Ontario’s Deep South
By Mary Gartshore
I grew up on a livestock farm with a large forest in the Dundas Valley, where I was encouraged by my parents to explore nature. I graduated in Hons. Zoology, Guelph in 1973. I have carried out biological inventories in Canada, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and elsewhere. In 1990, with partner Peter Carson, purchased a 80ha farm in Norfolk County. Currently, we focus our efforts on nature conservation and ecological restoration in southern Ontario.
Although we think of birds as quieting down in late July, this was not the case along the lovely section of rail Lynn Valley Trail between Victoria and Decou streets. Several Carolina Wrens were singing loudly as they do throughout the year and feeding their second or third brood. Other southerners such as Red-belled Woodpecker were heard. On a large dead cotton-wood a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers were feeding on flying insects. They could catch them in mid air with ease. Two of their young arrived for some treats and were quickly shown off by their parents. While walking along I met people who use the cell phone app Merlin. By identifying bird songs, Merlin increases the pleasure people experience while walking this trail.
This year is shaping up to be a great seed year. Nearly all trees and shrubs are loaded with seeds. Alternate-leaved or Pagoda Dogwood is ripening fast and Grey Squirrels and robins were eating the berries. The robins swallow them whole, while squirrels and chipmunks chew open the stone and eat the seed. A few Chokecherries were being eaten as well.
We tend to think of Staghorn Sumac, wild grapes and other tree-climbing vines as pests. Sumac provides winter and spring food for birds and mammals caught in difficult weather. Grapes and virginia creepers are caterpillar food plants for at least five local sphinx moths. Vines provide preferred nesting sites for Scarlet Tanager and our two cuckoos. The tangled openings in forest created by vines (called chablis in French) are safe havens for songbird fledglings. Deer and Ruffed Grouse eat grapes throughout the fall.
Along this trail there are very large oaks and Eastern Hemlocks. Most of the large oaks are Black Oak a savanna and dry sand forest tree. Red Oak group (including Black) with pointed lobes on their leaves take two growing seasons to make acorns. White Oak group with rounded lobes produce acorns in one growing season. Various conditions may cause trees to produce a good crop of seed. Most flower but may drop all of their undeveloped seed prematurely. The crop we are seeing this year could be due to the very warm and, more importantly, sunny spring. Lots of sun is essential for photosynthesis and carbon sequestration. A job our diverse, native plants are good at.
In the heat of summer Pokeweed or Pigeonberry begins to flower. The song written and recorded by Tony Joe White (“Swamp Fox”) “Poke Salad Annie” made it to the “Top 50” in the late 60s. Boiled (repeatedly) greens of this plant were a common dinner in the deep south. Pokeweed thrives under rich conditions and grew profusely under Passenger Pigeon roosts, thus, its other name. The now-extinct pigeons ate the purple fruit as do many migrating birds. All parts of Pokeweed are considered poisonous. Check out its other potential uses on-line.
About the Author, Mary Gartshore
I grew up on a livestock farm with a large forest in the Dundas Valley, where I was encouraged by my parents to explore nature. I graduated in Hons. Zoology, Guelph in 1973. I have carried out biological inventories in Canada, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and elsewhere. In 1990, with partner Peter Carson, purchased a 80ha farm in Norfolk County. Currently, we focus our efforts on nature conservation and ecological restoration in southern Ontario.