Early April Plant Life

This afternoon I got out for just over an hour in one of London's natural areas. I can't venture too far for obvious reasons, so it's nice to have areas like these close to home.

Many early spring wildflowers still have yet to emerge, but I found a few things of interest.

My main reason for going out was to check out a population of False Rue Anemone (Enemion biternatum). This species is ranked S2, with between 5 and 20 occurrences in the province. I visited this population last spring and was pleased to find many individuals. This time around, the plants were yet to flower, but I found hundreds of plants, way more than last year, and I turned up plants in places I didn't note them previously. Should be nice when they flower!

Here is is in flower, from last year.

Another species of interest was Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata). This is a common spring wildflower. While I didn't see any in flower, by the looks of it, that should be happening soon!

Canadian Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is just starting to peek up from beneath the leaf litter.

Wild Leek (Allium trichoccum), also known as "Ramps", was fairly prevalent in this natural area. The variety I saw was Wide Leek (A. t. var. trichoccum). It can be told from the much rarer Narrow-leaved Leek (A. t. var. burdickii) based on its reddish basal sheaths, leaf width (>2cm), and petiole length.

 There is an uncommon "albino" form of Wide Leek, with uncoloured basal sheaths (which is like Narrow-leaved Leek), so identification of this variety must be made with the combination of the other characteristics. This "albino" form is seen below.

Another nice early season plant is Early Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum giganteum). Like the name suggests, it emerges in the early part of the growing season. It can be differentiated from Blue Cohosh (C. thalictroides) by its purple flower (the latter has a yellow-green flower). Additionally, Early Blue Cohosh flowers before its leaves open, whereas Blue Cohosh flowers after its leaves open. Early Blue Cohosh typically flowers a couple weeks in advance of Blue Cohosh.

A favourite of many naturalists is Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), named for the reddish sap that can be seen when the root (rhizome) is broken. 

Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is somewhat locally abundant in the area. It's just the buds now, but soon they will brighten up the forest with their brilliant yellow flowers. 

I would be remiss if I didn't throw in a couple mosses.

Rosulabryum capillare

Schistidium apocarpum

Yellow Yarn Moss (Anomodon rostratus)

Delicate Fern Moss (Thuidium delicatulum)

Silvery Bryum (Bryum argenteum)

Dwarf Anomodon Moss (Anomodon minor)

Bird-wise, I saw my first of year Yellow-rumped Warblers and Hermit Thrush. Lots of Golden-crowned Kinglets today.

It is a very strange world we live in currently. Hopefully you can get out safely and still enjoy some of what has to be offered around home!

More Plants, I Guess

Last weekend, I got out on Saturday for a bit to take a look around, with an emphasis on some early season plants, especially False Rue-anemone, which is a threatened species in Ontario.. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Early Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum giganteum)

Early Meadow Rue (Thalictrum dioicum)

False Rue-anemone (Enemion biternatum)

Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

Wide Leek (Allium tricoccum var. tricoccum)

Running Strawberry Bush (Euonymus obovatus)

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Tree Climacium Moss (Climacium dendroides)

I was also lucky to come across a couple Red-backed Salamanders.

May is finally here, and so the birds (and flowers and bugs) should be showing up any day now. Let's just hope the weather cooperates!

Rondeau Afternoon

This past Monday I went down to the Rondeau area for a few hours in the afternoon. I didn't really have any targets in mind, and I just figured I'd see what I'd see!

I made a quick stop into Keith McLean Conservation area. I had visions of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, but it was quickly found it was not to be. Oh well.

There were a few birds of note around, including two rail species, Sora and Virginia Rail. Both flushed from the side of the marsh as I approached. Not often one gets to see rails! Lots of ducks were present, but the only shorebirds were Killdeer and a Spotted Sandpiper.

Green-winged Teal

Other than birds, there were a number of other things. Carp were quite (unfortunately) numerous in the wetland.

Lots of frogs and toads. I heard Leopard Frogs and a Western Chorus Frog, but no photos of those.

American Toad

A big ol' Snapping Turtle was laying on the bank.

Saw my first American Lady butterfly of the year.

Afterwards, we moved into the park. There was a number of wildflowers right beside the road.

Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

As well a cousin of the American Lady, the Red Admiral. Red Admirals have really started to arrive back in Ontario in about the last week.

I made the obligatory drive up Lakeshore road to look for the returning White-winged Dove, which has come back for its fifth year. Some may know that bird and I have quite the "history", as it took me four year and numerous attempts to finally see him. Of course, when I went on Monday he was just sitting out in the open on top of the cottage owner's car.

The dove has had this strange ritual, since 2016, I believe, he had attempted to build "nests" on top of the car. Of course, cars move, so he must restart constantly, but he is very persistent! On this day, he was flying back and forth regularly with sticks to add to his collection.

It took me almost five years, but I finally got some photos I am happy with!

There were numerous sparrows feeding along the roads, mostly Chipping Sparrows with a few Field Sparrows mixed in.

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

After Lakeshore, we went down to Dog Beach. There were a couple plants of interest.

Torrey's Rush (Juncus torreyi)

Cyprus Spruge (Euphorbia cyparissias)

Also my first Caspian Terns of the year.

Finally, I stopped in for a quick walk of Tulip Tree Trail. Not much birdwise, save for a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, but there were other things to look at!

Black Sooty Mold (Scorias spongiosa)

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

A number of mosses were present along the trail.

Common Haircap Moss (Polytrichum commune)

Brocade Moss (Hypnum imponens)

Goose Egg Moss (Arrhenopterum heterostichum)

All in all, quite the fun afternoon! I can't wait to get back, as spring has just begun!