Make sure you are on our email list for updates on events and activities (orillianaturalists@gmail.com). We update the home page and Facebook as well.
Meetings are held at the Orillia Museum of Art and History 3rd floor, wheelchair access. Our meetings are hybrid. If you are attending in person, masks are optional. Meeting details are sent to our email list in advance.
We meet for outings at the parking lot behind Zehr’s to car pool and get directions.
The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg, specially Ojibwe/Chippewa people. This is Williams Treaty territory.
The meetings are held September through May at 7:00 p.m.
Non-members are always welcome.
For confirmation of dates/times, it is advisable to check with the contact person or the website.
2022/2023 PROGRAM
Thursday, September 15, 2022 7:30 p.m
NORTH SIMCOE NATURE CLUBS JOINT MEETING
The joint meeting of Huronia area clubs is hosted this year by the Midland-Penetanguishene Field Naturalists and will be held at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in the Education Room. David Hawke will present on “A Tale of Two Marshes: The Natural and Cultural History of Wye Marsh and Tiny Marsh”.
Saturday, September 17, 2022 9:30 a.m.
ONTARIO NATURE FALL REGIONAL MEETING
Carden Community Centre, Dalrymple
Hosted by the Carden Field Naturalists, this meeting of Huronia clubs will be followed by an afternoon hike on the Prairie Smoke Alvar Trail. Please bring your own mug, lunch and water container. RSVP to barbaraw@ontarionature.org
Sunday, October 2, 2022 10:00 a.m.
Outing: COPELAND FOREST
Barb and Heather will lead you on a fall colours hike in this 4,400 acre resource management area known for its many species of mushroom. Meet behind Zehrs at 9:30am.
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 7:00 p.m.
TRAVELS IN WESTERN CANADA
Arni & Dianne Stinnissen
Join us to hear Arni and Dianne as they share tales of their travel to western Canada and view the award-winning nature photography which always accompanies their presentations.
Saturday, October 8, 2022 10:00 a.m.
Outing: STRAWBERRY BAY POINT TRAIL, BRACEBRIDGE
Don Currie will lead us on an easy fall colours hike on this 5 km return trail through country lanes and wooded areas. A highlight is the panoramic view of Lake Muskoka from a look out. Meet at 9:00 a.m. behind Zehrs to carpool. Pack a lunch.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 7:00 p.m.
DISEASES OF CONCERN TO ONTARIO WILDLIFE
Dr. Brian Stevens, Wildlife Pathologist, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative
From the sudden death of ducks in Wasaga Beach last year to mysterious pigeon deaths in London, Ontario, Dr. Stevens will cover a range of diseases and other factors that threaten our local wildlife.
Saturday, December 17, 2022 6:00 p.m.
ORILLIA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT AND POT LUCK SUPPER
Member and non-member birders of all levels can take part in this worldwide citizen science project! Bring a group, or we can match you with a group.
Bird Reports and Pot Luck Supper at OMAH (2nd floor with kitchen). A $5 donation per person to support Bird Studies Canada is appreciated.
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 7:00 p.m.
COSTA RICA – THE LAND, PEOPLE AND BIRDS
Ken Vogan, Biologist, York Simcoe Nature
An intimate exploration of a magical country where you will meet the people, visit volcanoes, beaches, rainforests, and cloud forests, as well as share in the beauty of a selection of the birds found there.
Sunday, January 22, 2023 1:00 PM
Outing: SNOWSHOE
Join Carol Strickland for an afternoon trek to enjoy the beauty of a winter wonderland. Location to be announced.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 7:00 p.m.
BUTTERFLY COUNTS OVER 25 YEARS
James Kamstra, Senior Terrestrial Ecologist, AECOM
Butterfly counts in Ontario help track changes in populations and distribution. James will bring us up-to-date on the 2022 significant decline in butterfly numbers and discuss how we might help.
Saturday, February 11, 2023 10:30 a.m.
Outing: WILSON‘S FALLS TRAIL BRACEBRIDGE
Join a walk/snowshoe on this pretty out-and-back trail which follows the Muskoka River and features a waterfall. Ice/snow grips on boots recommended.
To carpool, meet behind Zehrs at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 7:00 p.m.
Lynn Holden, World Heritage Sites
Over the course of the past 40 years, Lynn Holden travelled the country and visited all 20 Canadian World Heritage Sites. Then she sat down and wrote a book about them. Holden, who lived in Victoria Harbour before recently moving to Horseshoe Valley, started her unique journey in 1982. There are currently 20 sites designated in Canada with four in Newfoundland, three in Nova Scotia, two in Ontario, five in Alberta, one in the Yukon, one in the Northwest Territories and one in B.C
Saturday, March 4, 2023
COUCHICHING CONSERVANCY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Details on location, time and registration at: www.couchichingconserv.ca
Contact: Samantha Vessios (705) 326-1620
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 7:00 p.m.
ONTARIO WILDFLOWERS
Walter Muma, President, Wildwood Canada
From the very rare to the common, from field and forest to bog, and everywhere in between, Walter will take us on an
exploration of the many and varied wildflowers of Ontario.
Wednesdays in April 6:30 p.m.
Outings: SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FIELD TRIPS
Barb Ryckman
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Go for a walk and keep your eyes and ears open. You never know what you will encounter on a these evening outings! Wear warm clothing, waterproof footwear and bring a flashlight.
Friday, April 14, 2023 10:00 a.m.
Outing: COLDWATER RIVER TO MATCHEDASH BAY
Search for migrating waterfowl by canoe/kayak. Meet at Lawson Line boat launch at 10 a.m. Bring cameras, binoculars, and field guides.
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 6:00 p.m.
CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND POT LUCK SUPPER
Join together to review successes of the year, meet new and old friends and share pictures and stories of nature sightings from around the world!
Meet on the 2nd floor gallery of OMAH where kitchen facilities are available. Bring your dishes and cutlery.
Members may pre-submit digital pictures for a 5-10 minute presentation to Barb, or bring on USB.
Friday, May 12, 2023 9:30 a.m.
Outing: COWAN TRAIL
Join us on a walk looking for spring migrants near Matchedash Bay on the Cowan Trail. Meet at Zehrs to carpool at 9:15 a.m., bring a lunch and your binoculars. We recommend bug repellent and wearing rubber boots as it is wet in places.
Monday, May 22, 2023 8:00 p.m.
Outing: CHIMNEY SWIFT NIGHT
Join us in the Lions Oval School parking lot closest to the back of the Residence on West Street (old Armouries building) to count Chimney Swifts. Entrance to the parking lot is off Brant Street.
Saturday, May 27, 2023 11:00 a.m.
Outing: EASTERN BLUEBIRD NEST BOX TRAIL – FOR YOUTH
Bring your youngsters/grandchildren to view young birds in the nest, learn about predators and how to monitor boxes. Limit of eight (8) youth.
Saturday, June 17, 2023 7:30 a.m.
Outing: BIRDING BY EAR
Learning to identify birds by sound is a valuable skill for any birder to develop. By understanding and recognizing bird sounds rather than relying on visual identification only, you will be able to identify birds when you can’t always see them well. Location TBD.