On January 18th coming back from snow shoeing on Bishop’s Road area trail, I saw 2 adult and 2 juvenile swans on the ice at Forster’s Bridge on Sharpes Creek Line. I reported this to Lampton Heritage Museum who informed me that perhaps 1,000 Tundra Swans stopped briefly in the area on about December 16. They also had a few Tundra Swans in the fields near Lambton Heritage Museum around New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day. They had not seen or heard about any since then, but they could still be in the area. Some have been over-wintering around the Great Lakes the last few years. I could not tell from my photo whether they were trumpeter or tundra swans. Lampton Heritage Museum reports on the tundra swans’ migration every year. They are most often seen along Greenway Road. They are usually seen for the first time in March, but in 2012 the first sighting was on February 3rd and in 2024 on February 7th. Usually, this is a result of a mild winter.
On Sunday January 19th the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association had a good turn out for their hike at Varna. About 28 hiked the Mavis and Taylor Trails while a smaller number opted for the shorter Taylor trail. This hike was well timed as it was before the heavy snowfall that night, and the -20 C on January 22nd. The hikers were treated to a chili, corn bread, cider and cookie lunch after the hike.
I was not expecting many hikers to brave the -20 C temperature on January 22nd but eight came out, with five packing the Front Road Trail for the others without snowshoes. I did not take a photo of these hardy souls as my fingers get too cold taking photos when it is this cold. On the Sugar Bush Trail, despite the warmer temperature, only six came out, with five of us snowshoeing.
We certainly have had a lot of snow this year, especially compared to last winter. Removing some snow from the house sure illustrated how much we had as the snow was three feet deep in places.
Notes:
Hikers on any Maitland Trail outing are reminded to sign the 2025 Online waiver, even if they signed the 2024 waiver.
Sunday February 2nd 1pm to 3pm Snowshoe or hike the Maitland Trail. Meet at or near 80965 Sharpes Creek Line and we will hike or snowshoe the Maitland Trail and Nature Conservancy trails. To pre-register and for details contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com.
Saturday February 15th 10 am hike the Varna trails with the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association.
Saturday February 15th 6.30-8.30 pm Candlelight Walk in the Maitland Woods Note change of date.
Thursday February 20th 2 pm hike a trail to raise funds for the Coldest Night of Year in support of the hurt, hungry and homeless in the area. Leader Patrick capper at pcapper99@gmail.com. If you cannot hike on this day or on Saturday with another team, please sponsor a member of a team.
Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca
Midweek hikers meet at 9 a.m. and hike for 1 ½ to 2 hours on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com
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