Fauna/flora surveying in Gatineau Park (2014)

Today, I helped out with a long-term project studying the phenological patterns of fauna (i.e., pollinators) and flora at Gatineau Park.  It was my second time visiting the park so I was very excited to be here again.

The project involves three main components: surveying flora, collecting bees,


and setting up bee nest boxes and checking them weekly.

It was a cloudy and windy day, so we didn't see many bees.

A tiny bee resting on a petal of bloodroot, a species that I haven't seen before.


Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) - simple but beautiful.


 A Saxifrage species here in Ontario.  Not sure which one, maybe Micranthes virginiensis?

Here is another species that I haven't seen before - Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria).  Like bloodroot, it belongs in the Poppy family (Papaveraceae), and its common name probably comes from the Indian corn-like yellow tubers.  The flowers haven't bloom yet, so it would be interesting to see them open completely.

This reminds me of the Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum) I have seen before in Peterborough.  Not totally sure though.


Then there was this mystery plant.  It was low to the ground and shrubby, but no flowers.  Anyone knows what species it is?  [Edit: Thanks to Sara, who commented that it is Patridge-berry (Mitchella repens).  I shall look for the fragrant white flowers next month.]

We saw a bee hanging onto maple buds with its mandibles.  This reminds me of the Cuckoo Leaf-cutting Bee (Genus Coelioxys) I had seen before.


Outside one of the bee nest boxes was this beetle, which I think may be a Diurnal Firefly (Ellychnia corrusca).  This might be the first time I have seen a firefly in the daytime, without knowing that it's a firefly.  Cool!

We caught glimpses of a turkey and this Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens).

We also saw this beautiful gartersnake.  First one of the year!


Such a pretty Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) - female.

As we were exiting the park, I saw this beautiful purple bracket fungi.

We were very lucky because it started to rain once we got into the car heading back to Ottawa.  I saw a lot of species that I haven't seen before, so it was a productive day overall.