Photography Sequence: Palgrave photographer Gary Hall shares hen pictures from Caledon’s Meltwater Moraine

Photo above: Barn Swallows by Caledon nature photographer and avid birder Gary Hall

Did you already know that there’s a new pure protected space simply north of Caledon East? It’s known as Meltwater Moraine and was bought by the Bruce Trail Conservancy in early 2025. This 137-acre property extends from the Airport Road within the east to Mountainview street within the west and is traversed by the primary Bruce Trail.

In the temporary time that I’ve been visiting the property as a part of the Land Stewardship group for the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club, I’ve noticed virtually sixty species of birds.

From early May to the center of July, as you enter the property from Mountainview Road and hike via the farm fields the very first thing you discover would be the bubbly melody of Bobolinks and the flutelike whistles of Eastern Meadowlarks. Both of those species are categorised as “Threatened” below Ontario’s Endangered Species Act.

Meadowlark by Gary Hall

Bobolink by Gary Hall

Because the western portion of this property has been in agriculture for generations, the Bruce Trail will hold it in agriculture by way of an settlement with a neighborhood farmer to proceed with farming operations by practising sustainable farming. This consists of harvesting crops after the center of July following the nesting interval of meadow birds together with Field Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, and Song Sparrows. The previous barn on the property gives a house for Barn Swallows, a species of “Special Concern” in Ontario.

Savannah Sparrow by Gary Hall

Field Sparrow by Gary Hall

As you proceed east previous the farm fields, you’re greeted by a refrain of varied songbirds together with Indigo Buntings, Gold Finches, Orioles, Rose-breasted Grossbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers and a number of other species of warblers to call just a few.

Indigo Bunting by Gary Hall

American Goldfinch by Gary Hall

Nashville Warbler by Gary Hall

Further west as you method the hardwood forest you would possibly hear, the flute like sound of a Wood Thrush (Special Concern), the drumming sound of a Red-headed Woodpecker (Endangered), or the pee-ah wee name of the Eastern Wood-Pewee (Special Concern).

Wood Thrush by Gary Hall

Eastern Wood Pewee by Gary Hall

An article within the Autumn 2019 difficulty of Living Bird Magazine, reported that since 1970, wild hen populations in North America had declined by virtually 30 p.c accounting for the lack of 2.9 billion grownup breeding  birds. Habitat losses like disappearing forest and grassland ecosystems are a number one trigger.

The predominant purpose of the Bruce Trail Conservancy is to guard and improve biodiversity on Meltwater Moraine in addition to all of its managed properties and do its half in defending our weak birds.

Red Headed Woodpecker by Gary Hall

Note: If you have an interest in buying any of Gary’s pictures you will discover his contact data together with more of his photography on PicturePathway.ca

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