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[Ontbirds]OFO Bruce Weekend June 25 & 26

JM
john miles
Mon, Jun 27, 2005 3:53 PM

Saturday morning 24 OFO members and friends assembeled at Hepworth at the
Tim Hortons. We proceeded east to Shallow Lake and then NE checking out the
swamps on the road past the McNabb Lake complex. At the large swamp past the
entrance to the lake 4 Great Egrets were near each other. We returned back
towards Shallow Lake and walked in the road leading back towards the boat
launch but stay on the old concession road. A Golden-winged Warbler was seen
and heard as well as several other species. Up the slight hill we examined
several ferns including Hart's Tongue.
Returning to Tim Horton's for a coffee fix etc we then proceeded NW on what
use to be the South Diagonal Road stopping several times picking up singing
Vesper Sparrows and other species. At one stop a Carolina Wren could be
heard singing from across the field. The bird was actually located in the
scopes on top of dead tree maybe 300 metres away. On the other side of the
cars at this location a nest was spotted in a small sapling about 50 feet
away with a Grasshopper Sparrow on the nest. Further down the road a Wild
Turkey was spotted out in a field and 2 pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were
seen soaring.
We turned north and headed up to the junction with the North Diagonal Road
where Brewser's Balckbirds and an Upland Sandpiper put on a show.
We cut over to the Northacres Road and went north to the Oliphant Road
cutting over to the Quarry Road and out onto No. 6. At Isaac Lake a Virginia
Rail came out for the group to see. At the boat launch an Osprey put in an
appearance.
Lunch was at the picnic area south of Marr from which we headed to Sky Lake
where we picked up Pied-billed Grebe, Marsh Wren and Caspian Tern. The
ditches at Petrel Point were pink with a fabulous display of Grass Pink with
a few Rose Begonias mixed in. In the trees above several male Purple Finches
added pink to the trees tops. Showy Lady Slippers and bog candles added to
our orchid list.
Taking the Howenvale Road we proceeded over to the centre  road and then
north toward Black Creek. The Cliff Swallows were present at their usuall
location. At Black Creek several species were added to the day's list but
the Olive-sided Flycatcher did not show. We returned to the cars and with it
being 4:30 pm called it a day. The group combined list was at least 92
species with 15 species of warblers.

Sunday morning we reasembled at the Tobermoray Airport where 21 people
showed up with several new faces in attendence. Several stops were made on
the way to the Tobermorary dump. Here over 40 Turkey Vultures were on the
ground and on posts. A couple of Common Loons made a fly past. We headed for
Cape Hurd making serval stops. At one stop an Alder Flycatcher was very
co-operative. A few Yellow Lady Slippers were still in good shape in the
shade and several Northern Green Orchis were seen.
At the end of the road we walked out through Sunset Park and found a few
Red-breasted Mergansers off  shore. The herp specialists has a couple of
Ribbon Snakes.
The Cameron Lake restaurnant when we usually have a pit stop, etc on this
portion of the trip burnt down last April so Pat Thomas graciously opened
her cottage up for the comfort of the members. We then proceeded back to No.
6 and down to Singing Sands where the members were given about a 1/2 hour of
free time to wander as they like.
Lunch was at the Crane River Picnic grounds and afterwards a look at the
infamous fern wall and a search for the Nodding Trillium.
Some of our Michigan friends made special requests for several rare fern
species so we stopped at the Purple Stem Cliffbreak site and then at the
Dyers Bay Junction where we walked into to see the Robert's Fern. An
examination of the various cracks in the limestone on the alvar finally
produced a small clump of Green Spleenwort. We proceeded south on the old
road stopping to look as some Male Fern before going out to No. 6 and the
Miller Lake service station for treats and  gas.
Then back up no. 6 to the Dyers Bay road and then east to the Wall Rue rock.
Onwards to the Crane Lake Road. About 1/2 mile north of the Dyers Bay Road a
stream comes by where there used to be a lot of beaver actively. We stopped
as a Least Flycatcher was being vocal. One of the observers spotted a large
bird about 1/2 way up in a tree at the back of the beaver meadow to the
east. The bird finally turned around showing its facial disc and bright
yellow eyes, a fantasic Great Grey Owl, This bird was hunting and swooped
down into the grass, reappeared and flow towards us landing in a low snag
just at the top of the grass before moving higher in the small trees. This
bird was only 100-150 feet away.
With the time getting on we continued north and took the road east towards
Lark Whistle. Several stops were made alog the shrubby field. At the final
stop maybe 200 metres from Lark Whistle the buzz, buzz calls of a
Clay-colored Sparrow were clearly heard. We took the tour of Lark Whistle
and all the fabuous flowers. When the tour  was over it was 4 pm and we went
our separate ways.
On Sunday we added at least 17 more species to the group's bird list bring
the weekend total up to at least 109 species of which 18 were warblers.
While not recorded with the group Sandhill Cranes were present this weekend.
There were several calling around the Cape Chin North B & B where I stayed
when we were leaving Sunday morning to head to the airport to meet the
group.

John Miles
Jarvis, On
miles@kwic.com

Saturday morning 24 OFO members and friends assembeled at Hepworth at the Tim Hortons. We proceeded east to Shallow Lake and then NE checking out the swamps on the road past the McNabb Lake complex. At the large swamp past the entrance to the lake 4 Great Egrets were near each other. We returned back towards Shallow Lake and walked in the road leading back towards the boat launch but stay on the old concession road. A Golden-winged Warbler was seen and heard as well as several other species. Up the slight hill we examined several ferns including Hart's Tongue. Returning to Tim Horton's for a coffee fix etc we then proceeded NW on what use to be the South Diagonal Road stopping several times picking up singing Vesper Sparrows and other species. At one stop a Carolina Wren could be heard singing from across the field. The bird was actually located in the scopes on top of dead tree maybe 300 metres away. On the other side of the cars at this location a nest was spotted in a small sapling about 50 feet away with a Grasshopper Sparrow on the nest. Further down the road a Wild Turkey was spotted out in a field and 2 pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were seen soaring. We turned north and headed up to the junction with the North Diagonal Road where Brewser's Balckbirds and an Upland Sandpiper put on a show. We cut over to the Northacres Road and went north to the Oliphant Road cutting over to the Quarry Road and out onto No. 6. At Isaac Lake a Virginia Rail came out for the group to see. At the boat launch an Osprey put in an appearance. Lunch was at the picnic area south of Marr from which we headed to Sky Lake where we picked up Pied-billed Grebe, Marsh Wren and Caspian Tern. The ditches at Petrel Point were pink with a fabulous display of Grass Pink with a few Rose Begonias mixed in. In the trees above several male Purple Finches added pink to the trees tops. Showy Lady Slippers and bog candles added to our orchid list. Taking the Howenvale Road we proceeded over to the centre road and then north toward Black Creek. The Cliff Swallows were present at their usuall location. At Black Creek several species were added to the day's list but the Olive-sided Flycatcher did not show. We returned to the cars and with it being 4:30 pm called it a day. The group combined list was at least 92 species with 15 species of warblers. Sunday morning we reasembled at the Tobermoray Airport where 21 people showed up with several new faces in attendence. Several stops were made on the way to the Tobermorary dump. Here over 40 Turkey Vultures were on the ground and on posts. A couple of Common Loons made a fly past. We headed for Cape Hurd making serval stops. At one stop an Alder Flycatcher was very co-operative. A few Yellow Lady Slippers were still in good shape in the shade and several Northern Green Orchis were seen. At the end of the road we walked out through Sunset Park and found a few Red-breasted Mergansers off shore. The herp specialists has a couple of Ribbon Snakes. The Cameron Lake restaurnant when we usually have a pit stop, etc on this portion of the trip burnt down last April so Pat Thomas graciously opened her cottage up for the comfort of the members. We then proceeded back to No. 6 and down to Singing Sands where the members were given about a 1/2 hour of free time to wander as they like. Lunch was at the Crane River Picnic grounds and afterwards a look at the infamous fern wall and a search for the Nodding Trillium. Some of our Michigan friends made special requests for several rare fern species so we stopped at the Purple Stem Cliffbreak site and then at the Dyers Bay Junction where we walked into to see the Robert's Fern. An examination of the various cracks in the limestone on the alvar finally produced a small clump of Green Spleenwort. We proceeded south on the old road stopping to look as some Male Fern before going out to No. 6 and the Miller Lake service station for treats and gas. Then back up no. 6 to the Dyers Bay road and then east to the Wall Rue rock. Onwards to the Crane Lake Road. About 1/2 mile north of the Dyers Bay Road a stream comes by where there used to be a lot of beaver actively. We stopped as a Least Flycatcher was being vocal. One of the observers spotted a large bird about 1/2 way up in a tree at the back of the beaver meadow to the east. The bird finally turned around showing its facial disc and bright yellow eyes, a fantasic Great Grey Owl, This bird was hunting and swooped down into the grass, reappeared and flow towards us landing in a low snag just at the top of the grass before moving higher in the small trees. This bird was only 100-150 feet away. With the time getting on we continued north and took the road east towards Lark Whistle. Several stops were made alog the shrubby field. At the final stop maybe 200 metres from Lark Whistle the buzz, buzz calls of a Clay-colored Sparrow were clearly heard. We took the tour of Lark Whistle and all the fabuous flowers. When the tour was over it was 4 pm and we went our separate ways. On Sunday we added at least 17 more species to the group's bird list bring the weekend total up to at least 109 species of which 18 were warblers. While not recorded with the group Sandhill Cranes were present this weekend. There were several calling around the Cape Chin North B & B where I stayed when we were leaving Sunday morning to head to the airport to meet the group. John Miles Jarvis, On miles@kwic.com