[Ontbirds] juncos and more Lake Huron North Shore
Wed had a huge interruption of juncos. They were as thick as black flies. Mixed in was everything from swallows to meadowlarks and flickers...phoebe...and personal favourites the warblers. For about 2 hours Wed the juncos were so thick every branch had at least one (and this area is well tree covered.) The fields are now open and well occupied by all manner of water fowl. Numbers are dropping as the first movement passes through. Sandhill cranes are back and calling loudly Should be an amazing weekend as temperatures are expected to continue to climb. What a change after a winter of nothing but blue jays and chickadees. Pat Kerr Kerr Field The north shore of Lake Huron is on highway 17 between Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie. Public docks are in Thessalon and Bruce Mines. Also good viewing in Desbarats.. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Bobolink, Bruce Mines
Bobolink have returned. Last year they were in the scrubby grass to the north of McPhail Rd. close to 638 and around the barn in the tall grasses at the corner of McPhail and Chapman. So far I've only seen one this year, near the barn. The sandhill cranes haven't been seen for over a week. But I think there is a northern mocking bird hanging around. I haven't managed a clear ident yet but I am really watching and listening now. Also something has killed two blue jays. All that remains is downey feathers. an interesting birding season! >From Sault Ste Marie go east on highway 17 to Bruce Mines. Travel north on 638 over the railroad tracks and turn right on McPhail. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Myrtle Warbler Bruce Mines
A male myrtle warbler is fighting the high winds and bouncing back and forth from the cedar to the spruce to the east of our house. He is very hard to see. Spending most of his time deep in the evergreens but is coming to the tips of branches. >From Sault Ste Marie travel east on highway 17 to Bruce Mines. Go north on 638 over the railroad tracks and east again on McPhail. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Sandhill cranes, northern shrike Bruce Mines
Sandhill cranes, northern shrike, robins, chipping sparrow, Canada geese are all here easily two weeks ahead of their arrival last year. There is still ice in the bay and on the small ponds in the area but the geese, ducks, and cranes are in the flooded fields. Bruce Mines is 45 minutes east of Sault Ste. Marie on high way 17. The northern shrike was on the west end, north side of McPhail rd. Go north from Bruce on 638, over the tracks and go right on McPhail. Good birding ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Trumpeter Swan Bruce Mines
Trumpeter Swan swimming in the bay at Bruce Mines. Seen from the light house. Warbler migration is slowing downsorry I can't identify them all but there were many. Woodpeckers are just starting to move. Many Pileateds seen along roadways. 2 sand hill cranes still feeding in fields along McPhail. Good birding. Bruce Mines is 3 hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. There is a public park in the down town area with good viewing of the bay. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] bobolink missing Bruce Mines
We had about 10 bobolinks regularly sighted in the low shrubs on the north side of McPhail Rd from late May till about 2 weeks ago. The disappearance of the bobolinks coincided with the local hydro company clearing shrubs under the power lines. This was a shrubby area between farm fields not a treed area. (No idea why the hydro company would clear this brush as it was not threatening the hydro lines.) The adult birds were dispersed around the area for a few days but none noted since. The season is otherwise progressing well. 3 bald eagles were spotted feeding near the light house on the water front yesterday. Ravens, sandhill cranes around the area along with a diverse variety of hawks and warblers. Bruce Mines is about 3 hours west of Sudbury. Go north on 638, over the tracks and turn right on McPhail. Pat Kerr Kerr Field. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] indigo buntings ravens Bruce Mines
Indigo buntings coming to feeder in town of Bruce Mines. Raven along highway 17 at east entrance to hamlet. Another raven had an aerial dog fight with crow along McPhail Rd. on May 13th was an impressive display. Northern Harrier making regular low passes morning and afternoon over Kerr field along McPhail Rd. Feeder birds are arriving daily including rose breasted and evening grosbeak. Baltimore orioles and cedar waxwing first spotted 13th. Numerous white crowned sparrow still in area. Sandhill cranes are calling loudly along 638, and McPhail Rd. each morning. Kill deer exhibiting nesting behaviour on rock out cropping on McPhail Rd. Grey jays not reported this week. Bruce Mines is 3 hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. To reach Kerr field go north on 638, over the railroad tracks and turn right on McPhail. Bruce Bay Cottages and the light house are on the waterfront. Follow the signs from highway 17, down Bruce Bay Road. www.brucebaycottages.com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Bruce Mines Gray jay and more
A pair of gray jays was seen in the white spruce at the corner of Chapman and McPhail this morning around 9am. Nesting behaviour not observed but they are secretive. The first loon calls were heard at the lighthouse on the bay. (not identified.) Ruby-throated hummingbirds sightings coming in starting May 6. The maple trees are in full bloom. Bruce Mines is 3 hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. To reach Kerr field go north on 638, over the railroad tracks and turn right on McPhail. Bruce Bay Cottages and the light house are on the waterfront. Follow the signs from highway 17, down Bruce Bay Road. www.brucebaycottages.com ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Snowy Owl Bruce Mines
The snowy owl was seen again this morning at 11:10 hunting in the wet lands on the south side of McPhail Rd. He's been MIA for a week or more so could be a different bird. The ice breaker was through so all the usual suspects are on the water front including bald eagles, mute swans, and the spring migration is going strong. During the snow storm last week red poles were observed taking food out of the beaks purple finch. Hundreds of juncos. A real mix of winter and summer birds all over the region. The black poll was seen again after the snow storm. Bruce Mines is about 3 hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. To get to McPhail go north on 638 over the tracks and turn right on McPhail. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] blackpoll warbler Bruce Mines
A male black poll warbler made an appearance about 7pm at the intersection of McPhail and Chapman. An American kestrel seems to be taking up residence on the wire at the south east corner of highway 638 and McPhail Rd. It's been seen regularly for about a week. Bruce Mines is about 3 hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. Pat Kerr Kerr Field ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] sandhill cranes, snowy owl Bruce mines
The sandhill cranes have arrived and were feeding on the south side of McPhail Rd. the last two mornings before 8 am and in the evenings. They are calling loudly during the morning hours. The snowy owl was last seen 2 days ago. It has been making low passes over the fields about 3 afternoons each week. A bald eagle was seen two days ago over the town. Many other summer birds arriving daily although the harbour is still frozen Bruce Mines is about 3 hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. To reach McPhail go north from Bruce Mines on 636 over the railroad tracks and turn east. Good birding Pat Kerr ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Pine Grosbeaks Bruce Mines
One male and three female or juvenile pine grosbeaks have started coming to black oil sunflower feeders daily. They were coming mid afternoon but today they arrived at 9:30am. The grey jay feeding pattern is decreasing at the suet feeder. They visit in the mid afternoon. Bruce Mines is three hours west of Sudbury on highway 17. Go north on 638, turn right on McPhail rd. Kerr Field is corner of McPhail and Chapman. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Goldfinch Bruce Mines
A pair of gold finch, that appear healthy, are continuing to come to a niger feeder at 238 McPhail Rd, 5 miles north of Bruce Mines (45 minutes east of Sault Ste. Marie.) Pat Kerr ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Snow bunting - Bruce Mines
HI A flock of about 20 snow buntings was seen at 8:50 this morning north of Bruce Mines. Snow buntings also seen in fields along 638 north of Bruce Mines earlier in the week. Directions Take highway 17 west from Sudbury to Bruce Mines. Go north on 638 over the railroad tracks. Turn east on McPhail. Sighting at corner of McPhail and Chapman in field. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Northern Shrike, Bruce Mines
HI A northern shrike was perched over my bird feeder at about 10:30am Oct 24th. We have a serious abundance of small rodents this year. Directions. >From Sudbury go west on highway 17 to Bruce Mines. North on highway 638. Go over the railroad tracks. Turn right or east on McPhail Rd. Sighting at corner of McPhail and Chapman. Kerr's Field ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
