Orchids, Wildflowers and Ferns – Petrel Point Nature Reserve

Registration Required:

Registration opens on 2025-05-14 at 07:00 AM

Hosting Club: Peninsula
Category: Botany Hike
Location (Google Maps): Petrel Point Nature Reserve.
Driving Directions: From Highway 6, turn west at the town of Mar on Red Bay Road. Drive along Red Bay Road to its end at Huron road. Drive north on Huron Road roughly three kilometres, then turn left (west) onto Petrel Point Road. Petrel Point Road divides the northern and southern halves of the reserve. Roadside parking at Trail Entrance. Please park only on the north side of the road.44.814110, -81.289598

Hike Leader(s): Marg Glendon Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2.0 - 3.0 km/h): A relaxed pace with frequent breaks and a focus on enjoyment.
Terrain: Easy: Flat forested sections or lowland trails.
Distance: ~2 1/2 km

Description

Explore Nature’s Garden of Wildflowers and Orchids with Nature Conservancy of Canada’s  (NCC)  Coordinator, Conservation Biologist, Lindsay Notzl and Assistant Conservation Biologist, Alex Duszczyszyn at the Petrel Point Nature Reserve on Thursday, June 19th.

This pretty nature reserve managed by Ontario Nature is home to many native wildflowers, orchids, ferns and carnivorous plants. Due to the unique conditions in this Great Lakes Coastal Meadow Marsh, special plants have adapted to live in this environment. Learn about the characteristics of this ecosystem and how these plants depend on it for survival.

Several orchid and fern species thrive here. During this hike you will learn about orchid viewing etiquette, definition of an orchid and our responsibility to protect them. Orchids and ferns observed on this hike, will qualify toward earning the PBTC Orchid Badge and PBTC Fern Badge: https://pbtc.ca/badges/.

This “walk-stop-talk” hike is a loop hike which meanders through the nature reserve on  terrain which is generally flat, mostly boardwalk with some natural, uneven forest hiking trail.  Boardwalks can be slippery when wet. Be prepared to walk approximately 2 km. Hike duration will be about 1 ½ -2 hours.

Please bring a light back pack with snacks and water.  Wear a hat, long-sleeved sun protective clothing, and sturdy hiking boots. Be prepared for flying insects - bring a net hat and insect repellent.

Bring a hand lens if you have one, binoculars and/or a camera are useful too. If planning to post photos or using your I-Naturalist app, please turn off your location identifiers.

If you have reference sheets or books – bring them along. An excellent local reference is the Orchids of Bruce Grey available through Owen Sound Field Naturalists. You may also want to view the BTC webinar Spring Ephemerals: https://brucetrail.org/events/#webinars .

If you wish to linger longer, there are a few benches placed along the boardwalk.

Thank you to Ontario Nature for protecting this beautiful nature reserve. Thank you to the NCC Staff - Lindsay and Alex for sharing their knowledge and expertise with us!

Note: There are no bathroom facilities at this location.