[Ontbirds]HSR: DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark (12 Oct 2008) 856 Raptors
DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2008 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 1 1 Turkey Vulture 719 18396 19779 Osprey 0 15126 Bald Eagle 1 21 85 Northern Harrier 3 30117 Sharp-shinned Hawk 115640 2932 Cooper's Hawk4 68188 Northern Goshawk 0 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 35 38 Broad-winged Hawk0 15 36214 Red-tailed Hawk 13373496 Rough-legged Hawk0 1 1 Golden Eagle 0 1 1 American Kestrel 1 80389 Merlin 0 2 13 Peregrine Falcon 0 3 14 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 856 19683 60396 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours Official Counter:Josh Haas Observers:Calvin Brennan, Charlene Brennan, Darlene Friedman, Jeff Schultz Visitors: Saul Hanft Joan Tisdale Joy Barron Bob Jacobs Rosemary Brady Ron and Gloria Harkness Jim Lynch Rodney Laura Don Sherwood Weather: Visibility was somewhat reduced by haze in the early part of the day, otherwise conditions were sunny with a bit of high cirrus cloud. Winds were light to moderate southeast throughout the day. Raptor Observations: The day was quite slow overall with little in the way of sustained movement or variety. A lingering Osprey (or possibly more than one) provided some entertainment for the onlookers today otherwise the pickings were a bit thin. Non-raptor Observations: Highlighting the non-raptors today were a single Common Nighthawk and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.smrr.net/ ___ 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: DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark (11 Oct 2008) 2322 Raptors
DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 11, 2008 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 1 1 Turkey Vulture2157 17677 19060 Osprey 1 15126 Bald Eagle 1 20 84 Northern Harrier 4 27114 Sharp-shinned Hawk 49525 2817 Cooper's Hawk 10 64184 Northern Goshawk 0 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 15 35 38 Broad-winged Hawk4 15 36214 Red-tailed Hawk 72360483 Rough-legged Hawk0 1 1 Golden Eagle 1 1 1 American Kestrel 6 79388 Merlin 0 2 13 Peregrine Falcon 2 3 14 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total:2322 18827 59540 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Calvin Brennan Observers:Charlene Brennan, Chuck Owens, Don Sherwood, Rodney Laura Visitors: Joy Barron Saul Hanft Jim Lynch Ron and Gloria Harkness Bob Jacobs Weather: Sunny skies were the order of the day again today with a bit of high cloud cover as a good background. Winds were light east-southeast early becoming light to moderate southeast by mid morning. Raptor Observations: The flight today was decent on the whole, perhaps a bit better than anticipated even. Migration was steady throughout the day if not heavy with some excellent views of birds overhead despite much of the flight being to the north. Highlighting the movement overall today was the first Golden Eagle of the fall, a juvenile bird as might be expected this early in October that flew more or less overhead during the 11-noon hour of the count. Non-raptor Observations: A couple of less common passerines were noted among the abundant Yellow-rumps, kinglets, robins and such today, namely Blue-headed Vireo and Indigo Bunting. The most common diurnal passerine migrants continue to be Blue Jay and Tree Swallow although there has been an increase in the number of blackbirds migrating in recent days as well. Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.smrr.net/ ___ 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]OFO - Hamilton / Burlington area field trip report
Hello, The OFO's annual field trip to the Ham/Burlington area was enjoyed by a small but enthusiastic group of birders. It was not surprising that with the OFO convention held in Hamilton barely a week ago, and the fact that was a Thanksgiving weekend, I did not expect the usual number of participants. That being said, the eleven birders who made the trip, were some of the most eager and enthusiastic people you could wish to lead. In fact there were still some who wanted to keep birding well into the afternoon and early evening. We met at Hutch's on Van Wagner's Beach, and spent the first hour there, always hoping to see Jaeger or two, but although the wind direction was good, it was far too light for any action. One of the first birds we saw here was a Red-throated Loon flying overhead, and the only birds close enough to identify was a Red-necked Grebe, and some White-winged Scoters. The fields and ponds behind Hutch's were good for Hermit Thrushes, Eastern Towhee's, warblers( Black-throated Blue, Nashville, Palm and Yellow-rumped), Green Heron,Pied-billed Grebe, Lincoln Sparrow, and flyover Rusty Blackbirds, American Pipits, and a late Osprey. After lunch we then proceeded to the Windermere Basin, where we had a good tally of ducks, but the highlight here was the discovery of a recently arrived Brant Goose. Shorebirds at Windermere this year was restricted to a couple of Greater Yellowlegs and a lone Dunlin. Our next stop was the Dundas Marsh, or the Willows to be more specific. Here most of the group had good looks at one of two Nelson's sharp-tailed Sparrows we encountered in a patch of Manna Grass just off of the main trail. These birds were in a very accessible area that was discovered just days ago by a local birder. After saying goodbye to most of the group, a few of us headed to Tim Horton's, and on to Valley Inn, where we added a few more species to our list. So a very good day, with lots of birds to look at, and our total species count was 80, not too bad for Hamilton in October. Regards..Tom. ___ 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: DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark (10 Oct 2008) 1330 Raptors
DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2008 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 1 1 Turkey Vulture1098 15520 16903 Osprey 1 14125 Bald Eagle 2 19 83 Northern Harrier 6 23110 Sharp-shinned Hawk 86476 2768 Cooper's Hawk4 54174 Northern Goshawk 0 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 13 20 23 Broad-winged Hawk0 11 36210 Red-tailed Hawk113288411 Rough-legged Hawk1 1 1 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 5 73382 Merlin 1 2 13 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 12 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total:1330 16505 57218 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Calvin Brennan Observers:Charlene Brennan, Frank Kitakis, John Elliott, Rodney Laura Visitors: Saul Hanft Ron Harkness Jim Lynch Jim Maki Weather: Sunny skies prevailed throughout the day with little or no cloud cover. Winds were light and variable early in the day becoming light to moderate southeast by late morning. Raptor Observations: Overall the flight was similar to yesterday but with a noticeable increase in Buteo numbers. Much of the flight was well to the north, a predictable scenario given the wind and surely there were quite a few birds that made the passage undetected from the count area. Highlighting the day was the final bird tallied, a light morph Rough-legged Hawk, just the second of the season thus far. Non-raptor Observations: Sparrows have moved into the area in some numbers now, particularly Swamp, White-throated and White-crowned. Blue Jays seem to be still on the go in large groups which is getting to be a bit on the late side for so many to be still migrating. There was one modest-sized crow flock that migrated by but I wouldnt expect to see large groups of this species for a couple of weeks yet. Monarchs trickled steadily through today with perhaps a couple dozen in all seen. Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.smrr.net/ ___ 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: DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark (09 Oct 2008) 1241 Raptors
DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2008 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 1 1 Turkey Vulture1068 14422 15805 Osprey 4 13124 Bald Eagle 2 17 81 Northern Harrier 0 17104 Sharp-shinned Hawk 123390 2682 Cooper's Hawk 13 50170 Northern Goshawk 0 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 7 10 Broad-winged Hawk0 11 36210 Red-tailed Hawk 29175298 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1 68377 Merlin 0 1 12 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 12 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total:1241 15175 55888 -- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter:Calvin Brennan Observers:Darlene Friedman, Raburn Howland, Rodney Laura Visitors: Saul Hanft Jim Lynch Mary and Dennis Ron Harkness Pete Przybylski Weather: Fog and haze dominated the early part of the day with visibility much reduced until mid morning. Otherwise the day was clear and cloudless. Winds were light early becoming moderate to fairly strong by midday and varying from west to west-southwest. Raptor Observations: The flight overall was fairly light throughout the day, perhaps a bit surprising given the passage of a front the previous day. Sharpies moved quite consistently during the day but most of the vultures came by in a single hour in late morning and much of their flight overall was well to the north. Most birds were low, a function of the wind I should think and I had the impression that winds at elevation were probably much stronger than at the surface. Altogether Non-raptor Observations: Most entertaining today was the appearance of a couple of Praying Mantis, one of which was very photogenic posing nicely for quite some time under one of the picnic tables at the watch. Report submitted by Calvin Brennan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.smrr.net/ ___ 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] Sandhill Crane, American Golden Plover, Tennessee Warbler - Ottawa East
A group birding East of Ottawa with Tony Beck this morning had several great sightings. Around 8:00 am at Petrie Island there was a Tennessee Warbler in the trees along the causeway. At 8:45 am there were 5 American Golden Plovers on the rocks jutting out into the pond on the North side of Giroux Road. Then around 9:30 am we found 44 Sandhill Cranes in one large and two smaller groups along Milton and Trim roads. A group of 8 adults were seen on the West side of Trim Road, South of Navan. A larger group of 34, comprised of adults and juveniles, was seen in the cut cornfields at the traditional site along Milton Road. And two more were seen in fields further along Milton Road. A beautiful day to be out birding and great sightings too! Connie Denyes Ottawa, ON Directions to Petrie Island courtesy of NeilyWorld Birding (http://ca.geocities.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/oreo9.htm): From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 113 (Ottawa-Carleton 174, formerly Highway 17). Stay in the left lanes to take this exit. Go WNW 14.2 km to the Petrie Islands exit, Trim Road. Turn left or NNW on it and go 0.7 km to the causeway to Petrie Islands. Directions to Giroux Road Ponds Courtesy of NeilyWorld Birding (http://ca.geocities.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/merblu11.htm): From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 96 (Boundary Road). Proceed 2.0 km NNW on Boundary Road to Russell Road (Regional 26). Turn right or ESE onto Russell and drive 6.5 km to Frank Kenny Road. Turn left or NNW on Frank Kenny and go 8.0 km to Giroux Road. Turn right or ENE on it and drive 1.7 km to the Giroux Road Quarry Ponds. Directions to Milton Road courtesy of NeilyWorld Birding (http://ca.geocities.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/merblu8.htm): From Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 96 (Boundary Road). Proceed 2.0 km NNW on Boundary Road to Russell Road (Regional 26). Turn right or ESE onto Russell and drive 3.5 km to Milton Road (Regional 31). Turn left or NNW on Milton and go about 2.0 km to the bridge. Start here. ___ 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]FRIGATEBIRD & BARN OWL in ESSEX COUNTY
Hi Folks: At around 12:15 pm today October 12th, Paul Pratt got a phone call from Bob Wickett to let him know that he had just seen a FRIGATEBIRD circling over fishing boats about 1 km South of the town of Colchester on the north shore of Lake Erie in Essex County. Paul and myself drove from Holiday Beach CA to look for the bird, and incredibly as we arrived in Colchester it was soaring right over County Rd 50 just west of the town of Colchester. We watched it soar right over our heads for about three or four minutes and managed to secure lots of photos. I last saw the FRIGATEBIRD lazily soaring over a plouged farm field about 1 km northwest of the center of Colchester at around 12:55 pm. Paul and I had separated so I am not sure if he continued to follow the bird afterwards. Also of note, this morning while conducting a Big Sit from the Holiday Beach Hawk Tower in Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Essex County, I heard a BARN OWL call three times as if flew west over Big Creek Marsh around 6 am. I suspect this bird was a migrant. Good Birding. Tom G Tom Hince Wild Rose Guest House RR 1, 21298 Harbour Road Wheatley, ON N0P 2P0 Canada home: (519) 825-9070 mobile: (519) 981-5994 E mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.netcore.ca/~peleetom/webdoc11.htm ___ 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] SURF SCOTERS ON LAKEFRONT AT CRANBERRY; few raptors-Oct.12/08
In mid-morning of Oct.12 Jean Iron spotted 6 SURF SCOTERS on the lakefront below Cranberry Marsh in Whitby. We have now had 7 consecutive days of "balmy" weather, with a total of 72 migrating raptors at the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch, after 6 consecutive days of NW winds and rising BP had brought 2199 migrating raptors through. CRANBERRY MARSH RAPTOR WATCH, sw Whitby, ON Sat.& Sun. Oct.11,12/08 Observation time: 0800-1100EST both days Coordinator: Doug Lockrey Official Counters: Doug Lockrey, Jim Skene Observers: Jim Skene, Alf Lisk, Jim Fairchild, Jim Munroe, Ron Stephenson, Jean Iron, Karl Jennewein, Frank Oland, Jody Melanson and others, along with very many visitors. The weather both days---light SE winds; falling BP; 15C; TUV=2 both days. On Saturday we were entertained by a resident COOPER'S HAWK harassing our "temporarily resident" immature PEREGRINE FALCON on the east side of the wetland. Non-raptors- Eastern Meadfowlark, c. yellowthroat, many yellow-rumped warblers, marsh wren, swamp sparrows. At least 25 Monarchs flew through on Sunday morning. >From the 401 eastbound, exit at Salem Rd. in Ajax, south to Bayly, the east >through Lakeridge Rd. to the first street beyond-Hall's Rd.--south toward the >lake to the second roadside parking area. From the 401 westbound--exit at >Brock St. in Whitby, south to Victoria St., west right through to Hall's Rd. Species Oct.11,12 CountMonth Total Season Total -- -- - - Black Vulture(BV) 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture(TV)0 1677 1942 Osprey(OS) 0 1 147 Bald Eagle(BE) 0 13 56 Northern Harrier (NH) 016 64 Sharp-shinned Hawk (SS) 2 277 1286 Cooper's Hawk (CH) 027 84 Northern Goshawk (NG) 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk(RS) 0 13 Broad-winged Hawk(BW) 002042 Red-tailed Hawk(RT) 5 65 106 Rough-legged Hawk (RL) 0 0 0 Golden Eagle(GE) 0 0 0 American Kestrel (AK)0173663 Merlin(ML) 1 5 23 Peregrine Falcon (PG)0 4 15 Unknown Accipiter (UA) 05 8 Unknown Buteo (UB) 0 1 3 Unknown Falcon(UF) 0 1 3 Unknown Eagle (UE) 00 0 Unknown Raptor(UR) 05 35 TOTAL82271 6476 - 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 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 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
