By Rob Lee Macoun Club members identifying signs of Emerald Ash Borers On their February 8th field trip, the Macoun Field Club snowshoed across their Study Area's biggest cedar and ash swamp in Ottawa's Greenbelt. We crossed deer, hare, and fisher tracks so often that most of the kids came to know them [...]
By Barry Cottam We field-naturalists tend to think the great outdoors and all its visible flora and fauna are pretty much where it’s at. We extend our vision with binoculars, spotting scopes, macro- and telephoto lenses. Often we’ll use a hand loupe to check out smaller items. But those of us who experienced Paul Hamilton’s [...]
The Slanty Shanty on Long Point offers excellent protection from the wind and sun, an excellent view of tip birds, and a place to sit - photo by Rob Alvo by Rob Alvo, Bob Manson and Peter Manson What serious birder wouldn’t take flight at the chance for a week at an isolated [...]
By Barry Cottam On January 18th at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden (FWG) interpretive centre, at least a couple dozen people came out for the OFNC members’ photography night, hosted by Hume Douglas and Barry Cottam. Eleven presenters took us to locations near and far in a nice mix of exotic and local that proved to be a [...]
by Christine Hanrahan I thought it might be interesting to compile a list of all the natural food sources around the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, used by wildlife. I include only plants on which I have actually seen birds or other wildlife feed. Many are obvious, of course, the crabapples, mountain ash, wild grape, sumac, and [...]
By Natalie Sopinka Diane Lepage holding award from Nature Canada for OFNC's volunteer efforts during the 2013 BirdLife International Congress. With over 30 members in attendance at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden Interpretive Centre, the 135th OFNC Annual Business Meeting was called to order by President Fenja Brodo. Some notable sightings were discussed first [...]
By Sandy Garland An OFNC excursion to Hampton Park Woods With the sun shining and the temperature hovering just below zero, it was a great day to be out in the woods! At least 30 other OFNC members had the same idea, so we all joined Owen Clarkin for a lesson in identifying [...]
93rd Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird Count By Jonathan VanAmburg "Perfect Christmas Bird Count weather in Ottawa: -32°C and 20-25 cm of snow. Fun times, fun times,” remarked Gillian Shields on Facebook, as she set out for a day in the cold. She and dozens of other area birders came out for the 93rd Ottawa-Gatineau Christmas Bird [...]
By Natalie Sopinka Adult Silvery Blue.Photo by: Jocelyn Gill. Good-bye CMN At the December monthly meeting, OFNC members bid farewell to the Canadian Museum of Nature. The club fondly recalled the dedicated hospitality and help from museum staff and technicians over the decades. Starting in February, monthly meetings will be held in the [...]
hairy woodpecker work on ash trees by Christine Hanrahan December 4, a mild day, with the merest hints of snow. A day to visit the FWG and look for blog subjects. Apart from the many squirrels, it was pretty quiet. A small flock of house finches in the Backyard Garden (BYG), several cardinals, [...]
