Saturday evening at about 8:00, an adult Say's Phoebe was discovered working the fence row and shrubs along the Crane Lake Road north of the wooded area that the road passes through just inside the National Park boundary. There is a large former pasture with many large rocks and scattered shrubs that the bird used as perches, as well as the fenceposts and trees along the road. It was quite wary and difficult to approach, but with patience we managed to get close enough for some very good looks and some passable photos. The bird was silent except for one single fluid descending note, somewhat similar to an Eastern Wood Pewee's one-syllable call.
In all the excitement, I came within one step of a Massasauga Rattlesnake, without seeing it. My keen eyed son spotted it. As though all this was not exciting enough, a Northern Mockingbird kept close company much of the time. There were dozens of Palm Warblers about as well, making for quite a tail-wagging party. In the swamp just south of the Park boundary, a Great Gray Owl was silhouetted against the sunset. It came quite close to the road and was most obliging. Needless to say, this was a day I will long remember! We returned Sunday afternoon, but were unable to locate either the Pheobe or Mockingbird. We did find a Great Gray about one km farther south (in the swamp), which may well be the same individual. It seems unlikely, however, that this was the same one we watched earlier in the day for over half an hour in the open area south of the Cabot Head Lighthouse. As with the irruption of 10 years ago, the habitat of the northern Bruce seems to have convinced a few birds to stay south. Crane Lake Road runs north from the Dyer Bay Road. The road becomes narrow and rough beyond the first intersection, pull-offs are limited and parking even more so. There is a small lot at the end of the road that serves as a Bruce Trail access point. A walk back along the road from there may be the most practical way to search the area. Virgil Martin Waterloo
