Muskoka Meanderings, Simcoe Saunterings, Wetland Wanderings

After leaving Algonquin Park late morning Wednesday, I stopped by Ragged Falls Provincial Park between Algonquin and Huntsville.  It is a popular spot for photographers, and needless to say many were there this day.  I often stop here each trip just for fun.

I arrived in Huntsville during the noon hour to get food and gas and look around.  I happened upon an ususual sighting in the shopping plaza parking lot.  This was one in a million chance I picked this lane to walk through, but Ron Tozer was sitting in his car waiting for his wife Pat!  We had a nice chat and then went on our separate ways.

The skies were still clear as I headed up to Arrowhead Provincial Park, not far north of Huntsville.  I have visited this park several times before just to walk some trails, but never camped there.  I first decided to walk Stubb's Falls trail, a 1.6 km loop.  It was nice and sunny when I started, but when I finished, the clouds had rolled in and it was sprinkling rain!  It got worse from there.

I managed to get the tent set up with a tarp before the skies let loose.  Needless to say, the rest of the day was a washout and I was disappointed not to walk any more trails.
I was hoping to do the long Beaver Meadow Trail where back on 20 June 2005 I found Muskoka's first and only White-eyed Vireo.

The rain stopped briefly and I checked out Big Bend Lookout, something I had not seen yet.  It was quite interesting where the Big East River loops around.  You can see the layers of time.

The river has several oxbows, and this location may someday be one.

I got up early the next morning in sprinkling rain, and headed south to Gravenhurst.  The skies let loose again and I sat at the wharf for some time.

The skies started clearing in the west, so I headed over to Hardy Lake Provincial Park, a spot I have visited several times before.
There were few birds for most of my long walk (I somehow got twisted around and walked twice as far as I wanted to!), but near the end, I found a nice flurry of passerines.  There were several warbler species and some vireos.

Tennessee Warbler with grub

Palm Warbler

Farther down the road, I decided to check out Torrence Barrens.  By this time the weather was quite nice.  I only stayed an hour, but should have stayed longer as it was quite enjoyable there.

Several Pine Warblers were among other passerines.

I motored on after this walk, and headed towards Penetanguishene.  By this time, the skies opened up again!  Then at one point, there was a storm to the south and one to the north with blue sky in between.
After lunch, I headed over to Awenda Provincial Park where, as you know, I have stayed several times before.
I walked the Robitaille Homestead Trail, but few birds were seen. 

It is interesting that this was once a cleared area and was once a  farm.

Foundation remains of barn

Afterwards, I just loafed around the campsite, drying out things! It was very windy, so I did not hear any birds in the evening.
However, during the night, the ever-reliable Barred Owls called.  One must have been at the campsite as it woke me up!
Just after 6 a.m., I heard two more calling back and forth.

Old Photo from Awenda (at my campsite!)

Before leaving the park, I checked the beach area where a good number of birds were moving along.  Out on the lake were at least 15 Common Loons, and even a few Red-necked Grebes.

It was time to head south.  I thought of staying away one more night, but the forecast called for rain late in the day and night.  Turns out it was one of the rare occasions they were right!
Normally I coincide my week off with the OFO Convention.  It seemed just too inconvenient for various reasons to attend this year, so I missed out.  Next year it is in Peterborough, so that is food for thought.  Maybe I can finally check out Algonquin's east side, then head down to Peterborough.

I eventually headed towards home, but stopped at West Perth Wetlands, as I often do on my route.
It was littered with Lesser Yellowlegs...I counted at least 100!  Nothing else of note though.

One more stop was Forest Lagoons where I met up with Jarmo Jalava.  We had met before and we had a good chat while watching some Long-billed Dowitchers and Pectoral Sandpipers.

Just after arriving at home late in the afternoon, you guessed it, the rain started.  Oh well, it was still a decent trip.

Birding Lake Ontario Shoreline

Saturday morning I was up early to head towards Toronto.  This weekend (Sunday) was the annual meeting of the Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC).  When I was on the committee before, I always went up a day ahead of time to look around.  I do not get to that locale often.  Seems I used to in the distant past though!

Skies were clear most of the weekend, but the unseasonably cold weather continued.  In fact, I heard comments that we are on our third winter for this year!

My first stop was J. J. Plaus Park in Port Credit. 

This small park at the mouth of the Credit River is often a good spot in winter to see waterfowl and waterbirds.  I also recall Yellow-rumped Warblers here in winter a number of years ago.  

This day, there was not much around but I did a see a few Red-necked Grebes in the distance.
Many years ago, a pair of Great Cormorants were hanging around here.  This is one species I went to chase!  The two were perched on the bow of the old laker when I saw them.

It is also a spot I like to view the old lake ship Ridgetown that has been in place since the early 1970's.  It is looking a little worse for the wear!  I would imagine the steel is getting rather thin.

This ship was one of four sister ships built in 1905.  Originally named William E. Corey, it sailed for the Pittsburgh Steamship Company (later United States Steel).  In the 1960's it was sold Canadian to Upper Lakes Shipping and named the Ridgetown (for the village in Chatham-Kent).  The latter name is long since worn off, but the original name can actually be seen peaking through on the bow.

I then moved east to Colonel Sam Smith Park at the end of Kipling Road in Toronto.  This is a very popular birding stop for many.  

Here, a large number of Red-necked Grebes can be seen.  They littered the place.

This area is no doubt the largest staging area for this species in Ontario.

I estimated over 200 of them in my visit.  Last week, David Pryor et al. estimated around 2000!

While there, the Red-necked Grebes were quite vocal and many were paired up and displaying.  Others were singletons.

A good variety of ducks was around during my visit.

After a quick lunch, I headed back west to J. C. Saddington Park, on the west side of the Credit River.  It is a popular spot to view the lake for waterbirds.

I sat on the rocks for a while looking at waterfowl.  I then started walking west and stopped to scan again, and noticed something intriguing.  A Western Grebe!  I was not even carrying a scope (too lazy!), but this bird was just close enough to be seen well.  Very distinctive.

On this trip, I did not bother to bring the big camera, so I just had the Canon G16 for record shots.

first view

This is the second "self-found" Western Grebe for me in Ontario.  I found one off Pinery Provincial Park in 18 November 2006 which is an odd story in itself.

The Port Credit bird is interesting, as one shows up in this area almost every year at this time.  In fact, a couple of the birders present predicted one would show up this very weekend!  Quite possibly, it is the same returning bird (just like a dove at Rondeau!).

I put out the word on Ontbirds.  I stuck around, and soon many birders started arriving.  Included was David Pryor who was sick in bed when he got the word!

I stayed quite a while helping birders spot the grebe.  The Western Grebe moved around quite a bit and even went right up to the Ridgetown and into the mouth of the Credit River.

The was a good raft of White-winged Scoters present as well (up to about 60), and a couple of Surf Scoters.  A Common Loon or two was also seen.

After two hours there, I was chilled to the bone, and left to find a motel for the night and get some supper.

I did not do any birding today, but the trip into Toronto and to the ROM went well.

Big Blow On Lake Huron !

The last couple of days I anticipated heading up to Sarnia do a lakewatch. Strong northerly winds were forecast!  I arrived today before first light.

Already one could see lots of gulls heading out into the lake.  It was too dark to say what all was there, but I am sure there were some goodies.  At one point I thought perhaps I saw a Black-legged Kittiwake with the dark 'M' pattern on the upperside.  Probably was, but...

Everything was basically heading out into the lake and not returning!

There was a flurry of activity for the first hour, and about 07:40 I spotted an immature Little Gull. Josh Bouman simultaneously spotted an adult as well.

About ten minutes later, we spotted a juv Black-legged Kittiwake heading out.  Lighting was poor and I had the wrong settings on the camera, so do not criticize this photo!

Another distant kittiwake

A number of people came out to watch for birds today.  There was even a Paul Pratt sighting!  He got to see the second kittiwake (albeit distant) that I spotted later on.  It appeared to come out of the river, so we assume it was not the same one since everything kept heading out into the lake today.

We had at least five Little Gulls through the morning, all adults except the one immature I spotted.

A number of loons were migrating today, including a single Red-throated. Most were flying very high, so no doubt we missed a lot.  

Quite a few Horned Grebes were around and at least three Red-necked were out there today.

Red-necked with 2 Horned

Lots of waterfowl with at least 14 duck species.  A scope would have been useful today, but it was far too windy to set one up!

Shorebirds included a single Dunlin and a few Sanderlings.

A few geese were seen including a pure flock of 36 Snow Geese.  Brant were most likely out there, but without the scope assistance, I could not be 100% certain.  

I left just after high noon, and less than an hour later, a Brant was seen flying by.  Must be the day for Brant as several were reported around southern Ontario!

It was quite encouraging first thing this morning, but things quickly dropped off with fewer birds seen by mid morning.  Surprisingly, no jaegers!

The wind speed dropped quite a bit through the morning, but was still brisk.  Overnight it must have been brutal, as there was flotsam and jetsam on the lawn!

Several Snow Buntings were on the loose today but nothing with them.

A number of watchers were on the Michigan side also.  They get the shelter of a building!  We have a better vantage point though.

I checked out Perch Creek in the afternoon, but found mostly blackbirds.  A few Fox Sparrows were there.

A quick check of Moore WMA on the way home, revealed a few Purple Finches.

The Scene

More Welcome Signs: Towhees, Tundras and Grebes

I decided on Rondeau this morning and it was nice to see more birds.  Enough snow has melted to do some serious walking.  I checked out part of south point trail for the first time since early January.
On the way through the park it was evident that Song Sparrows had arrived en masse.  They were  everywhere and in bunches as they often are this time of year.

Along south point trail, I found a male Eastern Towhee which was a fresh spring migrant.  I heard one singing at the VC as I drove by so I knew this one was different.

At the VC, one towhee was at the feeder while another was singing in the background.

I should have walked down the road from there, as a friend had an Eastern Phoebe and an American Woodcock.  I knew the woodcocks would be around, but I did not scare one up today!

I walked the campground as well and came across yet another towhee.  Too bad it was the wrong kind.  One with green in its name would be nice, but I would settle with one that had more spots.

Over at Erieau, the field near McGeachy Pond were loaded with puddle ducks and lots of diving ducks too!  There was actually an incredible number of Canvasback, Redhead and Ring-necked Ducks in the field to the north.

The Bay is still mostly frozen except for a patch out in the middle and a bit right at Erieau.  As well, there is a lot of solid ice yet on the lake, so the ducks are going where they can.

The fields had all kinds of puddle ducks including Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler.  I tried hard for an Eurasian Wigeon, but to no avail.  I guess I do not have the eye for them!

The channel and a small bit into the Bay are now open with lots of ducks there.  A large number of scaup were at the NW corner. No duck with a tuft though.  I notice quite a few Gadwall here, but very few wigeon.

Needless to say, Tundra Swans were everywhere today.

I was home by early afternoon, but had to head out to Sombra later to finalize things for a presentation I am doing at the museum.  I left a bit early to check for ducks and grebes on the St. Clair River.  I was alerted to three Red-necked Grebes at Cathcart park yesterday.  I found those, but a fourth was along to the north end of the park.  These may have been around for a while, but it is difficult to say.  Two Horned Grebes were present as well.

Recent Happenings

TO from CSSP

Finally a nice weekend, but I spent most of it on the road or indoors!  Sunday was the OBRC meeting so I went to Toronto Saturday morning. I spent most of the time at Colonel Sam Smith Park looking at grebes and other birds.  This place is grebe central.  Apparently up to 1000 Red-necked Grebes were around earlier in the week along with Horned, Pied, an Eared and a Western. 
Of course the day I was there, the Western was not seen. (now you know what kind of luck I always have!)  It was seen the day before and after.  It was farther out on the lake, but the sunlight prevented proper distant observations.

Red-necked Grebe-crappy photo from last year

I'm pretty sure I saw the Eared Grebe, but it was in an that transition plumage.
It was nice to see a few hundred Red-necked Grebes anyway.  I did sight a Red-throated Loon way out (not a grebe!) and a few Common Loons.

Stream at Rattray Marsh

Later in the day looking at ducks along the shoreline to the east, I did spot a Harlequin Duck.

I get to this park once every year and alway meet people I know. This time I will mention Dorothy Smith  (and her daughter) who used to live in Chatham.  (Hope she doesn't mind!).

I finally saw a butterfy on Saturday!  I'm pretty sure it was a Milbert's Tortoiseshell as it quickly flitted by my motel room window.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell (from last year-Erieau)

When I arrived home late Sunday, a Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a Fox Sparrow were in the yard.  The Fox Sparrow constantly sang until dusk!
The first Forster's Tern arrived at the marina this morning.  A day late from the April 10 date I mentioned last week!