Lambton Wildlife’s 25-acre Mandaumin Woods is waiting for you. It is located 14.5 kilometres east of Sarnia on Mandaumin Sideroad, 1.6 kilometres south of Confederation Street on the west side of the road – (It’s the square piece of forest on the left side of Mandaumin Road in the Google Map below).
The woodlot is a wonderful place to take a quiet walk, birdwatch, or botanize. Over 44 species of birds have been seen in or from the woodlot, from the lowly starling to the beautiful scarlet tanager. The greatest numbers are usually seen during the spring migration. As well, almost a dozen species have nested on the property, enabling the visitor to see several species throughout the summer.
For those interested in mushrooms and fungi, 87 species have been identified to date. Varieties of fungi can be found regardless of the season of your visit.
In spring, look for scarlet cups. Cup-shaped, with a scarlet interior and a fuzzy white exterior, they grow to two inches on wet decaying wood. Similar to the scarlet cups, but taller, are devil’s urns. Elongated in shape and one inch in diameter, this species is all black.
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So, jump up out of your chair, grab your coat and rubber boots, and head out to Mandaumin Woods. Walk along the marked trail or do some natural history exploring. When you go, have fun, take pictures and leave only footprints.
For more information on this topic or any other nature-related subject, contact us.
Written by Lance Allin
* Thanks to the Sarnia Observer who originally published this series and granted LWI permission to use it online.
