southern ontario, canada, august 4-18 - manchester birding

SouthernOntario,Canada,August4-18th2014

ByChrisHarperandVickySumner

HavingpreviouslytravelledacrossCanadafromTorontotoVancouver(seereportfrom2010)withmykids,thistripwasorganisedtobealittlelessrushedandalittlemorewildlifeviewingfriendly.WeresearchedthebestbirdingareasusingboththeinternetandacopyofCliveGoodwin’s‘ABirdFindingGuidetoOntario’.Althoughold,thebookprovedareallyvaluablereferencewhenbookingcampsitesandvisitingspecificspotswithinimportantbirdingareas.Whatfollowsisareportofthemainbirdsandotherwildlifeseenonthetrip,withphotoswhenavailable.Themainpicturesweretakenbyphonescoping,withothersfrommyhitandmissNikonCoolpixL120.Aminorityofimageswerecloseenoughjusttousethephonebyitself.

Aug4th-ManchestertoNiagaraFalls

TheflightdirectfromManchestertoTorontostartedwellwithaPeregrineoverTerminal1.Chris’sfavouritebirdandaluckyomenforthetripwehoped.OnarrivalinTorontoweweregreetedbyintenseheatandthreateningskies.ThecarwascollectedandduringthewaitafewlonelyMonarchbutterfliesbattledagainsttheincreasingwindabovethepick-uppoint.ThemainfreewaysenroutetoNiagarawerealmostlikeriversinthe2hourstormthatfollowedus,butthejourneyproducedsomegreatbirds.ThousandsofDoubleCrestedCormorantslinedLakeOntarioaroundHamilton,withmanyRingBilledGullsaccompanyingthem.Birdsofpreywerewellrepresentedonthe2hourtriptoo,withAmericanKestrelandRedTailedHawkonroadsidepostsandaSharpShinnedHawkafterCommonStarlingsintherain.AswegotnearertoourfirstcampsitenearNiagaraaflyoverGreatBlueHeronwasatreatandhundredsofRedWingedBlackbirdsfeedinginfarmlandsignalledanendtothedeluge.

Adryeveningafter2hoursofrainusuallymeansgoodbirdinginourexperienceandastrollaroundthecampsiteandits’environsafterasnackinChippawadidn’tdisappoint.(Thediversiontothisprettylittletownwasworthitasweweregreetedby50+ChimneySwiftsscreamingaroundtherooftops).InthetreesandonthelawnsaroundthepitchweremanyAmericanRobin,beautifulNorthernCardinalssoundinglike‘our’Robin,noisyCommonGracklesandsquabblingBlueJays.Thesewerefollowedaroundby‘Black’GreySquirrels.HardertoseeinthetreetopswerepartiesofHouseFinchesandrovingBlackCappedChickadees,withMourningDovesprovidingamelancholicsoundtrack.AtthecampsitebuildingwasalargecolonyofPurpleMartins,withSwainson’sThrush,Brewer’sBlackbirdandKilldeerwithyoungintheneighbouringfields.AsthesunsetastrollbytheNiagaraRiverproducedflybyCaspianTern,flycatchingEasternKingbirdsinthetallertrees,roostingAmericanCrowsandafinalChippingSparroworderingustoourtent.Asnightfellmanybatsfedaroundthecamp,onelargespeciesandonealotsmaller.WeassumedBigBrownandEasternPipistrellerespectively.Thenightwasrestlessandjetlagged,nothelpedbytheeeriesoundofmanyCoyotes’howlingasaraucousgroupatvarioustimesinthedarkness.Still,atleastitwasnowdry.

Left:AmericanRobin;Right:CommonGrackle

Topleft:BlueJay;ToprightMourningDove;BottomLeft:PurpleMartin

Aug5th-NiagaraFalls

Asjetlaghadstartedtoprevailwewokeat5.30(10.30Manctime!)andtookadvantagebyhavinganearlywalkintheareassurroundingthecampsite,mainlyalonghighway25betweentheriverandSnyder.Weweren’tdisappointedasweenjoyedaglorioussunnymorningwithamplebirdinghighlights!ThefirstbirdsseenwereAmericanGoldfinchbusilysearchingforinsectsamongstthethistlesandonfeeders.AKilldeerwasheardcallingintheadjoiningfarmlandandaftersomesearchingwasrevealed.Theadjacentroadtothecampsiteheldvastscrubbyareaswhichprovedtobeabirdhavenwithmanyspeciesdetected.AnunexpectedfindherewasanadultfemaleDickcissel,seenbusilyfeedingonthetopsoftallgrass.ThiswasfollowedbyviewsofastunningmaleRose-BreastedGrosbeakinthedistanceonaprominentperch.FurtheralongtheroadweregoodnumbersofHouseFinchandseveralflocksofRed-wingedBlackbirdsnumbering100+,includingmanyyoung.AsourwalkdrewtoacloseweweregreetedbyaYellowWarblerflittingamongstthebushesandafemaleCommonYellowthroat.Sofarsogoodtowhatwouldprovetobeanamazingandmemorableday.

AmericanGoldfinch

Onreturningtothecampsite,breakfastwasenjoyedwhilstsurroundedbyAmericanRobins,NorthernCardinalsandCommonGracklesaccompaniedbytheraucousofBlueJayscallingabove.

Astheweatherchangedandrainbegantodescendwesetoffonournextlegofthejourney–NiagaraFalls.TheweatherdidnotdisenchantaswearrivedatNiagara.OnarrivalplentifulCliffSwallowwereshowingofftheiraerobaticskillsastheyspedacrossthesurfaceofthewaterattheedgeofthefalls.AlmosttameRingBilledGullscamewithinafewfeetbeggingforfood.Itwasajoytowatchtheswallows’expeditiousanticsaswemadeourwaytotheNiagaraRivercruise.Wesetoffonthe‘Hornblower’vesselequippedwithratherswankypinkraincoatswhichwereadefinitenecessity.OntheapproachtothefallsBonaparteGullswerewitnessedhunkeredtoarockwiththecompanyofseveralRing-billedGullsnotfazedbythepassingvesselwhichallowedexceptionalviews.Theviewfromunderneaththefallswasamazinganditwasatimetostandinadmirationenjoyingitsfullmightandmajesty.AsthevesselnavigateditswaythroughtheturbulentwaterstoourboardingplatformitwasasurprisetoseetwoVelvetScotersbobbingunperturbedintherecedingsurge.

Ring-billedGull

Lunchtimewasbeckoningandsothesearchwasonforadecentpicnicspot.ThemeanderbacktowardsNiagaraParkproducedthefirstCedarWaxwingofthejourneyfeedingonberriesoblivioustothehordesoftouristspassingby.InanadjacenttreearatherapprehensiveBaltimoreOriolezippedamongsttheupperbranchesshowingoffitsradiantorangeplumage.OnreachingNiagaraParktosettleforabitetoeataCommonGracklealloweddecentviewsasiteyedupourlunchwhichwereluctantlyshared.AnEasternChipmunksoonjoinedin.Aslunchwasdevoured,aLeastFlycatcherflittednimblyamongsttheneighbouringfirtreesandwassoonjoinedbyaWarblingVireo.

WithclearskiesandaftertakingintheviewsfromtheSkylontower,weembarkedona2hourwalkupstreamofthefallsfollowingtheriver.Thehighlightontheriverwasdefinitelythehugeamountofhirundinespresent.HundredsofSwallows(Barn),CliffSwallowsandPurpleMartinswerebusyfeeding,joinedbyafewNorthernRoughWingedSwallowsandhigherabovemoreChimneySwift.OntheriverwasacloserangeGreatBlueHeronandSpottedSandpiper.AmongstthetreesweremanyEasternKingbirdsandCedarWaxwingtogetherwithourfirstwoodpeckerspeciesofthetripintheformofaHairy.

Lineduphirundines

AdetourtoDufferinIslandParkjustoffthemainroadboughtverylittleinitiallybutclosescrutinyofoneofthelakesshowedadaintyGreenHeroneyeingupameal.Whilstfindingagoodspottoviewit,outofthetreesflewaCoopersHawkandmadeseveralattemptstograboneoftheRingBilledGullsfromthelake.Itfailed,butgaveusamemorableexperience.TwoothernewbirdsforthedaywereaGreat(White)Egretand(BlackCrowned)NightHeronbothfromthesamelake.Greatstuffandasignalforustofindsomefoodandaroostingspot.

August6thNiagara–LongPoint

BeforesettingoffforLongPointabriefearlymorningwalkalongtheNiagaraRiverproducedaDownyWoodpecker,aSongSparrow,andonreturningtoourtentthefirstRed-breastedNuthatchofthetripinthetreeopposite.

ThejourneytoLongPointwaspleasantandinvolvedseeingnumerousTurkeyVultures,withatonepoint10perchedtogetherinadeadtree.Thephotoopportunitycouldn’tberesistedandonleavingthecarwealsospottedaGreyCatbird,NorthernMockingbirdandastunningIndigoBuntingonatelephonewire.Setuswonderinghowmanymorebirdswouldbeseenatjustarandomstopatthesideoftheroad.LunchwashadatTurkeyPoint,andenroutetothislovelyspotwealsohadaWoodThrushflyingnearagardenhedgeand(althoughrareandnotsupposedtobeinthearea)apossibleWoodStorkinsomeone’slargegardenpond.Pitywecouldn’tstoptoconfirmasitwasonabusyandfastroute.

LunchatthepointwasspentwithafewSpottedSandpiper,aDarkEyedJuncoandmanyamazingbutterflies,includingSpicebushSwallowtail.

Left:TurkeyVulture;Right:SpicebushSwallowtail

OnarrivalattheOntarioParkscampsiteatLongPoint,weweregreetedbysomestunninghabitatandverywarmtemperatures.TreesbythecheckinheldBaltimoreOriole,whilst2NorthernFlickersfedonthegrassvergeleadingtothepitch.InthescrubnexttothemwasabeautifulBlackBilledCuckoo,andafewdistantForster’sTerns.BestofallafirstyearPromonthoryWarblerwasflittinginthetrees.Thepitchitselfwassurroundedbytreesandverynearthebeach,andprovidedexcellentbirdwatchingforthetwodayswewerehere.AfterteaweobservedCedarWaxwing,manyEasternKingbird,EasternWoodPeewee,juvenileRedWingedBlackbird,TennesseeWarbler,WarblingVireo,andBlackCappedChickadee.Upto30TreeSwallowsfedoverhead,andjustaswegotthefiregoinganAmericanWoodcockflewoverhead,lookinglikealargebat,obviouslyheadingforthemarsh.

Ontopofthesewonderfulbirdsweweremesmerisedbyfirefliesamongthedunes,amusedbytheverydifferentlookingNorthAmericanRedSquirrels,andbraveEasternChipmunks.AstunningviewoftheMilkyWayand2shootingstarsbroughtthedaytoalovelyendinanamazingsetting.

Topleft:Forster’sTern;Topright:EasternKingbird;Bottomleft:juvenileRed-wingedBlackbird;Bottomright:EasternChipmunk

August7th-LongPointarea

MorningatthecampbroughtBrownThrasher,BaltimoreOriole,HouseFinchandNorthernFlicker,allnearthetent,whilstaKilldeerwasontheshoreofLakeErie.AnearlyshortjourneytoBigCreekMarshsawusfollowingaRacoondowntheroad,andonarrivalafriendlychatwashadwith4conservationistswhowereradiotrackingtherareBlanding’sTurtlesinthevicinity.

Acircularwalkprovidedsomelastingbirdinghighlights,thebestofwhichwasprobablythehighlightofthetripwhentwoRubyThroatedHummingbirdscamewithinafootofuswhilstsearchingfornectar.TheyreallyseemedtobelookingusintheeyeastheymanoeuvredsidetosideandbackandforthforwhatseemedlikeminutesamongsttheTrumpetCreeperflowers.Fromhereonin,wheneverwenoticedtheseflowers,oftenHummingbirdswouldbearoundwithinashorttime.Lifersforbothofus,andareallyspecialmomentof‘timestandingstill’.

InadditionthewalkbroughtYellowBilledCuckoo,MarshandSedgeWren,CaspianTern,SwampSparrow,EasternPhoebe,CommonYellowthroat,WoodDuck,GreatBlueHeron,RustyBlackbird,WoodDuck,andBankSwallow(SandMartin).AddedtothiswasaflyoverOspreyandouronlyBaldEagleofthetrip.OtherwildlifeincludedMonarch,QuestionMarkandPaintedLadyButterflies,NorthernLeopardFrogsbythedozenandMidlandPaintedTurtles.Areallyfantasticpieceofhabitat.

Alackofwildfowlonthereserve,accordingtoour‘BirdFindinginOntario’bookadvisedustocheckoutPortRowansewagelagoonsjustdowntheroad.Thisprovedtobesoundadvice.HundredsofTreeSwallowgreetedusonarrival,butthehighlightwasthelagoonsthemselves.HoodedMerganser,BlueWingedandGreenWingedTeal,Redhead,Bufflehead,WoodDuckandmanyBlackDuckwereallpresent,andaNorthernWaterthrushcompletedanicehalfhour.

Topleft:GreatBlueHeron;Topright:MonarchButterfly;Bottomleft:NorthernLeopardFrog;Bottomright:EasternPaintedTurtle

WedecidedtohavelunchattheBackusWoodsheritagearea.InthesurroundingcountrysidewefoundastunningBlackburnianWarbler,withmanyslightlywashedoutEasternBluebirds,togetherwithapassingSharpShinnedHawk.OnarrivalashowyBeltedKingfisherwasperchedonapostbythemainlake,aGreatBlueHeronseemedunconcernedbyourpresenceandachildshowedoffhiscatch-aDecay’sBrownSnake!IntheveryinformativevisitorcentreawardenshowedusthecaterpillarofthehugeCecropiaMothwhichwasabonus.

OnarrivalatthehistoricWildTurkeyreleasesiteweweregreetedbyouronlyOrchardOrioleofthetrip,andanothermuchclosergorgeousIndigoBunting.CedarWaxwingswereagainubiquitous.Awalkthroughtheforesthadtobecutshortasthemosquitosbecameoverwhelming.Thisgaveusabitofextratimetoscopefromthecausewayenroutebacktothecampsite,andthebirdsdidn’tdisappoint.PiedBilledGrebeshowedwell,andmanyForster’sandCommonTernwereabout,aswellasMuteSwans,DoubleCrestedCormorantsandaBrownHeadedCowbirdontheshore.

AtcampwepassedafewEasternCottontailbeforearrivalatthepitch.Alargeflockofbirdsthenpassedthroughthecanopy,alittlereminiscentofthe‘tit’flocksintheUK.ThemainbirdspresentwerebeautifulBlueGreyGnatcatchers,butalsoafeweachofbothPineandMourningWarblers.AneveningwalkafterteagaveaviewofthelocalisedSpottedTowheeandskulkingSwainson’sThrushesnearthemarsh.

Topleft:BeltedKingfisher;Topright:CecropiaMothCaterpillar;Bottomleft:Pied-billedGrebe

August8thLongPoint-Tottenham

BreakfastEastonConcessionRoad6broughtcloseviewsofEasternBluebird,noisyGreyCatbirds,HairyandDownyWoodpeckers,NorthernFlickers,BaltimoreOriole,Veery,WoodThrushandaperchedBroadShoulderedHawk.Again,thebenefitsofanearlystartpayingoff.

ThejourneyNorthtorelativesinTottenhaminvolvedastopnearCampbellville,passingmanyTurkeyVulturesontheway.OntheNiagaraEscarpmentnearMountsbergwasapairofSolitarySandpipersandaWhiteBreastedNuthatch.NearbyatHaltonLakewasanOsprey,BeltedKingfisher,GreatBlueHeron,SpottedSandpiper,HoodedMerganser,Horned(Slavonian)Grebe,andbestofallourfirstTrumpeterSwanofthetrip.ManyCaspianTernfishedasweatelunch,andanotherWhiteBreastedNuthatchandaSwallowtailbutterflyguidedusbacktothecarpark.

OnarrivalinTottenhaminthesurroundingbog/farmlandwesawfurtherHouseFinchandChippingSparrow,andoverthehousewewerestayingatinthecentreofthetownaflyoverWilson’sPhalaropeprovidedthelastbirdofagreatday.BynightwewatchedtheInternationalSpaceStationtrackacrosstheskytotheaccompanimentofCricketsandveryhotweather.

August9th-LutherMarsh

AnOspreyflyinglowoverthehouseinthemorningwasagoodomenaswepreparedforadayatnearby(1hour)LutherMarsh.EnroutewereascatteringofBrownHeadedCowbirdsandaroadsideGroundhog(Woodchuck),andjustbeforethevisitorcentreapairofmarvellousSandhillCranesgivingexcellentviews,alongwithaGreat(White)Egret.AtthecarparkwasanaccessiblenestboxcontaininganactiveHouseWrenbusyfeedingyoung,whilsttheviewingtoweroverthemainlakegaveviewsofPiedBilledGrebe,GreatBlueHeronandBeltedKingfisher.However,undoubtedlythebestbirdingmomentscame

duringasandwichbreakatapicnictable,whenanobligingGreatCrestedFlycatcherentertainedusforafewminutes,togetherwithabriefRubyThroatedHummingbirdandaflyoverRedShoulderedHawk.Topstuff.

OnreturntoTottenhammyunclepromisedusavisittoneighboursthatweresaidtohaveWildTurkeysfeedingregularly.Aswearrivedweweregreetedbyafamilyof14inthegarden(Isay‘garden’thehousewasmorelikeafully-fledgednaturereserve).AwanderaroundthegroundsalsoproducedPineWarbler,ChippingSparrowand3squabblingBlueJays,aswellasanEasternChipmunkafterthebiscuitsprovidedbyourwelcominghosts.

AneveningChinesewithatripbackatduskprovidedopportunitiestolookforCommonNighthawk,butagain,noluckwiththisspecies.

Topleft:SandhillCrane;Topright:GreatEgret;Bottomleft:WildTurkey

August10th-TottenhamtoAwendaProvincialPark

TherouteNorthtoAwendaproducedsomelovelystoppingpoints.ThejourneytoMinesingMarshgavepassingDarkEyedJunco,anotherwildTurkeyandmoreBrownHeadedCowbirds.Themarshitselfhadalovelywalkalongariver,andafternarrowlyavoidingsteppingonaNorthernRedBelliedSnakenearthestartwehadgoodviewsofSavannahSparrow,AlderFlycatcher,GreyCatbirds,CedarWaxwingsandanotherHummingbird,aswellasaflyoverBlackCrownedNightHeron.

Evenbetterwasa3hourwalkaroundTinyMarsh(nottinyatall).A‘friendofTinyMarsh’showedusaroundthevisitorcentreandpointedoutthebestbirdingspotsandthisprovedtobeagreathelponanotherveryhotday.Thebirdingfollowedtheusualpatternoflongperiodsofquietwithspellsoffreneticactivity.BlackTernswereshowingwell,andonthelakewereBlackDuck,PiedBilledGrebe,GreatBlueHeron,BeltedKingfisher,asingleAmericanCootandafishingOspreywithaccompanyingnestplatform.Onthemarsh,inamomentof‘timestoodstill’birding,aflyoverNorthernHarriercausedamassmobbingbyBlackTernandapossibleLeastBittern,aswellasunnervinganAmericanBittern,whichflewforabout10secondsbeforedivingbackintothereeds.

AroundthefringesofthelakewereWillowandAlderFlycatcher,moreCedarWaxwing,anotherHummingbird,SongSparrow,SavannahSparrowandaNorthernFlicker.InoneofthedeadtreesanAmericanKestrelwasseen,andasingleBlackCrownedNightHeron.AfantasticSpotifyouhaveplentyofmozzyspray.

ArrivalatAwendaproducedaRavenonthecampsite,andarushtoseethesunsetonLakeHurongaveaskulkingWoodThrush.Tentup,earlynight,andmakingsuretoavoidtheknotsofPoisonIvyallovertheground.

August11th-Awenda

KettleLakeisapartofthePP,andwedecidedtohaveourbreakfasttheretoseeifanywildlifewasabout.The5minutecarjourneygaveusexcellentviewsofWhiteTailedDeerandonarrivalaGreatNorthernDiver(CommonLoon)wasnearthebackofthelake.ThreeOspreywereenjoyingtheearlyconditions,andaBeltedKingfisherandWoodDuckmadethischoiceagoodone.

MostoftheremainderofthedaywasspentatnearbyWyeMarsh.Thebirdingherewasexcellent,withYellowWarbler,SwampSparrow,GreyCatbird,BeltedKingfisher,SedgeWren,YellowBelliedSapsucker,BlackCrownedNightHeron,GreenHeron,circlingTurkeyVultures,andbestofall2showyAmericanBittern.Addtothisnumerousfrogspecies,PaintedTurtles(Image30),anotherWoodchuckfeedingonthecarparkverges,andahugeNorthernWaterSnakeandthesmallentrancefeewasveryworthwhile.

AfteravisittoseethelovelyTrumpeterSwanstatueandwallmuralsinMidland(includingoneofthemarsh),wedidaquicktouroftheBeaverPondtrailatAwenda,whichgaveusgoodviewsofOliveSidedFlycatcher.

ThebirdingfinishedwithduskonKettleLake.AfamilyofWoodDuckwasnowpresent,alongwithbothCommonandCaspianTernandahuntingSharpShinnedHawk.TheLoonscallingboughtthedaytoaclose,withthateeriesoundmakingthehairsonyourneckstandup,andremindingusofhappytimeswatchingGrizzlyAdamsaskids.Slepttight.

Topleft:White-tailedDeer;Topright:GreatNorthernDiver(CommonLoon);Bottomleft:Osprey;Bottomright:Woodchuck(Groundhog)

August12th-AwendaPPtoKilbearPP

AnotherlovelybreakfastatKettleLakebought4CommonLooncallingandflyingaround,andevencloserWhiteTailedDeer,beforethejourneytoKilbearProvincialParkfurtherNorth.Afterafewunproductivestopsbirdingwiseonthewaywewereimpressedbythechangeofscenery,withthelandopeningouttolookmorelikeyourbeautifultypicalCanadianShieldthatinspiredthe‘Groupof7’landscapepainters.

ABarredOwlflyingrightinfrontofuswasasignofthegoodwildlifetocome,butlessbirdsandmoreofthe‘otherwildlife’variety.AstopataBeaverdamjustneartheentranceproducedourfirstsightofthisgorgeousmammal,busycollectingplantmaterial.AduskdriveboughtaveryscrawnyRedFox,SouthernRedBackedVole,viewofacaptiveMississaugaRattlesnakeandmanymoreWhiteTailedDeer,withtheonlybirdofnotebeingHairyWoodpecker.Maybethebirdsknewsomethingwedidn’t,asdidtheEasternChipmunkhidingunderthetent.Thenightwaswild.Thunderandstrongwindsblewawaytheheat,andmarkedachangetocoolerconditionsaswepreparedforthenext3nightsinAlgonquin.

MississaugaRattlesnake

August13th-KilbearPP-AlgonquinNP

Afterbeingwarnedofoneinthearea,wewereincrediblyluckytoseeaBlackBearonourearlyexitfromthecampsite.Itwasajuvenile,meanderingoutofthewoodsandacrossneararanger’sarea.Managedsomedistantshots,buttheadrenalineshotlastedfortherestoftheday,andwasanotherhighlightofthetrip.

AlgonquinisahugeareaspreadalongHighway60,andasyouentereachkmismarkedalongtheroute,whichmakesitprettyeasytofindsomeofthekeyareas.AlunchstopnearourentranceattheWestGateatOxtongueRiverpicnicgroundsprovedexcellentforwarblers,whichappearedtolikethecoolanddrizzlyconditionsevenifwedidn’t.InthetreesaroundthecarparkwasacrackingmaleAmericanRedstart,stunningMagnoliaWarblers,andmoreBlueJay.AsmallwalkatthestartofoneofthetrailsgaveusBlackandWhiteWarbler,afirstfemaleAmericanRedstart,PalmWarblerandWhiteBreastedNuthatch.AnafternoonstopandwalkoftheLookoutTrailprovedtobealmostwildlifefree,butthetreeinterpretationboardswereexcellent,aswereallthetouristfacilitiesinthisNationalPark.

Thejourneytoourcampsiteforthenext3daysatPogLakeproducedanotherTurkeyontheroadsideverge,andonarrivalwereafewRavensandcirclingTurkeyVultures.AneveningdryingoffandsortingwasenlivenedbymanysquabblingRedSquirrels.Theyneededtowiththetemperaturedownto6degreesCelsius.

Aboveleft:BlackBear;Aboveright:WelcometoAlgonquin

August14th-AlgonquinNP

WewereinformedthattoseeMoose,thebestchancewastogetupearlyanddrivethehighway,andthatstrategycertainlypaidoffasbykmpost18wewereluckytoseeacowwithhercalfrightnexttotheroad.Thankstoonedriverwhohadstoppedtotakepictureswehadexcellentviewsforafewminutesbeforetheyslopedbackintocover.Afewsecondslateryouwouldneverknowtherehadbeenagreatwildlifescenethereatall.

AnotherTurkeywasallwesawaswewenttotheexcellentvisitorcentre,whichonlyopenedat9am,butservedgreenteaandhadWi-Fiandexcellentviewsanddisplays.Agreatrainbreak.AswellasthistherewasaRustyBlackbirdflyingabout,sowellworththestop.

AquicktootleuptheroadtowardsLakeOpenogogaveusNorthernFlicker,SharpShinnedHawk,andstunningviewsofaSpruceGrouserightnexttotheroad.OurfirstofAlgonquin’s‘big4’tickedoff.

Withfourlayersonaswewereventuringoutside,wedecidedtobravetheBeaverPondTrailbeforelunchandwewerenotdisappointed.InthefirstoftwolargemixedflocksofpasserineswasPalmWarbler,manyBlackCappedChickadee,MagnoliaWarbler,WhiteBreastedNuthatchandbestofalloneofthehandsomestbirdsIthinkwe’veeverseenintheshapeofagorgeousmaleBlackThroatedBlueWarbler.Aliferforbothofus,anduptherewiththeHummingbirdandBearmomentasatriphighlight.OnalakealittlefurtheronweheardLoonscallingandsureenoughwithinafewseconds3werelandinginthemiddle.ASpottedSandpiperandGreatBlueHerononthefarbankdrewourattentiontoarackethigherup,where6BlueJaysweremobbingwhatlookedlikeaGreatGreyShrike.OncloserinspectionitturnedouttobetwoGreyJays,andthisbroughtour‘Big4’nowupto2.ThesecondflockofpasserinesonreturnheldTennesseeWarblerandaRubyCrownedKinglet,aswellasBlackCappedChickadees.FindtheChickadees,findtheWarblers!

Aquicklunchbreakat‘LakeofTwoRivers’boughtthreemoreCommonLoons,GreatBlueHeron,RingBilledGullandAmericanHerringGull.

Backatcampwedecidedtoexplorethegroundsasfarastheoldrailwaytrack,nowamultiuserpath.Againthebirdscameinfitsandstarts,withnoactivityforages,followedbyfreneticneckstretching.SeenwereCedarWaxwing,BlackDuck,BlueJay,WhiteBreastedNuthatch,YellowWarbler,asingleBlackThroatedGreenWarbler,BlackCappedChickadeeandbestofallamongstthepinestwoBorealChickadee.Threeofthe‘Big4‘seeninaday.Getin!

AduskdriveuptheLakeOpenogoroadsawscuttlingDeerMice,RedFoxcub,ahugespeciesofFrog,andamesmerisedAmericanWoodcock.Sostillwasit,itallowedustowinddownthewindowandgethalfdecentshotsafterspectacularviews.Alovelywaytoendasuperbifcoldandwetdayofwildlifewatching.

Aboveleft:CowMoosewithcalfintherain;Aboveright:FromAlgonquinvisitorcentre

Topleft:WoldDiorama;Topright:SpruceGrouse;Bottomleft:AmericanWoodcock

August15th-Algonquin

Anothercooldaystartedoffwithabreakfaststopnearkm19.AroadsideTurkeyandanexcellentwarblerflockwerethehighlights,withanothergloriousmaleBlackThroatedBlue,aYellowRumped,BlackandWhitedoingitsusualTreecreeperimpression,andaHairyWoodpecker.

ThemainpartofthedaywasspentwalkingthefulllengthoftheMizzyLaketrail,whichbyallaccountswasthebestforwildlife,anditcertainlyliveduptoitsbilling.Thewalkis11kmlongandwewerepreparedforafull6hours,withwhatweknewwouldberegularwildlifewatchingstops.Trailguidemapsareavailableatthestartofallthewalks,andthisoneprovedinvaluableasamapandaninterpretiveleaflet.

Manylakeswerewalkedpast,andbirdshereincludedGreatBlueHeron,BlackDuck,WoodDuck,andRingNeckedDuck.Mammalsinthemincluded2almosttameAmericanOtters,astunningBullMoose,andtaggedPaintedTurtles.

MoremarshyareasgaveupalovelymaleCommonYellowthroat,Lincoln’sSparrow,SwampSparrow,ourfirstYellowBreastedFlycatcherandPitcherplants.

Howeveritwasthewoodlandwhichprovidedthebestbirding,andcoinedourphraseoftheholiday:’Neverignoreapeep’,asanyfaintnoiseinthetreesoftenmeantatorrentofdifferentbirdsandastrainedneck.

VariousflocksincludedHairyWoodpecker,AlderFlycatcher,BlueHeadedVireo,BlackCappedChickadee,RedBreastedNuthatch,BrownCreeper(atlast),RubyCrownedKinglet,NorthernParula,Blackburnian,BlackThroatedBlue(almostcommon?),BlackThroatedGreen,YellowRumped,Pine,CanadaandBlackandWhiteWarblers.FlyingaboveorbelowthetreetopsatvariouspointswereBlueJay,Raven,HermitThrush,NorthernFlicker,CoopersHawk,BroadWingedHawkaswellasasingleRuffedGrouseandaNorthernHawkOwlspringingoffthegroundwithprey.AddtothisafewEasternHeatherVolesandanamazingBobcatpeeringfromdistanceandyoucanseewhythisasawholewasdefinitelyworth6hoursoftheday.

AwarmcuppaatthevisitorcentregaveauniqueviewlookingfromaboveataSandhillCraneasitcameintofeed,andaswewerelookingforitslandingposition,othersnoticedaBlackBearintheberrybushes.Ravenswerealsoaround,asusual.

Weweredisappointedthatthepublic‘WolfHowl’hadbeencancelledduetotheweather,butlookingatthesightingsboardinthecentrewenoticedthatsomegoodwildlifehadbeenseenattheoldMewLakeAirfield,sodecidedtocheckthisoutaftertea.OnarrivalwemetaverygemmedupguywhoshowedusstunningpicturesofBlackBearatthesightandsaidhehadjustseenawolfpackthere.HealsomentioneditwasagoodplacetoseeBlackBackedandPileatedWoodpecker.Aswewentinsearchofthesewesawlittleonthisalmostgrassyarea,verydifferentfromtherestoftheParkintermsofhabitatcover.Asweheadedbackinthetwilight,outofthetreesappearedaloneEasternCanadianWolf,noticedusandwalkedaheadofusallowingaquickshotwiththecamera.Itthenwentbackintothetrees,anddoubledbackbehindus,causingeverysenseofthebodytocomealiveasitbobbedinandoutofsight.Justforashortwhileitfeltlikethehunterhadbecomethehunted,andwasanawesomeexperience.

Luckilywemadeitbacktothecarbeforedark,andvowedtogetupatdawnthenextdaytorevisitthearea.AnearlynightfollowedwiththebestviewoftheMilkyWaysofar,andachorusofWolfhowlsinthenight.Unlesstheywerelyingaboutthecancellation!

Topleft:AmericanOtter;Topright:BullMoose;Bottomleft:BlackBear;Bottomright:EasternCanadianWolf

August16th-AlgonquinNP-Presqu'ilePPviaPetroglyphsPP

Asdawnbrokeweheadedtotheairfieldtoberewardedwithmanybirdspecies,butapartfromanAmericanWaterShrewandBeartracksinthesand,nomammals.BestbirdwasacloseflypastPileatedWoodpecker,lookinglikeaminiCormorant,headingintotheforestfromtheshortergrass.CommonLoonswereonMewLake,alongwithhawkingTreeSwallows,andtheusualCanadaGeeseandRingBilledGulls.ManyNorthernFlickersonthepathsaroundtheblueberryfieldswerejoinedbyskulkingWhiteThroatedSparrowsatthebaseofthetallertrees.TogetherwiththemorecommonBlueJays,CedarWaxwingandAmericanRobinsthiswasalovelywaytoendourstayinthisbeautifularea.TheBlackBackedWoodpeckerwouldhavetobetheonlyoneofthe‘bigfour’wewouldcomebackforanotherday.

AchilledoutstopoveratPetroglyphsPPprovidedsomespiritualrecharging,aswellasthechancetoseeNativeAmericanrockartdatingbackmanyhundredsofyears.BirdsthereincludeaflyoverOsprey,CliffSwallows,roadsideTurkeyonapproachand1000’sofRedwingBlackbirdsinthefieldsenroute.

ThejourneytoPresqu'ilePointPPwasmetwithconstantheavyrain,andwejustaboutmanagedtofindaplacetopitchourtentonarrival.TheraindidhavethebonusofcausingabedraggledAmericanWoodcocktowanderontoourpitch,almostbeingstoodonbyVickyasshepreparedtea.Theweatherhadliftedalittleaftereatingtodrizzleonly,andfromthemarshviewing

platformwemanagedtoseeaBrewer’sBlackbird,AmericanCoot,PiedBilledGrebe,wetMerlin,andMuteSwans(controversialhereaccordingtothedisplayboards).

OurfinalwanderwasontheOwen’sPointtrail,andthenightwasclearingsowewereluckythelighthadimproved.Thedryweathercertainlybroughtoutthebirdsintheeveningtoo.TheviewingpointoverLakeOntariofromtheendofthetrailwasexcellent.FeedingonthebeachwereLesserYellowlegs,Dunlin,SemipalmatedSandpipers,WhiteRumpedSandpipers,asinglePectoralSandpiper,and4SemipalmatedPlover.At‘sea’wereCaspianTerns,LesserBlackBackedGulls,distantunidentifiedduckswithadistinctwhiterump,andprobablegroupsofflybyBlackScoter.

ThewalkbacktothecarparkindimminglightgavemoreexcellentbirdswithacloseLeastBittern,hugeGreatHornedOwl,andanotherAmericanWoodcock.Thelatterbirdwasheardcallingregularlyallnightfromthetent,andprovidedanearlymorningcallforahopefulearlymigrationwatchatLighthousepoint.

Topleft:SemipalmatedSandpiper;Topmiddle:largerfeedingflockofSemipalmatedSandpipers;Topright:SemipalmatedPlover

August17th-Presqu'ilePP-GlenRougeToronto

TheweatherwasperfectlystillaswewanderedtothepointalmoststeppingonaLongTailedShrew.Onarrivalweweremetwithaplaquerememberingalocalbirderandhis’20warblerdays’.Althoughnotquiteuptothatspectacle,theplacewasbuzzingwithactivity.Inthetreesandshrubswesawupto4CanadaWarblers,BlackandWhiteWarbler,RedEyedVireo,Blue-GreyGnatcatcher,YellowThroatedVireo,TennesseeWarbler,YellowRumpedWarblerandNashvilleWarbler.AmongsttheCedarWaxwingpresentwasafleetingglimpseofalargishreddishtingedbirdwhichremainsunidentified,theclosestIcanseebeingAmericanPipit.Ifonlytheblighterswouldkeepstillforlonger.OnthelakewereDoubleCrestedCormorant,CommonLoons,RingBilledGull,BlackScoterandflypastOsprey.LakesidewereNorthernFlicker.

AfterbreakfastwedecidedtoreturntoOwen’sPointwhereaphotographerwasbusygettingexcellentshotsofthebirds.TheseincludedGreatBlueHeron,BroadWingedHawk,SemipalmatedPlover,Sanderling,SemipalmatedSandpiper,asingleBaird’sSandpiper,LeastSandpiper,CaspianTern,TreeSwallow,RubyThroatedHummingbird,EasternKingbird,GreyCatbird,CedarWaxwing,HouseWren,NorthernWaterthrush,NorthernFlicker,Wilson’sWarbler,SongSparrowandBaltimoreOriole.Trulyanamazingplace.

Ourfinalhourorsoatthereservewasspentdoingtheboardwalktrailinwarmingsunshine.BirdsincludedaGreatWhiteEgret,MuteSwan,GreenWingedTeal,WoodDuck,Moorhen,BeltedKingfisher,EasternWoodPeewee,EasternKingbird,WarblingVireo,RedEyedVireo,GreyCatbird,RedBreastedNuthatchandlargeRedWingedBlackbirdRoost.WewerealsoprettysureweheardanAmericanBitterngulpingaway,butcouldn’tspotit.ThewarmweatherboughtoutanEasternGarterSnaketosoakupsomerays,givinggreatviewsatlastasthisspecieshadeludedusalltrip.

TeaonourwaytothefinalcampsiteinGlenRouge(theonlycampinginthecityofToronto)tookustoPickering.Althoughmuchdevelopedsinceourbirdingguidebookwaswritten,itwasstillagoodplaceforawanderwithOspreypatrollingtheLakeshore,nestingCaspianTernandCommonTern,alakewithaconfidingKilldeer,GreatBlueHeronandBeltedKingfisher.TowardsthenuclearpowerstationwasparklandwithCedarWaxwing,NorthernMockingbird,EasternKingbird,WarblingVireoandalargepartyofBlue-GreyGnatcatcher.AMinkbythelakeshorebarprovidedasuitablesendoffasweheadedtoGlenRougelateon.

Topleft:Red-wingedBlackbird;Topmiddle:EasternRed-sidedGarterSnake;Topright:CaspianGull;Bottomleft:Killdeer;Bottomright:fleeingAmericanMink

August18thGlenRouge-Manchester

BeforewepackedupforManchester,wewalkedthefirstfewkilometresoftheGlenRougeTrail.CampsitebirdsweresimilartoNiagara,withNorthernCardinal,BlueJay,CommonGrackleandAmericanGoldfinch.Blacksquirrelswerecommon.Asusual,anearlystartpaiddividends,withaverycloseBeaverswimmingunderthebridgenearthecampsitewithuslookingrightdownonit.Thetrailprovedsurprisinglyproductive,withthebestbirdbeingourfirstandonlyGoldenWingedWarblerofthetrip.AlongwithitinamixedflockwereBlackandWhiteWarbler,RedEyedVireo,BlackCappedChickadeeandDownyWoodpecker.ARubyThroatedHummingbirdgaveitsusualfleetingview,withotherbirdsincludingEasternWoodPeewee,NorthernFlicker,NorthernMockingbird,HairyWoodpeckerandChippingSparrow.FlyingaboveweremanyCliffSwallowandasingleRedTailedHawk.

TherestofthedaywasspentexploringdowntownToronto,sortingoutcarsandcasesandreturningtotheairport,whereaflypastPeregrinebroughtwithitthoughtsofhome,andthebirdingfullcircle.

Thetriphadbeenanamazingexperience,withlessrestthanwehoped,butwhatdoyouexpectwithsuchamazingwildlifeondisplay.Toanybodythinkingofgoing,afewpiecesofadviceforwhatit’sworth.LongPointandPresqu'ilePointwereamazingspotsandyoucouldeasilyspendaweekateachandstillhaveplacesandwildlifetofind.AlgonquinisaNationalParkbarnone.Notjustinname,butinnaturetoo,andcouldwellbeworthaholidayinitself.ChattingtofellowbirderstherearesomegreatCanadianbirdingblogsandwebsitesoutthere,soifyouhaveabetter‘phonepackagethanus,youcouldgetonthereandchasesomerealbeauties.(Wewerelessthan10milesfromaSummeringSnowyOwlinHamilton,onlyfindingoutaboutitonourpenultimateday!)

Lastbutnotleast,itwasreallyworthdoingabitofresearchbeforethetrip,bothintermsofplacestogo,butalsoinbirdidentificationskills,andagaintherearesomegreatbooksandappsoutthereforanyonegoing.Youwillnotregretspendingthemoney.Blackpoolforusnextyear.

AsaPSandpersonal‘thankyou’toyou,Ian,wegotengagedonthistrip.Wemetthroughamutualuseofthesite,andholdyoupersonallyresponsibleforallthatgreatbirdingJ.Ifitwasn’tforthebrillianceofthesitethistripwouldneverhavehappened.Soifyoudon’tpatyourselfontheback,wewill.Thankssomuch.

ChrisHarperandVickySumner,September2014

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