Mer Bleue and Eastern Lagoons

 November 11, 2024

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

I met up with the Bowmans at 7:20 and we were at Elmvale Acres by 7:40, we had forgotten that it was a government holiday, hence no traffic.  But when we drove into the shopping centre, Ken followed us and Ann followed him so we were all early.

We drove to Dewberry Trail and Alan and Carole were there.  At the feeder (the lady had just filled the feeders) we saw Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Blue Jays and White-breasted Nuthatch.

We drove to Ridge Road to the Mer Bleu hoping we would see Fox Sparrows, but no.  We saw a Northern Cardinal and a small flock of Wild Turkeys.  At the feeders more Blue Jays, maybe 8 to 10 American Tree Sparrows, a couple of White-throated Sparrows and further down the trail 6 or 7 camouflaged Mourning Doves.  The Doves blended in with the fallen leaves so well.

Next stop was Embrun Lagoons.  A few of us climbed the gate to check out the cells, many Green-winged Teal, three Northern Shovellers (1 m & 2 f), Mallards and of course there were plenty of Canada Geese.   We then went to Casselman lagoons to see Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Scaups (sp) and of course Canada Geese.

Next lagoon was St Isidore.  When we got out of the vehicles Ken asked us if we saw the Snow Geese flying, we did not.  It is not uncommon to see a Bald Eagle there and we were not disappointed, he was perched but he took off and it was so beautiful seeing the white of his head and tail.  The only other new species was an American Coot.  The farm next to the lagoon usually has Guinea Fowl, but none were seen or heard, but the domesticated  Muscovy Duck was there.  Barbara asked what St Isidore is known for, so I looked it up.  St Isidore is known for his love of the poor and there are accounts of 

St.Isidore supplying them miraculously with food.  He died in 636 AD.  Now the town of St Isidore was established after WWII

by 10 francophone families from Quebec.  There is an interactive St Isidore Museum, Plein Soleil folkloric dance troupe, in the town.  If birding isn't so good, maybe it might get checked out someday.

We headed to Cobbs Creek, disappointment - just mud and no geese.  We had lunch and  then we thought we would go after the Slaty-backed Gull at Cobb Lake.  We tried a couple of locations and at one place we saw Mark P. who was checking out a flock of gulls and he did not see the Slaty-backed.  We checked the landfill area, nothing.

We decided to go to the Navan area, as we drove McFadden Road, Bill said Snow Buntings.  We got out of the vehicle and slowly walked toward them.  But we got distracted by the 40+ Sandhill Cranes, Bonus, and started photographing them.  

We drove down Smith and our first critter sighting, an Eastern Coyote who just stood there and looked at us.  We drove a bit more of Smith and turned around and Mr. Coyote was gone.    The Eastern Coyote is a hybrid between the smaller western coyote and the eastern wolf.

We checked out Wall Road and saw our 4th flock of Wild Turkeys -- we saw 5 flocks of them over the course of the day,

I did not mention the weather.  At the first lagoon, it was blowing and I was cold, Carole very nicely lent me a toque, so glad, Thank you Carole.  The weather changed to spitting rain then maybe a bit harder.  

Home by 3:30

Species Seen

1. American Crow
2. Canada Goose
3. Rock Dove
4. Ring-billed Gull
5. White-breasted Nuthatch
6. Hairy Woodpecker
7. Downy Woodpecker
8. Blue Jay
9. Dark-eyed Junco
10. Wild Turkey
11. American Tree Sparrow
12. White-throated Sparrow
13. Northern Cardinal
14. Green-winged Teal
15. Northern Shoveller
16. Mallard
17. Scaup (sp)
18. Bufflehead
19. Ring-neck Duck
20. Bald Eagle
21. American Coot
22. Snow Geese
23. European Starling
24. Snow Bunting
25. Sandhill Crane
26. Black-capped Chickadee

Critters

1. Eastern Gray Squirrel
2. Eastern Coyote

Fox Sparrow

 November 9, 2024

A late afternoon trip to Sarsaparilla Trail got us a Fox Sparrow right near the parking lot.

Amherst Island with JC Birding

 November 5, 2024

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Barb C., Bill, Barbara and I were on the road at 7:00 heading to Amherst Island.  We wished to be on the ferry at 9:30 and we got to the waiting area at 9:10.  We saw a Red-tail Hawk on the way.  At the landing we saw Mallards, Common Mergansers and Ring-billed Gulls.   We did see a raptor in the sky that turned out to be another Red-tail.   There were not too many vehicles on the ferry going over, the new ferry is so nice, a beautiful lounge for the walk-on passengers and such a friendly crew.

Once off the ferry we turned left on Front Street, once out of Stella we saw our first Northern Harrier (we saw 8 during the course of the day). We had decided we would walk to the owl woods.  We took the trail / road to the woods from Front Street, it is marginally shorter than the path from South Shore Road.  While walking down the trail, Barb C pointed out a Garter Snake and then a few feet away another much smaller Garter Snake.    While walking to the feeders, we saw a rather large bird flying low, so we walked to the area, where we saw it land.  Then it took off again, I got a bead on it -- Pileated Woodpecker.  We got to the bird feeder and none of the feeders had seeds in them.  There has always been a container with bird seed in it, Barb C took some and added seed to several of the feeders saying when we come back maybe there will be birds around.  We met a fellow with a camera who told us he was unsuccessful at finding any owls and to be careful he had seen ticks.  That did not deter us, off we went checking all the evergreen, hoping to see a Northern Saw-whet Owl.  We finally got to the stand of Pines, and the trail suddenly got much worse, obviously not a lot of people had been in the woods.  Still checking the evergreens and finding nothing, we continued to the fenced off area, where success usually happens.  The trail was so overgrown, that we paid more attention to getting through the area, and no time at looking at the pines.  We were more like  bushwhacking and it was no fun.   We walked maybe 15 or 20 minutes, but not getting all that far, we decided to 'forget it'.  We headed back to the feeders, where the Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches and Blue Jay had found the seeds.  It was about 12:00 and we all agreed it would be a great place to have our lunch, but our lunches were back in the car.

We saw 5 Garter Snakes in total while walking to and from the vehicle.   We wondered when these snakes went into hibernation.  Internet search indicates the snakes generally 'brumate' in late October.  I have never heard of the term, but it means to enter into a lethargic state, somewhat analogous to hibernation but not the same.  It is a state of sluggishness, inactivity or torpor during winter and is done about a meter below ground.  A well insulated hibernaculum (another word I am unfamiliar with) makes it easier for snakes to maintain a low metabolic rate.  Hibernaculum is simply a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal such as a snake or insect.  Okay enough science lesson

We also saw a couple of Wooly Bears, Monarch Butterflies and several different species of Sulfurs during  our  walk. Barbara spotted a small light brown frog, which Bill could not identify!  That's because it turned out to be a Boreal Chorus Frog, which he had never seen, but had heard many times.  This frog in our area was formerly thought to be the threatened Western Chorus Frog.

While walking back to the vehicle we met a man driving a small off road vehicle.  He told us that the barricades to the Owl Woods had just been put in place a couple of days ago and the Owl Woods would be closed in a few weeks for hunting.  We timed our trip perfectly.  Finally back at the vehicle (we had walked about 6 K), we decided that we would have our lunch in a much nicer location.   Front Street parallels the water, we got to see lots of Canada Geese, Mallards  and a couple of Mute Swans,  On the south side we saw our first Rough Legged Hawks (2 seen during the day).  

Once parked at the corner of South Shore Drive and Lower 40 Foot Rd facing the Kingston Field Naturalist Club properties, we had our lunch.  I was watching out of the side window and I saw a bird perched on a small rock, Barb C was on the passenger side back seat, she saw it as well.  We both came to the conclusion it was an American Pipit.   KFN has put up so many Bluebird boxes and Purple Martin apartments.

We saw a very cute sight - we stopped to watch a fawn nurse.  Then Mom took off followed closely by the fawn.   My thoughts were I hope they survive the deer hunt. Note: I spoke to a hunter the following day and he said they don't shoot Momma deer, if the shooter is following the rules. 

Lake Ontario was very rough, hence not too many waterfowl -- Common Mergansers and Red-breasted Mergansers.

We saw a Kestrel / Merlin perched and then it took off, we drove a bit and saw it and when it saw us it took off again -- Merlin behaviour, but the wings were longer and slimmer -- Kestrel behaviour Merlin wings.    A bit later in the day we saw 2 Kestrels and both Barb and I thought the Kestrel / Merlin bird was a Merlin, Bill disagreed.  Love birding when you can disagree and no feelings hurt.  We saw a flock of 4 Swans - 3 Mute 1 Trumpeter.

We drove to the end of Long Point Road and there we saw a single House Finch, Goldfinch and Black-capped Chickadees at a feeder.  On the water more Canada Geese and Mallards.  

I would be remiss if I did not mention all the Red-tailed Hawks - we saw 9 of them.

We decided we  wanted to drive the dump road because Margaret had had success there a week ago, well that was not the case today, nothing.  Time was moving on and we wanted to get to Front Street to see the Short-eared Owls, we were a bit early so we drove on, but really nothing.  Going back to the Short-eared Owl spot, we stopped and we looked and looked, but sadly no Short-eared owls.

Caught the 5:00 ferry back and home by 7:15.

Species List

1. Northern Cardinal
2. White-breasted Nuthatch
3. Canada Goose
4. American Crow
5. Wild Turkey
6. Ring-billed Gull
7. Red-tail Hawk (10)
8. Common Loon
9. Common Merganser
10. Northern Harrier (9)
11. Pileated Woodpecker
12. Rough-legged Hawk (2)
13. Blue Jay
14. Mute Swan
15. Common Raven
16. American Pipit
17. Merlin
18. Great Blue Heron
19. Kestrel
20. European Starling
21. House Finch
22. American Goldfinch
23. Red-breasted Merganser
24. Bufflehead
25. Red-winged Blackbird
26. AmericanRobin
27. Mourning Dove

Critter List

1. Garter Snake
2. Boreal Chorus Frog
3. Wooly Bear
4. Monarch Butterfly
5. Sulfurs
6. White-tail deer