Lake Travers Canoe Trip

September 11-12, 2019

We wanted a short overnighter with no portages and we also hoped to see some Nelson's Sparrows during their fall migration. So we put in at Acess Point 23 in Algonquin Park at Lake Travers. It was a short paddle across the south end to the first campsite.

We did not realize that the south end of the lake was full of deadheads, and we paddled up on one and nearly dumped. Close call. We made it to shore and got to our campsite.

We set up our tent and went exploring along the beach.

We prepared our supper way back from shore because of the steady breeze.

After cleaning up, we snuggled in to our tent. Barbara was up bright and early to get sunrise photos.

We decided to hike the shorline of our bay before breakfast to look for birds.

It was pancakes for breakfast.

We discovered some Blackburnian Warblers right at our site.

We decided to continue to explore the shorline for birds, rather than to paddle into the next bay. The abundance of deadheads had something to do with that!

We saw some decent birds, including American Pipits, and Common Goldeneye, but not Nelson's Sparrows. So we packed up and headed for our takeout.

Before leaving, we checked out the bridge and area around the car.

We headed out but stopped at the Barron River takeout at Cache Rapids, just to look around. A Swainson's Thrush was a good find.

Just this side of Cobden, there was a pond by the side of the road teeming with birds. We saw several Common Galinules and Wood Ducks.

It was good to go camping again.

Bird List Sept 11-12, 2019
1. American Crow
2. Blue Jay
3. Canada Goose
4. Osprey
5. European Starling
6. Mallard
7. Great Blue Heron
8. Rock Pigeon
9. Turkey Vulture
10. Northern Flicker
11. Pileated Woodpecker
12. American Robin
13. Wilson’s Snipe
14. Common Raven
15. Lesser Yellowlegs
16. Spotted Sandpiper
17. Common Yellowthroat
18. Sandhill Crane
19. Swamp Sparrow
20. Black-capped Chickadee
21. Blackburnian Warbler
22. Common Loon
23. American Pipit
24. Belted Kingfisher
25. Common Merganser
26. Swainson’s Thrush
27. Cedar Waxwing
28. Common Gallinule
29. Wood Duck
30. Greater Yellowlegs
31. Ring-billed Gull
32. Nashville Warbler