Friends of Murphys Point Park

This week’s #SpeciesOfTheWeek is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus). There is significant sexual dimorphism between the males and females of this species: males are black, white and red, whereas the females are streaked brown and white with a prominent white eyebrow. As might be expected, the females’ more camouflaged appearance helps protect the nest and young from inquisitive predators. Their preferred breeding habitat includes moist deciduous forest, mixed deciduous-coniferous forest, thickets and edge habitats. The diet of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak primarily consists of insects, seeds and fruits. Common nest predators of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks include Blue Jays and Common Grackles whereas the adults are predated by various hawks. Murphys Point Provincial Park is a great place to observe Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, just like this male featured here!

This week’s #SpeciesOfTheWeek is the Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis). Fallfish are one of the largest minnow species in North America, reaching over 40cm in length. Often mistaken for Creek Chub, the body of an adult is olive to golden-brown with dorsal fins that are darker. There is also a dark stripe along the dorsal line. Their native range is eastern Canada and northeastern North America; Murphys Point Provincial Park lies at the northwestern edge of their range. The preferred habitat of Fallfish are streams with a shallow gradient and accompanying slack pools, though the young prefer streams with a faster flow. They can tolerate temperatures between 6℃ and 27℃ but when temperatures fall below 15℃, Fallfish cannot spawn. Young fallfish feed primarily on fly larvae and other zooplankton; once they reach about 10cm in length, they change over to the adult diet of small fish (including their own young), as well as fish eggs and insects. This individual was caught in Hogg’s Bay.