Fall’s bounty on display at Chippewa Park and Lagoons

BY BRIAN. RATCLIFF

AS PRINTED IN THE THUNDER BAY CHRONICLE JOURNAL

ON OCTOBER 15, 2022

There is nothing more enjoyable than going for a walk during the fall months. The mild temperatures, no biting in-sects, plus the palette of brilliant colours of leaves all provided the background for an amazing walk. Add in the chance to see a variety of bird species, and this makes for the perfect day.

Chippewa, Park and Lagoons is one of the top areas that local birders visit year-round. There are a variety of habitats located here which include conifer tree stands, open fields, sand beach, grassy mead-ows, lagoons, and open water. Having this diverse landscape and habitats is key to attracting a variety of bird species.

I like to park at the public beach and then start my walk by checking out the sand beach. If water levels on Lake Superior are low, this 'beach can be quite extensive which offers a foraging site. for shorebirds and other birds.

If you look to the south you can see an extensive grove of conifer trees. This is worth checking out for black-capped chiokadee, red-breasted nuthatch, and any winter, finches such as white-winged crossbill or pine siskin.

Crossing back past the beach I head north past the main pavilion and scan the open grassy laws. Often I have seen common grackle, European starling, and northern flicker foraging for insects in the grass. Also check out the flowering crab apple trees that line the main parking lots for American robin and other fruit-eating birds. If you then walk past the campground registration building, check out the parking area that is for campers and recreational vehicles. This gravel area can be good for horned lark, Americall tree sparrow; and sometimes snow bunting as they feed on the many grass and plant seeds present.

Cross over the bridge and take any of the three paths as they all provide good habitat for birds.

I like to take the middle trail that leads straight to the lagoon that local birders call the widgeon pond. This shallow body of water is perfect for a variety of water-fowl, sometimes as many as a dozen species. If you look closely at all the waterfowl, you just may see an American coot or pied-billed grebe

A walk along the trail on the south side of the widgeon pond takes you to the large outer lagoon.

Check for more waterfowl including diving ducks such as common goldeneye, and greater or lesser scaup.

If you walk north between the widgeon pond and the outer lagoon, this narrow berm has lots of plant with seeds that attract Lapland longspur, and a variety of sparrows.

Continue north along this trail past the ice car racing bleachers, as this area is filled with tansy that provides cover and food for many species of ground-foraging birds.

The trail then turns northwest with Lake Superior on your right. Lookout towards 'the breakwall and scan for roosting bald eagles and gulls.

If you follow the trail you will walk past an open grassland area on your left. I have occasionally seen northern harrier here hunting small mammals. As you walk through the grove of trees check this area carefully for any remain warbler species.

The trail then splits after the grove of trees, so take the left fork and you will eventually walk back to the bridge that takes you back to Chippewa Park,

Keep an eye out as you walk past the cattail-lined beaver ponds on your right, as you should see more waterfowl and maybe even.a great blue heron.

According to eBird, Chippewa Park and Lagoons is listed as a birding hotspot with more than 200 species of birds identified. If you go for a walk here in the next few weeks, expect to see lots of birds.

The remaining colourful leaves and the lack of biting insects are just a bonus.

In Flight appears every other week in the Saturday Outdoors section of the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal. Send your unusual bird sightings by e-mail to bratcliff@tbay-tel.net.