On the Trails: April 2025

Spring has finally arrived, and the trails are bursting with natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Seasonal highlights include the return of migratory birds, fish beginning their spawning runs, and the first wave of forest wildflowers—known as spring ephemerals—blooming across the landscape.

Early bloomers such as Bloodroot and Hepatica are already making an appearance, while the woodland shrub American Hazelnut is displaying its brilliant yellow catkins. With warm temperatures in the forecast, expect a quick transition to the next wave of blooms, including Trillium, Trout Lily, Toothwort, and flowering fruit trees like serviceberries. The forested areas here are home to the majority of the over 700 native wild plant species found within our protected environments. Not sure what you’re looking at? Try the iNaturalist app to help identify unfamiliar plants on your journey.

Birdwatchers are in for a treat this month, especially at the George North and Marsh Walkwalk Towers (accessed via the Arboretum), where raptor migrations offer breathtaking viewing opportunities. The Bald Eagles are once again nesting in the Hopkins Woods Special Protection Area, though the nest is difficult with nest in easy view from the Marshwalk Boardwalk with a set of binoculars. Both juvenile and adult eagles are frequently seen soaring above Cootes Paradise Marsh, along with a variety of other migratory raptors and waterfowl. Observation decks along the trails provide excellent vantage points.

Meanwhile, the Cootes Paradise Fishway is fully operational, marking the start of the early-season fish migrations. Species such as perch, pike, and trout are returning from Lake Ontario to spawn in the shallows of Cootes Paradise Marsh and Spencer Creek. The winter snowpack levels this winter provided for perfect spring floods, however Lake Ontario water levels, and thus marsh water levels are below average, resulting in little flooded vegetation in Cootes Paradise Marsh.

A reminder: Wildlife feeding in RBG’s nature sanctuaries is prohibited. Frequency and amount of feeding in hotspot areas has become a big problem and is causing more harm than good. To protect the nature we love, please do not feed the wildlife. Learn more about the impacts of wildlife feeding at RBG.

Trail User Notes

• Creekside Walk in Hendrie Valley is in poor conditions and muddy due to late winter floods.
• Rock Chapel Parking Lot has reopened for the season.
• Arboretum Spring Hours: The Arboretum is currently open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for trail users. Please note that during peak bloom season of the flowering tree collections (May/June), Arboretum hours, admission, and parking are subject to change. Details to be confirmed.

For Your Safety

• While using our nature trails, please note that all use is at your own risk. Most of our trails are hilly and the trail surfaces are natural soil. Consider your footwear as during winter surfaces can be icy or muddy depending on the weather.
• Please stay on the marked trails to avoid trampling regenerating shrubs and trees or buried roots of understory plants such as trilliums.
• The nature trail system is considered closed during extreme weather event notifications from Environment Canada.
• Cross country skiing and mountain bikes/fat bikes are not allowed as our trails are not designed to accommodate these activities.
• Please be aware ticks, including those carrying Lyme Disease, are found throughout the Hamilton/Burlington area and are active at temperatures above 0°C. Protect yourself by staying on marked trails. RBG does not accept ticks for testing. For inquiries regarding ticks, please contact the Region of Halton or City of Hamilton Public Health.