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3 Feb Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report, Friday, February 3rd, 2012 ["Cheryl Edgecombe" ] 3 Feb Purple Finches in Gowganda..Temiskaming Dist. North ["Paul and Gert Trudel" ] 3 Feb Snowy Owl-Vineland ["Nancy Smith" ] 3 Feb Cooper's Hawk, Ottawa [Don Wigle ] 3 Feb Fish Crows in Fort Erie ["Dr. Gordon Payne" ] 03 Feb Greater White-fronted Goose @ Presqu'ile. [Fred Helleiner ] 3 Feb Kingston Area Birds for the Period Jan 27 to Feb 2, 2012 [Mark Conboy ] 3 Feb Toronto Islands - W-W Crossbills and R-N Ducks [Norm Murr ] 2 Feb Ottawa/Gatineau - 2 Feb 2012 - recent reports [bob cermak ] 02 Feb Ottawa Carolina Wren and possible Gyrfalcon [Brendan Toews ] 02 Feb Algonquin Park Birding Report: 2 February 2012 [Ron Tozer ] 02 Feb Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 2, 2012. [Fred Helleiner ] 2 Feb VESPER SPARROW, Beachville, Feb. 2nd [Len M ] 2 Feb Hawks seen on King Sideroad west of Bolton [Siegmar Bodach ] 31 Jan White Winged Crossbills [Joanne Reive ] 31 Jan Algonquin Active [richard pope ] 31 Jan Snowy owl in st. Catharines area [Andrew Keaveney ] 31 Jan White-winged Crossbills ["Geoff Carpentier" ] 31 Jan redpolls and crossbills - Scugog Twp. ["Geoff Carpentier" ] 30 Jan Ontario winter bird list update #5 [Josh Vandermeulen ] 30 Jan Swans, Whitby Harbour [] 29 Jan California Gull, Fish Crows at Niagara. King Eider at Port Weller. [Michael King ] 29 Jan Gulls incl Black-headed, Fish Crows etc.. Fort Erie & Niagara [Lev Frid ] 29 Jan Ottawa-Gatineau - Eardely escarpment birds (25 - 29 January) ["Christina Lewis" ] 29 Jan G. Ross Lord Park [Glenn Steplock ] 29 Jan Carolina Wren, Cooper's Hawk, Ottawa [Don Wigle ] 29 Jan Lesser Black-backed Gull near Casselman [mark gawn ] 29 Jan Fort Erie fish crows [Marcia Jacklin ] 28 Jan Withrow Park: test message [Ivor Williams ] 28 Jan Northern Pintail, Rouge Valley [Mark ] 28 Jan Bohemian Waxwings, red crossbills et al: Eardley-Masham Road (Western Quebec near Ottawa) [David Rhody ] 28 Jan Hoary Redpoll part of big flight of redpolls in Scugog Twp today ["Geoff Carpentier" ] 27 Jan Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, January 27th, 2012 ["Cheryl Edgecombe" ] 27 Jan 'migrant' waterfowl and other recent Oxford birds [JAMES HOLDSWORTH ] 27 Jan Western Red Tail, Oshawa, new location ["Jim Yaki" ] 27 Jan Ottawa/Gatineau - 26 Jan 2012 - recent reports [bob cermak ] 27 Jan Ottawa East (St. Isidore area) - Gray Partridge, Lapland Longspur, Thayer's Gull [Patrick Blake ] 27 Jan Kingston Area Birds for the Period Jan 20 to Jan 26, 2012 [Mark Conboy ] 27 Jan 7 Species of Gulls in Kitchener/Waterloo [Peeter Musta ] 26 Jan Algonquin Park Birding Report: 26 January 2012 [Ron Tozer ] 26 Jan Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 26, 2012. [Fred Helleiner ] 26 Jan U of Guelph Arboretum Owl Workshop [Chris Earley ] 26 Jan Spring Ducks and WW Crossbills [James Turland ] 26 Jan Northern Raven, Stouffville, 9th Line ["Barry K. MacKay" ] 26 Jan more 'spring' waterfowl [JAMES HOLDSWORTH ] 26 Jan Mountain bluebird near Shetland area [Pete And Sue Read ] 26 Jan spring migrants at Presq'ile ["P Stagg" ] 26 Jan Niagara River and Port Weller - gulls, fish crows, cackling goose and an eider ["Geoff Carpentier" ] 25 Jan Niagara River Birding - Little Gulls, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid and FISH CROWS!!! [Andrew Keaveney ] 25 Jan Spring ducks in Northumberland Jan24/25 ["M. Bain" ] 25 Jan Algonquin and area - winter finches, Boreal Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwings, etc [Tony Bigg ] 25 Jan White-winged Crossbills, Red-bellied Woodpecker at Kortright CA, York Region [Lev Frid ] 25 Jan Spring Ducks at Point Pelee [] 25 Jan Northern Goshawk/Cooper's Hawk [Perry Rubin ] 25 Jan Tommy Thompson Park Owl Viewing and Reporting Policy [Brett Tryon ] 24 Jan Mountain Bluebird seen along Kerry Road west of Newbury today ["David Skinner" ] 24 Jan Common Grackl. Toronto. [] 24 Jan winter finches - Scugog Twp - crossbill, repoll and siskin ["Geoff Carpentier" ] 23 Jan Trumpeter swans & Bald eagle [Susan Menzies ] 23 Jan Shetland area Mountain Bluebird -No ["Pete and Sue" ] 23 Jan Hawk Owl, Perth [Jean Griffin ] 23 Jan Turkey Vulture - Grand Bend [Maris Apse ] 22 Jan Hybrid Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser at Cobourg Harbour [Michael Runtz ] 22 Jan Mountain Bluebird -Shetland- YES this morning [Marianne Reid ] 22 Jan Varied Thrush (Limoges - East if Ottawa) [] 22 Jan No Cackling Geese/Brant/Greater White-fronted Goose at LaSalle Park [David Gascoigne and Miriam Bauman ] 22 Jan Northern Hawk Owl - Perth (NO) [] 22 Jan Amherst Island - Sat Jan 21 ["Keith Linton" ] 22 Jan Northern Hawk Owl - Perth [Jean Griffin ] 21 Jan Niagara River - 11 Gulls, Harlequin Duck, Black Vulture [Gavin Platt ] 21 Jan Calurus Red-tailed Hawk in Oshawa [Alfred Adamo ] 21 Jan Tundra Swans - Millhaven [Paul O'Toole ] 21 Jan Redpolls south of Napanee [] 21 Jan Kestrel in greektown [Richard Sigesmund ] 21 Jan Ottawa OFO Trip - Snowy Owl, Varied Thrush, Barrow's Goldeneye, etc. [David Britton ] 21 Jan Mountain Bluebird at Shetland, ON [Dwayne Murphy ] Subject: Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report, Friday, February 3rd, 2012 From: "Cheryl Edgecombe" <cheryle29 AT cogeco.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:01:20 -0500 On Friday, February 03, 2012 this is the HNC birding report: Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Brant Cackling Goose American Wigeon King Eider Red-throated Loon Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Northern Goshawk Rough-legged Hawk Thayer's Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Great Horned Owl Snowy Owl Long-eared Owl Northern Shrike Carolina Wren Winter Wren Hermit Thrush Bohemian Waxwing Cedar Waxwing Yellow-rumped Warbler White-crowned Sparrow Purple Finch White-winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Pine Siskin This week has more of a winter flavour bird wise, not temperature wise than past weeks here in the Hamilton Study area. There were no outstanding rarities but winter listers would be encouraged to look over the list to fill in the holes. We will start out with waterfowl. I have met many frustrated birders this week, myself included out looking for the specialty geese. Although the geese are reported, they seldom stay in the same spot or return to the same spot making it frustrating. The Greater White-fronted Goose was seen today at the Rock Chapel Golf Course on Highway 5 east of Clappisons Corners in with hundreds of Canada Geese. American Wigeon were also reported from this area. The Snow Goose was reported from Bayfront Park earlier in the week but has not been seen since. The Brant along with a Cackling Goose was also seen at Bayfront Park on Tuesday but has not been reported since. All of these birds are still in the area I am sure but it is a big guess as to where they will feed or roost so patience is necessary. Be sure not to confuse any with the farm goose now residing at Princess Point! Loons have been in the area of Bayfront and LaSalle Marina with both Common and Red-throated Loons being seen mid-week. A young male King Eider was seen earlier in the week at Bayfront Park. Again this week, while looking for these geese take some time to diversify and look at the gulls. Thayer's and Glaucous Gull were seen at the ship canal at the lift bridge and a Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult) was seen from LaSalle Marina today. Raptors and Vultures seem to be moving about the area. Turkey Vultures were reported over Bayfront Park and over South Oakville this week. One has to assume these are wintering birds moving further afield but maybe warmer temps are driving birds north. A juvenile Bald Eagle was seen over Bayfront on Tuesday. An adult Northern Goshawk was a welcome winter bird on Concession 11 East in Flamborough west of Millborough Townline. Rough-legged Hawk was seen over this area as well. Winter finches seem to be on the move. On 11th Concession East just west of Millborough Town Line, Purple Finch, Common Redpoll and Pine Siskins were flying amongst the trees close to a feeder set up. Cone crops are still plentiful so birds remain up high although Purple Finch were at feeders. Today in the valley across from LaSalle Park, four White-winged Crossbills were seen. Winter Wren and Hermit Thrush were also reported from here. A number of sizable flocks of Common Redpolls have been reported in Flamborough, Wellington County and even here in South Burlington this week. Owls are in the news this week with Snowy Owls being reported from Sladeview Drive in Mississauga, on top of the Longo's grocery store at Burloak just south of the QEW and on the rocks at Confederation Park. On the east side of Bronte Provincial Park a Great Horned Owl has taken up residence and a good number of Long-eared Owls appear to be wintering here. A Great Horned Owl is still being seen and probably on nest at the Valley Inn inbetween the expansion joint of the Plains Road Bridge. In the odds and sods this week, Pied-billed Grebe continues to be seen at the Desjardins Canal on York Road in Dundas. A few American Wigeon were seen here as well. A Great Blue Heron was seen over 5th Concession West at Highway 6. A Northern Shrike was reported on Kirkwall Road today. A few Bohemian Waxwings were seen with Cedar Waxwings across from Little Tract near Guelph earlier in the week. Carolina Wren, Winter Wren and Yellow-rumped Warbler were seen on the trail up the Hendrie Valley at Valley Inn. Two White-crowned Sparrows were seen on the mountain rail trail at Dickenson Road. White-crowned Sparrows have overwintered here in the past. It's a good weekend to be out and about, please send along your sightings for the winter listers! Good birding, Cheryl Edgecombe _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Purple Finches in Gowganda..Temiskaming Dist. North From: "Paul and Gert Trudel" <ptrudel AT ontera.net> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:33:48 -0500 Hi, I finally have Purple Finches. They joined the hundreds of Common Redpolls and the Pine and Evening Grosbeaks. (Lucky that the Nyger is on sale!!!!) I note very few Black Capped Chickadees this winter and even the Hairy and Downy Woodpecker numbers are down . Blue Jays are decreasing in my area but increasing about an hour and a half North East of me. We have lots of snow..about 50 cm easy, on the ground now. After a lot of fluffy snow falls , the driveway becomes the ground feeder until the wind hardens the snow again. We do have at least two snowy owls in the Dist. About 1 hour from my place. Cheers, Gert Trudel trudel AT ontera.ca Temiskaming Dist. 6 hours North of Toronto via Hwy 11 N _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Snowy Owl-Vineland From: "Nancy Smith" <nancy.smith AT talkwireless.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 17:26:19 -0500 Still seen today out on the breakwall north of the Beacon Harbourside Best Western Inn on the north service road of the QEW between Victoria Ave.( Reg. 24 ) Vineland and Jordan Road exits. Enjoy! Nancy Smith RR#1 Vineland, ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Cooper's Hawk, Ottawa From: Don Wigle <don.wigle AT sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 13:25:14 -0500 The Cooper's Hawk seen recently in Britannia Woods was still present yesterday. We first saw it flying straight toward us down Cassels Street and about 20 feet off the deck. We later saw it in the woods. It was an adult female....see picture at link. https://sites.google.com/a/ontariobird.com/ontario-birds/Home/recent-photos Beth and Don Wigle Ottawa Location: see Google Map http://g.co/maps/38ws2 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Fish Crows in Fort Erie From: "Dr. Gordon Payne" <vireo AT rogers.blackberry.net> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 17:35:34 +0000 My brother Doug and I observed three Fish Crows between noon and 12:30pm today in the area around the intersection of Highland Ave. and Crooks St. in Fort Erie. Gord Payne London, ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Greater White-fronted Goose @ Presqu'ile. From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner AT trentu.ca> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:41:41 -0500 A Greater White-fronted Goose was seen by five people this morning at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. It was swimming around the west side of Salt Point and could be seen easily from the government dock. 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. Salt Point and the government dock are on Bayshore Road, which follows the shore of Presqu'ile Bay. -- -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. 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 birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Kingston Area Birds for the Period Jan 27 to Feb 2, 2012 From: Mark Conboy <mconboy AT lakeheadu.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:33:20 -0500 No major rarities to report but 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS in the past week were surprising. Winter finch numbers remain low except for a small and brief apparent movement of COMMON REDPOLLS. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS are again being seen for the first time since early January. City of Kingston Two TUNDRA SWANS, 12 AMERICAN ROBINS and 10 CEDAR WAXWINGS were at Lemoine Point Conservation Area. Navy Bay (at the Royal Military College) had 1 RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS and COMMON MERGANSER. Cataraqui Bay is playing host to lots of waterfowl including hundreds of REDHEADS and COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 male WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and 1 BLACK SCOTER. A BALD EAGLE can be seen hunting and scavenging around the bay most days. Some small flocks of COMMON REDPOLLS moved through the city this past week. Eighty made a brief appearance in the Saint Lawrence Woods neighbourhood and a flock of 30 was seen elsewhere in town. There was 1 AMERICAN ROBIN at Saint Lawrence Woods. Adolphustown Area The Lake Ontario waterfront hosted 2 SNOW GEESE, MUTE SWAN, TUNDRA SWAN, GADWALL, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, 12 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 4 REDHEADS, GREATER SCAUP, 15 LESSER SCAUP, LONG-TAILED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 1 COMMON LOON, 5 AMERICAN COOTS, 1 GLAUCOUS GULL and 100 GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS. Other birds reported in this area (no specific location details provided) included 2 BALD EAGLES, 1 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 1 NORTHERN FLICKER, 2 NORTHERN SHRIKES, 2 COMMON RAVENS, 300 AMERICAN ROBINS and 1600 CEDAR WAXWINGS. Amherst Island Birds on the island this week (with high counts for select species) included AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYE, LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 4 BALD EAGLES, 5 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 6 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 1 MERLIN, 3 SNOWY OWLS, 11 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 1 GREAT HORNED OWL, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE, 2 AMERICAN ROBINS, 1 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, SNOW BUNTING and 3 COMMON REDPOLLS. There was 1 COMMON LOON in the ferry channel. Bedford Mills There were 6 TRUMPETER SWANS in the persistent open water yesterday. An adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was south of Bedford Mills not far from where the long-lasting FIELD SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD continue to visit a private bird feeder. Also in the area was a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, up to 4 COMMON REDPOLLS and 1 PURPLE FINCH. Odessa-Newburgh-Enterprise Area There were lots of gulls at the Violet Dump yesterday including at least 2 ICELAND and 2 GLAUCOUS. Earlier in the week there were 2 GLAUCOUS GULLS in a field 1 km north of Newburgh. The 100 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS near the intersection of County Roads 6 and 20 (North of Odessa) is the highest count for this species we’ve had all winter. Another 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were on Mary Moore Road (northeast of Enterprise). Another 63 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS and 4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were on Moscow Road. Opinicon Road TRUMPETER SWANS are still at Chaffey’s Lock. An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL was stalking flying squirrels at the Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS) feeders on the night of the 29th. Seven BALD EAGLES and 7 COMMON RAVENS were attending carrion on Lake Opinicon. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES continue to visit the feeders at QUBS and at least 1 BROWN CREEPER can be seen there too. Other Sightings Three TRUMPETER SWANS were heard from the Park Office at Charleston Lake Provincial Park. The wintering SNOWY OWL remains at Millhaven, just east of the ferry dock. CEDAR WAXWINGS were reported at Cranberry Lake. Four more BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were in Westport. One COMMON REDPOLL was at a feeder north of Batersea. Thank you to those who contributed observations this week. All bird sightings reported to me are included in the Kingston Field Naturalists’ long term records database which has over 60 years of observations on file and is an invaluable conservation resource. Mark -- Mark Andrew Conboy Operations & Research Assistant and Outreach Coordinator Queen’s University Biological Station 280 Queen's University Road Elgin, Ontario, Canada K0G 1E0 phone: 613-359-5629 fax: 613-359-6558 email: 7mc19 AT queensu.ca or mconboy AT lakeheadu.ca QUBS website: http://www.queensu.ca/qubs/index.html QUBS blog: http://opinicon.wordpress.com/ QUBS flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/qubsoutreach/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Toronto Islands - W-W Crossbills and R-N Ducks From: Norm Murr <normurr AT sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 07:57:14 -0500 Good Morning Yesterday Margaret Liubavicius, Ian Cannell and I headed for the Toronto Islands to se if any of the reported crossbills had made it into the Toronto area and indeed some have. Following are some of the birds we found, some possible spring arrivals and some obviously northern visitors. 4 nice male Ring-necked Ducks, 18 Lesser Scaup, Hooded Mergansers, 100s of Greater Scaup, Redheads, Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes, 75+ White-winged Crossbills in 2 or 3 flocks, 50+ American Goldfinch, 35+ Cedar Waxwings, A. Robins, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Pine Siskin. The crossbills were actively feeding on cone seeds on the tall Spruce Trees on Algonquin Island, great views. One sighting of interest was seeing a female Hooded Merganser come up from a dive in a lagoon with a frog in it’s beak, a surprise sighting not to be expected in February as in all other years that I have birded down there the lagoons are usually frozen solid and support hockey playing residents. Directions:- TORONTO ISLANDS - WINTER SCHEDULE DIRECTIONS TO THE TORONTO ISLAND FERRY DOCKS Alert: – If the city employees go on on strike or are locked out there will be no ferry service to The Islands and the private boat will be for island residents only. If you are on the subway southbound get off at the TTC’s Union Subway Station, walk south on Bay Street (on the east side of the station) for about 1 km to the ferry docks at the foot of Bay Street at Queen’s Quay and you are there. The entrance to the ferry docks (well signed) is on the west side of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. To get to the Toronto Islands from the TTC’s Union Subway Station on the TTC you may transfer to the #6 or the #6A Bay St. TTC bus on Bay Street just outside of the east entrance to the GO Station. They both go down Bay Street to Queen’s Quay. Go passengers arriving by train or bus must pay a fare to use the TTC bus or streetcar. When running there is a street car (#509 Harbourfront) that goes from inside the TTC’s Union Subway Station to Queen’s Quay (no transfer required). For those who choose to head down to the docks on Sunday before the Subway opens you can catch the #97B Yonge St. Blue Night bus (Steeles Ave. To Queens Quay). This bus will let you off right across the street on Bay St. only steps from the ferry docks entrance. You may also want to visit the TTC web page http://www.ttc.ca/ for trip planning assistance. If in an auto on the Gardener Expressway or on Lakeshore Blvd, then exit at Bay Street and drive south to Queen’s Quay, there are lots of parking lots nearby (fee). These parking lots are located just a block north of the ferry docks with more a block or so west of the ferry docks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THERE ARE NO BOATS TO CENTRE ISLAND PER USUAL OR HANLANS POINT (This is new this year) IN THE WINTER 1. If arriving in early am ( before 7:30 ) you must obtain your ticket from a machine just outside the gate so be sure to have $1.00 and $2.00 and / or 25 cent coins before you arrive at the docks as there is no place to get change and the machines do not make change. ( BE SURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY ). There is coffee shop ( Treat’s CafĂ© ) across from the ferry docks in the building on the northwest corner ( opens before 6:30 am on week days but only opens at 9 am on the Saturdays that it doesn’t rain ). You may also purchase do-nuts, etc. here. A new Second Cup Coffee Shop has opened in the southeast area of Bay St. and Lakeshore Blvd and opens at 7 am 7 days per week. Also just a little east on Queen’s Quay ( less than a block ) there is the "Kitchen Table" and they are open at 6 am - 7 days per week. Besides coffee you may also buy food and beverages at the Kitchen Table if you forget a lunch. There are no concession stands open on The Islands. The drinking fountains through out are turned off until Spring. Washrooms are also located at the fire station and on the north side of Centre Island just west of the gardens. TORONTO ISLAND - FERRY FARES AND DAILY SCHEDULES http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm Notes: - There is a map of the Islands at each of the Island side ferry docks and the City side ferry dock. - The Ward’s Island washrooms are now open. - The ticket booths are being renovated at this time so the ticket machines have been moved inside the terminal and to get to these or the ticket booth keep to your right past the hoarding (follow the arrows) and go around and approach the booth from inside the terminal. Norm Murr 303-48 Laverock Ave. Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 4J5 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Ottawa/Gatineau - 2 Feb 2012 - recent reports From: bob cermak <robertcermak9 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 23:06:26 -0500 Ontario/Quebec Ottawa/Gatineau 2 February 2012 Hotline: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Phone number: 613-860-9000 For the Bird Status Line PRESS * (star) To report bird sightings PRESS 1 (one) Coverage: Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario,W. Quebec Compiler & transcriber: Bob Cermak robertcermak9 AT hotmail.com or sightings AT ofnc.ca The adult male VARIED THRUSH was last reported on January 27th at the feeders on Calypso road east of Ottawa (east of Limoges). Some of the most interesting lingering birds have been; - AMERICAN ROBINS continue to be present all over the Ottawa/Gatineau area - a male NORTHERN PINTAIL continues on the open water at the Manotick mill/dam - a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD continues at the Hilda feeders - a WINTER WREN and a BELTED KINGFISHER were seen from the ridge at the Britannia Conservation area on January 29th - the CAROLINA WREN continues to be seen along the fence on the west side of the Britannia Conservation area The Eardley-Masham Road in Quebec continues to be very active. RED CROSSBILLS, PINE SISKINS, PURPLE FINCHES, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and RUFFED GROUSE a regularly being seen. Some of the more interesting seasonal birds have been; - BALD EAGLES at several locations - BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at many locations - single GOLDEN EAGLES were seen on January 29th from Therrien road (just east of the Eardley-Masham road) and on February 2nd from the Eardley-Masham road - a female BLACK-BACKED WP, 8 EVENING GROSBEAKS and several WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen on January 26th in the area of the Calypso road feeders - an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen from the Lafleche dump road east of Casselman on January 29th - WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and HOUSE FINCHES were seen in Crystal Beach on January 29th - 11 GRAY PARTRIDGE were seen on February 1st near the intersection of Kinburn Side Road and Moore's Road Thank you for your bird observations, Good Birding _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Ottawa Carolina Wren and possible Gyrfalcon From: Brendan Toews <fe838 AT ncf.ca> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:34:50 -0500 Hi Ontbirders, Today Kim Toews and I birded around Ottawa. With the help of some locale birders/photographers we were able to find the Carolina Wren that has been frequenting the Britannia area. It was seen along the fence on the west side, and was regularly visiting a feeder. Near the western entrance to the Ottawa River Parkway, we observed an all white raptor being mobbed by crows. Unfortunately, we were in heavy traffic at the time and only had a 5-10 seconds glimpse of the bird before it was out of view. It was all white with light grey streaking, had pointed wings and was larger than the crows that were mobbing it. It was closer in size to a Common Raven, which we also observed in the same area. We circled back and checked the area for around 20 minutes with no luck. We then followed the parkway going east, making a short stop at Tunney's Pasture again with no luck. There were also approximately 70 Bohemian Waxwings around the Hilda Road feeders. Good birding! Brendan Toews btoewsphotos.zenfolio.com Directions courtesy of Don and Beth Wigle: the Carolina Wren was near the trail on the west side of Britannia Woods close to the fence line and behind a light green house about 300 metres south of the gate at the end of Rowatt Street. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Algonquin Park Birding Report: 2 February 2012 From: Ron Tozer <rtozer AT vianet.ca> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:30:29 -0500 The largest snowfall of the winter on the weekend and fairly comfortable temperatures this week made great conditions for exploring winter in Algonquin. Most visiting birders were rewarded with a variety of finches, but Spruce Grouse and Black-backed Woodpecker eluded those who reported their finds. Noteworthy sighting: Bohemian Waxwing: Five were perched in trees at the Visitor Centre parking lot on January 26. BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: No reports. Black-backed Woodpecker: No reports. Gray Jay: Six reported along Opeongo Road and six at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 31. Boreal Chickadee: Look for them in flocks of Black-capped Chickadees. Two on Bat Lake Trail on January 29. One at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 28 and 31. Two reported near the gate on Opeongo Road on January 31 and today. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Three along the northern section of Opeongo Road on January 31. Purple Finch: At least four were at the Visitor Centre feeders today. Natural seed sources farther north or locally may be diminishing now as suggested by increased numbers of this species recently at nearby Muskoka feeders as well. Red Crossbill: Observations appear to be increasing. Several sightings of birds on the highway getting salt and grit this week. White-winged Crossbill: Reported regularly in flight and on the highway. Some larger flocks observed. Common Redpoll: Flocks continue on the highway, often mixed in with Pine Siskins. Pine Siskin: Watch for flocks on the highway. Flock of 60-70 on Opeongo Road on January 31. American Goldfinch: A few coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeders. Some noted regularly along the highway. Evening Grosbeak: About 60 are regularly at the Visitor Centre feeders, mainly in the morning. Flocks of 27 at Mew Lake Campground on January 28 and 50+ on Opeongo Road on January 31. We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor Centre records. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON Directions: Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders and information. The Visitor Centre restaurant is not open this winter but visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the seating area. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase, as well as the use of a microwave. The Visitor Centre is open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. Birders visiting during the week may be able to enter the Visitor Centre to view the feeders and exhibits. Check in with staff to find out what birds are being seen. For more information see Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 2, 2012. From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner AT trentu.ca> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:40:53 -0500 The continued mild conditions have made for comfortable and productive birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park for most of the past week. In particular there are more waterfowl, and a greater variety, than one can usually expect at this time of year. The two TRUMPETER SWANS that were near the government dock last week were at the end of Langton Lane on Tuesday. A pair of GADWALLS was at the calf pasture this morning. A single NORTHERN PINTAIL was near Salt Point on Sunday, and three more were at Owen Point on Monday but have not been reported there since. CANVASBACKS and REDHEADS are increasing in number in Presqu'ile Bay every day, accompanied for the past three days by one or two RING-NECKED DUCKS. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are also there. Two male BARROW'S GOLDENEYES were near the lighthouse on January 27, but only one has been seen each day since then. It is not too early to expect the first HOODED MERGANSERS to show up since the record early date in the Park is February 2 and there is plenty of open water in the bay. Two BALD EAGLES were squabbling over some prey on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay yesterday. NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen on January 29 and February 1. A pair of WILD TURKEYS spent several months in the Park last winter but have not been reported since until one was found on January 27. A SNOWY OWL has been seen twice recently on High Bluff Island and another on Gull Island. Yesterday A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was at 83 Bayshore Road and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was on Lilac Lane. The long-staying CAROLINA WREN at 83 Bayshore Road was still present on January 29. The flock of AMERICAN ROBINS that has been wintering near the south-west corner of the calf pasture numbered about 50 birds today, and single individuals and pairs along Bayshore Road in the past few days may be new arrivals. There have been several sightings of the wintering SAVANNAH SPARROW in the past week at 83 and 85 Bayshore Road. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep, ice-choked water, in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. Moreover, there is a great deal of ice on the surrounding shore. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed 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 birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: VESPER SPARROW, Beachville, Feb. 2nd From: Len M <fdcoboy AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 20:10:17 +0000 Ontbirders and Ontbirdettes, The VESPER SPARROW recently reported by James Holdsworth, just east of Beachville, was present today. Ben Vaughan and I tried for the bird and got it almost instantly. It was hanging out in some fairly tall Sumac plants with American Tree Sparrows, directly across Queen Street, from the small parking lot leading to the Thames Trail. Bird on! Leonard Manning London, ON (moving to Hamilton on Saturday) Directions as per James`post...... Directions - from Beachville Road, take Zorra Line north .5 km, turn right [east] onto Queen St. E., proceed .75 km to the slight bend. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Hawks seen on King Sideroad west of Bolton From: Siegmar Bodach <sigipatti AT sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:16:42 -0500 Hi all Late Tuesday(Jan.31) afternoon while driving east on King Side-road just a couple of Kms. west of Bolton a Black dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk, most likely a male, flew low over my vehicle from one field into another. I pulled over to observe it as it landed in a tree. It was striking how black it was. As I scanned further up the fields I noticed 2 other hawks perched in different trees along the same treeline. 1 was a Red-tailed Hawk and the other was (from I could make out) a female Northern Harrier- long tail and very brown all over on the front. About 1 km. further east along the road sat another Red-tailed Hawk on a hydro pole along the road edge. Total of 4 hawks within a short distance of each other. Elsewhere I have noticed that Red-tailed hawks are beginning to pair off. Yesterday afternoon I observed what I believe was a Merlin flying over Snowball, near Aurora. Good birding, Sigi Aurora, ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: White Winged Crossbills From: Joanne Reive <joannereive AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:38:20 +0000 White Winged Crossbills at Eagle, Ontario Today at 11:30 I observed a flock of about 50 White Winged Crossbills in our spruce trees. They only stayed for an hour and then headed east. Eagle is about 6 miles south of West Lorne. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Algonquin Active From: richard pope <rpope AT yorku.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:13:03 -0500 Today Margaret Bain, Paul Riss and myself birded Algonquin Park. The visitor Centre was slow except for 40-50 Evening Grosbeaks, many Blue Jays, a pair of Hairy woodpeckers and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. The Spruce Bog Trail had several sizeable flocks of White-winged Crossbills, 1 Red Crossbill (female), 6 Gray Jays, Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, many Black- capped Chickadees and 1 Boreal Chickadee at the parking lot. The Opeongo Road was good (and completely ploughed): 60-70 noisy Pine Siskins in a flock 500 metres before the lake; 3 Pine Grosbeaks (halfway between the lake and the winter gate); immediately south of the winter gate was very active with 2 Boreal Chickadees, many Black-capped Chickadees, 2 Ravens, many Blue Jays and a half dozen Gray Jays some of which landed on us, 50+ Evening Grosbeaks (probably the same flock as at the Visitor Centre), 20 common Redpolls, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, many White-winged Crossbills, and 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet. No Spruce Grouse or Black-backed Woodpeckers (or Dark-eyed Juncos or Tree Sparrows) anywhere that we looked. Directions: Enter the Park at the east gate past Whitney and proceed east to all three signed locations. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Snowy owl in st. Catharines area From: Andrew Keaveney <uofgtwitcher AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:02:36 -0500 Same place as Ontbirds post from Jan. 20th labeled "Snowy Owl". Seen by Jim Thompson who didn't have Internet access this afternoon. Cheers. Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: White-winged Crossbills From: "Geoff Carpentier" <geoff.carpentier AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:42:01 -0500 White-winged Crossbills continued to move through my property today. After the early morning appearance of four birds (see previous post), about 75 more passed through in 5 different flocks between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. and then again between 2:00 - 2:15 p.m. None seemed to be feeding, but many were in full song, interspersed with their flight calls. Several landed in tamaracks and poplars in the yard then flew off to the south after a period of several minutes. Lakeridge Road and Reach St., Scugog Twp. Geoff Carpentier www.avocetnatureservices.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: redpolls and crossbills - Scugog Twp. From: "Geoff Carpentier" <geoff.carpentier AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:51:22 -0500 The somewhat localized movement of redpolls and crossbills continued today as several small flocks of Common Redpolls (max 40 birds in one flock), one Pine Siskin and 4 White-winged Crossbills flew over between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. - all were heading from west to east but none stopped to feed at my feeders. A small number of Cedar Waxwings have just shown up as well in the last couple of days. I live near Lakeridge Rd. and Reach St. just outside Uxbridge. Geoff Carpentier www.avocetnatureservices.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Ontario winter bird list update #5 From: Josh Vandermeulen <joshvandermeulen AT live.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:09:21 -0500 Ontbirders, My last winter list update was at the end of December detailed the 207 bird species that had been recorded in Ontario this winter. In the past month an additional 9 species were added, and 1 removed, to bring the total to 215 species. This is easily the highest total we have had since the winter list has been compiled. Among the major highlights were: A total of 4 Gray-crowned Rosy-finches have been seen in Ontario in the last few months including 3 since the start of the winter birding period. One of the Hepburn's race at Geraldton from January 4 to January 5, one at Rocky Bay (east of Lake Nipigon) January 10 to present, and one at Rossport (north Lake Superior coast) January 24 to 25. Two female Mountain Bluebirds have been seen in Ontario this winter. The first was found south of Guelph on January 1 and the second was found January 16 north of Thamesville. The other major highlight has been Fish Crow, the first winter record for Ontario. A probable bird was seen January 1 along the Niagara River and another probable bird was photographed in Hamilton on January 4. A single bird was found and its call recorded on January 15 and since then up to 5 birds have been seen daily in Fort Erie before continuing over the Niagara River to roost in Buffalo. The other new birds are: Pectoral Sandpiper (January 1): Wheatley harbour Black-headed Gull (January 15): Fort Erie. This bird has been present along the Niagara River since December but first found in Ontario waters on January 15. Ovenbird (December 26): Peterborough Vesper Sparrow (January 5): Beachville, southwest of Woodstock Lincoln's Sparrow (January 9): Perth Indigo Bunting (January 8): Cambridge I have send the list to Blake Maybank and hopefully he will post the results on the website soon. A link to the webpage: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/other/onwinter.htm Out of the missing species to the winter list, the most likely to be added include: Eurasian Wigeon, Gyrfalcon (reported to me but I'm just waiting on details), Virginia Rail, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. If anyone has heard of sightings of the missing species, just shoot me an email. ----------------------------------------------- Josh Vandermeulen Guelph, Ontario joshvandermeulen AT live.ca 519-222-5420 (cell) joshvandermeulen.blogspot.com (blog) _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Swans, Whitby Harbour From: klinton AT netrover.com Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:40:49 +0000 Jan 29 2012 1400hrs Whitby Harbour Directions: From the Brock St. exit of the 401 continue south 2km to the parking lot. WITNESSED: At the Brock St. bridge 0.5km north of the harbour, an older gentleman and his young grand-daughter feeding Mallards and several Trumpeter swans near the road, before almost backing over our good friend C-15 (wing-tagged swan). I stopped him just in time. C-15, his pal I-53, and others, have become tame, surely devaluing the work done to tag them. They run toward the road any time a car stops. They WILL eventually be injured, esp. if someone stops on the opposite side of the road. In reply to my gentle admonition, the man replied, "Pollution kills more birds than feeding does." Says he, attempting to make 'swan pancakes!' :( VIEWED in the harbour area: 750 Canada Geese 50 Gulls (there's only one species....right?) 20 Mute Swans 15 m and f Greater Scaups 8 male Buffleheads 5 m and f Common Mergansers 1 male Redhead and several Mallards There are reports that a Snowy Owl was present last week. Cheers! Keith Linton ------------- On a lighter note, Keith's Bird Joke o' the Day: Q: What did the birding banker bemoan? A: The scarcity of Borrowing Owls. (Don't worry, I won't give up my day job...) Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: California Gull, Fish Crows at Niagara. King Eider at Port Weller. From: Michael King <michaelkingmodels AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:39:14 -0500 Dave Beadle, Paul Prior and I saw the adult King Eider today at noon in its usual spot in the canal at Port Weller. At the Sir Adam Beck overlook, an adult California Gull showed well(found by Dave). Also seen here were no fewer than 7 Iceland Gulls, 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls and one adult Thayer’s Gull. At about 4 PM at the inland end of Bowen Street and adjacent to the golf course, we heard one Fish Crow calling. We followed the exodus of American Crows from this area to the inland end of Robertson Street which ends at the railway tracks. At least 3 Fish Crows were heard (one seen while calling)from this area. Michael King Brampton Fish Crows Fort Erie: from the source of the Niagara River travel north on the Niagara River Parkway to just before the railway bridge that crosses the river. Take a left onto Robertson Street and go to where this street ends at the railway. Many crows were staging in this area at 5 PM. King Eider Port Weller – from previous posts: From Hamilton take the QEW towards Niagara. Take exit 47 and turn left onto Ontario St. Follow Ontario St. until it veers right and becomes Lakeshore Rd. Travel on Lakeshore Rd. until you cross the bridge over the Welland Canal and turn left on Seaway Haulage Rd. Follow Seaway Haulage Rd. to its terminus. The King Eider was in the Canal to your left across from the Coast Guard Station. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Gulls incl Black-headed, Fish Crows etc.. Fort Erie & Niagara From: Lev Frid <lev.frid AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:05:23 -0500 Hey Folks, Kyle Holloway and myself had an interesting day today in the Fort Erie/Niagara Area. We first started on Bowen Rd at about 9:00 AM and couldn't locate any Fish Crows reliably - there were many crows but very few were calling. We then heard one calling FISH CROW in a sizable aggregation of crows at the golf course off Dodd's Ct, which is off Phipps St. This is south of Bowen Rd off the Niagara Parkway. As it was snowing pretty heavily and viewing was terrible, we made our way along Niagara Blvd towards the falls, noting many CANVASBACK amongst other common waterfowl. We had the following gulls from the Chippewa Breakwater to the Queenston Boat Docks: RING-BILLED HERRING BONAPARTE'S GREAT BLACK-BACKED - Many of these today. LESSER BLACK-BACKED - Two at the Breakwater, at least two at Adam Beck and one at the Queenston Boat Docks. These were all adults. THAYER'S - Great look at an adult bird perched on the rocks at Adam Beck, and earlier Kyle had an adult flying around - perhaps the same bird. GLAUCOUS - One first-year bird at the Breakwater, and another first-year and an adult bird at Adam Beck. KUMLIEN'S - There were at least ten birds of varying ages at Adam Beck. LITTLE - We had one at the Queenston Boat Docks. As it was sunny by this time we chose to go back to try for the other gulls and Fish Crows again at Fort Erie. By the time we got to the foot of Bowen Rd, the conditions reverted to being almost identical to the morning - we couldn't see anything due to blowing snow! We decided to drive down Bowen Rd. again for Fish Crows and heard and saw one bird well, calling from the top of a spruce with the distinctive call posture with fluffed out throat feathers, looking like a miniature raven. Two more were also heard distantly. This was at about 2:45 PM. As we were happily chatting to other birders at the scene, Kyle's car died. After a while we somehow managed to make it crawl to the Black-headed Gull spot at the intersection of Bowen Rd. and Niagara Blvd, deciding that we'd call the tow truck after we see the gull. The following highlight gulls were had - LESSER BLACK-BACKED - One adult. GLAUCOUS - One first-year bird LITTLE - At least one adult and one first-year bird were amongst the swarms of Bonaparte's. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE - Kyle and a couple of others had this bird flying around near the Marina on Squaw Island with the bonies. I never got on it, unfortunately. BLACK-HEADED - After about an hour, I saw the bird fly out of the marina canal out on Squaw Island, and attempted in vain to get whoever was present on the bird. Unfortunately, it retreated back into the canal after a few short seconds before anyone else could get on it. It flew out again a short time later, but again retreated almost immediately. After this, a whole bunch of Bonaparte's flew downstream and nobody ever saw it again. Thanks everyone on site for your concern about our welfare - we ended up calling the tow truck after it got somewhat dark. We ended up getting home late (and some of us with a new nemesis bird...) but safe. What an adventure! Good Birding, Lev Frid Directions (Courtesy Geoff Carpentier) Fort Erie: from the source of the Niagara river travel north on the Niagara River Parkway past the railway bridge that crosses the river. Watch for Bowen on your left hand side. From here you can scan the American side and see the swarms of gulls by the marina (this is actually Squaw Island which doesn't look like an island, but rather a concrete pier). Patience should yield the Black-headed, Kittiwake and Little Gulls. Most people see the Fish Crows somewhere along Bowen Road. They move around. Listen for their calls - we even heard one while watching the gulls. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Ottawa-Gatineau - Eardely escarpment birds (25 - 29 January) From: "Christina Lewis" <hagenius AT primus.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:13:14 -0500 Hi Ontbirds people, Since 25 January there have been many great reports by people who have visited the Eardley-Masham Rd. and environs on the Quebec side of the Ottawa-Gatineau area (American Three-toed Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Gray Jay, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Purple Finch, etc.) Although it can be a "hit or miss" area for finding birds, it's always a beautiful place to visit at this time of year!! Today (29 Jan.) Bob Bracken, Paul Mirsky & I enjoyed our excursion up there. Our highlights included (at least) 6 Red Crossbills coming to the road for grit, and a spectacular flight of eagles -- 5 Bald Eagles (all adults, including some pairs interacting), and an adult GOLDEN EAGLE. The "eagle show" occurred ~ 10:30 AM, seen from the north end of Therrien Rd. (the 1st road east of Eardley-Masham Rd. off Hwy 148). It almost goes without saying, that all of eagles (including the Golden) were accompanied by Common Ravens, also beginning to pair up. A flock of ~ 200 Bohemian Waxwings was reported west of Aylmer, QC near Ch. Terry Fox this morning (thanks to Phil Wright). Bob, Paul & I saw ~40 Bohemians in the same general location. DIRECTIONS: From downtown Ottawa take the Ottawa River Parkway west to the Champlain Bridge, then north across the bridge to Quebec. Head west on Ch. Aylmer and follow the signs to Ch. Eardley (which becomes Hwy 148). Continue west (approx. 40 minute drive) along the 148, and look for the very well-signed T- intersection to the Eardley-Masham Rd. (there is a restaurant at the corner, that also seems to be "hit or miss" re: hours of operation...kind of like the birds up there). Enjoy! Chris Lewis Ottawa, ON hagenius AT primus.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: G. Ross Lord Park From: Glenn Steplock <Nature_photography AT Rogers.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:31:16 -0500 This park is generally alive with birds, this winter saw virtually no activity until today. 40-50 American Robins mingling with as many Starlings. 1 Northern Mockingbird foraging the shrubs and bushes for berries, many Cardinals along with black-capped chickadees. I am sure the trails and forests would yield more....I was just passing time in the CARD parking lot while my kids ride. location: Dufferin just north of Finch. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Carolina Wren, Cooper's Hawk, Ottawa From: Don Wigle <don.wigle AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:30:36 -0500 We heard and then saw the Carolina Wren previously reported by others in Britannia Woods this afternoon. Thanks to Gillian Mastromatteo for an accurate description of the area where she found it recently. We also saw a large Cooper's Hawk (likely a female) at the east end of the ridge in a spruce tree. It flew rapidly back towards Mud Lake. A photo of the Carolina Wren is posted at https://sites.google.com/a/ontariobird.com/ontario-birds/Home/recent-photos Beth and Don Wigle Ottawa Directions: The Carolina Wren was near the trail on the west side of Britannia Woods close to the fence line and behind a light green house about 300 metres south of the gate at the end of Rowatt Street. See Google map. http://g.co/maps/nq56z _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Lesser Black-backed Gull near Casselman From: mark gawn <gawnbirding AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:58:24 +0000 Several hundred gulls continue at the Lafleche Road dump east of Casselman, among them today was an adult winter plumage Lesser Black-backed Gull, along with several Glaucous and Kumlien's. Lafleche Rd landfill is located at the dead end of Lafleche Road. From the 417 take road 138 south, turning right on Lafleche road which is the first road south of the 417. The dump is at the end of the dead end road, however, the gulls are best seen loafing in the snow covered field north of the the road. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Fort Erie fish crows From: Marcia Jacklin <mjacklin AT brocku.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:33:10 +0000 Hi Five fish crows were observed between approximately 2 pm and 2:30 in the vicinity of 333 Bowen in Fort Erie yesterday (Saturday) by several groups. Also several groups observed the Black-headed Gull and Kittiwake from the parkway close to the end of Bowen. Directions below from Geoff Carpentier email. Fort Erie: from the source of the Niagara river travel north on the Niagara River Parkway past the railway bridge that crosses the river. Watch for Bowen on your left hand side. From here you can scan the American side and see the swarms of gulls by the marina (this is actually Squaw Island which doesn't look like an island, but rather a concrete pier). Patience should yield the Black-headed, Kittiwake and Little Gulls. Travel about 0.5 kms further north and watch for a sandy beach on the river side of the road and the parkette on the landward side. This is where the crows came in starting about 3:30 p.m. We left about 4:15. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Withrow Park: test message From: Ivor Williams <ivor.williams AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:25:27 -0500 With the approval of Mark Cranford, and apologies to the approximately 2800 subscribers to this mailing list, this is a test sent from my custom iPhone app for Ontbirds. Please disregard, or feel free to fill my Inbox by replying! :-) Cheers, Ivor Location _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Northern Pintail, Rouge Valley From: Mark <scarbropengyou AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:26:56 -0800 (PST) In keeping with the recent sightings of northward migrating waterfowl, 2 Northern Pintail (a male and a female) were seen late this afternoon on Staines Pond, visible from Morningside Avenue just south of Staines Road. Thanks to Al Wormington's excellent post for alerting us to the timing and circumstances that surround these mid-winter movements which are, in fact, spring migrations.   Mark Kubisz, Scarborough, ON   Staines Pond is visible from Morningside Avenue just south of Staines Road, in Scarborough. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Bohemian Waxwings, red crossbills et al: Eardley-Masham Road (Western Quebec near Ottawa) From: David Rhody <drhody AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:58:35 -0500 This morning on the Eardley-Masham Road that traverses the Gatineau Park, three of us observed 14 red crossbills (5 males, 9 females) in 2 different groups, 9 pine siskins, 1 ruffed grouse (that sat quietly in a tree while we observed it), and --the highlight-- a flock of about 25 Bohemian waxwings seen feasting on fruit in a houseyard tree one kilometre from Hwy 366 at Masham. We failed to see the three-toed woodpecker that somebody reported a few days ago. The crossbills and siskins were a welcome sight because they are absent this year from our feeders. However American goldfinches are very plentiful, with about 50 at the feeders this morning. This is my first post on Ontbirds, so I hope I've followed all the rules. I realize that these are not Ontario sightings, but thought they might be of interest to birders from Ottawa and environs. Happy birding!! David Rhody 46 Burnside, Wakefield Quebec J0X 3G0 819-459-1702 drhody AT gmail.com. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Hoary Redpoll part of big flight of redpolls in Scugog Twp today From: "Geoff Carpentier" <geoff.carpentier AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:16:23 -0500 This morning, I watched the biggest influx of redpolls in my area this winter. My property is surrounded by extensive mixed forests with lots of cedars, hemlock, larch and spruce. Starting at about 7a.m. redpolls moved through my yard from north to south. At first it was only one or two individuals but soon at least four different flocks were seen (by 9 a.m.). Flock size varied from 10 to 60 birds. Many landed in White Cedars in the yard and fed on the cones. One adult male exilpes Hoary was observed at close range as it fed with the others. One Pine Siskin and a goldfinch joined the melee. Scugog Twp near Lakeridge and Reach Rd. Geoff Carpentier www.avocetnatureservices.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, January 27th, 2012 From: "Cheryl Edgecombe" <cheryle29 AT cogeco.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:29:30 -0500 On Friday, January 27, 2012 this is the HNC Birding Report: CHIPPING SPARROW Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Brant Cackling Goose Canada Goose Tundra Swan Northern Pintail Ring-necked Duck King Eider Wild Turkey Common Loon Red-necked Grebe Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk (western) Rough-legged Hawk Thayer's Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Great Horned Owl Snowy Owl Long-eared Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Common Raven Horned Lark Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Yellow-rumped Warbler Fox Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Snow Bunting Brown-headed Cowbird Purple Finch White-winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Pine Siskin It has quieted down here in the Hamilton Study area as far as our winter guests go but the action remains strong on some expected species for this time of year. A good winter bird to get on the list is a CHIPPING SPARROW at the Valley Inn just west of the pedestrian bridge that leads to the closed Valley Inn Road. The bird was seen Wednesday feeding near the cement blocks at the bottom of the hill and is probably still in the area. In the other direction on the trail through the Hendrie Valley here, Eastern Bluebird and Yellow-rumped Warbler were birds of note. A Great Horned Owl has taken up residence in the expansion joint gap of the bridge which crosses the trail here. Waterfowl is in the news this week which is not a surprise for this area but there have been some nice additions for listers this week. Down at LaSalle Marina at the end of Waterdown Road last weekend, Greater White-fronted Goose, Brant, Cackling and Canada Goose were seen on Saturday. An immature male King Eider was also an unexpected guest at the marina. Red-necked Grebe was seen at a distance early on Saturday. Later on in the day a Snow Goose came in for a roost down the way at Caroll's Point where it was seen again on Sunday. Tundra Swans were present mid-week at the marina. A group of Northern Pintail were seen at Clappison's Corner. At the Red Hill Creek off Eastport Drive, a tight group of 110 drake Ring-necked Ducks were seen on Thursday. A Common Loon was seen at Pier 4 during a gull watch on Saturday. While scanning the bay for waterfowl, be sure to pay attention to the gulls out there. Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen at the ship canal and LaSalle Marina. An adult Thayer's Gull and possibly a second were seen at the ship canal on Thursday. Iceland and Glaucous Gulls were present at Bayfront Park and Pier 4 earlier in the week. Driving and stopping around Flamborough can be productive for winter birds. Birds seen at the Patterson Tract, located on 4th Concession West just west of Woodhill, included Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, Fox Sparrow, Purple Finch (over 40 with only 3 males) and White-winged Crossbills. Last week a Turkey Vulture was found in this area. Down the road to the west at a feeder at house no. 1951 Concession 4W there were 7 White-crowned Sparrows seen on Sunday. Today, on 5th Concession West, west of Middletown Road, two Turkey Vultures were flying around and a group of Wild Turkey were on the north side of the road in a corn field. Three Turkey Vultures were seen flying in from the west at Misener Rd north of Jerseyville Rd just near Brant County last Sunday. On Westover Road just above 5th Road East today were two Northern Shrikes with an additional Northern Shrike being seen on 5th Concession West at Millgrove. Rough-legged Hawks were seen flying and perched in a field on 6th concession north of Safari Road. Brown-headed Cowbirds have been reported at feeders in singles and in large groups across this area, in Burlington, Dundas and Greensville and at feeders between 1637 and 1644 on Concession 2 near Orkney. To the east of the Flamborough area, on 11th Concession east north of Carlisle near house number 319, a mixed group of about 150 winter finches were seen in the cedars and hemlocks along the road. This included Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll and possibly White-winged Crossbill. In the odds and sods this week and last, two Black-crowned Night Herons were photographed in the Dundas Marsh a week ago Wednesday. Four Bald Eagles were seen along the Grand River at the end of Powerline Road last weekend. Snowy Owls were reported from Canada Centre for Inland Waters and from Bronte Harbour. Another Snowy Owl was reported at 9th line and Burnamthorpe the week before last. Long-eared Owls and a Northern Saw-whet Owl were seen in Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Of interest is a dark western Red-tailed Hawk at the 403 and Dundas, one of several in the area. A Hermit Thrush was seen in a yard near Unsworth and Plains Road. A Chipping Sparrow had been seen there two weeks previous. White-winged Crossbills were also seen near the maintenance yard at the Hamilton Conservation Authority on Mineral Springs Road a couple of weeks ago. A large flock of Snow Buntings along with Horned Larks were present at Dyments Farm on Sydenham in Flamborough the week before last but this is a traditional area for finding these species along with Lapland Longspur. A Merlin was seen on the same day on Harvest Road just around the corner from here. It's a great time to be about so send your sightings along. There are great winter birds to be found. Good birding, Cheryl Edgecombe HNC _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: 'migrant' waterfowl and other recent Oxford birds From: JAMES HOLDSWORTH <jmholdsworth AT rogers.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:39:38 -0800 (PST) Ontbirders,   There were 32 N. Pintail [mostly pairs] at Pittock Lake this morning, along with about 3000 Mallard. This is the earliest county spring record of NOPI by nearly three weeks.    Elsewhere in the county, numbers of White-winged Crossbills have been increasing, with flocks of up to 40 birds now seen most days, in the Beachville area mostly. Also near Beachville, both a Vesper Sparrow and Fox Sparrow look set to successfully overwinter.   At Salford Dump, Jan 20, there were over 5000 Herring Gulls, an astounding number for the date. With them were good numbers of Glaucous and Iceland, a single 1st cycle Thayer's and one adult basic Lesser Black-back. The gulls are hard to see here, as the dump does not tolerate birders so I would expect much higher numbers of all species with a bit better views. The recent addition of a non-freezing deep-water pit in Ingersoll has allowed much greater numbers of gulls to overwinter locally.   If in the Salford area, it is always worth looking out for Gray Partridge as there was a good population in the 90's and early 00's. I haven't had much time to look for them recently but they should still be around. Local hunters always described them as ''everywhere'', even though it took me decades to find my 1st. Other parts of the county, such as the east and south-east, also have populations of this species, with the Old Stage Road and Patullo Road being very reliable in the past. Cheers, James Holdsworth, Biological Consulting Services 14 Marian St, RR#1 Woodstock, On, N4S-7V6 [519]537-2027 226-228-0093 [cell] jmholdsworth AT rogers.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Western Red Tail, Oshawa, new location From: "Jim Yaki" <jim_yaki AT rogers.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:30:43 -0500 At 2:50 this afternoon I saw, I believe,the same Western Redtail that was at Harmony Rd and the 401 earlier this month. It is now at the Stevenson Rd/401 interchange in Oshawa. This it about 5 km west of where it was seen earlier. I saw it on the South West corner of that interchange between the 401 and the eastbound offramp to Stevensen Rd. It was sitting about eight ft. off the ground facing north on a small evergreen. I only saw it for a few seconds at 60 mph but I believe this is the same bird as reported on Jan 15 by Keith Linton and on Jan 20 by myself. This is a highway situation so viewing will be problematic. Probably parking at the new Sail store north of the 401 and walking back over the Stevenson rd bridge might be your best bet but be aware that I am not sure of the sidewalk situation on this bridge Jim Yaki Bowmanville Ont. jim_yaki AT rogers.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Ottawa/Gatineau - 26 Jan 2012 - recent reports From: bob cermak <robertcermak9 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:42:42 -0500 Ontario/Quebec Ottawa/Gatineau 26 January 2012 Hotline: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club (OFNC) Phone number: 613-860-9000 For the Bird Status Line PRESS * (star) To report bird sightings PRESS 1 (one) Coverage: Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario,W. Quebec Compiler & transcriber: Bob Cermak robertcermak9 AT hotmail.com or sightings AT ofnc.ca The adult male VARIED THRUSH continues at the feeders on Calypso road east of Ottawa (east of Limoges). It was last reported on January 24th but may still be present. Some of the most interesting lingering birds have been; - flocks of up to 41 AMERICAN ROBINS continue to be present all over the Ottawa/Gatineau area - a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER continues at a feeder in Navan, last reported on January 19th - a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continues at Fletcher Garden and one was seen at a feeder in the east end of Ottawa on January 19th - a male NORTHERN PINTAIL continues on the open water at the Manotick mill/dam - 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS continue at the Hilda feeders - a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, seen on January 20th, continues in the area around the church and cemetery near Renfrew Street in Pakenham - 5 male COMMON MERGANSERS were seen at the top of the Ottawa river Deschenes rapids on January 22nd - an extremely late LINCOLN'S SPARROW was seen in Perth on January 22nd The Eardley Masham Road in Quebec has been very active since January 25th. On that day a THREE-TOED WP, RED CROSSBILLS, PINE SISKINS and a GRAY JAY were seen. On January 26th the GRAY JAY and THREE-TOED WP were not found but 1 male PURPLE FINCH, 8 RED-CROSSBILLS, 100+ PINE SISKINS, 20+ COMMON REDPOLLS, 3 RUFFED GROUSE and 1 sub adult BOLD EAGLE were seen on the same road. Some of the more interesting seasonal birds have been; - BALD EAGLES at several locations - 15 COMMON REDPOLLS were seen in Larose forest on January 21st - 30+ CEDAR and up to 5 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue to be seen near the east end of the Hurdman bridge over the Rideau river - PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on the Coate's building in Tunney's Pasture on January 24th and also over the Bank Street Billings bridge on January 26th - a MERLIN and a COOPER'S HAWK were seen in the Britannia woods on January 26th - BARROW'S GOLDENEYE continue to be seen from Bate Island on the Ottawa river and on the Rideau river behind the tennis club I appreciate receiving your bird observations, Thank you, Good Birding _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Ottawa East (St. Isidore area) - Gray Partridge, Lapland Longspur, Thayer's Gull From: Patrick Blake <pjblake22 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:14:37 -0500 I apologize for the late report. Yesterday afternoon between 1-4pm I birded the St. Rose / St. Isidore area east of Ottawa. Along Concession 20 there was a juvenile SNOWY OWL near the power station. Ten GRAY PARTRIDGES were feeding under a spruce along Concession 19 near Renaud Road. Along Concession 21 there was a large mixed flock of SNOW BUNTINGS and LAPLAND LONGSPURS, the latter of which I counted 23 individuals. Further down the road was another juvenile SNOWY OWL. At the Laflčche landfill just south of the 417, scanning through a large congregation of gulls revealed six species, including GREAT BLACK-BACKED, HERRING, RING-BILLED, ICELAND (1), GLAUCOUS (3, including 1 adult), and THAYER'S (1) GULLS. Good birding!Pat DIRECTIONS: The St. Rose / St. Isidore area can be reached by taking Hwy 417 eastward to exit 58. Turn left onto Hwy 138 and follow, turning right onto Concession 20. Any of the long concessions here are fair game for the species mentioned above. Return to Hwy 138, heading south past the 417 on-ramp, and turn right onto Allaire Road. This dead-end road stops at the Laflčche landfill; the gulls were observed in the large field next to the dump. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Kingston Area Birds for the Period Jan 20 to Jan 26, 2012 From: Mark Conboy <mconboy AT lakeheadu.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:08:33 -0500 No rarities to report this week. Raptors, waterfowl and “warm weather” species comprise the bulk of the reports below. For the first time this year NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS are being noted but only in remote parts of the Frontenac Arch north of the city. Winter finch numbers remain low. We’ve finally exceeded 100 species (plus two hydrids) in the Kingston Region so far in 2012. City of Kingston Cataraqui Bay and the Invista Lagoons has been host to low numbers of TUNDRA SWANS, GADWALL, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, COMMON MERGANSER and AMERICAN COOT. Large rafts of REDHEADS have been reported from both Cataraqui Bay and the Reddendale neighbourhood. A SNOWY OWL was on one of the piers and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was also seen nearby. A pair of adult BALD EAGLES has been patrolling the Lake Ontario shoreline near the Royal Military College. A MERLIN was at the Cataraqui Golf & Country Club. There was a NORTHERN SHRIKE along Gore Road and 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS on nearby Laura Avenue. Amherst Island The most notable bird on the island this week was an EASTERN MEADOWLARK along Front Road west of Preston Cove. Also of particular interest was a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. Waterfowl included LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYE and COMMON MERGANSER. Raptors: NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, 1 SNOWY OWL and 8 SHORT-EARED OWLS. Other species: 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE, 2 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, 1 AMERICAN ROBIN, 14 CEDAR WAXWINGS and SNOW BUNTING. Bath and Area An AMERICAN KESTREL and a number of species of waterfowl including 10 TUNDRA SWANS were noted along Bath Road west of Amherstview. At the town of Bath itself, there was 1 TUNDRA SWAN, 1 REDHEAD and 12 GREATER SCAUP, among other species. An AMERICAN BLACK DUCK X MALLARD HYBRID was at the Lafarge Plant on Bath Road. Bedford Mills The FIELD SPARROW and RUSTY BLACKBIRD were still visiting a private feeder daily. They were joined by 2 male PURPLE FINCHES on the 20th and a male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD on the 26th. BALD EAGLES can also be seen in and around Bedford Mills. Charleston Lake Area The largest contingent of TRUMPETER SWANS counted this week was the 32 at Outlet on Charleston Lake. An intermediate-phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was near Dulcemaine and a light-phase was seen near Landsdown. There was 1 PINE SISKIN at Charleston Lake. Millhaven Millhaven was host to 7 TUNDRA SWANS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and a NORTHERN HARRIER. A COOPER’S HAWK was at Finkle’s Shore Park west of Millhaven. Opinicon Road Up to 14 TRUMPETER SWANS have been at Chaffey’s Lock. Some NORTHERN PINTAILS appeared at Chaffey's Lock briefly yesterday afternoon. BALD EALGES continue to be frequently seen among the Rideau Lakes at white-tailed deer carcasses and near open water. Numerous people have asked about the eastern screech-owl reported last week at Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS). It has not been seen or heard since the 21st but a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL and a GREAT HORNED OWL were singing from separate islands in nearby Lake Opinicon on Wednesday night. A feeder in Chaffey’s Lock has been hosting an AMERICAN ROBIN, a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD and the occasional PINE SISKIN. Not only did a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK visit that same yard but so did an adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK. BROWN CREEPERS continue to be seen at QUBS and at Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre. There was an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE near the intersection of Chaffey's Lock Road and Highway 15. Wolfe Island Waterfowl on the island and along the ferry route included 2 CACKLING GEESE, MUTE SWAN, LONG-TAILED DUCK, COMMON GOLDENEYE and all three MERGANSERS. Raptors: BALD EAGLE, NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, up to 12 SNOWY OWLS and up to 10 SHORT-EARED OWLS. Other birds of note this week were a COMMON RAVEN and 8 HORNED LARKS. Other Sightings A COOPER’S HAWK, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and WINTER WREN were at a Cranberry Lake residence. There was another WINTER WREN at Perth Road Village. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was singing at a backcountry campsite in Frontenac Provincial Park on the 21st. A TUFTED TITMOUSE was patronizing an Amherstview feeder. Eight PINE SISKINS joined the AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at a Links Mills feeder. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was on North Shore Road (which is north of Inverary) and another was near Newburgh. Other Newburgh birds included 1 AMERICAN KESTREL and 1 RING-NECKED PHEASANT. An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL was singing on Howe Island. The YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER are still visiting an Elginburg feeder. Thank you to those who contributed observations this week. All bird sightings reported to me are included in the Kingston Field Naturalists’ long term records database which has over 60 years of observations on file and is an invaluable conservation resource. Mark -- Mark Andrew Conboy Operations & Research Assistant and Outreach Coordinator Queen’s University Biological Station 280 Queen's University Road Elgin, Ontario, Canada K0G 1E0 phone: 613-359-5629 fax: 613-359-6558 email: 7mc19 AT queensu.ca or mconboy AT lakeheadu.ca QUBS website: http://www.queensu.ca/qubs/index.html QUBS blog: http://opinicon.wordpress.com/ QUBS flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/qubsoutreach/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: 7 Species of Gulls in Kitchener/Waterloo From: Peeter Musta <mustape AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:35:11 +0000 7 species of gull today at the fountain in the boardwalk shopping plaza immediately west of the traffic circle at Ira Needles Blvd and University Ave. Gulls feeding in the dump behind the plaza come to rest at the fountain and drink/bathe. Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 estimated 2nd year bird)Greater Black-backed Gull (~12, juvenile and adult)Iceland Gull (~12, juvenile through adult including many kumlien's)Glaucous Gull (~8, 3 adult and 5 juvenile)Herring Gull (abundant)Ring-billed Gull (1 adult)Thayer's Gull (1 adult). This time i was able to photograph the adult Thayer's, despite the poor lighting/weather (if you are interested). http://mustap.smugmug.com/Nature/Birding-in-Ontario/WaterlooDump/11045791_NVtdpr#!i=1687759743&k=SvNjP3s Cheers, Peeter _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Algonquin Park Birding Report: 26 January 2012 From: Ron Tozer <rtozer AT vianet.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:18:20 -0500 Mild temperatures and some rain followed by additional snowfall occurred this week. Good conditions prevail for winter birding, skiing and walking the trails. Moose at several locations and a wolf at km 37 were seen along Highway 60 this week. A Red Fox was eating black sunflower seed at the Visitor Centre yesterday. There were two Pine Martens along Opeongo Road yesterday and one at Mew Lake Campground today. A leucistic Black-capped Chickadee was photographed in a flock being fed by birders near the gate on Opeongo Road on the weekend. It has a large white area on the head, pink legs and feet, and some pink areas on the bill. See a photo by Kathy and Tony DeGroot at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/algonquin_park_birding_report.php A single Snow Bunting was at the Visitor Centre feeders most of the week. Observations in the continuous forest of Algonquin Park during winter are infrequent and typically of one or two birds. Despite the presence of Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch in some numbers this winter, these finches continue to largely ignore nyger seed at the Visitor Centre feeders. The few that have come to the feeders consume black sunflower seed. BOREAL SPECIES: Spruce Grouse: Two were seen at Spruce Bog Boardwalk today. Black-backed Woodpecker: One was reported again at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 22. Gray Jay: Eight reported along Opeongo Road and four at Spruce Bog Boardwalk on January 25. Boreal Chickadee: Three seen and heard near the trail register box on Spruce Bog Boardwalk and two along Opeongo Road on January 25. Not observed to be visiting the Spruce Bog suet holder. The supply of natural food this year may be contributing to less interest in suet, which is normal for this chickadee. FINCHES: Pine Grosbeak: Three were along Opeongo Road on January 25 and one today. Watch for them on the highway after sanding/salting operations. Very low numbers this winter. Red Crossbill: Three on Opeongo Road on January 25. White-winged Crossbill: Small flock at start of Spruce Bog Boardwalk and 10+ along Opeongo Road on January 25 and 20+ along Opeongo Road today. Common Redpoll: On January 24, there were several large flocks along Highway 60 including one of 120 at Hemlock Bluff Trail. Hoary Redpoll: One was reported in a Highway 60 Common Redpoll flock on January 24. Pine Siskin: They continue to be seen and heard in flocks overhead. A flock of 60 was reported on January 25. American Goldfinch: About three coming daily to the Visitor Centre feeders. A few noted regularly along the highway. Evening Grosbeak: About 80 are regularly at the Visitor Centre feeders, mainly in the morning. About 12 were at Mew Lake Campground today. We would appreciate receiving your bird observations for our Visitor Centre records. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired) Dwight, ON Directions: Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates. Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca The Visitor Centre at km 43 has recent bird sightings, feeders and information. The Visitor Centre restaurant is not open this winter but visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch and use the seating area. Hot and cold beverages, and light snacks are available to purchase, as well as the use of a microwave. The Visitor Centre is open on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. Birders visiting during the week may be able to enter the Visitor Centre to view the feeders and exhibits. Check in with staff to find out what birds are being seen. For more information see Algonquin Park events calendar at: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/involved/calendar/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 26, 2012. From: Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner AT trentu.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:12:04 -0500 Surprising as it may seem at this early date, the spring bird migration has begun at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Like other places in southern Ontario, Presqu'ile has had an influx of ducks in the past few days, quite apart from those that have been in the Park all winter, and a few other birds have also been on the move. For the past two days, two TRUMPETER SWANS have been near the government dock, and the day before that five TUNDRA SWANS were there. Among the returning waterfowl six GADWALLS were off lookout 4 at Owen Point yesterday. Four NORTHERN PINTAILS were at Salt Point yesterday, and another ten were off lookout 4 at Owen Point. Today there were initially five at the latter location, but another flock of seven flew in to join them. The most surprising was a male GREEN-WINGED TEAL at that same location both yesterday and today, three to four weeks earlier than the previous Presqu'ile record. Perhaps there is even an AMERICAN WIGEON somewhere in the area. A male RING-NECKED DUCK at the calf pasture yesterday was also early. Most of the CANVASBACKS that arrived three weeks ago have apparently left, with only singles being seen on three of the last seven days. This morning there were not one but two male BARROW'S GOLDENEYES within metres of each other at the end of Bayshore Road near the lighthouse. Two BALD EAGLES were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay, while a NORTHERN HARRIER made futile efforts to share whatever they were eating. Another BALD EAGLE and a PEREGRINE FALCON flew over Bayshore Road. Other NORTHERN HARRIERS were at Owen Point and High Bluff Island. A MERLIN was seen on January 22. The first AMERICAN COOT since late December was at the calf pasture on the early date of January 26. On January 22 a SNOWY OWL was on the beach and another on Gull Island. One was on High Bluff Island yesterday and today. On several attempts, birders have failed to find any, a significant change from earlier in the month, perhaps attributable to the presence of snow, which makes them harder to spot. Alternatively, the ice on the east shore of Popham Bay may have made prey harder to find, in which case they may have moved to High Bluff Island. Another theory that has been offered is that there has been too much illegal harassment. Single BARRED OWLS were seen twice this week, each in a different place. The best place to find RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS seems to be Bayshore Road between Langton Lane and the government dock, where there have been a few sightings in the past week. NORTHERN SHRIKE sightings are regular just west of there. A COMMON RAVEN was heard on January 20. One might expect HORNED LARKS to appear soon, as they have done just outside of Brighton. The CAROLINA WREN that has been wintering at 83 Bayshore Road has not been reported from anywhere else nearby but was still present on January 21. Both an AMERICAN ROBIN and a flock of EUROPEAN STARLINGS showed up today in places where they have not been all winter. The wintering SAVANNAH SPARROW has appeared several times this week at a feeder at 102 Bayshore Road, which unfortunately is not visible from the road. This afternoon it was back where first discovered, 83 Bayshore Road, where there was also a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on January 20 and where a flock of 14 SNOW BUNTINGS appeared briefly on January 21, apparently returning migrants. The first COMMON REDPOLL of the winter was at 186 Bayshore Road on January 25. 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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. Moreover, there is a great deal of ice on the surrounding shore. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed 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 birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: U of Guelph Arboretum Owl Workshop From: Chris Earley <cearley AT uoguelph.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:44:31 -0500 Hi, everyone, This message has been approved by Mark Cranford. We still have some openings left in our Owl Workshop for Friday, February 10, 2012. This is an all-day workshop and includes an owl prowl in the early evening. It will be a hoot! Please go to http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/educationandevents/workshops.shtml for more details and to see what other workshops are coming up (warblers, sparrows, dragonflies, butterflies, wildflowers, mushrooms, etc.). Cheers, Chris Earley _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Spring Ducks and WW Crossbills From: James Turland <jaturland AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:55:57 -0500 Hi Ont Birders; The weather event Allan Wormington refers to in his e-mail has also brought spring ducks to Kincardine. Surprised to find at the harbor today 11 species of waterfowl including 4 Ringneck Ducks a pair of Gadwall and a single Pintail. An A. Coot and Redhead have been trying to over winter here and may well make it . The harbor has only been completely frozen for two days so far this winter. A small flock of White-winged Crossbills have been daily visitors to some spruce trees at the golf course for 6 days now. Cheers James Turland Directions; Kincardine is on the shore of lake Huron where highways 9 and 21 meet. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Northern Raven, Stouffville, 9th Line From: "Barry K. MacKay" <mimus AT sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:56:35 -0500 At about 10:30 a.m. this morning I saw a Northern Raven alight in a field on the west side of 9th Line, between two and three kilometers south of Main Street, Stouffville. Barry Barry Kent MacKay Markham, Ontario, Canada _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: more 'spring' waterfowl From: JAMES HOLDSWORTH <jmholdsworth AT rogers.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:07:56 -0800 (PST) To add to observations from both Alan and Margaret,  yesterday Ross Snider and I had 15 Northern Pintail flying over Hwy 7, just outside of Brooklin, north of Oshawa.   Cheers, James Holdsworth, Biological Consulting Services 14 Marian St, RR#1 Woodstock, On, N4S-7V6 [519]537-2027 226-228-0093 [cell] jmholdsworth AT rogers.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Mountain bluebird near Shetland area From: Pete And Sue Read <psread AT xplornet.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:05:41 -0500 Came back this morning for another look and found the Mountain Bluebird in it's usual place and with the eastern bluebird. They are coming fairly regularly to the berries on the small cedars along the hedgerow on the east side of Kerry Road not too far north of the intersection with Bilton Line. They fly eastward towards a small woodlot and grassland for some time before coming back. We saw them between ten fifteen and eleven twice. Kerry road comes south from Bentpath Line. If coming from the 401 use interchange 129 north on Furnival Road which is road 103. Follow 103 to Wardsville where it becomes road 1. Continue on 1 through Newbury and curve westward on it. It is road 2. Kerry is several kms west. Note that the birds were very skitterish today. Slightest movements caused them to be wary. They were only feeding on the side of the tree away from the road. Pete and Sue Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: spring migrants at Presq'ile From: "P Stagg" <pstagg AT can.rogers.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:17:54 -0500 Ten pintails and a green-winged teal were very early spring migrants at Presqu'ile's Owen Point yesterday. DIRECTIONS: Follow the signs from the 401 to Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The Owen Point trail access road is closed for the winter, so park at the gate (along the main entrance drive) and walk in through the parking lot to the trail. The ducks were seen at Lookout 4. Be careful: the trail is icy and very slippery. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Niagara River and Port Weller - gulls, fish crows, cackling goose and an eider From: "Geoff Carpentier" <geoff.carpentier AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:56:35 -0500 After being alerted to their arrival by Andrew, Peter Hogenbirk and I heard and saw five Fish Crows (both flying and sitting in the trees) at Fort Erie. Pls note that the location was actually about 1/2 km north of the junction of Bowen Rd and the Niagara River Parkway and just north of a little parkette. The crows come in across a broad front, but seemed to stage near the parkette and then flew a bit further north before crossing the river. One was seen crossing the river south of the parkette but still north of Bowen. At least on this day, you could not easily have heard or seen them from Bowen. That said, the entire area should be scanned for birds going to roost since they come in from various westerly and northwesterly directions. Peter and I saw the spectacular adult male King Eider (but no Snowy Owl there today) at Port Weller and 10 species of gulls on the Niagara River plus one more in Hamilton (a Glaucous on Eastport Drive) - we did not see the Brant and White-fronted Geese previously reported. The 10 species of Niagara gulls included: Adam Beck: 2 Thayer's (one adult, one first winter), 11 Iceland (Kumlien's) - in various stages of adult and immature plumage - a great opportunity to study many age classes from one vantage point Queenston: 3 adult Little Gulls Flood gates above the falls: 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls Fort Erie: one first winter Kittiwake, one first winter Little Gull and a Black-headed Gull (as reported by Andrew). Cackling Goose - one was on the river about 2 kms. downriver (north) from Squaw Island north of Fort Erie. Directions: Fort Erie: from the mouth of the Niagara river travel north on the Niagara River Parkway past the railway bridge that crosses the river. Watch for Bowen on your left hand side. From here you can scan the American side and see the swarms of gulls by the marina (this is actually Squaw Island which doesn't look like an island, but rather a concrete pier). Patience should yield the Black-headed, Kittiwake and Little Gulls. Travel about 0.5 kms further north and watch for a sandy beach on the river side of the road and the parkette on the landward side. This is where the crows came in starting about 3:30 p.m. We left about 4:15. Port Weller - form previous posts: From Hamilton take the QEW towards Niagara. Take exit 47 and turn left onto Ontario St. Follow Ontario St. until it veers right and becomes Lakeshore Rd. Travel on Lakeshore Rd. until you cross the bridge over the Welland Canal and turn left on Seaway Haulage Rd. Follow Seaway Haulage Rd. to its terminus. The King Eider was in the Canal to your left. Geoff Carpentier www.avocetnatureservices.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Niagara River Birding - Little Gulls, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid and FISH CROWS!!! From: Andrew Keaveney <uofgtwitcher AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:02:52 -0500 Hello birders. I spent yet another day trying to catch some of these gulls wandering over to the Canadian side of the river and was somewhat successful in the later afternoon. At the north end of Squaw Is. the Bonaparte's Gulls were present in the thousands once again and amongst them I picked out the Black-headed Gull and an adult Little Gull on the American side of the river and after a concerted effort saw the 1st-winter Black-legged Kittiwake and a 1st-winter Little Gull floating on the water in a raft of bonies mid-river (and more importantly, ON the Canadian side). Along the stretch of the Niagara River Parkway between the Peace Bridge and the north of Squaw Island I found a hybrid Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser. It appeared very similar to this photo I found on Flickr by using Google images. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjm284/4409395143/in/photostream/ Differences were less whitish feathers in the face, a more rounded head in the front (but still the obvious feather peak towards the back of the head), and a more Hooded Merganser-like bill (thinner and longer than the photo I found but still not quite perfect for a Hooded Merganser. It was a very cool bird that spent most of it's time diving with a group of Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers. Interestingly, Mike Runtz just reported this type of hybrid from Cobourg a few days back. Fish Crows: I bumped in to Geoff Carpenter and his friend Peter while looking at the gulls off Squaw Is. At around 3:30 p.m. American Crows started arriving in the neighbourhood around Bowen Rd. and the Niagara River Parkway. There are plenty of places to park here and lots of sidewalks and pavement to walk around in search of crows here. I heard a couple Fish Crows calling almost immediately upon entering the area of gathered crows and called Geoff and Peter over by phone. All three of us got to hear and see these birds quite well including in-flight side-by-side views with American Crows. There were no less than 5 Fish Crows calling among a hundred Americans and given that thousands more crows would have come through there by the time 5 p.m. would roll around I suspect there are a few more (perhaps many more?) to be found still. I do not think that those who try will have a difficult time finding this species. This clearly is a new phenomena in Ontario Birding. Never have Fish Crows been twitchable before! Good luck to those who try. P.S. I have much better video and sound of the calling Fish Crows than Josh and I were able to obtain a couple weeks ago. I will try and get it posted online somewhere when I get a chance (but not tonight!). Directions: All of these areas are reached by taking the Niagara River Parkway north from Fort Erie. This whole stretch that I have talked about is no more than 2 k.m. long. Cheers, Andrew Keaveney Field Biologist/Ornithologist, Bird and Wildlife Guide 647-383-8894 (cell) "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world" ~ John Muir "Live, eat, breathe birds" ~ Twitcher _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Spring ducks in Northumberland Jan24/25 From: "M. Bain" <mjcbain AT sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:51:52 -0500 Further to Alan's posting about the recent waterfowl influx at Point Pelee, there was a sudden appearance of 12 Northern Pintails in Cobourg harbour on January 24, rising to 16 today, January 25. There were also 3 Northern Pintails in a flooded field west of Port Hope on the 24th. Margaret Bain. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Algonquin and area - winter finches, Boreal Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwings, etc From: Tony Bigg <tanddbigg AT sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:00:37 -0500 On the way up to Algonquin Park today, Jerry Ball, Drew Monkman and I saw several large flocks of finches 'gritting' on Hwy 127 between Maynooth and Whitney. The finches were Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls with a few American Goldfinches. At one point there were half a dozen Evening Grosbeaks in the trees. The feeders in the village of Whitney were very active with a lot of the same finches, one large flock of Evening Grosbeaks, and, in one crabapple tree, three Bohemian Waxwings. Finches in the park were surprisingly scarce, with no redpolls, one Pine Siskin flock of about 60 birds and a few other small groups. We did see three Red Crossbills on Opeongo Rd and one small flock of White-winged Crossbills at the start of the Spruce Bog Trail. The usual large flock of Evening Grosbeaks and a few American Goldfinches were at the Visitors Centre. Also on Opeongo Rd we had two Boreal Chickadees, one seen and one heard, eight Gray Jays, and a single Golden-crowned Kinglet. We also saw three Boreal Chickadees on the Spruce Bog Trail, and four Gray Jays. The final great sighting was an Eastern Wolf at km37 crossing the road in front of us, pausing on the top of the snow bank and looking at us, and then calmly trotting into the woods - a life mammal for all three of us. Tony Bigg _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: White-winged Crossbills, Red-bellied Woodpecker at Kortright CA, York Region From: Lev Frid <lev.frid AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:07:17 -0500 Hey folks, Some interesting sightings this morning at Kortright that may generate some interest. Most notably, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS appear to be on the move, with very infrequent sightings for the past few days, there were two huge flocks of 60+ birds today. Also, for the past few days there has been a small influx of PURPLE FINCHES as well, mostly at the feeders and feeding on Maple seeds. Both of these tend to be more reliable near the Marsh Boardwalk. A male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen today near the feeder at the entrance of the Marsh Boardwalk. Not a common bird up here. A pair of DOWNY WOODPECKERS were seen apparently working on a nesting cavity, for several minutes! NORTHERN CARDINALS have been in full song as of late as well. NORTHERN SHRIKES have been present on the entrance road and in the Kite field. Good Birding! Lev Frid Maple, ON Directions: 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. There is an entrance fee. Maps can be obtained at the visitor centre. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Spring Ducks at Point Pelee From: wormington AT juno.com Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:32:47 -0500 On rare occasions over the decades, there has been an interesting phenomenon at Point Pelee where very early spring ducks appear here when there is a surge of warm air associated with strong south winds. There is now a continuum of such events (with gaps) from the earliest (December 31) through January and into early February. Typically such events are characterized by a sudden rise in temperature, in association with strong south winds originating from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. The current event started in the afternoon of January 22, when south winds were blowing directly to southern Ontario from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Panhandle of western Florida. That evening and through to the following morning (January 23) the temperature was rising at Leamington, reaching a high of 10 C. (50 F.) at 12 Noon. There were multiple tornadoes in the south, especially in Alabama. I anticipated this event, so went to the Tip early the morning on January 23, where it did not take long for me to see the first spring migrants --- two separate flocks of Northern Pintail heading south (= retreating). So far the following have been seen at Point Pelee: NORTHERN PINTAIL January 23: 20, at Tip (6+14) -- pure flocks January 23: 3, SE Hillman Marsh January 25: 140 !!!, fields south of Hillman Marsh -- a pure flock GREEN-WINGED TEAL January 24-25: 9, SE Hillman Marsh GADWALL January 23: two (pair), SE Hillman Marsh January 24: three, NW Hillman Marsh January 25: 6, SE Hillman Marsh AMERICAN WIGEON January 23: one male, SE Hillman Marsh January 24: two (pair), SE Hillman Marsh January 25: 6, SE Hillman Marsh RING-NECKED DUCK January 25: two (immaculate males), SE Hillman to Girardin Pond (Pelee Marsh) Excluding Lake Erie, all bodies of water here are frozen with the exception of an opening at SE Hillman Marsh, and a tiny opening at Girardin Pond (the rest of Pelee Marsh is frozen). I call all of these spring migrants. Others disagree, but they have yet to provide a satisfactory, alternative explanation for these influxes. We need to keep in mind that many of these ducks may have been in the southern United States since October (three months ago), so they are healthy, probably fat, and are very eager to migrate north with the first warm weather and strong south winds. Premature maybe, but so be it. Northern Shoveler and Greater White-fronted Goose are two other species that are often associated with these early movements, but so far none have been seen. Thanks to Marianne Reid for providing her January 25 observations. Alan Wormington, Leamington ____________________________________________________________ 53 Year Old Mom Looks 33 The Stunning Results of Her Wrinkle Trick Has Botox Doctors Worried http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f2091946a2731fb21m02duc _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Northern Goshawk/Cooper's Hawk From: Perry Rubin <drbreath AT sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:49:36 -0500 Juvenile spotted in tree above feeders in backyard. Have taken photo! Could be either one, with brown teardrops on breast. Thornhill, Bathurst & Clark Sent from my iPhone Dr Perry Rubin 647-522-5205 drbreath AT sympatico.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Tommy Thompson Park Owl Viewing and Reporting Policy From: Brett Tryon <ttpbrs AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:25:50 -0500 Hi Folks, A friend of mine visited Tommy Thompson Park (the Leslie Street Spit) last weekend and was quite upset when she saw a group of people surrounding a snowy owl, photographing it from a mere 3 feet away. One woman was even trying to touch the poor bird! I am sure that you would all be equally as appalled at such insensitivity. It is this type of behaviour that prompted TRCA to develop the Tommy Thompson Park Owl Viewing and Reporting Policy, which is intended to educate the public and prevent owl harassment. Please give it a read and share it with others. The document also provides numbers you can call if you see people harassing owls - including TRCA staff who monitor the park on weekends. Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bwpjb9LhyYATMDYzZGZmYTEtZDA4Zi00NTE0LThhY2EtNGY4NDRiOWFjNTRk If you would like to read more about the ethics of owl watching and the reasoning behind this policy, please visit www.ttpbrs.ca. Good Birding! Brett -- Brett Tryon Coordinator, Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (416) 318-2107 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Mountain Bluebird seen along Kerry Road west of Newbury today From: "David Skinner" <theskins AT rogers.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:29:38 -0500 The Mountain Bluebird, still in the company of the female Eastern Bluebird, was present today around 1PM along Kerry Road in the same vicinity where it has been seen almost daily for the past week. Directions: From Newbury, take Bentpath line to the west. Head towards Shetland Conservation Area. Before you get to the Conservation Area, turn left (south) onto Kerry Road. The bluebirds are being seen on Kerry Road between Bentpath Line and Bilton Line. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Common Grackl. Toronto. From: csam AT sympatico.ca Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:32:56 +0000 At 12 noon today I saw a male Common Grackle on Leslie st just north of Unwin Ave along the old trane tracks. Craig McLauchlan Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: winter finches - Scugog Twp - crossbill, repoll and siskin From: "Geoff Carpentier" <geoff.carpentier AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:55:24 -0500 A little flurry in my yard this morning ... one Red Crossbill, 10 Common Redpolls and a Pine Siskin. Also, in the area, flocks of Snow Buntings are suddenly appearing after being scarce all winter. Are the southwest Ontario birds on the move or are these newcomers from elsewhere? It's interesting to watch the changes that occur when storms pass or conditions make the birds unsettled. For example, my now somewhat famous "smartest juncos in the world" change every few days as new ones join the flock and others leave. A possible adult Pink-sided Junco was here for two days but, knowing how tricky it can be to identify them and the fact that it eluded my camera for confirmation, it will remain only a possible. Two juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos come and go, but the bulk of the flock remains. A mockingbird dropped in for a few minutes one sunny day to add a southern flavour. I live near Lakeridge Rd. and Reach Rd. in Scugog Twp. just outside Uxbridge Geoff Carpentier www.avocetnatureservices.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Trumpeter swans & Bald eagle From: Susan Menzies <susanmenzies AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:53:36 -0800 (PST) Hi fellow birders;   Yesterday, Sunday, January 22 on my way up to Dorset, Ontario I stopped in at Washago.  At the mouth of the Severn River at the north end of Lake Couchiching I was thrilled to observe 73 Trumpeter swans.  There is quite a large area of open water just south of the Centenial park on Quetton Street south of HWY 169 in Washago.  The swans were either sleeping on the water, feeding or were aggressively displaying pairing behaviour.  It was akin to being entertained by a beautiful ballet with head bobbing, calling, birds lifting off & as they took to the air their gigantic wings slapping the water.  Some birds had tags, almost all too far away for identification, most did not.  Mr. Lumsden, thank you for your years & tears on this reintroduction project.  To all dedicated people who continue to monitor these fabulous birds, thank you.  What a thrill to see so many healthy birds in such a lovely setting.    Today, coming south from Dwight on HWY 35, just north of Sea Breeze Rd. which is north of Dorset. I had a fabulous Bald eagle right at the side of the road in a tree.  I was allerted to the bird by 4 good sized crows buzzing a leafless deciduous tree on the east side of the road.  There was a driveway for me to pull into immediatley across the road.  The bird appeared to be an immature 4 year old with lots of white but some streking still on the head.  I was hoping for Red crossbills & Boreal chickadees but the weather was nasty from freezing rain.  I'll take the eagle any time.   Lots of deer on & off the road, if you do venture to this area take care to watch for them.   Good birding, Susan Menzies _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Shetland area Mountain Bluebird -No From: "Pete and Sue" <psread AT xplornet.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:42:05 -0500 Out this afternoon between showers to look for the Mountain Bluebird reported on Kerry Rd, south of Bentpath, near Shetland CA. Normally would try in the morning, and not try in such weather but we had a visitor from England and it was her last day here so we gave it a try. We were there for about 45 minutes and didn't see it. The area still looks good, plenty of berries on the evergreens, and wild grapes on a grape vine. As mentioned there is a brushy hedgerow running along Kerry near Bilton Line especially, which is where these evergreens and vines are found. I was talking to people who saw it yesterday, at the site, and they said it would fly off from time to time in different directions for "fifteen" minutes or so and come back. But it was not windy from the southwest and way above 0 in temperature, neither was it raining. As we drove the area, we found that there was good food available nearby as well. So I would suggest that it might come back more regularly when it gets cold again. While in the area, we saw a snowy owl on a telephone post to the west along Bentpath, after going over the river at Shetland CA, and through the woods, and near the curve at Forest Rd, thanks to the others at the bluebird spot who mentioned it. There was an all black and I mean the tail too, Roughlegged Hawk along Bentpath on the way to the owl. We also saw a Northern Shrike on Bentpath just west of the intersection with Kerry and a pair of bald eagles east of Kerry along Bentpath, but they flew north towards the river. And unfortunately a sharp-shinned hawk hunting along the hedgerow. Though as I mentioned the bluebirds were not there at the time. I hope others who might have been there in the morning will post if they saw the Mountain Bluebird. Pete Read _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Hawk Owl, Perth From: Jean Griffin <birder13 AT bell.net> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:22:27 -0500 The Hawk Owl was seen again this morning in the trees behind the site for a new church. It was best seen from Scotch Line this morning. Obviously the owl is moving around. Directions: I don't know if the site is marked for a church, but going west from Drummond St onto Scotch Line, the property is on your left. A barn was demolished and an old farm house still stands with trees by it. It is before you get to the gate into St. John's H.S. (which is on the right) Suspect there may be food around that old barn site _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Turkey Vulture - Grand Bend From: Maris Apse <apsemaris AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:24:45 -0500 Hi all, Another odd sighting of this weird winter - at 1130 hrs I saw a Turkey Vulture soaring over my house, which backs onto the old Ausable channel in Beach'o Pines - about 2 km south of the main intersection in Grand Bend(Hwy #21/CR#81) - one of only two traffic lights in town. Cheers! Maris Maris Apse, 10094 Red Pine Road, Box 22 B.O.P. RR2 Grand Bend ON N0M 1T0 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Hybrid Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser at Cobourg Harbour From: Michael Runtz <mruntz AT start.ca> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:17:14 -0500 This afternoon there was a male 1st winter hybrid Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser on the west side of the main pier of Cobourg Harbour. Directions: Take exit 474 (Division Street) off the 401 and travel south to the pier, which you can drive or walk out on. Good birding! Michael Runtz _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Mountain Bluebird -Shetland- YES this morning From: Marianne Reid <mbreid3 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:09:55 -0500 Ontbirders, Sorry for the late posting, but I never had access to a computer until this evening. After camping out in Lambton County in the back of our pickup truck along the side of the road where the bird was spotted yesterday, my husband Aaron, and I relocated the Mountain Bluebird, accompanied by the Eastern Bluebird, around 9:00 am this morning. The bluebirds were in the exact same location as described by Blake Mann and Allen Woodliffe, along the cedar dotted shrub line, near the cornfield. Directions: from Hwy 401, take exit 109, and head north to Thamesville on county road 21. Go through Thamesville, and at the north end of the village, take Jane Street, which turns into county road 23. Follow county road 23 to Lambton Line (county road 22) and turn east (right) for one concession to Kerry Road and then turn left (north). The birds were observed along Kerry Road between Bilton Line and Bentpath Line. Good Birding, Marianne ReidKingsville, OnpeleechickadeeATgmailDOTcom website: http://www.peleebirdingtours.comblog: http://www.peleechickadee.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Varied Thrush (Limoges - East if Ottawa) From: <willott123 AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:37:23 +0000 Hi Ontbirders: The Varied Thrush was seen at the usual location today on Calypso Road giving very good views. It flew in about 3 times and once even toward the front of the property. I've not seen it do this before but it appeared to move aggressively toward a bluejay on the same perch not far away. Thanks. W. Hum www.PBase.com/golfpic _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: No Cackling Geese/Brant/Greater White-fronted Goose at LaSalle Park From: David Gascoigne and Miriam Bauman <theospreynest AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:38:25 -0500 We spent about an hour and a half this morning at LaSalle Park. Alas, none of the above three species were sighted by us or any other birders we spoke to. It was a distinct pleasure on arrival to have eleven Tundra Swans fly in and wheel around to land on the water - a magnificent spectacle. It occurred to us that there are probably few places on the continent where one might see Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan and Tundra Swan together. Highlights were a male Ring-necked Duck among the many scaup and White-winged Scoters and a White-throated Sparrow in the scrubby areas along the western breakwater. We left LaSalle and birded along the lake as far as Paletta Park, stopping wherever possible, but were unable to locate the three elusive species. Upon returning to LaSalle Park in the afternoon we inquired as to whether anyone had seen them. No one had. David Gascoigne Waterloo, ON www.travelswithbirds.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Northern Hawk Owl - Perth (NO) From: <willott123 AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:05:08 +0000 Hi Ontbirders: Did not see the Hawk Owl at the indicated location this morning. I did see what appeared to be a redtail hawk at the noted intersection. Drove around a bit and when I came back, the hawk had moved further into the field. I may have just missed seeing the reported NHO as it could be hunting nearby or on a lower perch or hiding in the trees. PS. I saw a reference to the WeatherNetwork page where someone posted a photo of a Great Gray Owl on Manitoulin Island apparently photographed in January 2012. In case you happen to be visiting. W. Hum www.PBase.com/golfpic > From: birder13 AT bell.net > To: birdalert AT ontbirds.ca > Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:01:32 -0500 > Subject: [Ontbirds] Northern Hawk Owl - Perth > > A Northern Hawk Owl has been reported near the southwest corner of Perth on Saturday, Jan 21, at 2 p.m. > - perched high on a tree top scanning the meadow, Seen from Otty Sideroad, near the Scotch Line. This is the same general area where a Hawk Owl was present last winter. > > Directions: Coming on Hwy 7 either from west or east, take Drummond St. south to its end, turn right (west) - this becomes Scotch Line after the first traffic light. Otty Lake Sideroad goes left after a couple of km. > _______________________________________________ > ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. > Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca > For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ > _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Amherst Island - Sat Jan 21 From: "Keith Linton" <klinton AT netrover.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:41:21 -0500 Jan 21 1000 to 1700 hrs Day started out snowy and cleared up to blue skies, -6C, light wind. Amherst Island, take the ferry from Millhaven and view the map at the dock exit: 2 Rough-legged Hawks (Dark morph, male and female off the road in to Owl Woods) 4 Harriers (1 adult male, 1 adult female, 2 immatures in the various fields around Owl Woods) 2 Snowy Owls (one was on an Osprey platform at far east end of island) 1 Bald Eagle adult (circling, LaFarge pier on mainland) 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, male (Owl Woods) 2 Downy Woodpeckers (1m, 1f, Owl Woods) 1 White-breasted Nuthatch (Owl Woods) 1 'Plethora'* of Chickadees :) 0 Owls (* - yes, I made that up) I admit to not having A CLUE how to bird those woods (or the Island) properly, so any tips...? Also, Feeder at south Huff Rd and Hwy 2, east of Colborne (on the way to Amherst): 2 immature Red-tailed Hawks, borealis (in trees above feeder) 1 immature accipiter (by size, tail length, terminal band and outside feathers - probably male Cooper's) 10 Blue Jays 10 Mourning Doves 12 m and f Red-winged Blackbirds, incl several immatures 1 Grackle 15 m and f Brown-headed Cowbirds 2 European Starlings 1 'Plethora' of Chickadees ...plus other unknowns, and many Eastern Red-tails along the way... Observed by - Keith and Bethany Linton Orono, Ontario Remember - "Arrive alive, don't bird and drive!!!" :) _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Northern Hawk Owl - Perth From: Jean Griffin <birder13 AT bell.net> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:01:32 -0500 A Northern Hawk Owl has been reported near the southwest corner of Perth on Saturday, Jan 21, at 2 p.m. - perched high on a tree top scanning the meadow, Seen from Otty Sideroad, near the Scotch Line. This is the same general area where a Hawk Owl was present last winter. Directions: Coming on Hwy 7 either from west or east, take Drummond St. south to its end, turn right (west) - this becomes Scotch Line after the first traffic light. Otty Lake Sideroad goes left after a couple of km. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Niagara River - 11 Gulls, Harlequin Duck, Black Vulture From: Gavin Platt <gavin.platt AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:22:53 -0500 I birded along the Niagara River today, from Queenston to Fort Erie. Highlights as follows: Black Vulture - 1 with 11 Turkey Vultures at Queenston Harlequin Duck - 3 above the falls, on a small rock in the middle of the river. They were about halfway across the river, pretty much due south of the Three Sisters Islands. Gulls: Black-headed Gull - 1 in a large group of Bonaparte's, just north of the Peace Bridge. Black-legged Kittiwake - 1 around the pier at the north end of Squaw Island (American side). It could be seen well from the Canadian side and flew out into the middle of the river a few times. Little Gull - 1 adult at Queenston, 1 1st-winter at the same location as the Kittiwake. Iceland Gull - lots at Adam Beck. Thayer's Gull - 2 adults at Adam Beck. Glaucous Gull - 1 on rocks in the middle of the river, below the control gates. Lesser Black-backed Gull - 6 above the falls (also 2 Great Black-backed x Herring Gull hybrids here). Good Birding, Gavin Platt Toronto, ON Directions: Black Vulture: I viewed the Vultures from the pull-off on the Niagara Parkway, just below Brock's Monument. This is on the hill coming up from Queenston, just before (downhill from) where the road goes through a big 'U' bend. Adam Beck: The Adam Beck overlook is located on the east side of the Niagara Parkway, just south of the Queenston-Lewiston bridge. Harlequin Ducks: Best viewed from by the Engineerium building above the falls. Fort Erie Gulls: Any pull-off along Niagara Blvd, north of the Peace Bridge, would be a good place to look. The north end of Squaw Island is approximately across from Niagara Blvd and Bowen Rd. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Calurus Red-tailed Hawk in Oshawa From: Alfred Adamo <alfred.adamo AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:06:55 -0500 Seen about 9:30 this morning on the property of the Harmony Creek Golf Club, on the north side of Bloor St. E. Viewed from the Quality Inn property opposite the golf club. The hawk was only 10 m. north of the road and 5 m. off the ground. After observation for about 10 minutes, the hawk flew north further into the valley, but still viewable from the road. After considerable study and consultation of Brian Wheeler's "Raptors Of Eastern North America" I concluded that this an adult Red-tailed Hawk of the Calurus (western) subspecies, and is a dark intermediate/rufous morph. Documentation is available on request. A very striking bird well worth seeking out! Directions: From the west, take the Harmony Rd. exit from Hwy 401. Turn left at the traffic lights and follow Bloor St. over the bridge. Continue east on Bloor St. about 0.5 km. Look for the golf club on the north (left side) of the road. From the east, take the Harmony Rd. exit from Hwy 401. Turn right onto Bloor St. at Harmony Rd. Continue east on Bloor St. about 0.5 km. Look for the golf club on the north (left side) of the road. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Tundra Swans - Millhaven From: Paul O'Toole <newfoundlander61 AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:59:27 -0500 Located a family of Tundra Swans, 2 Adults & 4 Juveniles. Pic: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6732699461_a9d9241c8d_b.jpg Directions: Heading West on Highway 33 towards the Millhaven Ferry dock. Group was sighted approx 1/2 mile east from the dock on the Lake Ontario side near the car pulloff location. Paul O'Toole Kingston _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Redpolls south of Napanee From: <cgryski AT sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:41:10 +0000 This morning I had 2 Common Redpolls at my feeders plus a White-Throated Sparrow, a Tree Sparrow and the usual feeder birds. The feeders are on South Shore Road, Hay Bay just west of the intersection with Road 1. Chester Gryski cgryski AT sympatico.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Kestrel in greektown From: Richard Sigesmund <rsigesmund AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:34:00 -0500 On the northwest corner of Donlands and Danforth there is a church. On the top of the tall evergreen sits a kestrel. If near the church you will be in for a neat urban treat On Jan 21, 2012 4:18 PM, "David Britton" wrote: > > > > > This morning about 20 participants enjoyed some excellent birding east of > Ottawa. The weather was better than expected: although things began with > overcast skies and a raw north wind that created wind chills in the -20's, > the skies soon cleared and the wind dropped for very pleasant birding > conditions > The day's birding began under overcast skies scanning gulls flocking in > the snow-covered fields near the Lafleche Dump, southeast of Casselman. > Amongst the numerous Herring and Great Black-backed gulls, 20+ GLAUCOUS > and 3 ICELAND Gulls were found. > We continued north through the fields in the Ste-Rose area. On > Concessions 20 and 21 we found 4 SNOWY OWLS and 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. On > Concession 20 east of Ste-Rose Road, we had small numbers of SNOW BUNTINGS > and HORNED LARKS on a manure spread and a group of 40 LAPLAND LONGSPURS (a > very good count for eastern Ontario) feeding on grain screenings in front > of some silos. > We continued west and visited #998 Calypso Road, southeast of Limoges. > Within 15 minutes everyone had great looks at the VARIED THRUSH. Along > with the usual common feeder birds, there were also at least two EVENING > GROSBEAKS present here. > We finished the trip on the Rideau River behind the Tennis Club, where we > were able to easily view the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE amongst the more > common wintering ducks. > Thanks to everyone who participated for making this a very enjoyable > morning. > David BrittonOttawa > > _______________________________________________ > ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial > birding organization. > Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca > For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ > > _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Ottawa OFO Trip - Snowy Owl, Varied Thrush, Barrow's Goldeneye, etc. From: David Britton <brittondavid AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:17:27 -0500 This morning about 20 participants enjoyed some excellent birding east of Ottawa. The weather was better than expected: although things began with overcast skies and a raw north wind that created wind chills in the -20's, the skies soon cleared and the wind dropped for very pleasant birding conditions The day's birding began under overcast skies scanning gulls flocking in the snow-covered fields near the Lafleche Dump, southeast of Casselman. Amongst the numerous Herring and Great Black-backed gulls, 20+ GLAUCOUS and 3 ICELAND Gulls were found. We continued north through the fields in the Ste-Rose area. On Concessions 20 and 21 we found 4 SNOWY OWLS and 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. On Concession 20 east of Ste-Rose Road, we had small numbers of SNOW BUNTINGS and HORNED LARKS on a manure spread and a group of 40 LAPLAND LONGSPURS (a very good count for eastern Ontario) feeding on grain screenings in front of some silos. We continued west and visited #998 Calypso Road, southeast of Limoges. Within 15 minutes everyone had great looks at the VARIED THRUSH. Along with the usual common feeder birds, there were also at least two EVENING GROSBEAKS present here. We finished the trip on the Rideau River behind the Tennis Club, where we were able to easily view the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE amongst the more common wintering ducks. Thanks to everyone who participated for making this a very enjoyable morning. David BrittonOttawa _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ Subject: Mountain Bluebird at Shetland, ON From: Dwayne Murphy <dwaynejava AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:33:49 -0800 (PST) Hello Birders, This morning at 8:30am, I saw the Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds reported initially by Pete Chapman and most recently by Allan Woodliffe. The birds were on the corn stubble on the east side of the road 2km south of Bentpath Rd on Kerry Rd. Across the road from the Bluebirds (on the west side), there was a huge flock of Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and singles of Lapland Longspur. Two Crows and a Red tailed Hawk were seen as well. A few photos of these winter beauties have been posted at: http://dwaynejava.blogspot.com/2012/01/mountain-bluebird-and-other-winter.html Good Birding! Directions as per Allen Woodliffe: from Hwy 401, take exit 109, and head north to Thamesville on county road 21. Go through Thamesville, and at the north end of the village, take Jane Street, which turns into county road 23. Follow county road 23 to Lambton Line (county road 22) and turn east (right) for one concession to Kerry Road and then turn left (north). The birds were observed along Kerry Road between Bilton Line and Bentpath Line. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert AT ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/