Thickson’s Woods Land TrustSpring 2015

Newsle� er 47

Thickson’s Woods Land Trust, Box 541 Whitby, Ontario L1N 5V3Tel: (905) 725-2116. Email: nature@thicksonswoods.com. Web Site: www.thicksonswoods.com

Charitable Registration # 11926 3176 RR0001

Thickson’s Woods Newsle� er Goes Digital!The � mes they are a changing, and we need to change with them. Why change, and why now? Previous newsle� ers have been photocopied and mailed, but it’s become increasingly diffi cult to get good quality, reliable photocopying, and an even greater problem fi nding high quality line drawing illustra� ons that will reproduce well on a photocopy machine.

We’ve always printed our newsle� ers on colourful paper and used a� rac� ve stamps with wildlife themes. Folks looked forward to si� ng down with a printed copy of each newsle� er when it arrived. Some� mes copies were posted in offi ces for others to read. Some were passed on to friends and neighbours. People saved copies to refer to later. We sincerely appreciate the many posi� ve comments received over the years from our readers.

Recently, Canada Post has stopped producing large colourful stamps, and those with nature themes seem to be out of favour. At the same � me, the cost of stamps has increased drama� cally.

We will con� nue to produce the newsle� er in printed form for those who require or really want a hard copy. Some of you have requested that, and one should arrive in the mail shortly. If you receive this newsle� er by email, but haven’t indicated that you want or need a printed version, please let us know and we’ll mail you one. If you get only a printed newsle� er by mail, but do have an email address and would be willing to have future newsle� ers delivered electronically, please let us know that, too, and we’ll put you on our electronic mailing list.

The posi� ves for electronic newsle� ers is that we can include high resolu� on photos of plants and animals in the reserve, as well as events such as the fall fes� val for those who live far away and aren’t able to a� end. Views of the nature reserve as it changes over the seasons and from year to year will give a perspec� ve not possible otherwise.

Phill Holder, the driving force behind the Ma� Holder Environmental Educa� on Fund, has generously agreed to produce a digital version of the newsle� er. Thanks so much, Phill!!!

We recognize that there can be problems with a digital newsle� er, and that there will be glitches and growing pains as we convert. Please bear with us and help us along. We welcome and invite comments and sugges� ons as to how this change can be made as posi� ve and enjoyable as possible.

American Tree Sparrow (Mike McEvoy).

Dog-strangling Vine Control and Removal Meet at the gates to the meadow along Thickson Road at 8:00 a.m. We’re star�ng early since the sun rises shortly a�er 5:00 a.m. on these longest days of the year, and it can get hot by mid-morning. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, a small, strong, sharpened round-mouthed spade, perhaps a lawn chair, and determina�on to defeat this unwanted intruder.

Swallow-wort or dog-strangling vine, an invasive alien perennial accidentally introduced into the United States from southern Europe over a century ago, spreads its seeds on the wind. Seedlings are small and well hidden the first year, but increase in size for several years un�l each plant is large enough to climb up nearby vegeta�on and produce flowers that generate pods of seeds with parachutes to carry them near and far on late summer breezes. Not only can the plants mul�ply to choke out almost all other non-woody vegeta�on, but their foliage does not sustain monarch caterpillars, which die if a female bu�erfly chooses to lay her eggs on the leaves of this milkweed rela�ve.

Plans are in the works to see if moth larvae of the species Hypena opulenta, which feed on this pest in southern Europe, can provide a biological control. Extensive tes�ng has been conducted both in Switzerland and at the quaran�ne lab at the University of Rhode Island to ensure that the caterpillars will not a�ack any na�ve plants. Last summer the Canadian government through Agriculture Canada gave permission for a test release. Some larvae were placed on swallow-wort plants near O�awa and on the Carden Plain. The caterpillars immediately began feeding on the leaves, and later checks showed that they had begun to pupate in prepara�on for overwintering. A major ques�on is whether the species can survive harsh Canadian winters and mul�ply to be effec�ve in controlling this scourge. The past severe winter should provide answers.

Tests are already under way in the quaran�ne lab on a second moth species that feeds on swallow-wort from Finland to the Ukraine.

Meanwhile, we need to dig up any exis�ng plants before they spread to envelop everything in the reserve, as they have in places like Camp Samac in North Oshawa.

COMING EVENTS

Earth Day Big Dig Meet at the entrance to the woods on the Waterfront Trail at 9:00 a.m. to help in the annual spring blitz against garlic mustard. Or just drop by and join a work crew. Bring snacks, water, your favourite weapon for a�acking the alien invader, and your best level of energy and enthusiasm.

Don Docherty, ou�ngs organizer for the Durham Region Field Naturalists, plans to lead a walk through the woods at 11:00 a.m. for all willing workers, club members or not, to check out spring migrants and wildflowers. A reward for a good morning’s work!

Saturday April 18

Saturday, June 13

Saturday, September 19 2015 Birds, Beavers & Bu�erflies Nature Fes�val

Please note that the date for the fes�val is Saturday, September 19 and not the date printed in the Birds of Thickson’s Woods calendar produced by the Ma� Holder Environmental Educa�on Fund. Be sure to mark the correct date on your calendar and join us in the meadow to celebrate nature as the seasons change. The later date is needed to have �me to no�fy students and parents following Labour Day, which happens this year on its latest date possible, September 7. Popular features such as the Muskoka Wildlife Show and Creepy Cri�ers will thrill visitors again this year. A favourite last September was a tour of the Enchanted Garden at the Brailsfords’ home on the south side of the woods. Warren Brailsford has been busily crea�ng new secrets to charm young and old alike and is invi�ng you to come discover.

This year’s fes�val could coincide with the peak of broad-winged hawk migra�on. Hope for a mix of sun and cloud, along with cool north winds, to help these raptors and their rela�ves on their long journey to tropical America.

IN MEMORIAMRecent dona�ons have been made in memory of these special people:

We join their families and friends in mourning their passing, and acknowledge their unique contribu�on to the rich web of life on planet earth.

On our website we recognize all past dona�ons made in memory of friends and loved ones.

Alexander James Adams

Andrew Broel-Plater

Bert Calvert

Dave Calvert

Ken Carmichael

Doris Ethel Courtney

Alfy Graham

William Robert Hambley

Steven Kelly

Be�y O’Connor

Rose Doreen O’Rourke

Harlan Sano

Mary Emma Smith

Ontario Nature’s 2014 Youth Summit

For the past several years Ontario Nature has sponsored a Youth Summit for Biodiversity and Community Ac�on. High school students from across the province get together to learn about

threats to the natural world, and how they can help develop solu�ons. Last September Thickson’s Woods Land Trust sponsored Vicky Wang, a grade eleven student, to a�end the Youth Council at YMCA Geneva Park on Lake Couchiching.She wrote, “I had an incredible �me at the summit. I got to interact with so many friendly people who had the same interests. It was really cool to share our experiences from different parts of Ontario, too. “Through informa�ve and interes�ng workshops, a community ac�on fair and fun interac�ve ac�vi�es, I had a great weekend. I learned so many invaluable things and made las�ng friendships with other youth from all over Ontario. I came home inspired with new ideas and renewed enthusiasm to con�nue with my efforts at school and in my community to protect the environment, and to inspire other young people to add their efforts in preserving our earth together.”

Gi�s That Will Last Forever

Metres of the nature reserve have been saved in celebra�on of special events in the lives of:

Karin FawthropDavid Hiscox & Lisa Dost

& the Hiscox FamilyDiane Peter

Thank you to everyone who gave a friend or loved one a share in this living legacy―a gi� that will last forever.

Exci�ng Plans for the Ma� Holder Environmental

Educa�on FundPUBLICATIONS: Thickson’s Woods Land Trust is most fortunate that Phill and Sue Holder decided, as a las�ng tribute to their son, Ma�, to set up a fund to sponsor young people to undertake much-needed research into the biology of Thickson’s Woods Nature Reserve. The first major endeavor towards financing the Fund was the publica�on of the excellent, superbly-illustrated annotated checklist of The Birds of Thickson’s Woods, Whitby, Ontario authored by Phill Holder and Margaret Bain. The book has been so popular that only a few copies remain for sale. The latest publica�ons produced by the Fund are the first three in a series of spiral-bound pocket-sized field guides. Phill and Margaret Bain have revived the very popular The Basics of Bird Iden�fica�on published several years ago by Birder’s Journal. Jean Iron has authored an excellent guide to the Shorebirds of Southern Ontario which illustrates the various plumages of this group that so o�en confuse even experienced birders. David Beadle has authored a third guide showing Silkworm and Sphinx Moths. The guides are printed on a new type of paper that’s completely waterproof. These and remaining copies of the Birds of Thickson’s Woods will be available for sale on May weekends along the Waterfront Trail near the entrance to the woods.

Field Identification Series

Despite recent advances in bird photography, there is s�ll no subs�tute for making good field notes, and most Rare Bird Commi�ees now ask for field notes to supplement any photographs submi�ed. Detailed field notes, of course, also act as an excellent learning tool.

This publica�on should increase a basic understanding of a bird’s feather tracts and anatomical features and aid in the iden�fica�on of rare or problema�c species.

Matt Holder Environmental Education FundPublished by Hawk Owl Publishing

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SILKWORM AND SPHINX MOTHS

ofSouthern Ontario

DAVID BEADLEMatt Holder Environmental Education Fund

Published by Hawk Owl Publishing

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SHOREBIRDSof

Southern Ontario

JEAN IRON

Matt Holder Environmental Education FundPublished by Hawk Owl Publishing

Watching shorebirds is a most enjoyable experience and a handy iden�fica�on guide is essen�al in the field. This guide focuses on the shorebirds commonly seen in southern Ontario plus some of our rarer visitors.

Illustrated with full-colour photographs, it shows the various shorebird plumages in an easy-to-use format. It is designed for the outdoors and printed on waterproof, tearproof paper to withstand all weather condi�ons. Light, slim and compact, it fits in your pocket or pack. You’ll have shorebird iden�fica�on and aging �ps at your finger�ps.

The Basics of Bird Iden�fica�on: Bird Topography

Silkworm and Sphinx Moths of Southern OntarioSilkworm and Sphinx Moths represent the largest and spectacular moths found in southern Ontario. Some are subtle and can blend into their environ-ment, while others are hand sized and flash brilliant colours to announce their presence.

Illustrated with full-colour photographs, it shows the Silkworm and Sphinx moths likely to be seen in southern Ontario. This handy, easy to use guide is designed for the outdoors and printed on water-proof, tearproof paper to withstand all weather condi�ons, light, slim and compact, it fits into your pocket or pack.

Shorebirds of Southern Ontario

Order copies from www.mattholderfund.com/publications

$15 inc HST +$2 pp.

MOTH NIGHTS: One damp evening last August, the first in a series of planned “moth nights” took place at the south edge of the woods under the most capable leadership of David Beadle, author of the well-organized, wonderfully illustrated Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America, a must-have book for anyone with even a casual interest in these mostly nigh�me rela�ves of bu�erflies. For details on future moth nights and other special events, check the Ma� Holder Fund Facebook page www.facebook.com/ma�holderfund.

Formal bu�erfly surveys will take place on two weekends during the summer, and plans are under way to find out more about dragonflies that breed and pass through the reserve. Find out when, where and how you can get involved.

For more info: www.ma�holderfund.com www.facebook/ma�holderfund hawkowl@bell.net

Darling Underwing (David Beadle).

BATS: Another exci�ng undertaking is a study of bats, both those that live in the reserve and those that stop to rest on their northward and southward migra�ons. We know that both resident and migrant bats use the reserve, but more informa�on is needed to determine which species occur at what �mes and what their needs are. The Fund has purchased bat detectors, and two experts in bat ecology are ready to provide guidance and assistance to any students interested in ge�ng involved in a study of bats in the reserve. This is an opportunity available nowhere else, so please take advantage. On the evening of April 30 at 7:30 p.m., bat expert Toby Thorne will give a talk on the pla�orm in the meadow, followed by a walk through the reserve to try to detect any bats that may be present. All are welcome.

Contact Phill at hawkowl@bell.net and he’ll add you to the distribu�on list for the free digital Fund Newsle�er, The Aquila.

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Toby was 11 years old when his parents took him on a “Bat Walk” near his home in the UK. This was a life-changing event and

researching bats became his passion.

As part of the Matt Holder Fund, we felt that Thickson’s Woods Nature Reserve would be an ideal location for students to develop a program of bat identifi cation and conservation. We hope to set up a long-term study to help us understand how bats use the Reserve both as residents and visitors on migration.

Toby will discuss methods of identifying bats using Bat Detectors and why the reserch is so important. Followed by a walk using detectors to try and locate bat activity. Please understand that it is early in the season and with the long winter we have had, there are never guarantees that the bats will be active.

April 30th 2015 7.30pm at

Thickson’s Woods Nature Reserve.

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Big Brown Bat (Mike McEvoy)

WARBLERS: Because so many birders visit Thickson’s Woods in May, we have a fairly good idea about what warblers visit the reserve and when. This spring we hope to add to that knowledge in a more organized fashion by conduc�ng warbler counts each day during the month, as was done by Margaret Bain in years past. This �me we plan to record which species are present each day and in what numbers. We’re going to divide the reserve into nine plots and keep track of what birds are found in which sec�ons. Data on weather, barometric pressure, sunrise and sunset, phases of the moon, and various factors rela�ng to feeding habits of the birds will be added. In addi�on to warblers, the count will include some species of special concern, such as certain swallows and flycatchers. The counts will usually take place early in the day, weather permi�ng, but addi�onal counts at other �mes would be very useful as a comparison. It may be that what we think we know about these bird visitors is inaccurate. Materials will be available for anyone who wishes to conduct a warbler count at any �me. Talk to us in the woods, or contact us at nature@thicksonswoods.com.

Yellow Warbler (Mike McEvoy).

One of my winter joys is watching the habits of the birds that come to our feeder. We live on a property that slopes down to the East Don, in Toronto,

and can expect pre�y heavy traffic from the birds that are commonly here in winter. Our female (where is the male?) downy woodpecker comes quite punctually every day at 10:30 a.m. and hammers away at the suet for a good five voracious minutes, and returns for a refill some�me around 5:00. The pair of cardinals come during the day, but are also the last birds I see before dusk blots out the light: they seem to like one last quiet snack a�er all the other birds have gone to rest. The house sparrows do not stay around, but come now and again in a mad rush to swamp both feeders, then retreat to the bushes, from which they disappear when I am not looking. The hairy woodpecker does not come o�en, but makes sure I know when he is here, with his loud, insistent, self-important calls.

But the most interes�ng visitor I have ever had was Ophelia. She first appeared under the feeder one winter morning two years ago. There she was, a corpulent female wild turkey, picking away at seeds dropped by the smaller birds that crowded around the feeder. She came day a�er day, some�mes several �mes a day, all by herself. Some�mes she would roost for a while in one of the trees or shrubs. Some�mes she would wander off to explore the neighbours’ property, and then return. She extended her territory to the front lawn, where there is another feeder, and occasionally I would see a driver slow down to look at this unlikely city visitor.

At first I considered her a rather dowdy, una�rac�ve lady and in compensa�on gave her the name “Ophelia.” But as I studied her markings more carefully, I discovered that she was quite beau�ful, with subdued but subtle pa�erning and a wonderfully thick, healthy coat of feathers. She never did become tame, but she learned to recognize my voice when I would step

out on our li�le balcony and call down, “Ophelia, do you want an apple?” She would stop suddenly, li� her head, and prepare to scurry a�er the apple piece as it rolled down the lawn.

Once spring warmed the air and melted the snow, we did not see Ophelia anymore. We knew food would be available in the valley and I hoped that she had found other members of her family to be with over the summer.

To my surprise and delight, she reappeared the next December. I knew it was the same bird by her response to my call, and once again she visited us nearly every day un�l winter was over. By this �me she was well known to several neighbours, who, of course, called her by her proper name, and threw apple pieces to her. We did not talk about the weather when we met,

but asked, “Have you seen Ophelia today? What �me does Ophelia come to your place?”

There was something different about Ophelia this second year; she showed greater self-confidence, a good strong sense of herself. The first year she visited us, the numerous squirrels appeared to be in control, and she would quietly back away when they chose to explore the seeds under the feeder. No more. Ophelia would ruffle her huge mass of feathers, flap those heavy, cumbersome wings and walk towards the squirrel un�l it shrank into itself and quietly headed for the nearest tree. It was not long before all the squirrels knew that Ophelia was now queen of the manor.

To my disappointment, she has not appeared this year. I look out every morning hoping to see her scratching about under the feeder, but so far there has been no sign of our Ophelia. I have wondered about her private life; why is she alone; why did no young birds come with her the second winter; is she part of a flock that lives in the valley along the river; did she not fit in socially, and so had become an outcast.I will never know. But I will keep watching, and the apples are always ready.

OpheliaBy Mary Lund

(Our readers always eagerly await Mary’s next whimsical account of life in nature, as do we. I know many others among you have fascina�ng tales to tell, too. The next �me you encounter something interes�ng in the out-of-doors, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and share your adventure with us. Remember, your experiences are unique. No one else has seen or heard exactly what you have.)

Female Wild Turkey (Sherwood McLernon).

One late a�ernoon in early March, as I was bringing in firewood from the front porch, I heard Margaret call from the kitchen, “Dennis, there’s something in the furnace pipe. I’m scared!” Sure enough, when I went to inves�gate, I too heard scratching sounds. Fortunately, this was one of the few milder days of the winter, so the wood stove was keeping the house cozy enough that the furnace hadn’t started up recently. The pipe from the furnace has a baffle that opens and closes so that downdra�s on windy days don’t blow out the furnace flame. On more than one occasion in the past we’ve had visitors come down the chimney of our wood stove, but that was usually during spring or summer when the stove wasn’t in use. Some�mes a bat looking for a warm spot to spend the day, other �mes a starling looking for a nes�ng place. But what could be trying to get inside at this season? Hesitantly, I li�ed open the baffle and tapped gently on the pipe. Nothing happened. When I tapped a li�le harder, out popped a �ny winter wren. Most birds in a similar situa�on would have panicked and flown about, crashing into walls and windows. Not this miniscule creature. It immediately flew up to an exposed wooden beam in the furnace room and started searching for spiders or spider eggs, which was probably how it came to fall down the chimney in the first place. Concerned that it might disappear forever into an open space between the false ceiling and the upstairs floor, I reached for a bu�erfly net hanging on a nearby wall to try to capture it. Much faster than any bu�erfly, it flew about, then did what any smart winter wren would do―went to ground behind some cardboard boxes piled on top of large water jugs. Soon I heard it scratching about, trying to clamber up the side of one of the plas�c jugs. Fortunately, the surface was too slippery for it to get a grip, and I managed to reach down behind the boxes and catch it in my hand. I carefully showed it to Margaret before releasing it out the back door. I thought of teasing her about being afraid of something so li�le, but thought be�er of it.

A Surprise Winter VisitorBy Dennis Barry

Our small visitor flew up into a white pine, searched nearby bark and twigs for food, then flew off into the woods. This all happened fairly late in the a�ernoon, so a�er the excitement was over, Margaret started wondering, half jokingly, if we should have kept it overnight, and maybe given it some crumbs of suet to eat and some water. I knew that winter wrens are among her favourite birds in the world, and also knew that she was, secretly, more than a li�le jealous that I had been able to hold one in my hand, however briefly. The first morning in spring when a winter wren sang its bubbly song outside the cabin in our sugar bush in Haliburton County was always a highlight of Margaret’s whole year. Like Mary Lund with her Ophelia, we wonder where the wren is now, if the li�le sprite managed to find some food before dark. We hope it’s s�ll out there somewhere in Thickson’s Woods, wai�ng for spring, to start its serenade.

Winter Wren (David Beadle).

A special thank-you to one of our nearest neighbours, Johnson Controls, for their con� nued support, both fi nancial and physical.

Thanks to the students and staff of Whitby Shores Public School for their dona� on.

Once again last fall Ellen Waterson and the other volunteers from our neighbourhood Home Depot store entertained young visitors to our nature fes� val. Thank you so much!!

Tents provided by Ontario Power Genera� on at last fall’s fes� val were greatly appreciated as the rains fell.

Many thanks to the Durham Region Astronomical Associa� on for being a part of our fes� val each year.

Crystal Dawson won her family’s Charity Christmas Draw this year and donated her winning to Thickson’s Woods Land Trust. Thanks, Crystal!!!

A sincere thank-you to everyone who made a fi nancial contribu� on to allow Thickson’s Woods Land Trust to con� nue to provide a refuge for people and wildlife alike.

Thanks to Cathy Brailsford for helping to organize and distribute fl yers to schools to adver� se the fes� val, to Rebecca Fox for taking care of our web site, to Karin Fawthrop for so capably handling the newsle� er mailings, to Phill Holder for publishing the digital version of the newsle� er, to Anne Fox and Mary Lund for helping with correspondence, to Tom Crawford for mowing the trails and spaces in prepara� on for the fes� val, and to all the many volunteers who make the fes� val possible by their dona� ons and help on the day of the event.You are an indispensable part of the team. None of this would happen without you. Thanks so so much!!!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Many thanks to Mark Chipman, past president of the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise, has arranged for a gang of gung-ho Rotarians to purchase and plant a grove of white pines in the meadow, and white spruce elsewhere. Knowing how keen those guys are, they’ll have � me and energy le� over to lend a hand turfi ng out garlic mustard when their plan� ng’s done. Many thanks to Whitby Sunrise Rotarians for their con� nued support!

Thanks to Phill and Sue Holder and Margaret Bain and the Ma� Holder Environment Educa� on Fund for their amazing and � reless eff orts toward building a data base of biological informa� on about the fl ora and fauna of the reserve.

Yes, I want to help protect Thickson’s Woods Nature Reserve. It’s a very special place!We need spaces where plants and animals can thrive and people can relax in nature.

Here is my tax-deduc� ble contribu� on of $ Date

Name Address

City Prov/State Postal Code Tel.

e-mail Cheques can be payable to Thickson’s Woods Land Trust.

Mail to: Box 541 Whitby, ON L1N 5V3 (Charitable Registra� on # 0674382-52-13)