Archive for the ‘Birding’ Category
Spring’s Entry
Robins are announcing spring's arrival!
F. W. R. Dickson Wilderness Area
I visited this natural area for the first time on a snowy, damp weekend (as we have had every weekend lately!) In spite of the weather, it was an interesting and beautiful area that I will return to explore further when the trails dry out. There are several steep sections in the 5 km loop so if you go when it is icy, you need to take special care.
Chickadees here are very friendly and come readily to eat from your hand. Most of them have colour-coded bands and are being studied for behaviour and movement. This is a birder’s paradise.
This map directs you to Hillside Lake Park on the Brant-Waterloo Road. Dickson Wilderness area is immediately west of the trailer park. A parking lot is on the north side of Brant-Waterloo Road.
Other trails are found nearby at Sudden Tract, Wrigley Lake and Pinehurst Lake.
Fluffed up in the Cold
Cold weather increases the energy needs of wild birds. This male House Finch is fluffed up to help insulate itself from the cold. I will be filling the feeders to the top before the winter storm which is predicted to start tomorrow night.
Winter Hike at Huron Natural Area
Josh Shea, coordinator of Kitchener’s Natural Areas Program (KNAP), led a winter hike at Huron Natural Area on Saturday, January 23, 2011. He discovered coyote scat and was describing its unique characteristics to the group. Over 30 people of all ages came out in spite of bitter cold temperatures.
Who Built this Tower?
I accessed the Walter Bean Trail near Kestrel Street in Kitchener last week and walked along the river to Kiwanis Park. This tower is on the opposite side of the river near Bloomingdale. I have looked on the satellite map and have searched the internet for information, but can find nothing to identify it.
Here is a map of the area. Does anyone know who built the tower and if it is accessible to the public?
This is where I took the photograph. You can see the tower in the distance across the river. Eagles are commonly seen along this stretch of the Grand River in the winter.
