By Jeremy Hatt

It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since ECFNC started co-hosting the Ojibway Pride Nature Walk with the Ontario Field Ornithologists; it feels like yesterday that we created the event. The walk is meant to invite members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community to come together during Pride Month and enjoy nature together in a safe and welcoming environment. After four years, this continues to be a popular event and we now have several annual regulars but enjoy seeing new faces each year as well. Jennifer Nantais and I were happy to co-lead 21 attendees on the walk, our best turnout so far.

Jennifer and me introducing the Ojibway Pride Walk – photo by John Dowhan

This year, funds from the Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) program were put to good use to provide snacks and refreshments at the start of the event – a big thank you to Sheila Laurin for picking up coffee and Timbits to have ready in the parking lot by 8:30am! This walk, held in mid-June, was originally a birding hike to showcase the breeding birds of Ojibway Park, but over the years it has expanded to an all-out naturalist hike where we identify everything we can with the aid of iNaturalist and our combined knowledge and expertise. The itinerary includes a stroll to the pond in Ojibway Park for turtles, fish, and dragonflies, a saunter along Titcombe Path for wildflowers and pollinators, and an amble through Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park to enjoy a selection of woodland species.

It’s hard to imagine having a more gorgeous day. The weather was in full cooperation with warm, sunny conditions that were especially perfect for butterflies and other pollinators. The sun infused life into everything around us and lush green plants popped in the morning light.

The verdant path through Ojibway Park – photo by John Dowhan

On the birding front, we managed to tally 38 species. Our complete eBird checklist for the morning can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S356858184. Highlights included breeding evidence of summering species like Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Warbling Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, American Redstart, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting.

The group spying a skulking Gray Catbird – photo by John Dowhan

Visiting the Ojibway Park pond is always a highlight first thing in the morning and we were greeted by the resident Common Snapping Turtles upon approach. Pumpkinseed and Bluegill swam below the boardwalk as Widow and Twelve-spotted Skimmers zipped back and forth above the water. Of particular interest was a Pumpkinseed X Bluegill hybrid, spotted by fish expert Olivia Galloway: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/371389663.

Attendees enjoying the Ojibway Park boardwalk – photo by John Dowhan

Ojibway is one of the best places in Ontario for butterflying and we were blessed with an abundance of butterflies of several species, many of which were new to members of the hike. The walk along Titcombe Path is particularly excellent for pollinators. Highlights included Long Dash, Northern Cloudywing, Little Glassywing, Zabulon Skipper, Hobomok Skipper, and Silvery Checkerspot. It was great practice to go through the field marks of the more challenging to identify skipper species. A selection of wildflowers in bloom included Common Bladderwort, Canada Anemone, Two-flower Dwarf-Dandelion, and Purple Meadow-Rue. Many of the butterflies were feeding on non-native red clover.

Group photo along Titcombe Path – photo by John Dowhan

ECFNC commits to continually providing LGBTQ+-friendly events across Essex County. These events are always friendly and positive, and a great way to meet fellow keen naturalists within the Community. We will celebrate our fifth-annual Ojibway Pride Nature Walk in mid-June of next year!

ECFNC Pride logo created by Membership Secretary, Janice Boussey