We had 36 people attend our March meeting, with guest speaker Dr. Rosemary Martin. The event provided a fascinating glimpse into how dragonflies and other aquatic insects survive the winter, as well as the potential impact of climate change on these important ecological communities. Dr. Rosemary “Rosie” Martin led attendees through a captivating discussion of…
Activities
Recap: February Outing & Meeting
Two events happened on February 5 – the first a snowshoe, the second our regular meeting. SNOWSHOE OF COPELAND FOREST Four hardy souls braved -12C degree temperatures to go for a 3 km snowshoe in the Copeland Forest on Feb. 5, 2025. There had been recent snow, which masked the tracks that were in the…
Recap: January Meeting, All About Owls
Our January meeting was attended by 35 people via Zoom, where we learned All About Owls by Marcie Jacklin. Marcie volunteers at the Owl Foundation and always picks up information through those efforts. People are usually quite curious about owls since they can be so mysterious and nocturnal. Owls are associated with death, wisdom and…
Recap 2024 Christmas Bird Count
A cold and windy day faced the teams for the 2024 Christmas Bird Count. This volunteer driven monitoring program has been running since 1900, adding to an understanding of how wild birds are doing across the country. People in more than 2000 locations throughout the Western Hemisphere participate in the CBC each year. Birds Canada…
November Meeting Recap - Turtles of Ontario
We were joined by Don Scallen for our November meeting with 30 people in person and 15 on Zoom. We were also joined by Jeff Hathaway from Scales Nature Park and one of their Blanding’s Turtles. Don shared information on the different species of turtles in Ontario, efforts by local groups to protect turtle nests,…
Summary: Dr. Kiff’s Bluebird Trail
Four dedicated volunteers monitored 44 boxes once a week from March 30 to September 8 with the following results: 50 bluebirds, 63 tree swallows and 15 house wrens. There were twelve successful Bluebird nestings in ten of our boxes and seven unsuccessful nestings (eggs predated by wrens, dead bluebirds fledglings, etc.). We found a lot…
Recap: October Meeting, MOTUS Towers
At our October meeting, we delved into the fascinating world of MOTUS towers and their essential role in wildlife conservation and species tracking. Our group gathered to learn about this cutting-edge technology through a video presentation. The MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System, developed to monitor the movements of small animals, particularly birds, uses a network of…
Outing Recap: Upjohn Nature Reserve
This past weekend, our group of 13 nature enthusiasts led by Don Currie embarked on a wonderful outing to the Upjohn Nature Reserve, a hidden gem protected by the Muskoka Conservancy. With crisp air and the golden hues of autumn surrounding us, it was the perfect day to explore the diverse flora and fauna the…
Recap: Outing to Milford Bay
On Saturday June 1st, a group of 7 naturalists including our leader Don Currie, met at the Milford Bay Community Center. Don lead the group along 2 trails nearby through very lush woodlands. As Don entertained the group with some of the history of the area, we were treated to a choir of…
Recap - 2024 Chimney Swift Watch
11 people showed up during a break in the stormy weather of May 22nd to watch 96 chimney swifts enter the chimneys at Residence on West and the Desjardin Insurance building. That is the highest count in the past three years! It was beautiful to see so many chittering birds circling a sky filled with…
A Year of Connection, Nature, and Learning
A Delicious Start Our recent Orillia Naturalists’ Club gathering kicked off with a delightful potluck supper, setting the tone for an evening of warmth, camaraderie, and shared passion for the natural world. Denis Paccagnella welcomed both in-person attendees at the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) and those joining via Zoom. He opened the…
Exploring East Coulson Swamp: A Chilly Spring Outing with the Orillia Naturalists Club
On a crisp spring evening, eight nature enthusiasts from the Orillia Naturalists Club gathered for our last Sights & Sounds outing to the East Coulson Swamp, a pristine nature reserve protected by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Although the air was cool and the sky blue, we were eager to explore this unique wetland ecosystem…