Photo above: Barn Swallows by Caledon nature photographer and avid birder Gary Hall
Did you know that there is a new natural protected area just north of Caledon East? It’s called Meltwater Moraine and was purchased by the Bruce Trail Conservancy in early 2025. This 137-acre property extends from the Airport Road in the east to Mountainview road in the west and is traversed by the main Bruce Trail.
In the brief time that I’ve been visiting the property as part of the Land Stewardship team for the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club, I’ve observed almost sixty species of birds.
From early May to the middle of July, as you enter the property from Mountainview Road and hike through the farm fields the first thing you notice will be the bubbly melody of Bobolinks and the flutelike whistles of Eastern Meadowlarks. Both of these species are classified as “Threatened” under 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 keep it in agriculture via an agreement with a local farmer to continue with farming operations by practising sustainable farming. This includes harvesting crops after the middle of July following the nesting period of meadow birds including Field Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, and Song Sparrows. The old barn on the property provides a home for Barn Swallows, a species of “Special Concern” in Ontario.
Savannah Sparrow by Gary Hall
Field Sparrow by Gary Hall
As you proceed east past the farm fields, you’re greeted by a chorus of various songbirds including Indigo Buntings, Gold Finches, Orioles, Rose-breasted Grossbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers and several species of warblers to name a few.
Indigo Bunting by Gary Hall
American Goldfinch by Gary Hall
Nashville Warbler by Gary Hall
Further west as you approach the hardwood forest you might 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 call of the Eastern Wood-Pewee (Special Concern).
Wood Thrush by Gary Hall
Eastern Wood Pewee by Gary Hall
An article in the Autumn 2019 issue of Living Bird Magazine, reported that since 1970, wild bird populations in North America had declined by almost 30 percent accounting for the loss of 2.9 billion adult breeding birds. Habitat losses like disappearing forest and grassland ecosystems are a leading cause.
The main goal of the Bruce Trail Conservancy is to protect and enhance biodiversity on Meltwater Moraine as well as all of its managed properties and do its part in protecting our vulnerable birds.
Red Headed Woodpecker by Gary Hall
Note: If you are interested in purchasing any of Gary’s photography you will find his contact information along with more of his photography on PicturePathway.ca
