Tag: nature photography

Exploring ZEC Dumoine and area around

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Ottawa Valley Chapter (CPAWS-OV) will organize an event 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 events will take place on Saturday – August 26 and Sunday – August 27.

On Saturday, August 26, we’ll organize a hike from Grand Chute at ZEC Dumoine to Robinson Lake around 1:00 pm. Executive Director of CPAWS-OV – John McDonnell – will talk about forests and conservation. We will talk also about the biodiversity of this wilderness area, including mushrooms. On Sunday, we will organize excursions to various places for nature enthusiasts, including canoe trips on Dumoine from Robertson Lake to Red Pine Rapids and walking along the stream in the Rapids area for nature exploration as well as mushroom identification. 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.

CPAWS-OV will provide dinner in the evening in the area of our camp for all participants of our excursions.

Place and Subject of the Excursions:

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 day on Saturday or 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. It is better to have a four-wheel drive car to reach the area at Grand Chute and around, so if you plan to visit Robinson Lake, please, register at both ZECs.

There is an opportunity for carpooling from Ottawa on Friday afternoon – August 25 for 2 people.

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.

Mushroom Identification Tour in Ottawa Valley

On Sunday, August 20,  we are going to explore some places around Ottawa with our traditional mushroom identification tour.  We learn how to identify mushrooms and know some basic rules related to their search and picking up. Please, confirm your participation. We’ll meet at Hazeldean Mall at 9:00 am near the big board with the address “300 Eagleson Rd.” From the mall, we’ll drive together to the place of our excursion. The exact place of the excursion will be identified to the end of this week.

Place and Subject of the Excursion:

We will stop in several places to explore the area and search for mushrooms. We’ll learn how to identify mushrooms, places where we can pick up mushrooms, and just enjoy the trip to the forest in a beautiful area. We’ll talk also about the diversity of mushrooms in Ottawa Valley and about other forest creatures we’ll be able to spot.

We recommend carpooling from Ottawa. I will be able to take 3 passengers to my car.

Dress:

Watch for the weather forecast and be prepared accordingly. For the trip, you will need a pair of good shoes for hiking along the trails. Do not forget sunscreen and insect repellent. You also need to take 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.