It’s that time of year again when some people will be looking for somewhere to dispose of your garden green waste. Unfortunately, disposing of garden waste along the roadside near a natural area is one of the main ways that invasive plants are dispersed and spread. Invasive plants create a heap of problems when then…
The Norfolk Woodlot Owners Association AGM was well attended. Guest speakers Audrey Heagy and Adam Biddle did a fantastic job informing members on the history of The CR and Invasive Species of concern. #InvSpwk
Part of the St Williams Conservation Reserve will be closed for vegetation management work starting November 1st 2017. The area affected by this temporary closure is in the eastern section of the Nursery Tract, on both sides of the 6th Concession Road (see map). For safety reasons, this work area will be closed to all…
Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) Status in Canada: Special Concern Status in Ontario: Special Concern Status at SWCR: Common This small chestnut-brown rodent has a short tails and is native to the Carolinian life zone. Quick Facts: The SWCR is within the major part of its range: Southwestern Ontario close to lake Erie. It occupies a variety…
Virginia Goat’s-rue (Tephrosia virginiana) Status in Canada: Endangered Status in Ontario: Endangered Status at SWCR: Rare – occurs in only one location This perennial herb has conspicuous pink and yellow flowers above a leafy stem. In Canada, Virginia Goat’s-rue occurs within a very restricted portion of Norfolk County, and the SWCR population it is the only…
Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) Status in Canada: Endangered Status in Ontario: Endangered Status at SWCR: Rare and increasing In Canada, there are only 5 known populations of this low evergreen perennial shrub: four here in Norfolk Country, and one in Niagara County. Quick Facts: The SWCR is home to two out of the five existing populations…
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Status in Canada: Special Concern Status in Ontario: Special Concern Status at SWCR: Very Common This iconic butterfly is easily recognized by the distinctive orange and black patterns on its large wings. Caterpillars have a distinctive look of their own, with bright bands of yellow, black, and white along their bodies and…
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) Status in Canada: Special Concern Status in Ontario: Special Concern Status at SWCR: Rare breeding bird This Medium-sized migratory songbird has a distinctive light stripe above the eye. It nests in the wetland habitats of the SWCR. Quick Facts: In Ontario, it only breeds in the province’s most southern regions. It is…
Karner Blue (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) Status in Canada: Extirpated Status in Ontario: Extirpated Status at SWCR: Extirpated This small butterfly has blue wings that measure only 22 to 32 mm across! Males are a brighter blue than females, who make up for it by having bright orange crescents around silver and black spots on their wings….
Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus ssp. Incisalia) Status in Canada: Extirpated Status in Ontario: Extirpated Status at SWCR: Extirpated It gets it’s frosted appearance from a scattering of pale coloured scales on the underside of its wings. The SWCR was home to the last Ontario population, and our efforts are now focused on restoring habitat in the…
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) Status in Canada: Special Concern Status in Ontario: Not yet Listed Status at SWCR: Abundant and widespread breeding bird This migratory songbird is common to the Norfolk region, but declining throughout its range. Quick Facts: This songbird has a distinct call: “PEE-a-wee”. It eats flying insects, hunting them from high perches in…
Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferous, or Caprimulgus vociferus) Status in Canada: Threatened Status in Ontario: Threatened Status at SWCR: Common breeding bird It is hard to spot this medium-sized songbird because it nests on the ground and has excellent camouflage. Quick Facts: It eats nocturnal insects and is most active at dusk and dawn. It breeds at…
