Great Egrets
What large white bird is making it’s home in Burlington Bay? I’ve seen a bird almost as large as a Great Blue Heron several times throughout Burlington Bay. I remember a similar bird, when I was visiting Florida, and wondered if that was the same bird, and what are they doing here? Have they moved into Ontario to stay? Apparently, 95 percent of the Great Egrets in North America were killed for their plumes in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and are just now making a comeback. Great Egret counts in the Great Lakes have been increasing since the 1970s, as their breading range continues to move northward. In Carroll’s Bay, I was lucky to spot a tree full of Great Egrets that, from a distance, made the tree look like a cotton bush.
Burlington Bay Paddling Turtle (Geo-Art)
This Geocache is not at the Posted Coordinates. Read the description below, in order to obtain the final coordinates for this Geocache.
Did you know, with the addition of the Midland Painted Turtle earlier in the year, all of Ontario’s Turtles are now on the Canadian “Species at Risk” list. If you’re lucky, you may even see one as you paddle around to these caches.
This series of caches was placed by a kayak. The put in and take out coordinates have been provided at each end of this water trail. Caches range in size, from a nasty silver nano, to a small twist top container. Please read the hints, if you require assistance. I have tried to keep them specific, as I would prefer that all these caches are found. (I bet you wold prefer the same) All micro containers, have “Rite in the Rain” paper, so they should withstand the wet environment well, but you are welcome to replace (or add) a logbook if necessary.
Please be cautious of the wind speed and changing weather, as a storm can blow up quickly here creating waves that may easily swamp a small watercraft. Also be aware of large watercraft on the bay, although most operate further away from shore. You will also likely cross the training path of the Hamilton Rowing Club, these crafts move quickly.
In many cases, the geocaches are hidden overhanging a very shallow beach area, and depending on the water level, you may have to exit your watercraft to reach the cache, although most caches were hidden from the comfort of a kayak.
I hope you enjoy this series of caches, I placed them on three separate evenings, and saw an abundance of wildlife, including many large water birds.
On another note, since the area is so steep, I did my best to average the coordinates, however if you find the coordinates off, please feel free to post the coordinates where you found the geocache. This will not offend me.
Most importantly, enjoy your paddle, the thriving bird population, and all the sights and sounds of the Burlington Bay.
Bring a Camera, you will get lots of opportunities to see Water Birds, that are both rare and common to the area. During my paddle, I was lucky enough to see: Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Egrets, Egrets, Green Backed Herons, Black Crown Night Herons, Great Blue herons, American Bitterns, Cormorants, Caspian Terns, a number of shore birds, and a wide variety of both puddle and diving ducks. I’m sure your experience will by just as good, if not better than mine.
Coordinates for the final location, can be found on this page.
BTW, there is a difference between Burlington Bay, and Hamilton Harbour. Hamilton Harbour, refers to the (Man made) shipping port in the city of Hamilton, where the large lakers carry materials in and out of Hamilton. Burlington Bay, refers to the natural waterbody, that includes the Hamilton Harbour.
Enjoy your Paddle!