Saturday, April 29, 2006

Two of our participants of the Digital Photography course saw four Eastern Bluebirds on the Ivey Trail between The Arboretum Centre parking lot and the Nature Centre. A visitor also saw a pair of Purple Finches mating near The Arboretum Centre feeders. Spring is in the air!

Monday, April 24, 2006

Winter Wrens were seen and heard in Wild Goose Woods - check around the first long boardwalk (near the Kiosk entrance) and near the plastic wood boardwalk. There were also many Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers plus an American Redstart were seen today in Victoria Woods and the Gosling Wildlife Gardens. Also a few White-throated Sparrows.

Jon Brierley reports the following species, and sends along a great photo of the Pine Warbler!

In the Gosling Wildlife Gardens ...
Pine Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Mourning Dove
American Goldfinch
Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Dark-eyed Junco
American Tree Sparrow

In Victoria Woods ...
Brown Creeper
Song Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee
Eastern Meadowlark
Northern Flicker

Pine Warbler. Photo by: J. Brierley

Thursday, April 20, 2006

A male Purple Finch was singing yesterday and today outside of the Arboretum Centre. Also, a Beaver was visible in Wild Goose Pond - note all the chewing on the surrounding Trembling Aspens!

A beautiful male Pine Warbler was heard and seen (as opposed to only heard yesterday) just outside of the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre today. Our first warbler of the season!

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Blue Cohosh, Bloodroot and Hepatica are all blooming in Victoria Woods. Chris Earley thought he heard a Pine Warbler singing in the pines and spruces bordering the north side of Victoria Woods, too - let us know if you find it!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Jon Brierley reports the following species, and kindly shares two fantastic photos with us. Thanks Jon!

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Norther Flicker
Brown-headed Cowbird
Starlings
Song Sparrow
Robins
Eastern Meadowlarks
Chickadees
Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker. Photo by: J. Brierley

Brown Creeper. Photo by: J. Brierley

Friday, April 14, 2006

Four Tree Swallows were fighting over a nest box near the dwarf conifer collection today. Also, an Eastern Phoebe was calling loudly near The Arboretum Centre.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was near The Arboretum Centre entrance and one of our docents found a female Pileated Woodpecker in Wild Goose Woods. Director Alan Watson noticed that the Trilliums and Trout Lilies are growing and leafing out (but not in bloom yet) and that the shrub Leatherwood (Dirca palustris) is in flower.

April 12, 2006

A short walk by Chris Earley in Wild Goose Woods this morning produced 3 Wood Ducks, some Mallards, LOTS of Golden-crowned Kinglets, a singing Eastern Phoebe and a very loud American Robin. The aquatic invertebrate population is much bigger this week in the boardwalk section near the Entrance Kiosk - Water Fleas, Mosquito larva, Cyclops and Fairy Shrimp were all present in large numbers. Lots of people are stopping to use the new interpretive sign and basin to figure some of these little guys out - come and try it!

Monday, April 10, 2006

Two Belted Kingfishers were seen flying over The Arboretum.