[Ontbirds] Collingwood CBC - 2019 results

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

The 12th Collingwood CBC was held on Saturday, 28 December 2019. The
circle's centre is south of Collingwood and includes some southern
Georgian Bay coastline, parts of the Niagara Escarpment and fields and
valleys around Stayner and Nottawa.


It was a great day for counting birds with mostly light winds,
temperatures near zero, no precipitation and little snow cover. The
main lake was open. Fourteen participants and a few feeder watchers
helped to count birds in the field.

A slightly below average total of 49 species, and an above average
total of 6333 individidual birds, were tallied by day's end.


Singles of Wood Duck, Canvasback and Horned Lark were only the third
time these species have been found on this count. A lone male Eastern
Bluebird in 2019 was the second occurrence on the Collingwood CBC.


Record high counts for Great Black-backed Gull (46) and Common Raven
(25) were set in 2019. We've always managed to find at least one
Ring-billed Gull on this count, but for the first time ever, this
species went unrecorded.


Two species were new for this count in 2019: singles of Lapland
Longspur and Common Grackle, thus bringing the all time species total
to 94.


A Gadwall had been present throughout December, but was only
documented in count week.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SECTION LEADERS, PARTICIPANTS, FEEDER WATCHERS
WHO MADE THE COUNT A SUCCESS!


Burke Korol

Compiler/coordinator - ONCO


-- 


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] :

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

Location


Sent from my iPhone
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[Ontbirds] Probable Gyrfalcon et al. in Barrie

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

I spent a few hours birding the waterfront in Barrie today and here are the
highlights.

Around 2:20 pm, a large falcon was seen chasing Ring-billed and Herring
Gulls on the Centennial Park waterfront and it perched briefly at the City
of Barrie Marina. I took some record shots, but later, another birder got
some better shots of this bird as it stooped on a flying drone. The heavy
body, large size, grayish upperparts and relatively broad wings suggest
this was Gyrfalcon, rather than a (resident) Peregrine Falcon. The better
photos cannot be studied until later tonight, but initial indications are
that the photographed bird lacked the stronger 'sideburns' of a Peregrine.
A short time later, we relocated the bird among the high-rises near the
waterfront and got some better photos. The bird vocalized half a dozen
times and the call was lower pitched and raspier than a typical Peregrine
call.

Still later, good shots of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon were taken in the
same area, so we suspect both species were present.

Other highlights included a SNOWY OWL (on private property) and two adult
BALD EAGLES at Minet't Point Park.

A few COMMON LOONS


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Fwd: Probable Gyrfalcon et al. in Barrie

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

to continue my post...

A few COMMON LOONS remain on Kempenfelt Bay along with hundreds of
RED-NECKED GREBES, but I could not locate the long-staying PACIFIC LOON.

The waterfront is in the City of Barrie, which is about an hour north of
Toronto. There are birds at all of the usual vantage points around the west
and south sides of Kempenfelt Bay of Lake Simcoe: Centennial Park, Heritage
Park, City Marina, Tiffin St. boat launch, Minet's Point Park, South Shore
Park (Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club) and Dock Road pier.

I'll try to look for the potential Gyr again tomorrow and will report back
once photos have been more closely studied.

Burke Korol
Barrie, ON

-- Forwarded message --
From: Burke Korol 
Date: 2 December 2017 at 17:17
Subject: Probable Gyrfalcon et al. in Barrie
To: birdalert@ontbirds.ca


I spent a few hours birding the waterfront in Barrie today and here are the
highlights.

Around 2:20 pm, a large falcon was seen chasing Ring-billed and Herring
Gulls on the Centennial Park waterfront and it perched briefly at the City
of Barrie Marina. I took some record shots, but later, another birder got
some better shots of this bird as it stooped on a flying drone. The heavy
body, large size, grayish upperparts and relatively broad wings suggest
this was Gyrfalcon, rather than a (resident) Peregrine Falcon. The better
photos cannot be studied until later tonight, but initial indications are
that the photographed bird lacked the stronger 'sideburns' of a Peregrine.
A short time later, we relocated the bird among the high-rises near the
waterfront and got some better photos. The bird vocalized half a dozen
times and the call was lower pitched and raspier than a typical Peregrine
call.

Still later, good shots of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon were taken in the
same area, so we suspect both species were present.

Other highlights included a SNOWY OWL (on private property) and two adult
BALD EAGLES at Minet't Point Park.

A few COMMON LOONS


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Gyrfalcon in Barrie - NOT

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

Birders,

After a thorough analysis of my and some better photos, it is evident that
the large falcon in Barrie yesterday was a juvenile Peregrine. A bird,
which was undoubtedly the same individual, was seen by other local birders
again this morning in the same area.

Apologies for the false alarm.

Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Collingwood CBC - Unofficial Results

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

The 10th Collingwood Christmas Bird Count was held on Thursday, 28 December
2017.

Eighteen participants in seven parties braved -20 C temperatures (but
mercifully, there was little wind) and deep snow. For the first time ever,
most nearshore, Georgian Bay waters were frozen.

We had a slightly below average total of 50 species and a record low number
of individual birds (2,885). No 'new for count' species were found in 2017.

New count record lows were set for: Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Common
Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Great
Black-backed Gull, European Starling (yay!), Northern Cardinal and House
Sparrow.

We set record highs for Ruffed Grouse (3), Great Blue Heron (2) and Common
Raven (21).

This was only the second time Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Iceland Gull,
Lesser Black-backed Gull and Merlin were found on count day.

For the first time ever, no Rough-legged Hawks were located.

Many thanks to the particpants who came out on this very wintery day.

Burke Korol - compiler ONCO
Barrie, ON


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[Ontbirds] RUFF west of Barrie - Minesing wetlands - YES

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

Late yesterday I heard about an adult male RUFF along McKinnon Road, which
is less than 1 km east of Angus and runs north from Simcoe Road 90. I saw
the bird this morning around 0630 hrs, on the west side of McKinnon Road,
about 700 m north of Road 90. It was with a group of yellowlegs, dunlins
and a dowitcher. It is very black on the neck and breast. It can be a bit
difficult to find so a little patience is needed - but it was not far from
the road (binoculars OK).

Good luck if you try for it.


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Kentucky Warbler in Barrie

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

This morning Alex Mills found a Kentucky Warbler in Barrie. He heard the
bird singing infrequently and had brief/lousy views of it. A few hours
later I had two brief, but decent, looks at the bird. The bird did not sing
during the entire time I was there (about 45 minutes; two trips about an
hour apart). It foraged within 1 m of the ground, was very shy and kept in
the deep cover of the riparian thickets.

The warbler was seen and heard at the small, wooden footbridge on the
recreational trail that goes south of Ardagh Road. The trail begins about
100 metres east of Wildflower Court and the bridge is about 100 m south of
Ardagh Road. It was seen/heard at the wooden footbridge and up to 100 m
downstream (south) of it, along the trails to the east and west of the
small creek.

There is no parking on Ardagh Road, but there is limited parking on
Wildflower Court. If you try for this bird, please be respectful of the
local residents and do not block their driveways.

If traveling on Hwy. 400, take the Essa Road exit (94) and go SW on Essa
Road, about 300 m to Ardagh Road. Turn right (north) onto Ardagh Road.
Wildflower Court is about 2.8 km from Essa Road, on the south side of
Ardagh Road.

According to eBird, there are no previous reports of Kentucky Warbler in
Simcoe County, so this is a gooder. Thanks Alex!!

*

Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Slaty-backed Gull in North Bay Area - yes

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

The gull was easily found at the Merrickville landfill at 11:40 am today.
Sign in at gate required and you must stay away from active dumping areas

Take Hwy 11 about 20 km N of North Bay and turn right on Sand Dam Road for
3 km to dum

Dump is closed on Sunday. See website for hours

Burke Korol
Barrie
-- 


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Collingwood CBC Results

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

The 11th Collingwood Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on Thursday, 27
December 2018 - here are the unofficial results.

The Collingwood CBC count circle centres just SW of Nottawa, and is bounded
on the north by Nottawasaga Bay (southern Georgian Bay), in the west by the
Niagara Escarpment, in the south by Singhampton and in the east by Stayner.

The weather on count day was decent: light SE winds in the early morning
(but getting moderate in the afternoon), virtually no precipitation and
reaching a comfortable -4°C.

Two feeder watchers and 16 counters spent 44 hours travelling 570 km to
find 59 species on count day, plus another two during the count week. This
was four below our highest total and the second highest ever. A total of
4,971 individuals were found, which is below our average of 5,933.

Highlights:

A single CANVASBACK was found for only the second time on this count.

This year's four RUFFED GROUSE beats last year's record of three.

The 10 BALD EAGLES beat the 2013 total of seven and this year's lone GOLDEN
EAGLE was the first one since 2004.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK is a diffcult bird to find on this count. Last year we
missed it for the first time and in 2018 our only observation was of a
single, count week bird.

A lone AMERICAN COOT was only the second one on this count and the first
since 2012.

Singles of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and ICELAND GULL were identified for
only the third time on this count and the six GLAUCOUS GULLS found beats
the previous record of four.

Both HAIRY WOODPECKER and PILEATED WOODPECKER set new count records with 15
and four individuals, respectively.

HORNED LARK has only ever been tallied once before (in 2014), so finding
two in 2018 was a nice surprise and establishes a new count high.

The 35 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES (we've never missed this one) and four
BROWN CREEPERS (not usually found) were also high counts.

Thankfully, EUROPEAN STARLINGS were at an all-time low with 180 birds. This
is much better than when thousands used to roost in the huge grain terminal
at the Collingwood Harbour.

The 485 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS smashes the previous record for numbers of
individuals of this species (i.e., 114 in 2016, which was the only other
year these beauties have been found on this count).

A single WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was photographed on count day in
Collingwood. Surprisingly, this was a count first and it brings the all
time list to 93 species.

Finally, a new record was set for PINE GROSBEAK. This species had only been
found on one previous count (26 birds in 2012) so this year's 60 birds was
a treat.

Many thanks to all who participated.

Burke Korol - Compiler ONCO
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Prairie Warbler at Tiny Mash - Simcoe Co. - update

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

Yesterday (7 May) Robert Codd found a Prarie Warbler at Tiny Marsh.

A few of us were out there today (8 May) between 0800-1030 hrs and were
able to get very good looks at this bird as it periodically showed itself
and sometimes sang. I returned to the spot around 2 pm, but was not able to
relocate the bird.

Tiny Marsh is 30 km NW of Barrie.

If you want to try for this bird: From Elmvale, go 2 km NW on Road 27, and
then veer left off onto Road 6 and continue another 3 km to Conc. Road 2 W.
Turn left (SW) on Road 2 and go 2.4 km to the parking area. Walk west
across both cement bridges, then turn NW and walk 350 m to the small,
wooden footbridge, which is where the bird was (44.611374° N, 79.923128° W)


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON


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[Ontbirds] Prothonotary Warbler at Tiny Marsh - Simcoe Co.

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

This evening, Logan Baldwin found a Prothonotary Warbler near the Visitor's
Centre at Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife area.

A few of us others got to see this cooperative bird actively feeding from
1930-2000 hrs.

Tiny Marsh is 30 km NW of Barrie.

Directions: From Elmvale, go 2 km NW on Road 27, and then veer off to
the left onto Road 6 and continue another 1.5 km to Tiny-Flos
Townline. Turn left (SW) on townline and go 3.8 km to the visitor's
centre parking area. Walk over the canal and take the wide trail that
heads north-east. The bird was actively feeding on the marsh side of
the trail about 150 metres from the VC, which is at (44.593509 N,
79.931810 W).


Tonight's forecast for Barrie: Showers. Risk of a thunderstorm this
evening. Wind south 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature steady near 16.



Burke Korol
Barrie, ON


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[Ontbirds] American White Pelicans at Tiny Marsh

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

On 19 June 2019 two pelicans were photographed at Tiny Marsh, but were
apparently not found later that day.

On 20 June, these birds were relocated along the main north-south dyke
around noon. A few of us saw the pair around 1330 hrs, but they soon took
flight, lazily circled around the main marsh for several minutes and
eventually drifted off, high to the south-west and out of sight.

It may be worth re-checking the marsh in the following days.

Directions: Tiny Marsh is about 40 minutes NW of Barrie. From Elmvale,
go 2 km NW on Road 27, and then veer off to the left onto Road 6 and
continue another 1.5 km to Tiny-Flos Townline. Turn left (SW) on
townline and go about 3.5 km to the parking lot at the south end of
the N-S dyke (i.e., about 300 m east of the visitor's centre parking
area). Walk north on the dyke until you have a clear view of the
water/marsh to the east and west of the dyke. When swimming, the birds
were well to the east. A spotting scope is helpful, but not necessary.


P.S. Don't assume that a pair of huge white birds are the pelicans as
there are a couple of nesting pairs of Trumpeter Swan in the area.


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Sabine’s Gull at Minet’s Point in Barrie

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

Jean Iron and I watched an immature SAGU in Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe
from 11:30 to 12 today. Unable to find bird now as it was slowly flying east

Point is on south shore of Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie

Burke Korol
Barrie


-- 


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Curlew Sandpiper - YES

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

Same location as yesterday. 300 m NE of bridge. Fog makes viewing
challenging
-- 


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Pacific Loon in Barrie - Minets Point Park

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

Adult bird due north of beach with Common Loons. Scope required

Minets point is in Barrie in the south shore of Kempenfelt Bay, Lake Simcoe

>From Hwy 400 go NE on Essa Road (exit 94) to Burton Avenue. Follow Burton
to Minets Point Road and turn left. Follow road to lake/park

Burke Korol
Barrie
-- 


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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[Ontbirds] Cattle Egret north of Angus, Simcoe County

[Burke Korol via ONTBIRDS]

As found by Logan and Trevor Baldwin yesterday, and again this morning,
there is currently a Cattle Egret about 5 km north of Angus. The bird is on
the north side of Concession Road 3, about 1.7 km east of County Road 10.

As an added bonus there was also a Northern Shrike and Horned Lark
-- 


Burke Korol
Barrie, ON
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