Pelee Big Day

Last Saturday I joined up with some friends and we did a Point Pelee Area big day. I thought it was a huge success! Due to the rain/cold/lots of action, I didn't take too many photos, so visuals may be lacking, but I'll try to get into as much detail as I can!

We started around 5:30 am. At the Visitor Centre we picked up a few early birds, including American Woodcock, a target of ours for the VC.

Our first stop was the Tip of Point Pelee. It was quite miserable at first, especially with the wind, rain, and lack of birds, but soon it picked up. One of our first highlights of the morning were the groups of terns flying by. While the majority were Common Terns, early on we managed to pick out four Black Terns in with the Commons. Certainly a nice bird to "get out of the way".

We managed to pick out both Common and Red-throated Loon. The Red-throated in particular was a nice surprise, and personally my first bird that I have seen in the spring.

Red-throated Loon

Plenty of small birds, especially warblers, were around. There was actually what some people were calling a mini-fallout. I didn't take any photos, but we managed to see probably close to 12 species of warblers, including Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white, and Wilson's. Plenty of Baltimore Orioles and a female Scarlet Tanager also made an appearance.

After spending some time at the Tip, we made our back to the VC via some trails through Sparrow Field and Post Woods. We came across a few birds of note, including Warbling Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Spotted Sandpipers. Plenty of warblers and Least Flycatchers were around as well.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

We walked a little bit of Woodland Nature Trail on our way back, and were rewarded with a flyover Great Egret and a roosting Common Nighthawk.

After a quick stop for a break at the VC, and quickly tallying our total thus far (90 species or so in the first few hours!) we went back out to Woodland to have a look for Prothonotary Warblers. Although we missed the Prothons (in fact, despite trying again later, we missed them for the day!) we managed to see a few new birds for the day list. There was a Northern Waterthrush singing, as well as our first and only Red-headed Woodpecker of the day. It is a miracle we even saw the Red-headed, as I had been looking at a Black-and-white Warbler, and in behind the warbler I managed to spot the woodpecker through a tiny opening in the branches!

Horrible picture of a Northern Parula

There was a nice Canada Warbler on Redbud trail.

 There was also a very cooperative Chestnut-sided Warbler, which entertained us for a bit.

Despite the pouring rain, we did a quick run of Tilden's, where we managed to pick up a Solitary Sandpiper. We also found an active Carolina Wren nest with four young birds.

We got a message about a cooperative Hooded Warbler behind the VC, so we went over to check it out. There was no crowd (very strange for Pelee), so we almost walked right past her. She was all wet, and the lighting was horrible, but thankfully the white outer tail feathers were obvious, which sealed the identification.

Just as we were about to leave the park for Wheatley, we got another message about a cooperative Mourning Warbler on Woodland, so we took a little jog for it. Unfortunately, by the time we got there it had hunkered down, but we managed to see a White-eyed Vireo and a Cooper's Hawk, which were decent consolation prize.

I saw my 100th species for the day, Field Sparrow, behind the Visitor Centre. Pretty convenient to go and claim my 100 species challenge pin!

We headed out to Wheatley, picking up Red-tailed Hawk, Short-billed Dowitcher, American Golden Plover, and Black-bellied Plover along the way. When we arrived in Wheatley we were soaked to the skin, but happy, because as soon as we pulled up the Dickcissel, the rare bird we had driven to see, was singing.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Satisfied, we moved on to the harbour, which was just down the road. There were a few birds, including Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, and Chipping Sparrow. Just as we were about to leave, a Whimbrel flew by, definitely a highlight of the day.

We took a drive down Mersea Road 21, where we managed to find a few good things. Highlights included Short-billed Dowitcher, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Savannah Sparrow, American Pipit, Horned Lark, and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Short-billed Dowitchers

Semipalmated Plovers

Great Black-backed Gull

Hillman was pretty quiet, but we managed to find Forster's and Caspian Terns. Just outside the marsh, as couple of us managed to pick up Trumpeter Swans and a Green Heron.

We returned to the park, where a couple of us managed to find Indigo Bunting and Yellow-throated Vireo. Also a few more warblers were around.

Northern Parula

Our last trail of the day was Woodland Nature Trail. The highlight here was definitely seeing a Mourning Warbler (we'll just disregard the whole "is that a Connecticut?!?!" thing) This was the first time I have been able to get some photos of this elusive warbler.

And with the light fading, we called it a day. As a group we saw just over 130 species, myself personally seeing 127 of them. It was certainly a big day!

It is going to be another busy weekend...I will be birding the Bruce Peninsula!

eBird checklists:

Point Pelee National Park (morning)

Onion Fields

Wheatley Harbour

Mersea Road 21

Hillman Conservation Area

Point Pelee National Park (evening)

The Wilds of Algonquin: Part Two

Read part one here

After a few hours rest, we awoke to the songs and calls of many winter finches. These Red Crossbills came down for grit not too far away...lighting was not the best however!

We went to the visitor centre next, where we watched the action at the feeders for a bit. I was happy to be able to see my first European Starling for my park list :-)

Pine Siskin

Red Crossbill

Purple Finch

We searched for Spruce Grouse at the Spruce Bog boardwalk, unfortunately to no avail. We did however find a Ruffed Grouse and a Purple Finch.

Purple Finch (rear end)

Opeongo Road was next, where we found many Red Crossbills and White-winged Crossbills.

Red Crossbills

White-winged Crossbill

White-winged Crossbill

Gray Jays found us pretty quickly. We found some more as we walked up the road.

Soon it was time to get picked up and start heading home, but not before I found a Canada Goose near Cache Lake, an early migrant.

We also saw an Otter at the same location.

Overall it was a great weekend to be up in Algonquin! I think spring is finally upon us!

The Wilds of Algonquin: Part One

This past weekend I visited Algonquin Park with a group of other young birders with the Ontario Field Ornithologists (including Ethan). It was quite a lot if fun and we saw some great birds!

I arrived early Saturday morning to the Wildlife Research Station (I was late getting up, so we stayed in Dwight Friday night), and was immediately overwhelmed by the number of finches! Finches turned out to be pretty common throughout the park, and I don't think we ever really went a moment without hearing at least a siskin or a crossbill!

We birded around the Wildlife Research Station for a few hours, and we were treated to awesome sightings such as a White-winged Crossbill, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, and a Merlin, which is good winter bird up there.

White-winged Crossbill

Afterwards we went to Opeongo Road to look for some Gray Jay nests with the researchers. Again, crossbills were numerous, as were Pine Siskins.

Red Crossbill

Pine Siskin

It wasn't long until we found some Gray Jays, including one on a nest.

There were some curious Red Squirrels as well.

We visited the Visitor Centre next, where the feeders were quite active. We saw Blue Jays, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Evening Grosbeaks among other things.

Evening Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

Pine Siskin

White-winged Crossbill

Red Crossbill

I was quite excited to see my first American Marten.

There were a couple Wild Turkeys in the parking lot, overwintering birds.

We checked out Spruce Bog quickly after the Visitor Centre, which revealed to be more or less quiet. At least there were a couple cooperative Gray Jays and a Purple Finch.

We checked out Bat Lake and a little bit of the Old Airfield before dinner, but were unable to find anything that we hadn't already seen.

Certainly a great first day in Algonquin!

New Blog?!?!

Recently I reached out to some young birders and naturalists to see who would be interested in collaborating with me to create a blog where young people with interest similar to mine could come together and post about the stuff they've seen and the photos they've taken. I really don't know how this will turn out, but I'm sure that it will only get better as we go along!

Right now we are only in the early stages, but I hope to go public is a couple days, hopefully sooner. The biggest obstacle we are facing right now is picking a good name for the blog. If you wish to give us suggestions (I encourage you to), please comment below. Anything helps! The name should reflect the age of our authors (younger than most) and our interests (birding, nature etc.) Thanks in advance!

I will post the link here once we launch it, and watch for it at the side in my blog list!

If you know any young birders or young people interested in just nature in general, who would be interested in contributing, than have them contact me at birdsbugsbotanyblog@gmail.com. 

This blog is still my primary place that I will post, and I won't be posting less on here because of the other blog (however, I might write about the same event!). I hope to see everyone over there!

Good birding,
Quinten

OFO Young Birder Weekend in Algonquin

This past weekend, I went to Algonquin Park with a group of young birders. It was quite a lot of fun, and we saw many, many things (most of which I am lacking photos!) We stayed at the Wildlife Research Station (WRS), which offered great wildlife sightings just outside our door. The first of many things seen were Chalk-fronted Corporals.

We went for a walk around WRS, where we turned up a few good birds, and got our first taste of summer birding in Algonquin.

American Redstart

That evening, we checked out the Old Railway Bed.

This turned out to be great for mammals. We managed to find multiple Beavers, two Moose, and even a Black Bear.

Birds were around, but most were found by ear alone. The best birds by far were a Barred Owl and a Northern Saw-whet Owl, both of which were heard off in the distance.

Wood Ducks

On the way back, near Cannisbay, some of us were lucky to see an Algonquin/Eastern Wolf cross the road. I only managed to catch the tail end of it in the lead car's headlights.

The next day, we went canoeing in Hailstorm Creek (north arm of Lake Opeongo). Many things were seen, including some River Otters, Ring-necked Ducks, Elegant Spreadwings, and four Sandhill Cranes. We also found a few boreal birds.

Ring-necked Duck

Elegant Spreadwing

River Otter

Red Crossbill

The breeding colony of Double-crested Cormorants and Herring Gulls continues.

Double-crested Cormorants

One of my favourite birds was found regularly on Opeongo.

Common Loon

We went out looking for herps after we got back. All we could find was a Red-backed Salamander.

The next day, we went with the small mammal researcher in the early morning to see what research she was doing. It was quite interesting, even if all we caught were a shrew and Deer Mice.

Birds were pretty easy to find around WRS.

Purple Finch

Cedar Waxwing

We explored the Old Airfield, where we managed to find some Pink-edged Sulphurs.

This Snowshoe Hare wasn't concerned about our presence.

We were happy to find a Boreal Chickadee.

As if the Red Crossbills from the day before weren't enough, White-winged Crossbills decided to show up.

To cap off the Airfield, my favourite warbler provided great looks.

Magnolia Warbler

We went to the Visitor Centre and checked out their private collections. Afterwards, we managed to locate the Olive-sided Flycatcher of the viewing deck.

I pretty much just left my camera behind for the rest of the day, so you'll just have to visualize this stuff....

We went looking for salamanders at Found Lake. It was much harder than expected, but Red-backed and the uncommon Northern Two-lined were eventually found.

We went to the airfield again to see if we could find the Long-eared Owls which had been rumoured to be hanging out there. No owls, but a Merlin was a nice treat.

The next morning, we started out at the Airfield around 5:20 am. We were hoping that a rarity had dropped in or something (Dickcissel seemed like the most likely). While nothing of that sort was found, we found a Wild Turkey, which is great for the park.

Spruce Bog was our next stop. While the Spruce Grouse evaded us, a singing Olive-sided Flycatcher rewarded us. Common Yellowthroats were common as well.

Yellowthroat

Opeongo Road proved to be very productive. Canada Warblers were heard soon after turning onto the road, and many more warblers could be seen and heard.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Opeongo Rd was flycatcher central, and we found four species. Olive-sided was surprisingly the most plentiful, with four individuals.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher had three individuals.

Alder and Least Flycatcher both had only one representative.

Alder

Gray Jays were also found, and came very quickly to be fed.

White Admirals were seen here and there.

While the rest of the group went back to WRS, a few of us braved the bugs and continued on birding, trying to get our list up to 100 species (I think we just fell short, with something like 98 or 99).

The only new bird found was an American Woodcock which I flushed while bushwhacking in a spruce bog. It was the last new bird of the trip.

After saying good-bye to the group, my family continued to explore Algonquin.

The Airfield had some good leps and odes, including a skipper of which I don't know what to think. It looks a lot like a Leonard's Skipper, but it just seems too dark and pretty early for one. If you can help me, I'd be very thankful! (EDIT: Long Dash - thanks Nate!)

Long Dash

Calico Pennant

The Algonquin Art Centre had a Common Raven that was begging for handouts.

As we were leaving the park, we came across this Moose.

Later that evening, we came back to see what was around the Railway Bed. Nothing much except for a couple of Wilson's Snipe and a Muskrat.

The next morning, we went to Opeongo Rd again. No Gray Jays, but the Olive-sideds were cooperating. I got better photos than the day before.

I didn't take any more photos after that, mostly because everything was heard but not seen. We left Algonquin around three.

Overall, it was an awesome trip, and I can't even begin to share everything that happened in a blog post. It was one of those times that you can't put into words.

Whoever said birding in July is the slowest is quite wrong....I'm at 136 species so far this month!!! (EDIT: Upland Sandpipers, Bobolink, and Dickcissel make it 139!)