Mission Statement
To preserve natural areas in the City of Windsor, Essex County, Pelee Island, and the municipality of Chatham/Kent for future generations.
When the Conservation Easement Agreement related to the Balkwill Lands was signed between landowners Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill and the Canada South Land Trust in April 2007, the agreement was that the Lands be inspected at least once yearly. The Conservation Easement Agreement includes a number of restrictions that were chosen as they will protect the natural heritage on the Balkwill Lands in perpetuity. Such restrictions as no dumping or filling, no construction of buildings, no construction of roads or cutting of trees are important to ensure the natural heritage is preserved.
Monitoring involves a number of persons who donate their time and expertise. The monitoring begins with a phone call to landowners Bill Balkwill and Jack Backwill. A date for the monitoring is agreed upon and the monitors arrive at an early hour. The phone call on May 2, 2011 resulted in Wednesday, May 11, 2011 chosen with monitors arriving to commence the monitoring at 9:00 a.m.
Long time monitor Ernie Kennette agreed to look after the paper work with other persons contributing including Linda Kennette, who was donating her time for the fifth year. New executive member Parma Yarkin joined the monitoring group for the first time. Photographers Alan Batke and Larry Onysko were on hand to record the monitoring as was Land Trust director Terry Anderson. Landowners Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill guided the group around the perimeter of the Lands.
During the morning monitoring, the northwest area of the Balkwill Lands and adjacent lands was examined by volunteer Betty Learmouth for the invasive plant Garlic Mustard. Garlic Mustard was noted on the adjacent lands. These plants were pulled with enough to fill two garbage bags.
In the past the monitoring had been divided into two half day sessions, but due to everyone’s busy schedule, it was decided to continue the monitoring in the afternoon. Ernie Kennette, Linda Kennette, Terry Anderson and Bill Balkwill and Jack Balkwill walked the various lanes to complete the monitoring.
A close look at the Balkwill Lands natural heritage indicated that no restrictions had been violated during this fifth monitoring session.
Notes from monitors indicated some actions taken during the monitoring. European Buckthorn, an invasive shrub, was removed from the north end of Lane 8. Several Garlic Mustard plants were noted in the northeast woodland which were pulled by Alan Batke. As the monitoring group returned from the morning’s monitoring, an Eastern Fox Snake was seen on the rock pile near the south end of the Old Logging Road.
Eastern Bluebirds were seen at several nesting box sites. Great Crested Flycatcher, Tufted Titmouse, Chipping Sparrows, Northern Mockingbird, and Northern Oriole were heard singing. A single Wild Turkey was seen in the northeast section of the woodland along with four White-tailed Deer.
Thank you to all who assisted with this year’s monitoring.
Bill Balkwill reported the sighting of a flock of Wild Turkeys, approximately 60 individuals about January 28, 2011. Bill reported that the Turkeys were running around, appearing as a black mass.
On Sunday afternoon, January 30, 2011, an adult Bald Eagle perched in a tree near the Balkwill residence. Snow Buntings have been seen along the laneway. A large number of Horned Larks were seen on February 4, 2011.
Bill Balkwill reported that several Purple Finches were seen the day after a winter storm.
There is considerable activity at the feeder before evening and especially before cold nights.
On February 11, 2011, Bill Balkwill reported various bird species activity about the Balkwill Lands.
The numbers of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks have increased with the recent very harsh weather conditions that produced wind chill in the minus twenties. Bill estimates one hundred Snow Buntings and Horned Larks would fly up every few minutes as they fed at the feeder near the residence.
Jack Balkwill glimpsed a crow size gray owl that flushed from the loafing area of the large barn. On February 9, 2011, the partially eaten remains of a rabbit were found which was likely the owl's prey.
The mass of Wild Turkeys were observed twice this week. The birds were seen along the front of the woodland and in the woods. This is the first winter that these birds have been observed in the woodland. As well, the local deer population is spending time in the woodland.
On February 9, 2011, a male Northern Harrier was observed.
Around the Balkwill residence, the feeding area was active with Blue Jays, one hundred Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches. Eastern Bluebirds are around the nesting boxes during the day time. Bill suspects these birds congregate in the boxes at night. Prior to night fall the feeding area is particularly busy.
As Bill provided this report he mentioned that thirty Horned Larks were sitting on the snow bank near the feeding area.
Bill's next report was on February 20, 2011 following a few days of mild weather, causing accumulated snow to disappear. The Snow Buntings and Horned Larks had disappeared with six Horned Larks back as another winter storm moved into Essex County with forecasts of 10 or 15 centimetres of snow. The American Tree Sparrows had also disappeared but were found in the woodland brush piles, then had returned to the feeding area near the Balkwill residence, but not in the same numbers.
Jack Balkwill reported a sighting of two Northern Flickers. Bill reported seeing a single Northern Flicker on two occasions. A pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers were seen in trees near the feeding area.
Bill Balkwill reported observing both male and female Red-winged Blackbirds as well as a single Common Grackle.
Five local Eastern Bluebirds are looking over the various nesting boxes around the residence as well as checking out the starling trap.
Two Northern Cardinals, a male and a female, had collided with windows.
Jack Balkwill watched as two Rock Doves were observed flying through the property and then moments later one of the doves was seen in the talons of the neighbourhood Cooper's Hawk. The talons of the hawk were grasping the breast of the Rock Dove. It would be interesting to know how that happened. Perhaps the hawk flew under the Rock Dove. Bill Balkwill remarked he had previously seen a Rock Dove and a Northern Oriole captured by a Cooper's Hawk.
Snow Drops were observed in the garden February 19, 2011 with flower buds opening.
Bill Balkwill reported that the storm on February 25, 2011 brought the largest flock of Horned Larks Bill had observed on the Balkwill Lands. Bill estimates that 150 individuals along with a few Snow Buntings arrived early in the morning then departed at 11:00 a.m. The flock kept moving around the residence, flying one hundred feet away, then returning to the feeding area. Other birds observed have been Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Rusty Blackbirds.
Bill Balkwill reported the arrival of a single Killdeer on March 11, 2011 with several now about the farm. The first Turkey Vulture to arrive appeared on the March 12, 2011. Tundra Swans appeared in large flocks overhead on March 13, 2011.
Bill remarked that the woodland on March 11, 2011 was full of American Robins, hundreds of them, but likely moving northwards rather than settling in the Balkwill woodland.
There is no sign yet of either Trout Lilies or Spring Beauties on the woodland floor.
On March 18, 2011, flocks of Tundra Swans were flying high to the south and west.
At the pond, two pairs of Wood Ducks have appeared.
At least three pairs of Eastern Bluebirds, perhaps four pairs, are looking at the nesting boxes. The Eastern Bluebirds are attempting to drive off the Red-bellied Woodpecker. The European Starlings would like to occupy a nesting box but the Eastern Bluebirds are keeping these birds away, especially the pair in front of the house, while the pair in the garden are not so aggressive.
After providing this report, Bill said he was off to the woodland to look for thrushes.
On May 7, 2011, Bill Balkwill provide a report on sightings around his lands. Warbler species observed have included Black-and-White Warbler, a female Nashville Warbler feeding on bird seed at the feeder, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Other species seen have been Brown Thrasher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird and a male Indigo Bunting eating bird seed.
For the last three or four days, a male Purple Finch and three females have been seen about the Balkwill residence. A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak and females have been observed.
The previous week a Northern Mockingbird was observed for a couple of days.
The House Wrens are back.
The Eastern Bluebirds have set up five nesting territories, thus are widespread around the Balkwill Lands. Eastern Bluebirds may be seen at their boxes located in the front yard, in the garden, in the centre of the prairie and in a ditch.
On April 30, 2011, a Sandhill Crane was observed and later heard again on May 2, 2011 by Bill and Jack. Bill Backwill reported on June 5, 2011, that a lot of wildlife was to be seen around the Balkwill Lands.
At the Eastern Bluebird box on the front lawn, the adults spent June 5, 2011 attempting to coax the young from the box. Visitor Peggy Hurst took a delightful image of two young peering from the nesting box entrance.
A pair of Eastern Phoebes has been observed looking at various locations, including the old stone building behind the Balkwill residence and the peak of the Balkwill home. Bill recalled that the old single lane bridge over the Cedar Creek tributary to the west of Balkwill Lands was a nesting site for this species for a number of years.
A pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have been visiting the feeders at the Balkwill residence. Horned Larks have also been attracted to the cracked grain. Lots of Baltimore Orioles are around. The Gray Catbirds are using the bird bath which the Brown Thrashers are also using as well as well as enjoying the cracked corn. A Tree Swallow has been observed eating the cracked corn.
Butterflies are attracted to the Balkwill garden, particularly Giant Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail and Silver-spotted Skippers.