High Park Nature

Today is World Wetlands Day. What better way to celebrate than to enjoy a beautiful sunny day at our wetlands at the north end of Grenadier Pond? The ducks were enjoying this big patch of open water!

While much of the winter so far has been quite warm, there are still cold nights, and squirrels need to keep their nests well maintained. Their winter homes are often a messy tangle of leaves, called a drey, high up in the branches of bare trees. The winds blow and leaves fly, so this squirrel was gathering a nice fat pile of leaves to patch up the nest.

Wonderful story of turtle hatches in the park.

Watch for turtle hatchlings in the park!!

Great to see some Monarchs in the park this weekend!

https://highparknature.org/conserve/first-occupants-of-our-new-purple-martin-house/

Successful Purple Martin nesting in the new house! Read all about it on our website.

Sign up for Stewardship in High Park!

Sign up for Stewardship 2023 – High Park Nature Sign up for Stewardship 2023 Time to register Posted on: April 21, 2023 Last updated on: April 22, 2023 Written by: High Park Stewards Categorized in: High Park Nature, News Tagged as: High Park Stewards volunteer Garlic Mustard removal. Photo: Sharon Lovett Registration is now open for stewardship....

Our Hotline is 647-491-4057. If you see Turtles or Hatchlings in High Park, calling or texting our Hotline is the best way to let us know. Especially during the nesting season between May and July.

At the moment, we answer to text messages as best we can. Once we announce the nesting season, we will answer the phone line daily. If you interested in volunteering with us. answering the hotline is one of the remote opportunities. More details available in our web site.
https://turtleprotectors.com/volunteer/

For other inquiries, the best way to reach us is by sending us and email to [email protected].

For injured turtles, it is best to contact directly a wildlife rehabilitator at Toronto Wildlife Center.
https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/wildlife-emergency-rescue-hotline/sick-injured-wild-animal/wildlife-rehabilitator/

Spring is really here, and Grenadier Pond is getting busy! The Black-crowned Night Herons are back, as well as the Pied-billed Grebes. There were lots of turtles out yesterday, enjoying the afternoon sun.

You never know what you might see in the park! This Common Loon stopped over in Grenadier Pond for a couple of days recently to take a break from its migration back north. Spring birds are appearing daily, make sure to get to the park in the next few weeks!

With spring here, it's the perfect time to get birding by ear! 🎵🐦🎶

Join us and avian ecologist Bill McMartin on Saturday, April 15, and don't miss out on this workshop to hone your birding skills! We all know about and often see cardinals, chickadees and nuthatches in High Park. But knowing how to identify birds by birdsong will open your eyes to the amazing diversity of birds that call High Park home!

For more information and to register for this workshop today, please visit our website: https://highparknaturecentre.com/demo/event/16834/

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https://highparknature.org/get-involved-with-high-park-nature/my-high-park/blog-of-high-park-nature/

Keep up with the latest news on our Blog, available on the High Park Nature website. While you're there, explore all the great information about the park's ecology, wildlife and more.

Blog – What’s New – High Park Nature Invasive Tree Removal Woody invasive trees are removed in winter by Urban Forestry Posted on: February 7, 2023 Last updated on: February 7, 2023 Written by: High Park Nature With the longer days of February, activity in High Park is gearing up for spring. Specifically, Urban Forestry is removing lar...

"Take the Lead". We're seeing many more off-leash dogs in on-leash areas. Protecting natural areas is important! Check out our website for more information.

Taking the Lead – High Park Nature Posted on: October 11, 2022 Last updated on: October 20, 2022 Written by: High Park Nature Categorized in: High Park Nature Tagged as: dog-walking The High Park On-Leash Committee (HPOC) is a volunteer group composed of High Park Nature supporters, dog owners and concerned community members. The gro...

Red Eared Slider also lives in High Park. They are distinguishable by the red patched on the sides of their heads as well as yellow and green stripes on their shell and body.

Interestingly, they are not native to High Park or even Canada. They were kept as pets and sadly released into the wild when they were no longer wanted.

Although they are not native, we still treat them with respect and encourage responsible actions towards all animal beings.

If you or someone you know can no longer care for a red-eared slider, you can contact the Adopt-A-Pond Program at the Toronto Zoo. They can assist with relocation and help document and monitor the red-eared slider population.
https://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond

The colours are gorgeous this year! Have you visited the park lately?

https://highparknature.org/support-high-park-nature/

You can now support High Park Nature with a tax deductible donation. Go to the link for more info and to donate>

Support High Park Nature – High Park Nature Your support helps us protect nature in High Park. We do this through public education – such as this website – as well as stewardship and advocacy. Your tax receipt will be provided through our partner organization, Pollinator Partnership Canada. Skip back to main navigation

The High Park Hawk Watch has begun! Join birders on Hawk Hill, just north of the Grenadier Restaurant parking lot, to see the annual migration of hawks, falcons, eagles and more. Daily from about 9 am to mid-afternoon.
Tuesday will be a good day, with north-west winds helping move the birds south.

Fall is raptor migration season. A time when we can see the movement of hundreds of hawks, falcons and eagles as they travel south for the winter. Many of the birds can be seen from Hawk Hill, the small hill just north of the Grenadier Restaurant. If you come by during the fall months, you'll like see birders monitoring the skies. Be sure to stop by and have a chat. If you'd like to learn how to identify some of the birds that will be flying over, here's an excellent online course.

Escape the heat - take a walk along one of the cool, shady forest paths in the park!

This will be of interest to anyone who visits High Park. Please take a look at the information in the link and take the brief survey.

High Park Movement Strategy Share your thoughts on possible travel network improvements in High Park! Take the online survey, register for the July 27 Online Open House, and check out other ways to have your say in the Get Involved section. The High Park Movement Strategy will rethink the travel network serving High Park in th...

Conservationists angling for a fight over fishing in High Park Family Fishing Week allows residents to fish without a licence. Toronto Urban Fishing Ambassadors are hosting the Urban Fishing Festival on Sunday at Grenadier Pond.

Make sure you visit the park while the Catalpa trees are in full, fragrant bloom. There are several gorgeous trees near the Nature Centre.

Sunday Walking Tour:

Plants and Pollinators

DETAILS
Date:
June 19
Time:
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Free

Join other nature lovers on this walk through High Park, one of several Sunday Walking Tours planned throughout the year. Take a look at the High Park Nature website under "Events" for more information and upcoming walks.