Peterborough No Convention Trip

Peterborough No Convention Trip – September 24-26, 2020

photos by Barbara & Bill Bowman AND Hilda & Colin Wooles

photo - Dave Milsom

The annual OFO convention was canceled due to COVID-19. However, we had our hotel reservations, so we decided to join friends Colin & Hilda Wooles in Peterborough and do many of the field trips that would have taken place. We were greatly aided by local resident, friend and international guide, Dave Milsom, who accompanied us on September 25, and showed us some of his favorite locations.

September 24

We drove from Nepean via Hwy 401 and C&H did the same from Toronto, meeting at the Rice Lake Conservation Area. After our greetings, we birded along a long trail all the way to Rice Lake and back. We got a Black-throated Blue Warbler at the beginning, but it was generally quiet except for a chickadee and a flock of juncos. We did see an Osprey and some Mallards at the lake and we enjoyed talking to a neighbour who was on his dock. He was a teacher who was home to get his family tested for COVID-19. We enjoyed our picnic lunch at the conservation area, before moving on.

The next location was the Pengally Landing eBird hot spot, which turned out to be a cold spot – nothing but Mallards and Canada Geese. So we decided to skip the rest of the lake and go to the Otanabee Gravel Pit Conservation Area with a brief stop at the Bensfort bridge over the river.

We had a little trouble finding the gravel pit, and had to stop and ask directions. We parked beside a gate which we walked around. Bill knew the scope would be needed, but hoped the trail was short, as it’s hard to carry. It wasn’t short. We saw a snake and interesting butterfly on the trail.

A wet dog came up to us, so that was a good indication that we were on the right track. Finally, we arrived at the pit, and the sound of dozens of Killdeers greeted us. We set up the scope on higher ground where we had a good view. We noted a couple of Pectoral Sandpipers. Then a Wilson’s Snipe flew in close enough for photos.

We were happy with these sightings, and felt that it was time to head into town to our hotel, the Super 8. We checked in then walked next door to Kelsey’s for supper.

We knew we had to be up early to meet Dave the next day, so called it a night.

September 25

We were up early and finished breakfast before 7 am. We followed Google instructions to the Lakefield Lagoons and were there 10 minutes before Dave Milsom.

We walked around the gate and noticed some sparrows, mostly White-throated. There was movement in the trees – yellow rumps and a Blue-headed Vireo; hard to photograph though.

There were only a few ducks on the lagoon cells, mostly Wood Ducks. There were a few scaups and Hooded Mergansers and some cormorants too. But all in all, pretty quiet. So on to the next site Dave has planned.

Lakefield--Sewage Lagoons, Peterborough, Ontario, CA
Sep 25, 2020 7:45 AM - 8:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
30 species

Canada Goose  8
Wood Duck  36
Blue-winged Teal  17
Mallard  13
Lesser Scaup  7
Hooded Merganser  4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Ring-billed Gull  23
Herring Gull  1
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  2
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  2
Black-capped Chickadee  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
European Starling  5
American Robin  2
American Goldfinch  2
White-throated Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  2
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S74090849

The next site is called South Drumlin on eBird, but it is in fact a walk along the Trent Canal near the university.

Dave was worried about lack of birds, but he needn’t have been. There were good numbers of warblers – Bay-breasted, Yellow-rumped, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green and Northern Parula, as well as a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Swainson’s Thrush.

It was interesting to see the large group of Turkey Vultures perched waiting for the thermals.

There was a bench for a rest, but you would be sure to get poison ivy if you used it!

Peterborough--South Drumlin Nature Area, Peterborough, Ontario, CA
Sep 25, 2020 9:05 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.2 kilometer(s)
35 species

Canada Goose  2
Mallard  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Ring-billed Gull  9
Herring Gull  1
Double-crested Cormorant  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  10
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  5
American Crow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  7
Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
European Starling  1
Gray Catbird  1
Swainson's Thrush  1
American Robin  3
American Goldfinch  1
White-throated Sparrow  7
Song Sparrow  3
Red-winged Blackbird  1
Tennessee Warbler  1
Nashville Warbler  1
Northern Parula  1
Bay-breasted Warbler  1
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  4
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Northern Cardinal  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S74090910

Next, we went to a stormwater pond on Cunningham Blvd followed by a tea and coffee break at Dave’s house, which was visible across the marsh from the pond.

The pond was home to two secretive Least Bitterns and an American Bittern lived in the marsh behind. Bill’s main target was the Least Bittern, which he had not seen for several years. We hiked along to a good vantage point, and Dave spotted one, but it retreated into the reeds before anyone else saw it. Then, a second one called from the marsh behind the pond. We could not see it or the first one either, so we hiked all around the small pond.

We only saw a couple of Hooded Mergansers and a Mallard. We also saw a cat and some of the birds and voles that it had killed. We waited back at the vantage point for a considerable time, and the Least Bittern tantalized us by coming part way out of the reeds, though mostly obscured. When we went a bit closer, it promptly vanished. At least Hilda had a good view of a Common Yellowthroat. Time for a break.

We drove the short way to Dave’s house and had a reunion with Liz, his wife with whom we had been on three international trips and also met at OFO conventions. She had baked some goodies ad served tea and coffee to us on the deck. They had a lot of feeders and a fish and frog pond in their back yard, which overlooked the marsh. Dave complained that the American Bittern had raided their pond and eaten all but a couple of the goldfish.

There were many White-throated Sparrows, but also Swamp Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows and Song Sparrows.
We had a very enjoyable break, but it was time to move on. We made a brief stop at the pond on the way out, but our target would not cooperate.

Peterborough--Cunningham Blvd Stormwater Pond and Wetland, Peterborough, Ontario, CA
Sep 25, 2020 10:15 AM - 10:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.3 kilometer(s)
22 species

Canada Goose  18
Mallard  2
Hooded Merganser  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1
Mourning Dove  2
Ring-billed Gull  4
Least Bittern  2     one seen. 2nd calling from main wetland. Continuing birds.
Turkey Vulture  2
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Merlin  1
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  1
European Starling  6
American Robin  2
American Goldfinch  2
White-throated Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S74090923

1093 Scollard Drive Peterborough, Peterborough, Ontario, CA
Sep 25, 2020 10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Protocol: Stationary
23 species

Canada Goose  16
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2
Mourning Dove  5
Ring-billed Gull  13
Herring Gull  1
Turkey Vulture  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  5
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
European Starling  4
Gray Catbird  1
American Robin  1
Chipping Sparrow  1
Field Sparrow  1
White-crowned Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  3
Song Sparrow  5
Swamp Sparrow  2
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Common Grackle  1
Northern Cardinal  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S74090947

Our final spot with Dave was Meadowvale Park which was quite close by along the river.

Dave led us through a brushy area under a hydro line where Bill, bringing up the rear, spotted a Black-throated Green Warbler.

Then we had good looks at a Northern Parula and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

We came out by the river, and Dave flushed a Green Heron.

Then it was back into the bush where we saw an Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Phoebe and Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Finally, we had great views of a green Scarlet Tanager. Out on the paved path, we observed a Northern Flicker and European Starling.

Barbara noticed a Meadow hawk dragonfly.

It was time for lunch, but not without a quick stop at the stormwater pond on the way by. No Least Bittern. Dave suggested that 8 am would be a better time. We thanked him very much for his guiding, and Hilda snapped a group photo.

Peterborough--Meadowvale Park, Peterborough, Ontario, CA
Sep 25, 2020 12:20 PM - 1:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
39 species

Canada Goose  18
Wood Duck  2
Mallard  2
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3
Mourning Dove  1
Ring-billed Gull  25
Herring Gull  2
Double-crested Cormorant  8
Green Heron  1
Turkey Vulture  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Olive-sided Flycatcher  1     dark 'waistcoat' noted.
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
European Starling  2
Swainson's Thrush  1
American Robin  3
American Goldfinch  4
White-throated Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  2
Common Grackle  4
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Northern Parula  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  9
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S74090967

On Dave’s suggestion, we went back upstream to Lock 22 to have our lunch at a picnic table.

Barbara scouted around and found the island between the canal and the river very birdy, so we checked it out. There were tons of yellow-rumps and Colin discovered a Great Blue Heron which promptly flew across the river.

Our last spot for the day, recommended by Dave, was the trail along Lock 19. It was a bit of a challenge to get there, but we finally made it. The whole lock was under construction, and a pile driver was making an incredible racket. Fortunately for us, it stopped shortly after we arrived.

We hiked along the shore without seeing much except for a few feeder birds in people’s backyards.

We came to a large tree that was alive with warblers. The leaves of this tree were small but thick, which made getting photos very difficult. There were lots of yellow-rumps, but a few Cape Mays too. Also, a juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker flew in.

After checking the map to find a way to avoid the rush-hour traffic, we made out way back to our hotel. On Colin’s suggestion, we had an enjoyable dinner at the Swiss Chalet.

September 26

We got up on Saturday to a very heavy fog.

Nevertheless, we were determined to make one last try at the stormwater pond for a Least Bittern. When we got there at 8:30 am, the fog was still heavy and there was no chance to see the bittern.

We spread out along the shores of the pond to maximize our chances. We heard one call twice from the marsh and also twice from the pond. This gave us hope. As the fog lifted, we saw an American Bittern fly across the marsh behind, and we were able to get some distant photos.

We continued to look at the base of the reeds, and then suddenly, it was there. At first it was partially obscured, but then it did come our farther and spear a small fish.

We were ecstatic. It retreated back into the reeds to have its meal. But then a Pileated Woodpecker flew back and forth overhead, giving us good photo opportunities.

Then we noticed a very large accipiter perched at the far side of the marsh. Dave later identified it as a Cooper’s Hawk, but it sure was large. Barbara also notice a Midland Painted Turtle in the reeds and Hooded Mergansers swimming in the pond. At that point, Dave and Liz dropped by to congratulate us, and we thanked them for everything they had done.

Our final location was Beavermead Park. It is a large popular park on Little Lake right in town.

We first went north as far as Rogers Cove. It was really busy, and we struggled to find a single Yellow-rumped Warbler.

So, we went back and walked through the campground. We saw two young Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers either fighting or playing. They were moving so fast that it was impossible to get a sharp photo.

At the far end of the campground, Barbara found a small flock of Dark-eyed Juncos and another sapsucker.

We decided to head back to our cars for our lunch, but were excited by a close fly past by a Red-tailed Hawk. Fortunately, Colin saw where it landed, and we were able to hurry over and get some excellent photos. What an fantastic finale to our birding trip to Peterbrough.