Our Mission
To foster awareness and appreciation of nature through education, observation and experience.
To promote the protection and conservation of the environment through community activities.
What We Do
We provide educational opportunities and foster awareness of nature, particularly the flora and fauna, as well as earth sciences and astronomy.
We lead and facilitate field trips to learn and experience nature. We promote the protection of nature, biological diversity and sustainability within North Durham.
We carry out projects in co-operation with other community groups, to conserve and protect the environment within North Durham.
NDN Events-Fall 2019
Event Director - email James at James.Kamstra@aecom.com
Talks - Fall 2019
4th Tuesday night at 7 pm,
Three locations, either :
Uxbridge - 75 Marietta , Uxbridge Seniors Centre
OR
Port Perry - 231 Water Street , Scugog Memorial Library
OR
Sunderland - 20 Park St, Sunderland, Sunderland Brock Memorial Arena
bring a mug to enjoy a coffee or tea
Please check site closer to the talk date for more details.
September 24th, 2019 - Penetrating the Impenetrable Forest - Geoff Carpentier - Port Perry
Join Geoff as he shares the adventures that he and his wife Kim had in Uganda last fall. The Impenetrable Forest is a world-class site that hosts most of Uganda's Mountain Gorillas. Find out more about the encounter... but there's more - Chimps, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs and myriad exotic birds were also seen as Geoff and Kim visited Rwanda and Tanzania as well. Blended with this was an amazing cultural experience. Find out more about this life-changing trip to East Africa!
October 22nd, 2019 - Wetland Plants and Animals - Cara Gregory - Sunderland
Join North Durham Nature President Cara Gregory for a talk on the amazing adaptations of wetland plants and animals to their aquatic environment. ** LIVE ANIMAL PRESENTATIONS **
November 26th, 2019 - TBA - Uxbridge
Walks - 2019
*** Please check back closer to each date for more detail ***
Saturday, September 14th, 2019 - 10:00 am - 3:30 pm -Hawk Watch - Geoff Carpentier - Cranberry Marsh
Learn your raptors with birding expert Geoff Carpentier. Join him to observe the amazing spectacle of fall hawk migration across Lake Ontario. Free. You do need to preregister for this event by emailing geoff.carpentier@gmail.com. Meet at corner of Lakeridge Rd. and Reach St. Southwest corner. Bring a lunch as we may be out most of the day if the hawks are good. No pets please.
Sunday September 29th. 9 – 11am -Tree -mendous Walk
Do you know which maple is on our flag? What other maples are there? Pine, Spruce or Hemlock? Do you know your evergreens? Join us
in a Port Perry garden as we learn the key features to tell them apart before we head off to the Nonquon Outdoor Area on Old
Simcoe to test our new skills. Preregister: Pat Baldwin ndnmembership@gmail.com, 905- 985-5257. No pets please.
Sunday, October 13th, 2019 - Mushroom Walk -TBA
Saturday, October 26th, 2019 -9am- 11:30 am- The Great Trail Walk - Beaver River Wetland - Cara Gregory
From Blackwater stroll north along the trail looking for wildlife in preparation for winter and young of the year learning the ropes.
Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 - Waterfowl on Lake Simcoe - James Kamstra - Brock
Scopes and binoculars scan the lakeshore for gulls, loons and more impressive fall bird lists generated
Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 - Christmas Bird Count for Kids - - Nonquon E.E.C.
Friends of Nonquon and NDN run the annual event - a chickadee in the hand is a sure count !
Friday, December 27th, 2019 - Uxbridge Christmas Bird Count - Derek Connelly
50 species our annual goal from Feeder watchers and those in the field a full day event and a bragging rites potluck to follow.
ndnature7@gmail.com
Monday, December 30th, 2019 - Beaverton Christmas Bird Count - John Mclean
Our northern count adds more waterfowl and an eagle or two.
Club Fees
All events are free to members and open to the public.
Membership in North Durham Nature is $25 for singles, $40 for families for calendar year. All members receive a quarterly newsletter and priority email of events coming up plus more. Fees cover insurance, room bookings and incidentals. We are non-profit members of Ontario Nature. Join!
A $5.00 donation is appreciated from non-members attending our monthly talks to cover refreshments, insurance, rental and speakers
For more information, please call Derek at 905-852-5432 or email ndnature7@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/northdurhamnature
NDN Projects
Nature Interpretive Signs - Nonquon Environmental Education Centre - 2019
Volunteers from both North Durham Nature and Friends of Nonquon worked together to create and install interpretive signs at the David Carroll Classroom site (1710 Scugog Line 10, Greenbank). Port Perry Sign Shop produced, printed and delivered the signs, and volunteers installed them. Signs were paid for with NDN donations and a donation from the Retired Teachers of Ontario. Please see our "Special Events" section for the official sign unveiling date. A special thanks to all who were involved in the creation of these signs, and to the Durham District School Board's contribution. They refurbished the KIOSK that the signs were installed on, and will be covering them with a protective layer of plexiglass to prolong the life of the signs. These signs will be enjoyed by visiting staff and students, and the local community, giving them an opportunity to learn about this valuable local wetland and its wild inhabitants.
Lafarge - Regan Pit (7th concession) Bird Boxes
NDN has been monitoring and cleaning out 50 metal design bird houses in the gravel pit for five years. The initial three years were part of a contract with Lafarge who were starting to restore the pit to a more natural state. Since then the pit has been used as a temporary gravel storage area and further restoration seems to be in limbo.
In 2014-2016 we recommended and located the bird houses in the pit. The club selected Paul Rothfels "Mouse Proof" bird box design after recommendations from neighbours on the 7th concession. The design benefits of reducing predation without the extra costs of a baffle plus the willingness of Lafarge to pay for a secure pole system were factors in choosing the design.
In the first year 52% of the boxes were occupied and all successfully produced eggs and young. The Tree Swallow occupied most of the boxes, six boxes raised Eastern Bluebirds, and one raised a Black -capped Chickadee. There were no House Wrens, sparrows, mice or other vertebrates in any boxes.
In year two 71% of the boxes were active and a slight increase was observed in target species, allthough House wrens arrived in late summer in a couple of boxes.
In year three 81% of the boxes were occupied by 29 Tree swallow, 9 Eastern Bluebird, and I Black capped Chickadee families producing over a 100 fledged young. This is a huge success. Considering the concern over population declines in aerial insectivores our boxes have certainly helped the Tree swallow populations. A more detailed report was available for members in the April 2017 club newsletter and for Lafarge
Since then we have had limited involvement with Lafarge although we continue to provide them with annual reports and indicate whenever we enter or leave the site. Many thanks to all the volunteers including John and Lee Fisher and David and Liz Taylor . Anyone wishing to see the site and assist in monitoring the bird houses let me know . Derek Connelly
NDN helps Paul's Vision
Paul Rothfels passed away suddenly in Feb 2017 . In Memory of Paul Rothfels a Gathering was held on March 4, 2017 at the Udora Hall from 2 - 4. Click on My tribute to Paul and the OBIT
Margaret Almack passed on Paul's Bird box gig and materials to Keith Stait Gardner who offered his heated workshop to the Nature club to assemble Paul's bird houses to support the club. Last year we built and sold 45 boxes and this year another 26 were completed. We have now used up all the supplies Paul left and the next step becomes more difficult. Fortunately Margaret has decided she would like her family to get involved in purchasing materials and carry on Paul's work. NDN will continue to support Paul's vision of a safe home for cavity nesting birds like the Eastern bluebird.
If you are interested in assisting in anyway contact NDN.
Uxbridge Countryside Preserve- Bird Houses - 11 years of monitoring !
NDN took over from the Uxbridge Birders who had been monitoring and repairing the bird boxes first placed in the Preserve in 2008 by the Scouts. The number of boxes was reduced to 26 from 45 in 2014 to improve success. Changes in habitat caused by the invasion of Scot Pine and other plants had slowly reduced the meadow habitat which is important for swallows and bluebirds. A Scot Pine thinning program is now in place on an annual basis to counter the succession of the forest into the meadow. The box system is not predator proof and was modified with the help of the Uxbridge Scouts in 2015. Juice cans and plastic pipe along with an additional front was added to some boxes over the entrance to act as a predator deterrent. Tree Swallows accepted the change however Bluebirds have not used these boxes. It is believed the Preserve can only support four Eastern Bluebird nests in any year because of the reduced meadow habitat. Tree Swallows however are still increasing and the reduction in boxes available appears to have lowered the House Wren population and competition. Four additional boxes were added donated by NDN using the "Mouse Proof " model. Intensive monitoring continues by six volunteer Uxbridge resident familes ( BIrd Box Buddies) resulting in more accurate data. Thanks are extended to the Bird Box Buddies who put in many hours monitoring the boxes over the summer and the Township of Uxbridge for their support. We are always looking for landlords? If you walk the Preserve regularly in the summer and would like to be involved contact Derek - 905-852-5432 or ndnature7@gmail.com
Uxbridge Countryside Preserve Canada 150 Species Count
- Follow the underlined link to read all about it over 180 sp counted! Canada150 Species Challenge Met!
Our plan is to turn the count into an annual family event a Bioblitz every June !
Ontario Nature Youth Summit for Biodiversity and Environmental Leadership
Each year we put aside money to sponsor two north durham high school students for a fun weekend at the Ontario Nature Youth Summit at Lake Couchiching in September . Students are engaged in interactive workshops and activities on topics including food security, endangered species, medicinal plants, sustainability and much more. You can read about their experiences in the club newsletter. Interested students should contact us or click on Ontario Nature to find out more . If you are or know of interested teens contact us.
Thank you letter from NDN sponsored student - 2018
Late May - The Great Canadian Bird-a-thon
North Durham Nature's Geoff Carpentier participates yearly in this charity birding event. The James Baillie Bird-a-thon changed its name to Great Canadian Bird-a-thon, but it's still about counting birds for conservation. If you would like more information or to sponsor Geoff please click on the underlined link above. Thanks to everyone's generous donations, Geoff raises $1000's to help fund projects to protect birds and their habitats. 25% of the money raised helps fund North Durham Nature's nature-based projects. Donations are tax deductable!
Conservation Action 2017
(click on underlined text to open link)
The office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) needs your support ...
The Government of Ontario announced plans on November 15, 2018 to eliminate the office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) and transfer much of its responsibility to the jurisdiction of the Auditor General. This misguided decision effectively undercuts the power and independence of Ontario’s environmental watchdog. North Durham Nature has signed a letter composed by Ontario Nature to Premier Ford and Finance Minister Fedeli to let them know that Ontarians need the office of the ECO and that we reject the slashing of this essential oversight and accountability role. Please click on the underlined link to sign your name to this letter too, and show your support for the office of the ECO and its role.
Review of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993
Summary of Recommendations for Reform
Proposed Regional Natural Heritage System for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (EBR 013-1014)
Spring Wildflower Planting
NDN assisted the Uxbridge Scouts in a Prairie grass and forbs planting May 13th in the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve. 300 native plant plugs were planted in a 10 x 25 m rototilled plot. These plants will enhance the field with food and habitat for butterflies, bees, birds and other meadow wildlife. If you would like to adopt a plant and help it establish itself through the summer by watering and weeding contact Derek 905-852-5432
Turtles
NDN adds its signature to Ontario Nature's call to ban hunting of Snapping Turtles in Ontario and we were successful ! Now we need to figure out how to reduce road mortality.
Coming up each Fall in November
Volunteers wanted for Scot Pine ( invasive) thinning in the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve to keep the meadows open. Saturday Nov 3rd
Contact Derek for more info ndnature7@gmail.com.
Feral Cats
A request was made to Uxbridge council to change the cat bylaw giving more freedom to cats. As many of us know cats are major predators to birds and other native species. We apposed the change. Read our letter linked here. Feral Cats
Conservation Action 2018
Protected Places Campaign
NDN adds its signature to Ontario Nature's Protected Places Campaign. You can show your individual support as well by signing the declaration (click on underlined text)
Community Nature Related Events
(underlined text links to details)
Friday, April 5th, 2019 (9am to 3pm) - The Brook Never Sleeps - Uxbridge Town Hall and Centennial Park
A “hands wet” experiential eco-workshop. Learn about local ecology, hunt for creatures from the brook to see up close, enjoy a free pizza lunch, and participate in interactive eco-learning. This FREE youth event will explore 150 metres of the brook during the first PA Day in April! Proudly sponsored by the Uxbridge Watershed Advisory Committee.
Pre-registration required. Call Uxbridge Youth Centre 905-862-3456
Ducks Unlimited Canada Nest Box Program
Ducks Unlimited Canada is currently looking for project sites that will help provide habitat for cavity nesters like wood ducks and Goldeneye. If you have a wetland on your property larger than a couple of acres, and would like to provide habitat for ducks and other wildlife (like tree swallows and screech owls), then this program is meant for you! Landowners are responsible for installing, maintaining and monitoring the nest boxes, but DUC provides the nest boxes and technical advice to landowners. Nest boxes are placed in wetland habitats like beaver ponds, where they will be most useful to ducks. If you're interested in more details, please contact Jenn Lavigne at Ducks Unlimited Canada: (705) 721-4444.
EVENT REVIEWS
TALKS
(underlined text links to reviews)
February 26th, 2019 - AGM and Gavin Miller (TRCA): Greenwood Resource Management Tract
Tuesday night's AGM was a success, with all 9 standing board members elected, thanks to our 17 voting members present. 8 of them were up for reelection, and we have one new director on our team, Brenda Near. She is a long time Durham Resident (Zephyr area) with an interest in all things natural, and is an avid gardener, particularly interested in planting native plants to create back yard habitat for native bees, butterflies and birds. Geoff Carpentier has stepped down from the board, but has agreed to continue to be the writer/editor of our newsletter. A big thankyou goes out to Geoff for all that he has contributed over the past few years on the Board, and for all that he continues to contribute. Another thank you goes out to Derek Connelly, past President, for all his hard work, leading the team over the past 4 years. He remains on the board in the role of Director. Cara Gregory, leaving the role of Vice President, is our new President. She will continue to look after the website, and will remain our Ontario Nature representative. James Kamstra is our new Vice president, and will continue to be our Program Director, organizing our walks and talks. James, Cara, and Mark reviewed the 2018 year in terms of past events, membership and finances.
Gavin Miller, a Floral Biologist with the TRCA, gave an informative talk on the flora, fauna, and other natural features of the Greenwood Resource Management Tract, and how they has evolved over time. He spoke as well on the challenges and opportunities for improving its biodiversity. His talk was followed by an engaging question and answer session. Thanks Gavin.
Thanks also goes to Nancy and Anne who provided an assortment of delicious treats and refreshments.
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 - Hiking in Auyuittug National Park, Baffin Island - Jay and Bev Thibert
Jay and Bev Thibert gave an enlightening presentation on their once in a lifetime adventure that few will ever take: a 15 day hike across Baffin Island through Auyuittuq National Park. Jay wowed the full house audience with his spectacular photographs of glaciers, fjords and craggy mountains. The grueling trek pushed them to their physical limits as they trampled over spongy terrain, forded turbulent icy streams and endured a wicked windstorm all while loaded down with hefty backpacks.
2018 Talks (click on underlined text)
WALKS
(underlined text links to reviews)
Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 - Nonquon Nature Interpretive Sign Unveiling - 9:30 a.m. to Noon
22 members of the North Durham Community gathered at the Nonquon Environmental Education Centre on Wednesday for the unveiling of the nature interpretive signs created and donated to the Durham District School Board David Carroll Classroom site. North Durham Nature volunteers used donations and membership contributions to help fund the signs, and Friends of Nonquon applied and successfully received funding for the signs from the Retired Teachers of Ontario. A number of local photographers contributed photos used on the signs. Port Perry Sign Shop made the signs and gave much appreciated in-kind contributions.
The unveiling began with a recognition of the land being the traditional territory of the Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nations, and followed with an introduction of volunteers involved in the project, the history of the Kiosk (built in 2001) and a thank you to everyone who contributed to the entire process. The family of David Carroll, the first teacher at the centre, in whose memory it was named, were in attendance at the unveiling ceremony, and his granddaughter, along with the two children of the current OEE Facilitator, cut the ribbon.
The installation of the signs completed the initial vision for the Kiosk from when it was erected, and will help to educate the local community and visiting Durham teachers and students on the importance of wetlands, like Nonquon, and their inhabitants. It is the hope that through future fundraising, signs can be created for the second Kiosk erected at the Pheasant Pen Classroom site about 1.5 km from this one, on Old Simcoe. The vision for the second set of signs is to have more of a connection to the local indigenous community, with a time horizon that would allow for meaningful First Nation contributions.
The unveiling was followed by a short hike through the wetland, followed by refreshments, and an opportunity for young ones to participate in pond exploration guided by knowledgeable volunteers.
Special Event - Butterfly Counts
Sunday July 14th, 2019 – Oshawa Butterfly Count – James Kamstra
Sunday July 7th, 2019 – Sunderland Butterfly Count – James Kamstra
The results are in for the two Butterfly Counts in Durham Region for 2019 which are shown on the table below. The late spring butterflies emerged a week or two later and therefore some of the regulars were missed or in very low numbers on the Sunderland count.
The Oshawa Count was delayed by two weeks since I had to travel north with work. This was a blessing since many of the later species are usually missed on this count such as hairstreaks and sedge skippers. The 53 species was the second highest species recorded in the 25 years of this count! The Hickory Hairstreak which I found near Utica was a new species for the count.
Thank you so much to all the participants who came out to help find all these butterflies.
James Kamstra
Click on the following links for the results: 2019 Butterfly Count Results
June, 2019 - Beaver River Walk - Beaver River Wetland Rail Trail
6 club members joined Geoff as we hiked the rail trail through part of Beaver River Marsh. Lots of birds delighted us including American bittern, Green heron, Sora Marsh wren and Virginia rail.
On the way to the starting point we were treated to spectacular views of a pair of Sandhill cranes that took an unprecedented interest in some turkey vultures that were sitting in a field. At first we thought the vultures might be scavenging on a dead Crane because they were so close to each other but later Geoff entered the field with permission of the landowner and determined that there was no that crane there. Not sure why the vultures were there but it was certainly a happier ending than we anticipated!
June, 2019 - Bird Loop Walk - Uxbridge Countryside Preserve
Sixteen people participated in yesterday’s walk in gorgeous sunshine! Four NDN members including Kim & Anne Adams who helped with bird ID and anecdotes; many visitors from the GTA; and 4 ORTA members.
Bird activity was quiet however the bird houses guaranteed three species with good views. Indigo Bunting was a highlight! Ovenbird & Red Eyed Vireos demonstrated and their calls were heard by all a number of times. Green frogs, Grey Tree frog, Painted turtle were other sightings.
Thanks to Kim for explaining the Apps and Anne for spotting the Tree frog and other birds. Others added their own bird experiences making for an enjoyable morning.
2019 Walk Reviews (click on link to see reveiws)
2018 Walk Reviews (click on link to see reviews)
Special Events
Saturday, March 17th, 2018 - Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre - Peterborough
Early Saturday morning, during March Break, 16 North Durham Nature membersand friends, met and carpooled together, on this excursion to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, organized by North Durham Nature. Upon arrival, Wendy, an education leader at the centre, and a volunteer, gave an interactive presentation on the 8 different species of turtles in Ontario, what makes them unique, their at risk status, the threats they are facing and how we can help. A volunteer brought several live turtles around for participants to see up close, and told us their rescue stories. Paddy, a 35 year old snapping turtle, graciously let Wendy use him to demonstrate how to safely pick him up and transport him to the side of the road, in the direction he was going of course! The turtle nursery was also a highlight. A fun time had by all!
Friends of North Durham Nature
Click on to link to websites -
Ontario Nature - North Durham Nature is a proud member of Ontario Nature, and is a part of its Nature Network (Lake Ontario North Region).
- Ontario Nature Award Nominations Deadline March 25th, 2019 (click on underlined link to learn more)
Durham Region Field Naturalists
Thickson's Woods Land Trust: Summer 2016 Newsletter
Conservation Authorities in our Area
Central Lake Ontario CLOCA
Kawartha KCA
Toronto Region TRCA
Wildlife Rescue
Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge – www.shadesofhope.ca
National Wildlife Centre – www.nationalwildlifecentre.ca
Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre – www.sandypineswildlife.org
Event Archives - 2018
Talks
January - AGM and Nature Quiz Night - Cara Gregory
February - "From Birder to Birder Murder"- Steve Burrows
March - Spiders of Ontario - Tom Mason
April - Polar Bears of Ontario’s North Shore - Dr. Martyn Obbard
May - Hawk Identification - Geoff Carpentier and Mark Stabb
June – Nature, Kids and the Anthropocene - Dr. Brendon Larson
September - Whip-poor-will Ecology - Alex Mills
October – James Bay Shorebirds -Jean Iron
November - Cuba Natural History - James Kamstra
Walks
January: Feeder Tour 2018 - Derek Connelly
February 2018: Winter Wetland Snowshoe Adventure - Friends of Nonquon
March 2018 - Uxbridge Countryside Preserve Bird Box Inspection - Derek Connelly
April - Canoe on the Nonquon River - Jay Thibert
May - Frog Walk - Uxbridge Countryside Preserve - Derek Connelly
May - Spring Wildflowers of the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve trails - Derek Connelly
June - Bird Watching at the Sewage Lagoons - Geoff Carpentier and Cara Gregory
June - Bird Loop Hike - Uxbridge Countryside Preserve - Derek Connelly
September - Hawk Watch in Cranberry Marsh - Geoff Carpentier
October - Mushroom Walk at Crow's Pass Conservation Area - Patricia Burchell
November - Lake Simcoe Waterfowl Outing - James Kamstra
November - Forest Bathing - Crow's Pass C.A. - Patricia Baldwin
Special Events
March - Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre - Peterborough
November - Sixth Annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids - Friends of Nonquon
National Audubon /Bird Studies Canada official annual Bird Counts in North Durham
December 27th - Uxbridge Christmas Bird Count
December 30th - Beaverton Christmas Bird Count