Nature Club News for June 2025
by John Dickson
At 7pm Thursday June 12, Sarah McComb-Turbitt, a local artist and marine biologist will cap off the 2024-2025 monthly speaker series of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN), at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
This event will take place ‘in person’ only. OSFN Meetings are Open to the Public, with Attendance by Donation. For Membership and Young Naturalist Club Information, please visit www.osfn.ca
McComb-Turbitt will give an overview of many of the whales found in eastern Canada and then share some of her personal journey studying the long-finned pilot whales there, and what Marine Biologists are learning about whales from the Whale Watching industry. ‘Disruptions from whale-watching vessels to behaviors such as foraging can be particularly harmful to cetaceans, but impacts could be reduced if areas essential for these sensitive behaviors are identified. We used data collected onboard whale-watching vessels to explore space-use patterns in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) off northern Cape Breton Island, Canada, an area where tourism is essential.’
Sarah McComb-Turbitt, a Marine Biologist turned artist and new mom, has dedicated her life to wildlife conservation. Although her high school focus included a strong art component with then teacher Jim Sebesta, Sarah also had memorable science teachers, including Deane Atherton, Jen Wardell, and Fred Schlenker, and she followed up with degrees and a career in Marine Biology that included the penguins of the Falkland Islands and whales. Along the way she also became a very proficient wildlife photographer.
‘Restoring Canada’s oceans strengthens our communities, creates economic and nutritional benefits, and protects our future, as we believe Canada has a national and global obligation to manage our natural resources responsibly.’
Most recently, Sarah teamed up with Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) to raise awareness about Canada’s most vulnerable species at risk. As her career as a wildlife artist grows, Sarah hopes to expand her support and partner with other organizations and researchers to highlight animals and locations from around the world. Her work goes beyond art as a powerful tool to capture the unique behaviours of animals and foster a deeper appreciation for our planet’s diversity. Sarah’s ultimate goal is to enhance the connection between the viewer and the natural world and create a window into the sentimental moments in the lives of animals. Since transitioning to painting full-time in 2020, she has supported conservation with every wildlife work created, underlining her unwavering commitment to the cause. Sarah has achieved standing in AFC’s annual juried exhibit for the past four years.
Her academic journey from researching whales and penguins to the vibrant art world has created a unique collision point between the science and art worlds. Since transitioning to painting full-time in 2020, she has supported conservation with every wildlife work created, underlining her unwavering commitment to conservation. When you observe her art, you will recognize how well it captures the raw beauty and personalities of her subjects.
Sarah is a Signature Member of Artists for Conservation and has a passion for Canada’s, and the Globe’s, most vulnerable species at risk. To learn more, visit https://www.smccombturbitt.com/
The Owen Sound Young Naturalists May meeting was held at the Hibou Conservation area. Marsha Courtney and I led – with me, (Amanda Eriksen) looking for birds and Marsha’s eyes on the ground. I kept track of all the birds we ended up hearing or seeing and we had a final tally of 21 species. We saw some orchids, jack in the pulpit, and a few damsel
flies and bees. It was a beautiful day for a hike, and it is always great to see what the kids notice. We took so long on the boardwalk that we didn’t even make it to the beach! Our June meeting is planned with Caley Doran at the Boyd’s Crevice.
Carol Edwards-Harrison shared these observations about the Swiftwatch event on June 2 – ‘Last evening’s presentation on Chimney Swifts by BIRDS CANADA’s Gabriel Evans-Cook and OSFN was both informative and fascinating. Peter Middleton followed up with well animated fun facts and we all were delighted to hear about how the preservation of the Old Courthouse chimney came about. Kudos to the present owners and BIRDS CANADA for all their excellent work to save this precious roosting home for the at risk Chimney Swifts.The Chimney Swifts put on a dazzling show to the oohs and awes of the gathering and turned us all into another version of Swifties!’
Members of the Bruce Birding Club (BBC) were invited to visit Grey County on June 4, to enjoy some wonderful birding opportunities right here in Owen Sound. Led by Judy Duncan and Norah Toth, along with advisor Rob Wray, we started out in Harrison Park, which in recent years I have realized can be like a funnel and staging area for migrating birds to rest and forage for their continuing journey north. However, they may find just the diversity of habitat they need, to stay and raise their families right here. Other birding hot spots we visited were the Inglis Falls Arboretum, the rail line north from Rockford and The West Rocks area as guests of Peter and Elizabeth Korpal, whose innovative trail system offered many bird sightings as well as bees, butterflies and botany to enjoy.
The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory Blog (BPBO) shows it has been active again this Spring with lots of dedication to observe and document the migration activities at this special location. ‘
June 3, photo by Rob Wray
Big flocks of fast-flying Cedar Waxwings are also seen at this time of year, another fun challenging bird to count as they speed across the sky in an ever-mingling flock. Common Mergansers are also seen in large numbers now, with up to 26 birds on June 2nd. But they are much easier to count as they either lounge on the shoreline or float on the surface of the water, diving from time to time for a fish. These groups are composed mostly of males, enjoying life after their brief reproductive duties, leaving the females alone to incubate and raise the young.’