Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Northward Bound!

We headed to the Bancroft area last week. We wanted to explore the Canadian Shield and find insects and other life not found in southern Ontario. The Canadian Shield spreads across eastern and central Canada, including parts of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. It also reaches into the northern parts of the United States. The region resembles a horseshoe shape that wraps around Hudson Bay. It's rocky hills and irregular basins are often filled with lakes and swamps. The Shield consists mostly of boreal forests which are full of coniferous trees including spruce and pine.

https://kids.kiddle.co/Canadian_Shield

Four-spotted Skimmer: A stop at a picnic area in North Kawartha provided a break from the drive and a plethora of insects, especially dragonflies. Eels Creek runs through the area providing habitat needs for many species. (And we didn't find any eels.)

Frosted Whiteface

Chalk-fronted Corporal, female

Chalk-fronted Corporal, male

Ebony Jewelwing

Hobomok Skipper

Northern Cloudywing

Tiger Swallowtail complex

Northern Leopard Frog

We arrived in Bancroft mid-afternoon and took the time to visit Eagle's Nest Trails! Several hiking trails are available to explore, many with interpretive signs.

Hooded Tube Lichen

A busy spot for Pileated Woodpeckers! Sap is dripping from freshly created Pileated cavities.

Spotted Salamander

The root of Wild Sarsaparilla was used by North American First Nations people to make a bitter tea that was used to treat heart pain, stomach upset, toothache and sore throats.

https://www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/crops/crop-management/print,wild-sarsaparilla.html

Bluebead Lily will produce blue coloured berries that are very bitter and mildly toxic to humans. The berries are relished by birds and small mammals such as chipmunks. Native bees, bumble bees, butterflies, flies and beetles visit Bluebead Lily for nectar and pollen.

https://rivercitygrandrapids.wildones.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2025/10/Bluebead-lily-Clintonia-borealis.pdf