SABINE'S GULLS AT POINT EDWARD. 2ad. 2imm.
Hi, Birders. At Kettle Point early this morning there was a light movement of loons and a heavy movement of Pintails along with other puddle ducks. A Horned Lark and two probable Longspurs came in together around 8.30am. Finding no signs of any pelagics, I joined up with Carole Buck and we went to the 'lighthouse' in Point Edward. One of the first birds seen was a SABINES GULL that flew into Lake Huron. After much searching we re found the bird with a companion. Both were Adult SABINES GULLS.. Combined with the two imms seen by Allan Chartier in the same area an hour or so earlier from the American side, that means that there were four SABINES in the South end of Lake Huron today. No doubt a record number. Allen also found what he thought was a MEW GULL type on the beach in the same general area. To get to Point Edward from out of town take the Front Street exit in Sarnia. Turn North(Left) on Front St. and go to the lights. Turn L again and turn Rt. on Alfred St. then the first L. Continue to Fort St. and turn Rt. The car park at the end at the mouth of the River is the spot to be for pelagics on a stormy day. Good Birding. Alf. The RIDERS <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 2, 2003.
After a rather slow autumn migration of land birds, the past week represented a significant turn-around, with large numbers of warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and other small birds descending on Presqu'ile Provincial Park on Friday, September 26 and remaining for several days thereafter. Raptors, shorebirds, and water birds have also provided good birding, though the numbers of the latter are greatly reduced since the waterfowl hunt in the Park began on September 27. Most of the common dabbling ducks were feeding in the marsh until the beginning of the hunt. Since then, the best place to find them is along the beach, but they have become very wary. In the outer part of the marsh, Redheads and Ring-necked Ducks can be found on most days unless there is active hunting in progress. In Popham Bay there are still some Greater Scaup, and five Surf Scoters were there on October 1 and a similar number of Ruddy Ducks on September 26. Among the raptors seen during the past week were Osprey, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon. There are still as many as ten American Golden-Plovers between Beach 3 and Gull Island. Until now, the latest report of a Spotted Sandpiper this year was on September 26. A few Least, White-rumped and Baird's Sandpipers are still to be found among the more common species, among which Dunlins are numerically on the rise, and a Ruddy Turnstone was still present on October 1. While most terns have been gone for some time, there was a surprising sighting of a Forster's Tern on September 30. Although no owls have been reported from Presqu'ile for quite some time, the arrival of Northern Saw-whet Owls is imminent. Carefully searching the hidden recesses of cedar and other evergreen trees for this diminutive species may well pay off during the next few weeks, especially on High Bluff Island. This year's latest Ruby-throated Hummingbird to date was seen on September 26. Any further hummingbirds found after early October should be carefully scrutinized for the possibility of a western stray. Eastern Wood-Pewees and Eastern Phoebes are the only flycatcher species reported in the Park during the past week. There was still a Red-eyed Vireo at the lighthouse on October 2. After a lapse of several weeks during which swallows were noticeably missing at the Park, an influx of several dozen Tree Swallows, accompanied by one Barn Swallow, occurred on October 1 and 2. Among the birds that arrived on September 26 and lingered on were good numbers of Winter Wrens, both species of kinglets, Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes, one Veery, and many, many warblers. Most of the latter were species that normally migrate somewhat later than others, including several Orange-crowned Warblers. Tennessee Warblers and Northern Parulas were also seen, and there was a surprising report of a Connecticut Warbler on September 30. Two Scarlet Tanagers and a Lincoln's Sparrow were present on September 26. Other sparrows arrived in good numbers during the past week, including White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncoes, but no Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows, which normally show up on Gull Island at this time of year. A brightly plumaged Lapland Longspur was on Gull Island on October 2. The first Rusty Blackbirds of the fall (9 birds) were at the calf pasture on October 2. A Purple Finch was at the feeder at 83 Bayshore Road on September 26. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird watching on those days. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, R.R. #4, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
HSR: SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark (02 Oct 2003) Raptor counts (total=4448)
SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 02, 2003 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture1 1 1 Turkey Vulture1487 1643 3499 Osprey 3 7211 Bald Eagle 14 19 99 Northern Harrier47 61317 Sharp-shinned Hawk 302571 5043 Cooper's Hawk 12 20150 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 2535 4256 78044 Red-tailed Hawk 16 23126 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel28120 1681 Merlin 0 1 61 Peregrine Falcon 2 5 46 Unknown 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 4 Total:4448 6729 89284 -- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours Official Counter: Calvin Brennan Observers:John Elliot, Raburn Howland Weather: Today was reminiscent of those days that are typical of late October and early November rather than this date. There was a definite uncomfortable chill early in the day but the afternoon sun made it seem quite pleasant and comfortable. Observations: The count began at the boat launch but as more of the flight gravitated towards the lake in response to the northwest wind, a switch to Point Mouillee was made. Considerable numbers of Broad-wings were recorded as well as the best push of TVs so far this fall. One of the mixed vulture-buteo groups in mid afternoon held an extra special member which caused quite a stir in those assembled at the time, namely a Black Vulture, a new species for the hawkwatch. Several other species had their best showings of the season including Bald Eagle and Northern Harrier. Also, the first Red-shouldered Hawk of the fall was seen, a juvenile. Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.smrr.net/ The primary site used by Southeastern Michigan Raptor Research (SMRR) is the Boat Launch at Lake Erie Metropark located approximately 20 miles south of Detroit, Michigan. A secondary site, the Headquarters of Pointe Mouillee State Game Area can be used during certain wind conditions. When staffing is available, both sites can be used at the same time. The season begins on the first day of September and concludes on the final day of November. For details and directions, log on to www.smrr.net The stipend for the 2003 season counter was provided by DTE Energy. Visit www.dteenergy.com to learn more! [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
Mew Gull and 2 Sabine's Gulls in Port Huron, Michigan
Birders, This morning I went to Port Huron to see what the northwest wind would blow in, and almost immediately on arrival (9:30 a.m.) I saw two juvenile Sabine's Gulls flying together toward me. About 400 yards away, the birds turned west and were lost from view behind a building (I was watching from Edison Park at the St. Clair River mouth). I suspected the birds might have made landfall at Lighthouse Park a short distance north, and indeed when I arrived around 10:00 the birds were feeding just off the beach with about 35 Bonaparte's Gulls and a few Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. I watched, and attempted to digiscope the two Sabine's over the next hour and a half, when I eventually noticed another interesting bird sitting briefly on the beach. I got the scope on it for a few seconds and determined that it was a first winter Mew Gull before it took off and joined the feeding flock offshore. I managed some notes and a couple of digiscoped photos of the bird in flight. Soon after, two people walking their dog came down the beach and flushed all the gulls much farther into the lake (the Sabine's were last seen heading northeast, after briefly passing Point Edward, Ontario). I waited for another half hour and the Mew Gull did not reappear. This bird would appear to be of either the European race (canus) or the east Asian race (kamschatkensis), as it was very white below with brown only visible on the wing coverts. Other interesting birds here included 2 White-winged Scoters and 10 Surf Scoters. There were no loons or jaegers this morning, at least none that I noticed. To find Lighthouse Park in Port Huron, from M-25 go east on Garfield Street (Hancock is closed for construction) to the T intersection with Omar Street. Turn left onto Omar St. and the parking area for Lighthouse Park is about 100 yards on the right. From the parking area, walk to the beach which is past the brick restrooms. Allen Chartier [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1442 West River Park Drive Inkster, MI 48141 Website: http://www.amazilia.net Michigan HummerNet: http://www.amazilia.net/MIHummerNet/index.htm "Allen Chartier" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
High Park Hawkwatch Oct.1 & 2
This is an official posting from the High Park Hawk Watch. Station: High Park, Toronto, Ontario View Period: October 1 & 2, 2003 Station co-ordinator: Don Barnett Counters: N. Mchugh & H. Currie The approaching cold front may have helped increase migration over the High Park sight, especially today with the help of winds from the northwest. After a small number of Broad-winged Hawks to date we had an unusually high count on the past two days for this time of year. 109 were counted yesterday and 376 today. This is latest we have ever had anything more than a few Broad-winged Hawks. While these numbers are not large it does indicate that there are some late migrating Broad-winged Hawks. It may be possible with good weather in the next few days to see some more Broad-winged Hawks. Of the 246 total birds counted on October 1st 182 came through in one hour (from 11:00-12:00 daylight savings time). Favorable conditions today, October 2nd resulted in 1768 total raptors including 746 Turkey Vultures. This is the highest count for the site for 2003 Our count for today, October 2, is: Turkey Vulture...746 Osprey.7 Bald Eagle.6 Northern Harrier..23 Sharp-Shinned Hawk...422 Cooper's Hawk.24 Northern Goshawk...- Red-shouldered Hawk5 Broad-winged Hawk376 Red-tailed Hawk...42 Rough-legged Hawk..- Golden Eagle...- American Kestrel.106 Merlin.2 Peregrine Falcon...2 Other(Swainson's Hawk).- Unidentified...7 Total...1768 High Park Site Description High Park is a 400 acre wooded park dominated by a Black Oak Savannah located just west of Downtown Toronto near Keele and Bloor. The park is operated by the City of Toronto Parks Department. The Count site (Hawk Hill) is located on a small hill at the north end of the Grenadier Restaurant parking lot. It is located about 1.5km (1 mile) north of Lake Ontario, at an elevation of 110 metres above sea level and 38 metres above Lake Ontario. The site location is N 43 degrees 37 minutes 03.8 seconds, W 79 degrees 28 minutes 56.5 seconds. This station is at the highest point and near the centre of the park; a steep slope that descends to a large pond is immediately west of the station. Full time counts have been recorded here since 1993. The following are partners in our raptor migration monitoring in the Greater Toronto Region: City of Toronto Parks and Culture Department, Toronto Ornithological Club, and Local Naturalist's Clubs. More information including a summary of our past observations is available at: http://www.torontobirding.ca/~gtrw/ Observations for this season are not yet available. -- Howard Shapiro email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Howard Shapiro" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
NEW ISSUE -- Point Pelee Natural History News
Point Pelee Natural History News -- Volume 3, Number 3 (Fall 2003) This new issue (16 pages) is currently at the printer and will be available next week. Information on subscribing is at the bottom of this posting. This issue contains the following: ARTICLES: POINT PELEE MEMORIES: 1956 to 1999 William A. Martin [Bill provides insights, viewpoints, anecdotes, short stories, etc., covering his annual birding pilgrimages to Point Pelee over the past 40+ years] NOTEWORTHY BIRD RECORDS: JUNE to AUGUST 2003 -- Alan Wormington [A total of 4 pages detailing three months of observations, including such rarities as Black Vulture, Piping Plover, Franklins Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sabines Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Chuck-wills-widow and Eurasian Tree Sparrow] POINT PELEE BUTTERFLY COUNT: AUGUST 9, 2003 Sarah E. Rupert [28 counters found 43 species and 6229 individuals; new species for the count were Pipevine Swallowtail, Wild Indigo Dusky-Wing and Long Dash] RECORD-LATE WARBLERS AT POINT PELEE: SPRING 2003 Alan Wormington [Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Palm and Wilsons warblers were all found on record-late dates during the spring of 2003, details of which are included; an overview of previous late occurrences is also provided.] IN THE FIELD: Lake Chubsucker: Still Present in Pelee Marsh Bull Frog: Still Present in Pelee Marsh More Black Witches at Point Pelee: Summer 2003 Eurasian Tree Sparrow: Second Record for Point Pelee Record-Late Carolina Wren Nest for Point Pelee NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: W.E. Saunders Birding Odyssey: September 6, 2003 OFO Annual Meeting (2003) held at Leamington New Publication on Pelee Island UPCOMING EVENTS and OUTINGS: November 2003 December 2003 ILLUSTRATIONS: Included with the articles and notes described above is a total of 15 photographs. Alan Wormington, EDITOR Point Pelee Natural History News E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] WEB PAGE: http://www.wincom.net/~fopp/Natural_History_News.htm [includes an index for past issues] xx SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada: CAN $20 (one year) or $40 (two years) International: US $20 (one year) or $40 (two years) BACK ISSUES (postage paid): Volume 1 (2001) $15 Volume 2 (2002) $15 Send payment and e-mail address (optional) to: The Friends of Point Pelee 1118 Point Pelee Drive Leamington, Ontario Canada N8H 3V4 Friends of Point Pelee E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Alan Wormington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report - Thursday, October 2nd, 2003
At 6:00pm, Thursday, October 2nd, 2003, this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday, unless an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. A few hurricane birds lingered in southern Ontario and made it into this week's report. A BLACK-CAPPED PETREL was seen near Fort Erie and a WILSON'S STORM PETREL was recovered at Van Wagner's Beach in Hamilton. While looking for oceanic species, an observer at Crystal Beach noted a PARASITIC JAEGER. The best local report of the week was a NELSON'S SHARP TAILED SPARROW just past the old observation tower in the Dundas Marsh. Also seen at the Dundas Marsh were AMERICAN REDSTART, PALM WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, EASTERN PHOEBE, MARSH WREN, SWAMP SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, GREAT EGRET, MERLIN, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, BROAD-WINGED HAWK and NORTHERN HARRIER. Elsewhere, a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was seen at Valley Inn, five GREAT EGRETS were spotted in the Dundas Hydro Ponds, 10 TURKEY VULTURES were kettling over Highway 25 south of Milton, and AMERICAN REDSTART, BLACK & WHITE WARBLER, RED-EYED VIREO, HOUSE WREN, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and BROWN CREEPER were reported from Shoreacres/Paletta Park. Out of town a rare for Ontario LE CONTE'S SPARROW was seen in Algonquin Park and both AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and PURPLE GALLINULE turned up at Holiday Beach near Amherstburg. Around this time last year, it was possible to see four different species of Grebes in the Hamilton area (RED-NECKED, HORNED, PIED-BILLED, and WESTERN GREBE). A BROWN PELICAN was also hanging around. So, be sure to check the lake for Grebes, Loons, and other waterfowl (including Pelicans!) That's all for this week. Be sure to let us know about your sightings. Leave your name, telephone number, as well as the time and date of your call. Sightings can also be reported by e-mail. GOOD BIRDING! Keith Dieroff C/O Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report Hamilton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hamilton Naturalists' Club Tel: (905) 381-0329 www.hamiltonnature.org __ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca Keith Dieroff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
HSR: Hawk Cliff (01 Oct 2003) Raptor counts (total=631)
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2003 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 155155313 Osprey 6 6 91 Bald Eagle 11 11 42 Northern Harrier17 17358 Sharp-shinned Hawk 273273 2559 Cooper's Hawk2 2 43 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 32 32 3106 Red-tailed Hawk 2 2 2 Rough-legged Hawk1 1 1 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 123123 2740 Merlin 2 2 47 Peregrine Falcon 7 7 40 Unknown 0 0 12 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total: 631631 9355 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Barry Cherriere Observers:Linda Weather: In the morning there were light SW to W winds and a bit of cloud cover and the temp was around 14. Eventually the winds increased in strength and swung round to the SW again...a great wind for flights along the cliff edge. Observations: Another excellent flight today with some really great birds including the first Rough-legged Hawk of the season. Counters got 7 more Peregrines today and 11 Bald Eagles. Predictions: Tomorrow is calling for strong NW winds with a small chance of precip...I know I'll be there...especially with the significant drop in temps across the whole of Ontario and Quebec that has likely got a lot of birds finally moving. I also noted that Erie Metro Park recorded a Golden Eagle today...who knows what tomorrow will bring at the cliff!! :) Report submitted by Dave Brown ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at: http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch: Oldest Hawkwatch in Ontario - since 1931 - located just east of Port Stanley on the cliff overlooking Lake Erie [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
