Nipissing Notes and Tiny Tales

 Last Sunday I headed out on my annual week off this time of year.  Algonquin Park, in Nipissing, was the main destination.  It had been two years since I was last up there, so it was time to visit again!  One cannot predict things in advance, but the weather left a little to be desired.  Weather forecasts are almost useless anymore anyway, so just go with the plan!

I left Wallaceburg at 04:33 and was in Algonquin about 10:20, including two stops!  Sunday, there is little traffic on the 400 series highways.  

As per tradition, I first stopped to walk the old railway bed off Arowhon Road.  Must have been a sign of things to come, as it was the quietest I have ever seen it.

photo from happier times

To kill time before the campground check-in, I stopped by Cache Lake boat launch area, then walked Two Rivers Trail near the Mew Lake campground.  I lucked into a good-sized flock of warblers and other birds near the end of that trail, which lightened the mood under gloomy skies.

After going into Mew Lake campground, I walked around the old airfield, my favourite place. It was overcast, and few birds were about, but at least I was there.  This spot always has so much potential for good birds.

After a supper, I again walked the old airfield.  I bumped into someone from Sarnia, namely Dave Bourne!  He was with his family for a few days up there.  I am sure he would not mind a mention.

Since rain was forecast, I put a tarp over the tent, and it was a good thing for overnight when it rained. 

The first full day, I usually walk Mizzy Lake trail, but the weather was not good, so I opted for smaller trails and stops.  I walked Spruce Bog Boardwalk at daybreak.  No Spruce Grouse, but what the heck, I will start walking it again.  Not far along, there they were, three of them!

I only carried the point-and-shoot camera due to the weather, so quality is poor in the poor light.

Next trail was Beaver Pond.  Nothing much of note there, before I decided to give the Logging Museum trail a shot.

Just out the car, I heard the familiar call of a Canada Jay, and sure enough, three of them alighted atop a tree.  Very poor lighting again, but here is a photo.

I then walked the trail as it is interesting to look at the displays.  

Near the end, I caught sight of an owl taking off.  Luckily it stopped, and there was a Barred Owl staring at me!

It was certainly a bonus bird not on my radar, at least to photograph.  I have heard them before in Algonquin.

Heading back west, it started pouring, so I sat it out for a while.

After an expensive lunch at Two Rivers Store (good grief, bring your own food!), I had plans to walk Bat Lake trail.  It looked like it would clear for a while, so I started out.  Nope!  I had to head back and wait out some more rain.

Looked like it would clear for a while, so I headed in again for the better part of 6 km.  Well along the trail, it started to come down in buckets.  I kept going anyway, getting soaked to the bone.  About one-third along, the sun finally came out for a nice afternoon!  A little late I must say.

View from the lookout

It was the trail where I last had Boreal Chickadee.  The Boreal in very difficult to find in Algonquin anymore, so it is highly sought-after.  In the past, I did not have much problem with them, finding them in many different locations.  It is said that climate change is a significant factor.

Nothing of note was seen, so after that, I went to take a shower to 'dry' off, lol.

Had a nice walk on the old airfield later on, and came across the only two butterflies of the trip there.

Clouded Sulphur

Orange Sulphur

I usually get American Copper, but could not find a single one this trip!

There were numerous dragonflies seen over the various walks, many being Black-tipped Darners.

The next day, Mizzy Lake trail was on the agenda, and I arrived there at first light.  It is a long, sometimes gruelling 11 km walk, so one has to be prepared.  It was overcast most of the way, but as soon as I got on the old railway bed, I saw more birds.  I had very nice flock of warblers, etc. at one point.  I even heard a Red Crossbill there in the distance.

Raven posing for a moment

West Rose Lake and Wolf Howl pond area was eerily quiet, but I did hear the familiar call of an Evening Grosbeak.  Soon, I saw it fly overhead!  It was another bonus bird that I did not really expect to see.

The trail was overall very quiet for birds, but you never know until you check it out.  I encountered a Ruffed Grouse in probably one of the darkest areas of the entire trail.  Although I put the ISO off the scale, the photo was not good.

By this time, it was near noon, so I headed to Two Rivers Store for an even more expensive lunch.  Oh well, better that someone else get me a good meal!  It was very good, but not on the wallet.

The afternoon, I walked Big Pines Trail.  I found a good number of warblers, etc. here.  The White Pines are impressive on this trail, hence the trail name.

At the back, is a good area to look for dragonflies in the summer, as I recall many years ago on a visit here.  Not this day though!

The rest of the afternoon and evening I took two walks on the old airfield.  Very quiet again, but it was a stellar evening.  

It could get no better with clear skies, and calm conditions.  I was praying for a rarity!  Last time I came up with record-early fall migrant Bohemian Waxwings, but this time, only American Robins as the sun set.

Wednesday, I headed out and for one last walk, I did Whiskey Rapids Trail.  It was horribly quiet.  In my early days, this was my favourite trail, and I had good luck with some of the specialties here, among other things.

It was a reminder of my youth, as this was a trail we walked in the old days.

(don't laugh!)

Just out of the park, I saw the only Moose of the trip, right in the middle of the road!  I was too lazy to get out the camera though.

Off the 400, I headed west through Gravenhurst, then stopped for a walk at Hardy Lake Provincial Park, as I often do.

It was then a beeline to Awenda Provincial Park north of Penetanguishene in Tiny Township.  Getting into the 'shene, the sky to the north was as dark as night.  I waited it out in a park as heavy rain fell.

After it cleared a bit, I went into the the park while the sun came out.  I stopped by Kettle Lake for a look.  One of the maintenance guys came along and he said he had never seen a storm like that here before.  High winds, hail and heavy rain!

The rest of the day was nice, but before sundown, it clouded over and wind came up.  It was terribly windy and a bit concerning at some points.

It was nice along the lakeside later in the afternoon though.

Giant's Tomb Island in the distance

The above is a display on the ship Reliever at the viewing stand.  This ship once sank in the St. Clair River!

I had the notion to head straight to Sarnia the next day, since a good north wind was forecast.  I got up early since the drive was the better part of six hours from there.  I had just got the tent packed, and down came the rain.....again!  So, just as well since it would be no fun at Awenda in the rain.

It poured to just north of Barrie and then the sun came out.  However, all the way to Sarnia, it was either rain or sun, off and on.  The fronts just kept coming!

I arrived at Sarnia after most of the action had occurred with Sabine's Gulls or jaegers unfortunately, but I did the best I could.  Luckily, I stayed a while and saw a Sabine's Gull!  I nice way to end a somewhat damp, whirlwind trip.

Next time, a report on the OFO conference at Point Pelee this past weekend!

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