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…
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.