Silky Dogwood Aug. 23
Fall Webworm nest on TCT Aug. 23
American High-bush Cranberry – Aug. 23
Virginia Creeper at blue bridge – Aug. 23
New England Aster
This afternoon (August 23) I walked the Trans-Canada Trail west from the foot path that goes up the steep hill to the bottom of Wallis Drive, past the blue bridge (near the pumping station entrance point on Parkhill Road at Ravenwood) to Ackison Road. A number of wildflowers continue to bloom and most of the shrubs are heavily laden with
fruit. The biggest change from 10 days ago is the greater amount of colour change in the Virginia Creeper, a lot more ripe, blue berries on the Silky Dogwood and practically all of the goldenrod and New England Aster are now in full bloom.
FLOWERS IN BLOOM
White: Virgin’s Bower (vine that drapes itself over other plants, shrubs; esp. west of Lily Lake bridge), Queen Anne’s Lace (a few), Turtlehead (east of blue bridge in wet ditch)
Yellow: Black-eye Susan (abundant between the two bridges; probably planted from seed since it’s in the disturbed section; not attracting any insects; probably sterile), Canada Goldenrod (abundant), Grass-leaved Goldenrod, scattered Evening Primrose
Pink/mauve: Joe-pye Weed (east of blue bridge), Bouncing Bet, Purple Loosestrife (abundant in marsh between Lily Lake and Ackison Road), Bull Thistle (in with Black-eyed Susan; some has gone to seed and is being eaten by American Goldfinches), Fireweed (a few)
Purple: New England Aster
Orange: Touch-me-not (Spotted Jewelweed) – abundant just west of Lily Lake bridge
Green: Ragweed
FRUIT ON TREES AND SHRUBS
White: Red-osier Dogwood
Orange: Tartarian Honeysuckle (a few), American High-bush Cranberry, Climbing Bitter-sweet (yellow-orange), Mountain-ash
Red: Tartarian Honeysuckle (abundant), American High-bush Cranberry (abundant), Staghorn Sumac, Choke Cherry,
Blue: Wild Grape, Silky Dogwood
Black: European Buckthorn
Green: Wild Cucumber pods
COLOUR CHANGE IN LEAVES
Red/burgandy: some of the Red-osier Dogwood and much of the Virginia Creeper, many of the Red Maples at Lily Lake, some of the Nannyberry and American High-bush Cranberry
Orange: a few leaves on Sugar Maple, some of the Red Maples at Lily Lake
Yellow: Sensitive Fern, Spreading Dogbane, about 10% of the leaves on the elms
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
Birds: American Goldfinch, Cedar Waxwing (many immatures; eating Silky Dogwood berries) Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture (five)
Insects: ground-crickets calling non-stop, Fall Field Crickets calling occasionally (classic chirping) in upland areas of the rail-trail; Four-spotted Tree-crickets? (toad-like, high-pitched non-stop trill) calling everywhere in marsh between Lily Lake and Ackison Road; Carolina Locusts flying up from path flashing black and yellow on wings; one Mourning Cloak butterfly; two Giant Swallowtails; one Clouded Sulphur; numerous White-faced Meadowhawks (a red or yellow, small dragonfly); several Fall Webworm nests (webworms visible inside)
