It’s coming down to crunch time for entries in the first annual Ingersoll District Nature Club Photo Contest. What better way to spend time together with loved ones this long holiday weekend than by taking a way to experience the beauty of nature that can be experienced in Oxford County (including the Lawson Nature Reserve)? And while you’re out and about, take your camera and snap some photos to enter in the photo contest! Our deadline is Tuesday, October 14. There’s still time to submit your photos but you can’t win if you don’t enter. Check the flyer for more details.

In between cute cat videos, here are some YouTube videos that showcase the beauty of nature in Oxford County:

Trails and Birding in Oxford County:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh-izDLuYl0

Embro Pond – Oxford County:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAP8dHm4OHI

A Virtual Tour of Oxford County:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfcU8EFo790

Nature Teaser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PDbHyqUE9w

Migratory Species in Focus:

Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis)

Description:
Primarily an herbivore, the Canada Goose is a water bird native to North America. It has a black head, long black neck, white cheeks, a brown body and webbed feet. It is often seen in flight moving in pairs or flocks. Flocks often assume the “V” formation when migrating in the fall season. Migration begins when the soil starts to freeze on their breeding grounds. Breeding happens from April to May and the female goose will lay approximately 2-10 eggs with goslings hatching about 28-30 days later. As the goslings grow, they will stay with their parents for a full year at a time and will return with them the following year, after their migration.

*Special Note:

• Due to over-hunting and loss of habitat in the early 1900’s, the Canada Goose was thought to be extinct by 1950. In 1962, a small migrating flock was discovered in Rochester, Minnesota. With help from the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, by 1981 the species had made its come back.
• Some studies indicate that their population has doubled since 1975. The large influx of its species has developed some negative effects for the territories that it resides. The nuisance of their droppings, bacteria in the droppings, noises and confrontational behavior are creating safety concerns and unsavory recreational facilities;
• The Canadian Wildlife Service runs a band program that monitors more than 3,000 geese each year to support decisions managing the bird populations. Report a Gooses Leg Band to 1.800.327. BAND

Range:

• It breeds in Canada and the Northern United States – the Great Lakes region maintains the largest population.
• The most northerly geese breed on the Tundra of the Arctic;
• Spends its winters migrating in California, South Carolina and Northern Mexico.

Habitat:

• The Canadian Goose will be found anywhere near lakes, rivers, ponds, or small or large bodies of water, in yards, park lawns and farm fields;
• You will find them grazing in and on the open grass;
• Although territorial, the Canada Goose congregates with several hundred to several thousand when migrating south over the winter

Protection:

• Canada Geese and their nests are protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. To possess, hunt or interfere with their activity in anyway is restricted and punishable by law;
• The Migratory Bird Convention recognizes that birds may sometimes cause damage and danger, and provides management tools to reduce those conflicts – migratory birds, their eggs or nests may NOT be harmed without permit!

FUN FACTS:

• Scientists say there are up to 11 different races of the Canada Goose;
• The Canada Goose is the largest wild goose ever recorded of its species;
• Canada Geese continue to nest in the same region their parents did, often in the same nest;
• The Canada Goose is found in every adjoining U.S. State and Canadian Province at one time of the year or another;
• When mating, the Canada Goose will choose its mate for life. When one of the pair has died, the other will find another mate;
• When they arrive at their migration destination, the geese must replace their worn-out “flight feathers”. For a period of four-to-five weeks, the geese will not be able to fly;
• Canada Geese can travel more than 1000 km in one day;
• In captivity, the longest living goose is known to be 80 years old. In the wild, the oldest goose was reported to be 30 years.

Milksnake (Lampropeltis Triangulum)

Description:

Most often seen at night while hunting, the milksnake is grey or tan with alternating red or reddish-brown blotches (outlined in black) along its back and sides, its belly looks like black and white checkerboard.  The milksnake can grow to be one metre in length or more. In early spring, the female lays approximately 3-24 eggs and the babies will hatch about 7-20 weeks later, with a life span of approximately 7 years, but have been known to live up to 20.

Status:

• Special Concern Provincially and Nationally

Important Dates:

• May 2002: Designated as Species of Special Concern;
• May 2014: Last time assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC);

Range:

• The below image provided by Ontario Nature Organization shows the milksnakes distribution in Southern Ontario:
• Southern Ontario and a small section of the Ottawa River in Quebec appear to have the most recorded sightings of this species in Canada;

Habitat:

• Lives in a wide range of habitats, such as rocky outcrops, forests, prairies, pastures and farm buildings where rodents are common;
• In late October/early November will hibernate underground in rotting logs or in the foundations of old buildings.

Threats:

• Due to its mistaken identity (rattler) when threatened, the milksnake is often persecuted by pedestrians;
• Habitat loss remains a threat to this species as well;
• The slow-moving milksnake can be found crossing busy roads and will ultimately be ran over by vehicles if not moving fast enough.

Protection:

• Listed as a Special Concern under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 ;
• Listed as a Special Concern under the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) ;
• Designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 ;
• If existing in a National Park, is protected by the Canada National Parks Act;
• The Toronto Zoo and Georgian Bay Reptile Awareness Program are helping to educate the public on snakes and their protection.

What YOU Can Do To Help:

• If you encounter the milksnake on an outing, report your sighting to the Natural Heritage Information Centre with your coordinates for further investigation;
• The Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas collects observations of the milksnake as well;
• Volunteer at your local Nature Club to learn more about the species of special concern in your area;
• Throughout May to October, keep your eye out for the slow moving milksnake crossing our roads;
• Never purchase snakes that have been captured in the wild – contact the Ministry of Natural Resources to report any known illegal activities (1.877.TIPS.MNR (847.7667));

FUN FACTS:

• Sometimes mistaken as a rattlesnake when threatened, the milksnake raises its head high in the air and vibrates its tail and may attempt to bite;
• The milksnake received its name from the false belief that it took milk from cows in barns;
• This snake is the only snake in Ontario that has red blotches;
• The milksnake is actually a type of constrictor – it wraps itself around its prey to kill and them feed (similar to the tropical Boa Constrictor);
  
  

Download your order form: IDNC Poinsettias Order Form.

Tonight is your chance to learn more about the beautiful creature that is the Monarch Butterfly! Bring your family out the Ingersoll Library for an informative and interesting presentation and learn how you can “Save the Monarchs!” 

There are new chrysalides and caterpillars to be seen at the Ingersoll Library. Stop by and pay them a visit.

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Description:

The Snapping Turtle is a prehistoric looking, stegosaurus like (when moving) freshwater turtle. Its long tail, often longer than its body, has triangular spikes along the top. The upper shell is tan or black in colour and is often covered in algae. Reaching an average length of 20-36cm (max of 47 cm) and weight of 10-35lbs, the Snapping Turtle is Canada’s largest freshwater turtle.  In Ontario, females do not begin to breed until they reach 17 to 19 years of age. Their nests are dug in late May or June, with hatchlings making their appearance in late fall. Snappers are omnivorous (feeding on both plant and animal origin) and feed on various aquatic plants and invertebrates, as well as fish, frogs, snakes, smaller turtles and aquatic birds.

*Note:

In Ontario, all native turtle species protected from hunting except the Snapping Turtle. The hunting season for the snapper is from July 15 to September 15 in central and southern Ontario, and year round in Northern Ontario. In 2009, Ontario Nature Organization began writing the Ministry of Natural Resources requesting that they remove the snapping turtle from the game list. However, with no response they subsequently wrote again in 2010, requesting a policy review of the hunting regulation. In February 2011, the Ministry rejected same and instead expressed their intention to prepare a Management Plan by September 2014 – this has yet to be published.

Status:

• Special Concern Provincially and Nationally

Important Dates:

• September 10, 2009: Species designated At Risk;

Range:

• In Canada, the Snapping Turtle can be found from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia;
• In Ontario, it is primarily found in Southern Ontario – see Ontario Nature’s map below for its range:

Habitat:

• Occasionally emerging from the water to bask, the Snapping Turtle spends most of its life in the water and prefers it to be shallow so that it’s convenient for them to hide under the soft mud and siltation;
• The females often place their nest sites at the side of the road, an embankment or the shoreline

Threats:

• During the summer months, the Snapping Turtle crosses roads in search of mates, food and nesting sites. This to and from action puts them at risk of getting run over by oncoming traffic;
• Eggs and nests around urban and agricultural areas are subject to predators such as Raccoons Skunks;
• Due to the length of time it takes for the snapping turtle to reach maturity, the survival and maintenance of the adult species is primal;
• Illegal poaching and harvesting continues to threaten the snapper

Protection: 

• Listed as a Special Concern under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 ;
• Listed as a Special Concern under the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) ;
• Designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 ;

What YOU Can Do To Help:

• Visit the Ontario Nature Organization to learn more about their Reptile and Amphibian Stewardship program;
• Between May to October, watch for turtles crossing the roads;
• Volunteer at your local Nature Club to learn more about protecting our local species and their habitats;
• If you encounter a Snapping Turtle, or it’s nest in the wild, contact the Natural Heritage Information Centre and report your sighting here;
• Protect the wetlands surrounding your property to maintain a healthy environment for this and other rare plant and animal species;
• Visit the Toronto Zoo’s Ontario Turtle Tally Website (here) to learn how you can participate in this exciting project

FUN FACTS:

• The snapping turtle spends so much time underwater that algae grows on its shell; this helps them blend in with their surroundings;
• Snapping Turtles are believed to live well over 100 years;
• The temperature that the eggs are incubated at, will determine the sex of the hatchlings. Eggs kept at 23-28° will produce male turtles, whereas eggs incubated at any other temp. will become females;
• Snapping turtles nests contain up to 50 small round eggs, whereas other Ontario turtles will lay only 3-15 small oval eggs;
• The snapper’s plastron (lower shell) is much smaller than the upper carapace (upper shell). Therefore, when feeling threatened, this turtle can’t withdraw into its shell for protection. While on land, its only manner of defence is to snap repeatedly and scare the predator away. Although in water, the snapping turtle rarely snaps and will likely swim away when threatened.