Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve,
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada

Description of the woods:

Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve in central Ontario is the largest reserve under the protection of Ontario Nature (formerly the Federation of Ontario Naturalists). It is located in the City of Kawartha Lakes between Norland and Kinmount. The reserve is 1164 acres (471 hectares) and almost entirely forested, much of it being forested wetland. The northern boundary is Road 45, and the reserve extends south almost to Four Mile Lake.

The reserve straddles the contact between the granitic rocks of the Canadian Shield and the limestone of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Forest.

The property exhibits a great diversity of community types due to its topographic variability, as well as its position on the edge of two major geologic formations. The granitic Shield areas have rolling topography punctuated by pockets of open marsh, beaver meadow and cedar and alder swamp. These wetland areas are fed by Corben Creek, which runs through the south-eastern areas of the reserve. In the north and western limestone sections, the level topography is blanketed with sugar maple and ironwood, with areas of old field regeneration and pine plantation.

The Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve provides habitat for numerous species that depend upon large tracts of contiguous natural cover. Red-shouldered hawks are frequently seen on the property and have been known to nest on the reserve. In the summer, the forest and forest edges reverberate with the songs of breeding birds such as the hermit thrush, veery, least flycatcher, ovenbird, and a wealth of other warblers: black-and-white, yellow-rumped, black-throated green, black-throated blue, and chestnut-sided warbler. golden-winged warblers, field sparrows and ruby-throated hummingbirds frequent more open habitats. Signs of deer, moose, beaver, and other mammals await the observant naturalist. Moccasin flower, showy lady's slipper, and northern beech fern are amongst the many interesting plants.

There are a number of walking trails on the reserve, details of which can be found here.

Further information about this woodland can be found here.

This woodland is under the protection of Ontario Nature.

Pictures of the woodland:

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To locate your woodland:

Please do come and visit your woodland, we ask that you follow the walking trails to avoid disturbing the wildlife.

Click here to see the whole 1164 acres of Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve on a map. This map can be zoomed in to show an aerial photo and zoomed out to show a map of how to get there.

Directions:

From the south, take Highway 35/115 north from Highway 401 to Lindsay and continue north past Fenelon Falls and Coboconk to Norland. At Norland, turn east on Road 45 and continue for approximately 7 km. The property is on the south (right) side of the road just past Woodcock Line and a cleared farm area.

A limestone outcrop along the road is very near the western edge of the property. East of the limestone outcrop and intervening forest, you will find a gravel driveway, hydro pole, and a gate that mark the entrance to the property. The reserve has a parking lot accessible with permission from Ontario Nature or the Kawartha Field Naturalists. There is a nature reserve sign by the entrance, identifying the property as an Ontario Nature reserve.

A map of the walking trails can be found here.

Property information is as follows:

Lot 13, concession 11 – 254 acres, 103 hectares
Lot 13, concession 12 – 249 acres, 101 hectares
Lot 13 & 14, concession 10 – 457 acres, 185 hectares
Lot 15, concession 10 – 202 acres, 82 hectares

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