[Ontbirds] HSR: Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area (24 Apr 2011) 1947 Raptors
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 24, 2011 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 61 2123 6827 Osprey 2 36 36 Bald Eagle 0 14 44 Northern Harrier 1 64 80 Sharp-shinned Hawk 103826889 Cooper's Hawk3 34 84 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1103575 Broad-winged Hawk 1748 3797 3797 Red-tailed Hawk 26758 1737 Rough-legged Hawk0 13 49 Golden Eagle 0 3 3 American Kestrel 1 18 27 Merlin 1 9 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 4 7 Unknown Accipiter0 1 2 Unknown Buteo0 10 31 Unknown Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 4 6 Total:1947 7820 14209 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 18:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter:Brian Mishell Observers:Cody Law, Dolores Mishell, Jean Iron, Keith Sealy, Phil Waggett, Ron Pittaway, Terry Osborne, Tom Thomas Visitors: We had lots of visitors from 10 a.m. until about 4 p.m. when they drifted away. Weather: The day started with little of no wind, 100% cover and light rain. Then gradually the breeze commenced from the North for the rest of the day but no more than a pleasant breeze. The rain petered out before 10 a.m.We had 100% cove until 1 p.m. when small amounts of blue sky could be seen.At 3. p.m. there was 90% cover,4 p.m. 40%,15% at 5 p.m.until we quit at 6.23 p.m. Raptor Observations: A memorable day.Up to 2 p.m. we had seen 19 broadwings,2-3 p.m.there were 302, 3-4 p.m.423,4-5 p.m. 683. We ended up with 1,748 at 6 23 p.m. The count would have been higher but the observers Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, Tom Thomas, Cody Law and Dolores Mishell together with the counter were thrown out of the park because the gate had to be closed. Non-raptor Observations: Through out the day we were entertained as usual by the Brown Thrasher, we saw Barn Swallows,Kingfishers,Loons going South,W.C. Sparrows,W.T sparrows, Fox sparrows, Hermit thrush amongst many Predictions: With lots of rain expected from lunchtime tomorrow until Friday and with big movement this afternoon I expect it to be slow. Report submitted by Brian Mishell () 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.
[Ontbirds] Evening Grosbeaks
Hi all, Yesterday at about 10:00 a.m. There was a flock of about 50 evening grosbeaks at the Ultramar gas station in Marmora. Sent from my iPod ___ 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] 81 Little Gulls Oshawa Second Marsh
This morning there were 81 Little Gulls at Oshawa Second Marsh. Most left for the lake to join the rafts of Bonaparte's feeding on the ghost midge hatch before 9am. This is the largest number of Little Gulls here in several years. At one point there were 41 birds performing courtship flights. Also the first immature bird of the year was seen. Other highlights Waterfowl (22 species) including: Tundra Swan 1, Trumpeter Swan 8, Ruddy Duck 11, Northern Pintails, American Wigeons,Redheads, 800+ Red-breasted Mergansers in the lake off the marsh Common Loons and Red-necked Grebes in the lake several Great Blue Herons and Black-crowned Night Herons Gulls and Terns (7 species): Bonaparte's Gull 935 Common and Caspian Terns and a very vocal and talented mockingbird Directions 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 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] Snowy Owl Bruce Mines
The snowy owl was seen again this morning at 11:10 hunting in the wet lands on the south side of McPhail Rd. He's been MIA for a week or more so could be a different bird. The ice breaker was through so all the usual suspects are on the water front including bald eagles, mute swans, and the spring migration is going strong. During the snow storm last week red poles were observed taking food out of the beaks purple finch. Hundreds of juncos. A real mix of winter and summer birds all over the region. The black poll was seen again after the snow storm. Bruce Mines is about 3 hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. To get to McPhail go north on 638 over the tracks and turn right on McPhail. ___ 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] Neotropic Cormorant YES - April 25th am
Hello All, The Neotropic Cormorant was present at 7 am this morning at Wheatley Harbour. It was sitting next to a Double-Crested Cormorant on a log visible from the Deer Run Road Bridge. Directions: Muddy Creek is found in the community of Wheatley. From Tilbury, follow Cty Rd 1 south, through the town of Wheatley, towards the lake. You will see Wheatley Harbour, after passing through the only set of traffic lights in town, Muddy Creek runs into Wheatley Harbour and is located on the corner of Cty Rd. 1 and Deer Run Road. Andrew Ross London, Ontario andysr...@rogers.com ___ 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] Wheatley Neotropic Cormorant
Hello All, Further to the post by Andrew Ross the Neotropic Cormorant was still at Wheatley Harbour at 1:30pm. It was sitting next to a Double-Crested Cormorant on a log visible from the Deer Run Road Bridge. Directions: Muddy Creek is found in the community of Wheatley. From Tilbury, follow Cty Rd 1 south, through the town of Wheatley, towards the lake. You will see Wheatley Harbour, after passing through the only set of traffic lights in town, Muddy Creek runs into Wheatley Harbour and is located on the corner of Cty Rd. 1 and Deer Run Road. ___ 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] Rondeau yellow throated warbler
The yellow throated warbler is being seen again at 17372 Lakeshore Rd in Rondeau Park. It is active in the yard, near the garage and at the feeder beside the door. If you come you are more likely to see it from the garage area, that way you won't scare it off. It also like the big spruce on the left side of the property. Seen between 2 and 3.20 pm. Ric -- Ric McArthur PO Box B1 Morpeth, Ontario,Canada N0P 1X0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricmcarthur ___ 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] Brighton Constructed Wetlands
Hello Fellow birders Here in Brighton we are have a few issues with a few locals in regards to the Permit System at the Wetlands and we require your help in letting them know how important it is to keep it open, if you have visited the wetlands then you know what a wonderful place it is. Therefore I am asking for letters/e-mails from visitors to present to the new council in support of keeping the Permit System going. You can send them to my e-mail address keith.lee(at)sympatico.ca Thank You for your support Keith Tiny Lee ___ 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] Loggerhead Shrikes, Upland Sandpiper-Carden
2 Loggerhead Shrikes (one at blind on Wylie Rd, one on Rockview), displaying Upland Sandpiper, Raven, Snipe, Savannah, Swamp, Vesper sparrows, Brown Thrasher, C Loons, Ospreys, Flickers, E Meadowlarks,E Phoebes, E Bluebirds, N Harriers, Tree and Barn swallows, in Carden area today. While filling garbage bag with trash dumped along the marsh on Proctor Road, heard American Bittern, Pied-billed Grebe, and Swamp sparrows singing. It is a shame that locals have dumped so much garbage in the Carden woodlots and ditches. Dave Milsom For birding tours see www.florafaunafieldtours.com ___ 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] warbler -Stratford
My apologies to all who tried to see the prairie warbler . Photos sent to Jean Iron show it to be a Pine warbler. I did not look closely enough at the wing bars. But a warbler of any variety was most welcome after the long snowy winter we have had in Stratford so I appreciate the Pine and the correction. Jeannie ___ 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] Eared Grebe and Eurasian Wigeon - Blenheim lagoons
At 730 this evening I found an immaculate alternative plumaged Eared grebe at the SE corner of pond 1 at the Blenheim lagoons. It was quite tame and allowed me to approach within 20 feet.Still present now as I am leaving. I also found a male Eurasian wigeon with the Americans at the east side of pond 3. All the wigeons flew at 8:00 and didn't return Good birding, Josh Vandermeulen ___ 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 (25 Apr 2011) 242 Raptors
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2011 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 14 2137 6841 Osprey 1 37 37 Bald Eagle 0 14 44 Northern Harrier 1 65 81 Sharp-shinned Hawk 58884947 Cooper's Hawk0 34 84 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0103575 Broad-winged Hawk 164 3961 3961 Red-tailed Hawk 2760 1739 Rough-legged Hawk0 13 49 Golden Eagle 1 4 4 American Kestrel 1 19 28 Merlin 0 9 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 4 7 Unknown Accipiter0 1 2 Unknown Buteo0 10 31 Unknown Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 4 6 Total: 242 8062 14451 -- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 5.17 hours Official Counter:John Stevens Observers:Brian Robertson, Don Pfeffer, Ian Smith, John Olmstead, Sandra Van Hullenaar Visitors: Marylou Langton and Jo Skillicorn from Toronto and a group from Nova Scotia whose names I didn't get. Weather: Clouded over almost from the start with light rain beginning about 1030 EST and becoming heavier around 1250 EST. Raptor Observations: Mostly BWs and SSs with a few spicier offerings. Local Cooper's Hawk displayed just off the escarpment and a pair were seen heading south. Perched Merlin found in the woods to the west of the tower. Non-raptor Observations: A Red Fox was in the field to the south for a while and an American Crow without a tail flew past. Notable migrants were singing Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Rufous-sided Towhee, White-throated Sparrow and two Common loon flybys. Predictions: Warmer tomorrow but more rain, particularly in the morning. Might be something in the afternoon but then rain again on Wed. and Thurs. 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] Pelee Island Update
Hey Birders, Just got on the island for a month full of birding fun! Stopped at Wheatley this morning before heading to the ferry and had the Neotropic Cormorant at the harbour. It was pretty easily seen at the end Deer Run Road. Nice bird! There's been some interesting sightings on the island the last little while and hopefully more to come! Glaucous Gull - 1 first-winter at Fish Point, seen for a few days, had it this evening Sedge Wren - 1 at Fish Point - April 24th, Graeme Gibson Northern Parula - 1 at Fish Point - April 12th, Graeme Gibson Grasshopper Sparrow - 1 at Fish Point, April 10th, Graeme Gibson Several other 'firsts of the season' have also been seen recently, including; Green Heron, Yellow Warbler etc. Directions: email me privately for more specific directions. Good Birding, Ken Burrell Pelee Island, until May 20th! ___ 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] Great Egret, Parry Sound
A great egret was spotted in the Parry Sound area on Saturday afternoon (3 pm). The egret was in a wetland on the west side of Highway 400, just north of Black Road, about 3 km north of Exit 213. Sorry for the late post. ___ 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] Neotropic Cormorant
The Neotropic Cormorant was still present at 5:00 p.m. today (Monday). It was perched on a mostly submerged bough on the far side of Muddy Creek about 100 m upstream (west) from the bridge that separates Muddy Creek from the Wheatley Harbour marina. There were first one and a half hour later three Double-crested Cormorant perched there with it, providing nice size comparisons. Directions: From Tilbury (south side of Hwy 401 west of Chatham) follow County Rd 1 south to Wheatley, continue south through town until you see the marina, turn right (west) on Deer Run Road and you will immediately cross a bridge. North-west of the bridge is Muddy Creek. -- Christopher Escott 151 Burbank Drive, Toronto ON Canada M2K 1N9 HOME: 416-444-8055 CELLULAR: 416-788-8055 ___ 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/
