Slaty Skimmer Dragonfly on Pink Meadowsweet, Grundy Lake PP
Free Online Field Guides & Apps
As much as they are handy, field guides can be expensive! Often a picture or two means identifying the creature or plant we found can wait (or... we can use mobile data!) Below I've created a list of links to online identification/field guides, nature conservation websites, and some recommended ID apps etc. that you may find helpful on your outdoor adventures!
Helpful Apps
Free Online Field Guides
In hand field guides can often be much more accurate, easy to read and practical when out in the forest. However they can be limiting by their size, weight, PRICE and occasionally accuracy (if you have an older version). Here I've collected a number of useful online guides, atlas's (maps that show where species have been spotted) and some IDing "How To's".
If you have any suggestions/your own favourite online guides to add to this list or issues (i.e. link not working), please let me know!
Insects
- Ontario Nature Magazine Butterflies & Moths - Ontario Nature Magazine Dragonflies & Damselflies - Ontario Nature Magazine (some) Spiders - Butterflies of Ontario - Toronto Entomologists Assoc. Butterfly Atlas - Bumble Bee Watch - Wild Pollinators Common Bees of Eastern Ontario (short list) - Toronto Entomologists Assoc. Moth Atlas - Insect Identification Insects of Ontario -
Lichens & Mosses
- Graphic(book) Guide to Mosses of Ontario - inaturalist Mosses of Ontario - Toronto Wildlife: Common Mosses -Mushroom Observer: Lichens of Ontario - inaturalist: Lichens of Ontario - Mixed Hardwood Lichens of Ontario -
Species at Risk Ontario (SAR)
Edible Plants
Invasive Species!
Helpful Links - Further (Online) Reading
Coming Soon!