A Haven for Birds & Wildlife
A Common Nighthawk 美洲夜鹰 soundly sleeps the day away.
Swan Lake Park—though modest in size—, despite its smaller size boasts exceptionally rich biodiversity and serves as is a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife, including many species at risk. There are at At least 186 bird species of birds which have been recorded here at the park. Of these, species the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has rated 113 species (≈ 60 %) or around 60% as L2–L4, meaning they're a —species at risk within the TRCA’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, 15 of the species of birds at the park Fifteen of the park's bird species are listed on Schedule 1 of Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA) the federal government's SARA Schedule 1. Two of these species, —the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus 正确的学名应该是 Melanerpes erythrocephalus 红头啄木鸟) and the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea 蓝翅黄森莺)— are classified as Endangered. Eight others of these species are all listed as Threatened:
- Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) 棕林鸫
- Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) 加拿大威尔逊森莺
- Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 烟囱刺尾雨燕
- Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) 崖沙燕
- Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 东草地鹨
- Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) 刺歌雀
- Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) 金翅虫森莺
- Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) 姬苇𫛚
Species from left to right: Golden-winged warbler, Eastern Wood-pewee 东林绿霸鹟, Least Bittern
Five additional species of these species are listed as Special Concern:
- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 家燕
- Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) 绿胁绿霸鹟
- Eastern Wood-pewee (Contopus virens)
- Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)
- Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) 三声夜鹰.
Birds
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 北森莺
Accipiter cooperii, Juvenile. 库柏鹰
There are at At least 44 different families of birds that can be found at Swan Lake and an incredible number and diversity of species from within each of these families. For instance, with the family Anatidae 鸭科, which includes Ducks, Geese & Swans, 27 distinct species as well as 1 hybrid can be found here. From the family Parulidae 森莺科, which encompasses all New World Warblers 美洲林莺, 28 distinct species and 1 hybrid. From the family Passerellidae 雀鹀科, which includes New World Sparrows 美洲麻雀, 13 distinct species...and the list goes on, and on! Simply put—the biodiversity here is astounding and is on par with or even surpasses that of much larger parks across the GTA! This is why so many birders and naturalists flock here from all around! This is also yet another reason why we must do all we can to protect this park for the birds and wildlife that call it home!
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) 黑顶夜鹭
Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) 栗颊林莺
Palm warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 棕榈林莺
American Coot (Fulica americana) 美洲骨顶秧鸡
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 白冠带鹀
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 林鸳鸯
Mammals
From creatures both big and small—at least 14 different species of mammals including the American Mink (Neogale vison) 美洲水鼬, the North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) 美洲河狸, the Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) 麝鼠, the Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor) 浣熊, the Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) 臭鼬, the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) 赤狐, the Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans × Canis lycaon) 东部郊狼, the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) 东部棉尾兔, the American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) 东部花栗鼠, the Eastern Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) 东部鹿鼠, the Eastern Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) 草原田鼠, and the Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) 林地田鼠, which is classified as Special Concern by the federal government's SARA Schedule 1, have all called the park home.
A Common Raccoon peers out from its resting place in a tree.
Amidst the leaf litter on the forest’s floor a minuscule Eastern Deer Mouse munches on a maple key.
Hidden amongst the long grasses, a Red Fox takes a break from hunting for mice and voles.
On an early spring day, probably having just recently awakened from its long winter’s nap or torpor, this Eastern Chipmunk was busy collecting leaf litter for its burrow!
A melanistic Eastern Grey Squirrel chows down on the berries of a Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina). Fun Fact: “Black Squirrels” are not a separate species of squirrel unlike what many people think, they are just Eastern Grey Squirrels with extra melanin!
Eastern Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
A young Eastern Cottontail Rabbit peeks out from amidst the underbrush.
Insects
Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) 暗色蛱蝶
An American Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis 彩蛱蝶) pollinating goldenrod.
From butterflies to dragonflies to bees and everything in between—Swan Lake is home to a plethora of insect species. These species are vital to the ecosystems here, as not only do many of them play a major role in pollination, but they are also a critical food source for many of the songbirds in the park, which are predominantly insectivorous.
An unfortunate Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria 普通长面胡蜂), having just been caught by a Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) for an evening snack.
A Bicoloured Striped Sweat Bee (Agapostemon virescens 双色条纹汗蜂) pollinating a dandelion flower.
A male Yellow-legged Meadowhawk Dragonfly (Sympetrum vicinum 黄足草蜻).
Giant Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio cresphontes 巨型凤蝶)
A Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus 黑脉金斑蝶／帝王斑蝶) at rest amidst the dappled sunlight of the forest. Monarch Butterflies are federally listed as Endangered under Schedule 1 of SARA and internationally classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Reptiles and Amphibians
A Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta 锦龟) with erythrism, a genetic mutation which causes an excess of red pigment.
Turtles:
A Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina 拟鳄龟) emerges from the depths for a breath of air.
Swan Lake has two native species of turtles that live and nest in the park, the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and the Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). Both of these species are classified as Special Concern under the federal government's SARA Schedule 1.
Snakes:
Portrait of an Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis 剑尾带蛇).
Two species of snakes reside here: the Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) and the Dekay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi 棕蛇).
Frogs & Toads:
Green Frog (Rana clamitans 现在学名是 Lithobates clamitans).
American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus).
Dwelling in the shallows of the water and catching flies at Swan Lake, you may find two species of frogs: the Green Frog (Rana clamitans Lithobates clamitans 青蛙) and the American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus 美洲牛蛙). Hopping around the trails or in the grass at the park, you may also find the American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus 美洲蟾蜍).
Species on cover: Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator 黑嘴天鹅)
