The impacts of warming temperatures on the diet quality of Monarch butterflies and what we can do to help By Katherine Peel, with great thanks to Dr. Heather Kharouba, Jenna Boomhower, and Dr. Greg Mitchell for their work on the project This summer, with lots of help from lab-mate, Jenna Boomhower, I embarked on an [...]
Bryophytes are non-vascular plants that include mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. They create tiny but intricate and extensive landscapes that play an important role in regulating ecosystems. by Sandy Garland, with thanks to Lynn Ovenden for providing scientific names, Diane Lepage for the photos of Broom Moss and Silvery Moss When the OFNC announced a currently [...]
A Daphnia, or water flea, and copepods are among the many tiny creatures that live unseen in our pond water. by Julie Laurin I first discovered the Fletcher Wildlife Garden in 2018. Earlier that year, I’d lost the ability to walk independently. I spent six months wondering if I’d ever walk again, if my condition [...]
Which fritillary? Participants found Great Spangled, Atlantis, Silver-bordered, Meadow, and a record number of Aphrodite Fritillaries on 4 July 2020. Photo by Li-Shien Lee. Despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, a small dedicated group of 18 OFNC members undertook this year's butterfly count. This annual count is part of the North American Butterfly [...]
by Sandy Garland, quoting OFNC's Bob Cermak and teacher Stephen McRae, photos from Brooke Valley School copied here with permission It all started with a routine question to the OFNC: Hello, I am a 2nd grade teacher at a small private school outside of Perth, Ont. We are doing a unit on birds and have [...]
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 [...]
