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Nature ReginaBox 291, Regina, SK S4P 3A1 |
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Upcoming Field Trips:
Saturday, May 4: Wascana Marsh Walk We will explore the area around the Science Centre from Goosehill Park to Faraway Place looking for spring migrants. We should see waterfowl, gulls, shorebirds, and some songbirds.
Sunday, May 5, Wascana Floodplains and Bratt's Lake
Saturday, May 11: Rowan's Ravine Provincial Park
Week of May 12: Snakes Alive!
Wednesday, May 15: A. E. Wilson Park We will walk around A. E. Wilson Park to see the spring migration. Monday, May 20: Wascana Centre (Baillie Birdathon) Let's join Margaret Skeel for a Baillie Birdathon in Wascana Centre on what should be one of the best weekends of the year in terms of species and numbers of birds seen. This birdathon is to raise funds for Last Mountain Bird Observatory (Nature Saskatchewan). We'll start in the Legislative grounds and do Warbler Alley and the areas around the tennis courts, totem pole, etc. We will then move over to the Science Centre and do the marsh, Goose Hill Park, and perhaps Faraway Place and the Habitat Conservation Area. Margaret will keep a checklist of all species seen. You can sponsor Margaret either at a flat rate or an amount per species. Let's help her raise lots of money for LMBO. Bring lunch if you wish to go for the afternoon. You can call it a day any time you wish. Wednesday, May 22: Goose Hill Park An evening walk around Goose Hill Park and Quinn Drive back alley to see the spring migration. Saturday, May 25: Sloughs and Hidden Valley A trip to see resident breeding waterfowl and perhaps some scarcer migrant shorebirds. We'll visit Cement Plant Slough, Condie, and Brown's Slough, and then go to Hidden Valley if people wish. Bring a scope if you have one. Share of gas average $2.50. Saturday, June 1: Qu'Appelle Valley by Fort Qu'Appelle There hasn't been a spring field trip to the valley around Fort Qu'Appelle for many years. It offers a wide variety of interesting habitats and opportunities to see both breeding birds and wildflowers. We could walk the Qu'Appelle Interpretive Trail by Pasqua Lake and/or the Cutout Coulee Trail or Hillside Nature Trail by Katepwa Point. In addition, we could make other stops along the way; we'll play it by ear. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Share of gas average $5. Saturday, June 8: Yellow Grass Marsh and Area We'll visit a large marsh near Yellow Grass to see a wide variety of water birds. Last year a White-faced Ibis was seen here. Then south towards Trossachs, an area that has some bush (Lazuli Buntings have been seen here). After that, I don't know where we will go - it depends on what reports there are of other birds. It could be towards Weyburn or west to Channel Lake. This is a play-it-by-ear field trip. Bring lunch and water. Share of gas average $8 or more (depending if we go further afield). Leader: Stephane Canevet Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16: Nature Saskatchewan Spring Meet For information see Nature Views or contact Nature SK at Room 206, 1860 Lorne St., Regina SK S4P 2L7; phone (306) 780-9273; toll free in SK 1-800-667-4668. Saturday, June 22: Robinson Property (Nature Conservancy of Canada) The Robinson Property consists of 160 acres in the moist-mixed grassland ecoregion near Silton. The area is a mix of gently undulating native prairie intermixed with small temporary wetlands and aspen bluffs. Many common prairie songbirds can be found here, as well as wildflowers. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Be prepared for wood ticks. Share of gas average $4. Wednesday, June 26: Duck Mountain Provincial Park We will make a trip to Duck Mountain midweek to avoid weekend crowds. The rolling uplands support thick forests of various tree species. Due to the variety of habitats, and its location at the southern extent of the boreal forest, the park is home to many animals, and more than 200 species of birds occur regularly. There are five hiking trails of varying lengths as well as many other places to go hiking further afield. Bring lunch, water, insect repellent, and perhaps a walking stick. We will have supper somewhere on the way home, likely at Yorkton. Share of gas would average about $18-20, plus a $2 park entrance fee. If you are interested in this trip, please call Lauren at 584-1171. Given the considerable distance (three hours one way), we want to arrange carpooling to ensure vehicles are full. Saturday, July 6: Elizabeth Hubbard Property (Nature Conservancy of Canada) The Hubbard Property is located along the south side of the Qu'Appelle Valley in the Aspen Parkland ecoregion (northeast of Whitewood and south of Esterhazy). It supports a vast number of native plant species, including many that are nationally and provincially rare or endangered, and is one of the few places in SK where Bur Oak is found. The property includes 385 acres of hardwood forest, 15 acres of wetlands, and 15 acres of native grassland, as well as a ravine, tame hayland and riparian areas. The diverse habitats on the property are also home to many species of passerine birds. Bring lunch, water, insect repellent, and perhaps a walking stick. Also bring rubber boots (just in case) because we have to cross a small stream to get to the property. We will have supper somewhere on the way home. Share of gas average $12. If you are interested in this trip, please call Lauren at 584-1171. Given the considerable distance (two hours one way), we want to arrange carpooling to ensure vehicles are full. Saturday, July 13: Edenwold 01 and 02 Properties (Nature Conservancy of Canada) Join NCC staff as a conservation volunteer at the Edenwold Property in the beautiful East Parklands Natural Area. NCC is looking for moderate-to-good skilled botanists and birders to help identify significant plant and animal species. The properties comprise 640 acres of native grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. Wear good hiking boots and a hat. Bring binoculars, bird or native plant books, lunch, water, and insect repellent. Also bring rubber boots in case there are wet places out there. Sign up deadline: Please register at http://www.conservationvolunteers.ca/ by Thursday, July 11. If you don`t have a computer, call Joseph Kotlar at 347-0447, ext. 229, or Lauren at 584-1171. Showers in the weather forecast won`t stop this trip, but steady rain will; if in doubt, contact Joseph to confirm. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Share of gas average $4. If anyone has comments or suggestions regarding field trips, please call Lauren at 584-1171. Please note there is a shortage of leaders for birding field trips.
More member photographs from field trips, courtesy of Stephane Canevet, Fran Kerbs, and Keith Barr:
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