TRAIL TALK 390

On Friday November 7^th I took part in the Owl Prowl hosted by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority at the Morrison Dam Conservation area. Two rescue owls were shown by “Wild Ontario” a great horned and a saw-whet owl.  After learning about the owls and Wild Ontario, we went on a short hike on the nearby trail and the hike leader played back screech owl calls, but unfortunately, we did not hear any responses.

            Ontario is home to several species of owls, the most common being the long-eared owl, the great horned owl, the screech owl, the short-eared owl, the barred owl, the barn owl and the saw-whet owl.  The snowy owl is quite often seen in winter, if hunting is po0r further North. The snowy owl is the biggest local owl being slightly larger than the great horned owl.   Wild Ontario’s great horned owl was a mature adult aged 31. It was rescued when young, but imprinted on humans, so could not be returned to the wild.   The saw-whet owl is our smallest owl, the Wild Ontario’s owl had a broken wing which was why it was still captive.  I have quite often seen snowy owls here and in Sault Ste Marie as they often perch in daylight. Most other owls are rarely seen in daylight.  Thyra has quite often heard screech owl during the night in the Clinton area.

            Wild Ontario started in the 1980s as a clinic for sick and injured birds. It ran into a funding problem and closed in 2006. In 2010 it was relaunched and in 2020 found a new administrative home and incredible support from the University of Guelph’s College of Biological Science. Wild Ontario teaches about science and nature both on-campus and in the community and provides an experiential learning opportunity for University of Guelph students and .

a long-term home and purpose for permanently injured birds-of-prey.

On Saturday November 8^th the Maitland Trail Association invited landowners along the trail to a breakfast at the Benmiller Community hall.  The breakfast was organized and cooked by the Maitland Trail Association Board members, and was a way of showing our appreciation to the landowners. It was good to see about 30 landowners attending.

After the breakfast there was a hike on the Carey’s Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy property.  Although it was deer gun hunting season, no hunting is allowed on this section of the Maitland Trail

            On Tuesday November 11^th there was about four inches of snow on the Hullett Sugar Bush trails. I was surprised to see two Bruce spanworm moths flying around above the snow. Spanworm caterpillars feed on beech, willow or aspen leaves, then drop down to the soil and build an earthen cocoon. They don’t pupate until the late fall or early winter when they emerge as adults.

            The Menesetung bridge across the Maitland River at Goderich is closed to pedestrians and cyclist until early to mid December.

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

Saturday, November 22, 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, 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.

Saturday November 29^th 11 am Mindfulness walk Meet at the Millennium Trail in Goderich, Nelson Street East entrance. Designed for those who want the benefits of meditation but prefer to move.  For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Tanya at redroofrecovery@gmail.com or text 519-616-3636.

These walks are at 11am on the last Saturday of every month.

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