[Ontbirds] RBA Buffalo Bird Report 29 Nov 2012
- RBA * New York * Buffalo * 11/29/2012 * NYBU1211.29 - Birds mentioned --- Please submit reports to dsu...@buffaloornithologicalsociety.org --- 10 gull species SHORT-EARED OWL WHITE-W. CROSSBILL RED CROSSBILL PINE GROSBEAK Tundra Swan Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Bald Eagle Northern Goshawk Rough-legged Hawk Peregrine Falcon Killdeer Wilson's Snipe Franklin's Gull Little Gull Thayer's Gull Iceland Gull L. Black-b. Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-b. Gull Great Horned Owl Eastern Bluebird Northern Shrike Common Redpoll Pine Siskin - Transcript Hotline: Buffalo Bird Report at the Buffalo Museum of Science Date: 11/29/2012 Number: 716-896-1271 To Report:Same Compiler: David F. Suggs Coverage: Western New York and adjacent Ontario Website: www.BuffaloOrnithologicalSociety.org Thursday, November 29, 2012 The Buffalo Bird Report is a service provided by your Buffalo Museum of Science and the Buffalo Ornithological Society. To contact the Science Museum, call 896-5200. Highlights of the past two weeks, November 15 through November 29 from the Niagara Frontier Region include 10 gull species, SHORT-EARED OWL, WHITE-W. CROSSBILL, RED CROSSBILL and PINE GROSBEAK. November 25, 10 gull species to begin the Niagara River season. At the power plants and upstream rocks on the lower river, a FRANKLIN'S GULL, plus 3 THAYER'S GULLS, 9 ICELAND GULLS, 7 L. BLACK-B. GULLS and GLAUCOUS GULL. Another 7 L. BLACK-B. GULLS on the Niagara Falls control gates, and a single LITTLE GULL at the Whirlpool. Off Grand Island's West River, a flyby ICELAND GULL. On Lake Erie at Dunkirk Harbor, L. BLACK-B. GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL and an apparent GREAT BLACK-B. GULL X HERRING GULL hybrid. Another likely hybrid further south at Barcelona Harbor - GLAUCOUS GULL X GREAT BLACK-B. GULL. November 25, two SHORT-EARED OWLS returned to the fields on Posson Road, north of the Iroquois Refuge in the Town of Shelby. In Buffalo, 5 WHITE-W. CROSSBILLS on November 24 at Forest Lawn Cemetery, in a blue spruce by Mirror Lake. Along the Lake Ontario shore in the recent week, 22 RED CROSSBILLS and a single PINE GROSBEAK in a Town of Wilson yard. Two more PINE GROSBEAKS on the trails east of the entrance to Wilson-Tuscaurora State Park. On Woodcliff Drive at Four Mile Creek State Park in Porter - passing WHITE-W. CROSSBILLS, COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS. COMMON REDPOLLS also at several other Lake Ontario locations and on the West River Parkway on Grand Island. There were no EVENING GROSBEAKS reported during the past two weeks. November 17, a reported adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 4 calling GREAT HORNED OWLS and 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS on East Shelby Road in the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area. Waterfowl on the Southern Tier lakes - at Irwins Bay on Chautauqua Lake, 5 TUNDRA SWANS, 130 HOODED MERGANSERS and 90 RUDDY DUCKS. At Findley Lake in the Chautauqua County Town of Mina, 13 waterfowl species, plus 6 KILLDEER and 4 WILSON'S SNIPE. Other TUNDRA SWANS - a flock on Lake Ontario off the Wilson Pier, and 35 TUNDRA SWANS at the Niagara Falls control gates. Through the Iroquois Refuge, 11 waterfowl species, plus a NORTHERN SHRIKE at Mohawk Pool. A BLACK SWAN continues to tour Genesee County - from the Batavia Waste Water Plant to the Iroquois Refuge and most recently, a pond on Old Creek Road in the Town of Alexander. Other recent reports - 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS in the Chautauqua County Town of Sherman. PEREGRINE FALCON atop the north Grand Island bridge. And BALD EAGLE reports at Niagara Falls, Dunkirk Harbor, Findley Lake and Sturgeon Point in Evans. The Bird Report will be updated Thursday evening, December 6. Please call in your sightings by noon Thursday. You may report sightings after the tone. Thank you for calling and reporting. - End Transcript ___ 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 Bird Report: 29 November 2012
BALD EAGLE GOLDEN EAGLE HORNED LARK There has been up to 8 cm of snow on the ground since Saturday, and smaller lakes and ponds are now ice-covered. An adult Bald Eagle was tearing apart prey on the small rocky island in Lake of Two Rivers on November 25, and one was reported on Arowhon Road the same day. A juvenile Golden Eagle low over the north end of Opeongo Road provided a great view for one observer on November 25. A Horned Lark on the lawn of the Smoke Lake Hangar on November 27 was six days later than our previous latest date for this species. BOREAL SPECIALTIES: Spruce Grouse: One was along Opeongo Road in the black spruce section on November 22. Black-backed Woodpecker: Two males were along Opeongo Road north of the bridge on November 27. Gray Jay: Best places continue to be Wolf Howl Pond/West Rose Lake, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Opeongo Road. Boreal Chickadee: Two were noted 300 metres beyond the chain gate along the railway to Wolf Howl Pond on November 22. The northern black spruce section of Opeongo Road produced four, and one was at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, on November 27. WINTER FINCHES: Numbers are relatively low, with few being attracted to the highway even after fresh sanding and salting. Pine Grosbeak: Two birders noted a total of 18 on the Arowhon and Opeongo Roads on November 27. One or two are fairly regular now feeding on seed on the ground below the Visitor Centre feeders. Red Crossbill: Noted at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on November 27. White-winged Crossbill: Observed at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on November 27. Common Redpoll: Reported at West Rose Lake on November 27, and one small flock was on Highway 60 today. Evening Grosbeak: From one to three were fairly regular at the Visitor Centre feeders this week. DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial 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. Locations are also described at: www. algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders and information. The Visitor Centre restaurant is not open in winter but visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the seating area. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase, as well as the use of a microwave. The Visitor Centre is open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. Birders visiting during the week are usually able to enter the Visitor Centre to view the feeders and exhibits. Check in with staff to find out what birds are being seen. For more information see Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ Good Birding! Ron Tozer Dwight, 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] Ottawa: Hoary Redpoll, Bohemain Waxwing
Hi Everyone This afternoon a observed a male Hoary Redpoll in a flock of 100+ Common Redpoll just north of Woodlawn along Dunrobin Road. The redpolls were feeding in a weedy field. Also observed a flock of 50+ Bohemian Waxwing at the corner of Carling Ave. and Moodie Drive and another group, 25+ near Carp. Good birding, Bruce Directions: Woodlawn is located along Dunrobin Road. From Hwy. 417 take March Road north to Dunrobin Road and turn right. 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 Cell 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] Ottawa/Gatineau - 29 November 2012 - Recent Reports
Ontario/Quebec Ottawa/Gatineau 29 November 2012 Hotline: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Phone number: 613-860-9000 For the Bird Status Line PRESS * (star) To report bird sightings PRESS 1 (one) Coverage: Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler & transcriber Bob Cermak robertcerm...@hotmail.com or sighti...@ofnc.ca A remarkable second ever sighting of a CAVE SWALLOW in this area occurred on the 23rd at the edge of the Ottawa River at the end of Whistler Rd in Constance Bay. It was last seen very briefly early the next morning. PINE GROSBEAK (single birds and small flocks up to 20), COMMON REDPOLL (flocks up to 20) and BOHEMIAN WAXWING (flocks up to 100) were seen throughout our area this past week. Smaller numbers of EVENING GROSBEAK (up to 9 at Fitzroy Harbour) and RED CROSSBILL (single birds heard and a flock of 7 in Constance Bay) have been reported at many locations. BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER continue to be seen near the Stony Swamp Trail and at the Rockcliffe Park "Pine Hill", from the boardwalk at Mer Bleue Conservation Area and on Bowesville Rd just south of Leitrim Rd. A record number of SANDHILL CRANE (183) were seen on the west side of Milton Road south of Smith Road on the 24th. BOREAL CHICKADEE were seen this past week on the trails near Ramsay Lake on the Eardley-Masham Road in Gatineau Park. Three were seen on the 23rd from the trail that runs to the south on the west side of the lake and two were seen on the 25th at the beginning of the trail that runs north from the east end of the lake. HOARY REDPOLL (1) was seen with COMMON REDPOLL (11) near the Ottawa River at the end of Whistler Road in Constance Bay on the 25th. The Moodie Dr pond (Burnside Pit) just south of Trail Road is about half covered with ice today. On the 22nd there were; GREATER-WHITE-FRONTED (1), SNOW (10) and thousands of CANADA GEESE, RUDDY (2) and RING-NECKED (40) DUCKS, COMMON (10) and HOODED (30) MERGANSER and LESSER SCAUP (3). On the 28th along with the thousands of CANADA GEESE there were SNOW GOOSE (6), MALLARD and AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, LESSER SCAUP (25), LESSER (1) and GREATER (10) BLACK-BACKED GULL and in the area NORTHERN HARRIER (1), RED-TAILED HAWK (2) and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (53). Today there were COMMON REDPOLL (20+) along Trail Road. Other interesting sighting were; - RED-THROATED LOON (1) on the Ottawa River from Constance Bay on the 24th - CHIPPING SPARROW (1) at a west end feeder on the 24th - GREAT-BLUE HERON (1) near the Carp River at hwy 417 on the 29th Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations - 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] Common Redpolls, Red Winged Blackbirds, Short Eared Owl near Gananoque
Had 7 Common Redpolls at my niger feeder today. Five showed up for the first time this season yesterday. There are still 3 Red Winged Blackbirds frequenting my feeders. There were 4 but the resident Cooper's Hawk eliminated one this morning. At dusk today I watched a Short Eared Owl hunting over some fields on Station Road. Directions: Five miles northeast of Gananoque, ON ___ 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: Detroit River Hawk Watch (29 Nov 2012) 7 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 29, 2012 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 4308 43285 Osprey 0 0 70 Bald Eagle 2 34222 Northern Harrier 0 29248 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 88 3590 Cooper's Hawk0108468 Northern Goshawk 0 9 18 Red-shouldered Hawk 2221450 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 40923 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 4 Red-tailed Hawk 1 1927 2986 Rough-legged Hawk0 8 14 Golden Eagle 0 47 51 American Kestrel 0 4531 Merlin 0 1 38 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 30 Unknown Accipiter0 9 56 Unknown Buteo0 2 37 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 10 87 Total: 7 6805 93110 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter:Jonathan Stein Observers:Andrew Sturgess, Raburn Howland Visitors: Rodney Laura and Jim Maki Weather: It was mostly sunny with an occasional high ceiling of puffy clouds. A touch of haze obscured the Canadian shoreline throughout. Warmer, temperatures reached the mid 40s for the first time in a while. The wind was moderate and out of the southwest. Raptor Observations: As has been the case lately, the only movement was a small push of raptors around midday. A sneaky Cooper's Hawk successfully raiding one of the backyard feeders across the channel was the day's highlight. Non-raptor Observations: An American Wigeon and a couple American Black Ducks joined our usual feeding flock of Mallards in the marsh near the end of the channel. Predictions: Partly sunny with highs in the mid 40s and light southeast wind. There is a 30 percent chance of precipitation. Report submitted by Jonathan Stein (jonathanjst...@gmail.com) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.drhawkwatch.org Site Description: The Detroit River Hawk Watch (a joint venture of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and its Friends group, the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance) is the Boat Launch at Lake Erie Metropark located approximately 20 miles south of Detroit, Michigan. The location is at the mouth of the Detroit River as it enters Lake Erie. Directions to site: Lake Erie Metropark: >From I-75, exit at Huron River Drive (exit 27). Continue east on Huron River Drive. Turn left on West Jefferson and proceed a few hundred yards to the entrance of Lake Erie Metropark. After paying the entrance fee, follow the signs to the Boat Launch. ___ 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] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 29, 2012.
At this time of year, the greatest potential for finding interesting birds at Presqu’ile Provincial Park is for birds of the water and shoreline. Both of those habitats have yielded good results in the past week, but only a few land birds have made the list of “good finds”. The marsh has frozen over several times recently, but the ducks have simply moved temporarily to the nearby open water. Two TUNDRA SWANS were there on November 25, and two WOOD DUCKS today. GADWALLS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL have been among the more numerous AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS and MALLARDS. Hundreds of REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP comprise the majority of the offshore ducks, but WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are also there in good numbers. At least one BLACK SCOTER has been in Popham Bay. The male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE that appeared last Thursday remained for three more days but has not been seen since Sunday. Last year, another of that species stayed for two days at precisely the same time and place before disappearing. It or another re-appeared late in December. On four of the last seven days, a RED-THROATED LOON has graced the outer part of Presqu’ile Bay near the lighthouse and may still be around. Both PIED-BILLED and HORNED GREBES were still present in the past week. No GREAT BLUE HERONS have been observed since November 23. Another BALD EAGLE sighting occurred on November 25. Also on that day, a WILD TURKEY strutted across the lawn of 187 Bayshore Road. The marsh along the causeway leading into the Park has been largely frozen over since last weekend, but prior to that there were still AMERICAN COOTS, KILLDEER, and WILSON’S SNIPE. Three shorebird species have been on Gull “Island” this week: two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on Tuesday and today, falling short by one day of tying the record late date; a PURPLE SANDPIPER on Sunday and two on Tuesday (but none today); up to five DUNLINS on the south-east corner of the erstwhile island. BONAPARTE’S GULLS have been increasing in number over the past week. SNOWY OWLS have been very reliable on the offshore islands. Four were seen on Sunday and three on Tuesday and today. One of today’s birds was on the gravel link between Owen Point and the former island and remained unmoved by the passage of two birders who gave it a wide berth both coming and going. Somewhere in the Park there surely must be a LONG-EARED OWL waiting to be discovered by a birder venturing off the roads and trails. The only NORTHERN SHRIKE of the past week was over the causeway leading into the Park. Five HORNED LARKS were off Owen Point on Tuesday. A very late YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was at High Bluff campground on November 27. Four LAPLAND LONGSPURS stopped briefly on Gull Island on November 25. Two COMMON GRACKLES have discovered the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, where a female PURPLE FINCH lingered until caught by a red fox. A RED CROSSBILL was at the Park maintenance yard yesterday, and four WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were at Owen Point on Sunday, along with a COMMON REDPOLL. Up to four PINE SISKINS were at a feeder for two days. 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. Visitors to Gull “Island” not using a boat should be able to walk across the gap without special footwear unless a wind change creates a gap of shallow water. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days. 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. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: fhellei...@trentu.ca. Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park ___ 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-headed Gull at Niagara
Jean Iron called to say that David Worthington found a Black-headed Gull with Bonaparte's on the river above the Falls across from the greenhouse and just north of the Toronto Hydro Building. Ron Pittaway (for Jean) ___ 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: Holiday Beach Conservation Area (28 Nov 2012) 5 Raptors
Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 28, 2012 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Turkey Vulture 0 2750 31888 Osprey 0 0 82 Bald Eagle 0 24163 Northern Harrier 0 38459 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0135 5546 Cooper's Hawk0107626 Northern Goshawk 0 8 8 Red-shouldered Hawk 0241518 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 6055 Red-tailed Hawk 5 2134 3544 Rough-legged Hawk0 6 16 Golden Eagle 0 33 42 American Kestrel 0 4937 Merlin 0 4 88 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 52 Unknown Accipiter0 0 9 Unknown Buteo0 16 22 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Raptor 0 0 5 Black Vulture0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3 Total: 5 5501 50066 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours Official Counter:Todd Pepper Observers: Visitors: None Weather: A bright, sunny day with temperatures ranging from 0.5 - 4.5C. The winds were out of the west all day ranging from 16 - 25 km/hr. Barometric pressure was steady. Raptor Observations: Another slow day with only 5 Red-tailed Hawks migrating. Just like the day before, 4 of the Red-tails came in on the same flight path and passed by the tower all within 9 minutes starting at 11:37. A Cooper's Hawk blasted out of the trees immediately to the east of the tower right into the 25 km/hr winds and did an arch going back into the trees to the north-east. Non-raptor Observations: The non-raptor migration again matched the raptor number with 5 species. A flock of 50 Northern Shoveler came in high from the east and settled at the west end of the Big Creek Marsh. Other species included: 14 Bonaparte's Gulls; 1 Red-winged Blackbird; 44 American Goldfinch; and you know it was a slow day when I counted the 4 Eurasian Starlings that flew over the tower. Predictions: The winds are not going to be good for migration today either. The forecast is for South-West winds of 15 - 20 km/hr. Temperature is forecasted at 2 - 6C, and a cloudy morning leading into a sunny afternoon. Report submitted by Todd Pepper (pepper_t...@yahoo.ca) Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at: http://hbmo.org/ ___ 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/
