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.