Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary Anniversary Biking

 May 13, 2021

For our 54th anniversary, we decide to go biking on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.  We had practiced biking a bit at home, but this was quite a lot of exercise for us.

We came via Hallville, Winchester and Chesterville - Pamela's route to her former job at Upper Canada Village.  On the access road to the sanctuary, we could hear birds singing along the swampy shoulders, so we stopped for some birding.  Bill was experimenting with Barbara's old P900 camera, and was having some challenges.

Well, that took more than we expected!  We pushed on to the parking area and Bill got the bikes ready while Barbara went looking for water and birds.

Finally, we were off.  We headed east and soon were biking along the water where we saw lots of cormorants and a few ducks.  We only stopped a few times, although Yellow Warblers were singing all the time.

Before long, we came to the Long Sault Parkway where we called out a Pine Warbler that was singing at the intersection.

We crossed the causeway to McLaren Island and at the next water opening, we saw ducks, herons and terns.

We pedaled on to Hoople Island and checked out the closed campground.  Another Pine Warbler was singing, but we could not see it.

At this point, we realized that we should head back, as we might overextend ourselves if we went on.  At the entrance to the Woodlands Campground, Bill heard the distinctive song of a Baltimore Oriole, which we soon located.

We carried on back towards the car and found it was quite far.  Bill was envious of the several cyclists that passed them on their electric bikes.  We stopped for an  Eastern Kingbird, an Osprey, a kinglet and some Yellow Warblers.

Finally we made it back for a late lunch by the visitor centre where a phoebe, a cowbird and some sparrows entertained us.

After our rest, we headed out on the trail west towards Upper Canada Village.  We turned around at the bridge which led off of Ault Island.

Barbara spotted a flying Bald Eagle, and Bill, lagging behind,  got a Mute Swan.

We were sore and tired when we returned to the car, but were soon revived when Bill heard an Eastern Meadowlark.

Bill also chased down the House Wren that Barbara had seen earlier.

We loaded the bikes and started for home, stopping for another Bald Eagle.

Then, on County Road 11, we saw a perched Broad-winged Hawk.

It had been quite a day!