Program

Discover the fascinating world of Ontario’s turtles! Join us for an informative event where Don Scallen will discuss the various turtle species, their habitats, and conservation efforts. Don will share images, information and anecdotes about turtles. Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and families, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn and engage with nature. All are welcome!

In person and on Zoom.

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Get ready to embrace the festive spirit of birdwatching with the Orillia Naturalists’ Club’s annual Christmas Bird Count! This beloved tradition, part of the longest-running citizen science project in North America, invites bird enthusiasts of all levels to contribute to an essential winter bird census.

🎄 What to Expect:

• Team Up: Join one of our birding teams led by experienced guides who will help you spot and identify various bird species.
• Explore Local Habitats: Wander through Orillia’s beautiful parks, woodlands, and urban areas as we search for both common and rare winter bird species.
• Record & Contribute: Help us compile data on bird populations, which contributes to important conservation efforts and helps track changes in bird distributions.

🔭 Why Participate?

• Enjoy Nature: Experience the joy of winter birdwatching in a friendly, social setting.
• Support Conservation: Your observations provide valuable data that supports avian research and conservation initiatives.
• Community Spirit: Meet fellow nature enthusiasts and celebrate the season together with hot drinks and festive cheer.

What to Bring:

• Warm clothing and sturdy footwear
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• A notebook or smartphone for recording observations
• A sense of adventure and curiosity!

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to the hobby, your participation will help make this year’s count a success. Join us in celebrating the wonder of winter birds and make a meaningful contribution to our understanding of local avian life.

Let’s make this Christmas Bird Count a memorable and impactful event together!

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Whooo are the different owl species? What is their habitat? Guest speaker Marcie Jacklin will be talking about the different species that are likely to be found, some of their behaviours and habitats. Most importantly she will be talking about how we can help owls.

Marcie has been birding for over 30 years including 9 international trips. She belongs to all 3 Niagara nature clubs and the Buffalo Ornithological Society. Currently she is the Niagara Regional Coordinator for the Second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (2021-2025);  Marcie was also the Winner of the Canadian Wildlife Outdoor Person of the Year Award 2021 https://cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/awards/winners/2021/stan-hodgkiss-award.html?src=PR

This meeting will be on Zoom but may be in person depending on the weather.

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Bring snowshoes, expect slow to moderate pace, dress for the conditions. Location to be determined. We will take advantage of whatever nature provides us to explore, including some snow track interpretation.

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Samantha Stephens takes us on a journey through the bogs and into the trees of Algonquin Provincial Park as she shares her experiences as a photographer documenting the work of wildlife researchers. Drawing on her own background as a biologist, Sam’s work demonstrates how photography can be used as a tool to communicate science.

Samantha Stephens is a biologist turned photographer for science and conservation. She uses visual storytelling to communicate scientific research, especially when that research is relevant to conservation issues. Through her work she hopes to foster appreciation for the natural world and the work that helps us understand and protect our shared home. Samantha is a graduate of the Environmental Visual Communication program offered by the Royal Ontario Museum and Fleming College. She is a National Geographic Explorer and an Emerging League Member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Her work has appeared in bioGraphic, National Wildlife Magazine, National Geographic, and Canadian Geographic, among others. Samantha currently spends most of her time in Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario, Canada) where she is documenting various wildlife research projects at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.

This meeting will be on Zoom only.

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Have you ever wondered how dragonflies and other aquatic insects survive the winter? What impact will climate change have on these important ecological communities? Drill through the ice with Dr. Rosemary Martin to discover the surprisingly active ecosystem that exists below the ice of our ponds and lakes during the winter.  Rosemary “Rosie” Martin will share some cool results from her PhD research on overwintering aquatic invertebrates as well as some under-ice video footage captured in local Ontario ponds.

Dr. Rosemary Martin – Rosie recently defended her PhD in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Her thesis focused on how aquatic insects overwinter and how the under-ice physical conditions determine who survives, who stays active, who eats whom, and how that all plays into food web and community structure in subsequent seasons. Much of her research was carried out at the Koffler Scientific Reserve, U of T’s field research station located just outside Newmarket. Rosie is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Michigan State University where she is studying the physiology and energetics of overwintering dragonflies.

This meeting will be on Zoom.

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Michael Mesure, FLAP Canada
A Bird’s Eye View – Reflecting on Bird-Building Collisions

This meeting is planned to be in person and hybrid, and we will update our members and email list if anything changes.

Michael Mesure is the Executive Director of Fatal Light Awareness

Program (FLAP) Canada, a registered Canadian charity. A founding member of FLAP Canada, he has been with the organization since it began operations in 1993.

An author and speaker, Michael regularly delivers presentations on the topic of bird-building collisions, bringing attention to the reflective light issue that impacts over 1 billion birds across North America every year.

His work increasingly focuses on solutions to help mitigate and remediate the challenges of bird migrations in built environments, having led the BirdSafe® Building Standards and risk assessments, to helping develop the Canadian Standards Association’s (CSA) Bird-Friendly Design standard as a technical committee member. Michael tirelessly advocates for bird protections at various levels of government, as well as consults with city planners across North America on developing bird-friendly guidelines and standards.

In addition to his ongoing bird rescue and recovery patrols, Michael’s time is spent partnership-building and enabling collaboration to promote bird conservation programs and other renowned initiatives—including Global Bird Rescue and Bird-Safe Campus—and contributing content to ornithological-focused papers such as Collision Course: The Hazards of Lighted Structures & Windows to Migratory Birds and Window Collisions by Migratory Bird Species: Urban Geographical Patterns and Habitat Associations.

With specialties in fine arts and graphic design, Michael complements his life’s work supporting the birds that inspire him with professional

development in bird biology from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and continuous learning.

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Join us for a delightful outing as we welcome spring and explore the vibrant sights and sounds of nature returning to our region! As we stroll through picturesque trails, we’ll tune our ears to the melodious calls of various bird species and keep our eyes peeled for glimpses of local wildlife. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, learn about the different species that inhabit Orillia, and enjoy the beauty of the season. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about the local fauna, this event promises a serene and enriching experience for all.

Location to be determined each week and shared via email.

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What species have returned back to our area or started to bloom? Join us for an easy walk at a nearby natural area. Together we will work to identify bird songs, flowers and other species. No experience necessary and absolutely everyone is welcome.

Location to be determined each week and shared via email.

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Date may change and details to follow.

Sign up for our email list through our form to be notified of upcoming events, any changes to the program and ways to get involved.

Birding by ear is all about repetition! Join us for the last of our Sights & Sounds outings. You know the drill…an easy walk where we watch and listen for species like Green Heron, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and many more. All are welcome and encouraged to join in!

Location to be determined each week and shared via email.

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Connect with fellow members, review the past year’s achievements, and discuss exciting plans for the future. This is your chance to get involved, share ideas, and help shape our upcoming activities. Potluck, and then meeting and speaker to follow. Don’t miss this important event!

Guest speaker is Mike McIntosh. Mike became fascinated about ‘perceived’ dangerous animals and our misunderstanding of these species. For most of his life, bears have been his focus. He founded the Bear With Us Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre for Bears in 1992. He operates Bear with Us, caring for black bear cub orphans, injured bears and offering ever important education along with his wife and partner Ella.

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Explore North Bear Alvar Nature Reserve, a property of Nature Conservancy of Canada on the Carden Alvar! In partnership with the Carden Field Naturalists Club, we will head out for a walk of the 3.5 km trail.

Bring your binoculars, water and snacks. The terrain is flat, but there are uneven parts of the trail.

Meet at the Zehrs parking lot at 9:10am to carpool to the Carden Recreation Centre for 9:40pm. The drive to North Bear is another 10 minutes.

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Join for an evening of counting Chimney Swifts at dusk! Witness the fascinating spectacle of these birds gathering and roosting. Learn about their behavior and contribute to conservation efforts. Bring your binoculars and enjoy this unique opportunity to observe nature in action. All are welcome!

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Explore the beauty of Keall’s Falls and the Covered Bridge with the Orillia Naturalists’ Club! Enjoy a guided walk through picturesque trails, marvel at the stunning waterfall, and discover the charm of the historic bridge. This scenic outing is perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike. All skill levels welcome!

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Stroll through scenic paths and waterways as we search for these majestic Great Blue Herons in their natural habitat. Enjoy birdwatching, photography, and the serene beauty of Lagoon City. All birding skill levels are welcome!

Meet at the Zehrs Parking Lot at 10am, at the trailhead at 10:40am (it is a 30 minute drive). Google Map location for trailhead linked below.

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