Time and Date: 19/09/14 | 11:58 - 12:30
Duration: 32 minutes
Location: Norwich, Ontario (Reservoir at the end of Brock Street West)
Weather: Sunny with a medium cloud cover and medium humidity. 19 degrees Celsius
Habitat/Vegetation: Lake/reservoir at woodland's edge; residential neighbourhood also nearby.
Word Count: 319
Narrative:
While grass dominates most of the space around the reservoir, the first plant species I identified were the common jewelweed and nodding beggartick that grew in large patches along the water's edge. I was drawn by the bright colours; gold and orange. I identified these two species using iNaturalist's suggestions. I also noticed immediately that a dead fish was floating right at the edge of the lake. I identified this as a carp; I'd been fishing with my dad enough to recognize it. According to iNaturalist, they are quite invasive.
There was plenty of fish movement in the water; every few minutes, a fish would jump and make a small splash somewhere in the middle of the lake. The reservoir is man-made with a dam where several fish (which also looked like carp but it was hard to see with the distance) were trying to jump up to reach the water on the other side. It's likely that these carp are trying to migrate down the long stream attached to the reservoir. In terms of diet, they skim the bottom of the reservoir, eating the vegetation and insects they find (they're omnivores).
There were also at least 30 Canadian geese swimming about on the lake, likely staging for migration soon considering the time of year. As I walked further along the water's edge, I saw some Queen Anne's Lace (also known as Wild Carrot). I identified a wasp, a species in the genus Pimpla (though I could not identify exactly which species) perched atop the Wild Carrot, unsurprisingly as the adult Pimpla feed on flowers. I also noticed several other plant species that I also see constantly in Kitchener-Waterloo: New England Asters, Red Clover and Canadian Goldenrod. As I was observing the asters, I spotted a Ground Cricket; it was still and quiet as sat nearby (though it's peers were chirping about wildly all the while I was there).
This species grows right along the waterline. Its roots would have constant access to water.
This species grows along the edge of the lake.
There were at least 40 geese swimming on the lake here.
Rest in peace. This carp (looks like European carp - invasive species) had washed up along the edge of the pond.
I grew up calling this "Queen Anne's Lace." Found in the grassy area surrounding the lake.
This goldenrod is everywhere at this time of year! Driving to Norwich from Waterloo, I saw it along the road constantly. There was plenty of it here.
This cricket was still and quiet as I observed him. However, I could hear a ton of crickets around me while I was there.
I only saw a small few of these here.
I didn't notice this little guy until I zoomed in - I was trying to ID the wild carrot!
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