[Ontbirds] Pelee Island May 1st

[peleeisland museum]

Hey Birders,
 
Another fantastic day here on the island! Alittle over 140 species were seen on 
the island, including 24 species of warbler!
 
Here are the highlights...
 
Worm-eating Warbler - 1 seen this morning near Dick's Marina
Golden-winged Warbler - single males seen at Lighthouse Point and in an empty 
lot 400m. east of Scudder along the lake
Hooded Warbler - 1 male at Sheridan's Point
 
White-eyed Vireo - 1 bird at Sheridan's Point
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1 bird along the canal on Centre Dyke Road
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 first-year bird at the Scudder dock
Nelson's Gull - 1 first-year bird at Fish Point (same bird as a few days ago)
Northern Mockingbird - 1 bird seen
 
As well as the rarer species seen, many common species were also seen, 
including; Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-winged, Orange-crowned (2), Tennessee 
(2), Chestnut-sided (10), Magnolia (8), Cape May (7), Bay-breasted (2) and many 
others.
 
Birds and warblers in particular were constantly moving around the island and 
was very impressive. 
 
Good Birding!
Ken Burrell (and Brandon Holden & Mike Burrell)
 
---
  
Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0(519) 
724-2291 "pimuseum"  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 Kingsville several times daily. 
For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. 
 
The Ninth Annual Pelee Island Bird Race will take place from noon Friday, May 
6, to noon, Saturday, May 7. The Springsong Celebration continues Saturday 
evening with a 'Talk and Dinner'. 
The Bird Race is 'All-Green,' i.e. bicycle or pedestrian travel. All teams 
welcome! Contact the Heritage Centre for details.

  
___
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] Algonquin Park Birding

[Bruce Di Labio]

Hi Everyone
Spent the day birding various sites along Hwy. 60. Overall, an interesting day 
but numbers low. We did have 3 Spruce Grouse, 1 male at Spruce Bog Trail and 2 
along Mizzy Lake Trail along with 1 Boreal Chickadee. There were 2 Gray Jays 
observed at mile marker 54 by a group from Kingston. The warbler variety was 
low but we did have Black & White, Nashville, Pine, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat 
and lots of Yellow-rumped Warbler. At the Old Airfield there were a few birds 
including American Pipit, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow and a couple of 
Evening Grosbeaks flew over. Along Hwy. 60 we observed 6 Moose. 
Good Birding, Bruce and Ben

Directions: Courtesy Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400,
11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400.
>From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60
to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from
the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park
permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned
here) at the gates.

The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings and information.
The centre and restaurant are open on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm.,
including Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Algonquin Park birding updates and information are available at:
www.algonquinpark.on.ca

Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www.dilabiobirding.ca
http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com

Bruce Di Labio
400 Donald B. Munro Drive
P.O. Box 538
Carp, Ontario
K0A 1L0 
Office 613-839-4395 Mobile 613-715-2571
 
___
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 (30 Apr 2011) Corrected - 207 Raptors

[reports]

Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2011
---

SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total   Season Total
-- --- -- --
Black Vulture0  0  1
Turkey Vulture  17   2257   6961
Osprey   0 40 40
Bald Eagle   0 25 55
Northern Harrier 2 86102
Sharp-shinned Hawk  28   1580   1643
Cooper's Hawk2 47 97
Northern Goshawk 0  1  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  2108580
Broad-winged Hawk  127   8598   8598
Red-tailed Hawk 28828   1807
Rough-legged Hawk0 20 56
Golden Eagle 0  7  7
American Kestrel 1 29 38
Merlin   0 11 13
Peregrine Falcon 0  6  9
Unknown Accipiter0  1  2
Unknown Buteo0 10 31
Unknown Falcon   0  2  2
Unknown Eagle0  0  0
Unknown Raptor   0  4  6

Total: 207  13660  20049
--

Observation start time: 07:30:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 8.5 hours

Official Counter:Barry Cherriere, Mike Street

Observers:George Holland, Linda Cherriere, Tom Thomas

Visitors:
Wayne Brown, George Holland, Marc Lichtenberg; one AM gentleman whose name
Mike did not get.


Weather:
Frost on roofs at 6AM bird time but bright sun warmed things up to about
11°C by 11AM. Blue sky until 10AM, then light cloud. East wind in the
morning.

Raptor Observations:
Slow morning despite east wind. 

Non-raptor Observations:
Common Loon, Common Yellowthroat; 2 Eastern Phoebes doing territorial
things; 2 Sandhill Cranes very close; Pileated, Downy, Hairy and
Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Northern Flicker; Eastern Towhee;
White-throated and Field Sparrows, Brown Thrasher and at least 2 Gray
Catbirds singing;

Report submitted by Mike Street (mikestre...@gmail.com)
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/

[Ontbirds] OFO TRIP RONDEAU

[Donald Pye]

15 People meet at the Park at 8 AM to check out some of the early Birds in 
spring migration. In the morning we had heavy rain showers and light rain in 
the afternoon.
We found  a   100 Species for the day. 
Our best bird was a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER ,seen at the feeders at Ric 
McArther's home.
We had 11 Species of Warblers including a Blackpoll
We had 3 Species of Vireos. We had 3 Grebes Including the Horned and Eared.
We had a pair of Wilson's Phalarope at Blenheim Lagoons

A Good Day
Maris Apse
Donald Pye
___
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 (01 May 2011) 6 Raptors

[reports]

Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: May 01, 2011
---

SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total   Season Total
-- --- -- --
Black Vulture0  0  1
Turkey Vulture   0  0   6944
Osprey   0  0 40
Bald Eagle   0  0 55
Northern Harrier 0  0101
Sharp-shinned Hawk   6  6   1637
Cooper's Hawk0  0 97
Northern Goshawk 0  0  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  0  0579
Broad-winged Hawk0  0   8586
Red-tailed Hawk  0  0   1799
Rough-legged Hawk0  0 56
Golden Eagle 0  0  7
American Kestrel 0  0 37
Merlin   0  0 13
Peregrine Falcon 0  0  9
Unknown Accipiter0  0  2
Unknown Buteo0  0 31
Unknown Falcon   0  0  2
Unknown Eagle0  0  0
Unknown Raptor   0  0  6

Total:   6  6  20003
--

Observation start time: 08:00:00 
Observation end   time: 12:00:00 
Total observation time: 4 hours

Official Counter:Bill Smith

Observers:John Djukic

Weather:
Mainly over cast all morning with south winds. Rain shutting down the count
at 11:45

Raptor Observations:
Several TVs flying back and forth in early morning.

Non-raptor Observations:
Several warbles and a couple of Bob-o-links flying over.

Report submitted by Bill Smith ()
Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at:
http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/


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/

[Ontbirds] Rondeau Festival of Birds May 5 - 23, 2011

[Steve LaForest]

Hello Ontbirders.

This spring's variable temperatures have brought on an early migration, and
Rondeau Provincial Park is ready!  We have morning coffee and snacks waiting
for early birders.

Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Thursday May 5 and go through to
Victoria Day.  I will lead a guided hike twice daily from Thursday May 5 to
Monday May 23, inclusive (fee $5), as follows:

Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday at 7:30 am and 1:00 pm Tuesday and
Friday at 7:30 am and 7:00 pm;
as well as Wednesday at 7:30 am.

All of the 7:30 am and 1:00 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor
Centre.  The 7:00 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail.  A
second hike on Wednesday at 1:00 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage
Lagoons.

The Friends of Rondeau will provide a Birders' Breakfast/Lunch for a small
donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups and treats) daily from 7:00 am to 2:00
pm at the Visitor Centre.

There will also be a special new program on Saturday May 14, at 7:00 pm.
Peter Middleton of Quest Nature Tours will give a presentation entitled
"Gardens and Birds."  He will focus on how to do your gardening
ecologically.  Tickets are available from the Visitor Centre.  The Big
Birding Competition is 24 consecutive hours during the weekend of May 7th -
8th.  For details on this bird-a-thon, contact the Visitor Centre.

I'm looking forward to welcoming back old friends and meeting new birding
acquaintances during my fifth spring season at Rondeau!

More information on the park's nature programs and the Friends of Rondeau is
available at the Friends' website: www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca.

Directions:
Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road
15.  Turn right and follow the signs to the park.  The Bird Sightings Book,
Bird Sightings Board, Bird Checklists and other relevant information are to
be found at the Visitor Centre (open daily 7:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 5 -
23).  To reach the Visitor Centre from the park Gate, travel 6 km South on
Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave., then follow it around the bend to the parking
lot.

Steve LaForest
Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide
c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768
___
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] Glossy Ibis not seen at Lindsay Road 30

[Rod Steinacher]

The reported Glossy Ibis was last seen at the corner of Highway 6 and  
Lindsay Road 30 on the northern Bruce Peninsula around 4:00 PM this  
afternoon by several observers.  The bird was not relocated at 5:00  
PM.  A search of the area, with a radius of several kilometers, did  
not turn up the bird.  Numerous Wild Turkeys and several Sandhill  
Cranes were seen in the immediate area.


Rod Steinacher
Cape Hurd, 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] Ruff at 8th Line and Britannia Oakville

[Cheryl Edgecombe]

Don Perks just phoned to say he had a black Ruff at 8th Line and Britannia
in Oakville.  

 

Directions to follow but generally QEW to Trafalgar then north to Britannia
east on Britannia to 8th Line.

 

Cheryl Edgecombe

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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] GLOSSY IBIS, NORTH BRUCE PENINSULA

[Shirley Teasdale]

The following message was sent earlier but must have gone astray:


Seen at 1 p.m. today (Sunday May 1) Glossy Ibis in a small wetland on the north 
east corner of Highway 6 and Lindsay Road 30, opposite the Drift Inn general 
store.

Directions:  Highway 6 north from Wiarton.  wetland is located about 20 km 
north of Ferndale.

Ken Teasdale
___
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birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/

[Ontbirds] Bobolink, Vesper Sparrow, etc. behind Ottawa Airport

[Roger Clark]

Hi Ontbirders,

A brief (one hour) trip this morning (Sunday) along Leitrim Rd., Bowesville Rd. 
Earl Armstrong Rd. & High Rd.  produced a singing Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink (m), 
Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Savannah Sparrow, Winter 
Wren, Killdeer, & Northern Harrier, among other regulars.

Good birding!

Roger Clark (Ottawa)
(613) 355-2623

Directions:  contact me privately if specific directions needed.

Sent from my iPhone
___
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] Rough-legged Hawk at Kortright CA, Vaughan

[Lev Frid]

Hi Folks,

Perhaps more of a interesting observation, I had an intermediate-morph
Rough-legged Hawk over the Marsh Boardwalk at Kortright this morning. Pretty
late!

Directions:

The Kortright Centre is located three kilometers west of Highway 400
and one kilometer south of Major Mackenzie Drive at 9550 Pine Valley
Drive in Woodbridge.


Good Birding,

Lev Frid
___
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 May 1, 2011

[Friends of Point Pelee]

*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: MAY 1, 2011*



Despite the rumble of thunder and occasional bouts of rain, the morning
weather was good for birds. Lots of activity was noted at the tip. Most
noteworthy was the many NASHVILLE WARBLERS observed, many down low and
offering brilliant views. They seemed especially vivid against the dark
trunks and wet vegetation. In total, about a dozen species of warblers were
seen in the area of the tip. Other highlights included an obliging
WORM-EATING WARBLER, a female CERULEAN WARBLER, as well as a NORTHERN
PARULA, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER and WILSON’S WARBLER. Lots of YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLERS are also still around, as well as many tail-wagging PALM WARBLERS
and lingering PINE WARBLERS. One group counted 12 PINE WARBLERS yesterday.
BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHERS are abundant and seem to be present flitting around
the tops of most trees one looks at. Also present at the tip was likely the
same HORNED GREBE as yesterday. While the sun hasn’t peeked its way out from
behind the clouds to make it even more brilliant, the bird is still fishing
mere metres offshore. A few flocks of SURF SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS
were seen flying by. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was observed near the solar panel
display and a LINCOLN’S SPARROW was seen not far away. Although the Sparrow
Field hasn’t produced any highlights as yet, it looks quite promising and
should be checked regularly. There was also a small influx of BALTIMORE and
ORHARD ORIOLES this morning adding additional colour to the landscape. The
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER seen yesterday near the tip hasn’t been reported yet
but is still likely around.



A good mix of birds were reported from Tildens Woods this morning, including
several SCARLET TANAGERS and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER amongst others.  The
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT seen yesterday along Shuster Trail, was observed again
today as was the LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH at the slough closer to the Tildens
Woods turnoff.



An EARED GREBE was reported from the shorebird cell at Hillman Marsh C.A
yesterday (April 30th). Also present there yesterday were a few WILSON’S
PHALAROPES. Please make sure you forward your observations to us so that we
can let everyone else know what’s around.



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/PointPeleeNP

-- 
 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* * *
___
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] Bald Eagle + - Grimsby Air Park

[Marc Lichtenberg]

Did a quick pass through the Grimsby Air Park on Saturday from 2:30 -3:30.

RAPTORS:

3 Turkey Vulture
1 sub-a Bald Eagle
7 Sharp- s Hawk
1 N. Harrier
1 N. Goshawk
67 Broad-w Hawk
3 Red- t Hawk


Marc Lichtenberg

The Air Park is located half a k. East of the hamlet of Grassie in South 
Grimsby.



  
___
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] Ottawa West (Constance Bay) - Upland Sandpiper, Eastern Towhee, Horned Grebes

[Patrick Blake]

Jeff Skevington hosted a terrific outing with the OFNC on Saturday.  With 
perfect weather conditions, our group was treated to many migrants around 
Constance Bay.  Highlights of the full-day outing were:

- HORNED GREBES (4) on the river around the Constance Bay peninsula

- A male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK feeding on seeds at Jeff's backyard feeder

- BLUE-HEADED VIREO, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS (2) at a 
meadow in Torbolton Forest

- UPLAND SANDPIPERS (4) around the intersection of Constance Bay and Dunrobin 
Roads

- VIRGINIA RAILS (4), a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and a male BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER 
at the Bill Mason Centre

- FIELD SPARROWS (2) and EASTERN TOWHEES (3) on the Carp Ridge off the Thomas 
Dolan Parkway

Thanks to Jeff for leading another successful and productive outing!

DIRECTIONS: From March Road in Kanata, follow westward and make a right onto 
Dunrobin Road.  Follow Dunrobin Road for approximately 15 kilometers, turning 
right onto Constance Bay Road.  This road will lead you to the Constance Bay 
peninsula.

The Carp Ridge can be reached by following the same path, but instead turning 
left onto the Thomas Dolan Parkway at the stoplight in centre Dunrobin.  Follow 
the Parkway for about 5½ kilometers; park on the shoulder to access the Ridge.
  
___
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 (30 Apr 2011) 155 Raptors

[reports]

Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 30, 2011
---

SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total   Season Total
-- --- -- --
Black Vulture0  0  1
Turkey Vulture   0   2240   6944
Osprey   0 40 40
Bald Eagle   0 25 55
Northern Harrier 1 85101
Sharp-shinned Hawk  16   1568   1631
Cooper's Hawk2 47 97
Northern Goshawk 0  1  1
Red-shouldered Hawk  1107579
Broad-winged Hawk  115   8586   8586
Red-tailed Hawk 20820   1799
Rough-legged Hawk0 20 56
Golden Eagle 0  7  7
American Kestrel 0 28 37
Merlin   0 11 13
Peregrine Falcon 0  6  9
Unknown Accipiter0  1  2
Unknown Buteo0 10 31
Unknown Falcon   0  2  2
Unknown Eagle0  0  0
Unknown Raptor   0  4  6

Total: 155  13608  19997
--

Observation start time: 11:30:00 
Observation end   time: 17:00:00 
Total observation time: 4.5 hours

Official Counter:Barry Cherriere

Observers:George Holland, Linda Cherriere, Tom Thomas

Visitors:
Wayne Brown, George Holland, Marc Lichtenberg and Tom Thomas


Weather:
Frost on roofs at 6AM bird time but bright sun warmed things up to about
11°C by 11AM. Blue sky until 10AM, then light cloud. East wind in the
morning.

Raptor Observations:
Slow morning despite east wind. 

Non-raptor Observations:
Common Loon, Common Yellowthroat; 2 Eastern Phoebes doing territorial
things; 2 Sandhill Cranes very close; Pileated, Downy, Hairy and
Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Northern Flicker; Eastern Towhee;
White-throated and Field Sparrows, Brown Thrasher and at least 2 Gray
Catbirds singing;

Report submitted by Barry Cherriere ()
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/

[Ontbirds] Male Hooded Warber, West Deane Park, Toronto (Etobicoke) Today

[Garth Riley]

A beautiful and co-operative Hooded Warbler was seen approximately 50 metres 
north (right) after you cross the bridge from the parking area. It was in an 
area where the side trail goes off to the left and the intersection of 
paths forms a triangular patch of longer grasses.

It was flushed by a dog and flew to the creek side of the path.
 
West Deane is located north of the intersection of Rathburn Rd. and Martigrove 
Rd. about on the west side of Martingrove approximately 0.3 km. north of 
Rathburn Rd. in Toronto.
 
Garth Riley
Etobicoke, Ontario
rile...@yahoo.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] Sedge Wren at Col. Samuel Smith Park, Toronto

[waynerenaud1951]

Yesterday around 5:00 pm I found a sedge wren feeding at the edge of Red-Osier 
Dogwoods adjacent the newly planted strip of planting just north of pavillion.  



Directions:
Off the south end of Kipling and sound of Lakeshore Boulevard.


Wayne Renaud (289-828-0043)
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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 Rail - Carden Alvar

[Jean Iron]

On Saturday evening 30 April at 8:50 and again at 9:06 p.m., Eleanor
Beagan
and I heard a Yellow Rail at the Sedge Wren Marsh on Wylie Road. It was
ticking about 20 metres west of the bridge. The next 3-4 weeks are the
best time to listen for Yellow Rails as they migrate mainly to the
coastal marshes of James Bay.

Least Bittern: one male seen and heard in the cattail marsh on the south
side of Canal Lake. See yesterday's photos via my signature link.

Loggerhead Shrike: a pair west of Bluebird box 10 on Wylie Road.
 
Some Other Birds: Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe perched on posts and
doing aerial displays, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Towhee, Brown
Thrasher, Eastern Bluebird, American Bittern, Sora and Virginia Rail
heard at Sedge Wren Marsh, one Marsh Wren (not Sedge Wren) at the Sedge
Wren Marsh. Sedge Wrens should return soon.

Directions: See Ron Pittaway's Carden Alvar Birding Guide on OFO
website.
http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/cardenalvar.php

Good birding,

Jean Iron
Toronto ON
http://www.jeaniron.ca/2011/cardenalvar.htm



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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] Bobolink in the Wet Woods

[robert . cumming]

In the high trees singing
No sign of the Chat, yet.

Wet woods is at the base of Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network


___
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/