Hello! We were able to take a trip to the Algonquin region of Ontario over
the long Fourth of July Holiday. Not overly productive in the "list"
category but nontheless an interesting trip!
GRAY JAYS and BOREAL CHICKADEE were must harder to locate than
expected! Did see a few of each and that was it. No such luck on the
sought after BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER. Other birds of note:
WEST GATE: Beautiful view of a RED-EYED VIREO near the restrooms. Yeah I
know we hear thousands but it was nice to actually see him so well. There
may be a nearby nest - he seemed to be patrolling. Also a YELLOW RUMPED
WARBLER in the same spot.
KM 3 - 5 nice views of MOOSE in the morning and a nice roadside BROAD
WINGED HAWK.
HEMLOCK BLUFF TRAIL: (This trail is not as easy at it
looks!) Probably 100 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS HEARD, and quite few
BLACK-THROATED BLUE and OVENBIRD as well. A BLACK-AND-WHITE also heard,
along with VEERIES and HERMIT THRUSHES.
SPRUCE BOG TRAIL: Veeries and Hermit Thrushes again, and a Chestnut-Sided
near the trail beginning.
MIZZY LAKE TRAIL: Very scenic walk, much enjoyed. Bring bug spray! And
maybe a bug net to put over your head! Heard many warblers here, does
TENNESEE breed in the park? Parula, BTG, BTB, Ovenbird, etc, on the
logging road. Many Swamp Sparrows on the hike, a family of NASHVILLE
WARBLERS. Also Magnolia, Chestnut-Sided were seen. Did not hear the hoped
for Canada Warbler.
Area lakes: saw many Common Loons, sometimes with chicks! This was a treat.
Also spent some time in nearby Arrowhead Park, near our Huntsville
lodgings (the Arrowhead Inn, which I would recommend to anyone visiting the
ares, especially with pets.
BIG BEND OVERLOOK- nice trail through mostly birch. Right at the overlook
point overlooking the cliff and river there was a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER
with a fledgling. He flew right down to me then away, perhaps trying to
draw me away, but did not feign injury. Many OVENBIRD signing, and also a
young YB SAPSUCKER. A VEERY also stopped in for a rare great look at this
bird usually just heard signing. Across the road from the parking lot, a
RED-EYED VIREO nest, with the female visiting, apparently feeling young
birds. I was surprised the nest was so low, I expcted them to build higher
(it was about 8 ft Above Ground). Also appearing were a REDSTART and
YELLOW-RUMPED.
FALLS TRAIL- Probably within 100 yards of the trailhead, heard and saw an
adult male YB SAPSUCKER very agitated, and soon found out why: Sitting
near the top of a tree, but in plain view, were two older fledgling BARRED
OWLS, together on the same branch! The Sapsucker yelled and mobbed them
a bit but eventually gave up. The owls gave several warning calls, but
remained perched.
Thanks to those who gave advice for this trip, a very enjoyable area, well
worth visiting again!
Greg Coniglio / Melissa Mance
Cheektowaga (Buffalo), NY
Greg Coniglio <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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