Grand River Country | Trails Take Flight

Taquanyah Nature Centre - West of Cayuga

Latitude/Longitude: 42° 57' 26" N , 79° 54' 28" W

The Taquanyah Nature Centre is a 135 hectare (335 acre) natural area, located just off Hwy. 3 near Decewsville, west of Cayuga. A nature centre building hosts school classes in spring and fall, while the property is undergoing major rehabilitation work since removing the reservoir and returning the stream to its natural cold water state.

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The 2.7 km trail system encompasses the “Red” and “Yellow” Trails shown on the main information kiosk. The trail begins at the Nature Centre building and moves first eastward and then south, enters two loops that that turn west then north, and which then merge back near the Nature Centre. The surface varies from hard to soft dirt, grass, and boardwalk. Soils are mostly clay so they may stay wet after significant rains, necessitating proper footwear. Vernal pools in season are to be avoided due to their fragile habitat, and the entire trail is suitable only for walking. Please stay on trails at all times.

The Taquanyah area is distinguished by its diversity of habitats, which include stream, marsh, Carolinian woods, white pine plantation, beech and maple mixed hardwood, and meadow. Trees include tulip, red and white oak, shagbark and bitternut hickory, black cherry, silver maple, and apple. Rose and grapevine abound along the trail.

An eagle hacking platform from the 1980s is located here and Bald Eagles are still occasionally seen. In spring and summer, numerous warblers specific to the Carolinian zone have been observed. Not only are Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers notable here, but also potentially the endangered and beautiful Prothonotary Warbler. Other birds likely to be seen include Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, and Red-eyed Vireo.

In the grassy areas in spring and summer one is likely to find Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Song, Field, and Savannah Sparrows, American Goldfinch, and Tree Swallows as well as Ruffed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant and Wild Turkey. In the wetland areas, spring and summer residents may include Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, Swamp Sparrow, Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, and Virginia and Sora Rails. The Carolinian forest area is home to Carolina Wren, Red-bellied, Downy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Waterthrush, Wood Thrush, several wood warbler species including Blackburnian Warbler, also Great Crested Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Flicker, Baltimore Oriole, and Least Flycatcher. There are Eastern Bluebird nesting boxes on the west side of the property.

The mixed plantation and thicket are productive areas for viewing such species as Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher; Pine, Yellow, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, and Black-throated Green warblers, and on rare occasions Northern Mockingbird. Raptor populations along this trail may include Red-tailed, Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, and Red-shouldered Hawks, Northern Harrier, as well as Turkey Vulture. A keen eye along the trail may spot a roosting Long-eared or a Great Horned Owl, as well as Northern Saw-whet and Short-eared Owls. In fall, Short-eared Owls may be observed doing their butterfly style of flying while on migration. The reserve is well situated for viewing large kettles of Broad-winged Hawks on their way towards Lake Erie and farther south.

Trail Owner and Manager: Grand River Conservation Authority