Outings.htm

KWFN Outings - Scheduled by Dale Ingrey

So far this year we’ve had two outings cancelled due to rain, and now that winter is fast approaching this would be a good time to review the inclement weather policy regarding outings. In the event of inclement weather that would pose a risk to participants, the outing will be cancelled by the outing leader. Members who are planning to attend and are unsure as to whether the outing will proceed, should phone the leader beforehand. On the day of the outing the leader will be at the meeting place at the scheduled time even if the outing is cancelled (unless he/she cannot possibly do so because of a storm) just in case anyone shows up. Remember if in doubt, phone the leader ahead of time.

Once again my thanks to all the November leaders and participants. We’ve had some great outings with lots of sightings and fruitful exchanges of information and experience. The Rare outing on November 8 with Bill and Heather Wilson and Sharon Bowes (Rare staffer) was noteworthy. The weather was perfect as we began the hike at the Slit Barn and scanned the skies and hills across Blair Rd. A juvenile red-tailed hawk soared overhead while a beautiful 6 point buck white-tailed deer posed on the hilltop. We proceeded towards the river as Bill filled us in on a bit of the history, natural and historical, of the property. The walk downstream actually meant walking uphill most of the time, as we savored the smells and sounds of the mixed hardwood and softwood forest. When we reached one spot just beside and about twenty feet over the river we spotted not one, but two pileated woodpeckers feeding on hackberries. As Bill let us enjoy this scene for awhile, a juvenile Bald Eagle soared like a plank in the sky over the river. A Great Blue Heron stood across the river in an inlet while the mallards, Buffleheads and Goldeneyes floated nearby. A while later a red-bellied woodpecker announced its presence and gave us all a good look before heading off. Other delights included a spring-fed stream, Rock Polypodium Fern, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Butternut, Hackberry, Bur Oak, Prickly Ash and Grey Dogwood trees as well as a garter snake at the scenic Lookout. As we headed back to the car after this 3 hour hike the rain started, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the hikers. Sharon had coffee, tea and hot chocolate ready as we arrived back at the Admin. Centre where Bill and Heather filled us in on the rest of the Rare story, including the pending lawsuit. All those connected with this 913 acre natural jewel are optimistic that the legal business will be resolved favorably, and that this beautiful natural area will serve as a place of enjoyment and education for generations to come. Dale Ingrey

SEARCHING FOR GULLS AT NIAGARA

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Jim, Mike, and Ken Burrell

519-699-4695

Join Jim and sons Mike and Ken for this all day outing to the Niagara River in search of various species of gulls that congregate there during the winter. Rare species of gulls are sometimes present as well as various types of other waterfowl. Dress appropriately for the weather, bring lunch, binoculars, scopes, and field guides.

Meeting Time/Place 8:00 am

Homer Watson Blvd.

Fountain Street

401 Carpool lot

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

LEARN THE BASICS – PART I

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Neil Taylor, 519-893-6469

The annual Christmas Bird Count for Kitchener will take place later on December 20. New participants are needed to complete this census and make it successful. If you would like to take part in the count but are unsure of what’s involved, then join Neil to learn the basics and gain self-confidence to volunteer for this year’s CBC. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars, field guide, notepad, and pen/pencil. To volunteer, see the notice elsewhere in this month’s Heron or see the Web Page for contact information. Neil confesses that he is also using this outing as a means of scouting out his area for rare birds in advance of the count itself. You may and really should register for the CBC in advance of this event. Sturdy hiking footwear is suggested. (3 hours)

Meeting Time/Place 9:00 am

Parking lot of

Doon Presbyterian Church (with permission)

at 35 Roos St., Kitchener

(off Old Mill Rd. in Doon)

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

LEARN THE BASICS – PART II

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Neil Taylor, 519-893-6469

This is a repeat of the December 13 outing, but in a new location in the area of Doon Pioneer Tower. See the earlier information.

Meeting Time/Place 1:00 pm

Parking lot of Pioneer Memorial Tower. From Fairway Rd., take King St., E., past Riverbank Dr. and Highway 8. Turn right onto Deer Ridge Dr. and follow to the end, ignoring Pioneer Tower Road. Turn right onto Lookout Lane and proceed to the parking lot.

BIRDING IN HALDIMAND COUNTY

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Neil Taylor 519-893-6469

Haldimand County is home to several Carolinian species including Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Tufted Titmouse. In winter, it attracts many raptors including Red-tailed in various colour phases. Neil has been birding this area for many years and expects to see both Long-eared and Short-eared Owls. With luck, there is a probability of seeing Northern Saw-whet Owls, Bald Eagles, Wild Turkeys, Gray Partridges and much more. Neil will be in touch with birders in the area in advance of the outing to try to determine the hot areas to see birds.

This is an all day outing so dress very warmly, bring binoculars, scope if you have one and lunch. A visit to the Raptor Reserve is planned to see Short-eared Owls about 5:00 pm unless they are found earlier. No registration necessary.

Meeting Time/Place 8:00 am

Car pool parking lot

Homer Watson Blvd.

Fountain St. at the 401

TUESDAY TRAVELLERS

January 13, 2009

Riverside Park in Cambridge

Marco DeBruin

519-658-5372

Join Marco for a refreshing walk in Riverside Park in Cambridge. Weather permitting, this could be a good opportunity to see up close and photograph some of our winter birds. The terrain is fairly level with a good portion of boardwalk. If time permits, we could take a short walk along the Speed River and check out some of our over-wintering waterfowl. Dress appropriately and don’t forget your binoculars.

Meeting Time/Place 9:30 am

at the entrance to Riverside Park (off King Street) in Cambridge, just outside the gate, along the wall.

OWL PROWL (EVENING) AT LAUREL CREEK

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Al Woodhouse, 519-885-9301

This is the perfect time of the year to test our best owl imitations, or at least Al’s. A walk around the Laurel Creek Nature Centre property might yield one or more of our nocturnal avian friends—Eastern Screech or Great Horned Owl. Please ensure you dress for the weather and remember that flashlights are used for safety only, since we want our night vision to remain sharp.

MeetingTime/Place 6:00 pm

Laurel Creek Nature Centre

525 Beaver Creek Road

Waterloo

WELLESLEY WINTER BIRDING

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Jim Burrell, 519-699-4695

Join Jim (and probably Mike and Ken) for this annual drive around the countryside near Wellesley and Linwood, in search of raptors such as red-tailed and rough-legged hawks. Some other possibilities are Snowy Owls, Snow Buntings and Horned Larks on this half-day outing.

Meeting Time/Place 8:30 am

Beechwood Plaza, Erb St.

and Fischer-Hallman Rd., Waterloo (near TD-Canada Trust)

KOLB PARK FAMILY OUTING

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Janet Ozaruk, 519-893-0490

Kolb Park is a natural area close to town that you may not be familiar with. The Walter Bean Trail provides a nice walking path through here. The Grand River is on one side and a series of ponds on the other, providing a good chance of spotting waterfowl and mammals that favour the shoreline habitat. We’ll go for an easy ramble and look for scats, tracks, signs of browsing, abandoned nests , and overwintering birds, and try our hand at identifying winter weeds.

Meeting Time/Place 1:00 pm

Kolb Park parking lot at end of Centennial Crt. This is off Centennial Road, near Victoria Street and Forwell Road.

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