Although we have had no heat alerts this week, we have had air quality warnings due to wildfire smoke from the western provinces. The risk level of the air quality health risk has been in the moderate range. We can only imagine the impact on wildlife and people experiencing more serious risk levels.
Kirk-Cousins Management Area
We had never visited this conservation area that is managed by the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority. There are trails that loop around a wetland and through forest and meadow habitats that host a variety of plants and animals native to the Carolinian zone. The property has been designated a Provincially Significant Wetland and an Environmentally Significant Area.
We only managed to explore part of the meadow habitat and survey the ponds on this first visit. We will have to return, especially during fall/spring migration.
Thanks to our friends, we have lots of photos of the wildflowers and pollinators we came across. At this time of year, we heard and saw only a few birds, including the Song Sparrow above, but the area is noted as a “birdwatcher’s paradise”.
Knapweed was prolific. Our identification skills are not good enough to differentiate which species of knapweed these are, possibly Brown Knapweed.
Native plants and some introduced: Tall Hairy Agrimony, Red Clover, goldenrod, Common Yarrow, Common Milkweed, Showy Tick-Trefoil, Swamp Milkweed, Queen Anne’s Lace (aka Wild Carrot), Bird Vetch (aka Cow Vetch), Purple Loosestrife.
Some shrubs were still in bloom, but some had produced berries.
Eastern Red Cedar (aka Estern Juniper), Dogwood (either Red Osier or Tartarian), White Meadowsweet, Alder Buckthorn (three photos) and Milky Conecap fungus.
The flowers and flowering bushes attracted a variety of pollinators.
Clouded Sulphur, Summer Azure, another Holarctic Azure, Soft-lined Wave (moth), Monarch.
There were tiny bees and flower flies and many Western Honey Bees.
Western Honey Bees (two photos), Eastern Calligrapher, two kinds of Sweat Bees or Furrow Bees, Common Eastern Bumble Bee, a better look at the Eastern Calligrapher (flower fly)
Common Whitetail
Osprey Update
Our pair are still loyal to their nest site and to each other. We see them most mornings and sometimes through the day on the nest or light tower, with or without fish.
Flowers!
Thanks to friends we’ve had glorious Gladiolas all week as well as our Wandering Bee bouquet:-=)).
Upbeat Paul Simon Songs
When I could find a live performance that I liked, I included it. I had to include Josh Turner’s version of Kodachrome and Late in the Evening. Here is the playlist.
Tom Lehrer, who died this week, wrote and performed several very funny songs. You should not need my help to find great examples on YouTube.