Goldex
DURHAM REGION FIELD NATURALISTS © 2020 UPDATED May 11, 2020
COVID-19 Backyard Birding Challenge
Covid-19 isolation got you dreaming of birding? Unfortunately all the Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas are closed.
We are discouraged from going out to natural areas for birding. So what to do?
I would like to challenge you to identify as many birds as you can by sight or sound from your own yard and walkable neighbourhood.
Keep a species list. Send them to me at the end of each month at DRFN1955@hotmail.ca
If you use Ebird https://ebird.org/canada/home you can also share your sightings there.
Get your lawn chairs and your binoculars ready.
Stay well! Stay at home!
DURHAM REGION FIELD NATURALISTS
"conservation through education"
UPCOMING OUTINGS
Note: In the event of a forecast of bad weather, an email will be sent to the DRFN distribution list the evening before a trip, with trip cancellation or re-scheduling information. If you are not on the list, you may check the DRFN website or call the outing leader.
To find out about upcoming outings for Pickering Naturalists, check their website: www.pickeringnaturalists.org
Due to COVID-19 and the requirement for social distancing all future Meetings and Outings are cancelled until further notice.
Stay well!
May Outing Cancelled
Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Carden Alvar
Leader: Don Docherty
The Carden Alvar is a dramatically different experience with prairie smoke, cattle and grassland birds. Weather permitting; we may see Bluebirds, Wrens, Loggerhead Shrikes, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson’s Snipe, a variety of Sparrows, Nighthawks, and Bittern. If you stay a little longer you may hear Whip-poor-wills and see fireflies at the roadside.
Those who wish to drive as a group can meet at the Northview Library parking lot at 5:00 PM. (Alternately meet Don Docherty at Wylie and McNamee Roads at the Carden Alvar at 6:00 PM.) (Consider driving up earlier and have a picnic at the lift locks at 5:00 PM.)
Difficulty: Light walking.
Be prepared with water, sun screen and insect repellent.
Wednesday, July 01, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Butterfly Walk at Heber Down Conservation Area
Leader: Rayfield Pye.
It’s prime time to see butterflies. With construction south of the conservation area complicating driving, we’ll meet in the peaceful north.
Meet at the Northeast parking lot. From Highway 7 drive south on Cochrane Street.
Bring water, sun screen and insect repellent.
Difficulty: Light walking.
Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Nature Walk
Leader: Don Docherty
Long Sault CA is a wonderful conservation area. It has a great variety of habits and fine trails.
Directions: Exit 401 at Waverly Rd. Travel North on Regional Rd. #57. Turn right at Regional Rd. #20. Turn left at Woodley Rd. The road ends at the parking lot where we will meet and start our walk.
Pay and Display Parking is in effect at a cost of $6 per vehicle/day.
Difficulty: Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. We’ll be walking the trails so, weather permitting, the footing should be fine although there will be ups and downs.
Saturday, September 26,2020 at 10 AM
Darlington Generating Station Parkland
Meet at the parking lot to the SE of the pond at Darlington Generating Station. (From the 401 East-bound, take the Courtice Road exit, go east on Megawatt Dr east (changes to Energy Dr W) and south on Park Rd to the first (small) parking lot.)
Darlington is a great place to visit any time of the year. Migration will be in progress. We’ll have to concentrate but there will be warblers and other northern nesters to be found.
Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Difficulty: Light walking on excellent trails.
Bring water.
Past Outings
Saturday, March 14, 2020
at 7 AM
Algonquin Park
Monday, February 17, 2020
at 10:00 AM
Thickson’s Woods – Winter Walk
Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 8:45 AM
Annual Winter Bird Feeder Tour and Potluck Lunch
(cancelled due to weather)
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Durham Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, November 30,2019 at 8 AM
Niagara Gulls
Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 10 AM
Cranberry Marsh – From Different Perspectives
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Thickson's Woods Land Trust
Birds, Beavers & Butterflies
Nature Festival
Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 10 AM
Samuel Wilmot Nature Area
Saturday, July 06, 2019 at 1:00 PM
Butterfly Walk at Heber Down Conservation Area