Into the North Country (Days 1 and 2)

This past weekend I ventured into the heart of northern Ontario with Ezra Campanelli on a quest for boreal birds and any vagrants still lingering around. Although the latter component seemed to fail, the boreal birds most certainly did not disappoint! For organizing this trip in a few days, I'd say we did a pretty darn good job. And of course, it would not have been possible without the gracious hospitality of Ken and Angie Williams of Smooth Rock Falls for letting us stay with them.

Day 1 (Oct. 24, 2019) 

After getting off work and picking up Ezra from Aberfoyle around 12:00pm Thursday, we were off, the Accord pointed north, ready to explore the vast expanses of boreal wilderness. On our way up, we made a quick stop at the Powassan Sewage Lagoons (after finding a place to park!!), with high hopes of a Le Conte's or Nelson's Sparrow. We did manage to chase down some Sparrows, only to turn up a few Savanah's. A Coot was a nice surprise.

Back on the road we entered Smooth Rock Falls around 11:00pm that night. The plan was to spend the night in Smooth Rock Falls and then hightail it to Fraserdale, where we would take the morning train to Moosonee. As we drove into town Thursday night with a heavy wave of northern lights cascading northwards in the distance, a sense of hope and northern reacquaintance was restored, looking forwards to three excellent days in the north country!

Day 2 (Oct. 25, 2019)

After a hearty breakfast provided by Ken and Angie we were on the road. To get to Fraserdale, we would take Highway 634 from Smooth Rock Falls, a paved logging road. It's paved roads provide some of the best opportunities for Grouse in the area. Ken had told us, grouse were most active along the road the morning after the first snowfall. Our trip was no exception, counting six Spruce Grouse and four Ruffed Grouse during the approximately 75 km stretch. Pictured below is the first Spruce Grouse of the day. He seemed to enjoy our presence as the sounds of camera shutters rained down upon him. This was Ezra's first lifer a trip and the first time I had seen one in a couple years. Such a stunning beauty!

 Fantastic Mr. Spruce Grouse

At the same stop, some phishing revealed a family group of Boreal Chickadees, our only ones of the trip.

An intrigued Boreal Chickadee 

At around 10:00am we arrived in Abitibi Canyon (about five-ten minutes east of Fraserdale), providing a small window of time for birding around the damn before hopping on the 10:45 train. Birding was relatively quiet, but nonetheless it was exciting to see this damn. Such an impressive project, situated in such an isolated location.

Rainbow breaking through at Abitibi Canyon

Unfortunately, things began to take a turn for the worse when the vehicle would not start. What made the situation worse was that we were in an area with no service and needed to be at the train station in 30 minutes. We didn't have a moment to lose! It was decided Ezra would run to the top of the damn in search of some OPG workers we had seen on the way up while I stayed with the car pouring through the car manual for answers. Fortunately the workers had indeed stayed and in no time the car was back running. Turned out the car was put in autolock, a feature I hadn't even heard about until this incident. I guess that just about sums up my automobile knowledge. I was more than slightly embarrassed, but grateful the situation had not escalated into pure chaos. After wishing our saviours well, with 5 minutes to spare we made the final trek to the station.

From the train, we picked up on a few hawks and finches but the highlight was a Sharp-tailed Grouse (insert lifer dance) that flew by us, perching at the top of a conifer. In Moosonee, the first snowfall of the year was falling, while our $10 taxi took us to the famed Moosonee Sewage Lagoons. The lagoons were mostly unproductive aside from the regular ducks and a few Yellowleg's hanging around.

 Picturesque views of the Moosonee Sewage Lagoons

We began the longish walk back to downtown, when we were kindly offered a ride by a local native woman. Interestingly, the woman mentioned a Turkey Vulture that she had once seen hanging around town, a pertty decent bird this far north at any time of year! In town, we birded the Moose River and began winding up and down the streets of Moosonnee. It was concluded that no Wheatear's or Laughing Gulls had taken up residence. It seemed that most of the town was devoid of birds, perhaps a few weeks late for the peak of vagrancy potential.

After a pitstop at Moosonee's famous KFC/Pizza Hut we were back on the train with our eyes peeled to the tree tops in hopes of catching a glimpse of a Hawk Owl. On this trip, it was not to be. However, after noticing a large figure in the middle of the tree cover, I pointed my camera towards it and shot away. To say the least I was pretty stunned when a Great Gray Owl was staring back from the screen.

The Great Gray Owl

Once back in Fraserdale, we made a few stops along the highway in hopes of calling in some owls (with no luck). Back at Ken and Angie's we indulged in some delicious grouse filets and grouse pasta while retelling the day's events, a sweet end to an awesome day!

 Moose River sunset from the Polar Bear Express

O yeah, and the blog is back. 

Thanks for reading :)