April Migration in South Porcupine

I have always loved living in Northern Ontario but I appreciate it even more now; in strange times like this spring, living in an low populated area surrounded with wild spaces is priceless. We have been birding a lot less, and exclusively near our home while following distancing guidelines, but at least we have a backyard and we have access to uncrowded space where we can enjoy fresh air and watch migrating birds.

My backyard is very small but it belongs to the birds. It is untamed, un-raked, unfertilized and it contains many types of trees. This little visitor I found sleeping in the backyard on a February morning was our 80th yard species.

Northern Saw-whet Owl
Our backyard, South Porcupine (17 February 2020)

5-Mile Radius Birding

I have joined the Ontario 5MR challenge organized by Carter Dorscht and I am enjoying it. It's the perfect year to focus on birds we can find within 5 miles (8km) of our home! When we aim for birds within our circle, we spend a lot more time outside as opposed to being in the car on our way somewhere. And it has encouraged us to find new spots for suitable habitats near our home. 

Fox Sparrow
Backyard, South Porcupine (10 April 2020)

Trumpeter Swans sightings seem to be increasing in the Timmins-South Porcupine Area

When I started birding it was a very rare occurrence to see a Trumpeter Swan, but we are starting to see them more regularly here in the Timmins-South Porcupine Area and it's great news. In fact, they have now been observed on the Porcupine River for the 3rd spring in a row. For those who don't know the background history behind the Trumpeter Swans, they have gone through drastic declines in North America in the last centuries and had completely disappeared from Ontario around 1886. Conservation efforts, hunting restrictions and dedicated volunteer-led restoration projects have helped this species come back. Seeing them in our area is good news since it's a sign that they are re-establishing themselves in their historical range. Trumpeter Swans used to be widespread in our area, breeding in our wetlands and ponds all the way up to the James Bay Lowlands. 

Trumpeter Swans (one of 5 observed on Porcupine River this spring)
Porcupine River (6 April 2020) 

April Gull Galore on Ice!

During the last 2 weeks of April, like every year, we get a small window of opportunity to view hundreds of migrating gulls while they gather on the ice a few days before the melt! It's one of my favourite spring event. This spring, they chose Little Pearl Lake as their gathering spot and I could not have been happier since it's close to our home and it falls inside my 5MR. On top of the usual Herring Gulls and Ring-billed Gulls, we had at least 2 Glaucous Gulls, 6 Great Black-backed Gulls and one Iceland Gull.

Great Black-backed Gull surrounded by Herring Gulls
Little Pearl Lake - Timmins (17 April 2020)

Great Black-backed Gull's amazing 5 feet 5' wing span!
Schumacher (19 April 2020)

Glaucous Gull resting on ice with Herring Gulls
Little Pearl Lake (19 April 2020)

Iceland Gull in flight
Little Pearl Lake (19 April 2020)

Iceland Gull in flight
Little Pearl Lake (19 April 2020)

More arrivals:

The last weekend of April was a great weekend for birding around South Porcupine, with favourable winds bringing two migrating owl species, and large number of Wilson Snipes, Rusty Blackbirds and Rough-legged Hawks. Overall, we've been having more south winds this April than last year.

Long-eared Owl
Timmins General Area (24 April 2020) 

Short-eared Owl
Timmins General Area (26 April 2020)

I was enjoying watching the Rusty Blackbirds and Wilson's Snipe in my binoculars and didn't get good photos but thankfully my husband was there with his camera. Sometimes I feel like it's a chore to drop my bins for a photo.

Wilson's Snipe (Photo: Gary Dowe)
South Porcupine (26 April 2020)

Rusty Blackbird (Photo: Gary Dowe)
South Porcupine (26 April 2020)

Rough-legged Hawks pass through our area real quickly so you have to know where to look if you want to admire them. After we spotted our first last week, we set up the scope and saw 8 all in one area.

Rough-legged Hawk
Timmins (26 April 2020)

I am still collecting arrival dates for each of our migrating species (see Spring Arrival Dates page) This year is the 4th year and more and more people are contributing, which is great! Eventually, I wish to collect enough data to determine an average arrival date for each species. Thank you to everyone who contributed their sightings and continue to do so!

Have a safe and healthy rest of spring!