Trip Report
by Connie Goldman

On Monday, February 5th, 2007, our group of friends left for what has become an annual trek for us – a winter birding trip to Ontario, Canada. We would seek wintering owls and finches as well as other local species.

Connie Goldman arrived at 5:20am at the Meadowbrook, PA home of Bert Filemyr, finding him and Karl Lukens already packing the car. Karl had come up from Cape May, NJ and spent the night at Bert’s home in preparation for this early departure. Luggage was loaded into the van-top clamshell carrier and the three were off to pick up the remainder of the group. Bill Murphy was picked up at his house at 6:00am, and Jane Henderson shortly thereafter. The last to get on board was Ann Scott, who was met at the Quakertown car park near the PA turnpike. With our group complete and all gear stowed in or on top of the van, we set off on our northerly route.

Not ones to wait until reaching any arbitrary “destination,” we began birding as soon as daylight appeared. We ticked off common species on the PA Turnpike and Route 81 through New York State. We realized we had come significantly north as we began to see Common Ravens along the highway. All was proceeding according to plan when we headed into a “lake effect” snow storm in upstate New York. Digital traffic signals warned of “slow traffic” and “snow conditions” ahead. But ahead was where we had to go! As we proceeded through this band of bad weather, the full impact of its severity became clear to us. Snow fell harder and harder. The road surface became slicker as snow quickly deepened. We passed numerous vehicles that had slid off the highway, many waiting with chains already in place, for tow trucks to pull them out. Many drivers had pulled to the side and simply stopped, presumably feeling incapacitated by driving conditions. Speeds slowed dramatically and we inched along. At times we could see only the fading rear lights of the car ahead of us, and at brief times, even they were whited out! It seemed a long time before we began to see clearing ahead, and eventually came through the stormy area and into good weather.

Feeling fortunate to have dodged misfortune, we now refocused on our trip, realizing we had lost time due to the slow driving. We wanted to get the 1:30pm ferry to Amherst Island. That would mean skipping a planned lunch stop. We decided to do just that, having packed enough fruit, nuts, drinks and snacks to keep us going through the afternoon (and several additional days if necessary). We briefly checked known feeding stations near the ferry dock, finding few birds. At the ferry dock, we found Mallard, American Black Duck, American Coot, and a Canada Goose resting on top of the ice appearing frozen into the surface. The ferry ride across gave us all time to pile on additional layers of clothing for the cold birding experience ahead of us.

Amherst Island was snow-covered and windy. Plows worked continuously to keep drifts from blocking roads. We drove the perimeter, checking feeders, tree lines, shrubs and water for birds. A surprising early find was a Northern Shrike in a hedgerow, spotted by Ann. Flocks of Snow Bunting were sighted flitting overhead, perhaps seeking a roosting or feeding spot. From the shoreline, groups of ducks could be identified as Common Goldeneye, Mallards and Common Merganser. Out over open fields we saw raptors kiting in the typical fashion of Rough-legged Hawk. Before long we got closer looks at a magnificent dark-phase individual of this species as it flew and banked overhead. Red-tailed Hawks and Harriers also hunted the area. Along the south shore, perched up on a pole, was our first Snowy Owl; we admired this handsome bird in its wintry habitat.

A major destination on Amherst is Owl Woods a protected wintering spot for various species. We had passed each entrance road to this area and found both snowed in and un-plowed. Other birders encountered along the road warned that those who had tried to drive in had all turned back. We would have to walk in. With the promise of more owls motivating us, we suited up to the hilt in winter gear and headed down the .7 mile entrance road. Automobile wheel ruts made for a somewhat compacted footpath, but the biting cold and wind challenged our progress. We birded the route as we went, finding Black-capped Chickadees and American Tree Sparrows. Finally we went into the woods and stopped first at the songbird feeding station. Here Black-capped Chickadees were tempted with seed to come onto our hands, a fun annual tradition. The feeders were visited by Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrow, House Finch and Dark-eyed Junco. After enjoying these for awhile, we proceeded farther into the woods. Bert spotted a Northern Saw-whet Owl in a cedar tree! Everyone got looks at this small owl among branches as it alternately looked bored and sleepy, then curious and watchful of us. After obtaining multiple camera shots and binocular looks from various angles, we went onward to the thicker part of the woods. We tried to walk unobtrusively, but with snow crunching with every step, that just wasn’t happening! Almost immediately, we flushed a bird, a Long-eared Owl. We walked slowly forward, hoping to get more than a fleeting glimpse at this species. Up to twenty Long-eareds had been reported seen here this season. Soon Bert spotted two together on a branch over the path ahead of us. As we looked closer, additional Long-eareds were seen in the same tree, and soon we were spotting more and more in other directions. Though Long-eareds are known to be skittish, we maintained a subdued approach, and these birds did not flush off their perches. We admired their long ear-like feather tufts, and commented on the typical elongated, thinned-out posture some of them took, camouflaging them against tree trunks or branches. After long satisfying looks, we slowly reversed direction and walked back, sighting even more of this species on the way out. We agreed that this uncommon experience, to see such a large grouping of Long-eared Owls, was a special birding treat.

We drove the island again, wanting to make the most of our island birding until we boarded the ferry for the ride back. We pulled up beside a parked car whose photographer driver could be seen out in the bitter wind, long lens pointed at something. We drove closer, seeing a Snowy Owl perched precariously on an island shrub, wind blowing through its feathers. After a time, the owl flew off the bush and toward our own car, perching on a traffic sign immediately behind us! Our own cameras clicked some close images of this wonderful owl. At twilight, we searched the fields on a final car loop around the perimeter road. Karl spotted a Short-eared Owl flying low over the vegetation. We all got looks at its characteristic flight pattern and field marks. We had had a four-owl day!

Now we made our way to catch the 6:00pm ferry. Back on the mainland we drove into Kingston, where we had an enjoyable happy hour in our hotel, congratulating ourselves on our successful commute and first day of birding. We had dinner at a local restaurant.

On Tuesday, Febuary 6th, we had an early breakfast in our hotel and were all in the car by 6:45 setting off for day 2 of our trip. Our first stop was the DuPont hot-ponds. Here we watched the sun rise as we sorted out ducks on the ponds. Species included Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, American Wigeon and Ring-necked Duck. A Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree close to our car, seen as we drove away from this spot. We proceeded toward the Lake Ontario Power Plant, spotting common species along the road. In the river across from the plant, were Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser; an American Kestrel perched on a wire.

After a brief stop for coffee at Tim Horton’s, we approached our next stop, the Napanee Dump. On the way, we had more kestrel sightings in this area of expansive open fields. Inside the dump, Bert obtained permission for us to bird from the parking lot. We were successful in sighting Glaucous, Herring and Iceland Gulls flying up over a ridge being worked by the dump. We appreciated being able to study these birds together, comparing size and field identification marks. As we drove away, another Iceland Gull flew across a field at close range, and an additional Glaucous Gull was I.D.’d as it loafed in a field among Herring Gulls.

By 11:40 we were arriving for lunch at Tim Horton’s. Next we drove north to the town of Whitney, checking known feeding stations in this town. We added Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch to our list here, and heard Evening Grosbeak calling from the trees. We entered Algonquin Provincial Park at 1:18pm. On Opeongo Road we found Gray Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Though we searched the area for Boreal Chickadee and Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, these species were not found.

We went next to the park visitor’s center where we spoke with park naturalist Steve Stronks, and viewed the feeder area. Evening Grosbeaks, Hairy and Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch and a number of American Tree Sparrows came in for seed and suet. Next stop was the Spruce Bog Trail, where we added White-winged and Red Crossbills to our trip list. We drove into Mew Lake Campground to check for working feeding stations sometimes managed by the camp host or individual campers. Finding none, we left seed in an area, to hopefully draw in birds. We would check it tomorrow. At km#8 marker along the park road, we stopped at this traditional spot for Black-backed Woodpecker, but were unsuccessful in finding one.

We arrived at out hotel in Huntsville at 5:45pm, where we enjoyed another happy hour. We compiled our day birds and ended the day with dinner at Three Men and a Stove Restaurant.

On Wednesday, February 7th, we again ate breakfast in our hotel, and left for our day’s birding at 7:00am. We would trace our steps back through Algonquin Provincial Park today, giving hotspots additional searches for target species as we drove through to Whitney and then back to Huntsville again. American Tree Sparrows congregated around the feeders at the West end visitor’s center. We drove east to the km#8 marker and tried for the Black-backed Woodpecker again. Within moments of getting out of the car to begin our search, Karl spotted one on a snag! In a moment, a second Black-backed was spotted lower on the same snag. We all got looks before the pair flew off into the pine woods. We also enjoyed White-winged Crossbills in aerial displays overhead. Happy with some fairly easy first finds, we headed to the East end visitors center for another look at the feeders there; and to check the entrance road for a reported Ruffed Grouse. The grouse was a no-show for us, but Bill began noting the call of Evening Grosbeaks as we exited the car in the parking lot. We watched as these birds flew high in the trees over the parking lot and made their way in the direction of the feeding station. From inside the warm visitor’s center, we enjoyed the spectacle of up to 70 Evening Grosbeaks. At close range, the photographers among us were able to get some stunning shots. Also of interest here were Purple Finch, including an immature male, a faint blush of red feather pattern visible.

Next we walked two sections of the Spruce Bog trail, enjoying the picturesque landscape of bog and adjacent woods. We got several repeat looks at crossbills as they called, displayed and perched in the trees. As we passed by a brushy area, Bert heard a distinct wing-whir; a Ruffed Grouse was in the shrub adjacent to the trail! We could look down into the bush and see the bird. Rather than rushing off in typical grouse style, it stayed put, looking back at us, its crest raised. A reported Three-toed Woodpecker did not appear for us here.

We headed next to Opeongo Road. Not far from the main park road, we got out to check the lakeside tree line for birds. Finding nothing new, we piled back in to proceed further down the road. The car would not start! It was very cold, we were in this beautiful but remote area, and the car would not start! Bert tried to hypnotize the car into obedience by rocking it back and forth (actually, trying to work the starter into a better position); that did not work. Our only personal connections here were the staff at the visitors’ center, and luckily, Bert had their phone number among all his trip planning documents. A woman at the visitor’s center advised us of a repair company in Whitney that would answer calls inside the park. Bert called them. Within an hour, we had had the battery jumped and restarted, driven in to the repair shop, gotten a new battery as insurance against further breakdowns, and were on our way! We had lost some birding time, but again congratulated ourselves on coming out of a sticky situation with minimal hassle. We really appreciate the help and concern of the park staff in this matter!

We ate lunch at a Whitney Restaurant at 12:10 and headed out for our afternoon of birding back through the park. A successful drive down Opeongo Road this time, we got repeat looks at Gray Jays and other area species. We tried the Spruce Bog trail once more for possible Boreal Chickadee and Three-toed Woodpecker, not finding these. Next we tried both legs of Bat Lake Trail, beautiful walks into wintry lakeside woods. Though we found no new species, Connie spotted another Ruffed Grouse, this one high up in a tree. This one also stayed perched as we looked up at it. From there we went to check our seed deposit area at Mew Lake Campground, but picked up no new species. Common Ravens perched among the pines and flew over the road as we drove back toward our Huntsville hotel.

Happy hour, our day’s list and another nice dinner at Three Men and a Stove ended our day at Algonquin Provincial Park.

On Thursday, Febuary 8th, we would begin to head south. We had breakfast and left the hotel at 7:00am, going first to feeders in the town of Bracebridge. Here we found American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadees, Purple Finch, and Mourning Doves. A woman in the area, seeing our car parked and binoculars raised, invited us to drive up onto their driveway so that we could better view the birds feeding in backyard feeders. Leaving our group, none of whom she had ever met, on her driveway, she drove off in her own car, presumably taking her children to school. An amazing example of the friendship that birders extend to other birders that are strangers to them!

Next we visited a bed and breakfast near Orillia, whose owner keeps a busy feeding station during the winter. This had been a spot for Redpoll sightings on a previous visit. Here we got repeat looks at goldfinches, nuthatches, woodpeckers and other feeder birds. This is definitely not a Redpoll year, but we appreciated the extraordinary hospitality extended to us by the owner.

It was noon when we next arrived for lunch at – where else! Tim Horton’s, of course! Then, we were off to find our next target species. Numbers of Gray Partridge had been reported near the Brantford Airport, so we headed toward that area. As we scanned the large open fields of the airport, we saw Horned Lark, Song Sparrow, Mourning Doves, and, across the road, Bert spotted the flock of Gray Partridges! They huddled together in the field, then moved slowly about, giving us good looks at their group of about 10 birds. Then, seemingly without effort or signal, and like some visual effect in a science fiction movie, the birds all “swam” in synchrony underneath the snow. They became instantly, virtually invisible! The snow above them appeared undisturbed, and any casual passerby would not have known the birds were there at all! We were amazed at the birds’ quick camoflaging maneuver, and felt fortunate to have witnessed this natural history moment!

We drove the perimeter roads of the airport. Among species sighted were American Crow, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, and Wild Turkeys. At 2:00pm we left the Brantford area. In Hamilton, the LaSalle Marina had mostly frozen water. Among species here were Mallards, American Black Duck, Mute Swans and Trumpeter Swans. Another access point in Hamilton, was the harbor entrance near the lift bridge. From the beach here we saw numerous ducks, including Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup, Redhead Duck, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, and Ring-necked Duck. Connie and Karl spotted large white-winged gulls in the distance – as they rose out of the water they could be identified as Glaucous Gulls. Bert spotted a Peregrine Falcon perched up on the lift bridge.

Gulls, including Great Black-backed, congregated on VanWagner’s Beach. Red-breasted Merganser also swam here. We stopped at various additional spots along the lake. One was a small bird feeding tray known to us from a previous trip. It is hanging on a fence adjacent to the antenna farm. A sign indicates this is maintained in memory of “Ginger,” a golden retriever dog. While we got no new species at these stops this trip, we enjoyed water views of Common Goldeneye and the challenge of checking for Barrow's, not found.

We drove into Niagara, stopping at the Sir Adam Beck overlook. Here we added Bonaparte’s Gull to our trip list. Seeing no other new gull species, we headed for our hotel, where we arrived by 5:45pm. Happy hour ensued shortly thereafter, and we compiled our day’s list and headed into town to a local restaurant for dinner.

On Friday, February 9th, we would head home. But not before giving the Niagara area a good look! We ate breakfast in our hotel and were on the road by 8:00am.

The Whirlpool held no new species. The Sir Adam Beck overlook held an Iceland Gull that presented us with a study of size comparison with the surrounding Ring-billeds. We checked areas above the Falls, finding no new gull species. Connie spotted a Bald Eagle flying over the river. As we drove along the Niagara River, flock after flock of Canvasback revealed themselves. These handsome ducks numbered in the thousands! The ducks were pushed toward the river banks by frozen water out in the center. This close range viewing made the spectacle that much more amazing for us. We also saw a family of Tundra Swans with two cygnets, and passed three surprising Wild Turkeys, up in a tree right next to the road, eating berries!

We crossed back into the USA at 10:30am, then made a brief stop at Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant. While we obtained permission to view the first set of impoundments, only Mallards swam there. The larger rear area impoundments were largely frozen and inaccessible.

We headed toward the Montezuma NWR area, checking feeders found along the way. We checked a roadside area previously productive for Pileated Woodpecker and Screech Owl, not finding these today. We checked the expansive fields at the “Potatoes Building” area, finding no raptors aloft today.

Now it was time to make a bee-line toward home, with our goal to get back to Pennsylvania by early evening. We stopped for bathrooms, then later, for a dinnertime meal at a highway rest stop. As we proceeded home, happy conversations recounted our experiences of the previous days. We had made narrow weather escape and overcome the challenges of birding in the cold and wind. We had met with the help and friendship of Ontario residents, who welcomed us to view their area birds and assisted us with our car breakdown. Most of all, we had had some memorable sightings of individual birds and some amazing bird spectacles. We had had opportunities to see northern winter birds and study them in the field. We all agreed that this year’s Ontario birding had been a great success, and we look forward to doing it again!