[Ontbirds] Tufted Duck in Mississauga, & one more big year help request/update
Good evening Ontario birding community! I am pleased to report that a few of us watched the Tufted Duck off of St Lawrence Park in Port Credit through the afternoon until about 5:15 when the light became too dim to identify the ducks anymore. It will very likely be found at or near this location again tomorrow morning. A telescope is a near must for searching through these groups of many hundreds of Greater Scaup, Goldeneye, Mallards, etc. at least a few hundred metres away. St. Lawrence Park is on St. Lawrence Dr, southeast of the intersection of Hurontario St. and Lakeshore Rd E in Port Credit, Mississauga. There are viewing access points slightly east of this spot from the ends of Elmwood Ave S and Oakwood Ave S, the next two streets along Lakeshore Rd E. Good luck to anyone hoping to cross paths with it tomorrow! One more big year progress update and request for help below, for anyone who is still interested... Jere This is one last request for help, and another thank you for all the support and cheering that so many of you great folks have thrown my way all year! I have had to rework this email a little bit because I am no longer starving for Tufted Duck, a species that many would say I irrationally expected to cross paths with this year. In short, the year bird stream has dried up a bit since breaking the record with Northern Gannet in late November, no doubt largely due to the beginning of winter weather and the fact that there are so few likely species remaining to list. Two species that I have considered almost guaranteed for the year are Purple Sandpiper and Gyrfalcon, both still very likely for the entire month of December, primarily on the coasts of the Great Lakes. If you come across or hear of any sightings of either Purple Sandpiper or Gyrfalcon, could you please get in touch with me or one of my close friends as soon as possible? If having a hard time deciding where or what to bird, why not consider searching for those species! ;) I am always open to new contributions toward Team Ontario Big Year 2017, as I've come to call this super humbling team effort from friends all across the province. Also, I would be crazy to not specifically mention my good friend Tim Arthur for being around as great company and a second set of sharp eyes for nearly the entire year. Tim is looking at high 320s or even 330+ for possibly Ontario's fifth highest big year ever if he can catch up with a handful of northern targets! If anyone catches wind of a Barred, Boreal, Great Gray, or Hawk Owl, or a Goshawk currently or very recently perched in a reliable spot (not just a reliable general location - he has been checking many), please could you get in touch with Tim or me? Thank you! All that mushy stuff that I like to go on about, for anyone interested in some light reading... Tomorrow night marks two full weeks remaining in 2017, and with that it marks two weeks to go in this totally insane provincial Big Year. My (our) efforts have broken Ontario's record of 343 species held by Josh Vandermeulen in 2012, who broke Glenn Coady's record of 338 in 1996, who from what I gather, broke the 1981 record of 320, set by my number one mentor, the late Alan Wormington. All three of these guys are great mentors to me and I cannot express enough gratitude to them especially, and all of Ontario's pioneers of birding for inspiring the birding community and paving the way for my shot at it this year. I also could not have done this to such an extent if not for the unconditional love and (often blind) support shown by so many friends, family members, acquaintances, and every 'fan' who has been cheering me on too. I owe special mention to Bruce DiLabio, Michael Biro, David Pryor, and a whole gang of close friends for being ready to take any phone call at any time of day, for suggesting answers to absolutely any birding or social dilemma I have faced, and for tirelessly searching for 'big year birds'. This has been so much more than a big year and to those who have been asking or wondering, I promise to write about it, at least in blogs and/or Facebook posts once the year finishes, between Ontario tour guiding that I am especially looking forward to, field work, and all the other 'normal' stuff that was put on hold for this year. Why stop at a personal achievement when I can use this momentum to motivate the community and inspire young people to join in?? That is the real long-term mission. I hope for the opportunity for a couple more species for my year list, but if this is it then I am happy too. (I guess I typed this too soon - this afternoon added one more!!) Thanks again, and please, if you see me out on the trails next year and you want to say hi, ask questions, etc., go for it! I apologize if I ever forget to reply to emails or do not recognize an acquaintance in my variably tired state. It has been a pretty crazy ride and I am so grateful for the unco
[Ontbirds] Possible Horned Grebe at Unwin Ave. and Barrow's Goldeneye at Tommy Thompson Park Toronto
Hi there, Apologies for the late-day post. Sightings made on December 16, 2017. At 10:30 AM, along with the continuing male Harlequin at Unwin Avenue, I also saw one small, very white faced/cheeked/breasted grebe with red eyes which I believe to be an adult, male nonbreeding Horned Grebe. Only the one which swam in front of the look-out then stayed near to the channel mouth. Around noon, at the causeway on the outside of Embayment D, I saw an adult, male breeding Barrow's Goldeneye just beyond the stone groins in a group of about five Common Goldeneyes. An adult male Common was present to compare. Much darker back/sides with white 'dots' along side and tear-drop at front of face. The Unwin Avenue look-out is south off Unwin Avenue, west of Leslie Street and along the Outer Harbour Marina road in Toronto. Parking is ~200 m past the look-out. Tommy Thompson Park park entrance is located at Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue in Toronto. This is five minutes east of the DVP/Gardiner junction along Lake Shore Blvd East. To get to Embayment D, walk along the park road, well past the visitor center and turn right at the first main junction and head north towards the marina. Sarah Gates Toronto, ON ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Woodstock CBC preliminary results
The 84th Woodstock CBC was held today (December 16th) in good conditions. Light wind, moderate temperatures (-5) and light snow only in the morning produced great viewing conditions and perfect conditions for pishing in lots of birds. Despite still water being entirely frozen, these good birding conditions led to 70 species being seen on count day - our second highest total ever (highest was 72 in 2011). 37,454 individuals were recorded. One new species was recorded for the count: 3 Common Ravens were seen (2 by Ken Dance's group and 1 by James Holdsworth's group). This species is now breeding in Oxford County so we had been expecting it on the count for a few years. Unusual species included: Cackling Goose (4 - 10th count) American Wigeon (1 - 4th count) Sandhill Crane (28 - 3rd count) Peregrine Falcon (1 - 4th count) Hermit Thrush (1 - 10th count) Bohemian Waxwing (1 - 3rd count) Chipping Sparrow (1 - 3rd count) White-crowned Sparrow (1 - 7th count) Rusty Blackbird (1 - 6th count) Red Crossbill (1 - 9th count) High counts: Bald Eagle - 7 (previous high 6 in 2012 and 2013) Pileated Woodpecker - 6 (ties 2008) Winter Wren - 7 (previous high 4 in 2009 and 2010) Red-winged Blackbird - 20 (tied 2011) Notable misses (if you see these or other species you think may be of interest, please let me know): Mute Swan (see frozen into the ice at Southside Park yesterday) Ruffed Grouse Snowy Owl (not normally seen on this count but they have been in the count area) Thanks to all the counters we had this year and especially to John Harvey who hosted the post-count meal and compilation. We have now seen 131 species on the Woodstock CBC over the 84 years (plus 4 count week only). Best wishes for count season! Jeff -- Jeff Skevington Phone: 613-720-2862 E-mail: jhskeving...@gmail.com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Kitchener CBC preliminary results
The 84th Kitchener CBC was held today (December 16th). The snow and cold weather this week froze most water but stretches of the Grand River were still open. The snow seemed to do a good job of concentrating many birds but cleared out others (especially gulls). There are still many feeder counts to come in so most totals will change. 69 species have been found on count day, which is our third-best total ever, and well above-average for the last twenty years (61). Total number of individuals was fairly high at 31, 603 (average is 28,776) although that is largely driven by large numbers of American Crows, Canada Geese, and Mallards. One new species (long overdue Eastern Bluebird!) for the count was found bringing the cumulative total to 142. Unusual species: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (3rd record), Common Raven (3rd), Trumpeter Swan (4th), Gray Catbird (4th), American Wigeon (4th), Fox Sparrow (4th), Mute Swan (6th), Snow Goose (7th), Wilson’s Snipe (7th), Barred Owl (9th), Hermit Thrush (14th). New highs: Trumpeter Swan (26, previous high 5 in 2016), Hermit Thrush (3, previous high 1 in 13 years), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2, previous high 1 in 2 years), Snow Goose (19, previous high 10 in 2008), White-throated Sparrow (25, previous high 21 in 2014), Red-bellied Woodpecker (55, previous high 54 in 2016), Carolina Wren (4, previous high 4 in 2006), Merlin (3, previous high 3 in two years). Other high counts (20 year average): Mute Swan 5 (0.3), Pine Siskin 216 (31.5), Bald Eagle 11 (4), Horned Lark 85 (35.5), Wild Turkey 207 (87.6), Eastern Screech-Owl 26 (11), American Crow 7434 (3966.6), American Robin 187 (104.4), Golden-crowned Kinglet 86 (55). Low counts (20 year average): Bufflehead 1 (15.7), Herring Gull 99 (1227.1), Ring-billed Gull 169 (835), Swamp Sparrow 1 (4), Glaucous Gull 1 (4), Snow Bunting 71 (238.8), Northern Shrike 1 (3.3), Purple Finch 1 (3.1), Great Horned Owl 3 (6.3). Notable misses (times recorded on last 20 counts): American Kestrel (18), Great Black-backed Gull (18), Common Redpoll (13), Iceland Gull (12), Lesser Black-backed Gull (10), Ruffed Grouse (8), Brown-headed Cowbird (8). Thanks to all the counters we had this year and especially to Virgil and Beth Martin who hosted the post-count meal and compilation. For more information or if you find any "good" (including any of those species listed as misses above) species in the count circle between now and December 19, please contact me privately. Here is a map showing the location of the Kitchener and all other Canadian Christmas Bird Counts: http://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/cbc/index.jsp?targetpg=mapviewer&lang=EN Mike Burrell Kitchener CBC Compiler ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Update on TUFTED DUCK , in Mississauga Today.
Hi all.. After finding the male Tufted Duck off Lorne Park, this morning around 9 am, I let many people know about it and by the time the word spread it had moved to Ben Machree Park, In Mississauga. by the afternoon it had moved with a raft of Greater Scaups East of Hiway #10 ( Hurontario St), where many excited birders saw it for "life" listing. It was refound by Nancy McPhearson and Garth Riley at the lakefront on ELMWOOD Dr. ( after being put up by a roving GBB Gull and going back and forth, the TUDU settled in at Elmwood Dr. ( parkette by the lake, south of Lakeshore Rd.., East of Hurontario. It was still there at 5 PM, so it will be in the area in the morning, on Sunday. To reach Elmwood Dr. ... Take QEW, to Mississauga, go south on Hiway #10 ( Hurontario St.). Turn East, left on Lakeshore Rd., second street turn right (south) on Elmwood Dr. Park and walk to lake. A scope is a must! PS:.. too tired to post a Video on the Tufted Duck. I may by tomorrow!! ( Patience..Thank You)Cheers Luc Fazio ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
Re: [Ontbirds] Tufted Duck still being seen from Elmwood Drive, Mississauga
Thanks for all the posts! I finally got the bird at 3:15. It is a North American first for me after missing many of them over the years. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheers, George From: Cheryl Edgecombe via ONTBIRDS Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2017 3:42 PM To: birdalert@ontbirds.ca Subject: [Ontbirds] Tufted Duck still being seen from Elmwood Drive, Mississauga Luc Fazio called to say they are still looking at the Tufted duck, seen with a scope looking east from the south end of Elmwood Drive which is east of Hurontario. Its diving quite a bit. Cheryl --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists CONFIDENTIAL and/or PRIVILEGED. If received in error please notify the sender and permanently delete. CONFIDENTIEL et/ou PRIVILÉGIÉ. Si ce courriel est reçu par erreur, veuillez nous en aviser et en effacer toute trace. EY, 100 Adelaide Street West, PO Box 1 Toronto, ON M5H 0B3. www.ey.com/ca To unsubscribe from commercial electronic messages / Pour vous désabonner des messages électroniques commerciaux : unsubscr...@ca.ey.com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Tufted Duck still being seen from Elmwood Drive, Mississauga
Luc Fazio called to say they are still looking at the Tufted duck, seen with a scope looking east from the south end of Elmwood Drive which is east of Hurontario. Its diving quite a bit. Cheryl --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
Re: [Ontbirds] Tufted Duck, Ben Machree Park, Mississauga
The bird was refound by Nancy McPherson and Garth Riley a bit east of here. It is currently with a big flock of mostly scaup just off shore. Best viewing is from the foot of Oakwood Avenue South, Mississauga, and looking southeast. Good birding, Josh Vandermeulen Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 16, 2017, at 13:41, Cheryl Edgecombe via ONTBIRDS > wrote: > > This morning around 11 a.m. Luc Fazio found a Tufted Duck while doing the > South Peel Christmas Count . At this time, the bird was only being seen off > Lorne Park Estates which is a gated community and private property. The > bird was re found off Ben Machree Park in a raft of three hundred or so > scaup and then was flushed by two Great Black-backed Gulls which put the > whole flock up seconds after finding it. The scaup eventually settled back > into the same location which was just west of Ben Machree. You can walk > along the shore at the lake. There is also an access to the Rhododendron > Gardens down Godfrey Lane that will take you to this location. > > > Take QEW to Royal Windsor Drive, Royal Windsor will turn into Lakeshore Road > after Ford Drive. Continue down Lakeshore Road to just past the > Rhododendron Gardens (well east of Southdown Road and west of Mississauga > Road). You can access Ben Machree Park form Godfrey Lane which is on the > east side of the Gardens where it meets the lake. Walk along the shoreline > to the west and the scaup were in the bay there. > https://www.bing.com/search?q=ben+Machree+Park,+Mississauga&form=IE10TR&src= > IE10TR&pc=EUPP_HPDTDFJS > > > Cheryl > > > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > https://www.avast.com/antivirus > ___ > ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 > Posting guidelines can be found at > http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide > Visit the OFO Facebook page > https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists > ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Tufted Duck Refound, east of Hurontario
Nancy McPherson has relocated the Tufted Duck in a group of Scaup viewed from the end of Elwood Drive, at a Parkette called Tall Oaks Park. Posting just in case Garth Riley's post didn't come through the Ontbirds listserve. Cheryl --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Further information on tufted Duck
It is a make but only has a few wisps at the back of the head. Best way to find is by the all black back rather that the tufts. Sent from my iPhone ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Tufted Duck, Ben Machree Park, Mississauga
This morning around 11 a.m. Luc Fazio found a Tufted Duck while doing the South Peel Christmas Count . At this time, the bird was only being seen off Lorne Park Estates which is a gated community and private property. The bird was re found off Ben Machree Park in a raft of three hundred or so scaup and then was flushed by two Great Black-backed Gulls which put the whole flock up seconds after finding it. The scaup eventually settled back into the same location which was just west of Ben Machree. You can walk along the shore at the lake. There is also an access to the Rhododendron Gardens down Godfrey Lane that will take you to this location. Take QEW to Royal Windsor Drive, Royal Windsor will turn into Lakeshore Road after Ford Drive. Continue down Lakeshore Road to just past the Rhododendron Gardens (well east of Southdown Road and west of Mississauga Road). You can access Ben Machree Park form Godfrey Lane which is on the east side of the Gardens where it meets the lake. Walk along the shoreline to the west and the scaup were in the bay there. https://www.bing.com/search?q=ben+Machree+Park,+Mississauga&form=IE10TR&src= IE10TR&pc=EUPP_HPDTDFJS Cheryl --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Rusty Blackbird in Harrow
I just had a Rusty Blackbird show up at my feeders. Since it is the Harrow CBC I thought I would spent the day watching the feeders. Rick Brown Harrow Direction: head north on Walker Road out of Harrow, turn right on Concession Road 3 (north end of Harrow) and our feeders can be seen 1/4 mile east on the right. Third house on right past Grant Street. Sent from my iPad ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
