Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Toronto Wildlife => Topic started by: Bluffs Birder on January 07, 2012, 08:46:23 PM

Title: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Bluffs Birder on January 07, 2012, 08:46:23 PM

An added bonus to the 28 species of birds that we counted at the Spit today was this Banded Woolly Bear.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2pFWCiuQDpE/TwjyCY8pWBI/AAAAAAAAVSA/2Pc-2edN558/s800/IMG_0606.JPG)

Walter

Title: Re: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Howieh on January 07, 2012, 11:17:18 PM

How cool is that!! but then, it IS wearing a winter coat! :) Do you think it can survive the winter?

Title: Re: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Brian Bailey on January 09, 2012, 12:52:59 PM

Maybe they're confused with the non-winter weather.  I saw one at Col. Sam Smith Park at the end of December.

BB

Title: Re: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Ron Luft on January 10, 2012, 03:14:18 PM

On the BBC series Frozen Planet the WB Caterpillar was showcased from our arctic where it over winters for I believe it was at least 10 years(14?) before it finally climbs onto a rock in 'summer' and pupates. They crawl into a crevice under a rock, get frosted in, snowed over and then emerge in spring to eat another summer's worth. So T.T. Pk. must be a breeze.

Title: Re: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Bluffs Birder on January 10, 2012, 08:50:50 PM

Very interesting, thanks for sharing that info Ron.

Walter

Title: Re: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Whittam on February 28, 2012, 10:24:54 AM

How to predict the winter weather!
According to the farmers almanac the wider the middle orange segment is the milder the winter will be.
Looking at this one Walter I'd say it will continue to be very mild!
http://www.almanac.com/content/predicti ... terpillars (http://www.almanac.com/content/predicting-winter-weather-woolly-bear-caterpillars)

Good birding, Terry

Title: Re: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: Howieh on February 28, 2012, 06:26:17 PM

Quote from: "Whittam"

How to predict the winter weather!
According to the farmers almanac the wider the middle orange segment is the milder the winter will be.
Looking at this one Walter I'd say it will continue to be very mild!
http://www.almanac.com/content/predicti ... terpillars (http://www.almanac.com/content/predicting-winter-weather-woolly-bear-caterpillars)

Good birding, Terry

I knew it - I was a meteorologist with lots a training, etc...and all I really had to do was study caterpillars!! :)

Title: Re: Banded Woolly Bear - Tommy Thompson Park
Post by: thouc on February 29, 2012, 08:20:18 AM

If you see a Woolly Bear in the winter you know it's a mild winter!