Tuesday Feb. 7. 2012
Jim Heslop, Bob Stamp and I heard and saw at least three Fish Crows in the copse by the golf course at the end of Bowen Road, Fort Erie at 10 a.m., along with ~200 American Crows. Presumably the Crows are present throughout the day. One small silent Crow (Fish or American?) bore a few matching white primary feathers. At the Brock Tower, Queenston lookout we spotted two Black Vultures circling the Lewiston dump, a distance of perhaps two kms. The birds circled high and soared south out of sight. We also noted one Turkey Vulture soaring much lower. We believe these birds are winter residents. I wager this year someone will discover first-record for Canada nest evidence for both FICR and BLVU. At the Thomas Street, Chippawa (northernmost house adjacent the woodlot) window feeder one Tufted Titmouse materialized after our obligatory ½ hour wait. Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers show well at the suet feeder. At Adam Beck lookout we tallied ~15 Iceland Gull, one Lesser-Black-back, zero Glaucous. The viewing sites at Grays Road and L.P. Sayers Park (accessed from Fruitland Road, interchange 83) were devoid of waterfowl. The thousands of diving ducks including hundreds of scoters apparently have moved to the north shore of Lake Ontario. No evidence of spring migration or even spring was noted throughout the day. Geo. Bryant _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
