Sydenham Field Naturalists

Swallow Nesting Colony
2018-06-09 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Core Farm, 4082 Confederation Line, Wyoming, On, N0N 1T0, Canada
Meet at 10 am at Ron and Linda Core’s farm (4082 Confederation Line east of Mandaumin) to observe bank swallows, a species at risk, as they enter and leave their nests to feed their young. Ron refaces the bank every spring so the swallows can excavate new nests. Bring your binoculars. Ron will also take us on a hike on their nature trail to view wildflowers and trees.

Naturalized Gardens Tour - Night 1
2018-07-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Dora Ave, Wallaceburg, 407 Dora Ave, Wallaceburg, On, N8A 2K2, Canada
Naturalized Gardens Tour – Wednesdays, July 11, 18 and 25, 2018
Here is an opportunity to visit three ecologically responsible gardens that are designed with native plant species to attract and benefit wildlife including birds, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Meet the gardeners and hear first hand info and stories about their gardens. All dates – 7:00 pm
Night 1 – July 11, 407 Dora Ave, Wallaceburg

Naturalized Gardens Tour - Night 2
2018-07-18 19:00 - 20:30 | North River Line, Wallaceburg, 8589 North River Line, Wallaceburg, On, N8A 4L1, Canada
Naturalized Gardens Tour – Wednesdays, July 11, 18 and 25, 2018
Here is an opportunity to visit three ecologically responsible gardens that are designed with native plant species to attract and benefit wildlife including birds, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Meet the gardeners and hear first hand info and stories about their gardens. All dates – 7:00 pm
Night 2 – July 18, 8589 North River Line, east of Wallaceburg, or turn south off Hwy 78 at Brigden Side Road, first house

Naturalized Gardens Tour - Night 3
2018-07-25 19:00 - 20:30 | University Ave, Wallaceburg, 369 University Ave, Wallaceburg, On, N8A 4A4, Canada
Naturalized Gardens Tour – Wednesdays, July 11, 18 and 25, 2018
Here is an opportunity to visit three ecologically responsible gardens that are designed with native plant species to attract and benefit wildlife including birds, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Meet the gardeners and hear first hand info and stories about their gardens. All dates – 7:00 pm
Night 3 – July 25, 369 University Ave, Wallaceburg

Wardsville Woods
2018-09-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Wardsville Woods, 1632 Longwoods Road, Wardsville, Ontario, Canada
We start our new season with a tour of Wardsville Woods at 10 am at 1632 Longwoods Road. Wardsville Woods is a 50 acre tract located in the Skunk’s Misery Natural Area and is a great mix of upland, slope, and floodplain forest. This is an excellent place to see a wide representation of Carolinian trees including the Tulip and Sassafras trees.

Sydenham River Nature Reserve
2018-10-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Our season starts with guest speakers from Ontario Nature. They will share the results of surveys and inventories at the Sydenham River Nature Reserve. Learn about the rare and endangered species living at this amazing ecological gem south of Alvinston that the SFN was instrumental in protecting.

Reid Conservation Area
2018-10-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Reid Conservation Area, 601 Duthill Rd, Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada
Meet at 2 pm at the Reid Conservation Area south of the Darcy McKeough Dam on Duthill Road between Kerr Line and Tulloch Line. Explore this 170 acre protected property that was donated to St Clair Conservation Area. Join us to enjoy a fall walk in this deciduous forest and along the Sydenham River.

Tree Identification Walk
2018-11-03 14:00 - 17:00 | Wallaceburg Sycamore Woods, Maplewood Cres, Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada
Meet at 2 pm at Wallaceburg Sycamore Woods. Join Larry to learn about the different tree species growing here at WSW. With trees bare but leaves still intact lying on the ground, this is the perfect time of year to learn about tree identification. WSW has a great variety of trees for this outing. Enter from Maplewood Crescent.
Leader: Larry Cornelis 519-626-9591

Ojibway Prairie Complex
2018-11-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Jessica Middleton and Jennifer Nantais: Wetlands, forest, savanna and prairie provide habitat for a great number of rare plants, insects, reptiles, birds and mammals often found nowhere else in Canada.

Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority
2018-12-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Amanda Blain will be discussing the role of the conservation authority and how landowners can help the environment through a variety of natural restoration projects.

Members' Night
2019-01-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
All SFN members are welcome to share their nature-related pictures, items and stories in brief presentations. Contact Tom Chatterton 519-627-2986.

Bickford Oak Woods Winter Walk
2019-01-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Bickford Oak Woods, 701 Bickford Line, Sombra, Ontario, N0P 2H0, Canada
Weather permitting, meet at 10 am at the corner of Hwy 40 and Bickford Line. Clean out and repair wood duck nesting boxes. See a beaver lodge while hiking through Bickford at its wintery best. Bring the family, pack a lunch. Hot chocolate and cookies to follow.

The Peruvian Amazon
2019-02-20 19:30 - 21:00 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Please note change of date to Feb 20 due to construction at Wallaceburg Civic Centre.
Let’s journey to eastern Peru and the upper region of the Amazon Basin. This river even in its upper reaches is huge, magnificent and largely pristine. We will examine the diversity of its wildlife and the uniqueness of its scattered river dwellers.

Amateur Observations by a Birding Addict
2019-03-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Many things have changed during 30 years of birding in Lambton County. Some changes are definitely negative while some are both surprising and positive at the same time. When we look hard enough, there is some good news out there. Join us as Deryl Nethercott shares some entertaining birding stories.
How Geocaching Helped Us Find a Piping Plover
Our love for birding and photography has taken us to many locations in Ontario and beyond. In the past few years, we have added Geocaching to the mix and it has provided us with the opportunity to make some exciting birding finds, including the Endangered Piping Plover.

Annual Dinner, Country View Golf Course
2019-04-03 18:00 - 21:30 | Country View Golf Course, 25393 St Clair Rd, Dover Centre, On, N0P 1L0, Canada
Doors open 6 pm. Buffet dinner 6:30 pm
Tickets in advance only.
Sturgeon of the Great Lakes
Guest Speaker – Kathy Johnson
Hear of the oldest and largest fish of the Great Lakes and their fascinating life. Kathy and her husband are professional divers and she will present some fantastic underwater video of Lake Sturgeon.
Contact: Larry 519-330-8981 or email larry.cornelis@gmail.com to purchase tickets

Managed Forest In All Its Splendor
2019-04-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Wilkins Property, 15060 Selton Line, Bothwell, On, N0P 1C0, Canada
Meet at 10 am southeast of Moraviantown on Selton Line, between Duart and Little John. The property we are touring is just east of Little John on the south side of Selton Ln. Rick Wilkins is opening his 40 acres property for a tour of this managed forest. Using good forestry practice, Rick has increased the woodlot diversity to over forty tree species and a vast array of Carolinian wildflowers. Pack a lunch if you wish.

Nature in Chatham-Kent Winter Guest Speaker Series
2019-04-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Chatham-Kent Public Library, 120 Queen St, Chatham, ON, N7M 2G6, Canada
Join in with our 2019 Winter Guest Speaker Series being held at Chatham Branch Meeting Room, Chatham-Kent Public Library.

Fairbanks Woods
2019-05-05 14:00 - 16:00 | Fairbanks Woods, 4637 Aberfeldy Line, Oil Springs, Ontario, Canada
Enjoy a spring walk to view Marsh Marigolds and other wildflowers. Meet at 2 pm at the corner of Aberfeldy Line and Kelly Road, just east from Hwy 21. Aberfeldy Line is between Edys Mills and Oil Springs.
Inquiries: Larry Cornelis 519-330-8981

Native Plant Sale
2019-05-18 09:00 - 13:00 | Peers Wetland, 29644 Kimball Rd, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 4L1, Canada
Garden in Harmony with Nature. Plant sale 9 am – 1 pm. Located at Peers Wetland, 29644 Kimball Side Rd. Come early – plants sell fast. Tour Peers Wetland while you are there and discover its biodiversity.
Inquiries: Larry Cornelis 519-330-8981 and Tom Chatterton 519-627-2986

Mitchell's Bay Exploring and BBQ
2019-06-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Mitchell’s Bay, Park St, Mitchell's Bay, Ontario, N0P 1L0, Canada
Meet at 10 am at the corner of Park St and Pinsoneault St. Enjoy the short drive to the Bay for a relaxing morning viewing the Purple Martins, learning about the care-taking of the houses and the past and present success of these T14 houses, and then walking the Lakeshore Trail. There will be a free barbeque following for SFN members. Memberships available prior to picnic.

Newport Forest
2019-09-21 10:00 - 12:30 | Newport Forest, 22130 Fleming Ln, Wardsville, ON, Canada
We start our new season with a 10 am walk through Newport Forest located at 22130 Fleming Line, West Elgin.
The 44.5-ha (110 acre) site is located on the south side of the Thames River near Wardsville, Ontario within the Deciduous Forest Zone. Historically, it is ecologically contiguous with the Skunk’s Misery area on the north side of the Thames, barely one kilometer’s distance over intervening agricultural land.
Newport Forest consists of lowland forest, with some upland forest (the Hogsback), meadow, ravine slopes and bluff forests, and floodplain.

Weather Chasing - Terrestrial and Celestial in Southwestern Ontario and Beyond
2019-10-02 19:30 - 21:00 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Our season starts with guest speakers Kathryn Anderson and Dave Paddick of Photography by Phos3. The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Chasers and Photographers Kathryn and Dave.
Kathryn Parent and Dave Paddick are a husband and wife team, life partners and soul mates.Together they publish their fine art photographs under one name, ‘Photography by Phos³’. Their home base is in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. Their extreme weather photography is admired in the weather community around the world and we are bringing their exciting stories to you as we invite all to attend our fall opening meeting.

Fungi Foray
2019-10-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Walter Devereux Conservation Area, 13016 McLarty Line, Ridgetown, ON, Canada
Meet at 10 am at the Walter Devereux Conservation Area located at 13016 McLarty Line north of Ridgetown. Take Hwy 21 (Victoria Road) to just north of 401 overpass and turn west on McLarty. Let’s go looking for some strange creatures!
Although fungi can be seen throughout the year, autumn is, without doubt, the best season. Some people enjoy eating fungi, but on our hike, you can enjoy photographing them in their natural habitat. The purpose of the walks is to find and enjoy the different species we can find and learn some tips on identification.
Note: There will always be fungi to find but the range and volume can be affected by (in particular) dry or wet spells of weather.

Native Seed Gathering
2019-10-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Wallaceburg Paw Paw Woods, 147 Mitchell Dr, Wallaceburg, ON, N8A 5B1, Canada
Seed collecting is satisfying and rewarding, a great volunteer activity and a way to be introduced to prairie restoration. Meet at 1 pm at Wallaceburg Paw Paw Woods, at the end of Mitchell St. Bring leather gloves, heavy duty scissors, and cloth or paper bags.
We will be gathering from the native tall grass prairie field at our Paw Paw Woods. Come learn some tips and tricks from Larry Cornelis on gathering, storing and propagating seeds from various native tall grass prairie plants.

Appreciating Reptiles and Amphibians in Southwestern Ontario
2019-11-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Speaker: Steve Marks, is a professional herpetologist who specializes in the conservation of endangered amphibians and reptiles, and their habitats. Steve has been studying these misunderstood creatures for more than 30 years and is excited to have the opportunity to tell us about the amphibians and reptiles we can hope to see in our region!

Moonlight Walk Near Sinclair Bush
2019-11-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Near Sinclair Bush, 10440 Sinclair Line, Blenheim, ON, N0P 1A0, Canada
By the light of the November full moon, we will use our senses to discover the nocturnal world around us. Park at 7 pm at the intersection of Harwich Road and Sinclair Line and we will walk along Sinclair Line by the glow of the full moon. You might need to wear warmer clothes. Going on a nature walk at night means you’ll see (and hear) lots of things that you wouldn’t normally notice in the daylight. Bring a flashlight.

Highlights of Eastern Quebec
2019-12-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Herman Giethoorn’s presentation will concentrate on the Saguenay Fjord & the Mingan Archipelago National Park, featuring whales, sea birds & marine life. Herman, a club member, is a very respected photographer and his pictures will amaze you. All are welcome.

Members Share Night
2020-01-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Chatham-Kent Public Library, 120 Queen St, Chatham, ON, N7M 2G6, Canada
All Sydenham Field Naturalist members are welcome to share their nature-related pictures, items and stories in brief presentations of less than 10 minutes. This is one of our most popular nights as we discover what other members have been up to in their passion for nature. This meeting is open to ALL and is a great way to be exposed to various nature elements and hobbies.
NOTE: Location change to Chatham-Kent Public Library.
Contact Tom Chatterton 519-627-2986 with any questions or to confirm you which to present.

Booth Creek Winter Adventure
2020-01-25 14:00 - 17:00 | Booth Creek Wetlands, 898 Burman Ln, Wilkesport, ON, N0P 2R0, Canada
Meet at 2 pm at 2898 Burman Ln (between Brigden Sideroad and Mandaumin Rd) for a winter walk. Hike past frozen wetlands and enter a woodlot for some peaceful time strolling. Bring the family and join us for chili or hot dogs around a campfire in the bush.
RSVP: sydenhamfn@hotmail.com

Purple Martin Project and Roost
2020-02-05 19:30 - 21:00 | Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre, 786 Dufferein Ave, Wallaceburg, Ontario, N8A 2V3, Canada
Walpole Island Purple Martin Project will update us on the roost on Walpole Island and success of the program.
Learn, What is a roost? Where are roosts found? What purpose do the serve? What part do roosts play in the life cyle of purple martins? Join us and find out the answers.
