Author Archives: Mark Whitcombe

A film night: Jackson Hole WILD films!

Jackson Hole WILD films coming to the Upper Credit Field Naturalists, January 23rd On Tuesday evening January 23rd, 2018, at 7:30 P.M., selections from the world-famous Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival are coming to our backyard! Join us for a special WILD On Tour screening of short films. We are highlighting the joyous and informative exploration of nature. Ron has chosen a variety of shorter films instead of 1–3 long films. 1. Project Coyote – Killing Games: Wildlife in the Crosshairs. 30 min 2. 16 Legs: Spider Love. 25 min (a spider expert will be presenting to our group this March) 3. Between Two Lichens. 15 min 4. Nature RX. – 2min 5. Microsculpture. – 5 min 6. Blue. – 4 min 7. Banana Slugs: Secret of the Slime. – 4 min 8. Return of the Cicadas. – 7 min. 9. Explore Your Backyard Wilderness. – 4 min (Total screening time 96… Read more »

Our Christmas Bird Count —  initial results

On Saturday December 30th, we completed our annual Christmas Bird Count. The Numbers: 23 + 7 participants; 715 km driven; 10.5 km walked; 2.5 hrs owling; -14ºC minimum; 38 species overall; estimated 3983 individual birds overall; most populous: American Crow 931, Snow Bunting 740, European Starling 342, Dark-eyed Junco 335, American Goldfinch 300, Black-Capped Chickadee 272, Wild Turkey 223, least seen: Ruffed Grouse 1, Northern Harrier 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Cooper’s Hawk 1, Snowy Owl 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Northern Shrike 1, Christmas Bird Count participants: (23 participants): (Area 1): Ron Jasiuk, Bill, Mike, Russ, Cynthia, Leo; (Area 2): Mark Whitcombe, Jerry, Paul, Katherine; (Area 3): Linda Lockyer, Mike, Dilys, Debby; (Area 4): Ron Ritchie, Mary Lynn, Betty; (Area 5): Dawn Renfrew, Darcie; (Area 6): Rob Best, Kevin, Anne-Marie, Suzanne Christmas Feeder Watch participants: (7 participants): Doug & Jane, Jean, Joan, Robin, Rachel, Liz Comments (by a botanist …) Of… Read more »

Christmas Bird Count 2017: Get your binos and warm clothes ready!

Our annual Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday December 30th, 2017!  Ron Jasiuk and Russ McGillivary are organizing this year’s event. We have sent out details and invitations earlier, so if you’ve missed them, contact us. Contact us! UCFNC Christmas Bird Count areas Across North America naturalists have been participating in Christmas Bird Counts for well over 100 years. One of the first participants was a Toronto birder! The first UCFN Christmas Bird Count was conducted on 12 Dec 1987. So this is the 30th anniversary. The data gathered by volunteers is used to track changes in populations and ranges of bird species. It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy and become familiar with winter birds. Our bird count area includes Alton, Erin, Inglewood, Orangeville, Mono Mills, and the surrounding areas. The bird count area is divided into six sub-areas each of which is covered by a team. As well,… Read more »