Willow Beach Field Naturalists News
Scarlet Tanager, Cobourg lakeshore, May 2013. Photo© Bruce Parker
Last Updated: May 16th 2013
WBFN Latest Updates
May 2013 Issue of the Curlew is now posted on the Curlew Page. Those members who do not want to receive a paper copy of the Curlew please leave a message by going to the Contact Us Page or indicating it on the 2013 Membership Renewal Form.
A Northern Water Snake sunning itself on a warm spring day. Photo© Bruce Parker
Birds of Northumberland County 2011-2012 Report
The Birds of Northumberland County is part of the Willow Beach Field Naturalists website. It can be currently accesed by clicking on the Birds of Northumberland Barred Owl Icon in the left-hand margin.
This site contains a wealth of resources about birds and plants in Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada. The bird data are particularly extensive. The County is located roughly half way along the north shore of Lake Ontario, and is rich in natural features, ranging from bird colonies to rare tracts of native grassland and savannah. This document and website were prepared by WBFN Member Clive Goodwin and Steven Furino. Clive Goodwin was responsible for collecting and validating bird sightings, and the text, together with the text on the plants. Steven Furino authored the software which managed the data and created the bird charts. Co-authors WBFN Member David Bree provided the section on butterflies and Colin Jones that on dragonflies.
Updates to the site are completed by Clive Goodwin.
To view Clive's latest update with some photos of 2011 -2012 sightings click on the link below.
The Birds of Northumberland County 2011-2012 Report
Blue Grosbeak, found by David Bree Senior Naturalist Heritage Leader, Presqu'ile Provincial Park, May 11 2012. Photo© David Bree
Presqu'ile NatureWorks Programs 2013
More details at www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca
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John Geale's Willow Beach Notes
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As well, there are some volunteer opportunities coming up soon with the Northumberland Land Trust, and you would be welcome to join in:
WBFN Scholarship Award 2013
Willow Beach Field Naturalists will present in 2013 one $1000 Education Scholarship to a graduating high school student moving on to post-secondary education from one of Northumberland County's high schools.
These schools include:
Port Hope High School; Trinity College School, Port Hope; Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West; Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East; St. Mary’s Secondary School, Cobourg; East Northumberland Secondary School, Brighton; Campbellford District High School, Campbellford.
To apply for this year's scholarship download and print an application form.
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2013 WBFN Scholarship Award Application Form ( Word Format )
Deadline for Application:
Completed application forms with Letter(s) of Reference must be received by Friday May 31, 2013.
Completed Applications may be submitted by the deadline in one of two ways:
- via mail to the following mailing address:
- via the WBFN website at www.willowbeachfieldnaturalists.org: use the Contact Us Page and attach your application and scanned reference letter(s) using the Attachment for WBFN Scholarship Award option.
WBFN Scholarship Award
Willow Beach Field Naturalists
Box 421
Port Hope, ON
L1A 3Z3
All applicants will be notified of their success via email or telephone by June 30, 2013.
Please Note: By submitting this application, the successful applicant agrees to give his/her permission to publish his/her name and/or photo on the WBFN website and possibly in local newspapers.
The Prairie Smoke -
Carden Field Naturalists’ Quarterly Newsletter
Winter 2013
The Carden Field Naturalists have forwarded their latest newsletter for viewing.
Click here to read the newsletter.
Presqu'ile Waterfowl Festival March 16th and 17th 2013
A mixture of ducks off the Calf Pasture at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Photo© Don McLeod
WBFN Members helped visitors to the Waterfowl Festival identify different species of waterfowl at viewing stations in the Park. Photo© Don McLeod
WBFN March Outing Report 2013
WBFN Members at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre. Photo© Don McLeod
Willow Beach Field Naturalists (WBFN) March day trip to Algonquin Provincial Park, was led by WBFN member Katsu Sakuma. A big thank you goes out to Katsu for organizing and leading the trip, and to Ian Shanahan of the Algonquin Visitor Centre for showing us their collection of specimens including mounted mammals, birds, butterflies and skulls.
....WBFN Member Don McLeod
Pine Grosbeak (f). Photo© Don McLeod
American Marten. Photo© Don McLeod
Algonquin Park Naturalist Ian Shanahan showing WBFN Members some of the specimens at the Visitor Centre. Photo© Don McLeod
More photos of the Algonquin Park Trip can be found at WBFN Member Don Mcleod's Blog and Picassa Web Album.
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Gray Jay - from Park records, this 2 year old male has ID code ROSLGOKR. Don Mcleod photographed this male near the intersection of Opeongo Lake Road and Cameron Lake Road. Photo© Don McLeod
WBFN Annual General Meeting Report 2013
WBFN members gathered for the 2013 AGM in Cobourg. Photo© Bruce Parker
The Annual General Meeting for the Willow Beach Naturalists was held on Friday February 22 2013. A largre turnout gathered at the Cobourg Public Library to hear the annual President's Report, elect and confirm new members to the WBFN Executive, particpate in this year's Silent Auction to support the WBFN Scholarship Program and hear guest speaker Mike McMurtry, Natural Areas Ecologist, MNR. A special presentation also took place recognizing the contributions of two WBFN Members.
To view Willow Beach Field Naturalists Annual General Meeting Minutes for February 22, 2013
WBFN President Petra Hartwig highlighted some of the accomplishments of WBFN over the past year. Photo© Bruce Parker
Former WBFN President Michael Biggar conducted the nominations and confirmations of new WBFN Executive members. Photo© Bruce Parker
Thanks to the generousity of local businesses and some WBFN members the Silent Auction was successful in raising the funds necessary to support the WBFN Scholarship Program. Photo© Bruce Parker
Deborah Panko reported on the Endangered Species Act proposed revisions and called upon members to comment. Photo© Bruce Parker
WBFN Speaker Program Coordinator Trish Whitney introduced and thanked guest speaker Mike McMurtry, Natural Areas Ecologist, MNR. Photo© Bruce Parker
A presentation was made to Audrey Wilson for over 50 years of dedicated service to WBFN. A special plaque was given Audrey to go along with the many awards and recognitions she has received for her life long work as an educator and naturalist. Outgoing WBFN Secretary Karen Drew was also thanked for her contributions during her tenure. Photo© Bruce Parker
WBFN Special Report 2013
WBFN Board Member Gina Brouwer* writes:
"Like heritage buildings, trees are landmarks that have the potential to survive through multiple generations. Trees are unique in that they provide ecological, social, and economic benefits beyond heritage value that increase exponentially as they grow. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of Cobourg’s natural and cultural heritage and create a record that will act as a catalyst for future promotion and appreciation of trees and the urban forest in Cobourg."
To read Gina's Research Paper click on the link below:
Cobourg's Heritage Canopy (7.20MB)
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*Gina is a WBFN Board Member and works at a Cobourg engineering firm, AECOM, as a landscape architect and arborist. Gina has worked with the Town of Cobourg including preparation of an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan and co-ordination of the Neighbourwoods Community Volunteer Tree Inventory Program.
WBFN 2013 Membership Form
The 2013 Willow Beach Field Naturalist Membership Form can be downloaded by clicking on the following link:
Willow Beach Membership Form 2013
American Bullfrog, Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Photo© Bruce Parker
The Birds of Northumberland County Becomes Part of Willow Beach Site
Acadian Flycatcher. Photo© Bruce Parker
WBFN Member Clive Goodwin'sThe Birds of Northumberland County is now part of the Willow Beach Field Naturalists site. You can access the site by clicking on the logo in the left margin or clicking on the following link:
http://www.willowbeachfieldnaturalists.org/Northumberland-County/
Clay-colored Sparrrow. Photo© Bruce Parker
Watch for upcoming additions to the site and a new link on the Willow Beach Index page.
ONTARIO NATURE- "Advocates for Nature"
ONTARIO NATURE's website has a number of important links to get you involved in protecting our natural world:
• Read about the latest Action Alert issue. Click here for more information.