CONTENTS

NEWS FROM MEMBER GROUPS

• St. Catharines Christmas Bird Count
• Feature Evenings – Members Night and Mystery Quiz
• Guelph Field Naturalists seeing an Increase in Meeting Attendance
• Niagara Peninsula Hawk Watch Open House
• Early Spring Birding at Long Point
• Silence of the Songbirds Author to speak at York Simcoe Naturalists Meeting
• Tartan Terrors in Lindsay
• Wainfleet Bog and Harold Mitchell Reserve
• North American Native Plant Society Annual Sale
• Are You Up for a Challenge?
• Huron Fringe Birding Festival
• Carden Nature Festival
• ATV’s in the Northumberland Forest
• What about a Tree Swallow Ladder?

NEWS FROM MEMBER GROUPS

Faced with the prospect of sending thirty of my friends out into blinding snow, ice pellets and high winds, I reluctantly postponed the Christmas Bird Count originally scheduled for December 17th, 2007. The good news was that many people were still able to attend the new day (Dec.29th, 2007), although some people had other commitments and couldn’t participate.

The weather that day was much more favourable, just above freezing with a slight wind. We had 32 participants in 10 parties. They spent 80.5 hours in the field and walked or drove 991 km. The final bird count was 80 species and 17,947 individuals. Many thanks are due to all the participants. Also a big thank you to Don and Sue Minchin for hosting once again the best round-up party in Ontario and for everyone who brought in food for this event. Also thanks to John Potter for all the logistical details!

The New Year brought two of the Macnamara Field Naturalists’ favourite events.

Our annual Members’ Night in January was windy and foggy but stalwart members turned up to share photos on PowerPoint and a collection of polypores. We watched a series of baby Blanding turtles shedding their shells, while a pair of screech owls nested close by in a tree trunk. One member, very knowledgeable about macro fungi, surprised us with photos with microscopic patterns. Wonderful shots of lichen, ferns, mosses and birds from our field trips and from members’ properties reminded us of warmer times to come.

February saw the fabulous Mystery Quiz Night organized by our President, veteran naturalist Michael Runtz. Teams of 5-6 (including the Crepuscular Sleuths) made their way around 8 tables guessing mystery items of the natural world, from giant white tail deer leg (not as easy as you think) to a praying mantis egg shell, Champlain Sea bivalves and dry loosestrife. The best, though, was the series of riddles of which the following stumped the best of us. Try it!

** Answer at the end of Nature Network News.

The Guelph Field Naturalists had about 100 people in attendance for the meeting called The Decline of the Honeybees by Professor Guzman of the University of Guelph. A great turnout especially considering it was Valentine's Day!

In January, for the Effects of Wind Turbines on Birds and Bats by Lyle Friesen we counted about 110 people in the audience. We are thrilled that people are showing interest in our meetings by coming out to support the club in such numbers.

Friday, March 21st, 2008
All day
Beamer Conservation Area (south of Grimsby)

The Annual Niagara Peninsula Hawk Watch Open House will be an all day event at Beamer Conservation Area. This is an opportunity to see many species of raptors and learn from the experts.

Contact Marcie Jacklin (905) 871-2577 for information.

Saturday April 5th, 2008
9:30 am

Join the Norfolk Field Naturalists to enjoy early Spring birding at Long Point.

Contact A. Heagy (519) 586-2201 for information.

Tuesday April 8th, 2008
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
River Drive Park Community Centre
20 Oak Avenue
Holland Landing

On April 8th, Dr. Bridget Stutchbury will talk about how we are losing our songbirds and what we can do to save them.

Recognized as an international birding expert, Dr. Stutchbury is a professor of biology at York University and author of the book Silence of the Songbirds.

All are welcomed to attend our general meetings, held on the second Tuesday of the month. Refreshments are provided and please remember to "lug-a-mug" for your coffee or tea.

Friday April 11th, 2008
Doors open at 6 pm, concert at 7 pm.
Academy Theatre
Lindsay

The Friends of the Osprey-Kawartha Lakes are presenting a concert by the Tartan Terrors. The Tartan Terrors are rapidly becoming well known as a very entertaining Celtic band entertaining with dance, comedy and song. Their bag piper is the Canadian champion.

The money from this project goes to a very unique project - to track the migration of Ontario Osprey to their wintering grounds and follow their return path in the spring. This will be done with the new science of satellite telemetry. Bird Studies Canada will be doing the physical work and setting up a website that will allow the public to follow the progress. This work is very expensive and we have already secured funding from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Shell Canada Environmental Fund, plus our own small reserve.

Come and help; bring your friends. You will enjoy a great concert, meet Friends of Osprey-Kawartha Lakes and eventually learn the secrets of Osprey migration. Tickets are through Ticket Master, Adults $30.00 students $25.00.

Saturday April 26th, 2008
10:00 am.
Meet at McDonalds Restaurant (Highway 3)
Port Colborne

Look for spring wildflowers and shrubs, together with the Niagara Falls Nature Club. Bring rubber boots and lunch.

Contact Rick Young (905) 734-6226 for more information.

Saturday May 10th, 2008
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Markham Civic Centre - 101 Town Centre Boulevard (Hwy 7 at Warden Avenue)

A huge selection of native wildflowers, grasses, ferns, shrubs, trees, vines and related books brought together in one easily accessible location. Informative seminars and free parking.

Contact plantsale@nanps.org if your group would like to set up an information table. A $20 fee to cover the cost of the table rental is requested.

For more information and to view the preliminary plant list visit www.nanps.org.

Friday May 30th and Saturday May 31st, 2008
Carden Alvar

Birders at all levels can enjoy the 4th annual Carden Challenge, on the weekend of May 30-31st. The Challenge goal is simple: raise funds to support the stewardship of Carden’s alvar and bird habitats. Teams of four gather pledges based on how many bird species they see in a 24-hour period within the Carden Alvar Christmas Bird Count circle.

Last year’s winning team bagged 122 species and the event raised over $14,000 for conservation, and we hope 2008 will be even better.

For more information or to register your team, contact Ron Reid at (705) 326-1620, nature@couchconservancy.ca, or send the $60 registration fee (which includes a wrap-up dinner) to The Couchiching Conservancy, Box 704, Orillia, L3V 6K7.

If you can’t join us, you can still sponsor this year’s Celebrity Birder, wildlife photographer Ethan Meleg. All contributions receive a charitable tax receipt.

Friday May 23rd to Sunday June 1st, 2008
MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Bruce County
www.friendsofmacgregor.org

Check out the 11th annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival hosted by the Friends of MacGregor Point Park. May 23rd has traditionally been the peak of warbler migration along the Huron Fringe. A total of 239 species have been spotted during the festivals with an average of 175+ species each year.

This year we are offering over 80 different sessions. There will be bird hikes and field trips, birding for beginners, in-depth species workshops, photography sessions and field trips, nature rambles, astronomy, botany, biking, canoeing, painting and more.

To ensure everyone has a wonderful time and the opportunity to learn, we have limited space in each session to between 6 and 20, depending on the event. We recommend that you register early.

Headquarters for the Huron Fringe Birding Festival is at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. The park is located in Bruce County on the shores of Lake Huron.

For complete details and the registration form visit www.friendsofmacgregor.org.

Friday June 6th, Saturday 7th, and Sunday 8th, 2008 www.CardenGuide.com/Festival

Be sure to register for a group rebate and encourage members to register as participants! So far 5 clubs have registered for rebates and over 70 people have registered as participants. Some events are filling up so don’t wait. REGISTER NOW!

In addition to the choice from 60 events, you can browse an assortment of 24 exhibitors offering souvenirs and information. There is a lot to do at the Carden Nature Festival including fun and adventures for the kids.

Willow Beach Field Naturalists (WBFN) is actively involved in the ATV issue in Northumberland County. We are members of the Forest Advisory Committee, working with other user groups in the Northumberland Forest to bring forward a forest management plan to County Council. This is definitely an advisory committee and its recommendations have no binding power. However, there has been a wide ranging public debate on the most divisive issue - the use of ATVs in this 5300 acre County forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine. There are currently many ATVs using the forest. WBFN has been consistent and unanimous in voicing its opposition publicly in presentations, letters and debate.

Currently, the ATV clubs are also trying to extend off road vehicle use to county and municipal roads, including unopened road allowances. WBFN has recently sent a strong letter to all Councils opposing these uses by Off Road Vehicles.

Significant numbers of tree swallows perish in bluebird and other bird boxes each spring because they are not able to exit.

For any nest box made with relatively smooth lumber, it is important to have a “ladder’ beneath the entrance hole to enable tree swallows to exit. Horizontal grooves can be sawed, or a small strip of plastic gutter guard works great and can be stapled beneath the entrance hole.

NEWS FROM THE NATURE NETWORK

Carolinian East – Saturday April 26th, 2008 hosted by South Peel Naturalist's Club.
Carolinian West – Saturday March 29th, 2008 hosted by the West Elgin Nature Club.
Great Lakes West - Saturday April 5th, 2008 hosted by the Huron Fringe Field Naturalists.
Ontario North – Saturday April 12th, 2008 hosted by the Durham Field Naturalists.
Huronia – Saturday April 5th, 2008, hosted by York Simcoe Field Naturalists.
North – Friday May 2nd to Sunday 4th, 2008 hosted by the Nipissing Naturalists Club and the Friends of Mashkinonje.
Ontario East – Saturday May 3rd, 2008 hosted by Upper Ottawa Valley Nature Club.

The Nature Network is pleased to announce that the Nature Almanac is now available at www.ontarionature.org/network/naturealmanac.php.

Looking for something to do or trying to make something happen? Ontario Nature’s Nature Almanac will keep you posted on upcoming events and activities from our member groups across Ontario.

One of Ontario Nature’s key goals is connecting people with nature. Ontario Nature has a calendar for member groups’ activities on the Ontario Nature website. These events offer Ontario Nature member groups the opportunity to promote their activities with other Nature Network member groups and a wider general audience.

You can submit events and activities directly at http://www.ontarionature.org/network/naturealmanacsubmission.html. Please submit activities in advance so we can make sure it gets posted on our website in good time. The more notice people have, the more time they have to mark their calendar!

Help spread the word! Please include any or all of these listings in your e-mails, websites and newsletters. If possible, please mention that you found them at www.ontarionature.org.

We welcome events related to nature, environment, conservation, sustainability, green living and related topics such as climate change, renewable energy, youth and outdoor education.

Thank you to the individuals who have had added their names to our Advocate for Nature list. Please help to spread the word about the Advocate for Nature email list - you could post this in your newsletter, share it with your members at the next meeting, announce it at your next Board of Directors meeting or make a presentation at your Annual General Meeting. Every little bit helps!

In February 2008 we had 11 new subscribers to our Advocate for Nature email list. We now have 1754 Advocates for Nature.

To add your name online, copy and paste this link in your web browser or click here http://www.ontarionature.org/news/archive.php?type=action.

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour is now a global movement that uses the simple action of turning lights off for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

Earth Hour 2007 was a Sydney Australia event that started with the question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?

The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.

On March 31st, 2007, 2.2 million people and 2,100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year.

With Sydney landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

www.earthhour.org

NEWS FROM ONTARIO NATURE

Anne Bell is Ontario Nature’s new Senior Director of Conservation and Education. Anne has acted as an environmental researcher, educator and consultant for many government and nongovernmental organizations, including Evergreen, Ontario Parks, Natural Resources Canada, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, the Sierra Club and Environmental Defence. In 2002 and 2003, she served as interim executive director with CPAWS Wildlands League. Anne’s academic background is in biological conservation and her PhD in environmental studies from York University focused on ecological restoration and environmental education. Anne is an avid naturalist, an enthusiastic birder and a most welcome addition to the organization.

Anne will be working with Ontario Nature staff to plan and strategize priorities. She will also be working with our partners to deliver programs focusing on boreal conservation, endangered species and Greenways.

Ontario Nature has been selected to participate in the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)’s coin box program for the month of March!

Ontario Nature will have coin boxes by the cash registers in Liquor Stores across the province for the entire month and will receive all proceeds collected. The money collected will help Ontario Nature continue to protect and restore nature in Ontario.

Ontario Nature will be at The Green Living Show from April 25th to April 27th at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto. We are looking for volunteers to help staff our booth. If you’d like to help promote Ontario Nature (and your local group too!) at the show dedicated to all things green and attended by over 20,000 people, contact Carol Poitras at 416-444-8419, ext. 221 today.

Lake Simcoe is featured on the Ministry of the Environment’s (MoE) website: www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/lakesimcoe/index.php

We and our partners in the Campaign Lake Simcoe believe all signs are good! The website includes the following statements:

The Ontario government is committed to creating stronger protections for Lake Simcoe. We will introduce legislation to improve sewage treatment standards and set strict limits for pollutants such as phosphorus. We will also develop programs to reduce the amount of phosphorus and other contaminants entering the lake.

We are getting input from the full range of interests - municipal, agriculture, tourism, fisheries, development, first nations, environmental and residents – in the watershed. We are doing this by releasing a discussion paper for public comment, meeting with stakeholders and the public, and by creating a stakeholder advisory committee.

We are also getting scientific advice from a committee of experts in the water quality and ecology of lakes and their basins, and the impacts of surrounding urban and agricultural uses on the health of lakes and aquatic life.

The MoE’s Lake Simcoe discussion paper has yet to be released. Its contents will determine the focus of Campaign Lake Simcoe’s message as it moves forward. Campaign Lake Simcoe will continue to be guided by our recommendations in the Critical Elements of a Lake Simcoe Protection Act.

For more information visit www.campaignlakesimcoe.ca.

NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Saturday March 15th, 2008
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Toronto Botanical Garden
www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/about/directions.htm

The 9th Annual Stewardship Forum presents: Taking Action – Choices for Sustainable Living. This is a free event for environmentalists and open to professionals and volunteers. This year's theme is sustainable living - in the home, at school and at work.

Keynote speaker Gill Deacon is an award-winning broadcaster, author and editor. Gill will speak on Green for Life, a guide to making sustainable living ‘the new normal’.

To register for the breakout sessions contact greentoronto@toronto.ca or call (416) 392-LEAF.

Tuesday March 18th, 2008
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Policy Studies Building, Room 202
Queen’s University, Kingston

You are invited to attend just one or all sessions! There is no registration required and lunch is provided.

Program of Activities

• 9:00 am - Organizing Community Stewardship: Lessons from the Front Lines
• 10:30 am - Laws & Regulations: Encouraging Environmentally Sustainable Communities
• 12:15 pm - LUNCH
• 12:45 pm - Living Systems: The Application of Green Infrastructure in Kingston and Beyond
• 2:30 pm - Toolkits! Toolkits! Toolkits! Working to Build Sustainable Communities

Contact Dr. John Meligrana at jmeligra@post.queensu.ca or visit www.queensu.ca/surp for information.

Wednesday March 26th, 2008
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dinner reception starts at 7:30 pm
Steamwhistle Brewery, John St. Roundhouse
255 Bremner Blvd
Toronto
Tickets $140

Join our host Erica Ehm for the wonderful food of Jamie Kennedy and the antics of Zero Gravity Circus all to support the campaigns of Environmental Defence.

Email events@environmentaldefence.ca or call (416) 323-9521 x 235 for more information.

Friday March 28th, 2008
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Almonte United Church
106 Elgin Street
Almonte
www.almonteunitedchurch.ca

Presentations of trips on the renowned Magpie River in northern Quebec and the spectacular Snake River in the Yukon will appeal to paddlers of all abilities. Information booths and people will be on hand to promote the beautiful waterways of our own Lanark County and Ottawa region; silent auction and other activities related to canoeing/ kayaking will take place.

Doors open at 6 pm, presentations start at 7 pm. Desserts and refreshments will be served. Tickets $10/person available at Baker Bob’s (Almonte), Doug Younger-Lewis (613-256-2738) or at the door.

The event is a fundraiser for Likulezi Project. Likulezi Project is a grassroots community care organization providing support to families and orphans affected by AIDS/HIV in Phalombe, Malawi, East Africa.

Contact Almonte United Church (613) 256-1355 for information.

Friday March 28th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
National Library and Archives, Room 156
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa
Ottawa Coalition Against Mining Uranium (OCAMU)
www.ocamu.org/drupal

We are a group of Ottawa citizens acting to ensure that Ottawa's water, air and surrounding ecosystem remain free of the byproducts of uranium mining. Uranium mining would poison these basic elements irreversibly. Our goal is to raise awareness and request a moratorium on uranium mineral prospecting, exploration, and mining in the Ottawa watershed. Everyone is welcome.

For more information visit:

• Ottawa Coalition Against Mining Uranium at www.ocamu.org/drupal
• Community Coalition Against Uranium Mining at www.ccamu.ca
• Working Together to Keep Eastern Ontario and West Quebec Uranium Free at www.know-uranium.org

Saturday March 29th, 2008
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Public Room (lowest level) – Adjala-Tosorontio Township Office 7855
30th Sideroad Adjala

FREE! Join experts from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) and Ducks Unlimited Canada to learn how to restore streams and wetlands. Then give cavity nesting birds, like bluebirds and wood ducks, a hand by building bird boxes for them. Served up with complimentary refreshments!

For more information Shannon Stephens (705) 424-1479 ext 239 or sstephens@nvca.on.ca

Sign up, or login at www.facebook.com for instant information, updates, and to join in the conversation.

Click on “groups”. In the search field enter “Protect Lake Simcoe”. Click “join this group”. And you’re in!

Earth Day Canada, in partnership with Cascades, has launched its search for this year’s winner. The Hometown Heroes Award recognizes and encourages personal environmental achievement at the local level. This year’s winner will receive a cash-prize of $10,000-$5,000 to keep and $5,000 to donate to the environmental cause of their choice.

For more information, or to nominate yourself, an individual or group from your community, please visit www.earthday.ca/hometown.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday April 22nd, 2008.

Sunderland, Ontario - Hundreds of residents in a rural town 1 hour north of Toronto stood together for almost 3 years in opposition to a poorly planned housing project and during an OMB mediation session on February 20th 2008 their goal of a better design was realized.

The Concerned Citizens of Sunderland (CCS), residents of the small 19th century farming community, put their local council (Brock Township), Durham Region and the developer, Kaitlin Group, on notice by appealing to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). The original design was often referred to as a “fortress of houses on the edge of town”. Citing contemporary planning standards, the considerable lack of available water and sewer, the possible environmental impact on a major watershed area that discharges into the provincially significant Beaver River Wetland (a natural heritage area that acts as a filter for Lake Simcoe) and the long-term impact to their historic fairground (home to Ontario’s oldest continuously running fall fair) townsfolk rallied together to voice their concerns.

The community was never against future growth and development but Sunderland residents insisted on a sustainable, improved plan that would enhance the existing community, be environmentally conscious, and consider public safety.

The OMB Preliminary Hearing was held on December 11th, 2007, at which time all parties agreed to participate in an OMB directed mediation session process prior to the OMB Hearing. A settlement was reached and the community has already begun celebrating their success of influencing a better plan. The final plan of subdivision is smaller than the original proposal and includes improved environmental and pedestrian features.

CCS member Jay Yerema-Weafer says, “Overall, it has been a very difficult, but rewarding experience, which has resulted in a good plan that will become a positive addition to the community. Ultimately, I feel proud of how local residents stood together throughout this long, arduous process and in the end it was even nice to shake hands with the developer and welcome them to Sunderland.”

For additional information contact Jay Yerema-Weafer at (705) 357-1973 / Toll Free at 1-800-291-9204 or email stop.sprawl@sympatico.ca.

Choose to reduce paper waste and clutter by saying NO to Junk Mail through Canada Post’s eco-friendly Consumer Choice option. Canada Post will honour your request to say no to unaddressed advertising materials.

See the four easy steps you can take by visiting www.reddotcampaign.ca

Canada Post uses red dots to flag households that have said NO to Junk Mail. The Red Dot Campaign reminds you of your choice to say “NO” to unwanted advertising.

UPCOMING NATURE NETWORK NEWS DEADLINES

The next issue of the Nature Network News will be sent on April 15th. Submissions will be accepted until April 1st. Please send articles to clarem@ontarionature.org.

Ontario Nature publishes the Ontario Nature Network News every month with contributions from its staff and member groups.

** Here’s the answer to the Macnamara Field Naturalists’ Riddle - Dog Toothed Violet or Trout Lily.