Moira River

The survey today at this site was the least amount of sun experienced, with about 75% cloud cover over the area with quite a bit of a breeze. We had yet another heatwave which cleared early this morning, so temperatures were seasonal again and humidity was much reduced compared to 24 hours ago. There was some rainfall yesterday briefly in the afternoon. There was insect activity, but fewer dragonflies than previous visits. Saw a few different species, as well as some wasps including a couple different mud dauber species, and one bumblebee, likely an eastern common. Saw a single monarch butterfly, but unfortunately no eggs or larvae on the patches of milkweed at the site. The most active taxon group were the birds, with the usual flocks of Canada geese split between land and water grazing today, and ringbilled gulls near the dam. A flock of about 12-15 chimney swifts were foraging above us, and the osprey parents were both visible with one flying out and being mobbed by a few chimney swifts and a very adamant eastern kingbird. Heard some goldfinches, saw redwing blackbirds in the rushes, and just before we left we saw a great blue heron fly by in its stately low flight over the dam. Saw the same dog strangling vine and noticed a bit more in the other shrubs along the shore. The water lilies were not blooming at the time.

Today's weather was mostly mixed sun and cloud early in the day but cleared by the time we arrived at the site to only small patches of clouds. Low to no wind. It's warm but the humidity of the previous week began to burn off yesterday. Water levels are slightly higher at the site than last week, likely from rain over the weekend. Insect activity is lower, but still present. Saw ants, multiple species of wasp, a bumblebee of undetermined species, some dragonflies, and flies. Saw the local beaver and were told about at least one juvenile that a passerby saw with them a few minutes before we saw the adult. Saw a pair of eastern kingbirds, as well as some usual suspects, i.e. the flock of Canada geese, who were on land this week, as well as the osprey family on their platform, gulls at the bade of the dam, redwing blackbirds, and goldfinches. Also saw about 10 common mergansers sitting on the dam barriers upriver from the site. At least one small cyprinid fish of unidentified species darted out and back under the water lily pads. Milkweed are growing bigger but no evidence of monarchs in any life stage. Still some dog strangling vine near the sample site/riverbank.

Sunny day with some intermittent clouds and a nice breeze. Has been cooler than last week's heatwave. Dragonflies are hunting over the water flying low, many other insects visible including at least two butterfly species and bees. Unfortunately found dog strangling vine near the site when hanging the thermometer for air temp. Nesting pair of ospreys are on a platform 70 metres upriver from the sample site, with at least two chicks! Also heard redwing blackbirds, goldfinch, and saw many Canada geese and lots of their poop on the walking trail. Ringbilled gulls, grackles, robins flying overhead. People were fishing near the damn, and occasionally a walker or cyclist going by. Bank vegetation is more robust than the previous week's sampling.

Saw a beaver right when we arrived at the site, along with lots of dragonfiles and about 50 Canada geese floating and grazing. I heard a green frog call from a few feet away, heard redwing blackbirds from the marsh, and saw and heard chimney swifts flying above, as well as gulls.

The specific sampling spot was very shallow and may not have met the 10 cm below water minimum, so I may need to do a slightly different location next time or bring a longer rope for taking water temperature samples.