The Ottawa-Gatineau CBC will take place on December 15 and the Dunrobin-Breckenridge CBC on January 5. For information on how to participate please check out 2019 CBC information There are counts all across North America, but for dates and contact information of other nearby Christmas Bird Counts that touch on the OFNC 50 km area. Dates [...]
Pinecrest Creek is piped underground from just south of Carling Avenue to near its mouth at the Ottawa River. Above, Erik looks for invertebrates. by Bev McBride (photos: Bev McBride) Today’s [Saturday, November 2, 2019] OFNC field trip, “Transit explorer series, Lincoln Fields the other way,” was fun and interesting. I can say that, even [...]
Does Hypena opulenta prefer DSV grown in the sun or does it thrive better on shade-grown plants? by Sharla Foster, MSc candidate, University of Ottawa and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Dog-strangling vine (Vincetoxicum rossicum, DSV) has been plaguing Ontario and Quebec for decades. With few effective control strategies practical for use at large scales, the biocontrol [...]
Much excitement at the FWG on Tuesday morning, when we discovered that a much-watched nest was open. by Sandy Garland A turtle nest cage consists of a wooden frame with a wire grid over the top to prevent digging. It's placed over the nest with wedges under the edges to allow hatching turtles to [...]
We saw many of these plants loaded with colourful red berries, “highbush cranberries,” either the native North American or introduced European subspecies of Viburnum opulus. According to the experts present, these berries are edible, but when raw they are very sour, and have an unpleasant taste and smell. According to one source, “When you eat these berries [...]
Carlington Woods is a natural wonder in the middle of the city. by Bev McBride What a treat it was to go on the Carlington Woods Ramble this morning! This was a joint event with the OFNC and the Friends of Carlington Hill. Convener-leader Owen Clarkin met the group at the trailhead. It was a [...]
Our Backyard Garden was the hot spot for pollinators on this sunny July afternoon. by Sandy Garland The only way to learn to identify pollinators is to keep looking for them. As a member of the Wild Pollinator Partners network, the FWG has been participating in a number of pollinator surveys this year. We want [...]
Three new species and new record high counts for eight others in this year's butterfly count. by Jeff Skevington The final totals are all in for yesterday's (6 July 2019) OFNC butterfly count, and we ended up with 1143 butterflies of 48 species. The count diversity was average but higher than expected, because we missed [...]
by Greg Zbitnew, photo of Northern Parula by Sandra Dashney On 11 May, 17 enthusiasts enjoyed a trip to the east end's little known gem, the woods and fields east of the Rockcliffe Airport. Conditions and results were excellent for mid-migration, just prior to the peak. Quite a few birds had just arrived - literally [...]
Beachcombing at Westboro Beach: what plant does this come from? by Bev McBride A small but appreciative crowd of two, including the leader, had a great, nature-focussed trek around the general area accessible from the Dominion Transitway station. We both arrived by bus. It was supposed to be pouring rain, but we had none. There [...]