[Ontbirds] Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory Report for Apr. 25th
This is the weekly report from the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory for the week of April 19-25, courtesy of Bander-In-Charge Stéphane Menu. During the week, the weather was an interesting, mixed bag of everything. There were sun and blue sky, windstorm, rain and pouring rain, and even snow for a short while. In short, it was spring in Canada! An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen shortly on April the 24th in the wetland at the end of the harbor. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL was observed in the harbour on April the 20th. The first CASPIAN TERNS (2 birds) flew along the shore on April the 19th. Two individuals were also seen on the 22nd. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was around the station on the 24th. No big movements of NORTHERN FLICKERS were observed this week, but 3 FLICKERS INTERGRADE, that is, individuals with a mix of yellow and red feathers, were banded. The first BLUE-HEADED VIREO of the spring was detected on April the 21st and the second one on the 25th. Numbers of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were still low, while RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were starting to pick up. All birds banded of the latter were male, except for one female on the 25th. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was enjoying the midges emergence on the 23rd. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were surprisingly still around, with a flock of about 30 on the 22nd. The first CEDAR WAXWINGS were seen the next day, the 23rd, with only two individuals. Very few warblers were seen during the week, with some YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS on the 19th, the 21st, and most notably on the 25th (with 6 banded), PINE WARBLER heard on the 21st, and a yellow PALM WARBLER seen on the 22nd. A quite late AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was detected on the 23rd. A FOX SPARROW was banded on the 19th. A good movement of DARK-EYED JUNCOS was evident on the 21st, following two days of stormy weather. Almost three-quarter of the 61 individuals banded that day were second-year females, a good indication that we’re seeing the end tail of their migration. A few PINE SISKINS were seen around the station, with two banded on the 25th. Elsewhere in Prince Edward County and area, there is still good birding to be had at the Kaiser Crossroad flooded cornfields. In addition to numerous species of ducks, DUNLIN, and GREATER LESSER YELLOWLEGS have been present, and between 50 and an impressive 1,000 BONAPARTE’S GULLS have been there both days as well. A VIRGINIA RAIL was at the H.R. Frink Centre on April 25th and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW showed up at 23 Sprague Road, Big Island, near Demorestville on the 23rd. A CAROLINA WREN continues to be present in Belleville and was last heard at Queen Street and Dufferin Avenue. A daily account of spring arrivals can be found on the NatureStuff website, under BIRDING. To reach Prince Edward Point, follow County Road 10 from Milford, or County Road 13 from Black River Cheese, and follow for 17 km to the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area. Kaiser Crossroad can be reached by taking Highway 33 (Loyalist Parkway) from Picton to Lake on the Mountain and following County Road 7 to Kaiser Crossroad. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County www.naturestuff.net tspra...@kos.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/
[Ontbirds] Violet Green Swallow yes
Flying low over mudlake visble from Cassels street. Multiple observers. Great spotting by Bernie Ladoucer. Mark Gawn Chef de Cabinet de la Première vice-présidente exécutive / Chief of Staff to the Senior Executive Vice-President ___ 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] Lark sparrow at Erieau Friday
The lark sparrow is still present this morning, same location as previously posted Mike Irwin Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network. Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell. -Original Message- From: Steve Charbonneau steve.charbonnea...@gmail.com Sender: ONTBIRDS birdalert-boun...@ontbirds.ca Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:12:05 To: ontbirdsbirdalert@ontbirds.ca Subject: Re: [Ontbirds] Lark sparrow at Erieau Friday Sorry, the Subject line for the Lark sparrow should have read Thursday, NOT Friday. I guess the weekend can't come fast enough.. Steve On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 6:49 PM, Steve Charbonneau steve.charbonnea...@gmail.com wrote: Hi everyone, The Lark Sparrow that Josh Vandermeulen found yesterday was still present at 5:10 this evening at the Erieau pier. It was still feeding in the grass behind the gravel piles. Directions: Drive south on Erieau Road to the town of Erieau. Stay to the right and follow the road until it ends at the lake, opposite the channel from Rondeau Provincial Park. Park here and walk to the left (towards Rondeau Bay). The bird was on the grass to the left. *Steve Charbonneau Erie Beach in Chatham-Kent* -- *Steve Charbonneau Erie Beach in Chatham-Kent* ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ ___ ONTBIRDS 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] Lark Sparrow Erieau
The Lark Sparrow is still present at Erieau pier in grassy area behind gravel piles. See previous reports for directions. Josh Bouman ___ 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 (25 Apr 2013) 184 Raptors
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2013 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 27 3392 6443 Osprey 4 42 43 Bald Eagle 1 20 52 Northern Harrier 1 63 70 Sharp-shinned Hawk 59 1069 1113 Cooper's Hawk5 37 71 Northern Goshawk 0 3 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 0213437 Broad-winged Hawk 69 1078 1078 Red-tailed Hawk 16919 1677 Rough-legged Hawk1 23 36 Golden Eagle 0 5 8 American Kestrel 1 76 85 Merlin 0 9 10 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3 Unknown Accipiter0 2 3 Unknown Buteo0 33 46 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 11 13 Total: 184 6996 11193 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Brian Mishell Observers:David Weare, Peter Booker, Tim King, Tom Thomas Visitors: David Gakeef - Chapel Hill, Dave Lord, Brian Mills from Basrrie Weather: The wind was the major factor. Very strong winds from the South West veering to South all day long. Cloud cover varied from 0% to 100% and then finally rain just before closing time. Raptor Observations: We had twelve species including two 2 year old Bald Eagles, and 5 Coopers and 5 Ospreys. In the last two to 5 p.m. we saw extremely high a Rough Legged Hawk and then a Common Raven over the house to the South. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon, my first Chimnet Swifts off the season, plenty of swallows including Purple Martins, Tree, and Barn. The White Throated sparrows sang to us all day. Predictions: A good count could be had because the weather for once is very favourable and we are still awaiting the majot flight of Broad- Wings Report submitted by Brian Mishell () 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. © 2013 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the
[Ontbirds] FW: Violet Green Swallow yes
Hi -- A note to people arriving from out of town: If you arrive at the pond and don't see any swallows or people looking, continue along the road that runs between the river and the filtration plant. At the end of the road is a point overlooking the river. While a few stayed behind, the swallows left the pond in numbers after the 8:30 sighting, heading for the river which can be seen well from the point (Britannia Point). Reposting directions from earlier posts: Directions: From 417 exit at Pinecrest and travel north to Carling Ave. Go east on Carling to Richmond Rd. turn left and next left on Poulin St. Follow north to Britannia Rd. turn right and follow to Cassels Rd.. Turn right and drive to Britannia Point. Good Luck! Bev McBride Ottawa -Original Message- From: ONTBIRDS [mailto:birdalert-boun...@ontbirds.ca] On Behalf Of mark.g...@acdi-cida.gc.ca Sent: April 26, 2013 8:31 AM To: Ontbirds Subject: [Ontbirds] Violet Green Swallow yes Flying low over mudlake visble from Cassels street. Multiple observers. Great spotting by Bernie Ladoucer. Mark Gawn Chef de Cabinet de la Première vice-présidente exécutive / Chief of Staff to the Senior Executive Vice-President ___ 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 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] Eastern towhees off Leitrim Road, Ottawa
In Ottawa, this morning I saw a singing male eastern towhee, just southwest of Leitrim Road's intersection with Bowesville Road. The towhee sang from a belt of brush running west from Bowesville (just south of the open field area that is adjacent to Leitrim Road. Then, about a half hour later, I saw another male eastern towhee some km to the east, also off Leitrim, at the P19 parking area for Pine Grove Forest Reserve (just west of Leitrim's intersection with Ramsayville Road). Directions: From River Road, take Leitrim Road east to the intersection of Bowesvile Road and turn right onto Bowesville. Park in the first small pulloff on the road's left side. Then walk back across the road and face the open field, which has only scattered shrubs and young trees. The towhee was singing just left of here in the area with thick brush. Continue east on Leitrim. Shortly after the intersection with Hawthorne and before Ramsayville Road, a marked parking lot, with a P19 sign appears on the left. Park here. The towhee was to the left of the lot, along the beginning of the path (on its left side). -- Howard Youth howard.yo...@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] 53 Little Gulls, Cackling Geese Oshawa Second Marsh and Little gull viewing weekend.
Little Gull 53. Several groups (up to 17 birds at a time) doing courtship flights most of the time. Several visible pairs have formed over the last few days Other Gulls: Bonaparte's Gulls 2818, Immature Glaucous Gull, 3 immature Great black-backed Gulls. Terns: 6 Caspian Shorebirds: single Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, and Greater Yellowlegs Waterfowl 20 species:including 2 Cackling Geese, 8 Ruddy Ducks, 73 Green-winged Teal, and 12 Northern Shovelers. Other birds observed this morning included: Pine and Palm Warblers, Eastern Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Common Raven, and Rusty Blackbird. Little Gull viewing weekend April 27 28 (Saturday/Sunday) annual Little Gull viewing at Second Marsh, from dawn to 9:30 am. Viewing will occur from the 'GM' platform. Park in the west General Motors of Canada parking lot (off Colonel Sam Drive), enter the trail from the southwest corner of the lot, and follow directional signs to the platform. Directions Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of the lot. For a trail map of the Oshawa Second marsh area visit http://secondmarsh.outdoorontario.ca/Recreation.html and check the link for a trail map of the area. Tyler Hoar Oshawa ___ 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] White eyed vireo
Still present at the leslie spit ___ 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] Eared Grebe Ashbridges Bay
Seen from quite far along the peninsula, in inner bay this morning. Not breeding plumage. Didn't seem inclined to move. Credit Jim and Petra for spotting it! Sent from my iPod On 2013-04-26, at 12:00 PM, birdalert-requ...@ontbirds.ca wrote: Send ONTBIRDS mailing list submissions to birdalert@ontbirds.ca To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://ontbirds.ca/mailman/listinfo/birdalert_ontbirds.ca or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to birdalert-requ...@ontbirds.ca You can reach the person managing the list at birdalert-ow...@ontbirds.ca When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than Re: Contents of ONTBIRDS digest... Today's Topics: 1. Eastern towhees off Leitrim Road, Ottawa (Howard Youth) 2. 53 Little Gulls,Cackling Geese Oshawa Second Marsh and Little gull viewing weekend. (Tyler Hoar) 3. White eyed vireo (Richard Sigesmund) -- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:47:53 -0400 From: Howard Youth howard.yo...@gmail.com To: birdalert@ontbirds.ca Subject: [Ontbirds] Eastern towhees off Leitrim Road, Ottawa Message-ID: CAA-3bqxFr=1WsLo4=Dzt=bi44psulf0ea7wmdvpe3gyojwi...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 In Ottawa, this morning I saw a singing male eastern towhee, just southwest of Leitrim Road's intersection with Bowesville Road. The towhee sang from a belt of brush running west from Bowesville (just south of the open field area that is adjacent to Leitrim Road. Then, about a half hour later, I saw another male eastern towhee some km to the east, also off Leitrim, at the P19 parking area for Pine Grove Forest Reserve (just west of Leitrim's intersection with Ramsayville Road). Directions: From River Road, take Leitrim Road east to the intersection of Bowesvile Road and turn right onto Bowesville. Park in the first small pulloff on the road's left side. Then walk back across the road and face the open field, which has only scattered shrubs and young trees. The towhee was singing just left of here in the area with thick brush. Continue east on Leitrim. Shortly after the intersection with Hawthorne and before Ramsayville Road, a marked parking lot, with a P19 sign appears on the left. Park here. The towhee was to the left of the lot, along the beginning of the path (on its left side). -- Howard Youth howard.yo...@gmail.com -- Message: 2 Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:13:49 -0700 (PDT) From: Tyler Hoar th...@rogers.com To: ONTBIRDS birdalert@ontbirds.ca Subject: [Ontbirds] 53 Little Gulls,Cackling Geese Oshawa Second Marsh and Little gull viewing weekend. Message-ID: 1366989229.91668.yahoomail...@web165005.mail.bf1.yahoo.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Little Gull 53. Several groups (up to 17 birds at a time) doing courtship flights most of the time. Several visible pairs have formed over the last few days Other Gulls: Bonaparte's Gulls 2818, Immature Glaucous Gull, 3 immature Great black-backed Gulls. Terns: 6 Caspian Shorebirds: single Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, and Greater Yellowlegs Waterfowl 20 species:including 2 Cackling Geese, 8 Ruddy Ducks, 73 Green-winged Teal, and 12 Northern Shovelers. Other birds observed this morning included: Pine and Palm Warblers, Eastern Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Common Raven, and Rusty Blackbird. Little Gull viewing weekend April?27 ?28 (Saturday/Sunday) annual Little Gull viewing at Second Marsh, from dawn to 9:30 am. Viewing will occur from the 'GM' platform.? Park in the west General Motors of Canada parking lot (off Colonel Sam Drive), enter the trail from the southwest corner of the lot, and follow directional signs to the platform. Directions Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of the lot. For a trail map of the Oshawa Second marsh area visit http://secondmarsh.outdoorontario.ca/Recreation.html and check the link for a trail map of the area. Tyler Hoar Oshawa -- Message: 3 Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:19:06 -0400 From: Richard Sigesmund rsigesm...@gmail.com To: birdalert@ontbirds.ca Subject: [Ontbirds] White eyed vireo Message-ID: CAAUad=7qctgxyi-fvhyozmkw1tlmhgzmg8cayvgpuc0kibu...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Still present at the leslie spit -- Subject: Digest Footer ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to
[Ontbirds] Long Point Update to April 25 - Bewick's Wren.
Ontario Birders, The Long Point Bird Observatory sightings board is updated to April 25 -http://www.bsc-eoc.org/longpoint/index.jsp?targetpg=lpbosight Highlights from this past week include: Pomarine Jaeger, Chuck-will's-widow, and Bewick's Wren! Updates of the birds in the area can be viewed through eBird on LPBO's main web-pagewww.birdscanada.org/lpbo . Help to contribute to sightings in the Long Point area by submitting your sightings to eBbird at www.ebird.ca or by sharing them with us at l...@birdscanada.org. The Old Cut Research Station is open to the public every day until June 1. For more information on the research, education, and training programs of LPBO visit us atwww.birdscanada.org/lpbo and check out the 2012 LPBO Program Report. Your best source for information about the birds and birding sites around Long Point can be found in A Birding Guide to the Long Point Area by Ron Ridout available here. Good Birding, Stu Stuart A. Mackenzie LPBO Program Coordinator Long Point Bird Observatory - Bird Studies Canada/Etudes d'Oiseaux Canada PO Box 160, 115 Front Rd. Port Rowan, Ontario. N0E 1M0. Office:(519)-586-3531 x162, Fax:586-3532, Mobile:820-6040 smacken...@birdscanada.org www.birdscanada.org/lpbo www.facebook.com/lpbobs ___ 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] 4 Lesser Black-backs and white winged gulls at Presqu'ile
Greetings Ontbirders, This morning Bill Gilmour and I had a pretty impressive showing of big gulls from Owen Pt. at Presqu'ile. The birds were moving around quite a bit but were either on the tip of Owen Pt., the few remaining gravel bars offshore, or the east tip of Gull Island. In total we saw 4 Lesser Black-backs (3 ad., 1 2nd summer), at least 8 Iceland Gulls of all ages, at least 3 imm. Glaucous Gulls, plus a presumed adult or near adult Nelson's Gull - (Glaucous x Herring). Another gull showing some characters of an adult Thayers (black wingtips with extensive white, what looked like a dark eye) was seen on Gull Is. but mantle colour was the same as adjacent Herrings/Ring-bills so it likely has Iceland elements to it. The Lesser Black-backs are especially interesting since the adults appear to be of both sexes, based on size and head shape, and the sub- adult was moving around with a small branch in its beak for 5 minutes. Otherwise a fair number of species around but numbers of individual migrants remain low. Cheers, Doug McRae Directions: Presqu'ile Provincial Park is on the north shore of Lake Ontario between Cobourg and Belleville. It is well signed from either Hwy 401 or Hwy 2. ___ 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 - Lark sparrow and Yellow throated warber
The lark sparrow is being seen today. Birders came to the cottage to say they had seen it at 1.00pm in the same place it has been. Please check previous posts for detailed directions. The yellow throated warbler is being seen at the visitor centre and at the cottage on Lakeshore. We are seeing two at a time on the same feeder. Ric -- Ric McArthur PO Box B1 Morpeth, Ontario,Canada N0P 1X0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricmcarthur ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] HSR: Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area (25 Apr 2013) 187 Raptors
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 25, 2013 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 27 3392 6443 Osprey 6 44 45 Bald Eagle 2 21 53 Northern Harrier 1 63 70 Sharp-shinned Hawk 59 1069 1113 Cooper's Hawk5 37 71 Northern Goshawk 0 3 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 0213437 Broad-winged Hawk 69 1078 1078 Red-tailed Hawk 16919 1677 Rough-legged Hawk1 23 36 Golden Eagle 0 5 8 American Kestrel 1 76 85 Merlin 0 9 10 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3 Unknown Accipiter0 2 3 Unknown Buteo0 33 46 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 11 13 Total: 187 6999 11196 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Brian Mishell Observers:David Weare, Peter Booker, Tim King, Tom Thomas Visitors: David Gakeef - Chapel Hill, Dave Lord, Brian Mills from Barrie Weather: The wind was the major factor. Very strong winds from the South West veering to South all day long. Cloud cover varied from 0% to 100% and then finally rain just before closing time. Raptor Observations: We had twelve species including two 2 year old Bald Eagles, and 5 Coopers and 6 Ospreys. In the last two minutes before 5 p.m. we saw extremely high a Rough Legged Hawk and then a Common Raven over the house to the South. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon, my first Chimney Swifts of the season, plenty of swallows including Purple Martins, Tree, and Barn. The White Throated sparrows sang to us all day. Predictions: A good count could be had because the weather for once is very favourable and we are still awaiting the major flight of Broad-Wings Report submitted by Brian Mishell () 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. © 2013 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the
[Ontbirds] Mississippi Kite - Toronto Islands
This morning I observed an adult Mississippi Kite flying east, low over Snake Island, no more than 150 feet overhead.. It was observed as it flew the length of the island and disappeared behind the tall Cottonwood Trees on Algonquin Island still heading east. Other birds we saw were first of the year Common Terns and Great Egret a low flying Sandhill Crane, also over Snake Island. DIRECTIONS TO THE TORONTO ISLAND FERRY DOCKS TORONTO ISLANDS - SPRING SCHEDULE Note:- Fare :- Adults $7.00 - Seniors / Students $4.50 If you are on the subway southbound get off at the TTC’s Union Subway Station, walk south on Bay Street (on the east side of the station) for about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street at Queen’s Quay and you are there. The entrance to the ferry docks (well signed) is on the west side of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. To get to the Toronto Islands from the TTC’s Union Subway Station on the TTC you may transfer to the #6 or the #6A Bay St. TTC bus on Bay Street just outside of the east entrance to the GO Station. They both go down Bay Street to Queen’s Quay. Go passengers arriving by train or bus must pay a fare to use the TTC bus or streetcar. When running there is a street car (#509 Harbourfront) that goes from inside the TTC’s Union Subway Station to Queen’s Quay (no transfer if from the subway required). For those who choose to head down to the docks on Sunday before the Subway opens at 9 a.m. you can catch the #97B Yonge St. Blue Night bus (Steeles Ave. To Queens Quay). This bus will let you off right across the street on Bay St. only steps from the ferry docks entrance . For ferry schedules - check - http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm You may also want to visit the TTC web page http://www.ttc.ca/ for trip planning assistance. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queen’s Quay, there are very few parking lots nearby (all for a fee). One of these parking lots is located just a block north on of the ferry docks on Bay St. with at least one more (for now) a block or so west of the ferry docks on Queen’s Quay. = NOTE :- If you want to learn more about birding on the Toronto Islands you can access my Toronto Islands Birding And Site Guide on the OFO web site at:- http://www.ofo.ca/webapp/site/page/view/articles.torontoislands You may also want to check out Ron Pittaway’s excellent “Spring Warbler Migration Guide” which is also on the OFO web site. You can find it by clicking on the following:- http://www.ofo.ca/webapp/site/page/view/articles.springwarblers Norm Murr Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada ___ 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] Whitby Thickson's Woods- Merlin, Saw-whet
Spent a couple of hours searching the woodlot and meadow on this beautiful afternoon, fairly quiet but there were a few notable species: Northern Saw-whet Owl- tucked in deep within a spruce on the bike trail beside the first meadow entrance Common Raven- 3 flew over the woods calling, shortly after they were tracked and harassed by a pair of crows Merlin- perched on a snag in the marsh for an extended period of time Other birds included: Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Savannah Sparrow, Pine Warbler and Northern-Rough winged Swallow Good birding, Dave Szmyr ___ 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: Violet-green Swallow uupdate
Hi Everyone After being observed at around 8:30a.m. today feeding over Mud Lake/Britannia Conservation Area the swallow was again sighted off Britannia Point at the Britannia Filtration Plant. Unfortunately the swallow was not cooperative and was only observed briefly a few times. I left the area around 2:00p.m. and have not heard of any subsequent sightings. There were a large number of swallows in the area, 500+ and hopefully the Violet-green Swallow is still in the area. I think early morning is best to search for the swallow before the day's temperature rises and the swallows disperse. If anyone observes the swallow please post your sighting. Good luck, Bruce Directions: From 417 exit at Pinecrest and travel north to Carling Ave. Go east on Carling to Richmond Rd. turn left and next left on Poulin St. Follow north to Britannia Rd. turn right and follow to Cassels Rd.. Turn right and drive to Britannia Point. If you have any questions call. 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] Eared Grebe Ashbridges Bay, Toronto.
I also saw the Eastern Grebe at Ashbridges Bay between 1:40 and 2:40pm today. He was working the western shore by the boardwalk and occasionally teamed up with a Horned Grebe. I have some photos on my website for anyone that wants to check him out. http://www.paulreeves.ca/html/nature/birds/eared_grebe.html I have to thank some folks - sorry I don't know your names - I met at the TTP Wet Woods who told me the Grebe was at Ashbridges. Ashbridges Bay is in Toronto at the bottom of Coxwell Ave. Paul Reeves Photography www.paulreeves.ca (416) 792 2931 ___ 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/
Re: [Ontbirds] Eared Grebe Ashbridges Bay, Toronto.
Sorry folks, my title was right but my content is wrong. It is an Eared Grebe at Ashbridges not an Eastern as I said in the original email. Paul Reeves Photography www.paulreeves.ca (416) 792 2931 From: Paul Reeves p...@paulreeves.ca To: birdalert@ontbirds.ca birdalert@ontbirds.ca Sent: Friday, April 26, 2013 6:34:10 PM Subject: [Ontbirds] Eared Grebe Ashbridges Bay, Toronto. I also saw the Eastern Grebe at Ashbridges Bay between 1:40 and 2:40pm today. He was working the western shore by the boardwalk and occasionally teamed up with a Horned Grebe. I have some photos on my website for anyone that wants to check him out. http://www.paulreeves.ca/html/nature/birds/eared_grebe.html I have to thank some folks - sorry I don't know your names - I met at the TTP Wet Woods who told me the Grebe was at Ashbridges. Ashbridges Bay is in Toronto at the bottom of Coxwell Ave. Paul Reeves Photography www.paulreeves.ca (416) 792 2931 ___ 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 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] Blue-Winged Teal - Petrie Is. Ottawa
Observing two pairs on the marsh, just at the bottom of the hill from the Trim Rd. entrance. The road has barriers and is open to 'local traffic only', as the road is flooded after the causeway. Ken Ball ___ 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] Minesing OFO Trip Sat.
Those attending the Minesing trip tomorrow are advised to bring rubber boots if you are hiking into the swamp in the afternoon. Also, bring a telescope if you have one. Dave milsommilsomd...@hotmail.com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, April 26th, 2013
BLACK VULTURE BOHEMIAN WAXWING HARRIS'S SPARROW RED CROSSBILL American Wigeon Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal King Eider Ring-necked Pheasant Red-throated Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Great Egret Green Heron Broad-winged Hawk Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Willet Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Upland Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Dunlin Little Gull Bonaparte's Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Barred Owl Red-headed Woodpecker Eastern Kingbird Blue-headed Vireo Purple Martin Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Brown Creeper Winter Wren House Wren Marsh Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Northern Waterthrush Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Field Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak Bobolink Baltimore Oriole Although the list is long, it's been relatively quiet here for numbers of migrants in the HSA but the diversity is good. Let's first address the goodies for the week. On Tuesday, conditions were right at Beamer Memorial Conservation area for a good migration of raptors, south winds with rain arriving Wednesday. A good Broad-winged migration was underway when a flock of 4 BLACK VULTURES made their way over the tower. Later in the day the birds were seen going the other way. Was this the Niagara birds taking a spin, no one will know. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen at the corner of York and Baldwin in Dundas early week, definitely a late record for these birds. The HARRIS'S SPARROW first found in February is still present and looking rather spiffy at 6547 Ellis Road where it has been frequenting the feeders. Our RED CROSSBILL pair is still present at the east end of Confederation Park in Stoney Creek. There were lots of new arrivals this week. A Brant was first reported at Canada Centre for Inland Waters and then made its way down to LaSalle Marina on Monday. A Green Heron was present today at Clappison's Corners Wetland in Waterdown otherwise known as Rona Ponds. Another one was heard over Brantford a couple nights ago on a night migration. Spotted Sandpipers are here in numbers. A Solitary Sandpiper was present at the flooded field at 8th Line and Britannia. One was photographed here over a week ago. A neat sighting (almost considered rare in these parts) was a Willet at Windermere Basin. This bird continues to be present today at the back of the Basin along with a smattering of Dunlin. Upland Sandpipers arrived back on territory with birds being seen off 11th Road East and on the north and south side of Mud Street east of 11th Road East. Bonaparte's Gulls continue to move through but in a mass migration last Sunday, a Little Gull was seen amongst them. A Red-headed Woodpecker was photographed today at Pinedale and Forestwood Crescent in Burlington, a brief flythrough but excellent yard bird. An Eastern Kingbird was seen on the very early side last week at Binbrook Conservation Area. Another one was seen at Confederation Park a few days ago and still another at Burloak Waterfront Park today. Blue-headed Vireo was present in Shell Park and in Dundas. House Wrens are popping up in a few places including Dundas, Sherwood Forest Park and Flamborough. A Marsh Wren was skulking along the pond in Confederation Park mid-week. A Wood Thrush was also seen in this locale. Our first Gray Catbird of the season was seen at Iroquois Conservation Area in Ancaster. Palm Warblers have been seen at Van Wagner's Ponds and a Yellow Palm Warbler was seen at Shell Park last weekend. A Northern Waterthrush was a good bird at Confederation on Tuesday. Clay-colored Sparrow eluded this observer but was well photographed at Shoreacres in Burlington in the week. A first of year Common Yellowthroat was heard at Van Wagners Ponds in the early week. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak and White-crowned Sparrow made an appearance near a feeder at Brant City Road and Sawmill Road in Ancaster. A very early Bobolink was seen and well photographed at Burloak Waterfront Park last weekend. Lastly a Baltimore Oriole was seen at Raspberry House at the RBG Arboretum yesterday. Shorebird habitat is good this year with fields being well flooded. At Eighth Line and Britannia, in addition to the Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers along with American Wigeon, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal were seen on Tuesday. At a flooded field east of 10th Road East, Dunlin and Greater Yellowlegs were present. On 5th Road East last Sunday, a total of 32 Wilson's Snipe were seen along with Lesser Yellowlegs. When conditions are good for viewing (no heat shimmer), the flooded fields seen from Ridge Road between 8th and 10th Road East in Saltfleet are worth checking. A number of Yellowlegs sp. were seen last weekend but anything could drop by. Conditions are
[Ontbirds] Willet, Hillman's Marsh, April 26
Hey, There was a single Willet in the shorebird cell at Hillman at around 5 pm today, along with small numbers of expected shorebird species. Cheers, James Holdsworth and Jeff Gross James Holdsworth, Biological Consulting Services 14 Marian St, RR#1 Woodstock, On, N4S-7V6 [519]537-2027 226-228-0093 [cell] jmholdswo...@rogers.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/
