Algonquin-Griffith-OFO In Peterborough

 I was gone a full week!  My first destination was Algonquin Park, certainly one of my favourite places to visit.  I left early Sunday morning, and minus a couple of stops, I made it to the park in 5.5h from Wallaceburg.

As per usual, I first checked out the old railway bed that is part of Mizzy Lake trail off Arowhon Road.  Under cloudy skies, I lucked out fairly well from the start.  Red Crossbills were flying over (they were everywhere this trip!), a Black-backed Woodpecker made an appearance, and I found a large pocket of warblers/passerines.

I could not look at all of them, as they were moving quickly.  I tallied 13 species of warblers, some of which are flagged rare on eBird at this time, including two Orange-crowned, 7 Tennessee, 12 Nashville, two Bay-breasted, 3 Northern Parula and a Cape May.

Magnolia Warbler (the next day)

However, as I moved along, rain came. I pondered, are we going to go through this again for the third year in a row?  I stood under a tree for some time, but it never let up much, so I booked it back to the car.

With rain continuing off and on, I decided to check out Spruce Bog Boardwalk, where I bumped into Henrique, so we chatted a bit.  The trail was very quiet, but at least the rain let up for a while.

Visitor Centre is just across the road, so I went in there for a bit as it rained.....again.

Mid afternoon, it stopped enough to walk the old airfield.  Quiet!  Later I walked it again, but it was still quiet for birds.

(photo the next day)

It was rain or drizzle all night, and all the next day!  Never quit for 36 hours!  However, I was not there to sit in the car, so walked some trails.  

"Out-of-place" boulder on Bat Lake Trail

Later in the morning, I sat at Two Rivers picnic area where some Red Crossbills were feeding. It was raining here under dreary skies, so photos not the best.

With several "types" of crossbills, I am not sure what ones these are.  They are large-billed in any case.

Rest of the day, I checked out the old airfield a couple of times.  I added another Black-backed Woodpecker here.  Some warblers were at the east end.  There were lots of Bay-breasted Warblers on this trip, even though they are flagged "rare" on eBird.

Bay-breasted Warbler

Ovenbird

Eastern Phoebe

The rain finally stopped around 02:00 that night!  The morning dawned very clear, and I decided to walk the old airfield first thing.  I had just started out, and Henrique Pacheco, Kevin Gevaert and Peter Simons came along before work.  We joined forces to see what was around.

It was a nice morning, with a few things flying over, including lots of Canada Geese and a Common Loon booking it for Lake Ontario.

After this, I headed over to Mizzy Lake trail, my favourite long hiking trail.  I found it somewhat quiet for birds, and after more than four hours of walking, I was tired!  (I am getting too old for this!).  However, it was a gorgeous day weatherwise.

Mizzy Lake

West Rose Lake

I saw another Black-backed Woodpecker, and a few warblers along the way.

Later in the afternoon, I walked the old airfield. 

 Another Black-backed Woodpecker was working the burned area.  Some sparrows were popping up in the grassy area at the east end.  Not sure what all was there, but I laid eyes on a Grasshopper Sparrow.  I knew it was rather rare, but it may apparently be the first fall record for Algonquin!  I had good looks at it to eliminate other species.

The sparrows dove into a thicket, and I photographed this one.  It may be a LeConte's, if not the Grasshopper Sparrow.  A LeConte's was found here the next morning by Sarah Lamond, though.

That night, I heard Northern Saw-whet Owl calling near the campground.  A first for me in Algonquin!

Next morning was absolutely clear and calm but patched of thick fog. I went to Spruce Bog Boardwalk first, as I find it the best time to find Spruce Grouse.  This day it was in the fog!

I then walked Beaver Pond Trail, just down the road, then the Logging Museum trail towards the east end of the park.  Usually I find Canada Jay at the museum, but no dice this year, although I thought I heard one.

It was another gorgeous day.  I added yet another Black-backed Woodpecker here.

There were not many insects due to the rain, and cold mornings.  I did see a few Clouded Sulphurs in the old airfield, and some odes here and there.

Spotted Spreadwing

Yellow-legged Flowerfly

I was done in Algonquin, so headed to Janet (my aunt) and Herman's cottage east of the village of Griffith on highway 41.

It is a remote place, with no hydro service in that area, and no cell service.  They have power supplied by a large solar panel, and communications by satellite dish.  The property is over 90 acres with a small lake.  This photo was taken Friday morning on one of the nicest days I have ever seen!

There were not many birds here, but Red Crossbills were often calling.  During the second night, I heard Barred Owls, not unexpectedly.

View of swampy area near the cottage

The first day, we took a tour, first stopped at Tooey's Lake picnic area up the road.  Red Crossbills here too!  And, a good-sized flock of Pine Siskins.

We ended up at Bonnechere Caves park at Eganville.  One can view the caves formed by an ancient sea here.  It is quite impressive I am told.  We opted out of the tour as it was a pricey $22 per head!

View of the river:

Friday morning I headed out early down highway 41 towards Peterborough.  Just for the heck of it, I stopped at Bon Echo Provincial Park. It is not a birding park per se, but I had never been there before.

I arrived at Peterborough early afternoon, and stopped by to see the lift lock.  I last saw this in 1976 on  family trip!

I was at Peterborough for the Ontario Field Ornithologist's Convention.  A three-day event with field trips, a get-together Friday evening and the main banquet Saturday evening.

The only field trip I went on was to Petroglyphs Provincial Park, and nearby Nephton Ridge.  I had not been to Petroglyphs since 1997!  Birding was a bit slow Saturday morning.

Nephton Ridge is a well-known spot, mainly for ATV's!  We hiked up to the ridge which gives quite a view in all directions.

We saw a good diversity of birds along the way.  A few butterflies, including this fritillary that I never got close to.  Likely an Aphrodite.

That was it for me after this, as I went back to the motel to gear up for the evening event.

Sunday morning, I headed home early.  The 407 now goes to hwy 115 south of Peterborough, so I took that  to the 401 at Mississauga.  Although it will cost some money, it was pretty slick!  I made it home after 4.5h driving.

More Algonquin Scenes

On Monday morning, I headed over to Mizzy Lake Trail at km 15.4 on the highway 60 corridor.  It is one of my favourite since it covers a lot of different habitats, including nine small lakes.  At 11 km in length, it takes some time to cover and gives one a good workout!  (It seems to get longer each time I do it!).

Mizzy Lake in the fog

I did not get Gray Jays on this walk, but did see one Black-backed Woodpecker in a usual spot at the little bridge on the old railway bed.  I originally walked by the spot, but back-tracked on a hunch. Sure enough one of those resident woodpeckers was tapping away on a dead Black Spruce.
I think this is the same tree on which I had one two years ago!  Turns out it was the only representative of the species I saw on the whole trip.  Here is a highly cropped photo in improper lighting.

White-crowned Sparrows had not really shown up in numbers yet and I had only a handful on this trip.

Mizzy Lake is a good trail to find Spruce Grouse, but I only encountered its cousin, Ruffed.

Once again I came across some busy Boreal Chickadees.  Better looks this time.

After this walk, I headed to the park store for a hearty lunch.  For relaxation, I checked out the old airfield and finally came across some American Coppers.

I was not sure if I wanted to tackle Bat Lake Trail, but by mid afternoon I took the plunge on this 5.8 km trail.  It is demanding in spots, but a nice view of a distant lake can be had.

tree growing atop a rock

I heard one Boreal Chickadee on this walk.  I have had Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker and Gray Jay on this trail in the past, but no such luck this time.
Just after the start, I came across a nice mixed flock of warblers which included a 'latish' Bay-breasted.  It was too shaded for photos.

Back at the campsite, I heard yet another Boreal Chickadee, then after supper headed out to the old airfield before sunset.

Lots of birds (99% Yellow-rumped) were moving along the perimeter and the shoreline of Lake of Two Rivers.  Some Pine Warblers were included.

On Tuesday, I headed over to another favourite trail, Booth's Rock at Rock Lake campground.  This 5 km trail is a another for a good workout, but the view atop the cliff is worth it.  Unfortunately it was still quite foggy!  I encountered several Blackpoll Warblers and the only Philadelphia Vireo of the trip there, among other birds.

Black-throated Green that got away!

The last part of the trail follows the old railbed along Rock Lake which always seems good for birds.  On this trip, birds were somewhat sparse here, unlike two years ago.

After checking out some other spots around mid-day, including Big Pines Trail, I did the old airfield again while the sun was still high.  I only came across a couple more American Coppers in the butterfly department.




Regarding birds, I finally came across a few Pine Siskins at the south edge of the open area.

Before supper, I walked the nearby short Two Rivers Trail, adding a 'latish' Ovenbird to the list.

In the evening, another walk at the airfield revealed yet another Boreal Chickadee just before the sun set.  Several American Pipits were working the airfield grounds.

Wednesday morning on my way out of the park, I checked out Whiskey Rapids Trail at the west end.  I had not walked it in many years, but was always one of my favourites.  This was the first trail I ever walked in Algonquin back in ???? (lol) when I was 13 years old on a family trip.
Another Boreal Chickadee was heard across the Oxtongue River, but the whole trail was relatively quiet for birds this morning.

Later, a quick stop at Tea Lake Dam added a late Eastern Wood Peewee to the avian list.

Then, it was on to Awenda Provincial Park north of Penetanguishene.

Spruce Bog Trail Scene

Algonquin Park Trip (part four: birds)

Gray Jay at Algonquin

(scroll down three postings to get introduction to this trip!)

Birding was somewhat slow at Algonquin Park, but I did find some of the specialties. The best birding spot is the old railway section of Mizzy Lake Trail. Rather than taking the whole 11 km trail, one can take a shortcut by travelling up Arrowhon Road (~5 km) to the old railway bed. You can walk into this section and find lots of birds and other wildlife.
Tim Snieder and I checked out that spot Monday morning. We found lots of Boreal Chickadees, and about four Gray Jays.

The Boreal Chickadees were very vocal and active that morning. We found several groups, for a total of about 8 birds. It was the most I had seen or heard in one outing! They were almost impossible to photograph.

The Elusive Boreal Chickadee!

Along this trail we also saw two Olive-sided Flycatchers, as well as an Eastern Phoebe. The Phoebe was hanging around a small bridge--a usual nesting spot for them.

There were several groups of warblers, obviously working their way south.

The first day of my visit, I managed to get a Black-backed Woodpecker right away on Spruce Bog Boardwalk.

Black-backed Woodpecker working spruce tree

There were not many other birds to speak of as the season was waning. Many birds had left, or were quiet after their breeding season. I noticed lots of noisy Blue Jays though. A large group was hanging around the Old Airfield. One individual was completely bald!

Boreal Chickadees were also on Bat Lake Trail. On this trail, I heard Pileated Woodpecker calling in the hardwood forest below the lookout.

At the old Airfield, a pair of Merlins was hanging around--a decent bird to see there in summer.