OFO Northern Edition 2026 - North Bay Ontario

Day 1 - Travel to North Bay

Barb C arrived at the Bowman's early and she checked out the backyard. - House Finch, Canada Goose, Northern Cardinal, White Breasted Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow and American Crow. My, my, the packing up of the car was perfect, suitcase configuration worked perfectly, We had so much room Bill said I think I will bring my scope. We left Bill's at 8:00 promptly. On the 417 we saw Ring-billed Gull and Turkey Vultures. We checked for the Red tail Hawk, but no.

No stop for goodies, our first stop was at the pond just before Cobden - one Great Blue Heron, water was very low - I don't think the Great Blue Heron liked us very much, because it took flight. Onto the boat launch dock, Blue Jay, Double Crested Cormorant, Herring Gull, Mallard and for Barb C a Common Loon. Going through town, Bill spotted the rare and endangered Rock Pigeon on the roof of a church -- so lucky to get those.

Turned on to Snake River Line, then on to Turcotte where we saw Mourning Dove, House Sparrow and Red-tail Hawk (j). At some point Barb C mentioned it would be great if we saw Sandhill Cranes, just one. Maybe she was thinking of Tuesday. At Ross Road marsh, we saw a Common Gallinule and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Moving from the marsh and at the houses, we saw an Eastern Wood Pewee. There were White-crowned Sparrows skuling in the lilac bushes. To complete the tour of Ross Road we turned on to Code Road and drove down a ways and what did our wondering eyes did appear -- Sandhill Cranes 6 of them. We were happy seeing them.

On Stafford Line three, we stopped at the bridge. Barb C heard a Marsh Wren and we later saw one. There were two somewhat uncooperative Common Gallinules. At the bridge we looked down and saw a carcass of a Snapping turtle - so upsetting. . Bill take on it, was some yahoo hit it, just for the heck of it.

Tick tock, we had to put some miles on, we drove through Pembroke. Bill decided he had something to show us, that he worked on for 25 years. We stopped at an area that had large rocks on the road side, a field, then water and rapids. Bill explained that he took Venturers to stage 1 White Water Rafting. He was responsible for the Ottawa's Venturers in organizing weekends for the boys to learn. Over the years about 1000 boys and yes girls went through the program. Very impressive. For the most part he had trainers but when one couldn't make it, Bill stepped in. Unfortunately when Bill retired from Boys Scouts, no one took over and this program fell to the wayside. I asked if any of these kids kepting doing canoeing or white water rafting. He said yes, one time when he was in Algonquin Park he came back to a note on his car from one of the boys who took the program. Back to the river, it was quite low, but we could see big rocks and when the water would be high, they would be challenging, there were smaller rapids for the kids to learn on and more challenging ones on the other side of the bridge -- he told us those rapids were called Big Eddy. Bill I hope I got this right.

We travelled on to Deep River where we had lunch at Riverbend Park. As we were finishing lunch Alan, Carol and Ann drove up and they joined us. Jane and Barb C decided that a restroom was required but Bill pointed out some diving ducks that turned out to be Common Mergansers. Rather than a restroom Tim Hortons was the best idea, Barb C needed a hot drink.

From there we decided to travel directly to North Bay, we stopped at various spots where Bill told us about his canoeing trips. I think both Bill and Barbara have canoed on every lake and river south of North Bay.

We stopped at one place and we got a really big find - Black-capped Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch.

We had two juvenile hawks during the morning that we concluded were Red-tailed Hawk, just out of the process of elimination that they weren't.

All in all we got 28 species on our drive from Ottawa to North Bay. Best bird of the morning was our 6 Sandhill Cranes, up close and not personal.

After settling in at the Comfort Inn, Jane texted hr granddaughter, Kathryn, for a restaurant recommendation - Syl's Neighbourhood Kitchen. We gladly agreed, and the seven of us all had enjoyable meals.