Birdwatching in the Boreal
When most people think of birdwatching, they might think of sitting and waiting for hours with a pair of binoculars to see a small bird. In reality there is much more to it. Besides the stereotypical binocular scene there is an audio element to birding. Bird's calls are distinct, for example a chickadee call is one that is highly recognized and enjoyed. We are surrounded by boreal forest that is home to thousands of species and the best way to see them is to walk the many trails in and around Ignace.
Some of the larger species include bald eagles, hawks, herons, falcons, grouse, and waterfowl such as geese and ducks. "Twitching" or "tally-hunting" refers to the sport of birding that requires creating a checklist of bird species and possibly traveling great distances to find the more elusive birds.
There are many different types of habitat in the area that serve as feeding and nesting areas. The boreal forests are great places to find many species of warblers, chickadees, nuthatches, flycatchers, vireos and many more.
A list of popular birding trails near Ignace:
- Lilypad Lake Trail, located within the Town of Ignace
- Silhouette Trail, 12 km north of Ignace on 599 highway, Sandbar Provincial Park
- Rock Cliff Trail, 12 km north of Ignace, Sandbar Provincial Park
- South Beach Trail to Red Pine Loop, Sandbar Provincial Park
- Gulliver River Water Trail, Grit Road 17 km east of Ignace, Canoe/Kayak access
