Seen in the Garden 2022

September 21, 2022

Clouded Sulphur by Michelle Sharp

September 18, 2022

Pandorus Sphinx Moth Caterpillar by Ken Kerr

Meadowhawk by Michelle Sharp

September 17, 2022

Red Admiral by Michelle Sharp

September 16, 2022

Chipmunk on Cup Plant by Carolyn Jez

September 13, 2022

Monarch and Pearl Crescent by Michelle Sharp
Cross Orb Weaver preparing lunch by Ken Kerr

September 11, 2022

Brown Mantis by Mark Williams
Ant milking Aphids by Mark Williams

September 10, 2022

Hummingbird feeding by Ken Kerr

Hummingbird feeding teenager by Ken Kerr

Bumble Bee and a Visitor (look close)…Praying Mantis by Michelle Sharp

Common Buckeye by Michelle Sharp

Common Buckeye on Lantana by Michelle Sharp

September 2, 2022

American Lady by Michelle Sharp
Fiery Skippers by Michelle Sharp

August 28, 2022

August 27, 2022

August 21, 2022

August 20, 2022

August 17, 2022

August 16, 2022

August 15, 2022

August 14, 2022

August 12, 2022

August 10, 2022

August 9, 2022

August 7, 2022

August 2, 2022

August 1, 2022

July 31, 2022

Cabbage White laying eggs!

July 29, 2022

July 28, 2022

July 27, 2022

July 26, 2022

July 25, 2022

July 23, 2022

July 22, 2022

July 21, 2022

July 20, 2022

The Striped Hairstreak is very small – the size of a thumbnail – and rarely seen in the UBG.

July 18, 2022

July 16, 2022

*Interesting fact*

Two-marked Treehopper Enchenopa binotata …”two spots” is a species complex, a group of nine species that are identical in appearance (as adults) while remaining reproductively separate. This particular treehopper is a bit of a oddity in that if the male and female produce offspring from a non-host plant, fewer eggs are laid but the newly hatched offspring could become a new species based on the phenology of the new host plant …

July 15, 2022

July 12, 2022

The Hooded Merganser and Great Blue Heron can be seen in the Desjardins Canal from the Urquhart Butterfly Garden.

July 11, 2022

July 10, 2022

July 9, 2022

July 8, 2022

July 4, 2022

July 1, 2022

June 29, 2022

The Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium Acadica) is found across Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia however not often seen in the UBG.

June 28, 2022

Lady Bug eating Aphids – a good example of the predator – prey relationship at work.

June 26, 2022

Bumble Bee Mimic Robber Flies are also called the “assassin” flies as they lie in wait for unsuspecting bees, wasps and butterflies to pass by and then they attack.

June 25, 2022

June 8 -24, 2022

The Hummingbird Moth (Clearwing Moth) While most sphinx moths fly at night, hummingbird moths fly during the day. They feed on flower nectar, dipping in a long thin proboscis.

June 9 – 24, 2022

June 22, 2022

June 14, 2022

June 9, 2022

June 8, 2022

Jumping Spider by Mark Williams
Female Widow Skimmer by Mark Williams
Long-Legged Fly by Mark Williams
Spicebush Swallowtail by Mark Williams

Summer Education Series 2022

Bees, Bees, Bees – A Free public workshop

Jenna Braun,

Saturday August 27, 10 am.

Jenna and her able assistant will be back by popular demand on

Saturday August 27, and no one knows bees like Jenna.  When one thinks of bees we tend to think of the honey bee, however there are 800 bee species in Canada if which over 400 are in Ontario.

Our native bees range in size from the 25mm carpenter bee to the tiny 5 mm solitary bee, and many of the species can be found at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden and you can see them up close and personal with Jenna.

Numbers of native bee are in serious decline, due to habitat loss and land fragmentation plus the use of pesticides.  Unfortunately 12 bee species have recently been added to creatures at risk in Ontario.

Native bees are our most important pollinators, so there is cause for great concern when species are declining. They not only pollinate wildflowers but also the crops we eat.   Listen and look on Saturday 27 as you learn more about the many bee species at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden, and find out how you can help encourage bee preservation, even if you only have a balcony.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

There is lots of free parking and the site is conveniently accessible by bus or bike. Please bring a chair and wear a hat – you will spend an hour in full sun.

The event will NOT proceed in the event of rain.

For more information contact: Joanna Chapman, 905-627-8917

or jfcchapman@gmail.com

Nature in the Garden

Brian Wylie

Free Workshop Saturday August 20, 10 am

It is not every naturalist who really loves answering questions from kids, but Brian Wylie really does!  When Brian was a young child he used to sit patiently beside local ponds to see what lived there, and has been a keen naturalist ever since. 

August is the end of summer and the Urquhart Butterfly Garden is seeing lots of action, rare butterflies, insects of every type, cicadas emerging, spiders spinning.  There are many flowers in bloom and the observant will see hummingbirds flitting about.

This is the time of year when snakes can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks, but they often return into hiding if they detect sound or movement, so one must move slowly and carefully in order to see them.

There are finches on the very tall flowers and you may see other birds gathering for the fall migration.  A trained eye like Brian Wylie’s can spot wildlife that many people might not notice.

Join him on August 20, 10 am


The session is free and open to all. You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. You will spend 1 hour in the full sun of the garden. 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.

Sponsored  by the Dougher Foundation & Hamilton Naturalist’ Club …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

For more information contact: Joanna Chapman
jchapman@295.ca
905-627-8917

Summer Education Series 2022

Bees, Bees, Bees – A Free public workshop

Jenna Braun

Saturday August 27, 10 am.

Jenna and her able assistant will be back by popular demand on

Saturday August 27, and no one knows bees like Jenna.  When one thinks of bees we tend to think of the honey bee, however there are 800 bee species in Canada if which over 400 are in Ontario.

Our native bees range in size from the 25mm carpenter bee to the tiny 5 mm solitary bee, and many of the species can be found at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden and you can see them up close and personal with Jenna.

Numbers of native bee are in serious decline, due to habitat loss and land fragmentation plus the use of pesticides.  Unfortunately 12 bee species have recently been added to creatures at risk in Ontario.

Native bees are our most important pollinators, so there is cause for great concern when species are declining. They not only pollinate wildflowers but also the crops we eat.   Listen and look on Saturday 27 as you learn more about the many bee species at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden, and find out how you can help encourage bee preservation, even if you only have a balcony.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

There is lots of free parking and the site is conveniently accessible by bus or bike. Please bring a chair and wear a hat – you will spend an hour in full sun.

The event will NOT proceed in the event of rain.

For more information contact: Joanna Chapman, 905-627-8917

or jfcchapman@gmail.com

Summer Education Series 2022

Nature in the Garden

Brian Wylie

Free Workshop Saturday August 20, 10 am

It is not every naturalist who really loves answering questions from kids, but Brian Wylie really does!  When Brian was a young child he used to sit patiently beside local ponds to see what lived there, and has been a keen naturalist ever since. 

August is the end of summer and the Urquhart Butterfly Garden is seeing lots of action, rare butterflies, insects of every type, cicadas emerging, spiders spinning.  There are many flowers in bloom and the observant will see hummingbirds flitting about.

This is the time of year when snakes can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks, but they often return into hiding if they detect sound or movement, so one must move slowly and carefully in order to see them.

There are finches on the very tall flowers and you may see other birds gathering for the fall migration.  A trained eye like Brian Wylie’s can spot wildlife that many people might not notice.

Join him on August 20, 10 am


The session is free and open to all. You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. You will spend 1 hour in the full sun of the garden. 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.

Sponsored  by the Dougher Foundation & Hamilton Naturalist’ Club …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

For more information contact: Joanna Chapman
jchapman@295.ca
905-627-8917

Birds of Urquhart Butterfly Garden and Canal Park

Bill Lamond

Free Workshop Saturday August 13th at 10am

Bill Lamond is a well known Ontario Naturalist and an exceptional birder who can identify the many birds that are seen at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden and Canal Park.  

Join Bill for this Nature Walk where he will be able to share tips for identifying birds and interesting notes about their lives and migration. Bring your binoculars because Bills’s eagle eyes might spot some rare species

 Bill is not only an expert in birds but also in herps, moths, butterflies, dragonflies and plants.  This nature walk is sure to keep you entertained.

The session is free and open to all.  You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. You will spend 1 hour in the full sun of the garden and Canal Park.  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.

Sponsored  by the Dougher Foundation & Hamilton Naturalist’ Club

For more information contact:

Joanna Chapman
jchapman@295.ca
905-627-8917

Butterfly & Nature Identification Walk

Matthew Mills

Free Workshop Saturday August 6th, at 10 am

Naturalist Matt Mills will be the guide for Butterfly and Nature Identification walk and tour of the garden on Saturday August 6, at 10am. 

Matt is a very experienced gardener who has spent much time in the Urquhart Butterfly Garden.  During this walk he will identify birds, butterflies, insects and the native plants and other plant species in the Garden.  Matt will be bringing a selection of organically grown native plants which can be purchased.

“We are heading into midsummer and butterfly diversity should be excellent” observed Matt Mills recently.  “Furthermore, we should be able to catch sight of cicadas emerging after their  years underground”.


The session is free and open to all, You are requested to bring a chair and wear a hat. We will spend 1 hour in the full sun of the garden. 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.

Sponsored  by the Dougher Foundation & Hamilton Naturalist’ Club …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

For more information contact:

Joanna Chapman
jchapman@295.ca
905-627-8917