The Mill Race Trail with Staunch Naturalists of Waterloo Region Nature

      Slowly, but equally surely (at least for now) the restrictions on assembly made necessary by COVID-19 are being relaxed.

     With great elation I have welcomed the opportunity to lead outings for our nature club again, starting a recent series with a visit to the Mill Race Trail in St. Jacobs. More field trips will follow right through until the end of the year, and I will be sure to report on them all.

13 October 2021

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Participants: Miriam Bauman (effectively a co-leader), Karl Malhotra, Pauline Richards, Andrew Wesolowski, Adrienne Zoe

     Three others who had signed up for the walk were sidelined by medical issues of one kind or another

Andrew, Karl, David, Pauline, Adrienne

     A friendly Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) came to bid us "Good Morning" before we even set foot on the trail.

     The Mill Race Trail is beautiful at any time of year, but in the fall, bedecked with leaves, it is perhaps at its most charming.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Wesolowski

      Pannicled Asters (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum) continue to delight a curious naturalist right into October.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Wesolowski

     On a typical outing the participants have a wide range of skill levels and for some the opportunity to see a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) at arm's length is a singular pleasure.

     I can tell you that the pleasure does not diminish with familiarity!

     If anything is as certain as death, taxes and conniving politicians, it is that Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) will come to secure their just reward almost from the moment when you first enter their realm.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Wesolowski

     They repay you with joy at every step along the way.

     It would be an odd day when chickadees and nuthatches were not spotted along the Mill Race, and the third "reliable" would be Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens).

     In recent years Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinensis) has become almost as predictable as a downy.

     I am quite sure that we notice this tree on every visit to the Mill Race, wondering when the next fierce wind will bring it down.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Wesolowski

     I think we have been looking at it for at least ten years, however, so it is perhaps better anchored than it appears. The winds of November will soon be shrieking, however.....

     How charming the surface of the water looks with a covering of autumn leaves.

     American Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been busy and the water is backed up behind their dam.

Photograph courtesy of Andrew Wesolowski

      There were lots of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) busy flycatching from the treetops.

     October weather has been unseasonably warm and there was no shortage of flying insects.

     Ripe Japanese Barberries (Berberis thunbergii) would normally beckon them, but today they seemed indifferent to the fruit shining brightly in the foliage.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Wesolowski

     An American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonius) was making inroads into a Black Walnut (Juglans nigra).

     Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus), the darlings of the rodent world, were scurrying everywhere, busily gathering winter storage, and chattering to every human interloper who passed by.

     Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) were content to share the resources of the Conestogo River, both probing for their food of choice, without competition.

     There is little quite as peaceful as Mallards (Anas paltyrynchos) outside the frenzy of spring courtship, a time when raging hormones dictate aggressive behaviour. Fall is the time of easy living and relaxation and togetherness is the order of the day.

     The presence of several Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) was highlighted by one especially cooperative individual who, contrary to all kinglet protocols, permitted portraits to be taken!

     Fungi, as a general rule, do not attract a great deal of attention, but on this walk several discussions were held as we observed different types, so it was fitting that our outing ended with a fine stand of Velvet Foot (Tapinella atrotomentosa).

     Thank you Karl, Pauline, Andrew and Adrienne. What engaging companions you were on a balmy October morning. 

     Let's do it again!

16 October 2021

Would have been participants: Christine Alexander, Miriam Bauman, Dog Brunton, Victoria Ho, Jennifer Leat, Geoff Moore, Tracey Rainer, Colleen Reilly, Zach Stevens, Roger Suffling, Selwyn Tomkun

Guests: Meghan Singaraja with her son, Gabe.

     My plan is to run the entire series of walks mid week, with a repeat on the weekend for those who work.

     Unfortunately, rain dashed our plans and we had to cancel this outing. 

     Some things we can control - the weather is not one of them.