About the Field Trips

Field trips provide an excellent opportunity for club members to meet new people and to explore our natural environment. However, we ask you to remember that the places we visit are special, so please do not pick plants or collect specimens on field trips. Leave dogs and other pets at home. Use your own judgement as to whether you bring lunch or refreshments. Also, dress appropriately for the weather. Insect repellent is recommended for trips in May and June.

If you have any questions regarding field trips, please contact either the trip coordinator or the leader directly. The club is always interested in new ideas, so don't hesitate if you would like to lead a field trip or workshop.

If You Plan to Attend

Please call the field trip leader and confirm the date, time and place a few days before the trip is scheduled to take place. The leader will also appreciate knowing the approximate number of participants ahead of time.

If you would like to request or nominate someone for a particular trip, please bring this to the attention of the trips coordinator or a member of the Executive.

If you would like to volunteer to lead a trip, please also advise the trips coordinator or a member of the Executive by the end of January.

2012 Field Trips

Brule Bay/Chippewa Shoreline - Saturday, March 17^th

This hike goes along the shore from the causeway towards the cabins at Chippewa.      Highlights are the open spring, bright orange lichen and amazing ice formations due to the exposed shoreline.     We will be walking along the icy shore.  Good footwear or snowshoes will be required.   Meet at Thunder Bay Mall opposite the Athletic Club at 9:30am.   Contact Marian Childs 577-1324 to confirm.

Owl Prowl – Sleeping Giant – Friday, April 6^th

A search for the elusive Saw-whet, Boreal, Barred, Great horned or Great Gray owls.    We hope to hear them all, and with luck maybe even see one.    Carpooling is encouraged and please dress warmly.     Call Al Harris 344-7213 to confirm time and meeting place. 

Mission March – Saturday, April 28^th

Join Keith Wade for early season migrants.    Take the Island Drive Bridge to Mission Island and meet at the Hydro Generation Station parking lot at 8:45 am.     Dress warmly with waterproof boots.    Call 935-3092 to confirm. 

Baillie Bird-a-thon    Any 24-hour period in May

See how many species of birds you can see in a single day.    Get sponsored per bird or a flat rate and raise money for Thunder Cape Bird Observatory and other bird initiatives.    Break the local record of species or at least have fun trying.    For details see Baillie Birdathon under Activities. 

Birding at Cloud Bay – Saturday, May 5^th

Geoffrey Gooding will be your leader for this day outing to see what’s back.    Meet at Thunder Bay Mall opposite Athletic Club at 8:30am.  Drive to the Sewage Ponds and then to Cloud Bay.    Spotting scopes welcome.

Arbor Day – Boulevard Lake, Birch Point - Saturday, May 12^th

Arbor Day is an annual celebration of trees.  Sponsored by the City of Thunder Bay,this year volunteers will have the opportunity to plant numerous tree and shrub species at Boulevard Lake’s Birch Point Park, improving the health, diversity and density of the urban forest and improving the shoreline health and stability.  The event will be 3 hours of tree and shrub planting paired with a brief educational presentation on the event and appropriate associated information.

May 12th from 1-4pm
Boulevard Lake Park- Birch Point (access from Cuyler St)
Volunteers should bring: water bottle, gloves, shovels, wheelbarrows, buckets
There will be draw prizes for volunteers.

Pine Bay Nature Reserve Tree Plant – Sunday May 13^th

We need help to plant 4,000 trees at the Pine Bay 1 Nature Reserve. On Sunday May 13, 2012, volunteers will meet up in town and then travel together to an old cutover on the reserve. All planting equipment and seedlings will be provided. For more information, call Evan McCaul at 344-1316.

Nature’s Evening Choristers – Friday, May 18^th

Join George Holborn for a guided walk at Mills Block at 8:00 pm.     We’ll look and listen for frogs, snipe, owls, bitterns, nighthawks, and those songbirds that simply can’t give it up.   With luck we’ll see bats and salamanders.    Wear waterproof footwear and warm clothing.    Bring a flashlight.    Contact George Holborn 622-2113 to confirm time and date. 

Spring warblers – Hurkett Cove – Saturday, May 19^th  

Meet at the County Fair Gas Bar at 8:00am.    Bring lunch and appropriate clothing for this day out.      Confirm with leader Geoff Gooding 345-8513. 

Dorion’s Canyon Country Birding Festival – Saturday, May 26^th & Sunday May 27^th.

This 4^th annual events features outings to Hurkett Cove, Ouimet Canyon and the Nipigon Trail.  Area birding experts including our TBFN members will be acting as guides.    Transportation between sites and meals are included in the registration fee. One can atten 1 day or both during this birding bonanza.    More details are available at http://www.dorionbirdfest.ca/index.html. 

Bluebird Bonanza – Saturday, June 2

Join Sue Robinson for this workshop/field trip to check on nesting bluebirds and their broods as part of TBFN’s Bluebird Recovery Program.     Meet at Thunder Bay Mall opposite the Athletic Club at 9:am and we’ll car pool from there.    Call Sue 344-1739 to confirm. 

Mink Mountain – Sunday, June 17^th

This is an all day event to explore the trails and treasures of Mink Mountain and its birds.    Bring a lunch.   Meet at 7:30 at the Athletic Club parking lot, Thunder Bay Mall on Arthur St. Contact Brian Moore to confirm 346-4950. 

Awesome Odes! – Sunday, June 24^th

 Join Darren Elder and Robert Foster on some local waterways to search for dragonflies and damselflies at a location to be announced.  Bring wading shoes or rubber boots. Don’t forget a lunch drink, bug dope and hat.  Call Rob at 346-4950 to confirm time and meeting location.                       

 Pine Bay Nature Reserve – Saturday, June 30th  

 A half day hike through spruce and cedar forest to the Lake Superior shore.    See unusual orchids, a bald eagle nest and possibility of Peregrine Falcons at this site.   Bring lunch, bug dope, binoculars and sunscreen.    No trail – moderate difficulty, but flat terrain.    Meet at 9:30 at the boat launch parking lot, Little Pigeon Bay Road (50 minutes south of Thunder Bay).    Short drive from there to the hike start location.     Contact leader Susan Bryan to confirm participation 345-6446. 

Sleeping Giant Weekend – June 29^th-July 1st

 Details coming! 

Fledgling Falcons  - Sunday, July 8^th 7pm

Come out in the evening and watch fledging peregrine falcons as they try out their new wings.    Exact location along the Nor’westers is to be determined.    For comfortable viewing, bring a lawn chair, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one.    Contact Brian Ratcliff 768-8408 for direction. 

Caterpillars – Saturday, July 14^th 2:00pm

Come out and experience butterfly and moths from their immature stages as caterpillars.    We will explore what species are found in this area and what plants they feed on and when and where to look for them as well as a bit about their biology and defense mechanisms.

We will also learn the how to methods of rearing them successful (such as Monarchs for release) as well as what plants can be used to attract them. 

The location will be in town at and very accessible (could be suitable for mid-aged children as well):  70 Farrand St. at the home of John and Pamela Walas.    

Call 345-3324 to confirm or e-mail John(dot)walas(at)investorsgroup(dot)com

Orchids – Sleeping Giant  Lookout – Saturday, July 21^st

Join one of Thunder Bays's foremost orchid experts and photographers on the Sibley Peninsula.  Leader Ryan Leblanc 768-7973 

Thunder Bay Observatory – August 24^th

Date and time to be confirmed.    Contact Marian Childs 577-1324 

Waterfowl Viewing Day at Mission Marsh with LRCA October 13^th

Birding from the viewing mound.    Volunteers with spotting scopes very welcome.    For more information contact the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority 344-5857. 

Silver Islet Migrants – Saturday, October 20^th

Search out migrating fall warblers and other birds at Silver Islet.    Meet by the Landmark Inn at County Fair Plaza at 8:00am.    It is an all-day affair so please bring a lunch.    Contact Bert Harding 630-4735 if you have any questions. 

Fall Roundup – Saturday, November 3^rd’

Join Nick Escott for this driving tour of waterfront locations to search for late migrants.    Meet at 8am at Mission Marsh. 

Christmas Bird Count – December 26

Leader – Nick Escott