Well, I never did make it back to Kinbrook Island Provincial Park for a camping trip during autumn of 2021. In fact, I never did get back to this park until today. After staying at my home away from home last night, it was nice to have such a short drive to get here and to get an early start. During that April 2021 visit, I enjoyed two viewing platforms along the route and a dirt trail through the cottonwood forest. The platforms are gone and the dirt trail is now paved. Nevertheless, it is still a wonderful park for birding.
I covered an eight kilometre route and opted to park and start at the Marsh.
the route I covered
The following photos are in the order as they loaded into blogger and is not the order in which I took them. There were many more ducks and birds and birds of prey that were in the area than what I am sharing here. For some I was not able to capture photographs of or the photos I did take were not good. The beautiful sights and wonderful sounds were non stop the entire route. I stuck to the trail but so many times I wished I could veer off to get closer to the views and sounds.
Lesser Scaup (male and female)
American Coot
Western Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
view along the way
Common Grackle
Common Grackle
view along the way
Red-necked Grebe
view along the way
Northern Shoveler (female)
Black-necked Stilt
Yellow-headed Blackbird
This guy put everything he had into his song!
Red-winged Blackbird
The following three photos were taken while they were flying overhead. The first one which looked like an owl, I startled and it flew from out of the brush. The last two were continuously circling and it looked like they were chasing each other. Once I got home I used the Merlin app to get an ID and it told me this:
1. Short-eared Owl
2. Northern Harrier
3. Northern Harrier
While walking and birding here, I thought this is such a great spot to see many species. It will only get better as each day passes and more birds and ducks arrive for the spring/summer season. It's close to three hours from home so too far to make a day trip. I will return another time and do an overnighter but that will probably be spring of next year.
What wonderful captures of the Meadowlark and the Yellow-headed Blackbird singing their hearts out. Just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy spring as it unfolds in your corner of the globe.
Their songs were filled with joy and filled me with joy too! We are slowly catching up to you!
DeleteGreat wetlands site.
ReplyDeleteThere was still more wetland area to cover but will do that another time.
DeleteAmazing captures of birds!
ReplyDeleteThey were amazing to see!
DeleteLooks like it was a beautiful & very successful birding day! ❤️Norma
ReplyDeleteIt was perfect!
DeleteAlexandra, another post where you’ve made it difficult to pick a favorite … so many neat shots! The Western Meadowlark and Common Grackle photos … wow! Thanks for taking us along to Kinbrook Island Provincial Park. John
ReplyDeleteFor me the photos are all favourites for one reason or another! On this day, the location was a photographers dream.
DeleteShort- eared Owls and Northern Harriers exploit the same habitat and, in my experience, are often found together. Both are fabulous birds and any sighting is a memorable encounter.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this information with me! I don't always google to find out more about what I see and I know I should.
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