 Laurier Woods The local hot spot for perching birds is Laurier Woods, a mixed area of native and immature forests, marshes and meadows. The woods are in the center of the City of North Bay and are easily accessible through a system of trails. Much of the land is privately owned but, to date, the owners have not objected to birders pursuing their passion there. Plover Lovers to the Lagoons
This year, however, the spring was late and the lagoons were too high when the visitors came through the area so few stopped over. This has prompted a unique partnership to form. The Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ontario Clean Water Agency and local birders have formed an ad hoc group to investigate how the lagoons can be managed to maximize birding opportunities in future spring seasons! Callander Bay One of the richest locations in the Nipissing region for all manner of waterfowl and wetland species is the Callander Bay wetland complex on the northern shore of Lake Nipissing. This is recognized as a provincially significant wetland and provides a rich variety of habitats from sphagnum bogs to cattail marshes. It is located about 40 minutes west of the City of North Bay.
|
The lagoons north of Callander (Twp. of North Himsworth) and Powassan are other popular locations to fill out your life list. Any time of the year, these winter bodies are apt to draw interesting specimens but the spring is the best time. If the spring weather is such that the lagoons lowered early in May, the rich mud flats of the empty lagoon are a powerful lure to the migrating shore birds on their way to the far north.
