At 4am on the way to collect the first group of participants, the rear window in the van blew out! With the chances of getting a replacement van at that time of the morning slim to none, and the thought of 3 days with 10 people shivering in sub freezing conditions racing through my mind, I needed a quick solution. Luckily, we had a second group to pick up in Quakertown. Knowing that Butch lived close by, there was a chance he was still at home and a good bet that he might have an endless supply of duct tape as well as plastic covering. Luck was certainly on our side, and it wasn't going to be for the last time on this trip!

After driving through some horrendous weather, notably blinding snow (and for a while without window washer fluid, until Al was able to figure out that the fuse box just needed a jolly good thumping), we arrived 6-½ hrs later in Joyceville (11:30am).

Our first stop was for a Hawk Owl, one of 3 that we were aware of. Mike Fritz had worked the area for over an hour, in particular 6th Concession Road and the previously reported spots at #2806, without any luck. An hours worth of searching lead to the same results, though we did see a fly-by Northern Shrike and got a good look at a Rough-legged Hawk. Mike later told us that on his way out, he had the Hawk Owl flying across Joyceville Rd by the school, near the intersection with 6th Concession Road.

It was only a 35-minute drive west to Millhaven, where we caught the 2:30pm ferry across to Amherst Island. Several people returning from the island reported seeing the Boreal Owl in the east end of the Jack Pines in Owl Woods. Again squalls set in and at times it made for near zero visibility. Along with the very cold temperature, we were wondering what hit us.

Boat Trip to Amherst Island

Saw-whet Owl

Marshall 40 Road was icy, but we made it to the entrance of "Owls Woods", just as the sun came out. Soon Black-capped Chickadees were feeding out of our hands, and the first of several Saw-whet Owls was found along the trail in the Cedars. It was all fluffed up and fast asleep, in contrast to the next one who was wide-awake and doing its best "long-eared" imitation against the trunk.

As we reached the Jack Pines, we spread out in order to work the area in search for the Boreal. We came across several Saw-whets, before word got around that Long-eared Owls were being seen in flight as well as perched. It soon became apparent that up to 3 Short-eared Owls were also roosting in the Pines. Most of us were able to get good looks at the Long-eared's, though they remained very skittish. As we were assembling the "troops" in order to rework the Pines, word came that the Boreal had been located. Sure enough 8' up a Jack Pine, nestled against the trunk and partially covered by needles, we were all able to get a stunning look at this wonderful northern owl. A life bird for 8 of the 10 of us, the differences between this and the Saw-whet were quickly apparent. Larger and overall darker brown, a darker facial disk outline, pale bill, yellow versus orange eyes, spotted versus streaked belly and a more pronounced spotted fore-crown left no doubt as to the identity of this species.

Long-earred Owl Boreal Owl

More than satisfied and with some daylight left, we headed out of the woods, jubilant that we had seen the first of our target birds. At the east end of the island, we saw four Rough-legged Hawks including a dark morph, and watched a Snowy Owl land on a platform. Though it may have been a little to early (4:30pm), we could not locate any Short-eared Owls in this area.

young female Snowy Owl

Perched on a tree behind the Fire Hall and Maintenance building was a young female Snowy. In order to get a better look and get out of the whipping winds, we assembled on the lee side of the maintenance building, and placed a mouse on the ground in front of us. A lifted head, piercing stare and silent glide to examine the potential quarry at head height to within 10 feet of us, all the while keeping her eyes on the mouse, left us in amazement at what we were witnessing. She did this several more times before landing on a nearby mound and eventually taking the mouse. What a way to end the days birding.

On Saturday morning we made a quick stop and look for the reported Gyr Falcon at the Dupont Hot Pond, but only managed a male Pintail and a pair of Gadwall. A Great Horned Owl was on the large stick nest behind the pond and its mate was sitting patiently nearby being mobbed by crows.

Onto Napanee, about a ½ hour's drive west, for another crack at a Hawk Owl. This one was in full view as we arrived, just off the road at the top of a maple in someone's yard. It did fly across the road into some cedars before returning to the side of the road allowing us great looks to study this long tailed owl with similar facial features to the Boreal Owl. With success in seeing two of our three target birds, it was onto Bracebridge, a 3-½ hour drive northwest.

Northern Hawk Owl

Arriving just before midday, we started at Cedar Lane, where it quickly became apparent from talking to the residents, that there had been far more than the reported 1 or 2 Great Gray Owls. Nick Pulcinella joined us after having had several frustrating hours searching the Faulkenburg/ Butter & Eggs roads. With that information we decided to work this area. Everyone spread out and, scanning the wood edge, Judy located a single bird, perched in a birch tree 10 feet off the ground and 100 yards away. The scope view of this magnificent bird left everyone in awe at the largest of North America's owls. We had pulled it off, all our target owls...yet the best was still to come.

We had lunch in Bracebridge, splitting the group up into two eateries across the road from each other. Once back in the van, Edie told me that their waitress had a Barred Owl in her yard (which she identified from a book in the library) and had directions to the residence. It was 15 miles in the wrong direction! But by now we had had 8 species of Owl, and we knew of a location for Screech Owl, so why not check off another species and go for double digits - a grand slam!

As with all these sightings and (at times dubious) directions it wasn't long before we were second-guessing this decision. The road was slow, icy and bumpy and we kept going passed the two roads on the right that was supposed to be our markers, but after a little patience, going through Muskoka Beach, and a helpful resident, we found the Water Treatment Road. A search of the pines at the house yields nothing. The map she has drawn shows another spot across the snow-covered field. Though it is only 200 yards away it is easier to drive to the next road.

Great Gray Owl

At the bend on Sewer Treatment Road, we spot a Great Gray Owl perched on the edge of the small wood lot, in full view and barely 30 yards from the deserted road. A minute later we notice a second Great Gray along the Sewer Treatment facility fence line. This as it turned out was her Barred Owl! I'll take that mistake anytime of the day. How lucky could we get? It then flew in front of us, across the road landing with talons extended into a foot of snow. Back it flew to its perch with a vole. Outstanding!

With everyone standing in the middle of the road looking through scopes, we watched the owl gulp down the prey, and then I placed a mouse on top of the snow bank 10 feet in front of us. After one pass to check out the shivering motionless mouse it came back a second time moments later for the meal. So tame and seeming oblivious to our presence, I arranged the group in a semi circle on the road, and placed a mouse between us. Within a minute it locked in on the mouse and came straight for it, brushing my leg before landing less than 3 feet from all of us. As we stood motionless, it stared at us for what seemed like ages, before flying into the woods for what must have been the easiest 3 course meal of it life. High fives all around. We had just witnessed a truly magically moment.

It was tough to leave that spot, but we did. With day light fading, at Faulkenburg and Butter & Eggs Road we come across our fourth Great Gray of the day. It was, well what else, perched on the edge of the woods. Those adventurous enough, made the short trek through knee-deep snow to get close to the bird. A short distance away we find a distant Hawk Owl atop a tree in the middle of a field. The rest of the road proves unproductive but after the day that we have had no ones seems to mind.

Sunday morning we awoke to freezing rain, ice covered and unsalted roads and a nation that cherishes sleeping in on Sunday mornings. Crawling along we made it to the western visitors center at Algonquin Provincial Park by 8:30, a two hour run! In a light freezing drizzle, the only birds we had at the feeders were a group of around 20 Evening Grosbeaks. Continuing east, at the 8km sign, we were unsuccessful in getting a Black-backed Woodpecker to respond, but a little further on we noticed a small bird fly across the road.

Upon locating it, it turned out to be a Boreal Chickadee in with several Black-capped, and as it turned out there was a total of three Boreals. We all had great looks as they crossed the road and proceeded to pose for us in a close spruce tree. The generally reliable Spruce Grouse, on the aptly named Spruce Bog trail failed to put in an appearance. At the end of Opeongo Road, we waited patiently for the Gray Jays to show, and eventually 2 came in, but they never seemed to be interested in the peanuts we had. A small group of male and female White-winged Crossbills as well as one young male and two Pine Siskins obliged by pecking for salt on the road while a Ruffed Grouse picked off buds at the base of a spruce, before realizing that we spotted it, where upon it decided to play hide and seek.

It doesn't get any better than this.

Species Seen

Black-capped chickadee

BIRDS:

MAMMALS: