Nature by the Airport: June 2021

I’ve always wondered about the greenbelt area just west of the airport, so today I went to investigate.

Etobicoke Creek, which I am used to seeing at Marie Curtis Park, runs through the area:

A paved cycling trail also follows the western perimeter of the airport.

MYSTERY BIRD

I will identify it at the end of the post.

Some botany:

Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Birdfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatis)
Rough Cinquefoil (Potentilla norvegica)
Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Crown Vetch (Securigera varia)
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus inserta)
Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)
Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcmara)
Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia virgata)
Squirrel-tail Grass (Hordeum jubatum)
Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Staghorn Sumac pollen cone
Goat’s-beard (Tragopogon)
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Buckhorn (Plantago lanceolata)
Yellow Sweet-clover (Melilotus officinalis)
Indian-hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)

MYSTERY BIRD

This one was singing its heart out. Gray, longer-tailed than a robin and showing white patches indicates a Northern Mockingbird.

Northern Mockingbird

MAILBOX

Hi Miles,

I was very amused a couple of weeks ago to see a Kingbird chasing a Raven.

NATURE POETRY

Wake up, golden Head! Wake up, Brownie!
Cat-bird wants you in the garden soon.
You and I, butterflies, bobolinks, and clover,
We’ve a lot to do on the first of June.                   – Charles G.D. Roberts (1860–1943)

Miles Hearn

3 thoughts on “Nature by the Airport: June 2021

  1. Lisa Volkov

    Scenic! Beautiful botany!
    I encountered a Mockingbird once on a trail in Algonquin Park, and was treated to a symphony of sounds! (I do have the right bird, don’t I?) A veritable orchestra! I didn’t know what it was at the time, and was simply amazed at the range and variety of mimicry with which I was presented. Later, I learned what it was. Thanks, Miles!

    Reply
  2. rosemarie fischer

    nice way to look at the airport area,I live around there but did not know it has so many beautiful plants growing there! love the mocking bird,they are fun to listen too, Thanks Miles,great pics…………..

    Reply

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