Nature Guelph News

January/February 2019

Conservation Priorities p. 4, 5 2018 Christmas Bird Count p. 3 A Year to Remember By Brett Forsyth, President, Nature Guelph

The traditional time of reflection is upon Nature Guelph signing on in support through a Club donation and a donation- us and 2018 was one to remember for of Ontario Nature’s petition to the matching program. It is wonderful to see Nature Guelph. To start the year, the Club provincial government to remove our membership so engaged. had record attendance for the January Schedule 10 of Bill 66. Locally, mem- To the best executive team a president speaker series. We also set another record bers have been active in the community could hope for, thank you all for your for total membership heading into the planning process for the Clair-Maltby dedication and commitment to making summer break. Nature Guelph members development area. To close out the Nature Guelph what it is. Without your also helped set an attendance record for year, Nature Guelph has committed to efforts, I know the Club would not be as the 2018 Christmas Bird Count. supporting raresites Eramosa River healthy and vibrant. Thanks to everyone More exciting developments include Conservation Corridor land purchase for a wonderful 2018! l

Jo-Anne McArthur, Photographer, Author, Educator Photographs and Stories of Animals in the Anthropocene weanimalsarchive.org

Nature Guelph Speaker Series

January 10, 7:30 pm – Everyone welcome OAC Centennial Arboretum Centre, University of Guelph McArthur will share with us her stories of animals in the human environment; specifically, the “invisible” animals with whom we have close relationships but nevertheless remain hidden in our world, such as farm animals and those used for our entertainment. www.natureguelph.ca Photos: (Cover) Brett Forsyth; Jo-Anne McArthur/Oikeutta Eläimille

Nature Guelph News January/February 2019 2 Join NatureGuelph! (21) andPileatedWoodpecker(14).And Kingfisher (13),Red-belliedWoodpecker of fourspecies:Merlin(5),Belted 2011 and2012. down fromtotalsofover20,000inboth the past10years:11,903,whichiswell lowest totalnumberofbirdsreportedin open standingwater)andwehadthe above-freezing conditionsandsome it wasanunusuallyslowday(despite ever with2014and2016!Despitethat, 68 species,whichistiedforthehighest turnout of73participants,andfound place onSunday,December16,2018. 52nd ChristmasBirdCountthattook Here’s aquicksummaryofGuelph’s by MikeCadman Christmas BirdCountResults Choose One: I authorizeNatureGuelphto communicate withmebyemail. Phone: Address: Name: Fill OutYourPersonalInformation: I wouldliketovolunteer! Yes We hadnewrecordhighnumbers First thegoodnews.Wehadarecord No Signature: NewMember (How wouldyouliketocontribute?) Email: Renewal

Lesser Black-backedGull(1). is thesecondhighestcountever)and Pintail (1),CommonRaven(20,which and asinglebirdwasalsonoted. of BohemianWaxwingswasfound,57, around thecountythiswinter.Oneflock have beenfoundinsmallnumbers Grosbeaks werereported,thoughthey White-winged Crossbill(2);noPine Siskin (9),CommonRedpoll(158)and numbers: EveningGrosbeak(1),Pine low number. berries thiswintermayhelpexplain 1970s and1980s.Thelownumberof 1996, andtypicalofnumbersfromthe Robins, whichisthelowesttotalsince in Guelph.Wefoundonly11American have beenshowinglong-termdeclines since westartedin1967.Bothspecies (54), whichisbyfarthelowestevercount low numbersofAmericanTreeSparrow the otherbeingin2013.Andwehadvery is onlythesecondtimethat’shappened; Barred Owl(2)andEasternTowhee(1). Eagle (1),Sharp-shinnedHawk(7), tied therecordforfourspecies:Golden ing aprizeforluckyCBCparticipant. rally, andWildBirdsUnlimitedfordonat and MargaretHullforhostingthetally group leaders.AndspecialthankstoDave with collectingthedata,especially13 Also noteworthywereNorthern Winter fincheswerehereinsmall We hadnoAmericanKestrels,which Thanks to everyone who helped out Thanks toeveryone whohelpedout Update Postal Code: Date: Sept. 2018 – Aug. 2019AnnualMembership (Required) Optional: Choose YourPaymentMethod: Calculate YourTotal: Select YourMembership: not includingmembershipfee Tax receiptissuedforamountsover$10, Online atnatureguelph.ca/membership Cash Donation Newsletter Full-Time Student($10) Individual ($25)

l - sign/ opposecormorantslaughter/ ontarionature.good.do/ John Yakabuski.Usethislink: composed) lettertoMinister on-line waytosenda(pre- Ontario Natureprovidesaneasy What YouCanDo of mediacoverage. proposal andtherehasbeenalot have alsocomeoutagainstthis Other bird-relatedorganizations Response.pdf OFOCormorantProposal response at: Please takeamomenttoreadOFO’s OFO’s Response risk andisapublicsafetyhazard. evidence, putsprotectedspeciesat because itisnotbasedonscientific OFO isopposedtothisproposal March 31toDecemberannually. and openinguphuntingfrom crested Cormorantasagamebird proposed reclassifyingtheDouble- The OntarioGovernmenthas on Cormorants? Open Season printed,mailed($10) Cheque payable to ofo.ca/ofo-docs/

Nature Guelph $ $ $ $ $

Photos: Brett Forsyth, depositphotos.com Eramosa River Conservation Corridor Nature Guelph Membership Supports Land Purchase Contribution

By John Prescott, Nature Guelph raresites Representative

Help Support the Eramosa River Conservation Corridor. Every dollar counts. A contribution of any size means you will be making a significant difference to the health and beauty of our area – forever. A charitable tax receipt is available, and rare is even able to accept gifts of stocks. Eramosa River within the property that is being purchased by raresites. Donations to date amount to $3,325, which will be matched 1:1. raresites recently made its first offer to Nature Guelph is contributing Donations can be made either by purchase property in the Eramosa River $10,000 from its Land Acquisition giving or sending a cheque to: corridor. This 87-acre property on the and Conservation Restricted Fund 7th Line between Everton and Highway and will match any additional Laura Rundle 50 near Rockwood has four sections, contributions 1:1 from the just over Treasurer, Nature Guelph with one large open area being proposed $10,000 remaining in the fund. We P.O. Box 1401 to be seeded as meadow for grassland see this both as an important conserva- Guelph, Ontario N1H 6N8 birds. The largest section is wooded land tion action and as future site for member – or – through which the Eramosa river runs. education and conservation engagement. Discussions with adjacent landowners by donating on the Canada Helps raresites is an initiative of the rare and others in the area suggest that this website: CanadaHelps.org Charitable Research Reserve to promote property will link to future conservation To donate through Canada Helps, community-driven land securement “easements” in a proposed Eramosa River search on their website for Nature in the Grand River watershed. It has conservation corridor. The site can be Guelph, then under “Donate now” developed a land securement strategy viewed with other details on the Nature apply the donation to the “raresites to identify, acquire or otherwise protect Guelph website under “Conservation.” Eramosa conservation land acquisi- ecologically important areas in the raresites is raising $1 million for tion” in the drop-down menu. Waterloo-Wellington region as conser- purchase ($800,000) and stewardship vation lands. This process has identi- Depending on how you donate, ($200,000), and has asked Nature fied the Eramosa River “Conservation Nature Guelph or the Canada Helps Guelph to contribute both financially and Corridor” as a priority for conservation. website site will issue a tax receipt. through publicity. With strong support from members at the December meeting,

Guelph Lake Nature Centre

For the best in bird food, feeders, binoculars, spotting scopes, bird baths and nature gifts.

951 Gordon St., Guelph | 519-821-2473 raresites Please visit www.grandriver.ca for [email protected] | www.guelph.wbu.com information about all GRCA family programs. Your Backyard Birdfeeding Specialist Photo: Courtesy

Nature Guelph News January/February 2019 4 Protect Our Moraine Coalition Update by Marnie Benson

Protect Our Moraine (POM) coalition for feedback on the policy directions well attended. There is lots of interest in is continuously busy with ongoing document being written right now, which these issues. engagement with the City as plans for will inform people on how development Upcoming in January, POM will be the Clair-Maltby development progress. happens. Many Nature Guelph members hosting a speaker series focused on ways We meet with City staff regularly, and attended those meetings and the mes- to do development better. The City may surprisingly, they now reach out to us sages of protect the natural areas and co-host this with us, so keep your ears first for comment and direction before moraine, best practices for safe wildlife tuned for that one. developing policy and moving forward crossings, low-impact development, In other news, several Nature Guelph with next steps. They have even offered green energy and infrastructure, protect members attended a consultation session to collaborate with us (financially) to the water, etc. were heard loud and clear. with the City on the environmental host public information sessions and a POM hosted a bus tour of the aspect of their new Community Plan. speaker series! Never in all my activist Clair-Maltby area on December 2nd to The City was interested in what we see years have I seen this! highlight all the concerns and educate as Guelph’s environmental concerns Recently the City held public meet- the public about what is happening and and how we would like to see them ings and have an ongoing open forum how they can get involved. It was very addressed. l

What we are doing right now: Yorklands Green Hub • Building membership and partner support to prepare for the future Yorklands Green Hub (YGH) is an The Yorklands Green Hub will be a provincial sale of the property so we incorporated non-profit group working centre for preservation, education and can realize our mission. to establish an interactive learning and appreciation of our environment: its • Delivering programs and connecting nature centre to inspire change toward biodiversity, wise water use, wetland with like-minded partners. urban environmental sustainability at restoration, sustainable food produc- • Fundraising for operational expenses the unused Guelph Correctional Centre. tion, energy and waste conservation including an executive director. Our mission is to be a centre for and technologies. • Designing and collaborating to build urban sustainability initiatives through • a site for citizens and community a capital fundraising campaign innovating, educating and collaborating groups and institutions to share to open green doors to the future. space to build resilience through We ask you to help the Yorklands Green Our goal is to have public use in stewardship of nature, educa- Hub become an educational resource perpetuity of 70 acres and one building tion, research, demonstration and for living and working in a resilient of the Guelph Correctional Centre to recreation. future, an environmental exhibition inspire nature connection, stewardship • an historic destination that reflects centre, an eco-tourism destination, a and resilience on local food, water, the ground-breaking past of early community hub of best sustainability waste and energy in the culture-rich 20th century skill-building on this practices and a preserved heritage site. landscape of meadows, wetlands, site as well as its earlier Indigenous To join, donate or contact us: streams, ponds and trails. origins. [email protected]

Nature Guelph News January/February 2019 5 Where Do Turtles Go in Winter? by Christine Bowen

You would be hard-pressed to find a wild turtle this time of the year. They haven’t gone anywhere, but are instead hiding and relaxing through brumation. Brumation is very similar to hibernation but done by ectotherms (cold-blooded animals) and involves specific metabolic processes. Generally, turtles find a specific site, called hibernacula, to rest. Hibernacula are carefully chosen and dependent on species and life stage. In northern parts of North America, like here in Canada, turtles can spend almost half their life in an overwintering state in their hibernac- ula, and thus have specific adaptions. Northern Map Turtle Midland Painted Turtle

The widespread and most common Blanding’s Turtle goes in and out. Oxygen moving across turtle, the Midland Painted Turtle is an this skin can be absorbed into one of the The elusive Blanding’s Turtle has similar anoxia-tolerant species (meaning it can many blood vessels there. However, this hibernacula selection to Snapping and withstand the depletion of oxygen) that only works if there is dissolved oxygen in Painted Turtles – and is believed to be prefers shallow vegetated water where the water. anoxia-tolerant. Blanding’s Turtles are they bury themselves in the mud. They During winter, turtles also decrease more likely to be in stream tributaries, are unique in that hatchlings may spend in activity and their metabolism by up to as it may not be as anoxia-tolerant as the winter underground in their nest by 90%, so that they don’t have to breathe the above two. More research is required freezing, where up to 50% of their body as much in the first place. (Think of how on this species, especially what the water freezes in extracellular space. much more we have to breathe when hatchlings do. running then when sitting still.) They Snapping Turtle Northern Map Turtle will then “breathe” anaerobically using Snapping Turtles are the most likely to stored fats causing a lactate accumula- exhibit movement during winter. This The Northern Map Turtle is not anoxia- tion – similar to how humans can have a anoxia-tolerant turtle, adult and hatch- tolerant, thus they require moving water buildup of lactic acid while running caus- lings alike, prefers hibernacula in very with dissolved oxygen. Their hibernacula ing cramps. They have a special adaption shallow water, in mud, where they can are normally in rivers and lakes, not where they use mobilizing carbonate buf- easily come up to breathe during ice ponds. Furthermore, they show prefer- fers from their skeleton to neutralize the thaws. Hibernacula are often near bur- ences for sites near dams. They don’t bury lactic acid and allows their bones to act rows or lodges of muskrats and beavers. themselves in the mud, but instead rest as a respiratory for neutralized lactate. They appear to be the best at withstand- on the bottom rocks. Like the Snapping The combination of these adaptions ing the cold and are found the farthest Turtle, they can exhibit some movement. allow turtles to find hibernacula out of north of any aquatic (non-marine) turtle And like the Blanding’s Turtle, they the water column where there is less in North America. require more research! dissolved oxygen, so that they can avoid predation during winter. However there How do they do it? is a trade-off. As the turtle is lethargic, from the cold and lactic accumulation, Turtles breathe air, so how do they do it? they are at a risk of predation in spring Some turtles, like the Midland Painted when they first emerge. To help with this, Turtle, have a special adaption where turtles in spring will try and warm up as they breathe through their butt! Well, not quickly as possible by basking in the sun. exactly… they use their cloaca. The cloaca Therefore in spring you can look forward is an opening in a turtle’s rear end where to seeing an abundance of turtles out! l the rectum and urinary systems empty. Snapping Turtle By flexing the cloaca muscles, water Photos: Courtesy Christine Bowen

Nature Guelph News January/February 2019 6 Upcoming Events

NATURE GUELPH NATURE GUELPH MEETINGS & SPEAKER SERIES OUTDOOR EVENTS Nature in the City: January 10, 7:30–9:00 pm January 20, 1:00–6:30 pm Photographs and Stories of Birding for Winter Raptors and Save the Dates Animals in the Anthropocene Snow Buntings Nature in the City returns in Jo-Anne McArthur, Kyle Horner 2019. This is Nature Guelph’s major Photographer, Author, Educator Meet to carpool at Wild Birds outreach project, a series of talks Jo-Anne will have copies of her two Unlimited parking lot, 951 Gordon St., and walks to introduce families to books for sale. Guelph at 1:00 pm. the natural world. February 14, 7:30–9:00 pm Bring your binoculars and dress April 22: Kick-Off Sea of Life: A Call to Save the Ocean warmly. This event is family-friendly April 27, 28: Feathers & Beaks Julia Barnes, Filmmaker BUT is likely not suitable for young children. There will be periods of wait- May 4, 5: Slime & Scales February Bucket Raffle ing, potentially in inclement weather. As is tradition at our February meeting, May 11, 12: Roots & Shoots This event is NOT dog-friendly. we will also be holding a bucket raffle. May 25, 26: Swimmers & Striders Members are encouraged to bring NATURE GUELPH June 2: Nature Scavenger Hunt nature-related items in good condition. WILDFLOWER SOCIETY Don’t forget your chequebooks! We need volunteers to help with Tickets are 1 for $1 and 3 for $2. January 16, 7:30 pm Making Lemonade or What the Kick-Off and Scavenger Hunt, Meetings occur on the second Thursday Happened After The Buckthorn and to assist at all the walks. of each month. We begin with a brief Was Gone: The Silvercreek Park Please contact Jenn at business meeting, followed by a short Hydro Corridor Project [email protected] or break, then the speaker’s presentation. Moritz Sanio, Trees for Guelph Judy at [email protected] to volunteer. Non-members are welcome at this free Lisa Mactaggart, OALA, event. Goodwill donations gratefully Arium Design Group accepted. Snacks and coffee available February 20, 7:30 pm for a nominal fee. Please bring your own Alien Invaders: The Ecological coffee mug. Effects of Phragmites australis Pollination Guelph OAC Centennial Arboretum Centre, Courtney Robichaud and University of Guelph Heather Polowyk, University of Symposium 270 Arboretum Road, Guelph Waterloo Graduate Students Save the Date: March 9, 2019 We ask that you do not wear perfumes out of John McCrae Public School Library, Theme: Local Actions and respect for people who are allergic to them. 189 Water St., Guelph Partnerships for Pollinators – Visit www.natureguelph.ca Bee Part of Our Community! for event updates. pollinationguelph.ca/ pollination-symposium Call for Volunteers We need your help! Nature Guelph is looking for an Outdoor Programs Coordinator to help organize our outdoor events. We’re also looking for assistance with coffee prepara- tion at our Speaker Series events. Please email Christine Bowen, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]

Nature Guelph News January/February 2019 7 Stay informed with The Arboretum ROM Special Offer Nature Network News Winter Tree for Nature Guelph Help your friends and family stay up to Identification date with happenings in the naturalist Members February 21, 9:00 am–4:00 pm community by letting them know about ROM is offering Nature Guelph an Nature Network News. This monthly exclusive 20% discount to experi- No leaves? No problem! In this electronic newsletter features informa- ence Wildlife Photographer of the workshop, you will learn about the tive articles about conservation issues Year and other ROM exhibitions. variety of tree features that are use- throughout Ontario and a listing of ful for winter identification of decid- events hosted by Nature Network mem- To save 20% off regular rates, uous trees. From bark to buds to leaf ber groups. It is offered free of charge purchase your tickets online at scars, you will get hands-on experi- to all nature lovers and members of www.rom.on.ca and use the ence in reading these winter clues Nature Network groups who want to be promo code: WILDLIFE18 to tree ID. We will focus on native part of an informed naturalist commu- In addition, the ROM Wildlife Ontario trees, and we’ll be spend- nity. Visit ontarionature.org/about/ Photographer of the Year contest ing part of the session outdoors, so nature-network/ to sign up today. returns for a fourth year! Share please dress for the weather! your captivating images of the Arboretum Director: Shelley Hunt Check out Nature Guelph’s natural world for a chance to win Early Bird Registration Deadline: a G Adventures 14-Day Experience active Facebook community: February 13 Borneo tour, a Digital SLR camera Early Bird Registration Fee: $80 facebook.com/natureguelph courtesy of Henry’s Camera, and Registration Fee After Deadline: $90 have your photograph prominently displayed in the ROM’s Wildlife If we don’t have enough registrations by Nature Guelph is grateful for the the early bird deadline, the course may Photographer of the Year exhibition. loyalty of our advertisers and thank be cancelled. Maximum 16 adults. our members for supporting them.

NATURE GUELPH EXECUTIVE TEAM

President Membership Communications Volunteer Coordinator Brett Forsyth Valerie Wyatt Randy Van Gerwen Christine Bowen [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Past President Indoor Programs Newsletter Editor Ontario Nature Rep Jenn Bock Peter Kelly Sandra MacGregor Jenn Bock [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Vice President Outdoor Programs Publicity & Social Media University Community Liaison Judy Brisson [email protected] Denise Fell Abigail Wiesner [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Youth Programs Coordinator Secretary Allie Mayberry Website Wildflower Society Christine Bowen [email protected] [email protected] Judy Brisson [email protected] [email protected] Young Naturalists (NATs) Conservation Coordinator Treasurer Ann Schletz Marnie Benson raresites Representative Laura Rundle [email protected] [email protected] John Prescott [email protected] [email protected]

Nature Guelph Nature Guelph News Advertising P.O. Box 1401 Please submit all contributions Please email Randy Van Gerwen at Guelph, Ontario N1H 6N8 for the next issue to Sandra [email protected] www.natureguelph.ca MacGregor by email on if you wish to publish nature-related or before February 8, 2019. ads in this newsletter. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you to all our contributors.

Nature Guelph News January/February 2019 8