[Ontbirds] *** BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN *** flyby in Stoney Creek
Birders, This morning around 0915 I watched a BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN fly in off of Lake Ontario from the northwest, turn eastwards upon nearing the shore, then steadily fly past (perhaps 250-300ft up) until out of sight. The entire observation was probably 60-90 seconds. It was first obvious as a medium to large member of the Hirundinidae family with a striking dark collar across the lower throat/upper breast - strongly contrasting with a bright white throat and underbelly. The upperside of the bird was a fairly solid dark brown. Overall, the colour and pattern is very similar to a Bank Swallow. Structurally, the bird was much larger than our Swallow species - and although difficult to describe - was built like a Martin looking much stronger/steady as it flew. I made note that it DID appear smaller than a Purple Martin - a species which I was able to observe at will from this location over the past few months as they nested nearby. A shallow notch in the tail (fork) was also noted. Based on the circumstances of the observation, I would not expect to see the bird again, however I still wanted to get the word out to the birding community. A report will be submitted to the OBRC for review. Brandon Brandon Holden www.PeregrinePrints.com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] Jaeger Sp. at Chub Point, Northumberland Co.
Posting for Margaret Bain: A jaeger sp. chasing gulls was seen at Chub Point at about 10.00 am this morning. Chub Point is on Lake Ontario south of Grafton. From Highway 401 exit 487 drive south to County Road 2 and turn west. Drive Station St. and drive south to the end of the road. Clive Goodwin ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] Westerbn Kingbird
No kingbird at 12:20 p.m. Hamilton --- Miles and White Church location . A number of people searching for 2 plus hrs. Stu Williams Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] Parasitic Jaegers
Two parasitic Jaegers off Van Wagers Beach. 2:30 pm. Stu Williams and Bruce Aikins Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - Mitchell
Mon 9/9 2.00pm-4.00pm. I spotted this bird at 2.55pm, in the narrow section behind the fence, at the West Perth Wetlands. There was a total of 12 shorebird species present, with Yellowlegs and Killdeer being the most numerous. Highlights would be 1 STILT SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 1 MERLIN, which landed on the bare section, behind the fence, at 2.35pm. Marilyn, from Stratford, found the 3 Plovers and had 3 WILSON'S SNIPE, before I arrived. As myself and Dave (from Mitchell) were heading towards the parking lot, there were 2 WILSON'S SNIPE, feeding in the open, in Cell 2 and Dave spotted another 2, on the edge of cover. The WHITE-RUMPED was still behind the fence, as we left, but the Golden Plovers had already gone. DIRECTIONS:- from the East, follow HWY 8 (there will be delays, because of Highway construction) through Stratford, to the first traffic lights in Mitchell. Turn LEFT onto Wellington Street and follow it to Frank Street. Continue on the gravel road, past the Ball Diamond, to the parking lot. From the West, follow Hwy 8 into Mitchell. At the bottom of the hill turn RIGHT onto Hwy 23 South. Turn LEFT onto Frank Street (the last street on the left), over the bridge and up the hill. Turn RIGHT onto the gravel road at the Ball Diamond and follow it to the parking lot. From the South, follow Hwy 23 to Mitchell. Just past the blue Mitchell sign, turn RIGHT onto FranK Street (at the 50 km/h sign) and proceed over the bridge to the Ball Diamond. Turn RIGHT onto the gravel road to the parking lot. Cell 2 is beside the parking lot, Cell 3 is to the east of the fenced cell and Cell 5 is the large cell to the south-east. There are no permits required and no restrictions on when you visit. Eric Jeffery, St. Marys. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] eBird Workshops at the OFO Convention
We have recently added two eBird tutorials to the convention lineup. The first opportunity will be Friday evening at 5:00 PM at the Pelee Days Inn and the second will be on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 following the Big Year screening at the theatre at Point Pelee National Park. Mike Burrell will be giving eBird tutorials at the Pelee Days Inn before the Friday event and Saturday afternoon in the theatre at the park. Bring your eBird questions, and join Mike Burrell for a hand-on tutorial for everything you ever wanted to know about eBird. We will have computers hooked up to eBird so you can get lessons on how to submit your data or how to explore all of the valuable information that eBird contains. This is your chance to learn exactly how best to use eBird to suit your needs! These are open sessions so drop by for a quick question or stay for the entire duration. Lynne ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] OFO Convention September 27 - 29 - time to register!
This is posted with permission of the ONTBirds moderator. This year's OFO Convention is fast approaching! Please take a moment to register if you haven't done so already. You can register online at the OFO website at: http://member.ofo.ca/events/whats-on/event/30/Annual-Convention-2013 A paper registration form is also being mailed to all OFO members for those who would prefer to register by mail. This year's convention is again three days long with a full lineup of hikes and workshops on all days. On Friday night we have a special event. Sarah Rupert will be hosting Birds and Beers a fun birding quiz at the Pelee Days Inn. We have arranged for a buffet dinner before the presentation which requires preregistration but all are welcome to attend for drinks and fun after the meal if you choose to eat elsewhere. Our guest speaker at the Saturday evening banquet is Greg Miller of The Big Year fame. For more information, please take a look at the brochure at: http://www.ofo.ca/ofo-docs/OFO_2013_Convention_Brochure.pdf Please e-mail me if you have any questions. It's going to be a great weekend. Hope to see you there. Lynne Lynne Freeman OFO Convention Chair and VP ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] Nelson's Sparrows at Rattray Marsh
Three moving in and out of view near the base of the huge patch of cattails on the west side of the marsh against the large mudflat the middle of the marsh. They were about 40 to 50 from the gravel bar near the outlet of the creek into the lake. All field marks with 30x scope: flat head short bill; blue-gray nape and small patch behind eye; bright buffy yellow over the eye; front of eye, sides of throat and sides; sides with narrow barring; bright white belly; back russet with white broken strips. I did see an unidentified Ammodramus sparrow there several day ago near this location. The water has dropped substantially and there are now extensive mud flats on the east side of the low carp barrier and this is were the majority of the shorebirds were today. Species seen: Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary, Least, Semipalmated and Baird's Sandpiipers, all in low numbers. Directions: park at the south end of Bexhill which runs south of Lakeshore Boulevard between Southdown/Erin Mills Parkway and Mississauga (though closer to the former). Take the first right at the bottom of the hill to the lake, then go right down the beach to the opening of marsh into the lake. A scope would be advisable. Wayne Renaud (289-828-0043) ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] HSR: Detroit River Hawk Watch (09 Sep 2013) 12 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 09, 2013 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0187187 Osprey 0 28 28 Bald Eagle 2 45 45 Northern Harrier 1 26 26 Sharp-shinned Hawk 8357357 Cooper's Hawk0 50 50 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk0326326 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0110110 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1 47 47 Merlin 0 6 6 Peregrine Falcon 0 3 3 Unknown Accipiter0 7 7 Unknown Buteo0 1 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 2 Total: 12 1195 1195 -- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter:Jonathan Stein Observers:Patrick Mulawa Visitors: 3 Weather: Overcast and drizzly upon arrival, heavier rain chased us away in the afternoon. Wind was near nonexistent. When there was wind, it was very light and out of the west. Raptor Observations: A handful of birds braved the rainy conditions. Non-raptor Observations: Red-winged Blackbird (250+) Predictions: Going to be hot tomorrow with highs in the low 90s, partly cloudy skies and strong southwest wind. Report submitted by Jonathan Stein (steinj...@gmail.com) Detroit River Hawk Watch 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 including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] Western Kingbird- Binbrook Area
The Western Kingbird was present at 7:20 pm today at the previously reported location.(Whitechurch and Miles Rd.) It was in one of the half dead trees along the railway track(walking trail)on the North side of Whitechurch Rd. for a while before flying to the other side of Miles Rd. This bird seems to be fairly irregular and may require some patience and luck. Good Birding Tim ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
[Ontbirds] HSR: Holiday Beach Conservation Area (09 Sep 2013) 74 Raptors
Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 09, 2013 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Turkey Vulture 1115115 Osprey 0 24 24 Bald Eagle 3 69 69 Northern Harrier 1 63 63 Sharp-shinned Hawk 54738738 Cooper's Hawk 15 45 45 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk0169169 Red-tailed Hawk 0 84 84 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0191191 Merlin 0 16 16 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 74 1517 1517 -- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter:Todd Pepper Observers:Jim McCoy Visitors: Only one of our regular spotters. Weather: A cloudy, drizzly, rainy day with temperatures ranging from 17 - 23C. Winds were light all day starting out of the north-east until 11:00 when they shifted to the south. Raptor Observations: The raptors came in spurts between the heavier rain. Sharpies were in the majority at 54 of the 74 birds counted. Northern Harriers generally don't mind rain and unfavourable winds, but we only had 1 immature bird. Three 1st year adult Bald Eagles snuck in on me. The 2 resident 1st year birds had been sitting on the beach for a couple hours. I looked at 10:45 and they were still there and then glanced over at the top of the hour and there were 5 - 1st year Eagles sitting there. Non-raptor Observations: Not much passerine migration either, although the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (20) and Cedar Waxwings (29) didn't seem to mind the rain. Two Spotted Sandpiper were the first for the fall. A Northern Waterthrush flew by with a flash of silver on it's right leg. It had been banded. The strangest sight was a Barn Swallow that appeared to be carrying nesting material. 10 Monarch Butterflies today. Predictions: The forecast for Tuesday is sunny and hot, witht he temperature getting up to 34C. It could be muggy as well since rain is predicted up until 5 a.m. Winds are predicted to be moderate at 15-20 km/hr out of the south-west. Report submitted by Todd Pepper (pepper_t...@yahoo.ca) Holiday Beach Conservation Area information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/ ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
