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ONTBIRDS for Thursday, March 13, 2008
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Subject: [Ontbirds] 10 WILD TURKEYS, 24 HORNED LARKS, 3 TRUMPETER
SWANS (UNTAGGED), 1 RING-NECKED DUCK, 2 CAROLINA WRENS
&EUROPEAN STARLINGS, ETC.
From: "markus lise" <lise.markus(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 13 Mar 2008 11:31am
Hi Fellow Birders,
Driving along the Lakeshore Rd. from Newcastle/Bond Head to Cobourg we
sighted 10 WILD TURKEYS, 24 HORNED LARKS about 10 km. east of Bond Head, 20
EUROPEAN STARLINGS & 1 COOPERS HAWK
In the harbour of Cobourg we sighted 3 TRUMPETER SWANS (untagged), 1
RING-NECKED DUCK, 2 BUFFLEHEADS, 13 SCAUPS, 75 MALLARDS (with 2 copulating)
75 CANADA GEESE & COMMON GOLDENEYES with several males doing their courtship
display for about a month already.
Sighted 1 EUROPEAN STARLING on the feeder, 2 CAROLINA WRENS, DOWNY & HAIRY
WOODPECKERS, 2 WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 18 JUNCOS, 3 AMERICAN SPARROWS, 5
BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEES, 2 NORTHERN CARDINALS (the male picking berries and
placing them in the throat of the female), 6 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, 3 BLUE
JAYS, 6 COMMON REDPOLLS & 3 HOUSE FINCHES.
Direction: Take 440 exit on 401 and Lakeshore Rd. to Cobourg.
Markus Lise
Newcastle, On
_______________________________________________
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Subject: [Ontbirds]York Region Update
From: RON FLEMING <flemingron(AT)rogers.com>
Date: 13 Mar 2008 7:08pm
Winter doesn't appear ready to relinquish its icy grip quite yet, but a few
spring migrants are still pushing their way through the snowflakes to get here.
Back on March 4th, Michael Biro had the first RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD of the
spring in York Region (east Richmond Hill) while Al Johnston observed one on his
property west of Stouffville on March 8th.
On Sunday, March 9th, Joan Love observed York's first two TURKEY VULTURES of
the year as they tilted usteadily northward over the intersection of Hwys. 27
and 9 near Schomberg. Two light-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were observed by Jack
and Connie Walker at Buttonville airport the same day. Rough-legs have been
scarce in York region this winter with only a few being seen before Christmas
and none after that. These two at Buttonville are likely moving through the
region on their way north. Another interesting raptor this week was a MERLIN
observed (and photographed) by Keith Dunn along Ravenshoe Road in southwest
Keswick Wednesday morning.
While some birds move in, others move out. The last report of a SNOWY OWL
that I have heard about was Monday. It was seen by Keith Dunn along the same
stretch of Ravenshoe as the Merlin (i.e. in the agricultural flats south of
Cook's Bay). The two Snowies observed by Chris Dunn west of Newmarket last
weekend have not been reported since.
SNOW BUNTINGS are still being observed here but they, too, appear to be moving
out of the area. Conversely, HORNED LARKS are showing up in many locations.
On King Road between Dufferin and Keele Streets (north of Hwy. 9) yesterday
there were 70+ Horned Larks (praticola race with the paler faces) feeding near
the roadside across from house #150. There was a group of about 10 SNOW
BUNTINGS with them. At the north end of Bathurst Street above Queensville Sdrd.
a group of 12 buntings and about 20 larks has been feeding together all week.
On Wednesday an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE was still lingering in that same area
(specifically along the roadway that runs east into the Holland River Marina).
The bird was putting on a nice display of hovering, looking for all the world
like a little grey-&-white kestrel in action.
In this very good year for winter finches, some species are still around.
Keith Dunn has continued to happen upon groups of PINE GROSBEAKS in Keswick and
Chris Dunn has done likewise in north-central Newmarket. I had a small flock of
8 while XC skiing in the North Tract east of McCowan and north of Vivian Rd.
last Sunday.
COMMON REDPOLLS have been harder to find over the past month, but Frank
Pinella had a flock of about 30 visiting his feeder this week. BOHEMIAN
WAXWINGS have been very hard to track in terms of reliable locations, but I had
some dumb luck with them on two occasions this week. On Monday morning while
driving the backroads, I pulled over on Keele St. to let my dog have a short
walk. While getting out of the van I noticed a bird fly up from the bushes
beside me. It was a waxwing, by the look of it. I got my binoculars out and
realized that - by sheer coincidence - I had pulled over right next to a flock
of 25 Bohemian Waxwings! They were feeding on berries where Woodchopper's Lane
meets Keele, just south of the bridge and north of the Maximum 80 kph sign.
Ironically, when I returned to the same location the next day I found a flock of
40 Cedar Waxwings - there was not a Bohemian among them. On Wednesday
afternoon I stopped along Bethesda Sdrd. to look at a large
group of AMERICAN ROBINS (50+) drinking water from the ruts in the road near
the entrance to the Lake St. George Outdoor Ed. Centre. They were soon joined
by a mixed flock of Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings, coming down from the roadside
conifers in twos and threes to sip water. Some of the other waxwings were
eating snow from the tree branches, presumably to hydrate as well.
Since the ponds and lakes here are still mostly frozen there have been few
waterfowl reported as of yet, but Keith Dunn observed five TRUMPETER SWANS in a
small section of open water on the east side of Dufferin just south of Hwy. 9
Monday afternoon. On Tuesday Al Johnston had 24 Black Ducks and a Mute Swan
visiting an open patch of water at his pond on Bethesda Road west of McCowan.
Ron Fleming, Newmarket
York Region is north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe. For more specific
directions to any of the places listed mentioned above, please reply to sender.
_______________________________________________
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 March 13,
2008
From: "Terry Sprague" <tsprague(AT)kos.net>
Date: 13 Mar 2008 7:36pm
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE WEEK
ENDING
Thursday, March 13, 2008
A rather interesting week with a nice blend of some new arrivals, a few old
standbys and some rather bizarre behaviour. EUROPEAN STARLINGS were certainly in
the news as many operators of bird feeders are starting to see increased
numbers of these birds in their backyards as early migrants join those that
wintered in the area. Flocks of 50 and more were routinely reported this week.
In the Milford area, one resident there was surprised to see one starling snatch
a stunned BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE that had flown against a window, then fly off
with it, presumably to consume it.
Saturday's snowfall resulted in lots of increased activity at local feeders.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS by now have likely regretted their early arrival in the
county, but this hardy species is showing no indication of that as many dozens
take advantage of offerings in local backyards. Another early arrival, the
HORNED LARK, is also extending its search for food as deep snow all but covers
most food sources. One west Big Island resident was both pleased and surprised
to see 5 last week at his feeders beside the house, which have since decided
that this is where it's at, feeding alternately on niger seed and cracked corn
every day. Elsewhere in the county, HORNED LARKS are doing well, apparent by
over 300 seen by one birder during the course of his travels yesterday. A flock
of 80 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS arrived on Ridge Road this week and eagerly consumed a
crop of highbush cranberries, a food source usually reserved for desperate
times, and this was obviously it. At the same address there was an EASTERN
BLUEBIRD where individuals have appeared off an on all winter. At Cape Vesey, a
resident pair of COMMON RAVENS routinely visit a backyard compost pile.
A sign that winter has a way to go yet was reflected in a flock of over 100 SNOW
BUNTINGS seen yesterday along County Road 5 near Bethel Road. And lots of
smaller groups reported across the region. CEDAR WAXWINGS (32) turned up along
County Road 3 in the Albury area. One designated feeding area, some distance
from a house at South Bay, for obvious reasons, is regularly visited by a group
of 49 WILD TURKEYS who come daily, and after filling their bellies, leave in
single file. COMMON REDPOLLS have decreased in numbers at most feeders, although
50 were at a feeder along County Road 12 at Sandbanks today, and 20 are still
coming to a feeder along Glenora Road where a PINE SISKIN also showed up
yesterday. Along County Road 1 at Consecon Lake, a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW is
visiting a feeder there and a NORTHERN FLICKER was seen Tuesday along County
Road 12 at West Lake.
Four BALD EAGLES were spotted during the week over Adolphus Reach, east of Lake
on the Mountain, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, uncommon in these parts during
winter, was seen yesterday along a portion of County Road 5, known locally as
Yerexville in the area of County Road 34. Near Tweed, a female NORTHERN GOSHAWK
spent over a half hour pursuing 4 uncooperative red squirrels, before finally
capturing one unwary individual who had appeared from the nearby woods to see
what all the excitement was about. There was the usual complement of
SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS and COOPER'S HAWKS at feeeders, and one feeder south of
Stirling had a NORTHERN SHRIKE. On Ridge Road, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK there caught
and consumed a EUROPEAN STARLING, perhaps a little too far away for it to be
the same starling that consumed the chickadee!
Waterfowl watching continues to be difficult due to ice conditions at favourite
viewing areas, and has been furthered hampered at Wellington Harbour by
construction work on a new wharf - the same wharf that normally holds spotting
scopes! However, other areas have fared better. Three TRUMPETER SWANS
unexpectedly turned up at Consecon Lake today, but were too far away to read the
tag numbers. A pair of HOODED MERGANSERS was also present. Barcovan is also
experiencing noise, with dredging work on its channel but doesn't appear to be
affecting the waterfowl present there. Today, there were mostly MUTE SWANS and
CANADA GEESE, interspersed with GREATER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCKS, REDHEADS, 1
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS,
MALLARDS, a male NORTHERN PINTAIL and both COMMON and HOODED MERGANSERS.
Yesterday, there was a GREEN-WINGED TEAL present. What were probably two MUTE
SWANS passed over the Queensboro Road area north of Madoc this week as two had
been reported in the area all last summer. Waterfowl are scattered at Prince
Edward Point with COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER present
yesterday. Three HOODED MERGANSER were seen in the Outlet River at Sandbanks and
20 CANADA GEESE were counted sitting on a large ice island near Kaiser
Crossroad. In Prince Edward Bay at Cape Vesey, GREATER SCAUP and WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS have been noted. Two MUTE SWANS checked out the frozen wetlands on
Friday at Adolphustown Park. Until the water softens up a bit more, life ain't
easy for waterfowl these days.
An interesting sighting from the Glendon Green boat launch in East Lake at the
Outlet River yesterday involved two TRUMPETER SWANS #s 052 and #952 with one
taking off way out over East Lake, and then returning to land, all the time
calling back and forth with the one left on the river. When it landed again a
MUTE SWAN immediately charged after it across the water. The TRUMPETER SWAN
completely ignored the charge and the MUTE SWAN just slowed, stopped, and then
swam away. "I would have at least flinched!" said the observer.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte Area. Our
thanks to Pamela Stagg, Janet Mooney, Joanne Dewey, Cheryl Anderson, Ken &
Shirley Joyce, Henri Garand, Donn Legate, Bill Leet, Carol Ward, Frank Artes &
Carolyn Barnes, Silvia Botnick, Jess Chambers, Marilyn Holland-Foster, Bill
Hogg, John Charlton, John & Janet Foster and David Bree for their contributions
to this week's report. This report will be updated on Thursday, March 20th, but
sightings can be e-mailed any time before the 6:00 p.m. Thursday deadline.
Featured photos in the online edition of the Quinte Area Bird Report include a
COOPER'S HAWK by Donna Fano and an AMERICAN CROW by Dave Bell, both of
Belleville. Photo on the Main Birding Page of the NatureStuff website of a
spring arrival of AMERICAN ROBINS in South Glenns Falls, NY is by Sandra Morgan.
Terry Sprague
Prince Edward County
tsprague(AT)kos.net
www.naturestuff.net
_______________________________________________
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]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March
13, 2008.
From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner(AT)trentu.ca>
Date: 13 Mar 2008 8:08pm
For the first time in many years (perhaps ever), the Waterfowl Festival
at Presqu'ile Provincial Park was partially aborted last weekend because
of horrendous weather conditions. Nevertheless, one intrepid birder was
able to find a rare duck. The forecast for the coming weekend is much
more favourable, and the festival promises to be a great way to spend a
few hours birding in the Park.
On at least three days in the past week, small numbers of Tundra Swans
have been spotted in Presqu'ile Bay. Gadwalls, American Wigeons,
Northern Pintails, and Hooded Mergansers have all been present in small
numbers there in the past week and should be arriving in larger numbers
with the predicted shift in the wind direction scheduled for tonight.
Although it is a little early, it is worth watching for American Coots,
which often appear in late March and early April. There are more and
more Ring-necked Ducks and Canvasbacks every day. A Barrow's Goldeneye
was found among the Redheads along the south shore of the peninsula on
March 8.
On March 12, an adult and an immature Bald Eagle were unwilling to share
a small ice floe on which they took turns resting. Both Sharp-shinned
Hawk and Cooper's Hawk were present in the Park in the past three days.
Twice in the past week a Glaucous Gull was seen on the ice of Presqu'ile
Bay.
A Carolina Wren was singing at 115 Bayshore Road on March 7. A
Golden-crowned Kinglet was nearby four days later. A Brown Creeper was
seen on March 9. Both Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings have been
present this week, the former in flocks as large as 22 birds. American
Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles are the most obvious
of the recent land bird arrivals. The Song Sparrow at the feeder at 85
Bayshore Road on March 11 may be the same individual that was there all
winter, but others of that species should be returning soon. There have
regularly been one or two Hoary Redpolls among the Common Redpolls that
have been making frequent visits to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road in
the past few days.
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. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there.
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
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
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Subject: [Ontbirds]WNY Dial-a-Bird 13 Mar 2008
From: dfsuggs(AT)localnet.com
Date: 13 Mar 2008 9:01pm
- RBA
* New York
* Buffalo
* 03/13/2008
* NYBU0803.13
- Birds mentioned
---------------------------------------------------------- Please
phone in rare sightings for update
Submit email to dfsuggs localnet com
----------------------------------------------------------
EVENING GROSBEAK
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
D.-crest. Cormorant
Tundra Swan
Mute Swan
American Black Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-br. Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
American Coot
Little Gull
Great Black-b. Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Horned Lark
Swallow Species
American Robin
Northern Shrike
Snow Bunting
Red-w. Blackbird
Common Grackle
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
- Transcript
Hotline: Dial-a-Bird at the Buffalo Museum of Science
Date: 03/13/2008
Number: 716-896-1271
To Report: Same
Compiler: David F. Suggs (dfsuggs localnet com)
Coverage: Western New York and adjacent Ontario
Website: www.BOSBirding.org
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Dial-a-Bird is a service provided by your Buffalo Museum of Science
and this answering system was donated by the Buffalo Ornithological
Society. Press (2) to leave a message, (3) for updates, meeting and
field trip information and (4) for instructions on how to report
sightings and use this system. To contact the Science Museum, call
896-5200.
Reports received March 6 through March 13 from the Niagara Frontier Region.
From the Town of Hume in northwest Allegany County, a large flock of
EVENING GROSBEAKS at a feeder for the past month. This is the first
report of EVENING GROSBEAKS since early winter.
A good season for COMMON REDPOLLS continues into March. At a feeder
in Orchard Park, a peak of 50 COMMON REDPOLLS with 10 PINE SISKINS.
Also a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at this location for two weeks. True
signs of spring amid the recent heavy snowfall - TURKEY VULTURES,
AMERICAN ROBINS, RED-W. BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES widely
reported. March 13, a SWALLOW SPECIES, most likely a TREE SWALLOW,
over the Town of Tonawanda.
March 10 in the Town of Aurora, a NORTHERN SHRIKE near the barn at
Knox State Park.
On Lake Erie, at least 14 waterfowl species at Dunkirk Harbor on
March 10 included 75 HOODED MERGANSERS and 135 RED-BR. MERGANSERS,
plus 5 PIED-BILLED GREBES, many HORNED GREBES, 2 RED-NECKED GREBES,
110 D.-CREST. CORMORANTS, 40 AMERICAN COOT, 1 LITTLE GULL and a high
count of 480 GREAT BLACK-B. GULLS.
Waterfowl are also still abundant on the upper Niagara River. In
addition to a flock of over 30 TUNDRA SWANS at Beaver Island State
Park, two MUTE SWANS on the river at the north end of Grand Island.
Among the docks at the Mid-river Marina on River Road in Tonawanda, 11
waterfowl species included many CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, GREATER SCAUP
and COMMON MERGANSERS, with a few GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON and
AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS. Also, BELTED KINGFISHER and AMERICAN COOT. On
the ice off Old Fort Erie Beach in Ontario, 82 TUNDRA SWANS plus a
SURF SCOTER.
March 9 on patches of open water on Ellicott Creek in Tonawanda, 50
CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS and 3 HOODED MERGANSER.
Other reports this week - in the Genesee County Town of Alexander, a
pair of BALD EAGLES bringing materials to an established nest at Route
20 and Tonawanda Creek. Another BALD EAGLE migrating over the Village
of Hamburg. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS on two lamp posts on the north Grand
Island bridges. Another pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS at the Buffalo
Psyc Center the evening of March 12. And at several locations in
Genesee County, a total of 143 HORNED LARKS and 274 SNOW BUNTINGS.
Dial-a-Bird will be updated Thursday evening,
March 20. Please call in your sightings by noon Thursday. You may
report sightings after the tone. Thank you for calling and reporting
to Dial-a-Bird.
- End Transcript
_______________________________________________
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]Harlequin Ducks East Humber Bay Park
From: Bruce Wilson <wilsonbrucea(AT)rogers.com>
Date: 13 Mar 2008 10:28pm
After finishing up some appointments in Toronto this
afternoon (March 13), my wife and I stopped by East & West Humber
Parks and spent about an hour. Following is the list of sightings
Harlequin Ducks Male + 2 Female
Long-tailed ducks
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
American Widgeon
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
American Coot
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swans (some with wing tags)
Mallard
Red Headed Duck
Ring-billed Gull
Gadwall
Herring Gull
At at West Humber Park
American Tree Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Mourning Dove
Junco
European Starling
House Sparrow
and in the same tree
White Breasted Nuthatch
Red Breasted Nuthatch
American Robin 2
We did not see the Ruddy Ducks but a woman we met said she had seen them.
Not bad for an hour.
-
Bruce Wilson
Barrie, Ontario
Life Member NMRA Member Gauge 0 Guild
Member Scale 7 Group Member 7mm NGA
_______________________________________________
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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