Port Post: June 2026
Summer!!
Good morning, Newcastle!
Let’s start with upcoming events around the Port:
♻️June 13: Curbside Giveaway
💙June 21: Father’s Day
🚌June 25: School’s out!
🍁July 1: Canada Day
🎈July 11: Kids Fun Day @ The Brig
Have something to add? 📩 portpostnewcastle@gmail.com
Breaking News ‼️⚠️ Bear Sighting Reported in Port of Newcastle 🐻
A resident reported seeing what appeared to be a young black bear near Baldwin Street and Port of Newcastle Drive yesterday, June 9.
According to a post shared on Facebook, the animal was described as “not a cub, but not fully grown” and was seen jumping back into the bushes.
Black bears are known to occasionally pass through Durham Region, particularly in late spring and early summer when young bears leave their mothers and search for new territory. These wandering bears can travel surprisingly long distances and may move through residential areas before continuing on.
If you encounter a bear, remain calm, keep your distance, and give it a clear escape route. Do not approach the animal for photographs or attempt to feed it. Most black bears are naturally wary of people and will move away if left undisturbed.
Residents are also encouraged to secure garbage, bird feeders, and pet food, which can attract wildlife into neighbourhoods.
TOMORROW:
Purple blooms are lighting up local trails and woodlots right now. This plant is Dame's Rocket, a European species that has become a familiar part of Ontario's spring landscape. Large patches like this are common along woodland edges, roadsides, and stream corridors throughout Clarington in late spring.
Port Purge Success
Port Purge was a great success overall with a strong turnout from both the neighbourhood and surrounding communities. Despite the colder weather and rain later in the day, the energy throughout the morning was fantastic.
A big thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the event happen. The response was so positive that we are already looking at bringing it back again next year, along with a few more community events throughout the summer. Stay tuned.
—Brandon Hebert
Flashback to Canada Day 2020 and 2022 COVID drive-bys.🍁
One month into Dadurdays and it’s already become a great Saturday routine for a lot of local dads and families.
We’ve had sunny trail walks, playground pit stops, coffees in hand, and enough rainy weekends for the group chat to unanimously vote for staying home instead.
What started as a simple way to get the kids out of the house has turned into a solid group of dads connecting with other guys in the same stage of life.
We’ve now started a Dadurdays WhatsApp group for weekly updates, weather calls, and meet up reminders.
—Brandon Hebert
Turkey Time
If you've ventured down Toronto Street in the morning recently, there's a good chance you've seen these neighbours! Wild turkeys are characterized by their large, dark bodies, long legs, and relatively small heads. During the spring, they often forage in open agricultural fields—especially those that have been freshly worked—feeding on seeds, insects, and waste grain. They frequently move between nearby woodlots and farm fields in search of food.
The larger bird appears to be an adult male, or tom, recognizable by its dark plumage and distinctive bare red head. The smaller bird could be a hen or a younger male. At this time of year, hens are often nesting nearby while males continue roaming and displaying during the breeding season.
Once rare in Ontario, wild turkey populations have made a remarkable comeback and are now a common sight across rural Durham Region. Their return is considered one of Ontario’s wildlife conservation success stories.
The Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Committee hosted their first ever Wildflower Walk on May 9.
Approximately 20 people participated and, judging by their enthusiasm, we expect to make this an annual and larger event. Participants were divided into two groups. The first was led by Maria Prisciak, a teacher and member of the Durham Region Field Naturalists who has guided many such walks throughout Durham, and by new Committee member Michael Henderson, an arborist for the Town of Whitby. The second was led by Committee Vice-Chair Prof. Tom Hossie of Trent University.
Written by Brian Reid; Photo by Kate Potter
Our bylaw reminder this month relates to Backyard Chickens🐓
Clarington's Exotic Animal By-law was updated in 2024 to permit urban chickens in certain areas, including Newcastle and Orono.
Residents may keep between two and four hens for personal egg production, provided they live on the property and meet coop size, setback, and maintenance requirements. Roosters are not permitted, chickens cannot be raised for meat, and eggs cannot be sold. The rules are intended to allow small-scale backyard flocks while minimizing noise, odours, and impacts on neighbouring properties.
PET PROFILE: Meet Willa! 🐾
Meet Willa (affectionately known as Willa Zilla), a two‑year‑old bundle of sweetness whose small size is matched only by the enormous love she carries around with her.
She adores snuggles, happily socializes with all her pup friends, and never turns down a long walk where she can greet every neighbour—human, canine, or otherwise. Willa loves her toys, especially the ones that let her show off her playful side, and she’s wonderfully devoted to her family. She has a gift for making new friends wherever she goes, offering a warm hello to everyone she meets. Though she may be little, her heart is anything but—Willa brings joy, love, and smiles to our neighbourhood every single day.
Guess what? Newcastle Pet Supply has hopped on board to provide a swag bag for each month’s pet profiled! Featured friends can stop in to the store to pick it up!
The Port Post is on Instagram! 📷✨ Follow along here.
THANK YOU🙏 to our generous and encouraging sponsors: Sensational Seams, Newcastle Pet Supply, Sandra Squires, Paradigm Plumbing and Brandon Hebert.
Take a look at this month’s real estate blog brought to you by Port resident and realtor Brandon Hebert:
Newcastle Pet Supply is launching a new canine wellness clinic in partnership with Paws and Prana, a Clarington-based canine bodywork practice. Certified massage therapist Chelsey Mater will host in-store sessions offering massage therapy, myofascial release, and laser therapy for dogs of all ages. Clinics run one Sunday and one Wednesday each month at 361 King Avenue East, Newcastle.
45 minute sessions are $70. For more information or to book now click the following link: newcastlepetsupply.ca/pages/canine-bodywork
Information about sponsorship opportunities can be found here.
You can find a print edition of the Port Post in your mailbox later this month, and we’ll be back here with another digital edition in July. 🍉🍦🏖️
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