Species of the Month – Witch Hazel – November 2023

Species of the Month: American Witch Hazel
One of Ontario’s most beautiful native shrubs is American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Witch Hazel shrubs are widespread in Norfolk County, commonly found in the understories of moist upland forests and Oak Woodland-Savannas. Witch Hazels obtained their name due to their superficial similarity

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Species of the Month – Louisiana Waterthrush – October 2023

Sustaining Melodies: The Louisiana Waterthrush in Ontario
In the verdant heartlands of Ontario, a tiny yet tenacious bird is weaving its enchanting melodies into the tapestry of our ecosystems – the Louisiana Waterthrush (*Parkesia motacilla*). This dainty warbler, more accustomed to the bayous of the American South, has found a

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Species of the Month – Mudpuppies – September 2023

 
Mudpuppies– Necturus maculosus
Mudpuppies get their name from the ‘barking’ noise they are rumored to make. Their captivating appearance lends them an almost otherworldly allure. Sporting a color palette that ranges from gray to rusty brown, embellished with distinct dark blue markings along their dorsal side, these creatures

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Species of the Month – Eastern Cicada Killer – August 2023

 
The Cicada Killer Wasps (Sphecius speciosus) name tells the story of a gruesome hunt. Emerging in mid- July, females capture unsuspecting Cicada’s, inject them with paralyzing venom, and bring them to their lairs for their young to feed on. This nature horror story may elicit extreme fear in many

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Species of the Month – Tiger Beetles – July 2023

 
Tiger Beetles (family Cicindelidae) are a fiercely named group of beetles, as both the larvae and adults are extremely predatory. While many beetles are rather slow and lumbering, Tiger beetles are fast runners with large eyes and oversized menacing mandibles that they use to catch and kill prey. The

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Species of the Month – Blanding’s Turtle – April 2023

 
 
The uncommon but relatively widespread Blanding’s Turtle is a medium-sized turtle with a bright yellow throat and an obvious domed shell. The dark domed upper shell is speckled with numerous faint yellow markings and the black and yellow under-shell is hinged, allowing it to partially close. Blanding’s Turtle

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Species of the Month – February 2023 – Black Oak

Species of the Month – Black Oak (Quercus velutina)
By Brianne Curry, Outreach and Fund Development Manager 
Although not uncommon across North America, the Black Oak (Quercus velutina) is relatively uncommon in Ontario. Here in Southwestern Ontario, we are actually in the northernmost range of the species. Most of the

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Species of the month – January 2023 – Wood Frog

The brumating Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)
By Emily Ratch, Stewardship & Outreach Technician
Winter is a very deceptive season. At a glance, it seems like not much is happening in the natural world; it’s almost like nature is put on pause. But behind the scenes, life is still thriving –

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Species of the month – December 2022 – Sandhill Crane (Part 2)

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
By David Agro, Director
Read Sandhill Crane Part 1 (published in January 2022) here! 
With early winter comes one of Long Point’s better spectacles, the arrival of the cranes. Just yesterday I was stopped along Front Road watching some 2000 cranes as they flew across the

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