Count the Loons in Killarney

• Posted on July 15, 2008 at 9:29 PM
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Just got a spam email from Ontario Tourism, with some interesting outdoor activity ideas, so I thought I'd pass them along as a PSA. The one that caught my eye: the annual summer Loon Count at Killarney. The date is August 10. (A spring count also happens, apparently on the May long weekend.) No real details in this message, or even on the page that the email links to, other than to suggest you reach the park for more details. (705) 287-2900, or perhaps here.

The full list of events mentioned in the email:

Moonlight Hike & Wolf Howl - July 1-31 Guided educational nature hike with parabolic ears and night vision binoculars. Call for wolves, search for tracks, campfire howling competition.

Canoe and Kayak Evenings in Parry Sound - July 1-August 26 Tuesday evenings in July and August, meet at the Sail Parry Sound Dock on the shores of Georgian Bay's Big Sound for an evening of FREE test paddling the latest kayaks and canoes. Donations to Sail Parry Sound Youth Programmes welcome.

Walk a Fossil Reef - July 6-31 Join palaeontologist Sharron Valli, for an exciting & educational "Walk on a Fossil Reef" at Gordon's Park. The park is located on a Drumlin and is a featured stop in the U of W book "Manitoulin Rocks".

Women's Active Weekend Retreat - July 18 It's a girls weekend retreat with friends you haven't met yet! Stay in our lodge or camp on the shore of Lake Superior. Activities include kayaking, canoeing, hiking & yoga. Pamper yourself!

Summerfest - July 18-20 Longlac's annual Summerfest is a weekend celebration that caters to people. From the parade, to the ball tournament, to the famous fish fry, there is something for everybody. Come out and enjoy life.

Parks Day in Canada - July 19 Celebrations across Ontario - visit the Events Calendar at OntarioTravel.net for an event near you.

Naturalist Day - July 19 Celebrate Parks Day by sharing your love of nature with others! Don't want to share? Come and learn from local naturalists instead. (613) 923-5261

Bayfield's School of the Sailor - July 19-20 Naval Re-enactors will present Bayfield's School of the Sailor. This fun and lively event will feature seamanship demonstrations, heritage small boats and much more. Visiting Tall Ship St. Lawrence II will join Discovery Harbour's historic vessels dockside for public viewing.

Paddlefest - July 19-20 At one point it was a way of transporting people and goods from place to place. Now it is used primarily for recreation. Join Sainte-Marie for Paddlefest...a celebration of the legacy of the canoe from past to current times. Special exhibits, artisans and activities.

Archaeology Adventure - July 20 Dig in and discover the exciting world of archaeology! Event activities include: simulated archaeological digs, pottery making, archaeology videos, longhouse exploration and more!

De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Live Native Theatre - July 24-August 16 Debaj” is Canada’s oldest touring Aboriginal theatre company. Presenting original works by native playwrights, actors, and artists under the north's starry skies at a mission ruins at Wikwemikong. (705) 859-2204

Wildflower Gardens at Wye Marsh 20th Anniversary Celebration - July 25 Enjoy an afternoon of refreshments, garden tours, and conversation at the Wildflower Gardeners 20th anniversary celebration. These dedicated volunteers tend the gardens which should be in peek season.

Bon Echo Art Exhibition and Sale - July 25-27 Fifty fine artists will be exhibiting their original art work with the theme of nature, wildlife, and countryside art of a Canadian origin. Music, BBQ, and Sciensational snake show will also take place.

Wasaga Under Seige - July 25-28 Come enjoy an exciting War of 1812 experience hosted by Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, the Town of Wasaga Beach and the Friends of Nancy Island. This 3-day event involves over 500 re-enactors dressed in period costumes of the British and American forces. Relive history!

Loggers Day - July 26 A highly entertaining and educational day as the Algonquin Logging Museum comes alive with historic and modern logging activities, authentic food, great music and a host of genuine logging characters!

Annual Canoe Regatta - July 26 Vome celebrate the joy of canoeing at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park with a weekend of canoe instruction, excursions and activities. Enjoy a high-spirited afternoon of canoe races and games, topped off with a delicious treat of corn barbecued in the husk. fun for all ages.

The Battle of Fort William - July 26-27 Get a close up look at on-field battle tactics from the 19th century. Re-enactors conduct marching, manual of arms, troop movement. Plug your ears for the cannon & musket fire!

August

Moonlight Hike & Wolf Howl - August 1 Guided educational nature hike with parabolic ears and night vision binoculars. Call for wolves, search for tracks, campfire howling competition.

Walk a Fossil Reef - August 1-24 Join palaeontologist Sharron Valli, for an exciting & educational "Walk on a Fossil Reef" at Gordon's Park. The park is located on a Drumlin and is a featured stop in the U of W book "Manitoulin Rocks".

Port Sydney Annual Regatta - August 2 Swimming races and sand sculptures in the morning. Canoe races in the afternoon. Watermelon football at the end of the day. Prizes and awards. Refreshments, BBQ and music. (705) 385-0490

Fur Trade Re-enactment - August 2-3 Step back in time and witness the daily activities of voyageurs in a fur trade encampment from centuries ago. See an authentically reproduced 36' Montreal Birch Bark Canoe from the Canadian Canoe Museum, complete with voyageur crew and supplies - or climb aboard a replica canoe and experience it for yourself.

History Weekend - August 2-3 Re-live Presqu’ile’s storied past with events such as a musical evening social, old fashioned field games, children’s boat building bee and a history play.

De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Live Native Theatre August 2-16 De-ba-jeh-mu-jig is Canada's oldest touring Aboriginal theatre company. Presenting original works by native playwrights, actors, and artists under the north's starry skies at a mission ruins in Wikwemikong. (705) 859-2204

Astronomy: Public Observing Sessions & Laser Guided Sky Tours - August 8-9 Public observing sessions & laser guided sky tours with binoculars & telescopes & laser pointers in the dark sky sanctuary at Gordon's Park.

Festival of the Sleeping Giant - August 8-10 This weekend event includes an evening campfire program, a corn roast, a sand sculpture contest, theatrical presentation and a pancake breakfast.

Metis Day - August 9 One of the compelling stories told at Discovery Harbour is the migration of the Military troops from Drummond Island, in Lake Huron, to the Penetanguishene Establishment in 1828. Many of the people involved in the transfer were Métis who supplied the Military effort by providing supplies and provisions to the soldiers. Through costumed interpretation, displays and guest artisans, the culture and lifestyle of the Métis who lived in the area and served the military personnel will be told.

Killarney Loon Count - August 10 Join us for a weekend of loon counting among Killarney's quiet lakes in support of the Canadian Lake Loon survey.

Summer Night Hike - August 13 Experience Wawanosh by moonlight. Join interpretive staff on a one hour walk through the fields and forest.. Hotdog and marshmallow roast.

Water and Wetlands Weekend - August 15-17 Blue Lake Provincial Park - Get up close and personal with Leopard Frogs and Painted Turtles and join park naturalists as they explore the insect, fish and animal world of Blue Lake Provincial Park.

Spirits of the Past - August 15-17 Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park - The wind is howling and the spirits of the past are emerging from the woods. Enjoy a weekend of events including the Street Fair in the village of Kakabeka Falls.

Anishnawbe Keeshigun Festival - August 16-17 Experience Aboriginal culture with traditional dancing, singing & drumming at Fort William's annual Native Festival. This year’s festival will feature Northwestern Ontario’s largest competitive pow wow, world class Aboriginal entertainment, host drums, a craft market and Aboriginal foods.

Cape Croker PowWow - August 16-17 The Cape Croker Indian Park is the venue for our annual traditional Pow-wow. Held during mid-August, the ongoing theme of the Pow-wow is "Honour our Veterans and Elders". This is a gathering of our people to celebrate our rich heritage through the drum, song and dance.

Buckhorn Fine Arts Festival - August 16-17 The Buckhorn Fine Art Festival is a showcase of 'fine art' excellence! Quality and innovative 'fine art' is available for your appreciation, viewing and purchase in a vibrant and rural community. The festival celebrates the ongoing expansion from our 'wildlife' legacy.

Greenland Style Kayak Symposium - August 21-24 Ontario's only Greenland-style kayak symposium brings some of North America's finest Greenland paddlers & instructors for a weekend of workshops, tours, concert and games.

Wolf Howl - August 23 Join naturalist Mike Runtz on a moonlight excursion to nearby Basin Depot in Algonquin Park. Together you will howl into the night -- if you are lucky an elusive wolf pack will respond!

The Forest Festival - August 23-September 1 An annual festival of the arts located in the Haliburton Forest & Wildlife including concerts, workshops, and guided forest walks. Produced in partnership with Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer.

Monarch and Migrants Weekend - Presqu'ile August 30-31 Bird banding, Monarch tagging and guided nature walks celebrate this weekend of fall migration.

50th Annual Tour di Via Italia Bicycle Race - August 31 Ontario's oldest competitive bicycle race will be celebrating its 50th season. Professional cyclists from all over North America including Canadian legend Steve Bauer will be in attendance.

September

Great Women of French Ontario - September 1-30 Learn more about the lives of great French women in Ontario at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons.

Celebration of Trails - September 1 - November 30 An annual festival of trail events in east central Ontario. More than 35 exciting trail events to get you out and active on the region's great trails. Your path to fitness, fun and adventure.

Friends of Minesing Wetlands Fall Canoe Trip - September 6 Take a guided tour by canoe through an internationally significant wetland.

Riverfest - September 6 Join Riverfest at the Kam River Heritage Park. Reconnect with the river or discover it for the first time! Tug boat and Via Rail train tours, entertainment, concessions and a children's area, too!

Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre PowWow - September 6-7 This annual POW WOW, presented by the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre at Sainte-Marie Park, is open to the public and features Native dancing, traditional crafts and foods, and much more.

Family Migration Hike - September 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 View migrating birds, dragonflies and monarchs.Did you know that the Monarch butterfly travels 4000 kms to Mexico each fall to overwinter? Meet a nature Interpreter at the Visitor Centre for more on the marvels of migration.

Owl Prowl - September 13 Whooo goes there? The evening starts with a slide show and owl talk before heading out to explore the woods in search of owls. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.

Nine Mile Portage - September 20 Follow the trail Aboriginals and early settlers used as a trade and communications route. Start at Heritage Park in Barrie and end the journey at historic Fort Willow in Springwater.

Wild for the Arts Festival - September 20-21 A weekend of music, art and written word. Features are a campsite studio tour and art sale, an open song circle, music in the woods, children's activities and more! Artists interested in the campsite studio tour should contact the Friends of MacGregor Point. Free day use at MacGregor Point is sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

Bush Plane Days - September 20-21 Come out and celebrate the end of another summer season with Bushplane Days 2008! Exhibits from all areas of aviation will be represented. Look out for another fantastic CL-415 waterbombing demonstration (subject to availability) as well as chartered flights with Air Dale. Other past exhibitors have included local artists Cher Pruys and Steven Daly, Sault Search & Rescue, the SSM Fire Department, and much more! Face painting, crafts, carnival games and train rides with the Algoma Model Engineers Society for kids of all ages!

Monach Butterfly Migration Festival - September 21 Come celebrate the amazing life and journey of the Monarch Butterfly. From 10am to 4pm on the Visitor Centre front lawn, you and your family can enjoy Monarch tagging, children’s crafts, native plant sale, adopt-a-Monarch and a BBQ!

Indian Summer Festival - September 21 Feel the drumbeat as the Iroquoian village comes to life during this incredible celebration of Ontario's First Nations! Event activities include: First Nations dancers, arts and crafts sale and more!

Forest Fair of Ontario - September 27 The Forest Fair is organized by community volunteers dedicated to the forests of eastern Ontario. The focus is on families, which we hope to educate and entertain in the ways of the forest. (613) 258-0110

Bruce Peninsula Outdoor Festival - September 27-28 The 5th Annual celebration of hiking, astronomy, photography and all things "Bruce