Tag Archives: Heronry

Snowshoe the Minesing Wetlands

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Join us on March 10 as we lead a snowshoe trip into the Minesing Wetlands.

The snowshoe will take us to one of Ontario’s oldest Great Blue Heron nesting sites (Heronry) if the conditions are right with enough snow and ice. Regardless of where we end up, along the way expect to be dazzled by the landscape and possibly encounter some hardy wildlife that endure Canada’s winter. On past snowshoe adventures we have encountered Snowy Owls and Bald Eagles! FOMW will provide ecological interpretation of the Minesing Wetlands.

Cost is $10 per person. Please bring cash on the day. Departure time is at 1:00 pm.

The adventure will require approximately 3 hours of snowshoeing, which includes periodic breaks. Bring your own snacks, water and warm drinks, and dress appropriately for winter weather! Extra socks and extra clothing, just in case.

Don’t have a pair of snowshoes? Our group recently purchased 2 pairs (one pair will fit a medium to small stature female and one pair will fit a medium to small stature male) to rent out during the hike for a fee of $10 per pair (in addition to the hike fee of $10). This is a perfect opportunity for first timers! They will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Please register by email (fomwevents@gmail.com) for more details and to reserve your spot.”

Snowshoe with Friends of Minesing Wetlands

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FOMW will be leading three winter activities in the Minesing Wetlands this winter.

Snowshoe in the Minesing Wetlands Jan 28, 2017 RSVP with Dave: dfeatherstone@nvca.on.ca

or for Feb 25, 2017 RSVP with Naomi: nsaunders@nvca.on.ca

Cross-Country Ski in the Minesing Wetlands Feb 11 or 12 (unconfirmed) RSVP with Byron bwesson@nvca.on.ca

$10 for members, $15 for non-members.

 

Heronry Snowshoe March 1

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On March 1 the Friends of Minesing Wetlands led another successful tour into the Minesing Wetlands

FOMW trip leaders Sean and Dave
FOMW trip leaders Sean and Dave

Weather conditions were very similar to the snowshoe a month earlier with overcast skies and cold temperatures, but it didn’t take long to warm up once we started snowshoeing.

Friends starting off for the heronry

FOMW begin snowshoe to the Minesing Wetlands heronry

Along the way we came across evidence of active wildlife in the wetlands including an Otter track (slide) that lead to a hole marking the entrance to its hunting grounds under frozen Willow Creek. In the trees along the Nottawasaga River we could here the calls of woodpeckers.

The group collected Hackberry fruit again, which will end up in a nursery for up to 4 years before being planted along the Nottawasaga River levee as part of an afforestation project aimed to bolster forest cover in the Minesing Wetlands.

Gathering the low hanging fruit!

Gathering the low hanging fruit!

From the levees of the Nottawasaga river we pushed out onto the frozen floodplains where the Great Blue Heron nesting site (heronry) is located. As reported earlier this month we confirmed 8 nests. The decline in nests in the Minesing Wetlands could be attributed to declining forest cover (less suitable nesting sites) and, as pointed out by our trip  leaders,  territory issues related to neighboring Bald Eagle nests.

Across the floodplain

Across the floodplain

It was a fun and educational day that gave our guests a unique look at the Minesing Wetlands. Thanks to all who participated!

Second Snowshoe to Minesing Heronry

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The Friends of Minesing Wetlands will be leading a second snowshoe to the Minesing Wetlands heronry on Saturday March 1, from 10am until approximately 2pm. Departure is from the corner of Glengarry and Ronald Road.

The snowshoe is a moderate hike to the current Great Blue Heron nesting site in the Minesing Wetlands. This heronry is one of Southern Ontario’s oldest and was once one of the largest. The nesting sites are located close to the Nottawasaga River levee where more stable trees provide nesting habitat for these big birds!

The FOMW are supporting afforestation initiatives in the Minesing Wetlands by collecting Hackberry tree seeds, which will act as nursery crop for tree planting projects aimed at bolstering tree cover in the wetlands. Improving forest habitat for will benefit birds, fish and other wildlife.

To be a part of this special look at the Minesing Wetlands contact minesingwetlands@gmail.com

The cost of this trip is $15 for non-members and $10 for members.  If you are interested in further supporting the Minesing Wetlands, our yearly membership is $20 and includes a Conservation Lands Pass from the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.

Highlights from February 1, 2014 Snowshoe

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The Friends of the Minesing Wetlands celebrated World Wetlands Day by leading a snowshoe into the Minesing Wetlands. Our goal was to locate the current location of heronry (or rookery) and get a count on the current number of nests. We also wanted to share knowledge on past and current ecological conditions in the Minesing Wetlands.

It was a blustery day to for a snowshoe led by FOWM directors Sean Rootham, Dave Featherstone and David Walsh…

And we're off

And we’re off!

The FOMW crossed Willow Creek and then on to the Nottawasaga Levee. Although the overcast skies and heavy snow limited views, the group was still able to see the expansive floodplain. We came across examples of challenges facing the Minesing Wetlands including invasive species.

Phragmites at Downey Drain Crossing

Phragmites at Downey Drain Crossing

From a recent analysis of forest cover in the Minesing Wetlands, Sean Rootham reported a 60% decline in deciduous floodplain forest between 1953 and 2013. This forest decline has led to a significant shift in wetland structure in the Minesing Wetlands where closed canopy swamp forest (floodplain and boreal) once constituted the majority of the wetland habitat, now, open canopy habitats (marsh, fen, thicket swamp) predominate.

Talking About Forest Change

Talking About Forest Change

The group of friends collected fruit from Hackberry trees along the Nottawasaga River levee, which will support afforestation projects aimed to bolster remaining deciduous floodplain forest in the Minesing Wetlands.

Hackberry Fruit Collection

Hackberry Fruit Collection

Also on the snowshoe the FOWM identified the nesting site of Great Blue Herons in the Minesing Wetlands. We confirmed 8 nests and 2 “maybes”.

It was a fun winter activity on a perfect winter day for the Friends of Minesing Wetlands showing once again that the Minesing Wetlands truly is a “wetland for all seasons”.

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