TRAIL TALK 389

Although there have been some cool rainy days there have also been some days that were great for hiking.  One such day was on Saturday November 1^st when eleven of us hiked the Exeter trails -the Morrison Dam Conservation Area trails and the MacNaughton-Morrison trail.  The last time I hikes these trails I did not see a single white squirrel, but on Saturday we saw three white squirrels.

On Tuesday November 4^th it was cool (up to 11^o C) and a mix of sun and cloud. I was surprised to see three clouded sulphurs there and later on one in the Hullett Sugar bush -probably my last butterfly sightings for 2025.

On Thursday while on a beach walk at the end of Black’s Point road, we saw a small flock of gulls as well as three snow buntings.

I saw some shaggy mane mushrooms on the Clinton Conservation area trail and some scalycap fungi on the Bannockburn Tract trail.

I have just become aware of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy which has been protecting sensitive and vulnerable landscapes since 1997.  This includes 253 properties with a total of 25,000 acres.  Three quarters of these properties are owned and the other quarter are privately owned, who the landowner has placed conservation agreements on title preventing aggregate extraction, loss of farmland, severances, etc.  These properties are mostly on the Bruce peninsula and Manitoulin Island.

There are three local properties. The Carey property of 54.17 acres was established on August 8^th 2019 and includes a white pine plantation planted in late 1980s with little damage from white pine weevil and blister rust.  There is also maple. American beech, black cherry, and black walnut and white cedar groves 

This property also includes a section of the Maitland Trail

Another property is the 3.06 acre Ottewell -Goderich Nature Preserve established on September 15 2019 which includes over 16 species of trees and shrubs which provides shelter and food for birds etc. It is located south of Fullerview Drive, and incudes part of the Lake Huron shore.

The third property is the 100 acre Ottewell-Ashfield Nature Preserve established on August 9^th 2016. It is located on either side of the Nile river, East of Lanesville Line and West of Cransford Line.  Almost this entire property is designated as Natural Environment, a designation that applies to those areas that meet the criteria of Natural Heritage Features and Areas in the Provincial Policy Statement.

   We are very grateful to these landowners for preserving the natural environment and protecting the property from development.

The Menesetung bridge across the Maitland River at Goderich is now closed to pedestrians and cyclist until an expected completion date in November.

The trail entrance at 80918 Sharpes Creek Line is now closed due to gravel pit work

Deer gun hunting December 1^st-7^th when the majority of the Maitland Trail will be closed

Saturday, November 22, 2025  9 to 12.30 pm  Hike from Robert Edgar Bridge to Auburn on the Maitland Trail. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Susan Ethelston at susan.ethelston@gmail.com. This is a Level 1, moderate to brisk paced hike - some uneven surfaces.

Sunday, November23, 2025  9 to 10.30 am Hike Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area. Meet at Naftel’s Creek at 79154 Bluewater Highway, Goderich and meander around this beautiful and scenic trail. For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Gena Lowe at genalowe24@gmail.com. This is a level 1, moderately paced hike.

Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca

Midweek hikers meet at 9 a.m. and hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com