THIS ISSUE. Birds of Thickson s Woods Evening Grosbeak Thickson s Wood Moths 2016 Mammals of the Reserve Masked Shrew #8 JANUARY 2017

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1 Issue #8 JANUARY 2017 THIS ISSUE Birds of Thickson s Woods Evening Grosbeak Thickson s Wood Moths 2016 Mammals of the Reserve Masked Shrew Barred Owl (Mike McEvoy)

Production Team: Phill Holder, Margaret Bain and Carol Allan The Birds of Thickson s

2 The Matt Holder Environmental Education Fund Committee Carol Allan - Margaret Bain - Dennis Barry - Phill Holder - Sue Holder - Kelly Holder - Nigel Parr Publication Production Team: Phill Holder, Margaret Bain and Carol Allan The Birds of Thickson s Woods Nature Reserve Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus A rare winter visitor. (Mike McEvoy)

complex and interesting, and still not fully understood.

3 Evening Grosbeak Where have they gone? There s no doubt that these spectacular birds were much more common in Durham Region in the winters of the 1970s and 1980s when I started birding, but the reasons for their apparent decline are complex and interesting, and still not fully understood. Evening Grosbeaks breed in coniferous and mixed woodlands from coast to coast across Canada, south to the New England states in the east, and in the western mountains south into Mexico. They winter mostly within this breeding range but wander more widely then, which is when we used to find them, often in large noisy numbers, at our southern Ontario sunflower seed feeders. Originally mostly a western species, the eastern population of the Evening Grosbeak expanded during the1900s, at least partly because of widespread planting in Ontario of Manitoba Maples, shade trees whose seeds are one of the grosbeak s favourite foods. In the 1920s, famous Canadian ornithologist P. A. Taverner likened this expansion to the species progressing eastwards along a baited highway! Logging and fires also produced gaps in forest cover allowing abundant growth of wild cherries, another favourite food, but the Evening Grosbeak population peaked between 1940 and 1980 when extensive Spruce Budworm outbreaks occurred in northern Ontario. These outbreaks declined after the mid-1980s, and Evening Grosbeak numbers fell too. An increase in forest cover and of course climate change may also be factors in their population decline, but in winter you can still see good numbers of bold, loud, disputatious Evening Grosbeaks north of us, though most likely at the Visitor Centre feeders in Algonquin Park to be certain. And if you are very lucky, you may still occasionally hear one or two Evening Grosbeaks calling overhead as they pass briefly through Thickson s Woods on their travels, usually in late October/early November and again in late April/early May. Once seen, never forgotten! - Margaret Bain Top photograph: Always a delight to see these beautiful birds but they can quickly empty the sunflower feeders. Left: a female Evening Grosbeak, (Photographs by Mike McEvoy) I remember seeing my first Evening Grosbeaks on December 22, 1982, our first winter in Canada. I looked up my notes and there was 25cm of snow on the ground and it was -5 0 C. I saw two females and one male. They were very impressive and not surprizingly it was at the feeders of Dennis Barry and Margret Carney in Thickson s Woods. Appropriately I was with Dr. Murray Speirs, who along with his wife Doris were experts on these beautiful birds. Doris in fact wrote the species account for Evening Grosbeak in the classic series Life Histories of North American Birds by Arthur C. Bent in Phill Holder

Thickson s Woods Moths 2016 Mothing in 2016 has been just as enlightening as it was when we started the 1000 moth challenge in September 2014.

4 Thickson s Woods Moths 2016 Mothing in 2016 has been just as enlightening as it was when we started the 1000 moth challenge in September We ended 2015 with 650 species and we end 2016 with an incredible 952 species. Every time we set the traps we become excited with anticipation as we discover just how diverse moths are and how important they must be as pollinators to a healthy biodiversity. From size to shape, to colour, to texture, to mimickery, to vagrancy - moths cover it all. We never know what may turn up. We started the year as soon as the weather cooperated and overnight low temperatures reached 10 0 C or above. Moths don t seem to mind the rain but we do! A full moon is not the most productive as it seems the moonlight competes with our lights. Wind is also not helpful especially near the lakeshore, so we tend to place traps in more sheltered areas when it is windy, This year we explored different locations within the reserve including the Meadow and Waterfront Trail, with good results just about everywhere was a good year for moths, especially in July when we trapped over 370 species in one night, and again in the fall, when we had many southern strays arrive, including one new for Canada. We have expanded our study and now can place up to 10 traps throughout the Reserve, although we have not often placed more than 5 traps. I have included some examples of the diversity we have found and some really rare surprises. The Thickson s Woods Moth Group is a lot of fun and in 2017 we hope to invite small numbers of interested people to come and learn what we do and hopefully get the bug as we did. Polyphemus Moth The largest moth we have caught, at Thickson s Woods. Photographed next to a toonie for scale (Phill Holder)

Not looking at all like a moth, this Caloptilia is

Photographed next to a dime to show how tiny it

(Phill Holder) Cute and cuddly, this Pink-shaded

(Phill Holder) An interesting leaf-shaped, Brown

5 Not looking at all like a moth, this Caloptilia is one of the smallest moths we catch. Photographed next to a dime to show how tiny it actually is. (Phill Holder) Cute and cuddly, this Pink-shaded Fern Moth looks every bit like a suffed toy. (Phill Holder) An interesting leaf-shaped, Brown Scoopwing. (Phill Holder) This Toothed Brown Carpet looks like it was woven in a Turkish Bazaar. (Phill Holder)

mettalic in colour is this Lupulina Ghost

6 I always think of a Viking cloak when I see this Green Marvel (Phill Holder) The name says it all - Tufted Bird-dropping Moth (Phill Holder) Very delicate looking is the Pearly Wood-nymph - also looking like bird-droppings (Phill Holder) Almost mettalic in colour is this Lupulina Ghost Moth (Phill Holder) This Clymene Moth is surely French? (Phill Holder) This moth is called a Cherry Scallop Shell, although I m sure my mother knitted a sweater just like th is when I was a kid (Phill Holder)

Grass-Veneer moths often flush up in large numbers the

very small and undistinguished to the naked eye.

Common Looper would not look out of place in Jurrassic

Hologram Moth changes colour in different light angles

7 Grass-Veneer moths often flush up in large numbers the daytime when you walk through the Meadow, though they look very small and undistinguished to the naked eye. This is a Double-banded Grass-Vaneer (Phill Holder) A Common Looper would not look out of place in Jurrassic Park! (Phill Holder) The reflective scales on this Hologram Moth changes colour in different light angles (Phill Holder) Hiding in plain sight, look closely for an Eight-lettered Looper (Mike McEvoy)

Three of the rarest moth species we caught and released in 2016 include The Alamo Moth Condylorrhiza vestigialis

We actually caught five of these moths: The first one on September 28th,and the fifth one was on October 19th.

seen in at least one other location since our first record.

Interestingly Mike King caught several of these in September but it was only when David Beadle asked me to look

Another southern US species - mainly Florida, Mike s find was the first record of this species in Canada.

species but commonly found in the extreme south-east United States.

8 Three of the rarest moth species we caught and released in 2016 include The Alamo Moth Condylorrhiza vestigialis (top left). We actually caught five of these moths: The first one on September 28th,and the fifth one was on October 19th. A moth of the southern United States, this species had never been recorded in Canada before, although it has been seen in at least one other location since our first record. The moth above is a Dusky Herpetogramma Moth Herpetogramma phaeopteralis. Interestingly Mike King caught several of these in September but it was only when David Beadle asked me to look through my photographs that we discovered that we had caught two of them on October 18th and two on October 19th. Another southern US species - mainly Florida, Mike s find was the first record of this species in Canada. My favourite moth of the year is not quite as rare: The Melonworm Moth Diaphania hyalinata (left) is a Tropical species but commonly found in the extreme south-east United States. Although rare in Ontario it has been recorded in previous years. This moth has a spectacular tail dance as it releases pheromones to attract a mate. We caught this one on October 17th. - Phill Holder. Butterfly Walks 2016 Volunteer biologists Nigel Parr and Jenna Siu enjoy sharing their knowledge, while young Evelyn got caught up in the excitement. Photos by Eileen Nixon

Mammals of Thickson s Woods During August, September, and October 2016, small nocturnal mammal surveys were conducted under MNRF Permits at the Thickson s Woods Nature Reserve by the Matt Holder

Although there is anecdotal information about the mammals of the Reserve, formal surveys for small terrestrial mammals had not been conducted previously.

The intention is to expand these wildlife surveys to include small, nocturnal, terrestrial mammals: mice and voles (Cricetidae), rats (Muridae), shrews (Soricidae), and moles (Talpidae).

The most numerous species captured was the White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), with fewer captures of Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda) and

During our surveys we also saw Eastern Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Meadow Jumping Mouse, Eastern Cottontail, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Mink and an inquisitive White-tailed Deer that stood a few metres

9 Mammals of Thickson s Woods During August, September, and October 2016, small nocturnal mammal surveys were conducted under MNRF Permits at the Thickson s Woods Nature Reserve by the Matt Holder Environmental Education Fund. The purpose of this study was to humanely catalogue the small mammal species within the Reserve. Although there is anecdotal information about the mammals of the Reserve, formal surveys for small terrestrial mammals had not been conducted previously. The Fund is currently undertaking many other biodiversity studies in the Reserve including snake coverboard surveys, bat acoustic surveys, vascular plant inventories and moth live-trapping. The intention is to expand these wildlife surveys to include small, nocturnal, terrestrial mammals: mice and voles (Cricetidae), rats (Muridae), shrews (Soricidae), and moles (Talpidae). We used Sherman live traps and pitfall traps in each of four microhabitats: meadow, woodland, marsh, and riverine. Over five nights four of the target species were captured and identified. The most numerous species captured was the White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), with fewer captures of Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda) and Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus). We incidentally captured one non-target species, Eastern Chipmunk. During our surveys we also saw Eastern Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Meadow Jumping Mouse, Eastern Cottontail, Raccoon, Striped Skunk, Mink and an inquisitive White-tailed Deer that stood a few metres from us watching as we dug pitfall traps. Animals were handled and identified by Fiona Reid and Nigel Parr. Other assistance came from Phill Holder, Mike McEvoy and Dianne McCurdy, and the surveys were photodocumented by Mike McEvoy. Student assistance was supplied by Aidan Reyenga. The final report is available as a downloadable pdf from our web site. Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus Northern Short-tailed Shrew Blarina brevicauda All captured animals were measured and released at their capture site. Fiona Reid is shown weighing a White-footed Mouse. Most of the released animals just sauntered off into the undergrowth but this particular mouse, upon release ran up a tree and disapeared into the canopy about 10m up - quite extraordinary! Photographs (Mike McEvoy). White-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopus

Mammals of Thickson s Woods Masked Shrew Masked Shrew Sorex cinereus (Mike McEvoy) The Masked Shrew was not listed on the mammals list of Thickson s Woods before we caught our first on August 25th

10 Mammals of Thickson s Woods Masked Shrew Masked Shrew Sorex cinereus (Mike McEvoy) The Masked Shrew was not listed on the mammals list of Thickson s Woods before we caught our first on August 25th I was like a kid at Christmas when Fiona showed it to me as I had never seen one before. Fiona fed it mealworms while we got ready to take its measurements. It continually ate mealsworms during the few minutes it took us to get the Pesola scales ready. Fiona determined it was a male and quickly weighed it at 4g. Its head and body measured 55mm and Its tail length was 38mm - hind foot 11mm and its ear was measured at 5mm. It looked so small and dainty as Fiona placed it into a glass box and fed it more mealworms while Mike took a few photographs and released it where we first caught it. The whole fantastic experience took less than 5 minutes. The shrew ignored us as long as it was eating. What an experience! I later checked Fiona s book; The Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America for more details. Masked Shrew is common and widespread but seldom seen as it spends most of its time under leaf litter searching for food. It is found in a variety of habitats including woodland, fields, and marshes, usually in moist areas. It feeds on small invertibrates, young mice, and mealworms when we provide them! Thickson s Woods Nature Reserve offers up another new discovery - I wonder what will be next as we will be surveying the small mammals again in 2017! Phill Holder

Heard but not often seen, this Cicada joined the moths in one of

Only females feed on blood. (Mike MeEvoy).

research at Thickson s Woods Nature Reserve, we are looking for

Contact Phill at hawkowl@bell.net Publications available from www.

com/shop Field Identification Series THE BASICS OF BIRD

AND SPHINX MOTHS of Southern Ontario FieldIdentificationSeries

WOODS WHITBY ONTARIO PHILL HOLDER and MARGARET BAIN Matt Holder

11 Heard but not often seen, this Cicada joined the moths in one of our traps (Mike McEvoy). Male mosquito. Only females feed on blood. (Mike MeEvoy). We have watched the European Red Fire Ant spread to all parts of the Reserve in the last few years. Beware when walking the trails as their bite is very painful (Mike McEvoy). STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WANTED If are interested in environmental research at Thickson s Woods Nature Reserve, we are looking for dedicated, committed students to help with our surveys. Contact Phill at hawkowl@bell.net Publications available from Field Identification Series THE BASICS OF BIRD IDENTIFICATION Bird Topography FieldIdentificationSeries SILKWORM AND SPHINX MOTHS of Southern Ontario FieldIdentificationSeries SHOREBIRDS of Southern Ontario JEAN IRON THE BIRDS OF THICKSON S WOODS WHITBY ONTARIO PHILL HOLDER and MARGARET BAIN Matt Holder Environmental Education Fund Published by Hawk Owl Publishing DAVID BEADLE Matt Holder Environmental Education Fund Published by Hawk Owl Publishing Matt Holder Environmental Education Fund Published by Hawk Owl Publishing Annotated Checklist PHILL HOLDER AND MARGARET BAIN

All the best for 2017 Boreal Chickadee (Mike McEvoy) www.mattholderfund.

12 All the best for 2017 Boreal Chickadee (Mike McEvoy) All images are copyright Hawk Owl Publishing

APPENDIX H. Small Mammal and Bat Surveys

APPENDIX H. Small Mammal and Bat Surveys APPENDIX H Small Mammal and Bat Surveys Survey of Small Mammals and Bats at the Phases I and II of the West Cape Wind Park Prepared for: Ventus Energy Inc. Prepared by: Dr. Marina Silva Department of Biology