“Across the globe, freshwater wildlife populations have declined 81 per cent over the past four decades. That’s more than twice the population decline for land-based or ocean wildlife. In Canada, some of those freshwater species at risk include Atlantic salmon, white sturgeon, freshwater mussels, nooksack dace, the northern leopard frog, and seven of eight freshwater turtle species (including Blanding’s, spotted and wood turtles).”

Read more of Elizabeth Hendrik’s blog

This summer grab your cameras, head outside, and explore all the beauty Oxford has to offer.

The Ingersoll District Nature Club is pleased to announce our 3rd Annual Photo Contest, open to residents of Oxford County.  This year’s theme is “Go with the Flow in Oxford County“, in celebration of our many waterways, lakes and wetlands and the natural world they support.  The focus should be on preservation of our remaining natural resources.

Whether you choose to go for a hike, take a ride in a canoe, or simply enjoy discovering what’s hiding in your own backyard pond; there is so much to see and do in this naturally diverse county we call home.  While you’re out, why not capture the amazing sights and share your photos with us!

Commencing on June 1st, please submit your best photos to us by email or mail. Our contest will run all summer with entries accepted until October 11th at 5:00 p.m.

Oxford County photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit their photos (maximum of 6 per person) either in electronic or traditional print format by the deadline.  Featuring three age categories: 12 and under, 13-18 years of age and 19 and over, the top winner in each category will have the chance to win prizes from local businesses, with the winning photos featured on our website and in local media.

Electronic submissions can be emailed to ingersolldistrictnatureclub@gmail.com.  Print submissions can be sent, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Ingersoll District Nature Club Photography Contest, c/o 205 George Street, Ingersoll, Ontario N5C 1Z5.  Applicants should identify the location of each of their photos.

Take moment to look at last year’s winning photos.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through email at:  ingersolldistrictnatureclub@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing your photos –  Happy shooting!  Have a great summer.

Check out the 2015 winning photos.

The IDNC has been busy again, with 2 immensely successful, back-to-back events: Live Flying Birds of Prey (Feb. 18) and Lawson in Winter (Feb. 20th).

Lawson Reserve in Winter – February 20
18 Adults and 6 children joined club naturalist Don Bucknell to learn about the birds and trees at the Lawson Nature Reserve just South of Ingersoll (LNR info). It was an easy walk of about 2 km through mostly woodland. Highlights included spotting a red-bellied woodpecker, and learning the easy way to tell the difference between red and white pines (red have needles in groups of 2 while white have needles in groups of 5). Don also pointed out the many different tree species and what makes their bark unique.

Red-bellied woodpecker. Photo by B.Grant

Group on the path. Photo by B.Grant

Yellow Birch. Photo by B.Grant

Photo by B.Grant

Don explaining the difference between red and white pine needle arrangements. Photo by B.Grant

Live, Flying Birds of Prey! – February 18
250 people came to see the  demonstration by the Canadian Raptor Conservatory! A horned owl, harris hawk, red-tailed hawk, and bald eagle were brought to the Unifor Hall and allowed to fly down the aisle, or over the crowd of people!  An in-depth commentary on the natural history, size, prey species, range and the relationship to humans of each bird. We think it’s safe to say that everyone learned something new and fascinating that evening!

To see descriptions of more past events, please visit our Recent Events Page

We had a great time last week, with a visit from Scales Nature Park on Wednesday evening, and a beautiful walk through the woods at the Embro pond on Saturday! 26 children and 22 adults were kept on the edge of their seat for a presentation with live reptiles by Scales. Everyone then had a chance to hold a friendly snake after the presentation, and see that snakes aren’t so scary after all. An advanced workshop later in the evening gave many adults a better understanding of the reptiles at risk in Ontario. We’d like to thank club VP Dave Baird for organizing this great event!

For more photos and information about the Scales event and the walk at the embro pond, check-out our write-up and photos on our Recent Events page.

Ontario Reptiles At Risk

The Ingersoll District Nature Club would like to invite you to a free Family Presentation  and  Advanced Workshops about Ontario reptiles.

Wednesday January 20th 2016. Family presentation from 6 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. (open) and Advanced Workshop from 8 P.M. – 10 P.M. ( e-mail to reserve your space)  at the Unifor Building, at 364 Victoria Street in Ingersoll.

The Reptiles at Risk Advanced Workshop is an interactive training workshop featuring live reptiles, many of which are species at risk. It is a great opportunity to increase reptile knowledge and gain hands-on experience. Reptiles at Risk is a partnership between Scales Nature Park, Laurentian University, and CARCNET. The project is funded through the Ministry of Natural Resources Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to provide free educational programming about reptiles at risk throughout Ontario. The goal is to increase appreciation and conservation of Ontario reptiles.

This informative workshop is suitable for advanced herpetofauna enthusiasts. It will provide detailed information about Ontario reptiles, focusing on species found locally within the community. Topics will include species identification, life history, handling techniques, conservation status and threats, mitigation strategies, and legislative issues. Following the presentation portion of the workshop, a hands-on session will provide an opportunity for participants to practice and become familiar with the handling of these reptiles.

The Ingersoll District Nature Club is hosting and funding the family presentation and workshop, and are providing coffee and refreshments.

If you are interested in attending the workshop or would like more information, please email Dave Baird at dcbaird@rogers.com

On Monday (Dec. 28th) several members of the IDNC joined club naturalist Don Bucknell in the annual Christmas Bird Count at the Lawson Nature Reserve. Here are the numbers:

Number of birds (individuals): 276
Number of Species: 16

85 Ring-billed Gulls
3 Mourning Doves
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
16 Downy Woodpeckers
2 Hairy Woodpeckers
2 Pileated Woodpeckers
4 Blue Jays
5 American Crows
29 Black-capped Chickadees
12 White-breasted Nuthatches
2 Brown Creepers
20 American Tree Sparrows
1 White-throated Sparrow
35 Dark-eyed Juncos
3 Northern Cardinals
56 American Goldfinches

Great for Kids – We’ve recently come across a great article from Ontario Nature all about hibernation for frogs and toads. Think all Frogs burrow into mud to hibernate? Not so, explains this easy to read article. Plus, learn about toads that freeze solid, only to thaw and hop away once spring arrives! Here is the article link:
http://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/hibernation-frogs-toads/

We’ve had some great events lately! Most recently, the Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat presentation by Toby Thorne (Nov. 5) attended by 26 IDNC and community members, and the Owl Howl (Nov. 9th) attended by 25 children (mostly Beavers) and their adult leaders/guardians. If you’re wondering what else we’ve been up to this past year, visit our Recent Events page which we are working on:
https://ingersollnatureclub.com/club-activiti…/recent-events/