Nature Outings of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club

This HNC fundraiser is to help permanently protect land in the Beverly Swamp located in North Flamborough made up of the best and largest forested wetland in Southern Ontario. Be sure to attend a night of trivia and great fun! Stay tuned for the selected date to be posted on the HNC website or contact Jen Baker: 905-524-3339 or land@hamiltonnature.org.

Please join Don Corby, wildflower photographer, in the Beverly Swamp to discover early wildflowers on this very popular outing. We will be looking for Bloodroot, Hepatica and perhaps even Trilliums depending on weather. Bring your cameras and field guides and get some pointers on shooting wildflowers in Don's favorite spots to find these early flowers. Contact: Don Corby (905) 689-1976.

Meet on the 8th Concession W., in Flamborough, 8km in from Hwy 6, past Antrum Glen Retirement Community on the North (left) side, just where 8th Concession and Spencer Creek meet. Parking area on north side of 8th west.

Come and learn about the birds and their migration from these expert, dedicated birders who operate the banding lab every day from dawn till noon, unless it's very windy or wet. You will be able to see a variety of warblers and other birds up close, as they are taken out of the mist nets and carefully weighed and measured and their data recorded. Check the Ruthven website: www.ruthvenpark.ca . Call: Rick Ludkin: 905-765-4963 for details.

Come enjoy the old growth forest and spring wild flowers of our Short Hills Nature Sanctuary. Meet at Battlefield Square Plaza (Value Village) on Hwy 8 at 9:00 a.m Sunday, May 5th, to carpool. This is our annual spring cleanup and work party. Bring a lunch. Moderate to heavy activity. Garlic mustard pulling, garbage and trial clean-up. Contact Warren Beacham at 905 627-3343 for more details.

Join Dean Gugler and Fleur-Ange Lamothe for a walk at Warren Park in Dundas to identify spring wildflowers. Contact Dean at 519-647-2371.

Meet at Warren Park. See www.deanswildflowers.com/Maps/Warren_Park_parking.htm.

The HNC became Ontario's first land trust in 1961 with the acquisition of the Spooky Hollow Nature Sanctuary located close to Turkey Point. The 166 acre sanctuary is largely composed of old growth Carolinian forest and protects over 20 at risk species. It is a very special place that has been visited by naturalists and biologists from across Ontario for decades. The northern part of the sanctuary is made up of a pine plantation that the Sanctuary Land Trust Committee has been working for over 10 years to restore to its native oak savanna habitat. This has involved creating clearings within the plantation, conducting a prescribed burn, managing invasive species, monitoring and surveying endangered plants like Eastern Flowering Dogwood.

We invite HNC members to join us on Saturday, June 1 for a special field event to visit the sanctuary when the forest is alive with birds, wildflowers, and a large number of flowering Dogwoods! It is also a great opportunity to talk to the ecologists about the restoration and monitoring work being done. We ask that you register by May 13th for the event to help us arrange hike leaders, lunch and transportation. There will be a $25 fee to help cover transportation costs. You will be able to sign up for this special field event at the monthly meetings or by contacting Jen Baker at 905-524-3339 or land@hamiltonnature.org. Specific transportation details will be sent to you closer to the event.

Meeting location and time to follow.

Meet 05.20 Sunday June 9th at Freelton Library at 1803 Brock Rd. Freelton (trip departs at 05.30 sharp). This outing will last until approximately 10:30.

Over 3-4 hours or so we'll visit several Flamborough area sites. We expect birds from various habitats including wet forest, open fields and marsh. Possible birds include American Bittern.

Co-leaders Peter Thoem 905 681 2738 and Paul Smith.

Brenda will start the day by giving a short introduction to dragonflies and damselflies while giving you some handouts about them. We then explore Valens Conservation Area and watch Brenda demonstrate the basics of catching odonata. She will identify each one and show you their particular characteristics. Be prepared to be outdoors from 10:00 till noon. Afterwards if you are keen, Brenda will be around to wander and examine caught species. All are welcome to stay. Dress appropriately, including hat and sunscreen. Hiking boots are recommended. Bring lots of water, lunch and snacks. Also if you have them, binoculars, insect net, hand lens and field guides. Leader: Brenda Van Ryswyk, Brendavanryswyk@gmail.com or 905-525-2183 or 519-621-6029.

Meet at Valens C.A. which is at 1691 Regional Rd. 97 (previously Hwy. 97) at Valens Road. Pay at entrance and meet in small parking lot just inside entrance.

Spooky Hollow is very rich in ferns including Maidenhair, Interrupted, New York, Oak and many of the challenging "Dryopteris" Species. Bird Song and sightings should include Scarlet Tanager, Canada Warbler, Blackthroated Green Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Woodthrush and much more. Leader is Peter Thoem. peter@peterthoem.ca or 905-681-2738.

Leave Ancaster Fortino's on Wilson St. W. at Fiddler's Green at 06:45. Carpool to Spooky Hollow or meet us there around 08:00.

A hike with former HNC president, Bruce Mackenzie. Wear outdoor footwear. The Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve is Hamilton's only fen. We will be visiting the rebirth of an old quarry and other Spring delights. The Preserve is located on the east side of Puslinch 7th Concession. Take Hwy. 6 north from Hamilton to Gore Rd., about 3 km north of Freelton. Turn left (west) onto Gore Rd. and follow for about 5 km, and then turn north on Concession 7. The entrance is on the right soon after you turn. The Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve is located on the east side of Puslinch 7th Concession. Take Hwy. 6 north from Hamilton to Gore Rd., about 3 km north of Freelton. Turn left (west) onto Gore Rd. and follow for about 5 km, and then turn north on Concession 7. The entrance is on the right soon after you turn. Please call Bruce at 905-643-4526 to let him know you will be attending.

Meet Bruce at the entrance to Fletcher Creek.

Join Jen Baker, HNC's Land Trust Coordinator, for a tour of the Amaolo Nature Sanctuary. The property was donated to HNC in 2010 and we're still developing species lists, so during the tour we'll look for spring migrants and spring wildflowers in the stream valley, as well as in the old field that is being restored to grassland. We'll showcase some work students have done through our outdoor education program and will describe upcoming stewardship activities and opportunities to be involved. Please contact Jen Baker for more details at 905-524-3339 or land@hamiltonnature.org.

Directions:

Follow Hwy 403 to Hwy 52/Copetown exit. Go North on Hwy 52 to Powerline Road West. Follow Powerline Road for about 8km to Weir Road. Go South (Left) on Weir Road, up the hill and straight into the driveway that's at the top of the hill.

Biking provides a great way to cover more distance than walking, saves gas, and provides exercise! We will be on the look out for nesting birds at this great time of year to be out! We will bike at a leisurely pace and cover up to 20 km depending on the number of stops. We will stay on the trail or very quiet country roads - surface will be packed cinder or good gravel. Leader: Sheldon McGregor sheldonbirder@hotmail.com or (905) 304-8282.

Meet at the Devil's Punch Bowl parking area at 204 Ridge Road in Stoney Creek.

This section of the trail passes over a drumlin and through part of the Beverly Swamp where many of the plants and breeding birds are more typical of northern Ontario. The trail is steep and usually dry, but bring bug repellent. Leader: Paul Smith 905-659-1482.

Meet at the end of Middletown Road at the intersection of Regional Road #97 (previously Hwy. 97), west of Hwy 6 north.

Dundas Valley is a vast expanse of natural habitat that supports some of our southern breeding birds, such as the Hooded Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher. Join Jim Heslop for a hike through part of the valley to see what birds you can find. This hike includes a strenuous walk down and back up some steep hills. Leader Jim Heslop 905-648-5770.

Meet at Martins Rd. in the parking lot at the top of the hill past the Ancaster Sports and Fitness Centre, along Jerseyville Rd.

Come and watch as the young Peregrine Falcons take their first flights from their nest off the Sheraton Hotel in the centre of Hamilton's downtown area. Mike Street will tell you about the falcons that have been nesting here, monitored and protected by the HNC team for the last dozen years or more. Contact: info@falcons.hamiltonnature.org or Mike Street 905-648-3737