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ONTBIRDS for Wednesday, November 21, 2007
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Subject: [Ontbirds] Bohemians, Pine Grosbeaks, Raven, Goshawk -
Guelph Arboretum
From: Chris Earley <cearley(AT)uoguelph.ca>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 8:53am
Hi, everyone,
Nathan Miller and Brandon Holden have found some Bohemian Waxwings
hanging out with Cedar Waxwings here at The Arboretum, University of
Guelph. They move around, but one consistent place is our Conifer
Collection where they are feasting on juniper berries. Brandon has also
seen a few Pine Grosbeaks here in the last couple of days, plus a
Northern Shrike. As well, we have recent sightings of a Northern
Goshawk in our Maple Collection (Kyle Horner and Sean Fox) and a Common
Raven (Alan Watson). Other sightings include Brown Creeper,
White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin and American Robin.
Cheers, Chris p.s. our Gull Workshop field trip to the Niagara River on
Saturday revealed a first winter Iceland Gull giving great looks at
Queenston and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls above the falls. Gull numbers
weren't as high as other years. As well, we saw Red-throated Loons and
Snow Buntings in Niagara-on-the-Lake and got wonderful looks at a pair
of flying and calling Red-tailed Hawks at Adam Beck. There were some
distant swallows above the falls, too.
Directions to The Arboretum. From the 401, take Highway 6 north to
Guelph. Turn right onto College Avenue. Go through the University of
Guelph campus, past the stadium and towards Victoria Road. Just before
Victoria Road (and just before College Avenue ends) turn right into The
Arboretum (note: this is our new entrance and doesn't have a new sign
yet). To get to the conifer collection, go past the Arboretum Centre
Parking lot and turn left at the stop sign. Your next stop sign is a
good place to look for the waxwings.
--
Chris Earley
Interpretive Biologist / Education Coordinator
The Arboretum, University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
phone: (519)824-4120 ext. 52201
fax: (519)763-9598
e-mail: cearley(AT)uoguelph.ca
website: www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum
"The chief aim of interpretation is not instruction, but provocation."
- Freeman Tilden
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Dead Bohemians and live Pine Grosbeaks in Midland
From: "Adam Zita" <camp(AT)wyemarsh.com>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 9:49am
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.
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Gannet at Cobourg
From: Clive Goodwin <clivegoodwin(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 9:06am
An immature N. Gannet just [11.45] flew west off the entrance to
Cobourg harbour, which terminates the main pier.
Directions: Exit #401 at the eastern Cobourg exit [#474] and turn
south off the exit ramp. This is Division Street. Continue south
through town and Division ends in the main pier of the harbour, with
excellent views of the area.
Clive Goodwin
Cobourg
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
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Subject: [Ontbirds]HSR: Holiday Beach (21 Nov 2007) 5 Raptors
From: reports(AT)hawkcount.org
Date: 21 Nov 2007 2:11pm
Holiday Beach
Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 21, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture 0 2166 31325
Osprey 0 0 186
Bald Eagle 0 20 172
Northern Harrier 1 178 1251
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 148 12375
Cooper's Hawk 2 122 718
Northern Goshawk 0 4 16
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 201 501
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 18400
Red-tailed Hawk 1 4267 6120
Rough-legged Hawk 0 15 19
Golden Eagle 0 47 76
American Kestrel 0 3 1611
Merlin 0 3 107
Peregrine Falcon 0 8 94
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 25
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 4
Unknown Raptor 0 1 7
Total: 5 7184 73010
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 12:30:00
Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Claude Radley
Observers:
Visitors:
None braved the weather.
Weather:
West winds with light rain showers and warm temps early. With the passage
of a cold front at 8:30 the wind increased and veered to the North and the
temp dropped from 13C to 9C. Heavier rain began at noon.
Raptor Observations:
Few birds, as could be expected given the precipitation and low cloud.
Non-raptor Observations:
A few sparrows and waxwings were present in the park.
Predictions:
Early morning wet snow becoming light snow showers as the morning
progresses. Temperatures steady near 2C and brisk North winds becoming NW
in the afternoon. A few sunny breaks possible in the afternoon.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Claude Radley (cradley(AT)cogeco.ca)
Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at:
http://hbmo.org/
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Gannet still at Cobourg harbour 2pm Nov.21
From: "M. Bain" <mjcbain(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 2:36pm
The immmature Northern Gannet has been fishing and resting on Lake Ontario
just west of the Cobourg harbour west headland this afternoon, Wednesday,
November 21.
Around noon it was very close to shore giving excellent views. When I left
at 2pm it was a little farther out but still clearly visible, flying and
diving, and taking some time out to rest on the water.
Also present were 50 or so Common Loons, at least 5 Red-throated Loons, a
Red-necked Grebe, many Boneys and other gulls, as well as hundreds of
Red-breasted Mergansers.
The Black-legged Kittiwake and Little Gull seen two days ago were not
refound.
A very late Least Sandpiper was on the mudbanks on the west side of the
harbour itself.
Directions: Exit Hwy.401 at Division Street, the eastern Cobourg exit [#474]
and turn south. Continue south through the town where Division ends in the
main pier of the harbour. Gp west around the harbour to the large parking
lot on the west side and walk out on the grassy west headland.
Margaret Bain
Cobourg
mjcbain(AT)sympatico.ca
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Ottawa: Purple Sandpipers
From: "Bruce Di Labio" <bruce.dilabio(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 12:53pm
Hi Everyone
This afternoon at around 1:30pm I had a flock of 14 Purple Sandpipers at
the end of Britannia Pier. They were still present at 2:40pm when I left.
good birding, Bruce
Directions : From Highway 417 take exit 129 (Greenbank & Pinecrest Roads).
Go north to Carling Ave. and continue straight through onto Greenview
Avenue and follow it for 1.2km to the parking lot at Lakeside
Gardens/Britannia Beach. Britannia Pier is adjacent the beach. The
sandpipers were at the end of the west most rocky pier and could be viewed
from the end of the central rocky point. Do not walk to the end of the west
rocky pier, you may flush the sandpipers.
Bruce Di Labio
400 Donald B. Munro Drive
P.O.Box 538
Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0
(613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell
Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Yellow-breasted Chat in Ashbridge's Bay Park
From: Richard Pope <rpope(AT)yorku.ca>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 6:49pm
The Chat posted by Bob Kortright yesterday was still present at noon today in
the same south part of the extreme west end of Ashbridge's Bay Park. The bird
was about 20 feet up in a Russian Olive feeding actively and looking very
healthy indeed even in the pouring rain. It was just east of a red life-saving
buoy and ladder. The first tree to the east is an ash, then 2 small elms, then
the Russian olives in which I saw the bird - just above the euonymus with the
red berries. Richard Pope
--
Richard Pope-Russian
Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3
Tel. 416-736-5016
Fax 416-736-5483
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Pembroke - Possible Slaty-backed Gull Nov. 21
From: "Christina Lewis" <hagenius(AT)primus.ca>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 8:37pm
Hello Ontbirds people,
Langis Sirois asked me to post this for him, as he is not able to post to
ONTBIRDS at this time.
The possible SLATY-BACKED GULL posted by Chris Michener on 20 November 2007
was seen again today 21 November by Langis Sirois and Herve Tremblay, from
12:30 - 1:30 PM and was still present when they left the site. Langis said
that the bird seemed quite unwary when approached slowly by car (they did
not leave their vehicle) and only flew (as did the other gulls at the
landfill) when a truck arrived to dump some garbage. The ?SBGU and the other
gulls (mostly Herring & Ring-billed, with a few Glaucous,and immature
Great-black-backed) were evidently not disturbed by the truck , but just
seemed interested in investigating the arrival of the fresh "deposit".
Original message by Chris Michener, including directions & instructions re:
accessing the site are below.
Thanks to Langis for this update, and hopefully others will have opportunity
to view this bird and confirm its identity.
Chris Lewis
Ottawa, ON
hagenius(AT)primus.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris" <cmichener(AT)renc.igs.net>
To: <ontbirds(AT)hwcn.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 6:11 PM
Subject: [Ontbirds]Possible third winter SBGU in Renfrew County
> Hi All,
>
> A bird looking very much like a 3rd winter Slaty-backed Gull appeared at
> the
> Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre (http://www.ovwrc.com/) near Pembroke.
>
> To view some images of the bird, go to:
> http://www.renc.igs.net/~cmichener/pafnhtml/SBGU2007.html
>
> The possible SBGU was below the garbage on the lower flats, which is
> visible
> with a scope, and it was also on the recently dumped garbage.
>
> To enter the landfill as a guest, call ahead (613-735-7537) to the
> landfill
> and ask for Elizabeth Graham. She has some rules and wants everyone to
> check in at the entry office. You wait for the green light and then drive
> up on the scales to check in. The best time to visit is between 11 AM and
> 1
> PM. You shouldn't leave your car unless you are wearing certified safety
> gear. It is also a good idea to stay in your car and use it as a blind,
> driving near the gulls very slowly. Scope from the window, although
> binoculars are sometimes enough. Other gulls at the landfill are HEGU,
> GBBG, RBGU and GLGU.
>
> To get to the landfill, drive north of Eganville staying on Hwy 41 for
> about
> 14 km., then turn left on B-Line Rd. Go about 2 km. travelling around a
> curve to the left and at the end of the curve turn left onto County Rd 56,
> also called Woito Station Road. The landfill is on your right about 3 km.
> down Cty Rd 56.
>
> Chris Michener
> Golden Lake, ON
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
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ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Boreal Birds - Ontario Updates
From: Jean Iron <jeaniron(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 21 Nov 2007 10:13pm
Don Sutherland of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR)
tells me that the abundant meadow vole population last summer in the
Hudson Bay Lowlands has almost certainly crashed. OMNR biologists did
not see meadow voles in October and early November in areas where
they were abundant in August. Newton (2006) states that microtine
crashes often happen quickly following high populations.
Owls: The high small mammal populations last summer in central and
northern Ontario meant that most owls had an excellent breeding
season with abundant prey to feed growing young. Note that most
northern forest owls are rarely if ever affected by cold temperatures
and deep snow unless they are starving. Small mammal populations
(mainly voles) drive their breeding, abundance and movements.
Northern Saw-whet Owl: A red-backed vole (preferred prey in Ontario)
and deer mouse crash likely account for the very large flight this
fall with hundreds recorded at banding stations.
Boreal Owl: I'm not aware of any Boreal Owl sightings this fall in
Ontario, but the heavy flight of Saw-whets and low vole numbers
suggest some may come south. Boreal Owls can take larger prey than
Saw-whets such as Northern Flying Squirrels. Two Boreal Owls have
been banded so far this fall at L'Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadoussac
northeast of Quebec City on the north shore of the St. Lawrence
River. The observatory is situated along the migratory route of the
Boreal Owl. This cyclic owl often moves only short distances so it is
best monitored by northern observatories.
Great Gray Owl: One was seen on 19 November near Peterborough in
central Ontario and another possible recent sighting in Muskoka. The
crash of meadow voles (preferred prey in Ontario) in northern Ontario
may cause more to show up farther south. However, Great Grays have
the uncanny ability to find areas with high vole densities. They stop
moving when they find abundant voles.
Barred Owl: They are moving, with several reports along north shore
of Lake Ontario, away from their normal habitats. This movement is
likely linked to a crash of red-backed voles, deer mice and other
small mammals in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Forest and southern
Boreal Forest.
Northern Shrike: The big southward movement this fall is probably
resulted from the meadow vole crash in the boreal forest. Although
Northern Shrikes eat small birds; they are mainly a vole specialist
in winter. Birds are a buffer and form a greater proportion of
Northern Shrike prey when voles are scarce.
Boreal Chickadee: Indicators of a small movement include Bob
Knudsen's report yesterday from Sault Ste. Marie to Ontbirds, a flock
of 13 seen recently by Erwin Meissner near Massey west of Sudbury,
and a report from Stephen O'Donnell of more sightings than usual near
Sundridge north of Huntsville. A few may get as far south as Lake
Ontario. Boreal Chickadees prefer thick conifers especially spruce.
Listen for their husky calls among flocks of Black-cappeds, which had
a significant southward movement this fall.
Common and Hoary Redpolls - Subspecies: This year's big flight is
providing an opportunity to study two subspecies of the Common
Redpoll and perhaps two subspecies of Hoary Redpoll. Check link below
to Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station in Toronto
http://www.ttpbrs.ca/ This site has recent photos of two subspecies
of the Common Redpoll (flammea and rostrata) and photos of a Hoary
Redpoll (subspecies exilipes). They call the rostrata subspecies the
"Greenland" subspecies of the Common Redpoll, but the common name
used in most of the literature for rostrata is "Greater" Common
Redpoll. The name Greenland Redpoll was normally restricted to the
nominate subspecies hornemanni of the Hoary Redpoll. Sibley (2000)
adds to the confusion by using Greenland for the northern subspecies
of both Common and Hoary Redpolls. I suggest not using Greenland
Redpoll because it is now used for the subspecies both species. In
fact, both rostrata Common Redpoll and nominate hornemanni Hoary
Redpoll have extensive breeding ranges in Canada so why even mention
Greenland, which is misleading.
The "Southern" Common Redpoll (flammea) is the commonest redpoll in
southern Canada. It breeds as close as northern Ontario. The
"Greater" Common Redpoll (rostrata) breeds on Baffin Island and
Greenland. The "Greater" Common Redpoll is normally a winter visitor
in small numbers. Rick Poulin (reported by Pittaway 1992)) banded
hundreds of redpolls in the 1980s near Ottawa and found "Greater"
Common Redpolls more common than Hoarys during some winters.
The "Southern" Hoary Redpoll (exilipes) breeds in the low Arctic
south to extreme northern Ontario. It is the usual Hoary seen in
southern Canada in winter. "Hornemann's" Hoary Redpoll is the rarest
redpoll in southern Canada. It breeds in high Arctic Canada and
Greenland. Classic adult males are very large and overall much whiter
with less streaking on the sides, and immaculate undertail coverts.
Adult males have less pink with some having a mere trace of a pink
suffusion on the breast. Not all redpolls will be identifiable to
subspecies or even species, but most individuals can be distinguished
with considerable confidence.
Acknowledgements: I thank the following for keeping me informed: Ken
Abraham (OMNR), Michel Gosselin (Canadian Museum of Nature), Jean
Iron (Toronto), Erwin Meissner (Massey, Sudbury District), Marty
Obbard (OMNR), Stephen O'Donnell (Sundridge, Parry Sound District),
Don Sutherland (OMNR), Ron Tozer (Algonquin Park), Mike Turner
(Haliburton Highlands) and Kirk Zufelt (Sault Ste. Marie, ON).
Literature Cited and Websites
Newton, Ian. 2006. Advances in the study of irruptive migration.
Ardea 94(3): 433-460. This is the most informative paper on irruptive
species by a winter finch and raptor expert.
Pittaway, R. 1992. Recognizable Forms: Redpolls. Ontario Birds 10(3): 108-114.
Sibley, D.A. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station, Toronto, Ontario. Website
http://www.ttpbrs.ca/
Winter Finch Forecast 2007-2008. Archived at
http://www.ofo.ca/reports%20and%20articles/winterfinches.php
Ron Pittaway
Minden & Toronto ON
jeaniron(AT)sympatico.ca
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
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