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Information on upcoming trips lead by BFN members to explore the natural wonders of Simcoe County and events sponsored by other organizations that may be of interest to BFN members. Check the details and plan to join us. Most trips leave from Little Lake Park (LLPL) in Barrie. [Directions]Visitors are welcomed on all trips. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and have members show you how to use field guides or other resource materials. We were all novices at one point and we are all still learning.
Win Bowser (705) 726-2000 When September 11th, Saturday, Depart 8:45am Where meet at LLPL Second meeting place is at the far end (south end) of Allendale Rec. Centre parking lot @ 9:00 am. Lackies Bush is a 54 acre City of Barrie natural park, with an entrance off Bayview Drive. Enjoy an early fall walk along Whiskey Creek as it winds its way through the woodland. A variety of wildflowers, ferns and birds can be seen in this riparian habitat. Long pants are recommended as there is some poison ivy beside sections of the trail.
John Schmelsfske 435-1623 When September 18th, Saturday, Depart 8:00 am Where meet at LLPL Second Meeting Place Alliston at the Tim Horton’s on Hwy 89 at the west end of town at 8:45 am. Visit the Beeton Sod Farms, The Beattie Tract, and Earl Rowe Prov. Park. John has been birding south Simcoe for many years, and migration will be at its peak at this time. Take advantage of John’s knowledge of the area, including the best places to look for southbound shorebirds.
Alex Mills 739-1094 When October 3, Saturday, Depart 8:00 am Where meet at LLPL Orillia Rail Trail. Join Alex for a leisurely stroll through woods and wetlands along the Railtrail off Woodland Drive. We will be looking for lingering warblers and other birds, including raptors overhead.
Brian & Lynne Gibbon 721-4599 When October 17, Saturday, Depart 8:30 am Where meet at LLPL Let’s see what mid-autumn has to offer in flora and fauna along a favourite section of the rail trail near Mayer’s Marsh. Sparrows and other hardy migrants will still be in the area including quite possibly Rusty Blackbirds.
Simcoe County Banding Group When October date to be determined 8:00 pm to midnight Where meet at Scanlon Creek CA Northern Saw-whet Owls move through Simcoe County during the fall migration. Join Nigel Shaw and Bruce Wilson for an evening of banding at Scanlon Creek. Watch this web page for additional information. We will select a date once we are sure the migration is truly underway. With luck we could get 20 owls in a night! A typical evening starts at 8:00 pm and ends at midnight with net checks every 30 minutes. Bring a flashlight and dress appropriately for a cool fall evening. THIS EVENT WILL BE OPEN TO BRERETON MEMBERS ONLY
Beryl Lougher 444-7992 When November 13, Saturday, Depart 8:00 am Where meet at LLPL Second Meeting Place: Wasaga Beach at the Tim Horton’s (1900 Mosley at 45th. Street opposite the Super Centre at 9:00 am. Lake Huron is a giant body of water that is used by countless waterbirds including a variety of gulls, ducks, and grebes. When most of our songbirds have moved on, many of these larger, hardier species are still with us. Little Gulls, Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, and even a Red-throated Loon are among the species that are sometimes seen along this shoreline
Coordinator - Alex Mills (705) 739-1094 When December 18, Saturday Groups assemble independently. Participants must register no later than Dec 14th with Alex Mills who will assign people (both beginners and experts) amongst about 9 groups each with a leader. Followed by a pot luck supper at the church (see meetings)
John Schmelefske 435-1623 When January 15, Saturday, Depart 8:15 am Where meet at LLPL Earl Rowe Prov. Park is a convenient place for some winter recreation. Enjoy winter birds and some fresh air exercise with John. If there is not enough snow, winter boots are fine and we’ll simply walk. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST SUPPLY YOUR OWN EQUIPMENT
Brian & Lynne Gibbon 721-4599 When February 12, Saturday, Depart 8:30 am Where meet at LLPL Take a trip through the flats around Minesing, looking for Snowy Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shrikes, and other raptors, as well as flocks of Snow Buntings.
Kitchen-Bruce & Jean Wilson 725-9359, Trip Guide – Brian Gibbon 721-4599 When March 19, Saturday, Depart 8:30 am Where meet at LLPL Horned Larks are the first songbirds to return to Simcoe County in spring. We will search the Minesing Flats for them and late winter birds (perhaps a Snowy Owl and Snow Buntings, e.g.). We will then go to Tiffin Conservation Area for pancakes and sausages for lunch. Remember to bring your own dishes and cutlery and there is a small charge to defray costs.
TBA When April 2, Saturday, Depart 8:00 am Where meet at LLPL Second Meeting Place: At Tim Horton’s in Angus at 8:30 am. BRING RUBBER BOOTS The Minesing Wetlands are a great basin into which melted snow flows each spring. Forests are inundated, as are many of the farms located around the perimeter of the swamp. This is a magnet for thousands of migrating waterfowl. Northern Pintail, Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes are likely sights, and perhaps a few early songbirds too, such as Tree Swallows
Ian Cook (705) 727-4004 When April 13, Wednesday, Depart 8:00 pm Where meet at LLPL Displaying American Woodcocks at dawn and dusk are one of the earliest signs of spring in Simcoe County. Join Ian Cook to learn more about their calls and behaviour. Wear waterproof boots, and bring bug repellent and a flashlight
Kim Gardiner (705) 735-2750, John Doll (705) 737-3978 When April 30, Saturday, Depart 9:00 am Where meet at LLPL Enjoy the spring weather and spend the morning cleaning up along the Railtrail, in keeping with Earth Day. A hot dog BBQ lunch will end off the morning’s chore.
Phyllis Tremblay (705) 737-2580 When May 4, Wednesday, Depart 6:30 pm Where meet at LLPL This 43 acre natural parcel within the City of Barrie has many attractive features—forested shoreline on Kempenfelt Bay, hardwood forests with numerous large trees, and naturalized spring flowers like yellow anemone. It is also a spot that attracts migrant birds
Margo Holt 835-5741 When May 7, Saturday, Depart 8:45 am Where meet at LLPL Second meeting place: Copeland Forest parking area off Ingram Rd, first parking lot east of Highway 93 at 9:30 am. Wildflowers with a ‘zest’ for life. In winter, snow blankets our woodlands and in the summer, very few plants bloom there, finding the shade from the canopy a challenge. But, for a brief period in spring, wildflowers abound. Margo knows her spring plants, and she will be finding a variety of them and providing insights into their coping strategies in Copeland, one of the great forests of Simcoe County. This event will end about noon
Volker Brinckmann 705-727-90711 When May 14, Saturday, Depart 8:30 am Where meet at LLPL This natural area within City of Barrie limits is a great spot to view spring wildflowers and look for animals, including migrant birds. Spring is at its best in mid-May, and as Volker will show you, it is happening right in our backyards.
Don Scanlan 726-6591 When May 21, Saturday, Depart 7:00 am Where meet at LLPL Tiny Marsh might be the richest spot for birds in Simcoe County. It’s in Tiny Township, but it’s a giant wetland with a great diversity of nesting birds. Surrounding the marshes are various swamps and woods, and these too, host many birds, especially migrants like warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. Migration peaks in mid-May, and this is a great chance to see many species.
Dave Lord (705) 835-6642 When May 28, Saturday, Depart 7:30 am Where meet at LLPL Simcoe County has a diverse natural history partly because of its many landscapes. At Matchedash, north meets south, and a massive wetland also contributes to the diversity of things to see. Celebrate Spring at Matchedash Bay, looking for waterfowl and other wetland birds, and songbirds. Wear waterproof footwear.
Inga Brinckmann 727-9071 When June 1, Wednesday, Depart 8:15 pm Where meet at parking lot south of Foodland across from City Hall Chimney Swifts return to Barrie each spring from their winter range in the Andes, with the intention of nesting in suitable chimneys. Like many “aerial insectivores” Chimney Swifts have seriously declined in Canada, and our club has undertaken a monitoring role in town. Join Inga for an hour’s worth of evening surveying, as the birds select roosts for the night.
Brian Gibbon 721-4599 When June 4, Saturday, Depart 8:30 am Where LLPL This is a good time to see nesting birds and late spring wild flowers along the trail.
Dave Lord (705) 835-6642 When June 11, Saturday, Depart 7:30 am Where LLPL Alvars are a rare kind of landscape, places where limestone flats are near the surface, creating conditions for a specialized flora and wonderful bird habitat. The Carden IBA (about an hour’s drive from Barrie) is the best grassland birding area in Southern Ontario and is a great place to view a rich diversity of birds, some of which are very difficult to find elsewhere. The restaurant across from the Kirkfield Lift Lock should be open and lunch is available there. Check the web pages for updates. There are no washroom facilities in the area. Closest washrooms are at the Kirkfield Lift Lock. Poison Ivy is abundant along the road side so take appropriate precautions.
FLORA & FAUNA WITH A FOCUS ON DRAGONFLIES & BUTTERFLIES Brian & Lynne Gibbon 721-4599 & Chris Evans 722-1136 When June 25 Saturday, Depart 8:30 am Where LLPL Join Brian and Lynne for one of their delightful rail trail strolls. Chris Evans plans to join them, with a hope to explore some prime dragonfly and butterfly territories with the aid of nets for capture, identification and release
Brian & Lynne Gibbon 721-4599 When July 9 Saturday, Depart 8:30 am Where LLPL This pleasant walk is primarily under the cool forest canopy, not out in the hot sun. Enjoy wild flowers, herbs and plants that are abundant at this time of the year as well as butterflies, dragonflies and moths. |
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