Sunday, October 27, 2013

Été 2013 Parc Prov. René Brunelle / Summer 2013 at René Brunelle Prov. Park


Les gens aiment séjourner au Parc Provincial René Brunelle pour plusieurs raisons; les sites sur le bord du Lac Rémi, la pêche, les plages, les couchers de soleil, etc.  Pour ma part, j'adore ce parc pour toutes ces raisons... mais ce qui m'attire particulièrement, c'est l'abondance des oiseaux chanteurs.

There are lots of reasons why people love to camp at René Brunelle Provincial Park; the campsites on the shores of Remi Lake, the fishing, the clean facilities, the beaches, the sunsets, etc.  As for myself, I love this park for all the above reasons but what brings me to this park is much smaller and colourful: it's the abundance of songbirds.

Paruline Flamboyante - Parc Provincial René Brunelle (Juillet 2013)
American Redstart - Rene Brunelle Provincial Parc (July 2013)
Paruline à croupion jaune - Parc Prov René Brunelle (Juillet 2013)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - Rene Brunelle Prov Park (July 2013)

Cet été 2013, c'était une saison spéciale pour le Parc Provincial René Brunelle puisque notre gouvernement a tenté de le fermer.   Grace aux effort de nos représentants locaux et de la population local, le parc est resté ouvert pour un essai de 2 ans. 

This summer was a special summer at René Brunelle Provincial Park because it was scheduled to be shut down by the Ontario Government.  Because of the efforts of local representatives and local population, it was given a 2 year 'pilot project' status.  

Parc Provincial René Brunelle (Moonbeam)
René Brunelle Provincial Park (Moonbeam)
J'ai eu la chance de passer environ 25 jours dans le parc où j'ai essayé de noter et de photographier plusieurs espèces d'oiseaux.  J'ai pris plus de 3000 photos sur lesquelles on peu voir surtout des branches d'arbre vides (les parulines bougent beaucoup trop vite!) Après des tas de piqures de maringouins et des regards perplexes venant des gens qui se demandaient ce que je faisais (l'observation des oiseaux n'est pas commun ici!) j'ai fini avec un torticolis et quelques photos.  Mais... ça a valu la peine.

I was lucky enough to spend around 25 days camping in the park where I tried to note and photograph lots of bird species.  I took over 3000 photos (most of them showing bare branches because those little warblers move too fast).  After tons of bug bites from standing still and lots of questioning looks from people who were wondering what I was doing (birding is not common here!), I ended up with 'warbler neck pain' and a few photos.  But it was totally worth it.



Paruline à collier - Parc Prov. René Brunelle (Juillet 2013)
Northern Parula - Rene Brunelle Prov. Park (July 2013)

Paruline du Canada - Parc Prov. René Brunelle (Aout 2013)
Canada Warbler - Rene Brunelle Prov. Park (Aug 2013)
Paruline à poitrine baie - Parc Prov. René Brunelle (Juillet 2013)
Bay-breasted Warbler - Rene Brunelle Prov. Park (July 2013)
Paruline noir et blanc - Parc Prov. René Brunelle (Juillet 2013)
Black-and-white Warbler - Rene Brunelle Prov. Park (July 2013)

Paruline à gorge orangée - Parc Prov. René Brunelle (Juillet 2013)
Blackburnian Warbler - Rene Brunelle Prov. Park (July 2013)






Saturday, October 19, 2013

Favourite wetland birding spot near South Porcupine


Going birding near marshes is a great way to see many interesting bird species that we wouldn't often see elsewhere.  My favourite marsh is at the end of a trail off Florence street in Porcupine.   

Marsh near Porcupine
Fall 2013

I've seen some interesting birds this year around this marsh...

We watched this Wilson's Snipe feeding near the pond in June...


Wilson's Snipe / Bécassine de Wilson
Marsh near Porcupine (June 2013)

We usually stand still and wait...and wait...and birds eventually show up... 
or bears (that's why we stay close to the truck)


A little too-common disruption while birding near South Porcupine.
Photo taken from inside the truck (June 2013)

In July, this American Bittern landed in front of us as we were standing still.



American Bittern / Butor d'Amérique
Marsh near Porcupine (July 2013)


I love this next picture.  These 2 unlikely friends were perched together for about 25 minutes.  The American Goldfinch stayed near the Hawk for all that time, moving back and forth on the branch.
It was quite an unusual and interesting thing to watch.



Sharp-shinned Hawk and American Goldfinch
Épervier brun et Chardonneret jaune
Marsh near Porcupine (August 2013)


In October... not many birds.  But the beavers are moving in...


Beaver at work
Marsh near Porcupine (Oct 2013)









Friday, October 4, 2013

Le Conte's Sparrow



The last 2 days were beautiful fall days ... and I got to do some more birding in and around Moonbeam's Sewage Lagoon.

Ring-necked Duck / Fuligule à collier
Moonbeam Sewage Lagoon (Oct 2013)


There's still plenty of life in the ponds, including Mallards, Ring-necked ducks, American Wigeon, Canada geese, American Coot, Green-winged Teal and Common Goldeneye.  I also spotted a Bufflehead for the first time (my photo is not clear enough to share).

I was very excited to see my very first Le Conte's Sparrow tonight.

Le Conte's Sparrow / Bruant de Le Conte
Moonbeam Sewage Lagoon (Oct 2013)