The Wilds of Ontario

Hi All,  I got back Sunday from a twelve day, 4,000 plus mile trip through northern Ontario.  The mileage got a little out of control as I zigged and zagged trying to stay away from the slow moving rainy weather patterns.

The trip actually started with looking for Brewster's Warblers in a couple of places in Michigan, success was realized at Ft Custer St Park near Kalamazoo.


Brewster's Warbler

I entered Ontario at Port Huron then dropped down to Toronto to pick up a copy of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas that I was not able to get shipped to me pre-trip.....5 hours stuck in traffic on Toronto freeways and lost in China Town were not the way I wanted to get this ball rolling but the book was secured and I headed north without looking back. 

The next two days were spent in the forest north of Sturgeon Falls where Nashville and Tennessee Warblers were rarely out of hearing range, a  theme that would continue most of the trip.  Blackburnians, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia and American Redstarts were also common.  A singing male Cape May was found in a jack pine plantation near here....strange I thought, maybe still migrating?  Sadly, it was the only Cape May I would lay eyes on the entire trip.  (photo miss #1)


Tennessee Warbler



Magnolia Warbler

The next few days were spent much further north in the areas north and east of Smooth Rock Falls.  Targets here include Connecticut, Wilson's and Orange-crowned Warblers and it was my best chance for Cape May..... I did see one Connecticut, no pics.  I never had a chance with Orange-crowned, very few breed in areas far enough south to be reached by road (miss #2).  Consolation prizes here included my best Nashville and Palm Warbler shots of the trip.  The Palms were abundant here but this one was photographed more than a mile from the road as part of a fruitless Connecticut Warbler search.


Wilson's Warbler



Nashville Warbler



Palm Warbler

Side bar from the birds.  When traveling alone through the wilds of Ontario one has time to contemplate many things.  One thing contemplated, how best to off a Woodcock or Whip-poor-will has been discussed previously in another post.  Other thoughtful questions were raised and answered.  In the Smooth Rock Falls region black bears are more abundant than people and after spotting many road side bear bombs I determined the answer to the age old question, "where does the bear sh*t in the woods?"  On the road of course!  The indiscriminate beasts do not reserve their business for just two tracks and goat trails but often leave their calling card in the middle of a two lane highway.  Which leads me of course to realizing the difference between man and bear;  while the bear is often content to do his business in the middle of the road, man will get as far off the road as possible to take care of his.


I know what you are up to bear!!


Bear Dung on Hwy 634, note the precise center of the road placement.  Style points were awarded.


The mind has further time to wander.  The below scene caused me to envision a road side sign to announce another road improvement project by Bucky Beaver Contractors and the Ontario Highway Commission.


Bucky Beaver Road Work


Ok, back to the birds.  The weather forecast was leaving a bit to be desired for the next couple of days so I drove west hoping to clear the rain sooner.  All the way to Ignace.  Here was my best chance at Connecticut Warbler (miss #3).   Winter Wrens were a nice consolation prize here after yet another boggy death march in search of Connecticut.  I was distracted also by a few dragonflies that I have not had a chance to process yet.


Winter Wren


More bad weather was in the forecast and my time was running short so I headed back east to Geraldton, a spot I previously drove past, in a last ditch effort for Bay-breasted Warbler.  Success!  I also had my best Mourning Warbler opportunities here.


Bay-breasted Warbler



Mourning Warbler

From here I dropped back in the US at Sault Ste Marie leaving myself a couple of days for last ditch efforts with Connecticut Warbler and to check out some good spots for Canada Warbler and Golden-winged Warbler.  (Strike 1, 2 and 3)  The weather had turned cold, windy and rainy.  Photographically not a great end to the trip but I did see two Connecticuts in the UP and one Golden-winged carrying food in the LP.  On the final drive home I stopped in several areas and heard many Kirtland's Warblers singing.

Kirtland's is a bird I am having trouble making up my mind on.  When I think endangered species I do not think of a bird that is the most readily detected bird in its range in appropriate habitat.  All appropriate habitats in central Michigan are just full of these birds.  Huge swaths of land are posted no entry so as not to disturb the birds.  One can't take a quiet leisurely stroll through the habitat without committing federal crimes yet two tracks and other trails cut all through the region are open to loud and obnoxious ATV traffic.  None of it makes much sense to me.

All and all it was a great trip and I was pleased to get many new photos of warblers on their breeding grounds that will go nicely with the book project I am working on with Jim McCormac.

Good Birding To You All,

BZ


Edited by Brian Zwiebel - 14 June 2011 at 11:53am

Hey Brian,

 Great pics from a Great adventure. Thanks for sharing Brian. With all the bears patching the roads, I suppose you have to think twice before crossing over the yellow line.

Great photos, I like the warblers in the evergreen trees.  I know what you mean about the ATV's.  They are being used locally where the Karner Blue- another Federally Endangered Species is located.