I made a brief stop at Lambton Woods early this afternoon hoping to come across a few early migrants, but bird numbers were surprisingly low - maybe it was just the time of day. The only species seen that were even remotely surprising were the 4 Common Mergansers on the Humber just north of the James Gardens feeding area, and the 2 Herring Gulls among the 40+ Ring-billed just west of Scarlett Road.
There were, however, some other interesting sightings. I spotted my first butterfly of the year (a Mourning Cloak, not surprisingly) in the "Edgehill Ravine", southwest of the main bird feeder in Lambton Woods. In the same area were a couple of busy chipmunks scurrying around as if they were trying to make up for time lost over the winter. On a botanical note, the skunk cabbage in Lambton Woods is already 5-8 cm above ground in places. One by one the signs of spring are falling into place...
Marcel Gahbauer
In Reply to: Geographic Variation posted by Kristin Morse on March 31, 1999 at 17:14:06:
Kristin
With some twenty odd races of Harry Woodpecker, I’m sure there is all sorts of clinal variation including birds that might be considered to follow Bergman’s Rule. For those who aren’t familiar with Bergman’s Rule. It is an empirical generalization which states that birds living in northern regions tend to be larger. There other similar generalizations (with exceptions) concerning geographic variation. Allen’s Rule for example says that northern birds will have smaller bare parts (bills and feet) than their southern counterparts. Kenn Kaufman discussed geographic variation of Hairy Woodpecker in the 1993 Summer issue of American Birds (I seem to have misplaced the magazine but it is available at the Toronto Metropolitan Reference Library) Peter Pyle’s Identification Guide to North American Birds (1997) Slate Creek Press briefly covers identification of most races. It also has references. There is also a new (last couple of years) Identification Guide to Woodpeckers of the World in Helm Series. It should discuss geographic variation but I have not looked closely at the book (I saw it recently for sale at the Algonquin Park Visitors Center for something like $60. Does the Birder’s Handbook or Terres’ Encyclopedia of North American Birds say anything about geographic variation? They must. Then there is your basic text book on Population Ecology (Odum ? for example)
In Reply to: Birds on York U. Campus posted by Tim Pirk on March 29, 1999 at 13:52:18:
Hi Tim,
I'm a birding TTC driver who works York U a lot. Just from my bus I've compiled a list of close to 30 species. Fun spot.
Does anyone know where I could find out more information about Hairy woodpeckers and Bergmann's Rule?
Larger than Canada Goose. Light grey body with white inverse crescent across abdomen. Black and white grizzled head and nape. Pink bill with black nail. White rear end and underparts. Yellow/orange legs and feet which trail behind near the surface when swimming. Accompanied by a smaller version of itself but one which was closer in colour to a Canada Goose, less grey.
Seen this morning at the foot of Mimico Creek in Humber Bay Park West, just out from boat launching ramps.
I would appreciate some input. Many thanks.
Hello,
I am new in birding. For the next week-end I plan to do a trip at Toronto Islands and I'll take my camera with me. Do I have any chance to find a good place for birding ? Are there better places around Toronto for birding? Thank you for help.
TM
Dear Fellow Birders
Hi, know this was a little late, but thought I would post it anyways. I was down to Long Point on Sunday and first stopped at Turkey Point at the marina there was a Bald Eagle out by the nest, a Glaucous Gull, and about 25 Tundra Swans. Than at Big Creek there were about 50 or so Tundra Swans scattered about, also present were R-B Merganser, Pintail, and a Northern Harrier. In the bay there were many Ruddy Ducks, but also Scaup, Bufflehead, and Canvasback, but there wasn't that many ducks in the bay and looks like many have moved out. Than at a trail into the marsh at the corner of Winston Pkwy and the causeway there was a Tree Swallow, Great Blue Heron, and 6 Green-winged Teal, and most surprising was a Green Frog sunning himself on the path. At Old Cut, there were a few Creepers and a Golden-crowned Kinglet, but little else. At Lee Brown's there was a Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, and Wigeon. At the sewage lagoons in Port Rowan there was a Tree Swallow and Ring-necked Ducks, and on the way back to Oakville, I saw many Killdeer and Turkey Vultures.
Mike
Does anyone out there have an alternate to Beamer for spring hawk watching. Don’t mean to be a jerk but Beamer is getting kind of thick. Then as other people say ‘Rondeau is just as good.’
I saw an unusual Dunlin today in the wetland across from Hutch’s Restaurant at van Wagner’s Beach. Lighting wasn’t that great but I saw the bird well from 60 feet with 8 power binoculars, the bird was in basic plumage. There were possible chevrons on sides and flanks with possible individual black feathers on an otherwise white belly. The back was uniform grey. It did not fly. It had one of the longest bills I have seen so I assume that it was a female. The earliest Dunlin I have seen in Ontario has been May 5 and all Dunlin I have seen in the spring have been in alternate (breeding) plumage. Do Dunlin start migration in basic plumage? I’d be surprised if this bird wintered in Ontario. Also at van Wagners was an Alternate Greater Yellowlegs and at least three Tree Swallows.
The Bronte Harbour Red-necked Grebes were in place today about 50 feet away from the floating tire the marina put out for them. This year the tire is maybe 30 feet offshore. I guess the idea is to keep the birds out of the way of the boaters. It might work.
My fiancee and and I took a quick walk around the fields and thickets on the south end of the York University campus on Sunday afternoon (March 28). Signs of spring included singing Redwings, Grackles and Eastern Meadowlarks, several Killdeer and one Common Snipe flushed from a swampy of a field between parking lot 8A and Steeles Ave. Surprisingly, we heard no Song Sparrows in any of the thickets. However, the best bird of the walk was probably the lingering Northern Shrike (I looked closely, hoping it might be a Loggerhead!) south of parking lot 8B. We watched it hunt for a while, I think successfully as the last time it dropped into the grass it flew into a thick evergreen rather than back up to a more typical high perch. Another highlight was a large Sharp-shinned Hawk flying over the Passy Garden residences as we walked home. Notably absent was a Northern Mockingbird I have seen between parking lot 8B and the residence buildings several times since the January snowfalls. It was singing here last Wednesday morning. A Cardinal singing earlier this week behind the Passy residences bus stop was also silent. As a final note, this morning there were a pair of Canada Geese looking totally out of place, walking around on top of the Passy Gardens residence. The gander was standing guard on the roof, while the goose could be seen walking along the various ledges and adjacent rooftops. I know Canada Geese nest on cliff ledges on the prairies, but they wouldn't nest on a three story building here, would they?!
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, March 28
What a difference a week makes. One can only term this past week, and today especially, a cacophony of bird song. As one observer from Consecon put it, “The most impressive observation to make is the intensity, the numbers of birds, and the incredible noise here after a very quiet winter.” Reports this weekend, too numerous to credit, comprised TREE SWALLOWS, SONG SPARROWS, EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, KILLDEERS, COMMON SNIPE, RED- WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, EASTERN PHOEBES, and CANADA GEESE. There was a very early KILLDEER seen by Lloyd Paul in Belleville on March 11th. Date-wise, EASTERN PHOEBE first arrived at Sandbanks Mar. 21st, TREE SWALLOW (12) also on the 21st at Barcovan Beach, and EASTERN MEADOWLARK at Point Petre, also on the same date. COMMON SNIPE were heard performing their nuptials a week ago Sunday north of Wellington (Scoharie Road) and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen at Sandbanks Provincial Park’s West Point on Tuesday. There were three NORTHERN FLICKERS at Prinyer’s Cove last Sunday.
A herd (that’s the proper term !) of some 15 TUNDRA SWANS was seen in flight at Wellington today. Other scattered sightings came in this week from Sandhurst (4) and Smith’s Bay (9) and several at Weller’s Bay, and 11 on Wolfe Island. Meanwhile at Wellington Harbour, Lloyd Paul chalked up CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK (40) and HOODED MERGANSER, among the other regulars. There was a blue phase SNOW GOOSE mixed in with the CANADA GEESE there Friday, along with a white phase SNOW GOOSE farther up the shore. At Prince Edward Point, Ken Edwards checked off 35 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on Wednesday, along with 25 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and many thousands of OLDSQUAW. While there, he also got BALD EAGLE which may be the same individual seen last week on the ice. Another BALD EAGLE, an immature, was observed by Doris Lane at Indian Point.
TURKEY VULTURES have turned up this past week in several locations including 1 at Morrison’s Point, 5 over Picton, 1 at Prince Edward Point, one along Scoharie Road, 4 near Frankford, and one today at Big Island, and one yesterday along Ridge Road. GREAT BLUE HERONS have also returned to the Quinte area en masse with numerous reports throughout Prince Edward County along with 7 at a heronry at Hoard’s Station. A DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT was at Prince Edward Point on Wednesday, and there was a BELTED KINGFISHER at Wellington Harbour on Friday,
WILD TURKEYS continue to turn up in various sized flocks including eight along Ridge Road on Sunday, and a respectable flock of 100 at the pig farm on the road to the Murray Marsh. There were HOODED MERGANSER (about 30) at various points along the Trent River on Wednesday, with other scattered sightings at Wesley Acres Road in Bloomfield, Wellington Harbour, Rossmore, Barcovan Beach, Prince Edward Point and Muscote Bay. Scattered skeins of CANADA GEESE appeared throughout last week, with a fairly substantial movement at Point Petre, with flocks being heard throughout both Friday and Saturday nights, and a gaggle of some 200 in a field along Huff’s Island Road today. The Bucknell’s Slough along Wesley Acres Road today contained numerous MALLARDS, BLACK DUCKS, 6 - 10 GREEN-WINGED TEAL and a pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS.
There were two GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the north side of the causeway leading into Presqu'ile Provincial Park on Tuesday, but the best sighting at Presqu’ile today was a WHITE PELICAN. On Amherst Island, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS continue to be numerous. The Amherst Island Ferry channel still has both GLAUCOUS GULL and ICELAND GULL (1 of each).
Today there was a dead LONG-EARED OWL at the Point Petre picnic area, but the best find today by John Blaney was a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE along Old Schoolhouse Road, a sideroad off of the Point Petre Road. One was also seen at Presqu’ile on Wednesday.
And that’s it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 4th. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to: tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
On Sat. Mar.27,1999 Craig Mclauchlan, Stan Bajurny and I went up to Algonquin again in search of the Dickcissel. Even though we spent most of our day up there at the Visitor Centre we didn't come up with a single hint that it was ever there. I imagine many of you have chased a bird only to find out that yesterday was the last time it was seen. The day wasn't a total loss though as we arrived before daylight to try for owls and from about 4:30 am until sunup we found 11 owls. At km 19 we had 3 Barred Owls, km20 we had 3 Barred Owls and 1 N. Saw-whet Owl, and at km23 we had 1 Barred Owl and 2 N. Saw-whet Owls. Some of the Barred Owls were calling from very deep in the woods and at times they were calling together. To top it off we heard in broad daylight near the West Gate a N. Saw-whet Owl calling, we had driven back to the gate to start again driving hwy 60 for what ever we could see. Along the highway we spotted 5 Ruffed Grouse, Blue Jays, A. Crows, C. Ravens, A. Goldfinch, 2 only Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches and White-winged Crossbills. Evening Grosbeaks were seen in numbers at the Visitor Centre and we had a dozen at the West Gate and altogether we saw 73 of them on this trip. At the Visitor Centre we also saw 1 A. Robin, 2 Red-winged Blackbirds and a single B-H Cowbird along with a beautiful close up view of a Bohemian Waxwing, this bird spent the day behind the centre. On the road into the centre we had 3 Red-breasted and 1 White-breasted Nuthatch and the usual C. Ravens overhead. We did do some birding along Opeongo Road and between the bridge and pole #13 we saw 5 Boreal Chickadees and between the parking area and the same pole we had the company of 5 Gray Jays, another Gray Jay was at the junction of hwy 60 and Opeongo Road and 1 at the Visitor Centre. It was along the Opeongo road that we spotted overhead our first Herring Gull in the park this year and at the West gate were Dark-eyed Juncos and A. Tree Sparrows. Not to be forgotten are the Moose, we saw 4 along hwy 60 but we talked to a young Finnish couple who came up before dawn and they said that they saw a total of 11 along hwy 60 before daylight. As we approached the West gate after passing Dwight we spotted a fast moving wolf crossing the highway in front of us and can they move when they have to. We also stopped at km21.8 to check out the poles here for Black-backed woodpecker (no luck) but directly across the highway is a freshly excavated hole in a dead tree about 40 feet from the road that could possibly be a nest sight and maybe could be checked out by someone up there. All in all it was a good day with great weather and we enjoyed the company of the few birders we met there, why we even had a Leon sighting way up there. Norm Murr
Today (March 27) I saw a Tree Swallow flying over the lower Humber Marshes from Riverside Drive in the late afternoon.
GC
In Reply to: Turkey Vultures - Bay St. & College St. posted by Glenn Coady on March 24, 1999 at 13:07:34:
The vultures are definitely on the move - over the course of today, I saw a total of 16: 5 feeding on a carcass along York Drive north of the RBG, 2 over Olympic arena, 2 at the Beamer Raptor Watch, 4 in downtown Hamilton (all being viciously attacked by the resident adult peregrine), and 3 more along the QEW in Burlington and Oakville. They may not be everybody's favourite bird, but I'm glad to see them back.
Marcel
I started this morning at Bronte Harbour and found two Red-necked Grebes (presumably the same adults) near the site of last year's nest. There were also 8 Coots in the harbour, as well as a few Scaup and Bufflehead.
Highlights at Hamilton Harbour included 32 Ruddy Ducks in the Tollgate Ponds, 1 adult Cormorant in the Windermere Basin, and at Lasalle Park 45 Canvasback, 3 Trumpeter Swans (119, 404, 440) and 9 Coots. Bufflehead and Scaup were abundant at all the sites I checked.
In the woods behind the Olympic Arena, a Mockingbird was conducting a full concert all on its own, featuring the calls of Blue Jay, Robin, Ring-billed Gull, Killdeer, Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird, and many more. At the edge of the forest to the east were three flycatching Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a bit to the south I came across a Creeper near two Goldfinches.
At the old quarry near Tenth & Green Mountain, there was a Pied-billed Grebe, 3 Am. Wigeons, and 9 Ring-necked Ducks. Midway between Fruitland Road and Grays Road, there was a raft of scoters including 2 Black, 18 Surf, and 60+ White-winged. Unfortunately, I did not see any of the King Eiders that have been reported here recently, but they could have been among the hundreds of Oldsquaw that were far out on the calm water.
Marcel
In Reply to: Turkey Vultures - Bay St. & College St. posted by Glenn Coady on March 24, 1999 at 13:07:34:
Today I saw two Turkey Vultures along Hwy. 11 near Gravenhurst. So they're on the move!
Barbara
In Reply to: Turkey Vultures - Bay St. & College St. posted by Glenn Coady on March 24, 1999 at 13:07:34:
I saw one Turkey Vulture at the Owen Sound airport on March 19 and two in Caledon East on the 25th.
In Reply to: Re: Spring is springing posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 24, 1999 at 20:26:29:
NO
In Reply to: Re: Spring - I Believe So posted by John Miles on March 25, 1999 at 16:35:57:
Honestly, I am not entirely 'on top of' typical arrival dates.
I'm generally content to make the observations. In that regard, I did SEE my first Robin today, at home under my tube feeder full of Am. Goldfinches. Which brings me to a question. Should goldfinch males be in breeding plumage at this date?
Otherwise, I was north of Maple today, near Weston and Teston, and did hear my first Tree Swallow. It took me a little by surprise.
I am wondering if some of the thoughts of late spring arrivals might be an unintentional response to last years incredibly early spring. Myself, I'm quite happy to hear that things are a little late, but not horribly so. My last two annual spring visits to Point Pelee were a bit disappointing (maybe that's a little harsh, how could P.P. ever be disappointing?). If memory serves me right, two years ago it seemed like nothing had shown up. People were asking where all the birds were. Then on one day (I forget the date), it seemed like they all came through. Of course, we had left by then. Then last year, yes, there were birds, but they were largely obscured by foliage.
Alas, I ramble. I really must go and prepare for an early spring visit to San Francisco (I leave tomorrow), and some time at Point Reyes, Monterey Bay, Big Sur etc. I think I'll spend at least one day trying to find captive-bred, wild-released California Condors roosting with Turkey Vultures in the tops of redwoods in Pfeifer Big Sur State Park. Yes, I did my research. Wish me luck.
Jim
In Reply to: Spring - I Believe So posted by Jim Heffernan on March 24, 1999 at 23:46:29:
The birds seem late returning this month, there just has not been the numbers of small passerines around that there should be. Song Sparrows seemed to be a week to 10 days late in returning. On the other hand up to 6 Tree Swallows have been report near Cayuga in the past few days, An Eastern Phoebe and a Fox Sparrow were seen at Old Cut on Monday. On the other hand a Garter Snake was out Tuesday in Selkirk Provincial Park.
Let me add my two cents worth.
We, in Maple, have had Cardinals singing for about two weeks now, maybe a bit longer. The last couple of days has finally seen the return of Am. Goldfinches to the niger seed in my tube feeder (aside from one small flock in January, I think, I haven't seen them since November). It was about two or three days ago that I saw a flock of 6 to 8 Com. Grackles perusing the lawn of one of my neighbours.
Otherwise, I was in Nobleton today and finally heard my first Robin song of spring.
No RW Blackbirds as yet. I'm probably not looking hard enough.
Jim H.
In Reply to: Spring is springing posted by Ian Woodman on March 24, 1999 at 08:33:46:
Yes, Spring is definitely springing. But am I the only one who thinks that many birds are "behind schedule" this year?
For the past couple of years, the Cardinals and House Finches in my neighbourhood have started singing before the end of January. This year I first heard the local House Finches in full song just over a week ago, and the resident Cardinal only yesterday.
Although Robins have been back in numbers since early March (which in itself is a week or two late for this area), I have yet to hear even one of them singing. Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Cowbirds are all trickling in very slowly, and of these, I've only heard the Blackbirds singing to date. In past years the Song Sparrows were also singing by this time, and I've only caught a fleeting glimpse of one silent individual so far this year.
Granted, I haven't had much time for birding the past few weeks, and my memory of past events may be a bit biased by the fact that last spring was so warm, but I do think that at least in my neighbourhood (Guildwood) there is a noticeable pattern of lateness with birds so far this spring. Has anyone observed this (or the contrary!) elsewhere?
Marcel Gahbauer
From Don Davis:
Don Davis
Toronto, ON
Today at 12:15 I saw a group of three Turkey Vultures flying east over College Park - seems spring is springing!
GC
I truly believe that spring really is on the way. All sightings at Guelph Lake - 19 March - 7 Common Grackles; 23 March - 12+ Grackles, 6+ RW Blackbirds, 1 E. Meadowlark, 1 Yellow-shafted Flicker, dozens of Robins, 4-5 House Finches (haven't seen them all winter) and 1 RT Hawk. I still think we're going to get one more bad storm before spring really SPRINGS. Good Birding.
In Reply to: Re: Sunday shift posted by C McLauchlan on March 21, 1999 at 14:40:03:
A couple of spring arrivals that I'm not sure if others saw on Sunday: a pair of Blue-winged Teal and a Pied-billed Grebe near the tip of penninsula D, and a Brown-headed Cowbird in with the Starlings on the base. On my way home a Turkey Vulture flew over at Pape & O'Connor.
Bob
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, March 21
Despite winter hanging on in the Quinte area, especially in the days to come this week, there have been a few signs of spring. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS have been calling from area marshes for some time, and COMMON GRACKLES have been reported from several locations. Barcovan Beach, at the edge of Weller’s Bay, which has been responsible for some mighty fine sightings this year, has also produced the first KILLDEERS of the spring season, on Friday. By this weekend they were turning up everywhere, including 1 at Yerexville, 1 at Bloomfield and 1 at Wellington, 2 on Ridge Road and one at Big Island. There was a GREAT BLUE HERON seen Thursday struggling against a brisk headwind at Elmbrook. Today there was an EASTERN PHOEBE at the four-way stop at Lakeshore Lodge Road in Sandbanks Provincial Park. Several small skeins of CANADA GEESE were seen today in Prince Edward County.
There was an AMERICAN COOT at Barcovan as well Friday, along with MALLARD, BLACK DUCK, OLDSQUAW, COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
The Prince Edward County Field Naturalists managed to chalk up a nice list at Wellington Harbour yesterday noon, including some of the above mentioned species, along with scaup, 1 REDHEAD and 16 HOODED MERGANSERS. There were 30 HOODED MERGANSERS and 8 COMMON MERGANSERS in the Murray Canal just west of the bridge on Friday. Two WILD TURKEYS were also seen here. The GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was last seen at Barcovan Beach on Tuesday. The Outlet River area today had 8 HOODED MERGANSERS, 2 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 15 AMERICAN WIGEON and plenty of RING-NECKED DUCKS.
Meanwhile at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, waterfowl seem to be shaping up well for the Waterfowl Viewing Festival, scheduled to take place this coming weekend, and next. Don Craighead found 13 species in the bay, including RING-NECKED DUCK, GADWALL, WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN PINTAIL and AMERICAN WIGEON. The male EURASIAN WIGEON seen off Calf Pasture Point for most of Thursday appears to have disappeared. The wigeon was usually close to shore with many other duck species. There has also been a male WOOD DUCK at the mouth of Consecon Creek in Weller’s Bay. The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE reported yesterday at Presqu’ile was still around today, but moving around a good deal within Presqu'ile Bay, according to one observer.
In addition to the two WILD TURKEYS seen at the Murray Canal, there were also 5 north of Spring Valley found last week, along with 19 south of Milford on County Road 10 near the Mariner’s Museum. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are being reported with increased frequency as the spring migration continues with numerous reports from the Oak Hills area, just north of Belleville, and five along the road leading to Prince Edward Point.
Neither the FURRUGINOUS HAWK nor the BOREAL OWL have been seen at Amherst Island since first being spotted on March 13th. There are plenty of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and RED-TAILED HAWKS still on the island. A dark phased ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen at Wellington on Saturday.
And that’s it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 28th Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to: tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Street Spit - the afternoon shift posted by Glenn Coady on March 20, 1999 at 21:17:01:
Not much had changed at the spit on Sunday as of what both Norm and Glenn had on Saturday only new thing was 2 snow geese with lots of migrating Canada geese and the wight winging gulls wear down to just 2 Iceland gulls and 1 great black backed gull the number of killdeer wear up to 11, and the Leaser B.B.Gull was still there it had moved to the beaver dam thought , I am shear that this is the first time that I have seen one in the Toronto area in adult summer plumage rather than winter plumage just a beautiful gull.
Craig
In Reply to: Leslie Street Spit posted by Norm Murr on March 20, 1999 at 18:03:39:
As Norm has mentioned the Spit was fairly good today (particularly for waterfowl). I led a group of 20 people there in the afternoon and saw many of the same birds there (even saw Norm too). One additional species which we were lucky enough to see was a Short-eared Owl flying around the base and landing on a fence pole near the parking lot at Unwin Ave. - definitely the highlight of the day for the handful of keeners who stayed until dusk.
GC
Went to the spit today and although a Barrow's Goldeneye was not seen (yet) some good birds were none the less found. Among the 17 waterfowl species were 19 American Wigeons, 300 Redheads, 78 White-winged Scoters and 10 Hooded Mergansers. A total of 6 species of gulls were found including 16 Glaucous, 9 Iceland and an adult Lesser black-backed Gull in breeding plumage at the 1st bay. Overhead thru-out the early am an American Pipit and 3 Horned Larks flew over and later in the day a Killdeer flew into the 1st bay. Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: Coyote and Grackle at Mount Pleasant posted by Barbara Taylor on March 20, 1999 at 09:25:49:
I saw the coyote in the same area too! If memory serves me correct - it was on plot N , just a bit north of the crematorium.
In Reply to: Re: Trumpeter swans at Humber Bay Research Site posted by George Daszkowski on February 17, 1999 at 08:52:29:
Have the swans arrived? What are the directions to your site?
In Reply to: Coyote and Grackle at Mount Pleasant posted by Howard Shapiro on March 19, 1999 at 23:00:28:
I've seen the coyote a few times over the past three months. It seems to like the area near the crematorium in the south-west part of the cemetary.
Haven't seen any grackles yet, but there were several red-breasted nuthatches at Mount Pleasant a couple days ago. Those were the first I've seen there since winter set in.
Regards, Barbara
The most surprising siting in a while was of a mammal not a bird - a coyote in Mount Pleasant cemetary. I believe that earlier someone had posted a siting of coyote in the cemetary and asked about additional sitings. While here is confirmation of coyotes in midtown Toronto.
For all those looking for signs of spring, I saw my first grackle of the year on Chaplin Crescent between Yonge and Oriole Parkway.
From Don Davis:
Mike Gurr reports that the recent warm front brought in thousands of ducks overnight to Presqu'ile Bay. Among the highlights was a Eurasian Wigeon, described below by Don Shanahan:
"A male Eurasian Wigeon was off the Calf Pasture at Presqu`ile Provincial Park for most of today, March 18. The wigeon was usually close to shore with many other duck species. Because the Park road to the Calf Pasture is not yet open, access is best gained via a short hike off Bayshore Rd (the cottage road). The way to Presqu`ile, south of Brighton via highway 30, is well signed.
Don & Ian Shanahan
Brighton"
Also seen off of the Calf Pasture was a green-winged teal. An eastern phoebe was discovered near the Camp office.
Also, the waterfowl exhibit on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum has arrived and will be open to the public at the Interpretive Centre on Saturdays and Sundays during March and April from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Don Davis
Toronto, ON
I just want to inform people that Andrew Jano reminded me that this weekend starts the "Great Barrow's Goldeneye Hunt and Festival" on the Leslie Street Spit. Serious though, in the last two years Barrow's Goldeneye has shown up at the spit. ie - Mar.22/23,1997 (1 male) & Mar.28/29,1998 (2 males & 1 female). So if you havn't seen a Barrow's yet then this and the next two weekends could produce them on the spit again, but you can not see them if you don't get out and look. You may also be rewarded with sightings of Tundra Swans and Northern Pintails as they and many other waterfowl and raptors. pass through. Red-winged Blackbirds have shown up already and its about time for A. Woodcock and Killdeer. Hope to see you there. Norm Murr
If any one is interested the Black head Gull was seen yesterday at the sand docks in Queenston on the Niagara river it was with 600 to 700 bonaparts gulls and 15 to 20 little gulls. Also at Shakespeare Ave in Niagara on the lake all the regulars wear see 4 tufted titmouse 2, Red bellied woodpecker, 1 Carolina wren, you don't even have to Levi you car all wear else seen or heard , after this we bird all the way back to Toronto hoping to see the Ross goose but no luck (I dint no their wear that many parks and parkets along the lake) and no large rafts of scoter's ether .
Craig
In Reply to: Re: Help with Thayer's Gulls - Gladly posted by Sandra Eadie on March 16, 1999 at 23:54:12:
Thank you for correcting the typo Sandra. I hope I didn't keep you up until near midnight trying in vain to get at Rick Blom's BirdChat post. :)]
GC
In Reply to: Re: Help with Thayer's Gulls - Gladly posted by Glenn Coady on March 16, 1999 at 14:22:01:
I think the correct address is
http://www-stat.wharton.upenn.edu/~siler/chat.html#11
(~siler missing) page up to post number 11.
Sandra Eadie
In Reply to: King Eider in Burlington posted by Gavin Edmondstone on March 13, 1999 at 17:34:47:
Hi Gavin,
I went chasing the scoters and eider you saw on Sunday, March 14.
I was able to find numerous White-Winged Scoters and a few Surf Scoters very far off shore. I'm afraid I had problems similar to that expressed by Howard. The 'surf' of the lake made the scoters pop in and out view. It was a little frustrating. Most observations were fleeting. Your black scoters may well have been out there but I ran out of patience and warmth and went home happy with just the two scoters.
Otherwise, the were many of the other expected species (Bufflehead, Scaup, Mallard etc.) and two individuals, one male and one female, that simply don't match anything I've seen before. The male clearly had some Mallard in him (green head, yellowish bill, curled feather on rump) but was otherwise quite different. He was slightly larger than the nearby mallard males, generally dark brown except for a clean white breast and a greyish flank (side? undertail coverts? I'm not sure of the best description). The female appeared slightly smaller than the nearby mallard females. In general, her colouration was similar to that of many female dabblers - a mottled brown. Except that she seemed to be about two or three shades paler than one would expect. She was almost blond. I was able to watch her preen briefly and noted that the speculum seem more brown than any other colour, perhaps containg a hint of blue or green, but was bordered by two pale, near white stripes.
I hope my memory serves me right and that these are fairly accurate descriptions. I'm assuming they were both mallard hybrids. My only question is hybrids with what? Did you see them?
Jim
In Reply to: Help with Thayer's Gulls, please posted by Bob Kubica on March 12, 1999 at 10:57:08:
Dear Bob,
It sounds to me like you had a bird more likely than not a Thayer's Gull but it is hard to tell without seeing the bird. Mantle colour vs. Herring Gulls present, leg colour, bill shape and colour, and primary pattern would have went a long way to helping sort your bird out.
To answer your question I have seen a few dark-eyed "Kumlien's" Iceland Gulls and on two occasions I have seen Iceland Gulls with one light eye and one dark eye - quite an effect when you look down the bill.
Thayer's Gull and "Kumlien's" Gull are both highly variable and Canadian specimen drawers demonstrate a near continous cline between the classic features of either. For a cogent analysis of this dilemma read Rick Blom's recent BirdChat post at:
http://www-stat.wharton.upenn.edu/chat.html#11
The post was done to BirdChat 15/03/99 if you have trouble finding it after today (16/03/99).
Also, Ron Pittaway will be publishing some interesting material on Thayer's Gull/"Kumlien's Gull complex in the next issue of Ontario Birds.
Hope this helps - GC
In Reply to: Mark Cranford's Gyrfalcon posted by Don Peuramaki on January 15, 1999 at 10:51:11:
these web sucks dick puto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
In Reply to: King Eider in Burlington posted by Gavin Edmondstone on March 13, 1999 at 17:34:47:
Today at about 3 pm myself and Sue Schultz saw a adult male King Eider off of Jones Road. It was out with a raft of Scaup, Common Goldeneye and White-winged Scoters. It seemed to hang out mainly with the Scoters. It was not possible to see the bird with binoculars, although it was quite obvious in my scope. However, it was not so easy to find it. The heavy waves made the bird pop into and out of view.
The Spit was exceptionally unimpressive this morning. The diversity of wintering birds has declined dramatically from earlier in the season, and very few spring migrants have arrived yet.
On the east base, there was a lone male Red-winged Blackbird, singing at irregular intervals. Two Horned Larks flew northeast over the causeway. Aside from the blackbird and the larks, the only other sign of spring was that the vast majority of the gulls are once again Ring-billed, and they have already fully reclaimed the "sparrow fields".
Among the wintering birds, the highlights were 9 White-winged Scoters off of Peninsula D, and a single Glaucous Gull flying west over the beaver lodge. I looked at all of the other gulls fairly closely, but aside from a handful of Herrings and Greater Black-backs, all of the others were definitely Ring-billed.
Marcel
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, March 14
PURPLE FINCHES were in the news this past week with numerous reports coming in, including sightings at Northport, Big Island, Picton, Madoc, Napanee, Consecon Lake and Point Petre. Bird bander Joanne Dewey had an influx this morning at her feeder near Elmbrook. She opened up her nets and managed to band 25 of them between 9:00 a.m. and noon. Joanne also had a NORTHERN SHRIKE in her nets on Tuesday.
While much of Prince Edward Bay had been open earlier these past few weeks, it was completely sealed today with only some open water off Point Traverse and Prince Edward Point. Albert Boisvert and Don Craighead birding the area today saw CANVASBACK, OLDSQUAW, GREATER SCAUP, REDHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, COMMON MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (21), BUFFLEHEAD, and COMMON GOLDENEYE. There was an immature BALD EAGLE on the ice just off Point Traverse. A FOX SPARROW was seen today along Soup Harbour Road, just north of Point Petre, and at the corner of County Road 18 and Welbanks Road near Sandbanks Provincial Park there were 7 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 4 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and 2 COMMON GRACKLES.
Wellington Harbour yesterday had REDHEAD, GREATER SCAUP, HOODED MERGANSER (7), COMMON MERGANSER, BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON GOLDENEYE. As the weather improves, the open water of West Lake and the Wellington Harbour will continue to see increasing numbers of waterfowl.
Barcovan Beach still has plenty of waterfowl species including TUNDRA SWAN, and MUTE SWAN (24 on Monday). Don Craighead chalked up an additional 4 GADWALLS, 4 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 6 CANVASBACKS, 10 REDHEADS, scaup, OLDSQUAW, COMMON GOLDENEYE, 2 HOODED MERGANSER and 1 AMERICAN COOT on Monday. The GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still at Barcovan as of yesterday, along with 6 NORTHERN PINTAIL and the same waterfowl species seen by Craighead on Monday.
Amherst Island still has the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER And RING-NECKED PHEASANTS according to reports. On Wednesday, birders Maureen Riggs, Don Craighead and Albert Boisvert checked off 14 COMMON MERGANSERS, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 9 RED-TAILED HAWKS, 15 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and 4 AMERICAN KESTRELS, in addition to 4 SHORT-EARED OWLS, one of which was seen next to the Kingston Field Naturalists property.
The Presqu’ile Waterfowl Festival is scheduled to take place at Presqu’ile Provincial Park on March 27 & 28, and again from April 2nd through to the 4th.
Plans are still underway for the third annual Prince Edward County Birding Festival - "Warblers, Waves and Wetlands" to be held this year from May 15-22. A Birding Site Guide to Prince Edward County is being prepared for the event, and should be available within three weeks. The event is being presented by Quinte Conservation and the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, and will kick off on the 15th with a wetland tour at Albury Swamp, followed by guided hikes at Prince Edward Point, Little Bluff Conservation Area and West Point at Sandbanks Provincial Park. More information can be obtained by e-mailing:
And that’s it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 21st. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to: tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
On Saturday Mar.13,1999 Stan Bajurny and I went to Harlem Road east of Portland (on hwy 15 north of Kingston) to see the Varied Thrushes. We did see the female at 8:10 am after a long 10 minute wait (ha). We didn't stay for the male as we wanted to go to Amherst Island. On the way up hwy 15 we had a Pileated Woodpecker fly across the road in front of us just south of Seeleys Bay. At the ferry dock at in Millhaven we hoped to see waterfowl but the channel is still frozen. After arriving at Stella on the island we turned left to go to the owl woods. At the owl woods we found a couple of Long-eared Owls, a singing Northern Shrike and one Short-eared Owl flying overhead. While here beside the woods we observed a light phase Ferruginous Hawk overhead at 1:10 pm and observed it for five minutes as it flew and soared directly overhead. We saw this bird and its field marks well. I will be sending in a full report to the OBRC later today. After we returned to our vehicle we continued on east towards the KFN property and we started to see Rough-legged Hawks ( we finally ended up with 48 of these, including 9 dark phase). As we rounded the southeast corner of the road at the lake we saw a bird in a sparse tree ahead of us beside the water and 5 feet from the road. This bird proved to be a Boreal Owl that appeared to have just arrived. It was very nervous and watched us like a hawk (pun). We were able to drive beside us before it flew off behind us along the road. This bird may move into the owl woods. We continued on about a foot off the ground over our two great finds and as we drove along we encountered 10 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Northern Harriers, 2 American Kestrels, 53 Snow Buntings and 11 Horned Larks as well as 16 red-winged Blackbirds. When we arrived at the corner of the 2nd concession and the Emerald Road we found 4 White-breasted Nuthatches and were told that a Red-bellied Woodpecker frequents the feeders there (just east of Emerald Rd on 2nd Cons.). We then drove west on the 2nd Concession to the first road on the left and driving to the farm with the concrete silo (visible from the Emerald Road) and viewed the immature Red-headed Woodpecker coming to the feeders there. This bird is fast approaching adulthood and has all the adult plumage, though not as bright as it will be. Heading back towards the ferry between Emerald and Stella is where we spotted over half of the 48 Rough-legged Hawks including one with a full crop catching another vole just 25 feet from us. In a filed along here two thirds of the way to Stella we spotted a female Ring-necked Pheasant in a field on the right that wasn't bothered by all the hawk activity at all. We arrived at the ferry dock 45 minutes before ferry time so we continued on to the end of the owl woods road again in the brush on the right towards the owl woods we spotted a Great horned Owl hunting and perching (there is a nesting par in owl woods so this was probably one of them). All in all it was a pretty good day but we weren't finished yet. At Brighton we turned off and went down the Barcovan road to try for Screech Owls. We didn't find any Screech owls but did listen to a howling Coyote and 3 calling Great horned Owls, 2 of them almost on top of us so that the calling was very loud and booming. While there the police pulled up behind us to check us out and the officer seemed skeptical until he heard a Great horned close by hooting and then he wished good luck and drove off, probably shaking his head. We then headed to a Tim Hortons, the highway and home. I arrived home after midnight so it was a long and tiring trip and I apologize for not informing about the Boreal and Ferruginous sooner. Norm Murr
I birded the east end of Algonquin today from 8:00am to 1:00pm and was not disappointed. On the Spruce Bog Trail, there was a male Spruce Grouse displaying. I heard a Boreal Chickadee calling and saw it very briefly at the edge of the trail. Other birds seen: 2 Red Crossbills (male and female) in the Visitor Centre parking lot, Common Redpolls and a Piliated Woodpecker on the Opeongo Road at the gate, as well as White-Wing Crossbills, Pine Siskin, Gray Jay, Raven and Evening Grosbeak. Heard, but not seen on the Opeongo Road were Pine Grosbeak.
Graham Nord gnord@home.com
South Peel Naturalists’ Club held a successful field trip to Long Point today. TUNDRA SWANS - hundreds in the air and on the ice off the causeway were the highlight of the trip. A total of 45 species were seen by 18 participants in seven cars. Good variety of duck again at the causeway across from Big Creek but in open water. Turkey Point was a disappointment - no open water. Lee Brown was also frozen but we managed killer scope views of a dark female Merlin and a dusky Red-headed Woodpecker. We finished the trip with seven Gray Partridge off Greens Road behind the airport in Brantford.
In Reply to: ?california gull?on the L.S.spit posted by C McLauchlan on March 13, 1999 at 14:06:19:
Hi Craig,
I've had the good fortune of making two trips to California so far this winter.
During one of the trips I had the welcome opportunity to view winter plumage California Gulls at close range. At a glance, they made me think 'Ring-Billed' because black colouration does develop on the upper mandible immediately above the other bill markings. However, the red dot on the lower mandible quickly eliminates the R-B Gull.
My impression of the black upper mandible marking was like a little smudge of dirt. It appears as if you can see the 'true' bill colour through the black marking.
Your impression of the black markings on the bill is incredibly similar to the reaction I had this winter in California.
Jim H.
In Reply to: Re: white-winged gulls posted by Don Peuramaki on March 12, 1999 at 08:06:45:
I just had to visit Ashbridge's Bay myself today (Saturday, March 13, about mid-afternoon) given all the recent reports.
There were several Iceland Gulls, both adult and immature. I didn't count exact numbers, but I'm certain there were at least 6 or 7 scattered about the bay.
I caught a very brief glance at a Herring-sized gull with what appeared to be less than black primaries - perhaps a Thayer's. Unfortunately, it flew off into the sun almost immediately upon my arrival. I had no chance to at a close look. Maybe someone else happened upon one.
Jim H.
I saw a female King Eider at Sioux Lookout in Burlington this morning. Also present were dozens of both white-winged and surf scoters as well as a few Black Scoters.
To day birding on the Leslie St. spit their wear 4 Iceland gulls 1 glaucous gull 3 horned larks and a gull that might just be a winter adult California gull it was seen at the first bay and for only 2 to 3 minuets at 11: 15 am decryption is heavily streaked head and mantle, dark eye, greenei yellow legs ,the tip of the bill had a red dot on the lower mandible and a black line going thru both upper and lower mandible( this may have bine just dirt?) , the size was smaller than a herring gull and larger than a ring billed gull , by the time we got closer the bird had flown away hope that it returns. At Ashbridbges bay their wear 5 Iceland (4 kumlienis 1 might have bin glaucoides ?) And 1 adult thayer,s gull.
Craig
In Reply to: Help with Thayer's Gulls, please posted by Bob Kubica on March 12, 1999 at 10:57:08:
Hi Bob,
You're not alone
My sole experience with Thayer's Gull, also at Ashbridge's Bay, involved one adult seen in late December 1998. It happened to coincide with the Toronto area Christmas Bird Count. I was lucky enough to end up in this location at the same time as other birders having much more experience with Thayer's Gull. The bird I saw had primaries that were grey, definitely not black.
I have read Ken Kaufman's account of Thayer's Gull in Peterson's "Advanced Birding" myself. It does make reference to black primaries in the description of the adult Thayer's Gull. In this instance, I believe he is wrong, at least in part. My Peterson's "Guide to Western Birds" contains a much different description of the colour of the primaries on adult birds. This description is much more in keeping with the bird I saw (and perhaps you, too). It is interesting to note that the two Peterson's guides contain conflicting descriptions.
I expect the problem, although complex to deal with in the field, is relatively simple to explain. This gull species (and some others) is highly variable in plumage, both from bird to bird and season to season (due to wear and tear, molt etc.). You may well find as many opinions as you do birders.
I think it is reasonable to believe you found yourself one. Congratulations!
Jim H.
I was at Ashbridge's Bay this morning from 8 to 10 am, and I found a gull that matched the description of an adult Thayer's in Ken Kaufman's "Advanced Birding" field guide except possibly one point: The wing tips on this bird were not absolutely black. They were just marginally lighter than on the nearby Herrings and Ring-bills. They were however MUCH MUCH darker than on any Iceland I've seen. Does anyone have experience with dark-eyed, dark-winged Iceland Gulls? As this was my first try at identifying a Thayer's any help would be appreciated.
PS: There were 5 Iceland gulls present. 2 adults, both Kumlien's, though on one the wing tip marks were so faint I really had to look carefully.
In Reply to: Re: white-winged gulls posted by Don Peuramaki on March 10, 1999 at 19:02:47:
Update: Yesterday, at lunchtime, I checked out Ashbridge's again. There were only two Icelands, one Glaucous and the Harlequin was back.
After work, around 6pm, the number of Icelands had risen to seven, but only one adult, a Kumlien's. No Thayer's.
In Reply to: Ross' Goose posted by Dan Russell on March 10, 1999 at 21:24:35:
It was a "wild goose chase" today at noon, no Ross's. But spring is close, there were at least half a dozen Red-winged Blackbirds (males) singing in the marsh. House Finches both male and female were carrying nesting materials.
In Reply to: white-winged gulls posted by Don Peuramaki on March 10, 1999 at 13:41:01:
Don has posed some interesting questions. I know I don’t have the definitive answer but I’ll give it a shot. What kind of Iceland Gulls are the really white-winged adult birds we are currently seeing? It’s my feeling that we have entered the scary season for gull watchers. We’ve spent the winter watching birds with relatively consistent plumages now head molt and feather wear especially on the primaries complicate things. It’s my feeling the reason for white-winged birds right now is feather wear. Aside from greyish markings in the wing tips of adult birds I know of no way of separating the forms - comments? structure? Even in fresh winter plumage the "to be expected" Kumlien form cannot always be separated from the nominate form even in flight from above (Adam Beck lookout). I could be wrong but as I understand it the nominate bird _Larus glaucoides glaucoides_ - the Greenland bird breeds only on the east coast of Greenland and winters in Iceland. They do get reported in North America but I’m not sure that there are any indisputable records (as in band recoveries).
I agree with Don’s observation that there are more Iceland Gulls than Glaucous Gulls. My records are pretty lame about this but it appears to me that we get more Glaucous earlier in the season. They move on while Iceland tend to hang in longer. I doubt they return north earlier than Iceland, I think they wander further south than Iceland.
In Reply to: Great Gray Focal Concentration posted by Tony Lang on March 05, 1999 at 09:28:58:
Robert Nero wrote an interesting book with excellent photographs on the Great Gray in 1981.
The only place I can find this book in the Greater Toronto area is the U of T library system. The title is The Great Gray Owl - phantom of the north. Good title
Ross' Goose seen today near easterly entrance to Rattray Marsh on the shore of Lake Ontario. Feeding with large flock of Canada Geese. Interested in ultimate "wild goose chase?" Drive through Jack Darling Park off Lakeshore Road in Port Credit. Park in most westerly parking area and walk west along beachfront path towards Rattray Marsh.
In Reply to: white-winged gulls posted by Don Peuramaki on March 10, 1999 at 13:41:01:
Things change! Today, around 6pm, there were 13 Icelands at Ashbridge's. Of those, 6 were obviously kumlien's adults, only 2 were adults with white wing tips. The others were first and second winter birds.
Joining them on the ice were 3 adult Thayer's, two together beside the boat ramps, the other a little further out, but still very close.
Still no Glaucous, today, and only one Great Black-back.
Yesterday evening, just before 6pm, there were at least 15 Iceland Gulls of all ages at Ashbridge's Bay.
Two interesting observations: 1 - There were no Glaucous Gulls. This winter, in that area, it seems that Icelands have consistently outnumbered Glaucous by a wide margin, which is not typical.
2 - Of the adults seen yesterday, none were obvious kumlien's, the expected subspecies. The wingtips appeared to be pure white. Were these worn kumlien's, light extremes of kumlieni, or glaucoides (the Greenland subspecies)?
On Sunday March 7, 1999 Stan Bajurny and I went back to Algonquin Park to try and find the Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers. We had no luck with these although we tried hard and thanks to Mr. Strickland (of Gray Jay fame) we knew the area to look in. Although we didn't find the above two we did find 3 Pileated Woodpeckers and 6 Hairy Woodpeckers. Two of the Pileated were along Hwy 60 near km 17, the two of them were very vocal and the male did some very loud hammering that was hard to miss, the other one was along the Arowhon Road just past the parking area. Also while checking birds along Hwy 60 we came up with 3 Hoary Redpolls among the 500+ Common Redpolls before we stopped checking. 1 Hoary was along Hwy 60 near the Hemlock Bluff Trail and 2 were along the hwy near the Canisbay Campground Trail. Boreal Chickadees were relatively easy to find along Opeongo Road. We heard and saw well and up close the following, 2 about 1/4 mile past the bridge, 2 about ½ mile past the bridge and 4 together about 1 ½ miles past the bridge. We also found 2 on Arowhon Road 100 yards past the parking area. We didn't spend much time looking for grouse but we did see 4 Ruffed Grouse in our travels, 2 of them along hwy 60 in the am. The numbers of White-winged Crossbills seemed to be down on Sunday, and we didn't see any Red Crossbills. The White-wings didn't seem to be displaying as much but maybe it had some thing to do with the wind and temperature (-32 C in the am, up to -15 C in the afternoon). Pine Siskins (500+), Common Redpolls (500+), and Evening Grosbeaks (133) were all very vocal. Most of the Evening Grosbeaks were at the West Gate, East Gate and a large concentration on the Arowhon Road near the sand pits. We only saw 3 Pine Grosbeaks but we talked to others who saw more. As for Common Ravens, we saw 22 with most of them patrolling Hwy 60. All in all, even without the target woodpeckers it was a good day to be outdoors. Norm Murr
You’re invited to a special meeting to find out how you can help monitor the frogs and toads in the Rouge Valley.
This workshop is hosted by the Rouge Park, the Greater Toronto Area Residents Rouge River Restoration Committee, and the Toronto Zoo’s Frogwatch-Ontario amphibian monitoring programme.
Rouge Valley Frog Watch
Monday March 8, 1999 - 7:30 pm
Education Building - Auditorium, Toronto Zoo
From Don Davis:
The Presqu'ile Waterfowl Festival will be held at Presqu'ile Provincial Park on March 27, 28 and April 2,3,4 from 10 am to 4 pm. Highlights will include:
- thousands of ducks, geese and swans from as many as 25 species of
ducks, geese and swans viewed from the mobile "Duck Truck" viewing
stations, manned by volunteers who help identify the various species
though viewing scopes provided.
- In the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, the "Birds of a Feather"
carving exhibition and an exhibition of wildlife art by internationally
renowned artists Michael Dumas and Brent Townsend.
- the "Wonderful Waterfowl Adventure" for children and the release of a
new 40-page nature activity book for children at the "Ducks for Kids"
Headquarters. Also an outstanding exhibit on waterfowl on loan from the
Royal Ontario Museum entitled "Wonders of Waterfowl".
- a display of artwork submitted by school children for the Waterfowl
Festival Poster Contest.
- on April 2,3,4, Bushnell Sports Optics Worldwide will help staff at
the viewing stations and provide an opportunity to field test their
products. A self-service binocular cleaning station will be provided.
- Rotary Food Booth in the Staff House. The Friends Nature Shop in the
Interpretive Centre.
Admission is $5.00 per car. For more information, please call (613) 475-4324.
Don Davis
Toronto, ON
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, March 07
Heavy snow, high winds and cold temperatures last week curtailed most birding activities in the Prince Edward County area, although it did produce a flood of calls regarding birds at feeding stations. After several weeks of little or no activity, patronage suddenly picked up. On Thursday afternoon, there were 12 phone calls from people reporting SNOW BUNTINGS suddenly showing up at their feeders. There were sightings from Foxboro, Napanee, Picton, Cherry Valley, Stirling, Mountain View, Milford, Salmon Point, Demorestville, Cressy, Wellington and Scoharie Road.
Elsewhere, there was a single COMMON REDPOLL at a feeder at Elmbrook on Monday, along with PURPLE FINCHES. At least one of the VARIED THRUSHES is still coming to a feeder at Harlem, and the Amherst Island feeders apparently still have the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and RING- NECKED PHEASANTS.
There were NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS and LONG-EARED OWLS reported this past week in the owl woods at Amherst Island. A very early, and no doubt regretful, TREE SWALLOW appeared in Kingston on Thursday. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES have been reported at several feeders in Prince Edward County.
There was no update this week as to the status of the TUNDRA SWANS, TRUMPETER SWANS, MUTE SWANS, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and other species of waterfowl in Weller’s Bay, at Barcovan Beach. The GREATER WHITE- FRONTED GOOSE was last reported on February 27. However, this area does bear watching once the weather breaks, as does excellent waterfowl watching areas at Wellington and Prince Edward Point.
There was an estimated 20,000 waterfowl in Presqu’ile Bay on Tuesday. The Presqu’ile Waterfowl Festival is scheduled to take place there on March 27 & 28, and again from April 2nd through to the 4th.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park also had an immature BALD EAGLE in the Calf Pasture Point area a week ago yesterday. One continues to be seen off and on along Adolphus Reach, between Glenora and Prinyer’s Cove, in Prince Edward County.
Plans are still underway for the third annual Prince Edward County Birding Festival - “Warblers, Waves and Wetlands” to be held this year from May 15-22. A Birding Site Guide to Prince Edward County is being prepared for the event. The event is being presented by Quinte Conservation and the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, and will kick off on the 15th with a wetland tour at Albury Swamp, followed by guided hikes at Prince Edward Point, Little Bluff Conservation Area and West Point at Sandbanks Provincial Park. More information can be obtained by e-mailing: tsprague@bel.auracom.com.
And that’s it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 14th. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
For those of you who have been following the saga of the Streetsville Great Gray Owl that was hit by a school bus, there was an article by Bob Nero about similar phenomena in _Blue Jay_:
Nero, R.W. 1991. Focal concentration: a possible cause of nortality in the Great Gray Owl. Blue Jay 49: 28-30.
The birds seem to be so intent on capturing prey that they are unaware of vehicles and people nearby. In addition, I think that Great Grays are like other northern birds in that there has been little natural selection for fear of humans or their trappings.
This phenomenon seems to apply for other predators such as the Northern Hawk Owl that hung around Trafalgar Road a few years ago and was hit by a car.
This journal is available at the Royal Ontario Museum library (open ridiculously short hours: Tuesdays to Fridays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm), or the Gerstein Science library at the University of Toronto.
Tony Lang Environmental Consultant Beak International Inc.
In Reply to: Re: Slaty-Backed at Etobicoke Creek posted by Norm Murr on March 02, 1999 at 21:29:42:
Birders,
I admit I made a mistake. I have apologized to Craig through private mail for the comments I made. Nothing to do with the spelling guys. We all make some mistake one time or the other.Everybody seems to know Craig's minor problem except me. Even otherwise I had no right to make such provocative remarks. It was the first time and it will be the last.
Ram Nambiar,Mississauga,Ont.birder@echo-on.net
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, February 28
LONG-EARED OWLS continue to be observed in Prince Edward County in what has been one of the best winters for this species in the Quinte area. There was one at Salmon Point on Tuesday, another at the Stinson Block west of Consecon on Saturday, and still another seen one day last week at Wellington-on-the-Lake .
In an effort to located Barred Owls, birders Albert Boisvert and Don Craighead tried their hand at several locations over the last two weeks coming up empty in their bid for this species, but did manage to have a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL respond at the Frink Centre near Plainfield, and two SCREECH OWLS in the Presqu’ile/Murray Marsh area. What appears to have been one of very few SNOWY OWLS in the area was seen last week on the ice along the Amherst Island ferry channel. A BALD EAGLE was seen last week on the ice near Glenora Ferry by an Adolphustown resident.
Bird feeder activity in the Quinte area has dwindled somewhat with the milder temperatures this past week, although some are still enjoying good patronage. There are PURPLE FINCHES coming to a feeder at Elmbrook, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS have been reported at several feeders in Prince Edward County. An Amherst Island feeder still has two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS, while other island feeders still have both RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. There is also a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER still coming to a feeder on Wolfe Island. There is still one remaining VARIED THRUSH coming to the feeder at Harlem where it has been coming since early last month.
A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was still in Wellers Bay at Barcovan Beach as of Saturday, along with numerous species of waterfowl including TUNDRA SWAN, MUTE SWAN, NORTHERN PINTAIL, CANADA GOOSE, MALLARD, COMMON GOLDENEYE and BUFFLEHEAD.
Elsewhere though, birding is a bit slim. Don Craighead explored Sandbanks on Thursday coming up with only COMMON CROWS and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES in the Woodland Campground, and BUFFLEHEAD and OLDSQUAW at West Point.
Plans are currently underway for the third annual Prince Edward County Birding Festival - “Warblers, Waves and Wetlands” to be held this year from May 15-22. The event is being presented by Quinte Conservation and the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists. The event will kick off on the 15th with a wetland tour at Albury Swamp, followed by guided hikes at Prince Edward Point, Little Bluff Conservation Area and West Point at Sandbanks Provincial Park. More information can be obtained by e- mailing: tsprague@bel.auracom.com.
And that’s it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 7th. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Re: winter list posted by C McLauchlan on March 03, 1999 at 08:31:50:
As Craig has anticipated I do have more to say on this matter.
In response to Mark's question about an official GTA listing area my response would be that there is no official territory specifically establshed for the purposes of listing per se. An actual official reporting area for bird records (as opposed to listing) does exist for the Toronto area and in a sense it has been more or less adopted by winter listers as their coverage territory. It was not originated expressly for that purpose though, it was established to document and catalogue bird occurrence in the area established. The latter remains the paramount rationale for the existence of the territory. Personal listing is secondary to that aim and historically has been dovetailed with it. That being said, I usually tell people to list what they want where they want - it's their list and anyway has no bearing on the official Toronto list.
The territory covered by the Toronto checklist has had a long and complex history which I shall outline below.
Historically (I'm talking about since the 1930's when the Toronto Ornithological Club was formed, not back to Fleming's prime) the Toronto Checklist area has been defined as a circle of 30 mile (~48 km) radius centered on the Royal Ontario Museum building at Avenue Rd. & Bloor St. W. During this time (1930's - late 1980's) an official Toronto Checklist was maintained by interested R.O.M. staff (Jim Baillie and Ross James specifically) based on this defined area.
Local winter listing was first encouraged by Jim Baillie over 40 years ago and this tradition to this day is pursued by those who, more or less, follow this historical 30 mile boundary which Craig has referred to in his post. This is different from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) which he uses inaccurately in this instance.
Actually, the acronym GTA is a nebulously-defined political/media invention which variously has been used to describe the ever-changing conurbation which surrounds Toronto. Because it means different things to different people, and is now in mass usage, it is important that it be clarified for a bird occurrence purpose to be defined by the area I describe below. Perhaps it would be better, in describing this area, that we find another moniker rather than GTA for the long term. I have yet to hear a better one suggested though.
In the 1970's this country switched to the metric system. As maps eventually changed to metric measures of distance it seemed in the early 1980's that a territory based on miles was going to eventually be about as relevant as one based on paces as in Roman times. Therefore, in the early 1980's the Toronto Ornithological Club altered the territory for its checklist to an area known as the Toronto Region which was defined as a circle with a radius of 50 kilometres centered on the Royal Ontario Museum as well. Although this slightly enlarged the checklist area, research of the historical record revealed that no species had either occurred or bred in any area of the larger circle that was not also contained in the former smaller circle, and thus the change necessitated no changes to the official checklist. About this time (1988) the Toronto Ornithological Club took over producing the Toronto Region Checklist from the Royal Ontario Museum. This checklist was last published in 1996 and should appropriately be updated for the new millenium next year.
There were several advantages to the new circle:
1) Kilometre-based radius therefore easily referenced against current maps.
2) A 50 km circle becomes an easy 1 metre radius on the standard 1:50,000 topographic map.
3) The larger circle did not newly include any exceptional birding areas missed by the smaller radius of the former circle.
4) A circle is a universal concept employed by many other jurisdictions for bird records and is not subject to the whims of political boundary change. An example of the value of this is provided by the late 1970's series of publications on the Birds of Ontario County done by Murray Speirs. Ontario County no longer exists and I doubt if many people will refer to it a century from now. Hell, I'll bet you'd be hard pressed to find many local birders who could accurately relate its former borders today! One major disadvantage of a circle, however, is that observers are often fuzzy about where the boundary is since the circle does not appear on maps of the area or on the highway or road signs. Observers are often not inclined to "measure" whether their sightings are within such an abstract circle. Hence, it inadvertently discourages reporting.
For this reason, as well as the fact that many major Ontario ornithological databases that affect the Toronto Region are organized along county/regional municipality boundaries (the Ontario Nest Record Scheme; the Ontario Bird Records Committee; historical ROM records, etc.), it was decided by the TOC in 1989 when the ongoing record-keeping was being computerized, that a new Toronto reporting area be established which would consist of:
1) Halton Regional Municipality 2) Peel Regional Municipality 3) City of Toronto (formerly Metropolitan Toronto) 4) York Regional Municipality 5) Durham Regional Municipality 6) Pelagic Lake Ontario (line bisecting the Burlington Beach canal extended out to the international border of L. Ontario + line extended out from the Durham / Northumberland border out perpendicularly to the international border of L. Ontario).
This new reporting area, significantly different from the 50 km circle in terms of territory, added no new breeding species and only two new species of occurrence (Black-tailed Godwit, Chuck-will's-widow) versus the traditional 50 km circle). This reporting area was called the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
To this day the TOC database identifies records both to their inclusion within the 50 km circle or the GTA and future versions of the Toronto checklist will likely identify species status in both boundary sets. Should the political boundaries ever become altered significantly, the circle might yet prove to be a more durable and less arbitrary region for the long term. For now we can easily manage the luxury of both boundary sets.
Hopefully this is both clear and comprehensive.
GC
Last Friday afternoon, saw a Turkey Vulture. Perhaps more accurate than the late Wiarton Willie. I suppose since winter listing is over, no one particularily cares of the location however, it was seen 10kms west of London at the Thames river bridge before Komoka.
In Reply to: Re: winter list posted by Mark Cranford on March 02, 1999 at 21:00:51:
Mark Official GTA listing area is a circle from Bloor St. and University Ave (r.o.m) and goes to Guelph line in the west and to Park rd south in Oshawa in the east to the north Holland landing. If you tack a protractor and make a circle yousing these points on a map you see the area. Glenn Coady did the map the last time it was done for the area so if I am wrong I hoop that Glenn will correct me. Listens coiner has jist bin realest for Canadian listens I will post some of the numbers for this area when I get mine.
Craig
In Reply to: Re: Slaty-Backed at Etobicoke Creek posted by Norm Murr on March 02, 1999 at 21:29:42:
OOPS I misspelled anyones and unbelievable I better be careful Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: Slaty-Backed at Etobicoke Creek posted by Ram Nambiar on March 02, 1999 at 06:55:58:
Here we go again. Ram, we went through all this before Craigs spelling has nothing to do with the mutilation of the English language. His dislexia seems to be the brunt of too many mouthy insults. You by your insensitivity seem to have the problem. Even if Craig didn't have dislexia why do people like you feel it is their place to point out bad spelling or bad English in antones report just because they didn't like what was said?? Does being a good speller make anyone better, are we not all birders out to enjoy our hobby? Do we now have to come home,study the dictionary and then write our E-mail? I agree with Criag, two Slaty-backed Gulls seem to be a birders dream and too much to hope for. I too will wait untill someone has confirmed this unbeleivable sighting. I am not saying that you didn't see 2 Slaty-backs but I for one will wait and not take any time off work yet. I hope that there are 2 and so do many birders. I hope I am not attacked as my spelling is not too bad as far as I can tell. Lets stop this foolishness and get on with birding. Norm Murr
In Reply to: winter list posted by C.Mclauchlan on March 01, 1999 at 20:20:56:
Craig
My big list is my Ontario list. At 314, I don't believe a number birds including Connecticut Warbler exist. I keep computerized records so giving my winter total for Ontario is easy. - 134 that's 20 beyond my previous best (1995) - 1st time I've been to Pelee in December.
GTA list I don't have easily. I use geopolitical boundaries that predate GTA; anyhow for the cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville and Durham County this winter's list was 79. Guess I have to get serious.
BTW I'm guessing but I assume you have an 'offical' GTA listing area. Could you elaborate?
In Reply to: Ross's Goose Gone posted by Mike Boyd on March 01, 1999 at 19:38:07:
Dear Mike,
Keep searching for the Ross's Goose among the local flocks of Canada Goose and you may likely be rewarded by re-finding it.
Presumably this same bird was seen on Saturday, February 20, 1999 with a Canada Goose flock on the playing field of St. Thomas Aquinas high school (a few miles east of Sunday's Bronte sighting) by an exceptionally reliable observer.
I suspect this is likely the same individual seen earlier in the area of the Desjardins Canal and has likely wintered seldom-noticed here on the Great Lakes.
Hope you find it!
In Reply to: Re: Slaty-Backed at Etobicoke Creek posted by Ram Nambiar on March 02, 1999 at 06:55:58:
First off if you go to the name that is posting (it is hi lighted in blue) you will find my email address for the entire world to see. Second of all to see 1 Slaty - backed gull in the Toronto area is amazing to see 2 is out of this world, and I am sheer that if this sighting is conformed that people will fly in from all over north America. "Its to bad" is for the past photos that wear taken of the S.B. gull seen hear in the Toronto area earlier this year and confirmed buy photos. I jist wanted to mace sheer that before I go over and spend hours (which others and I did on the last gull) that you wear sheer of the 2 sighting of this speeches in the Toronto area.
As for my spelling well that's your problem,
Craig
In Reply to: Re: Slaty-Backed at Etobicoke Creek posted by C.Mclauchlan on March 01, 1999 at 19:51:05:
Mclauchlan,
What do you mean by "Are you shear"?. Also, what is the meaning of "It is to bad"
Now on why don't you use private e mail of the individual you want to write to(you didn't show yours, that is why I am forced to use this public forum)than letting the whole world, as you put it, know your spelling problem and the mutilation of English Language?
Ram Nambiar Mississauga.ONT birder@echo-on.net
All though this is not a sighting it is close. I am wondering what ever one's winter list was , winter listing has a great history hear in the Toronto area and goes from the Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 . There are tow list the GTA and the Ont. List that is kept, my Ont. was 143 and my GTA was 115 this is not the best for shear but fun none the least.
Craig
In Reply to: Ross's Goose in Bronte Harbour posted by Gavin Edmondstone on February 28, 1999 at 20:28:00:
This after noon from 3:00 to 6:15 I spent looking for the Ross goose with no luck I did see a blue phase domestic goose and 2 wight domestic geese ( one at Appleby college) but nothing ells worth reporting .
Craig
In Reply to: Slaty-Backed at Etobicoke Creek posted by Ram Nambiar on March 01, 1999 at 18:21:57:
Are you shear that you want to announce to the world that there are 2 slaty back gulls in Toronto? And did you get any pitchers that you could post on your web site . It is to bad that the other pitchers that wear taken are not on the web. For all the world to see.
Craig
In Reply to: Ross's Goose in Bronte Harbour posted by Gavin Edmondstone on February 28, 1999 at 20:28:00:
Dear Fellow Birders
Hello, went searching for the Ross's Goose in Bronte Harbour around 6 pm, I searched the area both to the east and west of the harbour, but no luck. There were though 13 Coots in and around the docks.
Mike Boyd Oakville, Ontario
Monday, 1st,March,199
Drizzling but was comaparatively warmer in the Western Lake Front this morning. Etobicoke creek, creek mouth to thelake, Marie Curtis Park and Humber Bay West were the places I went.
Close to somany Ring-billed, one larger and different, standing alone along the lake shore stone on the west side of Etobicoke creek was none other than the Slaty-Backed. I spent nearly 2O minutes, my binocular foccussed on it. Turning back from the shore another Slaty was seen, again standing alone, on the exposed centre gravel section the of Etobicoke Creek itself just north of the bridge. The Gull must have been about 2O m from my position on the bridge.
I crossed the bridge to the west. A new post has been put in there now giving a short history of the Park. According to what I read an unexpected flood water in the Etobicoke Creek on October 15th 1954 had resulted in the death of 7 people of that area. But looking at the low level of water now, even when the ice is melting and exposed areas in the middle of the creek, gives me an entirely different feeling. At the rate it is going many creeks and rivers in the Greater Toronto area and elsewhere,this summer, can turn out to be pretty dry.That will surely affect even the breeding passerines along the edges that count on water badly. Low precipitation seems to be the story of this year also.
At Humber Bay West near the boat launching area I saw 4 American Coots, a dozen Shovelers. There were many Buffleheads. Mallards are at the height of their mating. Some males were pulling other rivals feathers right out. In the center mud flat of the Humber River was an adult Black-backed and an immature of the same resting in the company of Ring-billed Gulls.
Shore Bird Pictures and story in my up-dated Web-Page under NEW: http://www.echo-on.net/~birder
Good Birding. Ram Nambiar,3368 Hargrove Rd,Mississauga,Ont. 9O5.828-4997
In Reply to: Ross's Goose in Bronte Harbour posted by Gavin Edmondstone on February 28, 1999 at 20:28:00:
Still there at 9:45 pm .. well I had to look for it. Found on the west side of Bronte Creek near the the Bronte Beach Boat Launch. My night vision confirms the bird is small (2/3 of Canada Goose) with a smaller relative bill. Didn't see any warts but managed to see some black on folded primaries. Winter's over and I'm sure Dave Milsom has me by 20 birds easy.
Sheila Bowslaugh discovered a Ross's Goose just east of Bronte Harbour mid-afternoon today. When I arrived there was a Snow Goose (blue morph) but that bird flew off with some Canada Geese. The Ross's Goose swam west and grazed on the lawn south of Ontario Street. At 6:15 the bird flew off. I relocated the bird fifteen minutes later (by artificial light) on ice with Canada Geese on Bronte Creek by the Metro Marine building visible from the intersection of Marine Drive and Bronte Road. You winter listers still have a few hours to get this one.
Stan Bajurny and I went to Barcovan Beach yesterday (Feb.27) and the White-fronted Goose is still there and easy to find and see. We also a rare and scary Dennis sighting, actually 2 sightings. Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: Port Credit Swans posted by John Miles on February 26, 1999 at 21:03:34:
For extensive information on Trumpeter Swan locations see also the web site that I have referred to in the post above.
GC
In Reply to: Re: Port Credit Swans posted by Gavin Edmondstone on February 26, 1999 at 19:49:38:
Yes, I am sure that given their fairly matching weight class, in individual circumstances either is capable of driving the other off. Harry Lumsden has told me though that he would expect Trumpeter Swan to dominate Mute Swan when they compete for territory more often than not.
The reference I mentioned in my Feb. 17/99 post on this topic which can be found below:
The Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program in Ontario - 1998 by Harry Lumsden
reprinted in the Toronto Ornithological Club Newsletter, is also available on the web at Steve Moreland's excellent Trumpeter Swan in Ontario web page at:
http://www.bconnex.net/~smorel/trumpet/trumpeter.html
Harry Lumsden's excellent article can be found at:
http://www.bconnex.net/~smorel/trumpet/1998.html
As you will see much effort and data with regard to the re-introduced Trumpeter Swan is being generated. Here's hoping that all who read this will join in the effort to help this marvellous swan to be re-established in Ontario.
Good Birding all.
In Reply to: Re: Port Credit Swans posted by George Daszkowski on February 26, 1999 at 08:23:32:
I have seen as many as 17 Trunpeters together at the end of the canal at Dundas this winter. Since I now spend most of my time down here along Lake Erie where the palm tree grows I do not work the Lake Ontario shoreline but the Trumpeters can be found from Dundas east to at least Oshawa and perhaps further. The east end Metro birders would have a better idea. Harry also released Trumpeters on the Stelco property at Nanticoke and I believe at Long Point so there are a few along the Lake Erie shoreline too. A few of the Ontario Trumpeters are being reported from some of the northern states during the winter months so some appearing to be developing a bit of a migration patern. Even some of the Ontario birds have developed a migration pattern moving from Georgian Bay to the Burlington Bay each winter. One known family group has done this several years in a row. Mind you the Trumpeter is not known as a migratory species but rather retreats from the northern end of its range to the nearest continuous open water. Some of the western population do not go south in the winter but rather west to the open ocean.
In Reply to: Re: Port Credit Swans posted by Glenn Coady on February 25, 1999 at 18:50:21:
I have observed Trumpeter Swans drive off Mute Swans and mutes drive off trumpeters. In mid-winter family groups of trumpeters seem dominant. As spring approaches a teritorial mute male can drive off a whole family of trumpeters.
Sue saw 8 tagged Trumpeter Swans in Bronte Harbour today. Desjardens Canal in Dundas is a good spot to see them also.
In Reply to: Re: Port Credit Swans posted by John Miles on February 25, 1999 at 14:44:52:
Thanks It is always nice to get good info. Other than the pair of trumpeters at the Humber where are all the trumpeters? thanks
In Reply to: Port Credit Swans posted by George Daszkowski on February 22, 1999 at 08:07:11:
As usual, John Miles is correct, the Trumpeter Swan is larger than the Mute Swan. Harry Lumsden has told me that his experience is that the Trumpeter Swans will indeed drive away Mute Swans not the reverse. The reference I refer to in my previous post regarding Trumpeter Swan does detail that one of the Trumpeter Swans lost in the past year was indeed killed in a confrontation with a Mute Swan. This is definitely not the norm according to Harry Lumsden though.
Indeed, the male Trumpeter Swan (tag #379) at Humber Bay Park has been seen to drive off as many as 6 Mute Swans simultaneously from preferred feeding opportunities.
To recap my previous post, the Trumpeter Swan which is very actively being re-introduced in s. Ontario stands at 191 birds and rapidly (if artificially) increasing. Western Lake Ontario Mute Swan numbers are around 210+ birds and stable or slowly increasing due to population control effort.
George is correct that we may reach a point not too far off where we may need to choose between the two species. I would favour the Trumpeter Swan if a) we could get it to migrate and b) it could be weaned off supplementary feeding or becoming tame hand fed birds. I think this is likelier possible now than I did just a few years ago.
In Reply to: Port Credit Swans posted by George Daszkowski on February 22, 1999 at 08:07:11:
Trumpeter Swans on average are larger than Mute Swans, Godfrey gives their size as l37-168 cm and Mute Swans as 147 cm.
At 3:15 today Feb./23/99 a raven was see(and heard) flying near the corner of young St. and roslin ave (which is just north of Lawrence ave hear in Toronto)it was being harassed by 3 crows and was last seen flying east towards Sunnybrook Park .
Craig McLauchlan.
In Reply to: Re: Downtown falcons posted by Glenn Coady on February 22, 1999 at 16:24:51:
The question is not whether Kestrels nested at the university or not I have seen this for my self, the question is whether the reports of other visiting falcons wear the new young and bloor birds. For it seems that there wear reports of falcons in this area to, but this I guess we will never no.
Craifg
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay Peregrine Falcon sighting posted by C Mclauchlan on February 22, 1999 at 10:31:11:
The existence of American Kestrels nesting downtown adjacent to the university was and remains accurate. The new pair of Peregrine Falcons in the area are frequently interacting with these American Kestrels. On two occasions now I have seen two American Kestrels trying to drive off lone Peregrine Falcons from the Whitney Block and the former Suncor Building.
Hopefully within the decade we will have Merlin extend its breeding range to the Toronto area and then we may see all three interacting.
In Reply to: Kestrel posted by George Daszkowski on February 09, 1999 at 09:29:09:
George I am not sheer how this hawkman is but it is not unusual for kestrels to over winter or tack sparrow's, b.c. chickadees and I have even hear of them tacking d.e. junco all thou I wood think that juncos are to fast and large for kestrels but nothing is inposaball , we have a large number of kestrels in the Toronto area and if you ever go out to the spit you can see up to 3 or some times 4 different birds all feeding on a.t sparrow's and I wood think the odd mouse . All thought I will agree that it is a shock to see one go at your feeder I have seen sharpshin,s and goshawks do this in the past .
Craig
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay Peregrine Falcon sighting posted by Don Peuramaki on February 21, 1999 at 05:18:59:
First off all well down Marcel and Glenn I am sheer that anonamis now no's moor than they ever thought existed about falcons in the Toronto area.
If my memory is right have we not bin getting reports of falcons in the U.of.T area for the last 2 years I no that 3years ago that we thought that it was kestrels we might have bin incorrect with this. Also I have seen kinglsy and Victoria booth hunting on the Leslie St. spit in the past I wood think that this is moor than 4km as the crow fly's from their nest sight , and from my past expertness with them and their speed I wood thin that they can mack that distant in 2 mints easily.
Craig
In Reply to: Port Credit Swans posted by George Daszkowski on February 22, 1999 at 08:07:11:
I under stand that their has all ready bin some oiling of mute swan egg's down in the G.T.A last year and do to there territorial nacher this might not be a bad thing, but I worry when man plays god our track record hasn't bin that good.
Craig
On Saturday on the spit there wear very few birds, booth great horned owls wear seen and a short eared owl flying over the bass was one that haven't seen on the spit for some time (I now that others have seen them I jist was some wear ells at the time). The ring bill gull's have grown in numbers from hundreds to thousand on and around pensile B and the large raft of red heads wear in the cells, along with 11 weight wing scooters in the harbor all and all numbers of speeches wear down.
There was a great sighting of the coyote thought as it ran across the ice and the rabbit population has exploded Craig
This morning, while walking the dog, I counted 25 mute swans at the mouth of the Cooksville Creek, the west side of Promenade Park the Mississauga Waterfront complex near the Ontario Hydro Lakeview plant (known locally as the Four Sisters).
The most I have ever seen was a convention of 34 during the winter a few years ago. THis morning there signs of premating territoriality.
I have lived along the lake for 24 years and the swan population is where the geese were when I first moved here. Seen but infrequently enough that it was a thrill. At this time of year, you can often see the swans flying nad that is a true joy. One issue that is raised by the presence of the trumeter swans seen recently and reported here. The mutes are larger and will drive out the trumpeters. We may have to decide which we want. The resident mutes ofter have up to four each year so there is a significant base here and the population could grow quickly.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, February 21
Birders this past week were travelling to both the extreme east and the extreme west sides of Prince Edward County to see good birds. Birders at Prince Edward Point found considerable open water from Little Bluff Conservation Area, east to the Point where 8,000 OLDSQUAW were tallied, along with both RED-BREASTED and COMMON MERGANSERS.
Weller’s Bay at the far west side of the county had three species of swans in the Barcovan Beach area, in addition to a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE which has been present there all week. There was one TRUMPETER SWAN on Sunday accompanied by three TUNDRA SWANS and a high of 27 MUTE SWANS. Also present in this area are 9 NORTHERN PINTAIL DUCKS, COMMON GOLDENEYES. BUFFLEHEADS, MALLARDS, CANADA GEESE and REDHEADS. Two AMERICAN COOTS were seen at Barcovan on Tuesday by Belleville birder Don Craighead. AMERICAN COOTS have also been seen this past week at Wellington (1), and at the Glenora Ferry channel (2).
To reach Barcovan Beach follow County Road 64 from either Brighton or Carrying Place. The Barcovan Beach Road is east of the Barcovan Golf Course.
Don Craighead also enjoyed some good birding on Tuesday along the north shore of Consecon Lake where he found 100+ CEDAR WAXWINGS, 1 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, and a COMMON GRACKLE.
Amherst Island had 4 SHORT-EARED OWLS on Thursday at the southeast corner of the island, adjacent to the Kingston Field Naturalists property. Also seen were NORTHERN HARRIER, many ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and RED-TAILED HAWKS, 3 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 25 CEDAR WAXWINGS and one RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. The two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS are still visiting a feeder near the east end of the island. Bird bander Joanne Dewey will be the guest speaker Tuesday night at the February meeting of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists at Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area, 7:00 p.m.
And that’s it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 28th. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay Peregrine Falcon sighting posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 20, 1999 at 19:26:45:
In regards to the territory at Yonge and Bloor. This may already be a second year for these birds. I saw Peregrines in the area repeatedly last summer, June, July and August, ranging from Bay/Bloor to the Bloor viaduct. At the time, I had assumed that they were the King Street pair. If anyone else has had the same experience, Marcel might appreciate your notes or comments.
Today, Sat. Feb.20/99 among the 3000 or so Redheads and Canvasbacks on Inner Bay along the long Point causeway was a blue phase Snow Goose and at Lee Brown a flock of about 2000 Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Rusty Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds and 1 very happy Merlin. Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay Peregrine Falcon sighting posted by Glenn Coady on February 19, 1999 at 19:13:46:
Thank you Glenn for your detailed response. There's not much more for me to add on the topics you addressed, but I will elaborate on a few points.
Firstly, I would like to apologize for any confusion my initial posting may have caused. I wrote it in haste, and unintentionally typed "white" when I intended to write "light".
I agree with Glenn that there certainly is a great deal of variation in the appearance of adult peregrines, and identifying to subspecies, while tempting, is often difficult to do with any accuracy. I suspect that this is at least partly due to interbreeding among the subspecies (some of it natural, some of it as a result of mismanaged captive breeding).
The belief that peregrines in subadult plumage cannot breed has been repeatedly proven to be false. "Victoria", the adult female in downtown Toronto, first nested at King and Yonge in 1995, when she was only one year old. Similarly, the female in London in 1996 reproduced successfully at the same age. Both of these birds had subadult plumage at the time, and their age was confirmed by their leg bands. If the young female presently in Etobicoke stays to nest, we will have the opportunity of closely monitoring her nesting behaviour and success, and comparing it with what was observed last year when "Alberta" (3 years old at the time) nested there.
I also question the statement that adult peregrines chase their young away. Having spent the past two summers observing the peregrines at the Toronto and Etobicoke eyries, I have seen little evidence of this. In fact, more often than not, it was the juveniles which chased their parents around. By August, most of the young peregrines are becoming increasingly independent, and they begin to drift away from the nest, until they no longer come back. To apply a human analogy, it seems to be more a case of them growing up and wanting to leave home, than the parents kicking them out. This is not to say that adults don't chase the young away at other eyries (as I have learned that there is a lot of variation in peregrine behaviour), but it clearly is not always the case.
On a related note, I would like to announce that a third pair of peregrines appears to be establishing a territory in Toronto, in the area of Yonge and Bloor. They have been seen in the area for a couple of months, but only in the past couple of weeks did we determine that they are a separate pair from the King/Yonge peregrines. The female at Yonge/Bloor is noticeably darker than the females in downtown Toronto and Etobicoke, while the male is quite light, and has a red leg band. To this point, I have had only brief glimpses of both birds. I would be most interested in any observations of this pair, especially from anyone who might be able to get a reading on the leg bands.
Marcel
I need help.
Did anyone happen to tape last night's installment of Fragile Nature on TVO. It was about Lammergeiers (type of Vulture) on - of all places - Kilamanjaro. "They just aren't there you know - Rift Valley maybe" Anyhow to make a sad story short. I was asked to tape the show and failed. I'd like to avoid a miserable death.
I know it's a long shot but did any of you TV listers out there tape the show. Email or phone (905) 279-9576
I need help.
Mark
In Reply to: Re: more falcons posted by Hawkman on February 18, 1999 at 12:28:16:
Dear Hawkman,
Let me say right up front that I detest responding to anonymous e-mail posters. Given that the subject at hand is Peregrine Falcon in Ontario and that there has been a history of a tragic vandalization of a Peregrine Falcon eyrie in Ontario, I feel it is important to know who it is one responds to concerning this topic. I'm sure you can understand how anonymous posting on this topic might be easily misconstrued as being in bad taste, which I'm sure was not your intention.
I should advise you too, that in attempting to correct Marcel Gahbauer on his knowledge of Peregrine Falcons that metaphorically you are "teaching the choir how to sing". What I mean is that Marcel is very active in the monitoring of urban Peregrine Falcons on behalf of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation and his knowledge of this species is becoming quite comprehensive. I don't think you are likely to have imparted anything to him in your post that he didn't already know.
Several inaccuracies are to be found in your post which I shall attempt to clarify:
1) You state that the Toronto birds are likely different from the Islington birds. It is not likely this is so, it is a CERTAINTY as both are known previous nesters for whom all banding information is known and both of which have been simultaneously video monitored.
I suspect you mean (though it is far from clear in the wording of your post) that neither the downtown Toronto birds or the Islington birds are likely to explain Don Peuramaki's sighting at Humber Bay park. This may be true, but I suspect based on the descriptions Marcel gave, although brief, that it is likelier that Marcel is correct that these are the male & female birds which have recently been most consistently seen at Islington & Bloor.
I monitored the Peregrine Falcon pair at this location all summer in 1997 and several times saw the birds fly all the way to Humber Bay Park and even the Lakeview Generating Station. I also can confirm by band number that I have in the past seen the adult male from Islington & Bloor at Humber Bay Park.
2) You are correct that the downtown Toronto male is an anatum-like bird (3/4 anatum & 1/4 Peale's if memory serves me correctly) but I don't think a syringe played any part in its creation. It's origin is well known and is documented on the Canadian Peregrine Foundation's web page.
3) Marcel was merely being accurately descriptive (if brief) in describing the Islington male as a white male. It IS quite white for an anatum-like Peregrine Falcon. However, your suggestion that white birds infer an arctic tundrius bird is not necessarily correct. I have been at wild nests of anatum birds, urban anatum-like nests and at arctic tundrius nests. From my personal field observations and photos I have come to the conclusion that, with the exceptionn of juveniles, most birds cannot be accurately assigned to subspecific status in the field by the average birder. I have confused experts with close up photos where pains have been taken to shield the locality at which the photo was taken. Even some specimens in the hand can be confusing as my time in the ROM collection has taught me. Yes, tundrius birds AVERAGE whiter than anatum but there is considerable overlap within the variation of both. I often sport a smirk when observers tell me of fall migrant adult tundrius birds now that we have so many anatum & anatum-like birds around. The same people likely possess that special brand of magic required for being certain of all fall Willow and Alder Flycatchers.
4) Subadult actually means a bird in plumage that is short of definitive alternate. At more than one site, but particularly at Islington & Bloor, known two year old birds (usually females) still distinctly sporting plumage short of definitive alternate, have been proven breeders.
5) I have seen known, banded young still with their known parent Peregrine Falcons at urban nests into early October so it is dangerous to cite absolutes with regard to how quickly parents and young separate.
BTW, the Islington Peregrine Falcons can see Humber Bay Park directly from their eyrie and it is 4.4 km from their ledge a distance I've timed them to easily cover in 2 minutes.
Hope this helps. GC
In Reply to: Re: Raven in Richmond Hill posted by Norm Murr on February 16, 1999 at 18:24:16:
Today I met Leon Schlichter returning from the area of the David Dunlop Observattory in Richmond Hill and as usual he was out before I even left my home. Leon is now the top 1998/99 winter birder for the GTA and the C. Raven that he told me he saw being chased by two A. Crows put him just 1 behind the all time GTA record and 2 behind the setting of the record himself. Leon is amazing and many birders would do well if they could keep up with this non driving 70 something birder. He shows that by getting out and away from the couch can pay off. I hope that Leon can find his 2 birds before the end of the month and I hope that if anyone finds a good bird in the GTA will call him at 416-693-8516 or Harry Kerr at 416-481-7948 who will I'm sure pass on the sighting to Leon. Also I would like to wish Jum Fairchild (the #2 1998/99 winter lister the best of luck. I do not know Jim's phone number but if any of you do then please pass any good sightings on to him as well. Best of luck to Leon and Jim. Norm Murr
In Reply to: Peregrine at U of T posted by Tom on February 08, 1999 at 10:41:52:
This afternoon at about 4:30 pm. I observed what appeared to be a light phase perigrine falcon land on a balcony on the northwest corner of the apartment building at 50 prince arthur road just north of the university stadium. It sat there preening and soaking up the afternoon sun while I watched it with several dog walkers in Taddle Creek park. I then flew west out of my field of vision. I have observed what I believe to be the same bird in this neighborhood for the past year or so. Have you been following this bird?
This morning walking my dog I noticed for the first time this winter that I could hear birds. Cardinals in stereo! Yesterday I saw a very bright cardinal but he wasn't singing. Bright cardinals are getting ready for mating and this morning proves it.
O joy spring! Enjoy!
In Reply to: Re: Great Gray Owl - Obituary - Premature posted by Mark Cranford on February 17, 1999 at 19:17:11:
I just got a call from the Small Animal Clinic on the campus of the University of Guelph, they have the Great Gray Owl that was hit by a school bus Wednesday morning in Streetsville. The bird should survive. By weight - 1200 grams - the bird is a female and healthy. It has problems in the pelvic area - broken something with a scientific name. It may also have a dislocated shoulder (wing). It is possible that the bird will recover and be released. The wing dislocation is the largest concern. Time will tell (a couple of weeks). I will update if I hear news.
Hi all
There is a free way to participate in monitoring bird populations in the next few days - The Great Backyard Bird Count. Basically it is a bit like Project Feeder watch and the CBC combined. It takes place from the 19th to the 22nd of February. To find out more you can visit the birdsource website which is located at -http://birdsource.cornell.edu/. The site was interesting since it contained information on both Project Feederwatch and Christms Birdcounts.
In Reply to: Mystery Hawk posted by Janet on January 16, 1999 at 12:22:38:
Sounds like a immature redtail. However, accipiters are not averse to having the small white markings across the back. Likely a redtail because it sat still for an hour. Not something a coopers or a gos is often seen doing. The white markings tend to form a "V" on the back of a young redtail. Chances are that is what it was.
In Reply to: Kestrel posted by George Daszkowski on February 09, 1999 at 09:29:09:
WOW!! That is unusual...Guess it couldn't find a stereotypical grasshopper
In Reply to: Re: more falcons posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 14, 1999 at 19:35:26:
Just out of curiousity, what is meant by a "white male"? Is that a WASP. White Anglo Saxon Peregrine?? A light peregrine is off the falco peregrinus tundrius race....meaning it is a ARCTIC bird. Not urban. The toronto male is a impure Anatum, Cornell chicken.....made with a syringe. The odds of them being the same birds as the Islington birds are slim. It is impossible for a paired female to be in subadult plumage.SUBADULT....means too young to breed. Also parents and young do not stay near each other much after the early hunting forays. The adults drive the youngsters out of the territory. Just out of curiousity. Can you see humber bay from Islington....if so did the falcons fly directly there?
The Cirrect url is www.hay.net/~tpurdy/
Sorry for any inconvenience
In Reply to: Re: Trumpeter swans at Humber Bay Research Site posted by George Daszkowski on February 17, 1999 at 08:52:29:
Correction
www.hay.net/~tpurdy/
In Reply to: Trumpeter swans at Humber Bay posted by Jean-François Hic on February 14, 1999 at 11:32:25:
Dear Jean-Francois and others,
Marcel Gahbauer is quite correct, the yellow tag you saw on the Trumpeter Swan is a numbered wing tag on this re-introduced bird.
For a very good overview of the Trumpeter Swan's reintroduction in southern Ontario you may wish to check the following reference which I believe you will find available at the library of the Royal Ontario Museum:
Lumsden, H.G. 1999. The Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program in Ontario - 1998. Toronto Ornithological Club Newsletter 91:2-3.
On Sunday, February 15, 1999 I led an outing to Humber Bay Park east for the Citizens Concerned with the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront (CCFEW). We also saw this Trumpeter Swan (yellow wing tag number 379) as well as another Trumpeter Swan with no wing tags or leg bands.
I have been able to get some history on the bird wearing tag #379 from Harry Lumsden:
It is a male and was released at Gairloch Gardens in Oakville on November 17, 1996. It was later found to have moved to Fair Lake near Cambridge.
On August 1, 1997 it was captured and wing clipped and brought to the Metro Toronto Zoo area and on March 30, 1998 was moved to Bill Carrick's farm near the zoo.
On May 27, 1998, upon reacquiring flight feathers it was sighted on Lake Simcoe where it spent the early part of the winter on Barnstable Bay. It was last recorded (before Humber Bay Park) at Duclos Point on Lake Simcoe on December 15-16, 1998.
Interestingly, 1999 should be the year that Trumpeter Swans in s. Ontario (191 and rising fast) will at last outnumber the western L. Ontario numbers of Mute Swan (210+ & rising slowly).
This past fall, a successful ultralite plane experiment was undertaken which induced a migration of captive-raised Ontario Trumpeter Swans to the Muskatatuk National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana providing hope that a technique for inducing migration to a suitable, traditional wintering ground might be possible.
The re-introduction of the Trumpeter Swan to the east is seeming much more plausible in the last five years or so than when the project was first undertaken in 1982.
In Reply to: Re: Great Gray Owl - Obituary posted by Andy on February 17, 1999 at 16:37:43:
As a rule, I don't like cross-postings but I think this is of interest to everyone.
Mark
Mike Street wrote to ONTBIRDS >A bit of possibly good news. The Great Grey was apparently not killed. It was recovered with the help of a friendly - and skilful - Ambulance crew who captured it, bandaged it up, called Mississaugua Animal Control and left it in the care of two birders (one of whom I spoke to a few minutes ago) who then waited with the bird for Animal Control.
Mike
Mike Street Ancaster, Ontario, Canada mikestreet@hwcn.org
In Reply to: Re: Great Gray Owl - Obituary posted by Mark Cranford on February 17, 1999 at 16:24:42:
How sad. I still remember a Snowy sitting in the middle of the 401 many years ago, as cars sped around him. The panic and terror in its eyes will be with me forever. I pulled over in hopes of saving him, but I was too late.
In Reply to: Great Gray Owl? posted by Andy on February 17, 1999 at 12:58:26:
This was sent this afternoon to ONTBIRDS
"Adamo, Alfred" wrote: > > > I regret to inform subscribers that I have just learned that the > Great Gray Owl seen today along Mississauga Rd. in Streetsville was > struck by a school bus and is now dead. > > I have no further details at this time. > > Alfred Adamo > aadamo@purolator.com
-- Mark Cranford cranford@netcom.ca Mississauga, Ontario
I heard someone has spotted one in the TO area. Does anyone have details?
It’s time to join the flock as Presqu’ile Provincial Park’s famous waterfowl return for the Presqu’ile Waterfowl Festival! From 10:00 am until 4:00 PM on March 27, 28 and April 2,3,4 expert volunteer naturalists will be on hand to help visitors identify up to 25 species of ducks, geese and swans from various stations throughout the park. Back again this year are the popular Duck Truck mobile viewing stations, a waterfowl carving display, Wonderful Waterfowl Adventure children’s activities and more!
Tens of thousands of waterfowl migrate through Presqu’ile on route to their breeding grounds far to the north and west of Presqu’ile. These birds take advantage of the abundant food supplies in the park’s waters, replenishing their energy reserves before heading off on further migration flights. Since most of Presqu’ile’s waterfowl nest in the northern prairies and tundra , the species encountered on the viewing weekends are rarely seen in Ontario. This opportunity to see a rich variety of waterfowl and huge numbers of birds is truly unique.
The sight of thousands of courting and feeding ducks in their brilliant spring plumage is an unforgettable spectacle says Presqu’ile Park’s Biodiversity Specialist, Don Tyerman. He adds, I have visited many famous eastern North America waterfowl locations including Chesapeake Bay (USA), Long Point (southern Ontario) and locations along the Gulf of Mexico. None of these places rival the viewing opportunities at Presqu’ile Park!
During the festival, Presqu’ile’s Lighthouse Interpretive Centre will open its doors featuring the Birds of a Feather carving exhibition and the artwork of internationally-renowned wildlife artists Michael Dumas and Brent Townsend. Exquisitely detailed waterfowl carvings will be displayed alongside incredibly detailed art featuring Ontario's wildlife. At the park staffhouse is the Ducks for Kids headquarters where organized activities of a ducky kind are planned for the kids at 11:00 am, 1:00 and 3:00 pm daily. A waterfowl display from the Royal Ontario Museum will also be featured. If all this activity makes you hungry, be sure to stop at the Rotary Food Booth also located at the Staff House.
On April 2,3,4, Bushnell Sports Optics Worldwide will help staff the viewing stations equipped with a complete line of quality optical instruments. This is a unique opportunity to field test Bushnell binoculars and telescopes - hopefully spying out one of the rarities spotted each year! Bushnell will also provide a self-service binocular cleaning station to ensure the best possible views.
In all, up to twenty-five different types of waterfowl and tens of thousands of individual ducks, geese and swans will pass through Presqu’ile Park this spring. This sight is one of Ontario’s great natural wonders. An entry fee is of five dollars per vehicle will be charged, and visitors are advised to dress warmly to most fully enjoy their outing. The Presqu'ile Waterfowl Festival is brought to you by the Friends of Presqu'ile Park in partnership with Ontario Parks.
For more information please call (613) 475-4324.
In Reply to: Trumpeter swans at Humber Bay posted by Jean-François Hic on February 14, 1999 at 11:32:25:
There is a good swan site at
www.hay.nat/~tpurdy/
Dear Fellow Birders
I have read on Ontario Birds recently that there have been very few gulls seen there recently, and I also read from a Pennsylvania RBA that recently about 50,000 gulls have concentrated at Presque Isle State Park (including some white-winged gulls) this could possibly be where all the Niagara Gulls went, since Presque Isle is just south of Niagara on Lake Erie.
Mike Boyd
A pair of Buffleheads have been enjoying the mild weather at the mouth of Duffins Creek. Not as impressive as the 300 at Presquile but a pleasure to watch playing in the waves.
In Reply to: Re: Raven in Richmond Hill posted by Barbara on February 15, 1999 at 21:16:14:
Barbara Sounds like a good bet that it was the same bird. Hopefully it is heading to an area that some of the avid winter birders can find it in. Norm
From Don Davis:
Waterfowl numbers are gradually increasing in Presqu'ile Bay. Also today, I noticed hundreds of gulls had also congregated on the ice west of the Government Dock. Another good vantage point is Salt Point, just down the road from the Government Dock. The bay is now open to the west of the Government Dock.
A tally from Feb. 10th included: 1000 lesser scaup, 300 bufflehead, 200 goldeneye, 200 red head, 100 old squaw, 6 common merganser, 4 canvasback, 2 wood ducks. On Feb. 11th, 8 gadwall were seen.
A beautiful male redwinged blackbird with very fresh plumage and an American Kestrel were seen outside of the park today. So spring can't be far off!
Don Davis
Toronto, ON
In Reply to: Raven in Richmond Hill posted by Norm Murr on February 15, 1999 at 18:52:04:
I wonder if that's the same bird I saw at about 2:30 p.m. today just north of Aurora near Yonge St. There were two crows after it.
Barbara Taylor
It may be hard to believe but one day after seeing 29 Common Ravens in Algonquin I find that one of them has followed me. At 4:50 pm today (Feb.15/99) I saw and heard one as it flew into the David Dunlop Observatory grounds. It of coarse is hard to mistake for any other bird except the Common Crow but the size and its cronking call is hard to mistake. I don't know if this bird is going to hang around or if it flew past and beyond the observatory. You can get to the observatory grounds only off Bayview Avenue just north of 16th Avenue (Carville Rd), turn left on Hillsview Avenue and drive to the entrance. You may also get there if you are arriving by bus on Yonge St. by dismounting at Clarissa Drive and walking east to and across the railway tracks at Weldrick Ave, S and Sunshine Drive and onto Hillsview Drive. Norm Murr
Sorry about that. This is probably only of interest to the park records committee but we also found on Feb.14/99 at he west gate feeder were 2 Dark-eyed Juncos. Norm Murr
A bird I forgot to mention that we saw on Arowhon Road near the old railway line was a golden-crowned Kinglet. It was with 2 Boreal Chickadees. Norm Murr
On Sunday Feb.14/99 Stan Bajurny, Craig McLauchlan and I went up to Algonquin Park to hopefully see some winter finches, etc. as we read that some birders were seeing some of the possible birds. We arrived after dawn and from then to 9 am it was steady birds. White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskins, A. Goldfinch, and Purple Finch were common all along hwy 60. Among them we found 9 Red Crossbills and 7 Pine Grosbeaks. Through out the hwy 60 corridor we also found 136 Evening Grosbeaks, 7 Red-breasted Nuthatches and many A. Tree Sparrows and for a bonus we watched at about 100 feet away a female Moose and her almost grown calf. Also seen along the hwy 60 corridor was a close up sightings of 3 Spruce Grouse and 6 Ruffed Grouse (before 8 am), we also found 1 more Spruce Grouse and 2 Ruffed Grouse along Opeongo Road just past the bridge. We saw a total of 12 Gray Jays, 5 along Opeongo Road (4 at the gate) and 4 at the visitor centre. Our 5 Boreal Chickadees were seen along Opeongo Road past the bridge and Arowhon Road near the old railway line. Also seen on this trip were 29 C. ravens(16 of them together in one spot beside hwy 60). Our only disappointment was not seeing any Black-backed Woodpeckers but not too deep of a disappointment after the great day we had, and besides it could be a good reason to return to Algonquin. Norm Murr
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, February 14
A very slow week as far as bird sightings go this past week in the immediate Quinte area. Slightly milder weather has opened up some of the lakes and bays resulting in some success with waterfowl sightings. An AMERICAN COOT was seen on Monday at Wellington. The previous day, much of the water just off Prince Edward Point was open where COMMON MERGANSER, AMERICAN GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, OLDSQUAW and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER were seen by members of the Kingston Field Naturalists. They also report 4 TRUMPETER SWANS at the Narrows Lock just west of Crosby.
Four BALD EAGLES were present last Sunday at Glenora, east of Picton. Large numbers of RED-TAILED HAWKS and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS are still being reported throughout Prince Edward County.
Little Bluff Conservation Area, west of Prince Edward Point, had large numbers of CEDAR WAXWINGS, PURPLE FINCHES, AMERICAN ROBINS and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS last Sunday. There is a BELTED KINGFISHER at Kingston Mills.
The male VARIED THRUSH is still at a feeder in the hamlet of Harlem, near Portland where it has been since last week. The female has not been seen since Monday. The best time is from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM but they have been seen from time to time during the day. Take Highway 15 north of Kingston for 58 km to the outskirts of the town of Portland and a road on your right called Harlem Rd. Take Harlem Rd for 7 km to the "Cripps" home. The house is mostly white and has a number of feeders in front and a cemetery just past on your right. The Cripps will let you in to the living room where you can wait and watch in comfort. Please sign the guest book before you leave.
The 2 RING-NECKED PHEASANTS are still coming to a feeder on Amherst Island, and other feeders on the island have a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to visit a feeder on Wolfe Island.
Bird bander Joanne Dewey will be the guest speaker at the February 23rd meeting of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, and Barry Jones from Lower Trent Conservation will be speaking to the Quinte Field Naturalists on the Rural Water Quality Program on February 22nd. More information on both meetings may be had by e-mailing the address below.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 21st. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: more falcons posted by Don Peuramaki on February 14, 1999 at 18:12:23:
I suspect the two peregrines at Humber Bay were likely the ones from Islington & Bloor - the pair currently there is a white adult male and a large immature female. I've seen them fly south from Bloor, and expected them to go down to the lakeshore somewhere, but have not seen them there yet myself.
Marcel
At 4:40 today there were two Peregrines at Humber Bay, a light adult, probably male, and a larger immature bird, probabaly female.
The immature Merlin was still at Villiers Street (around 5:00pm). There were still 3 male Red-winged Blackbirds there, as well. On the 9th, there was an adult male Merlin at Ashbridge's Bay.
In Reply to: Trumpeter swans at Humber Bay posted by Jean-François Hic on February 14, 1999 at 11:32:25:
I saw these same two birds yesterday morning (in the bay at the southeast end of HB West). Only one was tagged, but I could not read the number because it was hidden by the swan's wing.
The yellow which you saw was not a ring around the body, but rather plastic tags attached to each wing. These tags contain a three-digit number which identifies individual swans. The swans have been tagged as part of the Ontario Trumpeter Swan reintroduction program, which appears to be going quite well, based on the number of sightings that have been reported in the past little while. I believe that the untagged swans are the offspring of pairs which did not nest in closely monitored areas (such as Wye Marsh).
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
I saw a couple of Trumpeter swan this morning at 10:00am. One is probably marked because it has a yellow plastic ring around the body. Do you know why ???
Great Blue is still on the northern area of Granadier Pond where there is some water and the Heron seems to be holding on despite the harsh cold winter of '99.
Surprising how this Ardeid managed to insulate its giant body during that worst blizzard of last month and the consequent food shoratge. I think it learned a lesson this time for its reluctance to move down south before the ensuing cold. The fact that it is alive and kicking I think he has a point.
I saw several Chickadees in pairs probing into the bark of High Park trees. If I had known I would have brought some crushed nuts. You could hear and see the crows in the hill side. Spring Road pond has water only in the centre where I saw Mallards pecking each other.
Couple of months ago Common Mergansers used to swim here at the Granadier Pond. Instead, at their place today a lone cayotee took the centre ice. It didn't move from the ice but was simply standing looking around at this moment for its mate rather than squirrells or Canada G that are plenty in the Park. The beast was seen then slowly walking towards the Park anf finally running in an easterly direction going up the hill and then disppeared. Someone told me later that they saw a pair rushing looking for a cover or a cave. Looking at its large size,it is capable of killing another of its tribe and permanent resident of High Park, the Red Fox. In the past I have seen the latter down the hill near the Hill side lodge.
Good Birding, Ram Nambiar,3368 Hargrove Rd,Mississauga,birder@echo-on.net
Just in you guys are not hard-wired to the Frontiers of Identification listserv. I just got a message about a web site with multiple photos of Slaty-backed Gull taken in Japan last November. First glance looks excellent. And the photographer is an Ontario birder (for the most part).
http://www.bway.net/~lewis/birds/Japan/chart.html
Seen at Humber Bay today between 11:00am and 1:00pm:
- About 300 mallards - 16 mute swans - 8 male american wigeons - 7 female american wigeons - 17 northern shovelers - A couple of oldsqaws - About 150 buffleheads - 2 great black-backed gulls - 1 male redhead (no female!?!) - A couple of hooded mergansers - 2 strange concoctions ( the size of a Canada Goose, a sort of Snow Goose head, the heavy rear of a Domestic thing). Can anybody name that bird??? - 19 mourning doves
- The good old fox
What about you?
In Reply to: Peregrine at U of T posted by Tom on February 08, 1999 at 10:41:52:
Tom I saw a female peregrine chasing pigeons jist to the west of the University College building jist be for noon to day, she flu west then north up towards Harbord St. that's when I lost her. This was a great sight and thanks again for the info.
Craig
A kestrel took a small bird from a bird feeder at Yonge and Lola and repaired to a TTC light standard for lunch on Sunday around noon
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine at U of T posted by Glenn Coady on February 08, 1999 at 15:18:14:
From Glenn's description of the derision that they flue this must be the pare that have bin being seen at the Bay building at young and Bloor. Let's hope there is a third pair of nesting peregrines hear this year. It seems that Toronto should pick the peregrine as its official bird.
Craig
In Reply to: Peregrine at U of T posted by Tom on February 08, 1999 at 10:41:52:
Dear Tom,
You have good eyes. On my lunch hour I went up to the University College area. I didn't see anything on the top of University College but within a few minutes noticed an adult female Peregrine Falcon perched on a spire of the clock tower at Hart House. It flew off calling to the east where I saw it join a smaller (presumably male Peregrine Falcon) bird on an aerial of the provincial government northwest of the corner of Bay St. & Grosvenor St.
By the time I had made it over to there I saw and heard both birds overhead flying north along Bay St. perhaps as far north as the Manulife Centre whereupon I lost sight of them.
What a delight that Peregrine Falcons have become a lunchtime diversion for downtown workers.
In Reply to: Re: Looking for a pileated woodpecker posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 06, 1999 at 18:07:38:
I have seen Pileateds a few times farther up the West Don River valley from Sunnybrook, i.e., in the valley between Lawrence Avenue and the Rosedale Golf Course.
Last week I heard, then saw one flying over the northern part of Clairville Conservation Area. I can't remember whether this conservation area is within Brampton or Mississauga (near the boundary), but the entrance is not far west of the junction of the former provincial highway no. 7 (now called Queen Street in the vicinity) and highway no. 27.
= B E A K === E N V I R O N M E N T A L == S P E C I A L I S T S = Anthony Lang, PhD, Ecologist alang@beak.com Beak International, 14 Abacus Rd Fax 905-794-2338 Brampton, ON, Canada L6T 5B7 Tel 800-361-2325 ext 245
In Reply to: Harlequin @ Ashbridge's Bay posted by Howard Shapiro on February 08, 1999 at 01:51:45:
Dear Howard,
This surely does sound like the bird you saw was likely a Thayer's Gull. I would encourage you to write up a rare bird report for this sighting for this rare and underdocumented bird for the Toronto Region.
I have a blank report for you to fill out which I can provide. Contact me by my e-mail address and I will arrange to get it to you if you are willing.
I believe that there is a peregrine sitting atop a weathervane at University College. I don't have my binoculars, however, so I can't be sure. I observed the bird this morning at about 9:00am and it was still sitting there at 10:00am.
Confirmation by anyone with bins in the area would be appreciated.
In Reply to: Re: Looking for a pileated woodpecker posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 08, 1999 at 09:07:25:
Marcel that is great, I know that when the one comes to my back yard (only 3 times in 7 years) I consider my self vary lucky. The day that I saw one on the Leslie St. spit I jist about fell over I never thought I wood see one their, it seems that this woodpecker is doing very well in the G.T.A.
Craig
In Reply to: Looking for a pileated woodpecker posted by Jean-François Hic on February 05, 1999 at 23:15:26:
The sites that have been mentioned are merely the more reliable locations for finding Pileated Woodpeckers; they do of course occur elsewhere as well.
This morning, as I was walking to the bus stop at Kingston Road & Guildwood Parkway, I was astonished to see a Pileated Woodpecker fly overhead. I've lived in the area for five years, and have never seen a Pileated Woodpecker anywhere nearby. What a wonderful way to start the day!
Marcel
Well I guess the message says it all. I was at Ashbridges Bay on Sunday, February 7th at around 3pm when I saw a beautiful male Harlequin Duck. It is in the bay on the west side of the park, right near the parking lot and the boat ramps. If you are still, it will come quite close. This has to be about the best viewing I have ever had of this gorgeous duck. Also present were an Iceland Gull and two Glaucous Gulls plus the usual assortment of winter waterfowl. There was also a bird I thought may have been a Thayer's Gull, but I do no have a lot of experience with this difficult to ID species. It was a lot like an adult Herring Gull except it was slightly smaller in size, had a dark eye, a slightly darker grey mantle and scapulars, the legs were a shade pinker and the bill was a bit shorter. I did not stay long enough to see the bird fly.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, February 07
Despite the warmer weather and disappearance of snow cover from much of the Quinte area this past week, bird activity still continues to be quite good at most feeding stations. Close to 20 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS are coming to a feeder at Big Island, while a Milford feeder has approximately 10 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. The three RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are still coming fairly regularly to a feeder on Melville Road near Consecon Lake, and there is also one at a feeder on Amherst Island. Another feeder at Amherst Island still has two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to patronize a Wolfe Island feeder.
The best feeder bird, however, is the VARIED THRUSH - actually two of them - coming to a feeder in the Kingston area. For more details and directions, please call the Kingston Field Naturalists Rare Bird Information Line at 613-549-8023.
AMERICAN ROBINS continue to dominate the Prince Edward County scene with flocks numbering 100 not at all uncommon. A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen Monday flying over the bay at the Outlet in Sandbanks Provincial Park.
Ridge Road resident Jim Ives seems to have considerable success at spotting WILD TURKEYS in his travels around the county. He found eight last Saturday at the east end of Ridge Road, and then on his return trip home found an additional 40 to 50 in the woods directly across from the County Pit at 11:15 am. "A whole herd," he called it. This is an exceptionally big flock, by far the largest Jim has ever seen, and attributes the good sighting to ideal habitat there with lots of cover for roosting and lots of soya bean, corn and grain fields for foraging. WILD TURKEYS were introduced to the county in 1989, and from the original 20 or so birds, their numbers have burgeoned to an estimated 600.
Belleville birder and photographer Don Craighead spent a profitable afternoon Friday in Sandbanks where he found two pairs of PILEATED WOODPECKERS. One pair was in the woods just west of the camping area along the trail to the Dunes. The female was busy on a solid tree pecking continuously without taking any time out to listen. The other pair was in the woods to the east of the campgrounds along the path to the main gate. The female was pecking and listening while the male was in another tree also feeding. There was an AMERICAN KESTREL in the Richardson's Campground, and a pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS at the road intersection leading Sandbanks Beach. Elsewhere, he found ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWKS, and two male HAIRY WOODPECKERS.
PhotoNat member Don Craighead has a display of his bird photographs in the Conference Room at Quinte Conservation this month. His work may be viewed during Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Bird bander Joanne Dewey will be the guest speaker at the February 23rd meeting of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, and Barry Jones from Lower Trent Conservation will be speaking to the Quinte Field Naturalists on the Rural Water Quality Program on February 22nd. More information on both meetings may be had by e-mailing the address below. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 14th. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
Hi Toronto Birders: I am visiting from Maryland, so was thrilled to see a rough-leg hawk today while out hiking ( and birding ) at Guelph Lake. This is a bird I see only very occasionally during hawk migration in Cecil Co. Maryland. I would be up for some birding next Sat ( Feb 13 ) if anyone is interested. Leslie Fisher
In Reply to: Niagara after the traditional season posted by Norm Murr on February 03, 1999 at 19:26:23:
Hi All: I am a Maryland birder visiting my Mom in Guelph will be going to Niagra falls next Sunday. Would appreciate any tips on your favourite spots in the falls area for waterfowl/gulls. I will be in Guelph until about Feb. 20, if anyone out there is interested in a day at the falls on a weekday. Leslie Fisher President, Cecil Bird Club North East , MD
In Reply to: Looking for a pileated woodpecker posted by Jean-François Hic on February 05, 1999 at 23:15:26:
To confirm Marcel's recommendation about Morningside Park, I saw a Pileated Woodpecker there on Saturday, Feb 7th. It was in the woods north of the park road between the second and third parking lots.
In Reply to: Looking for a pileated woodpecker posted by Jean-François Hic on February 05, 1999 at 23:15:26:
A third (regular?) location has been in Rattray Marsh at the base of Bexhill Road in Mississauga. I have not seen the birds recently but there has been a pair in the area for over a year. The birds probably roam (I saw a frame filling image of the male on someone hand-held video camera from the shingle bar last September) but for the most part they stay close to Bexhill. I dipped on them the only time I was in Rattray this year.
In Reply to: Looking for a pileated woodpecker posted by Jean-François Hic on February 05, 1999 at 23:15:26:
I wood think that the best place to see and photograph palliated woodpecker wood be sunny brock park hear in Toronto, found at Leslie St. and Eglinton ave .
Craig
In Reply to: Looking for a pileated woodpecker posted by Jean-François Hic on February 05, 1999 at 23:15:26:
Two locations are fairly reliable for Pileated Woodpecker in the city. One pair of Pileated Woodpeckers resides in Morningside Park north of the second parking lot, and it is usually possible to find at least one of them without too much effort. There is also a pair in Sunnybrook Park, often seen near the Toronto Field Naturalist's cabin, but in my experience they are a bit more elusive than the ones at Morningside Park.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
I would really like to know where to find a pileated woodpecker in the Toronto area. Has anybody seen one???
Thanks
In Reply to: Re: The Northern Shrike posted by Sandra Eadie on November 24, 1998 at 23:30:25:
The African bird is the Grey-backed Fiscal lanius excubitorius or lanius excubitoroides. The Northern shrike or Great Grey Shrike is Lanius excubitor.
The Harris sparrow was still at Edge Pegg feeder on Wednesday 02/03/99 it is coming to the front feeder. His home is at the southwest coiner of westney rd and 7th cone. Right across from the Claremont conservation area. I saw it at 9:30 am.
Craig
In Reply to: Bahamas Field Guide Recommendation posted by Rob Miller on January 31, 1999 at 15:16:50:
The NEW book "A Birder's Guide to the Bahama Islands" (ABA Birdfinding Guide Series) by Anthony W. White was due to be available in 1998. ABA price $19.95 US. It covers 3 endemic species and 34 endemic subspecies. An excellent article with maps and coloured photos from this new book was in ABA's Birding magazine, Vol 30, No. 3, June 1998 (p 196-211). It covers Abaco in detail, the island with the best birding. The Field Guide to Birds of the West Indies, 5th Edition by James Bond, Revised 1985, 272 pages, paper includes the Bahamas, (ABA price $17.95 US members, $19.95 non-members) Bahamas and Turks & Caicos (ABA Regional Checklist) by Tony White also availble,1996, ABA $0.50 US. A Birder's West Indies, by Roland H. Wauer, 1996, 256 pp ($17.95US) apparently does NOT include the Bahamas.
In Reply to: Re: Niagara after the traditional season posted by Tyler Hoar on February 03, 1999 at 21:36:20:
Tyler Good question, re the Whooper Swan. I have often wondered where this bird went. I have been seeing it since Nov.23, 1991. I hope that some one can answer your question. Does anyone out there know?? Norm Murr
In Reply to: Niagara after the traditional season posted by Norm Murr on February 03, 1999 at 19:26:23:
On sunday at Fort Erie the tufted duck was not seen. However there were 6 White-winged Scoters, 10 Oldsquaw, and an American Widgeon among the thousands of scaup, and mergansers ( Red-breasted and Common ).
At the Marina just north of Fort Erie there was 1 Blue Goose, 1 Greylag ( escapee) in with the approximately 400 geese. On the eastern side of the river there were 168 Tundra swans on the ice and several thousand waterfowl consisting primarily of Canvasback, Common Mergansers, Redheads, and Scaup.
I stopped at Lasalle park in Burlington on my way back, and found a Whooper Swan associating with Canvasbacks east of the marina. I know this bird is an escapee ( at least 99.9% sure). If this bird is the one that has been wintering on the bay for the last few years, does anyone know where it goes in the summer. Personally I have never seen it past mid March.
Tyler Hoar
For Ontario Field Birders On Sat. Jan. 30, 1999 Stan Bajurny and I were birding the Niagara region all day but the best part was the early am in Niagara-On-The-Lake. On Shakespeare, Wycliffe, and Luther Avenues we found in a short time 3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 2 Northern Flickers, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 3 Carolina Wrens (2 singing), and 4 Tufted Titmice. Also seen here were a number of Purple and House finches, many Blue Jays, A. Goldfinch & Mourning Doves, several N. Cardinals, a White-breasted Nuthatch, 3 Downy Woodpeckers, 2 A. Robins and 9 Ring-necked Ducks on the lake off the end of Shakespeare Ave. From the centre of town drive northwest (towards Lake Ontario) along Queen St. to Niagara Blvd., bearing left along Niagara Blvd. to Shakespeare Ave. or from Hwy 55 turn northwest along Mary St. and drive to Shakespeare. Park well off the street so as not to impede traffic. The residents here are very tolerant of birders so please be careful when parking and do not trespass. Most of the feeders are visible from the streets. We then travelled up river to the Queenston sand piles where we observed 6 Little Gulls,both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, and many Bonaparte's Gulls. Travelling further up river between Chippiwa and Fort Erie we found 32 Tundra Swans, 51 Canvasback, approx. 1200 Red-breasted Mergansers, 500+ Common Mergansers plus a good variety of other waterfowl,and at Fort Erie we had the good fortune to see a Perigrine Falcon. Our count of white-winged gulls for the day was Glaucous - 6, Iceland - 16. The next day on Sun. Jan. 31, 1999 we returned to the Niagara Frontier and at the Queenston sand piles we again saw Little Gulls, this time 28 of them a great bonus bird. We found the Black-headed Gull that Jean Iron had found on Saturday. We again drove up river and this time we found about 125 Tundra Swans and an A. Coot but again we got a bonus. We found a pair of Brewer'e Blackbirds with a flock of 14 Brown-headed Cowbirds and some E. Starlings at the Tim Horton in Cippiwa. The other gulls found were 2 Lesser black-backed,Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, and a 1st year Thayer's Gull. Along the QEW we were fortunate to see a N. Goshawk, and a Peregrine Falcon tried to capture our vehicle as it passed no more than a foot over the roof as we drove along. All this is to show that you need not stop going to Niagara after the traditional gull season as there is still lots to see there and it is worth the effort if you want to get off of the couch. Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Spit - Jan. 31 posted by Bob Falconer on February 01, 1999 at 18:43:38:
What a delightful local sighting - and remember, 15 years ago none of us was seeing any Peregrine Falcons on trips to the Spit in winter. It's so nice to have a positive change to partially offset some of the birds that have been lost (or nearly so) to the region (Le Conte's Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Black Tern, Least Bittern, Little Gull, Barred Owl, etc.) within many birders' living memory.
In Reply to: Turkey Vulture posted by Sandra Eadie on November 01, 1998 at 16:35:44:
I live in the area and was not aware of your sighting. Have you seen this bird since? E-mail me with more info if you have it.
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Spit - sat. Jan. 30 posted by C McLauchlan on February 01, 1999 at 08:40:41:
I am sorry if I confessed any one regarding my owl sighting. I have received a couple of emails asking wear the white owl was on the spit this weekend. This was not a white owl but a saw whet owl .
Craig
In Reply to: Towhee sighting posted by Leslie Kinrys on October 06, 1998 at 21:53:08:
I am doing a report on rufous sided towhees and am looking for info on the web. Were can i find it?!?!?!
In Reply to: Leslie Spit - Jan. 31 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 31, 1999 at 15:58:11:
We saw Marcel as we were starting our outing - he told us about the Peregrine and the Great Horned Owl. After much hunting, we found the latter. On our return, close to the entry gate I remarked to my wife that it was unusual not to have seen an American Kestrel on one of the lamp posts; on cue, one glided in and perched until the couple ahead of us were almost underneath, at which point it headed off in our direction. We were admiring the colouring in the good light when suddenly into the picture came the Peregrine. There then ensued a very acrobatic chase for at most 30 seconds (we were cheering for the smaller of our "cousins"); eventually the Peregrine gave up and went to perch on the spreader of one of the sailboats in the marina.
I visited the East part of Algonquin Park on Sunday but despite the excellent weather, I was disappointed at the small number of species encountered. At the Visitor's Center and the Spruce Bog Trail White Wing Crossbills were everywhere as well as Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Gray Jays and Ravens. I didn't see any Red Crossbills, Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks or Spruce Grouse. I'm curious if anyone else was in the park on the weekend and had better luck. Graham Nord
I was at Ashbridge's Bay this morning (Mon Feb 1) where I found a male Harlequin Duck, as well as first- and second- winter Iceland Gulls and a first-winter Glaucous Gull.
In Reply to: Leslie Spit - Jan. 31 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 31, 1999 at 15:58:11:
On Saturday on the Leslie St. spit there was not much moor, weight wing gulls included a adult thaers gull, imm Iceland gull a imm glucose gull and a first year lesser black back gull (only 8 G B Back gulls). Their wear 6 ring neck ducks and in-between C and D their wear (I estimate) 2500 red head ducks,. All so there wear serf scooter, white wing scooter and American widgeon, scup and mallard and black ducks. A ruff lagged hawk spent all day flying up and down the east dike, and a red tall hawk was on the base along with 3 kestrels. A ring neck pheasant was heard in the morning and there wear lots of pheasant tracks as far out to the red footbridge. A large murder of crows wear in the air and essay to count 162 and all most noun of them found the owls, 1 long ear, 1 great horned (Labrador rass) and 1 saw whit owl (the first for some time on the spit). Also seen were a downy woodpecker and very few tree sparrows. I do agree with Marcel that the snow dumping on the bass is unreel and I think some moor thought could have goon in to the hole thing, but the ponds that this will leave be hind are going to be great if the snow ever melts.
CRAIG
In Reply to: Bahamas Field Guide Recommendation posted by Rob Miller on January 31, 1999 at 15:16:50:
Bahamas is covered in "A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies" 1998. It is hard cover, 511 pages and 86 colour plates. It can be yours for $72.50 at Open Air Books in downtown Toronto.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, January 31
The big news this past week was an adult RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, seen Friday at the junction of Babylon Road (formerly Middle Road) and County Road 13, west of Prince Edward Point. Observers Albert Boisvert and Maureen Riggs spent several minutes studying the bird as it posed obligingly on a perch.
Raptors seems to be the theme in this week's report with numerous reports of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS being observed in the Quinte area, along with NORTHERN SHRIKE, AMERICAN KESTREL and isolated numbers of NORTHERN HARRIERS. The above observers tallied 17 RED-TAILED HAWKS on their explorations of the county. Another 17 are seen regularly along 401 between Napanee and Belleville each morning by Quinte Conservation staff members Andrew Schmidt and Mark Phillips.
There were several LONG-EARED OWLS reported this past week - three of them found dead at Point Petre, Ameliasburgh and Wellington, at least two believed to be the victims of hit and run.
Local feeders in the area still have some good birds. There are still three RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS coming to a feeder on Melville Road near east Consecon Lake. Three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS continue to frequent a feeder at Kenron Estates, east of Trenton, and there are 10 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at a feeder near Milford. A few feeder operators are reporting some success at feeding EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in the Quinte area. The two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS are still coming to a feeder on Amherst Island; there is another near at feeder on Kings Road in Prince Edward County. And on Wolfe Island, there is a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER coming to a feeder.
AMERICAN ROBINS are still in the news. Albert Boisvert and Maureen Riggs saw at least 200 during their birding in the county on Friday, while another 200 were seen at Point Petre by observer John Charlton of Trenton. Boisvert and Riggs also found between 75 and 90 CEDAR WAXWINGS in the Prince Edward Point area, along with a total of 44 WILD TURKEYS in two separate locations in the southern part of the county. HORNED LARKS continue to appear along roadsides and meadows in unusually high numbers for this time of year. Four LAPLAND LONGSPURS were found feeding with SNOW BUNTINGS near Wilson Road, north of Wellington.
A bird feeding workshop will be conducted by Terry Sprague at the H.R. Frink Centre on Thrasher Road, off Highway 37, north of Belleville on February 7th, followed by a guided winter hike to look for winter birds and identify tracks. The events are part of the annual Activity Day, hosted by the Centre and Quinte Conservation, taking place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 7th. Good birding everyone, and our sincere thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Bahamas Field Guide Recommendation posted by Rob Miller on January 31, 1999 at 15:16:50:
there is a new giude to the birds of the west indies,but i don't no the auther it just come out a couple of months ago.alsothe a.b.a. has a new lane giude to the bahamas by anthony white . costis $19.95 american.
Although it was a bit windy at times, it was a beautiful morning on the Leslie Spit. Once past the mountains of snow piled on the east and west base, it was hard to believe that we ever had such a heavy snowfall, since most of the Spit is covered by only a thin layer of snow, making the walking surprisingly easy.
As far as the bridge it was extremely quiet - up to that point I had seen only three species. However, there was some open water there, and many ducks - 1 male Hooded Merganser, 70 Redheads, 2 Mute Swans, and some Mallards and Gadwalls.
Despite this bit of open water, the rest of Bay C was frozen. However, a large mixed raft of ducks was just off of the mouth of the bay. It included 4 White-winged Scoters, 100 Redhead, 400 Greater Scaup, and roughly a dozen each of Oldsquaw, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, and Bufflehead. Many hundreds of gulls were on the ice rafts floating offshore, but the only 'exotic' ones I could produce were 1 Glaucous and 1 Iceland.
The highlight of the outing came as I walked along the south shore of Peninsula C, and spotted an immature Peregrine Falcon careening through the air above me. I then saw that it was chasing the local Great Horned Owl. For the next 15 minutes, the Peregrine harassed the owl, which was scared into flight twice, but each time landed again near the trunk of a tree where the Peregrine could not reach it. Eventually the Peregrine grew tired of the game and took off over the bay, just skimming the water's surface and making some mock attacks on gulls as it went.
The sparrow fields were completely silent, and in fact aside from the few crows I came across, I did not see any songbirds on the Spit today. At the bay west of the Blue Box there were more Redheads, Oldsquaw, and Goldeneye, as well as a pair of Ring-necked Ducks.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
Hello! I am heading down to the Bahamas later this month. While there, I hope to spend some time birding.
Can anyone recommend a Field Guide for the area?
Many thanks,
Rob Miller
I just thought I would let everyone know that the Tommy Thompson Park (aka Leslie St. Spit) will be open this weekend - January 30 & 31. The City has completed their snow dumping activity at the Park.
Tamara Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
In Reply to: Discovery Channel Schedule posted by Don Davis on September 17, 1998 at 16:38:20:
I have a question. I heard through the grapevine that a program wil be aired either this month or next on the opening of Kings Valley #5 ( KV5 ) Is this true?, and when will it air? Thank you hope to hear from you soon. Joseph M. Camillocci
In Reply to: What's Up with the Leslie St. Spit posted by Howard Shapiro on January 25, 1999 at 00:00:40:
A resigned shrug of the shoulders. Norm Murr
In Reply to: Re: Back yard feeders posted by C.McLauchlan on January 26, 1999 at 09:07:35:
I'm in Brooklin, with usual stuff at my feeder including 13 cardinals, tree sparrows etc. Perhaps the biggest change is House Sparrow up to 24 from 0 last year and House Finch 6 up from 0. Very few goodies this year, Rusty and cowbird lately. A flicker found the feeder during the bad weather, but lasted only four hours before it was eaten by a Cooper's.
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
Finally some new birds this past weekend brought in blue jay, a.goldfinch, house finch, cedar waxwing, a robin and the best yesterday I was awoken to the call of a pileated woodpecker flying in and landing on the tree beside my feeder. Finally some good back yard birding.
Craig
In Reply to: What's Up with the Leslie St. Spit posted by Howard Shapiro on January 25, 1999 at 00:00:40:
I am not complete against the domping of snow on the spit, for it is true that all our snow one way or another ends up in Lake Ont. And I do remember that not long ago they dumped right in to the lake. The problem stems from what is polluting the snow in the first place, and I don t think there is much that can be down with that in a city this big. All though I am surprised that they're stopping public from yousing parkland and I do hope that there has bin no damage of trees (I had heard that there wear dumping on the bass). The thing is that we had a lot of snow and ever one has to give in a little, all thought I hope there was some discussion with the friends of the spit or some one in the no before hand . I also no that this is not the felling of many of the other birders that are out in the felled but lets hope the next storm is a another 145 years from now.
Craig
In Reply to: What's Up with the Leslie St. Spit posted by Howard Shapiro on January 25, 1999 at 00:00:40:
Dear Fellow Birders
Hi, I also tried going to the Spit yesterday, but was also turned down. Instead I went to Ashbridges Bay, I wasn't expecting much, and I was right. The best birds were a Coot and 2 female Hooded Mergansers in the marina, and a Ring-necked Duck on the east side, also there was a Robin and Waxwings. I did get a look at the spit from Ashbridges, and it looked like a lot of snow had been dumped just behind the second gate, in the narrow part of the spit across from the marina, the pile must of been over 10 ft. tall.
Mike
In Reply to: Re: Back yard feeders posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 21, 1999 at 14:38:26:
I have a couple dozen House Finches and a half dozen Mourning Doves coming to our feeder in a young subdivision in northwest Mississauga. We back onto a Loblaws! However, we're only a few minutes flight to the Credit River.
Here at work (14 Abacus Rd. in Brampton) we have had jays, chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, cardinals, American Tree Sparrows, goldfinches, juncos, Mourning Doves, House Finches and House Sparrows. We back onto Claireville Conservation area.
This is the first winter I have been at these buildings, so I have no prior experience with the 'average' avifauna of these locations.
In Reply to: What's Up with the Leslie St. Spit posted by Howard Shapiro on January 25, 1999 at 00:00:40:
Thank for the notice of the closure, Howard - I was planning to visit the Spit next weekend, but will obviously change my plans now that I now this.
I did hear a rumor that some trucks were dumping snow off of bridges over little-used ravines. However, I have my doubts about this, given the extreme risk involved if someone happened to be walking below, not to mention the damage to the vegetation in the valley.
The only place I have seen snow being dumped is in the traditional snow dump area in the Don Valley, just north of the Bloor Viaduct. The snow is so dirty that, looking down at it from above, it looks like piles of dirt rather than snow. I imagine that whatever is being dumped on the Spit is not much cleaner. That being said, there's not much the city can do about that - the fact is, the snow is dirty, there's a lot of it, and it has to be put somewhere...
In Reply to: Green-Winged Teal posted by Maureen on January 18, 1999 at 21:20:32:
The male Green-winged Teal was at the mouth of duffins creek on Sunday January24. Offshore there were 29 redheads and approximately 700 Greater Scaup
Tyler
I was at the Leslie St. Spit this morning and could not get in because of the masses of trucks dumping snow. I was told no one would be allowed on the park until after Feb. 5. I wonder about the consequences on the local environment of dumping all that dirty snow on the park. It must be contaminated with salt, gasoline, oil and god knows what else. From little else I have seen and heard. The city in trying to cope with the snow, is dumping it all in natural areas such as ravines in areas without too much foot traffic. Has anyone else heard or seen much about this phenomenon?
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, January 24
Warmer weather this past week slowed down bird activity at most area feeding stations. A few SNOW BUNTINGS continue to visit feeding stations in the area, and others are turning up some new species. There are RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS coming to feeders at both Trenton and at Halloway Heights north of Belleville. One feeder on Melville Road near Consecon Lake has an incredible three RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS coming on a daily basis. There are two RING-NECKED PHEASANTS visiting a feeder on Amherst Island.
WILD TURKEYS continue to pop up here and there around the county. Estimates vary regarding the total number now in Prince Edward County, but the generally accepted figure is 600+. A total of 12 was encountered at the junction of County Road 12 (West Lake Road ) and Ridge Road on Wednesday by one motorist who had to repeatedly toot his horn to get them out of the way.
There is still a TUNDRA SWAN at Cressy and the Prinyer's Cove area. Residents there believe the bird is injured as it appears to have difficulty in getting around. This is likely one of the four TUNDRA SWANS that have been seen off the south-west corner of Amherst Island this past week, and may be part of the original group of some 37 in total that had been in the Quinte area early this winter. There were two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS in the Moira River at Belleville on Thursday.
There have been some good populations of birds however in the rural areas. HORNED LARKS seem to be present in the kinds of numbers one would expect to find in mid-February. Nick Quickert and Nels Banting came across several flocks late last week while birding in Prince Edward County where they also came across over 200 SNOW BUNTINGS in their travels. Excluding waterfowl, they tallied over 1,000 birds on what they summarized as one of the best days birding ever. AMERICAN ROBINS were "all over the place," and without leaving their car chalked up close to 400. There were 10 LAPLAND LONGSPURS found - 6 along Highway 33 near Wellington, and four in with HORNED LARKS near Consecon Lake. A BALD EAGLE was seen at Point Petre, and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and NORTHERN FLICKER were seen at Cherry Valley. Point Petre also had 6 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and there was a RUSTY BLACKBIRD at Cherry Valley. Two separate flocks of PURPLE FINCHES at Consecon and Kelly Road rounded out their successful day.
While bird feeders are easy to find in most bird specialty shops, suet logs are not always available to those wishing to join the ranks of the bird feeding fraternity. Wayne Brooks of Trenton crafts them out of white cedar and fills them with a rendered suet mix and sells them at $8.00 each. He can be reached at: bwbrooks@intranet.ca
A bird feeding workshop will be conducted by Terry Sprague at the H.R. Frink Centre on Thrasher Road, off Highway 37, north of Belleville on February 7th, followed by a guided winter hike to look for winter birds and identify tracks. The events are part of the annual Activity Day, hosted by the Centre and Quinte Conservation, taking place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31st. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Re: Birding in Toronto posted by Norm Murr on January 23, 1999 at 17:15:10:
Mary Even better than my offer.--I forgot that there is a bird outing on the Leslie Street Spit on Sat.Apr. 24th led by Hugh Currie the president of our local birding club. This outing is free to all and starts out from the parking area at the foot of Leslie St. at 8:00 am and is an all day outing or as short as you want it to be. The leader is one of the top birders in Ontario who just celebrated his 400th Ontario bird, so you couldn't be with a better leader. Do not be intimidated by the leaders experiance as this outing is open to and usually has all levels of birders present. Norm Murr PS This outing info goes ot to all the rest of you if you want to join Hugh. NM
In Reply to: Birding in Toronto posted by Mary Blewett on January 23, 1999 at 11:49:23:
Mary The message should have read. If you can find the time you and your friend can bird the Leslie Street Spit or the Toronto Islands with myself and probably others that I bird these areas with on Sat.Apr.24 or Sun.Apr.25. Both places are great migrant areas. Contact me if you are interested. Norm Murr
PS I am sure that you will have no trouble finding other helpfull birders in Toronto. NM
In Reply to: Birding in Toronto posted by Mary Blewett on January 23, 1999 at 11:49:23:
Mary If you can find the time you and your friend can bird the Leslie Street Spit or the Toronto Islands on Sat.Apr.24 or Sun.Apr.25. Both places are great migrant areas. Contact me if you are interested. Norm Murr
PS I am sure that you will have no trouble finding other helpfull birders in Toronto NM
A birding friend and I will be in Toronto April 22-25. Where can we go to get away from our convention and see some of the spring migrations? Thanks.
In Reply to: Canvasback posted by Mark Cranford on January 22, 1999 at 11:12:22:
There have been lots of waterfowl around this year especially Diving Ducks - genus Aythya
Last weekend, we looked for a male Tufted Duck
west of the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie. We struck out but saw thousands
of Scaup at distance. Along the Niagara River, between Fort Erie
and Chipewa there were around 30 Tundra Swans and a couple thousand Canvasbacks.
There have been lots of waterfowl around this year especially Diving Ducks - genus Aythya
Last weekend, we looked for a male Tufted Duck
west of the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie. We struck out but saw thousands
of Scaup at distance. Along the Niagara River, between Fort Erie
and Chippawa there were around 30 Tundra Swans and a couple thousand Canvasbacks.
In Reply to: Highway Birding posted by Tony Lang on January 14, 1999 at 12:34:36:
Today I saw a Bald Eagle on the north side of the 407 in Brampton just east of the Goreway exit. This was toady at about 4:45 p.m. There was good light and the white head and tail were very noticeable.
Bob Noble
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
We have had a very busy feeder year, especially after the storm. Regulars include Cardinals (at least 2 pairs and on some days up to 5 or 6 pairs), 8-10 Goldfinches, a pair of White-Throated Sparrows, two pairs of Downy's, a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers plus the usual volumes of the regulars (Tree Sparrows, House Sparrow, House Finches, Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays). There are fewer Nuthatches than normal but there have been some different visitors. There was a single Purple Finch, a flock of about 50 Robins (just in the bushes, not at the feeder) a Cooper's Hawk casing the joint and a Northern Harrier taking a bird above the feeder. We back onto a conservation area in Brampton and usually get good volumes of birds. This year does not seem to be an exception.
Bob Noble
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
We reside in a townhouse condo with a small backyard. Using the inexpensive bird seed we had the odd Am. Tree Sparrow, Morning Dove, House Sparrow in our backyard in Dec. On a couple of days a flock of maybe 100 Brown-headed Cowbirds came in. On Jan. 3rd my youngest put out 2 ground traps to band the birds while I was away on the Port Colbourne CBC. When I got back he had banded 157 birds of which 152 were Brown-headed Cowbirds. Since then until the recent thaw we banded 665 birds in our little backyard. 507 Brown-headed Cowbirds, 72 Am. Tree Sparrows, 48 Mourning Doves, 29 E. Starlings, 7 N. (S.-C.) Juncos, 1 Blue Jay, 1 N. Cardinal, 1 Fox Sparrow, 1 Savannah Sparrow. Also seen House Finch, House Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Sharp-shinned Hawk. Never were there more than 8 Mourning Doves or 12 Am Tree Sparrow present at one time. It really is amazing the number of birds that past through ones backyard when you try banding them.
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
Good, I'm not alone! My feeders in Maple have been very quiet lately.
I had more birds in late September and October than I have had through November, December and January. I initially attributed my troubles to a lack of cover and very aggressive squirrels. I finally solved the squirrel problem in November by taking the feeders off the tree in my yard and erecting a post with a baffle. There was one squirrel in particular that stood guard over the feeders on this post for about three weeks despite the fact that he couldn't reach the feed. Not too sharp, this fellow.
I have had little more than a pair of Blue Jays, the occasional B-C Chickadee, and one small flock of Goldfinches at the niger seed. My list from early fall was much more substantial.
I plan on fixing my cover problem through the spring and summer with the addition of numerous plantings in strategic locations. Maybe I'll add a water feature.
Jim
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
No, Craig, it's not just you. My feeders are slow as well. Doves, Juncos, Chickadees and House Finches are the only birds present in any numbers. Plus the pair of Cardinals and the odd jay. And one downy that has turned vegetarian. At least I assume he has; he eats so many sunflower seeds from the tube feeder, his stomach couldn't possibly accept anything more.
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
We have mourning doves almost steadily - they're really going through the seed - as well as all the birds you mentioned. Our house also backs onto a ravine.
I get free fat from the grocery store meat department, render it down and put it out all winter.
That brings downy and hairy woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees several times every day.
Unfortunately, our IGA just burned down here in Georgetown - they were always generous with the fat!
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
Hi Craig. A friend of mine has been attracting lots of birds to her back yard with just a heated bird bath and no feeders.
With winter bird feeding becoming so popular, maybe you just have a lot more competition from your neighbours. Try putting out some water. It just might give you an edge in the competition. : )
Actually, I think there is just too much food available from natural sources this year. Even friends living in the country with few neighbours have told me they aren't getting as many birds this year. But then they haven't tried a bird bath yet...
Regards, Barbara
In Reply to: Back yard feeders posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 21, 1999 at 14:03:28:
I'm having a pretty poor winter with my feeders too. Last year I had redpolls for a few months, as well as 20+ House Finches and 30 or more Mourning Doves on an almost daily basis. Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Starlings, were all occasional but regular visitors; none of these have come to my feeders this year, even though the feeders are in the same places, and I am using the same food.
So far this winter, I'm averaging only half a dozen Mourning Doves per day, and even fewer House Finches. Only 2 House Sparrows are visiting (not that I'm complaining there...), plus 2 Chickadees and a pair of Cardinals. Aside from a handful of Juncos that stop by once or twice a week, the only other bird I've had this winter was a single Goldfinch, which visited only once.
Even with the heavy snow, numbers of birds at my feeder have not increased much. Maybe things will still improve over the next couple of months, but I'm not convinced, since I normally observe peak numbers at my feeders in late December.
Marcel
Is it jist my back yard or is any one ells having next to no birds coming to there feeder?. I live in north Toronto (Mount Pleasant and Lawrence) and right on a ravine and like last year I have next to no bird activity at my feeder. I even changed my feed from a veer bad mix to some hi end blend that Marcela recommended, and other than cardinals (a female that sits in the feeder) starlings, juncos, chickadees and one weight breasted nuthatch (and about 30 crows) that's it. I wood have thought that this big blast of winter wood have brought the birds in big time but nothing yet? I don't quite understand it .
Craig
In Reply to: Re: Tundra Swan migration posted by Brian Bell on April 17, 1998 at 14:19:28:
What??
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull etc. posted by C.McLauchlan on January 19, 1999 at 07:50:32:
Craig: we were on the west side.
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull etc. posted by Winnie Yung on January 18, 1999 at 22:53:09:
Winnie wear on the east side of the Boulevard Club wear you the hole time I was there I only saw 2 other people seating on the docks behind the legion that I thought might be birding. Are you sheer it was Sunday or wear you on the West Side of the club? I know that there wear no birders with scopes in the area? Love to know.
CRAIG
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull etc. posted by C McLauchlan on January 18, 1999 at 07:37:17:
Dear Craig:
On Sunday afternoon Roy Smith, Leon Schlichter and me were on the east side of the Boulevard Club. We did not see the bird you described. Earlier Roy and Leon checked the whole of the lakeshore east of the Club, we also looked into Coronation Park around 4pm, unfortunately there were generally very few gulls that afternoon.
Yesterday we saw a Green-Winged Teal on a patch of clear water at the mouth of Duffins Creek in Ajax,in the sunshine it was rather like a lagoon with the ice all around it. We saw them on the ajoining marsh in the fall but wondered whether it is usual to see one at this time of the year. There were also a number of Robins digging in the sand, reading some of the other postings it sounds as though Robins are a common sight at the moment.
Monday,18th,January 1999 Hello Birders
I walked through the heavy snow this morning to get a good look at the heavy black line of ducks in the boarders of Lake Ontario and the Humber Bay East.
Although Parklawn Rd south of Lake Shore was opened, the road to the Park as such was not cleared off the snow. The road south leading to the parking lot came to an abrupt end. I managed to park on this side and walked a kilometer or so east along the northern shores of Humber Bay East where they planted new trees. Humber Bay East on the westen edges were frozen but the signs of melting was obvious by the blue patches. I was careful. One wrong step and slipping could drag me into the icy Bay and not to be discovered till the spring.
On the east of the new development on the Bay that is becoming part of Lake I saw two large black rafts of waterbirds in a rather straight line. Getting closer it became evident that they are bay ducks,- Larger Scaups mixed with Redheads.
Counting any more than 5oo Redheads from the raft was tiresome. The other ducks in the raft were Scaups in several thousands thousands. Most of the Redheads and Greater had their bills tucked into their backs. Because of that it was hard to tell if any Lesser Scaups were also mingled with the Greater in the raft.
Some odd male and female Readheads and Scaups came out of the raft into clear blue open water and I saw them diving. In the surrounding light blue waters the Redheads formed a very good contrast. The male Scaups with their strikingly black and white plumage were just as beautiful. If my feet were not wet and cold or fingers not foozen I would have spent the entire day at the Humber Bay East facing the Lake. There were several Common Merganser drakes diving farther away from the raft.
Good Birding,
Ram Nambiar 3368 Hargrove Rd Mississauga.ONT birder@echo-on.net
In Reply to: Possible Slaty-backed Gull etc. posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 17, 1999 at 17:23:51:
On Sunday afternoon I was birding on the east side of the boulevard club from 1:30 in till 4:00 p.m. at 2:40 p.m. a gull flue in from the west which fit the description of the slaty backed gull it made 7 attempts to land then flue to the west. Then at 3:30 this same gull was siting on the brake wall right in front of the boulevard club (on what look like a pill of rocks, covered in ice) and stade for 15 mints than flue again to the west, this bird fit the given description of the S.B.Gull. what I wood like to no is if any one was birding the west side of the boulevard club and saw this bird .
Craig
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, January 17
The almost continuous snow last week resulted in brisk business at most feeding stations in the Quinte area. Deep snow has made it difficult for some birds to forage in open fields and this was reflected in the numerous reports last week of some excellent sightings. At least 90+ SNOW BUNTINGS continued to feed at our feeder at Big Island, north of Demorestville, until today when mild weather reduced the number to a couple dozen. Elsewhere, SNOW BUNTINGS in lesser numbers were reported last week at feeders at Deseronto, Bethesda, Picton, Hillier, Point Petre and Tweed. Two HORNED LARKS were accompanying SNOW BUNTINGS at one feeder on the shore of Pleasant Bay last week.
Feeders at Green Point (Picton) and Oak Hills (Stirling) have had EASTERN BLUEBIRDS throughout the past week. And deep snow is thought to be responsible for the increased number of hawks being reported at many feeders. Among them have been COPPER'S HAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, KESTREL, RED-TAILED HAWK and NORTHERN SHRIKE. There is a FOX SPARROW coming to a feeder in Brighton, and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD continues to be a visitor at a Milford feeder.
A BALD EAGLE was seen early in the week along Adolphus Reach, and another was observed at Salmon Point. Approximately 50 WILD TURKEYS were observed Friday at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
The annual Lake Ontario Waterfowl Survey last Sunday resulted in some good numbers of waterfowl at Prince Edward Point for members of the Kingston Field Naturalists. Seen was a female KING EIDER off Point Traverse along with some 15,000 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. The very high OLDSQUAW numbers from the December 19th Christmas bird count remained for the survey tallying105,500. There were about 60,000 in close at Point Traverse in two enormous rafts. Ice was beginning to form along the inshore areas of the peninsula and the continued cold during the first of the week froze much of this open water. John Blaney and Albert Boisvert covered the area from Point Petre to Consecon, but coming up with fewer numbers than what had been listed at Prince Edward Point. They found 459 OLDSQUAW, 258 BUFFLEHEAD, 217 COMMON GOLDENEYE, and 12 COMMON MERGANSER.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
Late this morning at Humber Bay East, I briefly saw a gull which may have been the Slaty-backed Gull. It was relatively high and was flying straight west along the channel and across the skating rinks; I lost it from sight after that, but it probably continued west to H.B. West or beyond. In the brief glimpse that I got, what struck me most was the very heavy dark streaking over the entire head and upper breast, as well as the dark (but not black) mantle. It disappeared before I could determine the colour of its feet, and I couldn't make out details of the primaries. If it was not the Slaty-backed Gull, then it would have been a Lesser Black-backed Gull - unfortunately I just didn't see enough to be able to make the distinction.
A few minutes later, I saw an immature Merlin flying west across the skating rinks (where two foxes were curled up sleeping in the middle of the day!). There was a large raft of ~500 ducks to the northeast of the peninsula. Roughly 80% of these were Redhead, and most of the rest were Scaup sp. A few Buffleheads were around the perimeter of this group, and there were 7 Am. Wigeon closer to shore. A note to anyone planning to visit here in the near future: the park road has not been plowed, and there is only limited parking available on the side of the road just south of Lakeshore.
At Humber Bay West, the Mockingbird was again at the south entrance to the marina. There were a few Olsquaw and Common Mergansers just offshore, but otherwise nothing outside of the usual Mallards, Black Ducks, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, and Ring-billed & Herring Gulls.
Earlier this morning at James Gardens and Lambton Woods, the Robins seemed to be everyvwhere - I counted 78 in total, including close to 30 under the crab apple tree in the middle of the parking lot loop. Crows were also abundant, with over 110 in the trees north of the parking lot. In the forest it was quieter - there were a few Juncos, House Finches and Goldfinches, but no other finches or sparrows. Also seen were 3 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Creeper, 2 WB Nuthatches, and 1 Cedar Waxwing.
In the afternoon, I went to the Lakeview Promenade in Mississauga to look for the Gyrfalcon, but had no success. However, there were 94 Common Mergansers, along with 43 Gadwall, 2 Coots, and 1 Am. Wigeon near the outflow of the Lakeview Plant. There was also another Mockingbird along the access road, just south of Lakeshore Blvd.
Up at the Mississauga Executive Centre, east of Square One, there was no sign of the local peregrines, but I did see a Red-tailed Hawk drift by. The treetops in the little valley just northeast of Burnhamthorpe & Hurontario were full of noisy and rambunctious crows - a total of 148 (only two of which paid any attention to the hawk...)
Good birding,
Marcel
In Reply to: Highway Birding posted by Tony Lang on January 14, 1999 at 12:34:36:
On December 27 between Guelph and Toronto (Hwy 7-Guelph Line-401) I counted 12 Red-tails and two that I think were Rough-legs. Also a Great Horned Owl was sitting on top of a sign post right next to Hwy 7 with a half dozen Crows buzzing it. I was able to turn around and pull my car up opposite the owl and take a number of pictures. We sat there for about 15 minutes but the owl never did leave. Even the cars zipping past didn't seem to bother it too much.
In Reply to: Slaty Backed Gull posted by C McLauchlan on January 16, 1999 at 11:22:48:
I am one of the two that were still down there. We didn't find the Slaty-back but we did okay. While you are there look for the male and female Ruddy Ducks, male Ring-necked Duck, male and female Canvasbacks, both scaup, both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls and at Humber Bay West look for the A. Coot, 1st year Thayers Gull, A. wigeons and Trumpeter Swan #379. Norm P.S Craig - I found the tripod part but lost the new roll down eye cup. N.
Can you help identify a hawk that sat in our walnut tree facing the ravine behind us (at the edge of Georgetown) for an hour this morning?
Similar to a Cooper's or even a male goshawk, but with white spots on the back the size of dimes.
Brown back, brown salt-and-pepper head, dark bill, no reddish marks at all.
Tail like a raccoon, with prominent white stripe at the end. Bird perhaps 16" long, bigger than a crow.
Any ideas?
3 of us looked for this bird this moring from 7:30 to 10:30 (the other 2 are still down ther) with no luck!. hope to spend the day ther to morow (with snow shoes)but will be starting later in the day Craig
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull posted by Norm Murr on January 15, 1999 at 12:40:53:
For all you Gull watchers try this website HTTP://www.west.net/~dj/gulls.htm
Today I saw a Red-tailed Hawk flying around Dovercourt and College and the Dufferin Grove park, close enough to my house for me to declare it a yard bird. I wonder if the snow is disguising the city enough to make it more welcoming to hawks and perhaps other interesting species.
In Reply to: Possible Slaty-backed Gull posted by Norm Murr on January 09, 1999 at 19:53:00:
LIGHTEN UP EVERYONE. I have to agree with Glenn Coady on this one. There does seem to be a lot of paranoia on the birding web sites lately. Lets just try and get out there and refind this bird if we can. If the weather is a problem then stay at home, it doesn't mean anything if you go out or not, its a personal choice. Norm Murr
Last Saturday there was a large (red-tail size) raptor perched at the Eastern Gap. Unfortunately, I was driving by and by the time I turned around it was flying away towards the Island. It was flying like a falcon, too large to be a Peregrine, and too short and wide-tailed to be a Peregrine, but I didn't get a good enough look to confidently identify or report it.
A few years ago, this was one of the favourite hangouts for an adult gray-morph Gyrfalcon.
The bird seen headed towards the island could have been the same Gyrfalcon reported on Monday in Peel. Double check any large falcons you see in the area (there are also at least 7 Peregrines being reported).
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by Glenn Coady on January 14, 1999 at 14:04:14:
sorry if i trod on any frostbitten toes but it seems to have livened you guys up a bit. some other thoughts on your gull, i have now seen 4 slaty backs here on the west coast and the one thing they all have in common is the the shape of the head very flat headed with large eye sockets giving the birds a very fearce look about it.also the dark smudge around the eye can be seen fro a long distance. overall size on all the birds seen by me is is halfway between herring and greater black backed ,the same size as glaucous winged gull but not the same bulk,thinner with longer wings.also take notice at the size of the neck always very thick. sorry if i offended anybody about the weather i feel sorry for you by the way who is this glen cody character anyway i like him in my corner any day.
In Reply to: Highway Birding posted by Tony Lang on January 14, 1999 at 12:34:36:
On the 407 highway from McGowan to Airport RD. on Sunday Jan.10, we spotted a minimum of 20 hawks (redtail & roughed legged mainly). Also at the beginning of our trip at Steeles & Brock Rd. we spotted a Redtail sitting on the shoulder of Steeles Ave. feeding. We never procede on this route without binoculars!
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by derrick marven on January 13, 1999 at 23:30:47:
Dear Derrick,
Whining about the weather is a more traditional Canadian pastime than birding. I believe it is on the same chromosome as the hockey gene.
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by Mark Cranford on January 14, 1999 at 00:00:55:
It is funny that you should mention disposable cars, as there has been an abandoned car buried under a deluge of snow in one of the Sunnyside lots since a week ago Sunday. Obviously someone wishing they had taken out that CAA membership now.
Concern about L.argentatus x L. marinus is always prudent with any purported L. schistisagus sighting in the east.
From my past experience with seeing presumed individuals of this hybrid (or perhaps their backcrosses) I can say that what I observed on this bird differed greatly from the likely hybrids in terms of upperparts shade, bill structure, forehead profile, extent of tertial crescent, width of trailing edge to secondaries, pattern and extent of head streaking, & leg colour.
I have ruled out such a hybrid in my own mind. I cannot state the bird is definitively a Slaty-backed Gull based on my sighting alone as I was not able the study the upper and lower primary pattern of the bird adequately. I do believe based on discussions with Bob Yukich & Patrick Stepien-Scanlon that we were all studying the same individual bird. I eagerly await an opportunity to review Juha Varrela's photos of the bird & more importantly any re-appearance of the bird.
Derrick Marven is quite right about Slaty-backed Gull's vemilion orbital ring colour being useful in its identification. Where Derrick resides the greatest source of confusion is differentiation from nominate Western Gull and its hybrids where orbital ring colour can be very similar to Slaty-backed Gull and hard to use to differentiate the two taxa. Difference in colour of the irides is more useful on average in that case.
Here in the east, as you quite rightly fear, hybrid L. marinus x L. argentatus, though rare might wreak havoc. In this context orbital colour might be quite useful. On both the individuals of this presumed hybird on which I got close enough to adequately ascertain orbital colour I found it to be yellow. As far as I recall reading, most, if not all, of the early specimens of this presumed hybrid taken had yellow or yellow-orange orbital rings.
Although there may be overlap though for this single character it could be useful in combination with other features (such as those I've listed above) also consistent for ruling out the hybrid that gives you the shivers. I think this might be the point Derrick was making.
Hope everyone gets another chance to see this gull rather than just frostbite in the attempt.
I don't get out birding as much as I would like, but I managed to see something half-interesting this morning. As I was using the ramp between southbound Mississauga Road and Highway 407 east in the City of Mississauga, I noticed some birds flitting around in the land enclosed by the ramp. Much to my delight, they turned out to be Snow Buntings. Not too bad for birding while commuting.
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by C.Mclauchlan on January 14, 1999 at 07:50:32:
Surely it is time to lighten up with the paranoia on this bulletin board. A slightly better set of antennae for detecting when someone's post is done "tongue-in-cheek" would be helpful.
Those of us around awhile will remember Derrick Marven as a very good Durham region birder with a sly, puckish sense of humour. I can't even imagine his post not being in jest at our weather predicament which he, too, encountered here in Ontario before his good fortune of moving to lotusland.
More seriously though I would second Craig's solid advice to consider the conditions before rushing down to search for this bird. Sunnyside in deep snow and - 40 (C or F, it doesn't matter) windchill is a most inhospitable place.
Bob Yukich, the original finder of this bird has posted a brief description of this bird and the circumstances around its sightings on ONTBIRDS which can be read at:
http://www-stat.wharton.upenn.edu/~siler/birdmail.html
Many people will likely search for this bird on Saturday again. Hope to see you all there at Sunnyside in less unpleasant circumstances (but I doubt it).
Good luck to all.
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by derrick marven on January 13, 1999 at 23:30:47:
It is amazing how faceless the emailing can become people commenting on weather or not we are real birders than telling us how to bird as if we haven't bin, Any one coming to Toronto for this bird remember that there is now 83 cm of snow on the ground and a another 25cm coming and the temp Is -40 with the wind chill. I think any video camera wood freeze with this cold all though it will warm up this weekend there is moor snow coming. Be careful this bird is not worth your health.
Al so there is a L,B.B.gull in this same area with pink lags but it has a all black bill with jist a small bit of bone collier to the tip.
Craig
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by derrick marven on January 13, 1999 at 23:30:47:
Real birders should consider public transit or disposable cars where birding Sunnyside. In addition, I don't understand your comment about eye colour and orbital ring colour. Why? A yellow eye and red orbital eye isn't going to separate this bird from anything I can think of. What I'd want to see would be grey undersurface of primaries. The string of pearls noting especially the pattern on P10 and P9. I'm really paranoid about L. argentatus x L. marinusReal birders should consider public transit or disposable cars where birding Sunnyside. In addition, I don't understand your comment about eye colour and orbital ring colour. Why? A yellow eye and red orbital eye isn't going to separate this bird from anything I can think of. What I'd want to see would be grey undersurface of primaries. The string of pearls noting especially the pattern on P10 and P9. I'm really paranoid about L. argentatus x L. marinus
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by Hugh Currie on January 13, 1999 at 19:03:28:
All this whining about the weather if you are real birders you get out there and twitch this slaty-backed gull. Try to video this bird as you can see the wing pattern a lot easier .you will have a hard time seeing the pattern with your bins i no i've been there .try getting eye colour and orbital ring colour. oh by the way it was 12 degrees celsius today on sunny v.i.
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by C Mclauchlan on January 11, 1999 at 08:11:32:
Juha Varrela E-Mailed Bob Yukich today about the slides he took about 2 weeks ago. Out of the 25 or so at close range with 300 mm lens, about 2 showed the top side of the wing tip. Apparently they clearly show the classic "string of pearls" and other details characteristic of Slaty-backed Gull. Next problem is how to get back down and see it with all this snow. Hugh Currie
In Reply to: Re: Possible Slaty-backed Gull behind Legion posted by Norm Murr on January 10, 1999 at 21:54:29:
Wood ever expect that this to birds wood have bin in the same area a Lesser blacked gull with bright pink lag's and a possible slaty-backed gull this are so close in comparison that only 2and a have hours of watching (in -14 weather) comparing, complaining and praying that It wood fly, was need to see the difference, o well down we go again.
Craig
In Reply to: Possible Slaty-backed Gull posted by Norm Murr on January 09, 1999 at 19:53:00:
This is to the birders that stood with Craig and I this morning behind the Legion to view the Lesser black-backed Gull. I have been informed for the first time that a Lesser had been seen in the days before and that the possible Slaty-backed Gull had the standard yellow bill with a red spot so apparently with out knowing it, we were looking at the wrong bird. I want to apologize as I didn't know about the previous Lesser sighting. I hope that we can all get another chance at this bird. Norm Murr
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, January 10
Lots of cold and lots of snow has created a flurry of activity at most feeding stations in Prince Edward County and the local area. There are 90+ SNOW BUNTINGS making regular visits to one feeding station on Big Island; a lone RUSTY BLACKBIRD has been seen at a feeder in Milford since Friday; and there are 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS visiting a feeder between Mockingbird Hill and Green Point, east of Picton. A feeder at Kenron Estates, west of Belleville has 3 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.
On Monday there was an AMERICAN PIPIT feeding at a ground water outlet, 2 km. west of Wellington, Prince Edward County's first winter record of this species, although there have been some previous late November dates.
The cold snap has frozen most inland lakes and bays with fewer reports of the large rafts of waterfowl that once predominated the open water. At least seven of the original 37 TUNDRA SWANS are still around, and were last seen Wednesday in Athol Bay, near Sandbanks Provincial Park. There are 200+ CANADA GEESE in the Cressy area.
PILEATED WOODPECKERS have been seen near and at backyard bird feeders at Muscote Bay and at Glenora. A flock of about 20 HORNED LARKS is seen regularly along the roadside at the junction of County Road 5 and Bethel Road.
To date, there have been no SNOWY OWLS observed in Prince Edward County, although two are present on Wolfe Island, where 30 SHORT-EARED OWLS are also present. There is also a SHORT-EARED OWL seen regularly at Big Island.
The Napanee Dump this past week had GLAUCOUS GULL, ICELAND GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. At least 17 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS and a couple dozen BONAPARTE'S GULLS were at Sandbanks Provincial Park early in the week.
There were some good sightings on the Belleville Christmas Bird Count last Saturday including 499 CANADA GEESE, 16 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 3 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 3 BROWN CREEPERS, 122 AMERICAN ROBINS, 40 NORTHERN CARDINALS, 2 SONG SPARROWS, 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, 7 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 6 COMMON REDPOLLS, and 68 WILD TURKEYS.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Possible Slaty-backed Gull posted by Norm Murr on January 09, 1999 at 19:53:00:
I am sher that all will know for sher tomorow but still i am serpised that this has not gone out on all hot lines , the moor eyes the beter .... Craig
A report was passed on to me today from a reliable source that there is a good chance that the dark-backed gull being seen along Sunnyside could be a Slaty-backed Gull. The only way to be sure is if birders get out and try to find and help identify this bird. Norm Murr
Today, there were 2 adult Peregrines, male and female, sitting on the ice in the harbour.
Another, immature, Peregrine was perched on a hydro tower at Saulter and Commissioner's.
A Merlin was dive bombing gulls at Ashbridge's Bay.
In Reply to: CBC Reports for TOC Newsletter posted by Tony Lang on January 04, 1999 at 15:56:35:
I have documented the four Toronto CBC species on my route (Humber Bay) from Dec. 27/98 which the guidelines requested and will forward them to Roy Smith tonight. These were Black-legged Kittiwake (1 first basic), 2 Ring-necked Ducks (adult males), 1 Red-necked Grebe (definitive basic), and 1 Peregrine Falcon (adult male).
Of the gulls I saw on Dec. 19/98 near the Keele Valley landfill that I posted on earlier, the 4 Thayer's Gulls require documentation as they were located on the day of the Richmond Hill CBC. I have documented these birds as well and will give them to Roy separately at the Monday T.O.C. meeting. I will send a copy to Theo Hoffman, the Richmond Hill CBC compiler as well.
Of note is that this was the third year in a row I have seen Black-legged Kittiwake in the Toronto Region in the latter half of December having seen one on the Leslie St. Spit Dec. 23/96 with Norm Murr and Craig McLauchlin and one Dec. 30/97 at the jetty at Whitby Harbour with Gerard Binsfeld.
In Reply to: Re: Hawk Statistics posted by B. Taylor on January 08, 1999 at 10:53:29:
Steven, Here's another site that might interest you, it also has some good links:
http://www.idbsu.edu/english/jbattali/jaybat/birds/hawks.htm
Good Luck! Graham
In Reply to: Hawk Statistics posted by Steven Heffernan on January 08, 1999 at 06:26:58:
http://www.whitethistle.com/soarhawk/species.html
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/hawks/hawks.htm
http://www.raptorrehab.org/raptors/
I am interested in learning more about hawks. Can somebody direct me to a web site or other materials which might tell me about the kinds of hawks in the world today, and information such as:
1. Specifically how acute is their vision? 2. Average wingspan 3. Types of prey they prefer 4. Lifespan 5. Preferred habitats 6. etc.
Thanks very much.
Steven
In Reply to: Mississauga Peregrine Falcon posted by Mark Cranford on April 07, 1998 at 07:37:19:
My mother sighted a small hawklike bird which she believes is a peregrine falcon. She lives just south of Square One (within walking distance). The bird was on the ground and had caught a dove and was eating it. The bird was a bit bigger than a sparrow hawk, beige chest with brown spots, dark brown back and a tail almost as long as its body. It had a very small beak. She took pictures.
A quick update on Villiers Street (post-snowstorm).
Today there were still 2 Grackles, 2 Redwings and 6 Cowbirds at Villiers (no Rusties or Brewer's today).
The Merlin was seen barrelling through the flock of Starlings at 4:40.
In Reply to: Spring? posted by Mike Pedde on January 05, 1999 at 15:28:45:
They'll accept suet, raisins, currants, pean meats, cottage cheese, dougnut pieces, cornbread, sliced apple or pear, and of course, cherries and strawberries. But I wouldn't worry too much. Robins are hardy and often spend the winter in these parts. Here in Prince Edward County we have hundreds every winter, feeding in the wild on buckthorn berries, red cedar berries and wild grapes.
- Terry
In Reply to: Leslie st spit posted by Craig McLauchlan on January 04, 1999 at 10:28:30:
I was on the spit on Friday, January 1, 1999. It was also quite cold and windy on that day. Not many birds were around since they were probably trying to keep out of the cold. However a Bald Eagle flew overhead and there were 5 Long-eared owls low in the trees between penninsulas B & C. Although quiet it was a interesting to see the Spit so peaceful.
Greetings: My wife and I live near Pontypool (where? - half way between Peterborough and Oshawa). We have 60 cm snow drifts, -15 deg C, and three American Robins in a tree in our front yard. I thought it was amazing to see a Canada Jay a year ago near Bradford, but robins on January 5?
Me.
P.S. Any suggestions on what we could put out for food? The mountain ash berries and the choke cherries are long gone, and there aren't many earthworms around this time of year. I thought maybe some dried berries if I could find some....
In Reply to: Bald Eagles posted by Don Peuramaki on December 31, 1998 at 10:01:22:
An immature (1st winter) was seen flying in Port Credit on December 31st
Roy Smith, who compiles bird reports for the Toronto Ornithological Club database which are published in the club newsletter, mentioned to me that he would like the participants of Toronto Christmas Bird Count to send him the particulars of uncommon bird species that were sighted on the count, i.e., number, exact location, age, and sex. Unfortunately these details cannot be extracted from the species totals for the CBC.
As you may know, bird reports from Halton, Peel, York, and Durham regional municipalities are also published in the newsletter (if they are sent to Roy or other members of the records).
Saturday on the Leslie St. spit in the -20-wind chill only 19 species wear counted. Hi lighting this was the female harlequin duck and 3 tundra swans also seen was the Labrador race great horned owl. CRAIG
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, January 02
Happy New Year everyone from the Belleville and Picton area. We trust this year will bring new birds on everyone's life list, and continued success with winter birding.
Huge flocks of waterfowl that kept birders busy a week ago, were forced out of most lakes and bays this past week as temperatures dropped out of sight. But some are still around. At least 50 CANADA GEESE are still in the area of Prinyer's Cove and about 25 were seen feeding on vegetation in the Bay of Quinte at Glenora Marina earlier in the week, before the big freeze. The 37 TUNDRA SWANS at South Bay had dwindled to about 15 by Friday.
There was an immature BALD EAGLE seen in flight at Wellington a week ago today, and two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS.
There is still a flock of 50+ AMERICAN ROBINS in the Quinte Conservation Area just west of Belleville, where there is also at least one WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in the underbrush just north of the railway overpass.
AMERICAN ROBINS are being reported elsewhere as well, but not in large numbers. There were nine found on the 27th on the Amherst Island Christmas Bird Count, as well as 4 NORTHERN FLICKERS and a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.
Sandbanks Provincial Park yesterday had a few AMERICAN ROBINS, along with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, NORTHERN CARDINAL, DARK-EYED JUNCO and one SONG SPARROW in the Richardson's Campground area.
The drop in temperature late this week and the snow storm today has increased activity at most bird feeders in the Quinte area. Our bird feeder at Big Island, near Demorestville, has 40+ BLUE JAYS, over 30 MOURNING DOVES, 25 HOUSE FINCHES and 25 TREE SPARROWS, along with the regular clients including WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, DOWNY WOODPECKER, and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, to name just a few.
And that's it from the Quinte area this week. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 10th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Presqu'ile Purple Sandpipers posted by Norm Murr on December 31, 1998 at 09:30:13:
Jan 1 1999
I had only two Purple sandpipers at Presqu'ile today. I had them fly from an area north of Owen Point westward towards the south side of High Bluff Island at 11 am.
Also seen were: 1 adult Bald eagle, 1 coot, 2 Lapland Longspurs and 1 male Brown-headed Cowbird.
In Coburg creek south of King St. West is a female Wood Duck.
The Port Hope Virginia Rail was not seen by me in the 40 mins I was waiting. However 2 snipe were there.
Tyler Hoar thoar@durham.net
In Reply to: How to get to Leslie Spit ??? posted by Jean-François Hic on December 31, 1998 at 15:32:56:
There is a crude map of the Spit at this website: http://www.interlog.com/~fos/Getto.Spit.html
Craig mentioned an area with the "blue box" where you might find a Purple Sandpiper. That area is at the very bottom of the map. There is a gate across the road leading there, but you can get around it easily.
The website says the Spit is closed on New Year's Day but I think they just mean the parking lot. That was the case this past Monday and I just parked down the street from the entrance. There are lots of parking spots, especially when the weather is snowy and cold...wear a hat! : )
Bye now, Barbara
In Reply to: Re: How to get to Leslie Spit ??? posted by Glenn Coady on December 31, 1998 at 16:38:50:
I wont tamper with Glenn's posting for ther rell is nothing ells to add but how great the spit is for birds and wild life in the Toronto area. I am thinking of going out tomorow 01/01/99 to start my year off at lest on foot and with hopes to see the Perpol sandpiper and the harlaqun duck ta the blue box wich is found at the ferthist east pont of land on the spit. Norm Murr rought a artical for Ontario fild ornitholagists news leter but I am not sher wich #. any way good luck on the spit and do pless let the rest of us no what you see on your trip. CRAIG P.S tack heed to Glenn waring the spit is that a 5 km of land streching out in to lack ont. and the wether can be and has bin at times jist treaball. dreas warm and tack water...
In Reply to: How to get to Leslie Spit ??? posted by Jean-François Hic on December 31, 1998 at 15:32:56:
Dear Jean-Francois,
Yes, the Leslie St. Spit is one of the best birding locations in the Toronto area. It is open only and Saturday, Sunday & holidays (and thus should be open tomorrow, Jan. 1/99). Car access is not allowed onto the Spit and thus you will need to be on foot (or bicycle). Be prepared for lots of walking.
Dress warmly as windchill can be quite severe out there especially on the more open areas.
The Leslie St. Spit is the lakefill peninsula that is found by following the road south from the corner of Leslie St. and Unwin Ave. The distance along the road from Leslie & Unwin to the lighthouse at the tip is approximately 5 km one way not including any of the various side ] trips you can take onto the peninsulas which are found north of the road.
Good Luck with your first trip to the Leslie St. Spit.
This should get you started - I'm sure others will respond with more detail - Cheers!
P.S. You will often hear or see the Leslie St. Spit referred to by other names such as the Outer Harbour Eastern Headland or Tommy Thompson Park.
Happy New Year to all