Hello Ontbirders, I actually did make it to all three locales over this weekend. A chance to get as many breeding birds as I could. My route kept me out of the rain except for a drizzle this morning in Tobermory. Winds were stronger than usual which kept some birds quiter than normal but I managed to observe 126 species over the weekend. I may have gotten some more had I taken the time to visit Townsend and the West Perth lagoons. Highlights from Long Point: I got to Backus Woods at 5:45 and heard an Acadian Flycatcher from the north end of the trail. I assume this is the usual breeding bird but it wasn't calling later. From the south end on 4th Concession I walked in towards the wet area usual for the Prothonotary but didn't hear it. A fellow birder (Alain) was there and apparently did get the bird after I had fled from the clouds of mosquitoes (worse than usual this year). We both heard at least one Cerulean Warbler calling and I had 4 Hooded Warblers in the general area as well. I did not hear a Louisiana Waterthrush nor am I aware if they still breed in the woods a little closer to the first bridge on Concession 4. The road was impassible with the ruts. I managed to get east on Concession 4 but got stuck in the mud on the way out. So, beware. Not the best road this spring. Also around the Long Point Area, both Yellow-Billed and Black-Billed Cuckoos in the woods east of East 1/4 line. Pine Warblers were singing from a lot of spots which was nice and Mourning Warbler in a couple spots. I wasn't holding out a lot of hope for a lingering Ash-Throated Flycatcher at Old Cut but did check the area and was not successful. My first trip to Long Point in June in a long time not hearing Blue or Golden-Winged Warblers. I then worked my way up birding along roadsides up to Goderich and then up Highway 21 to Sauble Beach to see the Piping Plover looking nicely protected. I had my fill of Savannah Sparrows, Indigo Buntings and Bobolinks on the drives along country roads but nothing too noteworthy. This morning I started in Tobermory and worked my way south. It was raining but heard many warblers along the roads of the expected species and at least two Yellow-Throated Vireos. One Canada Warbler and a singing Olive-Sided Flycatcher on Emmett Lake road (20 mins south of Tobermory). Managed just one Brewer's Blackbird north of Ferndale. I really tried to get something like a Western Meadowlark or a Dickcissel checking most of the side roads but no luck this year. I then headed east through Collingwood, Orillia and over to Carden. I did not spend a LOT of time there. Both Alvar and Wylie Roads are in really rough shape. The potholes are all filled with water. Being there just a week ago with Ian and Norm and it has gotten much worse. Still, people were getting through. Just be careful. The Prairie Warbler is still singing along Alvar road in the reported spot. I found 5 Golden-Winged Warblers and a couple in different areas than usual. No Blue-Winged singing today. Clay-Coloured Sparrows (2), Vesper Sparrow (1), Grasshopper Sparrow (14). I assume the wind and afternoon timing was the reason for lower numbers. Upland Sandpiper on 4 different roads. Wilson's Snipe. I hope someone hears a Sedge Wren or they might have to change the name of that marsh! One Loggerhead Shrike. Ruffed Grouse (getting tough to find everywhere), along Alvar road. I only drove Alvar road west of Wylie. I didn't dare go east with the water. Other birds observed outside these spots. Wild Turkey (10), Green Heron (3), Common Nighthawk in Owen Sound. An enjoyable marathon of birding for me. I love every minute I'm out there! Three great birding hotspots. Good birding, Jay Peterson Toronto and now some directions I will gladly steal from Norm Murr's detailed posts.
BACKUS WOODS NORTH OF LONG POINT Backus Woods near Long Point is southwest of Hamilton and north of Port Rowan. To reach it you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton, passing through Hagersville and turning right, (west) in Jarvis onto Hwy 3, drive to Simcoe and turn left (south) on Hwy 24 and follow this towards Hwy 59. About 2 km past Norfolk Township East 1/4 Line Road or about 1 ½ km east or short of Hwy 59 is the entrance to Backus Woods on the south side of the road (your left if you came from the Hamilton direction). There is a small parking area just about 200 yards down this small road and there is a trail map in this location. 4th Concession Rd is one road south of Hwy 24 off of Hwy 59. This is a very buggy area in season, so be sure to take insect repellant also be sure to lock your automobile door, etc. OLD CUT WOODS AT LONG POINT Old Cut Woods at Long Point is southwest of Hamilton, directly south of Port Rowan. To reach it you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton, passing through Hagersville and turning right, west in Jarvis onto Hwy 3, drive to Simcoe and turn left, south on Hwy 24 and follow this to Hwy 59, ( it curves to the west south of town) turn left, south on Hwy 59 and drive right down about 8 km and past the golf coarse and you will be on the causeway (Long Point Rd). Drive on across the bridge and continue past the marina on your left. The road comes to Lake Erie where it curves to the left (Erie Blvd) through the cottage / retail business area. Continue driving until you come to Old Cut Road. Turn left and drive a couple of hundred yards down this road (you will see the entrance to the banding area on your right) this is the entrance to Old Cut Woods. Drive another 100 feet or so and you will see a parking area on your left. Park here and walk across the road to the woods. NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight). Tobermory is at the north end of Highway 6 in the Bruce Peninsula. Ferndale is about 40km south of that, also along Highway 6. Sauble Beach is along Highway 21 north of Kincardine. DIRECTIONS AND INFO. CARDEN ALVAR INCLUDING WYLIE ROAD / THE SEDGE WREN MARSH / PROSPECT ROAD ALONG WITH A FEW AREAS SOUTHWEST OF KIRKFIELD Wylie Road is north of Kirkfield in Victoria County and Kirkfield itself is on County Road 48 east of Highway 12 and well north of Whitby and about 130 km from Toronto if you follow the roads and not a Crow. >From the centre of Kirkfield go north on County Road 6 passing under the Lift Lock on the Trent Canal and drive about 2 ½ km further north to where the road curves left or west. On this curve and on your right is McNamee Road, turn right here onto McNamee and drive east for about 300 yards and you will be at Wylie Road. This road is about 9 ½ km long ending at Alvar Road (a T intersection). Birding can be good on Alvar Road as well, either way. The Sedge Wren Marsh is about 5 ½ km up Wylie Road, you can’t miss it as it has the only bridge along the road. Park just to the south of and overlooking the bridge and walk the road. Birding is good all along the road and I find that the best birding happens when you park and walk both ways a km or two from your auto. This is a narrow road with little traffic but be sure to park in such a way as to not block the road or at the gravelled parking areas that you will find at several places along the road as you don’t want to rile up the locals. This is all private property but there really is no need to leave the road, nor should you. Please respect the property rights of the land owners. Other roads to check in the area are Shrike, Curl’s, Dalrymple, Eldon Station, Rockview, Doyle, Palestine, Creek View, and McNamee Road, etc. PS Down Rockview Road just west of Kirkfield on your right along County Road 48. Past the dump road (on your right) you will come to a wet wood lot that straddles the road. This is a great place for N. Waterthrush. We heard and saw 7 there on May 5/01 and May 4/02. We continue to find the N. Waterthrushes here. Also along here you should find Upland Sandpiper and Grasshopper Sparrow. Prospect Road Marsh Continue south on Rockview Road to Eldon Station Road (the next road) turn right (west) and drive to Prospect Rd. Turn right (north) and drive up to a large marsh. Here you could find many Marsh Wrens along with Sora, Virginia Rail, Common Moorhen, American Bittern, Least Bittern and Green Heron and watch for Osprey, Northern Harrier and Turkey Vulture. If you continue north on this road you will come upon another small marsh and pond just short of County Road 48. Of coarse most of the roads in this and the Wylie Road area can be very productive and it is not a stretch saying you could spend a whole day in the area, I have and do. PPS Wylie Rd south of the Sedge Wren Marsh is good for Upland Sandpiper, Vesper and Grasshopper Sparrows and lots of Eastern. Bluebirds. North of the marsh are the same birds and near the north end of the road watch and listen for Purple Finch, Golden-winged Warbler and Clay-colored Sparrow. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/