June 12, 2025
Birding Report & Photos by Bill &
Barbara
Birds List by Eleanor
Bill, Barbara, Eleanor, Ian and Ken met at Eagleson Park & Ride at 7:00 am; everyone was on time. Ian would have to leave before 2 pm, so wished to drive himself. Eleanor volunteered to accompany him and then jump in with the rest when he had to depart.
The two vehicles arrived at Canoe Lake Road at virtually the same time, about 8:30 am, having taken slightly different routes. We walked the unmaintained loop beside Westport Road and the first bird spotted was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched on a wire. Merlin was busy listening for birds, and soon detected a Pine Warbler; however, we could not spot it. Bill photographed an Eastern Phoebe and a Baltimore Oriole. Ian spotted two deer on the road ahead. Eleanor and Bill spotted Tree and Barn Swallows over the small lake at the end of the road. Meanwhile, Ken was determined to get a view of the Pine Warbler. Ian, Bill & Barbara gave up and headed back to the cars, but Ken’s patience was rewarded when the warbler popped out long enough for him to get that much-desired photo! The whole group did a driveby afterwards, and we got distant views, but no more photos.
We drove slowly down Canoe Lake Road, stopping at the bottom of the first hill where we had seen Golden-winged Warblers in the past. Not this time! But Barbara spotted and photographed a Northern Flicker and we all saw Chestnut-sided Warblers and heard various others – Ovenbird, Black-and-White, etc. Merlin heard an Alder Flycatcher, and, incredibly, Ken spotted it – a distant speck away across the field.
We moved on to a hydro cut, and stopped when we heard a Golden-winged Warbler. We saw it briefly before it crossed the road. We waited it out and it did show up again for photos. Meanwhile, Ken spotted a fairly distant Field Sparrow and we all saw another Baltimore Oriole.
Time was marching on, so we decided to move on to the infamous Rose Lane. On the way, we passed a Blanding’s Turtle on the road. Rose Lane was a bust! We hiked down to the clearing and played the Louisiana Waterthrush song several times to no avail. Ian pointed out that we were likely too late in the season as they would already be nesting.
It was time for lunch, and we drove on down Canoe Lake Road a bit until we found a clearing where we could set up our chairs. While eating, we could hear a Scarlet Tanager and watched a Chipping Sparrow and Great Crested Flycatcher land in a dead tree beside us.
We packed up and continued down the road a couple of kilometers with our phones on Merlin listening for birds with the car windows open. Except Ken. He was busy researching eBird reports for nearby sightings of Cerulean Warblers. He discovered that we had just passed four spots on the very road we were driving on. So, after consulting with the group, we did a U-turn and went back to check these out. We did get a very weak response for Cerulean Warbler, but it not clear enough for us to count them. Ken’s last spot was back at Rose Lane, so at this point, Ian decided it was time to head home, and Eleanor joined the other three in Bill’s car.
We did another U-turn, and resumed our journey south on Canoe Lake Road. Suddenly Ken shouted STOP. He had spotted a perched raptor – a Broad-winged Hawk. We all jumped out and many photos were taken. We turned to get back in, and there not 50 ft away was a silent perched Yellow-billed Cuckoo carrying food. Many more photos! Then, incredibly, a second Yellow-billed Cuckoo flew into the same tree, also carrying food. Obviously, their nest was nearby. After their lengthy show, they flew off without revealing their nest location.
We resumed our journey south until an Indigo Bunting was heard very close to the car. Bill was able to get some photos out of the window. We passed Barbara’s barn, but no swallows were evident on this trip. We continued as far south as James Wilson Road, then turned around and went back to take Devil Lake Road slowly back to Westport. It was fairly quiet, except for the loud singing of Scarlet Tanagers. We stopped and got out, but once again, the singer would not show itself, surprising for such a brightly colored bird!
We drove through Westport and took County Road 10 to Perth. Bill stopped for a bird on a wire that turned out to be an Eastern Meadowlark. We also saw a perched Savannah Sparrow. Turning around, we saw 2 mammals cross the road and disappear. What were they? Mink, no too large. Otters, no wrong gait. Bill thought they were Fishers.
We carried on into Perth and Ken declared that it was time for an ice cream stop. Eleanor agreed and directed us to Two Scoops Creamery. We all got our treats and went to a bench in beautiful Stewart Park by the Tay River to enjoy them. Barbara enjoyed the Common Grackle feeding her young.
Bill commented that his other birding stops would have to wait for another trip. It was time to hit Highway 7 to Eagleson Park & Ride. It had been another successful JC Birding outing. We look forward to Jane’s return from her BC trip and her taking the helm for future trips.
Species Noted by Eleanor
Side road between Canoe L Rd and Westport Rd
1. Mourning Dove
2. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
3. Common Loon
4. Eastern Phoebe
5. Eastern Kingbird
6. Warbling Vireo
7. Red-eyed Vireo
8. Barn Swallow
9. American Robin
10. Cedar Waxwing
11. American Goldfinch
12. Chipping Sparrow
13. Red-winged Blackbird
14. Common Grackle
15. Black-and-white Warbler
16. American Redstart
17. Yellow Warbler
18. Pine Warbler
Canoe Lake Rd, South Frontenac CA-ON 44.63511, -76.52180
1. Mourning Dove
2. Turkey Vulture
3. Northern Flicker
4. Alder Flycatcher
5. Eastern Phoebe
6. Warbling Vireo
7. Red-eyed Vireo
8. Common Raven
9. Gray Catbird
10. Wood Thrush
11. American Robin
12. Field Sparrow
13. Song Sparrow
14. Swamp Sparrow
15. Eastern Towhee
16. Baltimore Oriole
17. Red-winged Blackbird
18. Golden-winged Warbler
19. Black-and-white Warbler
20. Common Yellowthroat
21. Yellow Warbler
22. Chestnut-sided Warbler
23. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Canoe Lake Road
1. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
2. Broad-winged Hawk
3. Ovenbird
Critter List
1. Common Whitetail dragonflies
2. Ebony Jewel wing damselfly
3. Gray Squirrel (black morph)
4. Eastern Chipmunk
5. Blandings Turtle
6. Midland Painted Turtle
7. Giant Swallowtail
8. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
9. Green Frog
10. Fisher
