Winter is a great time to visit Ken Reid Conservation Area

Winter is a great time to visit Ken Reid Conservation Area, and what better way to celebrate the beginning of winter and the Christmas holidays than with a hike along the trails to see how many different bird species you can see.

“Winter is a great time to see different birds at Ken Reid Conservation Area because the bare trees make it easier to spot them,” explained watershed resources technician and resident birding expert Rob Stavinga. “There are more than 10 different bird species you can see while walking through Ken Reid.”

Among the more common birds are black capped chickadees, white breasted nuthatches, red breasted nuthatches, pileated, hairy and downy woodpeckers, northern cardinals, american goldfinches, cedar waxwings and brown creepers.

“There are also a number of birds that are also present but more difficult to spot,” said Stavinga. “For people who are lucky you may see bald eagles, barred owls, eastern screech owls and snowy owls.”

For the more avid birder, Ken Reid is also a great place to try and see common redpolls, dark-eyed juncos, pine siskins, northern shrikes, great gray owls (occasional visitor), white winged crossbills and snow buntings.

Ken Reid is a 110 hectare (272 acre) property just north of Lindsay and includes more than 10 different trails through open fields, cedar forests, marsh boardwalk and more.

“When enough snow is present, Ken Reid is popular for cross country skiing and snowshoeing as well as taking leisurely strolls through the woods along different trails and enjoying the scenery,” said stewardship and conservation areas director Kristie Virgoe. “It is amazing to come out and explore the trails see the different birds and wildlife, and it makes it a lot of fun for the whole family to just get out and enjoy the fresh air.”

“There is always lots to see and do at Ken Reid and the Christmas holidays offers a great time for families to come and enjoy this fantastic area,” Stavinga added.

To learn more about Ken Reid Conservation Area, visit us online at kawarthaconservation.com/conservation-areas/ken-reid. You can also tag us on Twitter @KawarthaConserv or share your favourite Ken Reid photos on Instagram by tagging @kawarthaconservation or #KawarthaConservation.