I may not be the most informed person on this subject, but my understanding is that Ontario Nature has put out a request for donations from Naturalist Clubs around Ontario to help fight the Ostrander Wind Farm in Prince Edward County....
All I can say is - for the love of god - please don't do this... If your local club is thinking about donating funds, send them an email asking them not to...
Is this honestly the best use of this money that Ontario Nature can come up with?! By nature, I think most clubs aren't exactly rolling in cash, and maybe something involving purchasing property or nature related things/events involving children would be considerably better...
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I also don't know the history of the FON and its turn into Ontario Nature, but I can only assume that this crusade against wind energy in general seems to have some sort of political agenda where they're hoping they can tap into the huge mob of angry Ontario residents who don't want turbines in their backyard to potentially support (and buy memberships or donate to) Ontario Nature themselves....
Which is all fine and dandy... I'm not an ONnature member and they can do whatever they want in my opinion...
All I'm doing is specifically addressing the idea of local naturalist clubs donating funds specifically to the Ostrander hearing, and it seems like a horrible idea to me... And all I can do is hope the money goes to some other cause that is far more worthy.
(On the same note, I'm also not trying to say anything specific about the proposed Ostrander wind farm either) ... Moving on!
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IF the winds are fairly light tomorrow (Sunday) and IF the sun provides some prolonged periods of heat - it may be a fairly decent day at Beamer Hawkwatch in Grimsby to enjoy some migrating raptors..
No, probably not vagrants...
No, probably not huge numbers...
But high pressure and a gentle N / NE / E wind on a sunny day in late March can provide spectacular views of Red-shouldered Hawks (and other raptors) riding the updraft of the escarpment as they cruise past at an excellent height for viewing.
This is exactly what makes Beamer great overall...
THEE time of year where Beamer shines above other Great Lakes hawkwatches (mid-late March)...
THEE weather that creates it (high pressure with a lake breeze) due to
THEE geographic feature that is perfect location for the watch (The escarpment at its closest point to the Lake)
and...
THEE species of Beamer - Red-shouldered Hawk! (The reason its an IBA).. That use these conditions for great counts...
...
It might not happen... But it might... I may go check it out (my favourite birding place ever) for a few spare hours tomorrow if it looks good...
Winds under 20kmh and lots of sun are the best...
Here's hoping
(Taken at Beamer years ago in March)
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ReplyDeleteThere was a typo in my first response.
ReplyDeleteOntario Nature is NOT raising funds to fight Ostrander Point, the blog post you refer to quite clearly states that the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists is raising funds to fight Ostrander Point. A local issue that the local nature club feels strongly about.
http://www.ontarionature.org/connect/blog/save-ostrander-point
Ontario Nature in NOT opposed wind energy in itself. Ontario Nature is opposed to inappropriate siting of wind turbines in nature areas such as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) where wildlife may be at risk
A more measured assessment of issue may be found in the following back issue of ON magazine
http://onnaturemagazine.com/wind-wars.html
Mark Cranford
volunteer
Director for the Eastern Carolinian Region, Ontario Nature
Thanks for some facts Mark (something I was clearly lacking - and I hope I didn't try to come off too informed - as I'm clearly not on this particular issue)... I enjoyed the read and hope others will too...
DeleteI'll stick with my basic message though - I hope Naturalist Clubs are not wasting their time fighting wind projects in general - and especially donating funds specifically to the Ostrander fight...
I still think that there must be better uses of that money (along with better use of the attention/time/money of Ontario Nature) throughout the province than Wind Energy... And that the only logical reason to do so is to gain support for the organisation from the throngs of locals who oppose each project... But yeah.. Just my opinions... Hope it's not too much of an issue for the blog ;)
Brandon