Thursday September 15, 2022, 10:00 a.m.
Fall Raptor Migration. Leader: Kris Ito
Come and enjoy the excitement of the Fall Raptor Migration on Trent Valley Road. The most birding fun you can have while standing (or sitting!) in one spot! Current weather predictions and the passage of a low-pressure system early this week should trigger favourable migration conditions on Thursday. Mid September species on the move might include Broad-winged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Merlin, American Kestrel and Bald Eagle. Bring a lawn chair, lunch and a few extra warm layers since it may be chilly on the hill. Meet on Trent Valley Road, half way between Ventress Road and Trenear Road. This is a very quiet road with ample room on the shoulder for parking.
Sunday, September 25, 2022, 7:45 pm
Introduction to Astronomy. Leader: Brian Cook
Join us for an evening under the stars for an introduction to astronomy. We will meet on the boardwalk in Cobourg, between Ontario and Bagot Streets. Bring a flashlight and/or headlamp, binoculars, and a telescope if you have one.
Directions: Take Ontario Street or Bagot Street south from King Street. and look for street parking. Walk to the south end of either street to access the boardwalk. Please note that this event is weather dependent.
Thursday, September 29, 2022 8:30 a.m.
Shorebirds at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Leader: Richard Pope
Southbound migration is affected by weather, so Richard will pick a good day to maximize our chances of a productive outing. The trip to Presqu’ile includes Owen Point and Gull Island. Dress for the weather and the conditions. Tall rubber boots would suffice for the wade to the Island. Richard usually bring running shoes and a change of socks. Meet at the Park Store parking lot in Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
Sunday, October 2, 2022, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ballyduff Trails. Leader: Don McLeod
Don will lead a fall colours nature walk along the Ballyduff Trails near Bethany. This will be a joint outing between Willow Beach Field Naturalists (WBFN) and Peterborough Field Naturalists (PFN). We will be looking for birds plus wildlife tracks and sign. Fall colours will be a treat and the trails are beautiful. The Ballyduff Trails are on private property owned by Ralph McKim and Jean Garsonnin who allow access to their trails through an agreement with the Kawartha Land Trust. Accessibility is moderate with significant uphill walking along the 3 km. There will be a maximum of 25 participants for this outing and registration is required. Please send an email to Don McLeod at donaldmcleod.com@gmail.com to register for this outing and include which club you belong to (WBFN or PFN). Directions and outing details will be provided by email.
Sunday, November 13, 2022, 8:00 a.m.
Waterfowl Along the Durham Region Shoreline. Leader: Richard Pope
Join us for a waterfowl outing to the Durham region shoreline. We will meet at 8:00 am at the car pool parking lot off Division Street north of 401 in Cobourg. Dress warmly and bring lunch, as we may stay past noon. For better offshore viewing, bring scopes if you have them.
Monday, January 23, 2023,
NLT Animal Tracks and Signs Nature Walk. Leader: Doug McRae
This Northumberland Land Trust outing will take place at the Wilkinson Nature Reserve.
Register by emailing: info@nltrust.ca
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Amherst Island. Leader: Katsu Sakuma
Amherst Island is a magnet for winter owls and other unusual migrants. Register with Katsu at: kcjsakuma@sympatico.ca.
Sunday February 5, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
Longspurs and Buntings. Leader: Roger Frost
Join us as for a morning of bird watching as we search for buntings, larks and longspurs (along with other species!). We will be driving to various locations to maximize our chances of finding them, and hopefully finding a few other species along the way. Please email ekrf@eagle.ca to confirm your participation.
Meet at the parking lot in front of Gilmore’s Home Hardware, 177 Toronto Road, RR #1, Port Hope
Sunday, February 19, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
Bird Feeder Tour. Leader: Elizabeth Kellogg
We will visit feeders at the edges of the Northumberland County Forest in search of Evening Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings, as well as any other birds that might be frequenting the feeders. This will be a morning only outing.
Meet at the carpool lot at Hwy. 401 and Cty. Rd. 45 at 8 a.m. If you wish to meet the group nearer the Forest, please register with Elizabeth Kellogg, ekrf@eagle.ca to arrange a meeting place.
Monday, February 27, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wildlife Tracking. Leader: Don McLeod
Don will lead an on-the-fly tracking outing in the Port Hope area Monday, February 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. WBFN members need to be dressed for cold temperatures and wear winter footwear suitable for walking on a snow covered 2 km trail. If you are interested, please send an email to Don McLeod at donaldmcleod.com@gmail.com to receive the specific location.
Monday, March 6, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wildlife Tracking. Leader: Don McLeod
Don will lead an on-the-fly tracking outing in the Port Hope area Monday, March 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. WBFN members need to be dressed for cold temperatures and wear winter footwear suitable for walking on a snow covered 2 km trail. If you are interested, please send an email to Don McLeod at donaldmcleod.com@gmail.com to receive the specific location.
Saturday, March 18, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Winter Tree ID. Leader: Bill Newell
Learn how to identify trees when they don’t have leaves.
Meet at the Northumberland Forest Woodland Trails parking lot, County Road 45
Sunday, March 26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Waterfowl & Early Spring Migrants. Leader: Andrea Kingsley
Pre-registration is required. Please email Andrea: andreakingsley@gmail.com
Come and enjoy the annual waterfowl spectacle at Presqu’ile Provincial Park where thousands of beautiful ducks gather to rest and feed before heading north to their breeding grounds each spring. While ducks will be the main event, we also hope to find a few other early spring migrants. Please dress warmly and bring your own water, lunch and snacks.
Meet at the park gate at 10 a.m.
For those wishing to carpool from the west, meet at the kiss & ride in Cobourg at Hwy 45 & 401 at 9:00 a.m.
NOTE: Cars entering Presqu’ile must purchase a Daily Vehicle Permit at the gate or display a Seasonal Pass.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Research Casting. Leader: Tom Jackman
This outing is a tour of Research Casting in Trenton. Research Casting rebuilds and recreates dinosaur skeletons for museums such as the ROM.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Pond Study. Leader: Mark Rupke
Invite your children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren to this event looking at pond insects and frogs. Location to be announced
Saturday, May 27, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
NLT Birding Morning. Leader: Leslie Abram
Birding with Leslie at McEwan Nature Reserve. Preregister with info@nltrust.ca
On The Fly Outings. New to the WBFN repertoire, ‘On the Fly Outings’ will be somewhat spontaneous, since nature is not always predictable! Keep an eye on your inbox, as dates for these outings will pop up at relatively short notice.
Christmas Bird Counts
For those who like to plan ahead, the dates of this year’s Christmas Bird Counts are below. If you wish to participate, contact the compiler. Feeder counters are welcome. However, since the count circles are in defined geographical areas, please check with the compiler whether your feeder is within the circle.
●Port Hope-Cobourg CBC, December 17, 2022, Compiler: Roger Frost, ekrf@eagle.ca,
905-885-9615
●Presqu’ile-Brighton CBC, December 18, 2022, Compiler: Doug McRae,
rdouglasmcrae@gmail.com, 613-475-5014.
●Rice Lake Plains CBC, January 1, 2023, Compiler: Roger Frost, ekrf@eagle.ca,
905-885-9615
Northumberland Summer Bird Count
June 11 & 12, 2022, Northumberland Summer BirdCount
Contact Roger Frost at ekrf@eagle.ca or 905-885-9615
Willow Beach Field Naturalists 