[Ontbirds]Pelee Island Bird Report
The May birding season is upon us and everyone is revved up for another exciting season of bird spotting on Pelee Island. While activity has been generally light during the first three days of the month a nice variety of Spring-firsts have appeared including Warbling Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Lincoln's Sparrow. Stay tuned for more bird news in the coming days. Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0(519) 724-2291 pimuseum pimuseum at hotmail.com There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island from May 1 until May 20 inclusive. Cost is $5.00. Meet at the Fish Point parking lot at 9 a.m. Check into the Heritage Centre for details on best birding areas and current rarities. The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, due south of the West Dock. Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and censusoperation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please visit: www.pibo.ca or call 519-724-2829. Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. The Seventh Annual Pelee Island Bird Race will take place from noon Friday, May 9, to noon, Saturday, May 10. Special guest birder is BRIDGET STUTCHBURY, author of Silence of the Songbirds. The Springsong Celebration continues Saturday evening with a 'Talk and Dinner' featuring VINCENT LAM with an introduction by Margaret Atwood. The Bird Race is 'All-Green,' i.e. bicycle or pedestrian travel. All teams welcome! Contact the Heritage Centre for details. _ Turn every day into $1000. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/213___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Oakville Migrants- warblers, sparrows, other neotropicals
While walking the East Bank Trail in North Oakville today, a good variety of spring migrants were observed, including many warblers (Palm, BW, Yellow Rumped, Magnolia, Black throated Green, Black Throated Blue), Blue Headed Vireo, Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Rose Breasted Grosbeak. Directions: The East Bank Trail follows the east bank (naturally) of 16 Mile Creek between Upper Middle Road and Dundas, in Oakville. It can be accessed from both north and south ends, and along streets west of Neyagawa in the middle. A good place to start is the parking lot at the end of Old Upper Middle Road, which is west of Oxford and Upper Middle Road. Rod Murray Oakville ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]HSR:Brian Mishell
Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: May 01, 2008 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 17 17 5595 Osprey 2 2 46 Bald Eagle 0 0 59 Northern Harrier 1 1154 Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 13 2276 Cooper's Hawk0 0126 Northern Goshawk 0 0 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0637 Broad-winged Hawk4 4 2931 Red-tailed Hawk 4 4 2176 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 60 Golden Eagle 0 0 8 American Kestrel 0 0111 Merlin 0 0 9 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 7 Unknown Accipiter0 0 8 Unknown Buteo0 0 32 Unknown Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Eagle0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 33 Total: 41 41 14277 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Brian Mishell Observers:Alfred Raab, Dave Sked Visitors: Ann and Niel Gray from Oakville, Weather: Started of with 5% cloudcover went to 100% cloud civer by11 a.m. and stayed that way with light winds.There was a slight haze ( smog) all day limiting visibility ti 5 Km. Raptor Observations: No great numbers , only 1 or 2 stragglers at a time.A marure Red-Tail at 11.20 attacked a rodent directly south of the Tower, by the bushes. He/She missed. Non-raptor Observations: Lots of Blue Jays, N.R.W.S., but most interesting were the 4 Black Throated Blue Warblers seen in the early afternoon in the Apple trees south west of the tower. Predictions: With rain expected the count will be low. Report submitted by Brian Mishell () Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/ Site Description: Beamer Conservation Area is located on top of the Niagara Escarpment above the town of Grimsby, Ontario. The site is 1km south of the south shore of Lake Ontario, 20km east of Hamilton, 40km west of Niagara Falls. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 72, follow Christie St./Mountain St. to the top of the escarpment, turn right on Ridge Road West, and go 1.6km to Quarry Rd. Turn right on Quarry Rd. and drive 100m to the conservation area. Parking is normally available inside the park. If parking at the entrance or on the roads, do NOT leave valuables in your car. Please note: Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized after the end of the season. © 2008 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Western Tanager at Rondeau
Good morning, A male first-year Western Tanager was seen at 7:15 this morning on the South Point Trail (just before the washout - Lakeshore Rd. side), by Blake Mann and Steve Charbonneau. There was a female Hooded Warbler in the same location. The Harris's Sparrow is still frequenting the feeders at the Visitor Centre. An Orchard Oriole and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up there late yesterday. Other feeder birds included Clay-coloured, Field and Lincoln's Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, many others. The Prothonotary was still visiting the Log Pond at the Pony Barn yesterday afternoon. Good Birding, Carolyn King for Steve LaForest. Directions to Rondeau: Exit 101 off of 401 Highway South on Kent Rd 15 to the park (follow the signs) Emily Slavik Natural Heritage Education Specialist _ 18050 Rondeau Park Road RR#1 Morpeth, ON N0P 1X0 Ph - 519-674-1774 Fax - 519-674-1755 P Please consider the environment before printing this email ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Point Pelee Bird Report May 4, 2008
Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008 Weather is sunny and clear this morning. Some highlights and their location are: Hillman Shorebird Cell: Mottled Duck (seen this morning as well) and Cattle Egret late yesterday evening. Tip Area: Prairie Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and White-eyed Vireo. Post Woods: Summer Tanager, Yellow-throated, and Philadelphia Vireo. Sparrow Field: Yellow-breasted Chat. Botham Trail and Visitor Centre: Blue-winged Warbler and Ovenbird. Tilden Woods: Parula Warbler at the north end and a Summer Tanager near the boardwalk. There was a report of a Red-necked Phalarope from the Narrows outside the Park gate. Good Birding, Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim Join us at the 4th Annual Fundraising Dinner Friday May 9th, 2008 @5:30 PM Pelee Days Inn- $60 per person ($25 tax receipt) Reservations can be made at www.friendsofpointpelee.com To help our environmental impact...this is a ticketless event! Presentation: Coming Home: Return of Western Lake Erie's Detroit River's Charismatic Megafauna Discussing the re-establishment of birds and other wildlife to this area. by Dr. John Hartig - Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Janice Rogers, General Manager www.friendsofpointpelee.com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Yellow-throated Vireo--Col. Sam Park
Yellow-throated Vireo at the bottom end of the stream running down to the east of the stack. It was feeding low in a leaving willow tree beside the paved trail, near the pond, and the parking lot. The bird was seen by two of us at about 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Colonel Sam Park (west Toronto) is at the south end of Kipling Ave where it meets Lake Ontario. Drive through Humber College and park in the free parking lot near the Yacht basin. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds] WORM-EATING WARBLER highlights morning of May 4 at Thickson's in Whitby
Around 8am on May 4 Gord Gallant and others heard a it isn't a Chipper, it isn't a Pine song--in a tree was a WORM-EATING WARBLER. For the next 3 hours, and, no doubt, beyond, this bird concentrated on feeding within maple flowers and dead red oak leaves at heights of 3 to 5+ metres, never on the ground. It moved many times, staying along the east-west most southerly path of Thickson's Woods. Several of us mastered a crude triangulation procedure to zero on where the song was coming from. The previous day's rains brought in some other good birds, for those who periodically broke away from the W-E W. Here is a partial list-- Wood-Warblers--Am.Redstart, Nashville, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped, Palm, Pine, Blackburnian, Black-and-White, Worm-eating; Flycatchers--Great Crested, Least, E.Wood Pewee; Baltimore Oriole, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Brown Thrasher, House Wren, Bank Swallows, Blue-headed Vireo, Swamp Sparrow, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, E.Towhee, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (a few), very many White-throated Sparrows. From the west, exit the 401 at Thickson Rd., go south down toward the lakefront, turning onto a roadway which parallels the marvelous White Pine forest. Doug Lockrey, Whitby,ON ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Louisiana Waterthrush at Presqu'ile
Greeting all, It is another productive day at Presqu'ile with a good mix of landbirds - mostly expected species. The highlight was a Louisiana Waterthrush that Sarah Petrasek and I found on the Jobes' Woods trail around 1100h. It was hopping around flooded sections of the forest floor about 20 m before you get to Post 5. It was subsequently relocated and seen by several other birders until at least 1200h and is likely still in the area. There are also several Northern's on territory in this area as well. Louisiana's are still quite rare at Presqu'ile with only a handful of valid records on file. Cheers, Doug McRae Doug McRae Nature Services P.O. Box 3010 Brighton, Ontario Canada K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Directions: Presqu'ile is south of Brighton on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Take the Brighton exit from Hwy 401 and follow the signs through town for the Park. You can get a Park Tabloid at the gate which shows the locations of various trails, including Jobes' Woods. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Little Blue Heron - Port Rowan
Just to let Ontbirders know that the LITTLE BLUE HERON is still being seen in the pond out front of Bird Studies Canada Headquarters near Port Rowan. Best access is the Cemetery Road parallel to the pond. For better directions see older posts. Backus Woods Conservation Area has no less than 3 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS and 2 LOUISIANNA WATERTHRUSHES this morning. You can access the trails here from the north side of Concession 3 (10 minute drive north from B.S.C. headquarters?) and the Conservation Area is marked on any Ontario Map. Cheers, Andrew Keaveney _ Enter today for your chance to win $1000 a day—today until May 12th. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/215___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Worm-eating Warbler - Palleta Park Burlington
It was difficult to see but the Worm-eating Warbler continues at Paletta Park. I saw it this morning around 9 am. It was quiet and difficult to see but it was persistently foraging in low at shrubs south east corner of the park (just below the feeder that a Tufted Titmouse lingered during the winter) about 20 m north-east of the bridge at the mouth of the creek on the lake. From QEW take Appleby or Walkers Line south down to the Lakeshore. Paletta/Shoreacres is east of Walkers Line and west of Appleby Line on the south side of Lakeshore Road in Burlington. -- Mark Cranford Mississauga, Ont. mark.cranford at rogers dot com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Ruff still at Minesing Holland Landing S.L
The 2 Ruff were easily seen this morning directly across from the house with the Nottawasaga Tree sign that is just past the new Hydro right of way. I drove as far as I could up the road, its very muddy and parts are covered over by water, and walked the rest of the way to the end but was not able to find the Hudsonian Godwit. There was a Solitary Sandpiper there among the Gr. L Yellowlegs at the end. On the way home I stopped by the Holland Landing S.L. since I hadnt heard of any reports from there. The first 3 cells are full up and the last cell is about ½ full. The only shorebird I saw was the Spotted Sandpiper and other then that there was about 10 ducks in total (Mallards, Shovelers 1 Wood Duck). Dave Worthington HYPERLINK mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] Directions as per J. Schemeleske Turn north on McKinnon Rd. which is off Hwy 90 at the eastern outskirts of Angus. About a Km. up there is a large sod field on the left. Past this are grassy flooded fields and a new construction corridor for a hydro right-of-way. No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.7/1411 - Release Date: 5/2/2008 8:02 AM ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Warblers and other migrants - Leslie St Spit, Toronto
I birded the base of the Leslie St Spit in Toronto this morning and found a good mixture of spring migrants. I saw 52 species in total. Highlights included solitary sandpiper, Nashville, black and white, yellow, palm, chestnut-sided, cape may warblers, green heron, Virginia rail and warbling vireo. The birds were in the flooded forest just past the entrance. Pictures of some of the birds can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/66n238 Good birding Jacques Giraud Tommy Thompson Park (Leslie Street Spit) is at the south end of Leslie Street in Toronto where it meets Lake Ontario. The Wet Woods are reached by walking south west about 200 yards along informal trails. It is quite damp and rubber boots would be useful. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]High Park today-Parula, Cape May, etc.
Today I did a half day at the south end of High Park in Toronto and after spotting Margaret Liubavicius I joined her for an enjoyable walk in the park. Below are some of the birds we found during our stroll. Great Egret Black-crowned night-Heron 6 Wood Ducks 2 Hooded Mergansers 13 Downy Woodpeckers and 3 Hairy Woodpeckers 50+ Chimney Swifts Purple Martin 100+ Blue Jays migrating east 7 Red-breasted and 8 White-breasted Nuthatches Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Hermit Thrush - only Thrush seen 11 Blue-headed Vireos Warbling Vireo Great-crested Flycatcher Orange-crowned Warbler Northern Parula 12 Nashville Warblers Cape May Warbler 3 Black-throated blue Warblers 35+ Yellow-rumped Warblers 10 Black-throated Green warblers Blackburnian Warbler 7 Palm Warblers Black-and-white Warblers Ovenbirds 25+ Chipping Sparrows White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows 1 Purple and several House Finches 8 Baltimore Orioles Plus the usual suspects to be found in the park plus Rose-breasted grosbeaks were seen by others and Margaret. Warning - There is a roaming gang of thugs in the south end of the park and Margaret and I were swarmed twice while walking along. This gang consists of Downy Woodpeckers, both Nuthatches, Chickadees and a couple of Cardinals. They will get in your face and twice as I tried to point out a Warbler a Downy landed on my finger and glared at me and in fact as I first stepped into the park in the early morning a male Red-winged Blackbird tried to take me out. It attacked and hit me on the head twice. Directions:- HIGH PARK High Park is located in the west end of Toronto and is bounded on the south by The Queensway, the north by Bloor Street and on the east by Parkside Drive. To reach High Park you can take the TTC Subway to the High Park Station or the Queen Street Streetcar #501 to either the Parkside Drive or the Colborne Lodge Drive streetcar stops or you may drive in from High Park Avenue at the north end of the park. Be aware that on the nicer weekends it will be very hard to find a parking space unless you arrive earlier than 8:30am. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON Sils mordent, mords les ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]York Region Migrants
(Capitalization of bird names below is for quick scanning.) There have been several early arrival dates this spring, more being added this weekend. Yesterday (May 3), Keith Dunn observed WOOD THRUSH, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, OVENBIRD, YELLOW WARBLER and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER in Holland Landing. Kevin Shackleton and Keith had an EASTERN TOWHEE north of Pottageville later that morning. On a West Humber Naturalists' hike along the Oak Ridges Trail in King City the same day, Martin Chen and I had 60 species before the rain moved in around noon. Highlights included GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (1), LEAST FLYCATCHER (2), WARBLING VIREO (1), OSPREY (a nesting pair), WINTER WREN (1), and EASTERN BLUEBIRD (2 pairs). We also had seven warbler species including BLK. THROATED GREEN (8), BLACK WHITE (2), NASHVILLE (3), N. WATERTHRUSH (6), and OVENBIRD (2). After Martin departed at 11:30, I did a quick walk on the west side of Keele Street and added HOUSE WREN (2), BALTIMORE ORIOLE (1), VEERY (1), BROWN CREEPER (2), and numerous WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. On 17th Sdrd. east of Keele there were two Lesser Yellowlegs and a male Wood Duck keeping company in a flooded field. This morning along the wooded section of Hochreiter Road northwest of Holland Landing there was another Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a Pileated Woodpecker, a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, several White-Crowned Sparrows, Brown Creepers, RC Kinglets and N. Waterthrush, as well as one BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER and one PALM WARBLER. The wet fields on the south side of the road (farther west) yielded both BW and GW Teal, eight N. SHOVELER drakes, and 16 Lesser Yellowlegs. Just west of Newmarket there were three SOLITARY SANDPIPERS in a wet field beside Dufferin Street 2 kms north of Miller Sdrd. Ron Fleming, Newmarket DIRECTIONS: York Region is just north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe. Hochreiter Road and the north end of Bathurst Street are accessed by taking Yonge St. northwest out of Newmarket. About halfway between Newmarket and Bradford there is a stoplight indicating Bathurst St. North. Turn right, then a quick left. Bathurst crosses the RR tracks then runs straight north. Take it to all the way up, continuing past Queensville Sdrd. Hochreiter Rd. is directly west of the road into Albert's Marina but bear in mind that it is a muddy, rutted dirt road. The Oak Ridges trail runs east-west along the moraine after which it is named. Just north of King City the trail crosses Keele Street about 1 km north of 15th Sdrd. There is a stile on the west side of Keele and a trail sign on the east side, as well as a gravel shoulder where you can pull off and park. By walking east you can check out the Mary Lake property and the Millar side trail (which is always a bit wet but can be good for birds). Walking west you will enter the Seneca College property, which has an excellent mix of open fields, a small lake, and a well-marked trail through mixed forest that eventually brings you to the beautiful Eaton estate, now used for receptions and weddings. Birding can be good all along this section of the Oak Ridges trail, as well as the eastern arc of the Millar side trail, which departs from the main trail and leads back to Keele. (The Millar side trail actually describes a circle, one semi-circle situated on the west side of Keele, one on the east.) ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Many migrants this morning at Ojibway Park (Windsor)
Hi, this is my first post so I hope I do it right. We are one beginning birder and one rusty birder, so I know many migrants around us during our 1-hour stroll this morning at Ojibway Nature Area starting at 9 a.m. went unidentified, however we did get Rose-breasted Grosbeak, many Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Chestnut-sided Warbler, a Hooded Warbler, and an Eastern Towhee singing at the very top of a tree in the sunshine. I heard White-throated sparrow as well. About five other species we were not able to pin down: about 3 other warblers and possibly vireos. The morning was cool but sunny and bird activity was just amazing. A passerby claimed that the rufous-phase screech owl peeked out of its nesting box (box in middle of creek by road), but we did not get to witness that. To get to the Ojibway Nature Area, take the Matchette Rd exit off the EC Row as depicted in this map http://www.ojibway.ca/map.htm. Happy birding. Kelly Morrissey and Sylvain Cote, Windsor ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Cattle Egret - Point Pelee
As I was driving out of Point Pelee just before 3:00 p.m. today a Cattle Egret flew up out of the field at Concession D Road and Point Pelee Drive and flew parallel to Point Pelee Drive heading north. I lost track of it as it flew over Sturgeon Woods campground. I searched around Sturgeon Creek, the dead end extension of Concession B Road and the 12th Concession Road, but could not re-locate it. Perhaps it veered to the west and will end up back at Hillman Marsh where it was reported from last night. Todd Pepper Leamington, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Chaffeys Lock: Cerulean Warbler migrants
Hello Ontbirders Today, May 4th my son Ben and I birded the Chaffeys Lock area, Presqu'ile and Rondeau enroute to Pelee. There was a noticeable increase in bird activity at Chaffeys Lock since my visit Thursday including 1 Cerulean , 5 Golden-winged Warbler, 3 Yellow-throated Vireo, 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a number of Ovenbird ,all singing. At Presqu'ile along Paxton and the Lighthouse area was a small selection of warblers including Northern Parula, Am. Redstart, and Black-thr. Blue Warbler, 5 Rose-br. Grosbeak, 1 Baltimore Oriole and 1 Eastern Kingbird. At Rondeau the Harris' Sparrow was still present at the VC feeder and singing. Our last stop at Hillmans at 5:00pm didn't produce the Mottled Duck but a Laughing Gull was a bonus. If you require additional information, please email me privately. good birding, Bruce and Ben Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive Carp, Ontario K0A 1L0 613-839-4395 home 613-715-2571 cell ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Pelee Island May 4th: WORM-EATING WARBLER, ETC...
Birding was generally light today, but there were a few interesting new arrivals. The best bird of the day was a WORM-EATING WARBLER seen at close range at the Fish Point parking lot. Other interesting birds included an early BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, NORHTERN PARULA, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. Yesterday morning there was a light reverse migration off the south tip of Fish Point. Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0(519) 724-2291 pimuseum pimuseum at hotmail.com There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island from May 1 until May 20 inclusive. Cost is $5.00. Meet at the Fish Point parking lot at 9 a.m. Check into the Heritage Centre for details on best birding areas and current rarities. The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, due south of the West Dock. Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and censusoperation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please visit: www.pibo.ca or call 519-724-2829. Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. The Seventh Annual Pelee Island Bird Race will take place from noon Friday, May 9, to noon, Saturday, May 10. Special guest birder is BRIDGET STUTCHBURY, author of Silence of the Songbirds. The Springsong Celebration continues Saturday evening with a 'Talk and Dinner' featuring VINCENT LAM with an introduction by Margaret Atwood. The Bird Race is 'All-Green,' i.e. bicycle or pedestrian travel. All teams welcome! Contact the Heritage Centre for details. _ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Prince Edward Point OFO trip
Thirteen OFO members Toronto, Picton, Kingston, Napanee and Stratford, led by Terry Sprague, birded Prince Edward Point today and found 78 species. Temperature was 10 degrees with partly cloudy skies and strong winds by early afternoon. Ten species of warblers were checked off, but missing were some obvious ones such as yellows. We did, however, manage to find prairie, blue-winged, northern parula, Blackburnian, Nashville, and palm, among the more notable ones, as well as a yellow-throated vireo. Both white-winged and surf scoters were present in Prince Edward Bay among the nine species of waterfowl spotted. A persistent Wilson's snipe winnowed non stop all day and a flock of about 30 rusty blackbirds was present in the Point Traverse area for much of the day. One of the more unusual finds was a rather displaced marsh wren who chattered deep within a tangle of deciduous shrubs near the banding area, a long way from the nearest cattail marsh. A bald eagle floated lazily over us during lunch, and both Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawk were found, and a broad-winged hawk. Despite the unsuitable habitat, several bobolinks entertained us upon our arrival with their rollicking song. Both hermit thrush and wood thrush were seen. Baltimore orioles were present, lots of white-throated sparrows, and a few white-crowned sparrows, and a small flock of purple finches at the banding station. Early buttercup, early saxifrage, spring beauties, fragrant sumac and Dutchman's breeches were all in bloom. The bane of Prince Edward Point, dog strangling vine, was just beginning to peek through the ground, a plant so insidious and aggressive, that it has caused garlic mustard to become something of a rarity. On behalf of the OFO, I want to thank those members who attended. Birding Week at Prince Edward Point begins May 10th and I will be present every morning at 8:00 a.m. to lead tours through the Point Traverse Woods until the 18th. Join us if you can. Details at www.naturestuff.net under EVENTS. - Terry Sprague . NatureStuff - Tours and Things interpretive hikes, bus tours kayaking canoeing tours seminars presentations www.naturestuff.net Terry Sprague 23 Sprague Road, R.R. # 1, Demorestville, Ontario K0K 1W0 613-476-5072 (home), 613-848-4549 (cell) ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]great egret
Agreat egret was seen along Reynolds Road between highway 401 and highway 2 on the west side of the road where a creek comes near the road just south of the s curve.Bird was seen by three people @ approximately 7 p.m. Sunday evening. Reynolds Road is east of Ganonoque and west of the Hill Island bridge. Hans van der Zweep ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Rondeau Birds - May 4 - Kentucky W., Yellow-billed C.
Rondeau Bird Report - Sunday May 4, 2008 Hello birders. We have not yet had any additional reports of the Western Tanager (a first-year male) found on South Point Trail at 7:15 this morning. This was the first record for the park. Seventeen species of warblers were seen on the peninsula today, including a Kentucky on Spicebush Trail, a Connecticut on Bennett Ave., a Blue-winged on South Point Trail, and an Orange-crowned on Tulip Tree Trail. The Prothonotary is still present at the Log Pond / Pony Barn, and Hooded were still being seen on Tulip Tree Trail, as well as South Point Trail. New arrivals included Blackburnian, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided and American Redstart. The feeders at the Visitor Centre are still hosting 7 species of sparrows, including a Harris's Sparrow in full breeding plumage (seen regularly), along with a Lincoln's and a Clay-colored. Both Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, as well as a Purple Finchare also taking advantage of the free food. Our new arrivals list features Great Crested Flycatchers, many more Blue-grayGnatcatchers and a great influx of Ruby-crowned Kinglets. These birds were particularly obvious on South Point Trail. Noteworthy there were a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and 2 White-eyed Vireos. Marsh birds also made a strong showing, with our first reports of Sora and Virginia Rail.Five Sandhill Cranes were seen there too. The Bald Eagle nest visible from the Marsh Trail has nestlings that are 2/3 the size of the parents. We will be visiting the Marsh Trail on the Tuesday and Thursday evening hikes, at 7 pm. American Woodcock are also doing their display flights. Other signs of spring today included a great many wildflowers, several Five-lined Skinks, a Spotted Turtle, and several species of butterfly (Red Admiral, American Lady and Tiger Swallowtail. Good birding! - I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily from May 3 to 19 (fee $5) as follows:Monday, Wednesday, Saturday Sunday 7:30 am 1 pm; Tuesday Thursday 7:30 am 7 pm.; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. There will also be a special program, on Saturday May 10 at 7 pm, with an evening presentation about the spring migration at Rondeau:An Evening in the Forest with LaForest (contact Visitor Centre re tickets)--Directions: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 pm from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot.Steve LaForestFriends of Rondeau Bird Guidec/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 _ Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
