In late May, we went to Pond Mills, part of a larger Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) in London that encompasses several kettle ponds. These ponds were formed when large blocks of ice from retreating glaciers melted and made depressions or kettle holes that collected water and sediment. The Pond Mills trail circuits the South Pond through wet lowlands, open fields and forest.
Several species of ferns grow in the damp conditions. The most numerous were American Royal Ferns, but there were also Wood Ferns and Sensitive Ferns.
There was a variety of shrubs in bloom. Some are introduced species that have become invasive, including these honeysuckles (Tartarian and Morrow’s), Autumn Olive and Guelder-Rose.
Native bushes were also in bloom: Red Osier and Alternate-leaved Dogwood and Common Ninebark, still in bud.
Some native bushes had already bloomed and were setting fruit: Black Raspberry, Chokecherry, Riverbank Grape
Aside from Jack-in-the Pulpit, the early spring flowers had disappeared, replaced by plants that bloom into the summer.
Philadelpia Fleabane, Oxeye Daisy, Herb Robert, Meadow Buttercup, Bitter Wintercress, False Solomon’s Seal, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Dame’s Rocket, White Campion, Bird’s-eye Speedwell, Ground-ivy (aka Creeping Charlie), Dandelion (gone to seed), and Dwarf Raspberry (aka Dewberry).
The birds that remain for the summer are now busily tending nests and feeding young. They are often furtive in their attempts to conceal the location of their nests from predators.
Here is a Gray Catbird foraging in the underbrush and a Common Grackle carrying food to young. American Robins seem less concerned about being seen…
The ponds attract other birds. This Great Blue Heron might have been on a fishing expedition.
The Mallard pair were moving through water that was clogged with Eurasian Water-milfoil, an invasive species of aquatic plant that can crowd out native species and disrupt fish habitat.
Osprey Update – not the best news…
We are very disappointed to report that there will be no young Ospreys on the nest this year. Last weekend, the Osprey pair began standing on the nest or on a nearby light tower, rather than sitting in the nest. This confirmed our growing fears that the eggs had not hatched and the pair had finally given up efforts to incubate them. We had counted the 35 to 42 days expected for incubation from the time we saw the birds sitting constantly low in the nest. We knew it was well past the time hatching was expected.
Although they are no longer trying to incubate whatever eggs were in the nest, the Osprey pair have not abandonned the site. We see them regularly standing on the nest or the neighouring tower, usually together. From time to time, they have added sticks and branches to the nest. Another observer of an Osprey nest that Glenn found online has also seen this behaviour in Ospreys whose nests had failed. If we were to anthropomorphise, we might conclude that the birds are holding a vigil for their lost breeding opportunity.
We’ll see how long they stay. We don’t know, but we imagine that the pair is still dedicated to the location and wish to protect it for future years. Since fish are abundant here, there is no incentive for the birds to migrate so early in the season.
Photos from June 14 and 15, 2025
This Week’s Flowers
Peonies, Sweet Peas and Cornflowers (Batchelor’s Buttons) – what could be better!
Videos – Remembering Brian Wilson
I bought my first album by The Beach Boys through my Columbia Record Club subscription in 1966. One year later, I saw The Beach Boys live in Kitchener. I don’t remember the show, but I recognized every song they sang. In 1998, I saw Mike Love and a touring band in a small hotel ballroom. One hightlight was his version of “Back in the USSR”, the song he said was written by The Beatles for the Beach Boys. It was only later on that I realized Brian Wilson was the genius behind The Beach Boys.
Here is a tiny sample of performances by Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, and cover bands.