[Ontbirds] Cerulean warbler - Opinicon Road, Eastern Ontario
The first cerulean warbler of 2011 has returned to Opinicon Road. I found it singing infrequently on the north side of the road 100 m east of the Skycroft Campground sign. Request for information on Opinicon Road's cerulean warblers: There are 100-106 pairs of cerulean warblers breeding on the lands owned by the Queen's University Biological Station. Most are concentrated in 1,250 ha along Opinicon Road. Last year Paul Martin, Liz Purves and I colour banded about 85 males. Banding was part of a longterm monitoring programme, part of which hopes to determine return rates of banded birds. We'd appreciate reports of banded male (and female) cerulean warblers from Opinicon Road and its environs. If you would like to submit a sighting you can simply email me privately (mcon...@lakeheadu.ca). The only information I need form you is the band combination (each bird has 4 bands, 1 of which is always a standard silver CWS band and 3 plastic colour bands; each band combination is unique, no two ceruleans at QUBS wear the same combination) and a general location (i.e. near Skycroft Campground or 6 km from Perth Road, etc). Colour band combinations are usually reported as top left/bottom left - top right/bottom right. For example today's cerulean warbler was wearing the colours white/white - white/silver. Please don't feel obligated to submit your sightings, but I'd welcome them from anyone who is interested in doing so. Thank you. Other recent migrants along Opinicon Road: scarlet tanager, common yellowthroat, blue-winged teal, brown thrasher, grey catbird. The orchard oriole originally found on 27th was present at Queen's University Biological Station again on the 28th but hasn't been seen since. Directions to Opinicon Road: From Kingston: Go north on Division Street/Perth Road/County Road 10 to just past Perth Road Village. Turn east (right) on Opinicon Road. From Ottawa: Go west on Highway 417 to Highway 7. At Carleton Place turn south (left) on Highway 15. Follow Highway 15 for about 60 km through Smith's Falls and all the way to Chaffey's Lock Road (name changes to Opinicon Road west of Chaffey's Lock). The best birding is between Chaffey's Lock and Perth Road. Queen's University Biological Station (main operations centre; emergency address 280) is located at the end of Queen's University Road, 2 km west of Chaffey's Lock. Mark -- Mark Andrew Conboy Operations Research Assistant and Outreach Coordinator Queen’s University Biological Station 280 Queen's University Road Elgin, Ontario, Canada K0G 1E0 phone: 613-359-5629 fax: 613-359-6558 email: 7m...@queensu.ca or mcon...@lakeheadu.ca QUBS website: http://www.queensu.ca/qubs/index.html QUBS blog: http://opinicon.wordpress.com/ QUBS flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/qubsoutreach/ ___ 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 Provincial Park
Morning The yellow throated warbler was seen this morning at 17372 Lakeshore Rd, and a hummingbird came into the feeders as well. 9 Sandhill cranes were in the dunes along south point trail near the path that goes out to the light. A chat was heard in the same area. Not much new so far in the warblers today. The visitor centre garden is undergoing renovations and is not as good as usual. Ric Take the 401 to exit 101 and follow the signs to the park. -- 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] Point Pelee Migration Report April 30, 2011
*Friends of Point Pelee provide guided birding hikes throughout the Festival of Birds at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Proceeds from hikes support the Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park. This submitted report is a service of the Friends of Point Pelee Hike Leaders.* * * *Point** Pelee National Park** Migration Update for: APRIL 30, 2011* Sunny skies greeted birders to the Park this morning. Those who visited the tip were treated to amazing views of a breeding plumaged Horned Grebe. At times it was only a couple metres from shore! Also visible offshore were hundreds of Red-breasted Mergansers and all three species of scoters. Numerous Red-bellied Woodpeckers and at least one Red-headed Woodpecker were seen flying through the treetops there as well. A Hairy Woodpecker was also a nice surprise. Scattered amongst the many Yellow-rumped Warblers and increasing numbers of Yellow Warblers were Cape May Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, a couple of Pine Warblers, Red-eyed Vireo and Warbling Vireo. There area also lots of Chipping Sparrows flitting about on the ground. Away from the tip, the highlight was a Yellow-throated Warbler and Northern Parula, seen at Post 15 of the Woodland Nature Trail. A Tufted Titmouse was reported elsewhere along the trail. Noteworthy birds along the Shuster Trail (before the turnoff to Tilden’s Woods) included Louisiana and Northern Waterthrush. Both species were heard singing from the slough. A Hooded Warbler was seen along the path to the Sparrow Field. Also reported yesterday was a male Prairie Warbler at the NE corner of Tilden’s Woods. Further south in the woods a Yellow-throated VIREO gave very good views, down low as did a Blue-winged Warbler. A White-eyed Vireo and Peregrine Falcon were observed at Northwest Beach. There have been no recent reports of the Neotropic Cormorant that was reported from Muddy Creek at Wheatley. Good Birding, Hike Leaders: Pete, KARL, Todd, Justin, Marianne, John, Ellen, Alvan and Jeremy FESTIVAL OF BIRDS APRIL 30, 2011 THROUGH MAY 23, 2011 Point Pelee National Park of Canada and Friends of Point Pelee For more information on the festival and archived Point Pelee Migration Reports, please check our www.festivalofbirds.ca FOLLOW the park on Twitter.com/PointPeleeNPfile:///E:/Point%20Pelee%20Migration%20Update%20-%20Template.doc -- Janice Rogers, General Manager Friends of Point Pelee ~ Celebrating 30 years Our Point is Pelee www.friendsofpointpelee.com 519-326-6173 *Festival of Birds ~ April 30 though May 23, 2011 * *www.festivalofbirds.ca* http://www.festivalofbirds.ca/* * ___ 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 Park Townsends solitaire
The Townsend solitaire has been seen for the last 1 1/2 hours across the road from the visitors centre. It is out in the open and everyone is getting clear views. Ric Take the 401 to exit 101 and follow the signs to the park. -- 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] Yellow-throated Warbler at Presqu'ile
A male Yellow-throated Warbler was observed at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this morning at ~1030h approximately half way between the two viewing platforms north of the lighthouse. Also of note was a Blue-winged Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, and Gray Catbird. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed there. Dennis Garratt Cobourg, Ontario ___ 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] Yellow-breasted Chat, Leslie Street Spit
Hey Folks, Today at the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station we were very excited to find a Yellow-breasted Chat in one of our nets! This is only our second banding record of a chat, the first in 2007. We released the bird around 9:30 and didn't see it again all morning, although we were too busy with the banding operation to search for it. A visitor later told us that he ran into someone who saw a chat at the base of the spit (the wet woods) around 11:00. Directions to Tommy Thompson Park (Leslie Street Spit) Tommy Thompson Park (TTP) is located at the foot of Leslie Street where it meets Unwin Avenue, south of Lake Shore Boulevard East. From the west: Take the Gardiner Expressway east and exit at Lakeshore Blvd. OR take Lakeshore Blvd. east to Leslie St. Turn right at Leslie St. and continue to the end where you will see the park gates. From the east: Take Lakeshore Blvd. west to Leslie St. Turn left at Leslie St. and continue to the end where you will see the park gates. From the north: Take the Don Valley Parkway south and exit at Lakeshore Blvd. Go east on Lakeshore Blvd. to Leslie St. Turn right at Leslie St. and continue to the end where you will see the park gates. TTC: Take the 501 streetcar along Queen St. to Leslie St. It is 1300m south on Leslie St. to the gate. OR Take the 83 Jones S. bus south from Donlands station to Commissioners St. and walk 500m to south to the gate The park is open to the public weekends and holidays from 9am-6pm April through October and 9am-4:30pm November through March. Directions to the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station TTPBRS is located on Peninsula D, the Northernmost peninsula that branches West off the main spine of the spit. Follow the main road about 3 km until you reach a dirt road to your right. There is a sign for the Aquatic Park Sailing Club. Follow the road down and the banding station is the tiny shack beside the parking lot. The station is open to the public on weekends and holidays from April - June 9 and August 5 - November 12. We start early, so we are usually wrapping up around noon. Cheers, Brett -- Brett Tryon Coordinator, Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (416) 318-2107 ___ 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] Hillman Marsh Conservation Area (Point Pelee) Eared Grebe
Birders - The Eared Grebe found by Marianne Reid several days ago at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area remains active in the SW corner of the Shorebird Cell. Some of the other birds there this morning include 300+ Dunlin, 10 Black-bellied Plover, 3 Greater Yellowlegs, and a variety of ducks such as - Ruddy, Bufflehead, American Wigeon and Pintail. The 60 acre Shorebird Cell at Hillman is being drawn-down each week to provide shorebird mud / feeding habitat, however with all the rain this past month it keeps filling up! The 1,000 acre Hillman Marsh Conservation Area is located on the NE corner of the Point Pelee peninsula in Essex County, 4 km N of Point Pelee National Park. Regards from Point Pelee - Michael Malone Pelee Wings Nature Store Discount Binoculars Scopes www.peleewings.ca ___ 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] OFO Minesing Trip-April 30
35 birders attended the OFO Minesing outing on a beautiful Spring day. We could not find the 2 White-fronted Geese seen yesterday but did mange to find some nice birds in our total of 77 species. Water levels are very high. When they recede, the area should be great for shorebirds the next two weeks. We found many Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, a lone Dunlin and lots of Killdeer. Duck numbers were high, including Hooded Merganser, Northern Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Green and Blue-winged Teal and Northern Pintails. Warblers: several Pine Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Palm Warbler and many Yellow-rumps. Sparrows included Vesper, Swamp, White-crowned, White-throated, Chipping, American Tree, Field and Savannah. Others : Brown Thrasher, Rusty Blackbirds (about 25), Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Brown Creeper, Blue-headed and Red Eyed Vireo, Sapsucker, Flicker, Catbird, Eastern Bluebird, Winter Wren, Raven, Horned Lark, Red-shouldered Hawk, Eastern Phoebe, Least Flycatcher and Wild Turkey. The best area is Mackinnon Road which is just east of Angus on County Road 90. The swamp can be accessed on foot at the end of Baldwick, off Sunnidale. Dave Milsom milsomd...@hotmail.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] YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - Wet Woods, Leslie Street Spit
This morning at 7:30 the Yellow-breasted Chat was easily seen in the bright sunlight as it made it's way through the Dogwoods and other shrubs in the area just in front of the woods along the trail. It then flew over to the south side of the woods and worked it's way through the area where the small hills are. Roughly an hour or so later it was rediscovered by the T.O.C. group on the west side of the woods skulking through the shrubs there. Other nice birds observed in the woods: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher, Northern Waterthrush, Swamp Sparrow and Rusty Blackbird. The trails are very muddy and there are several large puddles of water. The Wet Woods are located in the baselands of the Leslie Street Spit just beyond the west side of the parking lot area. The Leslie Street Spit (Tommy Thompson Park) is located at the foot of Leslie Street as you head south from Lake Shore Blvd East. Walter Fisher Scarborough ___ 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] Sandhill Crane - Sager Rd. Hamilton (Branchton)
Shortly after 7 this evening I was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Off in the distance I heard a strange, regular, guttural call. It came closer and eventually a large, long-legged, long-necked bird flew slowly over the south pasture. It finally disappeared out of sight behind the barn but continued its regular calling all the while. Possibly stopped at Fairchild Creek at 5th Concession West. Came inside to the computer, launched Peterson's North American Birds and quickly learned what I'd seen and heard was a Sandhill Crane. No other sounds even came close. Sorry if this is not unusual for this area but, it's a definite first for me. And, if I understand Peterson, a lone individual is not normal. At the very Westernmost edge of the City of Hamilton, just south of the junction of Sager Rd. and 5th Concession West. Ross Reid, RR # 2 Branchton, Ontario. 43º 17' 26.75 North 80º 13' 29.46 West === Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 7.0.0.21, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.17410) http://www.pctools.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] Townsend's Solitaire Rondeau P. P.
A little more info on the Townsend's Solitaire at Rondeau Provincial Park April 30. Thanks to Ric McArthur for posting about the bird. The Solitaire was seen along Lakeshore Rd. in the park, just north of the visitor centre just after lunch today. It was seen a few cottages north of the V. C. and just across from the V. C. catching insects and eating berries. It was first observed last Sunday at South Point Trail parking lot, as posted on Ontbirds by Donald Pye. Good chance it will stick around. Interestingly, this appears to be the first in-park record! Even more interesting is the fact this is the first Rondeau Birding Area record in 35 years! One was found by Keith Burk at Cedar Springs in 1976. If anyone can contradict this, please let me know. A long overdue record for Rondeau! Photo on my blog. Lakeshore Road is on the east side of the park. Follow road to visitor centre and park there and walk around the area. Rondeau Provincial Park is found by exiting 401 at #101 (Kent Bridge Rd.) and travelling south to Rose Beach Line. Turn right and head towards the park. Watch for prominent highway signs. Blake A. Mann Wallaceburg Chatham-Kent, Ontario boatmannATkentDOTnet Blog: http://burgbirder.blogspot.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] Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Lagoons East of Ottawa
Today, Saturday, April 30, 2011, three Spotted Sandpipers were seen at the Casselman Lagoon along the rocky shore of one of the cells. In the opposite cell were three Greater Yellowlegs and two Lesser Yellowlegs feeding close together giving us a great comparison of the two species. The Greater Yellowlegs and Wilson's Phalarope at the Embrun Sewage Lagoon reported by Chris Lewis April 27, were still there today. We saw two Greater Yellowlegs and one Wilson's Phalarope (f) at that location this afternoon. Connie Denyes Ottawa, ON Directions courtesy of NeilyWorld Birding: Casselman Sewage Lagoon: http://www.neilyworld.com/neilyworld/sewage7.htm From Highway 417 (The Queensway), 52 km east of Ottawa, take the Casselman exit (66) and go NNW toward the town of Casselman. Drive 1.1 km NNW into town on Rue Principale, crossing the railway tracks and the main cross-street (St. Isidore), to turn right or northeast just beyond onto Laurier. Follow Laurier northeast, then north, 1.8 km to Concession 5 Road (or Route 500). Turn right or northeast onto it and the road into the Casselman Sewage Lagoons is on your right almost immediately. Embun Sewage Lagoon: http://www.neilyworld.com/neilyworld/sewage5.htm From Highway 417 (The Queensway), 39 km east of Ottawa, take exit 79 (Regional 5), labeled Limoges / Embrun. Proceed 2.5 km SSE on Regional 5 to Regional 3 or Notre Dame Street. Turn right or WSW onto it and drive 2.8 km to St.-Joseph Road on the east edge of the town of Embrun. Turn left or SSE on it and go 1.5 km to Route 400. Turn left or northeast onto Route 400 and after about a kilometre the Embrun Sewage Lagoons will be on your left. ___ 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] Lawrence's Warbler--Rondeau P.Park
Another nice bird for Rondeau today--a Book Perfect Lawrence's Warbler showed up just before 4 p.m. this aft.--Sat. April 30th. It was still there at 5:45 when I left the Park . It was always seen immediately at the entrance to the Tulip Tree Trail [ beside the shed ]. Sometimes first seen on the left side of the trail, then it would cross over to the right. When disturbed, it would disappear for some time, only to come back and repeat the above. It was scratching in the leaves in search of food, rather than insects in flight [ there were none ! ]. Hopefully it will spend the night there, as I believe the OFO tour at Rondeau is in the morning. Directions: Rondeau Provincial Park is found by exiting 401 at #101 (Kent Bridge Rd.) and travelling south to Rose Beach Line. Turn right and head towards the park. Watch for prominent highway signs. Irene Woods, Chatham- Kent ___ 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] Black crowned night heron, Ottawa
Whe found a Black crowned night heron at mud lake today at 3:20 Pm on the southern edge of the lake (on the bridge), several birders saw it. Lots of turtles in the vicinity. Here our pics, http://www.flickr.com/photos/31366379@N05/5673712083/in/photostream/ Jonathan.M ___ 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/
