I am using this as an exercise to both relive some of my favourite memories of the year 2019 but also to practice writing so that I can grow as a writer. As the year comes to a close we see top’s/rankings everywhere. Instagram has its top nine. We also see Instagram stories full of top tracks from Spotify, sports channels have plays of the year and as birdwatchers many of us have top 10 birds, places and experiences. The following will be my personal Top 10 Birds seen in Muskoka (which I consider my county), Ontario and my personal Top 10 birds in both Ontario and Muskoka. Originally I had planned on making this one post but after seeing how long it is going to be I have decided to split it into several.

Muskoka’s Top 10

Below are a list of what I have considered the cumulative Top 10 birds species seen in Muskoka through the 2019 calendar year. Honourable mentions go to Great Egret with two records in Muskoka this year and Great Gray Owl as both species put on a great show, to the delight of both birders and non-birders alike.

10. Wilson’s Phalarope– This bird was a one day wonder, showing up on August 21 at the Bracebridge Sewage Lagoons. Originally seen by David and Regan Goodyear around 6:30 pm. The word quickly went out and several people got to see it, including myself. Many searched however the bird was not seen in subsequent days. On this occasion I would learn a valuable lesson; never leave your memory card in your laptop. The previous night I was going through some pictures before bed. With the fading daylight when the bird was reported, I jumped up from the table and grabbed my camera, only to realize upon trying to take a photo that my memory card was still sitting at home. Thankfully there is digiscoping.

Wilson’s Phalarope– Bracebridge Sewage Lagoon’s

9. Red-necked Phalarope– Now all the Phalarope species are fairly unlikely to see in Muskoka so to have two in one year feels great. This species was not only a Muskoka Lifer (first time ever seeing a bird) for me, but an Ontario Lifer and it is always great to get an Ontario Lifer in ones home county. Two birds were first observed by Barbara Taylor on the morning of September 4, 2019, giving time for several people to get out and see them that day. The following morning when Janice House went back to look for the birds a third bird was present and the three remained until September 6th. I was able to get down and see the birds on the evening of September 5th. Red-necked Phalarope was species number 214 for me in Muskoka.

Red-necked Phalarope–Bracebridge Sewage Lagoons

8. Grasshopper Sparrow– The fourth record for the county, this report was the first since 2003. Another awesome bird found by David and Regan Goodyear on April 27 along Sparrow Lake Rd D. This section of farmland/alder thicket is an under birded area of the county. With some luck, maybe the next Grasshopper Sparrow seen in Muskoka will be found along this section as it is relatively close to where they are commonly found in the Kawartha Lakes. I know a few birders who will looking next spring.

7. Eastern Screech-Owl– Another fourth record for the county, this bird was also a one day (more like night) wonder. Originally heard at around 10:45 on May 4th by Aaron Rusak, who sent an alert out. However, due to the time of day no one arrived to hear the bird leaving Aaron being the only one to enjoy the haunting trill. Thankfully Aaron grabbed a quick recording that we all good to enjoy in the following days.

* Somehow an Eastern Screech-Owl was heard the last few days of December 2019 by Aaron. This time most birders who tried for the bird were able to hear it.



6. Ross’s Goose– The second record of Ross’s Goose comes at you from Muskoka Woods. Found by Janice House after a tip from one of the workers of a white goose on the lawn with the more popular Canada’s. This bird was seen from October 17-20 and was seen by anyone who traveled to see it. I ran from work to see this rarity. Another one of those times you are reminded to bring your camera everywhere you go. I had to settle for a digiscoped shot through my binoculars. The first time I have ever tried this and the results speak for themselves. In the image below you can see the obvious size difference between the Ross’s and Canada Goose with little other detail.

Ross’s Goose– Muskoka Woods

5. White-eyed Vireo– Only the second record for this species in Muskoka. A White-eye Vireo was seen by Barbara Taylor at the Bracebridge Sewage Lagoons on October 25. The second record for the county, the first being at Arrowhead Park in the spring of 2005. This late fall record makes one wonder when the next bird will appear. Hopefully not as far between years. This bird was a one minute wonder as Barbara a got good but brief view of the bird before it continued on to the south.

White-eyed Vireo– Point Pelee

4. Red-throated Loon– This species made it too the number four spot not because of how rare it is, although pretty rare but because of the timing of the bird. Records from the Georgian Bay coast date back to the 1970’s with some regularity but no Red-throated Loons have been seen in years. Then on October 25, 2019 one was seen out on Lake Muskoka that was not chaseable. The real kicker was that on the following day, October 26, 2019 (my wedding day) a Red-throated Loon was observed from shore by Janice House and David and Regan Goodyear from Muskoka Beach on Lake Muskoka. The timing of this bird was taken into account as I was not made aware. The group decided it would not be great added stress on a rather stressful day. As long as the next one appears at a more appropriate time all will be forgiven.

3. Eurasian Collard-Dove– This is where the MEGA’s!! begin. Our Top 3 are all county first and all made for great birds to add to the county list. This bird showed up at the feeders of Janice House on May 15. It was not until the following day when the bird had not been seen again that Janice found out from her neighbours that the bird had been coming to their feeders for three weeks. The bird was observed for about an hour at Janice’s feeder with only the Goodyear’s getting to see the bird before it disappeared forever. The Eurasian Collard-Dove was not a huge surprise as a species added to the list as they have been expanding their range. It was not on the top of peoples lists, although in their minds.



2. Black Vulture– For most of the year I would have thought this was the best bird seen in Muskoka throughout the calendar year. Partly because it is a very good bird indeed, not expected to show up and one that was my first addition to the Muskoka list. Both a county and provincial lifer for myself this bird would have been written off as just another Turkey Vulture moving north on April 23. I was rushing up the highway after chasing the Great Egret near Gravenhurst and late for work. I had seen several Turkey Vultures along the way and when I saw this bird up ahead I noticed that its glide did not perfectly resemble the previous Turkey Vultures I had seen that day. “Is it an eagle” I thought to myself. After watching it for several seconds I realized it was different than any eagle I had seen before and slowed down. I believe it was the fact that I have spent some time over the past few years in Central America that even allowed Black Vulture to come to mind. This is when I hit the brakes. After taking several record shots I called a few fellow birders and gave the location however no one else got to enjoy this bird. Black Vulture became number 290 on my Ontario List.

Black Vulture–Huntsville

1. Ivory Gull– This bird was Amazing! What else can I say. Originally found by Dave Goodyear at the Rosewarn Landfill in Bracebridge, Ontario. Found shortly after 2:40 pm, David quickly got the word out to local birders who rushed to see this once in a lifetime bird. I was able to grab my camera and arrive at the landfill around 4:15 to see the bird, leaving only several minutes before the dump closed. This is a bird that any of the viewers will never forget, and for the ones that missed it, a bird that will not be forgotten either. The one downside to this bird, is that it was seen in a restricted area and the viewing agreement that Muskoka birders have with the landfill states that we do not report sightings. Meaning the greater birding community did not find out about this bird until weeks after it departure.

Ivory Gull– Rosewarn Landfill

After completing the Top 10 birds of Muskoka over the past week, I have two birds that has come in under the wire to be added to the list. As I am pretty happy with my Top 10 to this point I am going to add this species and an addendum and you can feel free to place it where you would like in the list.

*Northern Hawk Owl– Originally showing up on December 15, the Bracebridge-Gravenhurst Christmas Bird Count this long staying rarity has been around for any Muskoka birder to see. As the Northern Hawk Owl is considered a sensitive species by eBird the exact location will not be shared. The one this I can say for sure is that us Muskoka birders were sure excited to have this bird around. The famous Schomberg bird was something that not many of us wanted to go partake in.



*Black-backed Woodpecker– Another Christmas Bird Count bird, a male Black-backed Woodpecker was seen on December 17 the day of the Huntsville CBC by Rick Stronks. After several attempts to refind the bird in subsequent days a bird was finally located on Christmas Day by Stan Fairchild. The crazy part about all this though, was that the refound bird was in act a different bird. A female! Since the second bird was seen on Christmas both birds have been seen sparingly on and off, leading one to wonder if we may have a mating pair here in Muskoka. That would be a treat for sure.