Sunday, June 7 : Carden Alvar
Leader : Colleen Reilly
Trip Description:
This Sunday we will be going to the Carden Alvar!
It's a magical place, and each visit you make there will show different aspects of the whole.
Let's meet at the South end of Wylie Road at 5:30 am. You'll realize when you see the sunrise, just why I booked this trip to start so early.
From here we will make our way along Wylie all the way to Alvar Road. We should see Wilson's Snipes, a variety of Sparrows, Bluebirds, and perhaps Upland Sandpipers. Loggerhead Shrike breed in the area so we may see them as well.
Bring a scope if you have one.
PLEASE READ THE NEXT SECTION!
There are no washrooms along this route, and the road takes several hours to drive - we drive slowly, stopping frequently. For lack of a more delicate way to phrase this, our journey may necessitate roadside pee stops. Please bring some ziploc bags or something to collect any toilet paper you use - we don't want to leave anything behind. We probably won't get to a washroom until after noon.
Latecomers to the outing are welcome to meet us at the stop described next...
After this we will head off to North Bear Alvar trail for a hike.
We will meet at 10am, at this location: North Bear Alvar (roadside parking)
After a lunch break at the liftbridge in Kirkfield, which will hopefully include open washrooms, we will go to a number of possible locations. These may include Cameron Ranch and Prairie Smoke parking lots and trail heads, as well as other roadside locations, depending on what we have seen, and recent sightings in the area. We will wrap up the day around 4pm.
Bring food you can eat in the car, and lots of drinks to stay hydrated.
Be prepared for driving Wylie Rd - it is a rough road and requires a vehicle with good clearance.
I'm fine with my TUCSON - I probably wouldn't want to try this in a car with less clearance.
My phone number is 289.795.6537. Feel free to call or text me if you need.
Looking forward to seeing those who can attend!-----
Type of Trip: Breeding birds, spring migrants. A scope is useful.
Location and Directions: Kirkfield can be reached by Kawartha Road 48 from Highway 12.
Public Transportation: None.
Duration: 5:30 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. Rest stops and lunch breaks will occur throughout the day.
Approximate Distance: Distances driven will depend on local birding info at time of the trip.
Terrain: Flat conservation areas, farmland, wood edges, marsh. Trails are paved or sany shoreline. Good footwear required.
Washrooms: At the Kirkfield Lift Lock and other locations.
Land Acknowledgement: The City of Kawartha Lakes respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Mississauga lands and the traditional territory covered by the Williams Treaties. We are grateful for the opportunity to be here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years.
About OFO Field Trips
OFO strives to create an inclusive, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all. Trip leaders are volunteers who generously offer their time to share their knowledge and passion for birds with others. Most OFO trips are suitable for beginner birders. Please let the trip leaders know if you are new to birding when you arrive.
Code of Conduct and Code of Birding Ethics: Participants are expected to review OFO’s Code of Conduct and Code of Birding Ethics before the trip.
Cancellation Policy: Space is limited so please cancel your registration if you cannot attend. If you need to cancel your registration on an outing, please go to the Events Registration page at https://ofo25.wildapricot.org/events. If you are registered for an event, you will see "Already registered" on the left side of the brief outing summary. Click on this, and you will see a button you can click to CANCEL REGISTRATION.
Transportation: All participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the field trip. Public transit information, if available, is included in the trip description.
What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy, closed toe footwear. Bring ID and health card, water, a packed lunch for longer trips, and money for park entrance and ferry fees. Depending on the season, sunscreen, insect repellant and a topical insect bite treatment such as Afterbite or Benadryl are recommended.
Loaner Binoculars: Email fieldtrips@ofo.ca if you require loaner binoculars. We will do our best to provide a pair.
Leaving Early: Trip leaders understand that not everyone will be able to stay for the duration of the trip. If you must leave early, please inform the trip leaders before you go.
Rest Stops and Lunch Breaks: Trip leaders will include rest stops and lunch breaks but if you require additional rest stops, please inform the trip leaders, so they can accommodate your request.
Safety and First Aid: Trip leaders are volunteers. They are not trained in first aid and cannot provide medical help in the case of an accident or administer medication. When driving, please follow the rules of the road. Exercise caution when parking on the side of the road and getting out of your car.
Accessibility: OFO aims to provide accessible birding trips which are welcoming and enjoyable for all. If you have any questions about the trip, or require accommodations, please contact the trip leaders in advance by emailing fieldtrips@ofo.ca. Please allow a few days for a response.
If you have any questions or concerns, email fieldtrips@ofo.ca.
