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…
Activities
Hike at the Adams Nature Reserve October 13, 2018
Twenty-three Orilla Naturalists Club members and friends joined together on Saturday, October 13th at the Adams Nature Reserve on Cooper’s Falls Road near Washago to explore the property. Heather and Alec Adams offered two guided hikes – one fast-paced and one slower-paced. This 100+ acre property was purchased by the couple in 1973 and visited…
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…
Nonquon Lagoon trip on June 9th, 2018
Seven members of the Orillia Naturalists’ joined Geoff Carpenter on June 9th as we visited the Nonquon lagoons in Port Perry. These lagoons are no longer used for sewage, but are kept as a bird sanctuary. All of us had obtained their mandatory access permits before we headed out on our adventure. Geoff Carpenter…
Chimney Swift night June 5, 2018
Leanore Wiancko and Kay Price have faithfully monitored this chimney for a number of years, and every year some of us have joined them. On a very cold night, with occasional spattering of light rain, a group gathered to observe Chimney Swift activity at our usual site – the chimney at the Opera House. At…
Cowan Trail Birding Hike - May 26
The predicted rain held off for our hike at the Cowan Trail on Saturday which allowed us to enjoy the walk and the 35 bird species we saw and heard. The highlights included a pair of Black-billed cuckoos and an activity singing Brewsters Warbler. Thanks to Donald MacDonald for supplying these great pictures.
AN INTRODUCTION TO MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS PRESENTED BY Dr. Troy McMullin from the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa
On Thursday May 10, 2018 at Grant’s Woods, Couchiching Conservancy’s meeting room, Division Rd, Severn Twp How are things related to each other? Most of us have come to think of DNA as the final answer, but Troy stressed that many DNA analyses are just one tool for classification and identification and should be added…
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…
Sights and Sounds of Spring Muriel's field trip 4 on Thursday April 26, 2018
Muriel reports that the evening walk number 4 ….. turned into a pond watching car cruise with 21 people. It is very interesting what turns up in a picture . A Great Blue Heron, a Blue-winged Teal, An American Bittern, and some Mallard Ducks , all in one Great shot ! After checking out the…
Sights and Sounds with Muriel Field Trip 3 April 9 2018
…..After the ICE storm . The round frowning Robin standing on stiff legs on the icy snow, and the shivering Great Blue Heron trying to pull its body inside its fluffy feathers, were begging Mother Nature to please turn up the thermostat. In spite of this the Chorus Frogs are struggling to keep singing even…
Sights and Sounds with Muriel Field Trip 2, on Tuesday April 10, 2018
Muriel writes: As you are now aware , it does not rain every time I lead a walk. It was a lovely evening , but still quite cold. The old swing bridge at the Narrows was free of snow and a good spot for watching the activity in the water and areas around. A pair…
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.…