Hamilton Wetlands and Forest

  We could do with more rain, but the Forest is somewhat refreshed after a rainy night. Foliage, still wet, glistens.  Swordfern fronds rise, invigorated by the rain. Mosses are refreshed.  Cat-tail moss extends as water drips and draws its growth downward. Fungi is beginning to sprout.  These tiny fir-cone fungi are putting in an early appearance. Oyster mushrooms show a variety of colours.  These are highlighted by sun illuminating the moss on this alder. After at least a year wondering what these shoots were, apparently sprouting from downed logs, we met ANats' encyclopaedic source of botanical knowledge.   They're young Pacific crabapple, with the crabapple's distinctively varied leaves, and spurs emerging from what will one day be the trunk. These two young alders, emerging from a downed tree, are more mature examples of growth from a nurse stump. The thimbleberry, which looked very depleted last week, is revivified. The Marsh's fringe vegetation ...

  The drought persists.  Rain is forecast for tomorrow, and again toward the end of this week.  We can but hope.  For now, the Forest and Wetlands are drier than we can recall seeing them in the three years we've been observing and recording.   Vernal pools have vanished. Moss is drying out. The thimbleberries continue to wilt. In the Marsh, the water level has sunk what appears to be at least another six inches. The standing water that is typically present in the Marsh is subsiding.  So far, the peaty mud looks to be holding moisture, but its value as habitat is declining. Bullfrogs remain in the diminishing water supply. Five turkey vultures circled the Marsh.   I wondered whether they might be assembling prior to their autumn migration. For the first time in some months, a female northern harrier hunted over the Marsh. We heard a Hutton's vireo singing in the woods as we left. Despite the drought, it appears that the autumn migration may b...