Every summer we see between 16 to 30 ducklings. After the ducklings hatch, the mother calls to them from beyond the nest, and the day-old birds climb up the inside of the box, using a claw on their tiny webbed feet, and jump from the opening, often fluttering 10 meters or more.
The spectacular wood ducks have been the focal point for the resort's conservation efforts. The male wood duck is the best-dressed bird on the pond, resplendent in purple and green.
The birds normally nest in tree cavities, but they've taken readily to nest boxes installed by Aldo.
To learn more about the wood duck and other wildlife, come join us for our Wood Duck Wilderness Festival, a spectacular annual event presented by the Ruby Lake Nature Reserve Society and Ruby Lake Resort.
Over the past 10 years, Aldo Cogrossi's conservation efforts at the Lagoon have increased the number of wood ducks from 2 pairs in 1993 to up to 26 pairs in 2002.
This successful effort has inspired the Cogrossi family and local conservationists to form The Lagoon Society to help further conservation efforts and to promote education.
Come join us and celebrate wood ducks and wilderness.
Sunday, May 7th, 2007
11:00am to 5:00pm • Free Admission
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✴ Early bird guided hike 8:30 am by birder Tony Greenfield.
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✴ Authentic Milanese home-style BBQ lunch at 1:00pm.
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✴ Guided hikes to the new Iris Griffith Centre throughout the day.
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✴ Great gifts for Mother's Day available from local artists.
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✴ Bird call competition, open to all so start practising.
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✴ Wilderness and conservation groups.
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✴ Guest speakers.
Brigit and Aldo Cogrossi are Festival Founders and Organizers, in conjunction with Ruby Lake Resort and the non-profit Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society.
Joe Stanton and the Precious Littles
Gaetan and Friends
Drumheads - West African style
Myth Makers
Ten Bear Band
Mad Park
Sokole
Soup Bean Katie & the Corn Pones
Randesh
Festival goes ahead rain or shine!
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✴ Slide show of incredible nature photography by the late John Clarke presented by Annette Clarke.
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✴ Children's arts, crafts and activities - bird and bat house building workshops.
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✴ Great entertainment by talented local musicians including:
