10:00am – 1:30pm
Leader: Colin Champman-Lam
Duration: 3.5 hours or longer, depending on interest
Location: Prescott-Russell Trail Link. We will meet at Prescott – Russell Trail Parking Area, which is accessed off of Smith Road, roughly 250 m east of Milton Road.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XVxBRZV4787VvejZ9
Brief Description: the main goals for this outing are to teach participants how to spot the nationally rare Fringed Candleflame Lichen (Candelaria fibrosa), and to find some new locations along the trail. We will examine and learn the macrolichen communities of nutrient-rich branch and bark substrates, and discuss any other biodiversity that we see along the way. This is intended to be a casual knowledge sharing event, and everyone is encouraged to share their perspective and experience with nature.
Number of Participants/Participant Limit: 12
Registration Requirements: Please register with Colin Chapman-Lam
If applicable, special requests, recommendations etc.: We will be on a level trail, so no special footwear is required; however, trail edges may be muddy and wet, so boots are a plus. There is limited to no shade, so be prepared for the weather (hat, sunscreen, etc.). Please bring a hand lens and lunch.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 (Rain date May 17)
“PINING FOR BIRDS ON THE PINE GROVE TRAIL”
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Leader: Gregory Zbitnew
Meet: Pine Grove Trail on Davidson Road between Hawthorne and Conroy
Description:
Pine Grove trail is an excellent part of the greenbelt, in the southeastern part of the city, although not nearly as popular as some in the southwest. There are good stands of coniferous trees, as well as mixed forest. Some parts are re-foresting after the derecho a few years ago caused considerable damage. There is a wet area in the center, and some marsh near Conroy Road. You can find a little bit of everything here except for birds requiring a lot of field habitat. In nesting season, it is one of the closer areas to the city that has both Mourning and Canada Warblers, and while they cannot be guaranteed, this date is around the usual date of their arrival. About 10 other species of Warbler nest here, and since we are at the beginning of the peak migration period, we can reasonably expect many migrants of other species including warblers.
The plan is to do a walk around all the main trails, which is about 5 km. The trails are good and reasonably wide. Many of the birds will be singing in the canopy, so identification by sight could be challenging in many cases.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 (Rain date May 17)
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Leader: Greg Lutick
Meet: P13 in Gatineau Park at 9:00 AM
Description: Our walk starts at the P13 parking lot in Gatineau Park (meet at the start of the trail in the southernmost parking lot). We will follow the recently rerouted Wolf Trail to Tawadina Lookout and stop there for lunch. The 10 kilometer trail traverses a variety of habitats and climbs significantly, so it is somewhat strenuous. We plan to move at a moderate but steady pace while paying particular attention to the botanical features along the way. We should see a wide variety of spring ephemerals and early blooming shrubs. We should also see/hear a wide variety of birds.
Suggested items to bring: Good trail shoes; water; lunch; binoculars.
Black flies could be out so you might want to carry insect repellent.
Note: If it is raining, the trip will be postponed to the following day.
Try to carpool as the P13 parking lot can fill up. I can take some people with me if they live nearby or along the way to the park.
Register for the trip beforehand by emailing me at gjlutick@gmail.com, and let me know if you are interested in carpooling with me.
Participants should be OFNC members.
Sunday, May 17th, 9am
Wednesday, May 20th, 9am
Planting for Butterflies and Biodiversity
Leader: Diane Lepage
Meet: On the south side of Slack Road near the intersection with Vaan Drive, at the entry to the Pinhey Sand Dunes Complex Site 2. https://goo.gl/maps/3iomEiK4kUvf52w47
Description: The Pinhey Sand Dunes is a habitat restoration project of Biodiversity Conservancy International https://www.biodiversityconservancy.org/pinhey-sand-dunes Since 2012, local entomologists and volunteers have been returning small areas of these sand dunes to their former state free of trees.
In 2021, volunteers began reintroducing native plants to provide shelter and food for sand dune insects. Native plant species were chosen based on past botanical surveys of sand dune remnants in the Ottawa area, and similar habitats throughout Ontario. Plant species include Butterfly Milkweed, Sweet Fern, Flat-topped Aster, Narrow-leaved Goldenrod, and Wild Bergamot and Spotted Beebalm. They provide pollen and nectar for pollinators and other sun-loving insects, and are host-plants for butterflies. When complete, these plantings will form the Pinhey Sand Dunes Sanctuary for Butterflies and Pollinators. There is hope of reintroducing the Mottled Duskywing Butterfly that disappeared from our region when its host plant, New Jersey Tea, declined.
Leader: Owen Clarkin
Location: Howard Mitchell Forest (near Vankleek Hill), North Glengarry, ON K0B 1E0. Park along Cailloux Lane.
Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWf7kG6ah9zeqQyv5
Description: This event will focus on the rich spring ephemeral wildflowers at Howard Mitchell Forest. The habitat is of the “rich woods” sugarbush type, and it is likely that the abundance and diversity of wildflowers here will leave you impressed! The hiking conditions are mostly flat and relatively easy. You may wish to wear hiking boots or rubber boots, although the trails should be mostly dry.
Note that this is an active sugarbush, and we will likely need to limbo underneath tubing at various points along the trails.
This will be a combined event with the Vankleek Hill and District Nature Society.
Sunday, May 17th, 9am
Wednesday, May 20th, 9am
Leader: Diane Lepage
Meet: On the south side of Slack Road near the intersection with Vaan Drive, at the entry to the Pinhey Sand Dunes Complex Site 2. https://goo.gl/maps/3iomEiK4kUvf52w47
Description: The Pinhey Sand Dunes is a habitat restoration project of Biodiversity Conservancy International https://www.biodiversityconservancy.org/pinhey-sand-dunes Since 2012, local entomologists and volunteers have been returning small areas of these sand dunes to their former state free of trees.
In 2021, volunteers began reintroducing native plants to provide shelter and food for sand dune insects. Native plant species were chosen based on past botanical surveys of sand dune remnants in the Ottawa area, and similar habitats throughout Ontario. Plant species include Butterfly Milkweed, Sweet Fern, Flat-topped Aster, Narrow-leaved Goldenrod, and Wild Bergamot and Spotted Beebalm. They provide pollen and nectar for pollinators and other sun-loving insects, and are host-plants for butterflies. When complete, these plantings will form the Pinhey Sand Dunes Sanctuary for Butterflies and Pollinators. There is hope of reintroducing the Mottled Duskywing Butterfly that disappeared from our region when its host plant, New Jersey Tea, declined.
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Duration: 3 hours
Leader: Sheila Craig
Location: Bruce Pit (meet at the North West corner of the parking lot near Cedarview Rd, not near the dog park) https://maps.app.goo.gl/ovrHVCLrWp4nP6v68
Brief Description:
Spring birding offers the best opportunity to see a large number of species, including migrants and birds “on territory” for the breeding season. This morning, we will walk slowly along flat, well maintained trails looking for migrating and resident warblers, thrushes, vireos, and other forest birds, as well as marsh birds and waterfowl. We will cover 3-4km over the morning. Sheila will provide guidance to new birders on how to look and listen for birds, on mastering your binoculars, and on how to use eBird to record your bird sightings and find birding locations.
What to bring: binoculars, good walking shoes, water, and be prepared for mosquitos, sun and rain! You may also want to bring a field guide and camera.
Registration is required. A maximum of 15 people will allow good views by everyone. Please contact Paul at paincourt@gmail.com.
About the trip leader: Sheila Craig has been an avid birder since 2015. She was a Principal Atlasser for the 3rd Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, and is currently Vice President of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust.
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (exact times – no late arrivals or early departures)
Meeting Location: Parking Lot – Sheila McKee Park 1730 Sixth Line Rd. Dunrobin https://maps.app.goo.gl/pAb5Mq89kx9mqq8n9?g_st=am
IPBO is located on DND controlled land so we will all carpool to the location at 9:00 am and exit all together at 1:00 pm. – no exceptions
Confirmed registrants must arrive at the parking lot no later than 8:45 am. You will be asked to sign a waiver at the event.
There is a limit of 14 participants for this four-hour outing. A waiting list will be established if we are over subscribed.
You will see birds being retrieved from the mist nets and brought back for processing (and show and tell) in a roofed building. A couple of nets are close enough that they can be seen without hiking into wet areas but participants interested and dressed with appropriate footwear (Ottawa River flooding means parts of the site will be wet) are welcome to join on rounds walking to other nets to observe extractions and even assist by carrying the bagged birds back to the building. If anyone is not able or not interested in going to the nets, they can remain at or near the building to observe the processing that takes place when birds are brought back. In the meantime, they are welcome to stand (or sit) to observe migrating birds (which the IPBO also keeps track of, including numbers seen or heard).
The area around the building is adjacent to the river, with plenty of neat things to observe but again, it can be wet. Folding chairs can be brought. There is one picnic table with benches. There is no running water on site but there is a composting toilet.
Given that the outing will run over the lunch hour, a packable lunch, snacks and drink are advised.
Aside from waterproof footwear, please dress for the weather.
Binoculars and a camera will be helpful.
Register for this outing at lorraineelworthy[at]gmail.com. Please include the full names of all who will attend no later than Tuesday, May 19. Confirmed registrants will be asked to provide a phone number should the event be cancelled on short notice.
Location: Zoom. All OFNC members are welcome. Please first register by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/de7TR4lRRg2OK8MjiJagxQ
The Book: Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America’s Woods (2022) by Lyndsie Bourgon
Description from the publisher: “In Tree Thieves, Lyndsie Bourgon takes us deep into the underbelly of the illegal timber market. As she traces three timber poaching cases, she introduces us to tree poachers, law enforcement, forensic wood specialists, the enigmatic residents of former logging communities, environmental activists, international timber cartels, and indigenous communities along the way.
Old-growth trees are invaluable and irreplaceable for both humans and wildlife, and are the oldest living things on earth. But the morality of tree poaching is not as simple as we might think: stealing trees is a form of deeply rooted protest, and a side effect of environmental preservation and protection that doesn’t include communities that have been uprooted or marginalized when park boundaries are drawn. As Bourgon discovers, failing to include working class and rural communities in the preservation of these awe-inducing ecosystems can lead to catastrophic results.”
Tree Thieves is the OFNC Book Club Pick for Spring 2026. It will be the focus of the book club’s meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
If you’d like to be added to the book club’s mailing list (which allows you to vote for future books), please email ofncbookclub@gmail.com with your name and email address.
3-4 hours
Leader: Paul Hamilton
Meeting Location: Fletcher Wildlife Resource Center
We will be looking at the spring algae. Collecting samples and examining the samples using microscopes. We will explore the different types of algae, and their importance in the creation of stable environments
There is a limit of 10 participants
Registration is required for this outing.
Please contact Diane Lepage at dlepagehibou@sympatico.ca
Recommendations etc. e.g., special footwear, need for a hat, bug repellent, lunches etc. Lunches snacks, optional. Hat and bug repellent recommended
FWG resources centre reserved – 9 am till 2 pm.
All Events
The OFNC’s Events Committee plans an extensive program of monthly meetings, workshops, day trips, and longer excursions for the education and interest of our members.
The OFNC website calendar contains the most up-to-date information on events. Please check it regularly for additions or changes to events. Some weather- and year-dependent events can only be announced at the last minute, via the website and by email to members.
Many events require participants to register. Please consult the details in the event description.
Please read
Guidelines for participants on field trips
Field Trips
Field trips to natural areas in our region and beyond take place all year round. OFNC events are for members only. Prospective members with interest in attending should contact the trip leader in advance. For some events, participation is limited and members will be given priority. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver. Times given for events are departure times. Please arrive earlier, as leaders start promptly. If you need a ride, please contact the leader.
Please bring a lunch on full-day trips and dress according to the weather forecast and activity. Please always wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Binoculars and/or spotting scopes are essential on all birding trips. Unless otherwise stated, transportation will be by carpool.
Trip Waiver
There can be risks associated with any recreational pursuit. Before you participate in nature walks and similar outdoor activities, we will ask you to read and sign a statement in which you assume the risk of the activity and release the OFNC from liability for any loss, damage or injury, however caused and whether or not contributed to by the OFNC’s negligence. This assumption of risk and release includes any minors accompanying you.
Monthly Meetings
Our monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month (no longer Tuesdays) except July and August. After three years of meeting online, the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club has resumed in-person monthly meetings at 7 pm, presentation begins at 7:30 pm. The new venue is City View Church, 6 Epworth Avenue (off Merivale near Meadowlands). Masks must be worn to enter the building, but optional once in the room.
Watch past OFNC presentations on YouTube.
Events oriented to all ages
Kids are welcome on all of our trips. We highlight particular hikes as “oriented to all ages” or “especially kid-friendly” as these are most likely to be enjoyed by typical children. Depending on your child(ren)’s interests and stamina, please feel free to bring them along on any events. For events tailored to kids, check out the Macoun Field Club.
Guidelines for participants on field trips
The following guidelines were prepared by the Events Committee. They reflect common sense and experience and make field trips more enjoyable for all.
- READ the excursion announcement and register if required. Make notes of the meeting place and be on time.
- BE PREPARED. If the trip notice calls for binoculars, insect repellent, lunch, etc., bring them. Preparation against insects and ticks is essential if you want to enjoy the trip, especially in May and June. A hat, long sleeves, gloves and a turned-up collar may help. If you depend on insect repellent, we recommend one containing DEET (in various concentrations). However, if you do apply insect repellant, please refrain from touching any insects or amphibians. Especially sensitive persons may find a head net or ‘bug jacket” useful.
- DRESS APPROPRIATELY. Always dress for comfort. Traditional sources of discomfort for beginners are unsuitable footwear and clothes that are too good for mud, snags and grass stains. Bush wear and comfortable hiking boots or shoes are best for nature rambles. For cold weather Spring and Fall trips, wear wool socks (with a spare pair) and hiking boots or water-proof winter boots. If the trip calls for wading in cold water, use rubber boots with insoles and wool socks. For Summer exploration of wetlands, wear canvas running shoes and bring a change of footwear for the trip home.
- COOPERATE with your leader(s). On a trail, stay behind the leader and let him/her set the pace and direction. Do not expect special treatment for you or your children; the leader is not a babysitter. Please INFORM THE LEADER if you wish to leave the group for any reason.
- DO NOT TRAMPLE THE VEGETATION; it may not recover until the next season, if then.
- AVOID COLLECTING, PICKING AND DIGGING. Removing natural objects from the trail leaves it poorer for others. If your leader says that it is okay to collect specimens, move off the trail to take them but always ask permission if you are on private land. Collecting on NCC property, including the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park, is illegal without a permit.
- SAVE YOUR GARBAGE and dispose of it later. Apple cores are biodegradable but they make a trail unsightly, and habituate wildlife to humans as a food source.
- BE A RESPONSIBLE PHOTOGRAPHER. Be aware of the damage you may cause by altering the physical environment to improve your picture. Do not take pictures at the expense of the wildlife.
- DO NOT BROADCAST the location of rare or valuable flora and fauna.
- RESPECT ACCESS to private property; it may have been specially arranged for the trip. Do not assume that you have a right to go back without permission.
- DO NOT BRING PETS; they are neither appropriate nor welcome on field trips.
- DOUBLE UP IN CARS if possible usually at the meeting place. This saves fuel and makes it easier for the leader to keep track of people. Observe the normal etiquette for driving and parking if the “cavalcade” stops for an observation.
- USE COMMON SENSE. The trip could be spoiled for everyone if you are lost or injured.
- IS THIS OUTING REALLY FOR YOU? Don’t go if you have doubts about your physical capacity to undertake the trip – it is unfair to others. Persons with a disability should bring a responsible companion if required. Inform the leader of your limitations before the trip starts.
- REFUND of a fee for a trip, if applicable, will be made only in exceptional circumstances.
CHILDREN are welcome on field trips and are subject to the same rules as anyone else and should be with a responsible adult. Any special restrictions on activities should be explained to children before the trip begins. Children too young or too active to be reasonably quiet on a bird walk should be taken on other kinds of trips.