Sharon and Denis thank Ron Tozer Ron Tozer, an icon of Ontario’s birding community, and an excellent speaker, was at our monthly meeting. He was Park Naturalist for 25 years in Algonquin Park, beginning full time in 1972. An avid birder, he has been keeping records of the arrivals, nesting and departures of all 280…
Activities
Orillia Christmas Bird Count 2016
Sue Deadman, scanning the mill pond above Marchmount. For 55 years the Orillia Naturalists’ Club has organized the Orillia Christmas bird count. The results are reported to Bird Studies Canada and become part of the North American records, so trends can be seen. There are about 10 people who have participated in the count for…
Fall Visit - Carthew Bay Nature Reserve
On Wednesday, November 9, 2016, an eight member work party from the Orillia Naturalists’ Club met David Hawke at the Lakeshore Road entrance to the Carthew Bay Nature Reserve to establish a trail through the property. Present were Arni and Dianne Stinnissen, Muriel and Alec Sinclair, Omer and Mary E Mick, Bill Sherwood and Heather Ewing.…
“Arizona’s Second Spring – a Naturalist’s Journey into the Monsoon Season”
An animated Lev Frid On Nov. 2, 2016, the Orillia Naturalists’ Club regular monthly program featured Lev Frid, a young Russian-born (but Canadian raised) naturalist, who is extensively traveled, especially through the Americas. Lev has worked every summer for 8 years for the MNR as a park naturalist at Algonquin Provincial Park, and is also…
Guest speaker: Peter Mills -The Quest to Create a Field Guide - Wed Oct. 5, 2016
Craig Barrett, Membership ( the newest member of the executive): Carol Strickland ,secretary: Peter Mills and Arni Stinnissen , Vice President Peter was born and raised in Barrie, and has worked professionally as a naturalist in Algonquin Park over the past 9 years. He has a Biology degree from Trent University. Because of his close…
Fall walk to Fawcett/Agnew Conservancy Property - Sunday October 2nd, 2016
The group gathers at the north end of Cambrian Rd. What was forecast weather-wise to be a dismal day for the Orillia Field Naturalists’ outing to the Agnew Property turned into a most perfect fall day for a field trip. One can only ask, “Was Ron Reid, our leader, responsible for this?” Ron led our…
Eastern Bluebird Nesting Reports
BLUEBIRD NESTING REPORTS: Leanore Wiancko sends us this report: This was a warm year for birds so none abandoned the nest due to cold and lack of insects. I had 38 Bluebirds fledge. There were a lot (23) of robins that can make a mess of a box, but have as much right to nest.…
Club picnic at Victoria Falls in Queen Elizabeth II Park Sat. August 27, 2016
Victoria Bridge Leader and trip reporter Sue Deadman 24 people woke up to sunny skies, packed their lunch, camera and binoculars and met behind Zehrs at 9:30 a.m. making it the largest turnout for an ONC outing in years. We drove through Washago to Cooper’s Falls and then followed Black River Rd. to our first…
Visiting the Piping Plovers - Wasaga Beach Sunday June 19, 2016
Luxury Viewing A plethora of Plovers What does the future hold for these balls of feathers? Probable female: They share nesting duties Probable male: About 10:30, when we were leaving, the sun was hot and this bird was panting with her mouth open, and hovering over the nest, shading it, and allowing air to circulate.…
The world of ferns with Pat Woodford at Copeland Forest - June 11, 2016
Eagerly starting out The weather forecast was bad – rain, wind, etc. but 10 people turned out for the Fern walk anyway. We met at the 4th Line parking lot. After looking at 2 fern guides – Ferns of Northeastern North America (Peterson Series 2nd Edition) and Ferns of Grey and Bruce, and also some…
Bird Migration Hike - Saturday, May 21, 2016
Arni Stinnissen led a walk looking for spring migrants near Matchedash Bay on the Cowan Trail. 16 members of the club had a very enjoyable hike with terrific weather and an early start at Cowan Trail. It seems as though the delayed spring also affected our numbers as well with only 27 species seen and…
Chimney Swift night - Tuesday May 10, 2016
Bill Sherwood photographed Dave Thompson photographing the Chimney Watchers. We joined Leanore Wiancko and Kay Price to watch the chimney swifts. A few swifts were ( maybe) seen, but none entered the Chimney at the opera house. Why?