Thanks are extended to the nine club members who participated in this year’s annual Christmas Bird Count, held on December 28. Sightings of 16 species from the two and a half-hour walk are noted below along with count numbers from previous years, for comparison. There was minimal activity in the Reserve – weather was foggy accompanied by light showers. Wind was at 13 kph/E.  Temperatures at at 6 degrees.

From Ontario Nature:

Join us on Wednesday, November 29^th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for a webinar about Ontario Nature’s new Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas (ORAA) publication which will be released the week of November 20^th. After more than 10 years of data collection, the publication is  the most comprehensive source of information on Ontario’s reptiles and amphibians available!At this free webinar, the registrants will hear from a panel of ORAA experts about the origins of the atlas project, species accounts, lessons learned, and future directions for reptile and amphibian conservation in Ontario. Please join us to celebrate this major milestone and learn how to freely access the ORAA publication.

Register today.

If you can’t make it for the live presentation, register anyway and we will email you a recording soon after. We look forward to seeing you there! 

From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

Have you heard? We’ve launched an online store for landowners to purchase trees for their properties of 2.5 acres or larger. A variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and wildlife shrubs are available!

Large stock trees and tree seedlings can be planted through our full planting service or by the landowner. Those wishing to use our planting services are encouraged to contact forestry staff before purchasing trees. Just use our contact form here: https://forms.office.com/r/3iuB2ZRPsz

Shop the new online store at your convenience: https://thamesriver.on.ca/shop/

From Ontaro Nature:

Ontario bees need more habitat. Scientists estimate that 421 of Canada’s 927 bee species live in Ontario, and therefore, the province is a critical region for pollinator conservation.

Read more – https://ow.ly/Apqx50PTzec

From Ontario Nature:

Butterfly milkweed is one of multiple milkweed species important to the Monarch butterfly’s life cycle, a species of special concern. Adult females lay their eggs on the leaves, and caterpillars feed on them once they hatch.

The caterpillars can withstand the plant’s toxins and retain them in their bodies, even after metamorphosis, making them unpalatable to predators.

Learn more about how we are working to protect native pollinators: https://ow.ly/BtCO50PSBnO

Summer may be over but Fall brings out the best in the colours of nature. Check out Ontario Parks‘ blog while planning your next excursion.

From the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority:

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? Learn how local municipal drinking water sources are protected in this interactive storymap.

From Ontario Nature:

Eleven months after the Government of Ontario withdrew land from the Greenbelt, the government has finally reversed course. September 21, 2023 was a great day for the Greenbelt. And it was a great day for people across Ontario.

We are incredibly grateful to you – our members and supporters – for refusing to let the Greenbelt be bulldozed by greed and corruption. You knew this was never about affordable housing. The government’s own reports show that there is plenty of land already zoned for housing and two provincial watchdogs laid bare the evidence of bias, deception and rushed decision-making lacking oversight or public transparency.

In Premier Ford’s own words: “I made a promise to you that I wouldn’t touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise. And for that I am very, very sorry… As a first step to earn back your trust, I’ll be reversing the changes we made and won’t make any changes to the Greenbelt in the future.” 

You held him to that promise by writing letters, attending rallies, signing petitions, spreading the word, contacting your MPPs and so much more. We should all take some time to celebrate this news! This is indeed, however, only the first step that must be taken to restore environmental protections across the province.

Ontario Nature will continue to be there whenever and wherever nature needs us most. There remain many threats to wild species and wild spaces in Ontario. We will continue to be a watchdog against environmental deregulation and attacks on our natural heritage. We will continue to push for measures to address the dual threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. Our strength is in our people and Nature Network groups. Please continue to stand with us. Together, our voices can make waves of change.

Great idea for all provincial parks and reserves. And small towns… kudos to Lion’s Head for being a Dark Sky Community. Others could follow suit…

From Ontario Parks:

Our night skies are part of our heritage.

Since ancient times, stars have been ever-present in the clear night skies. They have fascinated us and sparked our curiosity.

We are proud to help safeguard this natural resource.

Ontario Nature is hiring!

They are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated individual for the Municipal Protected Places Intern position for an 8-month contract starting in October, 2023.

The Municipal Protected Places Intern will provide critical support for a collaborative initiative to encourage and assess municipal contributions towards Canada’s target of protecting at least 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.