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 Lynn Ovenden. Several OFNC members who enjoy looking for mushrooms and lichens are sharing information and photos of their fungal finds on a web forum. We meet periodically for Shroom Zoom, an online show&tell. Details at forum.mycoott.org. If this sounds fun, join OFNC if you haven't already, and check into the forum. .
Dear OFNC Members, It has been a long time since we have been able to meet in person, whether at our monthly meetings or on field trips. We all hope these activities will resume sometime. Meanwhile, we wanted to make sure all members were aware of the many digital nature learning and appreciation resources available [...]
By Gregory Zbitnew; photos by participant Suzanne Hawkins (Editor’s note: Gregory submitted his text long ago, just after the trip; as did Suzanne submit the photos. It’s all my fault that it’s being posted so late. Thank you very much to Gregory and Suzanne! BM) The third annual “birding in the bleak midwinter” field trip [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
