Ontario birders, An update of the birds observed in the Long Point area to May 15 is below. In addition to all the expected species highlights include: Eurasian Collared Dove, Cassin's Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Summer Tanager and Yellow-headed Blackbird.
For real-time updates from the area visit www.ebird.ca, and explore data from Norfolk County. To learn where to bird, explore the Long Point Birding Trail. You can help contribute to sightings in the Long Point area by submitting your sightings to eBird or by sharing them with us at l...@birdscanada.org. For more information on the research, education, and training programs of LPBOselect this link and check out the 2016 LPBO Program Report. Your best source for information about the birds and birding sites around Long Point can be found in A Birding Guide to the Long Point Area by Ron Ridout available at the LPBO Shoppe and BSC headquarters. ### The long-lasting low pressure system that remained over the area the beginning of May put a significant damper on migration but the tide finally broke May 9 when thousands of new arrivals streamed onto Long Point. The majority of activity the rest of the week was largely the leftovers from this main event until May 13 &14 when there was spectacular movement of migrants. May 14 in particular was one of those days when the conditions were just right - southerly winds overnight and light rain showers early in the morning which grounded tens of thousands of migrants. The activity was greatest between about 0700 and 1000 by which point most migrants had dispersed to the mainland. Despite there being great diversity the mix of species was still somewhat 'early' with more typical temperate migrants still being quite abundant. Expect diversity to remain high this next week as the majority of Neotropical migrants are set to move through. Given the forecast, there may not be much to slow them down. Highlights: Trumpeter Swan - A wing-tagged bird hung around Old Cut and the 'New' Long Point Provincial Park for the past week (M. Obs). An immature was also observed in the Turkey Point Marsh May 12 (TH). Red-throated Loon - There were daily sightings at the Tip (LPBO) with a high count of 30 May 12 (LPBO) and a single flyover at Old Cut May 7 (SJ). Least Bittern - One was observed at Breakwater May 5 (PD), and at Old Cut May 7 & 8 (MC). One was banded at Breakwater May 14 (LPBO). Northern Goshawk - One was observed at the Tip May 9 (LPBO). Sora - One heard at Old Cut May 4 and another May 8 (SAM). Numerous individuals can be heard and observed at the Port Rowan Wetland. White-rumped Sandpiper - One was observed in a flooded field on Hwy 24 north of Turkey Point May 4 (TH). Long-billed Dowitcher - Two were observed at Dedrick Creek on Concession 1 May 4 (RR). Lesser Yellowlegs - A record 205 Lesser Yellowlegs were counted in the Big Creek lowlands at the East ΒΌ Line May 7 (RR). Little Gull - One was observed flying over Old Cut May 4 (SAM). Lesser Black-backed Gull - Two were observed at the Tip May 7 and one May 9 (LPBO). Glaucous Gull - A second-year bird was observed at The Tip May 4 (MI). Eurasian Collared Dove - One was observed at The Tip May 9 -10 (LPBO). Eastern Whip-poor-will - One was heard at Breakwater May 9 and numerous are establishing territories elsewhere on Long Point (KC). Peregrine Falcon - One observed at Breakwater May 3 and at the Tip May 14 (LPBO). Willow Flycatcher - First of the year was heard at the BSC Headquarters May 11 (SAM). Olive-sided Flycatcher - The first of the year was observed at the Tip May 9 (LPBO) and another at Old Cut May 14 (SAM). White-eyed Vireo - One observed at The Tip May 10 (LPBO). Yellow-throated Vireo - One was observed at the Tip May 9 and one was banded May 13 (LPBO). Tufted Titmouse - At least two birds were observed daily at Old Cut (M. Obs). Sedge Wren - One was observed at The Tip May 9 (LPBO). Warblers: 30 species were observed throughout the period with 20 to 25 on a daily basis. Cerulean Warbler - One male was observed at Old Cut May 14 (SAM). Louisiana Waterthrush - One was banded at Breakwater May 4 (LPBO). Golden-winged Warbler - An adult male was banded at Old Cut May 10, a pair was banded May 13 (LPBO), and a male was observed on May 14 (SAM). Lawrence's Warbler - One was observed singing the Golden-winged song at Old Cut May 12 (BB). Prothonotary Warbler - One was observed at the Tip May 11 (PD) and an adult male was observed singing at Old Cut May 14 (SAM). Orange-crowned Warbler - One was observed at the Tip May 7 (LPBO), one was observed at Old Cut with another banded there May 14 (LPBO). Hooded Warbler - One was banded at Old Cut May 3 with others observed May 5 and 7 and banded at Old Cut May 12 and 13 (LPBO). Cassin's Sparrow - The same individual was observed again at the Tip May 12 (CM). Grasshopper Sparrow - One was banded at the Tip May 14 (LPBO). There are many territories in grasslands on the mainland. Clay-coloured Sparrow - One was observed at Breakwater May 4 (KC), at Old Cut May 12 (SAM), banded at the Tip May 13, and observed on the Hasting's Drive May 14 and banded at Breakwater (SAM, LPBO). Oregon Junco - One was observed at Old Cut May 6 (YSA). Harris's Sparrow - One young looking bird was observed on Hastings Drive May 14 (SAM). Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow - Four were banded at Breakwater this period (LPBO). Summer Tanager - One young male was observed at the Tip May 9 (LPBO) and a female was observed at Old Cut May 15 (SAM). Yellow-headed Blackbird - One was observed at Dedrick Creek on Concession 1 May 6 (SAM). Observers: Yousif Attia (YSA), Brendan Boyd (BB), Kyle Cameron (KC), Mark Conboy (MC), Tyler Hoar (TH), Matt Iles (MI), Stuart Mackenzie (SAM), Colin McShane (CM), Ron Ridout (RR), Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO). Good birding, Stu ____________________ _______________________________________________ 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
