It was a joy to see the many wonderful photos entered into the 2024 Winter Photo Contest. A big ‘Thank you’ to our judges who did a very difficult job, of selecting the winners. Plus thanks to the Hamilton Conservation Authority for once again playing a pivotal role.
It seems to have been such a strange winter, and the contest organizers are just waiting for spring to get moving along so we can begin the Summer 2024 – 2025 Photo Contest. But who would have believed that a photographer would manage to take a photo of an inquisitive caterpillar on a midwinter Ontario morning?
Thank you to the photographers, and all the support we receive to ensure the success of the contest!
A big ‘Thank You’ to all who entered the summer photo contest. Each season we are amazed and inspired at the wildlife diversity photographed by contest entrants.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
We look forward to many wonderful photos in the upcoming Winter 2023-24 Photo contest which will be announced on our website later this fall.
Plants & Flowers
Honorary Mention – Orange Daylily. Mark Williams, Hamilton.Honorary Mention – New England Aster. Barbara Bialon, Oakville.2nd Place – Meadow Cranesbill. Tamas Mozer, Hamilton.1st Place – Ornamental Crabapple. Susan Leece, Hamilton.
Insects, Spiders, & Bugs
Honorary Mention – Juriniopsis adusta. Ryan Barrett, Dundas.Honorary Mention – Minettia lupulina. Mark Williams, Hamilton.Honorary Mention – Predatory Stink Bug. Ken Kerr, Dundas.2nd Place – Northern Dog-Day Cicada. Mark Williams, Hamilton.1st Place – European Green Bottle Fly. Ted Jez, Burlington.
Butterflies & Moths
Honorary Mention – Great Spangled Fritilllary. Brian Johnson, Burlington.Honorary Mention – Giant Swallowtail. Carolyn Jez, Burlington.Honorary Mention – Monarch. Tamas Mozer, Hamilton.2nd Place – American Lady. Mark Williams, Hamilton.1st Place – Yellow-collared Scape Moth. Doug Lay, Toronto.
Birds & Other Wildlife
Honorary Mention – Green Heron. Steve Owen, Toronto.Honorary Mention – Red-winged Blackbird. Mark Williams, Hamilton.Honorary Mention – Willow Flycatcher. Lloyd Davidson, Burlington.2nd Place – American Goldfinch. Geoff Dunn, Ancaster.1st Place – Downy Woodpecker. Geoff Dunn, Ancaster.
Ruby-throated hummingbird on Cardinal flower. Photo by Mark Williams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September, 2023 Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas
Signs of Fall – Interpretive Nature Walk with Matt Mills
Free Event on Saturday, September 9 at 10 a.m.
Expert naturalist and gardener Matt Mills returns to Urquhart Butterfly Garden to lead our final guided walk of the year this Saturday, September 9 at 10 a.m.
“September is a remarkable time to visit the butterfly garden,” says Mills. “Late summer butterfly diversity is still good and we have had a few rare visitors.”
Monarch butterfly migration is underway with many moving overhead and some stopping in the garden to drink nectar. Meanwhile, songbirds head south without the boisterous songs of spring. Watch carefully for them as they feed quietly on seeds and berries.
Each week brings new surprises.
This event is free and open to all, and you will leave with a new knowledge and understanding of the wonderful diversity of wildlife at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden. Let’s hope for gentle winds and sunny skies!
You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. No dogs please. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
For more information contact: Joanna Chapman jfcchapman@gmail.com
Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation& Hamilton Naturalist’s Club.
Yellow Garden Spider/ argiope aurantia. Photo by Mark Williams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August, 2023 Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas
Spiders – Facts and Identification with Christopher Cheatle
Free Event on Saturday, September 2 at 10 a.m.
Christopher Cheatle has been a spider enthusiastic for many years. An active member of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, Christopher is well known for his identification skills and is one of the top birders in Canada. He is a keen observer of nature and often shares his observations and knowledge on both iNaturalist and Discord.
If you are scared of spiders, please don’t be! In Ontario they are almost all harmless, extremely helpful, and amazing creatures. Not only do they have eight eyes and eight legs, but some can adjust their colour, and jump 25 times their own body length!
Join us at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden learn more fascinating spider facts from Christopher this Saturday, September 2 at 10 a.m.
You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. No dogs please. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
For more information contact: Joanna Chapman jfcchapman@gmail.com
Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation& Hamilton Naturalist’s Club.
Viceroy and Red Admiral. Photo by Michelle Sharp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August, 2023 Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas
Nature Identification Walk with Matt Mills
Free Event on Saturday, August 26 at 10 a.m.
Matt Mills, one of the top naturalists in the Hamilton area, returns to the garden this Saturday to lead a nature identification walk.
This is one of the most exciting times of year for nature watching. The birds and butterflies have started to congregate, ready for their big trip south.
See the changes happening as insects sense the urgency and stock up for winter hibernation, and the birds strip the dogwoods of their berries. Matt will point out the little things you may have missed on your own.
You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. No dogs please. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
For more information contact: Joanna Chapman jfcchapman@gmail.com
Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation& Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.
Beaver crossing canal. Photo by Mark Williams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August, 2023 Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas
The Beavers of Desjardins
Free Event on Saturday, August 19 at 10 a.m. Aquatic Ecologist Colin Oaks will be our guide.
Beavers have been both lauded and cursed, as these fascinating species go about their business.
Colin Oaks grew up with a passion for the outdoors, especially for activities around water. Colin is now the Aquatic Ecologist for the Hamilton Conservation Authority, designing and developing restoration projects. He has had ample opportunity to study local beaver populations, and has developed a keen interest and knowledge of their habits and general behaviour.
Join us this Saturday August 19 at 10 am. and learn how important beavers are to the ecosystem and why we should thank them for the amazing jobs they do!
You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
For more information contact: Joanna Chapman jchapman@295.ca or Phone 905-627-8917
Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation& Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.
Red Spotted Purple Butterfly and Bumblebee on Coneflower. Photo by Ken Kerr
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August, 2023 Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas
Butterfly & Nature Identification Walk
Free Event on Saturday, August 12 at 10 a.m. Talented naturalist Matt Mills will be our guide.
We are delighted to havenaturalist and gardener Matt Mills return to lead a Butterfly & Nature Identification Talk at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden this Saturday.
Our first event in July did not take place due to a very heavy day of rain, but we shall not be able to hold a plant sale in conjunction with this talk, as we had previously hoped.
It takes a trained eye to point out hidden butterflies and to distinguish the identifying features. Can you tell the difference between a Monarch and a Viceroy? Do you know why stinging nettle is such an important plant in a butterfly garden? Find these answers and much more.
The session is open to all, and you will leave with a new knowledge and understanding of the wonderful diversity of wildlife at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden. Saturday August 12, at 10 am. Let’s hope for gentle winds and sunny skies!
You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
There is lots of free parking and the location is easily accessible by bus or bike. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
For more information contact: Joanna Chapman jchapman@295.ca or Phone 905-627-8917
Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation& Hamilton Naturalists’ Club.
Halloween Pennant by Michelle Sharp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August, 2023 Urquhart Butterfly Garden, Centennial Park, Dundas
Dragonflies & Their Kin – Masters of Air & Water Brenda Van Ryswyk
A Free Workshop on Saturday, August 5 at 10 a.m.
Brenda Van Ryswyk is an expert on dragonflies, and she is coming back this year by popular demand!
Dragonflies have lived on earth for 300 million years, and during this time have honed their extraordinary skills, which include being able to see in all directions at the same time, and the ability to hover like a helicopter.
Dragonflies and Damselflies are fascinating to watch, with their extraordinary displays of speed and agility in the air, and some species can fly for many thousands of miles. However, don’t be deceived by their agility and beauty, because they are also very powerful hunters, and gobble up scores of smaller insects as they zip through the air.
This free workshop on August 5th at 10 a.m. is suitable for young and old.
Please wear a hat and bring a chair
The workshop will be cancelled in the event of rain
Lots of free parking and on a bus route
Sponsored by the Dougher Fund of the Hamilton Community Foundation & Hamilton Naturalists’ Club
Urquhart Butterfly Garden Centennial Park, Dundas Summer Series 2023: Saturdays, July 29th – September 9th
The Urquhart Butterfly Garden begins its Summer Series of events with a Butterfly & Nature Identification Walk and Plant Sale Saturday, July 29 at 10 a.m.
Talented naturalist and experienced gardener Matt Mills will be the first of our Saturday guides.
It takes a trained eye to point out hidden butterflies and to distinguish the identifying features. Can you tell the difference between a Monarch and a Viceroy? Do you know why stinging nettle is such an important plant in a butterfly garden? Join us Saturday and find out. You will leave with new knowledge and understanding of the wonderful diversity of wildlife at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden.
Matt will be bringing a selection of organically grown native plants which may be purchased.
The session is free and open to all. You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain.
The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is immediately adjacent to Centennial Park and the Hamilton Air Force Association at 128 King St. E in Dundas.
There is plenty of free parking and the location is easily accessible by public transportation or bicycle.
Friday, June 23th – Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 ENTRY DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Summer officially begins this week and we are excited to kick it off with our annual Summer Photo Contest! Late June and early July typically coincide with increasing butterfly diversity and the contest continues right through peak flowering time in the garden.
Entrants may submit up to 3 photos per category for a maximum of 12 photos. Categories are as follows:
For questions, or help, with the entry form please contact: ubgsummercontest@gmail.com
A crucial element of the contest is correctly identifying the species in each submission. This isn’t always easy! If you are stuck please don’t hesitate to speak with garden staff onsite or to consult online or print resources. Some excellent online resources include:
iNaturalist.ca: Especially helpful for Plant ID Bugguide.net: For insects, spiders, & you guessed it. Sibley Birding App or Merlin Birding App: For Bird ID help Cornell Lab ‘All About Birds’ website: Bird ID
If you are still stuck please feel welcome to reach out to the contest email address: ubgsummercontest@gmail.com
Please respect other visitors, staff, and garden guidelines while visiting the garden.
A full list of Official Contest Rules may be found on the announcement posters below.
Once again, the Contest Entry Form may be found here: ENTRY FORM Deadline is September 5, 2023! Best of luck to all entrants!
Urquhart Butterfly Garden 