Summer Series Begins this Weekend.

Posted on August 3, 2021 by urquhartbutterfly

Urquhart Butterfly Garden Summer Series 2021 : Saturday August 7 – September 11

The Urquhart Butterfly Garden will begin a Summer Series of workshops on Saturday August 7 at 10 am.

Our own staff naturalist Matt Mills will be the first of the Saturday guides with a Butterfly and Nature Identification walk. 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? Discover 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 7 at 10 am.

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.

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For more information contact:

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

Black Swallowtail. August 02, 2021. Photo By Michelle Sharp.

2021 Summer Series

Posted on July 27, 2021 by urquhartbutterfly

The beautiful sunshine and soaring temperatures of midsummer have arrived and the butterflies have followed. The garden is in full flower and an excellent diversity of species may be seen on sunny days.

A Tawny Emperor – a first for the garden – was photographed last week. Other spectacular species, including Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, are present for the patient visitor.

The photo contest continues through August. Unique photo experiences abound in the height of summer so be sure to seize the opportunity.

We have a free summer education series set to begin August 7 and run until September 11. Come visit each Saturday morning as local experts teach about wildlife in the garden. A schedule is posted below.

Announcing the winners of the Winter Photo Contest

Posted on May 15, 2021 by urquhartbutterfly

Congratulations to all entrants! Your photos were of a very high standard and selecting just one winner in each category proved to be exceptionally difficult.

There were no pretty butterflies or colourful flowers, but with fewer subjects to choose from in the winter, it forced a great deal of creativity and you took many stunning photos.

Because the choices were so difficult, we decided to have ‘runners up’, which appear in alphabetical order under the category.

The four First Prize winners will receive an envelope in the mail in approximately one week.

Once again, congratulations to all!

1st Place – Red-tailed Hawk. Mark Williams, Hamilton

Runner Up – Miner Bee and Pussy Willow. Doug Hall, Brantford

Runner Up – Common Garter Snake. Keith Sharp, Dundas

Runner Up – American Robin. Michelle Sharp, Dundas

Runner Up – Snail. Michelle Sharp, Dundas

Runner Up – Sparrow. Marsha Wright, Waterdown

1st Place – Sunrise over the canal. Michelle Sharp, Dundas

Runner Up – Open Seadhead. Ted Jez, Burlington

Runner Up – Leaf on Snow. Ken Kerr, Dundas

Runner Up – Snow Shore. Mike Pearson, Dundas

Runner Up – Winter tree reflection on the canal. Michelle Sharp, Dundas

1st Place – Ring-billed Gull. Rebeka Bateman, Hamilton

Runner Up – Hooded Merganser. Florina Keller, Hamilton

Runner Up – Mallards. Florina Keller, Hamilton

Runner Up – Chipmunk eating snail. Kalan Post, Hamilton

Runner Up – Chipmunk. Sarah Skinner Brown, Dundas

1st Place – Winter Leaves. Kalan Post, Hamilton

Runner Up – Puddle Reflection. Kalan Post, Hamilton

Runner Up – Bee Balm. Sarah Skinner Brown, Dundas

Runner Up – Insect on Periwinkle. Sarah Skinner Brown, Dundas

Posted on May 15, 2021 by urquhartbutterfly

Below are all the entries for the winter photo contest. With hundreds of beautiful entries, it was a difficult decision for the judge. Thanks to all for participating and sharing your unique experiences in the Garden. Click any photo to enter a slideshow and see photographer and species details.

Spring update

Posted on April 21, 2021 by urquhartbutterfly

April 21, 2021

With luck last night we just had our last snow for the season!

Carolyn Zanchetta worked at the Garden and looked after the web site and Photo Contests for the last year. Carolyn has recently accepted a position with the Halton Conservation Authority, and will not be returning for this season. She is leaving us with the very best wishes from everyone concerned with the Urquhart Butterfly Garden.

On June 1, we will be welcoming Matt Mills as the coordinator, interpreter, gardener at the Butterfly Garden.

Many will know Matt already from his interpretive walks during the summer series. He’s an avid naturalist and excellent birder.

The results of the Winter Photo Contest will be posted on May 15. Thank you to all who entered.

We are hoping for a great season, with weather that is not too hot, not too cold; not too dry, not too wet. Fingers crossed!