Solitary Sandpiper

Photographed at York Downs, Storm Mgmt Pond

May 9, 2016

Fun Facts:

• One of only two sandpipers who use tree nests of other species, instead of ground nesting.

• Once the hatchlings dry after hatching they jump from the nest, sometimes 30 ft to the ground where parents are waiting to feed them 

• Called ‘solitary’ sandpiper due to their solitary migration habit.  For this reason it is hard to determine approximate population.

Bird nests in trees

Last year's nests are easy to find this time of year!

 

Shaggy Mane Mushrooms

On a path near the driving range.

Relocating Turtles and Frogs

Relocating snapping turtles and frogs from 5 West pond to various other ponds.

Painted turtle

A small snapping turtle

The small snapping turtle walking himself into his new pond

A large painted turtle

A large snapping turtle

Getting ready to release the large snapping turtle

Swimming out on his own

A bucket of frogs, some still have tails!

Wood Duck Family

This female wood duck has been seen several times in the past few weeks swimming with her 4 ducklings in 9 West pond.  

Painted Turtle

Egg laying attempt on June 17, 2014 at 9 West

Spring Crocus

Finally spring crocus' to enjoy! The very day they opened on April 11, they were attracting honey bees (as seen in this photo).

Itoh Peony

Cecropia Moth

Cecropia Moth
Ontario's largest moth can have a wingspan of 6". This wasn't that large but its still beautiful. The poor thing met its demise on our roadway. The design at the edge of the wing is said to mimic a snake and aids in defense from bird predators.

The Crocus' are Blooming!

Wildflower: Chicory

Tree Swallow

Mallard Ducks

Banded Wood Snails are plentiful at YD

Our swan is still with us!

Red Admiral Butterfly

Trumpeter Swan

With the temperature reaching a mere 11 degrees Celsius on April 11, with gusty winds, it was such a treat to be visited by a trumpeter swan in the pond at 9 West.  The swan had a visible wing tag which I reported to the Trumpeter Swan Society's "Trumpeter Watch" program via email.  Citizens are encouraged to note if it was a wing tag, collar or leg band, which colour the tag is and the code.  After supplying them with all of this and more, I was rewarded with a prompt email containing details regarding this particular bird. 
Attached below is this correspondence along with their website.

"Hi Stephanie: Thank you for reporting L41.  This bird is a male, hatched in 2010, and banded at Bluffers Park in Toronto on March 14 2011.  The last sighting we have of him was May 9, 2011 very close to your location, at the pond near Kennedy Road on 19th Ave.
Kyna, Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration"

http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/



Snapping Turtle Baby

Foggy Fall Morning

Mushrooms on maple tree