Willow Beach Field Naturalists News
Wilson's Phalarope At Cobourg Harbour, August 17th 2010 Photo © Bruce Parker
Last Updated: September1st 2010
Fall Activities
3rd Annual Prairie Day – Alderville Black Oak Savanna
Bring the whole family to a full day of FREE family fun at the new Alderville Black Oak Savanna Ecology Centre, 8467 County Road 18 Alderville, ON Rain or shine and please bring your lawn chairs.
Saturday, 11th September, 2010 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
For more information Click Here.
Fall Migration Is Underway!
Two fall migrants meet at Owen Point at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The whimbrel quickly came to the conclusion that the monarch butterfly was not to its liking and let it go moments after this picture was taken. The monarch flew off down the beach and seemed not to have suffered any ill effects from the encounter. Photo © Bruce Parker
Be sure to check out Presqu'ile Provincial Park for the annual Monarchs and Migrants Weekend on September 4th and 5th. Banding demonstrations by WBFN members Elizabeth Kellogg and Roger Frost will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m.to 12:00 noon.
Click here for a 
PRINTABLE PDF FILE of the Weekend program.
PRESQU'ILE MIGRANTS
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Photo © Bruce Parker
Magnolia Warbler Photo © Bruce Parker
Shorebirds including a Red Knot Photo © Bruce Parker
Summer Sightings
American White Pelican At Second Marsh, July 12th 2010 Photo © Bruce Parker
A number of interesting summer bird sightings have occured in our region and in areas close by. An American White Pelican has spent 49 days at last report in Second Marsh in the Oshawa area.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck Near Milford in Prince Edward County, July 19th 2010
Photo © Bruce Parker
A Black-bellied Whistling Duck was discovered in Prince Edward County in July and an Eared Grebe - perhaps the same one that appeared earlier in June was (re)found by WBFN member Margaret Bain at the beginning of August.
Willow Beach Field Naturalists Scholarship - First Recipient Chosen
Willow Beach Field Naturalists will present for the first time in 2010 a $1000 Education Scholarship to Megan Reid from Port Hope High School. Megan is an enthusiastic and active environmental leader in her school has participated in a number of environmental projects and programs during her high school years. Watch for more details in an upcoming feature on the Education Page.
WBFN Annual Education Award Winners 2010
WBFN has supported Port Hope and Cobourg area elementary and secondary schools for the last eight years with an education program that endeavors to foster the interest of young people in the natural world and enhance their knowledge of current environmental issues.
The winning schools for the 2009-2010 Education Awards program were St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School, in Campbellford, 
Plainville Public School, and Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School in Cobourg. The winning proposals involved waste reduction programs, an extensive school naturalization project and the purchase of equipment and resources for environmental education programs.
Go to the Education Page to read about the winning proposals.
St. Mary's Elementary School Students with Teacher Joshua Charpentier and WBFN Executive member Carole Payne. Photo © Bruce Parker
Northumberland Summer Bird Count
Photos From Area 1 © Bruce Parker
For Older News... Click Here
September Monthly Speaker
Friday, September 24th, 2010, 7:30 p.m. General Meeting, Cobourg Public Library
Speaker: Terry Sprague, Naturalist Prince Edward County
Topic: Terry will look at the County’s foundation and how limestone has played a role in the formation of islands, spectacular cliffs, as well as collapse dolines such as Lake on the Mountain.
See the Monthly Speakers Page for more information.
Outings
• Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 8:30 a.m : Hike - Spartan Ravine Walkway Trail, Port Hope
Details: This walk will last 2-3 hours during which we will explore this amazing natural area in the middle of town.
See the Outings Page for more information.
Nature News
In Search of Snakes - August 09, 2010 -- One Northumberland naturalist will be spending his summer on the hunt for Eastern Hog-nosed and Milk snakes and other declining species .... Historically, Mr. Rupke says, all these species, along with Red-headed Woodpeckers, Common Nighthawks, Whip-poor-wills and Bobolinks, were found more frequently on the Rice lake Plains than they are today "We need to know how many of these animals are still around, and where they are located," said naturalist Mark Rupke of his summer study of species at risk. .... The study will focus on the Rice Lake Plains, which are located north of Cobourg on the east end of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
To report a sighting of any of the species mentioned or to get information on identifying them, contact Mr. Rupke at 705-761-6466.
Read More About It In the Northumberland News
Ontario Nature News
For details on Ontario Nature news items click here.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Calendar of Events – 2010
Upcoming Events
September 4 & 5: Monarchs and Migrants Weekend, starting at 8:00 am Bird-banding, Monarch tagging and guided nature walks celebrate this weekend of fall migration.
For a full list of the 2010 events at Presqu'ile click here.
Birding Checklists
Birding Checklist for Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Click here.
Birding Checklist for Ontario. Click here.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Natural Resources Defense Council have launched a new social networking site to attract bird-lovers and bird-watchers. Check it out.
Northumberland Forest
New Non-Hunting Zones and Hunting Restrictions. Read more about it.
Brighton Constructed Wetland Permit
The Brighton Constructed Wetland is located exactly 7.2 kilometres south of the 401 at exit 509 Highway 30. The request for a permit is available by clicking here for a printable PDF form. Fill out the form and return it to the Public Works Department, 67 Sharp Road, Brighton, ON K0K 1H0 along with the $5.00 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. You will receive your permit along with a laminated, wallet size card to carry with you.
To view a list of bird species, flowering plants, butterflies, damselflies, dragonflies and mammals seen at the wetland click here.