The first long weekend of the Huron Fringe Birding Festival went quite well, with a total of 181 species seen over 4 days. The weather has been cooler than the average for this time of year and a lot of migrants have arrived late on the Bruce Peninsula.
Highlights of the first 4 days of the HFBF are listed below. 27 species of warblers were recorded, with highlights being ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (multiple locations) and CONNECTICUT WARBLER (DU pond at MacGregor PP). Both OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER were seen in decent numbers, with most reports coming from MacGregor PP and the Dyers Bay area. RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS have been seen in multiple locations, with the most reliable spot being a feeder in Mar. Two TRUMPETER SWANS were reported at Isaac Lake on Saturday. A lingering flock of LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Colpoys Bay by numerous hikes during the weekend. A RUDDY DUCK was seen mulitple times at the Kincardine Sewage Lagoons. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen at Malcolm Bluff on Friday. On the shorebird front highlights so far have been; BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS (both by Wiarton), RUDDY TURNSTONES (seen along Lake Huron), SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS (by Wiarton), PIPING PLOVERS (two pairs at Sauble) and UPLAND SANDPIPERS (J/I line and fields around Lions Head). A RED KNOT was found near Southampton on Saturday after the hikes had finished for the day. On Friday, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen flying over the Rankin River Portage. On Sunday, two RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were seen flying over Dyers Bay Road. A BARRED OWL was heard calling on Howdenvale Road on Sunday night. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was found just north of Ferndale on Everatt Sideroad on Friday (first record for the festival). SEDGE WRENS have been heard singing in multiple locations, with the most reliable spot being Isaac Lake. GRASSHOPPER and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS have been spotted along the J/I line. BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS have been seen in a few locations, with the best spot being Red Bay Road by Mar. Leaders for the first weekend were; Michael Carlson, Jarmo Jalava, Alfred Raab, Jeremy Bensette, Doug Pedwell, Mark Wiercinski, Judith King, James Turland, Terry Crabe, Jenna McGurie, Tim Arthur, John Reasume, Mike Burrell, Ken Burrell, Henrique Pacheco, Todd Pepper, Marshall Byle, Doug Martin, Stewart Nutt, Don Kennedy, Kerry Jarvis, Fran Sanagan, Newton George, Bob Grey. Festival outings are led by top leaders from across Ontario, as well as Bruce and Grey County’s own local experts. The Festival runs over two, 4-day weekends, from May 24 to May 27, and May 30 to June 2. It is based out of MacGregor Point Provincial Park on Lake Huron, near the town of Port Elgin in Bruce County. The Lake Huron shoreline fringe creates a corridor that funnels migrant birds north through the Park and up the Bruce Peninsula. This area probably has the most nesting songbird species in southern Ontario. This incredible diversity of flora and fauna hosts a rich medley of events, ranging from botany, ornithology, art, photography, history, archaeology, astronomy etc. Accessibility ranges from mobility limited to difficult. See event description for details. Registration opened March 1 and some of events for the 2nd weekend of the festival are full, however there are still some spaces left! You can check out the schedule of events on the Festival website to see what your choices are. The complete program including; prices, camping reservations, accommodations and food, are posted on the following websites: http://friendsofmacgregor.org/page/huron-fringe-birding-festival For camping or for yurts at MacGregor Point Provincial Park https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/Home.aspx For local food and accommodation in nearby Port Elgin http://www.visitportelgin.ca/search-accomodation.php?subCategory=59&button=Search+No < Check our blog https://huronfringefest.wordpress.com _______________________________________________ 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
