End of May Sightings

The end of May is now upon us. I have been out and about over the past few days. Here are some highlights.

On Friday I joined Will Van Hemessen and Pauline Catling for a spring floral survey of the Kelly Stanton Prairie. This is a really neat site in west London, situated between two train tracks. 

There is a good population of Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin).

The hybrid honeysuckle, Bell's Honeysuckle (Lonicera × bella) was found throughout. 

The prairie proved to be great for sedges.

Yellow-green Sedge (Carex flava)

Inflated Sedge (Carex vesicaria)

Golden Sedge (Carex aurea)

Meadow Sedge (Carex granularis)

Rosy Sedge (Carex rosea)

Pale Sedge (Carex pallescens)

We found a large population of what we think may be Mead's Sedge (Carex meadii), ranked S2 (between 6 and 20 occurrences) in Ontario. Its a very similar species to Rigid Sedge (Carex tetanica), and may not even be separable in some cases. 

This next plant, Naked Broomrape (Aphyllon uniflorum), is species of parasitic plant. 

Fast forward to today. Last night a Wilson's Phalarope was found in North London, not too far from me! Early this morning I rode my bike out there, and was pleased to see it was still around. I heard a couple Black-billed Cuckoos singing, which is always nice.

Later in the afternoon, I was exploring a section of the nearby creek I hadn't been to before, and I found a couple clubtails, which ended up being Pronghorn Clubtails! A new species for me, and an uncommon species in Ontario, ranked S3 (between 21 and 80 occurrences).

Onward to June!

The Blogger interface has updated, so bound to be a few changes with the appearances. Bear with me as I figure it out, haha!

Sedge Surprise

Yesterday afternoon I decided to go for a quick walk at the Kelly Stanton Environmental Significant Area in London. The plan was to look for plants, something that I am finding I quite enjoy!

I found a couple of my "target" species pretty quickly.

Nodding Bulrush (Scirpus pendulus)

Robin's-plantain (Erigeron pulchellus)

As well as a couple butterflies.

Common Ringlet

Little Wood Saytr

At one point, I felt as though I was going the wrong way, so I decided to try and double back and reorientate myself. I found a trail which I thought may have been the right one, and began to make my way on it, through a nice meadow. As I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a song which was familiar, but I couldn't place it. It sung again, and I knew it would be something good. It sung again, and it clicked...could it be? Yes it was!

It my surprise, I came across two singing Sedge Wrens! Its a species that I've been on the lookout for in the county for awhile, but today was not the day I was expecting to come across one (or two!). Both were quite vocal, and the habitat is suitable (and in no danger of being cut...I hope), so it seems likely that they will stick around for at least a little bit, and perhaps breed if a female shows up, or perhaps there is already a female hiding somewhere in the long grass.

As I was looking for plants, I had an inadequate lens, but at least you can tell what it is. It was singing at my feet at one point, but the grass is so dense, no pics of that one!

As it turned out, the way I had gone originally was in fact the correct way. Good thing I had gotten "lost"!

After that excitement, I went on to see what else I could find.  I believe this is Lake Sedge (Carex lacustris).

Other than the wren, my favourite find was these Yellow Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium parviflorum)

I found a dead Wild Turkey, and on it were several carrion beetles, such as these American Carrion Beetles.

All in all, I'd say it was a very nice outing, especially with that completed unexpected surprise find!

Let this be your reminder to check yourself after walking through long grass...