The Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) are pleased to welcome to an Owen Sound audience on October 9th, renowned Wildlife Biologist Dr. Martyn (Marty) Obbard with his presentation about the Black Bear population of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula.
A dedicated Research Scientist, Martyn Obbard will discuss the ecology and behaviour of the small, at risk, genetically isolated and unique population of black bears on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula and how these bears differ from bears elsewhere in Ontario. The presentation will draw on results of a long-term research study conducted jointly by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Parks Canada and graduate students from Trent University in Peterborough.
Dr. Martyn Obbard is an Emeritus Research Scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and adjunct professor in the Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program at Trent University.
For larger view, click on image
During his long career as a wildlife biologist Dr. Obbard has engaged with many different species and programs. “As an undergraduate student, I worked on research projects studying Canada Geese and Snow Geese, and Northern Cardinals. My graduate work was on snapping turtles. In my career with OMNR, I studied both black bears and polar bears. As an adjunct at Trent University, I didn’t do any undergraduate teaching but mentored several graduate students, including several who were part of the Saugeen/Bruce Peninsula black bear project.”
This event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Thursday October 9th, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. The event is also open to the general public, with admission by donation. It is also to be shared on zoom – with a link to be found at osfn.ca
The doors will be open by 6:30 p.m. for meeting friends, membership purchases, and to check out the many items for purchase – clothing and award winning publications, etc.
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Kudos to Mike Campbell and his team, supporters and cyclists at the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere for staging the 7th Annual Gravel Gran Fondo on Sunday October 5. A cycling event from Lighthouse to Lighthouse (from Lion’s Head to Cabot Head), this very successful event is in support of their cause – Protecting the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere. All funds raised by the Fondo will go to the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (a charitable non-profit organization) to undertake environmental projects on the Bruce.
Coincidentally, just this morning I was speaking to someone who cycled it last year, and had a memorable sighting, observing a healthy young Black Bear stretched out on a limb of an apple tree, enjoying a feed of apples from a former orchard along one section of the route, while cyclists pedalled by. The weather also cooperated for a great ride and a wonderful experience too. Bravo!
Photos by Amanda Eriksen September 28, at the GSCA Inglis Falls Arboretum and Bluebird Trail
On September 28, the Young Naturalists had a beautiful day to clean out the bird boxes. There were no signs of bluebirds but someone “laid” some acorns. We did check out the salmon in the river as well, but I was too busy keeping kids dry to take photos! Seems like there are a lot of fish this year!”
For larger view, click on image
The club, aimed at ages 7 to 12 (with some leeway), generally meet from 2 to 4pm on the last Sunday of the month, from September to June, with some adjustments for holidays, etc.
To learn more and to register, email youngnaturalistsos@gmail.com
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Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory An excerpt from this week’s blog
Posted by Stéphane Menu, September 26, 2025
The past week, September 20th-26th, marked a radical change from all the previous weeks of this fall season … there were very, very, very few birds captured in our nets. So few that the week total is actually the lowest ever in 24 fall seasons for the week, with only 63 birds banded, five less than the previous lowest totals (in 2017 and 2018).
It is such a contrast from the week before (September 13-19), when the banding total came within a few feathers of breaking the record for that week (249 birds in 2024, 246 in 2025!): the higher the climb, the harder they fall!
OSFN’s Stewardship Director Jeannine Kralt recently shared this exciting news:
Congratulations to OSFN on being awarded the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s (BTC) prestigious Calypso Award, presented by BTC staff member Rhiannon to OSFN representative Barbara Palmer at the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club’s annual Hiking Festival this weekend, with comments by PBTC/OSFN member Marg Glendon.
BTC CEO Michael McDonald said that, “I am pleased to inform you that the Owen Sound Field Naturalists have been selected as this year’s recipient of the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s Calypso Orchid Environmental Award. Each year, we present the Calypso Orchid Environmental Award to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the restoration and preservation of the Bruce Trail conservation corridor or significantly enhanced the education of users or potential users of the Trail. The Owen Sound Field Naturalists are a perfect fit.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy would like to recognize and celebrate OSFN’s outstanding dedication to nurturing the appreciation and conservation of our natural world. In particular, OSFN’s educational activities, Young Naturalist program and newly revised guidebooks are stellar examples of how OSFN promotes understanding and inspires action for the protection of nature.
Through the Calypso Orchid Environmental Award 2025, the Bruce Trail Conservancy honours OSFN’s tremendous volunteer efforts to increase public awareness on environmental issues affecting the Niagara Escarpment, boost understanding and appreciation of Escarpment biodiversity, and contribute to the preservation of the Bruce Trail’s conservation corridor. Congratulations Owen Sound Field Naturalists!”
Congratulations OSFN members, past and present, for your contributions that have led to this award!
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To close, a quote from ‘The Book of Hope’, by the late esteemed primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall. Goodall died on October 1, age 91, while continuing to tour with her important messages, [including slowing the growth of the human population]
“By destroying habitats, we force animals into closer contact with people … And as the human population grows, people and their livestock are penetrating ever deeper into remaining wilderness areas, wanting more space to expand their villages and to farm.”
A dedicated Research Scientist, Martyn Obbard will discuss the ecology and behaviour of the small, at risk, genetically isolated and unique population of black bears on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula and how these bears differ from bears elsewhere in Ontario. The presentation will draw on results of a long-term research study conducted jointly by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Parks Canada and graduate students from Trent University in Peterborough.
