Rainy River Valley Field Naturalists (RRVFN) reluctantly cancelled planned activities in 2020 – 2021 because of COVID-19, but all commitments had to be met.
There was the Christmas Bird Count, the Nocturnal Owl Survey, repairs and upkeep of the Cranberry Peatmoss Interpretive trail (the Bog Walk), removal of interpretive signs in the fall and replacing them in the spring, and garbage to be picked up.
In addition, the club agreed to look after Oak Grove, a property of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This land is situated near the mouth of the Rainy River where it flows into Lake of the Woods.
A few members inspected the property and identified many plants, fungi, lichens and a few animals. It was determined that some of the old trails should be flagged and the brush cut so that visitors could enjoy the wildlife there,
The club also volunteered to be involved in the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. This research involves recording the number of species and the number of birds of each species in a designated 100 kilometre area. The study is to be done over a five-year period between June 1 and July 10 of each year. Volunteers are needed as this is an enormous undertaking. If interested, find details by visiting birdsontario.org. If you decide to help, contact Bob Saunders at bobsaunders01@gmail.com or Ilka Milne at boghunter@yahoo.ca.
During the past two years several field trips were taken. They are enjoyed as there is always the expectation of discovering a new species of wildlife not recorded as being in our district.
All the outings were rewarding, but I’ll mention only one, as it produced an interesting discovery.
Sable Island was the destination. This large island on Lake of the Woods is one of the areas in Ontario where the rare piping plover nests.
No plovers were found, but hopefully some nest in some hidden part of the island or on adjacent islands.
Now the discovery – one species of dragonflies never recorded in this district.
Those who discovered the wandering glider were excited to enter the name to their list of dragonflies which had been tabulated in 2005, when the club had hosted the Great Lakes Odonate Meeting (Odonate is the Order of insects consisting of dragonflies and damselflies).
Another outing was organized to solve the mystery of the missing duck lost in the Agassiz Peatland National Park near Gameland.
Oops. I stated that I would mention only one outing. We’ll tell later how it was (or wasn’t) solved.
Some members of the club have spent many hours touring the district and recording any wildlife sighted. As well, other naturalists from Rainy River and Atikokan and parts in between add to the information which has been collected over many years.
Results from year to year can give a snapshot of diversity of wildlife in our district and can indicate if the population of any species is declining.
Others can get involved as an opportunity is approaching. The Great Backyard Bird Count starts soon, February 18 – 21. All you have to do is watch birds in a place of your choosing for fifteen minutes or more at least once over the four days and submit your results on eBird or the Great Backyard Bird Count website (birdcount.org).
Happy birding!
