Algonquin Anecdotes

 From Sunday to Wednesday morning I was at Algonquin Provincial Park for a getaway.  I go at this time of year at least every two years, but this was the second year in a row.  My original plans were to go to Algonquin, then on to the OFO conference in Peterborough this year.  I was really looking forward to birding in Peterborough area, but like everything else this year, it was cancelled.  I still had the option of going to Algonquin though!

I headed up early Sunday morning, arriving into the park in a record-setting 5.5h from Wallaceburg!  I always go early Sunday mornings to avoid traffic.  The visit was quite successful as I managed to find the "Big Four" specialties plus a couple of bonus species!

Scenery was good with trees turning colour quite nicely.

As always, I start birding at the old railway bed off Arowhon Road.  I had some success, but I noticed there were few birds, which turned out to be the theme of the trip.  I think birds have left early this year, comparing it to previous visits.  There were hardly any warblers, few sparrows (not a single junco the whole trip!) and long stretches without any birds.

I did come across a rather late Magnolia Warbler which was a bit shy.

I did pick up on two Black-backed Woodpeckers, a Spruce Grouse and some other odds and ends.  I could not get in a proper postition for the woodpecker, so photo is the pits.

Ruffed Grouse

I saw a couple of Compton Tortoiseshells, my first for the park.  As many of you know, this species is having a banner year in Ontario.

To kill some time, I stopped by Cache Lake boat launch.  Here we have a historical display where the old Highland Inn to stand, and where the railroad came through.

Steps to the old Highland Inn

I also walked along the edge of the lake to the east, where there is a trail.  I saw a couple more Compton Tortoiseshells!

To kill more time before check-in time at the campground, I walked Peck Lake trail afterwards before going to the campground at Mew Lake.  At the entrance of Peck Lake, I saw an Orange Sulphur to add to the butterfly list.

Upon arrival at Mew Lake, I walked around the old airfield, my most favourite spot in the park.  I was hoping to find American Copper, but only found Mourning Cloak.

After a quick supper, I did my usual sunset walk of the old airfield.  I lucked out and encountered three Canada Jays.

The sun soon was to set, so I headed back to camp.

Next morning, I walked my favourite trail, Mizzy Lake.  It is 11 km in length, but visits various habitats, including the old railway bed which I mentioned above.  It was foggy on the lakes due to the cold overnight temps (uncomfortable at night in a tent!).

Mizzy Lake

Some Ring-necked Ducks were on Mizzy Lake in the fog. You can see the "dots" in the above photo.

Scene at West Rose Lake

I did not come across anything special though, but it was a nice walk for early morning.

Palm Warbler

After lunch, I tackled the Bat Lake Trail.  I have had success here before.

I managed to pick up on a Boreal Chickadee at a spot I usually get one or two.  Boreal Chickades are getting more difficult to find in Algonquin along the highway 60 corridor it seems.

Some good scenery along the way.

And, that tree growing on a rock that I always take a picture!

A Garter Snake was slithering along the trail at one point.

After Bat Lake trail, which is just across from Mew Lake campground, I looked on the old airfield for American Copper.  I found two!

After supper, I did the usual evening walk on the old airfield.

Tuesday morning, I headed east to Spruce Bog Boardwalk.  I find it the best time to encounter Spruce Grouse, and this day was no exception.

After that, I killed some time before the VC opened (I wanted to buy some books) and walked Beaver Pond trail where I added Solitary Sandpiper for the list.

I decided to tackle the Track and Tower Trail, which is quite long, and sometimes boring.  It had been many years since I walked this trail, so it was something I wanted to do.  Although certainly not a birding trail, it holds the record for Algonquin's only Townsend's Solitaire found a few years ago by none other than Wallaceburg's Tom and Jenn Chatterton!

The most interesting area is where one can see remains of the old railway crossing Cache Lake.  Also there foundations of the big old trestle can be seen.

Old Railway crossing on Cache Lake

Also, the outlet of Cache Lake has a dam and falls.

After this long walk, I was dead tired (not as young as I used to be!) so I relaxed at the campsite after lunch.

In the evening I once again did my usual airfield walk.  I took this photo, seen below,  thinking of the Bohemian Waxwing that Burke Korol and I found on September 26, 2001.  It was the very spot.  The bird was a fall record-early by a longshot for Algonquin at that time.

Continuing on, I found the same American Copper from the previous day.

About a half hour later after taking the photo of the Bohemian Waxwing spot, I noticed a couple of birds sitting in a dead tree across the river.  Waxwings!  I had not yet had any for the trip list so I thought it was nice to get some Cedar Waxwings.

 But wait a minute, something different here.  They were a bit distant so I fired off some photos to magnify on the camera.  They had cinnamon butts!   Never did I think I would find Bohemian Waxwings at this time!

I ended up staying in this spot for 45 minutes watching the birds.  Once in a while, they would drop down and come up with berries.

A couple other birders came by and I showed them the waxwings.  While talking to them, I heard the distinctive flight calls of White-winged Crossbills overhead.  Sure enough, six flew right overhead!  Another bonus bird I did not expect since none had been reported lately.

I slept well that night needless to say.  It was much warmer too!

Next morning I headed out early.  I should mention that I heard Barred Owl each night, and the last morning when I was already up, one called very close.

I walked Whiskey Rapids Trail before leaving the park.  It used to be my favourite short trail where I often had good success for birds.  It was rather quiet this day.

On the way home, I stopped by Hardy Lake Provincial Park between Gravenhurst and Bala.  It was also quiet for birds.

I came home "cross-country" which took a long time since I got twisted around at one point (signage sucks!).

As usual, I stopped by West Perth Wetlands for a break and to see what was in.  There were lots of ducks and shorebirds, but the key feature was the long-staying Barnacle Goose.  Neat to see, but I think this one has questionable origin.

All-in-all, a successful get-away as I picked up on some good birds, scenery and fresh air. And, establishing a new early record for Bohemian Waxwings in Algonquin Park.

Common Raven

Muskoka Meanderings, Simcoe Saunterings, Wetland Wanderings

After leaving Algonquin Park late morning Wednesday, I stopped by Ragged Falls Provincial Park between Algonquin and Huntsville.  It is a popular spot for photographers, and needless to say many were there this day.  I often stop here each trip just for fun.

I arrived in Huntsville during the noon hour to get food and gas and look around.  I happened upon an ususual sighting in the shopping plaza parking lot.  This was one in a million chance I picked this lane to walk through, but Ron Tozer was sitting in his car waiting for his wife Pat!  We had a nice chat and then went on our separate ways.

The skies were still clear as I headed up to Arrowhead Provincial Park, not far north of Huntsville.  I have visited this park several times before just to walk some trails, but never camped there.  I first decided to walk Stubb's Falls trail, a 1.6 km loop.  It was nice and sunny when I started, but when I finished, the clouds had rolled in and it was sprinkling rain!  It got worse from there.

I managed to get the tent set up with a tarp before the skies let loose.  Needless to say, the rest of the day was a washout and I was disappointed not to walk any more trails.
I was hoping to do the long Beaver Meadow Trail where back on 20 June 2005 I found Muskoka's first and only White-eyed Vireo.

The rain stopped briefly and I checked out Big Bend Lookout, something I had not seen yet.  It was quite interesting where the Big East River loops around.  You can see the layers of time.

The river has several oxbows, and this location may someday be one.

I got up early the next morning in sprinkling rain, and headed south to Gravenhurst.  The skies let loose again and I sat at the wharf for some time.

The skies started clearing in the west, so I headed over to Hardy Lake Provincial Park, a spot I have visited several times before.
There were few birds for most of my long walk (I somehow got twisted around and walked twice as far as I wanted to!), but near the end, I found a nice flurry of passerines.  There were several warbler species and some vireos.

Tennessee Warbler with grub

Palm Warbler

Farther down the road, I decided to check out Torrence Barrens.  By this time the weather was quite nice.  I only stayed an hour, but should have stayed longer as it was quite enjoyable there.

Several Pine Warblers were among other passerines.

I motored on after this walk, and headed towards Penetanguishene.  By this time, the skies opened up again!  Then at one point, there was a storm to the south and one to the north with blue sky in between.
After lunch, I headed over to Awenda Provincial Park where, as you know, I have stayed several times before.
I walked the Robitaille Homestead Trail, but few birds were seen. 

It is interesting that this was once a cleared area and was once a  farm.

Foundation remains of barn

Afterwards, I just loafed around the campsite, drying out things! It was very windy, so I did not hear any birds in the evening.
However, during the night, the ever-reliable Barred Owls called.  One must have been at the campsite as it woke me up!
Just after 6 a.m., I heard two more calling back and forth.

Old Photo from Awenda (at my campsite!)

Before leaving the park, I checked the beach area where a good number of birds were moving along.  Out on the lake were at least 15 Common Loons, and even a few Red-necked Grebes.

It was time to head south.  I thought of staying away one more night, but the forecast called for rain late in the day and night.  Turns out it was one of the rare occasions they were right!
Normally I coincide my week off with the OFO Convention.  It seemed just too inconvenient for various reasons to attend this year, so I missed out.  Next year it is in Peterborough, so that is food for thought.  Maybe I can finally check out Algonquin's east side, then head down to Peterborough.

I eventually headed towards home, but stopped at West Perth Wetlands, as I often do on my route.
It was littered with Lesser Yellowlegs...I counted at least 100!  Nothing else of note though.

One more stop was Forest Lagoons where I met up with Jarmo Jalava.  We had met before and we had a good chat while watching some Long-billed Dowitchers and Pectoral Sandpipers.

Just after arriving at home late in the afternoon, you guessed it, the rain started.  Oh well, it was still a decent trip.