Owen Sound Field Naturalists next speaker presentation features Dufferin County Forest Manager, Kevin Predon and is entitled ‘Forestry Isn’t Always An F Word’ – or – ‘The Musings and Opinions of a middle-aged Forestry Professional, Attempting to Create an Appreciation for Sustainable Forestry.’
Kevin’s goal is to cajole the Audience into an appreciation (or at least an understanding) of commercial forestry and its progressive environmental practices.
This talk is scheduled for 7pm Thursday February 13 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Doors open by 6:30pm for a chance to check out OSFN’s many gift ideas – a Fern Buff, Fern t-shirts and sweaters and OSFN’s publications including the new edition of Ferns Bruce & Grey. Everyone is welcome, with admission by donation – (free for OSFN Members). The event will also be shared virtually via this Zoom link that is also posted with the event listing at www.osfn.ca
The Great Backyard Bird Count February 14-17, 2025, is 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.
For more information contact: Olivia Carvalho Great Backyard Bird Count Coordinator ocarvalho AT birdscanada.org
Young Naturalists report from Amanda Eriksen
The January meeting was held at the property of Owen Sound Field Naturalist member Pam Kinchen.
Her son Jeff Kinchen led us on a tracking hike. The snow conditions were perfect for snowshoeing, which was also a first experience for several of the 13 in the group. Jeff was a wealth of knowledge. He gave us many tips on how to tell what animal we were looking at based on not only what the track looked like, but the pattern, the spacing and “why here”. We saw many deer tracks, deer beds, a coyote track and a fisher track. Our February meeting will be crafting with Nature held in the GSCA building boardroom. I hope to make it moth and butterfly themed.
Checking out the coyote tracks.. Photo by Amanda Eriksen
This year’s Huron Fringe Birding Festival will be May 23 – June 1 at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Registration begins at 6 am, March 14, 2025 The program is available for viewing at Huron Fringe Birding Festival
photo by Rob Wray – Snowy Owl February 3, Grey County
The 32nd Annual Grey Bruce Woodlot Conference & Exhibition will take place on Saturday March 29, 8am to 3pm at the Elmwood Community Centre.
Some of the topics being presented include – 20 Years of Tree Planting & Biodiversity Impacts; Invasive Species in Your Woodlot;
The Forest Birds of Grey-Bruce; Private Lands Advanced Forest Resource Inventory Project; Forest Health Conditions in Ontario – 2024 Update; Included with Admission: Door Prizes, Coffee & Refreshments, and more.Tickets:
Advance Tickets $30 (RECOMMENDED).
AT THE DOOR : $40 CASH OR CHEQUE ONLYPAYABLE TO THE “GREY BRUCE WOODLOT CONFERENCE”For more information please visit
The Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation has announced details for its upcoming Springtime events. April 22, 2025: Earth Day Hike May 8, 2025: Earth Film Festival at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound. Tickets available at the Roxy Theatre. June 8, 2025: Memorial Forest Ceremony
Help Support Conservation Projects Please consider making donations to the Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation and help GSCA maintain and enhance our beautiful conservation areas. You can also show your support by purchasing a GSCA Membership parking pass ($45+ HST for residents and $80+ HST for non-residents) and enjoy visiting GSCA properties all year.
Photo of Rough-legged Hawk by Marilyn Scriver Georgian Bluffs February 3
To close, here is a particularly apropos Nature quote from About this Life, by Barry Lopez remembering his early years in California in the 1950s – ‘I felt the hysteria that came with brush fires fanned by Santa Ana winds and caught the astringent smell of creosote bush after a desert rain…. the sound of a night wind clattering ominously in the dry leaves of eucalyptus trees’ ; and a Nature quote from Bush Runner – The Adventures of Pierre-Esprit Radisson, by historian Mark Bourrie who lived for a while in Grey County –
referring to the Lake Superior snowbelt – ‘Until the lake freezes in late January, bitterly cold winds crossing Superior from the north and west pick up steaming moisture from the lake and dump it on the land until the snow is more than three feet deep. Once the lake, or at least most of it, freezes over, prairie and Arctic winds arrive as drier, bitterly cold air, and temperatures plunge down to about forty below zero. (At this temperature, -40 is the same in Fahrenheit and Celsius.).’
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.
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
The Northern Harrier we saw from Old Church Road November 20 Photo by Rob Wray.
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!”
Photo by Kiah Jasper
November 29 Saugeen Peninsula
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
Young Naturalists November 24, learning adventure at Kinghurst
Photos by Marsha Courtney
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.
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 too close and don’t stay long.
Snowy Owl photo by David Turner November 29.
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.
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.”
A female Cardinal has been braving the weather and visiting the yard the last couple of weeks.
A female Red Bellied Woodpecker has been a resident as well.
Seems the ladies are tougher than the guys.
Allenford 12/5/24
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.
I was super excited to have a visiting flock of White-winged Crossbills stop by for a feast. Have never witnessed them on our property before, absolutely love them! They almost resemble little parrots, they way they hang up side down and frolic in the trees! Located north of Kimberley – Photo by Jen Worrall
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
Photo by Les Anderson This imposing Bald Eagle was on a favourite perch over the Sauble River today near Allenford. Those talons and razor sharp beak are ideally suited for its role as predator and scavenger when the opportunity arises. 11/07/24
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.
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
Photos of Young Naturalists by Amanda Eriksen
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 Fidler 1936 – 2024
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.
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
Sora – near Woodford, June 8, Photo by Rob Wray
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.
Chimney Swifts entering the Old Courthouse Chimney in Owen Sound
Since 2009, Peter Middleton has monitored Chimney Swifts at the Old Courthouse and submitted the data to Ontario Swift Watch at Birds Canada.
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!
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.
Today it was a Swamp Sparrow with an offering. No sign of the fledgling, but the parent kept looking around for a response (Photo by William Gray)
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.’ “
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.
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.
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.
Bald Eagle in Thornbury – Photo by David Turner April 6
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.
Sandhill Cranes checking out their new digs… April 7 (North of Kimberley) photo by Ingrid Remkins
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.
Snow Geese on the move.. April 7. photos by Pat Gillies in Southampton
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.
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.
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.
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
January 31 – Cedar Waxwing Photos by Ingrid Remkins, north of Kimberley
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.
Bald Eagle Feb 4 by Kiah Jasper north of Wiarton
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.
Bannock! Photo by Amanda Eriksen
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
Fox, Feb 4th near Wiarton. Photo by Tom Ashman at RuralRootz.
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.”
The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) will kick off their 35th year of operation with two January speaker events, beginning with a TREE TALK by Susan McGowan, presenting “An update on the use of parasitic wasps in control of Emerald Ash Borer in Ontario.”
The Emerald Ash Borer, which was discovered in Canada in 2002, is a devastating invasive beetle which has killed tens of millions of ash trees across Canada and the United States. Susan McGowan will give an overview of the introduced biological control programme carried out in an effort to control Emerald Ash Borer in Ontario, including our own local site at the West Rocks Management Area, in Owen Sound on Grey Sauble Conservation Authority property. She will also describe the challenge of handling fragile live insects in the summer season as a field technician.
Susan McGowan has worked in forestry and forest health since 2000, and retired in 2020 from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as a Provincial Forest Health Specialist. She volunteered to continue with the release programme in 2021 in Owen Sound.
Susan McGowan – Provincial Forest Health Specialist (Retired)
This presentation will take place at OSFN’s Indoor Meeting, 7pm Thursday January 11, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Attendees are encouraged to arrive closer to 6:30pm for a relaxed social time with fellow naturalists, and an opportunity to peruse the OSFN publications on hand.
Everyone is welcome and admission is free or by donation. It is planned to also offer the event on Zoom, so anyone interested in receiving a Zoom link is asked to email, in advance, to web@osfn.ca with Ash Trees in the subject line.
Pileated Woodpecker foraging for Emerald Ash Borer at Hibou January 5 Photo by Rob Wray
The second OSFN speaker event will be a TICK TALK, Lyme Disease 101, presented on Zoom only, at 7pm January 25, by Dr. Anne Uings. This important topic will address these statements: 1) Absolute numbers of ticks are increasing, 2) The percentage of ticks carrying Lyme is increasing.3) Ticks are being dispersed to new areas by mammals and migratory birds. 4) The percentage of ticks carrying serious Co-infections is increasing.
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted by ticks. If it is not detected and treated early, Lyme Disease can cause long term illness and profound debilitation.
Anne Uings is a retired medical doctor who has been living with Lyme Disease and other tick-borne infections for 30 years. She has spent the last 20 years learning about Lyme, was a volunteer with the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation for several years, is one of the founders of the Bay of Quinte Lyme Disease Support Group, and is a member of ILADS, which is an organization for Medical professionals involved in researching, treating and teaching about Lyme and related diseases. This presentation will be available only via Zoom, for which a link will be emailed to OSFN members, and to anyone else interested in receiving a Zoom link, who emails, in advance, to web@osfn.ca with Ticks in the subject line.
Here are selected excerpts and results from recent local Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) with notable highlights for me being the Lapland Longspurs at Pike Bay, plus Winter Wrens in that area, both of which I was lucky to spot on my own at Hibou back in November.
Tobermory CBC December 14, Compiler Tyler Miller: Total number of birds 1777, including 41 species with highest counts of Black-capped Chickadees 360, Snow Buntings 292, American Goldfinches 264, and of note, one Peregrine Falcon which is a first for the counts here.
Low counts of some species were also observed for Bufflehead (2) and Mourning Dove (0). Although Mourning Doves were spotted during the week of the Christmas Bird Count, none were spotted on the actual day of the count which is an indication that numbers in the count area is low.
Tracking trends and outliers is one of the primary goals of Christmas Bird Counts.
The highest number of Bufflehead ever counted was 121 in 2003, and it has been observed in 40 counts. This year was the 4th time a Black Scoter has been seen in this count, with the highest count of 24 also being in 2003.
Thirty-seven people participated in the count this year. It was an unusually warm day and it was very nice to be out in the park. While the north and east side of the park was sheltered and calm, it was windy on the west.
Kincardine CBC – James Turland, Compiler:
This year Kincardine conducted its 39th count on December 14. Twenty some participants equipped with binoculars and smiles scoured the count circle for our feathered kin.
A highlight for me were the many Red-throated Loons seen in feeding frenzies mixed with several other diving species such as mergansers. Red-throated Loons are smaller than the Common Loon and hold their beaks on a slight upward angle. They nest in the high Arctic and migrate through the Great Lakes on their way to and from the eastern seaboard. We seldom get to see them in their namesake breeding plumage, most birds are in a drabber winter plumage.
Five species of gulls were seen count day including the Bonaparte’s. This small gull is unique in that it nests in trees on the taiga; most gulls nest on the ground. It has a buoyant and graceful flight and eats smaller organisms than its bigger cousins. It has a black head in breeding plumage but seen here in December it only has a dark dot behind the eye. One red morph Eastern Screech Owl was found.
The 62 species found on this year’s count is the second highest ever. The 22 Cackling Geese reported was a new high. Cackling Goose is identical to the Canada Goose in plumage but is only about half the size. Also new to the count this year was a duck called the American Wigeon.
The American Wigeon is also called “baldpate” because the white stripe on its head resembles a bald man. Wigeons are common here in season but have almost all left the county by December. I am always amazed at what birds the participants can find even in December. Congratulations and thanks to all who helped out with this year’s count. If you are interested in seeing any of these birds or joining the Bruce Birding Club, contact James Turland. jaturland@gmail.com
Lone Female Red Breasted Merganser at the Bayshore. Fely Clarke, Jan. 5th.
The thirteenth annual Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Fourteen participants tallied a total of 39 species (average 39.5).
The 1,245 individual birds counted was slightly above the overall average of 1,027.
One of very few Snowy Owls reported in southern Ontario so far this fall was a new species for count day (there have been a few count-week records), raising the overall count total to 81 species.
Otherwise there were no big surprises, but a Common Grackle (4 rd count) was a nice find. High counts were recorded for Long-tailed Duck (54, previously 42), Red-breasted Merganser (7, previously 5), Rock Pigeon (18, previously 4), Barred Owl (4, tied previous), and Red-bellied Woodpecker (4, previously 3). Aside from a near absence of winter finches (just 2 Pine Siskins and average numbers of American Goldfinches), no expected species were missed, and there were no particularly low counts. Chi Miigwetch to Neyaashiinigmiing (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation) community, including the many folks who welcomed birders to watch their feeders, for hosting this always special birding event. And big thanks to the 14 enthusiastic volunteers! Jarmo and Miptoon, Compilers
Who doesn’t love an Owl, Barred Owl. (Remember not to post locations for owls.) David Turner· December 27, 2023 ·
The 50 th Wiarton Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 17, 2023 (it was actually the 53 th anniversary of the count, but three years were missed).
Temperatures hovered between -5.7°C and 7.7°C under overcast skies all day, with light rain and drizzle in the morning and steadier light rain in the afternoon, and with moderate (20-35 kph) southerly to southeasterly winds, which were most noticeable along Lake Huron. Waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron were open, as were inland water bodies and watercourses.
There was no snow on the ground.
Despite the near absence of birds – and feed – at many traditionally productive feeders, twenty-five participants and one feeder watcher tallied 63 (+ 2 count week) species, tying the all-time record set in 1997. The species total was also well above the long-term and 10-year averages of 49.4 and 54.1 species, respectively.
One new species, Greater White-fronted Goose (7 individuals) was added, raising the overall species count for the Wiarton CBC to 132 (plus 6 count-week species).
The total of 8,572 individual birds smashed the previous high of 6,283, also set in 1997. This year’s total more than doubled long-term (3,431) and 10-year (4,185) averages.
Leading the pack to set this new record were record high counts of everyone’s favourites:
Canada Goose (1,988), European Starling (1,061) and American Crow (561). Tundra Swan (25), Snow Goose (3rd -ever count, 6 individuals), Mallard (365), White-winged Scoter (27), Wild Turkey (327), Northern Harrier (2), Cedar Waxwing (67) and Snow Bunting (1,343) also set new highs.
Other good finds included Green-winged Teal (3nd count, 3 individuals), a Great Blue Heron (5th count), a Cooper’s Hawk (15th count), an American Goshawk (15th count), a Belted Kingfisher (15th count), a Northern Flicker (2nd count), a Merlin (4th count), Lapland Longspur (3 rd count, 2 individuals) and a count-week Red-winged Blackbird (6th count).
No particularly low counts were noted aside from Mourning Dove (30, the lowest total since 1976).
Winter finches were limited to Pine Siskin (135, second highest total), American Goldfinch (565), and a single count week Common Redpoll.
What a wonderful, wet, dreary day of birding. Thanks to all the volunteers for your efforts!
Jarmo Jalava, Compiler
Meaford CBC December 28th:
The 53rd annual Meaford Count on Thursday December 28th with the 5th highest total – 57 species –
Three new species were added to the 53-year cumulative total for this count – Snow Goose, Trumpeter Swan and Gray Catbird. These additions bring the all-time cumulative total to 129 species.
Three new Highs were recorded – 4 Cackling Goose, an amazing 57 Horned Grebe out from Meaford, and 389 American Crows.
Eastern Bluebirds made an appearance again this year, continuing their trend of the last few years of overwintering in this area (6 of the past 7 years).
Total individuals at 6455 birds breaks the 1975 record of 6347 birds. Over 1000 each of Canda Geese and Snow Buntings contributed to this high.
It was a good count. Thanks again to everyone, and happy, birdy, New Year to all!
Lynne Richardson,
Compiler
Welcome to 2024.
The New Year at least brought a bit of colder weather to the Bruce after quite an interesting couple days of CBC weather. The two central Bruce Peninsula CBCs were enjoyed by all who attended and have once again provided a valuable snapshot of birdlife on the peninsula at a time of year when the Bruce received little coverage. I had a lot of great feedback and I trust you enjoyed your time outdoors as much as I did. I hope to see you out birding in 2024.
Given the mild December we’ve had, it probably didn’t come as a shock to many participants that waterbirds were around in both greater diversity and numbers. Grebes continued to show well and while Georgian Bay was mostly absent of diving ducks, on the Huron side the largest number were recorded on the Pike Bay count to date. Raptors were clearly scarce, and the Snowy Owls we’ve come to expect were absent for the second CBC in a row. Finches were likewise notably absent in diversity, with only American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins showing some numbers.
The Pike Bay count was held on Friday, December 29th.
Notable misses: Lapland Longspur, House Finch, Purple Finch, Snowy Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, accipiters, Common Loon
Count Week species: Cackling Goose, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Purple Finch, Lapland Longspur… adult Golden Eagle missed by 1 day!
The Cape Chin count was held on Saturday, December 30th. Conditions were similar to the Pike Bay CBC but with no rain and some brief periods of extremely light snow fall. The sun even showed itself a few times. Barred Owl has still never been recorded on this count, which is rather astounding because it is certainly resident, as owl surveys during the current Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas have shown.
New species: Canada Goose (2), Mallard (2)
Unusual species: Cooper’s Hawk and Winter Wren (both removed from ‘cw’ only), Great Horned Owl (3rd time), White-winged Scoter (1), Hooded Merganser (9), Common Merganser (8)
High counts: Horned Grebe (35), Bald Eagle (14), Eastern Screech-Owl (4), Hairy Woodpecker (31), Snow Bunting (376), American Tree Sparrow (2), Pine Siskin (18)
Low counts: Ruffed Grouse (3), Herring Gull (7)
Notable misses: Brown Creeper, Bohemian Waxwing, Purple Finch and Evening Grosbeak—the last two species scarce to absent on the peninsula this winter
Thank you again for your continued participation in this very worthy endeavour. The counts could not be possible without your individual efforts on count day and every last one of you contribute more than you know.
Happy New Year,
Andrew Keaveney
Pike Bay and Cape Chin CBC Compiler
American Robin, Owen Sound photo by William Gray January 4
The 20th Saugeen Shores CBC was held on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024. The ~24-kilometre count circle is centered several kilometres southeast of Port Elgin and includes Southampton, Port Elgin and Pasiley townsites, as well as adjacent waterfront and MacGregor Point Provincial Park. 34 participants split up into 6 sections surveyed the count circle, which is higher than the last several years. Several feeder watchers also contributed, adding a few species missed by the rest of the count.
Overall we observed a total of 13,377 individuals of 66 species. This is the 2nd highest count of individual birds in the counts history (highest was 18,313 in 2021) and the highest ever species tally with 66 species observed (previous high was 64 in 2016). This is considerably higher than the long term average of 7,750 individuals and 53 species.
Highlights included 3 new species for the all time CBC list; Greater White-fronted Goose (2 birds), Red-throated Loon (5 birds) and Winter Wren (1 bird). Several other notable species and high counts were recorded, including; Tundra Swan (2nd count record), White-winged Scoter (3rd count record), Peregrine Falcon (2nd count record), Canada Goose (new highvount of 6,298, previous 5,058), Cackling Goose (new highcount of 7, previous 4), Long-tailed Duck (new highcount of 32, previous 11), Northern Harrier (Tied the past highcount of 2), Bald Eagle (new highcount of 57, previous 36), Iceland Gull (Tied the past highcount of 2), Golden-crowned Kinglet (new highcount of 29, previous 26), American Tree Sparrow (new highcount of 84, previous 76).
This years count was an interesting one … waterfowl and gull numbers were both very high, with several species setting record high counts. Overall numbers of raptors and passerines were average to low though, and Birdfeeders in every section were very quiet, resulting in low numbers of woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches. This has also been a poor winter for several northern birds like Snowy Owl and winter finches, which was reflected in our totals (missed all winter finches besides Common Redpoll and Pine Grosbeak, and missed Snowy Owl for only the 6th time in the counts history). Another interesting trend to note is the decline of the European Starling and House Sparrow, both of which seem to be showing a steady downward trend over the last 15 years.
We tried to fully eBird this Christmas Bird Count, with trip reports made for every section as well as the overall count. While this was new to many participants, it went over quiet well and should make things run smoother in subsequent years. This is a great way to view and share data and compare years, and I encourage other CBCs to follow suit (also more data for eBird!). To view the trip report, see the link below.
To close, an apropos Nature quote from my own copy of Where the Falcon Flies, by Adam Shoalts, OSFN’s speaker to a full house audience just last month. While camping along the shore of the St. Lawrence River – “I was heartened to see that the woods had many ash trees that were still healthy. The invasive beetles…have so devastated the ash forests elsewhere. In the woods where I grew up had been many fine ash trees and I had mourned their loss to the beetles ever since. Seeing them again put me in a cheerful mood – it was like meeting old friends you haven’t seen in years.”
Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, Sheila Gunby’s Paper Cut Designs at Owen Sound Farmers’ Market, & Suntrail Source for Adventure in Hepworth or at OSFN Indoor Meetings.
Well-known local astronomer and former high school teacher John Hlyaniluk will present “Galapagos” at 7pm Thursday November 9, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Galapagos is one of the most exceptional environments on the planet, with its ecology, geology and scientific value. The most important theory in science, expressed in Darwin’s Origin of Species, was supported by his observations there. Hlyaniluk’s talk will focus on several areas, including the discovery of the Galapagos Islands, their geology and how that has produced the distinctive species of organisms that exist there. Especially of interest are the current efforts to maintain this unique ecosystem, which is under threat from various sources. And much to their credit, the inhabitants have made the islands accessible to tourists in a wonderful harmony of nature and conservation.
Also of note, the Maher family will be on hand to make a special memorial donation to OSFN, as outlined here by Brian Maher:
“Nels and Jean Maher loved the outdoors, in particular the wilds of Grey and Bruce.
With a family of 6 children in tow we enjoyed camping, hiking, canoeing and cross country skiing together. There is a little family joke about children being conceived on camping trips.
Mom and Dad were first members of Saugeen Field Naturalists and attended meetings in Hanover, Durham and Dornoch, often with Joe Johnson carpooling with them.
When Owen Sound started a Club they became Charter Members and later Honorary Members. They loved the club members and many activities and participated in building Boardwalks, Guiding and attending hikes, and running OSFN booths at community events. Often displaying Dad’s Fern Prints and Owl collection and selling Club books. The Publication Committee team was their favourite. The Club produced many world class nature books and as a career printer dad was deeply involved in publication of these at his business. His favourites were the Orchid and Fern Guides.
In recent years Mom continued to get calls from folks looking to buy them. So she knew they were out of print. So when I sat down to discuss her estate planning as the Executor we agreed that a donation towards the reprint would be a nice Legacy to Nels’ memory.
Jean attended her last meeting in March and Died just after her 89th Birthday in April ………..happy and active till the end.
On behalf of the Maher Family I am so pleased to donate $10,000 from Mom’s Estate for the reprinting of The Ferns Of Grey and Bruce.
Thank You.”
Jean Maher (Supplied Photo)Nels Maher (Supplied Photo)
Admission is free, with donations welcome. The evening presentation will also be available on Zoom and if interested, please request a zoom link by emailing, in advance web@osfn.ca with Galapagos in the subject line or visit www.osfn.ca During the months of November and December, the display inside the doors at the Artists Co-op at 942 2nd Avenue East (the McKay Building), will feature OSFN publications, NeighbourWoods North, promotional materials and more that director Marsha Courtney has installed there.
Congratulations once more to Bob Bowles, one of four to be inducted this past week into the Orillia Hall of Fame.
Originally from the Markdale and “Bowles Hill” area, ( I first knew him in High School there) Bob will also be OSFN’s keynote speaker to celebrate Earth Day, on the Chi Cheemaun in April 2024.
Bowles is an award-winning writer, artist, nature photographer, educator, and naturalist best known for his lifetime commitment and dedication to preserving and conserving nature and as the founder and coordinator of the Lakehead University Ontario Master Naturalist Certificate Program.
Thank you to Marsha Courtney for this report: On October 29 the Young Naturalists had an Aquatic Invertebrate lesson in Harrison Park with John Bittorf from Grey Sauble Conservation (GSCA), during which we found side swimmers, aquatic worms, caddisflies of various stages, scuds, and many more, and examined them with microscopes. Bittorf engaged the youngsters in the process by showing them the scientific steps of the process, followed by questions that were sometimes simple, and sometimes more challenging, to which they responded well.
John Bittorf of GSCA had a great hands-on set up. The kids all got to play around and we had some adults join in as well. (Photo by Marsha Courtney)
The second half of their afternoon included a successful nature hike to search for Fungi, and we found lots. Trying to keep it simple can be difficult as each one can be named differently depending on which book or app that is used. The kids had keen eyes to find them. More spaces are available in the Young Naturalists club, and to learn more please email Coordinator Amanda Eriksen at eriksen.amanda@gmail.com
We found lots of fungus. Trying to keep it simple can be difficult as each one can be named differently depending on which book or app that is used. The kids had keen eyes to find them. (Photo by Marsha Courtney)
BPBO fundraiser
The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory has announced a Fundraising on-line Auction, on November 21-27, and are saying “Get your Christmas list ready! There will be unusual treasures for all. We are also looking for items to auction, so if you have any treasures, please email us at bpboinfo@gmail.com Stay tuned for more details!”
I was able to sit and watch this handsome coyote forage the edge of a field for its midday meal yesterday. It was very thorough and managed to catch what appeared to be several mice in the 20 minutes or so I observed it. A privilege to see it go about its daily routine . (photo by Les Anderson 10/13/23)
Each November, I watch for and enjoy the many shades of gold displayed by Tamarack trees. Insects are still evident – we had a praying mantis here until just after the heavy snow arrived. I jogged over to check some attractive red apples just off trail recently, but when I inspected two of them I found each had a large cavity containing what looked like a house fly in one and two in the other. A wasp was foraging on the leaves of a bloomless rose bush here just a few days ago too. I also had the pleasure of seeing two Clouded Sulphurs, and a few Cabbage White Butterflies fluttering nearby on a recent bike ride in behind Hibou.
Of course, the bird migration continues with many sightings of shorebirds especially Dunlins, foraging as they pass their way through here, with many keen birders on hand to document their passing, with their eyes and their cameras too.
To close, a Nature quote from John Terpstra’s Daylighting Chedoke – Exploring Hamilton’s Hidden Creek – “We paddle to the mouth of the creek through patches of lily pads and past conclaves of cormorants perched on the dead arms of fallen trees that have washed into the marsh, then glide under a bridge for the Waterfront Trail. Almost immediately Daniel spots a black-crowned night heron, the first of several … The heron flies off upstream as we approach…. We feel bird-led, or lured. We note a beaver lodge to our right. Yes, a beaver lodge…. We keep our eyes peeled for discovery.”
A Clouded Sulphur on the rail trail near Storybook Park road this morning. Nothing special about the butterfly nor the pic, but November? November 5 photo by Rob Wray
