Plovers, Petitions, and Coyotes: February 2026
Deadlines loom for Wasaga’s plovers, coyote mating season safety, and a record-breaking climate forecast.
FEBRUARY IN REVIEW
Howdy everyone, I hope you have all been doing well.
After the heavy snow and cold weather that swept through Ontario this February, it may be hard to believe that the first day of Spring is only 20 days away. Environment and Climate Change Canada has also announced that 2026 will be “among the hottest years on record.”
This month, I’m pleased to share that The Field & Shutter Press has reached another milestone: surpassing 300 subscribers! Thank you to everyone who continues to support this publication. Your support is sincerely appreciated.
As we grow, our commitment to the facts remains paramount. To help increase accountability and transparency, I am pleased to announce that The Field & Shutter Press has been accepted as a member of the National NewsMedia Council.
What does this mean?
The NNC is a self-regulatory, non-profit organization committed to maintaining ethical standards in journalism. While we always advise you to first raise concerns directly with our small but mighty team, the Council provides an independent and third-party process to review complaints about our journalistic practices.
Furthermore, to enhance our commitment to transparency, we have established a new page, “Corrections & Clarifications,” that will log all corrections made to work by The Field & Shutter Press from February 10, 2026, onward.
Until the next one,
-Greg
Deadline Looms, No Word Yet on Wasaga Plover Protection
With the March 1 deadline looming, the Federal government remains silent on whether it will issue an emergency order to protect Piping Plover habitats at Wasaga Beach.
In a statement provided to The Field & Shutter Press on February 25, Samantha Bayard, spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), said that they are “working diligently to advise the Minister on the issue as expeditiously as possible,” adding that, “ECCC will share next steps soon.”
They did not directly answer questions about whether the Minister will meet the March 1 deadline.
Advocates from Ontario Nature and Environmental Defence have warned that proposed mechanical beach raking, planned for the spring by the Town of Wasaga Beach, could be “catastrophic” for the endangered shorebirds, as the practice would destroy their habitat.
However, in a statement provided to The Field & Shutter Press, Mayor of Wasaga Beach Brian Smith has said, “No sensitive habitat is being threatened.”
Checkout “Federal review underway on emergency protection for Wasaga Piping Plovers” for the full story.
Coyote Activity Increases During Mating Season
Have you noticed more coyotes lately? You’re not alone. In an email to The Field & Shutter Press, Conservation Halton’s Ecology Monitoring Lead, Gabby Zagorski, explained that the increase in activity is mainly due to mating season.
According to the City of Burlington, the mating season occurs between January and February.
Zagorski explained that during this period, coyotes leave their dens and become more active as they defend their territory and search for a mate or food. They may also yip and bark more frequently to communicate and find a partner, as they prepare to nurse pups in the spring.
“Coyotes usually mate for life,” she also explained. A recent study from Utah State University has even highlighted that coyotes grieve the loss of a partner, similar to humans.
The animals also become more visible due to changes in the landscape. Zagorski noted that “many grasses have died back, deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves,” and crops have been harvested. This makes the coyotes stand out against the snowy white background because of the contrast from their fur, which “can range from red, to brown, to black.”
It’s important to note that coyotes may be more defensive around their den sites, “especially coyotes with young pups,” she said. Which will be born later in the spring.
However, coyotes will typically build their dens far from humans, “usually hidden in sheltered, secluded areas like woodlots, along slopes of ravines and in shrubby areas,” but there have been cases where they have been made “under urban structures like decks or sheds,” Zagorski explained.
Coyote Watch Canada, a not-for-profit organization, advises that if you encounter a coyote, you should use “aversion conditioning,” also sometimes called “hazing.”
They explain on their website that these are actions “such as shaking car keys, popping an umbrella, throwing an object in the direction of the coyote, such as clumps of dirt, a shake can full of coins, or using a loud, firm voice.”
It’s also important not to turn your back on a coyote or run away, as running can trigger a predator's chase reflex.
“These techniques can restore a coyote’s natural avoidance of humans and minimize interactions,” Coyote Watch Canada’s website states.
When asked whether Conservation Halton has any safety reminders for residents, they listed the following:
Always secure your garbage and compost in closed containers with locking lids and put them out the morning of their scheduled pickup day
Keep your property clean of garbage, open green bins, fallen birdseed, etc.
Never feed or try to tame a coyote
Do not let pets chase a coyote or roam at large. Always keep dogs on a leash and avoid walking at dusk during mating season
If you’re looking for more information about coyotes in Ontario, you can check out Coyote Watch Canada’s coyote FAQ.
Don’t Let the Chill Fool You: 2026 Set to Be One of Canada’s Hottest Years
Winter's presence was felt this month, reminding Ontario that it was not yet over, as the Weather Network predicts a “sluggish” start to Spring. Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) predicts that 2026 will be a hot year.
Last month, they released their forecast predictions for 2026, saying the year “will likely be among the hottest years on record,” with temperatures approaching levels last seen in 2024.
That year remains the warmest year ever observed, despite having a “comparably warm” 2025, according to the release.
The department’s long-term forecast indicated that the period from 2026 to 2030 will “likely be the hottest five-year period on record.”
Temperatures are expected to remain at historically high levels worldwide, according to ECCC.
THE FIELD & SHUTTER PRESS
IN OTHER NEWS
In the "In Other News" section, we’ll share interesting updates and discoveries from the past month. Expect highlights on photography, nature, wildlife, conservation, and environmental topics.
A rare visitor appeared at a Toronto Park
Published on: 21/FEB/2026
Birders near Toronto’s waterfront spotted a glimpse of a rare King Eider duck. Click here to read more
New study finds birdwatching may slow aging
Published on: 25/FEB/2026
New research suggests that birdwatching isn't just a hobby—it may actually slow the biological effects of aging. Click here to read more
Climate corner: A case against Highway 413
Published on: 23/FEB/2026
In their latest monthly column for HaltonHillsToday, Halton Hills Climate Action’s Jeannine d’Entremont breaks down why the proposed highway won't solve gridlock and the specific risks it poses to local endangered species, including the Redside Dace and Western Chorus Frog. Click here to read more
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Why are they planning to rake the beach? Infrastructure development?