Trail Side News
Spring 2005 Issue 4 Volume 1
Natural Spring Highlight:
The Algonquin Park
- In March/April Black Bears emerge from winter dens.
- In April/May Spring Peepers emerge.
- In April/May Wolf pups are born.
- In April/May American Woodcocks begin mating dances.
Feature Article:
Family Night Hikes - Getting Active and Out There
The demands of busy work, academic and extracurricular schedules, puts pressure on quality family time. When a window of opportunity presents itself, creating experiences for all to enjoy can become an even harder task. The arrival of spring presents an abundance of unique ways to reconnect with your family. Early nightfall, warmer temperatures and few insects make spring the perfect time for Getting Active and Out There.
Night Hikes are a unique way to spend quality time with people of different ages and abilities. Children are easily integrated into the planning process ensuring the adventure is tailored to meet the interests of all participants. Requiring little equipment and a lot of imagination, the possibilities are endless. Mixing elements of nature, astronomy, orienteering, athletics and more you are sure to create the right balance for everyone.
Success of your first family Night Hike adventure will hinge upon your planning. Keep it simple and perhaps close to home. Discuss as a family, possible themes, places to explore, people to be involved (e.g. family, friends, local experts on specific areas/interests etc.) and equipment needed to have a safe and fun experience. If you are unsure of trying a Night Hike on your own for the first time, or, you wish more expertise in a specific area, (e.g. Owls, Astronomy etc.) consider hooking up with a Naturalist Guide or, local Naturalist/Astronomy Club.
In search of Spring Night Creatures:
- Spring Peepers;
- Woodcocks;
- Owls;
- Beavers;
- Celestial Objects and so much more!
Places to explore:
- your own backyard;
- local wetlands;
- local provincial/national parks;
- local conservation areas;
- local zoos and so much more.
Be prepared by knowing the area you are going to explore
and take along:
- flashlights/headlamps and extra batteries;
- call tapes (e.g. owl, amphibians etc.) and player;
- nets and buckets to examine amphibian species up close and personal;
- seasonal astronomical sky charts and binoculars;
- clothing appropriate for the evening, it often gets cooler than one might anticipate (layers are a great idea).
Breaking the natural rhythm of busyness and creating the opportunity for quality family time is well worth the effort! Creative family experiences like a Night Hike will help foster moments for enlightenment about the individuals in your family. Learning about their character, interests and skills like never before, will make you appreciate the value of Getting Active and Out There.
Feature Article:
Moose on the Loose in Algonquin Park
As the rock faces of Algonquin park begin to weep spring melt water, a flood of Moose can be spotted along the Hwy 60 corridor. They are as easy as an early spring drive to spot. The pools of melt water mix with the winter road salt forming a rich source of sodium required by Moose to produce milk and antlers. Taking the easy road, they drink from these pools rather than expending high amounts of energy searching for scarce spring supplies of plant derived sources.
Approximately 2 metres high and weighing up to 500 kg in the fall, Moose at their most haggard in early spring. Having used all their fat reserves, including the reserves found in their bone marrow to survive the cold winter, they can look quiet emaciated. Their winter diet (approx. 18 kg per day) of twigs and buds from birch, maple and aspen trees, as well as, needles of cedar and balsam fir trees would have only sustained their reserves. Battling Moose Ticks can also add to their haggard state with large patches of fur rubbed off in attempts to ease the itching. A hard battle won by surviving Moose, spring sees the return of easier times. Plentiful sources of nutrient rich food like ferns, bunch berry, water lilies, pond weed and dogwood (up to 50 kg per day) to build up their energy reserves. Access to lakes and wetlands for food and shelter. Smaller territories to cover. Warmer temperatures and the birth of their young (April/May).
Early Spring sets a tranquil stage for Moose Observing. Prior to the summer storm of people into Algonquin Park, nature enthusiasts (of all ages and abilities) are treated to a unique glimpse into to this majestic mammals life. Standing stoically in pools of melt water, Moose exhibit a patient curiosity towards observers. Respecting their space, Moose will quietly go about their business allowing you to enjoy them for hours, an experience most often reserved for nature enthusiasts willing to take a path less travelled, by interior canoeing, camping and hiking.
Nature Trails® Spring Program Highlights
Waterfowl Watching in Algonquin Park
Making way for spring arrivals, the ice begins a slow migration from the shores of Algonquin's lakes. Daring to swim in the fridge waters, the first spring migrants gracefully land on small pockets of open water. Under the guidance of a naturalist discover how to identify various species of waterfowl, and the habits and habitats of these short-term residents.
Binoculars and spotting scope are available for use.
For more information contact Nature Trails® at (705) 789-1871 ext. 3478
The Moose Caboose
Pools of spring melt water draws Moose from their forest cover. Travelling the Algonquin Hwy 60 corridor in search of these pools is a great way to catch a glimpse of this majestic mammal. Your Naturalist Guide will help you gain an appreciation for the biology and life history of the Moose as you observe them in their natural spring habitat.
For more information contact Nature Trails® at (705) 789-1871 ext. 3478
Citizen Science - The Algonquin Pine Marten and Fisher Research Project
Citizens become apart of the team! Joining Nature Trails®' Naturalists participants get hands-on with the Algonquin Pine Marten and Fisher Research Project, collecting such data as survival rate and population density. Travelling the Algonquin Hwy 60 corridor participants explore the habitat of the Pine Marten and Fisher by radio scanning collared animals, live trapping and tracking them. Signs of tracks, scat, den sites and feeding areas will aid in understanding the activities and health of these predatory residents. The observations recorded by each Citizen Team will be submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Trent University to further on going research on these wildlife species.
For more information contact Nature Trails® at (705) 789-1871 ext. 3478
Astronomical Views
The Spring Viewing Season - A Prominent View of the Big Dipper
With the arrival of spring, the Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major) takes its prominent position at the zenith. The telltale pot shape, formed by seven stars, proves easy to identify by experienced and inexperienced people alike. Visible to those in the northern hemisphere year round, its central positioning in the spring proves most handy. Unimpeded by possible light pollution along the horizons this constellation can be used to map out the entire night sky, enabling observers to discover major spring star and constellation highlights.
The Big Dipper as a Guide to:
| Star & Constellation |
From the Big Dipper |
Sky Measurement |
| Arcturus in the constellation Bootes |
Following the natural arc of the handle. |
30 degrees |
| Regulus in the constellation Leo |
Following the left star in the Dipper base, downwards. |
40 degrees |
| Polaris in the constellation Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) |
Following the right star in the top of the Dipper, upwards. |
28 degrees |
| Capella in the constellation Auriga |
Following the line of the top of the Dipper, straight right. |
50 degrees |
| Castor & Pollux in the constellation Gemini |
Following the natural line from the handle joint through to the right star in the base of the dipper. |
45 degrees |
Sky Measurement refer to the following:
- 1 degree equals the width of your baby finger held up at arms length
- 5 degrees equals the width of your three fingers held in boy scout fashion, held up at arms length
- 25 degrees equals the width of your hand span (between your thumb and baby finger spread out) held up at arms length
Discovering these seasonal highlights establishes a framework for which in-depth observations of deep sky objects found throughout the spring night sky can be attempted (e.g. Castor in Gemini is a telescopic double; M35 an open cluster is found near the base of Gemini; M38 and M36 are galactic clusters seen in binoculars and telescopes in Auriga etc.).
Behind The Spotting Scope
The Dance of the American Woodcock - A sure Sign of Spring
The dusk and dawn mating displays of the American Woodcock are a sure sign of spring. Encouraged to return in early spring (February/March) by the slow softening of the once frozen ground, the male American Woodcock lays claim to his mating territory (approx. 1 acre). Breaking the silence of a cool spring evening with his telltale peent sound, he flies into the air several hundred metres and circles around. The unique twitter of his wings hitting the air draws your attention upward anticipating his descent. In a zigzag pattern he returns silently, almost to the exact spot he took off from. Repeating this dance several times over during a thirty-minute period as the sun is setting and rising announces to his competition and to possible mates that he has arrived.
Calling home to an area rich with birch, aspen, cedar, sumac, jewelweed, golden rod and grasses the American Woodcock sets the stage for future hatchlings. Soft moist soil provides ample nourishment in the form of invertebrates and earthworms and the diverse habitat provides perfect camouflage. An eye for detail and flamboyant displays of courtship entices an interested female to take a chance on him. Having built his families foundation the male leaves the responsibility of raising their young to his mate as he seeks other mating opportunities and rich summer feeding grounds.
Scraping together building supplies of earth, twigs and grass, the female builds a ground dwelling nest that is very much in the open. Cautiously the eggs are laid one at time and she starts incubating after the last egg is laid (approx. 4 eggs). Using her body as sole protection from the elements and predators she settles in for a long month of solitude. Under threat of predators the female will dramatize a fake injury to draw attention away from her nest/young. This fierce protective nature sees the female us the shelter of darkness to protect her young while she refuels her energy reserves.
Upon hatching, the young are out of the nest and exploring their nesting grounds within the day, depending upon their mom for nourishment. With careful coaching the young are ready to fly within the month and gather with other young on rich moist feeding grounds. Having learned a lot in a short summer the young gather with the old and begin their night migration south (October) to the Gulf of Mexico only to return when the ground comes alive again.
A Look Ahead
Feature: Pine Marten Research Review
Feature: Bears With Us
Program Highlights: Citizen Science on Lake Opeongo - Indoor Climbing Adventures
