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…
Tag: naturalists
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…
Sights & Sounds #2: A Refreshing Evening Stroll at George Langman Sanctuary
The Orillia Naturalists’ Club embarked on a tranquil journey through George Langman Sanctuary, greeted by a cooler breeze at 7 degrees Celsius. Despite a day of rain, fortune smiled upon us as we ventured around the sanctuary without a single drop falling from the sky. Our senses were treated to a plethora of natural wonders,…
Recap: Migration Birding at Point Pelee with Jeremy Bensette
We had over 50 people attend our virtual meeting with guest speaker Jeremy Bensette. HIGHLIGHTS: Perfect geography for migration since the landscape reaches into Lake Erie; Many migratory birds prefer to follow coastlines; Great Lakes make a southward “funnel” shape; Southernmost point in mainland Canada; 20 square kilometres of protected naturalist habitat. A mix of…
Christmas Bird Count Summary 2023
Warm weather with barely any snow and a wide open lake made for an enjoyable count, but definitely different. Teams were able to stay out longer because of the weather but there were also birds missing from the count. Overall 11,220 individual birds counted (slightly lower than last year). There were 68 species, which is a…
Outing: Cowan Trail
Eight people gathered for an outing to the Cowan trail on May 12. This 1.9-km loop trail near Severn, Ontario is generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. Matchedash Bay is the largest marsh situated on Georgian Bay and is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The…
Sights & Sounds #2 Outing
Location: Ramara Trail Date: April 19th Well I can just say that this week’s walk was a huge difference from last week’s. This week it was about 4 degrees C compared to last weeks 25 degrees. All 11 stalwart walkers were bundled up against the cold as we walked down the Ramara Trail. Despite the…
Recap: Coldwater River to Matchedash Bay Outing
Five people joined together on an absolutely beautiful Friday morning to paddle the Coldwater River and Matchedash Bay area. Species: Two racoons in the middle of the marsh Mink Midland Painted Turtle (~35) Sandhill Cranes Great Blue Heron Osprey Canada Geese Leopard Frog Northern Shoveller Muskrat Red-winged BlackBirds Blue-winged Teal Turkey Vultures Double-crested Cormorants Black-capped…