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ACTIVITIES OF TAYLOR HEAD PARK, SPRY BAY, NS 2010 Sponsored by “The Friends of Taylor Head Park Society”. 

LATE MIGRANTS AND EARLY NESTERSThe birding activities will be led by Jim Cameron along with George Child and Warren Parsons and Steve Mildenberger.Sunday –May 23, 2010 Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netMeet at information kiosk at the last parking lot. Join Jim Cameron. This morning’s topic is birding by ear. We will attempt to identify the territorial song of resident warblers, thrushes and sparrows. We will be traveling along the Bob’s Bluff and Spry Bay trails. Wear sturdy footwear and bring snacks or lunch and water. There is no rain date. BREEDING BIRDSSunday, June 20, 2010. Time: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.net Meet by the kiosk at the last parking lot. Meet bird enthusiasts Jim Cameron, George Child, Steve Mildenberger and Warren Parsons. We will observe a tern colony and visit Little Harbour along the Spry Bay trail to identify nesting birds foraging food. Bring binoculars and sturdy hiking boots and good eyes and ears. Bring snacks and water. There is no rain date. GEOLOGY WALKSunday, June 27, 2010 .Time: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.Contact: Warren Parsons at 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netJoin Provincial Geologist Ron Mills to see the many interesting geological features of Taylor Head Provincial Park. Hear how the park was formed over millions of years by the ever changing geological forces of the earth. Hear about colliding continents, eroding mountains, and ice sheets 1 kilometer thick. See sand volcanoes, flute marks and huge glacial erratics. Wear waterproof clothing and sturdy boots. There is no rain date.  ABRAHAMS LAKE BIRD WALKSaturday, July 10, 2010, Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netThis will be a joint walk with the Friends of Taylor Head Prov. Park  Society. Meet  at 9 a.m. in Sheet Harbour  at the N.S. Tourist Bureau (Old MacPhee House).As you come from Halifax this is the first building on your right as you cross the bridge on the West River. Abrahams Lake Preserve is owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and is located 38 km. from Sheet Harbour in the Liscomb Game Sanctuary. This preserve has one of the few old growth forests in the province and birds nesting by the trail include Ravens, Goshawks, Hairy Woodpeckers, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Swainson Thrush,and Bay-breasted Warblers . Birds nesting in the sanctuary are Greater Yellowlegs, Red-tailed Hawks and Common  Mergansers. We will spend about 3 hrs. on the 6.5 k. of trail and eat lunch by Abrahams Lake. Bring a lunch and water and proper hiking footwear. There is no rain date.  HEADLAND TRAIL HIKE note there will be 2 separate tripsSunday July 11, 2010 Time 11:00 am -3:00 pmSunday August 15, 2010 Time 11:00 am - 3:00 pmLeaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netMeet by the kiosk at the last parking lot. Join the Friends members for a scenic hike along the Headland Trail. This walk will take approximately 4-5 hours. You will encounterrugged terrain so it is advised to wear hiking boots or sneakers. Bring water, snacks or a lunch, and don’t forget your camera. There is no rain date. ART IN THE PARK
Saturday, July 17, 2010  Time: 1-3 p.m.Art in the Park will take place on Saturday July 17, Meet at the information panels on the boardwalk at the last parking lot in Taylor Head Provincial Park.  We will be making art on the beach with found materials and let everything go out with the tide.  At 3 p.m. we will have a walkabout to see all of the artwork.  Refreshments provided.  For information contact Julie at 772-2407 or email jadamil@ns.sympatico.ca BEGINNING BIRDERS  FIELD TRIP                  Sunday - July 18, 2010- Time: 10 a.m. – 1:00 P.M. Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netThis will be a joint walk with the Friends of Taylor Head Park Society. Meet at 10 a.m. at the end of the Taylor Head Prov. Park access road at the information kiosk at the last parking lot. Taylor Head Park is situated 100 km. from Halifax in Spry Bay and 11 km. before Sheet  Harbour on the # 7 Hwy. Prior to the walk we will discuss equipment, guide books, and audio and visual aids useful to birders. We will take a casual walk along Powers Pond and look at nesting birds such as Common Terns, Willets, Lincoln’s Sparrows, and Spotted Sandpipers. The Walk will take about three hours and we will eat lunch on the trail. Take binoculars if you have them, a lunch and water. There is no rain date. NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY OUTINGSunday July 25, 2010 Time: 9:30 am to noon.Leader: Robert and Sandy Moser at 885-2395 E-mail: s.moser@ns.sympatico.ca Meet by the kiosk at the last parking lot. Wear sturdy footwear. Bring snacks, or lunch and water. Join Robert and Sandy Moser for an informative walk along the beach area. Participants must have basic knowledge of their camera. Topics such as composition, lighting, landscape and macro photography will be covered. Participants will be able to photograph various plants, birds, seascapes and landscapes. There is no rain date.  NOVA SCOTIA BIRD SOCIETY WALKSaturday,  August 7, 2010 Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netThis will be a joint trip with the Friends of Taylor Head Prov.Park Society and the Nova Scotia Bird Society. Meet at the end of the park access road (last parking lot) by the kiosk at 9 a.m. Taylor Head Park is 100 km. from Halifax and 11 km. before Sheet  Harbour. Taylor Head has over 17 km. of trails. We will do the Spry Bay Trail in the morning and eat lunch by Powers Pond. We will watch nesting and brooding Common Tern, Cormorants, Eiders, Willets, and Spotted Sandpipers. Migrating Whimbrels should be present along with other waders. Terrain is rugged so sturdy boots are recommended. Take a hearty lunch, water and proper footwear. An optional walk to the Headland after lunch is offered. There is no rain date. For further information check out the NS Bird Society at www.nsbs.chebucto.org SUMMER SKIES AT TAYLOR HEAD PARKThursday August 12 at dusk. We will meet at the Department of Natural Resources Building (old house) on the access road into the park. We will gather in the field facing the Western sky. Join Ron Mills of the Sidewalk Astronomy Group of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Halifax Center for a tour of the summer night sky at the park. We will talk about the sky as it changes throughout the seasons, point out the summer constellation group consisting of Cepheus, Cassiopia, Perseus, Andromeda, Pegasusand and more with a laser and describe the various legends that led to Zeus placing each of them in the sky. We will discuss meteor showers, look at some interesting objects with a telescope and discuss the, *Summer Triangle*s*, astronomical connection between space and time. Some telescopes will be available but if you have binoculars bring them along. Dress warmly, and take a flashlight and be prepared to look up.In case of fog or clouds the talk will be held on the first favourable night of the next Friday or Saturday. If in doubt as to weather call Warren Parsons at 772-2207. FAMILY DAYSunday September 5, 2010– Time: 11a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netSandy Moser 885-2395 E-mail: s.moser@ns.sympatico.ca Join the members of “Friends of Taylor Head Park” for a picnic lunch. Meet at the kiosk at the last parking lot. We will be serving hotdogs and snacks.  We will have a contest to see how many birds we can count in 30 min. (for kids under 12). A prize will be awarded to the highest count. Members of the NSBS will be available in the morning to judge the contest and help identify birds. Join in the fun.                                                                EARLY FALL MIGRANTSSunday Sept 5, 2010 –Time 1 – 5:00 p.m.  Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netMeet by the kiosk at the last parking lot. Jim Cameron, Warren Parsons, Steve Mildenberger and George Child will lead this walk. This activity will be along the Spry Bay and Headland Trails which will take about four hours to complete. It should be good photo opportunity for migrating waders. You will encounter rugged terrain so it is advised to wear hiking boots. Bring snacks or a lunch and water, and don’t forget your binoculars and camera. There is no rain date.  YOUTH NATURE ADVENTURES  Sunday – September 19, 2010 Time: 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netThis adventure is designed for those under 12 yrs. All children must be accompanied by a guardian. Meet at the information kiosk at the last parking lot.   Meet the many unique birds and animals of Taylor Head Provincial Park. We will look at the park through the eyes of an Otter. Otters are the most playful animal in nature. We will have games and contests to see if we can survive as an Otter. Prizes will be awarded. Wear old clothes and bring a change of clothing. Bring snacks, a lunch and water. Pre-registration is requested. There is no rain date. LATE FALL MIGRANTSSunday- Oct.10, 2010- Time: 1-5 p.m.Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.net Meet at the information kiosk at the last parking lot. Jim Cameron, Warren Parsons and George Child will lead this walk. This activity will be along the Spry Bay and Headland trails which will take about four hours to complete. This should be good photo opportunity to see shorebirds, juvenile ducks, cormorants, and migrating gannets. There is no rain date. PARK EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - October 12 – December 6, 2010 WINTER BIRDSSunday-Nov. 28, 2010-Time: 10-3 pm. Leaders: Jim Cameron 885-2970 E-mail: jim.cameron@ns.sympatico.ca  and Warren Parsons 772-2207 E-mail: warren@bellaliant.netMeet at the kiosk at the last parking lot. Jim Cameron, Warren Parsons and George Child will lead this walk. This will be a leisurely walk to the headland. Expect to see lots of Eiders, Grebes, Scoters, Dovekies, Guillimots, Mergansers, Harlequin Ducks, Long –tailed Ducks, and Purple Sandpipers. Depending on weather conditions lunch may be eaten at the headland. Bring waterproof boots, warm clothing, snacks and lunch, and a hot drink. This should be a good warm-up to the Christmas Bird Count. Bring your binoculars. There is no rain date.  CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT – This is part of the Nova Scotia Bird Count and it will take place in December. You will be notified of the date. This year was the first Bird Count along this part of the Eastern Shore. We had experts who traveled from different areas of Nova Scotia to help us identify species. We had a great time and saw many different species. The area that was covered was from Taylor Head Park to Beaver Harbour. There is also an opportunity for residents to send in info from their bird feeders on their properties. The day ended with a delicious meal at the Spry Bay Community Hall.