Tag: birdwatching

Camping in Dumoine Area

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Ottawa Valley Chapter (CPAWS-OV) has organized an art camp in the area of ZEC Dumoine and Grand Chute in southwestern Quebec. This wilderness area, which is managed by local communities, is attractive in any season of the year due to the beauty of natural landscapes and the richness of pristine biodiversity typical for Canadian boreal forests. If you are interested to explore Dumoine, please, contact us for details. The event will take place between August 2 and 8, but you can come for a day or several days to know more about CPAWS-OV activities and visit several amazing places.

We will organize excursions to various places for nature enthusiasts, including canoe trips, birdwatching and nature exploration excursions as well as mushroom identification tours. This place is very rich in both the variety of mushroom species and their abundance. If you are interested in the trip and would like to join, please communicate with us in advance.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

The ZEC Dumoine is a controlled harvesting zone (Zone d’exploitation controlee – ZEC). It is located in the administrative region of the Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Quebec, Canada. You have the opportunity to come for a week or just for one or two nights as preferred.  We’ll have a number of various excursions including trips to Grand Chute – a picturesque waterfall with exciting rapids, we’ll visit also a place near Robertson Lake, Stevens Pond, and other interesting areas that to see the scenic landscapes and pristine nature.

After arrival to Swisha, you need to register at ZEC Dumoine Visitor Center for ZEC Rapides-des-Joachims Registration fees are 12$ per car. If you want to do the hike at Grande Chute, you will have to pay a second $12.00 car fee for that ZEC, but we can take you up there in the truck on Saturday or Sunday, so perhaps just have one of the cars capable of driving that road (to Robinson Lake) register at both ZECs.

There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa on August 3 (evening) or 4 -morning (2 places).

Dress:

Watch for the weather forecast and be prepared accordingly. For the trip you will need a sleeping bag and a tent, as well as warm clothes, and a pair of changeable shoes – shoes should be good for hiking on the trails. In addition, you need to bring sunscreen and insect repellent. If you are planning to join the canoe trip, it is advisable to bring your own life jacket. We have a few vests there, but not enough. We also need to know the number of people who will join in order to organize food, hiking, and leisure activities. It will be good to have swimming suites. You need also to have headlamps for the evening.

Guided Tour to Purdon Conservation Area

Did you see the most stunning Lady’s Slipper in Ottawa Valley? If not, join us for the nature-guided tour to Purdon Conservation Area. At the end of June, the time of blooming for one of the most beautiful and attractive orchids starts. This is a Snowy Lady Slipper orchid. In Ottawa Valley, the species may be found in several places, but the most expressive is a colony of the Purdon Conservation Area. According to a recent assessment around 16,000 plants grow in this Conservation Area. The orchids were discovered in the 1930s by the local farmer Joe Purdon, who protected the natural habitat and literally ensured the conservation of this rare orchid in Ontario. Besides, there are many other interesting plants and animals inhabiting this unique bog, surrounded by upland forests. We’ll be able to explore the area on the trail with a length of about 2 km and stop in several places: on the boardwalk with a colony of orchids, near a wetland, and in the upland forest to observe and recognize animals and plants inhabiting different ecosystems.

We have two meeting options: in the parking lot of the Hazeldean Mall in front of Eagleson Road at 8 am (drive to Purdon Conservation Area is about one hour) or at the lower parking near the boardwalk to the colony at Purdon Conservation Area at 9:00 – 9:15 am. Please let us know if you intend to join the tour and at what location.

After the visit to the area, we’ll be able to see several more interesting places located close to Middleville and Almonte.

How to dress?

Please, watch the weather forecast to be prepared for a trip. You will need comfortable clothes and good light sportive shoes for the trip.

What else might be needed?

It will be great to have your cameras and binoculars for nature observation. Please, take water and light snacks: there are several picnic areas where we can stop to rest. There are many mosquitoes at the bog at any time of the day: you need to have a bug spray. Also, it is good to have sunscreen.

Night creatures in Gatineau Park

Our last evening trips to see salamanders at night in Gatineau Park were successful. Therefore, we plan to have one more hike at the end of this week. This is a guided hike to explore Gatineau Park in the evening time for those who are interested to know more about dwellers of the forests and wetlands, tiny creatures, that just woke up after winter hibernation, and nocturnal bird species. We’ll meet at 7:30 pm on May 05 (Friday evening) at Parking 8 in Gatineau Park, which is located not too far from the Gatineau Park Visitor Center.

During our last excursion, we counted many spotted salamanders, one northern dusky salamander, and five species decided to move into other ponds after the evening chorus singing. In spring, salamanders rush to forest streams, ponds, and lakes to mate and lay their eggs there. At the larval stage, most salamanders from temperate regions are aquatic. Their tadpoles have three pairs of external gills and a long laterally flattened tail. Tadpoles breathe through their gills. At the end of the aquatic stage, they transform into adult salamanders through the metamorphosis process, becoming similar to small lizards. After the breeding season, adult salamanders will return back to the forest, where they will be almost invisible, as they lead a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle. During the day they hide in secluded recesses under the forest floor, stones, and trunks of fallen trees. The diversity of salamanders is rich in the eastern part of North America. So, we hope to see at least several different salamander species at night.

But not only salamanders will be the goal of our excursion. We will also listen to the voices of spring, which can be heard on the distance in the leafless forest. First of all, we will determine whether tiny tree frogs have already woken up – spring peepers, whose melodic whistle resembles the singing of invisible little birds. Also, we will be able to see in the evening dawn how Wilson’s snipes and American woodcocks fly over the forest openings and over wetlands with the characteristic sound of a propeller. We will listen to see if the secretive American Bittern has already appeared near the reservoirs and hide in dry aquatic vegetation near the lakes. And also, we will be able to hear the night conversation of owls – the barred owls and eastern screech owls.

A year ago, during such an excursion, we also saw a bear mom with three cubs, who had just come out from their winter den and were looking for food under the oak trees. Having noticed our small group, the bears immediately tried to hide in the nearest ravine. We could spot three 3 species of salamanders that occur in Gatineau Park and heard the night call of the barred owls.

How to dress?

It is expected lots of rain in the next week. The rain will destroy the snow, but the forest will be damp.  Please, watch the weather forecast to be prepared for a trip. It can be also chilly in the evening time. So, it is better to have warm jackets and good shoes that are most comfortable for a trip on wet forest paths.

What else might be needed?

Do not forget the flashlight. It is great if you have your binoculars for bird observations, and your cameras, or telephones for photos. It would be also good to have light snacks and water.

Excursion to Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve

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. We’ll discover the variety of plant and animal species inhabiting different types of ecosystems in forests and wetlands. We’ll have a chance to spot turtles basking in the sun’s rays. At the end of April, we expect to find some of the first blooming spring flowers and first spring mushrooms called Scarlet Caps.  We’ll try to explore and understand the life of the forest and wetland inhabitants during spring.

We’ll meet at 9:30 am on May 07 (Sunday) 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 and around lakes, and stop to observe interesting species of plants, amphibians, and birds. I have several spots in my car for carpooling for those who travel from Ottawa. Do not forget your cameras!

Dress:

Please, watch the weather forecast for the weekend so that you can prepare in accordance with the weather. It is better to wear waterproof shoes: there are many wet places in the forest.  We recommend also taking water and a light snack.

Excursion to Waterfall and Escarpment in Gatineau Park

We invite families with kids for a spring hike in Gatineau Park. We’ll meet on Saturday, April 29, near the Visitor Center of the Park at 9:00 am at the address 33 Chem Scott., Chelsea, Quebec, J9B 1R5. If the Museum in the Visitor Center is open, we’ll explore its exposition and learn how to identify animals by calls, signs, and footprints. If the Museum is still closed, we’ll walk around the parking and explore the closest area looking for signs of spring: singing birds and other animal footprints.  From the Visitor Center, at approximately 9:30 – 9:45 am we’ll go to the P6 (Parking 6) near Mackenzie King Estate. There, kids will have a chance to explore the ruins and to know about the history of this place. And then, we’ll visit a waterfall at a distance of around 500-700 m from the parking, stopping that to listen to birds and watch animal tracks. After the observation of the spring waterfall, we’ll go on the trail along the escarpment with a scenic view of the Ottawa River and farmland fields. We’ll stop on the trail to find and identify the first spring flowers and listen to birds coming back to our forests after wintering. The total length of our hike is around 3.5 km.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

Gatineau Park is an amazing place to explore at any age.  We select the simple trail this time, which should be interesting for kids and parents. If we’ll be lucky, we’ll have a chance to see some interesting birds, salamanders, and frogs near the trail. Chipmunks have already come out after hibernation and will watch us with curiosity, staying at a safe distance along the path. American red squirrels are also numerous in this part of the forest. We’ll talk about animals and plants inhabiting Gatineau Park. Kids will have a chance to play ecological games.

We’ll meet near the Visitor Center of Gatineau Park in Chelsea at 9:00 am on April 22 (Saturday). There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa (2-3 places).

Dress:

It is expected that the real spring It is expected that there will not be much rain on this day. However, after abundant rains in the last few days, it will be good to have waterproof shoes and rainy jackets. Prepare snacks for kids, do not forget some seeds to feed nuthatches and chickadees near the trail. Take your sandwiches and water with you.

 

From foothills to snow-capped peaks in Kyrgyzstan

Author’s Tour of Elena Kreuzberg (Canada) and Sergey Kulagin (Kyrgyzstan)

Journey to the heart of the Tien-Shan Mountains in Central Asia

KYRGYZSTAN: June 11-25, 2023

This is a journey for nature enthusiasts, for those who are interested to see the variety of ecosystems and biodiversity in all their manifestations. We will drive along mountain roads and visit places with rich biological diversity, as well as get familiar with the cultural traditions of the Kyrgyz people, who move to high mountain pastures in summer.  We will have the opportunity to look at the plains and human settlements adjacent to foothills from the height of mountain passes, see the turbulent streams running down narrow gorges from snow peaks, enjoy the splendor and variety of colorful alpine meadows with marvelous butterflies fluttering over them, walk along the paths in the lush forest belt, hear the singing of numerous birds and the whistle of marmots warning their neighbors about the appearance of unexpected guests in their habitats… We will be able to dive into the clear waters of Lake Issyk-Kul, surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks on the hottest days of summer. And also we will be able to explore the colorful and noisy Asian bazaars and immerse ourselves in the oriental flavor, where history and modernity perfectly complement each other.

Cost: US$2,350

See the link for a detailed description.

In group tours, we take usually 8-10 people, so that everything goes comfortably, and cozy in a friendly atmosphere and we have an opportunity to pay attention to everyone.

Canadians do not need a visa to Kyrgyzstan for up to 30 days.

A PCR test is not needed.

Between-group tours, we conduct individual journeys to natural areas, where you can create an individual trip and realize any wishes related to exploring the environmental features.

Included in the price:

  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel after arrival and back on the last day.
  • Accommodation in double rooms in comfortable hotels and guest houses (with a unique local flavor, private gardens, and access to a swimming pool or a picturesque lake).
  • Accommodation in yurts, four or five people in a yurt (attention: in yurts electricity is supplied through generators, and toilets and washrooms are located outside. At night, yurts are heated only on Son-Kul Lake).
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll take lunch boxes during our field trips to the natural areas.
  • Comfortable bus.
  • Environmental fees.
  • English-Russian speaking guide with perfect knowledge of flora and fauna in Central Asia and the author of the tour throughout the entire journey.
  • Certified local guide (ornithologist) with unique knowledge of the history and amazing nature of Kyrgyzstan.
  • Outdoor hikes, informative stories, acquaintance with local nature, national cuisine, language, religion, culture, and customs.
  • All tickets, excursions, and attractions are indicated in the program.
  • Organization of travel and assistance at all stages from buying an air ticket, and preparing travel documents to collect items in your baggage.
  • Friendly atmosphere, individual approach to each participant, caring for the whole group during the travel.
  • All taxes and fees, no additional fees during the trip.

*If there are fewer than 8 people on the tour, the total cost will be higher

*If you cancel the tour on your part, the prepayment is non-refundable (goes to the hotel reservation)

*When borders are closed or other unforeseen circumstances, the reservation is transferred to other dates.

The price does not include:

  • Airfare (we will help you choose the most profitable flights for free)
  • Travel health insurance
  • Personal expenses (for food, souvenirs, additional excursions, and entertainment according to your desire not included in the program)
  • Horse riding
  • Alcoholic beverage
  • Surcharges for single rooms

*The organizers can change the order of the program, and excursions according to the circumstances (weather conditions) or wishes of the group

* The organizers are not responsible for force majeure related to weather, coronavirus, and other circumstances

* The mid of June is a hot summer in Central Asia, but not everywhere. Be prepared for noticeable temperature changes on the plains, in the foothills and in the mountains. Be sure to stock up on warm clothes, waterproof jackets and shoes, gloves and hats for hiking in the highlands (subalpine and alpine meadows and in evenings near mountain lakes). For the night hikes, you need to have a flashlight.

*Enrollment in the group closes 30 days before the start of the trip.

For more information and/or to book this tour, please contact the travel agency directly at
YYT Travel Tours: 7851 Dufferin St., Suite 100, Toronto (Thornhill), Ontario L4J 3M4 Tel: 1.877.999.4768 or 905.660.7000 – TICO Reg: #4332359

Exploring High Lonesome Reserve in Spring

This is an excursion for everyone who wants to learn more about nature in the Ottawa River Valley in a small nature reserve located near the town of Pakenham. The High Lonesome Nature Reserve was created by local farmers, it is a very interesting piece of the wild area established on the site of a former farm, which attracts many different species of animals. There are many well-marked trails in the reserve, crossing different types of natural forest ecosystems. We will try to follow several trails to cover areas of forest and wetlands. During our trip, we hope to see slow-moving porcupines, sluggishly examining the crowns of trees with juicy sweet twigs and tender spring leaves, recently awakened chipmunks, and raccoons. We will hear many voices of various representatives of the forest fauna and will try to identify their owners. We will find the first spring flowers, which stand out as bright spots on the forest floor exposed after winter. We also hope to see the first eastern garden snakes basking in the sun after their long winter hibernation and to hear the invisible spring peepers who betray their presence with their collective singing. Barred owls live in the reserve, and if we are lucky, we will be able to see or hear them. The feathered inhabitants of the reserve, nesting in the forest and in wetlands, are just beginning to arrive, but we will be able to see and hear the resident birds of the forest who spend the winter here: several woodpecker species, ruffed grouses, brown creepers, nuthatches, American goldfinches, purple finches, and many other birds…

Location and Tour Information:

High Lonesome Nature Reserve is located near the town of Pakenham, surrounded by fields and farmlands. The reserve was created by local farmers – the Spencer family, who donated the land to a public organization – the Mississippi-Madawaska Land Trust – in 2012. Due to the efforts of this organization, as well as the involved enthusiasts and volunteers, the ecosystems of the reserve were restored to their original state. The nature reserve is open for visits by naturalists and nature enthusiasts in different seasons of the year.

We will meet in front of the entrance to the nature reserve, where there is a place to park several cars at 9:00 am on April 15 (Saturday). Possible carpooling from Ottawa (in my car there is a place for 2-3 passengers). Usually, we’ll wait for delayed hikers, but it is better to confirm your participation before our travel.

After our excursion in the reserve, we will visit one of the local maple syrup farms to  look at and buy the local production: maple syrup and other items, prepared by farmers this spring from the maple syrup.

Dress and Equipment: 

In the mid of April, the day temperatures are usually warm enough to dress in light jackets and light shoes. But nights and mornings are still fresh and chilly. Please, watch the weather forecast before your trip and wear the most appropriate clothes. We’ll walk on the trails near wetlands, therefore we recommend you wear waterproof shoes for the excursion. A walking stick also comes in handy on this route. Don’t forget water and light snacks.

Take also your binoculars and cameras if you would like to observe birds and other animals better and to bring back home the memorable photos from your nature observations.

Guided Tour to Eagle Nest and around

This is travel for people who like hiking and nature exploration. First, we’ll visit the Eagle Nest area to see the environment from a peak. Later, we’ll visit several areas around that to see plants, flowers, fungi, and mushrooms in the forests around. Eagle’s Nest Lookout is one of the most famous places around the Ottawa area with a beautiful view of lakes and forests.  We plan to hike on the Eagles Nest, Skywalk Loop, which is rated as a moderate hike. The length of the loop is 10.1 kilometers. The trail is good for hiking, nature watch, and birdwatching (Excursion will be in Russian).

Место проведения и предмет экскурсии:

Это место интересно не только своими чарующими видами ландшафтов и красотой дикой природы, но и тем, что оно представляет одно из святилищ местного коренного народа Алгонкин-Анишинабе. Народ из этого племени приходил на гору, чтобы укрепить духовные силы, получить знак свыше от духа орлов и понять через медитацию, в каком направлении двигаться… Основная тропа к скале небольшая – всего около 3 км, но кроме нее здесь есть и другие маршруты, посещение которых мы обсудим при подготовке к походу. В последнее время рядом с местом обзора построено много разных реcортов и отелей, поток туристов летом довольно большой, что может помешать наблюдению дикой природы. Поэтому ранний выход – это гарантия того, что мы успеем полюбоваться впечатляющими ландшафтами. Во время похода и после него, мы сможем также оценить ситуацию с урожаем грибов в этом году и обследуем места, где могут уже появиться лисички.

Встреча на парковке перед тропой к обзорной площадке в 9:00 утра 17 июля (воскресенье). Возможен карпулинг из Оттавы (место есть на 2-3 пассажиров).

Сначала мы пройдем до места, известного как “Орлиное гнездо”, которое было и остается священным местом, где совершали обряды местные племена много столетий назад. После мы исследуем окрестные леса, определяя растения, а также грибы. Грибной сезон в окрестностях Оттавы только начинается. Но этот сезон должен быть неплохим, судя по количеству осадков. В конце мы остановимся на пляже на речке Мадаваске – на пляже Burnstown Beach для купания. Рядом с пляжем расположены кабинки для переодевания, а также столы, где можно будет не только отдохнуть, но и перекусить.

Форма одежды:

В воскресенье ожидается жаркий день. Для похода можно порекомендовать легкие рубашки с длинным рукавом для защиты от комаров. Обувь – легкая и надежная для ходьбы по тропинкам, некоторые из которых могут быть крутыми и каменистыми. С собой нужно взять крем от солнца, а также спрей от насекомых. Палочка для ходьбы также не помешает на этом маршруте. Не забывайте о купальниках, плавках и полотенцах, так как на обратном пути есть возможность искупаться в чистой и прохладной воде.

Birds and plants in Purdon Conservation Area

Did you see the biggest colony of amazing Snowy Lady’s Slippers in Ontario? Do you know how pitcher plants catch insects? How many plants are adapted to survive in the bog? What kind of bird species inhabit such areas? During our excursion to Purdon Conservation Area on Saturday, we’ll try to answer all these questions.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

We organize our next guided tour for people who are interested to know more about nature in Ottawa Valley. The end of June is a time when magnificent Showy Lady’s Slippers rain in the bog of Purdon Conservation Area, operated by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. This area attracts many nature lovers at this time.

We’ll meet at 9:00 am in the lower parking near the trail around the bog of Purdon Conservation Area.  We’ll have an opportunity to enjoy the soft morning light for flower photography. We’ll explore also the area around, walking in the forest and near the lake to explore the biodiversity of Lanark County.

Dress:

It is expected to be a hot day, so, prepare for the attacks of insects in the morning. We suggest you take mosquito spray,  water, and a light snack.

Bird migration (birds of wetlands)

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.