Winter Birding Outing at Willoughby Nature Reserve

Join us at Willoughby Nature Reserve in Caledon for a winter birding outing led by Josh Pickering, member of Headwaters Nature, the official stewards of the nature reserve. Every year, birds travel thousands of kilometers to warmer climates, but a number of them stay behind and brave the winter. On this outing, learn about the birds that call Willoughby Nature Reserve home and how they survive the winter. Learn about the 125 years old community science initiative, the Christmas Bird Count, that welcomes birders of all skill levels and interest and how you can participate in bird research. This event welcomes all levels of birdwatching or interest and we have a few binoculars available for participants for the duration of the outing.

Josh Pickering is a community ecologist, currently pursing a doctoral degree in biology at the University of Waterloo, where his current research interests relate to conservation management, breeding bird population dynamics, and novel ecosystems. Josh is a resident of the Town of Orangeville, where he volunteers as vice chair of the Sustainable Orangeville Committee, and has recently been welcomed as a member of the executive team at Headwaters Nature, where he will organize and manage field trips for the club. Josh is a keen birder and contributor to citizen science programs, has led outings for community groups previously, and has observed 300 bird species across Ontario since he began tracking his observations in 2016.

Willoughby Nature Reserve is located within the rolling hills of Caledon. More than half of the nature reserve is mature forest of mixed hardwoods and softwoods. Two branches of Silver Creek, a tributary of the Credit River, have carved valleys into the property’s undulating landscape. The animal and plant life found on the property is representative of the region and – for an area so close to Toronto – remarkably undisturbed. Resident species include white-tailed deer, great-horned owls, and pileated woodpeckers.

Directions/Parking: The nature reserve is located five kilometres south of Caledon Village. From Highway 10, take The Grange Sideroad northeast. Turn left on Kennedy Road. The property, on the west side of Kennedy Road, will be recognizable by the coniferous plantations along the fence and an Ontario Nature sign. The entrance is just north of the St. Cornelius Church on the opposite side of the road and can be found on Google Maps. Participants can park along the side of Kennedy Rd at the entrance marked by a Welcome Sign. Please note nature reserve is not accesible by public transit.

Schedule
9:30-9:45 a.m.: Registration
9:45-10 a.m.: Welcome and introductions
10-11:30 p.m.: Birding outing

Clothing: Please wear closed toed-shoes, warm layers, and dress appropriately for the weather – don’t forget your mittens and toque!

Accessibility: The event will include a round-trip outing (2.5 km) along our trails. The trail is a loop, is graded to a maximum of 20% and an average of 5% and the surface is natural, with most of the trail as mineral soil, and the final stretch of trail grass. Please note there are no benches along the trail. View the trail map here. This outing is accessible and inclusive.

We do not have bathrooms on site, and it is recommended that participants use public washrooms within Caledon Village located 10 minutes north of the nature reserve.

Note: Please arrive on time for registration and be prepared for a morning spent outdoors

By participating in the event, you agree to abide by the Event Code of Conduct.