Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Gatineau Park with Tony Beck

Tuesday, May 11, 7:30am

A big group today! Judith, Sally, Dave from BC, Rick, Russell, Allan, Heather, Chris, Irene, Tony & me.

We met at the Gamelin Blvd Information Kiosk. It was cool but sunny – a great day to be out birding. We got a Chipping Sparrow, Canada Goose, White-crowned Sparrow, Gray Catbird, American Goldfinch and Common Yellowthroat from the parking lot. We chased down the latter.We also spotted an American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow and Blue Jay along the trail.

We car-pooled to the Champlain Lookout. Tony paused briefly along the way, but being in the back car, we did not see the Chestnut-sided Warbler and other goodies.

At the lookout we saw a few Eastern Phoebes and Black-capped Chickadees and a Mallard. Heather spotted a Black and White Warbler -the first of several we would see.

We started along Ridge Road trail towards Western. We got good looks at an Ovenbird (heard dozens) and a Northern Waterthrush. Rick drew our attention to a Blackburnian Warbler. Tony played the magic machine and a Veery came in close. Also attracted were a pair of Purple Finches and another Black and White Warbler. A Black-throated Green Warbler came by, but was chased off by the Black and White. A Nashville Warbler was heard.

Moving along the trail, we saw a White-breasted Nuthatch and a very cooperative Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We heard, then saw, a Black-throated Blue Warbler. We started down Western Trail towards the lodge and heard a very close Hermit Thrush. At the lodge, a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker came right in close as we watched the Turkey Vultures soaring over the cliffs. We could hear a Common Raven out there. Another Sapsucker, almost albino, came in too.

We started back, and at the trail junction, Heather spotted an American Redstart, right after I said it was strange we had not seen one. We heard a Barred Owl calling, then two going back and forth. We all got great looks at the owl. We headed back to the Champlain Lookout and watched the Turkey Vultures swinging in close.

No comments:

Post a Comment