Nature Around Home

Hi Everybody!

My name is Quinten Wiegersma, and I am a passionate naturalist and an avid user of iNaturalist. Although I have been in love with the outdoors my entire life, it wasn’t until I was eleven, probably around the age some of you guys are, that I was bitten by the bug to start systematically recording what I saw. My first love was the same as many naturalists, birds. Although I had casually watched birds for many years prior, it wasn’t until I discovered eBird (https://ebird.org/home, another great website for you to check out!) that my interest in birding really started. About a year later, I decided it was time to start learning about other things in nature, so I chose to look at butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies. I was amazed at the diversity that could be seen right around where I lived! In 2018, I started to use iNaturalist, and that’s where my love for all things nature really took off. All of a sudden, I had a place to learn about what I was seeing! Since then, it has completely dominated my life. I expanded my interests far beyond what they originally were, adding botany (study of plants), moths, fishes, fungi, mammals, more insects, and so much more to my radar. I absolutely love it! My passions have taken me to some amazing places, such as the coast of James Bay with the James Bay Shorebird Project (https://www.jamesbayshorebirdproject.com/), and I have met many amazing people along the way!

Despite being to so many incredible places, one thing that continues to surprise me as much as it did years ago, is just how much can be seen right outside your front door.

For the last couple of years, I have undertaken the task of documenting the species that can be found in my neighbourhood. I have utilised iNat to do so by creating a project (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/uplands-study-area) So far, I have recorded over 1800 species, which I think is quite spectacular! In fact, right in my own suburban backyard I have recorded over 1000 species of living things! The best part is, as I learn more about nature, I continue to discover new things!

So, how does one find nature right around where they live? The answer is simple. Go outside! There is no right or wrong way to discover the great outdoors. There certainly are ways to enhance your experience, such as with an insect net for catching bugs, or setting up a white sheet and a UV light for moths and other nighttime insects (I have recorded almost 550 moth species right in my own backyard using this method!) The key is also to visit the same locations many (many) times, and in different seasons. Nature is a year round show!

Exploring your local area is very rewarding, and can very often yield some surprises. Whether it be an uncommon plant, a super cool bug, or a rare bird—this spring I found the globally rare Kirtland’s Warbler (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46225992) with about 3600 birds left in the world! There is always something to see

Nature can be found anywhere you look. While not everyone may be as lucky as I am to have some decent quality woodlots close at hand, maybe pay attention to the "weeds" growing in sidewalk cracks, flip some rocks in your garden, or go on an indoor safari! Give some love to the spiders that make webs in the corner of your room. Even after this challenge is done, I hope your local explorations don't come to a stop! Please continue to upload your findings to iNaturalist. I look forward to seeing them! Good luck everyone!

Publicado el septiembre 22, 2020 02:32 TARDE por birds_bugs_botany