Paradise in the City

We have some pretty amazing gems right here in our own backyard. From spectacular waterfalls to breathtaking trails, the natural areas around Dundas and Hamilton have lots to offer.

An area that I am just beginning to discover is Cootes Paradise. 

Cootes Paradise is the largest wetland at the western end of Lake Ontario and is on the west side of Hamilton Harbour.  It is owned and managed by the Royal Botanical Gardens and is a National Historic site, a Nationally Important Bird Area (IBA), and a Nationally Important Reptile and Amphibian Area (IMPARA).

Rising early this morning, I launched my kayak at Princess Point and headed around the point, then west going behind Cockpit Island and Sassafras Point and exploring the various inlets along the way. The silence was often interrupted by jumping fish and the swans, ducks and geese were plentiful. 

On a couple of occasions I was treated to the sight of large blue herons perched in the trees or lazily flying overhead, their massive wingspan reminding me of schoolbook illustrations of ancient pterodactyls.

Crossing over towards Bulls Point I was able to watch numerous waterfowl including some low flying trumpeter swans and a couple of mergansers that did low flyby's for my benefit, just skimming the water as they passed.

On prior occasions I have seen the pair of bald eagles that nest along the northern shore but unfortunately not this morning.

I enjoyed the site of the water plants and the shoreline, impressed that this level of nature and plentiful wildlife can be found so close to a major city.

I crossed back over heading back towards Princess Point. This area of the bay is one where I often like to pause when kayaking to enjoy the sunset and reflect.

On this morning I simply pushed through, heading back to the dock and making myself the promise to return again soon to this little bit of paradise in the city.

5 Reasons to get out Hiking this Winter

This winter feels like its been extraordinarily long and cold but even with that there have been many days when getting out and exploring a trail have been not only possible but very worthwhile.

Besides the obvious advantage of no bugs, here are 5 benefits to getting out hiking in the winter:

Fresh Perspective.

Even trails that you frequently explore look different under a fresh layer of snow. Streams and trees look different and waterfalls take on a whole new and spectacular look.

Less People

If peace and solitude are an important component of your hiking experience, then winter is the ideal time to get outside.

More Wildlife

The combination of less people on the trails and significantly less leaf cover mean you can see further distances. The obvious benefit is that you can spot more wildlife. Deer are easy to find in the valley and woodpeckers and other birds are plentiful. Bring some seed along and some of those friendly birds are likely to get very close in exchange for a snack.

More Exercise

Added winter clothing and snow covered trails add resistance to your movement and with that comes additional health benefits.  You can improve your strength and cardiovascular health while at the same time relieving stress and eliminating the winter blues. Hiking is proven to aid in weight loss and helps to protect against heart disease, diabetes and depression. The extra work involved in hiking in the winter burns more calories and provides you with fitness benefits sooner.

Plus staying active and and fit during the winter months ensures that you'll be in top shape when the regular season begins.

 

Improved Mental health

It's been said that it is impossible to be in a bad mood and be in the woods at the same time and I can certainly attest to that. Try walking a trail on a sunny winter day with a light snow falling and you instantly feel the happy effects of endorphins combined with fresh crisp air. Scientific studies have long supported the benefits of nature and hiking on mental health and there is no doubt that it is an effective stress reliever and a great way to clear your mind.
 

So take advantage this winter. Bundle up and explore, I promise that you will be glad you did.

Just a reminder that more photos and trail information are always available on my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dundas-Valley-and-beyond/120774278042380

Discovering the Hendrie Valley

An area that I am just beginning to discover is the Hendrie Valley Trails of the Royal Botanical Gardens.

A smaller scale version of Cootes Paradise, this area which includes the 100 hectare Grindstone Creek Valley stretches to the end of Carroll’s Bay and contains the finest collection of floodplain wetlands on western Lake Ontario. Transferred to the Royal Botanical Gardens in 1941 for ecological protection, the area features slopes forested with old growth trees, a 60 hectare river mouth marsh complex, and 4 creeks. Major access points are along Plains Road and include the RBG Centre and Cherry Hill Gate.

On a couple of occasions I have parked at the Cherry Hill Gate entrance which is located on Plains Road in Burlington, but more typically I park at Valley Inn Road where it meets York Boulevard in Hamilton. This road which is now closed to car traffic provides a great way into to this rich hiking area.

Walking this way, you cross under the railway bridge and will find yourself in the Grindstone Marsh area. This is a great spot to see birds and assorted waterfowl. You will see in this area that a large project is underway to create new banks along the water’s edge and also provide a system that works as a natural barrier against invasive carp. This has been facilitated through the re-use of over 100,000 discarded Christmas trees.

Following the trail through the Grindstone Creek Delta, you soon arrive at a spectacular boardwalk that borders Grindstone Creek providing an excellent vantage point to watch nesting birds and observe beavers and other wildlife. This is a great place to bird watch and if you bring some seed along you can have some fun feeding the friendly birds by hand.

On recent walks I have seen incredible amounts of red-wing blackbirds, blue jays and cardinals and even watched beaver collecting brush in the bulrushes which surround the boardwalk.

As previously mentioned, I am just starting to explore the Hendrie Valley and look forward to further hikes through the western trails that border Grindstone Creek and the South Pasture Swamp. You can definitely count on further blog articles on this amazing trail system.

If you haven’t already done so, please visit the Dundas Valley and Beyond page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dundas-Valley-and-beyond/120774278042380

Visit our page for photos as well as current information on trail conditions and events. Help spread the word!!

Keep An Eye Out For the Turtles

On my commute after work Monday, April 17, 2012 I was nearly home, driving on a country road and thinking about what I might be having for dinner when I swerved to miss what I thought was a large piece of mossy wood in the middle of the road. As I passed it, I saw that what I had mistakenly assumed was a broken branch was actually a very live snapping turtle.

Stopping the car I backed up, put on my 4 way lights and got out to attempt to redirect this turtle out of harms way.

I was always of the belief that turtles were slow and deliberate in their movements, but when I stooped to pick this one up, he spun around surprising me with a level of speed and agility that I was not expecting.

I managed to grab him by the sides of the shell out of reach of his large mouth and carried him back into the woods and swampy area which bordered the road. Putting him down I returned to the car to get my camera so I could take a few photos.

A little research when I got home revealed that roadways are one of the most significant threats to the health and welfare of our area turtles with thousands of them being killed each year province wide. The concern with road mortality is not simply that animals are being killed, but rather that the mortality rate in many places is high enough to completely wipe out populations.

This is especially true of Ontario’s turtles, which have long lifespans (over 70 years in some species) and low rates of reproduction. Consequently, the death of even a few individuals a year on roads will cause populations to decline, as they have sharply in Ontario.

Seven of Ontario’s eight turtle species are already on the Species at Risk in Ontario list.

Dundas is blessed to have a fairly diverse and plentiful turtle population. In the months of May and June and early July turtles can be found crossing roads in search of nesting grounds. Some of these common crossing areas are noted with road signs such as this.

 During these months as well as autumn when turtles are heading to their hibernation sites, extra care should be taken when driving in these areas.

Currently six native species and one introduced species of turtles can be found in Cootes Paradise and the Dundas Valley watershed. The most common being the midland painted turtle and the common snapping turtle. Midland painted turtle can be found in various wetland areas, frequently basking on logs and rocks emerging from the surface of the water. I spotted the following young one last spring in a marshy area bordering the rail trail near the Dundas Valley Trail Centre.

Common snapping turtles, while abundant, are less often observed since they bask infrequently. The largest species of turtle found in Ontario and in fact all of Canada, adult snappers can weigh between 4–16 kg and the carapace (shell) can measure 20–36 cm in length.

Other turtles seen although much less frequently are the Common Map turtle, Blanding’s turtle, Common Musk turtle and Eastern Spiny Softshell.

The red-eared slider is not a native turtle but has been found in the wild as a result of being released by irresponsible pet owners.

Heading home, I was pleased that I had been able to save this turtle at least for today.

Make sure you do your part and take extra care when travelling roads that border turtle habitats.

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Visit our page for photos as well as current information on trail conditions and events. Help spread the word!!

Northshore Trail - Dundas

One of my favourite Dundas trails, particularly when I want to see birds is the Northshore Trail of the Royal Botanical Gardens. With mild temperatures this past weekend, I decided to pay this diverse and interesting area a visit. Heading down the Pinetum Trail, we walked through stands of sumac and fir trees and soon linked up with the Bull’s Point Trail. On this day, we decided to visit the Bull’s point lookout and on the way back, veer down towards the water via the Marshwalk Trail. The air was alive with the sounds of ducks and geese and we soon arrived at the wooden boardwalk that winds through the bulrushes and takes you to the lookout platform. From this vantage point you have a clear view of Rat Island and Cootes Paradise and the large variety of migratory waterfowl living here. Cootes Paradise Marsh is considered one of the most important waterfowl staging habitats on the lower Great Lakes and the largest nursery habitat for fish in the region.

The trees along the shoreline were filled with chickadees, blue jays and cardinals and as we walked we spooked a group of five deer who bounded off ahead of us on the trail. The birds here are friendly and if you are patient, will readily eat bird seed from your hand.

On the way back we stopped along the Desjardins Canal which feeds into the same waterway. This canal was built in the early 1800’s. It has become a popular spot for waterfowl and many varieties can be spotted here. On this day we observed mallards, Canada Geese, a pair of trumpeter swans and a merganser.

This swan got very close for this shot. They sure look bigger when you get face to face with them. I was extra thrilled to have this photo published in the Hamilton Spectator a few days later. To visit the Northshore Trail, park at the small lot on York Road in Dundas. Just beyond the parking lot a large map is posted that provides directions to each of the trails in this area.

Don't forget, we also have a page on Facebook. Please visit and “LIKE” us!https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dundas-Valley-and-Beyond/120774278042380Visit our page for photos as well as current information on trail conditions and events. Come join the conversation!!