Reports

Nov 8, 2014 - Lake Simcoe Migrants - Trip leader: Chris Evans

Brereton Field Naturalists’ Club Field Trip Report

2014-11-08 Lake Simcoe Migrants - Trip leader: Chris Evans

It was an overcast and snowy day, hovering at freezing ( 0 degrees C), reasonably light winds of 11 km/h S at 9am building to 16 km/h SSE by 11 am, but gusty.  This made it feel chilly and damp.

A total of 13 hardy souls took part. Seven people, including 3 birders from Collingwood (One of whom wore shorts!) (Thank you for bringing and sharing your spotting scopes!) met at LLPL at 8am, and 6 more people joined at the second meeting place, Tyndale Park.  Our route included Tyndale Park, Tollendal Woods Park, Minet’s Point, South Shore Community Centre (SSCC), Centennial Beach, and the Barrie Marina.

Observations included:

Birds: (lots! 24 species)

American Black Duck

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck, 1 off Tollendal Woods

Greater Scaup, 60+ off west end of Tollendal Woods

White-winged Scoter, 2  – off west end of Tyndale Park

Black Scoter, 2 - off west end of Tyndale Park

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye, several hundred, Tyndale, Tollendal & Minet’s

Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Loon

Horned Grebe, 15+

Red-necked Grebe, 30+

Double-crested Cormorant

Bonaparte's Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull, 17 Adults at Minets Point

Rock Pigeon

Belted Kingfisher, at Tyndale Park

Blue Jay, Minet’s Point

American Crow

European Starling

Mammal:

Red Fox, 2

Eastern Gray Squirrel

People were getting chilled, so we headed back from the Barrie Marina to the Little Lake Parking Lot about 11 am, arriving about 11:15 am.

We saw most birds at close range, since the inclement weather kept them close to shore.  It was delightful to be able to see and compare at close range:

Horned and Red-necked Grebes

American Black Ducks and Mallards

Red-breasted and Common Mergansers

Highlights were Black Scoters, (1st thought to be WWSC, corrected by Corey from Collingwood.  Thank you Corey!), White-winged Scoters and two Red Foxes, one at Tyndale Park and one at Tollendal Woods Park (possibly the same fox).

The clockwise route from Tyndale Park made it very efficient and safe for the caravan of cars as, once we left Tyndale Park, only right hand turns were required.  Washroom facilities at the SSCC were welcomed, since they were not open at other locations. The City of Barrie seems to think that public washrooms are only needed on a seasonal basis, unlike our biological function.

The group was very enthusiastic and appreciative. Several people agreed with the idea of scheduling this outing at an earlier date in the fall.  A member who said this was their first outing in 4 years is looking forward to more trips, and at least one non-member expressed interest in joining the club.