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, Onta