Frank Godfrey led a tour of the Godfrey nature property for 24 members of the Willow Beach Field Naturalists (WBFN). Tour participants were treated to mild weather and very few bugs as they walked along the Godfrey trails, built by Frank Godfrey with lots of help from daughter and son-in-law Hannah and Matt DeGeer. It was amazing to witness the transformation of abandoned farmland to mature stands of Red Pine, White Spuce, Maples and many other species of trees and shrubs. These complimented the protected creek valley with Eastern White Cedar being the dominant tree species. The West Branch of Cobourg Creek runs through the valley and is cared for by the Godfreys through their participation in the Clean Water - Healthy Land Stewardship Project. This upper tributary of Cobourg Creek offers spawning habitat for several salmonid fish species including Atlantic Salmon. Bird species identified by sight or sound included Wood Thrush, Black-throated Green Warbler, Wood Duck, Pileated Woodpecker and Green Heron.
(Photographed May 12, 2016 on private property near Cobourg, Ontario, Canada)