Author: Jackie Ellefsen

Species of the Month: Cucumber Magnolia
The Long Point Region is well-known for its high biodiversity, abundant wildlife, and gorgeous ecosystems. It is also home to one of the rarest tree species in Canada, the Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata). Cucumber Magnolia, Canada’s only Magnolia species, is naturally observed in two

Species of the Month: Prothonotary Warbler
The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) is an endangered migratory songbird restricted to Canada’s southernmost areas. Male Prothonotary Warblers are bright yellow, with a blue-gray wing. Female Prothonotary Warblers have similar plumage, but may also appear olive-green. These birds have a very limited distribution, breeding

Species of the Month: Tundra Swans

Many naturalists (and presumably wildlife) around Long Point are delighted when spring arrives, especially given warmer and longer days, and the return of life to the natural world after the long months of winter. In April, spring is in full force in the

Species of the Month: Skunk Cabbage

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is among Norfolk County’s earliest blooming wildflowers. It is a member of Araceae (Arum) family, which also includes Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Bog Arum (Calla palustris), and Arrow Arum (Peltandra virginica). The name Skunk Cabbage refers to the unpleasant odor

Species of the Month: Pileated Woodpecker
Cold, sunny February days often make for great hikes; some merits of winter hiking include the crisp air, better wildlife photography (due to lack of foliage on hardwood trees) and a lack of mosquitos, something ubiquitous to Norfolk County in the summer months. Considering

Species of the Month: Redhead

In Norfolk County, and much of the Carolinian Life Zone, winter is the best time for waterfowl birding. A large diversity of ducks can be regularly observed in Lake Erie around the coast of Long Point and Turkey Point. In the winter months, these

Species of the Month: Eastern Hemlock
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is one of the most gorgeous, and ecologically fascinating of Ontario’s native coniferous trees. Hemlock is evergreen, retaining its needle-like leaves throughout the winter. Needles are ~1.5cm long, arranged opposite to each other, giving young twigs a flattened appearance. Seed