Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Birding Areas => Topic started by: Jim Thomson on June 22, 2011, 07:13:40 AM

Title: Birding near Huntsville
Post by: Jim Thomson on June 22, 2011, 07:13:40 AM

I'm going up to the Hunstville area for the weekend.  Can anyone recommend a good birding site?

Title:
Post by: Ground State on June 22, 2011, 08:31:29 PM

A very amazing spot is the Oxtongue Rapids Park. It is off Hwy 60 just east of the town of Dwight. There are signs posted upon your approach. Beautiful park overlooking rapids in Oxtongue River, picnic tables are provided. Let me try and find some coordinates for you in another window.

Ok, here you go. Cut and paste this into Google Earth: N 45 19.489 W 078 58.317

That's the first entrance. The 2nd entrance is here: N 45 20.598 W 078 56.535

As you can see, the road runs parallel to the rapids. The drive itself along this road, with all the windows down, provides excellent variety. I've encountered everything from shrikes to tanagers to pileated woodpeckers along here. The best picnic spot is here: N 45 20.259 W 078 56.683

The spot is an excellent little oasis with a great view of a 'watering hole'. Throw a line in and there's a nice population of brown trout here to provide some extra entertainment while sitting and waiting for different species fly in. There is a great mix of deciduous and coniferous trees here, providing a good ecotone for southern and northern species. A highlight for me was an encounter with boreal chickadees at this very spot, as well as spruce grouse.

Title: Birding in Huntsville Area
Post by: Jim Thomson on June 23, 2011, 06:44:27 AM

Thanks,
That sounds like the kind of place I'm looking for.  
Now all I need is the weather forecast to improve  :(

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on June 23, 2011, 08:57:26 AM

Algonquin park... there's a site guide available if you follow the OFO link at the top of the screen.