Nature Club News for August 2026
by John Dickson
The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) are preparing for the 2026-2027 season and in the meantime, there are many Nature activities that are already underway this summer.
A Freshwater Mussels survey/workshop was presented on August 18, by Dr.Todd Morris at the Saugeen River access west of Elmwood, as a follow up to his talk in Owen Sound in June. It was a learning opportunity and a chance to learn how to identify (ID) the mussels still evident in that stretch or the river, to see if there were any changes, surprises, trends, etc.
OSFN’s Amy Darrell shared this report:”Owen Sound Field Naturalists had an amazing day in the Saugeen River with freshwater mussels specialists, Todd and Kelly. We discovered all but one of the expected mussel species for the area: Plain Pocketbook, Spike, Mucket, Fatmucket, Slippershell, Flutedshell and Creeper. Why do mussels have the best names? Mussels are officially my newest obsession. They are astonishingly cool. Follow Dr Todd J Morris on instagram to learn more about the amazing work being done to learn about and protect endangered freshwater mussels.”
In addition to the creatures in the river, there was some amazing butterfly activity on the wet sandy river bank too, as many Clouded Sulphur (yellow) and Cabbage White butterflies swirled and landed,. A beautiful American Lady butterfly also landed to follow their example, where they were actively ‘puddling’, acquiring dietary components from the damp earth, that complement their pollinating and regular dietary sources.
In fact it has been an amazing month or two for sightings of many butterflies, especially Canadian Tiger Swallowtails. Kincardine based Bruce Edmunds agreed – “Yes, plenty of Canadian Tiger Swallowtails in my neck of the woods in July.”
The annual Butterfly Count at MacGregor Point Provincial Park took place in early July and Bob Taylor of Tiverton explained that the Midsummer Tiger Swallowtail butterflies have been evident here through most of the summer, taking over from the Canadian Tiger Swallowtails who are slightly smaller, and are more evident in late Spring and early Summer.
Audrey Armstrong also reported: “It is the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail we have had in spades this summer. It was interesting to note that although I was seeing about a dozen a day over here in Georgian Bluffs, on the day of the NABA count in the Port Elgin Area, we saw only a few. A friend in Wiarton recently reported the Giant Swallowtail in her gardens.
Now I am seeing good numbers of adult monarchs, eggs, caterpillars and even chrysalis in abundance in our area. This makes me optimistic about a strong migration. The robust swamp milkweed in my butterfly gardens and our area lakes and wetlands are fueling many of the migratory super generation! We hope to have good numbers as we look for overnight roostings at this time of year.”
In fact, there is a MONARCH BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL planned for Saturday August 29, from 10am to 4pm at the Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor Centre, 120 Chi sin tib dek Road, in Tobermory. Join the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, Parks Canada and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance for educational talks, children’s activities and the chance to watch trained professionals safely catch, tag and release monarch butterflies. Learn how each tiny tag helps scientists understand monarch migration routes, timing and survival. Featuring OSFN’s Audrey Armstrong and Patti Byers.
Monarch tagging is ‘weather and butterfly activity permitting.’ Parks Canada parking fees apply to the Visitor Centre.
In addition to the many Monarch butterflies I have been seeing lately, I often think of August as Goldfinch month, when there are Goldfinches galore, singing and swooping, when I am near fields and forest edges, as well as in town.
Just like many of the ‘golden’ grain fields these days, the Goldenrod blooms have really brightened up the landscape as the plants get taller and other even more colourful summertime wildflowers are also blooming now too.
It was a real bonus for me earlier this week when I discovered some beautiful Cardinal flowers along the shore of the North Saugeen River in Scone.
As Barbara Palmer says: “Cardinal Flower: This one likes a marsh, stream, or wet ditch. A favourite of hummingbirds and bees.” And a favourite of mine, too.
To close, a Nature quote from Acoustic Espionage by Tim Harrison, (1951 – 2026), who, along with his brother John, worked to establish the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival. The site that was chosen was “used by very few people, and grown up with waist-high reeds due to the high-water table…” … and as the date was approaching, ” the city cut down the reeds. And lo and behold, a beautiful park with weeping willow trees, an amazing view of Georgian Bay, and a beautiful beach appeared…. I was born in the city of Owen Sound which is at the southern end of sparkling and beautiful Georgian Bay….Life was rich there…nor did we fail in finding its great beauty.”