaleLeadbeaterandAnneBarbourPlantPortraitsbyJohnVandenberg

This important checklist is the result of 10 years hard work by the authors and documents over 1200 plant species recorded in this wonderful part of Ontario. Many photographs and plant portraits, make this publica�on an essen�al addi�on to any naturalist’s library. Publica�on is expected in December 2018.

OtherPublications

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Thickson’sWoodsMothsAddi�ons to our moth list have not surprisingly slowed this year as we knew once we reached 1000 species new moths would become harder to find.

This year, mothing has not been as produc�ve as in previous several years. The heat and humidity of the summer must have had an impact on the numbers of moths trapped (it certainly did on us, as some nights it was just too hot for us). Moths we were catching during the summer were o�en worn and not in great shape overall.

At this point I am blaming the hot weather, but without any real facts to back up my theory. We may get a be�er understanding next year, if we have a more “normal” summer and the moths numbers return. Even though this was a “poor” year we did add another 12 species to our list, bringing the grand total to 1027.

We were hoping that the peak �me for vagrant moths - September/October, would produce more new moths because this is the period when really rare moths can be expected to show up, o�en due to a storm or other weather pa�ern. Unfortunately, the cool, wet fall was not produc�ve at all. In fact we had very few vagrant moths. Even the regular vagrants like Velvetbean Moth and Hawiian Webworm moth were very low in number.


Eight-Spot Amyna axis (Phill Holder)

Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula (Phill Holder)

Someofthemothsaddedtoourlistthisyear

Oak Beauty Phaeoura quernaria (Phill Holder)

Marbled-Green Leuconycta Leuconyta lepidula (Phill Holder)

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TheMattHolderEnvironmentalEducationFundwillhostfreepublicBatWalksatThickson’sWoodsduringtheSpringandSummer.CheckFacebookforannouncementsofourfutureevents,dependentonweather.

www.facebook.com/mattholderfund

AdditionstotheBirdsofThickson’sWoodsChecklist

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus (David Beadle)

This year two new species were added to the Bird Checklist. A Black Vulture Coragyps atratus was seen flying over the meadow during the Thickson’s Woods, Birds, Bu�erflies and Beavers Fall Fes�val on September 15, 2018 by O�o Peter and Carolyn Van Gogh

A record of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo was reported to Glenn Coady from May 4, 2002. It was seen in Thickson Bay by Norman C. Murr and Stan J. Bajurny. pers.comm Glenn Coady.

These two addi�ons brings the total number of birds on the checklist to 320.

And....furtherafield

We were lucky enough to be invited to take our moth traps to Dale Leadbeater and her father Lloyd’s wonderful Carden property in June - different habitat and different moths. We had a great �me and we can’t wait to go back.

IO Moth Automeris io (Phill Holder) Chocolate Prominent Peridea ferruginea (Phill Holder)

Lappet Moth Phyllodesma americana (Phill Holder)

Luna Moth Ac�as luna (Phill Holder)

Mike McEvoy Photographing a beau�ful Cecropia Moth Hyalophora cecropia (Phill Holder)

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FUNGIWe are very excited to have expert Richard Aaron, join us and start the task of documen�ng the fungi of the Reserve. Mike McEvoy, Ken Sproule, Sue Holder and I spent several very informa�ve hours with Richard as he iden�fied (and Mike photographed) the fungi we found. The varia�on in size, structure and pa�ern is incredible.

We are certainly looking forward to more surveys and hopefully publishing a photographic checklist of the Fungi of Thicksons Woods.

Oak-Loving Collybia Gymnopus dryophilus. It is called Collybia dryophila in older field guides (Mike McEvoy).

Thin-maze Flat Polypore Daedaleopsis confragosa. (Mike McEvoy).

Black Knot Apiosporina morbosa (Mike McEvoy).

Hygrocybe sp. one of many species of Waxcap mushrooms (Mike McEvoy)

Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor (Mike McEvoy).

False Turkey Tail Stereum ostrea (Mike McEvoy).

Le�: Orange Mycena Mycena leaiana (Mike McEvoy).

Right: White Coral Jelly Fungus Sebacina sparassoidea which is calledTremella re�culata in older field guides

(Mike McEvoy).

JustsomeoftheincrediblefungiRicharddiscovered

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This Darling Underwing Catocala cara could easily be dismissed as a drab nondescript moth - un�l it opens its wings to reveal its true beauty

(Phill Holder)

the aquila...2018/11/12 · the aquila although much of our original research is complete, my...

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