Author: New Admin

We’ve had a few sunny days with little humidity. Perfect summer weather! Now the heat and humidity have built up and thunderstorms have arrived. On a clear, hot, sunny day last week, we went to Hawk Cliff where we thought we might find some butterflies and other pollinators in the open field and the wildflower…

In July, 2022, we helped organize a hike at Wardsville Woods, one of the properties managed by Thames Talbot Land Trust. There are open fields, a community wildflower garden, a ravine forest with a mix of deciduous trees and a wetland associated with the creek that runs through the property. Here we were happy to…

After the rain from Hurricane Beryl came much more rain. There has been widespread flooding across London and beyond. The Thames overflowed its banks. Before the river flooded, warm rocks were available for basking turtles. From left to right, the first two turtles are Northern Map turtles (so called because there are lines on the…

Today, July 10, we are sheltering from the rain in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Much rain, but little or no wind. We are fortunate. Despite the downpour, fans of Nickelback stood for hours in the mud to hear them play at the music festival in the park (aka “Rock the Park” – not to…

We like to revisit Sifton Bog throughout the year. Each season brings something new to see in this environmentally significant area (ESA). In early summer, a variety of ferns, rushes and sedges are growing in the floating acid peat bog. Very small orchids are in bloom. We both took lots of photos! Tuberous Grasspink Another…

The area around Holiday Beach Conservation Area at the western end of Lake Erie is a birding hotspot, especially during the fall migration. We spent two sweltering days nearby in comfortable (air conditioned!) accommodations when the daytime temperature was well above 30C. We managed the excessive heat and humidity by going out first thing in…

Kilally Meadows Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) is located in the floodplains of the North Thames River. It encompasses open meadows, riverside woods and swamps. We went to Kilally on a sunny afternoon in early June. Wildflowers were in bloom: Oxeye Daisy, Red Raspberry, Woodland Anemone, Black Medic, Bladder Campion. Some non-native and invasive plants are…

Lately, we have had more spring-like weather, cooler temperatures, rain and overcast skies. Next, we are expecting hot and humid weather with more rain. This is a good time to look back on sunnier days. The Erieau Marsh Trail runs along an old railway corridor, a narrow path bordered by trees, vines and shrubs on…

Woodland wildflowers adorned the shady paths at Rondeau. Below: False Soloman’s Seal, Baneberry, Cypress Spurge, Blue Phlox, Virginia Waterleaf, Wild Geranium, Red Columbine. A carpet of Mayapples was in bloom. Some plants grew in sunnier places. The first two, Tartarian Honeysuckle and Jetbead are introduced shrubs that have become invasive and displace native plants. Riverbank…

The photo on the left below was taken on April 28 when the foliage on the trees was just emerging. In early May, after several days of rain and well-above-average temperatures, the canopy was already in full leaf. Although Rondeau is closer to Lake Erie and experiences slightly cooler temperatures than London, the trees in…