On Friday, November 16th, 2007 this is the HNC Birding Report: GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE ROSS'S GOOSE BARROW'S GOLDENEYE KING EIDER GRAY PARTRIDGE NORTHERN GANNET CATTLE EGRET POMARINE JAEGER BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE BOHEMIAN WAXWING PINE GROSBEAK WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL EVENING GROSBEAK
Snow Goose Brant Cackling Goose Canada Goose Tundra Swan Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Red-throated Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Great Blue Heron Great Egret Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Golden Eagle Peregrine Falcon Killdeer Dunlin Barred Owl Tufted Titmouse Ruby-crowned Kinglet Fox Sparrow Snow Bunting As typical from now until March, most of the Hamilton goodies revolve around the lake. This week is no exception. Last weekend, northeast winds brought in more waterfowl and the lake is now peppered with a variety of species including Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Greater Scaup and most predominately Long-tailed Ducks, everywhere! Scoters too are here in abundance with a significant number of Black Scoters being seen at various access points with White-winged and Surf Scoters mixed in the flocks too. However, for the patient who don't mind standing and sifting a few gems can be found amongst the flocks. This week marked a large Loon migration. At one point last Monday over 60 Loons were visible out in front Hutches. Most of these were Red-throated Loons with a few Common Loons mixed in. A Northeast wind last Saturday was successful in bringing in our first and probably second juvenile NORTHERN GANNET for the year. By Tuesday, the number had increased to three birds in a feeding frenzy with gulls just east of the Lift Bridge. Also seen on Saturday during the northeast winds were 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES which actually landed on the beach and a juvenile POMARINE JAEGER. On Friday, a Brant was seen flying around, not too many of these have come through this way. The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE has been seen off of Sayer's Park, last reported Sunday and the KING EIDER (1st yr male) was last seen last Thursday or Friday. Flocks of Snow Buntings have been reported flying along the shore all week. Also of note in the waterfowl department was the goosefest we had just west of Peter's Corners last weekend. On Saturday at the corner of Orkney Road and Hwy 5, five different species were viewed also intergraded with different morphs. I'll try to get this straight. One adult Ross's Goose, 3 Greater White-fronted Geese (2 ad., 1 juv.), 1 Cackling Goose, Snow Geese (22 3 Greater white morph adults, 19 Lesser of which 17 were blue morph or intergrades and 2 white morph adults) and of course many Canada Geese. Confusing, I think so! Nonetheless to have this variety all in one field is truly amazing. The CATTLE EGRET (just one left) was last reported Saturday at the farm on the corner of Hwy 5 and Woodhill Road. Also seen in the area last weekend was a Golden Eagle. The exodus of winter finches and other winter associated wanderers also continues in the area. This week saw the first occurrence of PINE GROSBEAK for the area. On Saturday, a single individual was seen at Shoreacres/Paletta Park in Burlington and on Wednesday, three individuals were see at Rattray Marsh feeding on wild grapes in large trees along Sheridan Creek seen clearly from the main bridge over the creek at the north end of the marsh. An EVENING GROSBEAK was reported in Greensville and a flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS made an appearance at LaSalle Park last weekend. Also present in the area were BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS with sightings coming in from Valley Inn Road last weekend. As there are significant flocks of these being seen north of here, I'm sure that these won't be the last. White searching for these birds last Friday and Saturday, a significant push of raptors were seen migrating overhead mostly Red-tailed Hawks but also Red-shouldered Hawk and Golden Eagle. A Golden Eagle actually came in for a meal on the mud flat at the Valley Inn. Killdeer and a few Dunlin were present on the mudflats, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, and Great Egret continue to hang in here perhaps until winter listing starts and a Fox Sparrow is coming into the feeders just off the parking lot. Down at LaSalle Marina yesterday many Horned Grebes were out on the water. A flock of 14 Tundra Swans were seen out on the Harbour here and a variety of ducks including Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback and Redheads are present there as well. In the odds and sods, GRAY PARTRIDGE were found at the Brantford Airport this week, easier to see in snow cover which may come soon, two Golden Eagles also flew over here last Saturday. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were reported from Fifty Point Conservation Area and from behind Van Wagner's Ponds, a good winter bird if it sticks around. Two Peregrine Falcons have been seen near the lift bridge with possibly one of these birds perched on the City of Burlington office on Brant Street yesterday. Yesterday another report of Barred Owl came from the Halton Agreement Forest across from Mohawk Raceway. Tufted Titmice are still being reported at several feeders in the area, a nice bird to have increase in numbers even if its just a temporary anomaly. Have a great week and please report your sightings! Good Birding, Cheryl Edgecombe HNC Hotline 905-381-0329 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
