Nature Newfoundland and Labrador (Nature NL) joined the NatureHood group in August 2023 with a pilot mission to offer enjoyable and academic alternatives primarily for youth members of the Affiliation of New Canadians. In 2024, Nature NL expanded this system to additionally supply alternatives to youth members of the Studying Incapacity Affiliation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
NatureHood NL is targeted on connecting children which can be new to Canada to the distinctive nature in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our hope is that by way of our programming, children can get an opportunity to study in regards to the surroundings and spend time outside. Nature NL operates beneath the precept of “Nature for All” and NatureHood NL is a method by which we share our love for our province’s stunning nature.
Caption: Subject journey to Terra Nova Migratory Chook Sanctuary. Picture Credit: Sean McCann
Newfoundland and Labrador is a singular place to expertise migratory birds 12 months spherical. Species just like the semipalmated sandpiper, japanese kingbird, swamp sparrow, Wilson’s warbler, tufted duck, blue-headed vireo, semipalmated plover and northern waterthrush. Apart from the tufted duck, these birds will probably be touring 1000’s of kilometers to winter in areas south of the island of Newfoundland. The tufted duck usually does the alternative, wintering on the island and heading again to Iceland within the springtime.
Even when the climate in Newfoundland and Labrador is just not cooperating, it doesn’t maintain us from birding! As a part of our NatureHood program, we’ve often needed to keep indoors and learn to use binoculars and discover birds hidden all through indoor areas, and examine them on our birding species lists.
Caption: Nature NL’s Naturehood Coordinator (2023-24), Brianna Barrett main an indoor birding occasion with the Affiliation for New Canadians’s summer season faculty. Picture Credit: Brianna Barrett
Aerial insectivores in Canada have declined by 59% because the Seventies1. To focus on the significance of bugs to fowl conservation and to have fun the Migratory Chook Day 2024 theme “Shield Bugs, Shield Birds!”, we offered a number of insect-related occasions in 2024. We hosted two Moth Nights the place members of the general public bought the chance to find the fascinating world of moths with Nature NL’s Insect Coordinator, Dr. Catherine Scott, Entomology Intern Abbie Mullin, and Board Member and entomologist Dr. Sean McCann. We arrange a “moth sheet” with a mercury vapor lamp. The mercury vapor lamp emits mild that draws moths, giving contributors the chance to expertise these fascinating nocturnal bugs!
Caption: Moth Evening. Picture Credit: Sean McCann
In September, we visited Terra Nova Migratory Chook Sanctuary as a part of our NatureHood program. Inside this migratory fowl sanctuary, roughly 30 species might be commonly noticed. Nearly all of these birds are shorebirds, waterfowl and seabirds. Through the fall migration, a number of hundred Canada geese, American black duck, frequent goldeneye and mergansers make use of the sanctuary. Throughout our go to, we noticed a number of shorebirds alongside the tidal flats and songbirds within the boreal forest. Our subject journey was filled with birding and bug video games. The children additionally had an opportunity to find out about several types of bugs that may be discovered on the island of Newfoundland, even observing aquatic bugs within the tidal flats.
Caption: NatureHood children exploring Newfoundland bugs. Picture Credit: Sean McCann
By means of Nature NL’s NatureHood program, We’ve got centered on making birding extra accessible by growing a free Information to Birding in Newfoundland and Labrador. This information is designed to encourage new and newbie birders to learn to fowl within the province.
1 A Roadmap to Rescuing Aerial Insectivores (Birds Canada)