Ontario Nature Blog

The name “Ontario” originates from an Iroquoian word meaning “sparkling” or “beautiful” water. With more than 250,000 lakes and countless rivers and streams, it’s not hard to see how our province got its name. A Vast Landscape The wonders of Ontario stretch far and wide: Incredible Species Diversity Ontario’s diverse geography and climate have allowed ...

Read More

On the heels of the recent 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and Canada’s commitments to natural climate solutions and ending deforestation, it is imperative to take a critical look at Canada’s current emissions and the ways in which they’re counted. A new report by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Nature Canada, Environmental Defence ...

Read More

Any birder who’s seen one, will tell you about the excitement of spotting a red-headed woodpecker. With a striking crimson head and a loud, harsh call, this unmistakable woodpecker takes centre stage on the backyard suet or drilling away into a tree. But unfortunately, things are changing quickly for this woodland standout. A May 2021 ...

Read More

When you think of a bird’s nest, what’s the first image that comes to mind? Probably a bunch of sticks and leaves bundled together – right? Unfortunately, for birds that live in urbanized areas, they often use anthropogenic debris (otherwise known as garbage) to build their nests. This can result in entanglement or ingestion and ...

Read More

This year, we had a slightly warmer winter than usual, leading to a number of birds being seen in the province throughout the winter, including meadowlarks, grosbeaks and warblers. Will Ontario's warmer than average mid-winter conditions and presence of warmer-season birds herald an early migration?

Read More