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ONTBIRDS for Thursday, November 22, 2007
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Gannet at Cobourg Nov.22
From: "M. Bain" <mjcbain(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 9:08am
Cobourg's gannet, unfazed by freezing rain and ice pellets, is still diving
off the west headland of the harbour this morning among at least 1000
Red-breasted Mergansers.
Reports come from birders lucky enough to have ringside seats in their
harbourside condos.
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. Go 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
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Ottawa Purple Sandpiper
From: David Britton <brittondavid(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 6:42am
At least one Purple Sandpiper was still present end of the west most rocky pier
at Britannia Pier at 7:15 am this morning.
David Britton
Ottawa
Directions as per Bruce Di Labio : From Highway 417 take exit 129 (Greenbank &
Pinecrest Roads). Go north to Carling Ave. and continue straight through onto
GreenviewAvenue 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._______________________________________________
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
From: "Vivian and Wolfgang" <vivian.bessel(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 8:33am
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Gunnar Bessel & Leon Schlichter found the Chat in the same area hanging
around with 2 Cardinals in the southwest area of Ashbridges Bay near a
ladder with a lifering. A Rusty Blackbird & a Belted Kingfisher was also
seen.
Gunnar Bessel
Scarborough
Vivian.bessel(AT)sympatico.ca
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
_______________________________________________
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]Black-legged Kittiwake still being seen in
Southampton
From: "mike pickup" <mpickup(AT)bmts.com>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 11:55am
The bird has been seen every morning this week so far, and in its usual spot
among the fishing boats on the water.
It does do a flypast everyso often, but for the most part it has been swimming
on the water.
Yours in birding
Mike Pickup
Directions
Take Hyw #21 to Southampton. If you are coming from the south, make a left
or if coming from the north make a right turn on Clarendon St. Follow this
road to Pioneer Park and turn right and you are at the harbour.
_______________________________________________
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: Re: [Ontbirds]Ottawa Purple Sandpiper
From: "Dave Moore" <mooredw(AT)vif.com>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 11:02am
Hi all
There were 2 PUSAs at the same location at 10:00a.m. Lots of snow and wind
too!
Dave Moore
Ottawa
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Britton" <brittondavid(AT)hotmail.com>
To: <ontbirds(AT)hwcn.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 9:42 AM
Subject: [Ontbirds]Ottawa Purple Sandpiper
> At least one Purple Sandpiper was still present end of the west most rocky
> pier at Britannia Pier at 7:15 am this morning.
>
> David Britton
> Ottawa
>
> Directions as per Bruce Di Labio : From Highway 417 take exit 129
> (Greenbank & Pinecrest Roads). Go north to Carling Ave. and continue
> straight through onto GreenviewAvenue 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._______________________________________________
> 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
> http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
>
_______________________________________________
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]Snow and Ross's Goose - Long Point
From: "Mike Boyd" <mike.d.boyd(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 11:49am
Dear Fellow Birders,
To add onto the flurry of geese sightings this fall, I just had 53 Snow
Geese and 1 Ross's Goose at Long Point. Of the Snow Geese about 40% were
blue phase, and the flock was a mix of adults and young. This is probably
one of the largest flocks of Snow Geese recorded for the Long Point area.
Directions: Exit the 401 at Hwy 59 and follow this south all the way down to
Lake Erie. Just before heading down over the Big Creek marshes, turn right
(west) on Lakeshore Rd.and head about 4km west. The geese were in a corn
field at the east end of the houses that are across from Lee Brown's Pond.
--
Mike Boyd
Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund
115 Front St.
Port Rowan, Ontario
N0E 1M0
_______________________________________________
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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Subject: [Ontbirds]Yellow Breasted Chat
From: "Vivian and Wolfgang" <vivian.bessel(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 12:01pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
To: 'Ontario Birds (ontbirds(AT)hwcn.org)'
Subject: Yellow Breasted Chat
At 10AM this morning, Gunnar Bessel & Leon Schlichter found the Chat in the
same area hanging around with 2 Cardinals in the southwest area of
Ashbridges Bay near a ladder with a lifering. A Rusty Blackbird & a Belted
Kingfisher was also seen.
Ashbridges Bay is at the lake at Coxwell Avenue & Lakeshore Blvd., Toronto.
Gunnar Bessel
Scarborough
Vivian.bessel(AT)sympatico.ca
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
_______________________________________________
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]Northern Shrike - Flamborough (Hamilton)
From: "darling" <darling(AT)aucegypt.edu>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 11:46pm
At 4:40 p.m. on Thursday November 22 there was a Northern Shrike in a tree by
the road at 410 Rock Chapel Road in Flamborough (Hamilton). It subsequently
took off and flew into a tree at the other side of the road.
Directions: from the intersection of Highways 5 & 6 (Clappisons Corners) go 1.6
km west on #5 towards Paris and London. Rock Chapel Road is the third turn on
the left. The Shrike was seen just south of Valley Road
Sandy Darling
Flamborough
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Sandhill Cranes over Stouffville
From: "Jack or Connie Walker" <jackandconnie(AT)mycybernet.net>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 4:57pm
As I was retrieving some dry firewood at 4:40 this afternoon, I heard the
sound of SANDHILL CRANES. I counted 36 birds flying from South to North
directly over our house. Connie ran out in her stocking feet with our
binoculars and we stood in the snow to watch them until they disappeared.
At about 2:00 this afternoon, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK caught a male junco and
dined on it in the nearby bushes. The cranes were more exciting.
Stouffville is north of Markham at the intersection of Hwy 48 and
Stouffville Rd (regional road 14). We live about a kilometer east of that
intersection.
Jack & Connie Walker
Stouffville
_______________________________________________
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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Subject: [Ontbirds]HSR: SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark (22 Nov 2007) 104
Raptors
From: reports(AT)hawkcount.org
Date: 22 Nov 2007 6:11pm
SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark
Brownstown, Michigan, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 22, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 3468 62874
Osprey 0 4 195
Bald Eagle 0 12 207
Northern Harrier 1 66 814
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 162 9901
Cooper's Hawk 4 204 711
Northern Goshawk 0 2 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 3 596 1020
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 69574
Red-tailed Hawk 87 6361 9065
Rough-legged Hawk 2 25 29
Golden Eagle 6 81 115
American Kestrel 0 3 1275
Merlin 0 3 41
Peregrine Falcon 0 4 65
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 8
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 2
Total: 104 10991 155900
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Calvin Brennan
Observers: Bruce Roberts, Paul Cypher
Visitors:
Skye Haas
Pete Przybylski
Ron and Gloria Harkness
Jim Maki
Weather:
Today saw brisk wintry conditions with mostly overcast skies as well as
some extended sunny periods especially during the noon hour. Occasional
snow flurries and squalls were also noted. Winds were fairly strong and
gusty varying from northwest to west-northwest.
Raptor Observations:
Overall there was quite a good showing particularly given the conditions.
While Red-tails made up the bulk of those birds recorded, there was a
decent bit of diversity in the flight. Highlights included some good views
of Golden Eagles and Rough-legs as well as an adult dark morph Red-tail.
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor highlights included a Northern Shrike and hundreds of migrating
Tundra Swans.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Calvin Brennan (common_raven(AT)hotmail.com)
SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at:
http://www.smrr.net/
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending November
22, 2007
From: "Terry Sprague" <tsprague(AT)kos.net>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 7:52pm
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE
WEEK ENDING Thursday, November 22, 2007
A trace of snow, freezing rain and ice pellets in Prince Edward County today
were not enough to discourage an EASTERN PHOEBE which showed itself at one
home near Cape Vesey. A few other species may have second thoughts about
hanging around much longer. Among those are three SANDHILL CRANES that
turned up on Sunday in an open field at East Lake, likely the same three
that had been seen previously in the Cressy and Milford areas. A BELTED
KINGFISHER was still at Lake-on-the-Mountain as of last Thursday, and 20
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and 40 COMMON GRACKLES were in the Prince Edward Point
area the following day. Also in no particular hurry to wander south was a
lone TURKEY VULTURE circling above east Main Street in Picton on the 19th.
Six lingering YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, perhaps intending to stick it out this
winter, were found at Prince Edward Point on the 17th as were 2 EASTERN
MEADOWLARKS and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. A late FIELD SPARROW and a lone
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were both seen on the west side of Trenton yesterday.
And a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT at Prince Edward Point continues to delay
migrating and was still present on the 17th.
More in tune with the weather we had today was the continued appearance of
COMMON REPOLLS and PINE GROSBEAKS. Three of the latter species were found,
as one might expect, munching down the apples of a flowering crab at 23
Sprague Road on the 20th, and were still there today. Others showed up in
ones and twos, and a few more, at feeders and backyards at 2800 County Road
1, and in the Barry Heights area of Trenton, and several were heard calling
off the Cataraqui Trail at Newburgh last Friday. COMMON REPOLLS were
reported at feeders along Glenora Road where a respectable 20 appeared this
week, 25 were at Prince Edward Point on the 17th, a flock of 12 flew over
the Menzel Nature Reserve north of Deseronto on the 16th, and another dozen
or so were seen in flight over the Trans Canada Trail at Tweed the following
day. EVENING GROSBEAKS during the week were represented by 6 at a Glenora
Road feeder, and handful was heard calling at Tweed on Friday. A single ice
covered PINE SISKIN showed up at a feeder at 23 Sprague Road on Big Island
this morning, and a nice flock of 20 are coming to a feeder at - you guessed
it - Highway 33 (Glenora Road) where other guests this week have included a
half dozen or so DOWNY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 50 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and 15
to 20 AMERICAN ROBINS. We certainly hope this person participates in Project
FeederWatch! We will hear more about the incredible success at this feeder
as the winter progresses. Single SONG SPARROWS are coming to feeders at 23
Sprague Road and along Harmony Road in Thurlow Township north of Belleville.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES continue to make their presence known at many
feeders in the region and 3 PURPLE FINCHES were found at Prince Edward Point
on Friday, along with a flock of 30 CEDAR WAXWINGS that seem to have made
the Point their home this month. The usual number of reports of both
COOPER'S HAWKS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS at or near feeders came in this week,
and there was a NORTHERN SHRIKE perched atop a feeder just south of Stirling
today and another present at 2800 County Road 1 last weekend. Thought to be
a shrike at first as it sped past near the harbour at Prince Edward Point on
the 16th, was a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, the first one to be reported in the
county since September.
An immature BALD EAGLE was at Prince Edward Point on the 17th, an adult was
seen at daybreak this morning at Cape Vesey and another was seen again along
the Bay of Quinte in the Belleville area. A well marked GOLDEN EAGLE
delighted observers at Prince Edward Point on the 16th, and other raptors
seen that day included a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, over 110 RED-TAILED HAWKS
(one kettle contained 22 birds), 4 SHARP-SHINNED, 2 COOPER'S, 2 ROUGH-LEGGED
and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK. A SHORT-EARED OWL flew high over South Bay on
Friday.
For as long as the lakes and bays remain open, waterfowl will be the key
birds to look for until the weather turns much colder. The flock of TUNDRA
SWANS at South Bay has increased to 60 from an earlier 20, and will continue
to rise to 150 or more until ice conditions force them outward and onward.
Two HORNED GREBES at Prince Edward Point contrasted sharply with over 25,000
GREAT SCAUP at Prince Edward Point on the 17th, a number probably very low
as a BALD EAGLE flew along the tip and along the backside of Timber Island
thereby flushing up many thousands of scaups that resettled again but out of
sight. Other ducks present that day were 3,000 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 250
BUFFLEHEAD, 10 COMMON GOLDENEYE and 275 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. At East
Lake, an estimated 1,000 CANADA GEESE were present on Sunday and a lone SNOW
GOOSE, formerly at Bath last week has moved to within 500 metres of the
Glenora ferry dock at Adolphustown. There were 12 HOODED MERGANSERS at the
Menzel Nature Reserve's Mud Lake on the 16th, and another dozen are present
in Muscote Bay at Big Island where they are joined by 100 other ducks,
mostly AMERICAN WIGEON. Ten COMMON MERGANSER showed up there at noon today,
and a lone GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL has also been present this week. Fifty
BONAPARTE'S GULLS were present at Prince Edward Point on Saturday. There
have been no LITTLE GULLS reported although the species is traditionally
present at East Lake in November with a few sometimes present at the mouth
of the Outlet River at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area.
Our thanks to Joanne Dewey, Silvia Botnick, Paul Mackenzie, Nancy Fox, Ken
Marisett, Ron Weir, Kathleen Rankine, Wayne McNulty, John Charlton, Fred
Chandler, Henri Garand, George Kratz, and Fiona King for their contributions
to this week's report. This report will be updated on Thursday, November
29th, but sightings can be e-mailed any time before the 6:00 p.m. Thursday
deadline. Featured photos this week in the online edition of the Quinte Area
Bird Report include a TURKEY VULTURE by Michael Butler and PINE GROSBEAKS by
Peter Sporring. The photo of a BALD-FACED HORNET'S NEST on the Main Birding
Page of the NatureStuff website is by Shirley Laundry.
Terry Sprague
Prince Edward County
tsprague(AT)kos.net
www.naturestuff.net
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Algonquin Park Update: 22 November 2007
From: Ron Tozer <rtozer(AT)vianet.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 9:15pm
The arrival of significant snow cover in the Park provided another indicator
of the current scarcity of birds. Typically, winter finches are attracted to
sand and salt on the highway in Algonquin. However, it was possible to drive
the entire 56 km through the Park this week and not see even one bird on the
road.
More evidence of the apparent departure of finches from this area included
the absence of Evening Grosbeaks at the Visitor Centre feeder (none since
November 15), after they had been regular in small numbers earlier.
The following summary outlines reports received during the last week for
birds often sought by visiting birders here.
FINCHES:
Pine Grosbeak: About 15 regularly at the Visitor Centre feeder. A few seen
elsewhere.
Purple Finch: No reports.
Red Crossbill: No reports.
White-winged Crossbill: No reports.
Common Redpoll: A few regularly at the Visitor Centre and West Gate feeders.
Very few observed elsewhere.
Pine Siskin: No reports.
American Goldfinch: one at Visitor Centre (November 20).
Evening Grosbeak: No reports.
BOREAL SPECIES:
Spruce Grouse: Try Spruce Bog Boardwalk and Opeongo Road.
Black-backed Woodpecker: One at Wolf Howl Pond on November 8. No reports
since, but there were very few birders here this week.
Gray Jay: reported recently at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, Opeongo Road, Visitor
Centre, and Wolf Howl Pond.
Boreal Chickadee: reported at Wolf Howl Pond.
OTHER SIGHTINGS OF NOTE:
Hoary Redpoll: One reported at the Visitor Centre on November 7. Only report
so far this fall.
Marten and Fisher: At least one of each of these large weasels has been
visiting the Visitor Centre suet feeders irregularly this past week.
BIRDERS:
Please let us know the date, number and location of birds you observe when
you visit Algonquin Park. This information is stored in the Algonquin
Visitor Centre database, and will help us to assist other birders here.
Thanks.
Good birding.
Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, Ontario
Directions:
Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11
and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From
Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the
park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West
Gate (km 0) to the East Gate (km 56). Permits and information are
available daily at both gates throughout the winter, including the
Algonquin Information Guide showing locations discussed here.
The Visitor Centre (km 43) is open on weekends (10 to 4) through the
winter. Recent bird sightings and information, plus feeders, can be found
there. Birders visiting during the week are welcome to contact staff for
birding information via the service entrance (right end of the building
as you face it from the parking lot).
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending
November 22, 2007.
From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner(AT)trentu.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 9:27pm
The marsh at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has frozen over several times in
the past week. Moreover, there have been below normal temperatures
during most of that period. Those conditions and some inclement weather
have discouraged birders from searching out those birds that remain in
the Park. However, feeders have been more active than usual.
Seven each of Gadwalls and American Wigeons and a single Northern
Pintail are the high counts of the more uncommon dabbling ducks seen at
Presqu'ile this week. On November 22, a female Harlequin Duck, the
first of the season, was off the waterfront between the amphitheatre and
the woodpile marsh. Both that bird and a female Black Scoter off Gull
Island on November 20 were consorting with Buffleheads when first seen,
suggesting that it pays to give a second look at the many flocks of the
latter species. There are still seven Hooded Mergansers in the unfrozen
portions of the marsh. A single Ruddy Duck was with the Greater Scaup
flock in Popham Bay on November 17 and 19. The most recent Red-throated
Loon sighting was on November 17, but a few Common Loons have been seen
almost every day since then. A few Pied-billed Grebes are still present
and three Horned Grebes on November 17 were the most recent ones of that
species. A Double-crested Cormorant was in Presqu'ile Bay on November
16, and another was on the north side of the bay (outside the Park) on
November 21. Even after the marsh froze over, a single Great Blue Heron
has been spotted a few times in the marsh.
Two different Bald Eagles were seen recently, one on November 16 at the
lighthouse and another two days later flying from there to the calf
pasture. A Northern Goshawk flew past the lighthouse on November 19.
Wild Turkeys seldom enter the Park and normally only one at a time, but
a group of four crossed the road not far inside the park gate on
November 16 and three were in that same area two days later. There are
still American Coots among the reeds off Bayshore Road.
The Ruddy Turnstone that has been frequenting Sebastopol Island for
several weeks and still there on November 22 seems determined to tie or
break the record late date of November 24. On November 22, the
long-awaited Purple Sandpipers finally put in their appearance. Two
were with the Ruddy Turnstone and three others were on Gull Island, two
of which were with a half dozen Dunlins. Two of the Wilson's Snipe that
have been lingering near the causeway leading into the Park were still
there on November 21.
A Barred Owl was seen on November 18. An immature Northern Shrike was
at the beginning of the Owen Point trail and an adult was found sitting
on a lawn near the lighthouse, apparently stunned after likely having
struck a window. The occupants of the house are hoping that it
recovered and went on its way without having discovered the Carolina
Wren that has been visiting their feeder. Another of the latter species
was seen at 83 Bayshore Road on November 16.
A flock of 13 American Robins near the Park store on November 19 is
likely to remain for the winter. Their fondness for buckthorn or other
berries is shared by waxwings, which have been scarce at Presqu'ile this
fall. In the light of observations elsewhere, Bohemian Waxwings may
soon be appearing. American Pipits were flying around Gull Island on
the late date of November 22, perhaps as many as 20 birds. The latest
sighting of a Yellow-rumped Warbler was on November 17. A Chipping
Sparrow and three Fox Sparrows, all very late, were at 83 Bayshore Road
on November 16 and one of the latter was still there on November 19. A
White-throated Sparrow was there on the following day. A Red-winged
Blackbird and five Common Grackles have also been there.
Four Pine Grosbeaks were opposite the government dock on November 20. A
Purple Finch visited a feeder at 186 Bayshore Road on November 18. Over
100 Common Redpolls and a possible Hoary Redpoll were on Sebastopol
Island on November 22. Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches can often
be found at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road.
To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton.
Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid
that is available at the Park gate. It should be noted that, because
duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and
Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Peninsula, Sebastopol Island, High Bluff
Island, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching
on those days.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: FHELLEINER(AT)TRENTU.CA.
--
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
_______________________________________________
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]Kingston area birds to Nov. 22, 2007
From: "Peter and Jane Good" <goodcompany(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 7:12pm
Several hundred Tundra Swans were in Button Bay on Wolfe Island last
weekend; their main area of concentration, but there were also 9 on Amherst
Island on Tuesday and 5 in Elevator Bay prompting more than a few
non-birders commuting into the city to ask, " What are those big white
birds?". Still at Elevator Bay, the Eurasian Wigeon was present yesterday.
The white Snow Goose at Bath has apparently moved upstream and is now found
closer to Adolphustown.
Five Black-bellied Plovers and 3 Dunlin on Amherst on Tuesday are probably
the tail end of the shorebird migration.
A raptor survey on Wolfe tallied, among others, 28 N. Harriers, 2 Merlin, a
Bald Eagle and a Turkey Vulture last Saturday. Another Bald Eagle was at
Bedford Mills on Sunday. Accipiters seem to have started their winter feeder
patrol with a Sharp-shinned on the Bur Brook Rd. on Tuesday and a Cooper's
Hawk at Princess and Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Lingering migrants at feeders included a Fox Sparrow and a Grackle near
Elginburg last weekend, a male Red-winged Blackbird at Bedford Mills today
and another Grackle near Camden East that has been present since the16th.
The population of winter birds locally is in a state of flux. The flurry of
Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins seems to be over; the last 4 grosbeaks
reported were at Camden East last Friday and only 3 siskins were mentioned
all week. However Common Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks have shown up all over
the place. Redpolls were in Amherstview, Elginburg and on Wolfe Island last
weekend and 5 visited a feeder in Camden East today. The high count for the
week was 47 at Bedford Mills on Wednesday. Pine Grosbeaks were equally
widespread but in smaller numbers; 6 in Calvin Park on Friday, 2 at Camden
East on Saturday, 6 at Bedford Mills on Monday, 2 on Amherst on Tuesday, and
a flock of several(?) near Verona yesterday. Twelve Bohemian Waxwings were
at Elginburg on Sunday and 30 Snow Buntings flitted over Amherst Island on
Tuesday.
There were two unusual sightings this week; common birds but very late. A
Black-and-white Warbler was found just east of the city and a Broad-winged
Hawk was on the Queen's campus. Both were seen last Saturday.
Cheers,
Peter Good
Kingston Field Naturalists
613 378-6605
_______________________________________________
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]Selasphorus Hummingbird today in Kingsville, ON
From: Paul Pratt <prairie(AT)netcore.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 11:19pm
There is a Selasphorus hummingbird (adult female Rufous/Allen's)
coming to a feeder in Kingsville. I will post a few photos that I
took today on the OFO web site. The home owner told me that the bird
has been a daily visitor to the feeder since November 18. Today it
appeared about every 20 minutes or so.
The feeder is attached to a window on the south side of the house and
is easily visible from the front yard. Please stay away from the
construction that is taking place on the same side of the property.
The home is at 95 Queen Street which is a north-south street located
one block west and 2 1/2 blocks south of the main intersection in
Kingsville.
Good birding,
Paul Pratt
Ojibway Nature Centre
www.ojibway,ca
prairie(AT)netcore.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
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [Ontbirds]Amherst Island owls
From: "Ott User" <willott123(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 22 Nov 2007 10:25pm
Hi.
I wanted to add that a trip to Amherst Island last weekend found 4 - 5
Long-eared Owl in the owl woods. In addition to other birds, I watched as a
Northern Harrier dove to the ground and flew off with a sizeable rodent in
its talons. It was followed by another Northern Harrier which after a short
time went its own way. Although I saw a few hawks including Red-tail there
was not much raptor activity that I could see. At dusk I had a good look at
several Short-eared owls hunting, with two of them flying very close to the
road (south of Stella). I found their flight entrancing to watch. Just a
reminder that access to the owl woods will be closed to the public from
November 24 to December 4 due to deer hunting.
W. Hum
Ottawa, Ontario.
www.pbase.com/golfpic
Directions.
The ferry to Amherst Island now cost $8. How to get to Amherst Island
courtesy www.NeilyWorld.com
http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily(AT)rogers.com/amherst.htm
_______________________________________________
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
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
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