Algonquin Park Visit August 16-19 (post 1: intro.)

I recently spent a few days in Algonquin Provincial Park. It is one of my favourite places to go for a quick getaway. I have been there many, many times. I always camp there, usually at Mew Lake. This campground is centrally located, and the Old Airfield (a large open flat area) is located there. The airfield is a wonderful place for birding, as you get a variety of things and you never know what will show up there. The airfield operated for about 30 years until the early 1970's.
August is not the best time for birding, and many of the dragonflies and butterflies have finished their season. It was rather quiet, but it was the only chance I had to get there this year.

view of Lake of Two Rivers from the airfield

There are many trails to hike along the highway 60 corridor. Each has a different theme and some different habitats. They vary in length. Many pass across high cliffs with spectacular views.

view from Two Rivers Trail

view from Bat Lake Trail looking east

view from Beaver Pond Trail

Another feature of the trails is the fact that many of them travel along parts of the old Ottawa, Arnprior, Parry Sound Railway. It was put through in the late 1800's by timber baron J. R. Booth, mainly for logging purposes, and eventually abandoned starting in the 1940's. It also brought people into the park to the hotels and cottages. It was really an amazing feat to build the railway in this type of terrain. As well, it is remarkable how busy Algonquin was in the early years with all the buildings, mills, logging etc. Most of these are gone and the park has reverted back to nature at these spots. There are some remnants that can be seen along the trails such as concrete bases and foundations.

A birder quite often goes to Algonquin to see the bird specialties which include Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, and Gray Jay. It is also good in the breeding season to see a wide variety of warblers.

Mammals include Moose, Black Bear, Pine Marten, and common things such as Red Squirrel, chipmunk, Striped Skunk, Raccoon, or even Mink. If you are lucky you will hear a Timber Wolf howling at night. I have heard them way off in the distance and it is a haunting experience.

This trip I did not see a moose, but heard one sloshing around in a wetland. I did not see a bear either, but I have in past trips (at a distance!). I did see a Mink at one point scurry across the path.

The three posts above will deal with birds and insects I encountered.

Evening view of Lake of Two Rivers from the Old Airfield