Re: [Ontbirds] Stolen Spotting Scopes
For everyone's information, Ontbirds remains informally moderated after the fact. As a poster you are expected to have read and follow our posting guidelines. If you ignore posting guidelines you should hear about it from me. In this case if the poster had asked for permission it would have been given with the possible suggestion that you could mention that people in the market for optics have a copy of the serial numbers listed below with them before they purchase used optics. A location in the subject line (ie "Stolen Spotting Scopes in GTA") might also be helpful. Ontbirds continues to attempt to focus reports on rare and/or unusual birds and events. Non-sightings and information of interest to the birding community may be posted but it is recommended that they are run past the coordinator prior to being sent to the list at large. If you have any questions or concerns contact me privately but for more information please review our posting guidelines - a link is provided at the bottom of this and every Ontbird post. If you are still with me I would like to report that local birding in Etobicoke and Mississauga today was slow but pleasant and included about 10 first of the year migrants. No warblers but lots of swallows, sparrows, phoebes and other stuff that put a grin on this face. Spring migration is really late so most first-of-the-years (FOY) may not be gripping but the dam is breaking and major fallout events could be on the horizon. Report them. Mark Cranford Ontbirds Coordinator Toronto, ON On 4/20/2018 2:57 PM, Wild Birds Unlimited via ONTBIRDS wrote: Dear moderator, If possible could you please post this to the list serve. If this is not possible, we understand. Thank youJim Please spread the word. We have just had two spotting scopes stolen from our store today. A Swarovski ATS 80mm with 20-60 angled eyepiece and a Viper HD 20-60 angled 80mm were stolen. The Viper is the older model and retailed for $1329. The Swarovski kit (body and eyepiece) retails for $2899 and has serial numbers - body-U863423387/eyepiece-V863928295 - these numbers appear on the product and are used to register the product with Swarovski, they have been reported to Swarovski as stolen. The thieves did not get the soft case, strap or box with the product, another way to tell they were stolen. If you are offered one of these scopes at a great price please note they are stolen. Please help us catch these thieves, the police are involved so any information will help. Thank you for your help, please pass the word. Lynda & Jim Mackiewicz Owners Wild Birds Unlimited in Toronto 5468 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON M9B 6E3 www.toronto.wbu.com | | Virus-free. www.avg.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 -- --- Mark Cranford Ontbirds Coordinator Toronto ON ontbirds_co...@rogers.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] Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area (20 Apr 2018) 369 Raptors
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 20, 2018 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 7 Turkey Vulture 323 5615 6956 Osprey 0 31 31 Bald Eagle 1 8 38 Northern Harrier 0 16 18 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5299323 Cooper's Hawk0 35 60 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 56205 Broad-winged Hawk5 9 9 Red-tailed Hawk 28364835 Rough-legged Hawk0 7 12 Golden Eagle 0 0 2 American Kestrel 1 11 16 Merlin 1 7 9 Peregrine Falcon 0 5 8 Unknown Accipiter0 2 2 Unknown Buteo0 10 16 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 4 6 6 Total: 369 6482 8554 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter:John Barker Observers: Visitors: - Jen and Derek Lion. - A couple out birding from Perth Ontario. 5 others who stayed and observed the Hawk Migration. David Gakeff who helped with spotting Hawks for most of Day. Weather: Clear Blue Sky, Few clouds, Calm winds. Truly felt like spring! Raptor Observations: Bald Eagle - 2nd Year- at 12:15 pm Est. Red-tail Hawk; Light, regular, Dark morphs seen today. Broad-winged Hawk - 5 for the day. 8 species seen today. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loons were migrating most of the morning. Fox Sparrow at the Bird Feeder. Eastern Phoebe seen and heard. Predictions: Next few days are mostly sunning and mild. Hopefully this will push more Broad-winged Hawks to Beamer C.A. Report submitted by John Barker (jjb103...@rogers.com) Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area information may be found at: http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/ More site information at hawkcount.org: http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=389 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: 1) Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized after the end of the season. ©2018 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch. 2) Vehicular traffic is again allowed into the park, but visitors are asked to have their cars outside the gate by 3PM. If parking at the gate DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR VEHICLE!!! __
[Ontbirds] Algonquin Park OFO Trip Tomorrow (April 21): Notice to Participants
Just wanted to remind everyone that despite the relative warmth and sunshine today, waterproof footwear will be required for this trip to contend with meltwater and wet snow up to about 30 cm in depth in some places. The snow is packed down where people have walked on trails, such as Spruce Bog Boardwalk, but you can expect to sink in a little as the temperature rises. There is very little open water yet in the Park. Our traditional route will be modified to account for limitations on parking and plowing of some areas such as Opeongo Road. However, we are optimistic that some interesting birds will be found and that it will be a beautiful sunny day (and there have been very few of those lately!). The trip will start at the Visitor Centre (km 43 on Highway 60) at 9 am. Park vehicle permits and coffee will be on sale at the Visitor Centre starting at 8 am. The trip will end in mid-afternoon or a little later. Bring a lunch or purchase your lunch in the Visitor Centre restaurant as that is where we will be at that time. See you tomorrow. Ron ___ 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] Eurasian Collared Dove
The bird is currently being observed at the sal location. Miller Road and John Street in Dutton. Chris Leys 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] Stolen Spotting Scopes
Dear moderator, If possible could you please post this to the list serve. If this is not possible, we understand. Thank youJim Please spread the word. We have just had two spotting scopes stolen from our store today. A Swarovski ATS 80mm with 20-60 angled eyepiece and a Viper HD 20-60 angled 80mm were stolen. The Viper is the older model and retailed for $1329. The Swarovski kit (body and eyepiece) retails for $2899 and has serial numbers - body-U863423387/eyepiece-V863928295 - these numbers appear on the product and are used to register the product with Swarovski, they have been reported to Swarovski as stolen. The thieves did not get the soft case, strap or box with the product, another way to tell they were stolen. If you are offered one of these scopes at a great price please note they are stolen. Please help us catch these thieves, the police are involved so any information will help. Thank you for your help, please pass the word. Lynda & Jim Mackiewicz Owners Wild Birds Unlimited in Toronto 5468 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON M9B 6E3 www.toronto.wbu.com | | Virus-free. www.avg.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] Fish Crow Mississauga
Just heard and saw two Fish Crows at Lakefront promenade in front of new treatment plant. Active moving aroundMark CranfordToronto, 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] Common Loons at Dufferin Islands
There are 4 common loons and at least 6 Horned Grebes in the fore bay of the Hydro building along river at Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, south side of wooden walkway 9:30 am today. Excellent views from boardwalk. Good Birding ! ___ 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] Presqu'ile Bird Report - Week of 13-19 April 2018
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 13-19 April 2018 By Doug McRae Highlights this week include HARLEQUIN DUCK, RED-THROATED LOON, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, DUNLIN, SNOWY OWL, NORTHERN SHRIKE and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. The story this week was much the same as past few weeks with more north winds, cool temperatures, plus a crazy weekend ice pellet/rain event that froze protected water and left the ground covered in up to 10 cm of dense snow. Not surprisingly there was very little visible migration and many species that should be common on this date are either still missing, or very scarce. Promises of imminent warm weather should release a flood of backed-up migrants by the weekend. Waterfowl remain numerous, although viewing has been hampered by choppy water on most days. Puddle ducks are primarily being seen in the inner Bay and marsh, or along the beach where 12 NORTHERN PINTAIL and 26 GREEN-WINGED TEAL seen on 14 Apr. Diving ducks are mostly in Presqu’ile Bay and are dominated by SCAUP and REDHEAD. LONG-TAILED DUCK are being seen in flocks up to 300 in the open lake, and BUFFLEHEAD seem especially numerous right now. The male HARLEQUIN DUCK remains elusive but was seen again on 13 Apr off the Lighthouse. It may still be around so careful searching is worthwhile, especially if we get a calm day. RUFFED GROUSE were heard drumming in several wooded areas, and one was seen “budding” in a pussy willow on 14 Apr. A RED-THROATED LOON was off Beach 1 on 13 Apr, and small numbers of COMMON LOON are being seen as well. HORNED GREBES have increased noticeably this week with a high count of 25 on 19 Apr, and PIED-BILLED GREBE is now regular in the marsh in small numbers. The only heron reported was GREAT BLUE HERON. Single SHARP-SHIINED HAWKS were seen on 13 Apr and 19 Apr. OSPREYS are back at the nest on the Salt Pt. lighthouse, although they spent much of the worst weather hunkered low in trees along the shore. The only AMERICAN COOT was just outside the Park along Harbour St. on 18 Apr. A few KILLDEER were noted along the beach, as was the first Arctic migrant shorebirds – a single DUNLIN on 13 Apr, followed by four more on 19 Apr. A special phenomenon involving AMERICAN WOODCOCK happens at Presqu’ile when late snowstorms cover the ground, forcing birds into the open where they concentrate at select open ditches. Over the weekend eight birds were seen this way on 15 and 16 Apr, including five in one spot. An adult GLAUCOUS GULL was standing on the ice in a flock of RING-BILLED GULLS along the causeway on 18 Apr and birders who went to see it were rewarded with an immaculate adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL as well. Two adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been frequenting Sebastopol Pt. (the small island just north of Gull Is.), raising some hope they might attempt to breed at this former nesting site. A few sad looking CASPIAN TERNS have been seen over the marsh or standing on ice with gulls. A late SNOWY OWL was just outside the Park gate on 14 Apr, and a BARRED OWL was seen along the wooded portion of the Marsh Boardwalk Trail – an unusual location for this species. An AMERICAN KESTREL was spotted on 13 Apr. and a MERLIN was seen eating a PURPLE MARTIN near the Lighthouse on 18 Apr. The only EASTERN PHOEBE noted was on 13 Apr. A late NORTHERN SHRIKE was carefully studied at the Calf Pasture on 18 Apr. The first PURPLE MARTINS were seen on 13 Apr when five took up residence near the Lighthouse. Two BARN SWALLOWS on 13 Apr are the only ones reported so far. A few GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were found at various sites this week but just a tiny fraction of the expected numbers are back. A female EASTERN TOWHEE appeared at a Bayshore Rd. feeder on 15 Apr followed by a second the next day. The first two FOX SPARROWS were noted on 15 Apr, but SONG SPARROWS are still the only migrant sparrow that has appeared in any numbers, and even they are not yet common. The immature WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW that has been wintering at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders just outside the Park gate was seen several times and has transitioned to adult plumage in the span of just 10 days. An EASTERN MEADOWLARK was seen near the Gate on 18 Apr and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD was at a Bayshore Rd. feeder with a mixed flock of blackbirds on 15 Apr. Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, just south of the town of Brighton. It can be reached from either Hwy. 401 or Cty. Rd. 2 and is well signed. A Park map can be found in the information tabloid available at the Park gate. Presqu’ile’s two offshore islands – Gull and High Bluff – support a large multi-species colonial bird nesting area and access is not permitted during the breeding season. Doug McRae P.O. Box 3010 Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornitholo
