[Ontbirds] Vespers (sparrow), Carols + Crossbills - Ganaraska
The Red Crossbill was the only remaining species unlocated in the past 3 years from my “kid’s list” with a 35 year hiatus from more intense Ontario birding. I set off in predicted light showers and increasing warm air late this a.m. The heavy drizzle did not let up in my drive, and I arrived to the constant splattering of drops in the evergreen canopy at Ganaraska. Despite this I was sure I could hear the throaty chirps of the Crossbills in the noisy backdrop. Trudging through the year’s first lightning and roaring thunder up the icy trails produced no better than the elusive, but disappearing chirpy sounds and twittering, plus a pair of grouse. After a cold and soaking hour, more dressed for the promised spring, I left in frustration cussing at the heavens for such luck to follow up the cold and windy outing Friday chasing the rear of a Western Grebe flushed with a raft of Red Necked Grebes by an early, zealous boater at Sam Smith Park – along with the non-show of the mythical Eared Grebe amongst beautiful Horned Grebes of surprisingly varied plumages and some nice pics. But as I was leaving the Forest, skies suddenly started to lift, and I drove up the nearby Soper Road to have an odd LBJ cross my bow. Co-operatively it landed close by to show a very early Vesper Sparrow. And then I turned back on Soper once more for Ganaraska Forest and saw the large platform on the west side of Soper in the large Hydro Pylon Tower held an early, nesting Osprey (returning from Argentina via Cuba?). Things were looking up as the birds also were coming out of the rain to do their important spring courting songs. Although the sounds were clearer now, I could no better than hear the Crossbills somewhat distantly in the canopy amidst widespread, caroling Robins etc. My deficiency in binaural hearing does not help. I spoke to a chatty employee who says the Crossbills have reliably foraged the Norway Spruces each morn at the Pay Kiosk entrance ($6 self serve permit) of the newly created Forest Centre that is an overnight Outdoors Centre to some 80 young aspiring naturalists. As a hunter and waterfowl observer, he directed me to Courtice Road at Lake Ontario where he states he saw 2 female plus a drake Common Eider last Tuesday - when I expressed some incredulity, he mentioned a Common Eider bagged at Presquille by a hunter last fall. Many ducks in the chop along with White winged Scoters but not a wisp of an Eider there – although surprisingly Tree Swallows were foraging on a brisk, wavy and cold Lake Ontario that is taking so long to warm into spring. Second Marsh held a surprising variety of newly arrived residents (Bonaparte’s,Caspians, Flickers etc) and varied waterfowl migrants. At Whitby there was precious little in the Harbour apart from a fleeing Scaup and a returning Common Loon. Still, a nice day out with various Sparrows, Meadow and Horned Larks singing along with so many returning birds eager to set up their new real estate in northern climes. Robin Lawson, Newmarket Directions – I found it easiest to enter via Ganaraska Road going east from Kirby at Hwy 35 past Kendal to Cold Springs Camp Road and follow the signs N to the Forest Centre. Soper Road was less than a km west of the Cold Springs Camp and the Vesper + Osprey a few hundred m N and on the West side. Courtice Road is the 401 turnoff to Darlington Provincial Park, one turnoff west of Second Marsh’s at Bloor/Harmony in Oshawa. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Little Gulls numbers building at Oshawa Second Marsh
During todays Little Gull survey the numbers have now risen to 7 Little Gulls and 27 Bonaparte's Gulls All birds were still in the marsh actively hawking insects when I left at 9am. Other species observed include: 22 Species of Waterfowl: Northern Shoveler 17, Northern Pintail 19, Green-winged Teal 168, Canvasback 1, Ring-necked Duck 114,Ruddy Duck16 1 immature Iceland Gull 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 2 American Coots and 1 Common Moorhen and the resident Turkey Vulture who roosts on the GM headquarters. Directions Oshawa Second Marsh Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of the lot. For a trail map of the Oshawa Second Marsh area visit www.secondmarsh.com and check the link for a trail map of the area Tyler Hoar ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Call for American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey Volunteers
The American Woodcock Singing-ground Survey is a bi-national monitoring program that provides an index of the relative size of the woodcock breeding population in North America. It is the most important source of data used to guide federal, state and provincial woodcock programs. Bird Studies Canada has recently taken on the role of coordinating the Ontario portion of this survey, and we are looking for volunteers interested in surveying pre-assigned routes throughout the province. Each route consists of a single sunset survey of 10 stops where the participant will count the numbers of individuals observed using the vocal courtship displays, or peents. Monitoring will occur between April 15 and May 20 (the actual monitoring window will depend on where in Ontario you live), and routes will be assigned according to availability and the geographic location of the participant. If you are interested in participating in the American Woodcock Singing-ground Survey, please contact Elisabeth van Stam at evans...@bsc-eoc.orgmailto:evans...@bsc-eoc.org. Please see the provided links for the locations of available routes in southern and northern Ontario. Please note: routes #51, 66, 67, 76, 82, 99, 116 and 117 have recently been assigned, and are currently NOT available. www.bsc-eoc.org/download/AMWOroutessouth.pdfhttp://www.bsc-eoc.org/download/AMWOroutessouth.pdf www.bsc-eoc.org/download/AMWOroutesnorth.pdfhttp://www.bsc-eoc.org/download/AMWOroutesnorth.pdf Elisabeth van Stam, Ontario Region Project Biologist Bird Studies Canada 115 Front Street, P.O Box 160 Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0 Phone: 519-586-3531 ext. 173 Toll Free: 888-448-2473 ext. 173 E-mail: evans...@bsc-eoc.org ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] HSR: Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area (11 Apr 2011) 299 Raptors
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2011 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 231 1435 6139 Osprey 4 11 11 Bald Eagle 0 5 35 Northern Harrier 1 24 40 Sharp-shinned Hawk 50264327 Cooper's Hawk0 11 61 Northern Goshawk 1 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 89561 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 6456 1435 Rough-legged Hawk0 7 43 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 2 7 16 Merlin 1 1 3 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Accipiter0 1 2 Unknown Buteo0 6 27 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 1 2 4 Total: 299 2320 8709 -- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9.33 hours Official Counter:John Stevens Observers:Frank Horvath, Sandra Horvath Visitors: Six including Kim Frohlich of NPCA and a couple from Munich, Germany, Martin and Marta who noted some red patches on the wings of Turkey Vultures while watching at the point lookout. Weather: Another blustery Monday with scattered showers between 0730 and 1230 EST. Temperature held fairly steady but varied more with the thickness of the cloud than the time. Raptor Observations: All the birds were very low tacking into the southwesterly wind. Several birds especially sharpies went east. Instead of seeing a hoped for first BW of the season, there was the first Goshawk, a more than satisfactory compensation. Non-raptor Observations: A big movement of Northern Flickers, a fair number of Tree Swallows, a pair of Wood Ducks and a Meadowlark but not much action at the feeders. Predictions: Much cooler tomorrow with NE winds off the lake. Dress warmly for a potentially moderate count. Report submitted by John Stevens () Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/ Site Description: Hawk migration monitoring at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario is conducted by the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). All counting is done by volunteers. Not all members are counters nor does a counter have to be a member. Typically one person is the designated counter for each day but other observers present assist with the spotting and identification. Counting is done from a steel observation tower with a wooden floor. For wind protection on cold days, particularly in March, a black plastic wind guard is installed around the tower's platform. This platform easily accommodates ten people but on most busy days, no more than five or six observers would be on it. The site lies within a publicly accessible property owned by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. There is no charge for admittance. The tower stands in the centre of a mowed area with a gravel ring road near the outer edge. This provides lots of room to park vehicles (along the road) and set up lawn chairs, telescopes and cameras. Toilet facilities are present. During the counting season, the NPH erect a counting board to display seven day's worth of observation data for the public. The box enclosing the sign contains brochures and silhouette sheets for the public as well as bulletin boards with news and historical sighting records. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 71/72, 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. © 2011 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch ___ ONTBIRDS is
[Ontbirds] Grey Partridge, Ottawa
After successfully eluding me all winter a pair of Grey Partridge decided to reveal themselves this evening on Brownlee Road, south of Ottawa (from highway 417 take Eagleson Road south, turn west on Brownlee, seen about halfway between Eagleson Road and Shea Road). They leisurely walked across the road, then rocketed away across the fields. Mark GawnOttawa, Ontario, Canada ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] HSR: Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area (10 Apr 2011) 303 Raptors
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2011 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 108 1312 6016 Osprey 2 9 9 Bald Eagle 0 5 35 Northern Harrier 4 27 43 Sharp-shinned Hawk 130344407 Cooper's Hawk1 12 62 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 87559 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 52502 1481 Rough-legged Hawk0 7 43 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 2 7 16 Merlin 2 2 4 Peregrine Falcon 1 1 4 Unknown Accipiter0 1 2 Unknown Buteo0 6 27 Unknown Falcon 1 1 1 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 3 Total: 303 2324 8713 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 18:30:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours Official Counter:George Naylor Observers:George Naylor, Kevin McLaughlin, Rhondda James, Rob Waldhuber Visitors: Rob Waldhuber, Kevin McLaughlin, Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway Weather: 100% cloud cover, S/W winds until 11:00 AM, then winds switched to north, fog, then T storms and rain for almost an hour, then wind switched back to south, started warming up, cloud cover dissipated gradually, with mostly clear skies by 2:00 PM Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: Report submitted by George Naylor () Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/ Site Description: Hawk migration monitoring at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario is conducted by the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). All counting is done by volunteers. Not all members are counters nor does a counter have to be a member. Typically one person is the designated counter for each day but other observers present assist with the spotting and identification. Counting is done from a steel observation tower with a wooden floor. For wind protection on cold days, particularly in March, a black plastic wind guard is installed around the tower's platform. This platform easily accommodates ten people but on most busy days, no more than five or six observers would be on it. The site lies within a publicly accessible property owned by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. There is no charge for admittance. The tower stands in the centre of a mowed area with a gravel ring road near the outer edge. This provides lots of room to park vehicles (along the road) and set up lawn chairs, telescopes and cameras. Toilet facilities are present. During the counting season, the NPH erect a counting board to display seven day's worth of observation data for the public. The box enclosing the sign contains brochures and silhouette sheets for the public as well as bulletin boards with news and historical sighting records. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 71/72, 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. © 2011 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
