Dear OntBirders, December 3rd, 2016, twenty-five intrepid birders from OFO and BFNC (Brereton Field Naturalists Club) met at Dock Road Park in Barrie, Ontario on a waterfront field trip on Kempenfeldt Bay. It was a grey and blustery day, but spirits were bright!
Five distant Black Scoters were first glimpsed by Burke Korol from Tyndale Park at long range as they flew west, so at that time he could only tell they were scoters and not White-winged Scoters. Burke again spotted them from Centennial Beach as they were in flight. This time, many of us were able to see them in flight before they landed approximately 800 m to 1 km out in the bay. We could all then observe them in spotting scopes and determine they were all adult (dark bellies in flight, where juveniles have light bellies) females by their pale cheeks contrasting with dark crowns. It was also Burke who first spotted a distant Pacific Loon enabling us to get to the City of Barrie Marina on Lakeshore Drive in time to be treated to "crippling views" (thank you Lev Frid, for this descriptive) of at least two adult Pacific Loons, a first winter (juvenile) Red-throated Loon, a first winter Little Gull and a juvenile Iceland Gull. Thank you Burke and all those who shared their scopes, photos, expertise and sightings! Earlier, at Minet's Point Park, an adult Iceland Gull graced us with stunning views during a welcome sunny break. (Photographers, please send me photos I could add to the eBird checklist.) A juvenile Iceland Gull was spotted and a distant adult Glaucous Gull observed from Minet's Point Park. Seven gull species, three loon species and five Black Scoters made for an exciting finale to this field trip. It was a privilege and an absolute pleasure to fill in for Jim Coey as leader of this trip. The weather was seasonal, just around freezing with occasional snow flurries and a welcome sunny break. The 25 OFO and BFNC (Brereton Field Naturalists Club) participants were wonderful with everyone contributing. I would like to express special appreciation to Paul Forde, Mike Hatton, Burke Korol, Alex Mills, Erin Rainville, Wayne Renaud, Kevin Shackleton and, of course, to Jim Coey for setting it up and to Dave Milsom for coordinating. It was truly inspiring to participate in such an enthusiastic collaboration of volunteers, connecting with nature through birds. Thank you one and all. The eBird checklists I created for this trip in chronological order (with photos from participants) can be found at the following links: Barrie--Dock Road Park, Simcoe County, Ontario, CA *http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32913235 <http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32913235>* Barrie--Tyndale Park, Simcoe County, Ontario, CA *http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32914073 <http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32914073>* Barrie--Tollendale Woods Park, Simcoe County, Ontario, CA *http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32914314 <http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32914314>* Barrie--Minet's Point, Simcoe County, Ontario, CA *http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32918615 <http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32918615>* Barrie--South Shore Park, Simcoe County, Ontario, CA *http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32918914 <http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32918914>* Barrie--Centennial Park, Simcoe County, Ontario, CA *http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32920234 <http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32920234>* Barrie--City of Barrie Marina, Simcoe County, Ontario, CA *http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32922824 <http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S32922824>* For directions, maps and parking information on these City of Barrie Parks, please check the following link: http://www.barrie.ca/Living/ParksTrails/Pages/Parks.aspx Barrie Happy Bay Birding, Chris Evans, Past President - Brereton Field Naturalists Club Midhurst, Ontario _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
