[Ontbirds] Red Shouldered Hawk - Mavis Road Mississauga
Great views of the continuing bird hunting mice near the rail line at Mavis Road in Mississauga south of Central Parkway. Parking available at City of Mississauga Transportation Services 3235 Mavis Road. Originally reported by Luc Fazio. Moves around and has been seen as far south as Mavis and the Queensway.Marvin & Janet MedelkoSent from my Bell Samsung device over Canada's largest network. ___ 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 13-19 Dec 2019
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 12-19 Dec 2019 By Doug McRae HIGHLIGHTS: CANVASBACK, LESSER SCAUP, BLACK SCOTER, COMMON LOON, DUNLIN, PURPLE SANDPIPER, WINTER WREN The Presqu’ile Christmas Bird Count was held on 15 Dec in windy, rough-water, difficult conditions but it generated some interesting results none-the-less. Virtually all observers both in the Park and in other areas noted the general lack of birds. Collectively the overall total was below average, and area totals were well down from normal levels. The Park had the highest area total at 47 species, but that is well down from recent norms. The inner portion of Presqu’ile Bay is frozen and the number of wintering ducks seems low. The Count turned up six REDHEAD, a female CANVASBACK, and five LESSER SCAUP among 102 GREATER SCAUP. Three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were still hanging in and the best waterfowl find of the count was a lone BLACK SCOTER seen off the Lighthouse. RUFFED GROUSE have been scarce of late and only one was found on the Count despite participants walking over 36 km. Another Count surprise was a COMMON LOON seen flying against the wind. An immature SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was seen on 19 Dec. BALD EAGLES were seen throughout the week with a high count of eight, all standing on the ice of Presqu’ile Bay on Count day. Shorebirds were a highlight with PURPLE SANDPIPERS seen on and off at Owen Pt. through the week, peaking with seven on the Count. At least three were still present on 17 Dec. A DUNLIN was also seen on the Count with the PURPLE’S, and was seen again on 17 Dec. Three ICELAND and a GLAUCOUS GULL were found roosting on the ice of Presqu’ile Bay with HERRING, RING-BILLED and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS during the Count. The only owl reports were of the odd SNOWY, either on the islands or Presqu’ile Bay. NORTHERN SHRIKES have been virtually absent this winter with only one November sighting. One was found outside the Park on the count, but another turned up 16 Dec just outside the park, and presumably the same one was seen the next day along the causeway. The old conifer plantations, as well as native Hemlock forest, always provide winter refuge for GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET and BROWN CREEPER. The intensive coverage from the count gives a good example of actual numbers with 59 and 21 found respectively. A WINTER WREN was also found on the Count. EUROPEAN STARLINGS become quite scarce (or absent) in cold weather but four were seen flying in from High Bluff Island in a snowstorm on 17 Dec. Sparrows remain very scarce this winter. The Count revealed only 22 DARK-EYED JUNCO, eight AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. On 16 Dec, the day after the Count, a SONG SPARROW appeared at the Birdhouse Nature Store (just outside the gate) feeder and was seen again the next day. Two COMMON GRACKLES have been frequenting the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders through the week. Finally finches are essentially absent with only three HOUSE FINCHES and 30 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH being seen on the Count. IMPORTANT NOTE: After 21 December the annual waterfowl hunt ends and birders and the general public will regain the use of all areas of the Park. 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] 26th Huntsville Christmas Bird Count: 17 December 2019
It was a good day for observing: cloudy all day with only some very light drizzle in the afternoon; calm all day; and temperatures from minus 5 to minus 4 C. Lakes (Pen, Fairy and Vernon) were mostly ice-covered but Mary Lake had extensive open water, and the river was entirely ice-free. Preliminary results follow: Total Observers: 37. Total Species: 39 (average is 38). Total Individuals: 3531 (average is 3020). New Species for the Count: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Eastern Towhee (at feeder). Cumulative Species Total: 95 New Species for Count Week: Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female photographed at feeder, December 11 to 14) New Highest Count: Pileated Woodpecker (26), Common Raven (148) and Brown Creeper (29) Unusual Species: Common Loon (1), Black-backed Woodpecker (1), Bohemian Waxwing (10), Red-winged Blackbird (1) Finches: Purple Finch (12), White-winged Crossbill (2), and American Goldfinch (267). Thanks to all the participants. Ron Tozer, Huntsville CBC Compiler, Dwight, 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] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Saturday, December 21st, 2019
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE BARROWS GOLDENEYE SLATY-BACKED GULL RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET GRAY CATBIRD WILSON'S WARBLER Snow Goose Tundra Swan Northern Pintail Green-winged Teal King Eider Common Goldeneye Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Iceland Gull Glaucous Gull Common Loon Turkey Vulture Snowy Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Peregrine Falcon Northern Shrike Common Raven Tufted Titmouse Brown Creeper Golden-crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Common Grackle Fox Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler Red-winged Blackbird Evening Grosbeak Its a little quieter this year than most for birds, most have cleared out and are thankfully spending winter in warmer climes. Results from Christmas bird counts around the province seem to echo this. There are still a few goodies about and the Hamilton Christmas Bird Count is on December 26th so count week begins in a couple of days. As always we will start from the top. Twice this week a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE has been seen amongst the thousands of Canada Geese at the Hespeler Mill Pond. The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE male and female have been seen intermittently with flocks of Common Goldeneye at the end of Grays Road and into Confederation Park although there have been no reports in the last few days, perhaps birders getting Christmas shopping done. The SLATY-BACKED GULL at Mohawk Lake in Brantford has not been seen this week but was seen last week perhaps it is now the one showing in the Niagara Region or in London. At Sedgewick Park in Oakville, two RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and the WILSON'S WARBLER were seen through the week. Two GRAY CATBIRDS were seen last Sunday at the east end of Confederation Park. The South Peel Christmas Count was conducted last Saturday in dismal rainy conditions. Some highlights from the HSA include four Tundra Swans and two Northern Pintails in a field along Fourth Line south of Omagh, a Snow Goose at Forth Line and Lower Base Road and an Evening Grosbeak was heard over MacEwan House at Riverwood Conservancy where one wintered last year. In the odds and sods, four Tundra Swans were seen yesterday over Walker's Line and Harvester Road. A Northern Pintail and three Green-winged Teal were seen in the Red Hill Creek outlet from the viewing platform of Windermere Basin. The King Eider was seen last week at the Burlington Ship Canal but seems to have moved on or somewhere else. Pied billed Grebe, Horned Grebe and Common Loon were seen in the Willow Cove area along the north shore of the Harbour along with 3 Glaucous Gulls. A Red-necked Grebe was seen with Horned Grebes at LaSalle Marina (currently under construction). An Iceland Gulls was seen at Oakville Harbour last Sunday. A Turkey Vulture was seen on a building in Dundas. A Snowy Owl was seen at the end of the Suncor Pier on Tuesday, first arrival for this region. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker made an appearance on Thursday at a feeder in Dundas. Peregrine Falcons seem to be wintering in Brantford a juvenile was seen flying over the Mohawk Institute on Mohawk St and later there was an adult sitting on a cell phone tower along Greenwich St near Port St.. A Northern Shrike appears to be wintering in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery with another seen week before last on 10th Road East south of the tracks. A Common Raven was seen at 2nd Side Road and Appleby Line on Sunday. Tufted Titmice have been seen in a couple of locations with two being seen at the Royal Botanical Gardens along Caleb's Walk, Ginger Valley Ravine Trails. Other birds seen at Sedgewick Park in Oakville include Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush. Up to sixteen Eastern Bluebirds were seen at Gates of Heaven Cemetery last week with three being seen last Tuesday. A single Common Grackle was seen with some starlings at Centennial and Mud Street last weekend. A Fox Sparrow was present at the Mowhawk Landfill. Three Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Winter Wren were good finds on the McMaster Campus West. Finally, a pair of Red-winged Blackbirds were seen yesterday on Fallsview Road east of Oldfield. All the best this holiday season to you and yours and good birding in 2020. Please forward any sightings along here for the Christmas Count period and our count on Boxing Day. Cheryl Edgecombe HNC. ___ 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
