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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1994-04-13, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13.1994. National Wildlife Week — April 10 - 16,1994 Bannockburn Centre offers glimpses of nature As environmental issues continue to become a priority amongst both young and old, there is an area in Huron County which manages, maintains and encourages the natu ral surroundings. Bannockburn Wildlife Manage ment Area, owned by the Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Authority, provides a sanctuary for dozens of plants and animals in a natural set ting. Located between Clinton and Varna on Cone. 4-5 of Stanley Twp., the management area offers six different wildlife communities for the observation of nature undis turbed. The six areas include wet mead ow, white cedar, Bannockbum River, deciduous forest, old field and mixed scrub and marsh. Each community displays an abundance of wildlife indigenous to the sur roundings. The wet meadow is home to wrens, sparrows and brown thresh ers which are happy amongst the wild strawberries, dogwood and violets of spring. As summer warms the meadow, elderberry and goldenrod come into season. Bannockbum River and Walden Creek provide a wide range of aquatic life. The species encompass everything from the small, food creatures such as crayfish to sport fish like pike and small mouth bass. The selection of feeding choices draws a host of water birds to the area, including heron and kingfish ers. The deciduous forest of Ban MNR provides opportunities to view migrating species On April 16, 17, 23 and 24, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day (weather permitting) Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) staff from Wingharn will be offering a visitor services program at the Port Albert Fishway in Port Albert. The public is invited to attend and view rainbow trout first hand as they battle their way upstream to critical spawning areas within the Nine Mile River watershed. MNR staff will answer questions and provide information on fishway operations, fish species identification, habitat requirements necessary to sustain healthy fish populations, as well as MNR programs such as CFIP (Community Fisheries Involvement Program) and CW1P (Community Wildlife Involvement Program). The Fishway is located in the Village of Port Albert, to the west of Highway 21, approximately nine miles north of Goderich. On April 17 the Huron Fringe Field Naturalists in co-operation with Wingham MNR staff will be hosting an outing for interested nockburn Wildlife Management Area shelters many smaller crea tures which are so common to Canadian forests. The raccoons, chipmunks, squir rels, pheasants and snowshoe hare thrive on floor vegetation provided by the woodland and make their homes amongst the tall maples and beeches. A sight familiar to residents of Huron County and other farming communities is the old field, once cultivated but now left to return to its natural state. Bannockburn's old field is slowly filling with hawthorn and nanny berries. The inherent filter created by the management area's marshland absorbs potential pollutants such as phosphorus and nitrogen, leaving improved water quality for all the wildlife. One will find, growing in the marsh, alder, marsh marigolds and arrowheads which feed the popula tion of flickers and red-winged blackbirds. Once the afternoon has been filled with viewing nature at its best, hikers and nature-lovers can enjoy the picnic area and fishermen can make use of the docking facili ties. For information on the Bannock burn Wildlife Management Area, call the Ausable-Bayfield Conser vation Authority at (519)235-2610 or contact your nearest conserva tion authority for information on other wildlife management areas in Ontario. people to view migrating waterfowl and other bird species at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area. Partici pants will be provided with assistance in identifying bird species, background information on the Hullett facility and, weather permitting, an opportunity to hike along part of the network of dikes present at the site. Refreshments will be provided at the main Hullett office following the afternoon activities. Interested people should meet at the main viewing stand at 1:30 p.m. To reach the main viewing stand turn east from Highway 4 on Concession 6-7 of Hullett Township (third corner north of Clinton or second comer south of Londesboro). Travel 4.8 km (three miles) east, past the first viewing stand and waterfowl sanctuary. The main viewing stand is on the right or south side of the road. For further information on these activities, contact Kevin Coultes or Steve Bowers at the Wingham MNR office (519) 357-3131. Nature’s finery The Bannockburn Wildlife Management Area in Stanley Twp. offers visitors the opportunity to view many varieties of natural habitat. The six communities are home to numerous species of plants and animals and the lake provides sporting activities for the fisherman. OMAF sets criteria The Ontario Ministry of Agricul ture, Food and Rural Affairs announced April 8, amendments under the Farm Implements Act that require used farm machinery to be fully equipped with safety guards, shields and decals before they can be sold by dealers. "New tractors and machinery are GET READY FOR SPRING Application of pre-plant incorporated spray at the same time FERTILIZERS • Terra-Gator® with air spreader and impregnator • Standard Mixes • Custom formulations • Micronutrients • Accurate bulk spreading • Bulk delivery unit • Spreaders readily available Let us build you a fertilizer and chemical program to meet your special requirements PHONE 523-4241 or come in and see us for your complete spring planting supplies Howsort & Howsort Limited Feed, Seeds, Chemicals, Fertilizer Grain Elevators Custom Application WINGHAM BLYTH CARGILL 357-2700 523-4241/1-800-663-3653 366-2224 generally well equipped with safety features. During use, however, shields and guards are often discarded and safety decals get worn or defaced," said Fred Lewis, chair of the Ontario Farm Imple ments Board. He said the new Continued on page 15 CHEMICALS We have a large supply on hand. Protect your crops against insects and weeds CHEMICAL APPLICATION UNIT Available for P.P.I., Pre or Post complete with Raven Monitor and a 45 Foot Boom "Chick Days" "Chick Days" Order Now Dauphin Feed & Supply Ltd.~ Dungannon Walton 529-7951 887-6023 SEEDS • Mixed grain • Barley • Oats • Wheat • Soybeans • White beans • Grass seeds SEED CORN • Hyland