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.
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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...
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Ticks are being found in abundance on the bodies of Canadian moose and researchers from the universities of New Brunswick and Laval are currently studying the tick infestation to see how it may be affecting the moose population. According to the scientists, warmer winters and less snow are making it easier for ticks to survive and their range is moving increasingly farther north. Moose calves are particularly susceptible to this influx of ticks as the parasites often render them anemic and unable to cope during the lean winter months. Although these ticks do not carry Lyme disease or other diseases that can be transmitted to humans, this climate change impact to our iconic moose is certainly alarming. Read more here.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is requesting legislation to allow a cormorant hunt commencing on March 15, 2020 that would run through the summer months. GBA believes the hunt poses a risk to public safety, does not appear to be supported by any scientific evidence, and sets bad precedents. Read more about the proposal here.
In October 2019, leaders and knowledge holders from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and organizations gathered in Kingston, to strategize on how to collectively address climate change and biodiversity loss. The purpose of this gathering was to provide a forum for cross-cultural dialogue to increase community and ecological resiliency. The gathering aimed to enhance collective understanding and build and strengthen collaboration among organizations and individuals working to establish protected areas and address climate change. A key takeaway was the importance, even in this time of urgency, of taking the time to build relationships, show appreciation for nature and find mutually beneficial solutions to pressing environmental problems. The summary video and report of the gather
Georgian Bay is the perfect habitat for the Common Loon with clear water for spotting fish and plenty of irregular shorelines ideal for nesting. This fantastic video of the loons on Blackstone Lake is the perfect soundtrack for a summer weekend. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/55SQQDlBdxc Summer is a critical period for loons to incubate eggs and raise their vulnerable young. Birds Canada has created a simple list of things you can do to directly benefit loons in Georgian Bay: Give loons space. Rearing up, vocalizing, flattening the body, or coming off the nest are signs that a loon has been disturbed. If you notice any of these signs, move back. Reduce your wake. Slow down near wetlands and shorelines to prevent wakes from washing out nests or separating young loo
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
