[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Bird Report for Week on 16-22 Nov 2018
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 16-22 November 2018 By Doug McRae HIGHLIGHTS: NORTHERN SHRIKE, CAROLINA WREN, BROWN THRASHER, CHIPPING SPARROW, PINE GROSBEAK, EVENING GROSBEAK The bitter cold continued to freeze up the quiet water in the marsh and in general, put a damper on bird (and birder) activity. A few lingering birds persist but in general it is feeling like winter birdlife is now upon us. Puddle ducks have decreased greatly with the freeze but up to 8 GADWALL and 6 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS were still around Gull Is. on 18 Nov. Diving ducks put on a good show with notable finds being 2 male CANVASBACK and a RING-NECKED DUCK in a flock of 1400 REDHEAD off the Government Dock on 19 Nov. Both SCAUP were noted with GREATER being most common. All three SCOTERS were seen this week with WHITE-WINGS at various sites all week, a SURF at the Lighthouse on 19,20 and 22 Nov, and BLACK SCOTERS with 3 at Gull Is. on 18 Nov and 2 on 19 Nov at the Lighthouse. Two HORNED GREBES were off the Calf Pasture on 19 Nov. A lone DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT was seen at Calf Pasture on 18 and 19 Nov. A BALD EAGLE was seen on 22 Nov, a NORTHERN HARRIER on 18 Nov, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK on 17 Nov, and RED-TAILED HAWK on 17 and 19 Nov. The only shorebirds reported were 2 SANDERLING and 3 DUNLIN on the beach on 18 Nov. A handful of BONAPARTE’S, RING-BILLED and GREAT BLACK-BACKED were among the more common HERRING GULLS. SNOWY OWLS were seen at Gull Is. and the Woodpile marsh through the week and a BARRED OWL was seen several times north of the Pioneer Parking area. The “usual” WOODPECKERS (RED-BELLIED, HAIRY, DOWNY and PILEATED) were seen throughout the week at various sites. A male AMERICAN KESTREL was seen on lower Huff Rd., just NW of the gate, on 18 Nov. MERLINS were seen several times through the week. NORTHERN SHRIKES arrived from the muskeg this week with singles on 18 Nov, 20 Nov and 21 Nov. Three COMMON RAVENS were feeding on carcasses on Gull Is. on 18 Nov. Two HORNED LARKS were also on Gull Is. on 18 Nov. The long-staying CAROLINA WREN near the Lighthouse was last seen on 17 Nov but may still be around. A late BROWN THRASHER continues to visit a Bayshore Rd feeder daily. A few SNOW BUNTINGS were seen this week, mostly on Gull Is., but not as many as might be expected. No warblers were reported this week for the first time. Sparrows have thinned out too but of interest was a CHIPPING SPARROW near the Lighthouse on 18 Nov, a FOX SPARROW there the next day, and a SWAMP SPARROW at the gate on 18 Nov. A small number of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were noted at feeders among the more common DARK-EYED JUNCOS and AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS. A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was noted at a Bayshore Rd. feeder on 17 Nov, among the handful of remaining RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES. Finches were well represented. A PINE GROSBEAK on 20 Nov was the first here in several years and hopefully heralding more to come. HOUSE and PURPLE FINCHES were seen in small numbers, mostly around feeders. A single COMMON REDPOLL was flying over the gate on 18 Nov. PINE SISKINS have become quite scarce again with 11 on 17 and 19 Nov and a single on 20 Nov. EVENING GROSBEAKS continue, again mostly at feeders, with a high of 30 on 17 Nov, plus 2 on 19 Nov and 10 on 20 Nov. The Presqu’ile Christmas Bird Count will be held on Sunday, 16 December. If anyone would like to take part, please contact me privately. 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. Directions: 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 (10 March-10 September). 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 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] Detroit River Hawk Watch (22 Nov 2018) 99 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 22, 2018 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 21 2993 62401 Osprey 0 1 37 Bald Eagle 0 18 75 Northern Harrier 0 52392 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2171 5421 Cooper's Hawk0 32116 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 11212563 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 47223 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 3 Red-tailed Hawk 65 1487 2989 Rough-legged Hawk0 22 22 Golden Eagle 0 32 49 American Kestrel 0 4 1122 Merlin 0 5 56 Peregrine Falcon 0 6 74 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 2 6 Unknown Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 5 Total: 99 5039 120558 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3 hours Official Counter:Kevin Georg Observers:Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Raburn Howland, Rosemary Brady Weather: Cloudy skies with NE winds Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: HAPPY THANKSGIVING 793 Crows Report submitted by Detroit River Hawk Watch (jerry.jour...@gmail.com) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org More site information at hawkcount.org: http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285 ___ 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] Holiday Beach Conservation Area (22 Nov 2018) 231 Raptors
Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 22, 2018 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Turkey Vulture 36 2211 40122 Osprey 0 0 40 Bald Eagle 1 34195 Northern Harrier 6 78499 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4215 5668 Cooper's Hawk4 40209 Northern Goshawk 0 1 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 15167361 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 7325 Red-tailed Hawk164 1141 2152 Rough-legged Hawk1 13 14 Golden Eagle 0 8 15 American Kestrel 0 9 1436 Merlin 0 6 61 Peregrine Falcon 0 5 48 Unknown Accipiter0 0 22 Unknown Buteo0 6 51 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 5 Unknown Raptor 0 1 10 Swainson's Hawk 0 2 2 Total: 231 3937 58239 -- Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter:Craig Evans Observers: Weather: It was an overcast day with light to moderate winds that stayed northeast all day. Temperatures began at -5.3 C and reached a high of -2.7 C in the final hour. Raptor Observations: (164) Red-tailed Hawks were flying past the tower all day, including a mostly all white leucistic individual that flew directly overhead. A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk was observed. (15) Red-shouldered Hawks, (4) Coopers Hawks and (4) Sharp-shinned Hawks continued to migrate. (6) Northern Harriers and an immature Bald Eagle did so as well. (3) other Bald Eagles were observed around the marsh. Non-raptor Observations: 51 Sandhill Cranes were observed; flocks of 26, 15, and 10, with the last group being followed closely by 9 Tundra Swans. The marsh was almost completely frozen over again. 25 Common Mergansers were viewed at the inlet on the lake. American Crows - 1000 https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50138310 Predictions: Sunny skies and winds from the south are forecast for tomorrow. Temperatures will start the day at 0 C and rise to a high of 6 C. 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 ___ 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] Ottawa/ Gatineau: recent sightings to November 22, 2018
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca November 22, 2018 There were a few highlights this week. A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was seen on the Eardley-Masham Road near the southern entrance to Gatineau Park on the 18th. On the 19th, a TUFTED TITMOUSE was seen in a backyard in the Connaught Park area of Ottawa. Neither bird has been seen since. For those who want a drive outside the area, a LARK SPARROW, scarce in Ontario, has been coming to a feeder in Eganville. Generally though it has been tough slogging, birdwise, and horrible weather may have had lot to do with this state of affairs. Heavy snow has completely covered all but the most sheltered areas, and along with the cold will make it a challenge for any lingering birds. The rivers are starting to freeze up, concentrating the fewer WATERBIRDS remaining. On the other hand, feeders are more active so they may be spots to watch. A BRANT was at Andrew Haydon Park (now closed for the winter) on the 15th. Although 16 species of DUCK were seen this week, the numbers are way down. The best bet is fast flowing sections of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers. Surprisingly, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS was at the Giroux Road ponds on the 16th. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was at Hilda Road on the 15th and at Remic Rapids on the 20th. A late TURKEY VULTURE was near Almonte on the 17th. 10 GRAY PARTRIDGE were in the Golulbourn area on the 18th. Amidst the general decline of SONGBIRDS, most of the unusual ones are coming to feeders. The exception was 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS on Wall Road on the 21st. The Fletcher Wildlife Garden remains active. A NORTHERN SHRIKE has been bringing terror to other SONGBIRDS. Birds still lingering included CHIPPING SPARROW (until the 17th), RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, FOX SPARROW and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. There have been a few other scattered reports of both FOX and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS at feeders here and there. Other notable birds were: 1. A BROWN THRASHER in Valée Meach on the 16th. 2. A SWAINSON’S THRUSH was seen on the 17th at an apartment near Algonquin College. 3. A CAROLINA WREN at Britannia on the 19th. 4.A CHIPPING SPARROW in Russell on the 22nd. Among the WINTER FINCHES, notable were a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL on Dolman Ridge Road on the 21st, and a HOARY REDPOLL among the COMMON REDPOLLS at Fletcher Wildlife Garden as late as the 19th. Thanks to everyone who contributed bird observations. We encourage everyone to report their bird sightings on eBird for the benefit of the entire birding community. *Reminder regarding access to the Shirley’s Bay Causeway:* DND has amended our access procedure. You must call Range Control (613-991-5740) for permission, state that you are an OFNC member and give your name. Finally, you must call again when you have left the area. DND would also like to be informed if you see anyone on the property who should not be there, such as boats in the bay or people fishing on the causeway. They are trespassing and DND will deal with the situation. The OFNC has provided DND with a list of OFNC members who HAVE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED access. DND will check, so make sure that your membership is up to date and that you have requested that the OFNC put you on the access list. This list was updated recently. To get on the next access list, please contact members...@ofnc.ca. 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] Calliope
Hi everyone. We saw the bird well on the feeder at 11:15am. If driving from the north turn east on Highway 8 and drive approximately 2km to Bennett on your right. Dave Fidler 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
[Ontbirds] Calliope Hummingbird
It's a long drive on less than ideal roads for some of us. Could some please post first thing every morning if the Calliope remained? Thanks ___ 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] Goderich Calliope Hummingbird
Hi everyone The Calliope is showing well. Spending its time feeding or perched at the heat lamp. Good birding Bruce Di Labio Directions: please see earlier post. 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] Calliope Hummingbird - Update - November 22 - present and doing well
Ontbirds subscribers, As Cheryl has posted, the Calliope Hummingbird has survived the coldest night of the fall so far at - 20C, and despite the feeders partially freezing overnight even with the heaters, it is doing quite well this morning. The feeders have been thawed out and set up again and the bird is actively feeding. With a five day forecast for warmer daytime and nighttime temperatures ahead it looks like it will have an opportunity to continue to build its fat stores to hopefully enable an escape to the south. My thanks to all who have visited so far, who have followed the rules intently, and have helped make this a very positive experience for everyone who has travelled from near and far to see the bird. No one I know of has left disappointed. For those still hoping to make the trip, best of luck with seeing this very tough little bird. Glenn Coady Whitby ___ 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] Caliope Hummingbird - YES!!
Just got word from Deb Johnstone the neighbour that the bird is present this morning for those making the trip. 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] Hummingbird still there?
It's a long drive on less than ideal roads for some of us. Could some please post first thing in the morning if the Calliope remained? Thank you, Dan Burton ___ 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] Holiday Beach Conservation Area (21 Nov 2018) 192 Raptors
Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 21, 2018 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Turkey Vulture 48 2175 40086 Osprey 0 0 40 Bald Eagle 7 33194 Northern Harrier19 72493 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2211 5664 Cooper's Hawk0 36205 Northern Goshawk 0 1 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 13152346 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 7325 Red-tailed Hawk100977 1988 Rough-legged Hawk3 12 13 Golden Eagle 0 8 15 American Kestrel 0 9 1436 Merlin 0 6 61 Peregrine Falcon 0 5 48 Unknown Accipiter0 0 22 Unknown Buteo0 6 51 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 5 Unknown Raptor 0 1 10 Swainson's Hawk 0 2 2 Total: 192 3706 58008 -- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Craig Evans Observers: Visitors: Pat Schiller and Chip from Colchester made visits to the tower today. Weather: The morning began with overcast skies, a temperature of 1.3 C and moderate winds from the west southwest. The skies cleared in the afternoon and winds shifted to the northwest, then the north northwest. Visibility increased as the day went on. Raptor Observations: The morning began slowly but the action picked up after the winds shifted north. [19] Northern Harrier including [10] adult males were observed today. [2] light morph and another dark morph Rough-legged Hawk were also observed. [100] Red-tailed Hawks, [13] Red-shouldered Hawks and [2] Sharp-shinned Hawks were counted. And [7] Bald Eagles, in addition to another few hanging around, proceeded with their migration today. Non-raptor Observations: Many different sized groups of Sandhill Cranes totaling 318 individuals were flying over the tower all day today and were calling. American Crows - 795 https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50120352 Predictions: Temperatures are not expected to get above 0 C tomorrow. Light winds are expected in the morning from the east with a mix of sun and could. In the afternoon, winds are expected to increase and there is a chance of snow flurries 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 ___ 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
