February 2017

February 19th & 20th 2017

Location: Algonquin Park

Weather: Sat - Sun & cloud & Mon - Sun

Sunday morning I was up at 2:00am and on the road just before 3:00, for the 4 hour journey north to Algonquin Park. Algonquin is Ontario's vast & best known wilderness park, and somewhere I visit 2 or 3 times a year. Sunday's weather was a bit less than perfect, but was unseasonable warm making some of the trails a little slick underfoot. I did get one life bird today - Red Crossbill - I came across a few along the road (I assume feeding on the road salt). I visited all the usual spots Mew Lake, Spruce Bog, Visitor Centre and Opeonga Road plus I dropped in on some lesser known spots along the road.
Monday, after a nights stay in Hunstsville, was looking promising with the weather perfect - quite cold (-5) but with a cloudless sky, the light was how I like it. Toured pretty much the same spots as Sunday with generally the same birds being seen. Spruce Grouse, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Gray Jay, Chickadees, Blue Jays, both Nuthatches, Red Crossbills, White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Ruffed Grouse. Highlight was great views of a pair of Pine Martens that came close and posed for us for nearly an hour ... awesome!

February 11th 2017

Location: La Salle & Sedgewick

Weather: Early sun, but turned to hazy cloud

The promise of sun and decent light did not materialize, but still an OK day. First stop was La Salle and which produced (2) Carolina Wrens, (1) Winter Wren (no image), Eastern Screech Owl, Common Loon, Song Sparrow as the main highlights. Sedgewick was next on the list and although it was "quiet" I was still able to spot a few birds ... another (2) Carolina Wrens, (1) Tufted Titmouse, (1) Yellow-rumped Warbler, (6) House Finches, and a few garden birds. The Hooded Mergansers & Cackling Goose were seen at a brief stop at Desjardines Canal

Biggest Week in American Birding

It's about this time of year that I start thinking about spring birding, and especially the awesome warbler birding that Magee Marsh in Ohio has to offer. It's often referred to as the Warbler Capital of the World and with good reason, as on a good day it's not unusual to have 20+ warbler species during the festival week (this year May 5th - 14th 2017). This year I plan to attend for a few days, as I have done in previous years, and can hardly wait. Check out their website at ​www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com or click the link below . Also take a look at some of my pictures from my 2016 trip which you can find in the menu bar above (Magee Week1 & Magee Week2).

MAGEE INFO WEBSITE

February 9th 2017

Location: Oakville to Hamilton

Weather: Sun & cloud (at long last)

With a sun & cloud forecast I headed to some of Lake Ontario's winter hotspots. First stop was Sedgewick, but nothing (maybe too early and too cold). Next stop was Burloak for the Harrier and Kestrel that are sighted there regular (but not today). Windermere Basin & the Lift Bridge were slightly better, but no rarities (eg: Harlequin & King Eiders). Still lots of Long-tailed Ducks & White-winge Scoters to practice flight shots on. La Salle next where I was able to spot a couple of Carolina Wrens, and finally a drop by Woodland Cemetery ... Screech Owls 

February 7th 2017

Location: Kitchener, Ontario

Weather: Raining, cold & very dull

The poor weather seems to be un-ending - with today being no exception. It started off extremely dull and Mr Weatherman is calling for freezing rain yuk!! I have been impatiently waiting for a day of decent light that coincides with a day I'm free, for a week now, but  I had to content myself with a day shooting garden birds from my Dining Room ... oh well, it wasn't so bad, but I was unsuccessful trying to capture two of the better visitors ... the Red-breasted Nuthatch and a House Finch.