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Back-up Copy of Recent Reports:

June 1, 2009 – current

 

 

Virginia Rails
Posted on July 9, 2009 at 12:59:21 PM by Barbara Taylor

This morning we were lucky to see a family of Virginia Rails at the Bracebridge Ponds. We think there were at least two, possibly three very tiny chicks...at first glance they looked like black voles. One of the parents accompanied a chick out into the open, and suddenly a Green Heron that had been perched nearby swooped down right at them. It missed - so was the heron really after the wee chick or just a frog we hadn't noticed? The Rails didn't come back out after running for cover. There was a Sora calling but we didn't see it. A Belted Kingfisher flew past, and a Broad-winged Hawk soared overhead. No shorebirds seen. There is now heavy equipment operating at the south side of cell 3 moving earth near the Lagoon Lane entrance. With construction of the new plant imminent, please avoid that area, and enter via Kerr Park so we can retain access to the Ponds.

 

 

RB Nuthatches, Bala
Posted on July 8, 2009 at 07:28:36 AM by Eleanor Kee Wellman

I am very pleased to see two adults and four fledgling Red-breasted Nuthatches here this morning.
Last evening a single one sat in a tree for 30 minutes and I wasn't sure if it was a youngster sent away from home for the first time or an overworked female! photo

 

 

Access to Bracebridge Ponds during construction
Posted on July 7, 2009 at 11:55:15 AM by Al Sinclair

In a post below Steve asks if the Bracebridge Ponds have always been open to the public. The Bracebridge Sewage Treatment Ponds aka the Bracebridge Ponds have been open to the public from the start thanks to the cooperation of the managers at the district, in particular Don Currie who was the water and sewage manager back in the late 1970s when we first recognized the importance of ponds to local and migrating birds and other wildlife.

It is important that we maintain this good relationship especially in the next year during the construction of the new treatment plant that is expected to start any day now. We will have to respect any restrictions that limit access to certain areas of the ponds without question.

Representatives of the Muskoka Field Naturalists recently met with the District engineers to discuss the work they will be doing and how it will affect access. Cells 1 and 2 will still be accessible from Kerr Park and the road on the west side will be open allowing access to cell 4. All areas around the construction site on the south side of cell 3 will be closed and access via Lagoon Lane should not be used.

They also informed us that they do not plan on fencing off the entire lagoon area in the future as other municipalities have done to limit their liability. This is important because fencing would restrict access to wildlife as well as birders. We must all behave responsibly so they will have no excuse to increase security.

 

 

Re(1): Juvenile Song Sparrow
Posted on July 6, 2009 at 08:09:45 PM by Al Sinclair

Think it's a juvenile Chipping Sparrow. Saw a lot of these while doing the butterfly count on Saturday.

 

 

Juvenile Song Sparrow
Posted on July 6, 2009 at 07:53:41 PM by SteveAbouldahab

Hi Folks,
Is this a juvenile song sparrow?  photo

 

 

19 Whip-poor-wills
Posted on July 6, 2009 at 04:07:25 PM by George Bryant

Last evening with the warmth and full moon we tallied 19 Whips (18 heard, one seen) along a 7 km. stretch of Muskoka Road 13 centering on the barrens ~6kms. s.e. of Torrance (Hwy. 169). Also noted were several Common Nighthawk, abundant Gray Tree Frog, many fireflies and 1 Fisher.

On the hiking trail north of the road July evensong consisted of Veery, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Towhee, Swamp Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat. We often note Massassaugas on the road here at night but none last night.

Wear boots.

 

 

Black-crowned Night-Heron‏
Posted on July 6, 2009 at 09:44:54 AM by J. Gardner

I got this picture of 2 Black-crowned Night Herons yesterday near Georgian Bay. There were five altogether, l adult and 4 one year-old birds.  photo
Jim Gardner

 

 

Re(3): Huntsville Lagoons?
Posted on July 7, 2009 at 11:41:43 AM by Al Sinclair

There are no birding spots like the Bracebridge Ponds in the Huntsville area that I know of, let us know if you find any. The Huntsville Nature Club usually comes down to Bracebridge for an outing every year. There are wetlands like Henry Marsh for sure but not as easy to access. In fact there are few public places that cater to wildlife watchers something that is severely lacking in Muskoka, no conservation areas with ponds and trails and an interpretive program. We often receive inquiries from visitors as to where to go birding, we send them up to Algonquin or to the Torrance Barrens. I think Muskoka is missing an opportunity here to promote ecotourism and appreciation of our local wildlife and the environment.
Here is a link to another aerial view map of the Huntsville lagoon area (don't click it if you don't have high speed), you can zoom in and see that these lagoons are likely lined with black plastic sheeting, can be seen around the edges, no good for birds, insects, plants or anything. Also note the big aggregate pits around there, hadn't realized this before, not a pretty sight.

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=45.29437~-79.27906&style=h&lvl=16&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

 

 

Re(2): Huntsville Lagoons?
Posted on July 6, 2009 at 03:55:13 PM by SteveAbouldahab

It looks to me like there are about 7 cells. I tried exploring them yesterday, but I didn't want to jump the gate. Have the Bracebridge Lagoons always been open to the public? Are there any spots in Huntsville that are as good as the Lagoons and Henry Marsh?  photo

 

 

Re(1): Huntsville Lagoons?
Posted on July 6, 2009 at 12:11:35 PM by Al Sinclair

I have not been to that site. How many cells? If they are lined with plastic, the norm in Muskoka, they are not usually very productive because there is no muddy shore and fewer plants and insects. The Bracebridge ponds are special because they are lined with clay. You might check them out just to be sure.

 

 

Huntsville Lagoons?
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 06:31:43 PM by SteveAbouldahab

Has anyone ever explored the Huntsville Lagoons off of Madill Church Rd? Are we allowed to access them? They don't seem as inviting as the Bracebridge Lagoons.
Steve

 

 

Re(1): Black Bears
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 08:15:47 PM by Eleanor Kee Wellman

I should have pointed out that this was taken from my kayak and the lens used was a 100-400 @ 390mm. The female bear image is full frame.

 

 

Re(1): Black Bears
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 08:33:00 PM by janice house

I spoke with Moira tonight, her cats woke her up at 5:30 this morning because a 250-300 pound bear was walking on her deck railing. She yelled and banged on her sliding door which caused the bear to do a back flip off the deck to land 12 feet below dragging some of her planters with it. ( Houston Rd off Falkenburg Rd north of Bracebridge)

 

 

Black Bears
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 06:11:15 PM by Eleanor Kee Wellman

Yesterday, as part of the Bala Butterfly Count, George Bryant and Rick Sneider came to my place to check out a bit of bog for Bog Coppers. Right on the shoreline there was a smallish pile of bear scat. The opinion was that it was old and the bear was long gone!

I went out for an early morning kayak and one of my goals was to check out the scat from the lakeside. As I walked down the side of the house a small female bear and cub ran in front of me along the path. The scat was very fresh and probably deposited not long before we searched for Bog Coppers.  Another eventful morning!   bear photo  cub photo

 

 

Re(2): Arrowhead Spiketail
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 06:55:54 PM by DiannaWolfe

Thanks, Al! I will be submitting a record to NHIC of the sighting. Here also is a photo of the Delta-spotted Spiketail seen last weekend in North Bay.  photo

 

 

Re(1): Arrowhead Spiketail
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 05:45:53 PM by Al Sinclair

Good find! This species was not recorded in Muskoka before this year. The first record was from a small creek near Six Mile Lake, recently emerged on May 31, found by Anne Lewis and Bruce Ripley. Yours is the second record for the district. Nice photos to confirm it! BTW S2 rank is Very Rare in Ontario, usually 5 to 20 occurrences.

 

 

Arrowhead Spiketail
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 01:42:53 PM by DiannaWolfe

Not to one-up Al or anything... but while out at a wetland between Bracebridge and Port Carling yesterday, we found an Arrowhead Spiketail. This female had apparently been ovipositing recently as her lower abdomen was quite muddy.  Arrowhead Spiketails are ranked S2 by NHIC within Ontario.
Regarding Delta-spotted Spiketails, we also found a specimen while at a wetland in North Bay last weekend.
Arrowhead Spiketail: photo1  photo2  photo3

 

 

Delta-spotted Spiketail...Port Carling
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 11:56:07 AM by Al Sinclair

On the butterfly count July 4, 2009, we found a rare Muskoka dragonfly near Port Carling, the Delta-spotted Spiketail. This species is found around spring fed sandy-bottomed streams. The only other recent location I know of for this species is east of Muskoka Airport. We took the photos below to document the find.  photo1  photo2  photo3  photo4

 

 

Bala Butterfly Count
Posted on July 5, 2009 at 11:28:58 AM by Al Sinclair

The 13th annual Bala Butterfly Count was held on Saturday July 4, 2009. 26 species were found, about average. Weather was partly cloudy in the morning, sunny in the afternoon, wind about 20km/hr a bit breezy for ideal conditions. Bog Coppers were flying, found in 2 locations. We had 1 Acadian Hairstreak, 1 Gray Comma. Indian, Long Dash, Northern Broken Dash, Tawny-edged, Hobomok, Dun, European, and Northern Clowdywing Skippers. 14 Monarchs and numerous larvae were found. A complete list will be published soon on the MFN website: http://www.muskokafieldnaturalists.com
The count is sponsored by The Muskoka Field Naturalists, count compiler is Ron Stager.

 

 

Re(1): Birding Recommendations
Posted on July 4, 2009 at 01:58:05 PM by Barrypeyton

I suggest you find Robin Tapley the naturalist at the resort, he knows all the hot birding spots in the area. The Torrance Barrens is not too far away and there are lots of great wetlands on the way. Good birding, Barry

 

 

Birding Recommendations
Posted on July 3, 2009 at 02:01:53 PM by asgjr

I've just arrived at the J.W. Marriott on Lake Rosseau and would love to get some local knowledge on the best places in the area to go bird watching.
Today is Fri 7/3. Don't know if there are any guides for hire or anyone going out over the next 5 days.
Also any input on O'Donnell Pt. Prov Nature Reserve?
Thanks!
Gary Robinson
Pennsylvania

 

 

Hermit Thrush nest
Posted on July 2, 2009 at 04:21:28 PM by DiannaWolfe

While hiking a rock barren near Gravenhurst on Tuesday, I watched a pair of Hermit Thrushes foraging. With a little patience I was able to locate their nest of youngsters (see pics below). The Breeding Bird Atlas comments that although the Hermit Thrush range is increasing across Ontario, it is often difficult to locate nests to confirm breeding (only 11% of breeding records were confirmed for the atlas). Given the rarity of sighting a nest, I thought I would share my photos. photo1  photo2

As per the Breeding Bird Atlas, Hermit Thrush nests are built on the ground or near the ground and are bulky and well concealed. This one was located on a slope at the edge of a rock barren under a small raspberry cane with other vegetation surrounding it. The nest was formed of moss, twigs, pine needles, and leaves and was relatively deep and cup shaped. There were four nearly naked, blind offspring, which is consistent with the 3-5 young per brood as stated in the Stokes Field Guide to Birds.

While I was watching the nest, one of the adults reappeared and posed for pictures brooding the chicks.
Enjoy!
Dianna

 

 

Re(2): red eft ...Bracebridge
Posted on July 6, 2009 at 07:27:46 AM by dbritton

About ten years ago I did some herp surveys along in Georgian Bay Township and found adults in a number of locations in beaver ponds. I suspect that they're pretty widespread, you can sometimes find them sunning themselves in shallows around the pond edges. I was using minnow traps to sample tadpoles and occasionally the adults would end up in the traps.

 

 

Re(1): red eft ...Bracebridge
Posted on July 4, 2009 at 02:02:56 PM by Barrypeyton

I know of two ponds with adult red spotted newts present. One pond is the pond south of Snow Valley Ski club that provides water to the Barrie Hill Farms and the second is off Oro line 10 just east of the tracks and north off Line 10. Its been a few years since I have been back there but I am sure they are probably still around.

 

 

Re(1): red eft ...Bracebridge
Posted on July 3, 2009 at 09:56:49 PM by Doug Smith

Al -- several years ago I was with the kids at Kerr Park in Bracebridge and we saw a number of adults swimming in the pond near the parking lot. It might be worth checking.

 

 

red eft ...Bracebridge
Posted on July 1, 2009 at 06:59:23 PM by Al Sinclair

Last weekend we found a red eft under a woodpile (photo). They are the juvenile stage of the Red-spotted Newt an aquatic salamander. I have see many newts but have yet to see an adult. Anyone know how to find one?

 

 

Clay Coloured Sparrow
Posted on July 1, 2009 at 07:25:04 AM by janice house

I woke up to the call of the sparrow this morning, he is in the small trees under the hydro line across from our house (Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst).

 

 

Bank Swallows - Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on June 30, 2009 at 12:23:11 PM by Barbara Taylor

Just before the heavy rain moved through this morning there were close to fifty Bank Swallows flying over cells 1 and 2 at the Bracebridge Ponds. There were several young with the group and it was interesting to watch them being fed in flight. A male Green-winged Teal was in cell 3, but no shorebirds other than the usual Spotted Sandpipers and Killdeer. Many turtle egg nests have been dug up around cell 4...hope the predators missed some. A few White Admiral butterflies were out but didn't see any Monarchs. (cell 3 is completely drained except for a couple large "puddles", so good mudflats for the shorebirds on their southbound migration which begins around this time of year)

 

 

Golden-Winged Warbler (GWWA)
Posted on June 28, 2009 at 12:38:20 PM by Terry & Marion Whittam

 

I took this shot while working on the Couchiching Conservatory GWWA survey in the "land between". photo

This was one of a number of GWWAs banded off Coopers Falls road east of Washago Ontario. In total we have seen 20 GWWAs within the 6 Ontario base maps we were given again all east of Washago Ontario. One area encompassing McArthur sideroad, M&N sideroad and Brooks sideroad was especially abundant with GWWAs. This transition area on the edge of the Shield is quite rich in terms of species and especially GWWAs.
Cheers Terry

 

 

Wounded Bear - Bracebridge
Posted on June 27, 2009 at 06:31:04 PM by Barbara Taylor

I just learned about this today, but in case the bear is still out there, take care hiking along Beaver Creek or the snowmobile trail in the Meadow Heights and Covered Bridge areas of Bracebridge.

Copy of media release from http://www.crimealerts.net/bracebridge.htm:

FROM: BRACEBRIDGE OPP
DATE: JUNE 25, 2009
(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – Bracebridge OPP is advising the public of the possibility of a wounded bear in the area of Monsignor Michael O’Leary School.

On Monday June 22 2009 Bracebridge OPP shot and wounded a black bear near Glendale Dr. in the interest of public safety after the bear failed to leave the area adjacent to the school property on its own. The black bear retreated to a near-by wooded area where a search by police and the MNR failed to locate it.

Community alert broadcasts were made on local radio station MOOSE FM and many near-by residents in the area were notified directly by Police who continued to stay in the area ensuring there was not immediate danger to the public.

Every year the OPP and MNR receive calls from the Meadow Heights/McCrank area. In all cases these bears are being attracted initially by bird feeders and garbage. They stay and return because they find food. Some area residents are ignoring the MNR’s message to stop feeding birds during bear season.

There is no such thing as a feeder that only attracts birds.

The last sighting of what is believed to be an injured bear was Tuesday evening with nothing else reported since that time.

 

 

Gray Catbird - photo
Posted on June 27, 2009 at 02:32:39 PM by J. Gardner

This fellow sure was difficult to catch with the camera. He finally made the mistake of staying in one spot for more than two seconds. (Hurdville) photo
June Gardner

 

 

Chimney Swift Blitz
Posted on June 27, 2009 at 08:43:54 AM by janice house

Bird Studies Canada is inviting Ontario residents to look for chimney swifts this weekend. Choose a single night and watch a chimney that may have swifts. More information at the BSC website or http://birdcanada.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/ontario-swift-watch/

 

 

Nighthawks
Posted on June 25, 2009 at 11:57:12 AM by Terry & Marion Whittam

Finally last night at dusk we heard 3-4 Nighthawks calling as they flew feeding around the lake. So nice to hear their call! Location about 8km east of Washago.

 

 

Re(1): upland sandpipers
Posted on June 25, 2009 at 05:47:11 PM by Terry & Marion Whittam

Excellent John! We have not heard them yet on McArthur sideroad this year. Lots of Snipe but no Upland sandpipers. We did get a Blue-winged on M&N sideroad nearby towards the Black River. Check it out if you get a chance. Terry

 

 

upland sandpipers
Posted on June 25, 2009 at 09:50:37 AM by John Challis

On McArthur Sideroad, east of Washago, there has always been an upland sandpiper that takes up residence on a big erratic in the middle of a farm field -- what Terry Whittham calls the "elephant rock". This year we hadn't seen the sandpiper at all in our trips along the road. But last night at dusk there were four of them flitting over the fields. And further south on the road there were more, twittering in the sky and wolf-whistling on the ground.

 

 

Blandings Turtle
Posted on June 24, 2009 at 06:54:18 PM by janice house

I just took the dog for a swim to Sunny Lake via the Tomingas Rd (2+ klm from hwy 11 off Doe Lake Rd Gravenhurst) and in a sandy spot beside a swamp spotted the turtle. She was still there when we left, when I stopped to have a good look she pulled her head in and there was definite signs of digging.

 

 

Algonquin - Warblers, Boreal Chickadees
Posted on June 24, 2009 at 06:51:57 PM by Ontbirds

*This report was originally posted by Patrick Blake on ONTBIRDS (June 24, 2009) and is provided here with the kind permission of the Ontario Field Ornithologists.

Hi ONTBirders:
I spent the day at Algonquin, concentrating on the Arowhon Road areas. At the end of Arowhon Road, on the Orange Trail at Arowhon Pines, I located 10 species of warbler, including 4 NORTHERN PARULAS, 4 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, and 1 CANADA WARBLER. Two WINTER WRENS could be heard singing in the forest, as well as a WOOD THRUSH and a VEERY. As I was leaving, I heard three YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS singing near the restaurant and tennis court area.

I spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon along the Old Railway, where I observed 11 warbler species, including 4 NASHVILLE WARBLERS, 2 CAPE MAY WARBLERS, 2 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS, and singles of BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-AND-WHITE, MAGNOLIA, and MOURNING WARBLERS. Five BOREAL CHICKADEES were singing and actively foraging, as well as 5 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. A family of three BROAD-WINGED HAWKS flew lazy circles above the trail, frequently calling out.

Good birding!
Pat

 

 

Another Nice Moth ...Rosy Maple Moth
Posted on June 24, 2009 at 04:40:55 PM by Al Sinclair

Another Nice Moth: 7715 Dryocampa rubicunda Rosy Maple Moth
Had 9 at the light last night, more than usual. Food plant maples and oaks. Most individuals here have yellow wings, no pink. Only one of the 9 had pink on the wings. photo

 

 

robin in a hanging planter
Posted on June 24, 2009 at 04:14:18 PM by John Challis

 

The hanging planter on our porch is a little more crowded since the young hatched last weekend. I believe all four eggs hatched but between visits all I can really see is pink and spikes of down. Will post a shot of the chicks if I can manage one without disturbing Mom and Pop R. (Washago)  photo

 

 

Laurel Sphinx Moth life cycle continues...
Posted on June 23, 2009 at 03:01:28 PM by Barbara Taylor

Some of you may remember my posts last year about the life cycle of the Laurel Sphinx Moth...from moth to eggs to caterpillar instars to pupa. I overwintered two of the pupa in a container in our cold cellar, and about two months ago I moved them into our unheated garage so they would remain safe from predators, but they would be exposed to the natural swings in outdoor temperature and humidity. I checked the container this afternoon and finally the life cycle has come full circle. A new moth has crawled out of its pupa case and is now hanging from the lid of the container so it can inflate its wings. If my camera co-operates, I may add a photo later. (update: nope, camera has completely died)

Here are my posts from last year with links to all the photos, starting with the moth which arrived at our porch light on June 21, 2008:

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Sphinx Moth - photos
Posted on June 22, 2008 at 12:10:01 PM by Barbara Taylor

This large moth came to our porch light between rain storms last night. I kept her in a plastic container until this morning so I could take pictures, and it appears that she laid a few eggs! See the last photo. Apparently the larvae feed on lilac, so now I know where to place the caterpillars if they hatch out in a few days. (Bracebridge)
Laurel Sphinx, Sphinx kalmiae, Hodges #7809 (also known as the Fawn Sphinx in Wagner's guide) photo1 photo2 photo3

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Laurel Sphinx Moth caterpillars - photos
Posted on July 16, 2008 at 12:37:07 PM by Barbara Taylor

Update on previous post about the Laurel Sphinx Moth...
All five of the eggs laid by the moth hatched and the caterpillars are growing rapidly as they munch through lilac leaves. The first two photos were taken this morning - 16 days old now. The third photo is of a one day old caterpillar which you can hardly see against the mid-vein of the lilac leaf...except for its "horn" at the tail-end which was solid black in the early days. photo1 photo2 photo3

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Laurel Sphinx caterpillar update - photos
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 10:45:56 PM by Barbara Taylor

In my last update on the Laurel Sphinx caterpillars they were at the 4th instar stage. On July 18 they stopped eating and by July 20 they had become 5th instars. The new black and blue tail is very distinctive.

On July 25 the caterpillars stopped eating again. They began alternating a rest period with a wandering period when they became very restless and just wouldn't stop moving about. On July 27 they became quite sluggish and eventually crawled under some layers of paper towel I had placed in the bottom of their container. (I had learned this would make a good substitute for soil, which is where they would normally go to pupate.) I'll post more photos once the pupa stage is reached.
Early 5th Instar - photo
Day before pupation begins...approx. 4 inches long when "stretched" as it wanders about - photo
An eating machine...click on the image below to watch a short video – video clip

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Laurel Sphinx update - pupa photos
Posted on August 9, 2008 at 09:48:02 PM by Barbara Taylor

In my last update, the fully grown caterpillars had crawled beneath some paper towels I placed in their container to simulate soil, where they would normally pupate. Within 24 hours they had already begun to shrink from their original 4 inches down to about 2 1/4 inches. After three days the prepupa had shrunk down to only 1 1/2 inches in length and its colour took on a noticeable brownish-yellow tinge. The day after this colour change, the old skin was shed and then the pupa began to darken up and take on its final form.

(July 28 - only 2 1/4 inches long; head end is at left side) photo1
(July 31 - prepupa now only 1 1/2 inches long and brownish tinge) photo2
(Aug. 1 - the head end is at the right side in the following photos and the pupa is lying on its back as it would normally do under the soil. The shed skin is to the left. The green colour is already disappearing as the pupa changes into its final form.) photo3
(Aug. 3 - the now dark black pupa has distinctive red markings. The pupa is about the same size as the prepupa, around 1 1/2 inches in length.) photo4
(The now visible "hook" at the head end is characteristic of Sphinx species pupae. It is the case for the developing proboscis, the long strawlike mouthparts of the moth.) photo5

 

 

Re(1): Pink-barred Pseudeustrotia moth (photo)
Posted on June 23, 2009 at 01:29:31 PM by Al Sinclair

Had one here 8km east of Bracebridge 2 nights ago, first this year. Usually get a few every year. Food plants - dock, goldenrod, smartweed.

 

 

Pink-barred Pseudeustrotia moth (photo)
Posted on June 23, 2009 at 12:05:22 PM by Barbara Taylor

Unfortunately my camera's sensor seems to be failing, but I tried my best to get a shot of this interesting moth at our porch light last night. I don't recall seeing this one before. (Bracebridge)
Pseudeustrotia carneola - Pink-barred Pseudeustrotia (formerly Pink-barred Lithacodia) - Hodges#9053  photo

 

 

Green Herons hatched...Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on June 22, 2009 at 08:29:15 PM by Al Sinclair

Wilf Yusek took this photo today. Green Heron is rare in Muskoka, please do not do anything that might disturb them. This image was cropped from a photo taken with a long lens. photo

 

 

Luna Moth - Actias luna
Posted on June 22, 2009 at 04:44:34 PM by Terry & Marion Whittam

 

Our neighbors called us over this morning to see one of 2 Luna moths they had flying around their woodpile. This one was looking a little tired and a little ragged on one wing.
Beautiful moth and quite tame. Location was Clearwater Lake 8km east of Washago.  photo

 

 

Five-Lined Skink - Ontario lizard!
Posted on June 22, 2009 at 04:34:32 PM by Terry & Marion Whittam

 

Here is a nice shot of a Five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus) we spotted today sunning itself in the heat of the day. Location was Clearwater Lake 8km east of Washago. First one this year!  photo

 

 

bluebirds
Posted on June 20, 2009 at 10:56:53 AM by NancyTapley

 

one of two nesting pairs of bluebirds at Bondi Village, next door to the chickadees and tree swallows  photo

 

 

Bracebridge Moose Calf update
Posted on June 18, 2009 at 03:47:06 PM by Al Sinclair

Called Aspen Valley today. The moose calf rescued here on June 4 is doing OK now. He was not good at first and they thought they might loose him but he is improving, more stable now on his feet and soon to be transferred to the outdoor pen to be with the two twins.

 

 

Nice Moth...Bracebridge
Posted on June 18, 2009 at 03:41:21 PM by Al Sinclair

At the light last night:
9050 Maliattha concinnimacula Red-spotted Lithacodia
Usually see 1 or 2 every year, nice colors on this one, small moth less than an inch long.  photo

 

 

Injured Snapping Turtle
Posted on June 17, 2009 at 11:13:13 AM by janice house

Janet Fraser found a turtle with a bad leg and a badly split shell on Monday night by her home in Bala. She took the turtle to Centennial Animal Hospital and it has since had a successful operation and is going to the Kawartha's for turtle rehab.

 

 

Algonquin Park June 15th - Birds and Moose
Posted on June 17, 2009 at 09:50:59 AM by Ontbirds

*This report was originally posted by Norm Murr on ONTBIRDS (June 17, 2009) and is provided here with the kind permission of the Ontario Field Ornithologists.

Good Day Eh !
Yesterday Ian and I birded the Opeongo and Arowhon Roads ( to and at Wolf Howl Pond and West Rose Lake ) with a couple of stops in between and along with us was a 14 year old son of a friend of Ian and his wife Carol. The teenager wanted to see animals and we hopefully made that wish came true for him.

On the way along Hwy 60 east of Huntsville was a juvenile Bald Eagle flying past just east of Hidden Valley.

Here are some of the birds we did find in Algonquin - Common Loons, Ring-necked Ducks, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker ( Visitor Centre ), Olive-sided Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Common Raven, Boreal Chickadee, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Philadelphia Vireo, many Red-eyed Vireos, 16 Warbler species including Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Pine, Blackpoll ( male at West Rose Lake ), Wilson's and Canada, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Marsh and White-throated Sparrows ( many ) Pine Siskin ( Visitor Centre ), and Purple Finch plus lots of the usual birds.

This was a great day ( not only the perfect weather ) but for Mammal and Herp sightings. WE got to see 5 moose ( 2 bulls, 2 cows and a calf ), 2 Bears, 3 Deer, Beavers, Painted and Snapping Turtles, Bull, Green and Mink Frogs.

Ian decided to head for home going south along Hwy 35 and on the way down just north of Minden we spotted a Black-backed Woodpecker A nice sighting as we missed it in Algonquin.

 

 

Re(1): Black-bellied Plover ... Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on June 16, 2009 at 09:08:40 PM by Barbara Taylor

The Plover was still in cell 3 at 8:30 p.m. tonight and the male Redhead was still in cell 2.

Huge mats of thick green algae are growing in cell 4 - we've never seen it like that before. When we walked around the pond, three families of Wood Ducks had great difficulty trying to hide amongst the cattails as they kept getting caught in the thick algae

 

 

Re(1): Black-bellied Plover ... Bracebridge Ponds - photo
Posted on June 16, 2009 at 03:29:54 PM by Al Sinclair

Photo by Wilf Yusek

 

 

Black-bellied Plover ... Bracebridge Ponds
Posted on June 16, 2009 at 02:51:53 PM by Al Sinclair

Wilf Yusek found a Black-bellied Plover on the mud island in cell 3 today, nonbreeding plumage, still present at 1pm. Redhead still in cell 2.

 

 

Redhead
Posted on June 15, 2009 at 02:31:54 PM by wilf yusek

There is a male Redhead in cell 2 seen at 1.50 pm.today (Bracebridge Lagoons)

 

 

Chimney Swifts
Posted on June 15, 2009 at 12:28:09 PM by janice house

Friday night Janet Fraser and I went to Huntsville to watch the birds roost, we saw about 60 birds. Twice on the weekend I saw 2 swifts flying above the Independent Grocery store parking lot in Gravenhurst

 

 

Scarlet Tanager
Posted on June 15, 2009 at 12:25:43 PM by janice house

Laura my boss's wife was on the Butter & Egg Rd Friday night about 5:30 when she spotted the tanager pecking the ground on the side of the road, it did not appear to be having a dust bath.

 

 

Sedge Wren
Posted on June 14, 2009 at 08:54:26 PM by Alex Mills

I stopped at a wet field west of Burk's Falls about 1 am saturday morning (June 13) and heard a Sedge Wren singing in the moonlight.

 

 

Re(1): Identification
Posted on June 14, 2009 at 07:47:54 PM by Terry & Marion Whittam

I'd also definitely say Phoebe! Watch if the bird flicks its tail a lot usually when it calls, more like a little beep! Phoebe's also like to be around cottages. The nests are often very buggy even to the point of being lousy! Be careful.

Cheers Terry

 

 

Re(1): Identification
Posted on June 14, 2009 at 07:18:34 PM by CatMacLean

Maybe a Phoebe? Nesting material is right. Our Phoebe is nesting in our outhouse at the cottage and the floor is littered with moss and mud etc.

 

 

Identification
Posted on June 14, 2009 at 06:57:22 PM by HilaryCurrer

I have been trying to identify this bird for the past couple of years. My first guess was a Least Flycatcher however I read that the nesting site for a Least is in the fork of a tree, also noted that the wingbar markings and white around the eyes is not as prominent as on a Least Flycatcher. The nest has been built against the logs of our cottage on Lake of Bays.  I am sure that there are many experts who will be able to assist me with this identification. Thanks Hilary  photo

 

 

Pepper and Salt Skipper ...Bracebridge
Posted on June 13, 2009 at 04:01:15 PM by Al Sinclair

We had a Pepper and Salt here yesterday in the flower beds, photo below. They fly the same time as the chives bloom often nectaring in the chive flowers. This skipper is rarely seen, a small and easily missed woodland species. Also could be uncommon and local in Muskoka, have heard of no other locations for this species in the district. We usually see a few every year in our yard and once in a blow-down opening about 100 metres back in the woods. Last year we saw none so were glad to find one here again.  photo

 

 

Yellow-throated Vireo
Posted on June 13, 2009 at 12:24:48 PM by Goodyear

This morning we had a Yellow-throated Vireo west of Gravenhurst. It was 1.2km west of Snider's Bay Road on Muriel Crescent.

 

 

Re(1): Nesting Bird ?
Posted on June 13, 2009 at 10:25:17 AM by Barbara Taylor

Could it be an Ovenbird nest? They nest on the ground amongst the leaf litter, a dome-shaped nest with a side entrance. I think Winter Wrens prefer to place their nest partly sheltered by an exposed tree root and would have moss/lichens covering it.

 

 

Nesting Bird ?
Posted on June 13, 2009 at 07:59:50 AM by CatMacLean

I have had two encounters recently with small brown birds shooting out from under my feet while I was walking through the bush. The first time I looked down and found a nest covered with leaf litter and fashioned with bits of grass. There were three young un-fledged birds in it. The second time when the bird flew at ground level, I looked for the nest and found the same stucture but with small beige eggs.  Can anyone tell me what this bird is? I am thinking Winter Wren.

 

 

Re(1): Monarch Butterflies
Posted on June 22, 2009 at 08:24:52 PM by Dawn Sherman

I finally saw a Monarch yesterday here on the Hunter's Bay Trail in Huntsville.

 

 

Monarch Butterflies
Posted on June 11, 2009 at 12:53:41 PM by Barbara Taylor

Finally saw a couple Monarch butterflies this morning at the Bracebridge Ponds. This is a bit late compared to the past few years but I suppose the weather hasn't been co-operating this spring. Has anyone else seen Monarchs yet?

Journey North - Monarch Butterfly Migration:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/index.html

 

 

Re(4): Swallows
Posted on June 28, 2009 at 12:00:09 PM by RobertMacIntosh

Thank you Barbara. I should add that we had one tree swallow looking for a nestilng site, but I think he was driven away by our pesky red squirrels.

 

 

Re(3): Swallows
Posted on June 28, 2009 at 09:03:21 AM by Barbara Taylor

This does seem to be a poor year for swallows generally. Once nestlings have fledged it will be interesting to see if sightings pick up.

 

 

Re(2): Swallows
Posted on June 27, 2009 at 08:32:37 AM by RobertMacIntosh

For thirty years, we have always had at least two pairs of barn swllows nesting in our boathouse, and usually four offspring in each nest. This year there are no barn swallows. We are on an island in central Lake Muskoka.
The month of May and early June were very cold, windy and wet, and there were no insects to speak of.Has there been a widespread absence of barn swallows this year?

 

 

Re(1): Swallows
Posted on June 11, 2009 at 08:56:02 AM by ron tozer

My annual survey of nesting Barn Swallows in the Highway 60 Corridor of Algonquin Park to date indicates that this once common breeding species has been reduced to a total of about 15 birds this year. At the current rate of decline, this swallow may be virtually extirpated along Highway 60 during the next five years. As with other dramatically declining aerial insectivores, reasons for the population collapse are uncertain. However, reductions in the insect food supply, and disruption of insect availability due to weather events linked to climate change, have been suggested as important factors.

 

 

Re(1): Swallows
Posted on June 11, 2009 at 07:00:05 AM by J. Gardner

We have only two Cliff Swallow nests on our garage this year. Grackles got into two more on the rear of the building. We are near Manitouwabing Lake.

 

 

Swallows
Posted on June 10, 2009 at 10:21:51 PM by Alex Mills

I spent most of the morning birding in central Parry Sound District doing the Sand Lake Breeding Bird Survey. The only swallow on the survey was a single Tree Swallow, but after the survey near Burk's Falls in late morning I watched a flock of about 20 swallows feeding over a low field. There were about 15 Barns, 4 Trees, and 1 Bank. I know there are still lots of Barn and Tree Swallow sightings, but I wonder if anyone else is finding Purple Martins, Bank, Rough-winged, or Cliff Swallows in "cottage country."

 

 

Late Blackpoll Warbler
Posted on June 10, 2009 at 07:11:45 PM by Alex Mills

This morning (June 10) I heard and saw a male Blackpoll Warbler singing near Burk's Falls. This is my latest spring date ever for this species, although Murray Speirs saw one at Sundridge on June 11, 1933.

 

 

Re(1): Woodcocks
Posted on June 10, 2009 at 00:17:51 AM by Marilyn Kisser

looks like one stopped for a rest! neat shots!

 

 

Woodcocks
Posted on June 9, 2009 at 09:59:19 PM by LawrenceFrench

I saw this woodcock getting her young ones across Brackenrig Rd on May 25  photo1  photo2  photo3  photo4

 

 

robin nest
Posted on June 7, 2009 at 10:06:56 PM by John Challis

We have a robin with a bent for interior design. Last week a male spent several days battering itself on our kitchen window. Meanwhile the female was ignoring him and busying herself with searching for a nest site. Gayle had just hung a hanging pot full of bacopa and red something-or-others from the eave of our front porch. Yesterday I startled the robin from the pot. It's roosting in the pot again today. I'll try to get a photo of her to share on the board. (Washago)

 

 

Bardsville area...
Posted on June 6, 2009 at 01:22:01 PM by Barbara Taylor

We didn't find any Brewer's Blackbirds this morning in their usual spot near the intersection of Beatrice Townline Rd. and Falkenburg Rd. Has anyone seen them this year?

Just south of #1690 Beatrice Townline Rd. there were two Black-billed Cuckoos in the shrubbery next to the road. Lots of Bobolinks in the area, Gray Catbird, Alder Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbirds, and a singing Mourning Warbler. Along Falkenburg Rd. several warblers including Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, and Black-and-white. Along Butter & Egg Rd. there was a Ruffed Grouse taking a dust bath and three young Common Ravens which didn't want to yield to the car. This area offers varied habitat of field, forest, and wetland which makes for a good birding tour...best to go in the morning when the birdsong will help you locate the birds.

 

 

Re(1): Looking for birding spots in Muskoka
Posted on June 5, 2009 at 01:44:57 PM by Al Sinclair

Hotspots? We don't have many, lots of habitat here so birds are spread out over the whole district. If you have some target species perhaps we could suggest where to find them. In the Rosseau area I would drive up towards Hekkla and stop at all the wetlands. Drive up Bear Cave Rd and listen for the bird songs to find them. If you want to get more serious get topo maps and compass or GPS with topos and head into the backwoods, look for wetlands again as that's where the action is. The best hotspot in Muskoka is the Bracebridge Sewage Ponds followed by Henry Marsh, check previous posts for directions. Good Luck and let us know your good finds.

 

 

Looking for birding spots in Muskoka
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 08:30:25 PM by DavidFCreed

Hi,
I'm looking for some help finding birding hotspots in Muskoka, specifically the Lake Rousseau area.
Thanks in advance for your help.
David

 

 

Re(1): any idea?
Posted on June 7, 2009 at 10:39:26 AM by Barbara Taylor

Could be a first spring male Purple Finch since they take two years to attain adult colour, or an older female which can also have yellowish colour according to this website: http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek060301.html

And excerpt from http://www.birdsource.org/ibs/IBSspecies/purfin/index.html:
"First-summer males are similar to females but with head and rump washed in olive-yellow and deep yellow on chin and throat. Males in this plumage may sing and hold territory before molting into adult plumage in their second fall."

 

 

Re(2): any idea?
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 07:58:21 PM by DBurton

Yellow aberration of a Purple Finch. We can call it a Yurple Finch... sounds better than Purpellow Finch. Maybe it likes eating golden rod and canary foods?

 

 

Re(1): any idea?
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 06:12:53 PM by Alex Mills

I'd certainly say it is a purple finch (by the size, pattern of brown and white, and positioning of the "colour"), but I'm not sure what the explanation of the colouring and the pattern of that colouring is. Young bird exhibiting an unusual moult pattern? Genetic colour aberration?

 

 

any idea?
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 03:28:59 PM by Marilyn Kisser

this finch was at the nyger feeder this moring ..definate yellowish crown and rump ... looked larger than a purple finch ...Rosseau  photo1  photo2

 

 

Re(1): Moose calf...update
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 03:19:06 PM by Marilyn Kisser

what a great story! I live beside the sanctuary ...will have to try to get a look at Hermie and his other friends!

 

 

Moose calf...update
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 02:10:37 PM by Al Sinclair

Hermie the moose is now on his way to a new home at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. We found him last night around 10pm still alone and calling for his mom. Using lights we were able to catch him and carry him into the house where he spent the night in our laundry room. At 9:00 this morning Ben from the sanctuary arrived and picked him up.

We called the Aspen Valley emergency number at 10:30pm last night and Ben recommended keeping him indoors in a dark room as it was going to be a cold night. He settled fairly quickly and seemed to know we meant him no harm, but didn't like to be locked up. During the night we heard him a few times trying to push his way out.

This morning he was still fine and was more relaxed. Ben had no trouble loading him in a crate for the ride to his new home. There are already 3 other moose calves there and another one coming soon from Sudbury for a total of 5 when Hermie arrives. Two of the others came from Ullswater, 1 from New Liskeard. Ben thinks our little moose was about 2 weeks old, may have been one of a set of twins that wandered off(the mothers can't count). It will be bottle fed for a while and is already ready to eat normal moose browse. MNR reserves the right to pick the Moose release site this fall, currently they like the northern Parry Sound District. We think that the young adult moose we saw here a couple of weeks ago was the one the leaving the fresh tracks recently, not the calves mother.  photo1  photo2  photo3

 

 

Re(1): Tennesse Warbler
Posted on June 27, 2009 at 08:41:12 AM by RobertMacIntosh

We had a pair of Philadelphia vireos in a cedar tree about three feet from my eyes this week. A first sighting ever
for me, and probably unusual for Lake Muskoka.The female was small, a beautiful grayish colour, no wing bars; the male nearby had a pale yellow shading on the sides of the belly.

 

 

Tennesse Warbler
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 09:10:29 AM by CatMacLean

Had a Tennesse Warbler singing near the house in Huntsville this am. Hermit thrush, Veery and Scarlet Tanager singing in the bush along with both red-eyed and blue headed vireo.

 

 

Henry Marsh - Green Heron
Posted on June 3, 2009 at 07:10:11 PM by Barbara Taylor

Good news! The beavers have reconstructed their dam under the little bridge at Henry Marsh and the water level is nice and high. The beaver baffles don't seem to be carrying much water out of the marsh, if any. A Green Heron and an American Bittern were at the west side of the marsh this afternoon.

directions to Henry Marsh:
From traffic lights at Eccelstone Dr./Wellington St. in Bracebridge, take Beaumont Dr. along the Muskoka River to Henry Rd. There is a parking area at the end of Henry Rd. by the trailhead. When you reach the "T" in the trail, turn right (west) to check out the beaver dam.

 

 

Re(1): Moose calf on the loose...east of Bracebridge
Posted on June 3, 2009 at 08:20:51 PM by Terry & Marion Whittam

Very nice shots Al. Watch your back as mum cannot be far off..... lets hope so as this little guy must still need mother. Cheers Terry

 

 

Re(1): Moose calf on the loose...east of Bracebridge
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 10:37:44 AM by BarryPeyton

Nice shot Al. Yes, Terry is right, watch your back on this one. Thanks for leading our group on the Wings over Muskoka event, your knowledge of birds shone.

 

 

Moose calf on the loose...east of Bracebridge
Posted on June 3, 2009 at 06:27:22 PM by Al Sinclair

We have a moose calf out here that seems to be wandering around alone. It was beside Hwy 118E (8km east of Hwy 11) yesterday for a few hours and Aspen Wildlife Sanctuary was called to help. By the time they arrived it had disappeared but they found tracks of an adult in the woods nearby and thought it might not be an orphan.

Today we heard something bleating in the woods behind our house, investigated and found the moose calf still alone, it stopped and stood still when it saw me. I took a photo (see below) and got Joan to watch it while I went to get a blanket to put over its head so we could catch it. But by the time I got back it had taken off again. We also found tracks of an adult in the woods where it disappeared so it may not be alone. We had an adult moose in our backyard two weeks ago, it may have been her.  photo1  photo2

 

 

Black-billed Cuckoo
Posted on June 3, 2009 at 11:41:19 AM by Barbara Taylor

This morning there was a Black-billed Cuckoo along the snowmobile trail north of Ball's Dr. near Patricia Parkway, Bracebridge. map: http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=patricia+parkway+bracebridge+ontario&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=ca&ei=9JcmSqyqOYPCM8P2hYkF&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1

 

 

Mourning Warbler, shorebirds
Posted on June 2, 2009 at 11:31:23 AM by Barbara Taylor

This morning at the Bracebridge Ponds I finally had my first Mourning Warbler of the year and three Indigo Buntings which had previously been eluding me. The Mourning Warbler was singing at its usual spot near the SW corner of cell 4.

In cell 3 there were only a few shorebirds scattered along the west shore:
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer

 

 

N. Muldrew Lake - Whip-poor-will, Warblers, Sparrows
Posted on June 2, 2009 at 09:31:44 AM by Kip Daynard

The Whip-poor-will appears to have set up residence here for the summer and continues to call most evenings.

This morning a few minutes listening before leaving for work revealed some nice warblers including Canada, Cape May, Pine, Redstart, Chestnut-sided, Yellow-rumped and Ovenbird.

We've enjoyed watching the progress of a brood of Chipping Sparrows in a small spruce just 15 feet or so from our front steps. The nest is less than 4 feet off the ground, low enough that our 3 and 5-year old girls can peek into the nest, something they make sure to do twice daily. Four speckled, light-blue eggs hatched about a week ago and the birds have gone from pitiful, blind, pink and featherless creatures to bright-eyed, downy chicks. Their bright yellow gapes really jump out at you. What a great first-hand view onto the early development stages of one of our common birds. It's amazing how fast these little guys grow! I'll try to post some pictures before they fledge, which judging from the rapid progress is only a couple of weeks away.

North Muldrew Lake is 3kms SW of Gravenhurst wharf reachable by North Muldrew Lake Rd.

 

 

Re(1): 100s of Chimney Swifts
Posted on June 3, 2009 at 10:31:47 PM by Jim Griffin

Thank you Mr. Goodyear and students of Huntsville Public school for your posting. I have never seen swifts going to roost in a chimney so based on your report I came to Huntsville this evening to see if I could observe it. I determined that the chimney was the big yellow brick one at the back of the old Empire Hotel. We arrived at about 8:20, saw a few swifts flying around so decided to wait. At 9:00 they started to gather, flying quite low and in what seemed like circles gradually decreasing in diameter. A few dropped into the chimney, then as if someone had turned on a vacuum, the rest of the flock just dropped en mass into the chimney; it was all over by 9:10. I estimate about 100 birds in this case.

 

 

Re(1): 100s of Chimney Swifts
Posted on June 1, 2009 at 04:17:33 PM by Alex Mills

One coolish morning in September of 2007, I saw more than a hundred Chimney Swifts entering a chimney at an Anglican Church in Windsor. I had always associated the entering of chimneys by these birds with evening, since they roost communally overnight. I wonder what makes them go to roost in the morning. Perhaps, when conditions are poor, it's more energetically efficient to roost than to continue hunting with poor success?

 

 

100s of Chimney Swifts
Posted on June 1, 2009 at 09:15:14 AM by Goodyear

This morning as I collected my students from the playground at Huntsville Public School we watched in amazement as 100s of Chimney Swifts flew in from all directions and circled in a large wheeling mass around one of the downtown buildings at the NE corner of Main St. and Centre St. They flew down into one of the chimneys on the building in groups of 2 - 5 at a time. The kids said there were many more when they first noticed them, but I would estimate the number I saw to be around 350 - 400.

 

 

Re(1): Wings over Muskoka
Posted on June 3, 2009 at 06:12:45 AM by Eleanor Kee Wellman

Hi Barry,
Nicely done! I had blurring in the wing-spread images, as well. Not enough light for enough shutter speed for the wing flaps. Fun, though!
Thanks for posting!

 

 

Wings over Muskoka
Posted on June 1, 2009 at 09:02:07 AM by BarryPeyton

If you missed this event, you missed a good one. Cynthia and i spent the weekend at Red Leaves, an area about 13 km east of Port Carling, enjoying the programs put on by Bob Bowles ( Kids for Turles) and Robin Tapley, senior naturalist. All funds raised were to support the Kids for Turtles program. This even was set up to make people aware of the decline of Muskoka's migrant songbirds, wetland and grassland birds and other wildlife. We saw and heard birds such as the scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, nighhawk etc. as many as 50 species. The pontoon boat ride on Lake Rosseau provided an excellant opportunity to photograph Loons with Eleanor Kee Wellmann a well known wildlife photographer. Several local wildlife artists put on displays and examples of their work and the guest speakers and guides were of a very high caliber. Congratulations to the organisers and thank you. This was the first annual event for Wings over Muskoka so if you get a chance to go next year it will likely be even better, if this is possible. We highly recommend this experience and learning opportunity.  photo1  photo2