A bit shorter, word wise, this week as promised. The week’s interesting observations are mostly from an insect safari in the garden - there are birds too but they are at the end of the page, including a brief video. We are seeing regular drop-ins by early migrating birds, so I expect those birds to play an increasing part of things as we move into early autumn.
The Lemon Cuckoo Bee (above) invades the colonies of other bumblebees, kills the resident queen, and takes control over the population of workers inside. Host bees for this species include the common eastern bumblebee. Before the queen invades a nest she forages on various native plants, such as asters, snakeroots, and goldenrods, all of which we have in abundance.
The Parasitic Aerial Yellowjacket (above in its smart black and white suit), is a social parasitic wasp that infiltrates the colonies of other Yellowjackets in order to have its offspring raised by the host's workers. This species lacks a worker caste, consisting only of reproductive females and males.
And we kept a close eye on the Dead Man’s Fingers as they did their thing on a tree stump (see last week’s post), until deep in the forest, the fungal people stirred and surrounded them … Fairy Ink Caps on the march.
Species at Risk - Canada
This is quite concerning - and from a government that I otherwise support.
Quote” Five former chairs of a panel that advises the federal government on endangered wildlife have highlighted concerns over proposed changes to the Species At Risk Act, which they say could lead to the “willful extinction” of endangered species in Canada.
More than 600 species are listed under the legislation. Changes the government is considering would render the act — and the protection it provides — “meaningless,” according to a press release written by the scientists last week.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/proposed-changes-species-at-risk-scientists-concerned-9.7311343
I am hoping that this will be one of those cases of a government giving itself certain powers “just in case,” but then generally not actually using them. One can but hope.
Butterfly Ranges Change
This is from an article in The Guardian:
Butterflies, often considered a “sentinel of change”, are on the move across every continent they inhabit, shifting to survive as global heating reshapes their environment. About one in 10 species have already expanded or contracted their geographic range, or shifted in altitude, according to a global study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Lead author Dr Shawan Chowdhury, head of Monash University’s Global Change Ecology Lab, said the study, which analysed shifts in 1,758 species across 105 countries, revealed the “astonishing” scale of change, largely driven by climate change and extreme weather. “Butterflies are early‑warning indicators and are signalling a warning across the entire planet. If their ranges shift this dramatically, it signals profound changes across ecosystems,” he said. About 80% of butterflies that shifted expanded their ranges, often moving into newly suitable areas as temperatures rise.
Wild Garden Corner
The garden in this article closely mirrors what we have done to ours. Very much worth the time and effort. Spread the word.
But first we have naming of parts …
A couple of articles you might enjoy if, like me, you have to know the names of things you meet whilst out walking. I know that many people just like wandering in nature and are happy to just soak it up in a general sort of way … and at least they getting out and pouting the TV remote down for a while. Nevertheless, once you can put a name to a bird, a bee, a butterfly, a bush then you can read up on it when you get home and learn so much fascinating stuff. Several links here to other writers - I won’t be offended if you scroll by.
And also:
The title of this section may not be familiar to people younger than me. It comes from this poem which although ostensibly about the training of soldiers, is not unconcerned with nature observation as a preferred activity: https://internetpoem.com/henry-reed/naming-of-parts-poem/
And also, also …
There are a number of early migrating Warblers passing through at the moment, including this splendid Cape May Warbler that stopped for a splash and stayed for some time Long enough to catch a short video:
And at the Rowan trees, the Robins are starting to gather to inspect the fruits …
Late finding - about 15 minutes before launch - Lepiota lilacea . Toxic, but way too small to eat anyway unless you are a mouse.
New Warning label posted close to the ground. MOUSE BEWARE Do Not Eat Lepiota lilacea!! A couple of nasty insects in the article ahead; proceed with caution.
Great photos, i particularly like the fungi people on the walk and the American Robin keeping guard over the rowan berries, over here it would be Mistle Thrushes and in winter Redwings and Fieldfares doing exactly the same.
Thanks for linking to my post too!