Apparently this didn't send the first time? ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Lev Frid" <[email protected]> Date: Oct 2, 2015 6:16 PM Subject: Yellow Rail in Algonquin Park To: <[email protected]>, "rick stronks" <[email protected]>, "Ron Tozer" <[email protected]>, "Dan Strickland" <[email protected]>, "Dawn Sherman" <[email protected]> Cc:
Hi folks, I was out looking for Nelson's Sparrows today in the Lake Travers marsh on the East Side of Algonquin. I usually walk transects of the marsh when I'm by myself, towards a wide creek in the middle of the marsh to drive any birds to the edge where they can be seen. Imagine my surprise when amongst the various sparrows out runs a Yellow Rail. I managed to corral it into a 2x2 metre "peninsula" of sedge in between mudflats and spent an agonizing minute or so attempting to document it with my phone, as it ran, periodically giving squeak calls, circles around me and between my legs - my camera was useless at that distance. It was a birding version of "whack-a-mole". It eventually managed to escape the "sedge peninsula" without flushing and was not seen again. This is the park's second record and first sight record, but I think they are overlooked here on passage. The habitat here is ideal, especially this year as the marsh is very dry. As evidenced they are remarkably difficult to put up, tiny and extremely furtive. Something to keep an eye out for while looking for sparrows here. I managed 5 Nelson's and two unidentified ammos that escaped amongst lots of Swamp, Savannah, White-crowned and White-throated. Directions: Between Pembroke and Petawawa, go south off the Highway 17 bypass onto County Road 26 and then right on Barron Canyon Road. Lake Travers is 72 km down this winding gravel road. You can get a park permit and maps at the Sand Lake Gate. Accessing the marsh is not for the faint of heart. The best way is by canoe. The other way is to park at the crossroads with the radio observatory just before the Lake Travers access point and bushwhack towards the lake. The marsh seems shallow but is riddled with deep trenches and deep, sticky mud. Be very careful - you are a long way from help here. Hip waders are strongly recommended. Cheers and good birding, Lev Frid _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
