HSR: SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark (12 Oct 2003) Raptor counts (total=9600)
SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2003 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 1 1 Turkey Vulture8988 34998 36854 Osprey 5 32236 Bald Eagle 3 60140 Northern Harrier46572828 Sharp-shinned Hawk 377 4484 8956 Cooper's Hawk 30270400 Northern Goshawk 1 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 29 45 45 Broad-winged Hawk3 13565 87353 Red-tailed Hawk 76333436 Rough-legged Hawk2 4 4 Golden Eagle 1 6 6 American Kestrel34581 2142 Merlin 1 16 76 Peregrine Falcon 3 36 77 Unknown 0 9 9 Swainson's Hawk 1 8 12 Total:9600 55022 137577 -- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Calvin Brennan Observers:Jeff Schultz, Mary Cypher Weather: Early morning cloud and light showers gave way to clear skies by mid morning. Winds were strong and gusty most of the day out of the west. Observations: As is typical on west winds, the flight was spread out somewhat but much of it was right over the count area. For the second weekend in a row, a new single day TV record was established topping off at 8,988 birds by days end! Today also provided the best single day diversity of the season as all 16 regularly occurring species were sighted. Highlights included the 12th Swainsons Hawk of the season, 2 Rough-legged Hawks and a juvenile Northern Goshawk. 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.
Quinte Area Bird Report
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, October 12, 2003 Owls have been on the move this past week, and the scene of the most activity has been at the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, where banders at the Observatory there banded 217 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, 6 BARRED OWLS and an EASTERN SCREECH OWL. An impressive 76 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were caught and banded during the night of October 7th, bringing the total so far to 246. The COMMON EIDER at Prince Edward Point was last seen on September 28th. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen there on the 5th along with a few other late migrants including singles of NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, WILSON'S WARBLER and OVENBIRD. Also seen on October 5th were 2 BLACK SCOTERS. Monday saw the arrival of 40 EASTERN PHOEBES, and 100 TREE SWALLOWS and a late SCARLET TANAGER put in an appearance the following day. Large numbers of both RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS are present, rivaled in numbers only by WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. The scaup off Prince Edward Point have increased to around a thousand birds and the first LONG-TAILED DUCK of the fall showed up on October 9th. Throughout the county, blackbirds are starting to move with COMMON GRACKLE, RUSTY and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS flocking together in wetlands and agricultural fields. Saturday afternoon, there were large numbers singing in the wetlands bordering Black River, roughly midway up river between Black River Cheese Factory and Milford. The COMMON EGRET, whether one or two, continues to show up at a number of locations in the county. On October 4th, one turned up at Robinson Cove at Big Island, and is likely the same individual that showed up last week at Sandy Cove, just 2 km west of there. Bird feeders in the county are bustling these days with huge flocks of AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, and numbers of both WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, HOUSE FINCHES, and BLUE JAYS. One Vanderwater Road resident at Thomasburg, north of Belleville, had no fewer than 10 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS at her backyard bird bath. Back in the county, Ridge Road, south of Picton, had 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTREL, NORTHERN HARRIER and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK during the week. PURPLE FINCHES were seen during the week at feeders in Picton and at Big Island, and also a sighting of four at Seymour Conservation Area at Campbellford. An observer on the eastern extension of the Bayshore Trail in east Belleville Friday checked off an EASTERN PHOEBE, 3 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 2 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, CANADA GEESE, 13 KILLDEER, NORTHERN CARDINALS, 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 2 SWAMP SPARROWS, 2 BLACK DUCKS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES. Definitely worth a visit at all times of the year, accessible from the south end of Herchimer Avenue in Belleville and extending into the wetlands at the old Bakelite plant. A fairly tardy COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen at Elmbrook on October 5th, and EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were seen at Ridge Road on October 1st and at Big Island on October 10th. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and area. Our thanks to Kendel Dewey, Joanne Dewey, Cheryl Anderson, Henry & Joan Pasilla, Donn & John Legate, Lloyd Paul, Helen Graham and David Okines (Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory) for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19th. Bird Sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. to be included in the next report. Terry Sprague Picton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.naturestuff.net "Terry Sprague" <[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.
White-eyed Vireo in north Wellington County
This afternoon while attending Thanksgiving ceremonies at a family members house near Harriston, my brother Kenny and I found a first-year White-eyed Vireo feeding in a small patch of young silver maples. Needless to say we were quite surprised to find this bird here (on a farm), but we were quite happy with the close views we (and the whole family) enjoyed of this bird for over 30 minutes. In the woodlot nearby were more typical fall migrants, such as White-throated Sparrows, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Eastern Phoebe and several American Pipits in the fields. To reach the location where the White-eyed Vireo was: from Teviotdale take Wellington Rd. 109 northwest towards Harriston, make a right on Gillespie Lane and follow this road to the 8th Line. Make a left on the 8th Line and the farm is #6435 on the left. The bird was in the small silver maples just past the trailer. Good Birding, Mike Burrell, Heidelberg, Ont. -- MZ The Burrells <[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.
40 + Rusty Blackbirds, Ballentrae
Around 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12, 2003, a flock of forty plus Rusty Blackbirds flew very low across Highway 48 (Markham Road), from east to west, entering a cornfield just south of the Ballentrae Intersection, on the west side. Extensive cornfields in the region, but if you're around there check out blackbird flocks. Ballentrae is north of Markham, on Highway 48, north of the Stouffville Sideroad, south of Davis Drive (which, driving west from 48, leads to Newmarket). Barry Kent MacKay Markham, Ontario. "Barry Kent MacKay" <[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.
Long-billed Dowitcher at Frenchman's Bay
Ontbirders, About 2 pm on Sunday we had a juvenile (well into first prebasic molt) Long-billed Dowitcher with 8 juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers at the top (north) end of Frenchman's Bay in Pickering in Durham Region. It called several times, confirming our visual identification. Even though Longbills have been widely reported this fall, we're posting this one because it's the first in the Greater Toronto Birding Area. Also there were 2 adult anatum-type Peregrine Falcons staying quite close together, both flying and perching on posts in the water. They chased a juvenile Cooper's Hawk, which was migrating west along Lake Ontario. The Cooper's flew as fast as the Peregrines while being chased. Directions: Park at the community centre on south side of Bayly west of Liverpool Road about 1.5 km east of Whites Road. Walk 100 metres on trail to the bay and continue on the muddy path through the cattails to view the birds. Happy birding, Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway Jean Iron 9 Lichen Place Toronto ON M3A 1X3 416-445-9297 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www3.sympatico.ca/jeaniron/ Jean Iron <[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.
Demoiselle Crane Holiday Beach
Hi Folks: Today Paul Pratt, Bob Hall-Brooks, Allen Chartier and myself had a fly over Demoiselle Crane at Holiday Beach Conservation Area in soutwestern Essex County. Initially, the bird was identified as a Sandhill Crane (due to the great height at which it was soaring), but it quickly became clear that the trailing edge of the wing was jet black, and that the neck was also extensively black. Paul managed to get the bird in the scope and clearly observed the extensive black on the neck and chest and the white patch on the side of the head. There was also a consensus that the bird was quite small for a crane and short necked - again characters consistent with Demoiselle. No doubt this is an escapee, but still an interesting sighting. It should be noted that this bird could easily have been called a Common Crane without a scope view to confirm observations (which of course, would have been a much more exciting experience!!). As an aside, today was also our big sit. As of 2PM we were up to 80 species for the top of the hawk tower (as opposed to 83 total for the day last year). Most of us had to leave early for dinner arrangements but Bob was staying a few more hours and may add some more to the total. Good birding! Tom Hince Wild Rose Guest House On the web at: http://www.netcore.ca/~peleetom RR#1 (21298 Harbour Rd.) Wheatley, ONT. (gateway to Point Pelee National Park) N0P 2P0Canada (519) 825-9070 (phone/voice)(519) 825-9169 (fax) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Tom Hince" <[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.
Cranberry Raptor posting for Oct.5-12/03
Haze, light winds and warmth were not conducive to significant raptor migration along the lakefront for the past week, up to & incl. Oct.12 at the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch. The Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch in southwest Whitby, ON, has been in operation since 1990. This year we started up on Aug.21; we try to cover the platform every day through to Nov.30, particularly in the AM hours. 2 SNOW GEESE have been seen flying with the many Canadas most mornings. Today/Oct.12 a TOWHEE and a WINTER WREN were noted near the platform. On the lakefront were all 3 Merghanser species, Common Loons and many Cormorants, one of which was somewhat albino. The table below indicates the number of migrating raptors recorded for the period of OCT.5 to OCT.12, and in BRACKETS is the TOTAL SINCE AUG.21. > TURKEY VULTURE215 (758) > OSPREY2 (120) > BALD EAGLE8 (27) > NORTHERN HARRIER33 (146) > SHARP-SHINNED HAWK547(1609) > COOPER'S HAWK13(54) > NORTHERN GOSHAWK 0 (3) > BROAD-WINGED HAWK18 (18) > RED-SHOULDERED HAWK3 (9) > RED-TAILED HAWK 19 (113) > ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK0 (0) > GOLDEN EAGLE0 (0) > AMERICAN KESTREL 84 (528) > MERLIN8 (43) > PEREGRINE FALCON 3 (27) > UNIDENTIFIED RAPTORS11 (179) > TOTAL990 (3891) Directions: From Toronto--east on the 401 into Ajax, exiting south on Harwood, down to Bayly, left (east) along Bayly a few km., through Lakeridge Rd., whereupon Bayly becomes Victoria St. in Whitby--- 1 block east of Lakeridge turn south down Hall's Rd.; park in the second roadside parking area, just north of the lakefront; walk east down the path to the platform. Doug Lockrey, coordinator CMRW "Doug Lockrey" <[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: Cranberry Marsh (12 Oct 2003) Raptor counts (total=81)
Cranberry Marsh Whitby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2003 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 66613758 Osprey 0 13120 Bald Eagle 0 18 27 Northern Harrier 1 92146 Sharp-shinned Hawk 9836 1609 Cooper's Hawk0 28 54 Northern Goshawk 0 0 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 6 9 Broad-winged Hawk0180275 Red-tailed Hawk 2 41113 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0208528 Merlin 1 18 44 Peregrine Falcon 0 10 27 Unknown 1134179 Total: 81 2197 3892 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 1.5 hours Official Counter: Doug Lockrey Observers:Alf Lisk Weather: light southerly reverted to medium NW after 2.5 hours; humidity 100%(periodic "wee" sprinkles; rising, then falling BP; 15C Observations: very slow--1 N.Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2 SS until the winds shifted---ending with 66 Turkey Vultures, 9 SS, 1 Merlin, 1 RED-SHOULDERED, 1 Harrier and 2 Red-taileds TOWHEE, winter wren; many Mergansers on the lakefront--Red-breasted, Common and 1 Hooded; several C.Loons and Cormorants, one of which was albino (!!) Report submitted by John Douglas Lockrey ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Cranberry Marsh information may be found at: http://www.gtrw.ca [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.
