Go jays go. That’s what the Orillia Naturalists’ Club was saying when they gathered on November 7th to hear Dan Strickland speak about the distinguished Canada Jay. Dan Stickland worked as the chief park naturalist of Algonquin Park from 1972 to 2000. He received his Bachelor of Science from University of Toronto then went on…
Category: Meetings
Butterflies fluttering across the country, with James Kamstra
What do ladies, admirals, skippers and hairstreaks all have in common? They are all butterflies of course! On October 3, 2018 the Orillia Naturalist Club had their first meeting of season. It was a full house for James Kamstra, the guest speaker. The title of his presentation was “Butterfly Wonder” and after listening to his…
ONC AGM and Pot Luck Supper May2, 2018
The attendance was larger than usual, so the gourmet feast was amazing! Nobody went hungry. The minutes will be posted on this site, when they are passed (in a year!) Denis Paccagnella was pleased to add Ray Kiff to the Club’s Life Membership. In addition to being Orillia’s first specialist Ophthalmologist and the Hospital’s Chief…
Icebergs, Puffins and Whales, a presentation based on their trip to Newfoundland in 2017 by Arni and Dianne Stinnissen , April 4
The Orillia Naturalists’ Club had tough weather for the 11 people on our first spring nature walk, on Tuesday, April 3. The weather for Arni’s Newfoundland presentation was even worse. Many club members were unable to travel to the meeting because of the freezing rain and high winds. Nevertheless there was a large turnout.…
Citizen Science Workshop - March 8, 2018
On March 7, 2018 Mike Burrell spoke to the Orillia Naturalists’ Club March meeting at the Orillia Museum of Art and History and challenged those in attendance to become citizen scientists. He shared information about two very useful apps to use as tools for this endeavour. While we were planning this years activities and this…
Using Technology for Citizen Science
On Wed March 7 Mike Burrell spoke to us at OMAH. The challenge is out to become Citizen Scientists and the Orillia Naturalists’ Club recently heard about 2 very useful apps to use as tools for this endeavour. Mike Burrell, a Zoologist for Natural Heritage Information Centre in Peterborough, provided an excellent introduction to these…
Hydrology and the Minesing Swamp
In the above photo Ryan demonstrates the flow of water, using members of the club, sorted by height . Ryan Post, Lead Hydrogeologist at the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, entertained the Orillia Naturalists’ Club on February 7, 2018 with his wit and humour on several technical aspects groundwater. Hydrogeology is looking at the movement…
Travels with Nature Buffs - Chris Evans and friends
At the Orillia Naturalist’ Club meeting on Wed January 3rd, at the Orillia Museum of Art and History, a group gathered to hear the travels of a group of 3 avid birders from Barrie. The 3 presenters were: Ian Cook, a naturalist since he was 6 years old learning about birds, fish, flowers, reptiles, insects…
Orillia's Christmas Bird Count 2017
Since 1981 members and friends of the Orillia Naturalists’ Club have been documenting a sampling of birds, found in a circle, 25 kms in diameter, which centres on Bass Lake. People, divided into 9 teams, scour their area for the day, then return to a potluck supper, at OMAH, followed by the “Tally”, (which we…
Climate Change and Whale Poo
On Wednesday November 1st, Dave Ireland spoke to the Orillia Naturalists’ Club on the topic: Climate change and whale poo. Dave was just as interesting as his topic was intriguing. He grew up in Huntsville and spent many years exploring nearby Algonquin Park, then a stint at the Toronto Zoo. He is now Managing Director…
“A Naturalist’s Rambles in India” Oct. 4, 2017
Rufous Treepie on the head of Justin Peter (C) Christine Lengvari. “A NATURALIST’S RAMBLES IN INDIA” OCT. 4, 2017 Justin Peter, a Quest Nature Tours leader, and former Senior Naturalist to many organizations, presented a mosaic picture of nature in India, as seen on his travels. He is uniquely placed to review this subject as…
Spring Trip to Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Spring Trip to Georgian Bay Islands National Park Tuesday, June 6, 2017 and Saturday, June 10, 2017 10:30 – 2:30 Georgian Bay Islands National Park was the destination for 40 members of the Orillia Naturalists’ Club consisting of 2 day trips – June 6 and June 10. We enjoyed the 15 minute ride over to…