The group is mixed with a few elderly and then most others are of working age. It's surprising when new people show up and say they've always birded but wanted to bird with a group. Most of the time they are excellent birders.
Saturday , Sept 8 we went to a location called Nova Nature Trail.
We have several large petrochemical plants here , one of them being Nova. Nova was built in the seventies and has expanded several times since. Now when large plants are made they buy a lot of land near them. They rent it back to the farmers.
That's where the Nova Nature Trail comes in. The 255 acres was probably rented out for pasture. The company decided to make the land into a nature trail. They've done an excellent job. There are 10 to 15 km of trails The habitat varies from grass to brush to trees and riparian. There is a sleepy little stream the goes through the property. Beavers like this so the dams make some excellent wetlands.
Saturday was cloudy, a bit windy and 14 C. Nine of us went out and had a great time. We found 24 bird species The garter snake that one of us nearly stepped on was and extra.
The following photos were taken by Lynette Asselstine Braun.
Off we go
Look in there!
Shoveller
A grove of aspen
A general view of the area. The company has build great trails and walk ways near the wetlands.
With many sets of eyes and some very competent birders we can find quite a few species
This sounds like so much fun! We would have loved to join you too.
ReplyDeleteWe do have fun and learn a few things along the way.
DeleteI love to watch birds and try to identify them. My walking isn't good enough for this type of activity but my desk at work looks out on some nature trees which attract a few species. Last week there were a couple of kookaburras swooping.
ReplyDeleteWhy do the petrol companies buy such large tracts of land ?
Keep watching out those windows. Large plants and industries like lots of property for possible expansion. after that who knows. Billiton is developing potash mine near my childhood home and has bought close to 2000 acres.
DeleteI love to watch birds and try to identify them. My walking isn't good enough for this type of activity but my desk at work looks out on some nature trees which attract a few species. Last week there were a couple of kookaburras swooping.
ReplyDeleteWhy do the petrol companies buy such large tracts of land ?
You folks have so much fun! I'm just not good in groups these days.
ReplyDeleteI like supportive groups like my skaters and birders.
DeleteNice to see these pictures, Red. Thanks to Lynette for sharing them with your followers! :-)
ReplyDeleteLynette's an awesome photographer.
DeleteIt looks like that was a good day to get out among the critters.
ReplyDeleteAny day is a good day to get out.
DeleteIt looks like a beautiful area! I wonder where that snake goes when the weather gets cold? It must hibernate underground.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of a rough area because of its past usage. We were standing on the snake den. There were probably more in the vicinity because hundreds of the get together for the winter.
DeleteWhat a fun day! :) Some people are more talented than others when it comes to bird ID:)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting today when people pull out their smart phone.
DeleteHello, sounds like a fun time. I was happy to join in with a group when I first started birding. A group outing is good for beginners. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteThere are some excellent birders in this group but they bend over backwards to help others and make things interesting.
DeleteIt looks like you had a great day. My brother is very much into birding and photography. He retired in Costa Rica and enjoys the all the tropical birds there.
ReplyDeleteLucky guy! Costa Rica! What a great place for birds.
DeleteA great day to be with the group and outside among the wildlife.
ReplyDeleteI always come back pumped from these mornings.
Deletenice to have extra eyes sometimes and fun to compare recent sightings. I work with a few school group occasionally
ReplyDeleteExtra ears too. Some of the 24 species were by sound only.
DeleteSounds like fun, and the photos are great, especially the bird with outspread wings. I wish I had somebody here that knows more about birds than I do. Which would be almost anybody, come to think of it.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet there's a birding group in your area. Most of these birders find our website and get the schedule.check out the RDRN website.
DeleteLove seeing where you bird there. It's quite beautiful, and you saw some great birds and vistas.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like the vistas. It's my kind of space.
DeleteLooks like it was a good day for birding and from what folks were wearing, a nice cool one as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was cool but not out of the ordinary for here.
DeleteThis sounds like a great way to spend time. Being outdoors enjoying Mother Nature, getting fresh air and spotting some interesting birds. Fun all around!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the fun people.
DeleteKeith you're a great leader for the RDRN birding group. I always enjoy our time exploring with the group.
ReplyDelete