Just north of Sunnybrook Park, the Don River flows through Glendon Forest which is near Glendon College, York University.

On this second week of September, three Jewelweed species are in flower.

Members of the Impatiens family, jewelweeds are also called Touch-me-nots. This is due to the explosive quality of the seed pods in fall when they are touched.

Spotted Jewelweed is found in swamps, streamsides, ditches, lake shores, marshy areas, thickets, ravines and wet spots in forests.

Pale Jewelweed grows in some of the same environments but is not as common.

By far the largest of the jewelweeds, Purple Jewelweed or Himalayan Balsam is a native of the Himalayans and was originally planted in gardens. It has become seriously invasive and is frequently removed.

Several Aster species were also in flower.

Asters were formally in the genus Aster but scientists have created a new genus for them: Symphyotrichum.

Purple-stemmed Aster is found in the edges of moist forests, marshes, swamps and other wettish environments.

Panicled Aster is one of the most common species and is often found in moist open ground although it can also grow in dryer environments such as along roadsides.

Flat-topped White Aster is no longer classified as an Aster, but is in the genus Doellingeria.

The most obvious tall grass at this time of year is Barnyard Grass.

 

Chicory is found along the trails.

Jerusalem Artichoke

Flat-topped Goldenrod

Nodding Beggar-ticks (also called Nodding Bur Marigold)

Purple Loosestrife

and False Solomon-seal in fruit.

I heard or saw a few bird species: Warbling Vireo, Gray Catbird, American Robin, Pileated Woodpecker, Mallards and this Green Heron:

Miles Hearn