ERS 346 Outing #3

Time and Date: 19/10/07 13:00
Duration: 180 minutes
Location: Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, Caledon, ON
Weather: 14, Windy, No precip, Partly cloudy
Habitat: Interior Deciduous Forest

I decided to go on a fall walk during reading week to see the fall colours. Forks of the Credit is not too far of a drive from my home in Brampton, so I decided to head there. I spotted an Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar moving along the pavement when I got out of my car. On my walk from the car to the beginning of the trailhead, I heard several Black-capped Chickadees with their classic "chick-a-dee-dee" call. I also saw them flying and hopping from tree to tree. The majority of the trees along the trail were Sugar Maples, although I also saw lots of Trembling Aspen and birch trees. There was lots of Staghorn Sumac along the trail. Near the beginning of my walk I heard what sounded like a nuthatch. It stopped calling and I was not positive that I had heard anything until I spotted the White-breasted Nuthatch. It, unfortunately, would not stay still enough for a picture as it was hopping around the branches of a tree, searching for insects in the bark. As I continued walking, I spotted a chipmunk hopping along the forest floor. I also spotted some feces on the trail, although I'm pretty sure it belongs to a domestic dog. As I was almost finished my hike, I noticed some strange fruits, iNaturalist identified this plant as an Eastern Black Walnut. As I was heading back to my car I heard and spotted a Red-breasted Nuthatch. It was quite windy during this outing which made it difficult to hear any other birds that may have been in the area.

It was interesting to see a different variety of species in the interior of a forest. This was vastly different than the waterbirds observed in the first two outings. The nuthatches and chickadees are specialized at eating the berries and insects in the forest and are small with small sharp bills. Waterbirds, on the other, hand have different features that allow them to be successful in their habitat.

Posted on November 24, 2019 01:50 AM by kcaruso