Warm Temperatures, Active Insects!

A truly unexpected find at this time of year was a Bronzed Tiger Beetle! Their fast-running and fast-flying behaviour is one way of identifying these members of the beetle family. The adults fly or run down their prey and can capture both walking and flying insects! They are native to Canada and are not commonly found in our area, especially this early in the spring!

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/tiger-beetles

A beautiful day of sunshine and warm temperatures woke up many insect species! An Eastern Comma was lined up with the flies to have a taste of sap.

A Mourning Cloak recently played "peek-a-boo" with me!

Small Milkweed Beetles are in the family of Seed Bugs. Most are plant-eating, feeding on seeds and sap of host plants. Some species are predaceous and feed on other insects.

https://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/species/insects/insectpages/lygaeidae.htm

Plants that don't have bright and colourful flowers often have flowers with a strong odour. The odour helps to attract early season pollinators including Western Honey Bees!

Cellophane Bee

Cellophane Bees are already active! I located two groups of these ground bees which were searching for mates. (pair mating in centre of above photo) I counted approximately 75 bees hovering sightly above ground at one location and 50 at another. They emerge in early spring, creating small holes in the ground for nesting. Unlike honey bees, they don't form hives, but live in groups. They waterproof their nests with a unique glue-like secretion while also serving as vital pollinators for early blooming plants.

https://nativebeeology.com/2021/04/22/cellophane-bees-the-one-who-glues/

Lots of creatures are happy that insect food is available!

I was "shocked" when a Golden-crowned Kinglet perched for a rest. These birds seem to be in perpetual motion as they search for insects to eat. Perhaps it had a full tummy!

Northern Flickers have returned in large numbers.  Although it can climb up the trunks of trees and drill on wood like other woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker prefers to find food on the ground. Ants are its main source of food, and the flicker digs into the dirt to find them. It uses its long barbed tongue to lap up the ants. If you look closely, mud is visible on the beak of this bird!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/overview

First American Toad of the year! Also an insect eater!

First Canada Goose egg of the spring!

Cooper's Hawk nest under construction! The pair have been busy adding sticks to the pile!