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By Howard Williams

 Weather is always a topic of conversation and in March, we started lamb-like and then the lion roared in mid-March. Up and down – do we really want the certainty that comes with being further north, out of the various depression tracks that meander across southern Ontario? Probably not if you like spring in late March. I was made aware of an archaic term: APRICITY: the warmth of the sun on a winter’s day. Nice ring to it, eh? We should start using it again, though here in Windsor, it is March that has that pleasing combination of strong sun and cool weather.

For me, it is the arrival of Turkey vultures, gliding and tipping their wings over the city in early March, that is surely a sign of spring. I know some stay here in the winter, but not many. Similarly, Junco start trilling from the tree tops in March before they leave us to go north of the Great Lakes. By mid-April, those found in Jackson Park throughout the winter have largely gone, to be replaced by the similarly-sounding Chipping Sparrows.

One of the reasons for return visits is to spot first-flowering and other significant events. For example, in March I noticed small trumpet flowers (not the spidery ones) of Hamamelis virginiana var. virginiana, known also as Northern Witch- Hazel in Kopegaron. What I don’t know is if these are the remains of Fall flowers or whether the trees are confused.

I am constantly surprised and encouraged that SW Ontario does not have the same weed burden as Nova Scotia. For example, Coltsfoot is very common on disturbed land out east, but seems relative rare here. We saw some in early April at Holiday Beach, cheerful but invasive. By April, the city is swarming with Robins quartering the lawns, pairs of birds chasing each other, and a first for me, a Fox Sparrow in Jackson Park. The Cooper’s Hawk has been seen sporadically throughout the winter in Jackson Park, but as spring nears it has been seen more often, though, sadly it is not nesting there as it has done in previous years.

In mid-April, after the week-long summer, we held the first of the bi-weekly walks in Black Oak Heritage Park. Spring flowers are behind there relative to Maidstone and Kopegaron, with Virginia spring beauty, Wild lily-of-the-valley and Mayapple only in bud rather than actually flowering. One joy was a good look at an Eastern Towhee that co-operated for several minutes, posing for photographs. Eighteen bird species were seen by some.

Those detail-oriented members (pedants) who watch these things will have noticed that this year, the Arctic ice area maximum was slightly early this year, March 9th, and the total ice area was well down on all previous years. The weather has a real roller-coaster, what with the week-long summer in April, and the resurgence of winter in late-April – early May, plants are alternately subjected to the seasonal gas pedal and brakes. Spring is here in late-April, I have been eating local asparagus to prove it. One thing has been noticeable this Spring is the variation in the timing of blooms of wildflowers, some conservation areas are in full bloom, while others that might be expected to be in bloom, are not, and not just because of the proximity to one of the great Lakes. Holiday Beach seems to be far ahead of places in mid-Essex. Why?

I have enjoyed reading a Windsor Public Library book entitled: ‘Slow Birding – the art and science of enjoying birds in your own backyard’; written by Joan Strassmann and published by TarcherPerigree. The book is an entertaining review of scientific studies on sixteen bird species that all occur here in Canada as well as the United States. Each chapter includes aspects of variation, feeding, breeding, sexual adventures by both sexes, siblicide and brood parasitism. As an aid to increase an observer’s knowledge and consequent reward, each species chapter concludes with how to look at the species and what behaviours to note. Definitely recommended.

The Japanese have specific phrases or words that deal with their relationship with Nature. Hanami (flower viewing) for them is something that is so easy to do in Windsor that has so many flowering trees from the end of March onwards. Yes, a good many are exotic trees, but the native Serviceberry, various maples, Redbud (all in Jackson Park) and Northern Spicebush (Devonwood) come to their full glory in April. Get out there and admire them; better still, plant them in your gardens.

In mid-April, we held a pop-up at Talley’s Bush, and apart from the fact that I went to the wrong end and saw nobody, the others that bravely participated on the afternoon the short April summer ended and winter began again, were victims of the line squall – cold front that went through, delivering heavy rain, thunder and a marked drop in temperature. Just after the storm I was lucky enough to see American Toads basking in the warmth, some ‘in flagrante delicto, or are they just cuddling for warmth?

One of my favourite plants is Eastern Skunk Cabbage. It can be seen most easily at the bird-feeding bridge over the drain in Ojibway (Tom Joy Woods). In Nova Scotia it starts poking up through the snow by creating its own heat, but here in Windsor, snow in March seems to be comparatively rare, so one has to look for it through similarly-coloured leaf litter – much harder to spot.

This Spring we have been pleased to see many new wildflowers in Devonwood, such as Yellow Trout Lily and Cress.

For me, the end of April was a real downer when the bird feeder on my front lawn disappeared, probably stolen. Why would someone take a feeder, surely someone with heart enough to feed birds would have sufficient sympathy to leave those owned by others alone?

I am looking forward to our visit to Pelee Island in early May (see separate article). The trip, led by Dave Kraus, was excellent

My activity on May 13th was to lead one of the bi-weekly walks into Black Oak Heritage Woods while conducting part of my contribution to the Great Canadian (Baillie) Birdathon, amounting to a total of 4.5 hours birding, identifying 43 species in three trips within the City of Windsor limits. Not a record-breaker by any means. Chasing the warblers in Black Oak were probably the most enjoyable and frustrating part of my birdathon, the Common Grackle in Devonwood was more amenable to being photographed.

We spent a few days in the Bruce Peninsula in late May, enjoying the multitude of warblers, many for the first time. Merlin is such a help in the many cases where only a flash of the hyperactive birds is seen. Sadly, in late May, only a few orchids were seen but the Laurentian Primrose were in full bloom on the various alvars we visited.

I end this piece with the knowledge that Summer has now arrived in Windsor, Eastern Wood Pewee have been heard in Jackson Park.

By Gina Pannunzio, Pearl Bradd, Paul Drca and Ian Naisbitt

The above normal temperatures on Saturday, 15 April, 2023 attracted 40 eager community volunteers to the 42^nd cleanup of the Little River Watershed. Even a few Essex County Nature elders shuffled their way to Teedie Park in East Windsor. The park is best described as a linear, peaceful corridor on the banks of the Little River that curves around the Canadian Tire Corporation Store site on Tecumseh Road East. The CTC store graciously offered their parking lot for use by the volunteers. Playground equipment does exist on the open space adjacent to Hawthorne Drive.

The cleanup partnership included: Essex Region Conservation Authority, Little River Enhancement Group/ Essex County Nature, City of Windsor, Casino Windsor employees (CodeGreen), 35th Tecumseh Cubs (Scouts), and Detroit River Canadian Cleanup. Enthusiastic community volunteers started before 10 a.m. and worked till 11:30 a.m. to remove accumulated debris and Winter wind blown litter along this portion of the Little River Corridor and Ganatchio Trail. Volunteers collected the litter using gloves, garbage bags and buckets. A Tip of the Cap to Deputy Mayor of Tecumseh Joe Bachetti, MPP Andrew Dowie, and City of Windsor Councillor Angelo Marignani for attending and helping us cleanup the river valley. Challenges experienced by volunteers were the strenuous movement up and down the steep slopes of the Little River valley, some sections of impenetrable vegetation and others with prickly flora. Nevertheless, volunteers willingly accepted these challenges and got to work.

Cleanup events remove items in the environment that can harm local fish and wildlife populations. We would also like to highlight the fact that Little River cleanups also address two of the Beneficial Use Impairments of the Detroit River Area of Concern:

• Degradation of fish and wildlife populations (BUI # 3).
• The loss of fish and wildlife habitat (BUI # 14).

Our cleanup was part of the binational Earth Month stewardship initiatives held by partners of the Detroit River Coalition representing organizations from Canada and the United States. The partners represent a binational environmental resource hub for the purpose of plastic pollution removal and protection of the Detroit River.

Presently, there is an environmental study going on that includes Teedie Park: Little River Channel Improvement Class Environmental Assessment (EA), Via Rail to Lauzon Road

EA includes these statements:

• 387 trees were inventoried: 19 species – (81 %) native species and 19 % non-native species.
• “Potentially four Species at Risk (SAR) present:
• Eastern Wood Pewee, Snapping Turtle, Eastern Foxsnake and Prairie Rose.”
• “Little River Corridor provides an important wildlife movement linkage between the Detroit River and lands south of E.C. Row Parkway. Natural cover limited to a narrow band of vegetation on each bank utilized by a variety of wildlife.”
• SAR habitat for the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Snapping Turtle, Eastern Foxsnake and Missouri Ironweed identified – additional field surveys prior to construction may be required.”
• Beaver activities have impacted several large trees.   

Option 6 “Full Natural Channel Design” is the preferred option:

• Create high quality aquatic habitat
• Healthy sustainable river
• Bank and bed erosion will be controlled
• Naturalization increases resiliency to climate change
• Will assist in animal nesting ground
• Long lasting impact on the neighbourhood
• Will detract people from littering
• High buy-in from stakeholders

Photo # 1: Shopping Carts and Chair taken from the pedestrian bridge.

We are never surprised to find shopping carts in this section of river. This was the prime reason our group targeted this area as a cleanup site back in 1996. Since then we have literally pulled out hundreds of shopping carts. This was our 17^th cleanup at this site to improve the ecosystem health of this section of the river. It will also help our community to delist the Detroit River as an Area of Concern.

Photo # 2: Little River Channel facing north from the pedestrian bridge.

The diagram below gives you a good idea of how the river bed was altered years ago to allow stormwater to flow freely. Little River banks are steep and the bottom is flat. This photo shows you how nature reclaims her land that has been altered by humans. Sediment has settled in the west bank and trees have rooted themselves.  

By Dave Kraus

Saturday May 6 & Sunday May 7, 2023.

Leave at 10:00 am Saturday from Leamington Dock aboard the M.V. Pelee Islander II (be at the dock by 9:10 am).
We will return to Leamington Dock by 5:45 pm Sunday

We will likely see:  migrating waterfowl & warblers, wildflowers such as trilliums & waterleaf, basking turtles and snakes, bullfrogs, historic sites, and hear a chorus or two of American Toads, to suggest a few of the many enjoyable experiences on Pelee Island in spring.  We should also get a chance to visit the Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO bird banding station) and some of the Nature Conservancy of Canada properties: Red Cedar Savannah ESA, Stone Road Alvar ANSI, Brown’s Point and Woods, and Brown’s Road Alvar.  We will have plenty of time to walk, observe, and relax on the excursions to some of Pelee’s most beautiful natural habitats, including:  Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve, Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve, the Stone Road Alvar Complex, Sheridan Point ESA, and many other stops along the way (including natural habitat restoration work completed on my property). 

Should we experience inclement weather, we can visit the Pelee Island Heritage Centre, tour the island in the comfort of our rented bus and/or lounge at The Dog and Goat Inn/Main Station Guesthouse.

I have arranged for bus transportation while on the island – no other vehicles are necessary on the trip.  There is parking at the Leamington Dock area. I have reserved space on the ferry for all registered, walk on passengers attending this trip – we will board the bus in the parking lot at the dock in Leamington on Saturday morning by 9:15am.

Accommodations have been reserved at The Main Station Guesthouse.  The motel style rooms are rustic, but comfortable and are situated on spacious grounds. Reservations are generally set for two persons per room.  However, people do not need to register in pairs or groups – everyone is welcome and will be accommodated based on their wishes and room availability.

The Dog and Goat Inn contains a clean and comfortable  restaurant where I have arranged for our delicious meals.  We will break for meals regularly (lunch at noon and dinner at 5:45 pm on Saturday, breakfast at 8:30am and lunch at 12:45pm Sunday) and snacks are also available on both ferry crossings.

The total cost will be $ 280 this year.  This cost will include: the two ferry trips, weekend bus transportation, four hot meals ordered off the menu, non-alcoholic drinks, overnight room accommodations, and all taxes and tips. The $ 280 cost will include all expenses for the weekend other than alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, and snacks on the ferry.

All interested persons need to do is:  sign up with me and then show up at the Leamington Dock by 9:10 am Saturday morning with warm outdoor clothes and accessories, overnight necessities, $ 280 cheque (payable to David Kraus) or cash per person, and a few additional dollars for extra snacks, etc. if desired. The trails are elevated and dry, but you may wish to bring along rubber boots to access some swampy areas on my property and at the bird banding station, especially if it has been rainy. Carl will hopefully arrange for good weather as usual !!

I will contact each person that registers should any time or location changes for the ferry occur, otherwise the above outline is the basic schedule, rain or shine.  I will hand out more detailed schedules on the Saturday morning ferry trip, but with our own driver and rented bus, we can be flexible and able to visit various sites depending on the weather and the group’s wishes. 

To register for this trip: see me at the ECFNC meetings, call, or email/text:

Dave Kraus   phone: 519 825 7491 (leave message)

email address:

call or text: 519 257 8674

I look forward to your company on this ECFNC outing !!!