Saturday March 12, 2016

Saturday March 12, 2016

Bird watchers asked not to post sightings from Dundas’ Olympic Woods

Bird watchers have been asked not to post sightings from the Olympic Woods section of a Royal Botanical Garden special protection area.

Bruce Mackenzie, director of the Hamilton Naturalists Club bird study group, posted the request on the HNC’s Hamilton Birders email group, as well as an update stating Naturalists Club representatives will be meeting with RBG staff this week to discuss the use of RBG lands by the public – in particular the area behind Westoby Arena on Olympic Drive.

“RBG has recently posted No Trespassing signs in the area behind Olympic Park. They have asked the members of the HNC to refrain from using the Hopkins Woods Special Protection Area,” Mackenzie, a former Hamilton Conservation Authority staffer, posted on the email group. “The RBG has the right to direct how users may use or enter their lands…the (HNC) asks members to note the new signs and be respectful of the instructions.”

The RBG recently began actively enforcing no trespassing rules in the area, after ongoing use of unofficial trails and popularity of the area on Internet bird watching sites.

Tys Theysmeyer, director of natural lands at the RBG, said the meeting with HNC representatives was already planned – but the Olympic Woods issues raise new areas where the organizations can work together.

Theysmeyer said among the topics to work on are finding a source of revenue to manage RBG areas, and an overall management plan for the area between Dundas and Cootes Paradise.

“It seems to have been forgotten that we are constantly searching for funds for the trail systems we currently provide – as are all the park system partners,” Theysmeyer said. (Source: Dundas Star News)