[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Bird Report for 2-8 Nov 2018

[Doug McRae via ONTBIRDS]

Presqu’ile Bird Report for 2-8 Nov 2018

By Doug McRae

Highlights: CACKLING GOOSE, RED-THROATED LOON, SNOWY OWL, CAROLINA WREN, 
EVENING GROSBEAK


There are still a number of lingering migrants about but it is starting to feel 
a little more like things are settling in for winter.


Waterfowl abound with lots of puddle ducks primarily in the marsh (best viewed 
from the causeway or camp office viewing deck) and diving and sea ducks in 
Presqu’ile Bay and around the islands.


A single CACKLING GOOSE flew over the gate with CANADA’S for comparison on 3 
Nov.  Lingering puddle ducks include NORTHERN SHOVELER on 6 Nov, NORTHERN 
PINTAILS on 4 Nov and 6 Nov (2).  All three SCOTER species were seen this week. 
 Three RED-THROATED LOONS were seen on 2 Nov followed by a single beside a 
COMMON during the OFO hike on 4 Nov and another single on 7 Nov.  Small numbers 
of PIED BILLED and HORNED GREBE were seen throughout the week and a RED-NECKED 
GREBE was north of Gull Is. on 8 Nov.  A GREAT BLUE HERON continues to feed 
daily off the causeway.


TURKEY VULTURES are getting scarce but four were seen on 6 Nov.  MERLINS were 
seen on multiple dates including two flying to High Bluff Is. on 8 Nov.  An 
AMERICAN COOT was seen in the causeway marsh on 4 Nov. Small numbers of the 
“usual” late shorebirds – BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SANDERLING, DUNLIN, 
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER etc. - are still around, mostly on Gull Is. A GREATER 
YELLOWLEGS was seen from the causeway marsh on 3 Nov. No rare gulls were 
reported but numbers of GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS have increased somewhat.


A GREAT HORNED OWL was seen at the Park Store on 4 Nov and the first two SNOWY 
OWLS were reported from Gull Is. on 8 Nov.  An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen just 
outside the Park on 4 Nov.  The CAROLINA WREN continues to frequent the 
Lighthouse area and nearby feeders.  There were at least three RUBY-CROWNED 
KINGLETS seen on 8 Nov.  EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were seen on several dates with 
singles on 3 and 4 Nov and four on 8 Nov. A HERMIT THRUSH was seen at Owen Pt. 
on 8 Nov.  A lingering BROWN THRASHER was coming regularly to a feeder along 
Bayshore Rd. and may try to winter.  Up to three AMERICAN PIPITS were still on 
Gull Is. on 8 Nov.  The only warbler reported was a YELLOW-RUMPED on 3 Nov. 


Two EASTERN TOWHEE were at a Bayshore Rd feeder on 2 Nov with one lingering to 
4 Nov. A somewhat late FIELD SPARROW was seen on 8 Nov and a handful of 
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were present through the week.  There are still sizable 
flocks of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLE roosting in the marsh at 
dusk.  Among them were four RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on 4 Nov.  A BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD 
came to a Bayshore Rd feeder on 4 Nov.” Winter finches” picked up this week 
with the arrival of EVENING GROSBEAKS.  Six were at the Birdhouse Nature Store 
feeders just outside the gate on 4 Nov (OFO) and at least seven were seen at 
several sites on 8 Nov.  PINE SISKINS remain common, although possibly slightly 
decreased from the previous few weeks.  Five COMMON REDPOLLS were noted flying 
past the gate on 3 Nov.


Note that fall waterfowl hunting in now occurring in the Park which means park 
users cannot go to Owen Pt., the islands, the marsh (boardwalk is open), or 
Calf Pasture Pt. on Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays even if no one is 
hunting on those days. This restriction will last until mid December so plan 
your trip accordingly.


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


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[Ontbirds] Kingston Area Birds: 3rd - 9th November 2018

[Mark D. Read via ONTBIRDS]

Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of
MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders using eBird are encouraged to share their
sightings with 'Kingston FN'. Alternatively, please email or post records
directly to me - contact details below. Please note that some sightings may
require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.

 

NOTE: The privately-owned Owl Woods on Amherst Island will be closed for a
3-week hunting period from 19th November to 9th December. They will reopen
on 10th.

 

Highlights:

It was a generally wet and windy week, with a continued arrival of typical
winter species and the departure of some late summer residents and passage
migrants. Here are the highlights of the last 7 days:

 

BRANT - late stragglers (singles) were seen at Reed's Bay, Wolfe Island on
3rd and Cataraqui Bay, Kingston, on 5th.

CACKLING GOOSE - 2 birds were seen at Barrett Bay, Wolfe Island on 3rd, with
6 near Millhaven on 8th.

TRUMPETER SWAN - the largest concentration remains just out of the area at
Narrows Locks, with approximately 20 birds present all week.

CANVASBACK - not a common bird in the area, 11 were seen in Bayfield Bay,
Wolfe Island, on 3rd.

HARLEQUIN DUCK - a lone female was observed off Point Petre, Prince Edward
County on 7th.

RUDDY DUCK - a large flock (63) was found in Bayfield Bay, Wolfe Island, on
3rd.

SORA - a late bird was heard at Camden Lake PWA on 7th.

SANDHILL CRANE - 2 birds were seen near Crosby on 4th, with another 2 near
Davis Lock the same day.

SANDERLING - 8 birds were seen at Bayfield Bay, Wolfe Island, on 3rd.

LITTLE GULL - just outside the area, 2 birds were seen at Prince Edward
South Shore IBA on 3rd.

PACIFIC LOON - following on from last week's superb sighting (just outside
the area), another bird was seen flying past Point Petre, Prince Edward
County on 7th.

GOLDEN EAGLE - a single bird was seen on Amherst Island on 3rd, with another
near Davis Lock on 4th.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK - a high count of 15 birds was noted on Amherst Island on
4th.

SNOWY OWL - up to 10 birds are now present on Amherst Island. The first
birds on Wolfe Island (4) were seen on 8th.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO - a late bird was seen at Lennox Generating Station on
4th.

MARSH WREN - a late bird was seen at Lennox Generating Station on 4th.

EVENING GROSBEAK - birds continue to be seen across the area in increasing
numbers. The largest flock was of approximately 25 birds that continue on
private property near Verona.

PINE GROSBEAK - a lone bird was noted near Verona on 4th.

COMMON REDPOLL - increasingly widespread this week, a high of 40 birds was
noted at a private feeder near Verona on 5th.

PINE SISKIN - there were continuing widespread sightings across the area
this week, in numbers that reached 42 near Brewer's Mills on 3rd.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR - 6 birds were seen on Wolfe Island on 3rd.

EASTERN TOWHEE - a late bird was seen on Howe Island on 3rd.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE - just outside the area at Point Petre, a single late bird
was seen on 5th.

NORTHERN PARULA - a late bird was seen on Amherst Island on 3rd.

 

In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property in the recording
area, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings
Policy
 . Please note that you must be a card-carrying member of Kingston Field
Naturalists (KFN), or be accompanied by a member, to access both the Martin
Edwards Reserve and Amherstview Sewage Lagoons.

 

As always, a big thank you goes to all those who have submitted sightings
directly or via eBird.

 

Mark.

 

Mark D. Read

337 Button Bay Road,

Wolfe Island,

Kingston, Ontario

K0H 2Y0

Canada

 

Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246

Email:   markdr...@gmail.com

eBird Guidelines for Reporting Sensitive Species
 

 

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Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
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[Ontbirds] Holiday Beach Conservation Area (09 Nov 2018) 2 Raptors

[reports--- via ONTBIRDS]

Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 09, 2018
---

SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total   Season Total
-- --- -- --
Turkey Vulture   0   1524  39435
Osprey   0  0 40
Bald Eagle   0 15176
Northern Harrier 0 38459
Sharp-shinned Hawk   0177   5630
Cooper's Hawk1 21190
Northern Goshawk 0  0  3
Red-shouldered Hawk  0 68262
Broad-winged Hawk0  0   7325
Red-tailed Hawk  1413   1424
Rough-legged Hawk0  2  3
Golden Eagle 0  5 12
American Kestrel 0  8   1435
Merlin   0  6 61
Peregrine Falcon 0  2 45
Unknown Accipiter0  0 22
Unknown Buteo0  3 48
Unknown Eagle0  0  0
Unknown Falcon   0  0  5
Unknown Raptor   0  0  9
Swainson's Hawk  0  1  1

Total:   2   2283  56585
--

Observation start time: 14:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:30:00 
Total observation time: 2.5 hours

Official Counter:Craig Evans

Observers:

Visitors:
1 visitor today, Mike from Amherstberg was with me for most of the count. 


Weather:
It rained all morning with still some light drizzle at the commencement of
the count. The rain soon ceased; overcast skies continued with light winds
from the west and a temperature of around 3.5 C.   

Raptor Observations:
A Red-tailed Hawk and a Coopers Hawk were presumed migrants today. Another
Red-tailed Hawk was observed flying around but did not seem to be going
anywhere in a hurry. The local adult and immature Bald Eagles were also
observed flying over.  

Non-raptor Observations:
21 Tundra Swans flew over the marsh today. 24 Eastern Bluebirds were seen
in the trees upon arrival. Duck and Coot numbers in the marsh seemed to be
significantly reduced today. 

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49812974

Predictions:
Tomorrow morning is forecast to be a mix of sun and cloud with the chance
of a few flurries. It will be a cool start to the day at -3 C but will feel
closer to - 10 C with moderate winds from the west. It should warm up as
the day progresses and the sky is predicted to be overcast in the
afternoon.

Report submitted by Craig Evans (c...@hotmail.com)
Holiday Beach Conservation Area information may be found at:
http://hbmo.ca/


More site information at hawkcount.org:  
http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=100


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[Ontbirds] Common Eider Humber Bay West

[Mike Norton via ONTBIRDS]

The Common Eider was present this afternoon around 2:20 on the east side of
the point where it has often been seen the last few days. The wind and
waves make it a challenge to view but she is close enough to shore at times
to be seen without bins.

Directions as per previous posts.

Good birding

Mike Norton
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[Ontbirds] Hilliardton marsh research center ameriacan redstart

[Boreal Bruce via ONTBIRDS]

normally i would not report an american redstart however today one was
banded at our kerns public school substation making this a very noteworthy
bird. NOt sure how many november records there are  for redstarts but
thought it worth mentioning . Many phots were taken of this adult male bird
. It is worth noting it was  minus 6 last night and we are on the cusp of
our first storm of the season with 20 cm expected.


kerns public school is located 20 minutes west of newliskeard whcih is 5.5
hours north of toronto

redpoll numbers are surging and pine siskins are on the decline  in
addition it is easy to find pine and evening grosbeaks at feeders and in
the bush.

happy birding Bruce Murphy I am easiest to reach at birdboy...@gmail.com

Happy birding
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