[Ontbirds] Bell's Vireo??--Thickson, May 4

[Doug Lockrey]

On Thursday, May 4, afternoon, I saw what appeared to be a Warbling
Vireo in the middle of Thickson's Woods. But it had a wing bar, albeit
rather thin. This along with faint spectacles and eye-line suggested a
Bell's Vireo. I did not notice any tail pumping.

Thickson's is at the south end of Thickson Rd. in southeast Whitby,
just north of the lakefront.

Doug Lockrey, Whitby

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[Ontbirds] Very good fallout of birds at Thickson's Woods

[Glenn Coady]

Ontbirds subscribers,

There has been a very good fallout of migrants at Thickson's Woods overnight.

I have had over a dozen species of warblers already without leaving my driveway 
including a male Cerulean Warbler. I also flushed a Whip-poor-will from behind 
our guest house.

The conditions are quite good for keeping birds feeding low as well (cool, 
damp, foggy over the lake and at the tree tops).

I suspect most lakeside woods are probably also going to provide very good 
birding today with much similar conditions.

So far I have not had any luck finding the possible Bell's Vireo reported from 
yesterday.


To reach Thickson's Woods take exit 412 from Hwy 401 and go south 2 km on 
Thickson Road S. Park at the cul-de-sac at the bottom of Thickson Road. The 
road blocked to traffic just north of the cul-de-sac (Waterfront Trail) leads 
east to the entrance to Thickson's Woods on the right a few hundred metres 
ahead.

Good birding, 

Glenn Coady
Whitby, Ontario



 
  
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[Ontbirds] American bittern, Thickson's Woods

[Dave Bailey]

Yesterday afternoon at least one American bittern was heard calling in the 
marsh at the east end of the woods.Directions: Highway 401 to exit 412, 
Thickson Road, south about 1.5 km to the barricaded road leading to the 
woods.Park along the east side of Thickson Rd. near the woods, or in the 
circular area at the foot of Thickson.Dave Bailey
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birding organization.
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[Ontbirds] Dinner meeting tribute to the late Dr. Martin Edwards

[Chris Grooms]

Given that Martin Edwards was well known in the birding community, the Kingston 
Field Naturalists’(KFN) would like to invite all in that community to join us 
at our Annual dinner meeting, Thursday May 17, where we will pay tribute to the 
life of our Honourary President, Martin H. Edwards. Martin died February 16, 
2012 while birding in Brazil.
Martin served the KFN from 1954 to the present. As well as being President of 
our club, he was also President of both the Federation of Ontario Naturalists 
and Canadian Nature Federation. He was also involved in nature conservation at 
the international scale.

Several fellow birders will share stories and photographs of Martin’s many 
adventures. Barbara Canton, Martin’s daughter will also show some of Martin’s 
own beautiful bird photos. 

THIS IS OUR MAY DINNER MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE CATARAQUI GOLF AND COUNTRY 
CLUB, 961 KING ST. W. 

Meet with KFN members over dinner and participate in the silent book auction.
Cash Bar 6:00 PM, Dinner at 7:00 pm

Tickets are $30.00 each including tax and gratuity. They are available from 
Connie Gardiner, hconsta...@sympatico.ca. Deadline for purchase is now.

Please specify chicken or vegetarian.

Chris Grooms

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birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
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[Ontbirds] Leslie spit wet woods

[Richard Sigesmund]

Crazy activity so far. In ten minutes I have seen black and white,magnolia,
yellow, yellow rumped warblers and Baltimore orioles. Haven't even gone
deep into the woods
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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial 
birding organization.
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[Ontbirds] Birds this Week in Algonquin Park

[Lev Frid]

Hey folks,

In the spirit of the migration and Ron Tozer's reports from the Park,
here's what's been going on in Algonquin Park birdwise -

On May 1st there was an influx of migrants, including many Myrtle Warblers,
and yesterday there were many warblers of several species in the Park. New
arrivals included Black-throated Blue and Green, Palm, Nashville and
Black-and-White Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, Least Flycatcher
and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

The best places for observing spring warblers here are the Old Airfield
near the Mew Lake Campground and the North part of the Mizzy Lake trail,
which can be accessed by taking Arowhon Road up to a crossroads with the
old railway bed and taking a right to a small parking area with a gate, and
walking past the gate along the trail. This is also good for boreal species.

All the Boreal birds have been showing well this week:

Spruce Grouse: There was a male at Wolf Howl Pond on the Mizzy Lake trail
displaying almost every day, and was joined by a female on the 2nd. Another
male was seen at the crossroads of Arowhon Road and the old railway bed
today, and yet another male was displaying past the gate on Opeongo Rd.

Boreal Chickadee: Up to four birds were seen along the North section of the
Mizzy trail (including today) as well as in south portion the Old Airfield.

Black-backed Woodpecker: A bird was seen yesterday at Wolf Howl Pond on the
Mizzy trail and a male was at Km 44 on the 1st.

Gray Jay: Birds are now becoming difficult to see as they're attending
fledged young but try Opeongo Road, where there were three birds on the 1st.

Northern Saw-whet Owl: Birds were singing every day this week at several
sites along the Highway, mostly West of Km 20 - Whiskey Rapids Trail,
Western Uplands Trail entrance (km 3), two birds at West Gate, Arowhon Rd.
etc.. but also at Brewer Lake east of Opeongo Road.

Finches: Evening Grosbeaks are hanging around the Visitor Centre
(especially in the mornings) and are heard flying over, but we have stopped
feeding and they will soon disperse. Purple Finches are singing from
territories now and Pine Siskins are widespread.

A Mourning Dove at the feeders was a nice surprise on the 3rd. This is an
uncommon species in the Park.

In terms of mammals - Moose are being seen regularly along HW 60 and a few
Black Bears were seen as well.

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.
There is currently no restaurant but snack food and microwaveable food
is available, as well as many places to sit and have your own lunch.
The Visitor Centre is now open daily from 9-5.

For more info, visit the Friends of Algonquin website at
www.algonquinpark.on.ca.

Good Birding!

Lev Frid
Algonquin Park
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[Ontbirds] Point Pelee NP-Migration Report May 4, 2012

[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:  Friday May 4, 2012*

 Good morning,
 Early overnight thunder showers and a change in wind direction did not
bode well for a significant influx of new migrants into the Park. Still,
good numbers of birds seem to be spread throughout the Park. Although
relatively few reports have been written in the book as yet, the one
drawing the most attention was that of a HERMIT WARBLER reported at 8:50
a.m. from the Woodland Nature Trail (post #10). Lots of people are looking
for it but no one has come back signaling confirmation.

Other lesser rarities reported included the CHUCK-WILL’S WIDOW which was
heard by many last night from the north end of the Visitor Centre parking
lot. Unfortunately it did not call for long. A WORM-EATING WARBLER was
spotted from the Woodland Nature Trail this morning (post 7) and some
others have gone in search of that. Also reported from the Woodland Nature
Trail was a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.


At the tip, species drawing the most attention were RED-HEADED WOODPECKER,
several RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO, and several YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS. Mixed in were many
YELLOW-RUMPED, NASHVILLE and PALM WARBLERS.



Other birds reported from elsewhere include lots of singing TENNESSEE
WARBLERS, several NORTHERN PARULA, WOOD THRUSH, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, and
the odd CAPE MAY WARBLER.



With increasing number of birders showing up and a good diversity of birds,
we are expecting many other interesting birds to turn up over the next few
days.



Good Birding,

Hike Leaders: Pete, Karl, Todd, Justin, John, Ellen, and Alvan

FESTIVAL OF BIRDS May 3 through May 21, 2012

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 "Our Point is Pelee"
www.friendsofpointpelee.com
519-326-6173
"Like" us on Facebook
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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] Wilson's Phalaropes at Blenheim Lagoons

[Jean Iron]

The following shorebirds were mostly in the sprinkler area at the north end of 
the first lagoon. 

1 Male and 1 female Wilson's Phalarope in breeding plumage

1 hendersoni Short-billed Dowitcher in breeding plumage

About 100 Dunlin many still molting into breeding plumage

About 50 Lesser Yellowlegs

1 Greater Yellowlegs

1 Pectoral Sandpiper

4 Least Sandpipers

Directions
Blenheim Lagoons are on Lagoon Road north of Highway 3 several km west of 
Blenheim. Permit required.

Jean Iron
Toronto

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] Rondeau Migration Report May 4

[Steve LaForest]

Hello Ontbirders.

Rondeau Provincial Park's Festival of Flight kicked off today.

Following last night's spectacular thunderstorms, the sky cleared and
we had a great morning on the trails!  Our warbler tally was a very
respectable 23 species.  After a couple of no-show days in the park,
the Yellow-throated visited the feeders in the garden at the Visitor
Centre.  New warbler additions for today were Orange-crowned and
Wilson's, both on South Point Trail.  Other species of interest
included Blue-winged on Rondeau Road near Bennett; Mourning on
Bennett; and Northern Parula on Spicebush, South Point and Tulip Tree
Trails.

As for other passerines, both vireos and thrushes put in a strong
showing.  A White-eyed  was on South Point Trail, and there were
several Yellow-throated Vireos on Bennett Road.  Veery and Swainson's
Thrush were new for today.

Scarlet Tanagers were noted on quite a number of trails this morning.
A Lincoln's Sparrow was reported from Lakeshore Road just north of the
Visitor Centre.

Aside from songbirds, Black-billed Cuckoo was first noted in the park
toady.  For sheer excitement, it would be hard to top the Northern
Goshawk that roared through Tulip Tree Trail.

In the Rondeau area, but outside the park, Jean Iron reported 7
species of shorebirds from Blenheim Sewage Lagoons.  These included
Wilson's Phalarope - 2 (male & female), Short-billed Dowitcher - 1,
Dunlin - 100, Lesser Yellowlegs ~50, Greater Yellowlegs - 1, Pectoral
Sandpiper -1 and Least Sandpiper - 4.  Most of these birds  were in
the sprinkler area at the north end of the first lagoon.  Good numbers
of ducks (11 species) were reported yesterday by Allen Woodliffe,
including 75+ Ruddy Ducks.  Directions:  Blenheim Lagoons are on
Lagoon Road north of Highway 3 several km west of Blenheim. Permit
required.

Observers also reported flocks of shorebirds at Ridgetown Lagoons today.

---

Our Bird Hikes and Birders' Breakfast start Friday May 4  and go
through to Victoria Day.  I will lead a guided hike twice daily from
May 4 to May 21, 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.

Bird hikes for absolute beginners will be led by Ric McArthur on
Saturdays at 10:00 am, meeting at the Visitor Centre.

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.  The Centre will be open daily up
to May 21, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.  All proceeds from the Festival of
Flight go to support nature programs in the park.

The Big Birding Day Competition is 24 consecutive hours during the
weekend of May 11th - 12th.  For details on this bird-a-thon, contact
the Visitor Centre.

I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new birding
companions during my sixth 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.  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

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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] Connecticut warbler Toronto, Unwin Rd.

[Tracey Forster]

Hi all,

First post, but thought it worth it. Saw a Connecticut warbler approx. 12:30 
today in low shrub along Unwin Road (Leslie street spit), just before the 
bridge. Got great looks and saw all identifying features. 
Happy birding. 

Tracey Forster

Sent from my iPhoneg
___
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] FW: Ontbirds Are Chimney Swifts Back in your area

[Kathy Jones]

Everyone

Thank you for all the wonderful information on the arrivals of Chimney Swifts 
back into Ontario.  You help is greatly appreciated.



If you continue to see chimney swifts and can identify a chimney they are using 
as a roost or a nest I ask that you report it to the simple, easy to use, 
OntarioSwiftWatch data form .



Thanks again for all your help and thanks to ontbirds as well.


Kathy Jones
Ontario Volunteer Coordinator
Bird Studies Canada
P.O. Box 160
Port Rowan, ON
N0E 1M0
volunt...@birdscanada.org
www.birdscanada.org
Toll Free 1-888-448-2473 ext. 124
[cid:image001.png@01CD29FA.F920EDA0]  
[cid:image002.gif@01CD29FA.F920EDA0]  Visit 
Ontario Swiftwatch on Facebook 
www.facebook.com/OntarioSwift


>From time to time, BSC may send you information regarding our programs, 
>special issues, membership, and other correspondence. If you would prefer not 
>to receive this information, please contact us by mail at the address above or 
>e-mail rkir...@bsc-eoc.org. Thank you.

-Original Message-
From: Kathy Jones
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 6:53 PM
To: birdalert@ontbirds.ca
Subject: Ontbirds Are Chimney Swifts Back in your area



Are Chimney Swifts Back in your area?



Please let us know when Chimney Swifts return to your home town by emailing me 
or by positing to the Ontario SwiftWatch facebook page at 
www.fb.com/ontarioswift .





Kathy Jones
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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] Kingston Area Birds for the Period Apr 28 to May 4, 2012

[Mark Conboy]

The best birds of the week were the EURASIAN WIGEON that has managed
to persist at the ponds along Hughes Road since mid-April, a MARBLED
GODWIT at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons and a LITTLE GULL off of
Garden Island. The most commonly reported migrants this week were
SPOTTED SANDPIPER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER,
EASTERN KINGBIRD, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, BARN SWALLOW, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT
THRUSH, BROWN THRASHER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLER, PALM WARBLER,  BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAK, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, RUSTY
BLACKBIRD

City of Kingston
CHIMNEY SWIFTS and a YELLOW WARBLER were on Queen's University campus.
The following were among the birds reported from the St. Lawrence
Woods area: LONG-TAILED DUCK, GRAY CATBIRD, NASHVILLE, YELLOW, PINE
and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, NORTHERN PARULA and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.

Amherst Island
There was still a good variety of waterfowl offshore of the island
including WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK,
NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, both SCAUP species, LONG-TAILED
DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and COMMON and RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS. CLIFF SWALLOWS were back at their traditional nesting
location near the ferry dock. Other species of note were AMERICAN
BITTERN, GREAT EGRET, GREEN HERON, SORA, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, GREATER
YELLOWLEGS, 1 UPLAND SANDPIPER, 2 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, 2 RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRDS, 5 LEAST FLYCATCHERS, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, 2 GRAY
CATBIRDS, OVENBIRD, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, AMERICAN REDSTART, NORTHERN
PARULA, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 1 SCARLET TANAGER, 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and
5 BALTIMORE ORIOLES.

Amherstview Sewage Lagoons
Highlights from the lagoons included GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON,
NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON
MERGANSER, 1 MARBLED GODWIT (reported on Wed and Fri), 2 SPOTTED
SANDPIPERS, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 5 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 1 male WILSON'S
PHALAROPE, 6 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, CASPIAN TERN and four swallow species
including 4 BANK SWALLOWS.

Opinicon Road
Things started to really pick up along Opinicon Road and at Queen's
University Biological Station (QUBS) during the later part of the
reporting period, including the first few CERULEAN WARBLERS near the
Skycroft Campground. At least 4 TRUMPETER SWANS were still on Lake
Opinincon. There has been  no evidence of nesting yet. Both
PIED-BILLED and RED-NECKED GREBES had been recorded this past week.
Fifteen of the latter species were on Lake Opinicon mid week, while 4
were there last night. BROAD-WINGED HAWKS began nesting. AMERICAN
WOODCOCK and WILSON'S SNIPE were still displaying in earnest. At least
6 EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILLS had returned to the Cataraqui Trail north of
Opinicon Road. Warblers in the area included OVENBIRD, NORTHERN
WATERTHRUSH, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, NORTHERN
PARULA, AMERICAN REDSTART, BLACKBURNIAN, YELLOW-RUMPED, PALM,
BLACK-THROATED GREEN, YELLOW, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and
PINE WARBLERS. There was a FOX SPARROW at Crystal Springs Farm Road. A
RED-EYED VIREO and a BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHER were on the Old Bedford
Trail. Other returnies included SCARLET TANAGER, INDIGO BUNTING and
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. A pair of PINE SISKINS, 1 PURPLE FINCH and 1
female EVENING GROSBEAK were present in addition to the AMERICAN
GOLDFINCHES at QUBS.

Other Sightings
A NORTHERN HARRIER and an EASTERN SCREECH-OWL were near Battersea. A
LITTLE GULL was among several hundred BONAPARTE'S GULLS off Garden
Island. A BALTIOMRE ORIOLE was at Murvale.

Thank you to those who contributed observations this week. All bird
sightings reported to me are included in the Kingston Field
Naturalists’s long term records database which has over 60 years of
observations on file and is an invaluable conservation resource.

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/

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

[Ontbirds] Brewster's warbler windsor

[peter . stewart09]

1 brewster's warbler Tall Grass Prairie, near the large pond.  Also mourning 
warbler on savannah trail Ojibway park. good variety and numbers of other 
warblers.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoy?? sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le r??seau de Bell.
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birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/

[Ontbirds] Fish Crow at Thickson's Woods

[Glenn Coady]

Ontbirds subscribers,

At 5:50 p.m. my friend Murielle Lecerf and I observed a Fish Crow fly over my 
backyard (330 Crystal Beach Boulevard) coming from east to west. It was moving 
off westward when last seen.

It was an obviously diminutive looking crow with a fairly rapid and shallow 
wing beat with more pronounced pointed wings than the many American Crows 
around the woods. It looked very small-headed as well. It was giving the 
typical uh-uh calls repeatedly.

Margaret Carney and I have tried unsuccessfully to relocate it so far.

To reach Thickson's Woods take exit 412 from Hwy 401 and go south 2 km 
on Thickson Road S. Park at the cul-de-sac at the bottom of Thickson 
Road. The road blocked to traffic just north of the cul-de-sac 
(Waterfront Trail) leads east to the entrance to Thickson's Woods on the
 right a few hundred metres ahead. Trails through the woods will take you to 
the lakefront. The Fish Crow flew past the southernmost trail while we were 
watching the young Great Horned Owl that recently left the nest.  

Glenn Coady
Whitby, Ontario


  
___
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[Ontbirds] Ottawa, Ontario: Sparrows, Warblers, and a Bobolink

[Jon Ruddy]

Hi there,

On Friday, May 4th I headed out in search of primarily sparrows, but, I
couldn't resist 'switching gears' from time to time and scanning for
warblers any time I was within viewing range of woodlots or shrubbery. I
scanned for birds in two areas:

1) Bowesville/Letrim
2) Earl Armstrong Rd (patrolling along, from Limebank to Bowesville and
back, several times)

Collectively, between the 2 locations, 8 species of sparrows were noted:
 *
White-crowned, White-throated, Swamp, Field, Savannah, Song, Lincoln's,
Vesper*

Some other highlights include (along Earl Armstrong Rd, heading east
towards High Rd.):

*Bobolink *
*Eastern Kingbird *
*Blackburnian Warbler* (amidst Yellow, Palm, Black-and-white, and,
Yellow-rumped. Seen 200m N off of Earl Armstrong, along gravel bike path
which intersects the road N/S.)


Good birding,
Jon Ruddy
___
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 4th

[peleeisland museum]

Hey Birders,

Another gorgeous day, albeit more bearable weather wise. Activity remained 
high, though fewer 'good' birds were found. PIBO banded a high number of birds 
at their station for the spring (108), with a smattering of warblers. 

Highlights:

Prothonotary Warbler - male is singing away at Fish Point
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1 bird at Dick's Marina
Northern Mockingbird - 1 bird at Fish Point

23 species of warblers were found on the island, and warbler numbers continue 
to impress with notable numbers of Tennessee and Nashville's present. Lower 
numbers (to be expected) were encountered of many of the other regular species, 
such as Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Orange-crowned, and Northern 
Parula.

Good Birding,
Ken 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 census 
operation. 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 Tenth Annual Pelee Island Bird Race will take place from noon Friday, May 
11, to noon, Saturday, May 12. 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.





People should note that currently the ferries (both) are inoperable until May 
12th. Airfare is available from Windsor, out of Great Lakes 
Airline daily, several times a day.
  
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birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/

[Ontbirds] Ruby Throated Hummingbird

[Richard Hardman]

A male Ruby Throated Hummingbird arrived in our garden today.  We promptly put 
out a feeder as he watched from a Spruce Tree.  As soon as we walked away he 
went to it and has returned several times since.  Photos of him preening in the 
Spruce are about to be posted on my Facebook Page Richard Hardman).

A male Baltimore Oriole was also in the yard so we put out oranges.  He has not 
returned yet.

Richard Hardman
1560 Concession 13 Simcoe

One concession north of the Townsend Sewage Lagoons.
  
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birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/

[Ontbirds] Colonel Sam Smith Park: 18 species of warbler

[Wayne Renaud]

I birded the park with the help of Brian Tannahill from 7:00 am to  
12:45 pm.  It was a very busy place with warbler singing with gusto,  
likely glad they survived last night viscous thunderstorms and heavy  
rain.  Here are the totals:  Yellow-rump: 145; Palm: 68; Black-and- 
white: 30: Nashville: 23: Black-throated Green & Black-throated Blue:  
12; Bay-breasted: 3; Northern Waterthrush: 4; Magnolia and Tennessee:  
3; Ovenbird: 2; singles of Wilson's, Common Yellowthroat, Louisiana  
Waterthrush, Cape May and Wilson's.  Special thanks for Bruce  
Wilkinson who steered us to a very uncooperative Wilson's Warbler.  
There were at least 10 Great-crested Flycatchers in the park.  The  
White-crowned Sparrows seem have been ground by the storm in large  
numbers, our final count was 120 (with 50+ White-throats).


Directions: south of the Kipling/Lakeshore Boulevard intersection in  
Toronto.


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] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, May 4th, 2012

[Cheryl Edgecombe]

On Friday, May 4th, 2012, this is the HNC Birding Report:

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
FISH CROW
WHITE-EYED VIREO
CERULEAN WARBLER

Ring-necked Pheasant
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Northern Goshawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Gallinule
Sandhill Crane
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
American Woodcock
Common Tern
Long-eared Owl
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-headed Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
House Wren
Sedge Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Blue-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Paula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Rusty Blackbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Dark-eyed Junco
Pine Siskin

Well May begins with a bang this week as winds turned south bringing a flood
of migrants to the area and a long report for this compiler!

The rarities included this week include a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER sighting
which came in a couple days late from Brant County.  A bird fitting the
description of a Scissor tail was seen at Regional Road 4 and McGill Rd gas
station, Brant, Ontario.  It would be spectacular if this bird were still
around so any reports would be appreciated.  Perhaps this is the same bird
seen previously south of here near Burford.  

FISH CROW sightings continue with a bird calling on top of a light standard
near Kenwood Ave in Burlington last Sunday.  Subsequent sightings occurred
at Shoreacres in Burlington with a possible sighting at Confederation Park.

A WHITE-EYED VIREO was found on Sunday at Shoreacres/Paletta Park in
Burlington.  The bird was seen sporadically both Monday and Tuesday but has
not been reported since.

Today a CERULEAN WARBLER was seen and well photographed in a backyard in
east Hamilton.  Attempts to locate the bird were unsuccessful however birds
seen in a tiny woodlot nearby included Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Least
Flycatcher, Black-and-White, Black-throated Green, Nashville, Magnolia and
an early Wilson's Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, Indigo Bunting
and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

The increase in number and diversity of warblers has been the most notable
this week.  Reports from the lakeside locations including Shell Park and
Sherwood Forest Park in Oakville, Shoreacres/Paletta Park in Burlington,
Confederation Park in Hamilton, Edgelake Park in Stoney Creek and Fifty
Point Conservation Area in Grimsby contain many of the same birds with some
slight differences that I will highlight at the end of this rant.  Species
in common at these locations include Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed
and Warbling Vireo, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler,
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler,
Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart,
Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Chipping Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow,
White-throated and White-crowned Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and
Baltimore Oriole.  

To accents some of the differences from the above, a Sedge Wren was seen
briefly at Edgelake Park yesterday along with Rusty Blackbirds.  Today at
Edgelake, Green Heron, Cape May Warbler and a record early Canada Warbler
were different highlights. On Wednesday, Orchard Orioles were seen at
Confederation Park and yesterday a Ruby-throated Hummingbird whizzed past
this birder's head.  Nearby at the VanWagners ponds, a Least Flycatcher and
Common Yellowthroat were seen in the week and today a Long-eared Owl and
Dark-eyed Junco were highlights there.  American Woodcock, Eastern Kingbird,
Veery and Lincoln's Sparrow were goodies from Shoreacres/Paletta Park in
Burlington in addition to the above Fish Crows.  Sherwood Forest Park
located off Prince William in Burlington yielded Brown Thrasher, Swainson's
Thrush, Northern Parula and Orange-crowned Warbler as good birds here.
Shell Park had Green Heron, Yellow-throated Vireo, Orange-crowned and
Blue-winged Warbler to add to its list of birds.  

The Safari Road wetland on Safari Road east of Kirkwall is still productive
this week with Common Gallinule, American

[Ontbirds] Possible Cassin's Vireo - Toronto Islands

[Gavin Platt]

Birders,

A had a very drab "Solitary" Vireo on the Toronto Islands this evening. I
think it may well have been a Cassin's Vireo, but I didn't have a camera
with me and did not obtain any photos. I observed the bird from around 4:30
pm until I last saw it around 6:15. I spent another hour after that trying
to relocate it, but was unsuccessful.

Obviously, this is a very challenging identification and I'm not claiming
that it was definitely a Cassin's Vireo (especially without photos).
However, it's probably worth looking out for if anyone feels like a trip to
the Toronto Islands tomorrow. I will be going back to try and relocate the
bird. The main field marks I'm going on are the limited contrast between
the gray cheek and white throat and limited contrast between the crown and
back. There were several Blue-headed Vireos in the area, which were
obviously different from this bird. One of these Blue-headeds was also
quite pale, but still had strong contrast between the cheek and throat.

Directions:
The Islands are accessed via ferry (schedule here:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm). The ferry dock is
located on Queen's Quay West at Bay St. in Toronto. The Vireo location is
most easily accessed by taking the Centre Island ferry. From the Centre
Island ferry dock, take the path south off of Middle Island (past
Centreville Amusement Park) and cross the bridge to Centre Island. Turn
left (east) at this point and follow the path along the water until you
reach the "Sky Ride" and a church. The bird was in the area just east of
here, on the frisbee golf course (around holes 9 & 10). This is the area
referred to as "The Trap" in Norm Murr's site guide to the Islands (
http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/torontoislands.php).

Good Birding,

Gavin Platt
Toronto, ON
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Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
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[Ontbirds] Cobourg - Hummingbirds

[Bill/Nancy Logan]

Late Friday afternoon my wife and I simultaneously spotted male
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the separate sections of the garden in which
we were working.  The garden backs on to Dunegan Park in Cobourg's southeast
section and can be reached by driving south on D'Arcy Street.
Bill Logan
Cobourg ON 
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birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/