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In partnership with Ontario Nature, this crew of five paddlers (Hank Ostwald, Dan Otto, Kristen Setala (her blog here!), Vern Fish & Beth Rausch (our newest board member) paddled most of the Big River drainage through what is being called the D’Alton Block in the Wabadowgang Noopming Forest north of Armstrong, Ontario from May 22 to May 29. Vern Fish’s report is forthcoming, below is the Wabakimi Outfitter’s newsletter article.
A primary purpose of this trip was to survey birds in remote blocks that had not been surveyed previously. Ontario Nature provided Kristen Setala, ornithologist, to document birds as part of the Atlas-3 bird survey, which runs from 2021 to 2025. Comparing this data to previous projects Atlas-1 (1981–1985) and Atlas-2 (2001–2005) can provide insight into which species may need more conservation attention and help identify important breeding locations. A second group of FOW paddlers (Dave McTeague, Mary Jean Blaisdell, Debbie Doyle-Sargent, Art Timmerman) entered the D’Alton Block a week later via Caribou Lake…here’s their trip report.
From the Wabakimi Outfitters Newsletter:
"In May, a group of four Friends of Wabakimi (FOW) members and a representative of Ontario Nature embarked on an 8 day multi-purpose canoe trip to the D’Alton Block area. FOW believes that the area should have a higher level of protection, not only as an incredible recreational area and paddling route, but also as a significant habitat for birds.
Ontario Nature, a charitable organization that protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement, is a partner of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. The goal of the Atlas is to map the distribution and relative abundance of Ontario’s approximately 300 species of breeding birds – from as far south as Middle Island in Lake Erie, to Hudson Bay in the north.
Vern Fish, FOW President, said “Therefore, it was logical for FOW and Ontario Nature to partner together on this trip.”
Kristen Setala, Community Science Assistant with Ontario Nature, shared the list of birds she documented on the trip. There is a total of 58 species.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Black-capped Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Pileated Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Veery, American Robin, Common Grackle, Purple Finch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue Jay,
Canada Jay--Confirmed breeding evidence: adult feeding juveniles;
Common Raven--Confirmed breeding evidence: heard juveniles in a nest with adults nearby.
Tree Swallow- Confirmed breeding evidence: witnessed two swallows copulating in one event and heard nestlings calling from tree cavity where adults were entering;
Bald Eagle- Saw two adults, a probable pair, and an old stick nest;
Red-tailed Hawk-Confirmed breeding evidence: witnessed two birds doing a courtship display;
Osprey, Common Nighthawk (Special Concern), Ruffed Grouse, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Common Loon
Gull species: Probably Herring Gull;
Blue-headed Vireo,
Least Flycatcher, Confirmed breeding evidence: nest building;
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Special Concern),
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Tennessee Warbler,
Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Northern Parula, Ovenbird, Blackburnian Warbler,
Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Canada Warbler (Special Concern).
Vern Fish concluded, “After this trip, I am even more impressed by this area as a valuable resource that needs to be protected. My goal is to continue to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources, and others, to give the area a higher level of protection.”
Thank you to Hank, Dan, Kristen, Vern, and Beth.
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