ONTBIRDS for Friday, May 9, 2008

Messages are displayed in the order they were received.  Subject  From  Time   [Ontbirds]Yellow Rail Carden   DB    12:11am   [Ontbirds]Ottawa - Bobolinks, Wilson's Snipe, Greater Yellowlegs   Patrick Blake    5:37am   [Ontbirds]Kingston area birds to May 9, 2008   Peter and Jane Good   9:48am   [Ontbirds]Wylie Road - Carden   Couchiching Conserva   10:23am   [Ontbirds]Rondeau - May 9 - warblers to eagles   Steve LaForest    9:03am   [Ontbirds] Friends of Point Pelee Bird Report May 9, 2008 - Black Vulture, Prothonotary, Kentucky   Janice.Sarkis(AT)pc.gc.   12:10pm   [Ontbirds]Brewster's,Worm-eating,Magnolia--highlight Thickson warblers--Whitby-May 9 08   Doug Lockrey   12:47pm   [Ontbirds]May 8 - Pelee Island Sedge Wren, Mockingbird...   peleeisland museum    11:49am   [Ontbirds]Tufted Duck   robert.knudsen   1:21pm   [Ontbirds] Lark Sparrow - Still around Stokely (North of Sault Ste. Marie)   McIlwrick, Ken   3:26pm   [Ontbirds] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, May 9th, 2008   Cheryl Edgecombe   5:00pm   [Ontbirds]Northern (Baltimore) Oriole in Joshua's Creek Ravine   Matt Ryan   5:31pm   [Ontbirds]High Park-Colburne Area- Thurs/Fri   Marc Lichtenberg    2:33pm   [Ontbirds]Yellow-breasted Chat Tilbury   Claude Radley   5:36pm   [Ontbirds]Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Bowmanville   Jim Yaki   6:32pm   [Ontbirds]Rondeau - Prairie W, nearby Willet & Worm-eating W   Steve LaForest    5:13pm   [Ontbirds] Golden-winged warbler, Yellow-eyed vireo at Paletta/Shoreacres, Burlington   WJKarner(AT)aol.com   11:44pm

To use email addresses replace '(AT)' with '@'. This is done to confuse the spam 'bots.

[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: [Ontbirds]Yellow Rail Carden
From: DB <burtonian(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 12:11am

The Yellow Rail is still present at the sedge marsh at Carden. There 
were no mosquitos tonight

Dan Burton

 From Kirkfield go north to McNamee Rd. Turn north on Wylie Road to the 
sedge marsh.
_______________________________________________
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]Ottawa - Bobolinks, Wilson's Snipe, Greater
         Yellowlegs
From: Patrick Blake <pjblake22(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 9 May 2008 5:37am

Apart from the snipe, I think these may be the first sightings of these two
species for the season in the Ottawa region.  I was birding along Earl Armstrong
 Road in Gloucester this morning before heading out to work.  I first came
across three male BOBOLINKS between Bowesville Road and Limebank Road on Earl
Armstrong.  They were sitting on the fencing, just minding their own business.
Further down this section of Earl Armstrong, near the first pond on the left,
there were two GREATER YELLOWLEGS foraging along the shoreline.  I watched them
for several minutes, but did not relocate them on my way back to work later in
the morning.
 
At the intersection of Earl & Bowesville, near the large tree right off the
road, there was a single WILSON'S SNIPE hiding in a pool of water.  The snipe
was very accommodating, and posed on one of the fence posts for numerous photos.
  Later one he took off into the air and put on his winnowing display.
 
Though not always visible, the BOBOLINKS could be heard the entire length of
Earl Armstrong, from Limebank to High Road at the other end.
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
Mapquest "Earl Armstrong Road" in Gloucester, ON.
_________________________________________________________________
Turn every day into $1000. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca
http://g.msn.ca/ca55/213_______________________________________________
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]Kingston area birds to May 9, 2008
From: "Peter and Jane Good" <goodcompany(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 9:48am

It has been one of those weeks when an increase in the number of migrants
has had a marked effect on the amount of birding activity. Hence the number
of reports that I have to condense into some sort of an overview is a bit
daunting.

Starting north of the city, there have been several reports from the
Chaffey's Lock, Opinicon Road area as well as the Queen's Biological
Station. Warblers mentioned included Cerulean, Golden-winged, N. Parula,
Blue-winged, Black-throated Blue, Am. Redstart and a Brewster's. Others
noted were Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Wood
Thrush. In the same locale, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Solitary Sandpiper.
On the Canoe Lake Road the Louisiana Waterthrush was at its usual spot.

Closer to Lake Ontario, Parrott Bay had a good selection of warblers and
other colourful passerines; Pine, Blackburnian, Black-and-white,
Black-throated Blue, Ovenbird, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers as well as
Purple Finch, Baltimore Oriole, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

The KFN has started their series of spring birdwalks at Little Cat and
Lemoine Point. These will run every Wednesday morning and evening for the
month of May. The first of these at Little Cat had an excellent selection of
warblers (11 Species) as well as Scarlet Tanager, and Least Flycatcher. The
adjacent marshlands had both Sora and Virginia Rail.

Other sightings in the area made the week even more interesting. There were
2 Great Egrets on Amherst Island last Saturday and another near Ivy Lea on
Sunday. The Amherstview sewage lagoon had 18 Black Terns and the first
Black-crowned Night Herons of the year were at Collin's Bay on Tuesday.
Wednesday produced a Marsh Wren at Elginburg, a Bank Swallow at Sunbury, and
a Clay-colored Sparrow at Odessa. Two hundred Brant flew over Camden East on
Tuesday and there were 3 Sandhill Cranes near Wilton on Thursday. There also
seems to be some Pine Siskin movement; 3 at QUBS on Tuesday, 1 at Elginburg
Wednesday and Thursday, and 5 at a Camden East feeder also on Thursday.

An activity that might be of interest to local birders is a bird banding
demonstration sponsored by the St. Lawrence Islands National Park near Ivy
Lea tomorrow Saturday May 10, 2008. It runs from 7:00 AM until noon. For
further information call (613) 923-5261.

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
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: [Ontbirds]Wylie Road - Carden
From: "Couchiching Conservancy" <nature(AT)couchconservancy.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 10:23am

Visitors to the Box 10 site on Wylie Road, a traditional spot for Loggerhead
Shrikes, will notice a disturbed area in the ditch directly in front of Box 10. 
 This area was graded recently by the municipality as part of a plan to create
some off-road space for cars, and was supposed to have been completed last fall.
  We have asked the City not to do any further work until the Shrike nesting
season is over.

The Box 10 shrikes are present again this year, but have moved across the road
(they did this before several years ago).  Please be careful not to stress the
birds, since they are uncomfortably close to the roadway this year.

Most of the other Carden specialities are back as well, and can be seen along
Wylie Road and other local roads.  Don't forget about the Carden Challenge
coming up May 30-31; eleven teams are registered but there is room for more.  To
 sponsor a team or celebrity birder Ethan Meleg, you can contact me directly.

Ron Reid
Executive Director, The Couchiching Conservancy
Box 704, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 6K7
(705)326-1620  nature(AT)couchconservancy.ca

Directions:  Wylie Road is about 5 km north of Kirkfield; turn right onto
MacNamee Road and you will see the Carden Plain Important Bird Area sign; Wylie
Road is just ahead on your left.
_______________________________________________
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]Rondeau - May 9 - warblers to eagles
From: Steve LaForest <stevelaforest(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 9 May 2008 9:03am

Rondeau Bird Report – Friday May 9, 2008

Good morning birders.

The best site for warblers this morning was Spicebush Trail, with good numbers
of 14 species reported.  Highlights there included Prothonotary, Blue-winged,
and 6 Northern Parula.  Tulip Tree Trail was another productive location, with
12 species mentioned.

For those who prefer larger birds, there were two immature Bald Eagles seen at
the end of South Point Trail.  These are most likely last year’s fledglings from
 the nest in the Rondeau marsh.  The birds have been present in the area all
winter.
 

We very much appreciate all of the sightings that visiting birders have reported
 to us, via the various sightings boards, the Bird Sightings Book, and even
through the internet.  We have also been very fortunate to receive photos of
many birds, including some of this spring’s rarities.  Many thanks.

As noted previously, we have had no additional reports concerning the
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher seen here on May 5 or the Harris’s Sparrow, present at
 the Visitor Centre feeder from May 2 – 6.

Good birding.

Steve LaForest
Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide
c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768

I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows:
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am
& 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am.  All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will
meet at the Visitor Centre.  The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the
Marsh Trail.  A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage
Lagoons.  The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small
donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am.  There will
 also be a special program, on Saturday May 10 at 7 pm - an evening presentation
 about the spring migration at Rondeau entitled “An Evening in the forest with
Laforest” (contact the Visitor Centre re tickets).

Directions: Take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent
 Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings
Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7
am to 5 pm from May 3 - 19).  To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6
km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the
parking lot.

_________________________________________________________________
Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword
puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now!
http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212_______________________________________________
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] Friends of Point Pelee Bird Report May 9, 2008 -
         Black Vulture, Prothonotary, Kentucky
From: Janice.Sarkis(AT)pc.gc.ca
Date: 9 May 2008 12:10pm

Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point
Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008

This morning has been cool and mostly sunny.

Hillman Shorebird Cell:  no reports of  Mottled Duck  last evening.
However Cackling Geese and Wilson's Phalaropes were still present.

Yesterday evening there was a Tufted Titmouse at Pioneer.  Also there were
several American Woodcock displaying for our Friends evening hike.

Tip Area:  Prairie Warbler reported.

Many of the birders have been on the Woodland Trail enjoying the many
migration sights.  Just behind the Visitor Centre before the Botham Trail
was a female Cape May and a singing Blue-winged Warbler.     Summer Tanager
near Post #2 which moved to Tilden Woods by 9:30 AM.
Louisiana Waterthrush and Acadian Flycatcher were near Post #12.
Prothonotary , Cerulean (F),  Northern Waterthrush, Black-throated Blue,
and Northern Parula Warblers plus a  Marsh Wren, Scarlet Tanagers (M & F),
and a Rusty Blackbird attracted many viewers between Post #16 and #15.

Tilden Woods:  Kentucky Warbler continues to be seen on the  seasonal trail
west of the boardwalk.  Blackburnian Warbler and Yellow-throated Vireo.

White Pine:  reports of a Red-throated Loon.

DeLaurier:  Sandhill Cranes were observed overhead

Northwest Beach: recent report of a Black Vulture flying between there and
the Visitor Centre.

Good Birding,
Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim

Join us at the 4th Annual Fundraising Dinner
Friday May 9th, 2008 @5:30 PM
Pelee Days Inn- $60 per person ($25 tax receipt)
Reservations can be made at www.friendsofpointpelee.com
To help our environmental impact...this is a ticketless event!
Presentation: "Coming Home: Return of Western Lake Erie's & Detroit River's
Charismatic Megafauna" Discussing the re-establishment of birds and other
wildlife to this area.
by  Dr. John Hartig - Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Janice Rogers, General Manager
www.friendsofpointpelee.com

_______________________________________________
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]Brewster's,Worm-eating,Magnolia--highlight
         Thickson warblers--Whitby-May 9 08
From: "Doug Lockrey" <lockrey33(AT)rogers.com>
Date: 9 May 2008 12:47pm

Perhaps there is more than one Worm-eating Warbler, OR he is a great woods
traveler. Between 0830 and 0930 On May 9 birders were kept active as they
followed the distinct song of the WEW from several areas. The bird is very
actively feeding from dried oak leaves hanging from trees. The Thickson's Woods
daily records book has reported this bird every day since May 4.

A highlight today, also seen and photographed yesterday, was the Golden-winged x
 Blue-winged hybrid "Brewster's" Warbler.

Among the other Warblers were: Tennessee, Nashville, N.Parula, Yellow,
Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green,
Yellow-rumped, Blackburnian, Palm, Black-and-White, Am.Redstart and Ovenbird. I
am unsure whether the Orange-crowned was seen.

Some of the other birds-- 2 male Indigo Buntings, Swainson's Thrush, Veery,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Eastern
Kingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Exit 401 at Thickson Rd. in Whitby, south toward the lakefront, turning east
along the roadway that borders the pine woods.

Doug Lockrey, Whitby,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
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: [Ontbirds]May 8 - Pelee Island Sedge Wren, Mockingbird...
From: peleeisland museum <pimuseum(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 9 May 2008 11:49am

Fish Point hosted a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD Thursday morning.  A SEDGE WREN was
singing at the south end of Stone Road.  An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a
VIRGINIA RAIL were seen at Lighthouse Point.  A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was banded
by PIBO staff.  The Seventh Annual Pelee Island Bird Race is currently underway!
  Seven teams started racing at noon today until noon tomorrow. All interesting
sightings will be posted when the race is over.
 
 Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0(519)
724-2291 "pimuseum" <pimuseum at
hotmail.com>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island from May 1 until May 20 inclusive. Cost is $5.00. Meet at the Fish Point parking lot at 9 a.m. Check into the Heritage Centre for details on best birding areas and current rarities. The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, due south of the West Dock. Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and census operation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please visit: www.pibo.ca or call 519-724-2829. Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. The Seventh Annual Pelee Island Bird Race will take place from noon Friday, May 9, to noon, Saturday, May 10. Special guest birder is BRIDGET STUTCHBURY, author of "Silence of the Songbirds." The Springsong Celebration continues Saturday evening with a 'Talk and Dinner' featuring VINCENT LAM with an introduction by Margaret Atwood. The Bird Race is 'All-Green,' i.e. bicycle or pedestrian travel. All teams welcome! Contact the Heritage Centre for details.   
_________________________________________________________________
Try Chicktionary, a game that tests how many words you can form from the letters
 given. Find this and more puzzles at Live Search Games!
http://g.msn.ca/ca55/207_______________________________________________
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]Tufted Duck
From: "robert.knudsen" <robert.knudsen(AT)shaw.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 1:21pm

Hi All,

 

The Tufted Duck can still be seen at very close range at Bellevue Park in
Sault Ste. Marie, ON. I last saw it at 3:00pm today. I could not locate the
Marbled Godwit or the Western Tanager. 

 

Take Hwy 17B from the east and continue onto Trunk Rd. Turn left (south)
onto Lake St. Drive to the south end of Lake St. and you are at Bellevue
Park. The Tufted Duck has moved to the cove on the east side of Topsail
Island.

 

Bob Knudsen

_______________________________________________
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] Lark Sparrow -  Still around Stokely (North of
         Sault Ste. Marie)
From: "McIlwrick, Ken" <kmcilwri(AT)NRCan.gc.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 3:26pm

> Hi Folks,
> 
Today (May 9, 2008) while conducting field work, at Stokely Cross
Country Ski Resort, I again observed and photographed a Lark Sparrow
(most likely the same one that I initailly reported on May 5th at this
same location). It was feeding in the same grassy/gravel opening. It was
last seen by myself and Mike O'Connor (field technician) around 2:15 pm
(May 9th).

> Directions to this Bird: Stokely Cross Country Ski Resort is located
> about 35min north of Sault Ste. Marie, east of Hwy 17, just off of
> Buttermilk Ski Hill Road (OLD Highway 17). This area is not open to
> the public at this time of year and a key and special permission is
> needed to enter the property. The location of the bird is "off-the
> beaten-path" and therefore GPS coordinates have been taken.
> 
> Ken McIlwrick 
> Sault Ste. Marie, 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
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: [Ontbirds] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report -
         Friday, May 9th, 2008
From: "Cheryl Edgecombe" <cheryle29(AT)cogeco.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 5:00pm

On Friday, May 9th, 2008, this is the HNC Birding report:

WHITE-EYED VIREO
WORM-EATING WARBLER

Horned Grebe
American Bittern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Green Heron
Bald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-headed Woodpecker
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Veery
Swainson's Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Blue-winged Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Brewster's Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue-Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Clay-colored Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Indigo Bunting
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
Evening Grosbeak

Migration has been in full force this week in the HSA with warblers
dominating the scene.  Twenty six species of warbler have been reported this
week, some record early for the area.

Lets start with the goodies.  Last Sunday, Paletta/Shoreacres Park in
Burlington looked like a spring day in Pelee.  People were everywhere and so
were the birds.  Two WHITE-EYED VIREOS were seen simultaneously in the
cedars on the west side of the park.  The WORM-EATING WARBLER was also seen
in the southeast corner of the park.  It has not been seen since last
Sunday.  Other species seen last Sunday and in the days following include
Black-crowned Night Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Chimney Swift, all species of
regular Swallows, Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, Veery, Blue-winged ,
Golden-winged , Nashville , Northern Parula, Yellow , Chestnut-sided, Cape
May, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped , Black-throated Green, Palm and
Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat
and Canada Warbler (second earliest record!), Dark-eyed Junco (late!),
Baltimore Oriole and Indigo Bunting.  The Golden-winged Warbler and
WHITE-EYED VIREO were still present this afternoon.

Down at Shell Park was a similar mix in large numbers with a few variables.
In addition to birds above were American Bittern!, Winter Wren,
Blackburnian, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Waterthrush and Rusty
Blackbird. Nearby Shell Park at Creek Path Woods and Sheldon Creek Trail,
Least and Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed, Warbling and Red-eyed
Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Veery, Wood Thrush, Nashville Warbler, Northern
Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped
and Black-throated Green Warbler, White-throated, Swamp and White-crowned
Sparrow, Indigo Bunting and Purple Finch.

Last weeks migrant drop was also good for birding along the shore of Lake
Ontario with phenomenal numbers of the above warblers etc. being seen on a
stretch from Canada Centre for Inland Waters to Millen Road.  Clay-colored
Sparrow was observed at the Windermere Basin.  Lincoln's Sparrow was also
found in this stretch.  Bobolinks could be found in the grassy fields
between Green and Millen Road.  Later that evening a pair of American
Bitterns were flushed from the side of the road at Fifty Point.

Shorebird habitat is scarce in Hamilton but the fields in between 8th and
10th Road East in Saltfleet continue to have shorebirds in them.  This week,
Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary, Upland, Least and Pectoral
Sandpiper and
Wilson's Snipe were seen in this area.  Another area for shorebird habitat
is behind the Rona in Waterdown at Clappison's Corners.  Here this week were
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Least and Spotted Sandpiper.  The Grimsby
Sewage Lagoons have been quiet and at Smithville Sewage Lagoons, the water
is extremely high.

The Northshore of Cootes Paradise was busy this week with warblers and more.
Seen here in the week were Green Heron, Bald Eagle, Eastern Kingbird,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Yellow, Cape May,
Black-throated Blue, record numbers of Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green,
Pine, Palm, Bay-breasted (record early) and Black-and-white Warbler.

At the Berry Tract accessed from Patterson Road and the adjoining Cartwright
Sanctuary owned by the Hamilton Naturalists Club a thorough search of these
properties this week yielded Least and Great Crested Flycatcher, House Wren,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow, Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumped,
Palm, Blue-Winged, Brewster's (for those who enjoy hybrids!) and Nashville
Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Baltimore and Orchard
Oriole.

On a tour of Flamborough in the evening the American Bittern was still heard
calling near the Antrim Glen Housing development on 8th Concession West and
Grasshopper Sparrow was back on territory on Concession 6 west of Westover
Road.

Lots to report in the odds and sods.  A Prairie Warbler was seen briefly in
a yard on Beach Blvd in Hamilton yesterday. Hooded and Blue-winged Warblers
are back on territory at Martins Lane in Ancaster.  A Scarlet Tanager was
also seen there today. Another American Bittern was seen standing at the
edge of the reeds at Cherry Hill Gate early in the week.  Two reports of
Red-headed Woodpecker came in, a bird which is scarce in the area, one from
the Halton Forest and another from the Waterdown Escarpment edge May 4th.  A
late Evening Grosbeak made an appearance at a feeder on Cedar Springs Road
and Sideroad no 2 last Sunday.  Sandhill Cranes were seen over Deer Run
Court in Brantford and more were seen over the Appleby Line and Millcroft
Road area in Burlington. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been showing up at
a few feeders this week so get the feeders out there for them!

Good news from the Peregrine Falcon Watch at the Sheraton Hotel in Hamilton
three chicks have hatched so far.  At the lift bridge a single Peregrine
Falcon was seen this afternoon.  Perhaps the other is on eggs as well.

Its been a busy week with many reports.  Thanks for your sightings and my
apologies for those I have missed.  All of our sightings are important and
are forwarded to the Noteworthy Bird Records for the Hamilton Naturalists
Club so please keep up the reports.

Have a great week!
Cheryl Edgecombe
HNC Hotline
905-381-0329

_______________________________________________
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]Northern (Baltimore) Oriole in Joshua's Creek
         Ravine
From: "Matt Ryan" <matt99f(AT)cogeco.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 5:31pm

Spotted at about 5:15pm Friday 9th May. Just east of Ford Drive on the north
side of Devon Road in Oakville.

Today we also saw Belted Kingfishers diving into the creek behind our house.

Matt and Cathy Ryan
_______________________________________________
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]High Park-Colburne Area- Thurs/Fri
From: Marc Lichtenberg <marclichtenberg(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 9 May 2008 2:33pm

A couple of quick run throughs in the late afternoon just north of Colburne.

THURS

Vireos - 1RedE,4 Warblg,1Solitry
Warblers - 3 Nashv, 1Parula, 1Blk Thrtd Blu, 1CapeM, 4Palm, 7YellowRp.

PLUS: Ruby Thr, Kingfshr,L Flycthr, Catbd, Wood Thrsh, 3BluGrGnatchr., 1Orchard
Oriole, 2 RB Grosbk

FRI

Vireos: Add YellowThr
Warblers: 3Nashv, 1Yellow, 1BlkThr Blu, 1BlkThrGr, 1Blkburn, 1CapeM,
1Chnutsided, 2Palm

Colburne Lodge is just East of the South end of Grenadier Pond in High Park.

_________________________________________________________________
If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines
four overlapping crossword puzzles into one!
http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208_______________________________________________
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]Yellow-breasted Chat Tilbury
From: "Claude Radley" <cradley(AT)cogeco.ca>
Date: 9 May 2008 5:36pm

I have a Chat feeding on my Oriole oranges in Tilbury.  The bird has been
here all afternoon, posing for photos, and appears to be ready to spend the
night.  I will be at Hillman Marsh in the morning banding birds for the
Songbird Festival but the bird can be easily seen from the end of our
laneway. (Don't disturb the Cardinal nest behind the trailer)

Tilbury is south of the 401 just west of Chatham.  Address is 31 Sunset
Place.

cheers,
Claude Radley

_______________________________________________
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]Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Bowmanville
From: "Jim Yaki" <jim_yaki(AT)rogers.com>
Date: 9 May 2008 6:32pm

Tonite at about 5:45pm while cycling the Waterfront Trail between Waverly Rd and
 Liberty St I observed a single Blue Gray Gnatcatcher in the maples along
Bowmanville Creek.

Jim Yaki
jim_yaki(AT)rogers.com
_______________________________________________
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]Rondeau - Prairie W, nearby Willet & Worm-eating W
From: Steve LaForest <stevelaforest(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 9 May 2008 5:13pm

Rondeau Bird Report – Friday May 9, 2008 - evening

Good evening birders.

Warbler enthusiasts observed 24 species today.  At the top of the list was a
male Prairie Warbler, singing along Rondeau Road.  Other sought-after species
included Prothonotary and Blue-winged (each reported from four sites), as well
as Cerulean and Hooded (each seen at two locations).  Many species were seen in
good numbers, including 6 Northern Parula on Spicebush Trail alone.

Yellow-throated Vireo was noted at two trails, and White-eyed Vireo has been
seen regularly at the Pony Barn.  Scarlet Tanagers still seem to be in rather
low numbers here, but migrating Veerys and Swainson’s Thrushes are on the
increase.

 
Outside of Rondeau, we have received reports from several nearby sites.
Blenheim Sewage Lagoons (permit required) had Willet (at least 2, and possibly 3
 or 4), Short-billed Dowitcher – 1, Least Sandpiper – 1, Lesser Yellowlegs ~5,
Dunlin ~40, Lesser Yellowlegs ~5, Ruddy Duck ~~20, Black Tern – 5, a Horned
Grebe and Bobolink.  Sinclair’s Bush C.A. sightings included Worm-eating Warbler
 and Golden-winged Warbler.

Good birding.

Steve LaForest
Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide
c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768

I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows:
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am
& 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am.  All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will
meet at the Visitor Centre.  The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the
Marsh Trail.  A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage
Lagoons.  The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small
donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am.  There will
 also be a special program, on Saturday May 10 at 7 pm - an evening presentation
 about the spring migration at Rondeau entitled “An Evening in the forest with
LaForest” (contact the Visitor Centre re tickets).

Directions:

To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on
Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book,
Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor
Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19).  To reach the Centre from the park
gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around
the bend to the parking lot.

For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Rondeau park entrance, take Chatham-Kent 15
(Kent Bridge Road) north ~6 km to Chatham-Kent Road 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly
Hwy 3).  Turn left and take Talbot Trail ~11 km to Blenheim (where it turns
south).  Continue 3 km to Lagoon Rd. Turn right.  The lagoons are a short
distance north on the right side.

For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Hwy 401, take exit 90 and follow Chatham-Kent
Road 11 (Communications Road) south for 10 km to Blenheim.  Turn right on
Chatham-Kent 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly Hwy 3) and go ~3 km to Lagoon Road.  Turn
 right and go a short distance north to the lagoons on the right side.

For Sinclair’s Bush C.A., from Rondeau PP entrance, take Chatham-Kent 15 (Kent
Bridge Road) 4.5 km north to Sinclair Line.  Turn left and go 7 km.  The C.A. is
 on the right.

_________________________________________________________________
Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword
puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now!
http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212_______________________________________________
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] Golden-winged warbler, Yellow-eyed vireo at
         Paletta/Shoreacres, Burlington
From: WJKarner(AT)aol.com
Date: 9 May 2008 11:44pm

Golden-winged warbler, White-eyed vireo spotted at south-east corner of the  
park in the bush brambles approx 40 metres north of the lake and 20 metres 
east  of the creek trail.
 
>From QEW take Appleby Line or Walker's Line south down to Lakeshore.  
Paletta/Shoreacres  is east of Walker's Line and west of Appleby Line on  the
south
side of Lakeshore Road in Burlington.
 
Bill Karner
Mississauga

   
_______________________________________________
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