A Couple More Visits to the Health Valley Trail - VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED!!

 12 May, 2025

     The distinctive song of the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a constant feature of Ontario wetlands, and we were greeted by several exuberant males as soon as we opened the car door.

     Not to be outdone, a Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) joined the welcoming delegation of blackbirds.

     While I am sure that lone trees silhouetted against the sky are not exclusive to Canada, they always seem to evoke a sense of wilderness in me and they epitomize the vast scope of our blessed land - our True North, Strong and Free.

     American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) have now reclaimed their nuptial plumage, and this male looked as dapper as any dandy anywhere.

     A small flock of American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) were making a fearsome racket, but we could see no reason for their agitation. They alighted in different trees, two or three at a time, and seemed to go off on their separate ways.

     Perhaps they were just chorusing to greet the day.

     A female Red-winged Blackbird is so distinctly different in appearance from the male it's easy to understand why early ornithologists mistook them for different species.

     I would think that a view of them mating would quickly clarify the situation!

     Bitter Wintercress (Barbarea vulgaris) was growing profusely.

     Holarctic Alderflies (genus Sialis) are a complete mystery to me, and based on the paucity of information that I could find,  either in the literature or online, seem to be equally mysterious to others too!

      They favour locations near water and we were right along the bank of the Conestogo River when this individual was spotted. We were delighted to discover the insect but remain in the dark about it.

      An American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) is as lovely as you can imagine.

       My confidence in identifying lichens is steadily growing, and I am willing to go out on a limb and declare this to be Powdery Goldspeck (Candelariella efflorescens).

       On a visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature late last year I purchased R. Troy McMullin's Lichens: The Macrolichens of Ontario and the Great Lakes Region of the United States. I have found this guide to be a tremendous help. 

       Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) always brings a smile to my face.

     It was a distinct pleasure to come across a small flock of Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) busily feeding, flying up at the slightest provocation, real or perceived, only to land again a few minutes later to resume feeding.

     Least Sandpiper is the world's smallest sandpiper.

     A Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) drake seemed to be warming up for his morning calisthenics!

     Common Grackles are known to add small fish to their diet and this individual was probably on the lookout for minnows swimming close to the edge.

     Is the river not tranquil and lovely?

     We spotted a young Raccoon (Procyon lotor) about the same time as he noticed us, and he immediately scampered up a tree.

     It didn't take him long to figure out that we were no threat and he clambered back down and went about his business.

14 May, 2025

     We were joined by Selwyn and Victoria and parked a car at each end of the trail so that we could do the entire length and be ferried back to our starting point.

     Purple Martin (Progne subis) houses have been installed; if they were there before we had not noticed them! 

     This species is often seen hawking for insects over the river, so there is an excellent chance the units will be occupied. 

     Several Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) were observed.

     I don't know whether we have been exceptionally lucky this year, or whether Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) is more common than usual, but we have seen them often. Getting a decent picture, however, is as difficult as always.

     Much is made of cherry blossoms in Japan - and rightly so - but apple blossom (genus Malus) is not lacking in charm either.

     Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius), not so many years ago a rarity in Ontario, has become a reliable breeding bird, and the Health Valley Trail is a good place to find them.

     Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) seems always to comport itself with elegance and dignity.

     Here it is joined by a peripatetic Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius).

     Miriam had gone a little ahead of us and was treated to a very agreeable encounter with a small group of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

     Upon seeing her they quickly scampered away.

     Meanwhile, we all enjoyed a small flock of Least Sandpipers

     Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum viginianum) was prolific and thriving.

     Star-flowered Lily-of-the-Valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is a plant that is very aptly named.

     The following cluster is a type of Bittercresses and Toothworts (genus Cardamine).

     I am pretty sure this is a Willow Leaf Beetle (Plagiodera versicolora).

     It is commonly found in the British isles and has been introduced here - unwittingly, I assume.

     Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) formed an attractive carpet in several places.

     A pair of Common Crane Flies (genus Tipula) was doing its best to assure the continuation of their lineage.

     Butterflies in general seem to be sparse this year, with the sole exception of Small White (Pieris rapae) which seems to be everywhere.

     Here is a sequence to make the chaste and prurient blush!

     A female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) was clearly posturing.

     In no time at all the reason for her agitation was clear. She was ready to mate and showed no hesitation in letting a male suitor know.

     The deed was quickly accomplished, as is the way with birds. I am not sure if ecstasy is part of the experience or not, but procreation is the goal.

     Time to dismount gracefully.

     Well, maybe "gracefully" is a bit of a stretch!

     Satisfaction guaranteed!

     The last time I saw a Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) was in Costa Rica in January.

     Perhaps one of them followed me to Ontario!

     A Spotted Pink Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) is a very attractive little insect; receiving admiring glances seldom accorded to beetles.

     A male American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) put on a bit of a show for us.

     Dryad's Saddle (Cerioperus squamosus) is a very common fungus.

     A Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) is a very attractive little bird, but difficult to photograph as it barely seems to rest for a moment.

     It's always encouraging to see new trees being planted.

     So much of our northern forests are destroyed each year by wildfires that seem to start earlier and burn hotter. 

     The yellow flowers of Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) are delicate and beautiful, a true sign of spring.

     Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) seem to be blooming later than usual, perhaps because of the cool weather in the early part of the growing season.

     Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) always seen a little exotic to me.

     It is perhaps hard to think of a Golden Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) as attractive, but I find it so.

     Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a characteristic plant of our local woodlands.

     As we neared the end of our walk a whole stand of Trilliums danced daintily in the breeze. 

     How lovely is that!

     Following a very enjoyable time spent together on the Health Valley Trail, we all went for a dim sum lunch.

      A delicious ending to a glorious outing. 

T R I V I A

     Recently, I have been spending a lot of time studying Flies (Diptera), and I came across what surely must be the longest name in the scientific world.

Parastratiosphecomyia stratiosphecomyioides

     It is a species of soldier fly having no common name, and translates to 'near soldier wasp fly wasp-fly like.

     I am quite sure your day would not have been complete had I not shared this with you!