wolf grove – Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists

Warblers and Wildflowers in Wolf Grove

May 13, 2017

Ken Allison

Five brave souls met at 7 AM at the Allison property on Wolf Grove Road. There had been some rain during the night, but when we headed out the clouds were broken by small patches of blue sky. By about 9:30 it had started to rain so we went inside to warm up with a cup of tea while watching birds at the feeders.

There had been some bird migration overnight, but the number of spring migrants was still not up to normal levels. Most of the warblers were either very high up or singing in hemlock trees which made getting good views challenging. Seven species or warblers were eventually recorded, although we had good views of only Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green and Orange-crowned. The last species was probably the highlight of the trip, although we did have great looks at Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew over carrying its breakfast in its talons and Spotted Sandpiper, Red-eyed Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler and Northern Oriole were new for the year at our location. In the past 5 years, 102 species have been recorded at the Allison property and we found almost half of those during our walk this morning.

Early spring wildflowers were at their peak, but many were not fully open due to the damp weather. We did see many white and red trilliums, spring beauties and trout lilies and were able to compare Dutchman’s-breeches and Squirrel Corn with adjacent clumps.

Photos and a complete bird list for the outing are included below.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Ovenbird
Black-and-White Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch

Red Trillium photo Ken Allison

Warblers and wildflowers watchers on Wolf Grove. photo Blanche Gauthier

Northern White Violet photo Ken Allison

Goose on Wolf Grove pond. photo Michel Gauthier

Geese on Wolf Grove pond photo Michel Gauthier

MVFN Annual Spring Walk 2010

Annual Spring Walk – Webber Woods of Wolf Grove in the Spring

Saturday, May 29, 2010 —— 10:00 a.m.

Explore nature on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s newest preserve— in Wolf Grove near Union Hall

Did you miss our winter walk in the Webber Woods in Wolf Grove? Did you enjoy the winter walk and want to witness this wonderful wild woodland wrapped in its spring wardrobe? Join this walk guided by Martha Webber, botanist, naturalist, teacher, and long-time property steward. Only Martha knows the natural secrets of this spectacular property.

Enjoy lunch on the shore of Bowley Lake.

Location: Meet at the end of Ramsay Concession 4B which extends south off Wolf Grove Rd., about 3km east of Union Hall (the hall is at the intersection of Wolf Gove Rd. and Tatlock Rd.); Ramsay Con. 4B is only about 100m long

Parking: Park along Ramsay Con. 4B

Bring: lunch, binoculars, camera, and your natural history notebook.

More information: Contact Cathy Keddy at 613-257-3089 or (call before 9 a.m. if uncertain event will take place due to weather).

Do you remember MAD Cap Horse?

MVFN Winter Walk on Webber Property in Wolf Grove

MVFN Winter Walk on Webber Property in Wolf Grove

by Steve Miller with photos by Cathy Keddy

Winter Walk 2010 photo Cathy Keddy

On Sunday, February 7, 2010 an enthusiastic group of hikers gathered at the end of Ramsay Concession 4B, about 3 km east of Union Hall for the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists’ (MVFN) winter walk on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Webber Property in Wolf Grove. We were immediately greeted by a small flock of chickadees hoping for hand-held peanuts. Guides for this adventure were Ali Giroux of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), and Tineke Kuiper and Joel Byrne of MVFN . . . to read the entire story by Steve Miller (with photos by Cathy Keddy) as pdf please click on MVFN Winter Walk 2010

If you missed this winter walk in Wolf Grove, join us May 29 for our Annual Spring Walk to be held on the Webber Property. See what the Webber property has hidden beneath its spring blanket!

MVFN Winter Outing 2010

MVFN Winter Outing 2010

Explore nature on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s newest preserve—in Wolf Grove near Union Hall

Sunday, February 7, 2010 —— 10:30 a.m.

Sharpen your winter twig identification skills—did you know that the first secret to sorting them out is the phrase “MAD Cap Horse”? Remember this and join us in Wolf Grove to explore the land, get to know some common trees by twig, and have lunch on the shore of Bowley Lake.

Location: Meet at the end of Ramsay Concession 4B which extends south off Wolf Grove Rd., about 3km east of Union Hall (the hall is at the intersection of Wolf Gove Rd. and Tatlock Rd.); Ramsay Con. 4B is only about 100m long

Parking: Park either along Ramsay Con. 4B or along the road that extends north on the opposite side of Wolf Grove Rd.

Equipment: Snowshoes are recommended as the snow will be deep in the woods. If you don’t have them, you can follow those who do. The trail is fairly gentle and suitable for cross-country skis, but consider snow conditions the day of the walk and that the property is densely wooded. Dress warmly in layers. Bring food to warm over the campfire. Bring binoculars and a hand lens.

More information: Contact Cathy Keddy at 613-257-3089 or .

MAD Cap Horse