July 1st, 2019: A Canada Day Wood Thrush
After writing about a Veery in Minnesota a few weeks ago, I found myself again drawn to the beautiful song of a thrush, carrying through the deciduous woodland. This time, I was visiting my parents in Ontario and went for a walk with my mother at one of our favourite spots: Lemoine Point Conservation Area.
Lemoine Point is a gorgeous woodland and lakeshore habitat with some grassland at the south end. It’s a beautiful place to walk and very well used by locals. It’s also a great spot for owls in the winter (check out the grassland/woodland interface on the northeast side).
Even though it’s midsummer, and I was there close to midday, there was still plenty singing from the wind-sheltered, shady parts of the conservation area. I was particularly happy to hear and/or see a lot of Red-eyed Vireo today, as well as Nashville Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, among others (eBird list).
The undisputed highlight for me, however, were the two Wood Thrush there today. One was actually perched up and singing in the open! That never happens!
Their song is almost unparalleled for me. There’s something deeply mysterious and ethereal about their song that captivates me instantly. I just have to stop and listen.
I went back on my own the next morning (eBird list) and found an additional 9 species and the same (at least I think it was) Wood Thrush singing again. Lemoine Point has always been a great spot, with a Great Gray Owl and Red-headed Woodpeckers there in the past.
In any case, it was a great place to spend Canada Day. If you’re ever in the Kingston area, it’s definitely worth a visit!
