Activity Details 2012
Carden Nature Festival 2012 Activity Details
FRIDAY MORNING
Canal Lake Cottage
Coby Water Conditioning
Downtown Coboconk
Nature Guide
The Carden Plain is a unique and largely unknown area of the Central Ontario Landscape. Located between Lake Simcoe and Balsam Lake this limestone plain features North America's most accessible alvars.
The abundance and variety of grassland bird species is the main attraction.
Early Spring Flowers on the Carden Alvar
Snow has begun to melt off the Carden Alvar now in late March and water is forming large pools on the surface of the land. These will turn into large ponds, even lakes, as the early April rains add to the surface water. Many White-tailed Deer are now moving out of their winter yards under the cedar and hemlock trees, between the patches of alvars. The leaves of last years Prairie Smoke
The Migrants of May
The Migrants of May
May is the month for m
igration, and we took full advantage. For the first time in nearly 25 years, we took a week in mid-May to visit Rondeau and Point Pelee, a birding bonanza that added 70 species to our Big Year list. Since one day was a washout with driving rain, that averages out to an incredible 17 new species every birding day!
What makes this possible is the location of Point Pelee and Rondeau on spits of land sticking out from Lake Erie's north shore, as if stretching out to welcome returning migrant songbirds. Most migrants are reluctant to cross open water, since the consequences of running out of fuel before reaching land are usually fatal. They build up their fat reserves before setting out, but a single long flight can cut the weight of some songbirds by half.
Spring into Panfish
Spring is a great time of year for all outdoor enthusiasts. Fishermen, are impatiently waiting for the ice to melt and the lakes and open up to float our boats. If you're eager to get the line wet this spring, crappie and perch fishing can provide relief for many anglers.
These species are usually open year round, allowing us to get outside, put the boat in for the firsttime,and get our hooks set on these fun-catching pan fish. Crappie and Perch fishing is a great way to introduce young anglers to the sport. They are easy to find this time of year, fun to catch and good to eat. Both species are readily available in most central Ontario waters. The Kawartha Lakes offer great crappie fishing, and you can find some of the best jumbo
