Emerging Plants in the Don Valley: April 14, 2022

Although you have to really look, many, many signs of plant life are now appearing in the forest and near the river at Beechwood / Don Valley. Here are some of them:

Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana)
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
Beaked Hazel (Corylus cornuta)
Trout-lily (Erythronium americanum)
Early Meadow-rue (Thalictrum dioicum)
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)
Trout-lily (Erythronium americanum)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)
May-apple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)

Don Valley views:

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

Some birds:

Song Sparrow
American Robin
Hairy Woodpecker (female)
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Mallard (female)
Song Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker (male)
Song Sparrow
American Robin

Today’s group:

MAILBOX

After Wednesday’s walk I went to Humbertown Mall nearby where an employee of Laura Secord was tending to a cardinal that had flown into the window of the store. Apparently it was lying on its side after the crash but by the time I saw it it was upright and the Laura Secord lady put some water in a little cap for it. It wasn’t really responding. She then found a cardboard box and carefully placed the bird in it outside the store with a sign to alert passersby. I had some seeds with me so I put some in the box along with the capful of water the lady had provided. I hope it recovers. Apparently sometimes it may take a couple of hours.

NATURE POETRY

A blue-bell springs upon the ledge,
A lark sits singing in the hedge;
Sweet perfumes scent the balmy air,
And life is brimming everywhere.
What lark and breeze and bluebird sing,
Is Spring, Spring, Spring!                            – Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906)

Miles Hearn

1 thought on “Emerging Plants in the Don Valley: April 14, 2022

  1. Roberta and Benson

    You probably already know this but the Toronto Wildlife Centre has lots of info on their website on how to help a sick or injured wild animal. The link to the page on helping an injured small bird is here: https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/wildlife-emergency-rescue-hotline/sick-injured-wild-animal/small-bird/ They also have lots of information about what to do if you find an orphaned (or apparently orphaned) baby animal, as can often happen in the spring.

    TWC is a wonderful organization that has provided treatment and rehabilitation to many injured and sick animals – 599 animals admitted this year!

    Reply

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