ERS 346 Outing # 1
Time and Date: 19/09/07 13:00
Duration: 120 minutes
Location: Woolwich Dam and Reservoir, Woolwich, ON
Weather: 20, Windy, No precip, Partly cloudy
Habitat: Shoreline, Cedar thicket, Pine plantation
Went for a walk at the Woolwich Dam and Reservoir. There were over 100 Ring-billed gulls flocked on the reservoir, with some occasionally flying over the people fishing along the shore. Along the start of the trail, we found some New England Aster, which can be identified from its scented flowers (cool). The first part of the trail is through a pine plantation, where we heard some black-capped chickadees singing. We then walked down a side trial that walked back towards the shoreline, where we found a cedar thicket where we observed some interesting plant species, including a few species of goldenrods, sedge, and Spiranthes. Next, we came back out to the shoreline where we found some mammal tracks in the sand of white-tailed deer and northern raccoons. In addition, we saw blue-green algae along the shoreline and there was a notice at the gates of the bloom, which could be of concern for the species using the reservoir as a water source (not to mention the folks fishing from the reservoir). As we walked along the shoreline, we also observed some shorebird species, including Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, and what I think was likely a Dunlin. We also saw a Great Blue Heron and Double-crested Cormorants on the reservoir. On our walk back, we walked to the end of the trail along a corn field edge and saw a meadow of jewel weed. Finally, on our drive home, we also saw a red-tailed hawk soaring above a cut wheat field.
It was great to see all the different wildlife and plant species on such a short walk because of the variety of habitats that we were able to explore. The surrounding agriculture likely concentrates many of the species into this area, because it is such high quality habitat. I was surprised that we didn't see more ducks and geese on the reservoir, but that might change in the coming weeks as the migration gets underway. In addition, early goose hunting season is open, so areas like the reservoir will serve as refuges for species like ducks and geese. The species of shorebirds we observed were likely on their way south from their northern breeding grounds in the arctic.
