A variety of methods are used to monitor migrants at the Cabot Head Research Station (CHRS), including a daily census, mist netting/bird banding, incidental observations, and the Red-necked Grebe survey.
Much of the Cabot Head area is included in the Cabot Head Important Bird Area (IBA), both on land and on the water.A aerial view of Wingfield Basin at Cabot Head. (courtesy Ethan Meleg)A spectacular view along the Cabot Head Road, which takes you to both the Cabot Head Light House and the CHRS.
The Cabot Head Research Station, as seen from the air. (courtesy Ethan Meleg)Grebe Lodge is visible in this aerial photo, with Wingfield Basin and Middle Bluff in the background. (courtesy Ethan Meleg)Wingfield Basin, Cabot Head, and the CHRS are all visible in this hard to get photo from the top of Middle Bluff.Sunrise as seen from the top of Middle Bluff at Cabot Head.The Bird Studies Canada information kiosk marks the beginning of the lane way into the Cabot Head Research Station (CHRS).Because the CHRS operates within a Ontario Provincial Nature Reserve, the closed gate marks a facility that is generally closed to the public.Looking across one of the several shallow boggy lakes in the Cabot Head Area towards towering West Bluff.Whether you are a snake lover or not, the research station is home to a healthy population of endangered Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnakes.No place is perfect, and at Cabot Head the spoiler is some of the wildest growing Poison Ivy (pushing leaf buds up through the rocks) seen anywhere!Grebe Lodge welcomes visitors to the CHRS site.Grebe Lodge sits right on the Georgian Bay shore, affording great views!A relaxed moment beside Grebe Lodge's beautiful fire place.Wingfield Cottage overlooks Wingfield Basin and is home to the station Scientist and volunteers during the spring and fall Migration monitoring periods.The front porch of Wingfield Cottage is a great place to sit and watch birds (or the world) go by!Having binoculars and a spotting scope handy is a must during migration seasons at CHRS's Wingfield Cottage.I hope there was more than one bird in site at the time; front porch of Wingfield Cottage.CHRS Stewards Don and Gwenda enjoy a quiet moment on the porch of Wingfield Cottage.Members of the public enjoy the chance to see the CHRS facilities during BPBO's annual Open House.CHRS volunteer Glenn Reed (left) records data on birds being banded by station scientist Dr. Stéphane Menu in BPBO’s new banding lab. – photo, Rod SteinacherThe pump house (which was also the old banding lab) is touched with a light blanket of late October snow.Snow is a distinct possibility at Cabot Head later in October, as the migration monitoring season winds down.A view of the wreck of the Gargantua, in Wingfield basin at the CHRS.A tranquil early morning view across Wingfield Basin, a favourite anchorage for pleasure boats. (courtesy Ethan Meleg)Sunrise is a special time of day in the Cabot Head area, especially on still mornings!Sunrise through the trees at the CHRS.The Cabot Head area is an excellent place to see great sunsets!
