Ministik Lake Bird Santuary nature hike and geochacing day

For the past 100 years, the Ministik Lake Bird Sanctuary has been a safe haven for numerous bird species. It has provided local nature enthusiasts a chance to explore more than 20,000 acres of preserved Crown land, with about 6,000 of that land located within Leduc County boundaries. On May 4th 2013 Laura and Grace challenged 13 kilometers of the rugged preserve on a day of geocaching, Bird, tree, and Scat identification. Here are some of there findings.

We had not even made it to the park and the girls were already working on there identification!

BIRD IDENTIFICATION

Mallard Duck Identification                                                            

Blue Jay Identification

Video to come on this Ring Billed Gull, much to the girl's aggravation the camera man dropped the ball.

Once we were in the park the Laura and Grace wasted no time in exploring the sanctuary. With several identifications, and signs of wildlife.

TREE IDENTIFICATION

Pussy Willow Identification

Balsam Poplar Identification

Paper Birch Identification

As members of the Young Naturalist Society and active Cub Scouts, Laura and Grace are always on the look out for sings of wildlife around them. Here's a look at the sanctuary form their eyes.

A double nest supported between two trees

Taken  near an active beaver colony

Animal Scat. The girls Identified later.

Deer Track Identification

Of course a day of identification would not be complete without Scat! that's right a day in the bush is not complete without running into, avoiding, stepping in and identifying poop.

Rabbit Scat

Deer Scat

 Weasel family Scat

Finally to wrap up our day we found a total of 13 geocaches, discovered 3 trackables and brought home. this little guy. and of course a wrap up treat!

Time for this bu to Ramble on

Thanks so much for the great Day Liette!