Since Sept 1, 2024
06/04/2025 The Crump Family Farm, 5372 Egremont Drive, Ilderton, ON, N0M 2A0
Leader(s): ALUS Middlesex
80 attendees
Weather: Sunny and hot!
Terrain: Uneven terrain, dry, hard soil.
Summary: Nature London’s eco-grant program supported the ALUS Middlesex with funding for restoration on the Crump Family Farm in Ilderton, Ontario. Jennifer Evans was present in attendance to recognize Nature London’s contribution. After introductions, participants helped plant native meadow plugs to convert the agricultural land into a wet meadow environment. The day was hot and staff from St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, students from Strathroy District Collegiate Institute and representatives from ALUS Canada, all joined together to dig through the bare ground. In a few months this area will be a green meadow ripe for pollinators and birds. All while the Crump Family is compensated by the Eco-Grant Nature London provided to ALUS.
Incidents:
05/24/2025 Port Stanley
Leader(s): C. McCrae
6 attendees
Weather: mostly cloudy, breezy
Terrain: a few rocks on trail by Little Beach, stairs at sewage lagoons
Summary: 34 bird species including group of 20 Whimbrel, Ruddy duck, Bank swallow, Bald eagle, Osprey, Eastern Bluebird, American coot, Wood duck, Spotted sandpiper
Incidents: none
05/16/2025 Bruce Peninsula, based in Tobermory
Leader(s): C. McCrae
17 attendees
Weather: a little light rain, mostly cloudy, cold wind
Terrain: mostly roadside, well maintained trails
Summary: total 113 bird species identified by the group Highlights: Common nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American woodcock, Pileated woodpecker, 17 warbler species, Sandhill crane, Red-headed woodpecker, Sora, Virginia rail, Bobolink, Eastern meadowlark, American white pelican, Black tern, Scarlet tanager
Incidents: none
05/10/2025 Cade Tract, South Perth
Leader(s): Cathy Quinlan
9 attendees
Weather: Sunny and warm (20oC), light winds
Terrain: The creek crossing was good as levels were lower than last year and stepping stones have been added.
Summary: Marion and Carl Hearn kept the bird list. Some 28 species were seen or heard including many Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Yellow Throat. Warblers included Cape May, Black-throated Green, Yellow, and Northern Parula. Killdeer were in the newly created wetlands along with a Spotted Sandpiper. The Merlin app picked up an Eastern Meadowlark. Also observed were Veery, Least Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo and Cat bird. Plants in bloom included Stary False Solomon’s Seal, toothwort, Yellow Trout Lily, Twinleaf (finished blooming), Wild Geraniums, Early Meadowrue. Near the creek there were colourful displays of Marsh Marigolds and skunk cabbage. Trees in ‘bloom’ included willows and poplars and apple trees. Animals seen included a female garter snake, a racoon sleeping in a tree, American toad, and red squirrel. The clean bones of a young deer were also observed.
Incidents: None
05/13/2025 Killaly Meadows 868 Windemere Road
Leader(s): Stacey Jaczko
12 attendees
Weather: cloudy and warm
Terrain: No issues stayed on main paths either paved or quite wide
Summary: The timing was right for peak migration but birds had other ideas. We saw lots of Yellow Warblers, a few American Redstarts and one Blackburnian Warbler high in the tree. Some of our resident species made up for it with great looks at an Osprey eating a fish, a Great Crested Flycatcher calling from a dead tree and both Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers in their nest holes. The highlight was at the end of the hike when Crows were mobbing and calling something and a Great Horned Owl burst from the trees and was chased down the river by the crows.
Incidents:
05/06/2025 Lower Dingman ESA
Leader(s): Stacey Jaczko
9 attendees
Weather: overcast and slightly cool
Terrain: Mostly easy walking – one muddy section and roots to watch for
Summary: This walk was split into two parts in order to keep the numbers a bit lower. We seemed to hit two pockets with lots of birds moving through the trees. Highlights included three species of warblers Black-and-White, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green Warbler and probably the best bird which was seen by most people a beautiful male Scarlet Tanager. On the second part of the walk an ovenbird was seen with some difficultly as well as Black-throated Blue Warblers. We also observed a good selection of native woodland plants, including Trout Lily, Early Meadow-rue and Bloodroot.
Incidents: NONE
05/03/2025 MacNaughton Trail
Leader(s): Jim Jarrett
13 attendees
Weather: fair 10 deg.C
Terrain: easy
Summary: various spring migrants, spring flowers etc. see more detail in report to the Cardinal
Incidents: none reported
04/23/2025 Cedarcroft
Leader(s): Evelyn Rogers and Daisy McCallum
4 attendees
Weather: Sunny and 12°C
Terrain: Easy to moderate walking
Summary: Wildflowers: Spring Beauty, Wild Ginger, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, Bloodroot, Trout Lily, Wild Leek. Birds: House and Gold Finches, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers and Chipping Sparrows Also 2 snakes were observed sunning themselves
Incidents: No
04/30/2025 Westminster Ponds
Leader(s): Kathleen Holland
9 attendees
Weather: Clear, -2 C at start, 10 C at end
Terrain: muddy, flat to uneven terrain
Summary: American Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Canada Geese, Northern Cardinal, Chipping Sparrow, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows.
Incidents: N/A
04/22/2025 Komoka Park North – the ponds
Leader(s): Stacey Jaczko
12 attendees
Weather: Sunny but cool and windy
Terrain: Mostly flat one steep hill to negotiate
Summary: We were mostly looking for birds. We saw lots of tree swallows and had good looks at Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebirds and Field Sparrow. Also were able to observe a Brown Thrasher and American Kestrel. A few Ring Necked Ducks were seen on the ponds along with Mallards, Mute Swans and Canada Geese. One lone chimney swift flying overhead.
Incidents: NONE
04/13/2025 Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area
Leader(s): C. McCrae
10 attendees
Weather: mostly sunny and mild
Terrain: a couple of hills and damp spots
Summary: 53 bird species identified including Green- and Blue-winged teal, Northern pintail, Northern shoveler, Hooded and Common merganser, Sandhill crane, Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Eastern phoebe, Tree swallow, Eastern bluebird, Yellow-rumped warbler, Eastern towhee, Chipping and Savannah sparrow Also deer, beaver, groundhog, Eastern comma butterfly
Incidents: none
04/09/2025 Cedarcroft
Leader(s): Evelyn Rogers and Daisy McCallum
8 attendees
Weather: Cold, plus 2 with wind chill of -7 and sunny conditions
Terrain: easy
Summary: Sharp-lobed hepatica in bloom and many more Spring flowers coming up. Black-capped Chickadee, Red breasted Nuthatch, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and a Dark-eyed Junco. A Pileated woodpecker called and did a flyby. Before everyone got there the Eastern Phoebe, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, Brown-headed Cowbird and Red-winged Blackbird.
Incidents: No
04/03/2025 Woodcock Street
Leader(s): Jennifer Evans
16 attendees
Weather: Dry, Cloudy, around 13 degrees
Terrain: Paved Path
Summary: The woodcock walk was a success! We started with a short walk around the stormwater management pond, with 6 Ring-necked Ducks and 4 Mallards. Then headed back to the aptly named Woodcock Street to wait for the American Woodcock’s spectacular mating show. While we waited, we enjoyed a beautiful colorful sunset and then the sounds started! 1…2….3…. different male woodcocks calling “PEEENT” from the scrubby bush in the distance. The determined group stayed until past dark listening to the calls and the sounds of the Woodcock’s flight dance in the sky.
Incidents:
03/16/2025 Aylmer Management Wildlife Area and Sewage Lagoons
Leader(s): C. McCrae
9 attendees
Weather: 15 degrees, windy, mostly overcast
Terrain: a few puddles on unpaved paths
Summary: 29 bird species: several large groups of Tundra swans, Killdeers, Song sparrow, Common and Hooded mergansers, Ring-necked duck, American wigeon, American black duck, Lesser scaup, Bufflehead, Common goldeneye, Northern shoveler, Red-tailed hawk, Brown-headed cowbird, Turkey vulture
Incidents: None
03/06/2025 Gibbons Park
Leader(s): C. McCrae
10 attendees
Weather: -2 degrees, windy, some snow
Terrain: Some snow-covered grounds and paths
Summary: 16 bird species including Great horned owl, Bald eagle, Brown creeper, White-breasted nuthatch, Red-bellied and Downy woodpecker, Common merganser
Incidents: none
02/17/2025 morrison dam, exeter
Leader(s): LIssette
1 attendees
Weather: poor
Terrain: kind of stormy day
Summary: With no attendees registered, I did not go to morrison, instead went to Fanshawe, Killaly & Weldon
Incidents:
02/23/2025 Fanshawe CA
Leader(s): C. McCrae
10 attendees
Weather: 0 degrees, overcast
Terrain: Some snow-covered trails and roadways, some hills
Summary: 15 bird species including Redhead, Common merganser, American tree sparrow, White-throated sparrow, both nuthatches Red squirrel Handfed birds at several locations
Incidents: none
02/15/2025 Greenway Park
Leader(s): Jennifer Evans
9 attendees
Weather: Very snowy, Severe Weather Advisory
Terrain: Path was clear, no issues.
Summary: The 9 of us braved the cold and snowy conditions and walked from Springbank Park to Greenway Park and back. Over the 2 hour walk we saw 24 different bird species and the chilly weather did not keep exciting species away. We were impressed with a tree full of Bald Eagles (9 in total), the river filled with Canada Geese (100+), Green-winged Teal (3), Common Goldeneyes (26) and one very loud Domestic Goose. In the forest path, we saw several Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers (5 and 2 respectfully). Overall, the hike was a success and showed how bird life continues to thrive even when the City shut down with the snow!
Incidents:
01/25/2025 Sarnia Area
Leader(s): C. McCrae
11 attendees
Weather: -7 to 1 degree, strong west wind
Terrain: Some snow-covered trail with occasional ice
Summary: 36 bird species identified including Bald eagle, Horned lark, Snow bunting, Snowy owl, Northern flicker, Carolina wren, Northern shrike, Northern harrier, Rough-legged hawk
Incidents: None
01/09/2025 Pinery Provincial Park
Leader(s): Kathleen Holland
14 attendees
Weather: Clear, -8 C
Terrain: packed snow, fairly level trail
Summary: Tufted Titmice, Black-capped Chickadees, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, White-breasted Nuthatches
Incidents: At about 8:55 AM, just outside of Pinery Main Gate, a NL member who was a registered participant for this hike was parked just outside of the Park entrance. A woman, who was part of another group visiting Pinery that day, was also parked outside of Pinery Main Gate when she reversed from her parking spot and backed into the driver’s door of this NL member’s car. There was a small dent and scraped paint to the NL member’s door. The two drivers exchanged insurance and contact information and the NL member continued on the hike with the group. There were no injuries and everyone remained calm.
01/01/2025 Greenway Park
Leader(s): C. McCrae
20 attendees
Weather: snow, mist, some sun, 2 degrees
Terrain: muddy off paved paths
Summary: 23 species including 4 Bald eagles, Pied-billed grebe, Ring-necked duck, Brown creeper, Golden-crowned kinglet, woodpeckers: Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Northern flicker
Incidents: none
12/07/2024 Chistmas Bird Count for Kids
Leader(s): C. McCrae, Lissette Verbeem, Evelyn Rogers, Diane Calzonetti
19 attendees
Weather: overcast, -1 degree
Terrain: heavy snow off plowed paths
Summary: 761 individual birds of 25 species, incuding 2 Bald eagles, 479 Canada Geese, 121 mallards, 8 Bufflehead, 5 Common goldeneye, 2 Hooded and 9 Common mergansers, 1 Belted kingfisher
Incidents: none
11/24/2024 The Coves ESA
Leader(s): C. McCrae
19 attendees
Weather: partly sunny, breezy, 5 degrees
Terrain: a bit of mud and uneven ground
Summary: 19 bird species including Brown creeper, Cedar waxwing, Hooded merganser, Belted kingfisher, Hairy woodpecker – lots of bittersweet vines
Incidents: none
11/11/2024 coldstream ca
Leader(s): Lissette Verbeem
7 attendees
Weather: mostly overcast, bit of sun, light rain at end
Terrain: fairly easy walk, some boardwalk, balance hardpacked
Summary: canada geese, cardinal, chickadee, white breasted nuthatch, goldfinch, redtail hawk, crow, jay muskrat cedar swamp roots
Incidents: na
11/08/2024 Medway Valley Forest
Leader(s): Kathleen Holland
12 attendees
Weather: overcast to sunny, 9 C
Terrain: uneven terrain in places, level trails otherwise, stairs
Summary: signs of White-tailed Deer as that was our focus. Sighted and discussed a dead opossum
Incidents: N/A
11/03/2024 Strathroy SL, Forest SL, Kettle Point area
Leader(s): C. McCrae
5 attendees
Weather: partly sunny, 15 degrees
Terrain: some uneven ground
Summary: 50 bird species including Pied-billed grebe, , Greater yellowlegs, Dunlin, Bonaparte’s gull, American coot, Northern pintail, Green- and Blue-winged teal, Trumpeter swan, Hermit thrush
Incidents: none
10/20/2024 Westminster Ponds ESA
Leader(s): Cathy McCrae
8 attendees
Weather: sunny, 23 degrees
Terrain: some hills and uneven ground and roots
Summary: White roof mushroom on beech trees, 3 types of butterflies (2 sulphurs, Cabbage white, 1 8bird species including Killdeer, Ring-necked duck, Cooper’s hawk
Incidents: none
10/14/2024 Morrison Dam, Exeter
Leader(s): LIssette Verbeem
12 attendees
Weather: 5 to 10C, sunny
Terrain: hardpacked dirt, relatively flat, other than tree roots
Summary: canada geese, mallard, pied billed griebe, green wing teal chickadee, robin, jay, crow, song sparrow, white throated sparrow, ruby & golden crowned kinglets, brown creeper, white breasted nuthatch, swainson thrush, turkey vulture- 16 species total white squirrel safely crossed the road for all to see. Lots of beaver handywork old tree stumps.
Incidents: na
10/05/2024 Komoka PP and Delaware Sportsmen Pond
Leader(s): Cathy McCrae
8 attendees
Weather: sunny, 20 degrees
Terrain: some hills and uneven ground on trails
Summary: 20 bird species total including Bald eagle,, White-throated sparrow, Ruby-crowned kinglet, Northern harrier, Virginia rail, Belted kingfisher, Green-winged teal Butterflies – Cabbage white, Clouded sulphur, Northern crescent
Incidents: none
09/29/2024 Hawk Cliff and Port Stanley
Leader(s): Cathy McCrae
12 attendees
Weather: cloudy, 21 degrees
Terrain: a little uneven ground on trail in woods
Summary: Over 35 bird species including Golden-crowned kinglet, Black-throated green warbler, Red-eyed vireo, Northern harrier, Osprey, Bald eagle, Merlin, Ruddy duck, American coot, Tree swallow
Incidents: none
09/22/2024 Cedarcroft
Leader(s): Dave Jolly
10 attendees
Weather: partly sunny, 25 degrees
Terrain: a little uneven ground on loop trail
Summary: identifying goldenrod and aster using colour, flower head arrangement, habitat, leaf shape, leaf width Asters- panicle, calico, heart-leaved, New England Goldenrods – late, zig-zag, Canada, blue-stemmed, (including a hybrid with Canada) Annual daisy fleabane
Incidents: none
09/07/2024 Cedarcroft
Leader(s): Carrie Long
4 attendees
Weather: Rain! and cool temps
Terrain: Because of the rain we sat under a canopy
Summary: We introduced the concept of Nature Journaling and we studied 2 species of Goldenrod to make comparisons and record our findings in individual notebooks.
Incidents:
09/05/2024 The Coves
Leader(s): Stacey Jaczko
10 attendees
Weather: Sunny and warm
Terrain: Terrain mostly easy and dry some roots to avoid
Summary: It was a quiet day for birding with mostly resident birds seen. Leaf cover was still high and many birds were heard not seen. Highlights were Great Blue Herons, two Great Egrets and numerous birds feeding in a huge Hackberry tree loaded with berries. A total of 15 bird species were seen or heard.
Incidents: None