I led my annual warbler walk at Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park on June 4. The sky threatened but never rained on us. We found 14 warbler species out of a possible 20 species that have shown nesting behaviour in previous years. Notably absent was our beloved Canada Warbler although others have seen it here earlier this year. Also absent for the third year in a row was Eastern Wood-Pewee. Flycatchers were represented only by the Alder Flycatcher. The decline in diversity and numbers of species is evident year after year.

There were 23 of us(count the legs and divide by two with uneven counts always rounded up). We were fortunate to have some representation from the Wild Flora Society this year so all the wildflowers, trees and shrubs could be identified.

Our Intrepid Walkers

We put in almost four hours along the trail.

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Cedar Waxwing

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This open area is boggy with a creek running through it. It has beavers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Harriers, Broad-winged Hawks, Osprey and lots of Swamp and Song Sparrows. Warbler Walk Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park 2017 5 Warbler Walk Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park 2017 6 Warbler Walk Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park 2017 7 Warbler Walk Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park 2017 8

The wet understory is preferred by Canada Warbler and Common Yellowthroat. The Canada Warbler nesting area North of Lewis Lake is a large wet area like this with many more tall living trees and running water quite impassable to sane humans. Warbler Walk Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park 2017 9