MARSH WREN RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET TENNESSEE WARBLER ORANG_CROWNED WARBLER NASHVILLE WARBLER PALM WARBLER WILSON'S WARBLER PAINTED BUNTING
Harlequin Duck Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser Common Loon Horned Grebe Rough-legged Hawk Peregrine Falcon Glaucous Gull Snowy Owl Belted Kingfisher Winter Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Yellow-rumped Warbler White-winged Crossbill Pine Siskin Well its Christmas here in the Hamilton Study Area. Given the list of last week, I didn't think it could be topped, guess I was wrong. This weeks bird of the week is a PAINTED BUNTING found coming to a feeder on Arkendo Drive in Oakville. The bird appeared last weekend briefly, another sighting on Monday which the owner of the feeder was able to catch a photograph. Since then, it has been slightly more regular probably due to colder weather and maybe more people looking. The people who live on Arkendo have been most accommodating in letting birders view the birds from various locales of access to the yard. There are a couple of viewing opportunities between houses 39 and 45 and 39 and 33. The homeowners here have asked me to ask birders to limit numbers and take turns, if you have seen the bird from one of these points, please be kind enough to let others in to look at the bird. Another place to look for is from the road between 3 and 5 Arkendo. The bird comes to the Magnolia Tree which borders the yard and is visible from this area. PLEASE NOTE, there is no access to property or yards without the homeowners permission. If you are asked to leave, please respect the wishes of the homeowner. Most of them are very excited about the celebrity on the street and have been very gracious even bringing coffee for birders today. Getting this bird on the Peel CBC is a target tomorrow. Other birds to look for while trying to see the Bunting are a Hermit Thrush and White-winged Crossbill seen at Arkendo Park which runs along Arkendo drive. The White-winged Crossbill was down near the end of the road where there is a small circular turn around. As if the rest of the list is same old same old, Sedgewick Park continues to dazzle people with the variety of warblers there. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, TENNESSEE, ORANGE-CROWNED, NASHVILLE, WILSON'S and Yellow-rumped Warblers continue to be seen. The NASHVILLE has not been reported the last couple of days but is likely still around. If someone sees this species, please report it for the count. Please note that parking is allowed at the Jehovah's Witness parking lot on Saturday but not Sunday. Access on Sunday is through the entrance at the end of Hixon Road. Down at Bayfront Park, a PALM WARBLER was seen up until Sunday. It may still be around but everyone's running for the Bunting! A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, ORANGE-CROWNED and Yellow-rumped Warblers were also seen along the waterfront trail. As well for a brief time last Sunday a 1st winter male Harlequin Duck was seen but flushed after a short time. Lastly, a MARSH WREN was refound at the Dundas Hydro Ponds on the path which is accessed from just beside the Desjardins Canal on the east side of the canal heading south into the marsh. In the odds and sods this week a Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid was seen in the west harbour by the docks near Williams Pub near the former Discovery Centre, now Sarcoa. Two Common Loons were also seen on the bay. Horned Grebes seem to be in some numbers with reports from the harbour and from Bronte. A Rough-legged Hawk along with a Peregrine Falcon were seen at the quarry on 10th Road East up in Saltfleet. A Glaucous Gull flew over Bayfront Park while birders were on the hunt for the Palm Warbler. A Snowy Owl seems to have taken up permanent residence for the winter at Bronte Harbour being seen mostly on the breakwall at the back of the harbour. A Belted Kingfisher was a good winter bird found at Lowville today. Winter Wren and Golden-crowned Kinglets are accompanying all the goodies at Sedgewick Park. Reports of Hermit Thrush came from Arkendo Park and a yard in Dundas. There have been several reports of Pine Siskins at feeder this week so keep them stocked. Count week for the Hamilton CBC starts on the 23rd so if you are out and about, please send your sightings. The Hamilton Christmas Bird Count is December 26th. As you can see by the list here, ANYTHING can happen. All the best this holiday season, have a safe and happy Christmas. Cheers, Cheryl Edgecombe HNC. --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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
