Murphy's Point Camping Trip

 May 13, 2023

We decided to go a day ahead of the OFO trip to be sure we are still able to camp😉

On the way, we stopped at the CTC to see the Common Ravens.  No adults were around, but 3 fledglings were huddled together at the right side of the large opening, out of the nest.  The other 2 or 3 young had departed.

We drove to Carleton Place on Hwy 7, and at the stormwater pond we saw two Trumpeter Swans.  So we decided to park at Canadian Tire and walk over for photos.  We also saw several Least Sandpipers and Spotted Sandpipers along the shore.

From there, we went straight to Murphys Point.  It was not yet lunch time, so we went directly to the Lally Homestead to check it out. We could hear Field Sparrows singing all over the place.

We drove back into the main park, registered, and set up our tent.

After lunch at our site, we decided to hike to Sylvan Trail.  A cooperative Scarlet Tanager met us at the parking lot.

The Sylvan Trail was described as moderate, but for us seniors, it was difficult with many steep ups and downs.  Birds were few until we came to a flooded area where a Northern Waterthrush was singing.  The woodland flowers were in bloom, and Wood Frogs were hopping.

We were both sore and tired when we finished the trail.  An ice cream was in order.  On the way to the store, we heard an Ovenbird singing, and we stopped to call it in.

A couple of young park wardens showed us an Eastern Phoebe on a nest at the back of the building.

We were attracted to a singing Pine Warbler and another Scarlet Tanager behind the store, but we could not get on either.  We settled for a sunfish and turtle.

We returned to our campsite, and poured ourselves a drink of champagne and orange juice to celebrate our 56th anniversary.  We saw a White-breasted Nuthatch and Wood Frog at our campsite.

Barbara tucked in early, so Bill walked down the road a bit and photographed a Chipping Sparrow and American Redstart.

A Great Crested Flycatcher was singing up a storm, but would not show itself.  So Bill returned to his chair and waited.  Suddenly it was there; it had come in silently.  Barbara got back out of the tent and took this photo in the dim light.

We both called it a great day and looked forward to the OFO trip the next morning.