From the WAKEROBIN - Newsletter of the Muskoka Field Naturalists
MARCH OUTING, Sat., Mar 8th Snowshoe Hike at Red Leaves Resort led by Hap Wilson Meet at 10:30 am. Go to the access point for Red Leaves (not the official one but the one that is prepped this winter for work details) located 3 km north of Minett on Peninsula Rd. There will be a sign on the road where to turn in. Parking is 200 m. in off the road. Bring lunch and thermos. Snowshoes required and adequate clothing. This will be a 5 km circle trip of moderate difficulty. Cameras a must! Hap says, "We'll see if we can track down the local elk on the reserve!"
APRIL MEETING, Thurs, Apr. 3rd, 7:30 p.m. Mark Peck Mark is an Ornithology Technician at the Royal Ontario Museum and will be speaking to us about the Ontario Nest Records Scheme - how it works species/trends in our area and how we can become involved!
APRIL OUTING Sat. morning April 12th, 9:30 a.m. Roaming the Back Roads of Simcoe County with Jim Spruce! Last year’s outing with Jim rewarded us with some great sightings and interesting countryside. Jim’s knowledge of birding habitat in the Minesing Flood Plains and Simcoe County area could yield more possibilities to view waterfowl raptors and on occasion -- Bald Eagles! Bring a snack and drink to tide you over to lunch at a mutually agreed location after the tour! Meet at Little Lake Park - take the Duckworth St exit from Hwy 11 S, turn right at Duckworth St. and follow it around to the park. For car pooling, meet at McDonalds, Gravenhurst parking lot 8:15 a.m. for an 8:30 departure.
MAY MEETING, Thurs, May 7th Vernal Pools A Fascinating Ecosystem with Unique Habitat! Fairy shrimp, wood frogs and mole salamanders thrive in these small temporary wetlands and produce a bounty that benefits all sorts of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Our guest speaker is Janine McLeod, Natural Heritage Coordinator of the Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna. This is an ecological restoration project to expand a small remnant of tallgrass prairie and black oak savanna one of me most rare ecosystems on earth. Vernal pools with their abundance of life and hidden secrets hold a special fascination for Janine.
MAY 24th, BAILLIE BIRD-A-THON Plan to join us!
Program Committee Members:Lead: Linda Boon Bob Burton, Art Clarke, George Moroz, Dinny Nimmo, Sam Robinson, Al Sinclair & Tom Smith
Links updated November 2007