All posts by Brian Robin

Announcements

OFO Award for Plover Lovers hard work

“Tonight [Sept 24, 2016] at the Ontario Federation of Ornithologists Annual General Meeting in Kingston, the Plover Lovers hard work for their efforts in trying to help the rare and endangered Piping Plovers was recognized by OFO. Norah Toth received the award on their behalf. Congratulations to all of you for your efforts. We are proud to know you and happy that you, our friends, have been recognized. for your dedication in trying to assist this wonderful bird.” ~Fred Jazvac

ofoploveraward201609

A note from Norah:

“I should qualify this. I am only one of 5 committee members (Aubrey Fergusony and Cheryl Wile Ferguson, Lynne Richardson and Catherine Dickison) who have dedicated themselves to ensuring that the Piping Plovers at Sauble Beach have the best opportunity to contribute to the recovery success of the Piping Plover on the Great Lakes.

There were also many volunteers who spent valuable time talking to the public and making citizen science observations. Without these volunteers, all the efforts of the committee would be unsupported and unfruitful. The on the beach volunteers, some of whom were members of the OSFN, and our volunteer coordinator, Jenna Skinner, need a huge thank you from all of us.” ~Norah Toth

Congratulations from the Owen Sound Field Naturalists to the Plover Lovers Committee and entire team, for receiving this well-deserved recognition from Ontario’s Birding Community! The OSFN Club also received a similar award several years ago, and the Plover Lovers have made a concerted effort to continue in this worthwhile endeavour. If you want to learn more about the Plover Lovers, head to their website:

Plover Lovers

Uncategorized

Freshwater Mussel Followup

We had a great turnout to our first indoor meeting of the season – over 50 members saw a very enlightening presentation by Dr. Todd Morris about freshwater mussels. An organism that I (and many others!) had almost completely overlooked and ignored, I know many of us are now eager to learn more about our native mussels. Some of us may even have gone looking for mussels at the local swimming hole the day after the meeting.

Here are a few links to articles and other resources about these fascinating little treasures:

Canadian Freshwater Mussel Guide – an online key to identifying mussels.

Norfolk Field Naturalists – an article summarizing Dr. Morris’ presentation to this group on November 12, 2013.

Freshwater Mussels of the SOSMART Area – slides prepared by Todd Morris and Scott Reid.

Ontario Nature, “The Mussel Crisis” – an article on freshwater mussels from Winter 2008/09.

Recovery Strategy for Five Ontario Freshwater Mussels – part of the Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series and dated December 2006.

Have any links to add? Email web@owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca!

A Spike, Elliptio dilatata (I think!).
A Spike, Elliptio dilatata (I think!).
President's Message

Summer 2016, President’s Message

Last autumn John Dickson asked me to join the OSFN Board of Directors. Although I refused for several weeks, he persisted and I was parachuted into the role of Vice-President; and now I am your newly-minted President.

I am not sorry!

I was involved with the OSFN at its inception and for many years derived great pleasure from the wide array of activities and opportunities it presented. Spending time with friends like Lorraine Brown, Nels Maher and Malcolm Kirk enriched my life immeasurably and I miss them sorely.

The OSFN represents a deep well of knowledge with such diversity and wisdom in our membership and the broad scope of programs presented, both indoors and out. There is huge virtue in this shared communion with nature that brings us together as a club. Now, maybe more than ever, knowledge, support and care for nature is needed on the ecological front but also the psychological front. Knowing nature better within our own club is enormously valuable, but it may be a bit like preaching to the choir. In our increasing community of urban citizens the need to touch, hear, smell and see the natural world is enormous. We are learning that there can be grave consequences for living in isolation from nature. Sharing our passion and knowledge is a vital service we are uniquely capable of providing.

My attention was diverted away from the club for several years, much to my own dismay. There are still only 24 hours in a day and I was swamped with other demands. Thankfully some of the pressure has eased.

Some years ago I was working with a group of highly educated and strongly motivated people on environmental concerns. Lacking their education and talents I asked myself out loud at one of these intense meetings “What do I bring to this effort?” One of them answered: “Enthusiasm!” So that’s what I bring to the OSFN. Enthusiasm!

I am proud to be part of this group, glad to have a strong Board of Directors to guide me and excited to see what the next two years will bring!

Kate McLaren, President

September, 2016