Twinleaf Hunt, and More Updates

Yesterday was a pleasant day. I toured around south of town in the morning, but still did not find much in the way in migrants.  Yellow-headed Blackbirds have been quite visible in the fields near Grande Pointe this year.  I came across this one near the roadside.

They nest in the lower Lake St. Clair marshes, so it is not unusual to see them around Mitchell's Bay and surroundings.  They used to nest at St. Clair NWA in good numbers, but due to habitat change there, they have not in many years.  It was our "go-to" place to see them!

In the afternoon it was so nice, I went for a long walk at Reid CA.  Butterflies (4 species) and other insects were out enjoying the warmth.  

Narrow-headed Marsh Fly

There were a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and a single Palm Warbler to keep one's interest in birds.

As well, a pair of Tufted Titmouse has arrived.  They produced young the last two years, and will likely do so again this year.

I did manage to find the patch of Twinleaf at Reid.  I overlooked it just by a little bit the other day!

Twinleaf is a somewhat uncommon plant found in rich woodlands.  The name refers to the unique shape of the leaves.

Today was a cold and wet day, so birding and birds were at a standstill for the most part.

The Piping Plover I found last Sunday was again seen this week out Rondeau's south beach. It was an unbanded bird, so difficult to determine origin.  One unbanded bird was at Point Pelee late last fall, so perhaps it was the same individual.

Last May, we had two out south beach.  They were banded.  I was given some information this week, where those two ended up.  One was a male named "Han", and it went on to Toronto to nest with "Chewie".  They raised two chicks.

The other eventually went to Pennsylvania and found a female to raise two chicks!

Interesting to find out this information, as we thought those were a male and female at first.

The Keewatin should be at its destination in Hamilton by now.  For those wondering, it is referred to as an "Edwardian" ship since it was built during the reign of King Edward VII (1901-1910).

One will notice the size and height of the smokestack.  Ships in those days burned coal, so the stacks were built high to disperse the coal smoke.

It had four coal-fired Scotch marine boilers.  Two were removed from the ship, but two were left and cut open for viewing.

Woodland Wanderings and Historic Day on the St. Clair

 Birding continues to be painfully slow this spring.  While wandering through local woodlands, I kept an eye out for plants.  This week, my target was Twinleaf, one of my favourite.  For some reason, I could not find the ones in Reid CA, so later I checked out W. Darcy McKeough CA where I knew of a spot with several plants,  These were almost ready to bloom.

At Reid, the first Jack-the-Pulpits are popping up.

Over at Port Lambton, I checked out my birding hotspot, Brander Park.  There are a few Red Trilliums there.

While there, an odd crow got my attention.  It did not move much, but going by the sounds it made, I concluded it was a Fish Crow!  It was high in a tree, and a photo would do no good anyway.  It was just a couple of days earlier that James Holdsworth confirmed one at his end of the county, constituting Lambton's first record.  Probably overdue.

Today, I went down to Rondeau.  There was heavy ice fog all the way, making me wonder what I was doing!  However, it mostly cleared at Rondeau.  With few birds yet in the park, I opted to go out marsh trail where one could find a variety of birds.

female Eastern Towhee from the other day

Some first-of-year included Common Gallinule, Common Yellowthroat, Marsh Wren and Sora.  Nothing else special, but better days are ahead no doubt.

On the agenda today, was to see the historic ship tow (for many reasons) of the last Edwardian passenger ship in the world, Keewatin.  After Rondeau, I made a beeline for the St. Clair River. I was worried, as the fog returned north of the park, and all the way home.  However, it cleared by the time I got to Sombra.  The tow was not as far as I thought, so I ended up at Corunna to wait.

Here is the first view off the north end of Shell Refinery:

My next position was Mooretown, where I got some good photos.  Many people were out to see the event.

Readers of this blog know that I have visited the Keewatin when it was on display at Port McNicoll.  

in the wheelhouse

Not the Titanic!

This ship was built in Scotland in 1907 and came to the upper Great Lakes.  In 1967 it was a museum ship in Saugatuck, Michigan, then in 2012 it was moved to Port McNicoll. It had to move, as plans changed there.  The museum in Kingston bought it, and that is where it will end up this summer.

Two of these identical ships came to the lakes.  The sister ship, Assiniboia, met its demise in 1969.  I was on it too (August 1968) in Sarnia!

Today's tow was the first time the ship was in the St. Clair River since 1907!  It is quite remarkable this ship still exists.   It will get good exposure in Kingston, and hopefully will last for many more decades.

Away to Awenda and Other Places

After leaving Algonquin Park early Wednesday morning, I headed west through Muskoka.  Clouds were building in the west and rain was imminent.
I stopped by Port McNicoll to view the Keewatin.  As it was raining, I decided to take the tour of the ship!  Although I have been on it three times before, one cannot get enough of this national treasure.

Each time, there is something different to see, as new displays are added.  I started out the tour alone with the guide and she mentioned the sister ship Assiniboia.  I had to correct her, as she did not go directly to Philadelphia after being sold by Canadian Pacific.  In fact, the Assiniboia had a brief stint in Sarnia with JAL Steamships.  Being a friend of one of the owners, my father went aboard (and took me along when I was very young).  Here is a photo!

The Keewatin was virtually identical (Both originally burned coal, but Assiniboia was modified to burn oil and the stack was shortened).
Here are some photos.

Above "Flowerpot Lounge"

Quadruple expansion steam engine

After lunch I headed up to Awenda Provincial Park, another one of my favourite places to camp.
The skies were starting to clear, but the wind picked up considerably, as it switched to the north.  What a relief after the scorching heat in Algonquin!
The wind was strong off the lake and no birds were seen (not even a frigatebird!).

Shoreline at Awenda.  Giant's Tomb Island in background

I walked around Kettle's Lake, but few birds were seen.  This is a good birding spot at times.

After setting up the tent, I checked out Robitaille Trail, which is a decent birding trail.  A few warblers were seen including this Black-throated Blue.

For some reason, Black-throated Blues often come in pairs.

I also found an Ovenbird. It was in the shade, so the photo is not too good.

The trail is named after the Robitaille family which owned the property.  One can see the foundation ruins of the house and barn.

After supper, I just milled about the campsite hoping to hear Barred Owls,  Although I have had them on each previous visit, perhaps the strong wind kept them quiet.

After a little bit of birding, I headed out early the next morning and after lunch stopped at West Perth Wetlands, Mitchell.  It is always worth a visit when in the area.  There were quite a few shorebirds, but waterfowl stole the show.  Among several species of ducks, there were over 600 Mallard.
Lots of yellowlegs were present, as well as a single Pectoral Sandpiper and a Wilson's Snipe.  Dowitchers had been reported recently, but I did not detect any.

Over 40 American Golden Plover were present as well.

Despite the heat and humidity and rather few birds, it was nice to get away to familiar places.

Away to Awenda

1974!

After leaving Algonquin Park Wednesday morning, I headed southwest.  I took Muskoka Road 3 from Huntsville to Rosseau, then Road 141 to highway 400 south.  I would have taken 141 from highway 11, but the bridge was being rebuilt over the Rosseau River.  That bridge is a familiar spot from my youth when I spent part of summers at a camp right near there!




Just before Midland, I headed into Port McNicoll to visit the SS_Keewatin.  I have been on it twice before, but not for two years.  I wanted to see what changes were made.

This ship is a national treasure, being built in 1907.  It is nothing short of remarkable that it still exists, more or less in its original condition. Many of the staterooms have been restored for display.

The steam engine and shaft are actually in working order.  There is an electric motor that turns the shaft, hence turns the connecting rods of the engine.

Tours are available and the full tour takes about 1.5h.  Unfortunately it does not visit the wheelhouse, but three years ago a friend and I got a special tour that included the top deck and wheelhouse!

After lunch in Midland I headed to another favourite, Awenda_Provincial_Park.  I have camped there a few times as you know from past blog posts.

It consists of over 29 square kilometres of mostly hardwood forest, but with lots of Hemlock as well. Giant's Tomb Island in Georgian Bay is also part of the park.

September 2014

Barred Owls are resident in the park, and you are always guaranteed to hear them!  Last year I was lucky as one perched in my campsite.

On this year's visit, I did not hear them at dusk, but did at dawn.  At first I heard a loud shriek, then the familiar "who cooks for you" rendition.  Back at Algonquin I heard that same shriek one night (woke me up!).  I did not realize what is was, but I assume a Barred Owl.

I also heard Whip-poor-will at 19:40h, then again at dawn. Latest I have heard one in the season.






Wednesday afternoon I hiked a couple of the trails.  There is a total of 32 km worth of trail within the park.
The Robitaille Trail is a linear (3 km) one to a high dune.  It is good for birds, and I saw a few warblers and vireos on my walk.  It used to be a farm (hence the name) and more recently a Christmas Tree farm.  Several of the pines were left to grow.

One of many Black-throated Green Warblers

Thursday morning I hiked Wendat Trail (5 km).  It goes around Kettle lake in the east part of the park.  Just off the parking lot is a boardwalk/dock.  Early morning is good for birds along its edge.
In the opposite corner of the lake is a boardwalk over a marshy area.

Second Lake

On the way home, a stop at West Perth Wetlands (Mitchell) was in order.  Nothing of note was seen, but it is always a nice stop on a long drive.

Keewatin!

Not a birding post, but some of my followers are interested in ships.
Today was a special day, planned a few weeks ago.  A friend and I headed up to Midland late Friday afternoon, and the destination was Port McNicoll Saturday.  It was not a birding trip, but I did see birds!
Heading up that way is not complete without a stop at West Perth Wetlands in Mitchell.  There were quite a few shorebirds in, but nothing really of note.  Lots of sparrows in the weeds.

We arrived early Saturday morning at Port McNicoll.  There were lots of birds in the harbour!  Especially sparrows (mostly White-crowned) in the weeds.  A few Greater Yellowlegs greeted us as they flew over.
However, the focus of this trip was to get a tour of the CPR passenger vessel Keewatin.  It was built in 1907 and has miraculously been preserved to this day.  It was actually built in Govan, Scotland, sailed over to Montreal, cargo unloaded, then back to Quebec city, cut in half, towed to Buffalo, and reassembled. It was designed to be cut in half since it was too long for the locks of the day.  Its identical sister ship Assiniboia experienced a similar story.

Smaller version of the Titanic's main staircase!

It last emitted steam in December 1965.  In fact, the chief engineer wrote "finished with engines forever" on a chalkboard in the engine room as noted in this photo.  This was never erased!

Some parts are well preserved inside, but much is quite rough.  What do you expect for a 105 year old ship?

We got a tour of the entire ship from one of the keen volunteers, Bill.

Aft Men's Smoking Lounge

Many have volunteered their services to maintain and clean up the vessel.  One of the key figures in bringing this ship to the port is Eric Conroy.  He was a waiter on the boat back in the early 1960's.  We had good conversation with him this morning.  He is seen here in the middle walking back toward the Keewatin with some others.

He even wrote his own book Steak in a Drawer.  The title is appropriate as he once hid a steak dinner in a drawer because he had ordered one too many dinners for the table he was waiting on.  Apparently the waiters had to memorize the orders, rather than write them down, so one time he managed to "mess" up!  Fearing reprimand, he quickly stuffed the dinner in a nearby drawer.

Dining Room (subject drawer is in the back left corner)

View of harbour from the bridge

The quadruple expansion steam engine is so well preserved it could run again today.

It has four boilers, two of which have been cut up to reduce the weight of the ship.

The wheelhouse is nothing fancy and rather small, but did the job.

I took 75 photos this morning, so obviously there are too many to post here.
It was an enjoyable experience, and something I thought I would never happen.
On the way back, we again stopped at West Perth Wetlands.  Fewer shorebirds, but more sparrows.  There  was a large number of Savannah Sparrows.  I did not have time to look too closely, but it was a nice break in the drive.