As happened last August, monarch butterflies are congregating in sheltered
areas in the centre of the woods, particularly in a clearing where a large
silver poplar blew down two years ago. Numbers have reached several thousand.
Last year at the peak estimates placed the numbers at perhaps 100,000. The
butterflies are very sensitive to any sounds, so please be considerate. If you
move slowly and silently, you will have a much more rewarding experience and
the butterflies will be less disturbed.. Look for twigs and branches covered
with what look to be dead leaves.
With each passage of a cold front, warbler, vireo and flycatcher numbers
increase. Most numerous during the last cold front were black-and-white,
bay-breasted, chestnut-sided and black-throated green warblers as well as
common yellowthroats and red-eyed vireos.
Sheltered areas in the southern part of the woods are usually most
productive when the wind is from the north. The birds seem to drift through
the woods from east to west feeding as they go.
Directions to Thickson's Woods
To get to Thickson's Woods, Exit from #401 to Thickson Rd. S. Continue south
about 1.5 kilometres to the Waterfront Trail, where you will see a large green
sign on your left that says "Thickson's Woods Nature Reserve". Park along the
east side of Thickson Road and walk east along the Waterfront Trail about 200
metres to where a pathway enters the woods on your right. Trails lead through
the woods with two extending to the roadway on the south side of the woods
along the shore of Lake Ontario.
The entrance to the meadow portion of the reserve is on the north side of
the Waterfront Trail opposite the entrance to the woods.
Dennis Barry & Margaret Carney
338 Crystal Beach Blvd.
Whitby, Ontario L1N 9Z7
905-725-2116
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