This text is from a series I wrote for The Gamiing Nature Centre, a non-profit charitable organization that works to promote understanding and participation
in practices that balance human needs with the needs of wildlife and
ecosystems. A credit to Drew Monkman is warranted due to his vast, accessible
knowledge and email help, in addition to the Toronto
Reference Library, and the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology.
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| Photo Credit: SB C+D15KM Lakeshore Trail , Silent Lake ONTARIO |
In July, we can
explore up-close-and-personal flowers, bird, bugs, amphibians, reptiles and mammals
all enjoying the comfort of summer heat while capitalizing on summer plant food
sources. Deciduous forests like those around the Gamiing Centre make
up less than 0.9% of all of Ontario's three forest
zones. Home to numerous local riparian
eco systems, the Kawartha's Lakes are an ecologically unique space, sensitive,
beautiful and diverse.
‘Riparian’ is derived from Latin, meaning river bank (and a great scrabble word to add to your summer game!) used to refer to the land next to any body of water. The riparian zone is especially important to the health of the water system because it helps to filter pollution before it reaches the water and to provide shade, cover, and food for aquatic species. Our riparian zones, shoreline and deciduous forests are full of life in July.
‘Riparian’ is derived from Latin, meaning river bank (and a great scrabble word to add to your summer game!) used to refer to the land next to any body of water. The riparian zone is especially important to the health of the water system because it helps to filter pollution before it reaches the water and to provide shade, cover, and food for aquatic species. Our riparian zones, shoreline and deciduous forests are full of life in July.
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| Photo Credit SB C+D, from
Elegy by Deborah Samuel at the Royal Ontario Museum |
Integral to shoreline stability
are Cattails, rushes, sedges and grasses which help establish riparian habitat by providing safe nesting sites and materials
for birds, and valuable habitat for fish, frogs and snakes. You can literally
watch summer unfold through the colour of shoreline, which continues to change
through to fall. With a distinct aromatic lemon scent, the useful Sweetflag is
starting to turn yellow-brown in July. Its roots are edible (they are used
similarly to ginger) and the leaves can be dried for potpourri.
You'll also find the tall (up to 12"!)
Cranberry -Bush in full sun near the water. In July its stem is
white, and you'll see it start turning colour in august to
red-black, getting redder as fall gets closer.
All these
plants seeds are important food for birds and small mammals who
feed on wetland plants through winter. In July you can see Red-Winged Blackbirds,
Swamp Sparrows, Tree Swallows, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow
Warblers, and the Belted Kingfisher - one of the few bird species
in which the female is more brightly coloured than the male. You might also
catch Yellow Warblers singing from low trees or shrubs.
There are lots of
plants in bloom, birds with their young and animals carousing in July. Try recording your wildlife observations this month!
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