Snow Geese on the Way to Breeding sites

Spring migration this year already started! We observe the long goose wedges over land, stopping in various places on their way to breeding grounds. The two most common species of geese in the Ottawa River Valley are the Canada Goose and the Snow Goose. Canada geese not only migrate but also nest both in water bodies around cities and in the cities themselves, forming an urban population that reaches significant sizes in Ontario. Although most of the geese still fly north to the Arctic tundra, where they spend a fleeting summer. But the snow goose could be found in Ottawa River Valley during migration. These geese nest in water bodies along the Arctic coasts. Both species have increased markedly in recent decades, and even the migration patterns of snow geese have changed. The snow goose has become a regular stopover species during the autumn and spring migration in fields in Ontario along the St. Lawrence River valley. Each spring, huge swarms of white geese return from their wintering grounds in the United States to nesting places in the Arctic tundra stopping at wetlands near Ottawa for several weeks, from where they fly in the morning to feed through the agricultural fields just opened after the winter snow. The Canada goose flies in a scattered front: clusters and small flocks of these geese can be seen in a variety of places – along reservoirs, along the banks of rivers and lakes, in farmland fields and openings, and on lawns in cities. The snow goose, on the other hand, always migrates in large flocks and forms huge congregations at the stopover places. They follow a certain route, which is insistent from year to year. Our tour will focus on visiting such places! You will be able to learn about geese, ducks, cranes, and other fauna that nest in Ontario or are found here during periods of seasonal migration.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

Snow geese nest far north, on lakes, rivers, and other water reservoirs in tundras. However, during migrations, large flocks of geese stay to rest and feed on agricultural fields in Ontario. This spring, the first migratory snow geese just appeared near Ottawa. We expect that the mass migration will start in early April. We plan to go to some such places in the Cobbs Lake Creek area, known as a stopover for snow geese during spring migration. We hope to see not only snow geese but other interesting bird species, including other geese species, birds of prey, ducks, gulls, and passerines. If we’ll be lucky, we’ll be able to see even sandhill cranes.

We’ll meet in the middle of Milton Rd. (exit #96 to Boundary Rd. from Highway 417) at 9:00 am on Monday, April 10. There is an opportunity for carpooling from west Ottawa (3 places). The duration of the guided hike is 4-5 hours until 1-2 pm.

Dress:

Spring just started. This is a time with fresh weather, contrasting temperatures, and often rains. Please, watch the weather forecast for the day and prepare to hike accordingly the forecast. It is good to have warm jackets and gloves. Waterproof boots will be appropriate to walk around wetlands after abundant rains in the last week. Take your binoculars and cameras. Do not forget about the water and light snack.

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.

Purdon Conservation Area: Flowers and Birds ( in Russian)

Located at a distance of around 100 km from Ottawa, Purdon Conservation Area keeps the colony of one of the most beautiful orchids: Showy Lady’s Slipper. This conservation area started from the moment when the local man who valued the beauty found amazing flowers on his property and decided to preserve them that others could also observe these pearls of nature.  This is the largest colony of Showy Lady’s Slipper in Canada. And now it is the right time to visit this area.

 


Место проведения

В связи с прогнозом сильного дождя на субботу, мы переносим экскурсию на воскресенье, 27 июня (меньше шансов дождя с утра и дождь по прогнозу будет незначительным). Экскурсия будет проводиться на территории, которая расположена примерно в 100 км от Оттавы, называется место – Purdon Conservation Area. Ссылка на место встречи приведена ниже. Основная дорога к этому месту ведет через Алмонте и называется Wolf Grove Rd. (Rd 16) – на подъезде к территории есть указатели. Встречаемся в 9 часов утра на нижней парковке, которая расположена у входа на деревянную дорожку, ведущую к колонии. После болота мы сделаем небольшой круг (около 3 км) вокруг озера и в лесу, гле обитают пиранги и иволги.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Purdon+Conservation+Area/@44.9935003,-76.545074,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2b2ab53cabd47c9b!8m2!3d44.9935306!4d-76.545074


Предмет экскурсии

Здесь охраняется самая большая в Канаде колония венерина башмачка королевы (Cypripedium reginae).

Эти орхидеи растут во влажной болотистой почве. Они начинают раскрываться во второй половине июня и обычно цветут до начала июля. Лучшее время для наблюдения за цветами – раннее утро. В субботу ожидается легкий дождь, а это означает, что цветы будут слегка сбрызнуты влагой и не будет резких теней – обещая наилучшие условия для художественной фотографии.


А так же…

Кроме венериных башмачков на болоте растет еще много уникальных растений, которые мы постараемся определить. А вокруг – в лесу, на болоте и в заливах озера – обитают яркие птицы, такие как балтиморская иволга и красно-черное пиранга и еще много разных видов, включая одну из американских кукушек. Слышали о таких? Видели их вокруг Оттавы? Интересуетесь узнать больше? Тогда присоединяйтесь к нашей экскурсии!
Количество мест ограничено!


Форма одежды

Спортивная. Рекомендуется одежда с длинным рукавом, как дополнительная защита от комаров и солнца.
А так же необходимо взять с собой защитные средства от комаров и солнца. Также неплохо иметь с собой легкий плащ, так как после ночного дождя местами может быть сыро, но именно после дождя лучше всего фотографировать растения и пейзажи, а также обычно более активны птицы и другие животные.


 

Регистрация на экскурсию:


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