199.246.2.11
-- 199.246.2.11
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, March 30, 2003
As the spring weather continues, so does the migration. EASTERN PHOEBES showed up on March 24th at Elmbrook, and yesterday at the Quinte Conservation Area west of Belleville. More AMERICAN WOODCOCKS in the county and one calling on Maitland Drive in Belleville during the week and lots of TREE SWALLOWS taking advantage of the warmer weather, and numerous reports of EASTERN MEADOWLARKS. Along the Bayshore Trail in east Belleville yesterday, there was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, 4 NORTHERN FLICKERS and 8 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. GREAT BLUE HERONS during the week were seen in Belleville, Kaiser Crossroad, Consecon, Point Petre and at the Quinte Skyway Bridge. The first COMMON SNIPE was heard Thursday at Valley Road in Ameliasburgh, and 2 FOX SPARROWS were reported during the week - one at Bloomfield on March 27th and one in Picton yesterday. Enough TURKEY VULTURES turned up in the county during the week to indicate a stable population of these roadside foragers.
An aerial tour over the county on Wednesday revealed no absence of water from the rapid snow melt of last weekend. Many creeks have spilled their banks providing plenty of areas for waterfowl to gather. TUNDRA SWANS are showing up everywhere, with a high of 100 at the popular Kaiser Crossroad site where low flooded agricultural fields have provided "to die for" birding opportunities. During the week there were highs of 500 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 150 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 20 GREEN-WINGED TEALS, 500 MALLARDS, 50 BLACK DUCKS, 30 AMERICAN WIGEON, 50 CANADA GEESE and lesser numbers of WOOD DUCKS, BUFFLEHEADS, SHOVELERS, GREEN WINGED TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and HOODED MERGANSERS. There was a major movement of CANADA GEESE on Monday over the area with up to 10,000 birds counted in three hours.
East Lake at Log Cabin Point contains more than a dozen species of waterfowl, among them CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, HOODED MERGANSERS and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. In Lake Ontario, waterfowl numbers are also impressive with an estimated 10,500 LONG-TAILED DUCKS counted just east of The Rock. Cressy Lakeside during the week offered many flocks of COMMON GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, BUFFLEHEADS and LONG-TAILED DUCKS. Along Cressy Bayside, observers there tallied several thousand GREATER SCAUP, with a few LESSER SCAUP, REDHEADS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and CANVASBACKS. The mouth of Black Creek, just below the Black River Cheese Factory opened up early in the week, attracting LESSER SCAUP, COMMON GOLDENEYE, HOODED MERGANSERS, WOOD DUCKS, BUFFLEHEADS, COMMON MERGANSERS, AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Even small ponds in the area were worth checking during the week, evidence by the 26 HOODED MERGANSERS, found on Friday at the Bloomfield Mill Pond.
Owl surveys conducted in the Huyck's Point area Thursday night revealed 4 GREAT HORNED OWLS at 3 stops, and 3 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS at 3 stops in the Little Swamp area. Other noteworthy sightings during the week included PURPLE FINCH at Point Petre, 3 CHIPPING SPARROWS on Valley Road (Mar. 27), and PILEATED WOODPECKER, EASTERN TOWHEE and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER found in the Ameliasburgh area. Two SANDHILL CRANES were seen flying in an easterly direction over Highway 37, about 5 km north of the 401, on Tuesday.
As the DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS stage their return to the Quinte area, Chip Wesleloh of the Canadian Wildlife Service is interested in documenting the arrivals of these birds in all areas of the Great Lakes, especially the inland lakes, many of which remain frozen. Date, location, time and number of birds is requested in an effort to document the migration of more than 200,000 cormorants that nest on the Great Lakes. He may be contacted at: chip.weseloh@ec.gc.ca
And finally, a fundraising concert in support of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory will be taking place on April 12th, at 8:00 p.m., at Milford's Mount Tabor Playhouse. Featured will be local musicians Jeanette Arsenault, Lenni Stewar-Wells, Janet Kellough, Suzanne Pasternak, Paul Johnson and Bill Ostrander. Tickets are $15.00 and are available from Books on the Bay in Picton, Hicks General Store in Milford, or at the door.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Susan Shipman, Judy Bell, Joanne Dewey, Lloyd Paul, Nick Quickert, Mike Jaques, Mike Schummer, Henry & Joan Pasila, Chip Wesleloh, Paul Mackenzie, David & Yvette Bree, Evelyn Sloane, Don Craighead and Wynne Thomas for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6th. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good spring birding !
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
tsprague@kos.net
http://www.naturestuff.net
24.43.158.246
-- 24.43.158.246
Hi,
I saw a bird that I have never seen before today. It was sparrow-size with a VERY bright orange-red top of the head, almost like a wide mohawk! As far as I could tell it was the only obvious marking the bird had. Although it was hard to tell because the bird was hopping around in the trees so fast. Actually there were about 7 or 8 of these little guys and the were constantly chirping. It definitly wasnt a sparrow, though it did resemble the sparrow family. Any help someone can offer would be much appreciated. Have a great week.
64.229.70.37
-- 64.229.70.37
This is a very late posting as we saw this bird in February but only just got around to identifying it today. Saw one individual in mid-February on the Don River just south of Queen Street. It's a striking bird with bright orange feet. It was hanging around with the Canada Geese and we thought at first that it might be a domesticated goose until we remembered to look it up today. I understand that this is a quite uncommon bird in Toronto?
64.228.99.20
-- 64.228.99.20
Well, here in Caledon in the past couple of weeks we have seen the return of the grackles, blackbirds, and redwing blackbirds. This week the cowbirds have arrived......oh joy oh bliss. More feed to put out, but that's ok because if they are eating, they are keeping healthier and stronger. We need that with all the birds and wildlife. We have heard some reports of bluebirds in some of the surrounding areas this past week as well. Make sure if you have nesting boxes, they are cleaned out and ready for our friends. Very soon, hopefully in the next few days, we will have a message board on our website with bird and wildlife sightings in the caledon area along with the rest of Ontario. My newest article for April's issue in the Curious Daytripper newspaper is also posted on our website, I will be doing this on a monthly basis with tips, facts and fun on birds and wildlife. We will be constantly updating news. Right now there is a guest sign in and links page with more to be added. If you are intersted in visiting and posting sightings or pictures, we would be very glad to hear from all of you. Our site is www.caledonmountain.boz.ca . Thanks.
64.231.217.169
-- 64.231.217.169
In Reply to: Cormorants are back! posted by Bill Halliday on March 29, 2003 at 10:18:28:
This morning at Humber Bay East, there were at least 20 cormorants. They were mostly 1's & 2's, with one flock of 9. Most of them were on the wing, headed west.
Other birds of note there this morning included a female Canvasback, a Pied-billed Grebe, several Horned Grebes, and the first Cowbirds I have seen this year.
BB
66.185.84.68
-- 66.185.84.68
This is for the people who keep track of returning dates. This morning, at the mouth of the Humber river, there are three cormorants.
64.228.47.146
-- 64.228.47.146
Several tree swallows gliding over the pond here in Whitchurch-Stouffville (10 kms north west of Markham) this morning. Also a lone king fisher and a solitariy buffle head. Al Johnston
216.192.230.3
-- 216.192.230.3
In Reply to: Mississauga - American Woodcock? posted by Carolyn Hay on March 24, 2003 at 23:58:35:
Carolyn, the date and the location sound good for this species. I used to listen to them at dusk and watch their courtship flights in that area back in 1991-2, it is good to know that there is still sufficient habitat there to support them, at least temporarily.
64.231.224.235
-- 64.231.224.235
On Saturday night, March 22nd around 10:30 pm, I heard what sounded like an American Woodcock in the field west of Duke of York Blvd. between the Living Arts Centre and Rathburn Rd. It was making it's nasal 'peent' sound.
Do you think it's likely that it was a woodcock?
199.246.2.11
-- 199.246.2.11
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, March 23, 2003
More stuff arrived during the week to join the throngs of KILLDEER, and members of the blackbird family that showed up en masse last weekend, along with SONG SPARROWS. A TURKEY VULTURE was seen on Long Point Road, east of Gravelly Bay Road on Tuesday. It, or another, also turned up at Prinyer's Cove the following day, followed by another sighting yesterday at Waupoos, and another on Ridge Road today and one on Wesley Acres Road yesterday. GREAT BLUE HERONS were seen at Sandbanks last Saturday, Mountain View on Monday and another yesterday over the Big Island Marsh, and another at Adolphustown.. There was a NORTHERN FLICKER at Sandbanks early in the week, and a male EASTERN TOWHEE on Lower Massassauga Road today. An early AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen searching for soft earth on the Murray-Harrington Road in the Murray Marsh area on Tuesday.
For the most part though, it was waterfowl, and their numbers and make-up fluctuated throughout the week. A popular waterfowl viewing area, a flooded farm field on Kaiser Crossroad, east of Waupoos, 48 TUNDRA SWANS there Monday; today there were in excess of 100. Also at this location, there were 6 TRUMPETER SWANS, CANADA GEESE, 1 SNOW GOOSE, 2 GADWALL, MALLARDS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS and 16 NORTHERN PINTAILS. This is a popular birding spot and certainly worthy of a visit in the days to come. Last year there were close to a dozen species of ducks during its peak, with 300 of them NORTHERN PINTAILS. Another popular location on Wesley Acres Road, south of Bloomfield, also harbours numerous ducks, but is drained very quickly and success depends largely on timing. Yesterday there were six species of waterfowl, including two SNOW GEESE. Meanwhile in West Lake at Wellington, waterfowl success was generally very poor, although 14 species did show up on Saturday, compared to larger numbers a day earlier. Among them were MUTE SWAN, CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and HOODED MERGANSER. East Lake on Saturday donated about 15 species of waterfowl including MUTE and TUNDRA SWAN, WOOD DUCK (1), AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL (1), both GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, and COMMON MERGANSER. This same area on Monday also added HORNED GREBE to the list. And CANADA GEESE are everywhere. Birders this week are cautioned that water flow is swift these days along County watercourses and are asked to use extreme care when around these areas. Today, there was flooding at both ends of Consecon Lake - at the village of Consecon and the community of Melville. Consecon Creek is a huge creek system and runs through the Big Swamp, so the quantity of water, until it peaks in a day or two, will be enormous.
In other birding news around Prince Edward County, the VARIED THRUSH at Prinyer's Cove, a regular since early January, tends to wander more with the arrival of warmer weather, so birders still wanting to catch a glimpse of this western visitor, may have to wait quite a while. Other sightings over the week included a NORTHERN SHRIKE on Mitchel's Crossroad on Friday, EASTERN MEADOWLARK on East Lake Road on Thursday, 2 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS on Marisett Road on Monday, and on Tuesday there was AMERICAN COOT at Wellington, a RED-THROATED LOON at the Glenora Ferry crossing, and a 3rd year BALD EAGLE on Amherst Island. Owling efforts by one observer Monday night aroused a GREAT HORNED OWL on Doxsee Road, and EASTERN SCREECH OWLS on Huff's Island Road and Massassauga Road. Two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were seen during the week at Waupoos.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Chris Grooms, Lloyd Paul, Ken Ashton, Bruce Ripley, Owen Weir, Bud Rowe, Laura Pierce, Joanne Dewey, Judy Bell, Laura Pierce, Don Craighead, Thomas Rymes, Nick Quickert, Yvette and David Bree, Bill Hogg, Don & John Legate and Rita Chapman. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30th. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good birding !
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
tsprague@kos.net
http://www.naturestuff.net
64.231.219.119
-- 64.231.219.119
The air at Colonel Sam Smith Park was filled with birdsong midday Saturday. The sounds (and sight) of blackbirds, grackles, song sparrows, tree sparrows, robins, killdeers, and mockingbirds were everywhere. There was also one (or possibly two) meadowlark on the outer penninsula.
There were fewer ducks than last weekend, but still a similar variety. White-winged Scoters are still easy to find close to shore. I found all 3 merganser species, and both scaup, but I couldn't find a ring-necked or a coot. There were at least 4 Horned Grebes: 3 in winter plumage, and 1 in transition to breeding plumage.
It's really starting to feel like spring!
BB
206.172.40.130
-- 206.172.40.130
In Reply to: Re: Codes to easy money very fast$$NO JOKE posted by luke gipson on March 21, 2003 at 10:14:29:
I would be pleased if who ever is in charge would get rid of this piece of junk.
206.172.40.130
-- 206.172.40.130
In Reply to: Re: Codes to easy money very fast$$NO JOKE posted by luke gipson on March 21, 2003 at 10:14:29:
I would be pleased if who ever is in charge would get rid of this piece of junk.
206.172.40.130
-- 206.172.40.130
In Reply to: Re: Codes to easy money very fast$$NO JOKE posted by luke gipson on March 21, 2003 at 10:14:29:
I would be pleased if who ever is in charge would get rid of this piece of junk.
209.29.103.142
-- 209.29.103.142
I might be able to go to Point Pelee for Easter, April 17 to 19,2003 and would like to know more about the birds in the Park .At this time of the year what species of birds should I expect to see? I'm sure some of you would also be
able to tell me what the best trails are.I appreciate your help, any help,I'm just a beginner...Thank you.
198.95.113.74
-- 198.95.113.74
News Release - March 20, 2003
From the American Birding Association
Attention Young Birders and Educators!
The ABA is pleased to announce its 2003 schedule of education programs and events for young birders. We also welcome and encourage educators and group leaders to use these activities and resources in their classrooms. Please pass this information along to anyone who may be interested in participating in or making use of these programs.
ABA/Leica Young Birders’ Workshop in Costa Rica: This special event has been planned and designed with Holbrook Travel to maximize the birding educational experience for young birders. It is being held July 26-August 2, 2003 in Costa Rica. Register now as the capacity is limited to 21 participants. For more details and information please visit http://www.americanbirding.org/programs/ygbconf.htm
ABA Youth Scholarship Program: The ABA continues to provide scholarship support to help young birders attend birding camps and conferences all across North America. In 2002 alone we sponsored 16 young birders for a total of nearly $9000.00 to help them attend birding events in Colorado, Minnesota, Arizona, and Maine. For information and details on how to apply go to http://www.americanbirding.org/programs/eduscho.htm
ABA/Leica Young Birder of the Year Contest: This annual contest runs from April through September and registrations will be accepted as late as June 14 for this year. We have added a new module, bird photography, in addition to the original three modules (field notebook, illustration, and essay) for participants. Prizes include optics, bird books, and sponsorships. Visit http://www.americanbirding.org/programs/ygbcomp.htm
ABA/Leica Birdathons: This year the ABA is offering two formats for participating in a birdathon. For those who prefer doing their birdathon as an “individual”, we have brought back BirdQuest. For birders who prefer the “team” approach we have created Tropicbirds teams for this birdathon strategy. Complete registration packages are available on our website at http://www.americanbirding.org/programs/edutrop.htm
A Bird’s-Eye View: This ABA publication is written by young birders for young birders. Subscriptions for this bimonthly newsletter are only $6 per year and classroom rates are available with support from Swarovski Optik. BEV is a great way to learn about birds and other young birders. See http://www.americanbirding.org/publications/bevgen.htm
216.8.144.229
-- 216.8.144.229
Early this morning I crept up to a Kingfisher perched at the end of our dock. I took some great photos as the ice drifted down the river behind it.
216.8.148.197
-- 216.8.148.197
Just spotted a pair of bald eagles, one male, one female. They are now sitting in tree on Peche Island which is in Detroit river at the mouth of Lake St.Clair and east of Belle Isle.
216.220.36.168
-- 216.220.36.168
Hello Everyone,
I don't post often on here for fear of being labelled a 'photographer' and not a 'birder'... but I met several very nice people on the weekend at Humber Bay Park East and we spent some nice time contemplating the Long-Eared Owls roosting in the pines. I was simply thrilled, I have never seen any of these beautiful birds in the wild before.
For the few people who were interested in seeing the photos I took, I posted one on my website at www.jobu-design.com under birds. I am not trying to solicit sales or anything like that, several people asked me to see the photos and I was hoping to help out (especially to the older gentleman who was unable to see the birds because of his poor eyesight).
To report, there were also numerous other birds in the area, mallards, buffleheads, geese, tundra swans, scaup and all other common water birds. Apparently the male wood duck was still there, although I missed seeing him.
Regards, I hope to meet more of you in the future.
-Ian
24.112.223.195
-- 24.112.223.195
In Reply to: C. Ravens Tommy Thompson Park Toronto posted by Craig McLauchlin on March 16, 2003 at 19:05:11:
Just to add to Craig's list, I saw a Belted Kingfisher by the bridge at around 4:00.
199.246.2.11
-- 199.246.2.11
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday March 16, 2003
It was as if someone had opened the floodgates on the spring migration. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS arrived in Prince Edward County overnight with an unexpected 53 at our feeding station this morning, accompanied by 4 COMMON GRACKLES. Similar numbers of the same two species were also reported from elsewhere in the county as well as in the Tweed area. In addition to phenomenal numbers of AMERICAN ROBINS, COMMON CROWS and HORNED LARKS present this weekend, an optimistic TREE SWALLOW turned up this morning on Bakker Road, near Pleasant Bay. KILLDEER also staged a weekend arrival with individuals being reported from various parts of the county today, with five being seen at Prince Edward Point, and three yesterday on Gilead Road.
Warmer weather also made waterfowl watching a bit more comfortable with good numbers being seen in the few places where open water has appeared. West Lake at Wellington over the last three days contained 26 swans with the majority being MUTE SWANS, along with at least 4 TRUMPETER SWANS. Ten TUNDRA SWANS had also been present earlier. Also present at this location were CANADA GEESE, MALLARD, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREATER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, COMMON MERGANSER and HORNED GREBE. Other observers at Point Petre yesterday found LONG-TAILED DUCKS, COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and GREATER SCAUP . The Outlet River offered HORNED GREBE, NORTHERN PINTAIL, REDHEAD, GREATER SCAUP, COMMON MERGANSER, and CANADA GEESE. Meanwhile at Prince Edward Point, everything was pretty much frozen over and lifeless, according to one observer on Friday. Another observer down that way today had much better results with 3,000 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 8 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 25 GREATER SCAUP. Also seen along the peninsula were 300 AMERICAN ROBINS, 150 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 1 GREAT BLUE HERON and 2 SONG SPARROWS (1 singing). Two blue-phase SNOW GEESE were in Wellington on Tuesday, and another 6 SNOW GEESE were seen in flight along Royal Road.
Returning to the winter scene, at least one of the two VARIED THRUSHES at Prinyer's Cove continues to make regular visits to the feeder at 383 Prinyer's Cove Crescent, where a NORTHERN FLICKER and two RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are also sampling the menu. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK made a visit to a feeder in Bloomfield during the week, and another east of Lake-on-the-Mountain. At Tweed, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was observed chasing a mourning dove across a nearby field. SNOW BUNTINGS were seen during the week at Point Petre (1), Big Island (2), Sandbanks Provincial Park (12), and 250 in a freshly manured field on County Road 18 near Fairfield's Resort. WILD TURKEY reports included 35 at the Sidney Street location north of Belleville, 1 at South Bay, 5 at Milford, 7 at Lake-on-the-Mountain, 2 at Long Point, 18 on County Road 11 near Sandbanks, 4 crossing the highway near Warkworth, and two strolling nonchalantly down a driveway in Carrying Place. Another stroller was a RING-NECKED PHEASANT hiking along the road in Warkworth. And still another casual afternoon walker was a RUFFED GROUSE which took all of five minutes to cross in front of one motorist on Brewer's Road.
Other good sightings during the week were SONG SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at Lake-on-the-Mountain on Tuesday and another white-throat on Bongard's Crossroad, NORTHERN FLICKER near the corner of Scoharie Road and County Road 2, EASTERN BLUEBIRD on Point Petre Road, 500 AMERICAN ROBINS in the Point Petre area, BALD EAGLE at Glenora, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER at Wellington, PILEATED WOODPECKER on County Road 23 and another on Valley Road, and still another reported from Tweed, and 2 RED-TAILED HAWKS at Consecon. One observer doing owl surveys for the Breeding Bird Atlas in the Ameliasburgh area made 18 stops and recorded 8 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS from seven stops and 4 GREAT HORNED OWLS from two stops.
Observations on Amherst Island on March 11th were SNOWY OWL (1), 5 dark morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, 14 SNOW BUNTINGS and a NORTHERN FLICKER.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Lloyd Paul, Richard Koppens, Colin Bradshaw, Glenn Tooze, Owen Weir, Liz Churcher and George Thomson, Donald McClure, James Leaney, Angela Mantle, Walter Frey, Evelyn & Doug Sloane, Don Craighead, Bob Sachs, Fred Helleiner, Joe Victor, and David Bree. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23rd. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good birding !
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
tsprague@kos.net
http://www.naturestuff.net
216.209.210.54
-- 216.209.210.54
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic thank you for your understanding.
To day Bev convinced me that after spending 4 weeks ( going in to my 5 ) working with 2 days off that a birding walk out on to Tommy Thompson Park ( or the Leslie st spit just for you John , ha-ha) wood be a good Idea . And we came up with some good birds!
Getting out of the car at 7:30 am we wear treated to a calling N.Cardinal which is a rare bird out on the spit and a great way to start off, other good birds wear 2 Killdeers, 47 Red Wing black birds, 35 Tree sparrows, B.C. Chickadees 2 , 400+ Long Tiled ducks, 17 Wight winged scoter's and 2 Black Scoter's , their was 1 adult Lesser Black back Gull out on the ice with 2 G.B.B.Gulls .
their wear 8 migrating Crows and at 9:45 in till 9:55 we watched (me in amassment) 2 migrating C. Ravens, I have seen C. Raven out on the spit before but never 2 together, we watched them fly in from the west of the city once they saw the spit they started to fly in caracal's and slowly head north west towards the DVP and out of sight even thought I had them in my scoop. Wow what fun that was, that's what I love about birding always something new!
Tommy Thompson Park is found south of the Lake shore Blvd. hear in Toronto on Leslie st and is open only on the weekends and holidays
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
64.231.219.61
-- 64.231.219.61
In Reply to: Killdeer at Col Sam Smith Park posted by Brian Bailey on March 15, 2003 at 21:09:50:
At least 2 male Ring-necked Ducks have joined the flock of several hundred ducks at the foot of 23rd Street today.
BB
64.231.226.194
-- 64.231.226.194
On my way to Col. Sam Smith Park this morning, I came upon a pair of Mockingbirds along the east side of the RL Clark Filtration Plant. The male was very vocal. His repertoire included a Killdeer call, which had me searching the sky until I realized the source. He also did a very good Greater Yellowlegs.
Down at the lake there were several male RW Blackbirds, one Robin, and a genuine Killdeer along with the following waterfowl:
Horned Grebe (2)
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Gadwall
American Widgeon
Redhead
Greater Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
White-winged Scoter (20+)
Common Goldeneye (displaying)
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
and one American Coot.
BB
64.230.107.90
-- 64.230.107.90
In Reply to: Turkey Vulture over Queen's Park posted by Glenn Coady on March 14, 2003 at 17:24:59:
...Vultures over Queen's Park! Hmmmm...you can't get more symbolic than that. Watch out Mr. Eves...maybe they smell something.
(Sorry...I couldn't resist)
Tony
142.76.82.229
-- 142.76.82.229
Today at about 1:20 p.m. I saw an eastbound migrant Turkey Vulture over Queen's Park.
GC
209.29.91.103
-- 209.29.91.103
In Reply to: Beamer - best time to go? posted by Jen on March 12, 2003 at 21:30:28:
Like any raptor watch, there is a peak season (in this case spring), and a peak month for numbers (April). However, the season runs from the beginning of March through to mid-May, and there is a lot of variation in the peak times of individual species. For example, you would have to go soon to see large numbers of Turkey Vultures and Red-shouldered Hawks, but have virtually no chance of seeing any Broad-winged Hawks until April. Complicating matters considerably is that activity can vary greatly from day to day based on weather conditions. What may seem to be a beautiful day to us can be virtually devoid of migration if winds are coming from the wrong direction (as has happened to me on each of my visits to Beamer; I believe the best source of wind there should be from the south, but can't guarantee that). Of course if you do hit a good day, it can be a very memorable experience. Good luck!
149.99.114.245
-- 149.99.114.245
I have heard that spring is the best time to go to Beamer Conservation Area in Grimsby to view the hawks coming back. Can anyone recommend when's the best time to go? It's a long way to go but have heard it can be very rewarding. Does anyone recommend making the trek out there?
Thanks.
199.42.177.225
-- 199.42.177.225
In Reply to: Great Hawk watching day posted by Jen on March 08, 2003 at 13:49:14:
I usually have a pair of Norther Harriers hang around my house in the spring. It is neat watching them cruise just above the ground searching for food. But they normal disappear by mid June and head north.
65.49.163.13
-- 65.49.163.13
I have a pole mounted bird feer in my backyard adjacent to Lake Ontario in Port Credit. We have many geese scavanging in the lake. A couple of years ago, both ducks and geese began to scour the ground underneath the feeder to clean the feed ejected from the feeder.
One day a goose flew onto the bird feeder and with some difficultly perched there, and by squatting, was able to reach into the bird feeder to enjoy its' bounty. Recently I thought I noticed more than one goose dining at the feeder.
Today I saw one goose perched on the feeder and two others flying in to chase it off.
I guess that geese feeding from a bird feeder is learned behaviour.
65.49.163.13
-- 65.49.163.13
In Reply to: Re: what was that huge bird ... posted by Dawn Phippen on March 07, 2003 at 10:12:28:
If you think you saw a Golden Eagle, you might check out immature bald eagles. When I first saw an immature bald eagle at the Adamson Estate in Port Credit, I too checked my book and said golden but then read that bald eagles are much more common here.
On one great day I saw two bald eagles. I knew they were different because one was a marture and the other immature. Getting to see them fly is another way to assist your identification.
Enjoy
64.231.231.108
-- 64.231.231.108
In Reply to: what was that huge bird ... posted by Peter Bedoukian on March 07, 2003 at 09:31:29:
Thanks to all who replied.
Having looked at pictures and reviewed the sighting with my fellow observers (wife, son, daughter, cat), we concluded it was most likely a Red Tailed Hawk.
199.246.2.11
-- 199.246.2.11
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, March 09, 2003
Winter continues its icy grip on Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This was certainly reflected in some of the reports that came in during the week including SNOW BUNTINGS (12) along Greer Road in Prince Edward County, and others during the week at 401 and Sidney Street in Belleville, and along Wooler Road. There was a second winter ICELAND GULL at the Glenora Ferry crossing last Sunday, and another - this time a first winter bird, at Point Petre the same day.
Bird feeders continue to enjoy brisk business as winter drags on with each feeder reporting their own individual successes with record large numbers of TREE SPARROWS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and MOURNING DOVES. A flock of 40 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES last week at a feeder east of Waupoos, and which subsequently disappeared this weekend, was particularly noteworthy as this species is all but absent at many feeders this winter. The male VARIED THRUSH at 383 Prinyer's Cove Crescent was last seen yesterday. This feeder which has seen close to 100 observers since the thrush arrived in early January, also has a male NORTHERN FLICKER, and both a male and female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. It has also been confirmed that a female VARIED THRUSH is also patronizing the same feeder although it is the male that seems to be observed more frequently. As spring draws nearer, we will be working on confirming a breeding record for this species for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas !
Open water around the county is still at a premium. However, West Lake at Wellington has been producing some interesting species including up to 22 MUTE SWANS this evening (15 on Monday). Prince Edward Point is still pretty much frozen in although fly bys of 60+ LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen early in the week. A few open areas can be found at Point Petre where early in the week there were 750 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 350 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 80 BUFFLEHEAD, 18 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 140 GREATER SCAUP, 22 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and 250 MALLARDS.
Signs of spring do continue to tantalize us, however. The flock of AMERICAN ROBINS along South Big Island Road had grown to 300+ by Friday afternoon. A NORTHERN HARRIER also appeared over the Big Island Marsh at 1111 South Big Island Road, and HORNED LARKS regularly flush from roadsides. A flock of 37 along County Road 17, east of Lake-on-the-Mountain was noteworthy. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were found during the week on County Road 13 south of Black River (8), and another 8 at Point Petre.
Other interesting sightings during the week were ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK near Prinyer's Cove, 2 SNOWY OWLS on Amherst Island on Tuesday, a RED-TAILED HAWK on Greer Road this afternoon, and another at Mountain View on Wednesday.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Margaret Quinn, Laura Pierce, John Charlton, Thomas & John Rymes, Fred Chandler, Bruce DiLabio, Lloyd Paul, George Kratz, Owen Weir and Donald McClure for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16th. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good "winter" birding!
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
tsprague@kos.net
http://www.naturestuff.net
64.231.220.25
-- 64.231.220.25
I visited Colonel Sam Smith Park (Kipling & Lakeshore) yesterday and found a nice variety of waterfowl including a surprising number of White-winged Scoters. This isn't normally a good place for scoters, but there were about 20 of them (it's hard to keep track of diving ducks).
There were well over a thousand waterfowl of 15 species. In addition to the scoters, there was 1 red-necked grebe and 1 horned grebe, 1 coot, and 2 pair of hooded mergansers. Most of the ducks were greater scaup. The two main areas of duck concentration were the harbour entrance, on the west side, and close to shore along the north-east side. Most of the scoters were on the east side, often very close to shore.
On my way home I heard, and then saw, my first migrant robin calling from the top of an apple tree.
BB
149.99.119.73
-- 149.99.119.73
During the hawkwatching day my wife & I had yesterday we saw 2 rough-legged hawks. I thought they had started migrating back up to their breeding grounds since I hadn't seen them for a week or two; I guess they're still here. Has anyone else seen them lately?
152.163.188.226
-- 152.163.188.226
WELL,MY HAWK CAME BACK AGAIN TODAY.TWICE SO FAR AND ON THE SECOND OCCASION HE PERCHED ON A CEDAR LIMB JUST OUTSIDE MY LIVINGROOM WINDOW(I COULD ALMOST REACH OUT AND TOUCH HIM HE WAS SO CLOSE!),STRETCHED HIS LEG AND FANNED HIS TAIL FEATHERS AS IF TO SAY TAKE A BETTER LOOK LADY. I'M NOT A GOSHAWK ,I'M A COOPERS HAWK(FEMALE,I THINK AS SHE WAS QUITE LARGE).WHAT A THRILL THIS HAS BEEN!AS MUCH AS I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY CARDINALS BECOMING HER DINNER I SURE HAVE ENJOYED WATCHING HER.I'M SURE YOU'LL ALL EXCUSE MY CONFUSION.I'M PUTTING IT DOWN TO EXCITMENT!THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP! DONNA
149.99.117.127
-- 149.99.117.127
It was a great day to hawk watch in Mississauga/Oakville (at Dundas & 403 area). We were out for about 2 hours this morning and saw:
24 Red-Tails 2 Rough-legged 1 Northern Harrier (we've never seen one of these before! Spectacular!) 7 Kestrel
I read that Northern Harriers are resident all year round in and around southern Ontario but has anyone seen them regularly? We've been birding for about a year and this is the first one we've seen.
64.12.96.104
-- 64.12.96.104
THANK-YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!I'VE FOUND MY BIRD OF PREY.YOU WERE RIGHT .IT'S THE NORTHERN GOSHAWK... http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/birds/northern-goshawk.htm THIS IS A GREAT PICTURE,RED EYES AND ALL!! THANKS AGAIN!!! DONNA
64.12.96.104
-- 64.12.96.104
THANK-YOU ALL!! I FOUND A GREAT PICTURE OF MY BIRD OF PREY... http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/birds/northern-goshawk.htm RED EYES AND ALL! YOU WERE RIGHT!! THANKS AGAIN!! DONNA
64.12.96.104
-- 64.12.96.104
THANK-YOU FOR CLEARING THAT UP FOR ME! I'M NOT AS EDUCATED IN THIS AREA AS I WOULD LIKE TO BE, SO THANKS AGAIN FOR THE INSIGHT!ALL IN ALL IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR ME NO MATTER WHAT HE OR SHE WAS! THANK-YOU ALL FOR HELPING ME FIGURE OUT WHO THIS WAS!! GRATEFUL DONNA
66.185.85.68
-- 66.185.85.68
In Reply to: THANK-YOU MARCEL AND KEVIN! posted by DONNA on March 07, 2003 at 19:32:34:
Both Cooper's and Goshawks Have red eyes in adults. Actually all adult Accipiters( primarily bird hunting hawks) have red eyes when they area adults. In their first years(immatures) they have a pale yellow eye which darkens to a very deep red in old birds. I used this as a loose guideline for aging adult Cooper's and Goshawks In previous research projects. It goes something like this. Adult plummage orange eye = first year Adult, Light red Eye = young adult, red eye = Adult, Deep red = Old adult.
64.12.96.104
-- 64.12.96.104
THANK-YOU BOTH FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE! I HAVE CHECKED BOTH OF THESE BIRDS AS A POSSABILITY AND HAVE NOT READ IN ANY OF MY BOOKS THAT THEY HAVE THE RED EYES.I CAN'T BEGIN TO EXPLAIN HOW RED THEY WERE.WE WERE EYE TO EYE AND I SHALL NEVER FORGET THEM.WOW WHAT AN EXPERIENCE THIS WAS FOR ME!CAN YOU TELL ME IF EITHER THE COOPER OR THE GOSHAWK HAVE THESE RED EYES? THANK-YOU AGAIN DONNA
64.12.96.104
-- 64.12.96.104
In Reply to: WHAT BIRD OF PREY WAS THIS? posted by DONNA on March 07, 2003 at 17:40:00:
THANK-YOU BOTH FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE! I HAVE CHECKED BOTH OF THESE BIRDS AS A POSSABILITY AND HAVE NOT READ IN ANY OF MY BOOKS THAT THEY HAVE THE RED EYES.I CAN'T BEGIN TO EXPLAIN HOW RED THEY WERE.WE WERE EYE TO EYE AND I SHALL NEVER FORGET THEM.WOW WHAT AN EXPERIENCE THIS WAS FOR ME!CAN YOU TELL ME IF EITHER THE COOPER OR THE GOSHAWK HAVE THESE RED EYES? THANK-YOU AGAIN DONNA
66.185.85.68
-- 66.185.85.68
In Reply to: WHAT BIRD OF PREY WAS THIS? posted by DONNA on March 07, 2003 at 17:40:00:
Sounds like a Northern Goshawk to me. I have an older version of the Peterson Field Guide for Eastern Birds and it shows a distinctly grey adult with a definite red eye maybe you can find it on the Peterson website. Hope this helps.
Kevin
209.29.104.236
-- 209.29.104.236
In Reply to: WHAT BIRD OF PREY WAS THIS? posted by DONNA on March 07, 2003 at 17:40:00:
Sounds like either a Cooper's Hawk or a Northern Goshawk. Cooper's in particular have come to hunt at bird feeders quite commonly.
172.170.67.131
-- 172.170.67.131
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME IDENTIFY THE BIRD I SAW THIS AFTERNOON! I THINK IT WAS A HAWK?BUT I'M UNSURE! IT WAS THE SIZE OF A CROW(PERHAPS A LITTLE LARGER), GREY IN COLOUR,SLENDER AND HAD THE DEEPEST RED PIERCING EYES THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN!! AS WE WERE EYE TO EYE.HE OR SHE KILLED A MOURNING DOVE AT MY BACKYARD FEEDER.WE LIVE IN SHARON ,ONTARIO,CANADA AND OUR PROPERTY IS PARTIALLY WOODED AND I'VE HAD MANY SIGHTINGS OF THE MALE AND FEMALE MERLIN FALCONS BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BIRD OF PREY BEFORE.WE FOUND THE EVIDENCE OF A BLUEJAY KILL NOT ONE WEEK AGO AND NOW I AM QUITE SURE THIS BIRD OF PREY WAS THE RECIPIANT OF THAT MEAL AS WELL.I HAVE CHECKED MANY SORCES FOR PHOTOS AND OR DESCRIPTIONS AND HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING ONE WITH THE DEEP RED EYES OF THIS BIRD.I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME IDENTIFY THIS BIRD?I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU MAY BE WILLING TO GIVE ME IN FINDING A NAME FOR THIS INCREDABLE CREATURE?! PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT rosebuddsz@aol.com I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. THANK-YOU DONNA
209.29.107.123
-- 209.29.107.123
In Reply to: Re: what was that huge bird ... posted by pat hodgson on March 07, 2003 at 10:52:04:
I agree Pat, it was most likely a Red-tailed Hawk. I worked in the area for a couple of years, and regularly saw a very large Red-tail patrolling Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Not to say that the other species mentioned could not occur there, but I never had any encounters with any of them.
67.69.18.10
-- 67.69.18.10
In Reply to: what was that huge bird ... posted by Peter Bedoukian on March 07, 2003 at 09:31:29:
Peter, I will comment also, since I live in the same area. Dawn's suggestions are appropriate, but let me add that you should assume that it is something common first. In this case, that means red-tailed hawk, which are present more or less year round in this area, and can be readily seen hunting squirrels. I believe thay nest in the Don Valley somewhere and often come over to Mt Pleasant Cemetary to hunt. Perhaps the closeness of the bird has caused you to overestimate the size a bit. Great horned owl would be next most likely, but far less likely. I have seen them occasionally in the Moore Park ravine, but I think you are certain it was a hawk, not an owl, it just moved its head like an owl? Northern goshawk is a rare possibility. A large falcon such as a peregrine or gyrfalcon would have to be considered unlikely, and extremely unlikely, respectively. An eagle (golden or bald) is likewise an extremely unlikely possibility, but I suppose not impossible. Rough-legged hawk would also be technically possible but highly unlikely in this environment.
Pat Hodgson
64.228.120.166
-- 64.228.120.166
In Reply to: what was that huge bird ... posted by Peter Bedoukian on March 07, 2003 at 09:31:29:
Hi there, I've looked through my bird books and the Northern Goshawk has a span of 38-45 inches and is 21 inches long. It's belly is lighter and body darker. Also, a red tailed hawk is 19 inches long with a good wing span. But I had a customer in two days ago and she saw something similar as you did and going through the books, we discovered it was a golden eagle. Amazing that she saw it. I wish she got a picture. A very good book is Stokes Field Guide to Birds, Eastern Region. It has photographs that are great in it.Another Bird that is called a Gyrfalcon is 22 inches in length and has a broad wing span. If you are thinking of Owls, the great horned owl is 22 inches long, big bird. The Barred owl is also 21 inches long. The great gray owl is 29 inches long but is farther north and to the west of us. Maybe if you look up the different birds I just described, you may be able to identify what you saw. I hope this helps. Dawn Phippen, Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies
64.231.233.171
-- 64.231.233.171
I saw this morning sitting high up in the oak tree in my backyard, near Mount Pleasant and St Clair? Some sort of hawk or falcon ... maybe 2 feet high, 4 foot wing span, light colored chest, dark colored head, longish beak with a sharp hook on the end, moved its head like an owl.
Impressive!!
65.95.226.222
-- 65.95.226.222
In Reply to: Re: Wigeon at Bronte, Oakville posted by Al Johnston on March 05, 2003 at 20:09:11:
Al,
Thanks for the reply. Our confusion relates to the head markings. We both agree that the forehead patch was yellow, in fact that is what attraced our attention in the first place. There is no disagreement about the colour of the bill either. The rest of the head was not well defined. One of us saw some green & a demarkation between upper & lower head markings. The other one saw no green nor demarkation. Since the head was dingy, we wonder if the yellow was an aberation.
Hence my question to see if anyone else saw this bird.
Nick
64.229.61.154
-- 64.229.61.154
In Reply to: House Finch ? posted by Doug Divorty on March 05, 2003 at 00:38:52:
We had a yellow variant in our yard last summer; Mississauga, Mavis/Central Parkway area - quite a sight, becoming more frequent in our area by the looks of it.
S
64.228.120.13
-- 64.228.120.13
In Reply to: Wigeon at Bronte, Oakville posted by Nick Avery on March 03, 2003 at 16:59:32:
Nick, I've had an American Wigeon hanging out in my pond here in Whitchurch-Stouffville with about 125 American Black Ducks and Mallards for a month or so now and the green patch just under the white forehead is very obvious. Do you recall if your wigeon had this? Al
67.69.18.10
-- 67.69.18.10
In Reply to: Re: House Finch ? posted by Tony Beck on March 05, 2003 at 08:37:54:
Thanks very much for posting, that is a neat site with fabulous photos!
Pat
64.231.74.16
-- 64.231.74.16
In Reply to: Re: House Finch ? posted by Tony Beck on March 05, 2003 at 08:37:54:
Hi Tony
Thank you for replying. I did search the Web & viewed the pictures. That is definately the bird in question. Thanks again. Doug
64.230.109.117
-- 64.230.109.117
In Reply to: House Finch ? posted by Doug Divorty on March 05, 2003 at 00:38:52:
Hi Doug
Recent editions of Petersons show orange variant for House Finch. But, other popular guides (like National Geographic and Sibleys) show the yellow variant. Although yellow House Finch males occur here, they are a bit easier to find in the American Southwest. Regardless, they occur as a small part of the population throughout their expanding range.
There are some good images on the internet. I recommend doing a "google" search for "Yellow Variant House Finch" to get endless information.
This link has an excellent photo comparing two adult males (one regular and one yellow).
Have Fun Finch Watching/Feeding
Tony
64.228.99.80
-- 64.228.99.80
With all this snow fall it's harder for the birds to get their feed, especially the ground feeders like the junkos and mourning doves etc. I find that if I go out with the shovel and clear the area under the feeders of snow and clear all the feeders making sure the seed is flowing freely that it helps our little feathered friends. There are snow buntings up here, guess they're happy, hee hee. Yesterday I noticed the first house finch and it's mate in the area for awhile, good to see. I know that others have seen the goldfinches, but I haven't as of yet, waiting with anticipation, and ready with the finch feast in the feeders for them. Lots of mourning doves and bluejays up here too. This winter have had a few reports...one man has 15 pairs of cardinals.....this is amazing, I know they are territorial and a lot of people I know would give anything to see just one pair of these birds at their feeders. Guess some are just lucky to have these visitors. Again, with the robins around.....I did a posting earlier in February with tips on what to feed them. They are vulnerable in this and need our help if there is nothing out there for them. They do eat the red plumage off sumac trees and any left over berries on other trees/bushes, but still.......not enough. Bluebirds have been spotted as well in some areas. The same principles apply to bluebirds as robins for the food stuffs I mentioned in the previous posting. If you see the newspaper, the Curious Daytripper in any place you shop, pick up a copy, on page 10 and 11 is my nature column, I focus on the feeding of robins and go into quite detail of what to give them. Happy Birding everyone
64.231.74.16
-- 64.231.74.16
I live in the West end near Caledonia and Eglinton. I have
visiting my feeder on a daily basis a small bird which
exactly resembles a House Finch execpt this bird is yellow
in its' markings. The female mate matches the other female
House Finches. Is there a Yellow variant? I can not find a picture in my Peterson Book.
24.226.93.60
-- 24.226.93.60
Hi, about two summers ago I was birding along the Don River and made it a fair ways up the parkway where I spotted a Red Tailed Hawk nest (and a pair of hawks to go with it). It's probably about 5mins (driving) south of the turnoff for the 401 and on the west side of the DVP. Its visible from the road. I was just wondering whether anyone has spotted the same nest and whether the pair has returned since then???
131.104.226.81
-- 131.104.226.81
In Reply to: North West shore of Lake Ont. posted by Craig McLauchlan on March 02, 2003 at 16:43:48:
The Ontbirds thread on this grebe mini-invasion mentioned that there seemed to be more grebes around on warm days. I think this may be true as I had 4 Red-necked Grebes (and also 2 Ruddy Ducks) in Humber Bay West on Feb 15, which was fairly mild, but no grebes and no Ruddy Ducks on Feb 20, which was colder, and followed several even colder days. Yesterday was cold again, and I think most of the reports came on Saturday, which was warm. Has anyone else seen anything to support this? Is this a consistent pattern, and if so, where would the grebes go when it gets colder?
Joel Kits
Guelph, ON
64.229.158.98
-- 64.229.158.98
Hi, I'm looking for some help.
Yesterday (Sunday) my wife & I saw what was to us an unusual bird. We did not have our guide with us & tried to remember as much about it as possible. Now we know that it was a Wigeon, but don't know if it was American or Eurasian. It had some charateristics of both. Did anyone else see this bird? Did you identify it? I went back a few hours later with guide book, but couldn't find this one bird in the hundreds that were there.
We saw a total of 16 species of waterfowl, the most interesting were the wigeon, a number of Oldsquaw and White-winged Scoters (this is the first year we have seen Scoters). Also we saw a Red Necked Grebe, still in winter plumage. The prime tire in the harbour will again in demand for a grebe nest.
Nick Avery
209.216.149.141
-- 209.216.149.141
In Reply to: Signs of spring posted by Josh Rubin on February 27, 2003 at 16:47:07:
Josh, Signs of spring in the past week in Essex County are flocks of Cowbirds, Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. Dean Ware had a Killdeer at Muddy Creek, Wheatley, yesterday. I missed it but saw the two Gadwall. Other migrants are the Tundra Swans which build in the thousands in the fields near Wallaceburg in the next few weeks.
Yesterday I had three singing White-crowned Sparrows, and one singing Song Sparrow at LaSalle, near Windsor. Other singing species of birds include Cardinal, House Finch, Junco, American Goldfinch, , American Tree Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Chickadee, etc.
Many of the fields throughout Essex County had Horned Larks yesterday. They were returning from further south.
Fred Urie
Windsor/Guelph
207.236.59.158
-- 207.236.59.158
In Reply to: Re: Saw-Whet Owl in Parkdale? posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 03, 2003 at 09:35:37:
Thanks for the info!
209.29.109.97
-- 209.29.109.97
In Reply to: Re: Saw-Whet Owl in Parkdale? posted by Jennifer Burns on March 03, 2003 at 09:14:03:
Yes, a pigeon is relatively small, but it is MUCH larger than a Saw-whet! You can literally fit a Saw-whet in the palm of your hand (not that I recommend this as a typical course of action - this comes from experience with banding them!). Screech Owls, like (most?) others with ear tufts, can raise and lower them, and as a result it can look like they don't have any. Also, I don't know which photos you happened to find on the web, but it's important to note that while further south the "red phase" of Screech Owl is more common, in southern Ontario most of them are of the "gray phase". Certainly both Screech and Saw-whet are possible in Toronto in winter, but it's true that the Screech Owl is generally more common.
207.236.59.158
-- 207.236.59.158
In Reply to: Re: Saw-Whet Owl in Parkdale? posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 03, 2003 at 00:12:12:
I initially thought that it was a screech owl because I've heard that they are not uncommon in Toronto. I looked at some pictures of screech owls on the Web but they didn't resemble what I saw - for instance, it didn't have tufts, not any that I could see. It had a round head. It was on the small side - when it flew by and perched in the tree, my companion said, "Oh, it's just a pigeon".
209.29.91.68
-- 209.29.91.68
In Reply to: Saw-Whet Owl in Parkdale? posted by Jennifer Burns on March 02, 2003 at 18:02:04:
Great experience! Could it have been a Screech Owl? What you describe sounds quite a bit larger than a Saw-whet - they are not much bigger than Starlings!
199.246.2.11
-- 199.246.2.11
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, March 02, 2003
For birders who keep winter lists, the winter season which began December 1st, officially came to a close Friday night. In Prince Edward County, 105 species were seen during this period. The highlight, of course, was the VARIED THRUSH at 383 Prinyer's Cove Crescent, 17 km east of Lake-on-the-Mountain. Both a male and female are present, so birders who still have not added this bird to their 2003 lists, still have a good chance to check it off. Also at the same feeder is a female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and a male NORTHERN FLICKER. Another NORTHERN FLICKER is present near the Quinte Skyway Bridge.
As the late winter season favours us with a few mild days, some areas of open water are beginning to produce waterfowl. The Outlet River at Sandbanks is open from the bridge along County Road 17 to Log Cabin Point and numbers of ducks may be seen here. West Lake at Wellington is beginning to open a bit, and today there were about a dozen MUTE SWANS in with the growing numbers of waterfowl. Outside the county, there were good numbers of waterfowl today in the open water at the Lennox Generating Plant. One observer in Frankford on Thursday found a female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and an AMERICAN COOT in the Trent River in the downtown area.
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS continue to turn up here and there. On Monday, there were two seen on Apple Road, just off Highway 14 south of Oak Hill (Stirling area). An EASTERN TOWHEE turned up at a feeder at 540 Downs Road, east of Wooler Road during the week, near where a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK has appeared sporadically over the last several days. On Highway 30, at the Warkworth turnoff, another observer flushed 100 SNOW BUNTINGS from the side of the road, certainly one of the larger flocks reported this winter within the reporting area.
Back in Prince Edward County, the BARRED OWL which was seen at Lakeshore Lodge Road in Sandbanks Provincial Park on January 21st, reappeared on Friday within the Park boundaries, but this time at the Maple Rest Heritage House.
Other noteworthy sightings during the week included 16 WILD TURKEYS on County Road 11 at East Lake (others present near the Park entrance), two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS coming to a feeder on Fry Road, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK near Lake-on-the-Mountain, BROWN CREEPER at Prinyer's Cove, and 11 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS on County Road 8, north of the Lennox Generating Station.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Owen Weir, Sue and Ken Panko, Bruce DiLabio, Walter Frey, Lloyd Paul, Evelyn Sloane, Jess Chambers, Serge de Sousa, Don McClure and Ken Ashton for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9th. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good birding !
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
tsprague@kos.net
http://www.naturestuff.net
64.228.38.32
-- 64.228.38.32
I went for a walk down Roncesvalles at about 9 PM last night, and as I turned the corner onto Geoffrey, a bird swooped silently past me and landed in a nearby tree. Naturally, I had to go and check it out. It was about the size of a large pigeon or a small hawk, and had hawk-like markings - kind of a mottled brown and white. When I got closer, it turned its head quickly to look down at me and I saw that it was a small owl. I was *very* excited because I have never, ever seen an owl in the wild before! It sat in the tree for about a minute and then it flew away. I was struck by how silently it flew - no flapping or fluttering sounds - it just swooped away. Very impressive!
64.228.116.66
-- 64.228.116.66
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic thank you for your understanding.
With all the reports of Red Neck Grebes lately Bev and I decide to drive the North West shore of Lake Ont. from Hamilton to Toronto today and count the number of Grebes we could find.
Starting at the Travel Loge at Brant st in Burlington we felt great with the first Red Neck Grebe fly by BUT this wood turn out to be the only Red Neck Grebe for the day??? we stopped in to every area from which the Lake could be seen right up to Humber bay in Toronto but with no luck finding any other Grebes.
we did see lots of other good birds though all 3 Scooters wear present and one A . Pipit at the Travel Loge and their was a Yellow rump warbler at Shore acres .
Still it was vary surprising that the Grebes wear a no show ?? .
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
64.231.160.214
-- 64.231.160.214
In Reply to: Long-eared Owls at Humber Bay East, Trumpeter Swans, White-winged Scotes, etc. Humber Bay West posted by Theresa Dobko on February 28, 2003 at 17:01:01:
4 White-winged Scoters were just off the western end of Ashbridge's Bay Park at noon today. Nearby were a dozen Redhead , a dozen Lesser Scaup, 3 pairs of Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 pair of Common Mergansers, and the usual Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Long-tailed ducks, Gadwall, Blacks & Mallards.
Spring is coming!
64.228.99.18
-- 64.228.99.18
In Reply to: Signs of spring posted by Josh Rubin on February 27, 2003 at 16:47:07:
Hi everyone. No red wings here in caledon yet, but yave seen a few european starlings. And have had a report of someone seeing a bluebird towards stouffville area. As per the robins..and bluebirds I posted a note on winter feeding robins earlier in February around the 16th if you'd like to scroll down the board and check it out. Feeding them is important with the way the weather has been so cold with only a break of a day here and there that isn't below sub 0 .....i don't like the cold. Anyway there are all kinds of things you can give them. I write my own nature column in the Curious Daytripper Newspaper and this month focused on the feeding of robins and bluebirds. The paper is distributed throughout most of ontario......a lot of little quaint and specialty shops carry it. Places that you would visit while daytripping. Anyway I hope some of the tips help you with helping out these birds. I will report any sightings of any new birds in this area as soon as either I see them, or someone else does and reports to me. I love nature and am concerned about preserving it and helping it. Happy Birding everyone! :):):):)
67.69.252.234
-- 67.69.252.234
In Reply to: Re: Long-eared Owls at Humber Bay East, Trumpeter Swans, White-winged Scotes, etc. Humber Bay West posted by Bill Halliday on March 01, 2003 at 10:25:05:
I also saw these today at Humber Bay Park; in addition, there was a male Surf Scoter right at the mouth of Mimico Creek, and a Red-necked Grebe in the lake, quite close to shore, just to the east of the creek mouth.
Dominik Halas
216.209.210.148
-- 216.209.210.148
In Reply to: Re: Signs of spring posted by Jen on March 01, 2003 at 07:51:14:
the Lynde Shores Conservation Area is one area that red-winged blackbirds do over winter . it has bin for a long time , all the winter listers rase ther in Dec. to add them to ther list .
Craig
66.185.84.68
-- 66.185.84.68
In Reply to: Long-eared Owls at Humber Bay East, Trumpeter Swans, White-winged Scotes, etc. Humber Bay West posted by Theresa Dobko on February 28, 2003 at 17:01:01:
Three Long-eared are there this am. Trumpeters 521 and 522 are on the Humber river, along with the usual suspects which now include a White-wing scoter. Thanks for posting the owls.
149.99.116.157
-- 149.99.116.157
In Reply to: Re: Signs of spring posted by josh rubin on February 28, 2003 at 09:08:16:
On Feb 8 (a Saturday), we saw a group of red-winged blackbirds at the Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby on the birding trail. About 5 were quite close to the trail in the trees above the feeders. We were quite shocked as we hadn't seen them since the fall. I used to think they were a sign of spring but now I'm more convinced they over-winter.
24.192.106.248
-- 24.192.106.248
In Reply to: Long-eared Owls at Humber Bay East, Trumpeter Swans, White-winged Scotes, etc. Humber Bay West posted by Theresa Dobko on February 28, 2003 at 17:01:01:
That should be White-winged Scoters, not Scotes
24.192.106.248
-- 24.192.106.248
There were 4 Long-eared owls in the pines around the parking lot at Humber Bay East this morning. When Liz Green and I drove there to find one (a lifer for her), we parked close to the pines and just as we were approaching to walk around the outside of the area near the parking lot, we saw first one fly and then a second. Carefully we walked around the other side to try to spot them to identify them when we saw two sitting in a tree. We could see one clearly, but not the other, and while walking around those two to get a better angle, two others fly past us to the next stand of trees just south of us. Eventually we got a close enough look at all 4 to identify them as Long-eared owls. There was a school trip there and many dog walkers so they were skittish for awhile before settling down. The class eventually got a very close look. As others have reported, this is a good spot for owls but do try to walk a little distance away from the trees and around them to spot the owls rather than walking across and through them or they merely fly further away. Humber Bay East and West both had a nice selection of waterfowl and there were several Trumpeter Swans near Humber Bay West (and yes I will report them all to Harry Lumsden).
At HBE, there was a male Wood Duck near the parking lot with other ducks, also the expected waterfowl in the waters nearby: Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, Redheads, Buffleheads, Long Tail, etc. At HBW, 5 Trumpeter Swans, 2 White-winged Scoter, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, etc. At the very far end of the drive at HBW, a Common Loon between the park and the shoreline.
Humber Bay East can be found by driving along the Lakeshore Blvd. to Parklawn and then south on Parklawn straight into Humber Bay East Park. Take the main roadway to the right, park in the parking lot and try the stand of pines nearby for the owls. The waterfowl are found just past the parking lot and the pines. Humber Bay West is not well marked and can be found 1 street west of Parklawn, again turning south from Lakeshore Blvd. Turn into the first area for parking but park in the lot furthest south and walk toward the lake. The inner bay is all completely frozen and the birds are a little further out than usual. That's where the Trumpeters and Scoters were located.
Theresa Dobko
142.150.72.128
-- 142.150.72.128
In Reply to: RWBBird High Park !! posted by Craig McLauchlan on February 28, 2003 at 11:35:03:
RWBL.
64.228.116.100
-- 64.228.116.100
Red Winged Blackbird
On a fast walk around the north end of Grenadier pond in High Park I found my first RWBB sing on territory!! It must be spring.
also seen 5 Robin , 3 N. Cardinal's singing and 2 Crows which are hard to find around the GTA this winter also just as I got to my car a Pileated Woodpecker flue over head ..
Nice walk
Craig
209.29.106.234
-- 209.29.106.234
In Reply to: Re: Signs of spring posted by josh rubin on February 28, 2003 at 09:08:16:
Actually, there was just a report of a Red-winged Blackbird at High Park on Ontbirds. I lived along the Scarborough Bluffs for five years, and the first ones there always arrived Feb 26 - Mar 1, so looks like they are probably right on schedule :-). Hard to say how far they are coming from - a good number winter just south of the Great Lakes, so it might well be that "our" Red-winged Blackbirds are really short-distance migrants. However, their winter range stretches all the way down into Central America, so really one would have to look at banding recoveries to know how far the "average" Ontario Red-wing travels.
24.157.192.168
-- 24.157.192.168
In Reply to: Signs of spring posted by Josh Rubin on February 27, 2003 at 16:47:07:
Hi Josh, I live in Willow Beach just 5 minutes from Sutton on Lake Simcoe and I have seen Robins since January. There are hundreds of them flying around. I have sparrows nesting in my backyard and the squirrels are looking pretty frisky lately. I have 2 Cottontail Rabbits chasing each other in my yard also. I think seeing the actions of these creatures leads me to think they know something we don't!?! On average we have had -28c in the mornings for the past month and a half and it will be nice to have some warmer weather. I've had enough of this winter!!! I'm sick of shoveling and shivering.
199.243.129.134
-- 199.243.129.134
In Reply to: Signs of spring posted by Josh Rubin on February 27, 2003 at 16:47:07:
Hi guys.
Thanks for all your help. Anyone see any redwinged blackbirds yet? did you do a little spring is here celebration when you saw it? where do they migrate north from?
thanks,
josh
64.228.116.95
-- 64.228.116.95
In Reply to: Re: Signs of spring posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 28, 2003 at 07:57:51:
I sent this to Josh but thought I wood post it hear also to go along with Marcel's
Robins are now a comin winter bird in the GTA and for southern Ont and yes I saw 7 today at James Gardens in the Royal York and Dundas area , so as you can gees I was not so seprised light harted but still .
The true sine of spring for me is the returnee of the Red Wing Black Bird which although some(a small # compared to Robins) over winter most migrate south and they have just bin reported in southwestern Ont but not in the GTA at this point , as soon as they arrive they start to look for territory and start singing , so its the first song of spring I was surprise I dint hear it to day !? Hope fully tomorrow.....
I hope this helps and yes lets hope this winter is over soon !!!! well not intill I get off the Leslie st spit on Saturday I hope to look for Owls and smoke a cigar.
Craig Mclauchlan
209.29.108.245
-- 209.29.108.245
In Reply to: Signs of spring posted by Josh Rubin on February 27, 2003 at 16:47:07:
There have been thousands of Robins in southern Ontario all winter, so those are definitely not a sign of spring (although I can't deny that they are a pleasant reminder of warmer weather when one sees them in winter). More reliable signs of spring are the species which regularly return to the Toronto area over the course of March: Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles (usually end Feb / first few days of March ... there could well be some along the lakeshore in particular within the next couple of days), Song Sparrows (often returning in numbers around March Break), and Tree Swallows (early ones soon, larger numbers after mid-March). Others may have different lists, but those are the birds that I tend to look for when hoping for signs that winter is nearing its end.
192.206.151.130
-- 192.206.151.130
Hi folks.
I'm a reporter doing a story about signs that spring is upon us. There are BBQs on sale at Sears, baseball spring training has started, and clothing stores are selling shorts. I was wondering if there are particular species birdwatchers look for as a sign of spring. I noticed that there have been several robin sightings in Southern Ontario.
Are you hopeful the sightings mean this godawful winter is almost over? (so my boss doesn't think I'm making you up, please let me know your name).
Thanks,
Josh Rubin
josh@thestar.ca
Staff Reporter, Toronto Star
64.228.116.127
-- 64.228.116.127
In Reply to: Birding by Train: Catbird ? posted by Tom Deligiannis on February 27, 2003 at 00:41:07:
Hi Tom
First Wow what a great sighting birding from a train that must be fun !? and a great way to train your eye !
I spent a hour today walking the tracks wear you saw the bird but all I could find was a Mocking Bird , which dos not surprise me I had a nesting record for Mocking bird a copal of years ago at the corner of Keele and st Clair and I wood think that this was the same bird .
Craig
216.58.114.210
-- 216.58.114.210
While riding the train into Union Station Wednesday morning I am almost 100% sure that I saw a catbird fly up from the scrub near the rail line and perch in a small tree as we passed.
I'm not sure how rare this bird is in Toronto this winter, but I thought I'd pass along the sighting anyway.
While it's always hard to know exactly where one is on the train, at the time I noted the local businesses and cross-streets and then later checked a map. The bird was in the bushes and small trees lining the CN line, along the stretch of track that runs southwest of Rogers Rd. and about 1/2 km NW of where the railway crosses St. Clair. The area can also be reached by taking Keele St. as far south as it goes until it ends. The rail line and the area where the bird was seen is a few metres to the West of where Keele comes to a dead end.
I'd be interested in knowing whether this is an interesting bird for this time of year in Toronto.
Thanks,
Tom Deligiannis
Guelph, ON
66.185.84.196
-- 66.185.84.196
In Reply to: Thank you posted by Andrew Birch on February 25, 2003 at 12:57:08:
Andrew, it was -29 C. in Guelph this morning, very cold, but a warmup on the other side of this dome of high pressure may bring a trickle of migrants by March 1.
Bring your longjohns, and a couple of pairs of gloves.
24.156.93.232
-- 24.156.93.232
Yellow-rumped warbler sighted on Feb. 21, 2003 at Humber Bay West.
195.195.174.10
-- 195.195.174.10
Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for help on birding sites in Toronto. They have all been most useful. I'm sure they will help me make the best of the few hours I may have available. One things for sure it sounds like its going to be an awful lot colder than it is here in England. I have warned the students. I can see my birding resolve being severly tested. Once again thanks to you all for taking the time to offer your advice.
PS Pat, thanks for the warning regarding the colourful characters that frequent the area around the hotel.
Yours sincerely
Andrwe Birch
66.185.84.196
-- 66.185.84.196
In Reply to: winter feeding robins posted by Dawn Phippen on February 16, 2003 at 19:11:55:
The robins in Guelph this week were feeding on Buckthorn.
The overwintering robins in upper Oakville in 2001 and
2002 were feeding on Buckthorn.
199.246.2.11
-- 199.246.2.11
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, February 23, 2003
As of Friday, the VARIED THRUSH was still at 383 Prinyer's Cove Crescent where it first appeared in very early January. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER also continues to patronize this feeder along with a NORTHERN FLICKER. There is a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW that is still visiting a feeder east of Lake-on-the-Mountain, and another EASTERN TOWHEE coming to a feeder on Victoria Road in Ameliasburgh, in addition to the one that had been reported at a feeder on Scoharie Road near Picton. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS continue to be reported around the Quinte area, some of which are coming to feeders. In addition to four being fed mealworms at a feeder at East Lake, there are another two on Wallbridge/Loyalist Road in Quinte West, west of Belleville. After an absence of several weeks, a CAROLINA WREN is once again visiting a feeder at Morrison's Point, while the individual at 23 Sprague Road has not been seen for almost a month. Those thinking they have counted their chickadees coming to their feeders accurately should heed one local bird bander's suggestion that feeder operators may have more than what they think. An Elmbrook area resident, after counting a high of 6 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES for Project FeederWatch, opened her nets a few days later and caught and banded an incredible 38.
One feeder operator on Vanderwater Road, east of Thomasburgh has 18 WILD TURKEYS coming to her feeder. Back in Prince Edward County, there are up to five WILD TURKEYS that can be seen quite regularly on County Road 14, just east of the community of Crofton. Another five were seen strutting along Main Street in Bloomfield on Friday.
At least until the freezing rain storm hit last night, AMERICAN ROBINS were turning up everywhere along roadsides. Chuckery Hill Road had at least 200 on Friday, and up to 150 had been seen regularly along South Big Island Road and along the causeway leading from the island across the Big Island Marsh. Close to 100 were also seen east of Lake-on-the-Mountain during the week, with smaller numbers seen in Bloomfield and along Belleville's Bayshore Trail.
Singles of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were seen at Point Petre during the week, and also one at Mountain View Airport on Saturday. Also at Mountain View, a COOPER'S HAWK took out a NORTHERN CARDINAL at a feeder there.
BALD EAGLES, at least three, perhaps four, are still making regular runs up and down Adolphus Reach between Glenora and Prinyer's Cove.
Despite the cold weather, there are some areas where waterfowl may be seen. There is a RED-NECKED GREBE at Wellington Harbour, first seen Thursday, and again on Friday. At the East Lake end of the Outlet River, there was a nice assortment of waterfowl on Friday which included 50 MALLARD, 25 BLACK DUCK, 4 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 1 BUFFLEHEAD, 8 CANADA GEESE, and three MUTE SWANS.
Other good sightings during the week included 40 CEDAR WAXWINGS and an EASTERN BLUEBIRD near Lake-on-the-Mountain, and a NORTHERN HARRIER at the corner of Moira Street and Palmer Road in Belleville. And while considerably out of the general reporting area, there were 8 BALD EAGLES, three of them adults, seen near Westport on Friday.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and area. Our thanks to Helen Graham, Joanne Dewey, Bob Cermak, Hugh Watts, Bert Filemyr, George Underhill, Yvette & David Bree, Alfred Cairns, Bill Hogg, John Blaney, Albert Boisvert, Lloyd Paul, Molly Mulloy, Thomas Rymes, Eileen Whitmore and Joe Victor for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2nd. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good winter birding !
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
tsprague@kos.net
http://www.naturestuff.net
24.100.119.29
-- 24.100.119.29
In Reply to: Re: Birding in Toronto posted by Al Johnston on February 23, 2003 at 11:31:10:
Tree Swallows had penetrated to Tennessee, and to
Pennsylvania and New York by February 16. There was
a possibility with this system pulling moisture from
the gulf, but with the cold the next few days they
would die.
216.138.223.85
-- 216.138.223.85
In Reply to: storm posted by Dawn Phippen on February 23, 2003 at 08:52:56:
Good advice, Dawn. Had to do this for both Niger seed and sunflower seed feeders. The wet snow last night gummed up the seed flow.
BTW, a male sharp-shinned hawk was observed some 7/8 feet above the ground perched on a maple branch. Handsome brute.
We're next to the Don Valley Parkway, NW of the Broadview-Danforth intersection in Toronto.
64.228.53.116
-- 64.228.53.116
In Reply to: Re: Birding in Toronto posted by Fred Urie on February 22, 2003 at 17:28:24:
Fred, forgive me for asking you to confirm this, but did you really mean Tree Swallow or perhaps could it be Tree Sparrow. If the former, I sure wouldn't give it much chance out on the Spit today.
Al, Whitchurch-Stouffville
64.228.99.49
-- 64.228.99.49
if you are feeding the birds, hopefully you are, make sure that your seed is flowing freely from the feeders. Clear the snow from them so the birds can get their food. I also clear the snow away from under the feeders and throw seed on the ground for them. A lot of ground feeders are depending on us to help them. with all this snow, the seed sinks down and the birds can't get it as well. Remember the robins that are back and snow clearing is very important to get the food on the ground for them. A previous posting gives you an idea of what to feed robins through the winter. Good luck with our wonderful feathered friends
66.185.84.196
-- 66.185.84.196
In Reply to: Birding in Toronto posted by Andrew Birch on February 19, 2003 at 09:21:57:
The spit will be the best choice for the most numbers of species. Ducks and gulls are moving, as well as Grackles, R.W. Blackbirds, Killdeers, H. Lark, possible Pipit, Tree Swallow, E. Meadowlark, and whatever was sucked into the current low pressure system that brought rain today.
Owl species overwinter on the spit, and Grebes are
present just south of lake Ontario. There is also the
possibility of Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, and
sparrow species on the spit.
Good luck
64.228.57.58
-- 64.228.57.58
In Reply to: Re: goldfinches posted by Al Johnston on February 21, 2003 at 09:06:18:
Sometimes the finches get turned off Nyjer seed......nice to see that you know about the spellingn change of Nyjer. Anyway, I'm hoping that get back here soon. I haven't had any finches in awhile. And knowing that people have lots of them, not ten miles north of me is maddening, hahhaha. Guess I'm impatient. The people that have had all the finches coming in are using the seed mix "finch feast" that I mix. They are coming to my store and buying the birdseed that I have formulated and mix, and I'm glad that they are well taken care of, but I want to feed them. Anyway, the mix has a lot of nyjer in it, along with flax seed, canola, canary grass seed, and white, red and amber millets. It gives them a lot of variety and attracts a lot of the song birds, and is really good for them, with the flax etc. I found that the Indigo Buntings Love it when they come back in the spring. A mix similar to this with safflower seed makes for a good anti-squirrel mix. I'm VERY OPPOSED to the idea of putting pepper of any kind in birdseed. It has been reported that squirrels have actually gouged out their own eyes from the terrible burning. I've studied this for quite a while now, and no matter how much someone is bothered by a squirrel ( personally I just think it's an ego thing with us humans, as we all know squirrels are smarter than us)that animal or any other animal for that matter should not be tortured like that. If you have ever gotten pepper in your eyes, you know what I'm talking about. Safflower has a bitter taste that squirrels don't like, and mixed with the smaller of the seeds, it actually works. Safflower seed is a favorite of the Cardinal and Grosbeak too, along with several other birds. Well, I'm glad to hear that you at least have some finches at your place, I guess they will all be back soon enough.
64.228.47.98
-- 64.228.47.98
In Reply to: goldfinches posted by Dawn Phippen on February 20, 2003 at 21:26:45:
Dawn, I'll have 8 or 10 goldfinches at times and sometimes a few chickadees but not much else. I use nyjer seed and black sunflower. They won't touch anything else.
Al Johnston, Whitchurch-Stouffville
64.228.120.7
-- 64.228.120.7
I'm in Caledon Ontario and have been waiting for the goldfinches, they usually just disappear for a bit while the males change from the brillant yellow to the dull browney greeney greyish sort of colour they go. But this year it's been a long time coming. I've had reports from the flesherton area that the goldfinches have been in full force eating up the seed as fast as it's put out for them. I've also gotten reports from the orangeville and north caledon area that they have started coming to the feeders in large numbers in the past week. I'm just another three miles south and my finch feast is waiting for them. Has anyone else had finches most of this winter, or have they been scarce for you too?
64.228.120.7
-- 64.228.120.7
In Reply to: Birding in Toronto posted by Andrew Birch on February 19, 2003 at 09:21:57:
I hope you have a wonderufl stay here in Toronto, and I hope the weather is good for you. I'm not from Toronto, about 45 minutes north, but I remember driving from the east end of toronto near don mills and there was a big ravine.... could be the don valley, I hope someone reads this and knows where I'm talking about. But, there are a lot of hawks that fly around there, I was amazed to see so many when I drove through. I couldn't stop, unfortunately, there was a lot of traffic and, I'm a country girl, don't like the city driving, too many cars for me. There is the Metro Toronto Zoo with lots of birds to see. Also at the airport there is a wildlife area. You might want to phone the toronto conservation authority, you may get some places from them. Or there's the federation of ontario naturalists, they probably know some good places for you to go. I'm sure these numbers are easy to find in the phone book, or by via the operator. Maybe even phoning the zoo......it's a thought. I hope this is some help to you, good luck. Dawn Phippen, Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies
64.228.120.7
-- 64.228.120.7
In Reply to: Re: re: west nile and cease feeding? posted by Marien on February 19, 2003 at 10:28:17:
It is recommended that you use 1 part bleach to 10 parts water to clean your feeders and disinfect them. Last year the weather was up and down in temperatures and it got damp. The result of the samonella was do to the birds leaving behind fecal matter and it getting wet and mixing with the seed. Also wet seed laying in the bottom of a feeder can turn bad. It has been cold this year and the samonella problem has not really been a problem. I had experienced the red polls too, it was such a shame. I held some of them close to me as they died, so they wouldn't be alone in their last moments, of course crying my eyes out. I imagine as the weather warms, you should maybe be a little more concerned on doing this cleaning. It would be nice if helping nature would go without a hitch, but, sometimes things happen beyond our control. I wish you all the luck with birdfeeding, you are helping these wonderful creations of nature and I commend you for that. Dawn Phippen, Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies.
149.99.125.12
-- 149.99.125.12
Saw tons of ducks at Humber Bay Park including 2 American Coots,several White-winged Scoters,many Trumpeter Swans 8 of which we got tag #s on..please excuse any repeated from earlier posts..673,593,522,395,588,521,607,520. Other over winter ducks there,Longtailed Ducks,American Black Ducks,Common and Hooded Mergansers,Common Goldeneye,Lesser Scaup,Redheads and Mute Swans. We saw a robin,a couple of Northern Cardinals and still alive and flitting about like crazy the Yellow Rumped Warbler by the east entrance.
64.228.47.11
-- 64.228.47.11
In Reply to: Re: re: west nile and cease feeding? posted by Marien on February 19, 2003 at 10:28:17:
Marien, It's recommended that you wash your feeders in a 10% bleach solution every week or so, not using your kitchen sink, of course, and using rubber gloves. Good luck. Al, Whitchurch-Stouffville
67.69.18.10
-- 67.69.18.10
In Reply to: Birding in Toronto posted by Andrew Birch on February 19, 2003 at 09:21:57:
Andrew, Your choices are a bit slim at that time of year, it is usually pretty wintry still, and not many species are about. There are three common options for birding in the city. The first two require very warm clothes if it is even slightly cold or windy outside.
1) Toronto Islands park - you get there by taking a very short ferry ride from where Yonge St. meets Lake Ontario. Some ducks and gulls can usually be observed in the harbour and, more still if you walk across the island to the main lakeshore. How many ducks you see can obviously be quite affected by the amount of ice present, which is a bit hard to predict, but boat traffic usually keeps some water open in the harbour, and I don't think there is more than a bit of shore ice on the south side of the island. Possible species include long-tailed duck, scaup, bufflehead, mergansers, c. goldeneye, bufflehead, maybe some others. Birds other than ducks would be fairly scarce but you might find n. cardinal, blue jay, chickadee on the island (very common birds that I'm sure you've seen before if you've been over here). The only disadvantage of the island is that you are not entirely free to come and go but are at the mercy of the ferry schedule, but I think the ferries are not less frequent than one per hour, even in the winter. The ferries actually go to three different spots, I think Ward's Island is probably best in winter.
2) High Park is a large park in the western part of the city, but is reachable via the Bloor line subway. There is a large pond in the SW part of the part that could have some waterfowl if there is any open water, but again only very common winter resident passerines could be expected otherwise.
3) Leslie Street Spit/Tommy Thompson Park which is in the eastern part of the city where Leslie St. meets the lake. The winds can really howl as this is a 5 km long artificial spit out into the lake. A bizarre place since it is a construction & demolition waste landfill during the week and a park on weekends! Likely better selection of waterfowl than in the harbour and around the islands, but probably even worse for passerines. More likely to see raptors than other sites, especially Am. kestrel. Occasionally hosts snowy owls in open areas, and some other owls in treed areas, but this is variable. Very occasionally has something very interesting like harlequin duck (call the bird hotline 416-350-3000 ext. 2293). This is harder to get to, but I think there is a city bus route (to corner of Leslie and Unwin Ave.), but it could have a pretty thin schedule on the weekend.
Good luck, hopefully others will add to this for you.
Pat Hodgson
Non-birding aside: FYI the area around your hotel is known for ..ahem.. streetwalkers, some of whom may not actually be of the gender they initially appear to be. They are only about late at night, but just thought you should know as you are with a student group.
206.47.0.171
-- 206.47.0.171
In Reply to: Birding in Toronto posted by Andrew Birch on February 19, 2003 at 09:21:57:
Feb or early March? present indications say bring long underwear, especially on the spit!
64.229.246.93
-- 64.229.246.93
In Reply to: Re: Hawk interaction posted by Fred Urie on February 13, 2003 at 15:01:48:
I have watched RTHA and RLHA circling together a number of times at the Beare Rd landfill site in Rouge Park, this winter.
64.229.246.93
-- 64.229.246.93
In Reply to: Northern Mockingbird sighting posted by Derek on February 11, 2003 at 14:33:28:
I had one at the Pearse House in Rouge Park on the 15th.
64.229.246.93
-- 64.229.246.93
In Reply to: Birding in Toronto posted by Andrew Birch on February 19, 2003 at 09:21:57:
If it's a Saturday and you have only a few hours, I'd suggest a trip down to Tommy Thompson Park, on the Leslie St. Spit.
http://www.trca.on.ca/parks_and_attractions/places_to_visit/tommy_thompson/default.asp?load=bird_species
64.10.193.148
-- 64.10.193.148
In Reply to: re: west nile and cease feeding? posted by Dawn Phippen on February 18, 2003 at 08:15:48:
Last year about this time, I collected several dead Redpolls from around the feeder and contacted Guelph, but they were not interested in testing the birds. I was told that autopsies conducted on birds throughout the province were consistently showing salmonella as the cause of death, and advised to disinfect the feeders. My question is: how does one guarantee that their feeder is not contaminating other birds? Maybe shutting it down for a short period is best.In such extremely cold weather as we had this winter, is it possible to disinfect all feeders thoroughly and regularly?
195.195.174.10
-- 195.195.174.10
Hello
I am a teacher from England and will be visiting Toronto with a group of students at the end of Feb beginning of March. As a birder I am hoping to get a few hours free to do some birding in the area on the morning of Sat the 1st of Mar. We will be staying at the Days Hotel on Carlton st, between the Downtown and Yorkville areas of the city.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a sight near to the centre of Toronto where I could take advantage of these few hours.
Thanks in advance Andrew Birch
Any suggestions welcome.
64.228.36.38
-- 64.228.36.38
I heard something very disturbing the other day while I was speaking at a seminar at a pet expo in Orangeville. After my seminar on bird feeding and wildlife I welcome questions and comments. One man said that he heard to stop feeding the birds totally because of west nile virus. I am shocked!!! The birds have lost so much of their habitat and with the use of pesticides and herbicides they have also lost major food supplies. The mosquitos are going to be around whether the birds are around or not!!! They are still going to be buzzing around everywhere, especially near damp or water areas. If a person has a birdbath, (which is important in winter, because birds can't get enough moisture from the snow to satisfy them)then maybe put it away in the spring if you can't keep it clean on a regular basis (which it should be). Mosquito larve thrives in stagnent water so it's a good thing to get rid of that. If you have a rainbarrel to catch water under your eaves troughs, then put a tight fitting lid on it until the rain comes. I'm against chemical pesticides because of the harm they do, whether anyone agrees with me or not. I don't believe that someone should stop feeding the birds because of a threat of west nile, it isn't going to help the birds, and you won't get rid of the mosquitos if you get rid of the birds, that's just not going to happen. I do welcome questions and comments on nature and am more than happy to try to answer anyone's concerns. Our website is www.caledonmountain.boz.ca and we are located in Caledon Village Ontario, Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies.
142.154.115.99
-- 142.154.115.99
Hi I received this message earlier today, please respond to John & Eunice Hudgins at uvaau@aol.com if you can help. Thanks Mark
Four birders from Virginia will spend May 19 and 20 at Point Pelee.
>From there we were thinking about traveling north around Georgian Bay toward Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie before heading home through Michigan.
Another thought was to travel around the north side of Lake Erie to Buffalo.
We are not familiar with birding in either area so we would appreciate suggestions on the best places to bird. Please answer directly to our E-mail address. Thank you.
John & Eunice Hudgins
Salem, Virginia
uvaau@aol.com
67.69.18.10
-- 67.69.18.10
In Reply to: Surely not a vireo? posted by Janet in Georgetown on February 10, 2003 at 16:50:27:
Have you considered Townsend's solitaire?
That matches on size and colour, but not so well on wing bars and eye stripes. It has white feather edging on the wing and white in the tail, though far less noticeable than in a typical mockingbird.
Ontario is not its normal range but these guys are much more likely vagrants than other western birds, I think especially at this time of year.
64.228.53.116
-- 64.228.53.116
In Reply to: winter feeding robins posted by Dawn Phippen on February 16, 2003 at 19:11:55:
Dawn, thanks for the tips. Re. your comment about Purple Martins being vulnerable, last spring was particularly hard on them because of the protracted cold spell. Many thousands of adult Martins starved because there were no flying insects for about 2 weeks in May. Bluebirds have a more varied diet and managed to survive. Al Johnston, Whitchurch-Stouffville
64.228.57.110
-- 64.228.57.110
For emergency feeding of robins you can use the following:
chopped fruits, raisins, canned corn or just corn, chopped nuts, fruit cakes or breads pieced, dog or cat kibble moistened for easier eating, meet scraps from luncheon meats, fruit and nut cereals or granola bars crushed with rolling pin, suet broken up into bits, meal worms, hulled sunflower seed, cranberries, or other berries. If you have sumacs they eat the red plumage from them or any berry tree or bush that may have something left on them. They go to the roadsides first after a snowfall and the ploughs go through. If you don't live on a busy road, you could put out some emergency rations along a roadside for them. Keep areas under feeders free of snow. Water is important for all birds in winter. A birdbath with a good heater will supply them, keep water fresh. Shelter is important too. A box with a half wall at opening put up facing away from the wind can help them. Bluebirds and Purple martins also can return early and are vulnerable to the harsh weather as well. Dawn Phippen, Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies
216.221.40.214
-- 216.221.40.214
In Reply to: Northern Mockingbird sighting posted by Derek on February 11, 2003 at 14:33:28:
feb. 16,2003-noon - St Clair Ravine, Birchmount & St.
Clair, scarborough. At open water.
24.42.2.95
-- 24.42.2.95
I was sitting in my den this afternoon and looked out the window just in time to see a mature Bald eagle fly by. As my den is over my garage he was just about at eye level, flying along the edge of the lake, going west. I had a visitor, a hawk of some description sitting in my neighbours tree. I was so distracted and excited bt the eagle I didn't make a good identification of the hawk except to note that it was smaller than a typical red tail before he took flight.
66.185.84.196
-- 66.185.84.196
In Reply to: Hawk interaction posted by Derek on February 12, 2003 at 17:57:21:
I watched Red Tail and Rough-legged Hawks interact in the fields around Essex, Ontario in the winter of 1995. It didn't appear if one specie was more dominant than the other. They both would try to steal each other's kill. Incidently, I saw a Red-tailed Hawk killing an American Crow.
I saw a N. Harrier swoop at a Rough-legged Hawk in a field outside Holiday Beach. The Rough-legged kettled up and then stooped on the Harrier.
One of the oldtimers on the Holiday Beach Tower saw
a Golden Eagle kill a Red-Shouldered Hawk. That's
why Red-tails often give an alarm cry when they see a
Golden Eagle.
149.99.113.247
-- 149.99.113.247
I have been watching hawk for a bit over a year and have seen several. In one location I've seen red-tails and rough-legged hawks but never at the same time. What would they do if they met?
66.185.85.68
-- 66.185.85.68
In Reply to: Re: robins in Bancroft posted by justin on February 12, 2003 at 10:55:59:
January 1st we had 7 Robins at my cottage at Eels Lake(sw of Bancroft) feeding on Berries. There was even a female Evening Grosbeak in with the flock.
216.209.115.19
-- 216.209.115.19
In Reply to: robins in Bancroft posted by justin on February 10, 2003 at 22:20:20:
This morning there were 2 of them in the tree. They didn't stay long - there is no more fruit left.
67.69.9.162
-- 67.69.9.162
In Reply to: Northern Mockingbird sighting posted by Derek on February 11, 2003 at 14:33:28:
I have seen one recently there as well. More into the spring/summer season they are common in the business park around there. We see them all the time.
149.99.114.156
-- 149.99.114.156
I know there was someone interested in Northern Mockingbird sightings. Well her's one; just north of the QEW, just east of Winston Churchill, I saw a Northern Mockingbird in the AMC 24 parking lot.
216.209.115.117
-- 216.209.115.117
On both Saturday and Sunday morning (Feb 8 and 9) we had a robin in our flowering crabapple tree. There are very few apples left by the flock of up to 50 bohemian waxwings we had in January. He must have found some to bring him back for 2 days in a row though.
I phoned my neighbour to look out her window and she said that her sister had a robin at her house (10 km away) the previous week.
This is unheard of up here.
131.104.226.81
-- 131.104.226.81
In Reply to: Re: Chickadees posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 06, 2003 at 07:43:41:
I think chickadee numbers fluctuate considerably from year to year in a given area. Looking at the results for the section of the CBC I participate in, I noticed that over the last decade or so chickadees have been alternating high and low numbers each year. I looked at the results for the whole CBC at the Birdsource website and there is a similar pattern, although not quite as clear. I don't know what might cause this, but certainly migration is a big component (high numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets and Winter Wrens this year may also reflect the lower amount of migration).
Joel Kits
216.191.63.123
-- 216.191.63.123
I'm really perplexed by a visitor at our heated bird bath and crabapple tree. It's the size and shape of a sleek robin, but grey above and white below, with two white wingbars and a light stripe over the eye. Seems closest to the look of a Solitary Vireo or even a short mockingbird (but no white on tail.) Any ideas?
64.229.67.6
-- 64.229.67.6
In Reply to: Re: bird question, re: singing posted by Al Johnston on February 09, 2003 at 11:00:53:
Al, thanks for the reply. I mention Kenora as that is where the play I am working on is set. It is about a family who takes their summer vacation there, and the mentorship the youngest daughter develops with a neighbouring old man.
149.99.18.165
-- 149.99.18.165
In Reply to: No show birds posted by Gail on February 09, 2003 at 21:16:27:
The Birds you mention don't hibernate. All I can think of is that they found a better source of food. I have 2 sets of "resident" cardinals and sometimes don't see them for 2 to 3 weeks. They come back eventually. Hope yours return soon.
209.29.143.229
-- 209.29.143.229
I have/had four cardinals and three downy woodpeckers that were daily visitors to my backyard feeders. I have not seen them for several weeks. Do they hibernate when it gets really cold? Why would they suddenly disappear and leave a food source in midwinter that they had been coming to for ages? What could have happened?
216.191.189.66
-- 216.191.189.66
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, February 09, 2003
Glenora Ferry seemed to be the in place this past week for interesting birds. In addition to as many as three BALD EAGLES being seen along this stretch of Adolphus Reach, some of which can often be seen right from the ferry, there have been some other good sightings there as well. A BARROW'S GOLDENYE has been present in the channel for several days along with COMMON GOLDENEYE, GREATER SCAUP and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. Ferry operators say that many of the waterfowl spend the night roosting beneath the ferry ramps, despite the noisy clatter of cars crossing the ramp to and from the ferry. Of particular note last week was what appears to have been a GREEN HERON hopping from ice flow to ice floe in the ferry track, catching alewives. The bird was well described, and birders using the ferry are asked to be on the lookout for it. There were two GLAUCOUS GULLS in the ferry channel on Thursday.
Bird feeder operators are still reporting good success at most feeders in the Quinte area despite a noticeable absence of winter finches. Extremely high numbers of TREE SPARROWS are being reported at most feeders along with similar numbers of MOURNING DOVES, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS. At 23 Sprague Road on Big Island, 5 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have joined the menagerie that regularly descends on the feed there, although the CAROLINA WREN has not been seen since the cold snap of a week or so ago. The VARIED THRUSH continues to delight birders at 383 Prinyer's Cove Crescent. It was last reported today. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and NORTHERN FLICKER are also patronizing this feeder. Another NORTHERN FLICKER is coming to a feeder east of Tweed. And there are 16 WILD TURKEYS coming to a feeding station on Moira Road, east of Highway 62, north of Belleville. NORTHERN HARRIER and COOPER'S HAWK were both reported at a Maitland Avenue backyard north of Belleville.
Despite the cold weather, there are still a few open spots in the Moira River, at Belleville. In one such location, directly across from the Knights car dealership on Station Street, there is still a male GREEN-WINGED TEAL where it was initially found in early January.
Other Quinte area sightings over the past week included 4 SNOW BUNTINGS on Highway 62 near Ben Gill Road, 50 MALLARDS in Consecon Creek on Ben Gill Road, 10 HORNED LARKS at Wooler, and RED-TAILED HAWKS at 401 and Wallbridge/Loyalist Road and also on Wooler Road.
The NatureStuff website has been updated for the month of February. This month's updates includes information on tall grass prairie in the Naturalization section, and some useful "tidbits" (pardon the pun) on offering table scraps at your bird feeder. We look at roadside birding under the Birding Opportunities section, and for wildflower enthusiasts there is a review under References on a new book by Court Noxon, "Field, Forest, Hedgerow - A Hiker's Wildflower Guide to Prince Edward County." This year's roster of outdoor events (something scheduled for every weekend this year, and many evenings) can be found in the Outdoor Events section and a new section has been added to the photo gallery, including 12 outstanding photos of Main Duck Island by Toronto photographer Doug Arnberg. We hope you spend some time on the website and do plan to check out the banners for Ducks Dive Charters and Cottages, Doug Arnberg Theme Photography, and Frontenac Outfitters who help in supporting this website.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte Area. Our thanks to John Haig, Albert Boisvert, Janet Foster, Art MacConnell, Joanne Dewey, John Charlton, Lloyd Paul, Judy Bell, Rita Chapman, John Moore, Dave Milson (OntBirds) and Scotty Allan for their contributions to this week's report This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good winter birding!
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
tsprague@kos.net
http://www.naturestuff.net
64.228.47.19
-- 64.228.47.19
In Reply to: bird question, re: singing posted by Anthony on February 06, 2003 at 16:40:46:
Anthony, I also assume that birds sing in t