Bunchberry. Photo © Bruce Thacker

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Fall Birding Roundup – 2021 Edition

John Woodcock will be compiling the results of the Fall Birding Roundup. The Roundup is scheduled for Saturday November 6, 2021. Participants are invited to visit all their favourite birding spots and routes and report their findings to nwobirds@googlegroups.com. Please report the number of birds of each species observed and an outline of where you were birding. A compilation of the results will be posted on nwobirds listserv and published in the November Nature Northwest Newsletter.
Please be safe, follow all COVID-19 guidelines, and be respectful of others. Have a great day.

Free
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Introduction to Urban Naturalization

Lunan Hall - St. Paul's United Church 349 Waverley Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Get an introduction to an increasingly popular phenomenon: Naturalization of open spaces. Everyone will have noticed evidence of this somewhere, even if only along the highway.

This program will show details of a presentation to city council by Kyla Moore advocating that Thunder Bay should join a large number of other Canadian jurisdictions that actively encourage the practice of urban naturalization.

There will be a showing of slides, including photographs of examples of urban naturalization already underway in Thunder Bay and the extent of this may surprise you. The slides also include commentary on the history and advantages of the practice. 

Included in the presentation will be comments from TBFN member Marg Schweitzer who practices naturalization on her rural property and has published two accounts of her experience in Nature Northwest.

Free
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Cervid Ecology – Efts Event

Chippewa Park Pavilion 8QMP+GX Thunder Bay, Ontario, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

This is a YOUTH EVENT for ages 12-18 (i.e. the Efts and NEWT groups).

Guest leader Ted Armstrong will lead us in discussions about Ontario's cervids (deer, moose, elk and caribou), their ecology and their local histories. Check out different types of antlers, deer skulls and teeth, even a caribou hoof with your own hands! Looking across the water to the Sleeping Giant we will try to piece together a story of habitat changes, predator-prey relationships, and shifting species ranges to understand why the caribou have moved away. Then we will turn our attention back to the land to look for tracks and signs left by local cervids. 

Free

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Wolf Packs Nature Walk

Cascades Conservation Area FQRF+PP Thunder Bay, Ontario, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Let's get outside and do some exploring! Join us for a nature walk at the Cascades Conservation Area. We never know what we might see when we explore nature!

$5
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Field Trip – “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

Wishart Conservation Area 5771 Onion Lake Road #6341, Murillo, Ontario, Canada

On Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 10:59 am, Thunder Bay is tilted the furthest away from the sun and we begin the long celestial trek back toward summer. It is a great time to reflect on the season and the quite slumber of the forest.

This hike, weather permitting, is intended as a journey of quiet reflection in the forest in the spirit of Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”. The outing will be on foot or snowshoes depending on the snow conditions. We will walk the relatively easy 2.3 km trail though the forest, absorb the spirit of the woods, explore the signs of wildlife and maybe even see some late-day birds prior to the Christmas Bird count. Christmas is a busy season full of excitement and commitments. All the more important to take the time to relax with a walk in the woods and see what we can see. This will be an afternoon walk. Bring a thermos with a hot drink and we will find a spot to contemplate the wonders of nature and find way to enjoy the shortest day.

Dress appropriate for the weather conditions, a small sit-upon would be beneficial. Meet at the Wishart Conservation Area Forest parking area at 1:00 PM and we will hike the trail.
The parking area is approximately 10.6 km north of Wardrope Ave on Onion Lake Road. Onion Lake road is hilly with lots of curves and is paved with some sections in poor condition so drive carefully. The Wishart Conservation Forest is an LRCA property and parking fees apply. Either the daily permit purchased online for $5 or a valid Explore card is required.

TBFN outings follow all Covid 19-guides set forth by Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Ontario Government

Please register by contacting Gerry Racey at 807-939-1620 or email gdracey@tbaytel.net.

Free

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Snowshoe and Winter Tracking Adventure – Efts Event

Mills Block Forest 1M2, 605 Community Hall Road, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

Guest leader Gerry Racey will lead us on a snowshoe scavenger hunt through the varying habitats of Mills Block Forest. We will embark on a winter tracking adventure and learn to spot and identify signs of wildlife. Along the way, we will discuss the winter ecology and biological adaptations of local boreal species.

Free
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Brule Bay Family Field Trip – Wolf Packs Event

Sandy Beach - Chippewa Park 8QGV+CXP, Thunder Bay, Ontario, ON, Canada

Join us for a winter adventure in Brule Bay with Marian and Mike Childs. We will travel along the shore and/or an inland trail to see an open spring in the ice. Depending on the weather and travelling speed of the group, we may continue onwards to see the ice formations.

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Annual Dinner ***CANCELLED***

Current River Community Centre 450 Dewe Avenue, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Join us for socializing, dinner and a thought-provoking presentation.

We are pleased to announce that the speakers have been confirmed. A presentation will be made by Brian Ratcliff, Allan Gilbert and Susan Craig, entitled "The Rhythm of Birding in Thunder Bay District". The presentation, in play form, will tell how birders engage in their passion through the seasons, with humorous stories about the 2021 Brian Moore Trophy competition. A slideshow will accompany this passionate camaraderie of our local Thunder Bay birders. 

The TBFN Annual Dinner Meeting will be at the Current River Community Centre on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Symposium 4:30 pm,  Supper 5:45 pm. There will be a silent auction and a cash bar (cash only). 

Check back later for more information on the guest speaker or speaker(s).

$35
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Sailing Solo Across the Atlantic Ocean

Virtual Meeting using Zoom

Join us on Zoom as TBFN member and guest speaker Emir Vidgen delights us for a retrospective talk on a solo sailing expedition across the Atlantic Ocean and back.  This visual presentation will highlights some of the challenges of this solo expedition, and the exploration of island stops.  A short presentation by Gene Kent on Future for Fridays will open the evening talk.

Free

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Wildlife Photography Workshop with Connie Hartviksen

Lakehead University Centennial Building 955 Oliver Road CPCP+RM Thunder Bay, Ontario, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

This workshop is a joint event for TBFN Members and Nature Explorers with Technology (NEWTs).

Connie has extensive experience in photography of many genres, but her passion is photographing wildlife and wild spaces.  She has had numerous images published in regional, national and international magazines and you may have seen some of her images on the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Facebook page.  You may also wish to browse her own photography FB page at Connie &; Ken Hartviksen Photography.  

In this workshop, Connie will walk you through her preparation and techniques for taking dynamic photographs of wildlife out in the field as well as a brief discussion of the post exposure process.  If you wish, bring along whatever device you use to take photographs for some practical hands-on experience.

Come Join Us:  Saturday, March 5th at 10 a.m., at Lakehead University Centennial Building Room #3010A.  Park anywhere on campus, but Lot 5 is closest.  The Centennial Building may be locked, so you will be met in the Agora (main entrance of Lakehead University) prior to 10 a.m.

Free