The 15th Annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival will be held May 25 to May 28 and May 31 to June 3, 2012.
Please check out our schedule of events and be sure to register in a timely manner as events can fill quickly. If you plan to register for the festival by mailing in a paper copy please note more events may be full before the festival registrar receives your forms. Be sure to indicate 2nd and 3rd choices, or register online to help ensure you receive a spot on your preferred events.
Friday May 25, 2012
All Day
Cabot Head and the nearby area is an important stopover spot for migratory birds. Early each spring Red-necked Grebe pass through this area in substantial numbers. In April the beginning of the passerine spring migration travels through. Alvar, shoreline, and wetlands all comprise this area that is recognized as being on a major flyway. Rod will take you to the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory to watch the banding operation, Crane Lake and the nearby sparrow fields. The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike captive breeding site and the Cabot Head Lighthouse are nearby.
Species: Red-necked Grebe,
Located between Colpoy’s and Sydney bays, Cape Croker peninsula provides old field, alvar and forested habitats. Nearby is Malcolm Bluff Shores Nature Reserve. Over 1000 hectares have been recently acquired in the area of Malcolm Bluff Shores for protection purposes by Ontario Nature and the Bruce Trail Conservancy. From the cliffs which are over 110 metres above the shoreline at Colpoy's Bay, you can experience spectacular vistas. We will be birding varied habitats.
Grey Bruce consists of a tremendous variety of landforms derived from different landform processes. This diversity in the landscape results in the area’s great biodiversity. This trip will explore the southern Bruce Peninsula. We will look at landforms created by wind, water, glacial ice and chemical erosion from Sauble Beach to Lion’s Head to the former Keppel Township to MacGregor Point. Bring your camera! Some of the views are spectacular.
Morning
This road trip will check out the boundary of MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Various habitats (wetlands, cedar bush, hardwood forests, Lake Huron shoreline) will be explored. Participants will be stopping along the roads that border the boundary of the Park to view various species. Short hikes to the viewing tower at the Ducks Unlimited pond, the new bird blind and along the Old Shore Road at the park's south end may occur.
The MacGregor Point Wetland Complex is a Class 1 Wetland containing over 70 varied wetlands. The largest wetland is in the Ducks Unlimited area where a former beaver pond, which was inadvertently drained over 25 years ago, was rehabilitated by Ducks Unlimited Canada in the mid-1980s. Today, the area surrounding this wetland provides a mix of cedar and hardwood forests.
Car-pool to the Tower Trail parking lot.
Hike the Tower Trail past small ponds to the Ducks Unlimited wetland looking for migrating and resident warblers, vireos, woodpeckers and orioles. View the wetland from the tower looking for waterfowl, bitterns, herons and egrets. Hike to the new bird blind to view the east side of the wetland. Walk the concession road near the tower searching for Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting and warblers.
The Old Shore Road Trail follows an original mail road along the shore of Lake Huron which ran from Kincardine to Southampton. Today, in MacGregor Point Provincial Park it serves as a favourite route for campers and day-users alike. A walk south from the Visitor Centre takes you through coniferous forests and wetlands. These varied habitats are ideal for warblers and shorebirds.
Afternoon
Discover the intriguing meanings of wildflower names, both common and scientific. These names often allude to physical features, human attitudes, past or present uses, honoured individuals, or mythological beings. Whether native or introduced, valued or merely a "weed," the names of wildflowers have a story (or two) to tell. We will do our exploring along part of the Tower Trail.
This photography session will concentrate on the wildflowers found along the Old Shore Road Trail. During this outdoor session, various photographic techniques will be demonstrated and applied. The use of apertures, ISO, shutter speed and their effects will be discussed. Techniques for lessening the physical impact of wildflower photography will be stressed. You will be getting down to the flowers view point.
This event will use Judith’s extensive knowledge and experience to introduce song as a means of bird identification. The participants will learn by using the common birds of MacGregor Point, electric playback devices, mnemonics and work phrases to describe trills, buzzes, chirps and song.
Evening
Biomimicry, from the Greek words bios (life) and mimesis (imitation), is a new discipline that strives to solve human problems by imitating designs and processes from nature. Discover how 3.8 billion years of "research & development" is inspiring engineers, scientists and others to develop everything from gecko-like adhesive tape to "echolocating" walking canes for the blind.
Saturday May 26, 2012
All Day
The Brant Tract County Forest is 781 acres in size. Some of it is reclaimed agricultural land that has been reforested and subsequently logged. It provides a very diverse habitat including wooded river valleys, hardwood forests and wetlands. Tree species diversity has contributed to the presence of varied bird species including Ruffed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker and numerous species which prefer wetland habitat. There are great views of the Saugeen River from the bluffs. A Bank Swallow colony may be a bonus
This all-day excursion involves carpooling in MacGregor Point Provincial Park to get up close and personal with the springtime flora. In addition to identification, we will discuss their natural history, uses and lore. The botanical richness of the lower Old Shore Road and Kempf's Trail will offer great examples of this area's flora. (If time and interest permit, we will also look at fungi.)
Morning
The varied habitats in MacGregor Point Provincial Park provide the backdrop for the dawn chorus and this hike by a favourite leader. Mark will challenge and entertain you as you hike the Huron Fringe Trail looking and listening for warblers and other songbirds. Then we will drive to the Ducks Unlimited wetland to see and hear waterfowl, bitterns, herons and egrets. A walk on the concession road adjacent to the wetland usually results in views of Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings and more warblers. Mark has a keen ear and identifies birds by song, habitat and sight.
This tour encompasses a variety of habitats but concentrates on sparrows
and grassland birds. The J / I Line parallels the former Glacial Lake Algonquin bluff. It provides ideal conditions for the possibility of seeing Upland Sandpiper, Bobolink and
Grasshopper Sparrow.
This photo hike will take place in the vicinity of the MacGregor Point Visitor Centre and on nearby trails and boardwalk. During this walk, we will discuss appropriate lenses and when and how to use them. The use of flash for bird photography will be demonstrated. Included among the topics to be reviewed will be: how to anticipate shots; appropriate clothing; and the ethics of bird photography.
Species: Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bluejay, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, gulls
Inverhuron is a Cultural Heritage Class provincial park. It protects elements of Ontario's cultural past in a rather unique natural environment.
During this birding hike, you will travel some of the seldom used trails in the park. You will aslo enjoy views of ancient dunes, spawning trout and a historic cemetery. The park is on the Huron Fringe. Both migrating and resident birds are possible.
The Rotary Way Trail is located at the north-east corner of MacGregor Point Provincial Park and is part of a trail connection between the park and the nearby community of Saugeen Shores. The section of trail we will be using travels through White Pine plantation, second growth forest and wetland habitats. The trail crosses two intermittent streams. John enjoys this new trail and will lead you on a leisurely walk.
Afternoon
Inverhuron has been used as a campsite for well over 4,000 years. During an on-site tour, Bill will follow the ancient shorelines evident in the park and explain why he believes people always come back.
Have you ever wondered what that Great Blue Heron or Sora Rail is finding to eat in the pond? This hands-on pond study will help give you the answer to that question. You will be introduced to some of the insects and amphibians that inhabit the wetlands within MacGregor Point. All equipment will be provided.
The Huron Fringe is a physiographic unit between the former glacial Lake Algonquin shoreline and the present day Lake Huron shoreline. Within its boundaries are many unique shoreline plants, including Dwarf lake Iris. Former cobble beach ridges, swales and ancient miniature dunes each provide their own combination of plants. Joan has authored a guide to wildflowers in Grey and Bruce counties. She will help you identify spring wildflowers.
This seminar will discuss what to look for when you are purchasing a new telescope or binoculars. Among the topics to be covered: how to select your telescope or binoculars; the type of questions to ask; how do you tell if your salesperson is knowledgable; what applications can you use the items for? Optics terminology will be explained. A section on what is involved in digiscoping will be included.
In today's world, technology has made major advancements into helping nature enthusiasts identify species. As part of this seminar we will discuss the gadgets and programs which are available. This discussion may help you if you are thinking about purchasing a bird ID app.
Participants are encouraged to bring their favourite device and program and share their experiences.
The monarch butterflies that emerge in MacGregor Point Provincial Park make an epic 4000kilometre migration to Mexico. Learn more about this amazing insect - an Ontario species at Risk, with teacher / conservationist, Audrey Armstrong. She will share her experiences in Ontario, Mexico and California and her work with schools and parks, through the Monarch Teacher Network. The slide show will feature photos by Willy Waterton.
Evening
In many songbirds, males sing repertoires of more than one song type, some of which are shared with others in the local area. It remains to be determined whether large repertoires are favoured primarily by selection on repertoire size itself, or by an enhanced ability to match song types with neighbours. We recently explored this question in a wild population of song sparrows. We simultaneously recorded entire neighbourhoods of birds interacting in the wild, and asked what aspects of song the singers emphasize: the total number of songs within their repertoire, or the degree to which these songs are shared with neighbours? In a related line of research, we have also noted that males singing locally typical songs are in better health; I will discuss findings from immune challenge experiments to evaluate whether this "home-field advantage" is a cause or a consequence of philopatry, or the tendency of male birds to breed close to where they were born.
Other
During the lunch break Eagle Optics will have binoculars and telescopes on display.
Coffee and pastries are available in the Visitor Centre.
The Southampton Rotary Club has available for purchase a variety of barbequed items and drinks.
Sunday May 27, 2012
All Day
Flowerpot Island is a jewel in the National Park System. We will arrive on the island via a 15 minute open jet boat trip. On the island, Scott will lead us around the trails highlighting the geology and the flora and fauna of this unique place. Home to a variety of warblers and other songbirds, larger species such as Bald Eagle and Common Raven may also be found. Orchids are among the many plant species found within this unique ecosystem. In the event that high winds prevent the boat from running, Scott will lead us through interesting areas of Bruce Peninsula National Park on the mainland.
Malcolm Bluff Shores was recently acquired by Ontario Nature. Alfred will lead you on the upper portions of this reserve to look for the Peregrine Falcon that frequented this area last year. After passing through grasslands, old fields and forest habitats the car caravan will reach Lion’s Head. Our goal will be to find as many secretive species associated with this area as we can.
Morning
Warblers are the stars of this event. We will drive to the Ducks Unlimited wetland to see and hear warblers and other songbirds. Possible additional sightings include egrets, bitterns and herons. We then hike the concession road adjacent to the wetland, searching for Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings and more warblers. Mark will identify many birds by song as well as visually.
The MacGregor Point Wetland Complex is a Class 1 Wetland containing over 70 varied wetlands. The largest wetland is the Ducks Unlimited wetlandl a former beaver pond which was inadvertently drained over 25 years ago and rehabilitated by Ducks Unlimited Canada in the mid-1980s. Today, this area is a mix of cedar and wetland forests. This hike has been a tradition since before the beginning of the Huron Fringe Birding Festival. Doug will walk along the Tower Trail to the Ducks Unlimited pond, the viewing tower and the new bird blind.
The Kincardine / Saugeen Shores town-line road is a favourite spot for finding varied warbler species. James will start along this road. Former apple orchards and agricultural fields are complemented by seasonally wet forests. Half-way along this road is the Ducks Unlimited wetland with its viewing tower and new bird blind.
Pitcher Plant Marl and the Day Use Beach area north of the Visitor Centre provide many opportunities to bird the shoreline, wetlands, hardwood and coniferous forests.
Afternoon
Join Doug as we visit many overlooked areas of the Park to investigate the landscape features and the geomorphic forces that created them. See how these have influenced the local flora and fauna and the resulting use by Native populations and European settlers of the Park and vicinity. We will also look at any birds we see along the way. Bring your own bike or check with the Park store for rental availability.
Many of us rush as we take photographs; but unlike many other hobbies, people who are more experienced will actually take more time to consider their photographic results. Jennifer will help you get the most out of your photography experience by training your eye to enhance the composition of your photos and increase your ratio of keepers to rejects. You will learn how to take great pictures as Jennifer guides you through step by step instructions including those for macro photography.
Take the road traveled by birders as they pass through the stages of beginner, intermediate and advanced and the skills they need to pick up on the way. From optics, field guides, the order of birds, simple birds to very complex ones and the strategies needed for their identification.
This session will cover all of the tools that are available to the birder including, voice, habitat, time of year, shape and structure and apply them to easy and difficult to identify species. Topics that are covered include, resources available, the use of Latin names, how to advance your birding skills and birding etiquette.
Explore the diverse springtime flora found north of the Visitor Centre, from the uncommon Dwarf Lake Iris (a Great Lakes endemic) and a shrub used for making "ice cream", to a trio of insect-eating plants each with a different capturing technique. Expect to be regaled with lots of interesting natural history, uses and lore. Binoculars are recommended as several plants will be observed from a viewing platform.
Evening
Ecuador is a land of diversity. Join Kerry as he shares, through images and stories the people, culture, food and of course, the natural wonders of Ecuador.
The ES Fox Astronomy Centre is located at the Institure for Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies (I.O.E.E.S.) near Wiarton. Opened in September 2011, this observatory is a collaborative effort of the Bluewater Astronomy Society, the Bluewater Education Foundation and I.O.E.E.S. The observatory features a roll-back roof and drop-down wall which protect the Newtonian reflector telescope during the day and reveal the heavens at night. This site is one of the last truly dark sky locations in Ontario. Here you will have views of the moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae.
Other
Coffee and pastries are available in the Visitor Centre.
The Southampton Rotary Club has available for purchase a variety of barbequed items and drinks.
Monday May 28, 2012
All Day
Greenock Swamp and Glammis Bog conservation areas are very productive ecosystems. The Greenock Swamp is southern Ontario's single largest forested wetland at approximately 8,094 hectares (20,000 acres). The diversity of breeding birds approaches that of the Huron Fringe and includes Pileated Woodpecker, owls and hawks. Glammis Bog may yield Pied-billed Grebe, bitterns and herons.
Car-pooling is esential for this excursion as parking is limited in some spots. The Grey / Bruce area contains 50 species of ferns which represent 2/3 of the ferns found in Ontario. On this outing Peter will guide us through some of the premiere spots of this area. Centred in the Owen Sound area, our major stops will be Black's Park and Inglis Falls. These destinations are located on the Niagara Escarpment. Lunch will be at an outdoor pavillion in Harrison Park.
Morning
The MacGregor Point Wetland Complex is a Class 1 Wetland containing over 70 varied wetlands. The largest wetland is the Ducks Unlimited wetland, a former beaver pond which was inadvertently drained over 25 years ago and rehabilitated by Ducks Unlimited Canada in the mid-1980s. Today, the area surrounding this wetland provides a mix of cedar and hardwood forests.
Car-pool to the Tower Trail parking lot.
Hike the Tower Trail past small ponds to the Ducks Unlimited wetland looking for migrating and resident warblers, vireos, woodpeckers and orioles. View the wetland from the tower looking for waterfowl, bitterns, herons and egrets. Hike to the new bird blind to view the east side of the wetland. Walk the concession road near the tower searching for Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting and warblers.
The MacGregor Point Wetland Complex is a Class 1 Wetland containing over 70 varied wetlands. The largest wetland is the Ducks Unlimited wetland, a former beaver pond which was inadvertently drained over 25 years ago and rehabilitated by Ducks Unlimited Canada in the mid-1980s. Today, the area surrounding this wetland provides a mix of cedar and hardwood forests.
Car-pool to the Tower Trail parking lot.
Hike the Tower Trail past small ponds to the Ducks Unlimited wetland looking for migrating and resident warblers, vireos, woodpeckers and orioles. View the wetland from the tower looking for waterfowl, bitterns, herons and egrets. Hike to the new bird blind to view the east side of the wetland. Walk the concession road near the tower searching for Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting and warblers.
The Old Shore Road Trail follows an original mail road along the shore of Lake Huron which ran from Kincardine to Southampton. Today, in MacGregor Point Provincial Park it serves as a favourite route for campers and day-users alike. John will take you north of the Visitor Centre to discover some of the unique plants and insects that can be found at Pitcher Plant Marl or the Day Use Area.
Afternoon
This wildflower walk is ideal for anyone - but should be of particular interest to anyone who is just starting to look at wildflowers more closely. Minerva will include Huron Fringe habitats in her walk to discover and identify wildflowers in the area near the Visitor Centre.
Do trees have a gender? How do trees guard their persoal space? Jim will share interesting trivia about trees, including pollination techniques.
There are so many special places to visit; and very little time! Norah will take you to one of her favourite areas in MacGregor Point. Wildflowers and birds seen along the route will be highlighted.
Evening
John’s photographic essay about warblers will delight you. Wood warblers are in their full breeding plumage as they migrate north or settile into southern Ontario as their breeding range. John has patience and, as a result, has had great success catching the vibrant colours of warblers in their natural habitat. Warblers will leap from the screen.
Other
Coffee and pastries are available in the Visitor Centre.
The Southampton Rotary Club has available for purchase a variety of barbequed items and drinks.
Thursday May 31, 2012
All Day
Widely differing habitats along the Lake Huron coast provide a variety of warbler and shorebird species. The Oliphant shoreline and Black Creek Provincial Park will be two of these locations.
Everyone has their favourite birding spots. Marshall is very familiar with the south Bruce Peninsula area and will take you on a birding adventure along the side roads of the Southern Bruce Peninsula looking for spring migrants. While on your tour, you will enjoy some beautiful scenery; stopping at some of the highest vistas. Marshall's skills are well known in Bruce County.
Morning
Get your binoculars ready! The Townline Road provides ideal habitat for a variety of warbler species, the Tower Trail is a favoured spot for flycatchers; it is early in the morning and you have Brendan for a guide.
The Saugeen River is the backdrop for this casual walk through the stone stairways and terraced, themed gardens of the Saugeen Amphitheatre. The amphitheatre was the vision of Reverend Earl Stotesbury. Together with members of the Saugeen First Nation community, he created lookout points and nature trails on this 20 acre property. Time permitting, we will also visit the nearby Southampton cemetery. Spring migrants and warblers often frequent these sites.
The Tower Trail and its featured Ducks Unlimited Pond provide the setting for John`s walk. The wetlands are visible from the viewing tower and the new bird blind.
Afternoon
The Huron Fringe is a physiographic unit between the former glacial Lake Algonquin shoreline and the present day Lake Huron shoreline. Within its boundaries are many unique shoreline plants, including Dwarf lake Iris. Former cobble beach ridges, swales and ancient miniature dunes each provide their own combination of plants. Joan has authored a guide to wildflowers in Grey and Bruce counties. She will help you identify spring wildflowers.
Do trees have soil preferences? During a leisurely walk in the interior of the park, Jim will help you learn tree species and how they associate with different site types. To enhance your experience he will talk about identification techniques using bark characteristics as well as the arrangement of buds and leaves. He will also show you how to use a dichotomous key to identify trees.
This casual walk will follow Kempf`s Trail toward the shore. Former beach ridges, sloughs and shoreline create a pleasant mix of habitats.
Evening
Reptiles and amphibians are a group of animals people love to hate. However, the 48 species of ‘herpetofauna’ that call Ontario home are fascinating, beautiful, and full of surprises. Join James to learn more about this incredible group, why they are in trouble, and how you can help. Learn to identify the species in your region and pick up tips on the best methods and places to observe this secretive group of animals. You will learn how to participate in the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas that is tracking the distribution and abundance of all species in the province. Participating in this program directly contributes to research and conservation.
Friday June 1, 2012
All Day
This is an opportunity for participants to visit the new 432 ha Malcolm Bluff Shores Nature Reserve on the Bruce Peninsula acquired through a partnership between Ontario Nature and the Bruce Trail Conservancy. We will explore several levels of the reserve - shoreline, scree slopes, Manitoulin Formation terrace and Amabel Formation escarpment cap for birds and some of the geology and botany. With luck we may see the Peregrine Falcons that nest on the cliff.
This photographic expedition to the northern Bruce Peninsula has two themes: landscapes and wildflowers. Where Georgian Bay meets the Niagara Escarpment, the Niagara Escarpment provides a landscape rich with dramatic photographic opportunities. Also the Bruce Peninsula is home to a number of provincially significant plants ranging from Alvar species to orchids. For each theme various ideas for composition, exposure and lighting will be discussed.
Morning
If you are an experienced birder and wish to improve your skills related to birding by ear, Michael is the ideal person to go out with. He will help you filter the songs and calls of a variety of birds along the Tower Trail. Learn mnemonic tricks that will help you as you listen for orioles, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers and waterfowl.
Join James for an informative hike on trails in the area of the Visitor Centre. This area can be alive with warbler species. You will also benefit from James keen eye for waterbirds and shorebirds. He will be looking for migrating and resident warblers, vireos, woodpeckers and shorebirds.
The Old Shore Road Trail follows an original mail road along the shore of Lake Huron which ran from Kincardine to Southampton. Today, in MacGregor Point Provincial Park it serves as a favourite route for campers and day-users alike. A walk south from the Visitor Centre takes you through coniferous forests and wetlands. These varied habitats are ideal for warblers and shorebirds.
Afternoon
Legends and superstitions about plants were once necessary for survival. Today, we are fascinated by these stories that are attached to many common, and not so common, plants found at MacGregor Point. Heather’s walk will introduce you to some plants’ stories.
There are many iconic sounds in nature. Discover, identify and enjoy the magic sounds of your nature with Kerry as he explores the sounds of nature through startling audio and amazing videos of mammals, birds, insects and amphibians that will have you listening with renewed interest.
Not everything with wings at MacGregor Point is a bird! Many and varied dragonflies are also evident in the park. Meadowhawks and skimmers are some of the usual inhabitants of the wetlands in the park. But don't forget, odonates are also found along the shoreline and in old fields. Field study is the best way to learn their identification. Don't let it stop you if you don't have your own net.
There are few trails that travel into the interior of the park. The Lake Ridge Trail provides a true experience of ruggedness of the post-glacial Lake Nipissing former lake bottom. You will want your rubber boots as this trail is often wet in the spring. If you want diverse habitats, this trail is the one to explore. Bill will ensure that once you've completed your walk you will have some new information to take home with you.
Evening
One thing that all creatures’ great and small have in common is their overwhelming urge to breed. This evening program will cover some of the fascinating and often bizarre ways that animals try to woo each other in an attempt to find a mate. Courtships can be short and sweet, others elaborate, some aggressive, or even downright violent: whatever their strategy, we’ll talk about many of the creatures that are busy this spring ‘doing it in the dark’.
Other
Coffee and pastries are available in the Visitor Centre.
The Southampton Rotary Club has available for purchase a variety of barbequed items and drinks.
Saturday June 2, 2012
All Day
You can't say you have experienced a birding festival without participating in a Big Day; and who better to help you out than Michael. This is a Are you ready for a full day of birding? If so, you won’t want to miss this morning to night birding marathon on the Bruce Peninsula
Everyone has their favourite birding spots. Judith is very familiar with the south Bruce Peninsula area and will take you on a birding adventure along the side roads of the Southern Bruce Peninsula looking for spring migrants. Judith's skills are well known in Bruce County and throughout much of Ontario.
Morning
Remember gravel runs? This one is a road trip looking for birds! Brett will take you on a tour of local back roads looking for elusive nesting grassland birds; and others that you see along the way. Be prepared for some walking on this trip.
The MacGregor Point Wetland Complex is a Class 1 Wetland containing over 70 varied wetlands. The largest wetland is the Ducks Unlimited wetland, a former beaver pond which was inadvertently drained over 25 years ago and rehabilitated by Ducks Unlimited Canada in the mid-1980s. Today, the area surrounding this wetland provides a mix of cedar and hardwood forests.
Car-pool to the Tower Trail parking lot.
You will hike on the Tower Trail to the Ducks Unlimited wetland looking for migrating and resident warblers, vireos, woodpeckers and orioles. From the observation tower you can look for waterfowl, bitterns, herons and egrets. It is a short walk to the new bird blind on the east side of the wetland. A walk along the concession road near the tower may result in Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting and a variety of warblers.
The Old Shore Road Trail follows an original mail road along the shore of Lake Huron which ran from Kincardine to Southampton. Today, in MacGregor Point Provincial Park it serves as a favourite route for campers and day-users alike. John will take you north of the Visitor Centre to discover some of the birds along the shoreline and the unique plants that can be found at Pitcher Plant Marl or the Day Use Area.
Whether you’re hoping to improve your field sketching techniques, looking for an excuse to get back into art, or have never attempted to create a sketch, this program is for you! We’ll work our way through multiple exercises in sketching to help you improve your skills of putting pencil on paper. We’ll also work on really opening up your eyes and taking note of fine detail: enhancing these skills can be of benefit with field identification of wildlife!
Afternoon
Wild Ontario began with a one-winged Turkey Vulture names Socrates. A patient at the Ontario Veterinary College, he was un-releasable and, through time, lived a repurposed life visiting schools and naturalists clubs to tell his story. Today, the Wild Ontario program has expanded and additional non-releasable live birds of prey travel with volunteers from the University of Guelph to help people understand about human impacts on wildlife.
Brett has some favourite areas for plants in and around the park. Here’s your chance to learn about and appreciate some of MacGregor Point’s varied plants and wildflowers. Both Latin and common names will be shared as well as habitat preferences.
Kerry will share tips and techniques on how to get the most out of waterfalls photography. This is Part 1 of a two part series. This workshop is indoors and geared toward beginner to advanced Digital SLR photographers.
"Sedges have edges, rushes are round, grasses are hollow right up from the ground." The identification of woodland grasses and sedges can be confusing. Bill is an expert and will be your field guide on this walk. He will help you learn what type of conditions each one prefers and how to tell them apart.
Birds are not the only creatures who take to the skies. In this program we’ll talk about the insect world, and specifically some of the flight strategies that make the six-legged beasts the most successful fliers in the world. We’ll identify some creatures of interest, as well as discuss the vital roles they play in the environment.
Evening
In 2011, Mark stood up the Huron Fringe Birding Festival so he could go on an Alaska birding vacation with his father. Some nerve! In 2012 it is only fair that Mark returns to the Fringe with a talk about his Alaskan birding adventures. Included in the talk will be tips on organizing an Alaskan holiday, approximate costs, clothing requirements and some digital photography techniques. Oh, and one other thing, images of some of the wonderful Alaskan rarities seen on the trip.
Wetlands are alive at dusk and worth the drive! During a leisurely walk, we will visit the Ducks Unimited Wetland and spend our time between the bird blind, observation tower and town-line road. Sturdy shoes are recommended and you should bring along a flashlight - even if you don't use it! We will be listening for a variety of amphibians, Sora Rail, Sand Hill Crane, owls and other species interested in announcing their territories.
Other
During the lunch break Eagle Optics will have binoculars and telescopes on display.
Coffee and pastries are available in the Visitor Centre.
The Southampton Rotary Club has available for purchase a variety of barbequed items and drinks.
Sunday June 3, 2012
All Day
Crevice caves, Hart’s Tongue Fern and Barred Owls are all found within this Nature Reserve Class Provincial Park. Located near the Military Training Centre we will take a former roadway and a sidetrail of the Bruce Trail as we travel through part of the park. Bayview Escarpment is 440 hectares in size and is one of Mark's favourite spots for observing wildlife. Birding at Coffin Ridge Winery and Vineyards, which will include a vintage platter and wine tasting, sometime in the early afternoon, will be a refreshing way to end the day.
This
outing will explore Lake Huron coastlines, both present and past, north
of Sauble Falls. You will visit Ontario Nature's oldest reserve, Petrel
Point, and their newest, the Lewington Reserve. Numerous unique ecosystems
and habitats shelter an abundance of nesting birds and unusual plants.
The Massasauga Rattlesnake also calls these places home and, if lucky,
may be observed. Enjoy this day of discovery amid treasures of the
Huron shore.
Kerry will lead a full day tour to photograph local waterfalls. Participants will get an opportunity to put in to practise the tips and techniques they learned in, "How to Photograph Waterfalls". Waterfalls to visit include: Sauble Falls, Inglis Falls, Indian Falls, Jones Falls, and Weavers Creek Falls. Although the emphasis is on photographing waterfalls, practicing your skills as you photograph landscape, wildflowers and people will also be part of this tour.
Morning
It is toward the end of spring migration and Michael has the skill to find and help you identify late spring migrants. You will visit various select spots in MacGregor Point looking for both breeding birds and late migrants. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Gray-cheeked Thrush along with resident Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Black-billed Cuckoo will be among the species you might possibly see.
Enjoy a relaxed walk in MacGregor Point looking for bird nests. Mark will try to locate nests for Ovenbird, American Redstart, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Phoebe and American Robin. Mark will share his techniques for finding nests and provide nesting information on many species.
Afternoon
Have you ever wondered what that Great Blue Heron or Sora Rail is finding to eat in the pond? This hands-on pond study will help give you the answer to that question. You will be introduced to some of the insects and amphibians that inhabit the wetlands within MacGregor Point. All equipment will be provided.
Wild Ontario began with a one-winged Turkey Vulture names Socrates. A patient at the Ontario Veterinary College, he was un-releasable and, through time, lived a repurposed life visiting schools and naturalists clubs to tell his story. Today, the Wild Ontario program has expanded and additional non-releasable live birds of prey travel with volunteers from the University of Guelph to help people understand about the identification and biology of birds of prey.
Enjoy a relaxed walk through the campground as Jim helps you learn tree species common to the Huron Fringe. He will talk about identification techniques using bark characteristics as well as the arrangement of buds and leaves. He will also show you how to use a dichotomous key to identify trees.
Spring butterflies are often small and move about quickly. There have been up to 20 butterflies seen in MacGregor Point during the festival. Spring Azures and Mourning Cloaks are two of the more common early spring butterflies. Glenn will help you identify them and the plants they are associated with.
Evening
We tend to think of trees merely as background scenery; but in fact they are living embodiments of our community’s history. Presenter Edith George will talk about preserving our natural roots. Whether conifers or deciduous, these huggable pillars of the neighborhood were often planted to commemorate particular events or people. Edith will share how trees become heritage landmarks and why it is important to remember what they signify.
Other
Coffee and pastries are available in the Visitor Centre.
The Southampton Rotary Club has available for purchase a variety of barbequed items and drinks.