ERS 346 Outing #2

Time and Date: 19/10/21 | 14:30 - 15:00
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Waterloo Park, Ontario (West side of the train tracks)
Weather: Overcast, cloudy with low humidity. Approximately 13 degrees Celsius
Habitat/Vegetation: Fragmented Woodland with stream running through along the edge of biking/walking trail.
Word Count: 399

Narrative:

The very first thing I noticed about the vegetation in comparison to the first outing was that things had begun to decay; the goldenrod was hardly gold at all. Fall has clearly arrived! This patch of wildlife is fragmented on its own due to surrounding trails, train tracks and a residential neighbourhood. I chose this particular piece of Waterloo park because the vegetation grows wild and tall, as well, I once saw a deer here. It was two winters ago, and I was able to see a lone, medium-sized deer standing still between the trees (there was no vegetation to hide her). It came as a surprise to me because there is so much human activity in this area - enough to frighten off any wild animal.

During this outing, I was able to spot several species of plants, all growing quite healthily along the walking trail and further inside the woodland. I identified the usual and expected species: burdock, asters and clovers, but I also identified a couple of unexpected surprises: a bi-coloured striped bee and some wild sunflowers. I heard birds singing and could see the brown blur of their bodies as they flew by, however I was unable to catch a photo or identify them as I do not have an extensive knowledge of bird calls. I did hear Canadian geese as well. I did not see them on the side of Waterloo Park that I was investigating, however they were right across the train tracks.

That got me thinking - why aren't they over here? There's a stream, plants to eat, and its very close to where they currently reside. I think their selection of habitat has to do with the lack of space (there's more water on the other side of the park where the pond is) and perhaps that they avoid the train tracks altogether to avoid mortality.

I searched the area for tracks, feces or any other signs of animal wildlife I could find, but was disappointed. I believe this particular patch of fragmented forest is less appealing to animals both because of the light and noise pollution created by the active human community and because there is little privacy (or, in their eyes, little protection from predation). I'd also like to point out that there was a ton of litter; I noticed ripped up fabric, plastic containers and other contaminants throughout the area.

Posted on October 23, 2019 05:28 PM by jennaltbraun jennaltbraun

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:38 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:38 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Wild Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:39 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:40 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:40 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:41 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:42 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

White Clover (Trifolium repens)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:44 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:45 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:46 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Tall Tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:46 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

New York Carpenter Ant (Camponotus novaeboracensis)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:44 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:49 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Robust Ground Crickets (Genus Allonemobius)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:51 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:52 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:38 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee (Agapostemon virescens)

Observer

jennaltbraun

Date

October 21, 2019 02:38 PM EDT

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