July News

Gypsy Moth Caterpillars
This seems to be a banner year for Gypsy Moths.

A mature Gypsy Moth caterpillar is approximately 6 cm long, and can be identified by the pairs of dots along its back – five pairs of blue dots, followed by six pairs of red dots. The caterpillars feed mainly on deciduous trees and shrubs. Their favourite foods include oak, maple, birch and serviceberry. The young caterpillars will hang from trees on silk threads and be blown long distances by the wind.

Young caterpillars feed throughout the day, but as they mature they come down from the crown of the tree during the heat of the day to seek shade. At this stage, homeowners can trap the caterpillars on the tree trunk. To make a trap, wrap a strip of burlap, approximately 45 cm (17″) wide, around the tree trunk at chest height. Tie a string around the centre of the burlap and fold the upper portion down to form a skirt, with the string acting as a belt. The caterpillars will crawl under the burlap to escape the sun and become trapped. Later in the day, lift the burlap, pick off the caterpillars, and dispose of them.

For more information about them and what you might do, check out:
http://www.london.ca/residents/Environment/Trees-Forests/Pages/Gypsy-Moth.aspx

Sneak thieves are still around

We’ve had a report that a locked car was broken into recently. Please report any incidents like this to the police non emergency number. The police based the frequency of their patrols on incidences.

New neighbour moved in?

A number of houses have been up for sale in the area including on Longbow, Wychwood, Gretna Green, Finsbury and Leyton Cres. If you notice someone moving in, please notify Sandy Levin. We have a welcome package for them. Given the current COVID-19 situation, delivery of welcome packages will be delayed.

Thanking our Essential Workers

A group of residents have been out every day at 7:30 pm on Lawson Road (and other streets) making some noise for our essential workers. They have been at this since March – over 100 days! Way to go!

Neighborhood Update

Update from the OPSFR Executive

We have postponed the BBQ and Annual General Meeting for the Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Ratepayers until further notice. Hopefully we can arrange something in the fall. We will also delay the collection of dues.

Please note that the Next Door mailing you may have received is not something that the Ratepayers have initiated.

Update on Sherwood Forest Park and Road Work on Runnymede and Abbey Rise

We are waiting to hear from City staff whether or not the park development is one of the projects the city will be delaying because of its financial crunch due to COVID-19. One project that is currently still on the books for this year is the road work on Runnymede. However, we have been advised at this point, work on Abbey Rise is delayed a year.

Reminder: Volunteers in the Neighbourhood

As a reminder, there are volunteers in the neighbourhood willing to help out. Please don’t hesitate to contact Sandy if you would like someone to pick up groceries or other items you need.

Coyote sighted in neighborhood

A coyote was sighted chasing a deer through Rollingwood Park this week. It did not catch the deer. The coyote then passed between houses at 90 and 94 Rollingwood onto the street and went on its way. You should be cautious about having family pets outdoors unsupervised or unleashed. Although coyotes are usually about at dawn and dusk, they are also about at other times.

Here is a resource on Coyotes in the City of London. http://www.london.ca/residents/Environment/Natural-Environments/Pages/coyotes.aspx

A note from Brescia

A note from Brescia:

Dear Neighbours;

As you know, Brescia values our close and friendly relationship with the neighbourhood. I am writing to assure you that even as we move to a modified services model, members of the community are welcome to enjoy our beautiful campus, although our buildings will be closed to the public.

However, I do have one favour to ask. We are experiencing increasing problems with visitors bringing unleashed dogs onto campus. We have had staff and students frightened by bounding dogs, and some very unfortunate incidents where entire families of groundhog kits have been disrupted or injured by dogs whose owners were unable to control them.

We value our identity as a place where students, staff, neighbours, and our much-loved wildlife are all safe. To keep our campus a safe, welcoming environment that may be enjoyed by everyone, I am kindly requesting all dogs remain leashed on campus, at all times.

Kindest regards,

Susan

Dr. Susan Mumm
Principal
Brescia University College