Hello,
The OFO's annual field trip to the Ham/Burlington area was enjoyed by
a small but enthusiastic group of birders.
It was not surprising that with the OFO convention held in Hamilton barely
a week ago, and the fact that was a Thanksgiving weekend, I did not expect the
usual number of participants. That being said, the eleven birders who made the
trip, were some of the most eager and enthusiastic people you could wish to
lead. In fact there were still some who wanted to keep birding well into the
afternoon and early evening.
We met at Hutch's on Van Wagner's Beach, and spent the first hour
there, always hoping to see Jaeger or two, but although the wind direction was
good, it was far too light for any action. One of the first birds we saw here
was a Red-throated Loon flying overhead, and the only birds close enough to
identify was a Red-necked Grebe, and some White-winged Scoters.
The fields and ponds behind Hutch's were good for Hermit Thrushes,
Eastern Towhee's, warblers( Black-throated Blue, Nashville, Palm and
Yellow-rumped), Green Heron,Pied-billed Grebe, Lincoln Sparrow, and flyover
Rusty Blackbirds, American Pipits, and a late Osprey.
After lunch we then proceeded to the Windermere Basin, where we had a
good tally of ducks, but the highlight here was the discovery of a recently
arrived Brant Goose. Shorebirds at Windermere this year was restricted to a
couple of Greater Yellowlegs and a lone Dunlin.
Our next stop was the Dundas Marsh, or the Willows to be more
specific. Here most of the group had good looks at one of two Nelson's
sharp-tailed Sparrows we encountered in a patch of Manna Grass just off of the
main trail. These birds were in a very accessible area that was discovered just
days ago by a local birder.
After saying goodbye to most of the group, a few of us headed to Tim
Horton's, and on to Valley Inn, where we added a few more species to our list.
So a very good day, with lots of birds to look at, and our
total species count was 80, not too bad for Hamilton in October.
Regards......Tom.
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