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Volunteer take on invaders to care for our earth

In Flora, News by couchiching

Garlic mustard. Purple loosestrife. Phragmites reed. Dog-strangling vine. The list of invading plants keeps getting longer, and our knowledge of how to battle them is ever changing. The species listed here, plus many more, are ones that have shown up in the Couchiching region from their distant home ranges, and they are quickly displacing the native species.

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Bird-Watching: Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

In Birds, News by couchiching

In the bird world, there is a basic premise that male birds with bright plumage leave nest building and incubation duties to the female as their bright colours would attract would-be predators to the nest site. I guess that theory was left out of the young male Rose-breasted Grosbeak’s school curriculum, because they engage, along with the female in all of those activities.

How the Conservancy Manages Forests

In Nature Reserves & Easements, News, Property Maintenance by couchiching

A great majority of the conservation lands that are managed by the Couchiching Conservancy contain woodlands. These forests may be magnificent hardwood stands, thick cedar swamps, or a wonderful mix of both conifer and hardwood; two properties even have those arrow-straight rows of planted pines. No matter what the composition, each forested area is closely monitored and managed by Conservancy staff.

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Bird watching: Red-Tailed Hawk

In Birds, News by couchiching

Red-tailed hawks are the most easily recognizable hawks we have. They are rather large, with stocky bodies and broad, rounded wings. They normally have brownish streaks on their white breasts, but their most distinguishing identifier is a short, wide and wonderful russet coloured tail.

Thanks! Annual General Meeting a hit

In News by couchiching

Our thanks to all who attended our AGM. It was so wonderful to see everyone again and re-connect. Read the documents we shared and see pictures from the event.

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In appreciation of the noisy, boisterous bullies

In Birds, News by couchiching

When I first wrote about Blue Jays back in 2012, concentration was on their darker, meaner, rogue side as members of the Corvid family of birds which also includes Crows and Ravens; how they steal eggs and young of other birds to feed their own young and how they bully any other bird or animal in the playground!