June 6, 2021
A guided birding hike was postponed due to Covid19, but we decided to go there anyway to look for Cerulean Warblers.
Traveling to the reserve, we passed many fields where we saw Bobolinks and Wild Turkeys.
We parked the car at the intersection of Sand Bay Road and Sand Bay Lane. A Northern Map Turtle was right there, apparently laying eggs in the gravel.
We hiked along the road and met two friendly women from Ontario Nature, and also OFNC members Eric, Jacob and Owen who were helping with a bioblitz. Eric directed us to the stretch of road where many Cerulean Warblers were singing. True to their nature, the Ceruleans remained high in the trees well hidden behind leaves. We only managed a few sketchy photos. We also saw a Gray Ratsnake, several Giant Swallowtails, a Scarlet Tanager, an Ovenbird and other common species..
We had brought our canoe to paddle Wiltse Creek. The best put-in we could find was on the tributary Black Creek. We paddled for a couple of hours.
We saw a Pine Warbler, American Bittern, Spoted Sandpiper, several Great Blue Herons and many Marsh Wrens (too quick to photograph). Barbara also picked up a stray soccer ball and tossed it onto the lawn of the presumed owner.
Back at the takeout, we saw an Eastern Phoebe and Red-eyed Vireo. We also picked up ticks from the long grass. Barbara got two and Bill, one, which stayed with us until our showers at home.
We headed for home via Marble Rock (where we checked out a canoe launch possibility) and Highway 15. Passing by the road to Chaffey's Lock, we decided to drive as far as he big curve to look for Barb C's towhee. Well, it did a no-show, but we got a few kingbirds, sparrows and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Back on Highway 15, we got a perched Turkey Vulture.
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