Essex County Nature

Hawk Festival at Holiday Beach Conservation Area
2017-09-09 - 2017-09-10
We will once again open our Blue Kestrel Café at the Hawk Fesitval. Volunteers are needed. Call JoAnn if you would like to help (519-734-0056). Watch for more news regarding this event.

www.erca.org
www.hbmo.ca

We're Goin' On A Bug Hunt
2017-08-20 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) | Brunet Park, LaSalle
Get to know those crawlies before you call them “creepy”. Meet with Angela Demarse, amateur entomologist, for a leisurely hike through Brunet Park. We’ll talk about the major categories of insects in an active learning setting that engages both children and adults alike. Bring along a bug net and jar (one with vent holes is best) if you’re interested in getting up-close and personal with Essex County’s beautiful, colourful and sometimes strange variety of native insects.
1-3pm at Brunet Park in LaSalle – https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Brunet+Park/@42.2405748,-83.0445283,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x211ab3e9cbc024ad?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjSiuDxu7zVAhVL54MKHZf3BiUQ_BIIbTAK

Essex County Nature Meeting
2017-08-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Ojibway Nature Centre
Brian Burnette will be our guest speaker. Brian will be speaking about prescribed burns.

Essex County Nature Meeting
2017-05-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Ojibway Nature Centre
Karina Richters will speak on the Community Energy Plan

23rd Annual Pelee Island Trip
2017-05-06 - 2017-05-07
23rd Annual ECFNC Weekend Trip to Pelee Island with David Kraus
Leave at 10:00 am Saturday from Leamington Dock aboard the M.V. Jiimaan (be at the dock by 9:20 am). We will return to Leamington Dock by 5:45 pm Sunday.
We will likely see: migrating waterfowl & warblers, wildflowers such as trilliums & waterleaf, basking turtles and snakes, bullfrogs, historic sites, and hear a chorus or two of American Toads, to suggest a few of the many enjoyable experiences on Pelee Island in spring. We should also get a chance to visit the Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO bird banding station) and some of the recently acquired Nature Conservancy of Canada properties: Red Cedar Savannah ESA, Stone Road Alvar ANSI, Brown’s Point and Woods, and Brown’s Road Alvar. We will have plenty of time to walk, observe, and relax on the excursions to some of Pelee’s most beautiful natural habitats, including: Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve, Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve, the Stone Road Alvar Complex, Sheridan Point ESA, and many other stops along the way (including natural habitat restoration work completed on my property).
The total cost will be $ 195 this year. This cost will include: the two ferry trips, weekend bus transportation, four hot meals, overnight room accommodations, and all taxes and tips. The $ 195 cost will include all expenses for the weekend other than alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, and snacks or meals on the ferry.
To register for this trip: see David Kraus at the ECFNC meetings, call, or email/text:
Dave Kraus phone: 519 825 7491 (leave message)
email address: david.kraus@publicboard.ca
text: 519-257-8674

For The Birds - Free admission and Nature Hike @ 2pm
2017-05-06 | For The Birds, 1420 Gore Rd, Essex, Ontario, Canada
For The Birds, 1420 Gore Rd. Essex, all day free admission and nature hike @ 2pm guided by Paul Pratt
We are pleased to advise a very special outing at the “For The Birds” property owned by lifetime club member Forest Elmslie. Paul Pratt has praised the natural quality of the property the size of which is easily confirmed by viewing the satellite shot on Google Maps. Please refer to the webpage for more info including directions. http://www.for-the-birds.ca/Welcome.html Please note that dates on the webpage are from last year. The front gate will be opened at 6am for eager birders. The weather between now and then may be rainy so bring your rubber boots. Free lunchtime fare (from 11:30 until 2 or until the food is gone) will be provided by club members Ralph Benoit and Therese Nuong. It will consist of burgers, meatballs, baked potatoes, and maybe some special Vietnamese treats.
Please don’t pass up this unique opportunity provided by Mr. Elmslie.
Admittance is restricted to paid-up members of the club.

Garlic Mustard Pull - Heinz Woodlot
2017-04-29 10:00 - 13:00
Come on out to the Heinz woodlot and join Peggy Hurst in the removal of invasive garlic mustard. The hard work of volunteers each year is really making a difference; and don’t forget, garlic mustard is a pest that you can eat!
Meet at 10:00 am in the lot behind the former Zellers store.

Reptiles and Amphibians Exploration
2017-04-23 14:00 - 16:00
1515 Mersea Rd 7 Leamington, 2:00pm
Nature walk and reptiles/amphibians search lead by “snake guy” Steve Marks and property owner David Kraus

Earth Day Event & Bake Sale
2017-04-23 10:00 - 15:00
Join us to celebrate Earth Day 2017 on Sunday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Malden Park (4200 Malden road).
This event is free for the public. There will be over 40 environmental exhibits; wildflower planting; arts and crafts; a nature scavenger hunt; and many more environmental activities!
We will be having a Heritage Committee bake sale fundraiser at the event. If you’re interested in baking or volunteering for the bake sale, email Cathy Lapain at aclapain@gmail.com.

Birds & Wildflowers Hike
2017-04-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Cedar Creek Conservation Area, Arner Town Line at Cty Rd 20, Kingsville
Join experienced birder and nature enthusiast Kory Renaud at Cedar Creek Conservation Area at 9am for a walk that will start at the conservation area and then move to the new Cedar Creek Provincial Park to look at the blooming wildflowers and, of course, the birds!
Cedar Creek Conservation Area Map & Directions

Essex County Nature Meeting
2017-04-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Ojibway Nature Centre
A little bird in big trouble: using Citizen Science to help the recovery of
Chimney Swifts – A talk by Liz Purves, Ontario SwiftWatch Coordinator, Bird Studies Canada.
Birds that feed on flying insects while on the wing (“aerial insectivores”) are experiencing
widespread population declines across North America. One urban-dwelling aerial insectivore, the
Chimney Swift, is experiencing particularly steep population declines across its breeding range in
eastern North America, likely because of a multitude of factors. Through the SwiftWatch project,
Bird Studies Canada (BSC), its partners, and hundreds of volunteers are working to help Chimney
Swift recovery in Ontario and across the country, largely by identifying, monitoring, and
promoting stewardship of nest and roost sites. This talk will first provide an introduction to BSC
and its broader Citizen Science initiatives, then dive into the current state of Chimney Swifts and
the aerial insectivore guild, and lastly share what BSC and Citizen Scientists are doing to help.

Tree ID and Appreciation Walk
2017-03-12 14:00 - 16:00
Join Dave Kraus for an informative walk around the Ojibway Nature Centre and surrounding trails as he shares knowledge and tips for identifying trees as well as interesting facts about them! The walk will begin at 2pm.

Essex County Nature Meeting - AGM
2017-03-08 19:30 - 21:30
Join us for the AGM, try your hand at the Quizmaster’s latest brain-busters, bid on some silent auction items, and enjoy light snacks and beverages.

Reptiles & Amphibians of Ontario - Special Meeting
2017-02-26 14:00 - 17:00
Steve Marks (known locally as Steve the Snake Guy) will present an in depth talk about Ontario’s Amphibians & Reptiles, how to responsibly appreciate them in the wild and how to actually help the populations we still have in our Province.
This presentation is lengthy, and will be held on Sunday February 26 @ 2 pm at the Ojibway Nature Centre.

Upper Detroit River Waterfowl Hike
2017-02-12 12:00 - 15:00 | Lakeview Park Marina, 9200 Riverside Drive East, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Meet Paul Desjardin at Lakeview Park Marina at 12 noon to see a variety of waterfowl and maybe even some bald eagles!

Essex County Nature Meeting
2017-02-08 19:30 - 21:30 | Ojibway Nature Centre
Spiders of Ontario – Tom Mason has more than 32 years’ experience in the zoo world. He earned a BSc University of Guelph and a diploma in Zookeeping from Seneca College, and served as the Curator of Invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo and acting Curator of Birds at the Toronto Zoo. He has traveled and studied natural ecosystems on 5 continents. Today, he still leads tours for fish and reptile enthusiasts to Costa Rica. Tom has worked on three recovery teams for Ontario’s endangered species, and has worked on conservation projects in Cuba and Costa Rica. In addition, Tom has coaxed more than 50 species of reptiles and amphibians to reproduce in captivity. Tom will be speaking on those eight legged creatures that most love to hate, the largely misunderstood Spiders of Ontario.

Waterfowl IBA Count
2017-01-28 | Lower Detroit River
We need your help counting waterbirds on the Lower Detroit River. For more details and to sign up, contact Jeremy Hatt – hattjeremy@hotmail.com

Wildlife Tracking Outing
2017-01-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Ojibway Prairie, 5200 Matchette Rd, Windsor, Ontario, N9C 4E8, Canada
Join Alexis Hand, a local Wildlife Biologist, Sunday January 22nd at 11am for a wildlife tracking outing at Ojibway. Learn about important clues and features to look for when examining wildlife tracks and signs. We’ll first meet at Ojibway Nature Centre and look at examples of local wildlife tracks and then we’ll head over to Ojibway Prairie to look for tracks and signs. Please dress for the weather and wear good snow or mud boots. We’ll be hiking off trail to look for fresh tracks!

Detroit River CBC
2017-01-01
Detroit River Christmas Bird Count – (contact Ojibway Nature Centre 519-966-5852)

Holiday Beach CBC
2016-12-27
Holiday Beach Christmas Bird Count – Contact Jeremy Hatt – hattjeremy@hotmail.com or Kory Renaud koryrenaud@gmail.com

Point Pelee CBC
2016-12-19
Point Pelee Christmas Bird Count – (contact Sarah at tanager@sympatico.ca)

Cedar Creek CBC
2016-12-17
Cedar Creek Christmas Bird Count – (contact Ojibway Nature Centre 519-966-5852)

Essex County Nature Meeting
2016-12-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Ojibway Nature Centre
General Meeting – Join Club members for our yearly special meeting where picture presentations are given on travels from our members and friends. Desserts and coffee available. Meet at 7:30 pm at Ojibway Nature Centre.

NorthShore CBC
2016-12-14
The Christmas Bird Count for Ontario Northshore (Tecumseh and Lakeshore). The Compilation will be at 12:30pm at the Riverside Sportsmen Club on Riverside Drive East. (contact coordinator Glenn at eaglecoach@cogeco.ca)

Essex County Nature Annual Dinner
2016-11-05 17:30 - 23:55 | Fogolar Furlan Club – Dante Costa Hall, 1800 North Service Road, Windsro, Ontario, Canada
Please join us for this Annual event. Our speaker is Brock Fenton on “Exploring the Lives of Bats”. There will be auctions, door prizes, cash bar and a great meal. We will try to accommodate individuals with dietary restrictions, but tickets must be paid for by Oct. 24th so that there is time to arrange the dinners. Along with your dietary restrictions, please be sure to include your telephone number on your ticket, so that JoAnn Grondin can contact you regarding the accommodation. If you have any items to donate to the silent auction or door prizes, please contact JoAnn Grondin (519-734-0056). Your contributions are appreciated.
Tickets are available from:

Ojibway Nature Centre, 5200 Matchette Road, Windsor, Ontario – 519-966-5852
Pelee Wings Nature Store, 636 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington, Ontario – 519-326-5193
Carl Maiolani – 519-972-1399
JoAnn Grondin – 519-734-0056

See the flyer for additional information.

Essex County Nature Meeting
2016-10-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Ojibway Nature Centre
Larry Cornelis from the Sydenham Field Naturalists will speak on the Sydenham River Nature Reserve. This is a 78 hectare property that straddles both sides of the eastern fork of the Sydenham River, near the town of Alvinston. There is great diversity in the property with species at risk that call it home. The property is being purchased by Ontario Nature and our Club has made a donation towards this purchase. Meet at 7:30 pm at the Ojibway Nature Centre

Reptile and Amphibian Hike
2016-09-25
Stay tuned for further details

Festival of Hawks
2016-09-18 09:00 - 15:00, 2016-09-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Holiday Beach Conservation Area, 6952 Essex County Rd 50, Harrow, Ontario, N0R 1G0, Canada
See migrating hawks with Holiday Beach Migration Observatory’s experts on the tower. Hold and release a hawk or songbird at the HBMO adopt-a-hawk programs throughout the day. See live hawks and owls up close, and visit our website for the schedule of talks and walks. Shop for native plants, binoculars and more, make a nature crafts at this top hawk watching site in Canada.
Event runs over two weekends, from 9am to 3pm each day.
Visit erca.org/birding for a full schedule of events.

Massasauga Rattlesnake Workshop
2016-08-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Vollmer Complex, 2121 Laurier Pkwy, LaSalle, ON, N9J 2X8, Canada
Learn how to safely coexist with our resident rattlers and meet a live rattlesnake! Hear about local recovery work, how you can help this endangered species, and have your questions answered by experienced biologists. A family friendly event!
