Breeding Bird Survey 2012 – Day 2 – Singe Lake Route 68-373
We camped overnight at the Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park and were at the start of our route at first light which, in mid-June, is way too early for me :-). The survey consists of 50 stops each about .8 km apart. This year we were on this route on Sunday and, therefore, did not have to worry about logging trucks. For the most part, the identification of birds is by song rather than by sight. My birding partner does most of the listening while I do most of the driving. It is my job to make sure that we don’t drive off of the road or run over any of the local wildlife. Of course, I carry the camera, too! We get out of the tents at about 4AM in order to be at our first survey point by about 5AM. Some of the roads that we are on are so little used that I am able to still see my tire tracks where I pulled off to the side of the road the year before. Once we stop and I turn off the engine, the only sound is the sound of birds and frogs singing their hearts out as the early morning light begins to brighten the morning sky. As the day progresses and the temperature rises, the flowers begin to open and the butterflies begin to join the dragonflies and other insects. Last year, the background noise was provided by millions of mosquitoes and blackflies but, this year, those biting pests were much fewer in number. Only one black bear today :-).
Last year DEET and netted head gear was the order of the day as mosquitoes and black flies were just terrible. This year, was different. Head gear wasn’t required, and I didn’t use very much repellent at any time during our six days. That also meant that I could get out of the car more often since I didn’t have to spend as much time killing as many little buzzing pests that came into the car each time that Gerhard got in and out at each survey point.
Birch Bark and Pink Lady Slipper (Cypripedeum acaule)
 
Not sure of the species of fly nor the species of beetle.
 
Once the sun rose in the sky a bit and the temperature rose a bit, the butterflies and dragonflies began to appear.
Northern Golden Skipper Butterfly (Poanes hobomok) (?)
The Tiger Swallowtails, as in other years, were numerous and were once again congregating near various spots along the roadway.
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio glaucus)
