Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority

05/29/2026

Barn Swallows are one of the most widespread bird species on Earth. They can be found on every continent on the planet besides Antarctica. These aerial insectivores have a long-standing relationship with humans, as they often create their nests on human-made structures. It's a wonderful symbiotic relationship as Barn Swallows can eat up to 1,000 insects a day.

05/28/2026

Exciting news. The South Huron Trail Run is coming back in 2026 after an absence of a few years! Learn more: https://www.abca.ca/events/ The trail run takes place on Sunday, August 30, 2026. There is an eight-kilometre run and a 3.25-km run. To register for the trail run, visit RaceRoster.com (https://raceroster.com/events/2026/117178/south-huron-trail-run). More information is also available on the South Huron Trail website (https://www.southhurontrail.com/south-huron-trail-run/). Lots of volunteers are needed. Please contact the community organizers if you are able to help on race day.

05/27/2026

Cedar Waxwings are social birds and that makes them amusing to observe. Male waxwings will pass an object like a berry, insect, or flower petal to the female he is courting. They tend to pass this object back and forth a few times, sometimes bouncing down the branch until the female finally eats it. Watch for this sweet behaviour the next time you come across a flock of Cedar Waxwings. (Photo by ABCA's Benjamin Riggin) Help to support habitat enhancement for birds like these: https://www.abca.ca/involved/donate/

05/25/2026

Spring migration is still providing great birdwatching along the South Huron Trail at Morrison Dam Conservation Area! A variety of birds were spotted today grazing their way through the canopy including several warbler species including the Blackburnian and Magnolia, pictured here. For some great places to watch the birds, visit a trail or conservation area near you: https://www.abca.ca/conservationareas/

05/23/2026

Happy World Turtle Day! 🐢 (Saturday, May 23, 2026)

World Turtle Day was created in 2000 to celebrate turtles, tortoises, and their disappearing habitats. It encourages our positive actions to help these unique creatures and ecosystems survive and thrive.

Supporting Ausable Bayfield Conservation's Adopt A Turtle Campaign provides funds for wetland creation and enhancement, support for turtle egg incubation, population monitoring, and our annual hatchling turtle release.

Visit the Events page (https://www.abca.ca/events/) at abca.ca for more details and to donate!

(Photo by Jory Mullen)

05/22/2026

What does a healthy watershed look like? It looks like a place where Ontario’s native freshwater turtles can thrive.
🐢 Turtles are more than just ancient neighbours. They are vital ecological indicators.
When our wetlands and rivers are clean and intact, our turtle populations are stable.
As natural caretakers, they clean up aquatic ecosystems by cycling nutrients and controlling pests.
A healthy wetland needs turtles — and a healthy community needs wetlands to filter water and reduce flooding.
But, with habitat loss and road crossings, they need our help.
Protecting local wetlands and maintaining natural shorelines ensures these guardians have a home for future generations.
This World Turtle Day, let’s protect the waters that sustain us all.
🐢 World Turtle Day is May 23.
Happy World Turtle Day from your local conservation team!
To support turtle species in your watershed, donate at abca.ca (Visit https://www.abca.ca/events/).

05/22/2026

Happy World Biodiversity Day! You can help maintain our diverse species! Here are ways you can help:
🌱Plant a native species or pollinator garden.
🌱Pick up litter.
🌱Protect a natural feature or leave one intact (woodlot, vernal pools, wet areas, meadows, etc.).
🌱Leave leaf piles over winter and carefully clean up yard waste in spring or leave until mid-May (The Chrysalis attaches to old plant stems, insects hibernate under leaf litter and still need leaf cover overnight until it is warm and insects nest in hollow stems).
🌱Remove invasive species.
🌱Volunteer with a group to learn and support native species (Huron County Backyard Ecosystems; Butterflyway Rangers; Garden clubs).
🌱Get involved today: https://www.abca.ca/involved/
Today (Friday, May 22, 2026) is International Day for Biological Diversity.

05/21/2026

Tomorrow (Friday, May 22, 2026) is International Day for Biological Diversity.
🌱Did you know in Ontario we have about 1,900 native plant species? Most of those species are wildflowers and this number also includes trees.
🐝There are more than 20,000 species of insects using these plants or pollinating them.
🦉🦆 🐦‍⬛There are 511 bird species and 291 of those are breeding species in Ontario. They require insects for food and large areas of native plants and trees to live.
🐟The Ausable River system supports 27 species of freshwater mussels and 85 species of fish, 18 reptiles, 20 amphibians, among other important wildlife.
Learn more about this nationally important river watershed: https://www.abca.ca/watersheds/ausable-river/

05/20/2026

Tomorrow (Thursday, May 21, 2026) is the Turtle Nest Protector Workshop in Port Franks!!! Make sure you're registered.

August 8 Love Your Greats Day is August 8, 2026 All day A day to celebrate and protect our Great Lakes, called Love Your Greats Day, is held the second Saturday of every August. Saturday, August 8, 2026 is Love Your Greats (LYG) Day. Details

05/20/2026

A north wind can put a halt to the journey of migrating birds. This morning, along the Morrison Dam Conservation Area Section of the South Huron Trail, the trail was alive with migrating warblers, such as this Bay-breasted Warbler which passes through the area on its way to breeding grounds in the boreal forest.

The leaf-out (quick onset of foliage) can make birds hard to detect by the naked eye so using an application like Merlin (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/sound-id/) helps as that technology can identify birds by sound. Apps like this are great aids in learning the calls and songs of the birds around us.

Check out amazing creatures like this one on trails and conservation areas near you: https://www.abca.ca/conservationareas/