Lab Bird Cams Virtual Bird Watching at its Best! Click here!
What does the lynx say? This incredible video offers a rare glimpse of a Canada Lynx in its natural habitat.
Click here!
At the cottage: Do not feed the birds or any wild animals. Dispose of garbage often – municipal dumpsters or landfill and eliminate odours from garbage containers (freeze fish & meat or use secure, bear resistant containers is disposal is delayed. Keep the BBQ grill and drip tray clean. Feed pets indoors – not on deck or porch. Do not leave food out on tables or counter tops – not even if packaged. Do not leave candles, lotions, insect repellents or other fragrant products outside or near open windows or doors. While walking/hiking Take a whistle, air horn, bear spray,...
Read More...RATTLER LESSON – by Jim Bowden I was bitten by a rattlesnake earlier this summer. My experience is worth telling. There are lessons to be learned, or at least reinforced. Even for a healthy adult, getting to a hospital post haste can be incredibly important – far more important than I had realized before this incident – and having a “plan” in place can save a life. Also, I for one was truly impressed by how terrific the service was at our local hospitals for what was a life-threatening circumstance. We need these facilities, and we should be grateful to have them and their trained...
Read More...
With climate change appearing to increase the number of wildfires, GBA feels that it is incumbent on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to tighten up its fire rating system and reduce the risk of human caused fires making the situation worse. See our submission to the MNRF to review its forest fires rating system here and recent UPDATE articles on this topic. Read about the expected increase in wildfires across Canada here… -
A new assessment by the Chicago based Environmental Law and Policy Center warns that Climate Change is expected to trigger more flooding and extreme weather, as water temperatures in the Great Lakes continue to climb rapidly. Read the CBC report. -
On June 27, Judge Peter West found David Sillars guilty of impaired operation of a vessel (a canoe) causing death and criminal negligence causing death. The charges were laid as a result of the death of eight-year-old Thomas Rancourt on Muskoka River in April 2017. This case was the first time in Canadian history where a case moved forward to trial where an individual faced charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for impaired operation of a canoe causing death. Judge West made history earlier in the trial when he ruled that canoes are vessels. Sentencing is set for August 15 in an Oshawa court.
A team of scientists from the University of Chicago is undertaking a long term study aiming to better understand what microbes are present in the Great Lakes and what role they play in the environment. Read more about their work here.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking motorists to look out for vulnerable turtles on our roadways. Road surfaces provide an attractive source of warmth for these cold-blooded reptiles, particularly in the spring and early summer. During this time, turtles are mating and nesting; in late summer and early fall, newly hatched turtles are travelling from their nests to nearby wetlands. The Nature Conservatory of Canada has an informative video and tips for safely moving turtles. Watch the video and read the tips here.
Lyme Disease is spreading in Ontario. Black legged ticks carrying the disease have been found from Prince Edward County in eastern Ontario to Pinery Provincial Park in the southwest. We just spent time camping in Pinery and there were lots of ticks! To date the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit have NOT posted any advisories about the presence of Lyme Disease in the eastern Georgian Bay area. However, both health units have general information about Lyme Disease on their websites, so it is a local concern. It is prudent for all of us to avoid contact with the ticks that may spread this pernicious and difficult to treat disease. The Ontario government has useful information about Lyme Disease and how to avoid ticks. You can access it by
Ever wonder what you are supposed to do if you find a bear in your backyard? first off, don't get too close never chase the bear keep your garbage locked away and out of their smell zone What can you do? make some noise, a loud fog horn will do and get to safety and call the authorities Watch this video from CTV News - http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1809657
BLACK BEARS (Ursus americanus) There are between 75,000 & 100,000 black bears living in Ontario. Black bears are an important component of the province's ecosystem as keystone species, predators of juvenile deer and moose, and competitors with other species. Black bears have one of the lowest rates of reproduction of any land mammal in North America. Female bears have a very late age of reproductive maturity, having their first litter when they are 5 to 7 years old. They bear only 2 to 3 cubs per litter and reproduce once every 2 years max. In 2009 (the latest published numbers); the Ministry of Natural Resources reported 6,200 black bears killed in the annual hunt in Ontario. As you return to your place around the Bay, pause to admire and understand the black bear giving them t
At the cottage: Do not feed the birds or any wild animals. Dispose of garbage often – municipal dumpsters or landfill and eliminate odours from garbage containers (freeze fish & meat or use secure, bear resistant containers is disposal is delayed. Keep the BBQ grill and drip tray clean. Feed pets indoors – not on deck or porch. Do not leave food out on tables or counter tops – not even if packaged. Do not leave candles, lotions, insect repellents or other fragrant products outside or near open windows or doors. While walking/hiking Take a whistle, air horn, bear spray, walking stick, cell phone. Make a noise while walking to let the bear know you’re there – bells, whistling, talking, singing. Be alert and aware of your surroun
RATTLER LESSON – by Jim Bowden I was bitten by a rattlesnake earlier this summer. My experience is worth telling. There are lessons to be learned, or at least reinforced. Even for a healthy adult, getting to a hospital post haste can be incredibly important – far more important than I had realized before this incident – and having a “plan” in place can save a life. Also, I for one was truly impressed by how terrific the service was at our local hospitals for what was a life-threatening circumstance. We need these facilities, and we should be grateful to have them and their trained staff. What Happened: I had been out for dinner at my brother’s and, ignoring the warnings of my long-deceased mother, walked back through the woods (it’s maybe a 400 yard walk) wearing
