Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Toronto Wildlife => Topic started by: Bluffs Birder on May 14, 2011, 12:42:24 AM

Title: Bellamy Ravine, Scarborough
Post by: Bluffs Birder on May 14, 2011, 12:42:24 AM

A few nice finds down the ravine path this afternoon.

Butterflies:
Wild Indigo Duskywing - 1
Cabbage White - 5+
Orange Sulphur - 1
Spring Azure - 3
Question Mark - 1

Snakes:
Eastern Garter Snake

The Bellamy Ravine, Gates Gully or officially The Doris McCarthy Trail is located just south of the Kingston Road / Bellamy Road intersection in southern Scarborough.
 
Walter

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Post by: Howieh on May 14, 2011, 08:38:24 PM

Hi Walter,

Nice finds! Still no swallowtail sightings? The black swallowtails should be showing up very soon with the tigers close behind! My neighbours lilacs will bloom later than they did last year so I'm looking forward to having lots of tiger swallowtails around for at least a couple of weeks. How are things, butterflywise(!) at Rosetta McC.? Are any of the butterfly attractors blooming yet?

Btw, I was walking across the 'mudflats' at the base of the ski hill in Earl Bales Park Thursday afternoon (overcast, very light rain) when I felt something on my head. A lone red admiral had come by to check me out, really surprising considering the weather at the time! Are we going to see another irruption of red admirals like last years? I hope so but the lousy spring weather probably means no.

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Post by: Bluffs Birder on May 15, 2011, 01:17:08 AM

Hi Howie,

Rosetta McClain Gardens is usually fairly late with butterfly attracting flowers.  In the spring they cut back all the butterfly bushes and any of the 'good' flowers are not planted as yet.  Not sure what the plans are for the gardens this year but I do know that they're not planting any Lantana camara like they did last year.  Too bad as I had counted 14 species in the 2 small Lantana gardens over a 3 day period.

Walter

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Post by: Howieh on May 19, 2011, 12:44:12 PM

How are the lilacs at Rosetta? My neighbours should be in full bloom by the weekend. Seen any monarchs yet?

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Post by: Bluffs Birder on May 20, 2011, 07:12:39 AM

Hey Howie,

It shouldn't be too long for the Lilacs now, I noticed the buds on them the other day.  As far as Monarchs or butterflies in general, I haven't seen any since last Friday afternoon, they just don't seem to like cold and rainy weather - lol.

Take care,
Walter