Friday, July 9, 2021
Carden Alvar is a dynamic place for a naturalist to explore, and most who visit do so early in the morning. However, the evenings at Carden can be magical as well. For those who would like a shorter tour of Carden that doesn't require an early wake-up, this could be the tour for you. We will begin at 5:00 PM and finish sometime after sunset. For any participants who are interested, we can listen for Barred Owls, Eastern Whip-poor-wills and other crespuscular/nocturnal species after dark as well.
Located around 90 minutes north of Toronto, the Carden Alvar Natural Area is a medley of habitat communities that includes forests, grasslands, wetlands and alvars. Sitting at a the crossroads of southern Ontario and the Canadian Shield, an interesting mix of flora and fauna species with both southern and northern affinities can be found in the area. Alvar ecosystems are scarce globally, and the Carden Alvar is the one of the most extensive examples in the world.
An alvar is a type of grassland ecosystem that forms when only a shallow layer of soil covers a limestone or dolostone base. Often, alvars are flooded during the spring, and during some summers they experience drought-like conditions. These unique environmental qualities allow an unusual assemblage of plants with prairie affinities to grow. Many unique wildlife species can also be found, and Carden Alvar is particularly famous among birdwatchers for the high numbers and diversity of breeding bird species. The flagship bird at Carden Alvar is the Endangered Loggerhead Shrike, but many other open country species are widespread in the area including Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Northern Harrier, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Brown Thrasher, and Grasshopper, Vesper and Clay-coloured Sparrows. Sedge Wrens can often be located, along with a nice variety of marsh birds including Virginia Rail, Sora, Least Bittern and American Bittern. The different forested areas have their own bird species, and warblers are well represented with over 20 breeding species.
We will meet at 5:00 PM at the intersection of Wylie Road and McNamee Road, north of Kirkfield ON. We will slowly make our way along Wylie Road, stopping at various locations and walking certain stretches, but generally remaining close to our vehicles. They say that Wylie Road is one of the best early summer birding roads in Ontario, and we will seek out many of Carden's specialty species along here. Evening birding is almost as good as early morning birding, and we should be able to find many of the specialty species. As dusk falls, we will look and listen for species including Sedge Wren, Least Bittern, American Bittern, Sora and much more. Those who are interested can join me for some owling once darkness falls.
What to bring: Camera, optics, spotting scope (if you have one - I will have mine with us as well), bug spray, lunch, snacks, water, face covering/hand sanitizer. Note that mosquitoes can be more prevalent at dusk, so I recommend bringing bug spray or a bug jacket to be on the safe side.
Washrooms: There are no washrooms along Wylie Road or Alvar Road where we will be for the evening, and so you are welcome to use the great outdoors!
Meet up time and location: We will meet at 5:00 PM at the intersection of Wylie Road and McNamee Rd, Kirfield, ON. The co-ordinates for the meet-up spot are 44.610730, -78.998645.
Vehicles/parking: Due to concerns from COVID-19, we will have to take our vehicles separately. We will be close to our vehicles for the entire outing, and all locations where we will stop have free parking.
Duration: Evening of birding from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
Cost: The tour will cost $65 per person (inclusive). Maximum 8 people. Payment can be sent via e-transfer (joshvandermeulen@live.ca), or by cheque or cash in person at the start of the tour.
If interested, please send me an email: joshvandermeulen@live.ca
Carden Alvar is a dynamic place for a naturalist to explore, and most who visit do so early in the morning. However, the evenings at Carden can be magical as well. For those who would like a shorter tour of Carden that doesn't require an early wake-up, this could be the tour for you. We will begin at 5:00 PM and finish sometime after sunset. For any participants who are interested, we can listen for Barred Owls, Eastern Whip-poor-wills and other crespuscular/nocturnal species after dark as well.
Located around 90 minutes north of Toronto, the Carden Alvar Natural Area is a medley of habitat communities that includes forests, grasslands, wetlands and alvars. Sitting at a the crossroads of southern Ontario and the Canadian Shield, an interesting mix of flora and fauna species with both southern and northern affinities can be found in the area. Alvar ecosystems are scarce globally, and the Carden Alvar is the one of the most extensive examples in the world.
An alvar is a type of grassland ecosystem that forms when only a shallow layer of soil covers a limestone or dolostone base. Often, alvars are flooded during the spring, and during some summers they experience drought-like conditions. These unique environmental qualities allow an unusual assemblage of plants with prairie affinities to grow. Many unique wildlife species can also be found, and Carden Alvar is particularly famous among birdwatchers for the high numbers and diversity of breeding bird species. The flagship bird at Carden Alvar is the Endangered Loggerhead Shrike, but many other open country species are widespread in the area including Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Northern Harrier, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Brown Thrasher, and Grasshopper, Vesper and Clay-coloured Sparrows. Sedge Wrens can often be located, along with a nice variety of marsh birds including Virginia Rail, Sora, Least Bittern and American Bittern. The different forested areas have their own bird species, and warblers are well represented with over 20 breeding species.
We will meet at 5:00 PM at the intersection of Wylie Road and McNamee Road, north of Kirkfield ON. We will slowly make our way along Wylie Road, stopping at various locations and walking certain stretches, but generally remaining close to our vehicles. They say that Wylie Road is one of the best early summer birding roads in Ontario, and we will seek out many of Carden's specialty species along here. Evening birding is almost as good as early morning birding, and we should be able to find many of the specialty species. As dusk falls, we will look and listen for species including Sedge Wren, Least Bittern, American Bittern, Sora and much more. Those who are interested can join me for some owling once darkness falls.
What to bring: Camera, optics, spotting scope (if you have one - I will have mine with us as well), bug spray, lunch, snacks, water, face covering/hand sanitizer. Note that mosquitoes can be more prevalent at dusk, so I recommend bringing bug spray or a bug jacket to be on the safe side.
Washrooms: There are no washrooms along Wylie Road or Alvar Road where we will be for the evening, and so you are welcome to use the great outdoors!
Meet up time and location: We will meet at 5:00 PM at the intersection of Wylie Road and McNamee Rd, Kirfield, ON. The co-ordinates for the meet-up spot are 44.610730, -78.998645.
Vehicles/parking: Due to concerns from COVID-19, we will have to take our vehicles separately. We will be close to our vehicles for the entire outing, and all locations where we will stop have free parking.
Duration: Evening of birding from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
Cost: The tour will cost $65 per person (inclusive). Maximum 8 people. Payment can be sent via e-transfer (joshvandermeulen@live.ca), or by cheque or cash in person at the start of the tour.
If interested, please send me an email: joshvandermeulen@live.ca