The OFNC's Lectures and Excursions Committee plans an extensive program of monthly meetings, workshops, day trips, and longer excursions for the education and interest of our members.

Almost every weekend all year round, you can join a knowledgeable nature buff on an excursion to one of the many conservation areas in our region. Learn to identify some of the hundreds of birds that frequent our lakes, fields, and forests; wade through a marsh searching for amphibians; or take a leisurely stroll with fellow nature lovers.

Complete details of all the activities can be found in our quarterly newsletter Trail & Landscape, which is free to members. For further information, call the OFNC number (613 722-3050) or e-mail ofnc@ofnc.ca.

Check out the web site of the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists for more local events.

Field trips to natural areas in our region and beyond take place all year round. These events are for OFNC members and guests of members, unless the notice indicates that participation is limited or that bus travel is involved. In these cases, OFNC members will have priority and guests may participate only if space permits. Guests should be aware that in all cases OFNC liability insurance applies to OFNC members only.

Car pooling on excusions is very much encouraged and that is why we usually try to meet at a convenient bus stop with a good place to leave a car unattended for a few hours. Please chip in for gas.

Sunday, 22 August, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Early Migrants and Late Nesters - Birdwatching at Hog's Back/Vincent Massey Park
Leader: Paul Jones

August is an active time for birds in Ottawa, with small flocks of migrants appearing in the city and lots of resident species and their young still around. To find them, we will explore the trails of Hog's Back/Vincent Massey Park at a relaxed pace, checking the park's woodland and riverside habitats. The walk will begin, rain or shine, at the park's upper parking lot on Hog's Back Road (between Riverside and Prince of Wales) just east of the bridge over the Rideau River. Bring binoculars.

Saturday, 28 August. 7:30 a.m. to noon
Early Fall Birding along the Ottawa River
Leader: Ken Allison

This will be a half-day outing to several good migration spots along the river. We will go to Britannia first for some land birds and ducks, then head west to Shirley's Bay for water birds. Other locations will depend on what birds are available at the time. Please dress for the weather and remember that it can be several degrees cooler beside the water, especially if there is a wind. Pack a snack and water. This walk will go rain or shine.

Tuesday, 31 August, 7 to 9 p.m.
Bringing Ontario's ecosystems to the built environment: ecologicial landscaping for gardens large and small
Leader: Mathis Natvik
Meet: Fletcher Wildlife Garden Interpretive Centre, off Prince of Wales Drive (see map)

Mathis, an ecologist and graduate student of landscape architecture, will speak on ways of restoring and enhancing Ontario's natural landscapes within the built environments. He will discuss biodiverse meadows, green roofs, xeriscapes, "pit and mound" forests, rain gardens and identify the underutilized spaces that could be home to these forms of ecological landscaping. The advantages and challenges of such projects will be discussed and illustrated using case studies from his own practice as well as the work of others in the field. See www.roofgarden.ca/

Wednesday, 8 September, 9 a.m. to mid-afternoon
General Interest Walk - Limerick Forest
Leaders: Stew Hamill and Eleanor Thomson

Limerick Forest contains a variety of habitats, including wetlands, plantations, regrowing forests, and old growth stands. In the south block, north of Roebuck, we will make a short circle hike to explore all of these. Beginning at the Y on Forsythe Road, a meeting place with parking, notice board, and outhouse, we will look for late summer birds, wildflowers, and other interesting features. Wear hiking gear, and bring lunch, field guides, and binoculars.

Sunday, 12 September, 7:30 a.m.
Fall Migrants
Leader: Mark Gawn

In mid-September, the fall migration is in full swing. We will look for warblers, waders and other birds at local migration hotspots. Sites will likely include Britannia Filtration Plant, Andrew Hayden Park and Shirley's Bay, but they may be altered, depending on current sightings. This is a half day excursion and will go rain or shine.

Tuesday, 14 September, 7 p.m. social and club business 7:30 p.m. formal program Members' Photography Night Location: Canadian Museum of Nature (VMMB), Metcalfe and McLeod Streets, Theatre, Basement Many of us take pictures on Club outings or on our own, and this is our opportunity to share some special natural history shots with fellow members. The mix of different topics and different voices contribute to an enjoyable evening. Contributions may be up to 15 images and may include anything related to natural history. We can handle most digital presentations, but check with us first about whether you might need to bring your own laptop (e.g. Macintosh users) or whether a CD (most IBM users) would suffice. We would like you to speak briefly about your images, but that is not a requirement. Please contact Christine Wong (613-739-8246) so that we can organize the evening's presentations. Our monthly meetings are open to the general public.

Saturday, 18 September and Sunday, 19 September, 8 a.m.
Exploring the Barron River Canyon, Algonquin Park
Leaders: Jeff and Angela Skevington

This is a two-day trip to the east side of Algonquin Park. September is typically an exquisite time to visit the park. It is quiet, the scenery is superb, there are still lots of birds around and there is a good chance to see a variety of mammals.

Bring a picnic lunch for both days and dinner for Saturday - we will eat wherever we happen to be at the appropriate times. We will be able to make a fire for dinner if you plan to cook something. We will be staying at the Algonquin Portage (1352 Barron Canyon Road). This is a very basic bed and breakfast ($38 each including breakfast; bring your own sleeping bag or bedding). You are responsible for making your own bookings. Phone 613-735-1795 and make your booking with Helga. Say that you are part of the Ottawa Field Naturalists' group. There is only space for 20 people so first come, first served.

If they run out of space, you can camp at the lodge (they will provide breakfast if you arrange this in advance) or at Achray Campground in the park. If it is full when you go to book, leave your name and they may put you on a waiting list if there are cancellations.

We will lead those who are interested and not too tired after dinner to try some wolf howling.

On Sunday, we will take our canoes to Squirrel Rapids (don't worry, it's very placid and easy paddling) and make our way to Barron Canyon to see it from the bottom. There is a very short portage (about 100 metres) so this will be a great way to learn some new things if you haven't paddled before. Don't worry, we will help you on the portage and teach you how to paddle if this is all new to you. We will head back to Ottawa in the late afternoon with anticipated arrival at around 8 or 9 p.m. We will go rain or shine.

Expect the following costs: park day passes for each vehicle for each day (see rates), canoe rental (if you don't bring your own; see rates and book a canoe when you book your accommodation), and accommodation (see above).

If you would like to join a discussion group for this event (to arrange carpooling, canoe sharing, arrange a different meeting point, ask questions, etc., send an e-mail to: OFNC_Outings-subscribe@yahoogroups.ca. This is a private discussion group that will be used to coordinate outings like this one.

Saturday, 9 October, 8 a.m. to noon
Bracket Fungi, Tree Lichens, and Ferns
Leaders: Otto Loesel and Irwin Brodo

In October, when most of the flowers have gone and the leaves are starting to fall, fungi, lichens and ferns become more conspicuous. Bracket fungi, lichens growing on trees and ferns should be easy to find. Otto will take us on a nice 3 km loop in the southern section of Gatineau Park. Sturdy footwear will be required. If steady rain is forecast, the excursion will be cancelled.

Tuesday, 12 October, 7 p.m. social and club business 7:30 p.m. formal program Thinking Big About Ecosystems, Evolution and Life Speakers: John and Mary Theberge Location: Canadian Museum of Nature (VMMB), Metcalfe and McLeod Streets, Theatre, Basement The "mystery of mysteries" is how life has managed to persist, despite repeated global catastrophes, for almost four billion years on such a restless and changeable planet, resulting - today - in the richest diversity of all. The secrets of success lie in organization. In this illustrated talk, John and Mary Theberge take us on a journey of discovery to the wild places where they have studied wildlife. Using the rapidly expanding knowledge about the natural world, they extract meaning from the wood duck's plumage, and the ways Labrador caribou illustrate the principles of population regulation, and the significance of the ptarmigan's dilemma - which is the title of their newest book. Summing up, they reflect on the significance of natural processes in an increasingly human dominated world. Our monthly meetings are open to the general public.

Tuesday, 9 November, 7 p.m. social and club business 7:30 p.m. formal program Conopidae: the Fly of a Thousand Faces Speaker: Joel Gibson Location: Canadian Museum of Nature (VMMB), Metcalfe and McLeod Streets, Theatre, Basement Commonly referred to as thick-headed flies, members of Conopidae exhibit a wide range of body shapes and life histories. Some species are excellent mimics of bees and wasps. Many species gather on the same hilltops year after year to mate. All species are parasitoids of other insects. Most members of one remarkable genus (Stylogaster) follow army ants and attack cockroaches, grasshoppers and crickets displaced by the advancing hoard. While some species prey exclusively on a single host species, others generalize on a wide range of hosts. Their impact on pollinating bees and wasps may be significant, but has been little studied. Mimicry, parasitism, hilltopping, pollination, DNA barcoding: this talk will touch on all of these diverse topics. It will also include tips for observing conopids in the wild as well as easy ways to identify some of the 35 species found in Eastern North America. Our monthly meetings are open to the general public.