June finally brought us some seasonal summer weather until the past few days (June 22nd to 24th) when we endured sweltering temperatures above 30 C and humidex equivalents above 40 C.
June 16, 2025 and June 20, 2025
The humidity culmninated in a series of thunderstorms on June 24th that haven’t yet cleared the area.
Meadowlily Nature Preserve & Meadowlily Woods ESA
Meadowlily Nature Preserve is a 5.9-ha (14.5 acre) property that was donated to the Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT) in 2002. The site is an integral component of Meadowlily Woods, an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) in the City of London that is manged by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. The properties are mainly on the south side of the South Thames River and are comprised of floodplain woods, deep ravines, mature woodlands, and some active and retired agricultural fields that are now meadows. TTLT has worked to re-naturalize manicured areas to encourage the growth of native species adapted to the local conditions.
Wildflowers bloomed in the sunny patches along the edges of paths and the open meadows. Many of the plants in bloom were introduced and have since naturalized.
Oxeye Daisy, Fleabane, Meadow Hawkweed, Red Clover, Dame’s Rocket
White Campion and Bladder Campion were both in bloom.
White Campion and Bladder Campion
White Campion is a dioecious flowering plant, meaning that there are male and female flowers on separate plants.
Male flowers have 10 stamens, female flowers have 5 (or 6) styles that project beyond the calyx.
Common Ninebark was in bloom, as were Multifora Rose and a Beautybush that must have escaped from a garden or been the remnant of a former garden.
Bees and flies are both important plant pollinators.
These are all flies!
Bees come in many varieties as well.
The few butterflies we saw did not stop moving. The Ebony Jewelwings were more cooperative.
We heard only seven bird species and saw only two. American Robins often forage along the paths and on the forest floor. They are still feeding young, possibly their second brood.
We couldn’t tell if this Song Sparrow had been bathing or was moulting.
Chipmunk! Now you see it, now…
Osprey Update
We continue to see our Osprey pair sometimes together and sometimes separately, either on the nest or on the neighboring light tower. Once, we saw one consuming a fish on the light tower. For now, they are sticking to home base.
Wandering Bee Flowers
Double pleasure again this week!
So Much Great Music in 1970
I took many lesser great songs out of this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhsgho1ap5irhSCavK1vtkOa4Kv7HdjcF