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.

Some Wanderings and A Crossbill Fix

Quiet times are upon us now.  It is difficult to find many birds on the trails, but we keep looking!

I went down to Rondeau on Friday.  I started with a lakewatch at dog beach, but it was not for long.  The stiff wind was out of the east and it was cold.  Some Red-throated Loons are out there, and hopefully a number will be tallied on the CBC next Sunday.  I always start with a lakewatch at dog beach!

The only birds in numbers was a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos near the campground.  Nothing of note caught my eye with them.

I stopped by Keith McLean C. L. as well.  Lots of Killdeer still around (I counted 14).  Also, one Wilson's Snipe was present.

Today, it was up to Pinery Provincial Park.  I rarely get there anymore, but the weather promised to be nice.  And it was!  Clear skies and sun while there.

My goal was to see some Red Crossbills and hopefully a Bohemian Waxwing or two.  I lucked out with Red Crossbills from the get-go!

A total of eight was a nice number!

I have not had much luck with Red Crossbills at all in the past. The few I have seen or heard were flyovers.  Today was actually the first time I photographed any!  They were quite high in a tree though.

White-winged Crossbills are not around right now.  In the past, I have even had them in my yard.

At the store parking lot, I met up with Deryl, Sharon and Donna.  We went for a long walk all the way to the beach at Dunes campground.  A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk flew over at one point, being the only highlight.

Lots of Black-capped Chickadees are around.  Where is that Boreal?

Later, I walked around by myself, but never came across any sort of waxwing.  Maybe next time...

I stopped by Ausable River Cut CA.  Going over the bridge, I noticed the water level was very low, so I checked out some of the shoreline for mussels.  I found three or four types.  Most notable was a Wabash Pigtoe (a "vulnerable" species).

I think the only other one of this type I found was at Rondeau south beach.

Some Three-ridge were readily found, which I find very common here.

I passed through Port Franks too.  Lots of gulls, but nothing stood out.

Ipperwash was very quiet....again!

One last walk before getting home was at McKellar Tract on Bickford Line.  It was essentially birdless, like most places early this winter.  Going to be a very quiet winter....

Some Recent Fall Birding--Weekend Weather Woes

Not much of note to report as this wacky weather continues.  The rain never ends!

Friday was crisp and clear though, as I started with a lakewatch at Rondeau.  Once again the winds were not ideal, but I looked anyway.

Along south point trail, Yellow-rumped were the dominant warbler, as expected.

Kinglets were quite plentiful.

Sparrows were numerous but nothing in the rare category.

Saturday a change in pace was in order so I went up to north Lambton.  Some finches seem to be on the move in the province, especially crossbills.  So, I was hoping to come across one or two. Redpolls are also working their way south, but have not yet reached our district.

The weather was crappy with heavy cloud and a light sprinkle the whole time.  Was not in the forecast!!

I started at Ausable River Cut CA, which is nice spot to check in the fall.  Only Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were detected there.

Next stop was Ipperwash, where I checked out the MNR parking lot area.  It is a great place in the fall.  Quite a few Pine Siskins were moving south, and at one point, two Red Crossbills flew over.  Yey, at least I got a target bird!  Probably more to come.

No Pine Grosbeaks this year, as Winterberry Holly remains uneaten.

Winds were no good for a Kettle Point lakewatch as I drove through there.

I stopped at Forest Lagoons as well where the weather was really miserable.  Lots of Swamp and Song Sparrows, but nothing of note. Perhaps I would have spent longer if the weather co-operated.

The place was not as productive this year.  The excessive rain made water levels too high later in the summer and early fall.  Yellowlegs were up to their chests in water!

Today was Rondeau and McLean's.  I needed to do something different, so I walked out marsh trail. At least the sun was out, a rare thing anymore. The half way point was far enough for me today.  There were oodles of Swamp and Song Sparrows.  A few juncos as well, but nothing noteworthy.

Warblers included an Orange-crowned and two Nashville as well as a couple of flyover Yellow-rumped.  Overall, it was somewhat quiet.

Turkey Vultures were on the move as I neared the end of my walk, numbering over 200 in the air.

A stop at Keith McLean C. L. was in order before I headed elsewhere.  Lots of sparrows!  I did find four Nelson's in total.

The lost Long-tailed Duck was still swimming aimlessly around.

The afternoon was spent at Skunk's Misery, which is for another time.  Luckily the rain held off for the event.  One never knows what the weather will be ahead of time, as weather forecasts are too far off the mark anymore.  The 100% rain this afternoon was certainly not in the long term forecast!  But, it has to rain every weekend... of course.