By Catherine Hogg

“BOHP’s Black Oak savanna is one of the largest stands in Ontario. It is also one of the most endangered habitats in Canada. This unique natural area in the City of Windsor includes large, often old-growth trees – some 150 to 200 years old. In addition to the precious Black Oak savanna and Black Oak woodland, the area includes: some tallgrass prairie; native plants that are extremely rare across Canada; a variety of large wildlife (deer, coyotes, foxes); rare butterflies like the Hackberry Emperor; nesting birds like the Scarlet Tanager, Acadian Flycatcher, Black Oak Cuckoo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Bluebird, and Cooper’s Hawk. BOHP is a true haven for many of these birds that require large sections of unbroken forest to survive.” (https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/parksandforestry/city-parks/pages/black-oak-heritage-park.aspx)

The Essex County Naturalists have been doing bi-weekly walks in the Black Oaks Heritage Park since April. Friends of Ojibway Prairie have joined us on these walks.

We are planning to do these walks for 1 year to see the many different changes in the park.  I have been documenting what we see and have enjoyed the social aspect of the hike. The participants share their knowledge, and all enjoy the many discussions on the trail such as:

What got you interested in Nature? “The first time I found an owl pellet”

Why is the plant called Bedstraw? Bedstraw was used by North American pioneers to fill their mattresses.

“Architects copied the support system from nature” When looking at a Buttress from a mature tree

The following is a summary of the sightings for the first 4 months which have been verified by participants (members), Merlin or iNaturalist.

April

Bird count- 18 species, 16 will probably stay to nest: Eastern Towee, white throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red wing Blackbird

Blackburnian warbler taken by Aileen Petrozzi

Plants- 19 species: Ephemerals blooming on the forest floor, Dutchman’s Breeches, Spring Beauties

May

Bird Count- 34 species: Many Migratory warblers passing through: Cape May, Blackburnian, Chestnut Sided and Tennessee.

Plants- 18 species: Violets, Wild Geraniums, Solomons Seal and Bloodroot

June

Bird Count-18 species: Red Tail Hawk seen and heard at same location on several visits

Northern crescent taken by Howard Williams

Plants-11 species: Yellow Loosestrife, Goats Beard, May Apple, and Prickly Ash

July

Bird Count-13 species: Most of the birds seen are probably nesting in HBOP now. Blue Grey Gnatcatcher, Indigo Bunting, Gray Cat Bird, Cedar Waxwing, American Gold finch

Plants- 21 species: Large Patches of Bergamot blooming and attracting butterflies (Black Swallow Tails, Monarchs, Viceroys, Giant Yellow Swallowtails and Red Spotted Purple)

If you are interested in the complete count, I can print you copy.

Our next walk will be September 16th 10a, Hope to see you there and bring a friend!

Catherine Hogg, ECFNC member