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Trip to Springwater Conservation Area – March 15, 2025

Spring’s a comin’! Ingersoll District Nature Club members enjoyed pancakes and maple syrup and a walk through Springwater Conservation Area. Spotted a pileated woodpecker, a bald eagle, red bellied woodpeckers mating and a pair of hooded mergansers. Then off to Aylmer Wildlife Management for migrating tundra swans and Canada geese. Started the morning in the rain and ended in sunshine… great outing!

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Phragmites Facts

From the Ontario Invasive Plant Council:

Do you how to tell Invasive Phragmites from Native Phragmites?

Invasive Phragmites

🌾High density stands, near monoculture stands of living and dead stems (up to 200 per m2).

🌾Generally, dull tan or beige stems with a rough texture. Grows up to 5m or more

🌾Leaves are typically blue-green

🌾Large, dense seed heads

Native Phragmites

🌾Low density stands, with fewer dead stems and oftenmixed with other vegetation.

🌾Stems are generally shorter and thinner, shiny with a reddish-brown colour in the lower internodes and a smooth texture

🌾Leaves are typically yellow-green

🌾Small, sparse seed heads

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Cold Weather In The Tree’s Life Cycle

From ReForest London:

Did you know that cold temperatures are not just a challenge for trees—they’re essential for their survival and renewal?

Many temperate tree species, such as oaks, maples, and fruit-bearing trees, require a period of winter dormancy to regulate their growth cycles. This “chilling requirement” ensures that buds do not sprout prematurely during unseasonable warm spells, which could leave them vulnerable to late frosts.

During this period, trees undergo physiological changes:

🌱 Their metabolism slows, conserving energy.

🌳 Hormonal changes prepare buds for synchronized spring emergence.

🍂 Deciduous trees shed leaves to minimize water loss in freezing conditions.

Winter is nature’s way of resetting the growth cycle—ensuring that when spring arrives, trees awaken with full strength and vigor!