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What kind of
wildlife can you see in Muskoka in the winter?
Though there is not the abundance and variety that is
part of the summer scene there is still lots of wildlife to
be found throughout the region, and sometimes it is easier
to see than in the summer.
If you are at Arrowhead
Provincial Park near Huntsville check out their bird
feeders. There will be the usual Black-Capped Chickadees and
Blue Jays, but there is sometimes a boreal species such as a
Gray Jay or a Boreal Chickadee visiting the feeders. While
traveling along their X-country ski trails keep a lookout
for River Otters along the Big East River, and watch for
Downy or Hairy Woodpeckers, or even a large Pileated
Woodpecker in the woods.
In Algonquin Park, north
and east of Hunstville along Highway 60, there are Moose
reported regularly along the highway corridor in the winter.
Red Foxes frequent the roadsides, too. Go to the Visitor
Centre to check out their bird feeder. Sometimes a Marten is
seen at this feeder. Ask about recent sightings. There’ll
be reports of Gray Jays at the nearby logging museum, and
possibly boreal chickadees or a rare Black-Backed
Woodpecker, as well as numerous winter finches.
The Bracebridge Resource
Management Centre, located on Highway 11 north of
Bracebridge, is a good place for winter wildlife. While
there are no birdfeeders you can still catch sight of winter
finches, including Crossbill species, while skiing their
trails. The North Muskoka River also comes in and out of
view at several places, affording possible glimpses of
otters or sometimes a Mink.
The Muskoka Sands Resort
in Gravenhurst is an excellent place to see ducks in the
winter. The Hoc-Roc River flows into Lake Muskoka near the
resort, and while the water remains open the spot is
favoured by ducks, particularly Common Goldeneye. Scan the
riverbanks upstream for a possible look at a mink or
Muskrat.
The Muskoka Bird Board at
http://pluto.beseen.com/boardroom/h/21826
lists the latest sightings in Muskoka of some unusual
species. These include a recent sighting of a Varied Thrush
in Bracebridge, (this relative of the robin is from out
west, but shows up in Ontario sometimes in the winter). Rare
owls, as well as other unusual sightings, are posted there
regularly, along with directions to get to the location.
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