Birds get sick too!

Hello everyone, I am back! I was under the weather there for about a week but am feeling much better now. While I was sick I heard a lot of information around the forest about some great people that help sick birds. One amazing group is The Owl Foundation which takes in sick and injured owls and helps them get better. Once the owl has recuperated they release it back into the wild. The Owl Foundation was the first facility of its kind in North America to both breed and foster wild owls to release status. For those owls that cannot be released because of great injuries The Owl Foundation cares for them permanently.  Some of these owls help in the rehabilitation process as foster parents teaching young owlets to survive and provide a family for them.  The Owl Foundation has also partnered with Ball’s Falls for the current Northern Owls exhibit . and they have Included in this exhibit is a National Film Board Documentary about the founders Katherine and Larry McKeever entitled “The Lady and the Owl”. This is a really are a great organization that really cares about Owls, for more information please visit http://www.theowlfoundation.ca/.  There is also a very cool woodworking project below to create a screech owl roost box! This would be a great activity to do with a family member.

http://www.theowlfoundation.ca/screechroostbox.htm

Blacksmithing At Ball's Falls

You have seen it on television but have you ever seen it in real life? I am talking about Blacksmithing! For those of you unfamiliar with this it is the practice of making objects out of metal by heating it to a high degree. The metal is put into a superheated fire until it glows red hot. Then is taken out and pounded into new shapes and once cooled a new object is formed! At Ball’s Falls there are traditional, fully functioning Blacksmith workshops. Many Sundays from spring to fall you can hear the hammering of metal at these workshops. You can make something to take home from beginner workshops to Intermediate and Advanced workshops for participants over 18. It is an all day event 9 am until 4pm. Lunch is included as well as all materials for the cost of $100 a person. Workshops are limited to 4 participants to ensure hand-on experiences and quality instruction. The workshops run throughout the summer into the early fall. It is a wonderful experience and a perfect gift for that person who has everything! Just call 905-562-5235 ext. 26 to book or for further information.

It's Northern Owls Opening Day!!

The Northern Owls have arrived! Join us today, Saturday September 18th, for a special opening day to celebrate this unique exhibit. The main event will happen from 1-3 pm on Saturday, but the exhibit is open from 9am to 4pm. There will be a guided nature walk starting at 12 noon which will show you the local habitat of these owls. Then at 1pm come inside to talk to Annick Gionet a zoologist specializing in owls. Also check out great owl art by local artist Mark Ricker and join in a staff lead owl craft! There will be super cute cupcakes throughout the day, compliments of Sweetcakes Cupcakery and giveaways for all who attend, compliments of Owl magazine and Warner Brothers Canada! Two amazing prize drawings will be happening at 1pm and 3pm so be sure to get your ballot on the way in! Today will surely be a HOOT hope to see you there!

Adopt My Friends

The Giftshop

There is a gift shop at Ball’s Falls. It also houses the admissions desk. You can purchase some refreshments and snacks there for your day at Ball’s Falls as well as cool toys. There are authentic Ball’s Falls gifts and wooden games and toys just like the settlers would have played with. Reference books are also available for purchase if you happen to see something on the trails that you want to identify or if you are interested in learning more about your surroundings. But the best part of the gift shop is that you can adopt some of my friends! So be sure to stop by Ball’s Falls and see what the giftshop has to offer!

My Friends who are ready for Adoption!

Northern Owls are a HOOT!

Who doesn’t love owls? I personally know they are great birds, even thought I have to watch out because they might be hungry when they see me! Ball’s Falls Centre for Conservation is holding a “Northern Owls” exhibit starting September 18th and running until November 15th. In this exhibit, which is from the Royal Ontario Museum, you can learn all about different types of owls and their habitat. Also accompanying the exhibit is a great children’s activity area where there is plenty to do! There will be a few different special day events during the run of this exhibit so be sure to keep checking back for more information on them. There is also an educational program that is available for schools from kindergarten to grade 8, to book this or for more information please call 905-562-5235 ext. 26. Don’t forget to do the scavenger hunt in the building there are prizes for all! The Centre for Conservation is open 9am to 4pm every day.