Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
16160 Highway 12 East L4R 4K6 Midland, ON, Canada

Even Trumpeter Swans like to cuddle in for a rest now and then! How do you like to spend your Sundays - cuddled up indoors or outside exploring?

Can't decide what to watch on Netflix? Check out the night sky instead! This weekend marks the peak of the Geminid meteor shower. The optimal peak will be late night on Sunday, December 13. Based on the moon phases, 2020 is a great viewing year for these meteors because the sky will be so dark. You will still want to go somewhere with minimal light pollution for the best viewing. The meteor shower is named after the Gemini Constellation where the shower appears to origi...nate from. Geminids typically encounter Earth at 22 miles per second staying in your line of sight for just a few seconds. To learn more, visit: https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/geminids-2020-1.5834093

Attention Hikers: Due to high winds, the trail system at Wye Marsh is closed today, November 15, 2020. Per Wye Marsh's Safe Trail's policy, trails are closed when there are sustained winds above 35 km/h or gusts above 60km/h.

Make an easy, eco-friendly suet feeder for your yard! For more nature fun at home, please visit: https://www.wyemarsh.com/at-home-activities --- #NaturehoodON #Naturehood https://naturecanada.ca/naturehood

Wodin is SNOW excited that winter is here! Wodin is a Snowy Owl who loves the cold. Snowy owls have many layers of thick feathers, even on their feet, to help keep them warm in the Arctic temperatures where they live. They spend their winter down a little further south, like in Simcoe-County. Wodin lives at Wye Marsh because he cannot be released to the wild. He has a bent keel bone (similar to the sternum on a human) which affects his ability to fly. He is provided spe...cialized care and training at Wye Marsh to help keep him strong and healthy. The care and enrichment programs for the Birds of Prey are funded in part by Delta Penetanguishene through charity gaming. Delta Penetanguishene is a fundraising partner of Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, and 56 other local charities THANK YOU. Delta Bingo and Gaming #AngelGateBingo #LocalGiving

Trumpeter Swans are tagged to help monitor the growth and health of their population. Tags are yellow, can be seen on the Trumpeter Swan's wings, and have a unique alpha-numeric ID (ex. V71 or E84). As Trumpeter Swans are wild, not all swans are tagged. Reporting untagged swans is just as important! When reporting a Trumpeter Swan sighting, it is important to note the date, location, how many swans you have spotted, any tag numbers you can read, and if there are any cygn...ets (young swans, notable by their grey feathers). To report your Trumpeter Swan sighting, please visit: https://www.wyemarsh.com/swan-sightings or call 705-526-7809.

Weave a spooky spider web and craft a pinecone spider to live in it! A fun and simple craft to celebrate Halloween this year. #HappyHalloween For more nature fun at home, please visit: https://www.wyemarsh.com/at-home-activities... --- #NaturehoodON #Naturehood https://naturecanada.ca/naturehood See more

Consider the ecosystems at work in your yard during fall clean-up this year!

Winter fun at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre! What are your plans for the snowy season?

No matter the weather, there's always something to explore and enjoy along the boardwalk! At Wye Marsh we believe there's no such thing as bad weather if you are dressed for it - rain or shine! @tourismbarrie @nlafphotography

No matter the season, there is beauty to be found in nature. Cattails are a great example of the cycles in nature. As cattails wilt/ die in the fall, they form the matting of the floating island from which next year's cattails will grow... amd so the cycle continues.

Wye do Crows gather at night? At dusk it’s a common sight to see a group of Crows flying together to share a roost. There are a few reasons that they take part in this slumber party: protection, love, and snacks. Crows can roost in numbers as large as 10,000. In the daylight, crows can evade or gang up on predators. Large owls, like Great-Horned Owls are the biggest predator of Crows. At night, Crows are more vulnerable, and so they roost in large numbers in a spot with ...good shelter and visibility to their surroundings. Not only does this flock appear more threatening, the odds of being the Crow targeted by a predator are lesser in a group than if the Crow were on its own. Safety in numbers! Roosting together in large numbers also offers the opportunity for a Crow to meet a mate more easily, and generally in a captive audience. When Crows roost together, it also offers an opportunity to share information. Thinner, sickly looking Crows have been observed following fatter Crows to food in the morning after roosting together. It is unknown if one bird is actively showing another, or if the hungry Crow just knows enough to follow a well-fed Crow to their food source. Crows will roost in rural, suburban, or urban areas. They have adapted to the lights and noises of humans, and will often stay close by them as their predators tend to avoid humans. They are highly intelligent and adaptable creatures!

Darwin is a Turkey Vulture, and loves the company of visitors. He will often come to the front of his enclosure to investigate new faces as people come to say hi! Turkey Vultures are a common sight in Simcoe County. They feed by thrusting their heads into the body cavities of rotting animals, and are able to find their food with their extraordinary sense of smell (see how big his nostrils are!). The Birds of Prey Field is now open daily, 9:00am-4:30pm. Come say hi to Darwi...n and his friends! The enrichment programs for the Birds of Prey are funded in part by Delta Penetanguishene through charity gaming. Delta Penetanguishene is a fundraising partner of Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, and 56 other local charities THANK YOU. Delta Bingo and Gaming #AngelGateBingo #LocalGiving

Thanks to YOUR support, Wye Marsh's Annual Fundraiser has raised $9,475.00 so far with our online auction, Dine at Dock Lunch specials, donations, and sponsorships. THANK YOU! We are humbled by the support of our community, and deeply appreciate these contributions that will support wetland habitat conservation and educational programs to instill a love of nature in all. ... Stay tuned for the 50/50 raffle, and help us reach our $10,000 goal!

Looking to do something different than a jack-o-lantern this year? Why not turn a pumpkin into a seed growing science experiment! Check out other at home activities, or download the instructions here at https://www.wyemarsh.com/at-home-activities ---... #NaturehoodON #Naturehood https://naturecanada.ca/naturehood See more

LAST DAY TO BID! Today is the last day to bid on amazing lots in Wye Marsh's Online Silent Auction - you don't want to miss out on gift certificates, art, prize packages, and more! Thank you to everyone who has supported this fundraiser. ... Bid at https://givergy.ca/wyemarsh

LEAVE YOUR LEAVES! Before you rake the leaf litter in your yard, consider the ecosystem that is benefitting from this fallen foliage, including this Blue Spotted Salamander. Fallen leaves provide:... * Shelter and nesting materials for amphibians, like toads or the Blue-Spotted Salamander * Fertilizer and insulation for the tree roots * Breeding ground for insects * Foraging ground for birds to hunt those insects So, kick back, skip the raking this year, and spend your yardwork time having fun instead. Leave the leaves where they fall!

Wye are Map Turtles so Unique? Today is #NationalReptileAwarenessDay so we thought we would talk about Map Turtles and what makes them so special! Map Turtles can be identified by the yellow lines on both their skin and upper shell (carapace). If you look closely, you’ll see that they resemble map-like markings! The lower part of their shell (plastron) is a light yellow / cream colour and they have 2 yellow spots behind their eyes. ... Ontario is home to the Northern Map Turtle! This species is currently listed as special concern because just like the 7 other native Ontario turtles, they are facing road mortality, predation, poaching and illegal collection. Northern Map Turtles exhibit high levels of sexual dimorphism; meaning that the two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics, like their size. Another example would be birds having different plumage based on their gender. Female Map Turtles can grow up to 18-27 cm where the male can only grow to about half that size (9-15 cm)! You will likely see Northern Map Turtles basking in the sun or swimming in Georgian Bay, as they prefer larger bodies of water and are excellent swimmers. Ontario is home to 8 species of turtles including the Northern Map Turtle, 1 species of lizard (the Five-Lined Skink), and 17 species of snakes. We are lucky to have such a beautiful and biodiverse province to share with these reptiles. Make sure to watch out for these reptiles when hiking, driving or boating!

#Experience The Heart of Georgian Bay this fall! From October 16th - November 1st, Wye Marsh is offering admission for 2 AND your choice of Wye Marsh Wildflower Honey (made in the bee hives on site) or locally produced maple syrup for only $30.00! Browse other great deals and new experiences, and get your voucher here: https://www.taste.gbay.ca/experience... #TasteGBay #ShopGBay #ExperienceGBay **Voucher is required to redeem this promotion.

We just can't get enough of the panoramic view of the observation tower to take in these fall colours!