North Shores Park showing signs of coming alive

As we celebrate National Wildlife Week it is wonderful to spend some time in our local conservation areas.

A popular area for both townsfolk and visitors is the Niagara Shores area along Lakeshore Road. In the last few weeks, after the long winter, the area is showing many signs of ‘coming alive’ again. 

The Canada geese are loudly making their presence known in the pond area. A turtle was spotted sunning itself on a log on the far side. A pair of mute swans have returned and appear to be nesting at the far end of the pond. A mallard drake, seemingly lonely was quacking away.

A carp was jumping, and my favourites, the belted kingfishers, were quite active along the Lake Ontario shoreline with their noticeable ‘chattering’ as they fly about.

Last week, I was pleasantly surprised to spot a deer as I was leaving the area. It allowed a few photos while it was in the open and stopped after it went off the access road. We spent a few more minutes watching each other before it melted into the wooded area.

It’s great to see people out walking the trails and encouraging to see many of the folks with dogs keeping them leashed in the area, as Parks Canada requests. Given that we have fewer and fewer areas locally for wildlife, it’s important that they aren’t being chased by dogs on the loose.

I’m hoping that vehicle access to this relatively small area will remain restricted, as I fear it will cause many problems, especially for species at risk like the bank swallows that will soon be reappearing.

It’s very important for us to remember that with the ongoing development of so much of our surrounding lands, these dwindling natural areas will face extraordinary pressure. Maintaining their wise use will become important.