​Huron Fringe Field Naturalists pack the house for coyote presentation

The highly-anticipated Huron Fringe Field Naturalists meeting, featuring a presentation on the coyotes of Inverhuron, drew a crowd of 90 to the Point Clark Community Centre, Tuesday (March 26).

Artist, teacher and passionate citizen scientist Dave Rankine delighted his audience with a wealth of photos and stories told with humour and deep affection for the Two Bays Pack.

Rankine described a life-long relationship with Inverhuron Provincial Park that started in early childhood. His coyote study began in January, 2020, and involves using trail cameras, visual and auditory observations and a crew of spotters to gather data. He has extensively documented the individuals and their behaviour and has even postulated a theory to explain their movement.

Audience members learned a great deal about the coyote’s family-based social structure and how the pack acts to support both young and old. They enjoyed hearing about Rankine’s tireless efforts to gain the pack’s tolerance and the personal encounters he’s experienced with it.

A lover of patterns, Rankine used detailed data of coyote movement, compared it to weather conditions and the movement of the sun and moon, to propose a theory showing the elegant and intricate way the animals are connected to their environment.

Many questions were asked as attendees gained a greater appreciation of this intelligent, playful, but often maligned, hunter. They also enjoyed many photos of other wildlife indigenous to the area.

A second short presentation followed, introducing the City Nature Challenge project. Begun in 2016 as a friendly competition between nature lovers in San Francisco and Los Angeles, this annual community science event has grown to include more than 500 cities in nearly 50 countries.

The Huron Fringe Field Naturalists are encouraging residents in and around the Municipality of Kincardine to spend time outdoors exploring nature in their neighbourhoods and parks Friday, April 26, to Monday, April 29, and make observations of plants and animals on the iNaturalist platform. The free app collects biodiversity data worldwide and is easy to use. Club members will lead guided hikes in several parks Saturday and Sunday of the project. Details will be shared mid-April.

The next club meeting takes place Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. in Point Clark. Audrey Armstrong and her husband, Willy Waterton, of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists will present the recently updated field guide of Grey Bruce Orchids and the stories behind this enormous undertaking.

Visitors and guests are always welcome and are advised to bring a mug and napkin for refreshments.