Kirtland's Warbler near Barrie

[Dinusaur]

This is probably rarest of all Warblers in our province. They are so endangered, they are flagged as 'Sensitive Species" in eBird, you will not see a report of a Kirtland's warbler sighting on eBird. After years of restoration effort in Simcoe County, recently it was reported that 6 males were seen and heard singing among young red pines at Packard Tract of Simcoe County Forest. Though it is a publicly accessible place, because of the bird's current status, planned visitation is arranged between 6 AM and 6 PM. Here's some excerpt from OFO note on how to access the site, the detailed etiquette of visit is posted online and also on-site.


***Kirtland’s Warbler Viewing Guidelines – Simcoe County Forest ‘Packard Tract’; 8398 9th Line Essa Township***
 
This site is a Canadian-first restoration effort to create breeding/nesting habitat for the Kirtland’s Warbler, a globally rare songbird, and will serve as a model for further conservation efforts for the species. While the enthusiasm of the birding community is understood, the cooperation of all is both appreciated and expected to avoid disturbing the warbler and upsetting area residents.
 
Please sign the guestbook and consider supporting the conservation of Kirtland’s Warbler through a donation.
 
1.     Parking:
 
a.     Drive south from Highway 90 on 9th Line Essa to the dead end (
https://goo.gl/maps/63ewojU7USpjAXwe6), turn around and park on the east side of the road between the turnaround and the driveway to the north. This will result in you parking on the right-hand side of the road with your vehicle facing the exit.

[Ally]

Wow, thanks for the information. That is some neat arrangement.

[Napper]

Hi Dinu!
Nice,  What is or was the status of the area while you were there? New Growth pines and how large?

Our place is not too far from there. A better description of the landscape would be helpful as there are many similar areas nearby I could explore. Simcoe County has many planted forest area's and also second growth Carolinian style Forest.

Napper:) Tiny Township is our second home.
p.s. I have no Idea how The Catalpa tree in our yard or across the street exists in Tiny Township...

[lovemypt]

Napper
I went to Packard site twice, once in 2022 and heard 1 bird as soon as I arrived, it was about 15ft into the treeline but never came closer, and went once in 2023 but none was seen or heard.
2022 was a better year and 2-3 males were seen and heard for over 1-2weeks, seems last year there was only 1-2 and only stayed a week.  Once one is spotted , you need to go right away as they don't seem to stay.
Here are some shots of the area, trees are 10-15ft and thickly packed, forested area is roped off and entry is not allowed so you walk up and down the roadway looking for birds to come to the edge, they installed a portable viewing tower last year.
Its not that surprising one has been seen here, as information was not openly made public ...but CFB Borden close by has had a number of breeding pairs for several years,  due to the ways military bases having routines of clear cutting and replanting areas within their zones which help create habitat.  There was an attempt made by playing calls at far end of the woods might attraction a pair to this area from the base lands and seems it has worked somewhat...hopefully a pair will nest here

[Bird Brain]

CFB Borden

A major trip down memory lane with that location! Myself with a now long ago ex-fiance and model airplane flying club from Etobicoke went there a few times back in the mid-80's.  I remember a McDonald's restaurant, walking across a field full of poison ivy and everyone looking for a model airplane that had gone deep into the woods - eventually found!  The club used to be at Centennial Park so it was exciting going to the military base.   

I didn't become a birder for 10 years after this so wasn't focused on "feathered" birds when there.