TRIPS

**HORNED LARKS and TIFFIN PANCAKES**

Horned Larks are migrating through our area at this time of the year. Searching the local fields in the Minesing Floodplain may turn up Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, Rough-Legged Hawks and the odd Snowy Owl as well. Then we are off to the Tiffin Conservation Centre for pancakes & sausages for lunch. Remember to bring your own dishes and cutlery and there is a small charge to defray costs

**AMERICAN WOODCOCKS**

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 a flashlight.

**MTM WATERFOWL VIEWING DAY AT TINY MARSH**

This is an open house event at Tiny Marsh. There will be guided walks and a BBQ lunch can be purchased. There are events for children, teens and adults - a family outing.

** NORTH SIMCOE RAILTRAIL CLEANUP**

Enjoy the spring weather and spend the morning cleaning up along the Railtrail. A hot dog BBQ lunch will end off the morning’s chore.

*THE GABLES**

The Gables Property consists of 42.7 acres of land and is a City owned natural park with maple/beech woodlands including pine plantations, open spaces and Kempenfelt Bay. In this varied habitat we hope to see migrating and breeding birds. Naturalized spring bulbs such as Spring Squill and Yellow Anemones along with our early North American native wild flowers can be viewed along the numerous walking trails.

**ARDAGH BLUFFS**

Join Volker for a tour around this unique wild area within Barrie’s boundaries. As well as birds and wild flowers there are many mammal and reptile species living in this area.

**5/6 Side Road Wetlands and Church Woods, Shanty Bay**

A convenient roadside-visible Heronry and the nearby marsh birds make this location a popular birding hotspot. After a short drive to Shanty Bay, we will visit the trails among the spring wildflowers of a 25-acre mature mixed woodland. Church Woods is a sampling of the continuous ribbon of forest which parallels the Lake Simcoe shoreline. Car-pooling will be necessary as there is limited parking at Church Woods.

**FEVERSHAM GORGE & EUGENIA FALLS**

These locations are on the Niagara Peninsula south west of Singhampton in Grey County. The wooded edge of the gorge provides shelter for a variety of warblers, woodland flowers, ferns and deer. A short drive over the Eugenia Lake causeway allows views of waterfowl and swallows. Ravens can occasionally be seen at the falls. Bring a snack and wear sturdy shoes. Return to Barrie by 1:00pm.

**Matchedash Bay**

Celebrate spring at Matchedash Bay. The group will be looking for waterfowl, marsh birds, shorebirds, and songbirds. Trails could be muddy wear waterproof footwear.

**NORTH SIMCOE RAIL TRAIL**

This is a good time to see nesting birds and late spring wild flowers along the trail.

**CARDEN IMPORTANT BIRD AREA**

Southern Ontario's best grassland birding area. A great opportunity east of Orillia to see birds and wildflowers rarely seen in our area. Possibilities include Loggerhead Shrikes, Bobolinks, Sedge Wrens, Grasshopper Sparrows, Upland Plovers, Rails and other migrant/residents. Bring a lunch and a beverage. Carpooling a necessity. Return mid afternoon.

**DRAGONFLIES & BUTTERFLIES**

Chris will take you to some prime dragonfly and butterfly territory, and with the aid of butterfly nets capture and identify the various species of dragonflies and butterflies.

**ORO RAIL-TRAIL**

This is an interesting area that Lynne and I enjoy. Depending on conditions we may check out the shoreline for area shorebirds.

**VESPRA TRAIL**

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.

**“KIDS for TURTLES” – Dragonfly & Butterfly Outing**

Join our famous “dragon hunter’s apprentice”, Chris Evans, and the Kids for Turtles Environmental Education group for a dragonfly and butterfly event starting at Fort Willow. This is an opportunity to learn more about this historical fort, participate in the art of catching, handling, identifying and releasing dragonflies & butterflies while exploring the North Simcoe Rail Trail, which borders the Minesing Wetlands.

PLEASE NOTE:

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PRE-REGISTER BY EMAIL TO Chris Evans or CALL (705) 722-1136 before. All children must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Please bring your own butterfly/dragonfly nets, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, picnic lunch and an enthusiastic spirit of adventure. Voluntary contributions to support the Fort Willow Improvement Group, a partner of the NVCA, would be appreciated.

**LACKIES BUSH**

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. The alternative meeting place is at the far end (south end) of Allendale Rec. Centre parking lot @ 9:00 am.