Waterloo Region Nature Outing to Linear Trail and Riverside Park, Cambridge, ON

No bare footed, tree climbing, frog holding, cloud spotting, bird calling, wild foraging, moon gazing, firefly chasing, creek following, rock hunting moment with Mother Nature is ever wasted.

Nicolette Sowder

08 February, 2025

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Barry Grant, Betty Brechun, Bob Fraser, Christina Koenig, Curtiss MacDonald, Dale Ingrey, David Matthews, Fraser Gibson, Heather DeYoe, Janet Ozaruk, Karen Earle, Kathy Waybrant, Leon Linseman, Linda Bree, Lisa Den Besten, Mary Ann Vanden Elzen, Melinda Metzger, Mike Duchene, Min Min Tong, Miriam Bauman, Nancy Matthews, Shane Mulligan, Steve Gyorffy. 

Guests: Arthur Blackledge, Fiona Beardwood, Don DeYoe, Nas DeYoe, Izzy Kelly, Mariana Pontes, Marilyn Newman

Linear Trail

     It was crisp and cold when we all assembled; it is after all February in Ontario. Cold weather never deterred a hardy naturalist.

     We set off along the trail, strung out a little with such a large group, all happy to be together, doing what we love best.

     It was not long before the cheerful call of a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) attracted our attention - so familiar yet so utterly wonderful.

     Predictably a Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was not far behind.

     The trail was snowy; one could not be faulted for invoking Robert Frost.

     There was nevertheless much to observe, and evidence of the adaptability of living things to winter was all around.

     We stopped often to discuss and learn.

     Most of the Speed River was frozen over.

     When finally we encountered open water in a rapidly flowing section of the river we scanned for a kingfisher that has traditionally spent the winter along this stretch, but it was nowhere to be found.

     One of the justifiable remarks of many a birder is to wonder at the choice of the name of Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus); the red belly is seldom visible. This look is about as good as it gets!

     On this outing we generally go as far as an area known as The Confluence where the Grand and Speed Rivers fuse together.

     Most of the ducks were quite far out, but this male Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) swam closer than most.

     The unquestioned stars of the day comprised a small group of Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) who sailed in with all the grace a bird can muster.

     They landed a little farther away than we might have liked, but their mere presence at any distance thrilled us.

     They are hardy birds and handle winter well.

     A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was keenly watching the ducks, always on the lookout for a sign of injury, signalling an easy lunch.

     This male Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) seemed out of harm's way.

     We left to head back to our cars, but not without a farewell glance at the Sandhill Cranes.

     A grand (pun intended) sighting indeed!

     Lisa, Kathy, Mike and a few others had separated from the main group and lingered a while after we left. They were treated to heart-stopping views of a hungry young Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on the hunt.

     S/he first tried to pluck a Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) from the water, but the Mallard was able to evade capture and the eagle was left with nothing but a few feathers. (Thanks to Kathy for the pictures).

     It then turned its attention to a fish, a little easier target perhaps.

     Success!

    

Riverside Park

     It is mere minutes from the Linear Trail to Riverside Park. A few decided to call it a day, but most of us stayed together to enjoy the rest of the morning.

     In no time at all, Black-capped Chickadees were coming to greet us in the secure knowledge that humans bring food.

     Janet and Mary Ann wasted no time in offering tasty and nutritious sunflower seeds.

     The boardwalk is a magnet for birds; many people bring seed and it is strewn liberally along the railing.

     An Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was quick to join House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) to hoover up its fair share - or perhaps a little more.

     A grey morph individual was joined by its black morph cousin.

     A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) patiently waited his turn, joined by equally patient American Tree Sparrows (Spizelloides arborea).

     There has been a worldwide decline in the population of House Sparrow and Canada is no exception to this alarming trend. Riverside Park seems to be a bit of a stronghold.

     I find American Tree Sparrow to be one of the most charming of our native sparrows.

     Here it is again with a Northern Cardinal.

     We saw just a couple of White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) - always delightful.

     This Red-bellied Woodpecker declined to flaunt her red belly!

     A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is an undeniably handsome bird.

     For some reason Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) were "everywhere" with many trees, as well as hydro lines, bedecked with dozens of them.

Black-capped Chickadee

Northern Cardinal

     It's hard to know whether an ambitious teacher encouraged her young pupils to make bird houses, or some other organized group initiated it, but there were many fanciful creations along the boardwalk.

     We went to check out the river, but other than a narrow ribbon of water at the edge it was frozen solid.

     Mallards were content to rest on the ice; perhaps some kind soul will bring cracked corn for them.

     Graffiti is one of the scourges of modern civilization (?) and Riverside Park is not exempt.

     

Eastern Grey Squirrel

     Kathy and the others who stayed with her rejoined us, anxious to recount their encounter with the Bald Eagle - and other pleasurable sightings too.

     A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) enlivened the moment.

     A Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) bumped our woodpecker count to three species for the day.

     Eastern Cottontail (Sylvanus floridanus) is no friend to the gardener, but is a key component of a healthy ecosystem.

     We watched a Red-tailed Hawk cruise onto the top of a tall conifer; the rabbit would do well to remain hidden from view.

     As mentioned earlier, Mourning Doves were exceptionally plentiful, so it seemed fitting that an individual fluffed up against the cold was at the end of the boardwalk.

     It winked at Miriam so doubtless it was a male!

     Another great winter walk. It's great to live in a northern land.