Scout Camp!

Camp Attawandaron is located in North Lambton County within an Oak Savanna forest. At one time, all of Southern Ontario was covered in Oak Savanna but today only .02% of this forest is left in Canada. It is said to be one of Ontario's most endangered ecosystems. We were told that a  Flying Squirrel is actively using the nesting box, although we didn't get to see the rodent. (Camp Attawandaron interpretive sign.)

In an oak savanna ecosystem, there is 25-30% canopy cover, meaning there is more light in an Oak Savanna ecosystem than would be found in a true forest. This extra light allows for understory plants to grow that would otherwise be unable to survive in the thick cover of a dense forest. One of the unique plants is Rough Blazing Star.

https://oldausablechannel.ca/nature/oak-savanna/

I have seen more American Tree Frogs this year, than in all previous years combined! These 2 little cuties were approximately 1.5 cm in length. As their name suggests, they spend much of their time in trees, but during the breeding season, they are found near ponds, lakes, streams, marshes and other wetlands. They seem to prefer habitats with lots of floating plants. They are insectivores so their survival depends on finding flies, mosquitoes and other small insects to eat.

https://www.treehugger.com/american-green-tree-frog-facts-5076955

Common Five-lined Skink, Ontario's only lizard! They can sometimes be found sunning on rocks and logs to maintain a preferred body temperature between 28 and 36 degrees Celsius. During the winter, they hibernate in crevices among rocks or buried in the soil. In Canada, the species is limited to two distinct areas: one is along the southern margin of the Canadian Shield, and the other is in the Carolinian Zone in southwestern Ontario.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/common-five-lined-skink

I only noticed this this well camouflaged insect because it happened to land on a twig beside me.(Notice the black eyes and antennae.) Identification has not yet been confirmed, but it is possibly an Immaculate Antlion which has been found in the area.

I don't recall ever seeing a creature that matched this one. It is a member of the Common Sawflies. 

This Medium Oak Dagger Moth caterpillar was being attacked from behind by a tiny ant which eventually left the scene.

We saw a couple of Punctured Tiger Beetles scurrying across the hot sand.

Orange Sulphur, striking contrast against the wet sand.

Leonard's Skipper, only the second time that I have ever seen this species! Blazing Star is one of its favourite nectar plants.

Spicebush Swallowtail

When we noticed an active Bald Faced Hornet's nest on a boardwalk, we made the decision to turn around. It wasn't worth getting stung as we definitely would have been "in their space"! They are not really a hornet, but rather are a black and white Yellowjacket, known for their aggressive behaviour.

American Pelecinid Wasp: In the northern parts of North America, male Pelecinid Wasps are incredibly rare, so rare that scientists hardly ever find them. Females are 'parthenogenetic', meaning they can reproduce and create female clones of themselves without ever needing to mate. Despite their scary appearance, these wasps are completely harmless to humans. The long 'tail' is not a stinger. It is an ovipositor used exclusively for laying eggs. 

https://plantiary.com/insect/pelecinus-polyturator_611.html

We found several holes in the sand with 1 inch wide tracks leading to and from the cavities. Although we watched different "bee-like" insects enter the holes, I am guessing that the insects were just checking out the space. Perhaps the holes were made by a vole or other ground dwelling rodent? An unsolved mystery!!

Many thanks to our friend Dave, who happens to be a Scout Leader, and invited us to explore Camp Attawandaron last week when there were no campers on site. (https://papastravelsblog.blogspot.com/2026/07/nutria-or-not.html,) 

 Mandaumin Woods Nature Reserve!

We've made a few visits to Mandaumin Woods recently which is owned by Lambton Wildlife. The 25 acre woodlot was purchased in 1972. It is designated as a Significant Natural Area in the Lambton County Official Plan. The following pictures show some of our discoveries in this Carolinian Woodlot.

The Spotted Apatelodes is a professional "bluffer". Its wild, hairy appearance is designed to mimic much more dangerous, stinging caterpillars. By looking like a painful snack, it tricks birds and other predators into leaving it alone.

https://plantiary.com/insect/apatelodes-torrefacta_898.html

Confused Woodgrain Moth caterpillar

Elegant Tailed Slug Moth caterpillar: Instead of the usual peg-like prolegs that most moth caterpillars have, slug caterpillars have suckers, which gives them a gliding, sluglike movement, inspiring the common name. We have become quite intrigued with this group of moth caterpillars and have been carefully turning over leaves looking for these tiny forms of life. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack, but we've had a bit of success. As the caterpillars grow larger in the next few weeks, they should be easier to see.

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/slug-caterpillar-moths

 

Red-crossed Button Slug Moth

Dolichomitus irritator: When someone discovers a new species, they often get to choose its scientific name. This species name made me laugh. I bet the person who named the species was somehow irritated by it!

This Northern Walkingstick likely would not have been noticed if it hadn't moved. Walkingsticks are perfectly camouflaged for a life in trees and shrubs. They not only look like twigs but also sway their bodies to mimic the motion of branches in a breeze!

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/northern-walkingstick

Clavaire couronnee, commonly called Crown Coral. Fungi have an important role in the ecosystem by decomposing things that have died, thus returning the nutrients to the soil to help with new growth. And they can be beautiful as well!!

Orange Mycena

Bleeding Fairy Helmet

Red Raspberry Slime Mold

Spider protecting egg case.

Spined Macrathena

Six-Legged Critters!

All insects have 6 legs, 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), 1 or 2 pairs of wings and a pair of antennae. They come in all shapes and sizes. These are a few of my recent favourites.

Hologram Moth - found during backyard mothing!

Snowberry Clearwing - they don’t often rest, but I caught this one napping!

Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth) laying eggs. In years when their population cycles are high, the caterpillars can cause a lot of damage to tree leaves. They are a natural part of the ecosystem.

Mating Moths - possibly Early Fan-foots.

Caterpillars of the Great Spangled Fritillary prefer violets. Without violets, there would be no fritillaries. Adults will drink nectar from many native flowers such as mints, butterfly weed and Joe-pye-weed. Female Great Spangled Fritillaries seem to be able to find violets even after they have wilted. Some scientists who study the species believe it is possible for fritillaries to actually smell the roots of violets!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/fritillary

Red-spotted Purple, the name makes more sense when the underwing is visible, as is evident in the lower photo.

Silvery Checkerspot - some of the dark squares contain a silvery colour!

I rarely get to see the upper wing of the Northern Pearly-Eye butterfly as they usually rest with closed wings. They prefer shaded, damp habitats such as wetlands, swampy woods, and coastal dunes. Unlike most butterflies, they mainly fly in cloudy weather and can even be spotted on rainy days. Adults feed primarily on decaying organic matter including tree sap, dung, and rotting fruit.

https://insectic.com/northern-pearly-eye-butterfly/

Bald-faced Hornets are among the largest wasps found in North America. Despite the name, they are not true hornets but belong to the yellowjacket subfamily. The bald-faced title comes from the white markings on the face and body which contrast sharply with the rest of the insect. They are well known for their impressive paper nests, aggressive defense behaviour and role in controlling pest insect populations.

https://waspworld.com/bald-faced-hornets-nesting-sting-pain-size-identification/

If you look closely, the pink, tongue-like proboscis of this Digger Bee species is slurping up water from the mud puddle!

Fraternal Potter Wasp drinking from a Figwort cup. Figwort plants produce "large" amounts of nectar in the cups making them popular with insects. Beneficial Wasps are attracted to the plants. These beneficial wasps will eat other insects that can be detrimental to gardens.

New instar for a Monarch caterpillar. The old skin shed is still attached to the caterpillar which has now grown to about 3 cm in length. True caterpillars only have  6 legs, all located on the thorax. Additional legs on the abdomen are called Prolegs. True legs are segmented and jointed, used for walking and gripping and have claws. Prolegs are fleshy with tiny hooks for gripping that aid in movement and help to cling to surfaces. Prolegs don't have claws and disappear during pupation.

https://meadowia.com/does-a-caterpillar-have-legs/

Widow Skimmer, resting in the meadow.

 Canatara’s “Resident” Red-tailed Hawk

The juvenile Red-tailed Hawk that has been living in Canatara Park for the past year or so is quite accustomed to being around people. It recently flew past me and landed in a tree, facing into the sun. I watched as it stayed on the knobby end of the branch and rotated its body 180 degrees, teetering on its feet until its back was to the sun!

It remained with wings outstretched for 2 full minutes. Birds can benefit from "sun bathing' as it helps with feather maintenance and parasite control. Sunlight can kill harmful bacteria and parasites that may be hiding in feathers. The warmth also makes it easier for birds to remove dirt and parasites when preening.

https://www.earthofbirds.com/why-do-birds-spread-their-wings-in-the-sun/

Before leaving the perch, the Red-tailed Hawk preened its warmed feathers as it continued to soak up the sun! The adult red tail feathers are starting to grow in. Juveniles don't get red feathers until the start of the second year.

The very next day, I saw the same Red-tailed Hawk. It hunted unsuccessfully for a squirrel and then took a rest, once again with wings outspread and back facing the sun! The squirrel on the tree trunk that it tried to catch is looking down at the hawk in the upper photo. 

Red-tailed Hawk populations have increased since the 1960's. This species can often be found sitting on fence posts watching and listening for nearby prey. Across North America and Europe, many hawk populations are rebounding after decades of decline due to pesticide use and habitat loss. The banning of DDT in the 1970's in many countries marked a turning point. Conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and regulated hunting also contributed to recovery. Protecting and restoring natural habitats such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands, provide essential resources for hawks. Healthy prey populations including rodents, birds and reptiles, provide a stable food source. The adaptable Red-tailed Hawk is thriving in both rural and urban environments. Long-term monitoring programs such as e-bird, track population changes over time. Raptor Rehabilitation Centers collect valuable data on injuries, illnesses, and mortality rates. Citizen Science initiatives help to engage the public in valuable data collection.

https://iere.org/are-hawk-populations-increasing/

Red-tailed Hawk, light morph - looking down at me!