Travel Birds list by Jane Burgess
Hilliardton Marsh Provincial Wildlife
Area in New Liskeard ON
June 8-9, 2023
We decided to attend the Ontario Nature Annual Gathering in
Sudbury and were delighted that our birding friends, Jane and
Barb C, decided to join us.
Barb C suggested that we go a day ahead to visit the Hilliardton
Marsh. She had spoken to representatives at the OFO convention in
the fall and got a very favorable impression. We contacted Bruce
Murphy, their Research and Education Coordinator, and planned to
visit the New Liskeard lagoons on Thursday afternoon and the
banding station at the Marsh on Friday morning.
So it was that at 6:30 am on June 8, we met at the Bowman house
and loaded up for the long drive north. We were fortunate that
the smoke from forest fires that had plagued us all week had
largely dissipated. We made good time, stopping only for brief
rests (and birding) at various picnic sites along the way. We
stopped for lunch at a roadside spot at Net Lake north of
Temagami.
Travel Birds list by Jane Burgess
We called Bruce Murphy and told him we would be at
the lagoons at 1 pm, and he said he would come and unlock the
gate. In fact, the lagoons only had the appearance of being
locked, and we were able to go ahead in without waiting for him.
There were many species of ducks, but Ruddy Duck and Readhead
stood out. But the stars of the show were two Red-necked
Phalaropes in breeding plumage.
There were land birds too, and we got a response from a Sora.
Bruce Murphy arrived, and we had a great chat. He told us about
the abundance of Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows. And Bonaparte
Gulls and Black Terns were being seen. We soon saw quite a few of
the gulls. He invited us to come to the banding station in the
morning.
New Liskeard Lagoons list by Jane
Burgess
With a couple of hours of birding time still available, Bill
suggested we hike out to the Devil’s Rock lookout and see if
there were any forest birds. We did not know that there were two
trailheads, and first went to the one at the campground. But on
advice from the friendly owner, we went back to the road to go
the start of the shorter hike. This bit of luck allowed us to see
two Sandhill Cranes, spotted by Barb C.
The trail was rocky and somewhat difficult, and the shortcut was
even worse. But the views at the lookout were spectacular. Forest
birds were scarce, but the ladies spotted a Black-backed
Woodpecker, which flew just as Bill was about to get a photo.
Devil's Rock List by Jane Burgess
We drove back into New Liskeard to find our
lodgings at the Wheel Inn Motel. The manager was waiting for us
and addressed Barb C by name, having read it on the booking. He
suggested that we switch to the nearby Auberge, that he also
managed, to get rooms without stair access. We readily agreed and
soon were unpacking in our rooms. We got a takeout meal at the
truck stop across the road, and ate at a picnic table outside our
rooms. It had been a GOOD day!
We were up early and had breakfast in our rooms.
Barb C went to the truck stop for a coffee. Soon we were on our
way north for the short trip to the banding station at
Hilliardton Marsh. Bruce Murphy was correct; we saw lot of
Bobolinks and Savannah Sparrows. There was even a Moose and a
melanistic Red Fox, called Silver Fox, in a field along the way.
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When we arrived, the banders were tending to the nets, so we
looked around the extensive wetland. Not many ducks here, just a
few Ring-necked.
Soon, the banders returned with their bags of birds. What a treat
for us to see so many species up close! We even got to hold and
release some of them after they were banded and measured. We
learned so much. What we always thought were females could easily
be young males and vice versa.
We checked the wetland again, and saw more ducks
and some Black Terns this time. The banding was just about
finished for the day, but we saw a perched Ruby-throated Humming
bird and a tree full of Cedar Waxwings.
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Birds List for Hilliardton Marsh Banding Station by Jane Burgess
We thanked our hosts, and drove a short way to the other marsh
area on Crique Road. This extensive area had a few more Common
Goldeneyes and many Black Terns. Boy, they move quickly!
Crique Birds by Jane Burgess
We had some time still available, so we
explored the road across from the wetland. We had a good look at
a Least Flycatcher before a huge farm vehicle came along and
barely got past our car. Then Jane spotted a Northern Harrier.
Roads Bird List by Jane Burgess
It was time to head south for our conference in Sudbury. We
stopped at Latchford for a picnic lunch and some birding along
the Montreal River.
Birds Driving To Sudbury by Jane
Burgess