[Ontbirds]aBout 30 Sandhill Cranes North of Mansfield
While at work my group and I saw over 30 Sandhills at the Masnfield Outdoor Centre around 10:30 am. They circled for about 5 mins before moving to the south. Mansfield is about 15 mins west of Alliston, on Airport Rd Adam Zita ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Fox Sparrow near Alliston
Saw a single Fox sparrow amoung an usually high amount of Dark-eyed Juncos (about 15) for this time of year - you'd think the Juncos would be gone by now- at my parents house in Everett. Adam Midland ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Sandhill Crane in Midland
On Wednesday April 9th, I was outside cleaning around the house (right in town) and I saw a Sandhill Crane fly over. Just one. Probably heading toward Penetang bay. Adam Zita Midland ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Eastern Phoebe in Parry Sound
Not sure if anyone has reported Eastern Phoebes in the Parry Sound area. I heard a few over the course of a day (Saturday April 5) just east of Parry Sound. Also viewed Turkey Vulture, RW Blackbird, American Goldfinch and many other regulars. Adam ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Rail @ Wye Marsh
Walking out on the boardwalk just before it opened up to marsh, I spotted what I later determined to be a rail out along some open patches of water right beside the board walk. Not sure if it was a Virginia or not, but it was definitely a rail of some sort. Not expecting to see this bird here this time of year I though it was a small duck. Its coloring was dark without any noticeable marks, it beak was long a thin, and it moved just like a rail as it was moving through the snow Directions to Midland and Wye Marsh from the South: 400 N to Hwy 93 N. Turn right at Hwy 12 Follow the sign to Wye Marsh. From the North: Either HWYs 400 or 11 south to hwy 12 N. follow the signs the Wye Marsh. Adam Z. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Great Grey Owl @ Wye Marsh
Walking the ski trails (not quite enough packed snow yet to track set) at Wye Marsh after clearing out some tree fall, I spotted A Great Grey Owl. I haven't seen one since the influx of the Great Greys in 03-04 in this area. Directions to Midland and Wye Marsh from the South: 400 N to Hwy 93 N. Turn right at Hwy 12 Follow the sign to Wye Marsh. From the North: Either HWYs 400 or 11 south to hwy 12 N. follow the signs the Wye Marsh. Adam Z. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks @Wye Marsh
Walking the trails late yesterday afternoon, I came across a flock of Bohemian Waxwing in a big oak tree. There were at least 50 of them if not more. There were a few Cedars in the group but mostly Bo's. Also, closer to the wetland I came across three pine grosbeak where the forest edge meets the marsh. All three were the russet variant. I am noticing a number of different species coming through this area compared to the last three years. Directions: 400 N to Hwy 93 N. East on Hwy 12 - look for the Wye Marsh sign. Adam ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Dead Bohemians and live Pine Grosbeaks in Midland
Just want to report that there are about 3 Pine Grosbeaks that have been around the Wye Marsh visitor centre for the past week and half and one is a russet variant. Also, I got a call at Wye Marsh late Tuesday from a man who said he had about four dead birds on his lawn and his neighbour's lawn. So I went over after work being the curios birder that I am. I ID one bird as a Bohemian waxwing, but did not see the other birds he spoke of as they had already been 'dealt with' He was worried about finding this many dead birds around his house. I am not a biologist by any means but I tried to think of some possible reasons for these dead birds - cats, maybe, but the birds had no outward markings. There wasn't a window they would have flown into. So, my theory is that they died from eating fermented berries. There are two big-mountain-ash trees on both of their front lawns and the birds were found directly underneath these trees, Has anyone experience this before and if so (or if not) do you think I am right or way out in left field? Curiously yours, Adam Zita Directions to Midland: North 400, past Barrie to Hwy 93. Follow until you are in the town of Midland. For Wye Marsh, follow tourist signs when you arrive at the corner of Hwy 93 and hwy 12 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Common Loon and Blue Heron
While closing up the cottage on Lake Cecebe near Magnetawan, ON we had some late migrants still hanging around. Particularly a Common Loon in full winter plumage and a Great Blue Heron still hunting around the our bay. Directions: Hwy 11 to Burks Fall, hwy 520 (I believe that is the right one) towards Magnetawan. From Parry sound: hwy 124 east to Magnetawan. Adam Zita ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Ruby-throated Hummingbird and others @ Wye Marsh
Went for a quick walk at 3 yesterday and saw/heard a few birds still hanging around - Goldfinches, song sparrow, swap sparrow, purple finch, common yellow throat, Belted Kingfisher, T Swans, Cedar Waxwings, chickadees, Red-eyed vireo, wood duck, mallards, a marsh wren, 100's of Red-winged black birds nestled in the cattails, flying in an out. It's quite an amazing site to see so many flying altogether. As I was standing at the observation blind looking across the cattails, just about 10 feet in front of me I observed a Ruby-throated Hummingbird calmly flying in the bushes from one branch to another. I though that they'd be farther south by now, so I didn't know what to think. Directions to Wye Marsh: From T.O. 400 N to Hwy 93 to Hwy 12, turn right and follow till you see the Wye Marsh sign. From Sudbury: 69/400 south till hwy 12 north, follow until you see Wye Marsh sign. From North Bay: 11 south till hwy 12 north, follow till you see Wye Marsh sign Adam Zita Good Biding! ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
[Ontbirds]E. BLUEBIRDS and E. KINGBIRD @ Wye Marsh
On May 5th A Male and Female Bluebird were spotted in one of the open fields just south of the Parking lot at the Visitors Centre of Wye Marsh. They are not a common site around the centre and there are nesting boxes located in this area and we are hoping the Bluebirds take up residency so please do not approach the boxes and please try to use binoculars and spot them from a distance. I saw these birds last year in the same area, but they did not nest as the boxes were inhabited by mostly house wrens. Also, I spotted my first Eastern Kingbird at Wye Marsh this year along the board walk trail. Most recent birds of interest: Sandhill Cranes American Coot Arrival of Yellow-rumped Warblers (May 1) American Bitterns - very active, many seen flying (which is a first for me) From Toronto/Barrie Follow Hwy 400 north of Barrie to exit 121 (Hwy 93) Go north on Hwy 93 through Hillsdale, Orr Lake, Waverley and Wyebridge to Hwy 12 Turn right on highway 12 and travel east through Midland on Hwy 12 past King and William Streets and watch for the entrance signs From Sudbury/Parry Sound Travel south on Hwy 69 which becomes Hwy 400 Exit at Hwy 12 (Waubaushene) Go west on Hwy 12 to Midland, Ontario Watch for the entrance sign on your left opposite The Martyrs' Shrine From Collingwood/Wasaga Beach Adam
[Ontbirds]American Robins in Wye Marsh near Midland
While X-county skiing in Wye Marsh on Saturday Feb 3 I saw 5 Robins amoung the many other winter birds that should be in this area at this time of year. But this is a strange year for sightings. That is a first for me in February Directions to Wye Marsh: North on 400 to hwy 93. Then right on hwy 12. Look for the sign off Hwy 12. Enjoy!!! Adam
[Ontbirds]Bald Eagle in Midland - Wye Marsh
Directions to Wye Marsh: North on 400 to hwy 93. Then right on hwy 12. Look for the sign off Hwy 12. Enjoy!!! At about 11:30 on January 24 a Bald Eagle was riding on a thermal above the west side of Wye Marsh near the Wye Marsh Wildlfie visitor's centre. It was a mature bird and it is another in a number of Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle sightings in this area. Adam -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Fred Helleiner Sent: January 25, 2007 4:03 PM To: ontbirds@hwcn.org Subject: [Ontbirds]Posting of Wednesday's Presqu'ile Sightings for David Bree. I spent about 20 minutes looking at ducks along the Day use area of Presqu'ile Park this afternoon (Jan 24). The viewing was prime, with beautiful afternoon sunshine and 2 or 3 thousand ducks. Saw a male Barrow's Goldeneye about 100 yard's down the road from Chatterton Pt. About 20 yards out from shore. It was keeping close company with a female goldeneye of an undetermined (by me) species. This may be the same one seen around the corner in Presqu'ile Bay two days ago. The other ducks I saw, in descending order of abundance: Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Mute Swans. Other ducks seen this week in small numbers include Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Tundra Swans, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Mallard, Black Duck, as well as Coots and a Common Loon. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Brighton is on Hwy 30 south of the 401. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. David Bree Natural Heritage Education (NHE) Leader Presqu'ile Provincial Park 328 Presqu'ile Parkway Brighton, ON K0K 1H0 Tel: (613) 475-4324 ext. 225 Fax: (613) 475-2209 -- -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, R.R. #4, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
[Ontbirds]Wye Marsh Birding Report May 2006
May at Wye Marsh was an eventful month for Birders and for rare and first time sightings. Amoung some of the few, a Eastern Bluebird was seen on May 19th and 20th close to the parking lot of the Wildlife Centre. A rare sighting around a marsh. And it was nice to hear and see the return of Virginia Rails and Moorhens back to Wye Marsh. Also of note, a hermit thrush, Brown thrasher, Palm Warbler and Nashville Warbler were a few of the other first time sightings this year in the Wye Valley. Here is the complete list of bird sightings in the Wye Marsh and Wye Valley for the month of May: Canada goose Trumpeter Swan Mallard Common Merganser Blue-winged Teal Green-winged teal Double-Crested Cormorant American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Northern Harrier Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Virginia rail Common Moorhen Sandhill Crane Ring-billed Gull Caspian tern Black Tern Mourning Dove Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Eastern Kingbird Great Crested Flycatcher Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper House Wren Marsh Wren American Robin Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Nashville Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Palm Warbler Ovenbird American Redstart Black and White Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Savannah sparrow Swamp Sparrow Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Purple Finch House Finch American Goldfinch Bald Eagle Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Directions from T.O.: Hop on the 400N past Barrie, Hwy 93 N and follow the Signs to Midland and Wye Marsh. Coming from the North: either follow hwy 69/400 or Hwy 11 south until you reach Hwy 12. Go west on Hwy 12 until you reach Midland Good Birding, Adam Midland, ON
[Ontbirds]Palm Warbler, Black Terns and Least Bittern - Midland, ON
Well spring is in full force. Yesterday I saw a palm warbler (passing through, I assume) amoung the multiple sighting of Yellow Warblers at Wye Marsh. Also my first look at a pair of black terns flying over head (and an awesome display from a Caspian swooping in low, hovering and diving for its lunch) Just today, as I was coning in the marsh, I flushed out a least bittern. Awesome day! Directions from T.O.: Hop on the 400N past Barrie, Hwy 93 N and follow the Signs to Midland and Wye Marsh Happy Birding, Adam
[Ontbirds]Total Bird Sightings at Wye Marsh - April 2006
The Midland-Penetang Field Naturalists have a bird sightings board located at the visitors centre of the Wye Marsh. People visiting the centre may record the birds that they have seen in a day. It is voluntary and the information collected each month is used to calculate a relative of bird species in the area. It's also fun to record what you have seen to alert other birders! Here are the sightings for the Month of April 2006: Canada Goose Trumpeter Swan Wood Duck Mallard Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Ruffed grouse Double-Crested Cormorant American Bittern Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Sandhill Crane American Woodcock Ring-billed Gull Caspian tern Mourning Dove Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Peewee Easter Phoebe Blue Jay American Crow Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper American Robin Yellow-rumped Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Purple Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Evening Grosbeak Bald Eagle Blackburnian Warbler Ruby-crowned Kinglet Happy Birding!! Adam Zita Midland, ON
