ONTBIRDS for Sunday, April 13, 2008

Messages are displayed in the order they were received.  Subject  From  Time   [Ontbirds]Ottawa: Bluebirds and Meadowlark   Brian Mortimer    11:44am   [Ontbirds]Hoariest Redpoll [Carleton Place]   IAIN WILKES   10:06am   [Ontbirds]Fox Sparrow near Alliston   Adam Zita   12:50pm   [Ontbirds]Ottawa - Bluebirds, Fox Sparrows, Kingfishers, and more!   Patrick Blake    1:18pm   [Ontbirds]Y.R. Warbler etc. at Leslie St. Spit, Toronto   Alvo Family   4:35pm   [Ontbirds]Snow Geese, Snow Buntings, raptors east of Ottawa   PETER HALL    7:01pm   [Ontbirds]Great Egret and more!   Michael Veltri   7:34pm   [Ontbirds] Ottawa/Gatineau 13Apr08... Migrants, Sandhill Crane, Great Gray Owl   Gordon Pringle    8:30pm   [Ontbirds]Sapsuckers, Purple Martins, Winter Wren - York Region   RON FLEMING    9:04pm   [Ontbirds] HORNED GREBE, RED-NECKED GREBE, various waterfowl at Mitchell Wetland (Lagoons)   Dave Brown   9:21pm

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Subject: [Ontbirds]Ottawa: Bluebirds and Meadowlark
From: Brian Mortimer <brian_mortimer(AT)carleton.ca>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 11:44am

This morning at about 9:00 am there was a pair of Eastern Bluebirds at the
corner of High Road and Earl Armstrong Road, south of Uplands Airport in
Ottawa. Across the road were several Eastern Meadowlarks.

High Road can be reached from Albion Road at the racetrack.
-- 
Brian Mortimer
Ottawa Ontario
brian_mortimer(AT)sympatico.ca

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Subject: [Ontbirds]Hoariest Redpoll [Carleton Place]
From: "IAIN WILKES" <iain.wilkes(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 10:06am

We have had increasing numbers of Redpolls for the last two weeks with maybe 
50 around at any one time.  Today we had a Hoary Redpoll,which was larger 
than the rest with a nearly competely white head.  We assume this is one of 
the Greenland varieties.

Iain and Susan

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Subject: [Ontbirds]Fox Sparrow near Alliston
From: "Adam Zita" <adamzita(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 12:50pm

Saw a single Fox sparrow amoung an usually high amount of Dark-eyed Juncos
(about 15) for this time of year - you'd think the Juncos would be gone by now-
at my parents house in Everett.

Adam
Midland
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Ottawa - Bluebirds, Fox Sparrows, Kingfishers, and
          more!
From: Patrick Blake <pjblake22(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 1:18pm

It looks like spring has finally arrived, even if this weekend's weather says
otherwise.  I took a tour of some of Ottawa's hot spots for birds, namely the
Stony Swamp Conservation Area.  I checked out the Jack Pine Trail first.  There
were still unusually high numbers of DARK-EYED JUNCOS throughout much of the
trail.  A little ways past the OFNC feeder I hit paydirt with a FOX SPARROW
feeding amongst two SONG SPARROWS.  While watching these, a GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLET made a brief appearance.

The next stop was the Beaver Trail just down the street.  Here, once again, were
 a number of DARK-EYED JUNCOS, probably 25 in all.  Right near the Wild Bird
Care Centre I came across a pair of YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS.  They seemed to
be foraging specifically around the WBCC, since, although they flew around from
tree to tree, they stayed in the general vicinity of the building.  Moving on
along the trail, I found a single male PILEATED WOODPECKER.  The real highlight
of this trail was a BELTED KINGFISHER near the boardwalk overlooking the swamp. 
 The water is still mostly frozen over, but there he was trying to find a meal. 
 I also saw an EASTERN PHOEBE among the brush.  Of course, SONG SPARROWS and
CHICKADEES were fairly common.

On to Dick Bell Park - where unfortunately most of the river is still frozen.
Approximately 35-45 CANADA GEESE have taken to the small area of open water near
 the shore.  There was also a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS in the mix, with three
MALLARDS for good measure.  RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and EUROPEAN STARLINGS could
be heard and seen periodically around the Yacht Club, and there were a few AM.
ROBINS, SONG SPARROWS, and HOUSE SPARROWS, near the Yacht Club as well.  There
were no PURPLE MARTINS are the nesting boxes...yet.

Lastly, I went by Earl Armstrong Rd. to check on a few reports I had heard
about.  I did not come across any EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, but I did see a single
male EASTERN BLUEBIRD on a fence post near Earl Armstrong and High Rd.  Also, a
single female ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and an adult RED-TAILED HAWK flew overhead while
 I was there.

Good birding!

Pat
_________________________________________________________________
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Y.R. Warbler etc. at Leslie St. Spit, Toronto
From: "Alvo Family" <alvo(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 4:35pm

A short tour around the very wet woodlot just west
of the main parking lot at the spit today (1:00)
yielded a Yellow-Rumped Warbler as well as
Chipping and Sparrows, Woodcock, Thrasher, YB
Sapsucker, Flicker and GC Kinglet. Looking out at
the bay just west of the woodlot, there were 2
Pied Billed Grebes along with lots of Long-tailed
Ducks.

 

Jack and Frances Alvo 

 

 

Directions: From the DVP take Lakeshore Blvd. east
to Leslie St., head south to end. The spit is open
to the public on week-ends but please be aware of
the afternoon closing time (look for the signs)
otherwise your car may be locked in when they lock
the parking lot. 

 

_______________________________________________
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Snow Geese, Snow Buntings, raptors east of Ottawa
From: PETER HALL <halljp(AT)rogers.com>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 7:01pm

Hi Ontbirders:
   
  This afternoon, east of Ottawa, large flocks of Canada Geese (perhaps 5,000 in
 total) were on flooded waterways and open fields.
   
  Off Milton Drive just east of the Mer Bleue at Bear Brook, the Canada's were
joined by about 30 Snow Geese, including several blue morphs. In the same area,
a variety of raptors were present, including 4 or 5 each of Rough-legged and
Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers and American Kestrels. A few ducks were also
 on the flooded creek, including Northern Pintails and  Ring-necked Ducks..
   
  At Cobb Lake, just east of Bourget, the Canada's were again joined by about 12
 Snow Geese. Also at this site were about 30 Snow Buntings and a few Horned
Larks. Recently returned Savannah Sparrows were spotted in this region.
   
   
  Good birding
   
  Peter Hall
   
  Directions from Neily World Birding: 
   
  To Milton Drive: from Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 96 (Boundary
Road). Proceed 2.0 km NNW on Boundary Road to Russell Road (Regional 26). Turn
right or ESE onto Russell and drive 3.5 km to Milton Road (Regional 31). Turn
left or NNW on Milton and go about 1.0 km to the top of the hill heading down to
 Bear Brook - Milton Road. Park on the shoulder of the road and after scanning
from here move ahead a further 1.0 km to park near the bridge.
   
  To Cobb Lake: from Highway 417 (The Queensway) take exit 96 (Boundary Road).
Proceed 2.0 km NNW on Boundary Road to Russell Road (Regional 26). Turn right or
 ESE onto Russell Road (Regional 26, then Prescott - Russell 2) and drive 26.5
km, through Bourget, to descend into the 3.8 kilometre extent of the floodplain
area of the Cobbs Lake Creek at Russell Road (Bourget) site.
_______________________________________________
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Great Egret and more!
From: "Michael Veltri" <mveltri2(AT)cogeco.ca>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 7:34pm

Started out the day by going down to 50 Point Conservation Area. While there
I viewed 2 yellow bellied sapsuckers, Caspian Terns, 5 Blue Heron, 2 Belted
Kingfishers, 1 pied grebe and a Great Egret.

 

Directions are QEW Niagara to 50 Road North, to North Service Road, left to
Baseline to Entrance

 

Then I headed back towards Bronte harbour. There I was fortunate enough to
view and photograph a pair of Red-necked Grebes. There where Caspian terns
as well as Double-crested cormorants present.

 

QEW to Bronte Road South, Lakeshore Blvd West one block to Marina entrance
on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd.

 

Then west along Lakeshore Blvd, to Shell Park. I viewed and photographed the
following birds while there. Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, American
Goldfinch, and Hermit Thrush

 

QEW to Bronte Road South, Lakeshore Blvd West to Park entrance which is on
the north side of Lakeshore.

 

Good Birding and Good Luck...

Cheers

Mike Veltri

 

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Subject: [Ontbirds] Ottawa/Gatineau 13Apr08... Migrants, Sandhill
         Crane, Great Gray Owl
From: Gordon Pringle <parula(AT)magma.ca>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 8:30pm

- RBA

* Ontario
* Ottawa/Gatineau
* 13 April 2008
* ONOT0804.13

- Birds mentioned

Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Wild Turkey
Pied-billed Grebe
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
SANDHILL CRANE
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Wilson's Snipe
American Woodcock
Barred Owl
GREAT GRAY OWL
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Northern Shrike
Common Raven
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Fox Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
Evening Grosbeak

- Transcript

hotline: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club
date: 13 April 2008
Number: 613-860-9000
For the status line PRESS * (star)
To report bird sightings, PRESS 1 (one)
Rare bird alerts are now included in the introductory message
coverage: Ottawa/Gatineau (Can. Nat. Capital Reg.), E.Ont., W.Que.
compiler & transcriber: Chris Lewis  hagenius(AT)primus.ca
internet: Gordon Pringle  parula(AT)magma.ca

THE OFNC BIRD STATUS LINE, 7:30 pm, APRIL 13, 2008.

This is Chris Lewis reporting.

Spring migrants continue to arrive, with several first reports this past week.
Numbers of waterfowl (other than multiple 1000's of Canada Geese)
remain low despite the now extensive flooding in the fields around
Cobb's Lake Creek, the South Nation River and Bear Brook in the east,
and the Rideau and Jock Rivers in the south and west.  However, Wood
Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged
Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, and both Hooded and
Common Merganser were all represented. The 1st report of Lesser Scaup
came from the Ottawa River at Deschenes on the 13th.  Two blue morph
Snow Geese flew over Bourget on the 8th, but there have been no other
local Snow Goose sightings so far.

Six Wild Turkeys were seen at the south end of Milton Rd. on the 13th, a
few more Pied-billed Grebes and many more Turkey Vultures are being
seen. The 1st local report of a pair of Ospreys came in on the 13th on the
Jock River along Steeple Hill Cr.  An impressive influx of Rough-legged
Hawks was noted since the 6th, with at least 22 seen in the Breckenridge
and Luskville, Quebec, area and several also east of Ottawa, along with
good numbers of Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers and American
Kestrels.  An immature Golden Eagle was spotted at Eardley-Masham
and Bradley Rds. along the Eardley escarpment of the Gatineau hills on
the 13th. The female of our resident pair of Peregrine Falcons was
observed brooding on the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the 10th - the number
of eggs has not yet been determined.

SANDHILL CRANES have begun to arrive at their breeding grounds in the
Mer Bleue bog - 2 pairs were observed feeding in the cornfields along
Milton Rd. since the 10th. Shorebirds other than Killdeer and American
Woodcocks, which are now well-established, were a Greater Yellowlegs
and 5 Wilson's Snipe in the Woodlawn area west of Dunrobin on the 10th.
A Belted Kingfisher was also seen here the same day. A Barred Owl was
heard on Tenth Line Rd. in Orleans on the night of the 11th, and a GREAT
GRAY OWL paid a brief visit at River Rd. south of Earl Armstrong Rd. back
on the 6th - this bird was searched for but not relocated, as is usually the
case if they happen to head north through our area in spring.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Northern Flickers were reported in various
locations since the 7th.  A Northern Shrike was at the Fletcher Wildlife
Garden on the 7th along with an early Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Common Ravens continue to increase in our area every year and many
were noted this past week east of Ottawa. The first report of a Winter
Wren came from the Jack Pine Trail on the 10th, and Golden-crowned
  Kinglets and Fox Sparrows have been widely reported since the 8th.  The
1st reports of Purple Finch and Rusty Blackbird came from Luskville on the
13th. Redpolls are still moving through, with a couple of Hoary's at bird
feeders in Carleton Place and Aylmer among flocks of up to 50 Common
Redpolls on the weekend, and a few Evening Grosbeaks were still in the
Eardley-Masham and Bourget areas on the 13th.

Thank you - Good Birding!

- End transcript

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Subject: [Ontbirds]Sapsuckers, Purple Martins, Winter Wren - York
         Region
From: RON FLEMING <flemingron(AT)rogers.com>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 9:04pm

Saturday morning there were 15 duck species along Hochreiter Rd. and the north
end of Bathurst St.  Aside from the expected Mallards and Canada Geese, the
flooded fields on both sides of Hochreiter yielded N. PINTAIL (approx. 150), GW
TEAL (100+), N. SHOVELER (16), BLACK DUCK (10), AM. WIGEON (6), GADWALL (4),
WOOD DUCK (2), and BW TEAL (1 drake).
   
  The "ephemeral pond" on the west side of Bathurst about 2 kms north of
Hochreiter is so huge right now it is more like a lake.  It held a much smaller
concentration of ducks on Saturday, but a good variety: RUDDY DUCK (2 drakes),
RING-NECKED DUCK (1 drake), LESSER SCAUP (5), BUFFLEHEAD (11), REDHEAD (2
drakes), CM. MERGANSER (2), and four DC Cormorants.  I did not rediscover the
two Horned Grebes observed here on Tuesday by Chris Dunn.  Just southeast of
this location the same day, Bruce Brydon had a COMMON LOON on Soldier's Bay,
which sits on the north side of Queensville Sdrd. between Bathurst and Yonge St.
  It was stil there this afternoon.
   
  Hochreiter Rd. also held two PILEATED WOODPECKERS that flew right over me
Saturday morning, plus an OSPREY fishing over the West Holland River, and two N.
 FLICKERS.  Several raucous crows chased a large bird into the heart of the
swampy woods on the south side while I was there; it appeared to be an owl and
the continuing din from the crows suggests the same.  Both Great Horned and
Barred Owls are possible here.  Speaking of which, I had a G.H. OWL hooting from
 west of Dufferin St. where it meets Miller Sdrd. early Saturday morning.  At
that same location I heard a RUFFED GROUSE drumming, an EASTERN MEADOWLARK
singing, and, from farther south along Dufferin, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER doing
its distinctive kwirring call.
   
  This morning Bruce Brydon has some good spring birds at the Cawthra Mulock
reserve in Newmarket, including a pair of WOOD DUCKS, a COOPER'S HAWK, a
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, a HERMIT THRUSH, and the first FIELD SPARROW of the
spring.  I hiked the Porritt Tract east of Aurora in search of Pine Warblers but
 came up empty.  Consolation came in the form of 5 woodpecker species: Downy,
Hairy, Pileated, N. Flicker, and YB Sapsucker.  I also flushed a RUFFED GROUSE
and got my first WINTER WREN of the spring.
   
  On Tuesday, April 8th Tom Mills of Sutton observed the first PURPLE MARTINS of
 the season. Tom has had good success with this declining species nesting in his
 martin house the past several years.  In York region the Sutton area has become
 the only half-decently reliable place for Martins.
   
  Ron Fleming, Newmarket
   
  DIRECTIONS: York Region is just north of Toronto and south of Lake Simcoe.
The north end of Bathurst Street is accessed by taking Yonge St. north from
Newmarket. About halfway between Newmarket and Bradford there is a stoplight
indicating Bathurst St. North.  Turn right, then a quick left.  Bathurst crosses
 the RR tracks then runs straight north.  Take it to all the way up to the
flooded fields north of Queensville Sdrd. and Albert's marina.  Hochreiter Rd.
is directly west of the road into Albert's Marina and is now relatively
driveable, though you have to exercise some caution and be prepared for mud.

 
_______________________________________________
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] HORNED GREBE, RED-NECKED GREBE, various waterfowl
          at Mitchell Wetland (Lagoons)
From: "Dave Brown" <thebrowns(AT)ezlink.on.ca>
Date: 13 Apr 2008 9:21pm

Hi All,

I managed to take a jaunt out to the Mitchell Wetland ponds (former sewage
lagoons) this afternoon and found that all ponds are now completely free of
ice...and indeed the water levels are the highest I've seen in a long time.

Highlights were a single HORNED GREBE that's close to completing its
pre-alternate molt. and a single RED-NECKED GREBE that's pretty much completed
its molt. They were easily seen in the last pond at the furthest back left of
the property.

I also spotted my first male Tree Swallow for the season cruising low over the
water of the same cell.

There was also a good variety of waterfowl in this same cell:

American Wigeon       - 10 Pair
Northern Shoveler     - 1 Pair
Ruddy Duck            - 3 Pair and 4 lone males
Redhead               - 2 Pair
Ringed-necked Duck    - 17 pair and 3 lone males
Lesser Scaup          - 15 pair
Bufflehead            - 22 pair
Green-winged Teal     - 2 pair
Blue-winged Teal      - 1 lone male
D.C. Cormorant        - 5 in flight (did not land)
Mallard               - 2 Pair

Also had 20+ singing Savanah Sparrow, 6 Song Sparrow and 4 Horned Lark.

Good Birding!
Dave J Brown
Mitchell, ON

thebrowns at ezlink.on.ca

Note: There are no permits required to walk around the Mitchell wetland area.

Directions to Mitchell Wetland Ponds:

>From the East (Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, GTA) - take Hwy 8 thru
Stratford heading west to first lights in Mitchell (Wellington St) and
turn left (south) and continue till you hit the "T" intersection at the
ball diamond.  Lagoon cells are straight back behind the ball diamond
and soccer fields and the sewage treatment plant.  You can go straight ahead
on the gravel and park next to the berm.

>From the London area....take Hwy 23 into Mitchell from the south and
just after you pass the "Welcome to Mitchell" sign...watch for Frank
St...go right on Frank St and head down over the bridge till you get to
the ball diamond (will be on your right).  Again...the cells are behind
the ball diamond and soccer fields. You can go straight ahead 
on the gravel and park next to the berm.

>From Southampton area....take Hwy 21, to Goderich and then Hwy 8 to
Clinton and down to Mitchell, turn south on Hwy 23 to Frank St. and turn
left on Frank St. and head over the bridge to the ball diamonds (which
will be on your right). You can go straight ahead on the gravel and park 
next to the berm.
_______________________________________________
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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