The Long Hike to Garter Lake and Back on the Cataraqui Trail
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- May 29th, 2024
The dogs and I head over to the Perth Road access point to the Cataraqui Trail and hike east to Garter Lake and back. We haven't been here for some time and I feel that we are overdo for a decent outing here.
The day starts cool at 11C but soon warms to a beautiful 18-20C with mostly clear skies. In all we hike about 19 km over a 5 hour timespan.
The checklist of birds documented is outlined below.
Canada Goose 5
Trumpeter Swan 2 Large white swans in nesting territory
Wood Duck 4
Mallard 2
Hooded Merganser 1
Wild Turkey 1
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Sandhill Crane 1
Wilson's Snipe 1
Common Loon 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 5
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 6
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 7
Eastern Kingbird 8
Yellow-throated Vireo 4
Warbling Vireo 13
Red-eyed Vireo 30
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 6
Common Raven 6
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Tree Swallow 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 1
European Starling 4
Gray Catbird 1
Brown Thrasher 2
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 15
Cedar Waxwing 7
American Goldfinch 12
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 15
Swamp Sparrow 10
Eastern Towhee 3
Baltimore Oriole 8
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 20
Ovenbird 1
Black-and-white Warbler 4
Common Yellowthroat 25
American Redstart 3
Yellow Warbler 25
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 7
Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 5
Indigo Bunting 8
Remarkable video Todd... one of your best! So glad, you appear to have thoroughly enjoyed yourself. Congrats, on such a long hike, you are obviously in great shape. Indeed, best time of year for such a hike. Without insects, or intense heat. Everything looks and sounds so appealing. As we have chatted about before... a wonderful section for peaceful solitude, and pondering the rustic heritage. Videos like this, make for the best winter viewing. lol Such a nice breeze as well! Sad, to see May go. But the June forecast looks great so far. Really appreciated this, outstanding work! Thank you. Pat
Thanks very much, Pat. You are too kind. Yes, as we have often said before this is one of the nicest sections of trails (probably for both of us) in the local area. Certainly I am envious of people that have ready access to mountain areas and true wilderness but at least sections like this can give you some of that feeling. But I do feel the urge to do some mountaineering …. at least on the lower slope areas. Dream on I guess. 😂
Five star video... Lots to enjoy here! I drove to Timmins several years ago from Ottawa, to visit a friend. And researched provincial parks along the way, I might want visit. Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park near Temagami, might interest you, for mountainous landscape. That isn't too far away. You are very fortunate to be on the cusp of the Canadian Shield. Such a pretty video here. Let's hope the rain we have received, helps keep forest fires at bay. Garter Lake, such a treat to end the hike, from either direction.
WOW! I can't believe your bird list! I am beyond envious! Practically every spring bird you could possibly seen in 5 hrs, that's amazing! And 8 indigo buntings!!! Fabulous video and I have come to really look forward to your Cataraqui trail videos, seeing it through different seasons and days. I also really enjoyed the photos and capture of the Gray rat snake! Never seen one in person but very cool to see here. Thanks again!
Thanks again Kaliopi! This is probably my favourite section of the Cat Trail. Just so secluded and scenic. And lots of wildlife to see on most days. Yes, I love seeing snakes. They are such interesting creatures.
A nice list of birds for five hours.
Thanks Allan! An enjoyable outing overall!
You captured that snake so well. Never seen anything like that, the way he raised up. I was worried he'd bite you.
Thanks Julie. I like to document these snake sightings whenever I can as I don’t see them that often. This snake was a little cool and not actually striking. However I remained outside of the strike distance just in case. I was zooming in somewhat with the camera so I wasn’t quite as close as I appeared. But thanks for your concern.😊