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Not chase-able, but I thought these phenomena might be of interest to
Ontbirders...
I returned today from a week at our property (no road, phone, or internet
access) on the south shore of Manitoulin Island, about 5 km west of South
Baymouth. The location is at the southern limit of the island and acts as a
migrant trap, especially in autumn. It's 300 km due south to the opposite
shore, although land birds can island-hop (via Fitzwilliam Island) to the Bruce
Peninsula if they go 20+ km to the east. South Baymouth has been host to a
number of regional rarities over the years.
The biggest highlight of the week was on the evening of August 31 when I
watched 115 migrant Common Nighthawks in a feeding frenzy at the shore and well
out over the lake. Mayflies (shadflies) and Common Green Darner dragonflies
and other flies (including stable flies) were particularly abundant that
evening, perhaps because of the leeward effect on the south shore of the day's
northerly winds. At first the nighthawks appeared to be making their way
south, migrating over the water, but then the "flock" began to move slowly
westward along the shore (over my head), eventually disappearing behind the
trees towards Michael's Bay.
Raptor movement was strong that day too. My morning started with watching
three Merlins chasing a bat at dawn. They were joined by a Peregrine Falcon,
which was abruptly chased away -- far out over the lake -- by one of the
Merlins. Meanwhile another of the trio stooped on the bat, knocked it
senseless and spiraling downward, before snatching it out of the air and taking
it to a treetop and eating it. The Merlins, as well as a few American
Kestrels, kept busy all day feeding on the abundant dragonflies. Other raptors
on the move included a fairly steady stream of Sharp-shins, a few Broad-wings,
a Northern Harrier and at least one Bald Eagle (as differentiated from the
locally breeding Bald Eagles and Merlins).
On the evening of September 1, several skeins of Canada Geese flew over high in
the air...seemingly early. Other somewhat early flyover migrants included an
American Pipit on August 31 and a Gray-cheeked Thrush (night call heard)
September 1. Common Loons were also on the move, with groups of 5 to 7
individuals congregating offshore, and a few observed flying south from the Chi
Cheemaun ferry today.
Lastly, the annual congress of Sandhill Cranes is well underway at Manitoulin,
with 64 individuals observed in fields within a 10-minute drive of the South
Baymouth ferry terminal on August 29.
Good birding,
Jarmo
Directions: South Baymouth (and Manitoulin Island) can be reached from the
south by taking the Chi Cheemaun ferry from Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula,
or from the north by taking Highway 6 south from Highway 17 through Espanola
and Little Current.
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