[Ontbirds] Toronto Islands - May 13th
On Friday I birded the Islands from 8:30 - 2 pm- (Sorry for the late post - no computer access 'til now). Saw a total of 15 spp. of warblers, most in the Habitat restoration area on Wards between the swimming beach and the houses on Lakeshore Ave. Many Yellows, Yellow rumps and Magnolias. Also Yellowthroats, Blackburnians, Black throated Blue, Black and White, Redstart, Ovenbird, Nashville, Canada, Chestnut sided. Also several Great crested Flycatchers, as well as tons of Orioles and RB grosbeaks in that area. Also spotted a N Parula and Black Throated green along the lagoon edge, and a Wilson's in the small shrub patch by the little Church, along with many Blue Gray gnatcatchers 2 female Eastern towhees and a pair of canvasbacks by the Hanlans ferry dock. Thanks, Laura Murray Toronto ___ 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] 2 Clay-coloured, 2 Lincoln's-- Sam Smith
At 8 a.m., a flock of sparrows, mainly White-crowned, included two Clay-coloured, two Lincoln's at Sam Smith. Money spot this morning was the s.w. corner of the swamp strip east of the soccer fields with this flock of sparrows and about ~15 species of eye-level warblers, mostly females, including several vociferous Tennessees-about 100 metres east of yesterday's Chat. Geo. Bryant ___ 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 16, 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: MAY 16, 2011 Rain persisted today with north winds, but there appears to have been some movement overnight, and birders continued to observe many species at various locations. Many treetop species were forced to forage at eye or ground level, affording excellent viewing opportunities. A total of 24 warbler species have been noted so far today. Birding at the Tip area proved fruitful for those braving the rain and winds. Birders watched as various passerines flew in over the lake from Pelee Island and elsewhere, including warblers coming in right over the water! A DICKCISSEL was seen just north of the Tip footpath. In the woods at the tip, ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (5+), YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (2), and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (2+). A first basic LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on the tip beach along with more common species. The Woodland Trail proved productive for warblers, with at least 16 species seen by 10AM, including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, BLACKPOLL WARBLER and MOURNING WARBLER. Birders reported additional species at Tilden’s Wood, including single females of HOODED WARBLER and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. Tilden’s also produced an Acadian Flycatcher, among other low-foraging flycatchers today, and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH in numbers. Other birds of note from various locations include: a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT seen at the entrance bench to the Sparrow Field; a male SUMMER TANAGER at the West Beach Shelter; a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at the Northwest Beach (South parking area); and a CERULEAN WARBLER was observed at the South end of Northwest Beach parking lot. Outside the Park: A 2nd basic THAYER’S GULL was reported from Wheatley Harbour, and a 1st basic GLAUCOUS GULL was reported from along Mersea Rd. D. 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 ___ 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] Cattle Egret at Rondeau
A CATTLE EGRET in splendid breeding plumage was just outside Rondeau Park this morning. It was in Keith McLean's field (east side of rd.) just before the marsh along the causeway at the end of Kent Bridge Rd. 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] Prothonotary Warbler at Rattray Marsh
A good outing this morning with 20 species of warblers.the best being the male Prothonotary Warbler calling and flying around at the Old Poplar entrance. In the mist/rain and cold, most birds were down right at eye level! Good luck Jim ___ 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, Kentucky W.
Hello Ontbirders. The Yellow-throated Warbler put in a brief appearance at the Rondeau Visitor Centre between 8:35 and 8:50 am this morning. A Kentucky Warbler was seen on Spicebush Trail at 9:30 am (on the side of the trail nearer the road, about halfway down). Our rainy morning warbler total was 21 species. Highlights included Golden-winged on Tulip Tree Trail; Northern Parula on Spicebush; Wilson's on Bennett Road and Spicebush Trail; and Canada on Spicebush and Tulip Tree Trails. The best locations for warblers were Spicebush Trail and Bennett Road. As for other songbirds, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was observed at the Visitor Centre, Scarlet Tanager on Tulip Tree Trail, a late Rusty Blackbird on an unspecified trail, and a Gray-cheeked Thrush on Tulip Tree Trail. Thrushes are moving through in good numbers. Rather a surprise was the Solitary Sandpiper that stopped off in a wooded slough on Bennett Road. A Wild Turkey trotted across the road just west of the Visitor Centre. I would like to thank all of the birders who have taken the time to report their sightings to us, helping to make these Ontbirds reports as comprehensive as possible! Rondeau Provincial Park welcomes birders! 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. Good Birding! Steve Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide s.m.lafor...@gmail.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] Prairie Cerulean Warblers at Humber College arboretum/16 May 2011
No time slip down to Col. Smith or Rattray so did a 2-hour sweep through the Humber College arboretum. Still lots of great stuff with continuing rain. A good warbler haul with 23 species, once more, like everywhere else this past few day, with some great finds: Tennessee Warbler: 16; Nashville Warbler: 7; Golden-winged Warbler: 2m/1f; Northern Parula; 6; Yellow Warbler: 11; Chestnut-sided Warbler: 9; Magnolia Warbler: 11; Cape May Warbler: 7; Blackburnian Warbler: 3; Black-throated Blue Warbler: 16; Cerulian Warbler: 1m singing; Black-throated Green Warbler: 5; Yellow-rumped Warbler: 28; Palm Warbler: 3; Pine Warbler: 3; Prairie Warbler: 1f; Blackpoll Warbler: 3; Bay-breasted Warbler: 9; Black-and-white Warbler: 2; American Redstart: 15; Common Yellowthroat: 5; Canada Warbler: 6: Wilson's Warbler: 3. Five vireos: Warbling (7), Red-eyed (11), Grey-headed: 5; Philadelphia (1), Yellow-throated (1). Surprisingly few flycatcher. No tanagers or Grosbeaks. Again the warblers, vireos, etc. were feeding much lower than usual making id's much easier in spite of less than perfect lighting. Access the arboretum off Highway #27 north of Highway #401 just east of Highway #427. Take Humber College Boulevard and then onto Arboretum Blvd. You can access maps at 'arbore...@humber.ca'. Wayne Renaud (289-828-0043) ___ 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] 3 to 6 scarlet tanagers at Ashbridges Bay...plus lots of other great looks
I spent 2 hrs birding at Ashbridges Bay. Didn't expect to stumble upon what I did. There were 3 male scarlet tanagers sitting on a tree in the back southwest corner of the Martin Goodman Trail (click on this link to see where that is: http://www.google.ca/maps?f=qsource=s_qhl=engeocode=q=ashbridges+bay,+torontoaq=sll=49.891235,-97.15369sspn=47.686314,124.716797ie=UTF8hq=hnear=Ashbridges+Bayll=43.655311,-79.309798spn=0.001622,0.003806t=hz=19 ) One male left and the other 2 males gave me incredible views. They were anywhere from 5 to 15 feet off the ground and would land 10 feet away from the path and from me. I also spotted a female in a tree. When I was leaving, I spotted 1 male and 1 female in the top of a myrtle tree that's on the southeast side of the harbour. There were 3 other birds in the trees with them, but due to the light and foliage, I couldn't ID them. 1 may have been a female as well. Also spotted were two hummingbirds (ruby-throated, I assume), myrtle warblers, magnolia, yellow, memphis, black-throated blue, common yellowthroat, catbirds, 2 female cowbirds, ovenbird, assorted sparrows, red eyed vireo and a kingfisher. Not a large quantity of birds, but an excellent assortment. I would assume the tanagers are there for the day. They remained in the same area for 2 hours and were eating away. There are a LARGE number of bugs (gnats and some bugs that leave horrible bites). I suggest you go with appropriate bug spray or at least wear a hood. I'll post photos later on my flickr account ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsharp-photo/). Richard Sigesmund www.mr.sharp-photo.com Ashbridges Bay is at the southernmost part of Coxwell Ave, just south of Lakeshore. ___ 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] Fish Crows - Point Pelee
2 birds calling over the road to the tip, right now! Flying back and forth. Brandon/Eric Holden ___ 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] Fig Crows - Pelee
The 2 Fish Crows just flew over the West Beach from the south, circled around and headed south towards the tip, calling frequently. Gavin Platt ___ 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] Olive-sided Flycatcher at Darlington Provincial Park
After a great morning at Thickson Woods Dave Purcell and I walked the trails at Darlington Provincial Park. Quieter than Thickson, we did find a cooperative Olive-sided Flycatcher just toward the Lake from the big picnic area at about 12 Noon. ___ 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] Darlington Provincial Park- directions
Darlington Provincial Park is just east of Oshawa and south of the 401. We walked in from the Second Marsh parking lot. ___ 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] Pelee Island May 16th
Hey Birders, Well another day, a fair number of birds are around, but many are having a hard time (likely an understatement) due to the weather and the lack of insects. Many songbirds have been at or near the ground desperately feeding during the entire day. At least 25 warbler species were seen on the island. Acadian Flycatcher - 3 birds seen, all at Fish Point - was able to photograph 2 within a few feet of me!! The 3rd bird was briefly sitting on the road! Prothonotary Warbler - 1 female and at least 1 male seen at Fish Point - same female seen at the tip 2 days ago? Hooded Warbler - 1 female banded at Fish Point Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 first-year bird in the fields - I've given up keeping track how many birds I've seen, but it is likely 10-15 different individuals now! With the recent rains, the fields are filling up fast and shorebirds are finding them. Today the first Semipalmated Sandpiper showed up. Other shorebirds seen included; 70 Black-bellied, 2 Semipalmated Plovers, Killdeer, Solitary, Spotted, 15 Least Sandpipers and 3 Ruddy Turnstones. As I mentioned, songbirds seemed to be having a hard time, flycatchers and pewee's in particualr seemed to be having the hardest time with the cool weather. Driving around Fish Point, up to 10 birds could be seen sitting on the road at a time. One pewee tried flying into my car, while another sat on the hood trying to get warm!!! At one point I had 6 Blackburnian Warblers literally at my feet eating insects on the west beach at Fish Point These were among many encounters of this kind throughout the day!! Interestingly I saw an American Kestrel with a Yellow Warbler in its talons! Something I have never seen or heard of. Number of species seen on the island since April 25th: 218 Good Birding, Ken Burrell --- Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0 (519) 724-2291 pimuseum pimuseum at hotmail.com 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 Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. ___ 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] Marbled Godwit (St.Clair Township) 25KM South of Sarnia, ON
At 4:15 PM Mike Bouman found and photographed a Marbled Godwit in a flooded field, just outside of the ICI constructed Wetlands. The bird remained there for nearly 30minutes before flying off in a SW direction. Likely to one of the many other flooded fields in the area. ICI Constructed Wetlands are located on the Corner on 40 HWY and Stanley Line (gravel Rd.) Approximately 25KM South of Sarnia, ON. Make a right onto Stanley Line if coming from Sarnia heading South. Josh Bouman jrb6...@gmail.com if anyone is interested in photo's of this bird or more detailed directions feel free to email me at the above address. Good Birding. ___ 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] Prince Edward County Birding Festival: Day 3
It was pretty much the same birds present again today in the Point Traverse Woods at Prince Edward Point that were present yesterday, as none are going anywhere until the weather improves. The species mentioned yesterday along with TENNESSEE WARBLER and about 12 other warbler species could be found in a sheltered pocket almost directly in from the parking area at the Point Traverse corner. I am almost certain they recognize me now. The Point Traverse Woods is just 1/2 km prior to the Bird Observatory and features a network of groomed trails, benches, and lots of water. The HARLEQUIN DUCKS have not been seen for several days. The Birding Festival continues through the Victoria Day weekend. Details at www.peptbo.ca . Bird-friendly shade-grown coffee available in the Hospitality Tent. Guided bird walks every morning at 8:00 a.m. beginning just west of the Point Traverse corner. DIRECTIONS: On Main Street, at the far east end of Picton, turn down the big hill (Bridge Street) and turn immediately right at the bottom of the hill onto Union Street (across from harbour). Follow Union Street out of Picton (becomes County Road 8) for 2.5 km, and at the junction in the highway, follow County Road 17. Take County Road 17 for 6.5 km and look for the Black River Cheese sign, and turn left onto County Road 16 and follow for 1 km to the Stop sign at County Road 13. Follow County Road 13 past Black River Cheese for 23.6 km to the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area. Total Driving Distance from Picton: 33.6 km Terry Sprague tspra...@kos.net www.naturestuff.net ___ 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/
