Moss and Fish

I have spent more time than I probably should have in the last month or so looking at mosses, a difficult genera that I seem to really like for some reason. Here are some of my favourites. (Cell phone photos because I have forgotten my SD card in a few occasions).

Goose Egg Moss (Arrhenopterum heterostichum) is a species that seems to be indicative of rich Carolinian forest habitat. This was from Skunk's Misery in Southwest Middlesex county. I have also seen it in Rondeau Provincial Park. 

I believe that this is Steerecleus Moss (Rhynchostegium serrulatum), based on the capsule shape and twisted leaf tips (apices), among other microscopic features. It is fairly uncommon.

Another uncommon species of moss is Ohio Haircap Moss (Polytrichastrum ohioense)

A favourite of mine is Marsh Cardinal Moss (Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum) is a species of calcareous habitats. The bright red stems are quite the show stopper.

One last moss is Streamside Schistidium Moss (Schistidium rivulare). This is a difficult genus to key out, but habitat is a huge indicator (I had this on a rock right beside a creek).

Now a couple fish to wrap things up.

Stonecat

Greenside Darter

Northern Hog Sucker

Central Stoneroller

Birdwise, I have seen the overwintering Golden Eagles and Short-eared Owls in the southern part of the county. The first blackbirds came in en masse (around 80 total) on February 24, but with the weather, I haven't seen any since. Still waiting for the vultures!

March Odds and Ends

I seem to have neglected the blog lately (no fooling!), but as one can imagine I have been bogged down by a lot of school lately (plus with the nicer weather lately...er, before yesterday, I have tried to get out more!)

I have gotten out here and there. Not really to do much birding, but more so focusing on the smaller things on tree trunks, rocks, in the water, and on the ground. I certainly have seen quite a few awesome things!

Starting with near the end of March Break. A friend and I headed out for a few hours of dipnetting in the Sydenham River. Although we were a bit caught off guard by the conditions and high water, we made the most of it. Highlights that day included catching three Brindled Madtoms.

The next weekend I did some exploring in a nearby creek. Cold and wet, but productive!

White Heelsplitter

Northern Clearwater Crayfish

Fantail Darter

Greenside Darter

Fathead Minnow

I of course had to go to Aylmer Wildlife Management Area for the annual stopover of migratory Tundra Swans. Haven't missed a year since 2010! I took notice to a few other things as well ;-)

Tundra Swans

Knieff's Hook-moss (Drepanocladus aduncus)

Calicium tigillare

Apple Fountain-moss (Philonotis fontana)

Elegant Sunburst Lichen (Rusavskia elegans)

Biting Stonecrop (Sedum acre)

Star Moss (Syntrichia ruralis)

And finally, yesterday I went fishing in another creek, and came up with this Creek Chub.

Lots of other cool nature observations in between as well!

Anyways, hopefully the snow clears up soon and Spring can finally get started!

Recent Happenings

Last post I predicted that the first Red-winged Blackbird of the season would show up last weekend. That has not happened yet! I suspect within the next week I will see the first, hopefully by March Break at least! February 29th is the latest date I have seen them arrive in the neighborhood (for as long as I have been keeping tabs anyways). Still have a chance to "tie" that, but looks as though we will be pushing the arrival further into March!

Last weekend I took advantage of the nice weather and went out to one of London's ESAs (Environmentally Significant Areas). I was intending to scout out a spot I suspected had Mudpuppies and that I could potentially return to at night. Alas, I found that the water was just too deep, cold, and fast moving to carry out said operation with any success. Perhaps if I had waders (which I don't because they don't make them in my size!)

I did note a few other things in the shallower parts, such as some aquatic plants and river mussels.

Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium)

Giant Floater Mussel (Pyganodon grandis)

I found a neat genus of moss, Fontinalis, which attaches itself to rocks submerged underwater. I found a couple other species of moss that were submerged, however I was unable to ID them (as of yet anyways, grabbed a couple samples!).

Fontinalis dalecarlica

Fish were surprisingly scarce. I only caught one, and in addition saw another one which narrowly escaped my net, which was likely a Central Stoneroller.

Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum)

I explored the forest a little bit too.

White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)

Common Buckthorn (

Rhamnus cathartica)

This is Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). It is similar to the American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) I found last week, however it is an invasive species.

I found a nice Butternut tree (Juglans cinerea).

Unfortunate for the tree, but interesting for me was the presence of Butternut Canker (Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum). Butterut Canker is a fungus that (I am pretty sure anyways) will eventually kill the tree.

There were a number of small insects taking advantage of the warmer weather, including many stoneflies. I am pretty sure they are of the species Allocapnia maria.

Of course, I am always on the lookout for interesting fungus.

Coryne Dubia

Crystal Brain (Exidia nucleata)

Jelly Spot (Dacrymyces stillatus)

On a side note, my friend Nathan just started a blog. Currently he is documenting his attempt at a Waterloo county big year. Go check it out here!

Early January Odds and Ends

While many naturalists are out getting a start to their 2019 bird year list, I have been focusing on other things. Admittedly, I think last weekend when I went to Rondeau was my only time "properly" birding so far this year, and even then I quickly got distracted by other things! (cue moss)

Hedwigia ciliata

I guess I am in a way doing a year list of sorts, but not just birds...click here

Anyways, I''ll detail some highlights from the last couple weeks. I have seen some cool stuff, if I do say so myself! (note: I'll be using common names for a lot of stuff, however some common names change depending on who you ask!)

On January 1st I found a couple things just after midnight, starting the year off right!

Common Earthworm

Common Sac Spider

That morning I went on a bird hike, however I quickly got off track.

Biting Stonecrop

Maritime Sunburst Lichen

Silvery Bryum

Later that day I went to find some fish (and other things).

Smallmouth Bass

Johnny Darter

Spotfin Shiner

Striped Shiner

Black Sooty Mold

A couple days later I went out again in search of fish. I dipnetted a little stream near me and caught a bunch of Brook Sticklebacks. I caught this species up on James Bay so it seemed strange to be seeing them down here!

Brook Stickleback

Creek Chub

Central Stoneroller

Despite it being January, I have actually come across two amphibians, and adult and a tadpole Green Frog, both caught accidentally with my dipnet.

Fish and frogs are not the only thing caught with my net, sometimes I pull up some aquatic plants.

Crisp-leaved Pondweed

I have also crossed paths with two species of moths, although they weren't adults.

Virginia Ctenucha 

Gypsy Moth (eggs)

Finally, as of late I have been attempting to look at lichens. Lichens may just be one of the hardest groups to identify in Ontario! I'll try to keep from being discouraged.

Candleflame Lichen

Illosporiopsis christiasenii

I have found it very rewarding to stop and take time to seek out and appreciate all the little things around us.

I came across this short article on being a "100% Naturalist" a few months ago, and found it very interesting. You may have seen it, but if you haven't, I strongly urge that you read it. I think we should all try and be as much as a 100% Naturalist as we can be! You can read it here.