The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) will be offering up a bumper crop of exciting presentations for Members’ Night 2026, as coordinated by OSFN’s Brian Robin. 

The seven featured speakers and topics will include: Robert Burcher: Plants of Wineland the Good; Amanda Eriksen: A Young Field Naturalists Update;  Kristine Hammel: Ecological Agriculture can grow ‘Food and Biodiversity’  simultaneously; Barb Rabicki: An uplifting story of overcoming obstacles, and of being rewarded by the ‘Return of Wildlife in Abundance!’; Marcia Ranger: A ‘Bearvivr’s Tale’ of her 2017 bear attack experience, what she learned, and the messages she has for all of us; Marilyn Scriver: Antarctica – A Snapshot – from one of Marilyn’s trips to Antarctica; and Christopher Wren, Ph.D.: Another Hidden Jewel in Grey County – Chris will present an overview of this special property, its flora, fauna, geology, water features – and foxes too.

OSFN’s Members’ Night is scheduled for 7pm Thursday, March 12, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Doors open at 6:30 to browse amongst the OSFN merchandise, learn about memberships and future activities, etc. Everyone is welcome. Admission is by Donation, (free for OSFN members). To learn more about OSFN, please visit https://owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca/

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The Bruce Grey Woodlands Association (BGWA) has organized several chainsaw workshops and courses over the next couple of months as follows:

Chainsaw Safety Course – March 21;     Chainsaw Certification Course – April 11/12;

Women’s Only Chainsaw Safety Course – April 18;    Chainsaw Maintenance Course – April 25

These are also listed on the BGWA website at https://bgwa.ca/ 

There are still spaces available for the different courses. If you are looking for more information about any of these courses or would like to register, please email president@bgwa.ca

2026 Grey Bruce Woodlot Conference

The 33rd Annual Grey Bruce Woodlot Conference is happening Saturday March 28, 2026, at the Elmwood Community Center (38 Concession Road 10, Elmwood). The conference runs from 8 AM to 3 PM, with speakers starting at 9 AM.  Topics include tree planting and biodiversity impacts, spotted lantern fly, transitioning plantations to mixedwood forests, grassland restoration, and wild turkeys.

To learn more about the great lineup of speakers visit gbwc.blog. To register email info@gbwc.blog with your name and address. Tickets are $40 in advance, or $50 at the door. Ticket price includes lunch.

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Yes, Spring is coming soon, and it is time to get ready for the 28th Huron Fringe Birding Festival, May 22-25 and May 28-May 31, 2026.

Registration, on-line, starts at 6am, March 13. Be sure to check the website in advance to set up an account and plan your events. Registration is always busy and it is best to be prepared.  

Here are links for the website, for the event Schedule, and for registration. 

It is advisable to select your preferred events in advance. 

https://huronfringebirdingfestival.ca/

https://huronfringebirdingfestival.ca/page/schedule-of-events

https://huronfringebirdingfestival.ca/page/registration

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Pearl Bumstead shared this report about  ‘Who Made Those Tracks and Why?’ a recent OSFN Tracking Tutorial February 21, with Jeff Kinchen.

Pearl Bumstead shared this report:

“A small group set out on a trek in search of tracks and Jeff led us to plenty.

The day was overcast with a bit of snow in the air, but evidence of a lot of wildlife was present: Skunk, deer, rabbit, and fisher, just to name a few.

Jeff was very knowledgeable, filling us in about the habits and nature of various species that live in the woods on family property near the Bognor Marsh, on Conc 4.

At the end of our trek, Pam Kinchen treated us all to some yummy goodies & hot tea. Thanks so much to Jeff and Pam, and to John Dickson for organizing yet another fabulous outing.”

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On February 22nd, Amanda Eriksen and the Young Naturalists spent some quality time with Sarah McComb-Turbitt – (Artist, Marine Biologist, Naturalist and more), guiding them in painting images of wildlife. 

Amanda confirms We had a great time painting wildlife with Sarah McComb-Turbitt! Thanks for your leadership!!!

and Marsha Courtney adds:

They all did so well and sure had fun. Thanks to Sarah McComb for hosting the Young Naturalist group.

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Sarah has followed up in March with  “Introducing the OSFN Collection.” In a collaboration to highlight the enjoyment of our backyard wildlife here in Ontario, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and signature member of Artists for Conservation, Sarah McComb Turbitt, created a challenge to paint as many local species as she can during March 2026.

 So far Coyote, Barn Owl and Dwarf Lake Iris have been voted to be painted by Sarah, with Turtles being featured next.   

Fauna, flora, fungi – every species is a possibility, and YOU get to choose what she paints next! Have a favourite species you want championed or a stunning photo of Ontario wildlife? Email at sarah@smccombturbitt.com and help shape this unique collection! Two species will face off daily for selection, with voting taking place across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and results tallied across platforms to determine the winners.

Let her know what species you want to see featured, and spread the word! Email Sarah at   sarah@smccombturbitt.com

Check out her website where you can see the quality of art she is able to produce. Fine Art by Sarah McComb-Turbitt

15% of original artworks, 35% of limited-edition prints, and 50% of artwork cards will be donated to OSFN 

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These past few weeks have been terrific for me to be active outside, mainly skiing on area trails, and within forests on top of the firm snow, as well as beside frozen shorelines.  The sunshine has been a bonus, with high pressure and clear skies for many days in the past four to six weeks.   However, the recent milder Springlike weather has lured 

Nature Club News for February 2026

by John Dickson

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN)  invite you to learn about the Soils of Grey and Bruce, with David Morris.bWhy do we have so many different types of soil? How were they formed? What makes one soil different from another? How do those factors affect the way they are managed? What makes for a “healthy” soil?

 David Morris’ long career included his work with OMAFRA where he also shared his expertise in nutrient management and soil fertility. In addition he was knowledgeable about field crop and corn production practices, and was a prolific author of many reports and  factsheets plus articles in the Ontario Corn Producer Magazine. In his own words “As a Soils and Crops Specialist, my primary function was to advise farmers on matters related to crop production and soil management practices.”

Morris has also been a key member of OSFN’s publication committee and has led many helpful botany themed hikes too.

This event is scheduled for 7pm Thursday February 12 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, with the doors open by 6:30.
 Everyone is welcome, with Admission by Donation and free for OSFN members.  To learn more please visit https://owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca/event/an-introduction-to-the-soils-of-grey-and-bruce-w-david-morris/

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Norah Toth reports: The Owen Sound Group of the Bruce Birding Club did a half day tour of bird feeders and Harrison Park on Wednesday, February 4. It was a cold start to the day but the eight of us had a great morning. A Bald Eagle perched in a tree near the Bayshore Community Centre was our first sighting for the morning. This adult eagle looked like a sentinel guarding the mouth of the Sydenham River.

Our first feeder stop was near the Bognor Marsh where over 60 Evening Grosbeaks looked like yellow decorations in the crowns of the trees covered with hoar frost. What a sight! This feeder was busy. Hairy, Downy and Red-bellied woodpeckers, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee were in abundance and at times they were joined by a lone Dark-eyed Junco.

Our next stop closer to town added a Cooper’s Hawk, Mourning Doves and just after we left, a Red-tailed Hawk. This feeder may currently be a birds of prey lunch spot.

Then to Harrison Park for some ducks. We were not disappointed. With the Sound frozen over, several hundred Mallards had found what little open water they could. They were joined by Canada Geese and Black Ducks; and by three hybrid ducks. The Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser was very distinctive with a completely dark head shaped like a “hoodie” and the very distinctive colouration of a Goldeneye, minus the white cheek patch. Its golden eye sparkled in the sunlight. This duck has been sighted around Owen Sound in the winter for at least two years. It was great to have a photographer along as the other two hybrids may need a bit more assistance to tie down exactly which species their parents had been.

Our final stop was in town where, among a flurry of other species, sat a Carolina Wren. Typically a fairly secretive species found further south, it appeared quite content with the feeder offerings it has been receiving this winter.

Thank you to the people who allowed us to visit their feeders, it was greatly appreciated. Our morning ended with 22 species and 3 hybrids which for a frosty morning in February was quite satisfying.

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I had some good bird sightings myself recently while skiing in the Owen Sound area. These included a Great Horned Owl, in a wooded area which just might also be a nesting area at this time of year. The next day I was skiing on the woodland trails at Hibou and encountered a Pileated Woodpecker and also a Hairy Woodpecker, both of which are always a treat to see.

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This coming weekend is also the opportunity to participate  in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count    More details are available at this link – https://www.birdcount.org/

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Another Agriculture highlight this month is the retirement from Markdale’s Grey Ag Services of Lorie Smith, a former recipient of the Tommy Cooper Award, and for me, the person to call to learn who might be a good fit for a talk or a field trip with a combined Nature and Agriculture theme for OSFN. Lorie Smith was always helpful, supportive and pleasant to interact with too. Congratulations Lorie! 

More accolades here for Lorie come from a former co-worker who told me – “Lorie has been a great person to work with  during the past 20 years. She has done an excellent job at GreyAg. I am so happy to witness the progress that Lorie and the team has achieved and truly proud of the job that Lorie has done at mentoring the current staff that will lead the team and continue the great reputation the Ag Centre has always been recognized for serving the Agricultural Community not only in Grey County but far beyond our boundaries.

Respectfully submitted!!,

Ray Robertson” 

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Thank You to Marsha Courtney for sharing this Young Naturalists report, and her photos too.

The Young Naturalist group had a fun outing, snowshoeing the trails at our the Eriksens’ property. . Amanda made the bannock and hot chocolate and we enjoyed a nice fire. We also had some cookies and marshmallows available and tracking ‘ hand-outs.’ We only saw bunny tracks and their dogs tracks. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.

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Walter Muma
Many in the Naturalist community were saddened recently to learn that renowned botanist Walter Muma had passed away unexpectedly on January 8, after a brief illness, at the age of 69.

OSFN’s Willy Waterton and Audrey Armstrong shared this tribute to Walter:

” Hi John,
 So shocking to hear of Walter’s passing. Very sad.  He didn’t suffer fools lightly, but  once he knew you were trust-worthy with not sharing locations of rare plants, he went overboard to help us.
Willy”

“Without Walter, the three publications of the OSFN Publications Committee, Orchids Bruce & Grey, Ferns Bruce & Grey and Asters, Goldenrods, Fleabanes Bruce & Grey would not be complete. He helped us so much in the field, finding the rare species for Willy to photograph.
 Audrey Armstrong”

OSFN’s Brian Maher:
So sorry to hear Walter is gone. He was one of the most knowledgeable botanists I’ve ever met. RIP

I too will miss Walter, and share here, in his own words, his delight after one of his recent summertime birthdays –  “Well I had a very nice day out and about on my birthday. I spent the day hiking and botanizing at an undisclosed location. Came upon an orchid I haven’t seen for many years – Dwarf Rattlesnake Plantain. Of course, it is easily overlooked due to its diminutive size. Also the Cardinal Flowers were out in their fullest glory.” 

Nature Club News for December 2024

by John Dickson

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) December presentation will feature a visit to the northwest area of Canada.
Join Visual Artist Audrey Armstrong and Photographer Willy Waterton, as they share their experiences in the wilds of Yukon and Northern British Columbia, exploring the natural wonders and history there by car, boat, foot, air and paddle, during a 3 month overland trip.

This talk is scheduled for 7pm Thursday December 12, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Doors open by 6:30pm for a chance to check out the many Ferntastic gift ideas – a Fern Buff, Fern t-shirts and sweaters and the new edition of OSFN’s Ferns Bruce & Grey that will also be available at the meeting next Thursday.
Everyone is welcome, with admission by donation – (free for OSFN Members). The event will also be shared virtually with a Zoom link that is available by email request, in advance, to web@osfn.ca with Yukon on the subject line.

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Christmas Bird Counts in Grey Bruce (Information from Norah Toth)

In Canada, Birds Canada oversees Annual Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs). Running from Dec 14, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025, the counts contribute to community science and are open to everyone. Community scientists count as many different species and individuals of those species as possible over the course of a single day. The diameter of each count circle is 24-kilometres. The CBCs across Grey-Bruce and their contact person are listed below.

If you find that the various ‘count teams’ have already been filled, you may be able to contribute counts of bird sightings from your backyard and home neighbourhood area too, if you are within the official count area.

Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Owen Sound CBC – Erik Van Den Kieboom –erikkieboom@outlook.com

Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Hanover/Walkerton CBC – Gerard McNaughton – gmcnaughton@wightman.ca

Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Wiarton CBC – Jarmo Jalava – jvjalava@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 17, 2024 – Tobermory CBC – Tanya Markvart – tanya.markvart@pc.gc.ca

Thursday, December 19, 2024 – Kincardine – James Turland –jaturland@gmail.com

Saturday, December 28, 2024 – Meaford CBC – Lynne Richardson – lynnerichardson@rogers.com

Sunday, December 29, 2024 – Pike Bay CBC – Andrew Keaveney – uofgtwitcher@gmail.com

Monday, December 30, 2024 – Cape Chin CBC – Andrew Keaveney – uofgtwitcher@gmail.com

Thursday, January 2, 2025 – Saugeen Shores CBC – Kiah Jasper – kiahjasper@gmail.com

Or visit this link to find a CBC near you. https://naturecounts.ca/apps/cbc/mapviewer.jsp

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This late fall and early winter has featured a number of Owl sightings, including the return of snowy owls to our region along with sightings of the amazing short-eared owls that are crepuscular and can be seen hunting in the diminishing light of late afternoon and early evening, with their languid, fluid wing beats, over fields and fences. My first sighting of a barred owl came a few years ago on November 30, as its big outspread wings flew over me at about 4:30pm with just that half hour of light remaining on my last bike ride before the wint’ry weather would be arriving the next day. My ears will be even more alert now for Great Horned Owls that have occasionally been nesting nearby in recent years.

After the first few owl sightings this fall, David Turner shared this sage advice – “It looks like this year will be much better for Snowy Owls than the last couple of years. Look for them around open fields, they also like to hang around wind turbine sites and along shorelines. Always remember not to get to close and don’t stay long.”

Kiah Jasper also added this: “Snowies incoming to southern Ontario!

After two poor winters for Snowy Owls here in Ontario, it’s shaping up to be a good season for them (and other owl species). In the past two weeks there’s been a large influx of sightings across the Northeast, with many birds reported even farther south than the Great Lakes.
Keep an eye on your local shorelines and fields over the coming weeks!”

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Owen Sound Young Naturalists

Submitted by Amanda Eriksen:

The November meeting was held at the Kinghurst Nature Reserve. I led a “Winter is Coming” scavenger hunt where we looked for paper printouts of animals that live at Kinghurst. We discussed how they may be getting ready for winter and the strategies animals use (hibernation, brumation, migration, diapause, torpor and adaptation) The kids were great searchers and had great ideas about how creatures survive winter. We were lucky enough to be able to go to the old cottage which is full of information about the property and the plants and animals you can see. The kids all signed the logbook. The highlight, once again, this year was pumping the old well and actually getting water! We had 9 kids out of the 20 children who are registered and I have received a few emails inquiring so there could be some more trickling in. There is no in person meeting in December, but I will email out a backyard birding challenge as well as let families know when the December bird counts are happening in our area.

Marsha Courtney added – “A great outing today with the Young Naturalists. Coordinator Amanda Eriksen hid critter photos out on one of the Kinghurst Reserve trails today and the kids had such fun searching for them. Once found she quizzed the kids on what they thought the critters did over the winter. We learned some new words like Torpor and Brumation. Great fun was had by all.

Thanks to Amanda for another great outing.

To learn more about the Young Naturalists Club, for someone you know, (target age is 7-12), email Amanda Eriksen at youngnaturalistsos@gmail.com

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Once again, this is the time for new calendars and locally I have several to recommend, including the Tom Thomson Art Gallery with its 2025 calendar. To learn more contact them by phone at 519-376-1932, or email to ttag@tomthomson.org, or visit them at 840 1st Ave W. They are open Wednesday to Saturday from 12 noon to 4pm.

We also have many outstanding wildlife photographers in the area and here are three who are offering calendars this year.

1) David Turner of the Flesherton Art Gallery and Beaver Valley Birding. I have 2025 Calendars ready now. You can pick them up at Local Colour in Flesherton or email David at fleshertonartgallery@gmail.com or message him on facebook.

2) Kiah Jasper: I’ve decided to sell calendars again this year,
I’ll be printing two sizes of hangable wall calendars:
Small (11.5”x8”) and Large (17”x11”)
To learn more please email gyrkitetours@gmail.com or message me privately on facebook to order

3) Zane Shantz For my 2025 calendars there are 2 separate designs/types:
Ontario Birds 2025 Calendar
(Solely compiled of my bird photographs)
The Bruce Peninsula 2025 Calendar
(Includes photos of landscapes, wildlife, and birds on Bruce)
If you are interested in purchasing one or more, the best way to contact me is through Facebook messaging or by email to zaneshantz@gmail.com.

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To close, a Nature quote from ‘What An Owl Knows’ by Jennifer Ackerman: “Owl populations have within them variation, adaptability, and resourcefulness that allow at least some individuals to respond flexibly to environmental change…. It seems to me that owls are showing us how birds can embody intelligence, in their eyes and ears, their cryptic colouring and flight, their memory and hunting skill, their flexibility, nuance, creativity, and discernment.”

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Nature Club News for November 2024

by John Dickson

On Thursday, November 14, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists’ (OSFN) featured guest speaker will be Zane Davies, a pre-eminent Trail Designer and Developer throughout Ontario.

Based in the Lion’s Head area, Davies has been involved with many projects on Nature Reserves, developing or upgrading the trail systems and accessibility for such agencies as Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC), Ontario Nature (ON), the County of Bruce, as well as with NeighbourWoods North of OSFN, in Owen Sound, and the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy’s (EBC) Trout Hollow in the Meaford area.

He has also contributed to Trans Canada Trail projects plus training, in Eastern and Northern Ontario. Entitled, ‘It’s just a F-F-Fabulous Trail’ Davies says ‘ A lot of my work is focused on creating meaningful trails for users and it always comes back to figuring out who the trail is for.’ He also believes the purpose of outdoor adventure is to create memorable experiences; – the key facilitator of which is a trail.

Learn why Zane Davies is much sought after as a trail developer as he shares his passion for the ‘love of trails and their associated features.’

In addition, the November 14 evening will feature the availability of timely gifts, with the launch of the newly revised edition of OSFN’s Ferns Bruce & Grey, featuring photography by WIlly Waterton. You will have an opportunity to purchase copies of Ferns Bruce & Grey at the Launch price of $25.00. ( $30.00 thereafter) during a social time and sales of OSFN’s popular new Fern Buff and OSFN Logo Shirts, plus draw tickets for a Young Naturalists fundraiser too, from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. A special presentation to the family of Nels and Jean Maher will then take place, followed by the evening’s featured speaker, Zane Davies.

This jam-packed evening will take place at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. OSFN meetings are open to the public, and everyone is welcome, with attendance by donation.

It will also be available on Zoom. To receive a zoom link, please send an email, in advance to web@osfn.ca with trails on the subject line.

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Stephane Menu, Station Scientist at the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory (BPBO) has wrapped up the fall banding and migration monitoring period at the Cabot Head Research Station. Here is an excerpt from their latest blog:

On October 28, under an overcast sky and a strong East wind blowing, the casual scanning of Georgian Bay became exciting all of sudden. With only a few nets open and barely any birds being captured, very quickly it appeared that a substantial movement of waterfowl was happening: several flocks of Long-tailed Ducks of various sizes were flying fast and low over the water. As soon as one flock was counted (as best as one can, with birds mixing and mingling and disappearing between waves), another was appearing behind. Our estimate was 1145 Long-tailed Ducks… but the true number could well have been 1400, 1500?

It was another wonderful season at Cabot Head, with a successful monitoring thanks notably to dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who gave their time and energy without counting. I hope that you all enjoyed the blog. See you next spring!

Stephane Menu, Station Scientist at the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory

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I have always enjoyed the season of Autumn, and this year is no exception. It has been a pleasure lately to see the return of some of our winter birds, and to notice, with surprise, several birds’ nests that have been there all summer, along with a few Wasps’ nests too, cleverly hidden, but which have only now become evident. Along with the changing colours of the leaves we see from Maples, Birches, Beeches, Poplars, and Sumacs, I notice the bright reds of rose-hips and highbush cranberries, plus the purple/blue of wild grapes and especially the golden needles of the many Tamarack trees ablaze in the special, low-angled light of November.

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Owen Sound Young Naturalists Report by Amanda Eriksen

The October meeting was held at Harrison Park with John Bittorf, who does the benthic sampling for the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. We watched a demonstration of how John samples rivers and he explained why he does it and what he is looking for. With help from some handy identification sheets the kids were able to identify the nvertebrates we found. We had the use of four microscopes with screens
that were lent from the GSCA which the kids (and parents) loved. Our meeting was cut short as it began to rain hard, and it was cold. We had 16 ids out with several new families joining the club. Our November meeting is planned to be a hike at the Kinghurst old growth forest to do a “winter is coming” scavenger hunt and learn about strategies animals use to prepare for winter survival. To learn more, please email Amanda Eriksen at youngnaturalistsos@gmail.com

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Members of the local Nature and Birding community were saddened recently to learn of the passing of David Fidler, a well-known naturalist and ornithologist who was also a founding member, and later a President of OSFN. David and his wife Barbara (also an OSFN Treasurer) were also long-time OSFN stewards of the Davis Property/ NCC Preserve on the Bruce Peninsula.

David shared his lifelong passion for birding by leading hikes, teaching and sharing his knowledge of birds and all of the outdoors.

He also represented the OSFN on the committees for the Grey County Official Plan, Ontario Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest and Grey County/Grey Sauble Forest Management Plans.

For many years he served as the Compiler of the Owen Sound Christmas Bird Count, and was Chair of the Grey-Bruce Bird Records Committee.

Lynne Richardson shared this tribute: “David was a highly skilled birder, who readily shared his knowledge on numerous excursions, field trips and courses. He also piloted many projects in benefit of bird conservation. As OSFN President he got things done.”

Many will also remember that for several years Dave sold bird seed and bird feeders that he made, at the Owen Sound Market. Dave named his enterprise: “Birds are Us” which was also the name of the Nature column he was writing in 2001 which introduced me to the Huron Fringe Birding Festival. I also remember all of the birding tips he gave me during OSFN hikes at Fidler’s Green, and his timely advice about the fall hawk migration at Holiday Beach, just west of Point Pelee.

It was indeed my privilege, in 2015, to present David Fidler with OSFN’s highest award, an Honourary Life Membership. Our sincere condolences to Barbara Fidler, their family and friends. A come and go memorial visitation to celebrate David’s life will be held at Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, 250 14th St. W., Owen Sound, on Saturday, November 16, from 1-3 p.m.

As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to Owen Sound Field Naturalists or Ontario Field Ornithologists would be appreciated. Online condolences can be sent to David’s family by visiting his memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca.

Nature Club News for June 2024

by John Dickson

This Thursday, June 13 at 7pm,  Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) present Scott Parent, and his daughter Acadia who, in 2019 voyaged together on their tandem stand up paddle board over a distance of 480km, from Drummond Island, Michigan to Penetanguishene, Ontario.  

While retracing the migration route their ancestors travelled in 1828, together they collected water samples along the route to be later analyzed for microplastics research. They also gathered plastic trash and hauled it out on their board to the next garbage bin. Out of this expedition, Scott Parent produced the documentary film   Three Waters.

 Learn more about their journey and the Three Waters Foundation, focused on caring for the remote islands of Lake Huron, and helping wildlife who reside in those areas impacted by plastic pollution.

Scott Parent is a water guardian and visual storyteller from Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and resides with his family on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula.  Parent has dedicated his career toward fostering relationships between people and the water. His photography, and writing has been published by Mountain Life Media, Canadian Geographic, and Paddling Mag. 

Parent is currently serving the role of creative storyteller for the Biinaagami Project, and is the successful recipient of the Trebek Initiative 2024, selected by the National Geographical Society and Royal Canadian Geographical Society, in support of his current film project on the waterbirds of the Great Lakes and the impacts of anthropogenic debris on wildlife.

 Parent is also the Founder of the Three Waters Foundation.

This final speaker event of OSFN’s 2023-2024 season will take place this Thursday, June 13, at the Bayshore Community Centre, beginning with a social time at 5:45, followed by the club’s AGM and award presentations at 6:30pm expected to conclude shortly after 7pm, to then welcome guest presenters Scott Parent and Acadia with their documentary film, Three Waters. 

 This event will be ‘in person only’ with no zoom feature available. Everyone is Welcome. Admission is free or by donation. For more information on this event and others, please visit www.osfn.ca

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Peter Middleton has shared this timely and comprehensive report about: 

Chimney Swifts in Owen Sound

A number of years ago, the sultry summer evenings in Owen Sound were graced by the sight and sound of chittering Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica), as they coursed  the skies in search of flying insects.  An individual swift could sweep up to 1,000 insects from the air daily, as it fed.

Sadly, those days are largely gone; but if one knows where to look,
one can still see some of the beauty and skills of these aerial
specialists in Owen Sound, as they gather to roost each night.
       

Communal roosts (large chimneys and hollow trees) are used by
swifts during spring migration and the post-breeding build-up in fall.
These communal roosts are crucial habitat during these periods. Only
a single pair occupies a chimney or hollow tree for breeding.

The chimney in the Old Courthouse in Owen Sound is the last of the
communal roosts in our town. Most other chimneys have been
dismantled, or capped, removing a vital resource. This is a classic
example of habitat loss affecting a species.

Since 2008, the chimney roost at the Old Courthouse has been
monitored, more recently as part of the Ontario Swift Watch program
that coordinates and gathers information from  identified sites across
the province. These roosts provide a statistically important census of
the total breeding population of the species, before it disperses to
individual breeding sites. From May to early June, the roosts are
monitored, starting before sunset and continuing until the last
bird is seen to enter the roost.

Numbers over the years have been dropping. In Owen Sound, nightly
counts in the period from 2009 to 2015, were in the upper three
hundreds; the average count is now in the mid to upper one hundred
range. This year, the average is 158 birds entering the chimney on
any evening. 

Since 2009, Peter Middleton has monitored Chimney Swifts at the Old Courthouse and submitted the data to Ontario Swift Watch at Birds Canada.

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Congratulations to the NeighbourWoods North team whose many volunteers assisted with tree planting and care during May at the Hospital in Owen Sound.  Also, the lawn at the Grey County Building is being transformed into a Food Forest. NeighbourWoods North is working hard at greening Owen Sound in practical ways. Thank you all!

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In addition to the changing colours of feathers in Springtime, I have been enjoying the parade of yellow wildflowers – first coltsfoot, trout lilies, large-flowered bellwort, violets and dandelions, followed by buttercups, bird’s foot trefoil and now yellow lady’s slipper orchids too. What a treat it has been this past week to enjoy the wild roses now with their pink petals and delicate fragrances! I hope to be seeing the amazing pink of showy lady’s slipper orchids soon. After the wondrous lilacs and trilliums of May, I almost missed the amazing horse chestnut blossoms, and am now seeing many waving branches of Locust trees, laden with their fragrant white blossoms, being visited by many bees and other pollinators. 

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To close, two Nature quotes – first from My Lucky Life, in and Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke, at Laurel Canyon: “L.A. was gorgeous back then…In the morning the canyon filled in with fog that gradually gave way, as the sun rose, to breathtaking views… Depending on the time of year, the air was ripe with the fragrance of orange blossoms, honeysuckle and other flowers and the mostly undeveloped hills were still home to deer and other wildlife that made it seem as if you were far from the city.” 

And, a Nature quote by another famous American, John Muir, from My Summer of Glorious Freedom, by Robert Burcher. Burcher also recently presented ‘John Muir Lived Here in Grey County’ as a Lecture at Grey Roots and writes: “From his “botanizing” in the Holland Marsh, Muir discovered a very rare orchid, the Calypso borealis… In his memoirs Muir talks about finding this plant as one of the three most pivotal moments in his life.  ‘But when the sun was getting low and everything seemed most bewildering and discouraging, I found beautiful Calypso on the mossy bank of a stream, growing not on the ground but on a bed of yellow mosses… like a snowflower… It seemed the most spiritual of all the flower people I had ever met.’ “

Nature Club News for April 2024

by John Dickson

This Thursday, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) present ‘Meet the American Kestrel Family, with John Reaume, a Renowned Naturalist and Wildlife Photographer with an Eye for Detail’. We welcome the return of one of our favourite speakers, John Reaume, at 7pm Thursday, April 11 (doors open by 6:30pm) at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. 

John Reaume says: “’For the past 4 years we have had the pleasure of watching a pair of American Kestrels nest and raise their young in a Kestrel/Screech Owl box mounted on our workshop and visible from our back porch. Learn about the life history of the Kestrel with intimate views of their nesting behaviour, thanks to an “in-the-box” camera as well as images captured from photo blinds. We will see the differing behaviours of the male and female parents as well as what the avian neighbours think of having a pair of nesting kestrels in their territories!”

John Reaume has an eye for detail and has used it in his hobby of wildlife photography these past 35 years. He started off specializing in bird photography but his interests have broadened and now include the wonders from the world of macrophotography (dragonflies and spiders) to astrophotography (sun and moon to far off nebulas). His photos have graced the covers of a number of magazines and books including Ontario’s second Breeding Bird Atlas. John lives in Grey County, is an active member of Saugeen Nature, and is a practicing rural physician in the town of Mount Forest.

Everyone is welcome – admission is free, or by donation. John Reaume’s presentation will also be shared via Zoom. To request a Zoom link, please email in advance to web@osfn.ca with Kestrels in the subject line.

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OSFN is also presenting its 9th annual Celebrate Earth Day Keynote Speaker event with award-winning Naturalist, Artist and Writer Robert Bowles. Entitled ‘A Lifetime of Nature Drawing and Nature Journalling for Learning and Teaching about the World Around Us,’ it will take place at 2pm Sunday April 21, aboard the Chi-Cheemaun. Bowles will also have a selection of his nature artwork on display.

There will be delicious complimentary refreshments, but seating is limited, so it is recommended to purchase your tickets, $10. each, in advance, at the OSNGU Public Library, Sheila Gunby’s Paper Cut Designs at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market, Suntrail Source for Adventure, or at the April 11th OSFN event detailed above.

Originally from the Markdale area (Bowles Hill is named for Bob Bowles’ family property nearby), his curiosity and drive to learn contributed to his own personal growth and knowledge, which he has shared through hikes, workshops, TV shows, and his Ontario Master Naturalist Certificate Programme through Lakehead University, both in Thunder Bay and in Orillia, his home for more than three decades. He was recently inductred into the Orillia Hall of Fame and the Robert L Bowles Nature Centre was named after Bob as a way to honour his lifetime commitment and dedication to preserving and conserving nature.

In 2014 Bob founded the Ontario Master Naturalist Certificate Program at Lakehead University in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. He continues to coordinate this first of its kind program, educating citizen scientists about ‘all things nature’, encouraging all to protect and respect their environment. Bob continues to be the lead teacher at the Nature Centre offering educational programs and facilitating a deeper connection with nature.

Don’t miss this annual event – get your ticket(s) soon.

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The Friends of the South Grey Museum is offering a presentation by David Turner about Birding in the Beaver Valley, at 7pm April 18, in the Annesley United Church in Markdale. Admission is by donation and streaming is also available.     David Turner’s knowledge and joy of birding, exquisite photography plus his engaging personality promise an entertaining and informative experience. For more details please visit  Beaver Valley Birding Facebook page. 

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From Amanda Eriksen, Coordinator for the Owen Sound: The Young Naturalists met in March at Bob and Mary Beth Gray’s maple syrup farm. Bob was a wealth of knowledge. We learned how to tell trees apart when there are no leaves, and about the invasive species affecting butternut, beech and ash trees. Bob explained how the changing weather patterns are altering the species composition in his forest, through the differing moisture levels there. We got to see his very impressive maple syrup production – and sample fresh syrup, along with some very fun and yummy maple taffy. 

The plan for April is for a visit to the Chatsworth Fish Hatchery.    To learn about joining the Young Naturalists please visit https://owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca/category/young-naturalists/  or email Amanda at eriksen.amanda@gmail.com

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In my local own rambles this month, I have been rewarded with a view of an American Goldfinch in its bright yellow plumage, a Northern Shrike, and just today I saw my first of year beautiful and elegant Mourning Cloak Butterfly while I was cycling on the rail line on Owen Sound’s east side, where just last week I watched a solitary Sandhill Crane wading slowly as it hunted in a wetland there which was resounding with a chorus of wood frogs.

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Paul Aird (1930 – 2024) 

I recently learned of the passing of renowned naturalist Paul Leet Aird in February of this year at the age of 94. 

Paul Aird was an Emeritus Professor of Forestry Conservation Policy at the University of Toronto.  I first met Paul Aird, and his wife Linda Pim, at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in 2008, at the opening of an exhibition featuring the exquisite pen and ink drawings of Thoreau MacDonald, many of which adorn the pages of my copy of Aird’s first book  – Loon Laughter, Ecological Fables and Nature Tales. I met him again in 2017 when I invited him to present many of those stories himself to an OSFN audience in the auditorium of the Public Library here. In  2021 at the age of 91, he published his book of poetry and more entitled Butterfly Beautifly Beautiful: Nature Poems. Paul loved to walk, hike, skate, ski, snowshoe, paddle a canoe and camp in Canada’s wild places, in particular on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula.

Esteemed local wildlife artist Frank de Matteis  remembers Paul Aird as a devout naturalist who appreciated Frank’s quality workmanship and supported his  efforts to do fine research for his paintings through the facilities of the ROM.

Meanwhile, OSFN’s Lynne Richardson shared these notes:”I remember Paul Aird as a strong, yet gentle presence on the Niagara Escarpment Commission, dedicated to the proper preservation of the Escarpment landscapes.
I also remember Paul for his putting his forestry training together with his research on the highly endangered Kirtland’s Warbler – identifying stands of Jack Pine in Ontario and surveying them based on his hypothesis that the species would seek suitable habitat outside its known breeding grounds – and proving it true with the discovery of nesting birds near Ottawa.  Years ago, I was delighted one early summer day to be wandering a remote Jack Pine alvar on the Bruce Peninsula and seeing Paul appear out of the trees – secretly searching for Kirtland’s!”

Paul Aird also played  a leading role in competing the book  “Growing Trees From Seed” for its health-challenged originator Henry Kock, of the University of Guelph and the Arboretum there.   

To close, a quote from Paul Aird’s Loon Laughter: Two forces shape the world –  nature and human nature.

Nature Club News for February 2024

by John Dickson

 The topic of the February presentation of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) is: 

Changing Dynamics of the Fish Community in Lake Huron, with Arunas Liskauskas, of the Ontario 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.  The Lake Huron aquatic ecosystem has experienced profound changes over the last few decades, primarily driven by the effects of invasive species. Fish communities have been altered and food webs have been disrupted and changed. Predicting the future state of fish communities has become much more difficult as a result. 

Management biologist, Arunas Liskauskas, will provide an overview of management and research efforts aimed at trying to understand these changes.

Arunas Liskauskas has been working as a management biologist with the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry since 1992. He received his Hon. BSc and MSc from the University of Guelph in Fisheries Science and Fish Genetics. After working in Algonquin Park and eastern Ontario he has been involved with monitoring and assessing nearshore fish community health in Lake Huron, liaising with the public on fisheries management issues and was the lead author of the Lake Huron Environmental Objectives.
 This event is scheduled for 7pm this Thursday, February 8, (doors open by 6:30pm) at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and on Zoom – with a ZOOM LINK available upon request, by emailing, in advance, to  web@osfn.ca with Fish in the subject line.   

 Everyone is welcome, with admission Free or by Donation. For more information please visit www.osfn.ca and on Facebook.

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Congratulations to Beth Gilhespy, popular OSFN speaker, hike leader and author, on her recent appointment as CEO of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC), who announced ‘We are so excited to announce the hiring of our new CEO – the incomparable Beth Gilhespy! Beth is a proven conservation leader, with a record that demonstrates not only her passion for the escarpment and protecting species at risk – but also the broad range of skills needed to get the job done!’ Beth Gilhespy replied ‘Soon I’ll be saying goodbye to my dear animal friends and colleagues at Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy. It’s been an amazing time of learning and growing. Now back to the land, always in my heart. My last day with my amazing Zoo colleagues is March 1 (lots to do between now and then!) and I start at the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC) March 4, 2024.Gilhespy was also on hand nearby for EBC’s afternoon of snowshoeing and hot chocolate at Mooi Nature Preserve, by the Spey River on February 3rd.

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Coming soon to a backyard near you is the  Great Backyard Bird Count, February 16–19, an annual four-day event that engages bird enthusiasts of all ages around the world in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. Anyone can participate, from beginners to experts. You can count for as little as 15 minutes on a single day, or for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy – and it helps the birds! The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint program of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon with Canadian partner Birds Canada. Visit  Great Backyard Bird Count to learn more and get started! For more information contact: Coordinator Kerrie Wilcox here:  kwilcox AT birdscanada.org

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During this past month I have enjoyed several memorable encounters with wildlife, including about 80 Cedar Waxwings observed by me on two separate occasions, when I was out for a run near Timber McArthur Park. Then when I went skiing yesterday on the Owen Sound Cross Country Ski Club’s trails at Massie Hills I heard a Pileated Woodpecker calling loudly from the parallel trail – that I didn’t take this time (!), and a little farther along I spotted a healthy porcupine nibbling on Hemlock boughs and dropping lots of ‘niblets’ to the forest floor for the others who live there too. 

With all the talk of an early Spring going around, today I was noticing  that the willow trees are really starting to glow in the February sunshine we are enjoying now. 

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Although the Owen Sound Young Naturalists’ did not meet in December, coordinator Amanda Eriksen offered them a birding challenge of their own and found that “they reported finding 24 species of birds in their backyards. It was really great to see those who were not all that interested in birds notice and even get a little excited about a rare sighting! I hope that this exercise has helped the kids to notice the world and the creatures around them.”   

They did meet as a group again “on January 29, at the property of OSFN members Elaine and Doug Van Den Kieboom, who were wonderful hosts. Due to some perfectly timed snow, the Young Nats were able to get out snowshoeing through their forest, which starts out as hardwood then becomes cedar woods as it connects with the Bognor Marsh complex.  We learned a bit about the decline of the butternut tree (of which they have only one still producing nuts and a few in different stages of illness), how the resident porcupines help keep the maples out of the cedar forest (by eating them), and how different animals like to take different trails.  We also saw some tracks in the snow that we decided as a group were coyote, porcupine, and red squirrel.  

After our hike we came back to the house where we had a campfire with hot chocolate and cider.  Elaine showed us how to cook Bannock by wrapping a piece around the end of a stick and cooking
it in the coals. We now have 19 children registered and more are welcome. Our February meeting will be Crafting with Nature led by Krista McKee.” If you would like to learn more about the club and how to register someone, please email     eriksenamanda@gmail.com

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And to close, here is a cute Nature quote featuring extra young naturalists, from Leon Rooke’s Swinging Through Dixie, as teacher Miss Izzard ‘the wizard, this aging mentor’ explains that her plan for the parade of pre-schoolers will include  “a nature prowl, if you please, though I am aware little is to be seen save nettles, briars, animal droppings, long-leaf pine – a tickle of honeysuckle mayhaps. I shall compel them to sit on their heels, boys and girls alike, in a study of bug life. They will execute artistic creations in these drawing pads… They have given me, in the past, excellent bug renderings.”