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[Ontbirds] West Quebec/Gatineau Park: weekly report ending 18 May

DR
David Rhody
Fri, May 18, 2012 4:23 PM

Migrators are back in full force to the West Quebec area.  I've been
focusing on the northern sector of the Gatineau Park, around Wakefield
(where I reside) and Lakes Philippe and Taylor, also Old Chelsea.
Warblers are my particular predilection at this time of year. Have observed
in the last week 14 species (palm, chestnut-sided, yellow-rumped,
Nashville, magnolia, black-and-white, black-throated green, yellow, pine,
common yellowthroat, northern waterthrush, ovenbird and, just yesterday and
today, bay-breasted, blackburnian and American redstart), plus 3 vireos:
red-eyed, warbling and blue-headed.  Saw 4 male scarlet tanagers last
weekend in Old Chelsea (visitor centre entrance to Gatineau Park) and a
loudly singing individual yesterday near Wakefield (Kennedy Road).  Also
seen were great-crested and alder flycatchers, bobolinks, rose-breasted
grosbeaks, broad-winged hawk, merlins and lots others.

Most of these sightings took place in 2 locations: the Lac Philippe and Lac
Taylor area of the Gatineau Park (northern sector); and right off Hwy 105
at Wakefield (parking lot 17, called P17).  From P17 follow the trail
briefly through a field (bobolinks here), then get on Kennedy Road (part of
the Trans-Canada trail network) that goes 5 km to Lac Philippe. I've walked
about 1 km down that trail and also on the Brown Lake trail which turns
left off Kennedy Road a short way into the Park (3 kms to Brown Lake -- we
saw a smooth green snake on that trail).

If anybody is up this way from the Ottawa area this weekend, it's worth a
visit (some bugs but not too many yet).

Happy birding on this long May weekend!

David Rhody
Wakefield, QC

Migrators are back in full force to the West Quebec area. I've been focusing on the northern sector of the Gatineau Park, around Wakefield (where I reside) and Lakes Philippe and Taylor, also Old Chelsea. Warblers are my particular predilection at this time of year. Have observed in the last week 14 species (palm, chestnut-sided, yellow-rumped, Nashville, magnolia, black-and-white, black-throated green, yellow, pine, common yellowthroat, northern waterthrush, ovenbird and, just yesterday and today, bay-breasted, blackburnian and American redstart), plus 3 vireos: red-eyed, warbling and blue-headed. Saw 4 male scarlet tanagers last weekend in Old Chelsea (visitor centre entrance to Gatineau Park) and a loudly singing individual yesterday near Wakefield (Kennedy Road). Also seen were great-crested and alder flycatchers, bobolinks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, broad-winged hawk, merlins and lots others. Most of these sightings took place in 2 locations: the Lac Philippe and Lac Taylor area of the Gatineau Park (northern sector); and right off Hwy 105 at Wakefield (parking lot 17, called P17). From P17 follow the trail briefly through a field (bobolinks here), then get on Kennedy Road (part of the Trans-Canada trail network) that goes 5 km to Lac Philippe. I've walked about 1 km down that trail and also on the Brown Lake trail which turns left off Kennedy Road a short way into the Park (3 kms to Brown Lake -- we saw a smooth green snake on that trail). If anybody is up this way from the Ottawa area this weekend, it's worth a visit (some bugs but not too many yet). Happy birding on this long May weekend! David Rhody Wakefield, QC