Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Ontario Birding > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Saturday, July 5 at 08:58 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo,©Jan Wilczur

5 Jul Least Bittern's Bronte Marsh ["Michael Veltri" ] 5 Jul Dickcissel - Ferndale on Bruce Peninsula [] 5 Jul Western Meadowlark Palgrave - Plus Kortright Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, Mourning Warbler among others. ["Lev Frid" ] 5 Jul Least Bittern-Caspian Tern- Red-necked Grebe-Bronte Marsh ["Glen Titanic" ] 5 Jul Fastest creature on earth.. Peregrine Falcon / Niagara Falls [ray barlow ] 05 Jul Embrun sewage lagoons, Eastern Ontario ["Langis Sirois" ] 4 Jul Tiny Marsh today [Skip Shand/GL/York/CA ] 4 Jul Palgrave Western Meadowlark [Robert Carswell ] 4 Jul Burlington Peregrines doing well ["Harold Stiver" ] 4 Jul Brighton Wetland and Lagoon ["Rod Lee" ] 4 Jul Amherst Island: Brant ["Bruce Di Labio" ] 4 Jul Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, July 4th, 2008 ["Cheryl Edgecombe" ] 3 Jul Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending July 03, 2008 ["Terry Sprague" ] 03 Jul Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending July 3, 2008. [Fred Helleiner ] 3 Jul Shorebirds - West Perth Wetlands [Steve Thorpe ] 3 Jul bluebird trails ["Bill Read" ] 2 Jul Eurasian Wigeon, Caspian Tern, etc. - Ottawa ["kim zbitnew" ] 02 Jul Eurasian Widgeon - south of Ottawa [Iain Wilkes] ["IAIN WILKES" ] 1 Jul Upland Sandpiper, Blue-Winged Warbler - Coboconk [RON FLEMING ] 1 Jul Ottawa: Least Bitterns & Red-headed Woodpeckers ["Bruce Di Labio" ] 1 Jul Osprey at Heron Point Golf Links ["Clark, Ian (Wood Gundy IA)" ] 1 Jul red-tailed hawk - U of T campus [Kathryn Mills ] 01 Jul Reesor Pond ["Stan Long" ] 30 Jun Kortright Centre June 30, 2008 - Mourning Warbler, Black-Billed Cuckoos, Eastern Bluebirds among others. ["Lev Frid" ] 30 Jun Cooper Marsh ["Ott User" ] 30 Jun Brighton Wetlands ["Keith Lee" ] 30 Jun 3 Least Bitterns, Screech Owl Family Bronte Marsh Oakville ["Andrew Don" ] 29 Jun 2 Sandhill Cranes Burritts Rapids SW Ottawa township [SLIMBIRD Gerard ] 29 Jun Migrating Shorebirds - East of Ottawa ["Connie Denyes" ] 28 Jun Cooper's Marsh - Virginia Rails, Wilson's Snipe, Green Heron [Patrick Blake ] 28 Jun Brighton Wetland and Lagoon ["Rod Lee" ] 28 Jun Least Bitterns - Bronte Marsh ["John Millman" ] 27 Jun Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, June 27th, 2008 ["Cheryl Edgecombe" ] 27 Jun Bruce Peninsula and Sauble Beach - Piping Plovers and many other birds ["Norman Murr" ] 27 Jun Ottawa: Eurasian Wigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull ["Bruce Di Labio" ] 26 Jun James Bay - Akimiski Island Report # 8 [Jean Iron ] 26 Jun Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending June 26, 2008. [Fred Helleiner ] 26 Jun Dickcissel - J/I Line South of Port Elgin [] 26 Jun Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending June 26, 2008 ["Terry Sprague" ] 26 Jun OFO Bruce Peninsula outing ["Cindy Cartwright" ] 25 Jun Eurasian Widgeon, Carolina Wren - Ottawa ["Langis Sirois" ] 24 Jun Brighton Wetlands ["Keith Lee" ] 24 Jun Peregrine Falcons at Burlington Lift bridge [Ken Newcombe ] 24 Jun Dickcissel + Marbled Godwit - Saugeen Shores [Maris Apse ] 23 Jun Western Meadowlark - Palgrave ["Todd Pepper" ] 23 Jun Wasaga Beach Directions [Bruce Wilson ] 23 Jun Black Vulture at Tobermory ["Tom Thomas" ] 23 Jun Wasaga Beach Piping Plovers [Bruce Wilson ] 22 Jun Western Meadowlark on Pelee Island [Adam Pinch ] 22 Jun Eastern Ontario: Ruddy Duck, Redhead & Horned Grebe ["Bruce Di Labio" ] 21 Jun American Golden Plover - Hillman Marsh ["Todd Pepper" ] 21 Jun Brighton Wetland and Lagoon ["Rod Lee" ] Subject: Least Bittern's Bronte Marsh From: "Michael Veltri" <mveltri2 AT cogeco.ca> Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 21:57:54 -0400 The Least Bitterns are still in Bronte Marsh, and have been active every day for the last week. If your patient and have some time, you may see them fly. I have it as three (possibly four) birds in the marsh, I have seen two males and one female with a possible juvenile bird. Update to Andrew Dons posting, there are 5 Eastern Screech owls, 2 adults with 3 owlets. Black Crowned Night heron, Caspian and Common Terns, Blue Heron, and Kingfisher viewed at the marsh also. Oh, and 2 beavers Some photos, of the Least Bitterns and others here http://www.pbase.com/mikeveltri/wading_birds These photos are large crops of this speedy little heron. Not an easy bird to photograph, patience is needed. Good birding & Photography Mike Veltri _______________________________________________ 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: Dickcissel - Ferndale on Bruce Peninsula From: mpickup AT bmts.com Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 13:45:15 EST Hi all Joe Johnston of Wiarton, asked me to post this on ontbirds. This morning while out birding he found a Dickcissel. The bird was seen approx. 9 km north of Ferndale on Hwy #6 on the east side of the road along a ditch. It is near the PJ Store at Monument Corners. Yours in Birding Mike Pickup - _______________________________________________ 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: Western Meadowlark Palgrave - Plus Kortright Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, Mourning Warbler among others. From: "Lev Frid" <lev.frid AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 13:04:34 -0400 The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still there this morning at 9:15 AM, singing in the exact same place on the telephone wires. It prefers to perch on wires near the pole, so this could perhaps cause some confusion when you hear it's melodious song but can't locate it on the wires above you! If somebody hasn't seen this one yet, this is a very easy tick. In Kortright, A female MOURNING WARBLER was seen and photographed at the usual location for this species, at the start of the Marsh Boardwalk. The large willow (or willow-like species) at the end of the marsh boardwalk, adjacent to a large Tupperware container, once again held a Cuckoo, but a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO this time. Other birds seen at kortright included 5 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, several INDIGO BUNTINGS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and FIELD SPARROWS among more common species. Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/2638755181/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/2638759309/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/2638762251/ Directions: Meadowlark: (Directions courtesy of Paul Prior) >From downtown Toronto, head north to the end of Hwy 427, turn west on Hwy 7 to Hwy 50, then head north, through Bolton and on toward the village of Palgrave. A couple of miles past Albion Hills Conservation Area, you'll come to Patterson Sideroad, turn west onto this road and drive for perhaps 300 metres. Park alongside the meadow and hopefully the bird will be singing loudly again, in the meadow to the south of the road. This was opposite the entrance to Brawton Drive. Kortright: The Kortright Centre is located three kilometers west of Highway 400 and one kilometer south of Major Mackenzie Drive at 9550 Pine Valley Drive in Woodbridge. _______________________________________________ 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: Least Bittern-Caspian Tern- Red-necked Grebe-Bronte Marsh From: "Glen Titanic" <gstitanic AT rogers.com> Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 09:43:33 -0400 Spotted and tried my best to capture these beauties on July 4th between 4:30 and 6:30pm at Bronte Marsh .Thanks to John Millman for his exact spotting locations in previous postings. Interesting flight shots IMO http://www.flickr.com/photos/26708148 AT N05/ Regards, Glen Titanic _______________________________________________ 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: Fastest creature on earth.. Peregrine Falcon / Niagara Falls From: ray barlow <raymondjbarlow AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 07:45:00 -0700 (PDT) Thanks to my friends Karl Egressy and Brandon Holden, I have found some good viewings of a family of 6 Peregrines at the Falls.  you can stand anywhere from the gorge to about 1 km downstream, and have a view.  they fly about once every hour or so, and if you are lucky, you might see the adults snag a pigeon.  The 4 Fledglings have all left the nest, and are flying about. The views seem to be less frequent as time passes, and the young are exploring a wider territory., so photographing them is difficult.  Once in a while, they will come up to the walkway for a visit., in fact I did see one land on top of the rock barrier right along the side of the walk way... that moment only lasted a few seconds, with so many people about., but the young are very curious. several images on my website, please enjoy, and comment in there if you wish. http://www.pbase.com/raymondjbarlow/peregrine many more images waiting to be edited, and a few more visits to this great site coming up next week., Just take the QEW to the Falls, follow the signs.  I like to take the McLeod Rd cut off, go past Marineland, and turn left to the shuttle parking ( 10.00$), and ride the shuttle to the falls, and head down river., the buses run very often. Thanks to everyone who has emailed me, and requested to get on my email list., a new workshop email list is now being created, so send me a note if you are interested. take good care out there, and do not lean over that railing too far!! kind regards, Raymond J Barlow 13 Sandra Crescent Grimsby Ontario Canada L3M 4Y8 www.rayswildlife.com __________________________________________________________________ Get the name you've always wanted AT ymail.com or AT rocketmail.com today! Go to http://ca.promos.yahoo.com/jacko/ _______________________________________________ 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: Embrun sewage lagoons, Eastern Ontario From: "Langis Sirois" <lsir AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:20:38 -0400 Hello fellow birdwatchers. I visited the Embrun sewage lagoons yesterday afternoon, July 4. Water fowl and shorebirds present, mainly in the lagoons on the West side, included: - the Horned Grebe observed there since at least the end of May (presumably the same bird); it is losing its breeding plumage; - 2 American Coots - 1 Common Moorhen - 8-10 Ruddy Ducks, 2 pairs displaying - 10 Lesser Yellowlegs and 1 Solitary Sandpiper (at the South-East corner of the North-West lagoon) I heard a Sora numerous times. I also visited the Casselman Lagoons which had 8 or 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Least Sandpipers, about 20 Green-winged Teals and not much else. Good birding to all. Langis Sirois, Ottawa Directions to the Embrun sewage lagoons, from Neily World Birding Ottawa : From Highway 417 (The Queensway), 39 km east of Ottawa, take exit 79 (Regional 5), labelled Limoges / Embrun. Proceed 2.5 km SSE on Regional 5 to Regional 3 or Notre Dame Street. Turn right or WSW onto it and drive 2.8 km to St.-Joseph Road on the east edge of the town of Embrun. Turn left or SSE on it and go 1.5 km to Route 400. Turn left or northeast onto Route 400 and after about a kilometre the Embrun Sewage Lagoons will be 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: Tiny Marsh today From: Skip Shand/GL/York/CA <sshand AT glendon.yorku.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 21:42:20 -0400 Hi all. Fine midsummer birding this a.m. at Tiny Marsh. Nothing unexpected, but there were many Black Terns, a few still at nests quite close to the walkway. Good numbers of Pied-billed Grebes, a pair of Common Loons with chick, a Moorhen with two young, a cygnet with the Trumpeter pair, a few Common Terns flying with the Blacks toward the far end of the long walkway. Frequent Marsh Wrens, some Swamp Sparrows, the rest of the usual suspects. Also on the wing, four Wood Ducks, three Sandhill Cranes, a Belted Kingfisher, an Osprey, and a Great Blue Heron trying to elude the dive-bombing terns. Pleasant place to be. TO TINY MARSH PROVINCIAL WILDLIFE AREA (from previous postings): Exit Hwy 400 at Exit #98 in Barrie and drive northwest on Hwy 26 to Midhurst (Hwy 26 veers left or west here). Continue straight ahead on County Rd 27 (Yonge St. Rd.) through Elmvale to a Y intersection. Take the left-hand road at the Y (County Road 6) and drive north to 1st Concession Rd. (Tiny Flos Townline—there’s a Tiny Marsh sign at the intersection). Turn left (west) and drive about 3 km to the Tiny Marsh parking area on your right. Tiny Marsh is not tiny. Skip Shand _______________________________________________ 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: Palgrave Western Meadowlark From: Robert Carswell <carswell_robert AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 15:33:12 -0700 (PDT) It was still there, still singing, at 7:30 this morning, on the telephone lies at Patterson Sideroad and Brawton Drive. There were half a dozen presumably Eastern Meadowlarks in the field behind, at least one of which was also singing. Nice Scarlet Tanager, Mourning Warblers and Indigo Buntings along Duffys Lane south of Patterson Sideroad.   Go north on the 400 to King road. west on King to County road 50 , north to Patterson sideroad, then left a bit.   Cheers.   bob __________________________________________________________________ Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options in Mail and switch to New Mail today or register for free at http://mail.yahoo.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: Burlington Peregrines doing well From: "Harold Stiver" <hstiver AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 12:25:40 -0500 The Peregrines at the Burlington Canal Lift bridge seem all to be doing well and it is an excellent place to observe them. The adult male had suffered an injury but seems to be recovering. All four young have fledged, and are a treat to watch. One of the young chose a perch near Northern Mockingbird's territory and was harassed by them until it moved on. You can see a photo here: Mockers harassing Juvenile Peregrine The Canadian Peregrine Foundationhave some interesting info on their site. To reach the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge, follow Eastport Drive off of the 401 near Burlington. Their are parking areas at the south end. -- Harold Stiver Paris, Canada hstiver AT gmail.com http://ontfin.com/ http://ontfin.com/Word/ _______________________________________________ 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: Brighton Wetland and Lagoon From: "Rod Lee" <simkev AT sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 11:29:22 -0400 Hello everyone: I just returned from a quick run down to the platform adjacent to the Constructed Wetland. Catfish (baby Osprey) is just magnificent. It already has the facial markings of the adult. The back and wings are all mottled white and light brown and the chest is an off white. Just lovely! I also saw a very recent hatching of 6 Wood Duck ducklings. Maureen Directions: The Constructed Wetland is located at the SE corner of Brighton. From Hwy 401, take the Brighton exit 509 (Hwy. 30) and follow it south into town. Go south through the two traffic lights, over the railway tracks and follow the main road, now called Prince Edward Street, south. About 1 km south of the tracks, the main road begins to swing to the left and becomes Cty. Rd. 64. As this long turn ends the Constructed Wetlands appear on the right side. _______________________________________________ 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: Amherst Island: Brant From: "Bruce Di Labio" <bruce.dilabio AT sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 10:51:24 -0400 Hi Everyone Yesterday, July 3rd I spent a few hours birding Amherst Island. The waterlevels on Lake Ontario are very high and there was little exposed suitable habitat for shorebirds. Even the gravel bar on the KFN property was greatly reduced. Highlights included 1 Brant, 1 White-winged Scoter, 3 Greater Scaup, 2 Least Sandpiper and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs. There were a few hundred Tree Swallows lined up along the fence lines and 2 Upland Sandpiper were noted flying over. Earlier in the morning Doug McRae and I did a quick check at Presqu'ile Provincial Park from Beach #1 to Owen Point and had 1 Lesser Yellowlegs flyover. good birding, Bruce Directions: Amherst Island: Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Rd. 4, Camden East) and drive south to the very end. Turn right on Hwy. 33 and drive 100 metres until you see the sign for the Amherst Island ferry. The ferry (20 minute trip) leaves the mainland on the half hour and leaves the island on the hour. Cost is now $8.00 round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island ferry dock. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road. Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists' property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ." Directions: Presqu'ile P.P.: To reach Presqu'ile P. 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. Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O.Box 538 Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0 (613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS AT hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, July 4th, 2008 From: "Cheryl Edgecombe" <cheryle29 AT cogeco.ca> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 07:34:18 -0400 On Friday July 4th, 2008 this is the HNC Birding Report: Northern Shoveler * Green-winged Teal * Ruddy Duck * Hooded Merganser Pied-billed Grebe Red-necked Grebe Least Bittern Bald Eagle Sandhill Crane Least Sandpiper * Wilson's Phalarope * Yellow-billed Cuckoo Eastern Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Willow Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Sedge Wren Eastern Bluebird Brown Thrasher Blue-winged Warbler Golden-winged Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler American Redstart Vesper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Field Sparrow Indigo Bunting Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Orchard Oriole * slightly out of the HSA Another quiet week here in the HSA. Many of the songbirds have quieted down and it takes a bit more effort to find them. However some of our local birders were able to dig up some significant sightings this week. Down at Bronte Marsh, at least 3 Least Bitterns were seen and photographed this week in the marsh accessed off Triller Ave in Oakville. Also found here this week was a family group of Eastern Screech Owls with 2 adults and 2 babies being found. The Red-necked Grebes continue to be seen nesting at Bronte Harbour. North of here at the back of Bronte Creek Provincial Park in the fields south of Hwy 5 at Tremaine, a Sedge Wren continues to be seen and heard signing in the meadow south of the pipeline along the hydro lines that run south from Hwy 5. Other birds seen and heard here were Eastern Kingbird, Willow Flycatcher, a female American Redstart, 30 + Bobolinks, a female Orchard Oriole, Savannah, Grasshopper and Field Sparrow. At Courtcliffe Park in Carlisle, Vesper Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, and Chestnut-sided Warbler were highlights here this week. A great place for Grasshopper Sparrow in the HSA is 6th Concession West in Flamborough at the power lines west of Westover Road. In addition to nesting Grasshopper Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Meadowlark, Field and Savannah Sparrow can be found on the north and south side of Concession 6 at this location. Slightly out of the Hamilton Study Area but not by much, a trip to Townsend Sewage Lagoons yielded some southbound Least Sandpipers and nesting Wilson's Phalaropes. Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler and Ruddy Ducks were also seen in the cells. Conditions are good here and should be watched in the coming weeks as shorebirds begin their way back. In the odds and sods, an adult Bald Eagle has been seen on a few occassions around Cootes Paradise. Young Great Horned Owls were seen on the McCormack Trail in Dundas. A potential site of nesting Sandhill Cranes was found in the Brantford Area near Deer Run Court this week. That's the news of the week. Please keep your reports coming in during these lean times! Good birding, 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: Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending July 03, 2008 From: "Terry Sprague" <tsprague AT kos.net> Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 19:40:23 -0400 WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE WEEK ENDING Thursday, July 03, 2008 As of June 28th, the pair of MOURNING WARBLERS could still be found in the Scot's Pine plantation at Sandbanks Provincial Park's West Lake Sector. While we tend to think of warblers in terms of spring migration only, seen in May, then not again until fall when they migrate south, it is surprising how many do remain in this area to nest. Another MOURNING WARBLER turned up in Cherry Valley. The Trans Canada Trail at Tweed Monday night produced COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, and there were plenty of COMMON YELLOWTHROATS and an AMERICAN REDSTART calling near a small wetland along Boundary Road at Roslin the same night. At least a half dozen warbler species regularly nest in Prince Edward County, and another half dozen or so species have been observed enough times during the summer months to suggest possible breeding. Finding birds during the summer months is more a case of being in the right place at the right time. A RING-NECKED PHEASANT continues to call early every morning from the south shore of the Big Island Marsh where it has been doing so since early spring. Recently, a motorist came upon the bird wandering the roadside of County Road 15 near the Sophiasburgh Cemetery. Two BALD EAGLES passed over Tripp Road yesterday, and although not as profoundly exciting as the eagles, an AMERICAN KESTREL was seen along Murphy Road at South Bay the same day. VIRGINIA RAILS and occasionally a PIED-BILLED GREBE can be heard most mornings in the Big Island Marsh, and a chance walk past a wetland along the Millennium Trail off Danforth Road west of Wellington last week, produced a COMMON MOORHEN, AMERICAN BITTERNS, BLACK TERNS, SWAMP SPARROWS, MARSH WRENS, COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, GREAT BLUE HERON and VIRGINIA RAILS. This is a great little wetland, far removed from the flow of traffic, and always guaranteed to produce. At least three of the four LEAST BITTERNS that were first noted in mid-May are still present, and can be heard calling at night. A LEAST BITTERN was also heard at a small marsh in Carrying Place, and others turned up in the Stirling area. At a small cattail marsh along George's Road, east of Northport, both an AMERICAN BITTERN and a GREEN HERON have been present this summer. And an encouraging note from one observer, CHIMNEY SWIFTS seem to have made something of a comeback in the Quinte area with individuals seen at Brighton, Trenton, and in Belleville's east end. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our tanks to Doris Lane, Janet Foster, John Blaney, Lyle Anderson, Judy Kent, Henri Garand, Beth McPherson, Erin McGaulay and Cathie Stewart for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated on Thursday, July 10th, but sightings can be e-mailed anytime before the Wednesday night deadline. Feature photo on the Main Birding Page of the NatureStuff website by Dave Bell of Belleville is a late evening silhouette of a TREE SWALLOW as it contemplates the journey south. Photos in the online edition of the Quinte Area Bird Report is of the RING-NECKED PHEASANT along County Road 15, taken by Henri Garand of Big Island, and an all revved up AMERICAN REDSTART, taken by Mike Carmody of Tweed. 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: Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending July 3, 2008. From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner AT trentu.ca> Date: Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:12:55 -0400 At this time of year, birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park is fairly static, but birders are aware that the first trickle of autumn migration will appear any day now. Of the two Long-tailed Ducks that were present a week ago, only one remained on June 27, and none since then. For the second consecutive year, Common Loons have fledged two young in Presqu'ile Bay. Four freshly hatched Pied-billed Grebes were in the marsh on June 29. Great Egrets are not common in most parts of eastern Ontario, but are a bird that is almost guaranteed to be found at Presqu'ile in summer. A Great Black-backed Gull was on the beach on June 29. A Wood Thrush west of Jobes' woods was the first of that species noted in almost a month, the others that are known to be present having gone silent. Two Orchard Orioles that stopped briefly at a feeder on June 28 are probably only a fraction of the number that are in the Park. 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 http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: Shorebirds - West Perth Wetlands From: Steve Thorpe <sthorpe3 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 20:07:06 +0000 There were a few shorebirds today at West Perth Wetlands. Five species to be precise: Greater Yellowlegs (3), Lesser Yellowlegs (5) , Least Sandpiper (12) , Spotted Sandpiper (2) and Killdeer(15). The largest cell has very little water and lots of wet mud. Most of the shorebirds were in it. The other cells are full of water, up to grass level. West Perth Wetlands is on the south side of Mitchell. From Hwy 8 through Mitchell head south on Wellington St . The wetlands are beyond the ball field. Steve Thorpe Stratford _________________________________________________________________ Are you ready for Windows Live Messenger Beta 8.5 ? Get the latest for free today! http://entertainment.sympatico.msn.ca/WindowsLiveMessenger_______________________________________________ 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: bluebird trails From: "Bill Read" <info AT billreadsbooks.com> Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 10:19:09 -0400 Hi I would like to post the following The Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society would like to identify and register all Bluebird trails in Ontario, especially in Northern Ontario. If you have or know of someone with nest boxes ( 1-100+ ) set out for Bluebirds could you please contact us. Each respondent will be mailed a Bluebird nest box information brochure. Bill Read President Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society. 24 Brant Pl Cambridge On. N1S 2V8 519 620 0744 www.oebs.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: Eurasian Wigeon, Caspian Tern, etc. - Ottawa From: "kim zbitnew" <kzbitnew AT rogers.com> Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:56:03 -0500 On July 1, Jan Slumkoski and Kim Zbitnew observed the following birds at the Moodie Drive pond. They are locally uncommon to very rare in the summer here: Eurasian Wigeon (adult male) Caspian Tern Redhead (adult male) Coot Ring-Necked Duck An immature Bald Eagle was seen by Langis Sirois shortly after we left. Kim Zbitnew > Directions to the Moodie Dr. pond, courtesy of Neily World Birding > Ottawa: > > Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 take exit 66 > (Fallowfield Road). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto > Fallowfield, where you will turn right or west. If northbound, the 0.4 > km offramp brings you to Fallowfield, where you will turn left or west > onto it and in 0.5 km join the southbound offramp traffic. Both groups > will now follow Fallowfield Road west for an additional 0.4 km to > reach Moodie Drive. Turn left or southeast onto Moodie Drive and go > 5.3 km, passing Cambrian Road to reach the quarries (second gate on > the left). Park along the side of the road without blocking the > access. > > Warning: This site is private property and is an active quarry. > Because of liability concerns the pit operators do not allow access > during working hours. Trucks and machinery operate here on workdays, > so please don't block the roads into the quarry. At such times, > limited birding can be accomplished from the roadside, which overlooks > the pond, especially with a good scope. > _______________________________________________ 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: Eurasian Widgeon - south of Ottawa [Iain Wilkes] From: "IAIN WILKES" <iain.wilkes AT sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:54:55 +0000 The male Eurasian Widgeon was still at the Burnside Ross-How Pit pond at 2 PM. He was with 4 American Widgeons in the main part of the pond near the north end of the pond. Directions Take 416 south from Ottawa to Fallowfield rd. Go west on Fallowfield one road to Moodie Drive and turn left (south). Go south until you pass Cambrian/Trail Rd junction and the pit is on the left. The main pond is south of the entrance on the left. It can be viewed from the soft shoulder as you can't cross the fence. iain carleton place _______________________________________________ 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: Upland Sandpiper, Blue-Winged Warbler - Coboconk From: RON FLEMING <flemingron AT rogers.com> Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:41:17 -0400 (EDT) Had some interesting breeding birds along Northline Road between Coboconk and Rosedale this weekend, including one Upland Sandpiper, one Blue-winged Warbler, two Clay-colored Sparrows, and several Brown Thrashers, Grasshopper Sparrows and Bobolinks. The sandpiper, warbler, and CC sparrows were on the west side of the road just south of house #1190, in the general vicinity of the cart track that runs west into the fields there. I wandered in about 15 metres to look at the warbler and, to my pleasant surprise, flushed the sandpiper. Cycling the Baseline Rd. just east of Coboconk on Saturday I had a Broad-winged Hawk, two Pileated Woodpeckers, and a moose(!). Coboconk is only about 15-20 minutes west of the Carden Alvar, where #48 meets Hwy. 35. Driving south out of Coboconk (toward Lindsay) you go up a hill (active Osprey nest on the east side of #35). To reach Northline Rd., turn left (east) at the top of the hill onto the 7th Concession of Somerville. It runs east to meet Northline Rd. Travel south about 5 or 6 kms to reach #1190. Coboconk is part of the Kawartha Lakes, an excellent area for weekend naturalists to explore. It is about 90 minutes northeast of Toronto. Ron Fleming, Newmarket _______________________________________________ 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: Ottawa: Least Bitterns & Red-headed Woodpeckers From: "Bruce Di Labio" <bruce.dilabio AT sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 20:34:56 -0400 Hi Ontbirders Today, July 1st, my son Ben and I birded a number of wetlands in the Carp, Kanata and Dunrobin area. We had a great morning/early afternoon and recorded 43 Virginia Rail, 12 Sora, 4 American Bittern, 5 Least Bittern, 6 Green Heron ,1 Sedge Wren and 16 Marsh Wren. The biggest surprise was the number of Least Bitterns. We saw 2, near the bridge at the Mississippi River and old Hwy. 17 plus 3, near Kilmaurs. Other birds of note included 2 Red-headed Woodpecker at Constance Bay, a regular site since 2002 and a pair near Pakenham. We also heard a Yellow-throated Vireo near Galetta and observed 3 Red-shouldered Hawks near Woodlawn. If you require additional information, please email me privately. Good birding & Happy Canada Day Bruce and Ben Directions: Constance Bay: RHWP: From Ottawa travel west bound on Hwy. 417 to the March Rd./Eagleson Road and exit right onto March Rd. Follow to Dunrobin Road and turn right continuing northwest through Woodlawn. At the hill turn right onto Constance Bay Rd following it for approx. 1.5 km. Turn left on Allbirch Road and drive 1.3 km to the " T " intersection. Turn left on Bishop Davis Drive and then right on Bayview Drive. Follow Bayview Drive to Ritchie St. Turn right and go a short distance to Whistler Rd. Turn left and drive .3 km and watch for a gate on the right. The trail through the burn area is opposite the gate. Parking is limited. The old burn area is on your left. There is an abundance of Poison Ivy in the burn area. It is recommended to stay on the trails. Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O.Box 538 Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0 (613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS AT hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: Osprey at Heron Point Golf Links From: "Clark, Ian (Wood Gundy IA)" <IClark AT cibc.ca> Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 15:40:37 -0400 Played golf at Heron Point GL in Ancaster today (Alberton/Ancaster) and saw a large Osprey circling 'Heron Lake' which cuts through the 9th and 18th holes. He didn't catch anything while I was there. --------------------------------------- Ian D. Clark Investment Advisor CIBC Wood Gundy t: 905.337.4433 f: 905.337.4427 e: iclark AT cibc.ca --------------------------------------- This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this information by a person other than the intended recipient is unauthorized and may be illegal. CIBC World Markets Inc. reserves the right to monitor all e-mail communications through its networks for quality control purposes. If you wish to stop receiving communication from us via e-mail, please respond to this message with the word 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. No trading instructions will be accepted by e-mail. CIBC Wood Gundy is a division of CIBC World Markets Inc., a subsidiary of CIBC and Member CIPF. Ce message Ă©lectronique et les fichiers qui y sont joints peuvent contenir des renseignements confidentiels. Si vous n’êtes pas le destinataire visĂ©, veuillez en aviser immĂ©diatement l’expĂ©diteur en rĂ©pondant Ă  ce message; effacez ensuite le message et dĂ©truisez toute copie. La diffusion ou l’usage de ces renseignements par une personne autre que le destinataire visĂ© n’est pas autorisĂ© et peut constituer un acte illĂ©gal. MarchĂ©s mondiaux CIBC inc. se rĂ©serve le droit de surveiller toutes les communications transmises par courrier Ă©lectronique par l’intermĂ©diaire de ses rĂ©seaux Ă  des fins de contrĂ´le de la qualitĂ©. Si vous souhaitez ne plus recevoir de communications de notre part par courrier Ă©lectronique, veuillez rĂ©pondre au prĂ©sent message en indiquant « dĂ©sabonner » dans la ligne de l’objet. Les instructions relatives Ă  des opĂ©rations acheminĂ©es par courrier Ă©lectronique ne seront pas acceptĂ©es. CIBC Wood Gundy est une division de MarchĂ©s mondiaux CIBC inc., filiale de la Banque CIBC et membre FCPE. _______________________________________________ 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: red-tailed hawk - U of T campus From: Kathryn Mills <kathryn.mills AT sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 09:58:27 -0400 I think this fits the posting guidelines for a bird in an unusual place. This morning at about 9:15, I saw a juvenile red-tailed hawk eating things (worms it looked like) out of the grass on the traffic island at the northeast corner of King's College Circle. I've never seen a hawk do this. I and several other people watched it for about five minutes, standing not much more than 10 feet away from it. Then it got interested in the sparrows flying around and it hopped along the ground a bit, and I had just decided that it was injured when it flew away into the trees along with west side of King's College Circle. King's College Circle is just to the north of Convocation Hall on the downtown UofT campus. _______________________________________________ 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: Reesor Pond From: "Stan Long" <stan.long AT sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:31:27 +0000 Reesor Pond at 7am today : 4 southbound migrants - 1 Least Sandpiper and 3 Greater Yellowlegs - also 3 Great Egrets [unbanded] - Reesor Pond lies just north of Hyw 407 on Reesor road in Markham - cheers - S Long _______________________________________________ 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: Kortright Centre June 30, 2008 - Mourning Warbler, Black-Billed Cuckoos, Eastern Bluebirds among others. From: "Lev Frid" <lev.frid AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:02:19 -0400 Yesterday I birded the Kortright Centre for Conservation. The riparian areas around the Humber River as well as the open field harbor many interesting breeders. Taking the middle of the three entrances located near "The Sugar Bush Shop". you go through a stand of hardwoods and reach an open meadow. On the big, prominent snag near the end of the meadow, I observed a female *PILEATED WOODPECKER *and along the trail several *CATBIRDS. * Once you go down, past a closed off area, along the Humber river, you will encounter an opening in which you can access the riverbank. The trail at this opening all the way to the beginning of the marsh boardwalk is where at least one pair of *MOURNING WARBLERS *breed. I located a male by using recordings (very sparingly, of course) , which are highly recommended at this time to view this elusive species. Near the start of the boardwalk, watch for the resident *YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS*. I did not see one yesterday but had luck several times in the past. The birds breed somewhere along the river. Once you go through the boardwalk and reach the end, there will be to your left a plastic bin. To your right is a very large willow tree. Somewhere close to this area, a pair of *BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS *are breeding. One can usually see one of the birds on the said willow, I saw both birds in that location yesterday. Also observed yesterday on the willow were *BALTIMORE ORIOLES, YELLOW WARBLERS, AMERICAN REDSTARTS and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS. In *the field adjacent to the sugar bush shop, one can find, if looked for carefully, a pair of *EASTERN BLUEBIRDS *and their four fledglings. *COMMON YELLOWTHROATS *and *SAVANNAH SPARROWS *often frequent this area also. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/2618812366/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/2620942341/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/levfrid/2618970696/ *Directions to Kortright:* The Kortright Centre is located three kilometers west of Highway 400 and one kilometer south of Major Mackenzie Drive at 9550 Pine Valley Drive in Woodbridge. Lev Frid, Maple, Ontario _______________________________________________ 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: Cooper Marsh From: "Ott User" <willott123 AT sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:37:50 -0400 Hi Ontbirders: Just to follow up on an earlier report by Pat on birding the Cooper Marsh. Spent some time this afternoon birding Cooper Marsh. Heard quite a number of Virginnia Rail while walking along the boardwalk. Saw at least two to three and one walked across the boardwalk to get to the other side of the marsh. A couple of young rails (black in colour) were also visible. Wilson's Snipe could be heard and seen, a couple in flight as well. Right near the parking area, a pair of Eastern Phoebe put on quite the display. In addition to the Kingbirds and Green Heron, there was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker next to the pond near the parking area and a Great Egret flew overhead along the marsh (looked like it was going to land in the marsh just out of view though). As I was leaving, spotted a red fox ambling along near the tall grass, also near the parking lot. Happy birding. W. Hum www.pbase.com/golfpic I didn't follow the route outlined below. Went down Hwy 31 to check on some Screech Owls. No sighting today. DIRECTIONS (courtesy NeilyWorld): The Cooper Marsh Conservation Area, on the St. Lawrence River near Lancaster, is around an hour and a three-quarters ESE of Ottawa by car. Take Highway 417 from Ottawa east 60 km to Highway 138 (exit 58 to Cornwall). Follow Hwy 138 32 km SSE to Cornwall Centre Road. Turn right or WSW on it to continue on 138, go 0.7 km to Brookdale Avenue. Turn left or SSE on it to continue on 138. Follow Brookdale (138) 0.9 km over Highway 401 and take exit 789 east. Follow the 401 east for 24.3 km to Highway 34 (exit 814), just south of Lancaster. Turn right or south and go 1 km to South Lancaster and then turn right or southwest onto Highway 2. Follow Highway 2 for 3.0 km to the turnoff for Cooper Marsh Conservation Area visitor's centre on the left or east. _______________________________________________ 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: Brighton Wetlands From: "Keith Lee" <keith.lee AT sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:46:33 -0400 Hi everyone, I have decided to open only one day a week for the next 4 to 6 weeks depending on the wildlife, after talking to some of the birders(regulars) we have come up with I hope the best solution, this would be Saturday afternoons from 4 PM to 5:30 or 6:00 PM depending on how many people show up. This will be the next three weeks, As Reported by Reeny we have lost two of our Osprey, I can only assume that nature has it's reasons, we were hoping for two to make it but that's life, but on the other hand the little fellow seems to running around the nest like there's no tomorrow, mom and dad are feeding very regular. I can adjust this to your schedule if you have a group or not. If you wish to contact me for any reason or for arranging for another time e-mail or by phone. keith.lee(AT)sympatico.ca cell 613-391-9142 Home 613-475-0881 Directions: The Constructed Wetland is located at the SE corner of Brighton. From Hwy 401, take the Brighton exit (Hwy. 30)and follow it south into town. Go south through the two traffic lights, over the railway tracks and follow the main road, now called Prince Edward Street, south. About 1 km south of the tracks, the main road begins to swing to the left and becomes Cty. Rd. 64. As this long turn ends, the constructed wetlands appear on the right side. There is room to park on the edge (shoulder) of the road, but use your own judgment. _______________________________________________ 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: 3 Least Bitterns, Screech Owl Family Bronte Marsh Oakville From: "Andrew Don" <adon14 AT cogeco.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:17:50 -0400 Saw 3 different least bitterns this morning at Bronte Marsh ,2 hanging in the marsh below a willow tree and another along the cliff side. Also found just down a little path to the left of the picnic tables a Screech Owl family. Mother,father and 2 babies! They are hanging near the top of a tree where 2 tree branches from 2 diff trees intersect. Have photos of the owls and least bitterns at http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew-don/ Directions: Bronte Marsh is just north-west of Lakeshore Road W. in Oakville. There's a small car park on W. River St. Follow the path (under the bridge) on the west side of Bronte Creek for a couple of hundred metres to where the creek opens out into the 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: 2 Sandhill Cranes Burritts Rapids SW Ottawa township From: SLIMBIRD Gerard <gphillips AT istar.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:11:36 -0400 Hello Ontbirders, Of interest to birders in the extreme south west corner of the Ottawa township perhaps. A pair of Sandhill Cranes were seen again today close to the road in a large open farm field (certainly the largest anywhere in the area which I think has soybean in it) located just north of Burrits Rapids (Dwyer Hill Rd) on the north side of the Rideau River. I first saw the Cranes with the naked eye last Wednesday 25th in the morning and later early afternoon. I got a secondhand report today of them being back in the same area of the field close to Donnelly Drive (RT 2) by the red barns. Cranes are seldom encountered in this area. So best of luck to anyone interested. Gerard Phillips, Merrickville. _______________________________________________ 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: Migrating Shorebirds - East of Ottawa From: "Connie Denyes" <cdenyes AT rogers.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:12:27 -0400 Tony Beck's group visited several habitats east of Ottawa this morning (June 29th) in search of migrating shorebirds and we found several at the Casselman Lagoons! Birds observed were: Short-billed Dowitcher (1), Greater Yellowlegs (2), Lesser Yellowlegs (7), and Least Sandpiper (9). Directions to Casselman Lagoons (courtesy of NeilyWorld): From Highway 417 (The Queensway), 52 km east of Ottawa, take the Casselman exit (66) and go NNW toward the town of Casselman. Drive 1.1 km NNW into town on Rue Principale, crossing the railway tracks and the main cross-street (St. Isidore), to turn right or northeast just beyond onto Laurier. Follow Laurier northeast, then north, 1.8 km to Concession 5 Road (or Route 500). Turn right or northeast onto it and the road into the Casselman Sewage Lagoons is on your right almost immediately. (http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily AT rogers.com/sewage7.htm) Connie Denyes Ottawa, 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: Cooper's Marsh - Virginia Rails, Wilson's Snipe, Green Heron From: Patrick Blake <pjblake22 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:13:57 -0400 I spent the better part of the late morning and afternoon birding Cooper's Marsh in South Lancaster. Although the weather for this long weekend is being anything but patriotic, the birds were accommodating. VIRGINIA RAILS were out in force, providing excellent views the majority of the time. I saw approximately 10-15 rails, and heard an additional 5. There were also 4 WILSON'S SNIPES which also provided excellent views along the boardwalk and at the blinds. An OSPREY made an overhead flyby and was simultaneously mobbed by a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD and an EASTERN KINGBIRD. In the wooded areas along the marsh proper were WARBLING and RED-EYED VIREOS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS (2 males), VEERIES, EASTERN PHOEBES, and a single sparrow closely resembling a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, although it had some song sparrow attributes, so I'm not entirely sure which it was. Near one of the blinds were two GREEN HERONS, and a single SPOTTED SANDPIPER that periodically flew past the blind. Good birding and happy Canada Day! Pat DIRECTIONS (courtesy NeilyWorld): The Cooper Marsh Conservation Area, on the St. Lawrence River near Lancaster, is around an hour and a three-quarters ESE of Ottawa by car. Take Highway 417 from Ottawa east 60 km to Highway 138 (exit 58 to Cornwall). Follow Hwy 138 32 km SSE to Cornwall Centre Road. Turn right or WSW on it to continue on 138, go 0.7 km to Brookdale Avenue. Turn left or SSE on it to continue on 138. Follow Brookdale (138) 0.9 km over Highway 401 and take exit 789 east. Follow the 401 east for 24.3 km to Highway 34 (exit 814), just south of Lancaster. Turn right or south and go 1 km to South Lancaster and then turn right or southwest onto Highway 2. Follow Highway 2 for 3.0 km to the turnoff for Cooper Marsh Conservation Area visitor's centre on the left or east. _________________________________________________________________ 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: Brighton Wetland and Lagoon From: "Rod Lee" <simkev AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:11:21 -0400 Hello everyone: This report comes on behalf of Keith Lee (Tiny). Tiny just called to tell me that two of the baby Osprey were on the ground at the bottom of the pole holding the nest. This is very sad but three would have been an unusually large clutch. There was two Spotted Sandpipers and two Least Sandpipers along with numerous Killdeer, Moorhen and Wood Duck ducklings. The Trumpeter is in his molt and is unable to fly at the current time. There were three Blue winged Teal, and quite a few Marsh Wrens calling. All-in-all there are more flowers at the Constructed Wetland than birds and waterfowl. Still, a nice place to visit. A reminder that starting next Saturday July 5, 2008 Keith Lee (Tiny) will be at the Wetland between 4:00 and 5:30 or 6:00pm Maureen Campeau Directions: The Constructed Wetland is located at the SE corner of Brighton. From Hwy 401, take the Brighton exit 509 (Hwy. 30) and follow it south into town. Go south through the two traffic lights, over the railway tracks and follow the main road, now called Prince Edward Street, south. About 1 km south of the tracks, the main road begins to swing to the left and becomes Cty. Rd. 64. As this long turn ends the Constructed Wetlands appear on the right side. _______________________________________________ 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: Least Bitterns - Bronte Marsh From: "John Millman" <alexandra5 AT cogeco.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:22:56 -0400 Two Least Bitterns are still present in Bronte Marsh and can best be seen in the early morning or evening. They can be heard calling but patience is needed to see them since they make rapid flights across the marsh at infrequent intervals then quickly disappear into the reeds for long periods. They are particularly frustrating to photograph: http://home.cogeco.ca/~alexandra5/bittern_Least.html Directions: Bronte Marsh is just north-west of Lakeshore Road W. in Oakville. There's a small car park on W. River St. Follow the path (under the bridge) on the west side of Bronte Creek for a couple of hundred metres to where the creek opens out into the 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: Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, June 27th, 2008 From: "Cheryl Edgecombe" <cheryle29 AT cogeco.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:32:40 -0400 On Friday, June 27th, 2008, this is the HNC Birding Report: Trumpeter Swan Lesser Scaup Common Merganser Common Loon Red-necked Grebe Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Dunlin Forster's Tern Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Great Horned Owl Common Nighthawk Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren Marsh Wren Wood Thrush Pine Warbler Scarlet Tanager A very short list of birds this week to report here in the Hamilton Study Area. The lull of summer has set in for now, no complaints from the reporter! One of the locations reported from this week was LaSalle Marina. Here on Monday, summering Common Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, a surprising number of Trumpeter Swans (18), a 2nd summer Forster's Tern, Carolina Wren and Pine Warbler were reported. Also on the bay this week a Common Loon and an Osprey were viewed from the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. Two Least Bitterns appear to have set up shop in the Bronte Marsh and can be heard regularly calling in the evening. A Merlin has also been frequenting the area, an interesting sighting at this time of year. The Red-necked Grebes are still on nest in the Bronte Harbour and a Common Loon was also seen flying over the harbour this week. Nearby at Burloak Park on the Oakville/Burlington border, another pair of Red-necked Grebes are on nest. There are lots of odds and sods this week. On the escarpment near Rock Chapel and Borer's Falls a family of Wild Turkey with 4 chicks, young Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanagers, a Great Horned Owl and Black-billed Cuckoo were seen. At the Hendrie Valley, a family of Tufted Titmice appears to have had nesting success. A Marsh Wren was heard today at the ponds behind Rona in Waterdown. An adult Bald Eagle was seen over Cootes Paradise earlier in the week. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was viewed briefly on 8th Concession West in Flamborough. A Common Nighthawk was seen over Ivor Wynne Stadium last night and a Dunlin was seen at the storm water ponds on Upper Middle Road between Appleby and Burloak on Tuesday. It may be refreshing for some to have this report so short this week but keep in mind, shorebirds will be cropping up in the next week on their return south and strong cold fronts have the potential to bring in some good loot so keep reporting your sightings! Good Birding! 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: Bruce Peninsula and Sauble Beach - Piping Plovers and many other birds From: "Norman Murr" <normurr AT sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:53:43 -0400 Good morning Yesterday Ian Cannell took Jay Peterson and myself up to the Bruce Peninsula for a day of birding and despite the heavy fog in the early morning we too ( like the OFO outing on the weekend ) came up with 101 species of birds but with just 3 pairs of eyes. We birded most of the usual roads up there and added a couple more that we were successful on last year and despite that, for the first time we did not see or hear one Sandhill Crane. Must have seen us coming. We started at the north end of the peninsula at Cape Hurd Rd and worked our way south and the following are some of the birds listed on our outing. Where I noted the Warbler numbers I know that for each one they were undercounted. Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Great Egret, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Wild Turkey, Sora, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Common, Forster's and Black Terns, 5 Black-billed Cuckoos, Great Horned Owl, R-T Hummingbird, Y-B Sapsucker, 2 Pileated Woodpeckers together, E. Wood-Pewee, E. Phoebe, Alder, Least and Great Crested Flycatchers, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House, Winter and Marsh Wrens, E. Bluebird, Veery, Hermit and Wood Thrushes, Brown Thrasher, Blue-headed, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos ( 31 Red-eyed ), 14 Warbler species including Golden-winged, 36 Nashville, Black-throated Blue, 27 Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Pine, 62 A. Redstart, 31 Ovenbirds, Mourning, and 43 Common Yellowthroat Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, E. Towhee, Clay-colored, Field, Grasshopper and White-throated Sparrows, 5 Brewer's Blackbirds, and Purple Finch. Of course we also saw a million Bobolinks, E. Meadowlarks, and Savannah Sparrows along the way After we finally decided to quit the Bruce Peninsula we headed on down to Sauble Beach and there we saw the Piping Plovers ( 4 of the 7 Adult and 2 of the chicks ). A total of 6 of these endangered birds. A new life days total for all three of us. A great big vote of thanks from all birders should be given to the guardians of these birds as they watch and protect them from predators and humans. Thank You Guys and Gals. ( The Plovers are usually at the north end of the beach. Look for the enclosed and signed area and the Guardians watching over the birds ). Directions:- BRUCE PENINSULA OWEN SOUND is at the junction of Highways 6, 21 and 26 and is approx. 190 km / 118 miles northwest of Toronto, 120 km / 75 miles west of Barrie, and 210 km / 130 miles north of London. >From Owen Sound proceed west and then north on Hwy 6 to Wiarton ( approx. 32 km / 20 miles ). Continue through Wiarton north on Hwy 6 and you are on the Bruce Peninsula and you can bird any of the roads from Wiarton to Tobermory at the northern tip of the peninsula. SAUBLE BEACH OWEN SOUND is at the junction of Highways 6, 21 and 26 and is approx. 190 km / 118 miles northwest of Toronto, 120 km / 75 miles west of Barrie, and 210 km / 130 miles north of London. >From Owen Sound proceed west and then northwest on Hwy 6 approx. 19 ˝ km / 12 miles to Hepworth ( south of Wiarton ). At Hepworth turn left ( west ) on County Road 8 and proceed approx. 11 km / 6 3/4 miles to Sauble Beach. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON "Sils mordent, mords les" _______________________________________________ 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: Ottawa: Eurasian Wigeon, Lesser Black-backed Gull From: "Bruce Di Labio" <bruce.dilabio AT sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:45:56 -0400 Hello Ontbirders Yesterday, June 26th at 1:00pm I observed the male Eurasian Wigeon at the pond on Moodie Drive. It was with a flock of 5 American Wigeon. At the Trail Road Landfill Site I saw a first summer Lesser Black-backed Gull feeding and an immature Bald Eagle flew over a few times and flushed the gulls. Saw my first juvenile Ring-billed Gulls of the season at the landfill too. good birding, Bruce Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy 417 west to Hwy 416. South on the 416 to exit 66 (Fallowfield Rd.) Right (west) on Fallowfield to Moodie Dr. Left (south) on Moodie, go past Trail Rd. on your left and Cambrian Rd. on your right until you come to a very large sand & gravel operation on the left (east) side of the road. ***PLEASE NOTE*** - do NOT cross the gate to the sand & gravel operation. This is private property, and most of the birds can be well-viewed from the road. The landfill site is located on Trail Road. There is no access but the gulls can be viewed from Trail Road just south of the main entrance. Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O.Box 538 Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0 (613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS AT hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: James Bay - Akimiski Island Report # 8 From: Jean Iron <jeaniron AT sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:31:53 -0400 We had a satellite phone call from from Akimiski Island for the period 11-26 June 2008. Mark Peck of the Royal Ontario Museum, Tyler Hoar and Gerry Binsfeld arrived on Akimiski Island on 11 June and will be leaving the Island tomorrow, 27 June. They are surveying shorebirds along coastal transects north and south of camp, and inland along a 7 km transect through black and white spruce, wet areas, and a previous burn now growing in with balsam poplar. They are also monitoring Semipalmated Plovers and Killdeers. During 16 days of surveys they have walked over 250 km. Most days were cool and foggy, the last three days were sunny, high 8 degrees celsius. Ice is still on James Bay. Shorebird Breeding and Migration Northbound shorebird migration was over by about 13 June. Most flocks of 40+ Hudsonian Godwits left by 13 June. A few birds remained, feeding on the coast then flying inland where they may nest. However, the interior of Akimiski Island is difficult to access on foot, so Mark, Tyler and Gerry have not looked inland for nests. About 20 Marbled Godwits, one with a satellite transmitter, have been regular on the coast where they feed, then fly inland. Much suitable nesting habitat occurs in the interior in large sedge meadows and fens. The surveyors have not been able to access these large inland fen meadows to check for nests. Most Semipalmated Plover and Killdeer nests were wiped out by the very high tide on 8 June. They renested and the first Semipalmated Plovers hatched on 24 June. Depredation by Red Foxes, Common Ravens, American Crows and Herring Gulls is high. Southbound shorebird migration just started. 20 to 60 adult Hudsonian Godwits a day are now gathering at this staging area on the coast. Their numbers will increase in James Bay, where they will fatten up before their mostly nonstop long distance flight to South America later in the summer. About 50 adult Lesser Yellowlegs are gathering on the mudflats indicating the first southbound migrants of this species. Expect the first southbound migrant adult Lesser Yellowlegs any day in southern Ontario. Between 5 and 10 Short-billed Dowitchers have been seen every day along the coast. Some could be early southbound migrants. Sightings Brant migrated north on 12/13 June, however a small flock of about 51 has remained throughout the period. Rafts of 200 male Common Goldeneye were on the bay on 16 June, indicating these are molt migrants that will summer on James Bay. White-winged and Black Scoters, and Common Loons have been sighted. Single sighting of Sharp-tailed Grouse and Spruce Grouse. Arctic Terns are nesting on gravel ridges. Bonaparte's Gulls are regular on the coast. Great Horned Owl seen on 17 June. 31 Gray Jays on a 7 km transect inland in black and white spruce. Gray Jay seen taking Ruby-crowned Kinglet egg. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were agitated when Gray Jays are near. Vagrant Gray Catbird and Northern Mockingbird seen on 25 June. Many singing male Tennessee Warblers. Yellow Warblers were building nests on 16 June and are still laying eggs on 26 June, whereas Yellow-rumped Warbler eggs are hatching now. Northern Waterthrushes are in the sloughs inland from camp. 6 Le Conte's Sparrows south of camp arrived on territory around 14/15 June. 1 Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (subspecies alterus) was 3 km south of camp on 15 June. Many singing Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows. Savannah Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow eggs are hatching on 26 June. 40 White-winged Crossbills were seen on 19 June, and 1 to 3 pairs seen each day since. Mammals: First Polar Bear sighted on 12 June 1 km south of camp. Next night, it came within 150 metres of camp. Firing a bear banger discouraged it from coming closer. Three nights later another Polar Bear overturned water barrels outside the camp fence on two consecutive nights. The electric fence and a 4 metre high fence protect the camp. Two Lynx are regularly seen over past 5 days. Map link shows snow and ice conditions. Akimiski (note green island) is close to Ontario coast half way up west side of James Bay. http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway Toronto _______________________________________________ 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: Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending June 26, 2008. From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner AT trentu.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:30:41 -0400 Birding is often thought to be at a low ebb at this time of year, between the spring and fall migration periods, yet at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, despite its small size, there is sufficient habitat diversity that one can easily find as many as 60-70 species of birds in a morning in June. With a bit of extra effort and time, 80 species would not be out of the question. Among the waterfowl currently present are hundreds of Canada Geese, close to a dozen Wood Ducks, half a dozen Gadwalls, and a few Redheads and scaup. On June 24, there were four American Wigeons on Owen Point. Since June 23, two Long-tailed Ducks have been seen several times between Salt Point and the lighthouse. Four Red-breasted Mergansers were on Gull Island on June 24. There are still two Common Loons in Presqu'ile Bay. Among the herons being seen regularly are Great Egrets. A Green Heron was at the calf pasture. An Osprey flew past the calf pasture. While canoeing in the marsh, a birder who is familiar with the grunts of Virginia Rails but has never heard a King Rail heard three grunts which were a fairly close match with one of the sounds of the latter species on a tape. A Bonaparte's Gull was at Owen Point on June 21, as was a Black-billed Cuckoo. A Red-bellied Woodpecker has been visiting the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road. Orchard Orioles continue to be seen regularly. 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 http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: Dickcissel - J/I Line South of Port Elgin From: mpickup AT bmts.com Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:08:46 EST Thanks to Maris Apse directions I was able to locate a male Dickcissell this afternoon around 2:30pm. It was located on the east side of the J/I Line 500 to 600 meters south of Bruce Conc. #10, and the bird was in a very agitated state which makes me think there may be a female as well. The bird came and sat on the fence line and I had good looks at it. Yours in Birding Mike Pickup Directions Travelling north or south on Hwy #21 between North Bruce and Underwood, turn west on Bruce Conc. #10 and then make a left at the J/I line - _______________________________________________ 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: Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending June 26, 2008 From: "Terry Sprague" <tsprague AT kos.net> Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:25:24 -0400 WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE WEEK ENDING Thursday, June 26, 2008 Now that the young of the year of some species are out of their nests, we are beginning to hear different sounds out there, some of them new to many ears. During a hike along Prince Edward County's Millennium Trail last weekend, the young of numerous BALTIMORE ORIOLES could be heard in the Wellington area, and a few were eventually spotted calling from tangles of wild grape and Virginia creeper. In the Jericho Road area, an egg count was taken of a PURPLE MARTIN colony with an impressive 171 eggs in 39 nests, certainly a success that not every landlord can claim as the species continues to decline in many areas. A nest of YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS near Elmbrook is one of very few nesting records of this species in Prince Edward County, except for a reference to nesting in 1930, and more recently, confirmed nesting during the recent Breeding Bird Atlas effort. Last weekend, the pair was observed feeding young at the nesting site, the female arriving three times with food, and the male once. And at Sandbanks Provincial Park, optimism for the pair of RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS nesting there near the Dunes Beach Day Use Area parking lot escalated when one adult bird was seen removing a fecal sac out of the nest yesterday. At other locations, other species are singing happily away, and among them was a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in the Coleman Street area of Belleville, its finder reporting that the bird had an amazing repertoire of backyard birds. Another NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen yesterday in Prince Edward County along Highway 49 near Mount Carmel Road. And according to one regular contributor to this weekly report who is holidaying in the States, the place to see mockingbirds is on the White House grounds and in Arlington Cemetery where several were seen and heard this week. After a decline in the area, due probably to a gradual disappearance of suitable habitat, it was a treat last weekend to hear at least four VESPER SPARROWS in as many locations along the Millennium Trail between Benway Road and Greer Road, west of Wellington. The wetland just northwest of Danforth Road along the same trail produced several BLACK TERNS, MARSH WRENS, SWAMP SPARROWS and two VIRGINIA RAILS, the latter remaining out in the open for several minutes. No LEAST BITTERNS were noted at this time, but one was seen during the week at Perch Cove at Hay Bay. Two GREAT EGRETS surprised one observer at Paliser Creek along Frankford Road, north of Belleville on the 21st, and GREAT EGRETS have also been seen at the Fox Pond along Telephone Road west of Trenton. MOURNING WARBLERS in the Scott's pine plantation area at Sandbanks Provincial Park's West Lake Sector, are likely nesting, and likewise with several PINE WARBLERS that have been heard in the area. We still await the first nesting since the early 1950s of BALD EAGLES, but the sighting of an adult bird in the Morrison's Point area, not far from where a nest platform was erected last December, provides encouragement. Other interesting sightings over the last several days include a SCARLET TANAGER in the Elmbrook area, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at Sandbanks Provincial Park, more BLACK TERNS at Sandbanks Provincial Park near the mouth of the Outlet River, and 2 at Madoc in the Cooper Road and Queensboro Road area. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was singing along the Oivi Nature Trail at the Menzel Centennial Provincial Park, north of Deseronto where no fewer than 4 VEERIES were also singing. Two GREEN HERONS kept pace with a party of hikers during an interpretive hike last night along Potter Creek at the Quinte Conservation Area in Quinte West, and 2 INDIGO BUNTINGS were seen during the week in Bloomfield. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Heather Heron, Kathy McPherson, Peter Mohr, Susan Vanden Dosch, Joanne Dewey, Donna Fano, Doris Lane, Serge de Sousa, Joanne Dewey, Doug & Evelyn Sloane, Kathleen Rankine, and John Charlton for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated on Thursday, July 03, but sightings can be e-mailed anytime before the Wednesday night deadline. Feature photo on the Main Birding Page of the NatureStuff website is by Dave Bell of Belleville, of a HOUSE WREN peering out of a nest box. Photos in the online edition of the Quinte Area Bird Report include a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD by Alan Cullum of Salem, and a GREAT EGRET by Susan Shipman of Wellington. 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: OFO Bruce Peninsula outing From: "Cindy Cartwright" <pom AT bmts.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:50:12 -0400 The weather forecast was completely wrong and we enjoyed beautiful sunny skies for the OFO trip. Thanks to the participants for being such a great group! 101 species were observed by the group, and individual participants picked up another 5-10 species on Friday and Saturday evenings. Highlights were: Piping Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Brewer's Blackbird, Black Tern, Least Bittern, Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warbler. The Piping Plovers have begun to hatch and this weekend should be very exciting (busy) for the guardians. Good birding, Cindy Cartwright and Alfred Raab _______________________________________________ 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: Eurasian Widgeon, Carolina Wren - Ottawa From: "Langis Sirois" <lsir AT sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:28:04 -0400 Good evening. I just returned from the Moodie Dr pond where I saw a male Eurasian Widgeon in breeding plumage, feeding in company of 5 or 6 American Widgeons and 4 Gadwalls. These birds could be seen standing along the fence a few meters left of the small parking area. Also present on the pond were a male Redhead (which I believe was reported earlier), a male Ring-necked Duck, 8 or 9 Ruddy Ducks, Green-winged Teals and numerous other more common ducks. All the birds wee seen from outside the small parking area ouside the fence. This morning a Carolina Wren was very vocal on Weyburn street in the Riverview area; it could also be heard from other streets in the area. Directions to the Moodie Dr. pond, courtesy of Neily World Birding Ottawa: Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 take exit 66 (Fallowfield Road). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto Fallowfield, where you will turn right or west. If northbound, the 0.4 km offramp brings you to Fallowfield, where you will turn left or west onto it and in 0.5 km join the southbound offramp traffic. Both groups will now follow Fallowfield Road west for an additional 0.4 km to reach Moodie Drive. Turn left or southeast onto Moodie Drive and go 5.3 km, passing Cambrian Road to reach the quarries (second gate on the left). Park along the side of the road without blocking the access. Warning: This site is private property and is an active quarry. Because of liability concerns the pit operators do not allow access during working hours. Trucks and machinery operate here on workdays, so please don't block the roads into the quarry. At such times, limited birding can be accomplished from the roadside, which overlooks the pond, especially with a good scope. Directions to Wayburn St.: From the 417, exit at Vanier Parkway-Riverside Dr.; go South on Riverside Dr a few hundred meters and turn left on Industrial Ave, then right on Neighbourhoood Way (just passed Alta Vista Dr, left again on Coronation (0.2 km), and right on Weyburn (0.8 km). Good night and good birding. Langis Sirois, Ottawa _______________________________________________ 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: Brighton Wetlands From: "Keith Lee" <keith.lee AT sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:08:54 -0400 Hi everyone, I have decided to open only one day a week for the next 4 to 6 weeks depending on the wildlife, after talking to some of the birders(regulars) we have come up with I hope the best solution, this would be Saturday afternoons from 4 PM to 5:30 or 6:00 PM depending on how many people show up. This will be the next three weeks, I can adjust this to your schedule if you have a group or not. If you wish to contact me for any reason or for arranging for another time e-mail or by phone keith.lee(AT)sympatico.ca cell 613-391-9142 Home 613-475-0881 As you may already know our Osprey has three young, and the excitement continues, the Osprey can also be see from the viewing platform when feeding the young are very visible. Directions: The Constructed Wetland is located at the SE corner of Brighton. From Hwy 401, take the Brighton exit (Hwy. 30)and follow it south into town. Go south through the two traffic lights, over the railway tracks and follow the main road, now called Prince Edward Street, south. About 1 km south of the tracks, the main road begins to swing to the left and becomes Cty. Rd. 64. As this long turn ends, the constructed wetlands appear on the right side. There is room to park on the edge (shoulder) of the road, but use your own judgment. _______________________________________________ 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: Peregrine Falcons at Burlington Lift bridge From: Ken Newcombe <kennewcombe AT cogeco.ca> Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:54:09 -0400 Hi All, As of 10:30 AM today it appeared that three of the four Peregrine Falcons had left the nest box. (I was told two flew yesterday). I could only see one in the nest box though it is possible another is present. One of them (Maitland) tagged 43 Y was sitting on the Hamilton tower of the bridge for well over an hour preening and eying the Rock Pigeons that would perch within ten feet of the Falcon at times. Both adults were present but I did not see any feeding while I was there from about 8:30-10:30AM. The Burlington lift bridge is located at the Burlington canal beside the Skyway bridge. The nest box is high on the Burlington side bridge tower. Photos: http://kennewcombe.com/recent_images2.html -- www.kennewcombe.com Ken Newcombe Dundas, Ontario, Canada _______________________________________________ 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: Dickcissel + Marbled Godwit - Saugeen Shores From: Maris Apse <apsemaris AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:05:12 -0400 Hi all, We had these birds last Friday -June 20 - on our way to the OFO Bruce Peninsula FT but have been unable to post until now(got home late Sunday and had to pick up a new van in Exeter yesterday etc). At ~17:45, a single female Dickcissel was on the roadside fence, east side of Sideroad J/I ~600 metres south of Bruce Concession #10. We stopped here on our way home Sunday ~19:30, but could NOT relocate it. We did get an Upland Sandpiper just 2/300 metres further north, both Friday and Sunday evening. The Marbled Godwit was in Miramichi Bay at ~18:30 -west of Hwy#21 on Southampton #10 to the lake and a little north. Again we checked for this bird on our way home ~19:00 Sunday but did NOT find it. We did see a Bald Eagle flying with a fish here on Sunday and a Great Egret(presumably both Chantry Island nesters). I am posting these observations in case some more local birders are able to check these locations in their travels. Cheers! Maris P.S. Thanks to Cindy Cartwright and Alfred Raab for leading a great OFO trip with many memorable moments in wonderful weather and good company. Maris Apse 10094 Red Pine Road, Box 22, RR #2 Grand Bend ON N0M 1T0 (519) 238 - 8415 _________________________________________________________________ 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: Western Meadowlark - Palgrave From: "Todd Pepper" <tandjpepper AT cogeco.ca> Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:24:37 -0400 I was in Toronto for meetings today and took a side trip to Palgrave on the way home to see if the Western Meadowlark was still around, since there have been no reports since last Thursday. It was still in the same place (directions below) at 2:00 p.m. sitting on the hydro line exactly 300 metres west of the intersection of Hwy 50 and Patterson Sideroad in Palgrave. It was singing as I pulled up on the north side of the road, and it continued with its melodic song about once a minute for the 10 minutes I was there. Directions from Paul Prior's Western Meadowlark report: >From downtown Toronto, head north to the end of Hwy 427, turn west on Hwy 7 to Hwy 50, then head north, through Bolton and on toward the village of Palgrave. A couple of miles past Albion Hills Conservation Area, you'll come to Patterson Sideroad, turn west onto this road and drive for perhaps 300 metres. Park alongside the meadow and hopefully the bird will be singing loudly again, in the meadow to the south of the road. Todd Pepper Leamington, Ontario tandjpepper AT cogeco.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: Wasaga Beach Directions From: Bruce Wilson <wilsonbrucea AT rogers.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:43:40 -0400 Sorry. I forgot to post the directions. The birds at Wasaga Beach are easy to access. Follow Main Street from Highway 92 and cross the bridge. Take the first right onto Jenetta Street. Take Jenetta to Spruce Street (2nd left) and turn left. Park in the parking lot on the right where Spruce Street turns left and into Beach Drive. You will see the fenced off area of the beach at the northeast edge of the parking lot with the Guardians sitting at the end of the boardwalk. The two nest exclosures are easy to see. Bruce Wilson Barrie, Ontario, Canada Life Member NMRA Member Scale 7 Group Gauge 0 Guild 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 http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: Black Vulture at Tobermory From: "Tom Thomas" <tthomas AT cogeco.ca> Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:41:15 -0400 Hello, Yesterday afternoon while birding the Garbage Dump near the airport at Tobermory,Tim King and I along with Gill Arden and Bob Zarnke spotted a Black Vulture. We were scanning the birds foraging in the garbage piles, when two of us saw this large bird coming in to land, and we both instantly said 'that's a Back Vulture'. It was out of sight for a while, and the area it landed in was fenced, but no matter, as it soon took to the air and proceeded to fly in circles overhead giving us terrific views, and we marveled at this beautiful Vulture and it's graceful flapping flight pattern. Cheers....................Tom. Tobermory is at the tip of the Bruce Peninsular. To get to the dump, take Warner Bay Road which is on the west side of Hwy 6, just south of Tobermory and drive past the airport, then turn right on McArthur Road. Look for the dump on the left hand side just up the road. Good luck.........T. _______________________________________________ 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: Wasaga Beach Piping Plovers From: Bruce Wilson <wilsonbrucea AT rogers.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:33:39 -0400 This was posted yesterday by Mary Little on the Simcoe Nature Board. good news/bad news about Wasaga PIPLs Posted on June 22, 2008 at 08:57:02 PM by mary little Good news: The second nest (nest B) of piping plovers started hatching today at noon. By 2pm: 3 of 4 eggs had hatched. Bad news: A terrible, freak storm hit Wasaga Beach at 5:30pm. Ten minutes of lightening, heavy rain and heavy large (quarter sized) hail. The beach was blanketed in hail. In places it was 6 inches deep. All 3 chicks from the first brood (nest A) have perished. (One chick was predated by a merlin on Saturday.) Outlook: Although nest B sustained damage, it is possible that all the chicks may have survived. At 7pm 2 new hatchlings were seen sunning themselves. Bruce Wilson Barrie, Ontario, Canada Life Member NMRA Member Scale 7 Group Gauge 0 Guild 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 http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: Western Meadowlark on Pelee Island From: Adam Pinch <adam_pinch AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:35:19 -0400 A Western Meadowlark was singing persistently along Mahoney just east of Stewart road this morning. There are a lot of gulls and terns at the tip of Fish Point including a Black Tern, a couple of Caspian Terns, several Common Terns, and a first-summer Little Gull among many first-summer Bonaparte's Gulls. Adam Pinch, Pelee Island Bird Observatory _________________________________________________________________ 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: Eastern Ontario: Ruddy Duck, Redhead & Horned Grebe From: "Bruce Di Labio" <bruce.dilabio AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:25:12 -0400 Hello Ontbirders Spent yesterday morning birding a number of the sewage lagoons east of Ottawa. The Alfred Sewage Lagoon continues to have the most variety and numbers of waterbirds. Highlights included 60+ Ruddy Ducks, 38 Redhead, 1 Mute Swan, 1 American Bittern and both Virginia Rail and Sora. No migrant shorebirds were noted but southbound ones should start passing through our region soon! At Embrun Sewage Lagoon the late lingering breeding plumage Horned Grebe was still present in the north central cell along with 5 Ruddy Ducks. Also in the Alfred area, 1 Lincolns and 1 Clay-coloured sparrow were observed at the Alfred Bog Boardwalk. While 2 Gray Partridge were seen along Giroux Rd. & Conc. 10 and 3 Upland Sandpipers were near the corner of Hwy. 17 and Lafaivre Rd. good birding, Bruce DIRECTIONS: From the town of Alfred go east on Highway 17, then turn south on Peat Moss Road and drive for 2 km. The lagoons are on your left (east side of road). The birds are best observed from the viewing tower. Access to the viewing tower is free and no permit is needed. Entrance to the lagoons is prohibited unless in the possession of a valid ANNUAL PERMIT. The permit can be purchased on week days from the Alfred town office just beside the fire station. Arrangements can also be made to receive the permit by fax by contacting Richard Villeneuve at (613) 679-2292. Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O.Box 538 Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0 (613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS AT hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php Subject: American Golden Plover - Hillman Marsh From: "Todd Pepper" <tandjpepper AT cogeco.ca> Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:26:52 -0400 While the Shorebird Cell at Hillman Marsh is completely drained, a lone American Golden Plover was seen just before noon in the south-east corner of the Cell. It was not in crisp breeding plumage. It is a little late for going north and a little early for heading south. Acadian Flycatcher was calling from the nearby patch of woods. Just a reminder that the bridge over the Hillman Marsh on County Road 37 is closed for construction so the only access to the Shorebird Cell is from the west on Oak or Seacliff Drive from Leamington. Todd Pepper Leamington, Ontario tandjpepper AT cogeco.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: Brighton Wetland and Lagoon From: "Rod Lee" <simkev AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:17:38 -0400 Hello everyone: This report comes on behalf of Keith Lee (Tiny). Last Saturday I was excited to report that the Constructed Wetland had one possibly two baby Osprey. This Saturday - Tiny, Donna, Maureen R, and myself are very excited to report that we saw "3" baby Osprey - Catfish, Ollie and Oswald. We watched as one adult brought in what looked like a Carp. The adult on the nest immediately started feeding the brood. The adult seem to be making sure that each "chick" received the same amount. (Making sure that one chick did not eat it all). The third chick appears to be a little bit younger than the other two but still had no problem getting its bill in for the fish. Now, more excitement - Donna, Maureen R. and I saw a little fluffy black Sora chick. Although I have seen a Sora chick before, this was a first for Maureen R. and Donna. What a totally amazing little chick. We watched as it scurried very quickly when called. Also present at the Wetland - many Killdeer, a Blue Wing Teal, many Moorhen (seen and heard calling), Trumpeter Swan (Oscar), Mute Swan, Marsh Wren, Mourning Dove, Barn and Tree Swallows, a Spotted Sandpiper A reminder that starting next Saturday June 28, 2008 Keith Lee (Tiny) will be at the Wetland between 4:00 and 5:30 or 6:00pm Maureen Campeau Directions: The Constructed Wetland is located at the SE corner of Brighton. From Hwy 401, take the Brighton exit 509 (Hwy. 30) and follow it south into town. Go south through the two traffic lights, over the railway tracks and follow the main road, now called Prince Edward Street, south. About 1 km south of the tracks, the main road begins to swing to the left and becomes Cty. Rd. 64. As this long turn ends the Constructed Wetlands appear on the right side. _______________________________________________ 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