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By Chris Hart

Each year, groups of passionate Lepidopterists, excited naturalists, and curious newcomers (…with one person stuck trying to frantically keep track of all the species being yelled out) take to the fields to try and spot as many butterflies as they can. This information helps to provide insight on the abundance and diversity of local populations, as well creating a much bigger picture, through the census reports published by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Over 450 counts, which involve surveying sites within a 15 mile diameter, take place across Canada, the United States and Mexico. This year, the Windsor counts took place on the morning of July 8^th. A total of 31 people turned out, spread out across three groups to survey Spring Garden, Brunet Park, and the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve.

For each survey, the sky was cloudy, the humidity was building and the risk of rain loomed overhead. Despite these conditions, the attitudes were positive. When a butterfly (or caterpillar) was spotted, and its identification was known, the name was said aloud for a check to be made beside that species’ name. If unsure of an ID, binoculars or the trained eye of another group member would be called into action. In some cases, butterflies were captured by net for closer inspection.  Dragging a net lightly along the vegetation was also used to capture any individuals possibly missed by all of the eyes in the crowd. All individuals were safely released shortly after capture.

In total, there were over 160 individuals observed, with 34 different species identified. Little wood satyr and Eyed brown were the most commonly observed species, while only one individual was seen for several others, including Spicebush swallowtail and Silver-spotted skipper. Almost the full cycle of Monarchs were recorded, with eggs, larvae and adults observed.

These butterfly counts are a great way to collect data, spend time with likeminded people and enjoy beautiful local natural areas. Windsor count events are sponsored by NABA, the Friends of Ojibway Prairie and the Ojibway Nature Centre. Keep any eye out next summer for the dates and locations of the 2024 counts!

By Jeremy Hatt

On June 17, 2023, seven Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club members joined Jennifer Nantais and me for the second annual Pride Bird Walk at Ojibway Park. This event is a joint venture of ECFNC and the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) and celebrates the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Now more than ever, events like these are essential for clubs to provide as we see the erosion of rights and a rise in hate and intolerance, especially towards the Trans community. It is so important to experience joy and a sense of community during these times and we hope events like these provide a space for people to experience just that.

Once again, we had great weather for the event, but not quite as cool as it was in 2022! The energy of the group was wonderfully positive and some familiar faces were in attendance as well as people new to ECFNC. Once again, the event resulted in new members to the Club.

Birds were a bit hard to come by but we ended up seeing many of the expected woodland breeding birds of Ojibway including Red-bellied Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting; an amazing assortment of colours.

The newly appointed official bird of Windsor, the Tufted Titmouse, also did not disappoint w/ several throughout the park giving great views. In total, we ended up seeing 33 species of birds and lots of other interesting plants and wildlife along the trails that Jennifer helped teach the group about.

Seeing new Pride Bird Walks popping up across Ontario and even new clubs specifically dedicated to celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in nature makes me feel a lot of hope. Look out for more events in the future and we’ll see you at next year’s Ojibway Pride Walk in June!

By Chris Hart

As autumn approaches, leaves will soon begin to change from vibrant greens to a fiery spectrum of yellow, orange and reds. Eventually completing their cycle as they brown and fall to the ground. But what if they skipped a step? What if, as you pass by one of the many beautiful oaks in our area, you notice that many of its green leaves are already beneath your feet? This could be a sign of oak wilt, and it is important that people are aware of the signs, symptoms and how to report it.

Oak wilt is a vascular disease of oak trees caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum growing on the outer sapwood and restricting flow of water and nutrients throughout the tree. This will result in the death of the tree, often within a year. White oak species (Bur, Chinkapin, and Swamp White) are more resistant than the red oaks (Black, Pin and Schumard), which can succumb to oak wilt within 2-6 weeks.

Countless oak trees have been lost to oak wilt in the United States since the 1940s, with confirmed cases in 24 states, including Michigan. With the presence of oak wilt close to the border, most notably for us on Belle Isle, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) began to form our country’s Oak Wilt Response Framework in 2016. In June 2023, the inevitable finally happened when three infected red oaks were found in the backyard of a Niagra Falls residence. The cracked bark and fruity smell were immediately reported to the CFIA, and within two weeks, the large trees were removed and safely disposed of. Surveys on oak trees in the area are still on going to ensure no further spread. Since then, two other cases have been reported, and managed in Springwater and Niagra-on-the-Lake.

The signs of infection to look out for include the wilting and dropping of leaves, starting at the top of the tree. The leaves will also begin to brown along the edges, with the discolouration moving inward. Vertical cracks will then begin to form in the bark as the fungal spore mat grows and pushes outward. It is at this point Oak wilt is at risk of spreading, as small beetles, attracted to the ‘fruity’ smell of the fungus, will enter the cracks to feed, and then disperse to other oaks covered in spores. Should a neighbouring oak have any recent wound in its bark, from pruning, storm damage or vandalism, then they too could become infected. Neighbouring oaks are also at risk of infection through root grafting. This is when intersecting roots of different trees join to assist with nutrient exchange.

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms mentioned above, or have any suspicion of Oak wilt, it is crucial that you report it immediately to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. You can Google “CFIA Report a Pest” or use the link below. To make a thorough report, they ask that you include a variety of photos in order to properly and efficiently assess and triage the situation. Photos should be of the leaves, the canopy, the bark (including any suspected cracks), the base of the tree (to show fallen leaves), and also the entire tree, and surrounding area (to create the “bigger picture”). Any known history or background info on the tree should also be included.

The flight period of the beetles that transfer the fungal spores is from April to October. To help prevent the spread of oak wilt, pruning of oak trees should only be done between November and March. If a tree does receive a wound outside of the ‘No Risk’ period, pruning paint should be considered. It is also an important reminder to never travel with your own firewood. A study of US State Parks found that 25% of visitors brought their own firewood, and of the 25%, 55% came from areas with known cases of oak wilt.

For more information, including how to report oak wilt can be found on the CFIA website here. To learn even more, an extensive list of resources can be found on the Invasive Species Centre website here.

Information for this article was sourced from an Oak Wilt training seminar with representatives from CFIA, ISC and US DNR-Parks.