Across Canada and the United States, birders sought out our wintering birds in over 2,000 count circles (over 360 in Canada) from December 14, 2005 to January 5, 2006. Within Essex County on December 17, 2005, participants in the 21st annual Cedar Creek Christmas Bird Count counted birds within a fifteen mile radius of Cedar Creek which includes the natural heritage on Bill and Jack Balkwill's property.
Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 14, 2006 as the Essex County Field Naturalists’ Club and the Canada South Land Trust have arranged for a walk in the Balkwill Woods lead by landowner Bill Balkwill. This is a special event as part of Doors Open to Nature to celebrate Ontario Nature’s 75th year of conserving nature in Ontario.
Ojibway Nature Centre's Chief Naturalist Paul Pratt will be our guide at a late afternoon walk on the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve on Saturday, June 17, 2006. We may expect to learn about the history of the Ojibway Prairie, the characteristics of a prairie, and to be introduced to the many flowering prairie plants of mid June.
Winter 2004, Volume 1, Number 1 issue of the Canada South Land Trust's Newsletter included a summary of the history of the Land Trust from the initial meeting of its executive members on September 6, 2001 to its December 2003 meeting. The Land Trust's history continues.
The evening began with a supper which included Vegetable Cobbler, Eggplant and Potato Curry, Celery Brown Betty, Mushroom and Artichoke Lasagna, Braised Fennel with Parsnips, and Wild Rice with Mushrooms and Apricots. Greek Salad was on the buffet table as was David Ainslie's incredible organic bread. Desserts included Rosie Schwartz's "Low Cal" Chocolate Marble Cake, Carrot Cake with Creamy Cheese Frosting and fresh fruit.
Guest speaker at our Annual General Meeting on March 2, 2006 was Terry Anderson, CSLT director. Terry assumed the Chair of the Canadian Chestnut Council as of December 2005 and kindly accepted our invitation to speak at the AGM.
Landowner Bill Balkwill reports as of April 12, 2006 that there are signs of spring all around at the Balkwill Woods.
We have always valued our woodlot for many reasons. Whenever we were feeling blue, angry or confused, a quick jaunt through the woods never failed to lift our spirits and make our day a bit brighter.
An encouraging finacial report.