On the Trails: March 2025

Spring is in the air, and the calls of chickadees, cardinals, and wrens echo throughout the nature sanctuaries. As outdoor life reawakens, early spring brings unique seasonal highlights, including blooming Skunk Cabbage, migrating fish and birds, and the start of the nesting season for species like Bald Eagles. The resident Bald Eagles have once again returned to their nest on the north side of Cootes Paradise, visible from the March Boardwalk Trail, accessible via the Arboretum entrance. Eagles in flight are a common sight, with migrating eagles and resident juvenile eagles frequently hunting fish in the marsh.

Ice Conditions & Fish Migration

Following a colder winter, ice conditions were thick in early March, reaching up to 10 inches (25 cm) in deeper areas. However, with lake water levels below average, nearly a third of the marsh remained unflooded. This will allow the area to warm quickly, creating extensive shallow open waters, aided by creeks carving paths through the ice. Due to the thick ice and moderate March temperatures, fish migration will be slightly delayed, and the Fishway is expected to open later in the month. The first species to pass through will be Rainbow Trout, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch, making their way to spawning grounds in the marsh’s inlets and streams.

Migratory Bird Season

As migration season begins, large flocks of raptors and waterfowl will return on their long journey north. Our volunteer monitoring program has recorded a diverse array of species in recent years, and the full list is available online. Among them, Red-winged Blackbirds are the most common, their calls signaling that spring has arrived. The most spectacular scenes are as the Tundra Swans pass through, with the stops brief but can be up to 1,000 birds.

Early Spring Wildflowers

One of the first wildflowers to bloom, Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), will soon emerge in spring-fed lowlands. Prime locations to spot this unusual plant include:

• Grindstone Marsh in Hendrie Valley
• Anishinaabe Waadiziwin Trail on the north side of Cootes Paradise
• Westdale Ravine Trail on the south side of Cootes Paradise

Trail Conditions & Restoration Efforts

With the spring thaw natural area paths can become very soft and muddy, and challenge with thousands of visitors. The shoreline trails have largely been upgraded, and with many observation platforms to enjoy outdoor experience. Interior woodland trails do become muddy and fragile. The most sensitive interior trails include:

• Grey Doe Trail
• Sassafras Point Trail
• Thornapple Trail
• North Bridle Trail

The ongoing increase in visitation adds further strain to these delicate habitats. A major restoration effort is underway below Hendrie Valley’s Cherry Hill Gate, enhancing trailside woodland ecology.

Additionally, extensive wildlife feeding in Hendrie Valley has negatively impacted the forest, leading to unbalanced wildlife populations and reduced plant and animal diversity. The Environmental Status Summary Report for the valley, available online, details these challenges. However, a positive note is that the invasive Garlic Mustard plant has significantly declined and is no longer abundant in the understory.

Trail User Notes

Cootes Paradise:

• The waterfront Desjardin Trail to the Fishway is temporarily closed for repairs by the City of Hamilton.

Hendrie Valley:

• The Grindstone Marsh Boardwalk will have periodic user interruptions as deck sections are replaced. Notifications will be found at the trail entrances.

Escarpment Properties:

• The Rock Chapel parking lot is expected to reopen on Friday, March 21, 2025.

For Your Safety

• Please note that all trail 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.
• 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.