Scenic Dundas Valley!

A favourite spot to walk and connect with nature! 

Highlights of this1,200 hectare conservation area include Carolinian forests, meadows, cold-water streams and stunning geological formations. The area is part of a large glacial valley that spreads out into Lake Ontario. It was excavated by a succession of glaciers that disappeared some 10,000 years ago. The landscape that emerged has been shaped by glacial meltwater and more recently, by streams flowing through the valley. And it is home to countless kinds of flora and fauna.

https://conservationhamilton.ca/conservation-areas/dundas-valley/

It was a cool, cloudy and grey December day so I had to search a bit to find signs of insect life. Attached to the under side of the picnic shelter roof at the Trail Centre building, were lots of mud tubes. They were made by a Mud Dauber Wasp. Mud Daubers are solitary wasps that build their nests using mud. These wasps are not aggressive and rarely sting unless provoked. Each tube is a separate cell for a single larva. Inside each tube, the mother wasp places several paralyzed spiders and lays one egg before sealing the tube shut. The larva feeds inside the tube until it's ready to emerge. The adult wasp never returns to check on her young. The nest must support the entire development process until the adult emerges.

https://waspworld.com/mud-dauber-wasp/

The Main Loop trail system linked with a portion of the Bruce Trail.

Limestone Rock, abundant in the area

Pileated Woodpecker holes.

Despite their large size, Pileated Woodpeckers can be hard to find. Because of their enormous excavations, this bird plays a huge role in forest ecosystems by creating nesting holes for owls, ducks, bats and small mammals!

https://birdsnews.com/pileated-woodpecker-facts/

Three Eastern Bluebirds hunted near a small stream for food. Despite being primarily insect eaters, Eastern Bluebirds are reported each winter in Southern Ontario.

Cedar Waxwing, sitting in his grocery store filled with wild grapes.

A Red Squirrel was easy to locate as we could hear the sound of sharp teeth chewing on a nut.

A "square squirrel" or "Squarrel" as suggested by a friend! 

The Basadinaa Experience takes place along the Main Loop Trail through Territory No. 3 and the signage provides opportunities for reflection, learning and connection with the land through First Nations perspectives.

https://conservationhamilton.ca/conservation-areas/dundas-valley/