Coywolf in Altona Forest

Recently there have been reports that coywolf hybrids are in Durham Region.

Wolves are usually predators of coyotes but some larger coyotes intermingle with wolves. Coyotes are extremely adaptable and excellent swimmers. They live on small mammals, and in the summer much of their diet may consist of berries. The coywolf will prey on larger mammals, often eat deer, and should be taken somewhat more seriously. While attacks of coyotes or wolves on humans are extremely rare, anytime you find yourself between a predatory animal and its young or its food, it would be wise to quietly back away.

A number of reports on a wolf-like animals in Altona Forest have come out over the last four years. Now there is photographic evidence of this animal wandering in our forest.

Several characteristics differentiate coywolves and coyotes. The coyote is smaller than a standard german shepherd, while a coywolf is larger. A coywolf often travels in a larger pack. The sounds they make are different, more harmonious, more like wolves.

Turtlehead Flowers Around New Pond

When the new amphibian pond was being studied, there was great concern for a very rare flower which existed in one of the possible sites which eventually proved to be the best site. During construction a year ago, some of these flowers, white turtle head flowers, were dug up and saved. It was hoped that the seed bank in the top soil, which was also saved and replaced after construction, would also have some of the white turtle head in it.

Turtle head bloom in August and September and so one of the things we did was wait and hope that this August and September we would see some turtle heads growing near the pond so that they would seed and multiply. Good news! Jan and I searched for the turtle head on Aug. 31 and discovered not a few of these beautiful flowers blooming near the pond but more than 100 of them blooming in full glory. I have attached a photo showing a close up of these unique flowers.

Nature is wonderful as I'm sure you all know and so I guess I should not be surprised when I see a jewel weed (touch me not) growing in the middle of the rock berm at the pond overflow. Where it got any soil there to grow such a fine example of this plant is amazing. I have attached a photo of the jewel weed in its full bloom and a close up of the flower as well.

If any of you have not yet walked in to see the new pond, may I suggest that you do so before the flowers are finished. If you have only a short time for the hike, enter at the Summerpark entrance and take the centre trail past posts 27, 26 and 25 then west past post 28 and 29 to the pond. This will take about 15 minutes and you will not get your feet wet between posts 26 and 25.