Orillia Naturalists' Club Minutes of Virtual Meeting April 6, 2021

Orillia Naturalists’ Meeting minutes – Tuesday, April 6, 2021 (Virtual)

Denis welcomed the group at 7 pm. 

Sightings:  Eurasian Widgeon; 2 deer; a porcupine; flocks of Redpolls lingering at feeders; Yello-bellied Sapsucker; Carolina Wren; Red-bellied woodpecker; Sandhill Cranes; Bluebirds.

There were no Committee reports.

Andrea Gress, the Ontario Piping Plovers co-ordinator for Birds Canada, presented a slideshow virtually.  She described the plovers, their migrations, their fluctuations in population, and the current comeback that is being experienced.  She honed in on the Wasaga Beach and Saubel Beach experiences.  She made the point that habitat is everything to these birds, and is particularly threatened by human activity (inadvertently).  The Piping Plover support movement focuses on habitat restoration and protection, as well as tracking, education, and in the case of Michigan, fostering orphaned eggs.   She would welcome volunteers, and gave references to the Birds Canada website and her own email for further questions/interest. (https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/piping-plover/ontario/)

Marilyn Clark introduced Andrea, and Denis thanked her.

Marilyn asked that if any members had any ideas for virtual presentation, to be in touch with her.

The meeting adjourned at 8 pm.

Carol Strickland, Secretary,

Orillia Naturalists’ Club.