It's Thanksgiving 2019! Kayaking, Peregrines, Shorebirding, Lake Watches and Marcy's Woods!

This weekend I was down in Niagara (Stevensville) for another wonderful Thanksgiving.  While I was there, I took the time to do a little bird watching and hiking. 

On Saturday, there were really strong west/southwest winds on Lake Erie, which in theory could have resulted in some rare birds.  It didn't really pan out, but I still had fun seeing what I could turn up over a few hours.  I did have a few Surf Scoters, Bald Eagles, lots of Bonaparte's Gulls to keep things interesting.

The behemoth: Great Black-backed Gull.

Bald Eagle

We also got out again to Marcy's Woods for another great hike!  This is a really awesome spot, and we are grateful that access was granted to walk the beautiful forests and sand dunes of this area.  This spot certainly has one of the nicest beaches that I have seen!

On Sunday morning I also got out to do a little more bird watching before church.  I walked one of my favourite trails in the area: Centralia Park near Crystal Beach.  I didn't have anything really interesting but I did see a young Peregrine Falcon dive bombing on a bunch of soaring Turkey Vultures, pretty entertaining:

The weekend before Thanksgiving I was able to get out to do some kayak birdwatching on Belwood Lake to look for shorebirds.  I didn't find anything crazy, but had a good time!

One nice thing about kayaking is that the shorebirds let you get much closer when in the kayak than when walking.  These are the best shots of Greater Yellowlegs that I have ever got!

Some early Bufflehead

Random Fall Birds

I have been out to various locations throughout southern Ontario for bird surveys lately.  I really enjoy early October birding, you never know what you might turn up!

Amherst Island

Merlin

Blue-headed Vireo

Field Sparrow

Black-throated Green Warbler

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Killarney Backcountry Canoe Trip

This past weekend I was on a 5 day canoe trip in Killarney with my dad and brother.  Surprisingly, this was my first trip to Killarney Provincial Park.  We started at Bell Lake and stayed 1 night on David Lake, 2 nights on Great Mountain Lake and a final night back on David Lake before coming out on Monday.  Below are some of the highlights from this great trip!

Eastern Milksnake

Redbacked Salamander

 Paul and I built this fire pit at the edge of our tarp on the afternoon that it rained!

The highlight of the trip for all of us was a short day trip to Little Mountain Lake.  As you can see in the photos below, the lake has a beautiful clear, turquoise colour!

The 'Great Mountain' on Great Mountain Lake.  Paul and I climbed up this while dad stayed in the canoe below.  You can see him far below in the canoe!

The most challenging part of the trip was a nearly 3km long portage to Great Mountain Lake.  It was much easier on the way back since it was mostly downhill.

Fall Birding and Curlew Sandpiper!

I have managed to get out recently to do the odd bit of fall bird watching.  Last weekend I was down in the Pelee area and had a great time birding 'the point' where we saw 19 species of warbler on the Sunday morning along with lots of other goodies!

Sanderling

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Monarch

Common Buckeye

One of the highlights so far this fall for me was seeing a Curlew Sandpiper at Bellwood Lake near Fergus! This bird was originally found yesterday by Mike Cadman and crew and refound by the busy Wellington/Dufferin birder Dan MacNeal today!  After work I zipped over and saw it immediately, foraging on an island, not far from shore.  Water levels are way down (due to the fall draw down in the reservoir) and there is excellent shorebird habitat everywhere.  I plan on getting out soon in my kayak to check out some other spots!

Curlew Sandpiper is a new bird for both my 'life' and Ontario lists.  Note the long dropping beak!

Other shorebirds included this Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs