Essex County Nature

Member Showcase
2025-12-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit)
December is our annual member showcase!
Do you have anything you wish to share with the club?
A special talent
A place you’ve visited
Information you would think club members must hear

Let us know so we can out you on the speakers list.

Presentations should be about 10 minutes in length.

Wheatley Harbour Big Sit
2025-11-29 10:00 - 12:00
Gather down at the harbour for a big sit.

This is a great time of year to spot gulls and ducks as they shelter in the safety of the harbour in Wheatley.

You never know what might show up.
Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and a warm beverage.

Monthly Walk
2025-11-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-20 10:00 - 12:00
Who doesn’t love options?
If you’re planning on joining us this Sunday, please be aware of the following things: We’ll be exploring Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park and/or the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve (y’all get to decide what you’re feeling up to that day) We’ll be meeting at the Titcombe Rd Parking lot off of Matchett Rd. across from the Ojibway Nature Centre (Not Malden… unless you want to start your own mini walk) So maybe you got distracted by the rare wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairie or you find yourself flabergasted at what west & southwestern Ontario looked like thousands of years ago in the Nature Reserve, or you managed to not yell out “Oooh! This is a (insert name of bird, plant or insect here)” every step you take and find time to do both… and that’s why: we love options!
Nature is changing, come see what changes every month at Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park & Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve!

2025 Annual Dinner
2025-11-08 17:00 - 23:00
ECFNC ANNUAL DINNER

Fall in Point Pelee
2025-10-25 10:00 - 12:00
Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather
Meet at the tip @ 10AM
Bring a lunch

Nature Conservancy Property Walk
2025-10-09 10:00 - 11:00
NCC Property Tour
Thursday October 9, 2025
10:00AM
Corner of McCormick Side Rd and 6th Concession, Essex
Celebrate the latest conservation efforts of the club with a visit to land purchased on behalf of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
We are thrilled to be able to contribute funds to this fantastic property that will now be preserved for years to come. This is because of all the hard work of the members of the Heritage Committee, those who help out with our community booths at events and all those who have purchased coffee, mugs and purchased your ticket to the annual dinner! Our legacy of conservation in this area would not be possible without your support.
A cheque presentation and tour of the property will begin at 10AM. Currently there is no numbered address. The tour will start here: 42°04’25.9″N 82°51’08.5″W – Google Maps
Parking will need to be on on McCormick road where you will need to walk to the property entrance. There will be someone at the entrance and at the roadside parking to make it clear where everyone should go.
Light snacks and water refills will be available. Bring your own water bottles. Regular hiking boots are recommended but as always watch the weather forecast and prepare rain boots in the event of inclement weather.

Backyard Bat Accoustic Monitoring
2025-10-08 19:00 - 20:00
The results are in!
We are very excited to share with you the results of the Backyard Bat Acoustic Monitoring project conducted by the Toronto Zoo.
This summer club members volunteered to mount a bat monitoring device that listens for bats on their properties for several nights. A representative from the Toronto Zoo will join us virtually to speak about the project and how our volunteers contributed to a better understanding of bats in Ontario.

Jr Egrets - Birds, Seeds & Leaves
2025-09-20 09:00 - 12:00
Celebrate the sights and sounds of the season with the Jr. Egrets!
As autumn sets in, nature guides Carolyn and Jen will take young explorers on an adventure through the woodlands and meadows of Essex County. We’ll find coloured leaves, search for migrating birds, and see how fall seeds support wildlife and make new plants to support these habitats. Through guided discovery and activities, participants will deepen their connection to the land and the life it supports. Together, we’ll reflect on the changing season and the small but important ways we can care for the world around us.
What to Bring:
To help your child stay safe and comfortable outdoors, please make sure they come with:
A reusable water bottle
Sunscreen
Bug spray
A hat for sun protection
Closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on trails
A snack (waste-free if possible)

Festival of Hawks
2025-09-13 10:00 - 15:00
Visit us at our booth on September 13, for the Holiday Beach Festival of Hawks. We will be there with books, mugs and coffee for sale.
Make your way up to the top of the tower for your best chance to see migrating raptors and many other birds.
Join in as we host a birding hike with our friends from the Windsor Feminist Bird Club @ 11AM.
Always a fun event for everyone!
Event runs September 13 & 14.
ECFNC will be on-site Saturday September 13 only.

FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program) with Dr. Brendan Samuels
2025-09-10 19:00 - 21:00

Nature Neighbours Series - Rowsom's Tilbury West Conservation Area
2025-09-06 13:00 - 15:00
Explore Rowsom’s Tilbury West Conservation Area with us as we are joined by our friends from Nature CK and the West Elgin Nature Club as part of our Nature Neighbours Series.
Located at 15172 South Middle Rd. Comber, ON
Take a stroll through this quiet carolinian forest while we connect with other nature lovers from our neighbouring clubs. This a great time to check out late summer blooms and early fall migrant birds in their non-breeding plumage.
Meet-up after for some coffee and treats at the nearby Iron Kettle Commissary Bakery and Cafe

Monthly Walks
2025-08-17 10:00 - 12:00

Jr Egrets - Bugs and Blooms
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00
See Junior Egrets page for further details

Hawk Trail Walk 'n Wine
2025-06-28 13:00 - 16:00
Cooper’s Hawk Winery
1425 Iler Rd, Harrow, ON

What wine pairs well with a nature hike?
How about one of the fine selections from Cooper’s Hawk Winery!

Join us for an afternoon walk around the Hawk Trail located right on the vineyard property. This 1.5 km easy stroll explores trees, wildflowers and birds. When the walk is done relax on the patio for a glass or a flight of wine.

Walk is free, wine is available for a fee.

Monthly Walk
2025-06-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-20 10:00 - 12:00

Pride Walk at Ojibway
2025-06-15 08:30 - 12:00
Meet 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Ojibway Park in Windsor to join OFO and the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club (ECFNC) for a Pride Month Nature and Birding Walk. This second annual walk is a celebration of the LGBTQ2S+ community, but all members of the community are welcome. We start by exploring the trails of Ojibway Park before crossing the street to follow the Titcombe path between the Tallgrass Heritage Prairie Heritage Park and the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve.

As a cooperative effort of OFO and the ECFNC, we invite all who are interested in the outing and encourage newer or first-time birders and nature enthusiasts to come along. Creating a respectful, welcoming and accessible environment is our first priority as we enjoy observing the breeding birds of Ojibway and their environs. It is a great opportunity to observe the late spring flowers and insects too!

Evening Walk for Betty Learmouth
2025-06-12 18:30 - 20:30
Late spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the longer days and spend more time outdoors.

Recently a tree was planted at Holiday Beach Conservation Area in honour of Betty Learmouth. Enjoy an evening walk through the park as we take the opportunity to visit that tree in tribute to Betty’s legacy.

Wildflowers with Graham Brown
2025-06-11 19:00 - 21:00
Save the Date – more info to come!

Evening Walk with Dave Kraus
2025-05-24 18:00 - 20:00
Saturday May 24, 2025 starting around 6pm at David Kraus’ property at 1515 Mersea Rd 7, Leamington. Park along the grass farm lane to the right from the gravel driveway before reaching the barn. Bring rubber boots.

We will walk around the property birding and looking at spring wildflowers and the many other native plant species in the forested areas, meadows, tall grass prairie, wetlands and swamps. The property also has habitat enhancements such as a variety of bird nesting boxes, bat boxes, snake nesting structures, and snake hibernacula.

When dusk approaches, we will listen to frogs (Spring Peepers, Chorus Frogs, etc.) and toads calling, possibly owls, woodcock, and coyotes. We will also look for the resident bats circling for insects and learn how a bat detector to determines their species. Dress for the weather.

Hopefully Carl will arrange beautiful weather for us !!!

Breeding Bird Atlas - Paul Pratt
2025-05-14 19:00 - 21:00
Learn about the final year of the breeding bird atlas project

World Migratory Bird Day Migration Patterns: The Journey of a Bird Obsessed Human
2025-05-08 19:00 - 21:00
Gill Holmes is a Wildlife Technician with the Canadian Wildlife Service in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and has spent 15 years working within avian ecology and research across government, private and academic institutions. They have worked and visited a diverse array of ecosystems from the prairies of Mississippi to the Arctic tundra of Nunavut and as far as the Kimberly in Western Australia. After all these years working in the field, they have many stories to tell, and through the research they’ve assisted with and the places they have visited, they will weave together a story of what it means to be a human being who migrates to be with the birds.

Please join Pelee Island Bird Observatory on May 8th to celebrate Global Migratory Bird Day with a webinar hosted by Gill Holmes, where they will recount the experiences they’ve had as a field technician with a deep dive into the birds and research projects they’ve assisted with thus far in their career.

World Migratory Bird Day Why Do Birds Sing? - Dr. Daniel Mennill
2025-05-07 18:30 - 21:00
Pelee Wings/PIBO bird talk
Suggested donation $20
6:30PM Tea and treates, 7PM talk

Birding with Pride
2025-05-03 08:30 - 12:00
Hosted by Ontario Field Ornithologists
Saturday, May 3
Point Pelee National Park

This event run by the Ontario Field Ornithologists during the Festival of Birds provides a chance for members of the community to socialize and attend guided bird hikes from Northwest Beach. Stay tuned for more details.

Nature Neighbours Field Trip
2025-04-26 13:00 - 15:00
In partnership with Syndenham Field Naturalists and West Elgin Nature Club we are excited to announce the next adventure in the Nature Neighbours series of events!

For those who have been curious about what is out there in our neigbouring areas we are partnering with our friends to bring you the opportunity to explore a not so far away natural area you may otherwise overlook.

West Elgin Nature Club is proud to show off the John E.Pearce Provincial Park. It features the following:

Great birding opportunities in this 68 hectare park.
The Backus Page House Museum is situated onsite in a restored 1850s Georgian style house, which represents the history and culture of rural Victorian society.
A trail with fifteen interpretive stops that leads through a century old hardwood forest.
Visitors can look out high atop the 33 metre cliff overlooking Lake Erie or picnic in the quiet shade of the forest canopy.
A stunning example of a wetland restoration featuring 3 wetlands, viewing platform and trail.

Meet us there to enjoy with what nature has to offer.

Are you interested in carpooling?
Contact member.sec.ecnc@gmail.com or come speak to us at the next meeting to discuss carpool options

Phragmites Fighting/Earth Day at Bryerswood
2025-04-26 10:00 - 14:00
Free event for Earth Day brought to you by Bryerswood Youth Camp.

Come and see us at our booth!

Event features pollinator garden planting, Kids games and crafts, used household battery collection, earth friendly displays, electric vehicles and solar displays.

While you are there why not help with the phrag fight?
Volunteers are needed to cut down the phragmites on site. This is follow up work that continues at this site, on land.
Email Aileen if interested petrozzi2@gmail.com
