Things That Go Bump in the Night

Can there be life where glass and steel obscure the horizon and concrete envelopes the Earth? Surely no animals could live in the heart of a city and those that stumble into it must want to exit as quickly as possible.

That's what we used to think. But in the years that FLAP volunteers have been rescuing tower casualties in Toronto's financial district, we've discovered a surprising diversity of wildlife in some of the unlikeliest places.

Most of the towers have a few token trees, minimal-shade varieties with feathery, rather than leafy, foliage. Hardly places for any self-respecting bird to take refuge. But there is one exception: the parkette beside First Canadian Place with its waterfall and large ring of trees. In this tiny refuge White-throated Sparrows and other species who have learned to avoid the windows will linger for days, maybe even weeks.

Although it seems too small for even a squirrel to make its home there, this bit of nature does attract casual passers-by, human and otherwise. Mice, rats, even raccoons have been spotted, here and elsewhere in the downtown core. Of course, mice can live just about anywhere - they disappear into the cracks in the concrete. Rats too (despite their formidable size) can squeeze through tiny holes.

For raccoons hiding spots are a bit harder to come by. One spring morning Carolynn Parke was up on the Royal Bank terrace headed north when she came upon a large coon headed south. Both stood their ground for a few minutes until the disgruntled raccoon finally relented and climbed a tall, spindly tree. Before continuing her rounds, Carolynn paused under the tree to look up at dark, suspicious eyes peering down at her as the raccoon swayed back and forth in the beleaguered tree.

The same terrace plays host to a family of ducks every spring. One determinedly urbanite Mallard lays her eggs in a concrete planter box, staunchly defending her nest against all who, in their ignorance, might venture too close.

In addition to the animals that actually live (and work!) in downtown Toronto are those simply moving through. Fallen bats are extremely vulnerable. They can easily be squashed by trampling feet or picked off by a gull or raccoon. So we try to rescue them. Sometimes easier said than done.

I once saw a bat slide down the side of the Commerce Court tower and hit the concrete with a loud splat! I was sure he'd be in very sad shape, if in fact he was still alive. Was I ever startled to see a set of short, sharp fangs and hear the hiss that escaped him as I scooped him into a margarine tub!

Michael Mesure had an even more hair-raising encounter with a Red Bat that escaped from its paper bag and whizzed round and round and round...in his car as he drove to the release site. Mike finally decided that he couldn't continue driving and ducking every 10 seconds so he stopped the car and let the confused little bat free.

FLAPPERs also come across Monarch Butterflies, Praying Mantises, moths, dragonflies and even the occasional Painted Lady (a rare pink, orange and yellow butterfly) in their early morning peregrinations. The weirdest sight for me, though, was of a Giant Water Bug, a formidable-looking creature that I didn't dare pick up with my hands. Its large pincers looked ready to inflict serious damage on innocent fingers. I allowed it to latch onto my net and, at Steven Price's suggestion, released it into the tiny marsh in BCE Place square. Obviously a good idea, since the waterbug disappeared without a trace into the vegetation.

Of course we want to see more forests, wetlands, meadows, and other natural environments for our wildlife. But we're glad to know that at least some of these animals can make it in, or through, less friendly urban areas.

Irene Fedun