Prior to the scheduled walk at the Balkwill Woods, an article about the Land Trust and the walk was carried by both The Essex Free Press and The Kingsville Reporter. A number of persons called to register, while a few others simply showed up on the day of the event.
At 2:00 p.m., fifty persons gathered in the Balkwill drive for a welcome on behalf of Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill, the Canada South Land Trust and the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club. Land Trust President Betty Learmouth announced that on April 13, 2007, a Conservation Agreement had been registered electronically on title. Can the Land Trust now sit back and relax? No, as the true work of the Land Trust is just now beginning. The Balkwill Lands will be monitored on a regular basis to ensure that the negative restrictions placed on the Lands are not violated.
To mark the occasion of the first Conservation Agreement donated to the Land Trust, a copy of Colin Tudge's The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matter and a colourful certificate of appreciation were presented to Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill by Land Trust director Terry Anderson.
Then Bill Balkwill lead the group along the Old Logging Road where Spring Beauties and Trout Lilies were in bloom. Along the lane leading to the pond, White Trillium and Wild Phlox were in bloom. Three large Green Darners patrolled the edges of the pond, which brimmed with water from recent rains. Large dark tadpoles, seen in the drain leading to the pond, were thought to be Green Frog tadpoles which had overwintered. American Toads trilled in the background. Several Tree Swallows sat on the roof of a nesting box in the pond. An Eastern Fox Snake was observed with mud clinging to its body. Bill Balkwill thought this large snake had recently emerged from hibernation. (see photo below)
A number of persons took the opportunity to view a Red-tailed Hawk's nest in the former Lily Balkwill's woodland immediately to the west of the pond. A Red-tailed Hawk was reported to be perched close to the nest.
Since the Woodland lanes (see photo below on right) were quite wet, several were sampled including the Burr Oak Lane where a majestic Burr Oak is found near the southern entrance. A raccoon always seems to be sleeping in this tree so it was not a surprise to find a large individual asleep on a limb in the warm afternoon sun.
At this point, half the group continued on to Lane 12 to view the unusual cream coloured Trout Lily, while others returned to the vehicles for refreshments. As the last visitors were leaving, an adult Bald Eagle flew low over the Woodland.
Thank you to director David Ainslie who directed parking and who brought his wonderful Goldenrod Farm cookies. Thank you to Patricia Rhoads for providing cold drinks and to Terry Anderson for his presentation to Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill. Thank you to Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill for welcoming everyone to their Lands.