A Morning with a Chinese Home School Group at The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

Photo: Ingrid Wei

26 February, 2026

     It was a classically glorious winter's day in southern Ontario, with blue sky, pristine snow and a temperature of minus 12 degrees C.

     Usually we are a larger group but Penny had to stay home to nurse a sick child, and Livia and her family returned from an extended visit to Africa just last evening.

     Yoninah deserves a huge pat on the back for being determined to push the stroller with her youngest child along the trail, where winter maintenance is not carried out. It was hard going at times, but with a little help from the older children she made it.

     Before we even set foot on the trail a couple of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) were searching for food.

     Winter is challenging for birds and each day is a struggle to stay alive. Perhaps like humans they are looking forward to spring.

     It was not long before the familiar strain of Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) was heard, the familiar chickadeedee call being augmented by the plaintive feebee song of the males who have become ardent suitors, as spring stirs their ancestral urge to pass on their genes to the next generation.

     Eager hands were outstretched to feed these little friends.

     Even the youngest amongst us seemed to want to join in.

     Success was not long in coming.

     It is a winter highlight for young and old alike to renew contact with wild birds who have overcome their justifiable suspicion of human intentions.

     From time to time a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) would associate with the chickadees, but has so far not been able to overcome its reluctance to feed from the hand.

     Any seed knocked to the ground or to a stump was quickly pounced on, however.

     As much as anything, our days together are about winter fun for the children, and they miss no opportunity to derive pleasure from the wonderland around us.

     Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) were frequently seen; the males were singing lustily to inveigle a passing female to accept their nuptial invitations.

     It is always around the end of February when I hear the first song from this beautiful bird, and I know that spring is not far behind.

     A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), bold and striking in appearance, can sometimes be charmed to the hand, especially if peanuts are offered, but I have never achieved success on The Mill Race.

     Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is predictably common.

     The black morph shown above is an adaptation to our northern winters.

     The children were very astute in noticing that some individuals had a fair amount of red fur and wondered whether they had discovered a different species.

     It is a rewarding experience to be with bright kids who are having fun yet do not abandon the premise that they are also there to learn. Many of the questions they asked were probing and quite sophisticated. I was happy to be with them.

     A couple of Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) put on a brief show, but I am not sure how many saw them. 

     It is an outrageously handsome bird!

     One of the highlights of a walk along The Mill Race is a visit to the Eco Café in St. Jacobs at the half way point. There hot coffee, baked goods and warm washrooms await. We took full advantage of it all!

     These pictures need no further explanation from me.

     These older children are growing up fast.

     Please meet a couple of dedicated mothers.

     When eating was done, there was a chalk board to display your creative side.

     On the way back we dawdled and birded, chatted and meandered, observed and appreciated.

     White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) were numerous and vocal.

     They required little coaxing to come down to take shelled sunflower seeds.

Photo: Ingrid Wei

      It must be like a visit to a high end delicatessen for them!

     The kids had not lost their urge to feed the birds and their expectations were high.

Photo: Ingrid Wei

     A male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was spotted close by and showed every indication that he was about to follow the chickadees and nuthatches to the smorgasbord on offer.

     Phoebe gained first prize when the bird favoured her seeds, before bestowing its company on two others. Unfortunately we don't have a picture! But the memory will live on.

     On the return trip from the Eco Café the older children pushed and pulled the stroller the whole way back.

     That's the kind of kids they are. I am already looking forward to our next outing together.

     Long live home schooling!