Nature Club News for May 2025

by John Dickson

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) will introduce you to the Inca world of Macchu Picchu and more, to enjoy not only the daytime views, but also the night skies there.

Featured presenter John Hlynialuk presents ‘The Incas: Naturalists of the Night’ at 7pm Thursday, May 15, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

Hlynialuk will demonstrate how Inca culture was intimately tuned into the natural world, both terrestrial and in the heavens overhead. This talk will look at the astronomy of the Southern skies and how the Inca related it to the natural world around them.

John Hlynialuk is a retired high school teacher who taught in both Bruce and Grey County high schools. He has been an avid stargazer since his teens when his interest in general photography led to pictures of the starry sky, comets, the moon, northern lights and solar and lunar eclipses. Several of his photographs have been published in national astronomy magazines and he contributes astronomical images to local publications.

Hlynialuk has also helped out with astronomy programmes at the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre and the uniqueness of that facility has led to a deep interest in terrestrial ecology as well. While not an expert on flora or fauna, he has a keen interest in the natural world.

Although this event will take place in person at 7pm Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the Bayshore Community Centre, the doors will be open at 6:30 to 7pm for Book Sales of the newly revised ‘Ferns Bruce & Grey’ as well as the OSFN Fern Buff, Logo Shirts etc.

The presentation will also be available on Zoom – you may register in advance at this link

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/mfmdGEtqS3-ukekW7diglg

OSFN Meetings are also open to the public, with attendance by donation. For membership and Young Naturalist Club information, please visit www.osfn.ca

NeighbourWoods North invites you to help with some Spring planting projects at Brightshores Hospital in Owen Sound. Volunteers just need to dress for the weather, bring drinking water and enjoy planting small trees. If you have a favourite shovel, then yes, please bring that, but otherwise, tools will be provided for this satisfying work.

After each work bee, refreshments and snacks will be available too. The upcoming schedule is:

Saturdays May 24, 31 and June 7, from 9:30 to 11am at the southwest corner of the hospital grounds near the helipad. Visit https://www.neighbourwoodsnorth.ca/ and at NWN on Facebook.

Good news to share: Chimney Swifts have returned to the Old Courthouse in Owen Sound!

Peter Middleton and I are pleased to confirm that the recent repairs to the Chimney at the Old Grey County Courthouse have met with the approval of the returning Chimney Swifts, as they look for a spot to roost overnight while migrating northwards. I observed about 50 Swifts swirling, serenading, and then descending into the chimney at 9pm on May 9.

Peter then visited the site May 10, reporting “The skies were empty of any swifts until 8:51 p.m. when a small flock appeared. Very quickly it increased in number. At 9:04 p.m. the flock, almost in one steady flow, descended directly into the chimney. They were all inside within 2 minutes. Unlike the previous few years, there was basically no hesitation in approaching and stalling to descend. 120 birds were observed descending into the chimney to roost. The restoration of the chimney is a success!

People are welcome to observe the birds on their own, and they may do so at any time. For best views, they should observe them from the vacant lot on 4th Ave. East between 12th and 14th Streets east, just north of the old Registry Office.”

For me, it was a treat to witness the arrival of the Chimney Swifts with their cheerful chatter as they cruised throughout the neighbourhood there until it was their bed time and they entered the chimney for the night.

Birds Canada and the Owen Sound Field Naturalists are co-hosting a Chimney Swift roost monitoring event on Monday June 2nd in Owen Sound. Come out for a chance to witness one of springtime’s most captivating aerial displays and contribute to important community science at the recently restored Old Grey County Courthouse (1235 3rd Ave E, Owen Sound, ON) at 8:00 PM. Feel free to bring your own coffee, tea, or snacks! Gabriel will start things off with a short talk about Chimney Swifts, their incredible migration journey, and the urgent need to monitor their declining populations through Birds Canada’s SwiftWatch program.

As dusk falls, we’ll hopefully witness dozens of swifts swirling through the sky before they funnel into the chimney to roost for the night: a spectacular sight to see.

Everyone is welcome, let’s help conserve Chimney Swifts one roost at a time!

Here is a link to the event details too – https://www.birdscanada.org/event/swift-night-out-owen-sound-on

David Turner will be giving a talk on Birds of Prey in the Beaver Valley, at 7pm Thursday, May 15 at Annesley Church in Markdale. Admission is by donation.

Eleven Owen Sound Young Naturalists attended the April meeting at the Carnahan Nature Reserve, with guest leader Jeannine Kralt. We learned all about her Junior Hiking Program with the Sydenham Bruce Trail Cub and the badges the kids can earn. We had a true naturalist hike along the Frank Holley Side Trail – finding, identifying and documenting well over 20 plant species – and a few salamanders too! We learned about the geology of the area and saw many fossils. We all earned our “boots on the ground” and “Junior Naturalist” badges. It was a beautiful day for a hike, and it is always great to see what the kids notice. Amanda Eriksen

There are still openings in a variety of guided activities and presentations at the Huron Fringe Birding Festival, being held this year May 23-26 and May 29 – June 1. Visit the Festival website https://huronfringebirdingfestival.ca/ and see what might work for you.

To close, Nature quotes from Heights of Macchu Picchu VI and The Future is Space, by the poet Pablo Neruda 1904-1973 (translation by Michael Eisner)

“There is a place for everyone in forests…but what joy to find in the end, rising, an empty planet, great stars…”

Nature Club News for March 2025

by John Dickson

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists club (OSFN) has invited John Bittorf of Grey Sauble Conservation (GSCA) to give the April 10th presentation about their flood forecasting, weather monitoring and water quality monitoring too – some of which are unique in Ontario.As the Water Resources Coordinator and Flood Duty Officer Bittorf is best suited to provide an insight to the programmes, procedures  and responsibilities the GSCA deals with in the Grey-Sauble Watershed. 

John Bittorf, with roots here in Owen Sound, has worked at Grey Sauble Conservation since graduating from U of Guelph. His work experience has included fish and wildlife habitat projects, tree planting and forest management, water quality improvement grant programs,  groundwater monitoring and surface water quality monitoring including benthic sampling and taxonomy to lowest practical level (self taught), as well as flood forecasting/warning.

I am especially looking forward to this presentation, given the rather uneven weather and April showers we have had recently. Set for 7pm Thursday April 10, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, everyone is welcome, with admission by donation for non OSFN members.  We hope to see you there. The presentation will also be offered on Zoom, for which you can register here – 

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/mZRrSxXaTx-fW67hC9wlgw#/registration

 The doors will be open by 6:30pm allowing time to peruse the OSFN merchandise, and purchase tickets ($10. each) for the Celebrate Earth Day Keynote Speaker event featuring Dr. Anne Bell, former director of Conservationand Education at Ontario Nature for 17 years. Entitled Rapture and Resistance – the Heart of Nature Advocacy, and sponsored by Caframo, this event will take place at the Harmony Centre at 2pm Sunday April 27.  Tickets are also available at several outlets in the area – The Library in Owen Sound, the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market from Sheila Gunby’s Paper Cut Designs, at the Ginger Press and from Suntrail Source for Adventure in Hepworth.  For more information and online  ticket and merchandise purchases, please visit 

**To purchase tickets online** to be held for you at the door, please visit https://owensoundfieldnaturalists.ca/shop/

Other features of the OSFN meetings include ‘Sightings’ – a chance to share and learn about local nature observations of particular interest.Speaking of interesting Nature activities, as the ice storm was approaching and it had become dark, 8:30 to 9:30pm,  I could hear loud ‘screaming’ vocalizations of many gulls flying through our neighbourhood on three occasions that evening. I soon learned from at least two others within a 10km radius, that they had noticed that unusual phenomenon that same evening too – both downtown and closer to Inglis Falls. I often hear Killdeer calling in the dark, and have come to consider that to be normal, but with the gulls, it was a first for me. 

Congratulations to our friends at Saugeen Nature (aka Saugeen Field Naturalists) celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, at the Elmwood Community Hall on Monday April 28, with a celebratory dinner, followed by their Annual General Meeting, Award presentation and their speaker 

Environmental Scientist and Beekeeper Janine McGowan featuring many Bees of the World, plus Bee biodiversity in Canada and Honey Bees in particular. For more details please visit saugeenfieldnaturalists.com

On a sadder note I learned  this week that Dennis Lewington had passed away on March 29, at the age of 90. I last saw Dennis one morning in May of 2024, when I was assisting Brendan Mulroy, accompanied by Nancy White and Dennis, in a transition to assuming the care of the Lewingtons’ many Eastern Bluebird nesting boxes near Wiarton. In recognition of their tremendous contribution to the recovery of the Eastern Bluebird population in addition to their generous donation of a very special property, to be known as Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve, Dennis and Gwen Lewington were the recipients of OSFN’s 2013 Community Conservation Award.    It was so satisfying to see this important project in good hands for the foreseeable future. Close friend and an OSFN presenter, Bruce Mackenzie wrote:  ‘

As much as this news may have been expected, it is the end of a wonderful chapter for the lives of Dennis and Gwen.

They will not be forgotten easily as the Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve and their love of birding will be with us for a long time.’

 Peter Middleton shared this tribute: ‘With Dennis’ death, we have lost a gentle man who loved the planet and strove to preserve its beauty. Rarely without his soulmate Gwen, he left a legacy of commitment, accomplishment, and the celebration of nature. Hundreds of Bluebirds took wing  because of Dennis and Gwen’s efforts. Future generations will be able to experience the beauty and stillness of nature in the Sauble Dunes Nature Reserve, the gift he and Gwen bequeathed to Ontario Nature.He will be missed’

Owen Sound Young Naturalists had a sweet deal for their March event, meeting at Bob and Mary Beth Gray’s maple syrup farm and learning from Bob Gray all about how he makes maple syrup. ‘We checked out the maple trees, the tap lines and got to taste both the maple sap and some syrup! Kemble was hit with an ice storm and the trees were covered in ice. There were many branches down and power was out. This meant that there was no sap boiling when we were there, and this let us get a good look at the boiler. We couldn’t walk too far into the forest as the trees were still ice covered. Bob was able to talk about forest health and how to identify a sugar maple in the winter. There were 8 youngsters that braved the icy rain. Our next meeting will be April 27th with Jeannine Kralt at Fossil Glen Nature Preserve and will be an introduction to her Sydenham Bruce Trail youth hikes.’ Submitted by Amanda Eriksen, Young Naturalists Coordinator.

April 22  is officially Earth Day, and there are many special events being held throughout the area, with a comprehensive listing to be found at https://www.thesustainabilityproject.ca/events  Included is an invitation to the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory Annual General Meeting to be held on Zoom.

All are welcome. A zoom meeting to be held on: Saturday, April 26 from 10 until noon, with guest speaker Jeanine Kralt

To get the Zoom link please email..bethannecurrie@sympatico.ca

In particular, there are Earth Day Grey Bruce events “building green communities” with an Earth Day Festival from 11am to 3:30pm on Saturday, April 26, 2025, all along 1st Ave W between 8th and 9th Streets. At Tobermory on Friday, May 2nd at 7:00pm at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre.

 Known for his captivating wildlife photography, Waterton will share Bear Encounters, a stunning visual narrative based on his experiences photographing polar bears in the Arctic, as well as black bears on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula. This is an event not to be missed for anyone fascinated by wildlife and the art of photography and it is free to attend, though donations are warmly encouraged to support future Sources of Knowledge programming.

On Thursday May 8, at 7pm the Earth Film Festival, an important fundraiser for the Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation, will feature the award winning  Movie All Too Clear and much more. For more details about tickets, ($30.each) please visit  the Roxy box office 

On Saturday May 10, Willy Waterton will also be the featured presenter of the Island View Drive and Area Ratepayers Association  50th year speaker series at the Kemble-Sarawak United Church, with Black and White Bear Encounters. Admission free or by donation.

To close, a Nature quote by Andrew Armitage from his Sugaring Off in March from ‘The Way They Lived in the Lovely Townships of Grey and Bruce’ series of talks read over CFOS radio by Kris Morris  ‘The Maple, a symbol of a nation. What more practical symbol could we have? This wonderful tree provided shade in the summer, firewood of long burning quality for the winter, gorgeous colour in the fall and sugar and syrup in the spring.’

Nature Club News for March 2025

by John Dickson

Each year, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) club features several presentations with a great variety of topics,  on the same evening. Described as a potpourri of OSFN members’ photos, displays, art, collections and compositions focusing on the natural world this year’s Members’ Night promises all of the above plus great fun too and it is set for 7pm Thursday March 13 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. 

Featured presenters will be:   Nan Brown – More than ‘just trees’ at the Inglis Falls Arboretum :“The talk will be a 10 minute exposé of what nature lovers may expect to find at the arboretum including trees, along with many shrubs, woody vines, small mammals, insects, reptiles, birds and more!” 

Robert Burcher  When I nudged OSFN’s Robert Burcher about his sailing on the prairies two years ago he replied with – Big Skies on the South Saskatchewan River, saying  “Yes, I will do a 10 minute show of sailing on the mighty South Saskatchewan. I just looked through all my photos and was nostalgic. It will be good to refresh my memory of the trip. This will be a fun show! Did you ever hear the song about Pirates on the South Saskatchewan? ” https://youtu.be/8G_L9tXEwmc?si=3rGqrCR5s_cX7VKS

David Morris – Reflections on Sustainable Agriculture -” There is general agreement that sustainable agriculture entails farming in a way that will meet the world’s present and future needs while minimizing damage to the environment. David Morris, a retired agriculturalist, will offer some insights into why agreeing what this means in practice is much more complicated than it might seem.”

Bill & Cecilie Moses have entitled their session – Preserve Nature: They Aren’t Making any More, with some helpful insights into some of the options and opportunities with land trusts, nature reserves, conservation agreements, etc. 

Marilyn Scriver – Common Loons – From a lakeside cabin in the Gatineau Hills, Marilyn will share her photos of Common Loon Families, from her time with the Canadian Loon Survey, Birds Canada.

In addition, OSFN also announces that its 10th annual Keynote Speaker Event to Celebrate Earth Day, will feature Dr. Anne Bell, the much revered former Director of Conservation and Education at Ontario Nature for 17 years, once again sponsored by Caframo. Entitled ‘Rapture and Resistance – the Heart of Nature Advocacy’ this event will take place at the Harmony Centre at 2pm Sunday April 27.  Tickets for this special event, $10. each, will be available at OSFN meetings March 13, and April 10, as well as at these ticket outlets:  Owen Sound and North Grey  Union Public Library, the Ginger Press, Sheila  Gunby’s Paper Cut Designs at the the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market and at Suntrail Source for Adventure in Hepworth. 

With the doors opening by 6:30pm, March 13, there will be opportunities to browse OSFN’s many publications and merchandise, followed by the evening programme at 7pm in person at the Bayshore and also on zoom at this link 
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Rz6Gqsy5QP-3XsFc3Tcbhg

The Owen Sound Artists’ Co-op is hosting several exhibitions in which Nature plays a prominent role, including works by Sue Allison. From ‘March Miniatures’ one distinctive sampling by Maureen Elliott features her ‘Wildlife Profiles’ … photography on metal, including Moose, Pine Marten, Black Bear and more. 

I know that I will be visiting the Co-op several times to witness these and other exhibits too.

Although I haven’t yet seen pussy willows this year, I have heard one Robin, and noticed brighter yellows on the American Goldfinch males and willow trees, plus the bright red leaf buds sported by some Maple trees – so I do believe that Springtime is on its way.And to reinforce that sentiment, Peter Middleton has recently had a migrating pair of Carolina Wrens visiting and shared this prognostication “

Yesterday morning when I stepped out into the glorious sunshine, it was to the energetic singing of a Cardinal and a Carolina Wren, both in full voice.  It was soul-stirring and a promise that Spring is definitely on its way.”

Owen Sound Young Naturalists Report by Amanda Eriksen

The February meeting was held at the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority building where we learned about butterflies, moths and host plants. I used the monarch as an example, but I had a slideshow showing 12 other moth and butterfly species common to our backyards that also only lay eggs and eat one plant family. I had some pictures and videos of monarch caterpillars and one of the members shared his experience raising and tagging monarchs. He brought a slide of a butterfly wing, so we hooked up the microscope to check that out. Amy Darrell from both OSFN and the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC), gave us three pillowcases full of milkweed pods for us to smash up to free the seeds from the fluff.

Once thoroughly smashed you shake the seeds to the bottom and cut the corner off the bag. The seeds can then be poured out. 

The kids were a great help in the smashing up part of the process. Each youngster was encouraged to take some seeds home to plant some milkweed for the monarchs. The rest of the seeds will be given back to Amy to be handed out by the EBC at various events they take part in. 
We also got busy crafting butterflies and cloud air fresheners. I brought in some wooden butterflies, cardboard, feathers from my chickens, fluff from the milkweeds and various crafting supplies and let the
kids at it. We then added a few drops of essential oils to the art to turn them into air freshers. There was some great art created. We had a great turn out of twelve kids. Our March meeting is to be held a bit earlier so that we can check on the maple syrup production at Robert Gray’s property.

To close, a Nature quote from Horizon by Barry Lopez, in mountainside habitat within sight of the Pacific Ocean –

“These scenes, inland and oceanward…encourage two thoughts that have organized my perceptions in nature for decades. First, diversity is not a mere characteristic of life… Diversity is a condition necessary for life. Diversity creates the biological tensioning that makes life in general vigorous and sustainable. It’s diversity that ensures perpetuity. The loss of diversity, on the other hand, threatens all life with extinction.”  

Nature Club News for January 2025

by John Dickson

For the first speaker presentation of 2025, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) invite you to ‘zoom’ down Mexico way, virtually, with tour guide Erik Van Den Kieboom, to explore Oaxaca: From Mountains to Coast.   

“In early January 2024, I embarked on a memorable birding road trip, along with four other birders, through the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Oaxaca is a very special place from both a natural and a cultural perspective. In this presentation, we will explore a multitude of habitats and the bird species unique to each, from Deserts to Mountain Forests to Coastlines and Thorn Forests.”  

A native of the Owen Sound area, and a keen naturalist since his very early years, Erik recently completed his bachelor’s degree programme in Environmental Science, at the University of Guelph. This presentation will be available only online, via Zoom. Here are the details for time and registration to participate. 7pm Thurs. January 9, 2025 Online Only, Via Zoom

To Register for this Zoom meeting, please go to https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkfu-opjgjE9QEhT5eBMreS3bpuHhIx8UD#/registration 

Once you fill out the form, Zoom will send you a personalized link you can use to join the meeting/webinar. If you need help, please send an email, in advance, to web@osfn.ca with Oaxaca on the subject line.  For Membership and Young Naturalist Club information, please visit  www.osfn.ca and  Facebook.                        

Here are summaries and highlights from various local Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs):

Owen Sound – Erik Van Den Kieboom – Compiler.

The 2024-2025 Christmas Bird Count marked the 54th year of the Owen Sound count. On December 14th, 35 participants tallied 7856 individuals of 55 species. The number of individuals was considerably lower compared to last year, as was the total number of species. This might be due to the colder weather and greater snow cover this year compared to last year. The number of participants this year was also lower, perhaps also due to the cold snowy weather.

Some unusual species from this year’s count included the count’s first Ovenbird, a count week Winter Wren, and a couple Snowy Owls, which are not recorded every year. Record high counts were set this year for Redhead, Sandhill Crane, and Red-bellied Woodpecker. Sandhill Cranes have been steadily increasing in the area in early winter, with 741 recorded on count day this year. Bald Eagles were also seen in good numbers this year, which is encouraging given last year’s low count. A few species were seen in lower numbers than usual this year, including Common Merganser, Ruffed Grouse, and House Sparrow. 

Several species were also seen in higher numbers than usual this year, including Red-breasted Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and American Tree Sparrow.

Tobermory – Tuesday December 17 – Shared by Tanya Markvart

Despite the weather, we collectively counted 43 species (avg. = 40) and 1342 individuals (avg. = 1607). The inclement weather likely explains low individual numbers. Other patterns and outliers that emerged include:

• Low winter finch diversity and abundance with only one Pine Siskin, four Evening Grosbeaks and one Purple Finch;
• 2^nd highest year for European Starlings with 102 individuals;
• Record-breaking year for Belted Kingfisher with three observed; last observed in 1988 (one individual) and 1986 (two individuals);
• Mourning Dove was absent, which has not happened since 1983. If anyone has an observation of Mourning Dove for the count week (December 14-16 & 18-20), please let me know;
• Low count for Herring Gull, with 87 seen (avg. 248). This trend seems to be consistent with the Wiarton and Nayaashiinigmiing CBC. An increase in avian influenza in North America may explain this low count;  
• Tied the highest Horned Grebe count with 12 individuals; last experienced in 2007;
• Low count for Bufflehead with three observed (avg. 22);
• 1^st count of a “Diurnal raptor sp.”, either a Gyrfalcon or Northern Goshawk was spotted as a “flyover” but was not seen well enough to distinguish the species. However, Northern Goshawk is the most likely of the two;
• 1^st Snow Goose record for the CBC, recorded as count week. They were seen a few days before the CBC; and
• 3^rd year for Trumpeter/Tundra Swan (2 observed); the species could not be specified.

KINCARDINE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT – James Turland – Compiler

For a long time, people have been captivated by birds. Their vibrant colors and melodious songs have earned them a special place in our folklore and mythology. Spurred on by ancient tradition the 43rd annual Kincardine Christmas Bird Count (KCBC) took place on December 19th, 2024. 

Participants enjoyed favourable weather, and the 56 species they identified is average. However, the overall number of birds recorded was notably low. Several factors contributed to this, including the heavy early snowfall. Many birds can handle the cold temperatures, but once the ground is covered with snow and water bodies freeze over, it becomes nearly impossible to find food. This forces birds to migrate south earlier in search of better foraging conditions. But this was an atypical season, the recent trend is for birds to stay here longer. 

After 4 decades of KCBC’s, one would think that every possible species would have been identified. Yet, new species continue to be spotted; a fact that can partly be attributed to climate change. As global temperatures rise, birds are shifting their ranges, on average wintering 2 km farther north every year. For example, during the first decade of the count, Canada Geese were a rare find, today however, hundreds of geese winter here.

A new addition to the count this year was the Surf Scoter, a sea duck that migrates from the Arctic to the East Coast, some frequenting the Great Lakes. The male Surf Scoter is particularly striking, with a bright, colorful beak.  With the addition of the scoter the KCBC has recorded 133 species in its 43 year history.

Hello Meaford CBCer’s,

Here is a summary of our Meaford Christmas Bird Count, along with the attached draft Tally Sheet. Final results, along with time & travel data will be posted on the Birds Canada Christmas Bird Count website in the next week or so.

The 54th annual Meaford Count on Saturday December 28^th featured unseasonably warm temperatures, 5°-10°, and limited snow cover. Light misty drizzle persisted throughout parts of the day.  Georgian Bay and running waters were mainly ice-free, ponds were frozen over, but with melt-pools of water sitting on top, and a few narrow openings..  

The combined efforts of our 5 teams resulted in the 7th highest total – 54 species – in the 54 years of the Count.  This total continues the trend of the past 10 years of finding over 50, and increasingly, over 55 species in the Meaford circle. Prior to that, the long-term average was 46 species. The top 5 species totals have been: 61 in 2021, 60 in 1975, 59 in 2020, 58 in 2012, and 57 in 2023.

No new species were added to theall-timecumulative total for this count. However, Trumpeter Swan and Snow Goose made their second Count appearance, in encore from last year, 2 Harlequin Ducks were welcome 3rd time Count birds, after 2011 and 2012,  and a Pine Warbler continued at my peanut feeder for the Count, making it’s second Count record (2019 previously).   The all-time cumulative total remains at 129 species.

Four new Highs were recorded – the 2 SNGO topped last year’s 1, 4 TRSW topped last year’s 2, 37 COME topped 2012’s 35, and 21 GCKI topped 2016’s 20.

Total individuals were on the low side at 2938 birds, undoubtedly a reflection of the weather. 

Overall it was a decent count.   Thanks very much to everyone, and happy, birdy, New Year to all! Lynne Richardson – Compiler.

The Saugeen Shores Christmas Bird Count was held on Jan 2, 2025. We faced weather challenges all day, in the form of lake effect snow squalls and high winds (gusting to 60kph or more). Due to this we had a lower turnout of counters and less species than normal, though considering the weather I think we did quite well. 

The 50 species recorded was below the all time average of 54 (and well shy of last years 65), but we recorded far more individual birds than average (14,057, average 8,051). This was mostly due to Snow Buntings, with 7,243 recorded across the count circle. 

A Surf Scoter seen in Southampton was a first for the count, and 3 all time high counts were set (Iceland Gull – 3, Lapland Longspur – 5, Horned Grebe – 11). 

An all time low was recorded for Black-capped Chickadee (166), and a lot of other forest birds were seen in much lower numbers than usual. This was likely almost entirely due to the high winds, which make observing these small birds a challenge. 

Other interesting species seen on count day included 1 Golden Eagle, 2 Northern Harriers, 9 Long-tailed Ducks and a single Snowy Owl.

 Big thanks to the 25 participants who braved the weather to help with the count! 

Kiah Jasper – Compiler 

The OSFN Young Naturalists had clever birding quizzes, and tips for feeder arrangements, and observing to keep learning over the holidays. Their next outing, 2-4pm Sunday January 26 will feature tracking and developing those keen observation skills. To learn more, please email Amanda at youngnaturalistsos@gmail.com

Along with many others in our community, I was saddened to learn of the recent passings of three well known naturalists, all of whom left amazing legacies, through their skill sets, dedication, volunteering, initiative and leadership.

 Some memorable snapshots for me include: 

Jim Hastie – I will always remember skiing out to the edge of the Bognor Marsh to where Jim Hastie and his team of volunteers were doing their annual checking and cleaning of the wood duck/merganser nesting boxes there. Just one of so many contributions he made. 

Bill Klein – an amazing naturalist (and dentist) I first met at the Huron Fringe Birding Festival in 2001, who also contributed to OSFN wildflower publications, had a double knee replacement in his early 90s, went downhill skiing that winter, and shared with me his joyous tale of his then recent visit to New York City for a week of opera and broadway shows.

Ron Reid – Originally from Chesley, I only knew Ron slightly, having met him at an NCC event in Lion’s Head, and spoke to him on the phone about three years ago. Widely respected as an elder statesman of Natural Heritage Protection in Ontario, he was very proud of having co-founded the Couchiching Conservancy, a local Land Trust that preserves wild areas for future generations. An avid canoeist with his wife Janet, Ron travelled dozens of northern rivers. Together they co-authored Canoeing Ontario Rivers.  

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.

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

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!”

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

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.

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.”

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.

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

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

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.

A journey to Madagascar

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) invite you to visit the Bayshore Community Centre at 7pm on Thursday October 10, and to ‘Come Celebrate World Lemur Day’ with a presentation by explorer, author, and conservationist Dr. Keriann McGoogan and explorer, anthropologist, and conservationist Dr. Travis Steffens. They will take us on a journey to Madagascar to learn about the amazing wildlife and landscapes, the challenges of field research, and how they are working to create sustainable forest communities through their charity Planet Madagascar. Madagascar is truly a place like no other and is the only place lemurs are found naturally — sadly these primates are the most endangered animals in the world. 

Keriann and Travis will also have copies of Keriann’s book, Chasing Lemurs and some products from Madagascar for you to purchase if you want to help support lemur conservation in Madagascar, and its special wildlife, including Lemurs.Admission is free, and donations from non-members are welcome. Doors open by 6:30pm, and OSFN publications, along with the new Fern Buff (a great gift idea!) will be available too. This presentation will also be available on Zoom. To receive a zoom link, please send an email, in advance, to web@osfn.ca with lemurs on the subject line.For more information about OSFN, membership, field trips, Young Naturalists  and more, please visit www.osfn.ca

 Beth Anne Currie of the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory invites you to take in their upcoming Fall Dinner and Fundraiser, with special guest speaker  

Dr. Dan Mennill:

It’s Time!!! Banquet for the Birds… Who Gives a Tweet?! 

Saturday, October 26,  5 to 10:30 p.m. at the Best Western, Inn on the Bay,Owen Sound.

BPBO is looking forward to seeing and connecting with you all. All funds raised go to supporting the work at the Cabot Head Research Station. Tickets for the evening are $100 ($40 tax receipt) And we thank you! 5:00 to 6:00 – Meet and Greet. Enjoy music and pre-dinner drinks. Visit the ongoing fundraising activities. 

OSFN Board member Marsha Courtney tells us of the Young Naturalists event on September 22 “I Took two of my Grandchildren to the Young Naturalists event on Sunday. We opened, removed and examined the seasonal nests from 10 birdhouses that are placed along the walking trails at Grey Sauble Conservation. Then we were off to see the Salmon heading up stream, which means they had made it up the fish ladder at the Mill Dam. Next, a visit to the arboretum was a chance to learn of the native trees there too.”

Yes, there is room for more youngsters, 7-12, to participate in these monthly learning/adventure gatherings. To learn more please contact Amanda at youngnaturalistsos@gmail.com

James Turland shared this report on the Bruce Birding Club’s (BBC) October 2 tour – 

“Doug Pedwell led this outing, starting at Sauble Beach Community Centre. Here a groomed trail and boardwalk offers a look at Carson Lake. 

Carson Lake is becoming a bog by slowly filling with plant debris. Bogs take hundreds of years to develop.  Once the lake is full of debris, sphagnum moss, as well as other plants, grow out from the lake’s edge. The vegetation eventually covers the lake’s entire surface. Bogs have a unique plant community and the Winterberry was in its full glory today. Winterberry is a native holly with showy red berries that birds will eat. White-crowned and White-throated sparrows were both seen at this stop. Next we visited the mouth of the Sauble River where there were several Bald Eagles perched in the treetops and we puzzled over distant swans. Then we drove the Huron Lake shoreline from south to north Oliphant. Shorebirds were hard to find and only Greater Yellowlegs were seen. A red fox at Lonely Island causeway grabbed our attention as it trotted up the road and hunted in the marsh grasses. We had lunch at Berford Lake and then visited Isaac Lake. At Isaac we had close up views of the resident Trumpeter Swans. We finished the day at the Wiarton Lagoons with a couple of Coots and a selection of ducks. Thanks so much to Doug for leading today and Marilyn Ohler for keeping the eBird list. Following is a complete list of the birds seen.

For a complete breakdown to where the birds were seen check out Marilyn’s ebird Trip Report. https://ebird.org/tripreport-invite/279527/editor/zEnI8y2utiQAcWcXcxr2_H5LEAU   Thanks to all the members who came out to enjoy the camaraderie on this day.”    To learn more about the BBC please contact James at jaturland@gmail.com

To close, a quote from Keriann McGoogan in response to learning that I was recently reading a comprehensive biography of naturalist and author Gerald Durrell who, through his writing, generated sufficient income to create his own zoo, with a clear mission of saving species from extinction. This four word mission statement still remains today. He opened Jersey Zoo in 1959 and in 1963 established a charitable trust to oversee the zoo and carry out the conservation work worldwide.

  “Glad you are enjoying your biography about Durrell — his legacy plays a role in the national park where we work, as there is a conservation project run by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust on the ploughshare tortoises. Planet Madagascar partners with this organization on several other conservation projects too.” 

Nature Club News for September 2024

by John Dickson

On Thursday September 12, at 7pm, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) will kick off its 2024-2025 season of monthly speakers, in addition to the complementary  hikes and field trips schedule which has already begun. First up is  The Wonderful World of Bees, with Janine McGowan, M.Sc.

 An Environmental Scientist and Beekeeper with roots in the Meaford area, McGowan will introduce us to many Bees of the World, plus the Bee biodiversity in Canada, and to Honey Bees in particular. During her 6 years working and studying at the “Bee Lab” (U of Guelph’s Honey Bee Research Centre), Janine revived their Apiculture Club, acted as President for 4 years, and she has also participated in many apiculture-related research projects.Janine continues to expand her knowledge of native pollinators, focusing on regenerative agriculture and gardening. “Less grass and more habitat, please! Bring on the bee-friendly cover crops!” This presentation will take place at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, with doors opening by 6:30pm, to allow some social time and a chance to peruse the renowned OSFN publications, membership purchase and/or renewal, etc. OSFN plans for the meeting to also be available on Zoom. If you would like to receive a zoom link please email web@osfn.ca with Bees in the subject line. The event is open to the public, and admission is free or by donation. For more information please visit www.osfn.ca

Monarch Butterfly migration also gets some attention at this time of year as Audrey Armstrong explains:  “We were gifted with great weather- sunny and hot- just the way butterflies like it, but our OSFN Monarch Tagging event Sunday, August 25th proved to have lower numbers of monarchs in migration this year.  We tagged only 4 as opposed to 100 two years ago on a similar date.  Regardless, the 14 participants had fun with Brian Robin, trying to net and capture monarchs even though very few were moving through. Patti Byers and Audrey Armstrong provided background information to the participants and there is increasing understanding about the importance of creating habitat for these amazing insects. Brian gifted each participant with a free Swamp Milkweed plant from Grange Hollow. We know these will attract monarchs when planted on your property.  The news on Journey North Website indicates there might be a late summer peak, so keep looking for those super-generation monarchs travelling south.”

What a treat it was to see so many drifting butter yellow Clouded Sulphur Butterflies as we cycled the backroads near Chesley recently! I am also enjoying the many blooming Asters I have seen lately – white and yellow and very delicate.  However, my eye is really drawn now to the striking purple and yellow flowers  of the New England Asters. 

  There is always room! The Young Naturalists’ Club is starting up again this fall. Bring the kids and grandkids out and help inspire a love for nature in the next generation! The Young Naturalists’ Club is geared toward children aged 7 to 12 years old. The children must be accompanied by an adult during each meeting.We typically meet once a month from 2 to 4 pm, but for some events the times may vary. The programme operates from September to June but with no meeting in December.We go for guided hikes, snowshoe, create art inspired by nature, see how others in the area are protecting our nature and visit a variety of ecosystems in our area. We learn so much from the experts we recruit to guide us. I have as much fun as the kids do! You don’t have to be amember of the Naturalist club to join so let your friends and family know. Our first meeting is being held at the Grey Sauble Conservation Area Sunday September 22nd at 2pm (meet at the pavilion). We will clean out the bird boxes and see what nests are there. We will play some nature inspired games. Hopefully there will be a few salmon in the river to check out as well.You can get more information by emailing Amanda Eriksen at youngnaturalistsos@gmail.com or by coming to the first meeting!    

Each week the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory (at BPBO.ca) shares its report in a blog, as excerpted here. “From time to time, during migration, something truly extraordinary happens. .. But nothing prepared us … for getting… an exceptional deluge of Bay-breasted Warblers… Of course, we know in theory that the boreal forest holds billions of birds during its proliferate summer and that most of them fly south. But, it is not often that one can get an inkling of the staggering numbers of birds aloft over our heads at migration time… on that fateful day of August 30, 2024, we banded 185 birds of 18 species, including 119 Bay-breasted Warblers (119!), 13 Tennessee Warblers, and 8 Blackburnian Warblers.  I do believe it will take a long time to see another day like that 30 August 2024, if ever. However, in migration, “always expect the unexpected”!

On September 4 and 5, OSFN held its 4th annual Moth Night/Moth Morning event with Moth enthusiast Alan Macnaughton, at the Grey Sauble Conservation Arboretum and pavilion, with 15 to 29 participants on hand too, including former OSFN President Kate McLaren –

“Most people will delight in the flight of a butterfly, but moths, being creatures of the night, raise a slight suspicion – until Alan  shines his light on their beauty and diversity.

Strange, fascinating, fleeting, but such an integral part of ecosystems that a two hour drive away from here yields species unknown to our  leafy friends!”

To close, a Nature quote from Janine McGowan –  “There are two things about honey bees that I particularly revere: the first is the fact that honey bees are one of the only creatures that are givers of life, not takers. They collect nectar and pollen for sustenance and the act of doing so creates a life, as opposed to consuming one”

Nature Club News for July 2024

by John Dickson

Nature Column for July 2024

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the evening of June 13, comfortably inside at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, while on the outside, very high winds and driving rain arrived in the area, as could be seen through the windows of the Bay Room. Along with the usual business of the club, was the presentation of three club awards. Past President Pam Kinchen presented OSFN’s Community Conservation Award to Judy Duncan, in recognition of: Judy’s long time work on behalf of the club, including as a board member; of her support in the community for the Huron Fringe Birding Festival, the Bruce Birding Club, the Breeding Bird Atlas, as well as many area Christmas Bird Counts; in addition Judy has  done a Shrike Survey for Wildlife Preservation Canada since 2011, and since 1998 she has raised money through pledges for the Great Canadian Birdathon which then shares some of the funds raised, to a group designated by Judy – OSFN. Congratulations!

OSFN President Brendan Mulroy and John Dickson then presented OSFN’s Honourary Life Membership Award to Fred Jazvac: In recognition of his dedication, valued leadership and teamwork with the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, including 14 years of guiding and teaching with ‘Birding Around the Bay’, plus Indoor Presentations and a six-year term on the OSFN Board of Directors, including two years as President; He was the Coordinator of the Bruce Birding Club until 2023, bringing together the birding community for bi-weekly outings and weekend trips; Many years of volunteering with area Christmas Bird Counts;  Since 2002 he has been a committee member and subsequently a leader with the Huron Fringe Birding Festival! Congratulations!

Finally, President Mulroy presented an Honourary Life Membership Award to OSFN’s Brian Robin, in recognition of his volunteering, along with his skills and knowledge, whether guiding and teaching Young Naturalists, assisting with Butterfly and Moth workshops; offering superb presentations himself, both for OSFN, and for such other events as Beach Talks, and the Grey Bruce Woodlot Conference; looking after the OSFN’s website, including an extensive recent update;  facilitating the presentations by guest speakers, and operating the zoom sharing; Coordinating for many years, OSFN’s Members’ Night,  with multiple presenters and topics to match. Congratulations!

The evening then proceeded with Three Waters, featuring Scott and Acadia Parent, and their 480km paddling expedition in 2019, from Drummond Island, Michigan, to Penetanguishene, Ontario. In addition to retracing the 1828 migration route of their ancestors almost two hundred years ago, they also honoured that legacy by collecting water samples at various depths for microplastics research, and by gathering any trash they found along the way, trying to leave it cleaner than they found it. The film also depicted scenery and wildlife along the way, and was complemented by Scott’s and Acadia’s original musical compositions and performances. To learn more about and how to support their foundation, dedicated to caring for the remote islands of Lake Huron and helping wildlife who reside in those areas which are impacted by plastic pollution, please visit   https://3waters.ca/

MacGregor Point Provincial Park, with Park Naturalist Layna Lubimiv,  hosted its annual North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Butterfly Count event on Saturday July 13, from 9am to 3:30pm, “I am so grateful for everyone who signed up and everyone who attended the butterfly count this year. We had the help of over 30 staff and volunteers, which included returning and many new participants as well, who helped to survey inside the Park boundaries for butterflies! We were gifted a beautiful sunny day (as opposed to 2023’s rainy day) that truly made a difference on our overall count.  Keep Flying, Butterflies!”  In total the count produced 2170 butterflies and 55 total species of butterflies! With seven teams of spotters, the top half-dozen butterflies observed were – Clouded Sulphur  664, Cabbage White 459, Northern Crescent  183, Orange Sulphur  95, Red Admiral 72, Least Skipper also 72. 

Alan Macnaughton then hosted a Moth Night at MacG Park, on July 16, with close to 25 people attending. People enjoyed the display of moths that Alan brought with him and the moth turnout in the Park was quite diverse. Here is a comprehensive report in    Alan’s words –

“July is the month of peak diversity of moths. I recorded 164 species in the Park in June but 280species in July. I observed 3 species of moths in my July visit that are particularly notable because of their rarity worldwide. Listing the rarest first, they are: Clouded Veneer (Prionapteryx nebulifera, a member of the Crambidae family), Dune Oncocnemis, (Sympistis riparia, a member of the Noctuidae family), and Greater Idia (Idia majoralis, a member of the Erebidae family). They are also uncommon to rare for the province as a whole. All 3 species have a wingspan of perhaps an inch or an inch and a half, so they are not small, inconspicuous moths. None of these species are in iNaturalist’s computer vision, so this ID will not be suggested for observations.” 

And just a heads up to let you know that OSFN and  Alan Macnaughton will be staging a Moth Night in early September at GSCA. To learn more please visit www.osfn.ca

Owen Sound Young Naturalists Club report:
The June meeting was held at Hibou Conservation area and our hike leader was Robert Knapp. Bob was a wealth of knowledge. We learned how the park was created from naturalists buying up the land and
saw the remnants of the old cottages that once stood on the beach. We looked for fossils, crayfish, mussels, noticed blooming beach flowers and skipped stones by the water. Next, we walked the boardwalk noticing the diversity of plants, how the water level of the lake shaped the land and of course noticed birds and frogs. We did not see a turtle, but we looked hard! There were 6 kids out for our final hike of the season. Thanks to Marsha we celebrated a great year with some treats. 

Submitted by Amanda Eriksen

To learn more about the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and their indoor and outdoor programming, membership and donation options, please  visit  www.osfn.ca

Following that June windstorm I happened to notice two birds’ nests on the ground, beside a pine tree and a spruce tree. One appeared to be a Robin’s nest, quite heavy and strong, and the other was likely from a Chipping Sparrow, with an interior softness enhanced by strands of human hair. This past month much of the wildflower colours have been the white tones provided by the Queen Anne’s Lace, decorating so many fields and roadsides. However, I have also started to  notice the  beautiful yellow Goldenrod flowers that are now appearing here and there.  There are also many bird families to be seen, including clusters of Eastern Kingbirds and family groupings of Swallows perched on utility wires overhead.

To close, Nature quotes from Douglas Botting’s comprehensive biography, entitled Gerald Durrell. Many years ago I read two or three   of Gerald Durrell’s books, but this biography provides a very satisfying outline of Durrell the man and of his amazing activities, and accomplishments. Of the time when Durrell was a lad, during warm summer nights, while living with his family on the island of Corfu, he wrote

“Never had we seen so many fireflies congregated in one spot…Glittering streams of them flew out over the bay, swirling over the water, and then, right on cue, the porpoises appeared, swimming in line into the bay, rocking rhythmically through the water, their backs as if painted with phosphorous… With the fireflies above and the illuminated porpoises below it was a fantastic sight… and when they leapt high in the air the drops of emerald glowing water flicked from them, and you could not tell if it was phosphorescence or fireflies you were looking at.”