[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Bird Report for 20-26 Dec 2019
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 20-26 Dec 2019 By Doug McRae HIGHLIGHTS: BLACK SCOTER, DUNLIN, PURPLE SANDPIPER, BROWN THRASHER There wasn’t much coverage this week so sightings are sparse. Waterfowl picked up a bit with more CANADA GEESE feeding in the Bay plus varying numbers of diving ducks moving in and out depending on ice conditions. There have not been any puddle ducks for several weeks now. GREATER SCAUP is the common diving duck but mixed in was a LESSER SCAUP on 25 Dec, up to 40 REDHEAD on 22 Dec and a CANVASBACK on 23 Dec. Small numbers of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are in the Bay with maximum of eight on 25 Dec but a BLACK SCOTER on 22 Dec was much more unusual. BALD EAGLES continue to be seen on the ice of Presqu’ile Bay or around the islands. On 25 Dec two adults were seen sitting beside each other in a tree on High Bluff Is. This is a historical nesting site and it seems long overdue that they might reclaim it. Time will tell. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was hunting the feeders at the Birdhouse Nature Store on 21 Dec and COOPER’S HAWKS were seen several times this week. A dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK continues to frequent High Bluff Island. The DUNLIN reported previously remained through the week at the tip of Owen Pt., keeping company with three PURPLE SANDPIPERS, providing stunning views of this Presqu’ile specialty. Two ICELAND GULLS were seen on 22 Dec and a GLAUCOUS GULL was noted on 24 Dec among the large numbers of HERRING GULLS that congregate on the ice of Presqu’ile Bay. Two GREAT HORNED OWLS were heard calling in late afternoon near the Park Store on 24 Dec. At least two SNOWY OWLS are frequenting the Park, mostly around the islands but sometimes on the ice of Presqu’ile Bay. A MERLIN was just outside the Park on 21 Dec, the first in several weeks. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen again at the east end of Presqu’ile Parkway on 22 Dec. In general this seems to be a very quiet winter so it was most unexpected to see a BROWN THRASHER fly across the road just south of the Park Office on 23 Dec. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW appeared for one day only at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders on 25 Dec. A SONG SPARROW was also seen at the Birdhouse Nature Store on 21 and 22 Dec. After being missed on the Christmas Bird Count, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS appeared at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders regularly with one male all week, joined by a second on 26 Dec. Two COMMON GRACKLES are also frequenting these feeders. 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] Ottawa/ Gatineau: recent sightings to December 26, 2019
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club Ottawa/Gatineau (50 Km radius from Parliament Hill) E. Ontario, W. Quebec Compiler: Gregory Zbitnew at sighti...@ofnc.ca December 26, 2019 There were no highlights this week. The weather was generally conducive to birding, being relatively mild, dry and calm, with only a few cold days, and a surprising green Christmas. Unfortunately, there were just not a whole lot of birds around in most areas. About 70 species were seen in the last week, which is about the typical early winter level in the region. Most of these were isolated lingering species. 9 species of DUCK were seen in the last week. Notable only was a GREEN-WINGED TEAL continuing at the Arboretum as of the 26th and 2 on Chemin de Golf on the 22nd. Some notable sightings included: · A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen in Centretown on the 22nd. · A NORTHERN HARRIER was in Richmond on the 22nd. · A BELTED KINGFISHER was north of Lac St. Pierre in Val des Monts on the 24th. · A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on Chemin Thérien on the Eardley Escarpment on the 22nd. · WINTER WREN in Almonte on the 23rd. · HERMIT THRUSH north of Quyon on the 21st. Another at Lac Leamy on the 22nd. · NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at the Reveler Trails on the 20th. Continuing in Gatineay as of the 24th. · CHIPPING SPARROWS were in the Deschênes area of Aylmer as of the 24th, in Constance Bay as of the 20th and in Carleton place as of the 25th. · FIELD SPARROWS were seen on Grant’s Side Road and at the Reveler feeders on the 25th. · A COMMON GRACKLE was in Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham on the 24th. and in Russell on the 23rd . An exception to the “few birds” rule that seems to be applying this fall, is that there have been FINCH sightings this week in a number of areas, mostly well outside the urban core. Spruce trees in general are bearing a good crop of cones, but there are far more cones than birds now. On a trip on the Eardley-Masham Road in Western Gatineau Park on the 22nd there were PINE SISKINS, 80 PURPLE FINCHES (50 in one large flock) and 15 RED CROSSBILLS. On the 23rd there were 2 each of RED CROSSBILL, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL and PURPLE FINCH, all in the black spruce north of Lac Ramsey. Elsewhere there were both species of CROSSBILLS on Bellamy Road and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in Almonte, Stony Swamp, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden and in Dunrobin this week. 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. 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] Purple Sandpipers ongoing at Presqu’ile
Early Boxing Day another observer and I had 3 of the continuing Purple Sandpipers and the Dunlin together at Owen Point. The shorebirds were skittish, at one point flying to Gull Island and not returning. A Snowy Owl on Gull Island could also be seen from the Point, as well as a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk flying above High Bluff Island. Owen Point can be best accessed from the Park Store Parking area, you’ll then walk towards the campgrounds, turning towards the lake at an Owen Point trail sign and then follow the trail up to the base of the point. Baxter Naday ___ 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] Algonquin Park Birding Report: 19 to 26 December 2019
Spruce Grouse: one at the start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk on Dec 21. Northern Goshawk: adult photographed at Head Creek Marsh (Old Railway Bike Trail) on Dec 22. Black-backed Woodpecker: noted at Hardwood Lookout Trail (Dec 23), Spruce Bog Boardwalk (Dec 23 and 24), Canada Jay: observed at Head Creek Marsh, Opeongo Road, Spruce Bog Boardwalk, and Logging Museum Boreal Chickadee: two pairs at Head Creek Marsh on Dec 22. Finches continued to be reported in low numbers but good variety. Evening Grosbeak: up to eight continue to be seen fairly regularly at the Visitor Centre. Purple Finch: seen regularly along the highway, Opeongo Road and at Visitor Centre. Red Crossbill: seen fairly regularly at the Visitor Centre and Arowhon Road, White-winged Crossbill: small numbers at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Visitor Centre, Opeongo Road and Head Creek Marsh. Pine Siskin: seen regularly at Visitor Centre and along the highway. American Goldfinch: seen regularly along the highway and at the Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm on December 27 to January 5. DIRECTIONS: Algonquin Provincial Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the Park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). In winter, the Visitor Centre exhibits, bookstore and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Centre is also open with limited services on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding locations mentioned above) at the East Gate, West Gate or Visitor Centre. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired), 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
