A Visit to Erieau!

We enjoyed a recent walk along the Erieau Rail Trail. This old bicycle known as a "Penny-farthing" or "high wheeler" sits at the trail head.

Barn Swallows enjoyed a few resting spots between their flights to catch mid-air insects. 

A pair of Belted Kingfishers appeared to be in a constant territorial argument as they chased each other along the water's edge.

Lots of milkweed provided a food source for Monarch Caterpillars.

We found an adult Monarch resting on a Sunflower head.

Looking out over Lake Erie: Although it boasts a beautiful colour, the invasive Purple Loosestrife was abundant. This introduced European plant forms dense stands with thick mats of roots which degrade habitat for wildlife. Each plant can grow as many as 30 flowering stems that produce 2.7 million seeds each year! In 1992, the Canadian and American governments approved the release of 2 European leaf-eating beetles which are natural enemies of the plant. The beetles were widely released in Ontario and purple loosestrife populations at many sites have been significantly reduced.

https://www.Ontario.ca/page/purple-loosestrife