Upcoming Field Trips
Sunday, May 4, 2008 – Arnell Lands Biota Survey
Join Bob McDonald and Pat Chalmers for another working field trip into this pristine habitat to continue to add to our database of species. On this early spring tour, we will focus on early migrants, early blooming flowers and shrubs, and lichens. Weıll try to have one of the lichen experts with us. The trail is rather rugged in spots and may be quite wet so wear waterproof, sturdy hiking footwear. Bring field guides, lunch, and water.
Please pre-register.
| • | Contact: | Bob McDonald (after 22nd April), 443-5051; bobathome@eastlink.ca; or Patricia Chalmers, 422-3970.
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| • | Time and place: | 10:00 a.m. at the trailhead on Purcellıs Cove Road (details available on pre-registration)
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| • | Duration: | All day
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| • | Difficulty: | Moderate to difficult (in places)
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Saturday, May 31, 2008 – Cape Split Hike
Join Lesley Butters for one of HFN's favourite traditions - hiking the Cape Split Trail to see Mayflowers, Trilliums, Spring Beauty, Dutchman's Breeches, Blue violets, and many spring birds as well. If tides allow, we'll search the beach for agates and amethysts and other interesting stones. Bring lunch, water, suitable hiking footwear, and clothing appropriate for the weather. Sometimes there are muddy sections.
| • | Contact: | Lesley Butters at 422-4855 or lbutters@chebucto.ns.ca
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| • | Time and place: | 10:15 am at the Cape Split trailhead. For car-pooling from Halifax, meet at 8 am on the Museum of Natural History parking lot. (Please contact Burkhard Plache, 475-1129 or hfn.programme@gmail.com to offer or request car-pooling.) Take Hwy 101 to Exit 11, then Hwy 358 through Port Williams, Canning to Scots Bay. There, follow the main road to the end (T-intersection), then turn left, and follow the road along the coast to its end.
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| • | Duration: | 5-6 hours; a 16-km round trip
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| • | Difficulty: | Moderate to difficult
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Sunday, June 1, 2008 – McNab's Island Clean-up
(storm date: June 7 or 8)
Kick off Environment Week by volunteering for the annual Clean-up at McNabs Island. Meet before 10:00 AM at Murphyıs on the Water on the Halifax Waterfront. Bring gloves, lunch, and water, and wear comfortable shoes. Transportation to the island is free for volunteers. All ages are welcome. Space is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit mcnabsisland.ca for more details. Bring lunch, water, and work gloves.
| • | Contact: | Visit mcnabsisland.ca for more details
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| • | Time and place: | Murphy's on the Water, Halifax Waterfront, before 10:00 a.m. with a return by 4:00 P.M.
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| • | Duration: | All day
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| • | Difficulty: | Suit yourself. After cleanup, hike across the island or beach
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| • | Storm/overcast date: | June 7 or 8
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Saturday, June 14, 2008 – Limestone Flora /Chimney Swifts
Ruth Newell, curator of the herbarium at Acadia University, will explore the early summer gypsum/limestone flora. Weıll visit a beautiful spot, owned by Patrick Stewart, and protected with the assistance of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust via a conservation easement. We hope to see a variety of special flowering plants, including some rare orchids. There will be a maximum of 20 participants. Pre-registration is required. For those who want to spend the remainder of the afternoon in the area, we may informally visit some other places, ending the day in Wolfville to watch the Chimney Swifts returning to their roost. This final part of the field trip will begin at 8:30 p.m. (meet off Front Street by the liquor store) and will last until sunset (approx. 9:00 p.m.). Jim Wolford will be there to share information about these fascinating birds.
| • | Contact: | Burkhard Plache, 475-1129; hfn.programme@gmail.com
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| • | Time and place: | 2:30 p.m., at Patrick Stewartıs property. From Halifax, take Hwy 101 towards Windsor. Take exit 4, and head east on Highway 1. At the junction with Highway 215, turn left towards Brooklyn. After you pass the MacKay Road, take the next road on the left (Stirling Road; sign a bit difficult to see) at the top of the hill. Follow that road to the end.
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| • | Duration: | 2-3 hours for the flower walk
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| • | Difficulty: | Easy; but wear suitable foot wear
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Monday, June 16, 2008 – Point Pleasant Park Walk
Point Pleasant Park is undergoing review, remediation, and regeneration. Find out more by visiting these sites in transition with HRM's Peter Bigelow and Stewart MacMillan. This will be a great follow-up to Peter's presentation on June 5th.
| • | Contact: | Bob McDonald, 443-5051; bobathome@eastlink.ca
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| • | Time and place: | 6:00 p.m. at the Tower Road Entrance parking lot of Point Pleasant Park
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| • | Duration: | about 2 hours
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| • | Difficulty: | Easy, but wear suitable foot wear
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Saturday, July 5, 2008 – Butterflies
(storm date: Saturday, July 12)
Join Peter and Linda Payzant looking for butterflies typical of grassy fields and woodland edges of Uniacke Estate Park, and later a woods road in the Pockwock watershed. We can expect a good variety, including Fritillaries, Blues, Sulphurs, and of course several types of those challenging Skippers. Bring binoculars, a hat, and insect repellent. This trip is highly weather-dependent. If you want to be notified by phone about postponement or cancellation, register in advance with Peter Payzant, 861-1607. If Overcast: Saturday, July 12.
| • | Contact: | Peter Payzant, 861-1607
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| • | Time and place: | 1:45 p.m., Uniacke Estate parking lot. To get there, take Hwy 101 to exit 3 onto Hwy 1; follow it north towards Mount Uniacke for about 6 - 7 km. Watch for the sign on the left.
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| • | Duration: | About 3 hours
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| • | Difficulty: | Easy
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| • | Storm/overcast date: | Saturday, July 12
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