NATURE CLUB NEWS August 2018

by John Dickson

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On Saturday July 21, the second joint presentation of Owen Sound Field Naturalists and Grey Roots, featured Stu Collier’s lecture entitled “Treasures from the Bruce: Fossil Collecting for the Enthusiast.” Collier, educated in geology and paleontology, reported to the many audience members on hand, about his two decades of on-site research among the exposed rocks of quarries in the Wiarton area, on behalf of the Royal Ontario Museum. Fossil evidence of soft bodied sea animals have been preserved among these rocky layers for 400 million years, filling in gaps in scientific knowledge about their existence in various time periods.

The late Harold Stobbe, of Owen Sound Ledgerock, to his credit, took the care, time and effort to save and send fossil samples to the ROM to be analyzed. This resulted in most productive digs unearthing exceptionally well preserved samples of sea creatures including a priapulid worm, the scientific name for which will include Harold’s last name, Stobbe, from the Silurian period. Another marine animal, about 5 centimetres in length not previously found anywhere in the world, will include Collier in its identification terminology. For a more detailed summary of this lecture please read Scott Dunn’s comprehensive article published in The Sun Times, published July 22.

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Since the seemingly extra dry months of June and July, the NeighbourWoods North team has continued to be on site most Thursdays, watering, as well as trimming and mulching, to enhance the success of its major project of growing a forest at the Owen Sound hospital. A hearty congratulations and thank you to all who have been able to assist in any way with this important work! To learn more, visit their new website www.neighbourwoodsnorth.com

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OSFN members are often engaged in several areas of nature appreciation. Popular naturalist and astronomer Donna Giesler recently included “HAPPY PERSEID VIEWING!” in a message to me. Finally, this morning, unable to return to sleep, I arose around 4AM to begin writing this column and, as usual, I glanced outside my window. A fleeting glimpse of a bright shooting star caught my eye, as it sped along a downward curving path, ending in oblivion, or at least, darkness. For me it was a delightful affirmation of the rewards that may come to one, just for being observant and aware of our surroundings and those with whom we share this planet, and indeed this universe.

Other recent observations include several sightings of a cluster of two or three families of Wild Turkeys, when I was cycling, shortly after sunrise. While I was watering some flowers last week, a startled Praying Mantis emerged from its resting place and seemed to be giving me “that look”.

On August 22, an especially observant pair of birders, Alfred Raab, and Kiah Jasper, witnessed, near Oliphant, what has been verified as the first ever, in Ontario, documented sighting of a Reddish Egret, a threatened bird, normally found in Central America, and as far north as Texas. Congratulations to both for this exceptional observation, also as members of the Bruce Birding Club.

Later that same day the Plover Lovers of Sauble Beach held their wrap up event, featuring reports by Coordinator Hayley Roberts, Bird Studies of Canada’s Andrea Gress, and Alicia Fortin, who had a new role this summer after being last year’s coordinator. In addition we had an early peek at a possible science fair project by Islay Graham, who studied the behaviour of the plovers on the beach this summer and after documenting her findings, incorporated them into an analysis of the birds activities to see if conclusions could be drawn about their preferences, and dislikes. Special thanks from Stewardship Grey Bruce were also given to Huron Feathers for their hospitality and to sponsors who helped offset costs for the programme which also included a series of “Beach Talks”.

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As the Owen Sound Field Naturalists approaches the beginning of its 2018-2019 season, many club members and others have been reporting what may be a bumper crop of Monarch Butterflies throughout our area. Indeed, the first outing or field trip will be on Friday August 31st as OSFN members are invited to join in the Community Tagging Day of the Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores.

During the following week three more outings: with Barbara Palmer at Singing Sands; with Marg Gaviller near Irish Lake; and with Jenna Maguire at the Lindsay Tract will give plenty of opportunities for OSFN to celebrate thirty years of “Knowing Nature Better”. For more details on any of these activities, and to enroll or renew as a member please visit www.osfn.ca

To close, a nature quote from John L.Riley “If we do not help nature restore itself – and get creative in doing so – species will decline one by one, and be gone.”

NATURE CLUB NEWS July 2018

by John Dickson

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On June 13, Barbara Palmer led “Botany on the lower Bruce Peninsula”, with OSFN members, visiting Petrel Point, where many more plants were evident since the new accessible boardwalk had been opened officially two weeks earlier. Pitcher plants, cotton grass and sensitive fern were especially abundant and displaying. A brief visit to the Oliphant Fen concluded the day, shortened somewhat by some heavy, but much needed rain during the mid day and early afternoon.

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On June 14, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists held its final Indoor Meeting of the 2016-17 season. This included a pot luck supper, followed by a brief Annual General Meeting, at which Gord Toth was confirmed as the next President of the club.

The club’s Community Conservation Award was presented to Caframo, in recognition of its generous sponsorship and support of nature events and organizations, including Earth Day, and youth projects. This is the first time the award has been given to a business.

An Honourable Life Membership, awarded posthumously to Freeman Boyd, for his inspired and numerous contributions to the club since its inception almost thirty years ago, was accepted by Marion Boyd.

The evening’s speaker Ted Armstrong, originally from the Markdale area, spoke about the Woodland Caribou, its history even in our area, and the hopes and challenges for its future in areas farther north in Ontario. One of the main threats to its success is the fragmentation of its habitat with roads and infrastructure. Armstrong was pleasantly surprised by the number of OSFN club members who were familiar with Lake Superior, as he spent much of his career as a wildlife biologist in Thunder Bay, and is also active with the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists. His display of various antlers also complemented his presentation.

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On June 16, OSFN and Young Naturalist Club members met with Chris Rickard at the Bognor Marsh Conservation Area, to discover what butterflies were on hand. The species in the greatest numbers was the common ringlet, as well as the Tiger Swallowtail.

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On June 28, many were on hand for the grand opening of the newly refurbished Hibou Wetlands Interpretive Trail. This has been a project of the Friends of Hibou, spearheaded by Bob and Marie Knapp, in conjunction with Grey Sauble Conservation, and with input and/or support from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, the Kiwanis club, and the Owen Sound Field Naturalists. Following some speeches and a ribbon cutting, Bob Knapp led a group of those attending on an interpretive hike, complete with the accompanying pamphlet, produced for the purpose of explanations at various signposts along the trails, and returning it to a pocket on the new larger signs that have been installed.

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NeighbourWoods North has now initiated a regular weekly watering schedule for the trees planted this spring at the hospital grounds in Owen Sound. The dry summer has made the survival of these trees more challenging, even with a few watering sessions that have taken place. Thursdays from 7PM to 8:30PM will be the regular watering session. A strong team was on hand July 19th, improving the visibility of some of the smaller seedlings, and watering as many as possible. Bringing buckets and watering pails is appreciated. More details are posted on the OSFN website, at www.osfn.ca

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Owen Sound Field Naturalists has also partnered with Grey Roots to bring two summer lectures with Nature themes to complement the Ice Age Mammals exhibit currently at the museum until September 16.

On July 14, Peter Russell’s lively and engaging address included historical tracking of the discoveries of both mastodon and mammoth evidence in Southern Ontario.. In particular, he related his connections with a Woolly Mammoth rib discovered in a hut in Shelburne, and the mastodon skeletal samples found near London, Ontario. After answering several questions from the audience, he then led a brief tour of of the exhibit, where he was able to explain in more detail, aspects of the original fossils and replicas on hand. Russell is an author, geologist, teacher and the retired curator of the Earth Sciences Museum at the University of Waterloo.

On Saturday July 21, from 2PM to 3:30PM, Stu Collier will present Treasures from the Bruce: Fossil Collecting for the Enthusiast.
Collier, will be sharing tales of his fossil hunting and adventures. He will also showcase some of the extraordinary finds made on the Bruce Peninsula over the past ten years while working on Royal Ontario Museum digs. Grey Roots and OSFN members have free admission, while for others regular admission fees apply.

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Recently I have enjoyed reading, for the first time, The Sweetwater Explorer, Paddling in Grey and Bruce Counties, written by Andrew Armitage, with photography by Willy Waterton. Published in 1995 by the Ginger Press, this book not only gives the reader important information about the waters of this area, and paddling suggestions suitable for each season, but one can also learn about the diversity of wildlife – birds, flowers, trees, etc., and the geomorphology of the area, including the Gaelic source for drumlin. Armitage also sprinkles in a generous amount of interesting history about the various lighthouses along the shores, as well as memorable characters from the past, whose names are still with us – MacGregor Point Provincial Park – for Captain Alexander Murray MacGregor is one example. A reference to the Saugeen Peninsula, as the Bruce Peninsula was once known, also reinforces the current notion that that name should be restored, sooner than later.

Waterton’s photos enhance the narrative of the book, helping to document the research undertaken by the authors, and their paddling companions.
To close then, a Nature quote from the Summer Paddling chapter “Summer’s long evenings are perfect for an after work paddle. …. There is no better way to shed the concerns of the day.”