Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve protects an exceptional forest ecosystem in Quebec. It owes stands of mature trees that were not disturbed by human activities. It is also an area with a rich diversity of amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, plants, and mushrooms. The reserve was established in 2003. It contains 12 km of trails crossing forests and wetlands.
We’ll walk on the wooden trails with fascinating views of the wetlands. At this time of the year, amazing scarlet candles of the Cardinal Plant start to bloom, attracting ruby-throated hummingbirds, specialized to get nectar from their flowers. We can find also several spots with blooming carnivore plants: Northern Pitcher Plant and sundews (Drosera) species which form tight clusters of plants on logs and tiny land islands among the marshes and swamps. We explore what kind of fungi and mushrooms have already appeared in the forest. We also try to find tiny spring peepers and gray tree frogs, hidden under leaves on the forest floor.
We’ll meet at 9:00 am in the small parking lot near the Interpretation Center of the Ecological Reserve in Mayo. We’ll have an opportunity to explore several trails, walk in the forest on several trails, and stop to observe interesting species of plants, insects, amphibians, and birds. Do not forget your cameras!
Dress:
It is expected that the weather on Sunday will be hot. Do not forget water, sunscreen, hats, and other ammunition to prevent overheating. We recommend you also take mosquito spray and a light snack. Light summer shoes good for hiking will be the most appropriate for this excursion.
High Lonesome Nature Reserve is managed by Mississippi-Madawaska Land Trust serving as stewards of private lands having ecological, aesthetic, and cultural value. The area is open to visitors; it is rich with natural biodiversity. Several trails with lengths up to 8 km give the opportunity to make short or long loops in the area. All trails have names and are well marked. These are a Bear Trail, Spooky Marsh Trail, Wolf Trail, Spring Peeper Trail, and others.
We’ll explore several trails, observing birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. We also will identify trees and grassy vegetation growing in the deciduous forest.
We’ll meet at 9:00 am in the parking near High Lonesome Nature Reserve on Carbine Rd. in the Pakenham area. We’ll have an opportunity to explore several trails, walk in the forest on several trails, and stop to observe interesting species of plants, insects, amphibians, and birds. Do not forget your cameras!
Dress:
It is expected sunny and warm day on Saturday; however, there are many wetlands: ponds, and lakes in the area. We suggest you take mosquito spray, water, and a light snack. Light summer shoes good for hiking will be the most appropriate for this excursion.
It is expected to rain this Sunday. It is not clear when it will start, but if the morning will be clear we would like to invite nature lovers to visit several places in Ottawa Greenbelt. And first of them is the Dewberry Trail in the eastern corner of Ottawa. Due to the May storm, the trail is still closed for the mass visiting, however, we have been there last weekend and explored the area. The trail is mostly clear, with few trees on the side trails closing the road. We select the safe route in the area to explore wildlife inhabiting the Ottawa Greenbelt.
Place and Subject of the Excursion:
We plan to visit the different types of forest: coniferous, mixed, and deciduous and learn about its dwellers: birds, amphibians, mammals, and insects. We plan also to explore the diversity of fungi that appear on the trunks of the trees and on the ground.
We’ll meet at 8:30 am at the Parking near Dewberry Trail. We’ll walk along the trail with many stops to observe plants, fungi, birds, and other animals. We’ll watch for the weather, and if it will allow we’ll visit several other places around this area.
Dress:
The forecast is for hot weather this weekend, so, we can expect many mosquitoes after several showers of rain this week. Be prepared to prevent mosquito bites. We suggest you take mosquito spray, water, and a light snack.
Join us for a journey to the Ottawa Valley’s last wild river – the Dumoine! A land of mature and old-growth forests, countless lakes, streams and wetlands – home to moose, bear, wolves, and over 160 species of birds. We are organizing a trip for naturalists, photographers and nature lovers to capture the beauty of this place on Canada Day.
The early summer is an amazing time in the taiga, full of cares and worries about the growing offspring of numerous forest inhabitants, the unique colors of flowering plants, the noise of running waves of a full-flowing river, piercing colorful sunsets and sunrises…
In summer, the taiga comes alive. It is filled with the voices of birds returned from distant wintering places and is colored with the variegation of flowering plants. We invite people open to the beauty or just nature lovers to share with us the unique moments of immersion in the wild nature of this amazing place. Birds returned to their breeding sites and occupied their personal “households”. In this time, they are most visible and heard. We’ll learn how to recognize birds by call and sight. At this time, amphibians are also very vocal; their chorus is more prominent at the dusk – early morning, and evening. We’ll learn how to identify various species of frogs and hope to see some of them during our trips to forests and along the river.
Our trip will take place on the Canada Day from July 1 to July 4. We will stop close to the cabin on the Lac Pinniseault and at a colorful place on the banks of the Dumoine River – close to Robinson Lake. Our team of three people organizes leisure activities and hikes for participants on the territory. We will observe the birds and animals that live in the area, as well as get up early to catch the unique morning light over the river and lake.
We invite a group of 10-15 people for this trip. We can provide transportation for people to the territory, and we also provide guidance on hikes to observe wildlife. We will stay close to John’s cabin, providing you with hot fragrant coffee, and tea at any time. We also will serve a small breakfast for everyone and dinner at the end of the day. We also have a special camouflage tent that can accommodate 4 people to watch birds and other inhabitants of the taiga. We have several equipped places for observation of nature in the Dumoine area, where photographers can stay to observe wildlife and take photos. We have several canoes for observation of nature from the water. We provide basic food, but we advise everyone to take additional food, whatever you like.
You need to bring a tent and camping essentials, flashlights, safety vests for canoe trips, your cameras, and protection against mosquitoes and other insects. Please, watch for the weather forecast and prepare your rain jackets and boots accordingly.
The cost of the trip – $ 150 per full day per person includes – registration, place in the camp, escort, breakfast, and dinner, as well as lessons in nature observation, identifying birds and mammals by voices and footprints. In addition, we will provide you with transportation to our field camp from Swisha, where you can leave your car, to the base camp, and back. We’ll charge half the price for the day of arrival and the day of departure.
This event is organized for those who like adventures. This is a guided hike to Gatineau Park for evening nature observation. We invite amateurs to explore the evening life of Gatineau Park in the area near Meech Lake. We’ll meet on Friday evening, April 15, at 6:00 pm on the P8 in the Park. This guided hike will be in English and Russian.
Place and Subject of the Excursion:
We invite you to participate in a sunset adventure in Gatineau Park. We organize an evening hike to a small lake in Gatineau Park. The snow had just melted or still remained in some places in small clumps in shady places. But spring is rapidly approaching, and with it, migratory birds return to their breeding sites. In the evenings, silhouettes of flying Wilson’s snipes and American woodcocks can be seen above the lakes at the edges of the forest. They fill the neighborhood with their characteristic sounds. The typical winnowing flight of Wilson’s snipe resembles the sound of an airplane. The sound of American woodcock flight is also very distinctive. Amphibians wake up and we hope to listen to the chorus of the first Spring Peepers. Spring peepers are “heralds” of the spring season. These tiny amphibians came out from ponds and sing from the branches of trees, where males climbed up quite high. Salamanders come out of their hibernation places on the forest floor – they rush to reservoirs and vernal pools to lay eggs and give rise to offspring. In the evenings, beavers become active, they leave their huts to feed and find construction materials for the renovation of their lodges after a long winter season. Later, in the forest, you can hear the dialogue of barred owls or calls of eastern screech owls. This is the time when owls are still very active and you can not only see them but also hear them.
We’ll meet at Parking 8 (P 8) at 6:00 pm, which is very close to the Visitor Center of Gatineau Park in Chelsea. There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa (2 places).
Dress:
It can be humid after rains in the last few days. It is recommended to have waterproof shoes and rainy jackets. Prepare a flashlight or headlamp for observations in dark.
Do you know where to spot porcupines this wintertime? How many bird species stay around us in the cold weather? How to recognize animal footprints on snow? You can answer these questions during our guided nature tour to the Stony Swamp area on Sunday, December 19.
Place and Subject of the Excursion:
We organize our next seasonal guided tour for families with kids. We hope to spot during our hike many squirrels and many birds. We also hope to see many animal footprints near our path. We’ll learn how to identify species by call and sight. If we’ll be lucky we’ll see porcupines. We’ll have also the opportunity to feed chickadees and nuthatches often lending on the open arms with seeds.
We’ll meet at 9:30 am on Parking lot 8 along Moody Drive, Stony Swamp Area: Moodie Dr, Nepean, ON K2R 1H8. We plan to walk 3-4 km around – visiting a beaver pond and porcupine woods. If we’ll have enough time, we’ll move to Jack Pine Trail (Parking lot 9) to explore this path as well.
Dress:
Winter is just starting. The weather is still unpredictable. So, we suggest you be prepared for a frosty day. However, we’ll walk in the forest, therefore, we suggest wearing warm, but light enough jackets and shoes. Do not forget your gloves or mittens! You can take a snack for your walk, but remember that all active forest dwellers will follow us hoping to profit from a delicious treat. Food for birds, sunflower seeds, or other treats is welcomed.
By the middle of September, the migration of long-distant migrants is almost over, but in this time many bird species that fly far to the north still continue their way from breeding grounds in tundras and northern taiga to southern regions. At this time we still have the opportunity to spot many interesting migratory bird species in the Ottawa area. Many northern “sparrow” species will appear at this time. Migrating birds usually follow specific routes called migratory corridors. There are several such places in Ottawa. We are going to the Ottawa East – to Petrie Island area – for bird observation. During our excursion, it will be possible to spot many interesting species. We hope that the rare Rusty Blackbird may already appear in the area. We also will have a chance to observe many waterfowls and some waders that stop this time in and around wetlands.
К середине сентября миграция дальних мигрантов практически завершается, но к этому времени многие виды птиц, летящие далеко на север, продолжают свой путь из мест в тундрах и северной тайге в южные районы. В это время у нас все еще есть возможность увидеть много интересных видов перелетных птиц в районе Оттавы. К середине сентября в местах пролета появятся многие северные виды «воробьев». Мигрирующие птицы обычно следуют определенным маршрутам, называемым миграционными коридорами. Таких мест в Оттаве несколько. Мы поедем на восток Оттавы – в район острова Петри – для наблюдения за птицами. Во время экскурсии можно будет увидеть много интересных видов. Мы надеемся, что редкий ржавчатый трупиал уже может появиться в зарослях тростников у озер. Кроме того, у нас также будет возможность понаблюдать за многими водоплавающими птицами и некоторыми куликами, которые во время пролета останавливаются на озерах, у реки и других водно-болотных угодьях.
Место проведения и предмет экскурсии:
Мы начнем нашу экскурсию на острове Petrie Island в восточной части города, но позже переместимся еще в одно место вниз по реке Оттава, чтобы полнее охватить местообитания, где также можно увидеть как воробьиных, так и неворобьиных птиц – водоплавающих и куликов. Мы будем учиться отличать взрослых воробьиных птиц от молодых, а также мы будем учиться определять виды в осенний период при помощи аппликации на сотовом телефоне и планшете по внешнему виду. Кроме этого, мы узнаем много интересного о видах, которые гнездятся вокруг нас или же появляются здесь лишь на короткий период – на пути из тундры и тайги в южные районы. Также Вы сможете познакомиться с книгой “Птицы вокруг нас” – о птицах Онтарио – на русском. К этому времени должна быть также напечатана вторая часть книги, которую Вы можете заказать и купить через наш вебсайт.
Форма одежды и оборудование:
Удобная одежда и обувь. Спрей от комаров уже не нужен, а вот крем от солнца может пригодиться. Не забывайте бинокли и камеры. Мы возьмем подзорную трубу для наблюдения за птицами, но в это время птиц легче всего увидеть именно при помощи бинокля. Можно также взять подкормку для птиц, для местных видов, у которых уже начинает проявляться эффект попрошайничества при виде людей с биноклями.
In the spring, the surrounding forests, meadows, and wetlands around Ottawa and Ottawa Greenbelt are filled with the rustling of wings, singing, and parenting concerns of a wide variety of migratory birds, many of which have traveled outstanding distances from Central and South America to reach their nesting sites in Canada. Such species are called long-distant migrants. Many North-American Warblers from Parulidae Family belong to long-distant migrants. Already in late July – early August, with the end of the nesting period, these birds begin to gather in small flocks often from different species and move forward to their wintering grounds in tropical countries. During this time, many of them can be seen in parks and around rivers and lakes in the Ottawa area. Migrating birds usually follow specific routes called migratory corridors. There are several such places in Ottawa. The bird migration has already started this year but has not yet reached its peak. During an excursion to one of these places in a few hours, it is possible to spot about a dozen species and from several dozen to hundreds of individuals flitting from branch to branch in search of available food such as insects and other invertebrates. However, many passerine birds at this time are not averse to eating ripe berries that abundantly dot the bushes. Many birds have not yet molted and during this period it is difficult to identify some of them and distinguish them from other similar species.
Весной окрестные леса, луга и водоемы вокруг Оттавы и в зеленой зоне самого города наполняются шелестом крыльев, пением и родительскими хлопотами большого разнообразия пролетных птиц, многие из которых преодолели большие расстояния, чтобы добраться до своих гнездовых мест в Канаде из Центральной и Южной Америки. Такие виды называют дальними мигрантами. К ним относятся многие лесные певуны, ласточки и трупиалы. Но уже в конце июля – начале августа с завершением периода гнездования, эти птицы начинают собираться назад – к местам своей зимовки в теплых странах. В это время многих из них можно заметить в парках и вокруг рек и озер в районе Оттавы. Пролетные птицы обычно перемещаются по определенным маршрутам, которые называются перелетными коридорами. В Оттаве есть несколько таких мест. Пролет в этом году уже начался, но еще не достиг своего пика. При экскурсии в одно из таких мест за несколько часов можно увидеть около десятка видов и от нескольких десятков до сотни особей, перепархивающих с ветки на ветки в поисках корма – насекомых. Однако, многие воробьиные птицы в это время не прочь полакомиться и созревшими ягодками, обильно усевающим кустарники. Многие птицы еще не перелиняли и в этот период их трудно определить и отличить от других сходных видов.
Место проведения и предмет экскурсии:
Мы начнем нашу экскурсию на озере Mud Lake в центре города , но потом переместимся еще в пару мест, чтобы полнее охватить места, где наблюдается наибольшее обилие и разнообразие птиц в этот период. Мы будем учиться отличать взрослых воробьиных птиц от молодых, а также мы будем учиться определять виды в осенний период при помощи аппликации на сотовом телефоне и планшете по внешнему виду. Кроме этого, мы узнаем много интересного о видах, которые гнездятся вокруг нас или же появляются здесь лишь на короткий период – на пути из тундры и тайги в тропические леса. Также Вы сможете познакомиться с книгой “Птицы вокруг нас” – о птицах Онтарио – на русском. Сейчас уже печатается вторая часть, которую Вы можете заказать.
Форма одежды и оборудование:
Удобная одежда и обувь. Спрей от комаров уже не нужен, а вот крем от солнца может пригодиться. Не забывайте бинокли и камеры. Мы возьмем подзорную трубу для наблюдения за птицами, но в это время птиц легче всего увидеть именно при помощи бинокля. Можно также взять подкормку для птиц, для местных видов, у которых уже начинает проявляться эффект попрошайничества при виде людей с биноклями.
This time we organize a nature watch tour to South March Highland area. We explore the trail and look for birds, mammals, and other animals who just recently arrived or waked up after hibernation. We’ll also explore how to use the Merlin Bird ID guide for the identification of bird species and talk about citizen science and existing opportunities to be involved in bird and other species studies and monitoring. The guided tour will be in Russian.
Дорогие друзья,
На этот раз я организую экскурсию в субботу на охраняемую территорию в Канате, которая называется South March Conservation Forest. Территория большая, но мы сделаем круг по одному из наиболее известных маршрутов, который пересекает лес, несколько водоемов, небольшое нагорье и болото. Обычно, я всегда вижу у этой тропы древесных дикобразов. В этот раз мы также посмотрим какие другие млекопитающие появились в связи с ранней весной. Конечно же, нас будут сопровождать американские красные и серые белки, а также недавно вышедшие из спячки бурундуки. Не исключено, что мы сможем увидеть бобров и ондатру. О том – проснулись ли они – мы узнаем по следам их жизнедеятельности.
Также мы будем учиться определять птиц по их виду и голосам, используя электронный справочник Merlin Bird ID Guide и поговорим о том, как каждый желающий может участвовать в сборе данных о видах животных. Информация о месте встречи и времени экскурсии приведена ниже. Эта тропа – средней тяжести, маленьким детям будет тяжеловато ее всю пройти. В некоторых местах будет сыро, поэтому лучше надеть сапоги.
Algonquin Provincial Park during fall. Algonquin Provincial Park, located in Ontario, is one of the oldest parks not only in Canada, but in North America. It was established in 1893. At present, it covers the area of 7,653 sq. km. Located on the border between northern boreal forests and southern mixed and deciduous forests, the Park provides habitats for very rich diversity of animals and plants. Its convenient location makes it an attractive magnet for residents of Ontario, highways provides quick access from both Toronto and Ottawa sides. A variety of landscapes, an endless number of deep clean lakes, fast and slow-flowing water streams, a well-developed tourist infrastructure – all this contributes to the development of recreational activities in the Park. However, recreation does not interfere with the implementation of conservation tasks for preserving the rich flora and fauna due to the rational planning and location of access zones only in certain areas of the park.
Autumn landscapes of the Park
Algonquin Provincial Park represents a place that attracts thousands and thousands of people at any time of the year. Ontarians and visitors from other provinces and countries come to the park to admire the magnificent landscapes, as well as in the hope of seeing the wildlife species typical of the southern taiga zone. Their expectations are not groundless. When visitors come to the park in a suitable season, they can almost always observe moose and white-tailed deer, beavers and muskrats, martens and foxes, otters and American minks not far the forest paths. Sometimes tourists can even see the American black bear or the Algonquin wolf, although the latter are very careful and rarely spend time near tourist trails with frightening smells and noise from people. In areas where bears live, warning signs are usually installed, and visitors are instructed about behavior how to react when they unexpectedly meet these inhabitants of the park closely.
Mysterious morning light around lakes in the Park
Algonquin Provincial Park during fall is a great birdwatching spot. A significant number of breeding birds occurs here, many of which are migratory. They fill the park with their songs, chirping, cackling and squeaking from early spring to late autumn. But it is also home to a significant number of resident species. Near the trails in the coniferous forest, visitors can observe a completely fearless bird – the Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis). Spruce Grouse does not pay attention to the presence of people and can allow observers coming very close – to a few steps, continuing to examine the forest floor in search of buds, fresh needles or hiding insects. Another bird, which often even accompanies visitors in the hope of profiting from appetizing offerings, is the Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis). In the fall, Canada jays appear in crowded places and, on occasion, do not hesitate to descend on an outstretched hand with nuts or dried cranberries. The park’s specialists have been conducting long-term monitoring of the Canada Jay’ populations inhabiting its area, therefore, almost all birds are marked with colored rings arranged in a certain sequence, which makes it possible to recognize each bird. The rare Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) nests in the park. This woodpecker inhabits the burned-out forests or forests affected by outbreaks of insect-pests. Sometimes the large Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) nests in the park. Among the migratory species there are many birds belonging to the different taxonomic groups – loons, grebes, waterfowl – ducks and Canada geese, herons and bitterns, gulls and waders and a wide variety of small passerines.
Spruce Grouse
Canada Jay
Black-backed Woodpeckers
Great Gray Owl
Common Merganser
Ruffed Grouse
White-throated Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Typical birds-inhabitants of the Algonquin Park
The number of tourists visiting the park is significant at any time of the year, but in autumn it is especially great. At this time, there are often days when the park administration is forced to close access zones for visitors, since the pressure on the park’s ecosystems is too big. In such days, numerous tourist cars form traffic jams on the entrances to the park and along highway 60 inside the park itself. But when you planning the visit to the park not at the very peak of the autumn season, then you can fully enjoy both the rich extent of calm autumn colors and scenes from the life of the wild park’s inhabitants. Each trail in the park has parking lots where you can leave your car, take a map with the route and follow one or more of your favorite paths.
Autumn features in the Algonquin Park
Autumn is not only a time of colors and extraordinary sunrises; it is also a time for mushrooms to ripen. Mushrooms appear at the end of August – September along with morning fogs, rains and autumn coolness. The last year has been marked by the richest harvest of representatives of this nature realm. Bizarre shapes, colossal sizes, diverse types and miracles of adaptation undoubtedly draw attention to this living organisms. Mushrooms in the park are a great help in preparing for winter for representatives of the fauna. Fast American red squirrels have appreciated the fall harvest by storing mushrooms on tree branches and hiding them under tree trunks. It is certain that other animals do not pass by such wealth, but it is almost impossible to spy on such scenes.
All of these make Algonquin Provincial Park during fall season is the most attractive place to visit.
Small portion of the mushroom diversity in the Park
