Exploring the Don Valley in Toronto by Chris McHardy
While many southern Ontario residents lament the low temperatures and high snowfall we’re experiencing this winter, my family and I are reveling in the opportunity to experience a new side of nature. As lifelong winter enthusiasts, my husband and I know that there is plenty of nature to enjoy during the cold months, and we’re eager to share it with our young daughter, Kathleen. This is not always easy because Kathleen’s physical disability restricts her to a wheelchair. But with careful planning and a custom-made sled, we’ve staved off cabin fever with regular outdoor treks.
We started with the nearby parks and woodlands, where we delighted in the antics of black-capped chickadees, downy woodpeckers and northern cardinals. These birds are year-round residents in Toronto, and are easily spotted in a winter landscape of snow and bare branches.
But it was an unexpected find on an afternoon hike that remains the highlight for me. While watching a couple of hawks overhead, I glanced at the top of a nearby tree and saw a bird nest, empty but intact. Like the birds that make them, nests are easier to see during winter. I spent the rest of our hike peering at the shrubs and trees lining the path in the hope of finding more nests, and I was not disappointed. I spotted several in quick succession, all different from the first one. My husband was able to take a good photograph of a nest located just above eye level in a small tree.
Trailside bird nest by Chris McHardy
Winter nature excursions present numerous photography opportunities, and we always make sure to bring our camera. Chickadees are friendly, active birds in winter, and it’s hard to think of a more striking subject than a cardinal against a backdrop of snow. While these birds are familiar to most Ontarians, a common winter visitor to the Great Lakes is not. The bufflehead, North America’s smallest sea duck, arrives in late fall and stays until early spring. I have yet to get a photo of this attractive little duck, but have made it a priority for the near future.
How does Kathleen feel about our winter nature forays? Judging by the singing that accompanies our hikes, she enjoys them as much as we do. Now that we have the equipment and experience needed to hike with her in snowy conditions, we’re going to take our explorations further afield. We’ve booked a yurt in MacGregor Point Provincial Park, and are looking forward to Kathleen’s first winter camping trip.
If you want to experience nature in winter, but don’t know where to begin, check out our Nature Network Calendar of Events. Our provincial network of community and naturalist groups offer a variety of outings for anyone interesting in discovering this new side of nature.
Lisa joined Ontario Nature in 2006 and currently oversees the Nature Network, a province-wide network of more than 150 naturalist groups and NGOs. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking and camping with her family.