Nature in the Heart of Our Village
The Dufferin Marsh

Wine Tasting 2008

Our thanks to Hugh Sutherland of Carriage Trade Wines and Spirits of Orangeville who led us through a tasting of 5 wines from Italy, Spain, Australia, Chile and France.

In addition, thanks to one and all who came out to enjoy the wine and companionship, and to support the work of the Dufferin Marsh Committee in our local community.

Dufferin Marsh - Oak Ridges Trail Opening

On Saturday June 7th (on what seemed like one of the hottest days in human history), we opened the new Schomberg Side Trail from the Oak Ridges Trail. We hiked from the Oak Ridges trail entrance on the 10th, through a woodlot, across a field and through the Lloydtown Rebel Trail, into Schomberg and to the Marsh.

The entire hike took approximately two hours, after which we enjoyed sausages and hanburgers at the Marsh.

Our thanks to all those who attened the opening, and especially to ORTA members Bruce Chambers and Ed Millar who were crucial in talking to local landowners (to secure their permission to cross their land). We hope to have updated information regarding the trail and Schomberg in general in the next printing of the ORTA handbook.

Chimney Swift Monitoring - Update

We're delighted to say that there are a number chimneys in town that are currently harbouring swifts. Interestingly enough, one of the chimneys in question was not one that we had identified as a likely candidate.

It's on a older house, and rather than having a visibly large chimney, it has two flues in one masonry chimney, and one of which is filled with a flue liner. Our guess is that the chimney is not lined all the way down, but simply has a large hollow masonry stack, and two ceramic flues on top. It probably opens out inside, and that gives the birds enough room to manoeuvre.

We have see a number of birds flying in and out of the chimney, so we know it's usable!

Dufferin Marsh Frog Watch

The Frogwatch is underway. So far this year we've identified chorus frogs, peepers, leopard frogs, toads and wood frogs.

Once the data is collected and analysed (how many frogs, what type and if there was an increase or decrease from previous years) we'll post the information here.

Bird Box Building for Kids

On Saturday April 19th (after the cleanup at the Marsh) we worked with the Schomberg Lions to build and mount a number of bird boxes in the Marsh. The Lions provided the wood and tools, as well as help mounting the boxes when the kids were finished.

We were delighted to see that less than a hour after mounting the first boxes, birds were already investigating them!

A wonderful set of images (taken by Lion Steve Fisher) can be found on the Schomberg Lions website.

Dufferin Marsh Cleanup

It's astonishing how much garbage collects on the roads that traverse the Marsh during the winter. This spring was the worst in memory, with huge piles of garbage and (worse) material that could have easily been recyled.

We pulled coffee cups, plastic bags, cardboard and many, many 'water bottles' from the ditches and in the Marsh area. We recycled as much as possible, and collected the pop cans for donation to the Lions Club pop can drive.

Thanks to everyone who participated, including Mayor Margaret Black, and Councillor Bill Cober. Of course, we offer our special thanks to Grackle Coffee for providing the coffee.

Bird Banding Workshop

Despite worrying indications of rain on Friday night, Saturday morning dawned bright and dry, so the bird banding was able to take place. Chris Risley (from the MNR, Peterborough) and Erica Nol (Biology Professor, Trent University) drove in from Peterborough on Friday and were up in the Marsh bright and early on Saturday morning.