This morning at the north end of Grenadier Pond there were 7 shorebirds species: Lesser and Greater Yellowledgs, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, and Killdeer. This is a much greater variety than I've seen here in past years.
I was also fortunate to see two Virginia Rails at the same spot. An immature walked along the shore less than 2 metres in front of me, and later I saw an adult run out from the cattails and bathe in a puddle between a log and the mudflats.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
The pace of construction at Humber Bay East has really picked up. Including dump trucks, there were at least a dozen pieces of machinery busy on the north shore this afternoon.
Somewhat surprisingly, the bird life has not been noticeably affected (yet). The male (Lesser?) Scaup which was in the Feeding Bay in early July is still there, and has been joined by a second one. Similarly, at least two of the female Common Goldeneyes are still around in the second bay east of the parking lot. Another positive sign was the 16 Caspian Terns in the Mimico Creek delta. There was also a Warbling Vireo stubbornly singing in the tree next to the construction entrance.
The Cormorants and the gulls (including a few Greater Black-backed) have really taken to the island east of the Feeding Bay, as well as the rocky north shore between there and the Humber River. It might be worth watching this area for rare gulls in the fall and winter.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, July 26, 1998
There are signs of autumn about as TREE SWALLOWS begin gathering on the hydro wires around the Quinte area. On Tuesday there were fully 3,000 swallows on the wires along South Shore Road, Big Island, according to one observer from Belleville who arrived mid-morning. Many were in flight, he said, while others were on the wires and basking in the sun on the road. Other signs of autumn can be found at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons. The northwest pond on Thursday had 2 STILT SANDPIPERS, 25 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 20 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 10 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 8 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 2 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS along with SPOTTED SANDPIPER and KILLDEER. There were also 5 NORTHERN SHOVELERS and several MALLARD and GADWALL.
At least one of the LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES that presumably nested at a location in Ameliasburgh Township, south of Rednersville is still about. At 2:40 p.m. that day, one adult Loggerhead was hunting both sides of the road in the same area as usual.
Birders Albert Boisvert of Trenton and Sid Hadlington of Midland had a pretty good day of birding in Prince Edward County yesterday (Saturday). They explored some good birding habitat, covering Mowbray, Miller, Crowe, Mapul Layn and Reserve Army Roads to the dam near Charwell Point and on to Prince Edward Point. Included in their list of birds were 4 RED-TAILED HAWKS, about a dozen WILD TURKEYS, 3 BROWN THRASHERS, GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, CASPIAN TERN, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, AMERICAN REDSTART, INDIGO BUNTINGS GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS and 10 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS. Not bad going for this time of year.
There is still plenty of activity at Quinte Conservation Area in Quinte West, west of Belleville. There have been the young and adults of both ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and BALTIMORE ORIOLES about, with FIELD SPARROW, EASTERN TOWHEE, RED-EYED VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, CEDAR WAXWING, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and BROWN THRASHER as species that can be depended on during any trek along the trails. Quinte Conservation Area is an excellent spot to visit whatever one's interests. Last month, several staff members discovered an EASTERN HOGNOSE SNAKE, an uncommon species in this part of eastern Ontario.
Quinte Conservation has just released it's schedule of day-long field trips as part of their "Quinte Fall Splendour" program of events. Destinations this fall include Depot Lakes Conservation Area ( 1 canoe trip and 1 hike), Menzel Nature Reserve, Sandbanks Provincial Park and a kayaking/paddling course and tour on the Moira River. Details can be obtained by e-mailing tsprague@bel.auracom.com
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 02. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail your sightings to tsprague@limestone.kosone.com .
In Reply to: Re: CEDAR WAXWINGS AT MARIE CURTIS PARK??? posted by Jim Heffernan on July 19, 1998 at 17:51:07:
Hi, I thought I would also say thatI have seen a lot of Cedar Waxwings this summer, maybe more than usual, but this could be the fact I haven't birdwatched much during past summers. But, usually when I go out I see at least 30, usually in flocks of 3-5 though.
Mike
At the mudflats near the north end of Grenadier Pond this morning I saw 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 5 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Solitary Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Sandpipers and 2 Killdeer. I noticed that there has been quite a bit of rehabilitation work done in this area since I last passed by in early June. It appears that the changes have been good for the shorebirds - it's not often I've seen this many in this spot, especially so early in the season.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
In Reply to: Re: Pigeons posted by Jerry J. on June 04, 1998 at 23:12:57:
A friend of mine without the net had a pigeon(?) com to their home in Kincardine. It was stunned and after getting some food and water, will not leave. It has a tag on it's leg. What should they do? Is someone missing a pet?
This evening I visited Bluffers Park and found an exotic bird sitting on the wide dirt path leading east from the easternmost parking lot. The bird was roughly 50 metres east of the parking lot. It was roughly the size of a Blue Jay, and was generally gray, except for a bold yellow crest, orange-red cheeks, and some white on the wings. I can only imagine that this is an escaped cage bird. It was quite tame, and appeared to also be very tired/weak - I doubt it will find much food down there.
Among the native birds in the area were several Common Terns, 2 Caspian Terns, a handful of Cedar Waxwings, and 5 Black-crowned Night Herons.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, July 19, 1998
A two-hour canoe trip around Fish Lake east of Demorestville on Thursday produced a few interesting sightings. Wildlife Artist Mia Lane, from whose property we launched our canoe, had ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, HOUSE WREN, WOOD PEWEE and RED-EYED VIREO singing from her wooded yard. The lake itself produced GREAT BLUE HERON, COMMON MOORHEN, several COMMON LOONS, TREE SWALLOWS, MARSH WREN, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and SWAMP SPARROW. The swamp at Demorestville Creek which drains Fish Lake had GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, WOOD PEWEE, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, RED-EYED VIREO, DOWNY WOODPECKER, SWAMP SPARROW. Other birds seen along the shoreline included EASTERN KINGBIRD, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, NORTHERN HARRIER, TURKEY VULTURE, GRAY CATBIRD and a family of BELTED KINGFISHERS. As a footnote, this report congratulates Mia Lane for being this year's recipient of "Art In the County's" People's Choice Award for one of her recent pieces. Mia moved to Prince Edward County from Adolphustown in 1996.
There was a RED-TAILED HAWK near Richardson's Campground at Sandbanks Provincial Park on Monday, along with a KESTREL east of the campground entrance, and a NORTHERN HARRIER coursing to and from over a nearby meadow, all raptors seen within a few hundred yards of each other. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, PILEATED WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, WOOD THRUSH and VEERY were also heard calling from the same location. Several WILD TURKEYS were also in the area.
An immature BALD EAGLE was seen just east of Coe Hill on Friday, and at Ivanhoe there were several TURKEY VULTURES circling above Highway 62. O'Hara Mill Conservation Area at Madoc had OVENBIRD, WOOD THRUSH, VEERY, RED-EYED VIREO, and RUFFED GROUSE today. During a guided hike along one of the trails during today's O'Hara Mill Pioneer Village Family Day, a pair of EASTERN KINGBIRDS was seen pursuing a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
The Amherstview Sewage Lagoons this week had 3 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, 35 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, several GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and a number of LEAST and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS. In contrast, Presqu'ile Provincial Park beaches were unusually poor on Wednesday, according to the Kingston Field Naturalists bird hotline, with only KILLDEER, SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER present. A pair of nesting BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS was found near the lighthouse.
The numerous reports of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS around Prince Edward County appear to have subsided for now, although the individuals behind the fire hall at Stella, on Amherst Island, are still present.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
Recently, it has been really quiet in our neighbourhood (Finch-Bathurst). But today it was "bird city." A Flicker was eating berries off one of our bushes and chasing away any young Robins that got in its way. The Grackles have discovered my birdfeeder and are chasing away the Sparrows and Mourning Doves. A Red-Winged Blackbird (male) also checked out the feeder. There were female Baltimore Orioles and a male Downy Woodpecker in our birch tree.
Leslie
In Reply to: Re: CEDAR WAXWINGS AT MARIE CURTIS PARK??? posted by Marcel Gahbauer on July 18, 1998 at 20:57:35:
I agree with Marcel. Cedar Waxwings are not a rarity in the Toronto area.
I live up in Maple (think Canada's Wonderland) and have seen a few flocks this summer, although not recently. I have heard them more often than I've seen them. The area in which I live contains many mature maples and other native species. I believe I have seen them in the maples while they were in flower.
However, waxwings in general are social birds that will roam in search of food. Here today, gone tomorrow.
I'm certain I'll yet see more of them in my back yard this summer.
In Reply to: CEDAR WAXWINGS AT MARIE CURTIS PARK??? posted by JEAN-FRANCOIS HIC on July 17, 1998 at 22:17:49:
I haven't seen any at that location, but that's probably just because I don't go there much. Cedar Waxwings are actually not at all uncommon in the Toronto area in summer. They can be found in many of the larger parks, and tend to become more conspicuous as the season progresses. Recently I've seen them in several places along the Scarborough bluffs, so it is not at all surprising that they are also to be found further west along the lakeshore.
Dears birders,
I think I saw 2 cedar waxwings at Marie Curtis. Was I dreaming? Has anybody else seen any in the vicinity???
In Reply to: Re: Un-identified Warbler posted by John Miles on July 11, 1998 at 08:04:58:
I have jist gone over my records for the Toronto Iland for Palm Warbler for this spring and on April 29 98 I hade 1 mall Yellow Palm race (seen agane on may 2 98) than on May 3 98 I had 12 Palm Warbler including the Eastern race.I am in agremnt that your discripshon is of a Palm Warbler.All so you have found one of the best areas to bird in the spring (in the G.T.A) next to the Lesly St Spit for warblers and other migrents.
CRAIG
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, July 12, 1998
Not a whole lot of interesting stuff around this past week, although given the weather, one would expect to see flocks of ducks. On Tuesday, portions of Prince Edward County experienced a flash flood when up to four inches of rain fell in one hour. Creeks in Picton overflowed their banks, driveways were washed out and at Crofton a section of County Road 14 was flooded with several inches of water for several hours. Our front lawn, normally occupied by killdeer at this time of the year had several MALLARDS swimming happily about, and RING-BILLED GULLS milling around on the higher spots.
Elsewhere more normal birding continues with CLAY-COLOURED SPARROWS still being heard on Ostrander Road, off Babylon Road west of Prince Edward Point. The abundance of water this summer has also produced a number of GREAT BLUE HERON sightings in areas that would normally be dried up at this time of the year. A GREEN HERON was seen yesterday at Sandbanks, along with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, WOOD THRUSH, VEERY, RED-EYED VIREO and WARBLING VIREO. MUTE SWANS continue to be reported from several lakes in the area, but it has been difficult to get a fix on who has been nesting where. MUTE SWANS with young have been seen, however, at Consecon Lake, Pleasant Bay and West Lake.
Although well out of the Quinte area, Bob's Lake, about 19 km west of Parham has a pair of YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, according to Monty Brigham who e-mailed me with the information last week. He saw the pair on Tuesday, and indications are that the pair will remain for the breeding season. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, July 05, 1998
Wednesday produced a fair number of birds on the western shore of Prince Edward County. A pair of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS that presumably nested at North Beach Provincial Park, could not be found, but there were plenty of CHIPPING SPARROWS, GRAY CATBIRDS, TREE SWALLOWS, SONG SPARROWS and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH about. A pair of EASTERN KINGBIRDS was found nesting in a roadside apple tree.
Pleasant Bay had at least 5 COMMON LOONS, one pair with two young. There were also GREAT BLUE HERON, MUTE SWAN, MALLARDS, and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Huyck's Bay had little to offer although DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were passing over almost continuously.
There are also MUTE SWANS, many that nested this summer, in Huyck's Bay, Consecon Lake, East Lake and West Lake. Four were seen in flight off Scotch Bonnet Island on Friday. A SANDHILL CRANE turned up on Wednesday near South Bay. CLAY-COLOURED SPARROWS can be found near the far end of Ostrander Road, just off Babylon Road, west of Prince Edward Point. A LEAST SANDPIPER turned up at Wellington Beach Friday, but to date, not much in the way of shorebirds in Prince Edward County.
The best sighting this past week was a pair of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES with young in Ameliasburgh Township. The exact location is not being revealed, but the site is being monitored.
Naylor's Common at Marmora on Thursday had lots of good stuff including BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, REDSTART, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, WOOD THRUSH, RED-EYED VIREO, SORA, LEAST BITTERN and an entire family of RUFFED GROUSE. The Marmora Mine, although at first glance just a 750-foot deep hole in the ground, is always a good spot for birding. The quarry itself had nesting EASTERN PHOEBE, ROCK DOVE and ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. In the adjacent shrubs and trees, there were GRAY CATBIRD, KESTREL, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE. An OSPREY nest on a pole on the far side of the mine did not appear to be occupied.
The Amherst Sewage Lagoons, had a STILT SANDPIPER on Wednesday, along with about 25 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 40 LEAST SANDPIPERS. Amherst Island still has the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD near the Stella fire station.
Although well out of what I have defined as the Quinte area for the purpose of this report, Second Depot Lake, north of Verona, had plenty of bird song Friday morning when I stopped in. Both VEERY and RED-EYED VIREO were singing within the campground, and there were vestiges of song from BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Also calling were YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, WOOD PEWEE and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT
An interesting sighting last week involved an AMERICAN BITTERN being pursued and harassed by an EASTERN KINGBIRD on South Shore Road, Big Island. The bittern was first seen coming out of the marsh about 100 metres from the road, with the kingbird actually attached by its feet to the back of the bittern, wings held in an upright position in an effort to maintain balance, the bird constantly pecking at the bittern's neck. The bittern continued across the road unaffected by its passenger for another 50 metres with the kingbird releasing its hold and flying away.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
Dear Fellow Birders
Hi, I walked down the 16 Mile Creek yesterday from Lower Base Line to Upper Middle Road. The best bird yesterday was a male and female Red-Bellied Woodpecker at Lower Base and 16 Mile, I regret I didn't stay long enough to see if they were nesting, but I did see the male feeding the female. They were on the north side of the road, they were originally in the dead tree on the other side of the river, but the male flew up stream and the female flew into the forest on the east side. Just down stream a bit I found a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. The other good bird was a Yellow-Billed Cuckoo at Lyons Valley Park which is where the 16 Mile passes under Hwy. 5. The best section was north of Hwy. 5 where I found 2 Cooper's Hawks, a Sharp-Shin, of course lots of Yellow Warblers and Yellowthroats, but also a couple of Mourning Warblers and Redstarts, there were also Gnatcatchers, many Orioles and Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, Field Sparrow, Indigo Buntings, Red-Eyed Vireo, Catbirds, a lot of Waxwings!, 2 Wood Thrushes, many House Wrens, Rough-Winged and Bank Swallow, Great-Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Pewees, Solitary Sandpipers (already coming back!), and Spotted Sandpipers including one baby, just a little fluff ball. South of Hwy. 5 there was pretty much the same birds but less of them, except for House Wrens which were all over the place, there was also a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Alder Flycatcher, and a Scarlet Tanager.
Mike
In Reply to: Un-identified Warbler posted by John Howell on July 10, 1998 at 15:15:57:
From the underneath the yellow throat and vent area with a pumping tail are typical field markings for a Palm Warbler. The belly if lighter than the throat and vent area would make it the "Western Palm" race while if the belly was yellow with no contrast in colour between the throat and vent area would make it the eastern "Yellow Palm" race which is normally found from Quebec east.
Can anyone help,
Although, being from the U.K. I have little experience of North American Warblers, I think I managed to identify all the ones I saw on a recent short bird-watching holiday to Toronto. All except one, that is. This was a fairly plain looking Warbler seen feeding fairly high up in the trees on the Toronto Islands (near Hanlan's Point).Obvious features however were a yellow vent and yellow under its throat, and it also persistently pumped it's tail. The date was May 4th. I know these details are fairly sketchy, but maybe there is someone who can shed some light. I know it was more than 2 months ago, but I have only just got on to the internet!
John Howell.
In Reply to: Re: Third Grebe Hatches in Bronte posted by Gavin Edmondstone on July 08, 1998 at 19:58:37:
All three Red-necked Grebe chicks were seen this morning. The older two are approaching adult size but have no adult feathers yet. The youngest is still quite tiny but is getting some food.
In Reply to: Re: Third Grebe Hatches in Bronte posted by Gavin Edmondstone on July 05, 1998 at 20:50:00:
The youngest chick is alive and well as of today.
In Reply to: Re: Third Grebe Hatches in Bronte posted by Nick Avery on July 05, 1998 at 18:03:53:
A disadvantage is that the older siblings always get first crack at the food. I have yet to see the youngest chick get a fish and the little bird is getting frustrated.
This morning 2 Common Loons flew by.
In Reply to: Third Grebe Hatches in Bronte posted by Gavin Edmondstone on July 03, 1998 at 21:17:45:
This morning the new chick was on the back of the adult on the nest. The adult decided it was time for a rest and got off the nest and dumped the chick into the water. The chick promply got onto the back of one of the older chicks.
They floated arround happily for 15 minutes or so. The advantage of having a big sibling!
Nick
In Reply to: Help on what kind of bird did I see posted by BernC on July 05, 1998 at 08:38:50:
What you are describing sounds very much like a Common Nighthawk. They are ground nesters and do have the white patch on the wings. Your size seems a little small as Common Nighthawks are more the size of a kestrel.
Hi everybody!!!
I was on a canoe trip last weekend north of Long Lake in Norfork County (North of Peterborough). The bird that I saw had the grace and shape of a Swallow but was big as a Blue Jay, but it streaked the sky like a little Hawk. The only markings that were noticable from below were a white 1-2" white bands on each wings were located at the joint. I was able to sight the ground nest, and they eggs were very similiar to a Quail eggs in size, colour and shape.
This was the first time seeing anything like this bird.
Thanks you in Advance for any insight!!!
BernC
In Reply to: Humber Bay - July 2 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on July 03, 1998 at 08:24:19:
Whenever I've been down there birding in the past few months I've just refered to it as `That ugly scar on the shoreline'. I saw my first Harlequin duck in that bay two winters ago. Such a loss of habitat. Ahhh, progress.
As strange as it may seem, at least 16 days after the hatch of the first 2 chicks, a third egg has hatched on the tire in Bronte Harbour. Derrek and Daphne Spindlow rescued the hatchling around noon today from gulls after it strayed from the nest towards shore. With the help of boaters the bird was returned to the nest.
I saw all 3 chicks this evening. The people developing the marina are very aware of the grebes and are willing to make some accomodations to keep them for next year. The Oakville Beaver featured the family on page 3 of its July 1 issue.
I went out to Humber Bay for about an hour to search for the Black Swan, but without any success. However, in general the park was quite productive - I found 36 species in total, which is quite high for this location in summer.
In the bay north of the parking lot, there were the usual Black Ducks, Mallards, Gadwalls, and Canada Geese. There was also a single male Am. Wigeon at the end of the feeding ramp, and a male Scaup (Lesser? - I didn't get a perfect view of this bird - has anyone else seen it?) near the middle of the water.
Like the north bay, the first bay east of the parking lot is now closed off to the lake (we should probably start referring to them as something other than bays, but nothing sounds right to me yet - any suggestions?). In this area, three fully-branched trees have been placed on their side in the water. The birds have taken to these new perches quickly - I counted at least 20 individuals on each of the trees. Most of these were House Sparrows and Tree Swallows, but I also saw Song Sparrows, Grackles, RW Blackbirds, a Cowbird, 2 Waxwings, and a few Rough-winged Swallows. I get the impression that the development of this area is still in progress, but if the shoreline is maintained as it currently is, this could be good for shorebirds in the coming months. The breakwater on the north end is already a popular loafing ground for gulls (incl Herring and G Black-backed) and terns (Caspian and Common) - it could also turn out to be productive in the fall/winter season.
The next bay east was where most of the Mute Swans and Canada Geese were. With them were 4 Common Goldeneyes - 3 females and 1 male which almost constantly bobbed its head under water but never dove. Songbirds in this area included a pair of Yellow Warblers, a singing Warbling Vireo, and a male Baltimore Oriole.
The rest of Humber Bay East was fairly quiet. I then briefly checked the north end of Humber Bay West, and found a female Hooded Merganser right up against the shoreline, roughly 50 metres east of the gazebo on the north shore.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, June 28th, 1998
While bird activity tends to drop to a low ebb during the hot, sultry days of late June and into July - and there have been plenty of those this past week - there has been lots of bird song in wooded areas to date to keep birders happy. RED-EYED VIREOS, of course, continue with their monotonous phrases, as well as the plaintive calls of the WOOD PEWEE. These were both present on Monday evening during a conducted hike into the Albury Swamp at Apple Doorn Farms, east of Carrying Place. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were singing and the star attraction, a nesting colony of GREAT BLUE HERONS were busy feeding their young. Just off the observation deck in the marshy swamp, a SORA casually walked around on the floating vegetation, calling repeatedly, and paying little attention to activities a mere stone's throw away. The wooded areas contained an orchestra of thrush songs. There were at least five different VEERYS, along with two WOOD THRUSHES and one HERMIT THRUSH, the latter an uncommon sight during the summer months in the Quinte area.
Quinte Conservation Area still has a good number of WARBLING VIREOS singing from the poplars near the Quinte Conservation office. There are still WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, FIELD SPARROWS, and WOOD THRUSHES singing at the far north end of the property. A BALTIMORE ORIOLE'S nest along the main trail has produced its young, and these were seen being fed by the parent birds by many hikers along the trail last week.
The dune area of Sandbanks Provincial Park, despite 26 degree heat on Wednesday afternoon had BANK SWALLOWS, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, TREE SWALLOW, with the vegetated areas containing GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, DOWNY WOODPECKER and one ORCHARD ORIOLE.
Albert Boisvert of Trenton had a couple of good days in Prince Edward County on Monday, and again on Wednesday. Birding in the Point Petre area he came up with BLACK TERN (3) and WOOD DUCK (2) at the dam at the marsh at the foot of Carwell Point Road. Maypul Layn Road had 3 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, and there were CLAY-COLOURED SPARROWS singing at Point Petre 150 feet south of the Esterbrooke Road turnoff. CLAY-COLOURED SPARROWS were also found last week just off Babylon Road in Prince Edward County.
There were 4 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS on Airport Road and another 3 on Kelly Road, with a total of 10 being heard on Wednesday. Other sightings included COMMON SNIPE (2), LEAST FLYCATCHER, HOUSE WREN, MARSH WREN, OVENBIRD, INDIGO BUNTING (3), EASTERN TOWHEE (2), and 2 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS (Point Petre and Kings Road)
There is also a pair of BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS in the black willow trees at the Big Island Marsh near the junction of South Shore Road and Sprague Road, and another pair in Glenwood Cemetery just off Prospect Avenue in Picton.
The two AMERICAN AVOCETS were still at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons yesterday, but were not present today. Other shorebirds seen there included LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LEAST SANDPIPER and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.
Amherst Island still has the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD near the fire hall on Stella Road. GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, WILLOW and ALDER FLYCATCHERS and UPLAND SANDPIPERS have also been seen on the island this past week. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
I've been using the "Guide to Field Identification Birds of North America" however, I am now looking for a "complete" encyclopedia of North American birds, illustrated with actual photographs and now drawings. If you have any references corresponding to what I'm looking for, please send them to me to the above-mentioned e-mail address.
I have taken pictures of several birds which I am unable to identify. Could you tell me to whom I could submit these and how so that I may learn the identification of the birds caught on film.
On a walk through East Point this morning, the best single spot was the small grove of willows at the southeast end of the new pond (south of the east parking lot). Here I saw a female Orchard Oriole, a pair of Gnatcatchers, and 2 Warbling Vireos (one adult, one young). Also in the general area were 2 Flickers, a House Finch (unusual for the park), and Yellow Warblers.
In the fields to the west, I saw a singing Meadowlark, several Phoebes (also mostly singing), 1 Thrasher, 1 Catbird, and many Yellow Warblers and Goldfinches. There was also a singing first year male Orchard Oriole on the west side of the pond (perhaps one of the offspring from last year's nest at this site?).
Out over Lake Ontario there were Common Terns and Ring-billed Gulls, but no waterfowl of any kind. Bank Swallows were abundant, but I only saw one Barn Swallow.
In Reply to: Re: Bronte Grebes Hatch posted by Gavin Edmondstone on June 20, 1998 at 13:00:24:
The grebes are still remaining on the nest tire as there are 2 eggs which the birds are still turning. The 2 chicks are getting bigger and occasional make short dives.
A morning walk in Bronte Creek Provincial Park, east side, south of path from Upper Middle Road turned up a Pileated Woodpecker and several Wood Thrush.
The other evening my wife and I noticed a female Downy Woodpecker land on our hummingbird feeder(the feeder has a wooden frame).At first it appeared she was just curious however we were both amazed when the bird began to drink the nectar, we have never seen this before. We are wondering if any one else has had a similar experience?
The four Peregrine Falcon chicks at Islington and Bloor are now between 30 and 34 days old. They are all developing quickly, and appear to be perfectly healthy.
This weekend will likely be the last opportunity to view the whole family together via the video monitor in the north lobby of 3250 Bloor. If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to drop by and take advantage of this rare opportunity to see these rare birds up close.
Volunteers are urgently needed for the fledgling watch beginning on Monday morning (June 29) and continuing dawn-to-dusk for 10 to 14 days. The purpose of this watch is to monitor the movements of the chicks as they begin to fly, and to rescue them if they get into trouble (which they do with alarming regularity). If you would like to help out or know someone else who might be interested, please call the Falcon Watch Centre at (416) 684-0704 as soon as possible, or come out to the volunteer orientation meeting this Sunday (June 28) at 2:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Falcon Watch Centre - please call the above phone numbers if you need directions.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
We have a most unusual starling around our building. He has a very long bill that curves downward, much like a curlew. The bill is black, at least 2 inches long, and, apparently, quite functional as the bird has been seen for a few weeks now and appears to be quite healthy. If attempts to photograph it are successful, I'll post the image here for anyone interested.
Last week, one of the Presqu'ile's more experienced birdwatchers (I won't name that person as I don't know if they'd want their name printed) reported seeing a black-billed magpie at Presqu'ile.
I have been told that this bird was seen flying and the view was not totally unobstructed. If this record is accepted, it will represent bird species 320 for Presqu'ile.
I heard this news Friday on the Toronto Rare Bird Hotline, so I am not sure what day the magpie was seen.
Don Davis Toronto, ON
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, June 21st, 1998
Prince Edward County seems to have been left out of the picture this past week, with rare and otherwise interesting birds being seen to the east and west of us, as well as to the north of us.
A BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE was seen last week at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, while to the east of Prince Edward County 2 AMERICAN AVOCETS turned up at the Amherstview sewage lagoons at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Meanwhile at Petroglyphs Provincial Park on Wednesday, Albert Boisvert had an excellent morning with 13 species of warblers recorded, along with 4 thrushes, 5 of the flycatchers, (including OLIVE-SIDED), WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS , EVENING GROSBEAKS, CEDAR WAXWINGS, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, both HOUSE and WINTER WRENS, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK not far from the park.
Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area continues to be very productive. A walk along one of the trails on Friday yielded three separate OVENBIRDS calling - not bad for a species given to taking in large territories, WOOD THRUSH, WOOD PEWEE, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, RED-EYED VIREO and WARBLING VIREO.
The birding continues to be good at Quinte Conservation Area too with the above species, as well as FIELD SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW being recorded on a daily basis.
The Scuttle holes at Latta on Thursday had ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, RED-EYED VIREO, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, RUFFED GROUSE, HOUSE WREN and EASTERN PHOEBE (nesting in one of the caves).
Sandbanks Provincial Park on Monday evening fared equalled well with RED-BREASTED and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH showing up, along with RUFFED GROUSE, VEERY, and lots of CEDAR WAXWINGS.
Bird feeders in the Quinte area often turn out to be more productive in the summer than in the winter. Over ripe watermelon, muskmelon, oranges and a variety of other fruits have attracted numerous birds at our feeder. At Milford, Doug Parker has RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, INDIGO BUNTINGS, and both male and female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK coming to his summer feeders.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Bronte Grebes Hatch posted by Gavin Edmondstone on June 17, 1998 at 20:26:53:
I checked on the grebes this morning. Still two chicks. One egg was visible.
Two chicks were observed at the Red-necked Grebe nest in Bronte Harbour this evening. Be warned that the Oakville Waterfront Festival is this weekend and it will be very busy and parking difficult.
Despite the ever-expanding construction at Sam Smith Park, the area continues to have interesting birds. Although I again failed to locate the Western Kingbird this morning, I had a productive outing nonetheless. The most surprising bird was a Swainson's Thrush, walking on the construction rubble just northwest of the small wetland on the north side of the bike path (north of the parking lot). Like the Magnolia Warbler I saw late last week, this is another surprisingly late migrant.
On the south side of the parking lot, near the top of a leaning willow, was a singing male Bobolink. Also out on the peninsula I saw five species of swallow (I missed only Bank), and the usual Mockingbirds. Other birds on the mainland included 4 Willow Flycatchers and a singing Yellowthroat.
Over at Marie Curtis Park, I was only able to find a single Red-necked Grebe, just southwest of the mouth of Etobicoke Creek. There was also a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak in a tree northeast of the parking lot on the east side of the river - certainly not a place where I would have expected to see this species (at least not outside of migration).
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
In Reply to: More unusual birds at Sam Smith Park posted by Marcel Gahbauer on June 11, 1998 at 22:08:21:
Marcel the Western Kingbird was at the 2 littl ponds (South East from wear you and I wear locking the last time this ponds are land locket and small ) on sat.June 10 1998 at 10:00 am i wachet it for 4:00 mint. in till a earstern Kingbird came and put the run to it. the Acadian flycatcher was not ther on sat but may still be around,it was esaly heard on monday night as i was liveing the park,and confermd for my self throw c.d,s and tapes the next day,I never saw the bird the bruch was to thick.
CRAIG
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, June 14, 1998
Quinte Conservation Area has lots of good stuff if one walks the 2 km+ to the wooded area at the back end of the property. There are several pairs of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, FIELD SPARROWS, RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and RED-EYED VIREO. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, there were BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and NASHVILLE WARBLER singing.
There is a pair of MOURNING WARBLERS on Amherst Island which may be nesting. There is also a pair of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS on the island, near the fire hall. Young SHORT-EARED OWLS and the young of both COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER have also been noted. The Kingston Field Naturalists property at the east end of the island last week had BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, and FORSTER'S TERN. A female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen in the marsh south of the 2nd Concession, 1 km west of Emerald Road.
In Prince Edward County things have been pretty quiet except for the usual regulars at Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area. These include SINGING RED-EYED VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, WOOD THRUSH, OVENBIRD, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and WOOD PEWEE. Prince Edward Point is but a fraction of its former spring activity, and shorebirds have all but dried up at Presqu'ile Park. There are two WILLOW FLYCATCHERS in behind Kenron Estates at Bayside, and ALDER FLYCATCHERS are singing in the tree growth and shrub growth of the Big Island Marsh.
A pair of BARRED OWLS is nesting in the Brighton area, but the owners of the property prefer not to give out the exact location.
Hikers along the abandoned railway bed in the county have reported lots of bird activity in the rural areas including GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, BOBOLINK, SAVANNAH SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, and EASTERN KINGBIRD. The two pairs of MUTE SWANS are apparently still in the Consecon Lake crossing area and at least one of the pairs has been seen with young. The most profitable birding however along the entire 31-mile route is in the Slab Creek wetland, at Hillier. There is a splendid assortment of birds there in the wooded swamp and recent sightings by a group of Napanee area hikers included SCARLET TANAGER, NORTHERN CARDINAL, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, WOOD THRUSH, VEERY, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and WINTER WREN.
Quinte Conservation and Apple Doorn Farms will be hosting a "hike for herons" into the Albury Swamp on June 22nd, at 6:30 p.m. A tractor and wagon ride will provide transportation from the parking lot to the wooded swamp where a five-minute hike along the trail will take observers to the viewing platform and spotting scope. The only cost is a $2.00 charge for transportation to the swamp. The swamp is one of the larger heronries of eight known sites in the county. Insect repellent recommended.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 21st. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
This Thursday (June 18) leg bands will be put on the four chicks at the Etobicoke nest. The chicks will be taken down from the nest, will be banded at the Falcon Watch Centre, and will then immediately be returned to the nest. The banding is scheduled to take place between 9 and 10 am, although if things don't run perfectly, there might be some delays. Everyone is welcome to attend the banding, and I'm sure it will be a memorable event.
Following the banding, three raptors from the Wild Bird Clinic at the University of Guelph will be on display. These are birds which are unreleasable, either due to physical disabilities or to being imprinted on humans. The birds scheduled to come on Thursday are an adult male Peregrine Falcon, a female Great Horned Owl, and a male Turkey Vulture. They will be present from 10 am to 3 pm (and possibly longer). While these are not wild birds as such, this visit provides a very rare opportunity to examine these incredible birds up close.
Both events are free, and take place at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation's Etobicoke Falcon Watch Centre, which is located in the north lobby of the East Tower of the Mutual Group Centre at 3250 Bloor Street West (just east of Islington Avenue).
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
In Reply to: More unusual birds at Sam Smith Park posted by Marcel Gahbauer on June 11, 1998 at 22:08:21:
Dear Marcel,
Sorry to hear you missed the Western Kingbird at Colonel Sam Smith. I saw it with Roy Smith on Sunday, June 7th and managed to get a couple of photos of it in some pretty low light conditions - I'm not sure if they'll turn out very well. We also saw the second nest this season of the Northern Mockingbirds there. It held four eggs on both Sunday & Wednesday this week. On Monday I saw the one survivng juvenile bird from the first nest. Despite repeated visits I have not seen the Western Kingbird since.
On Tuesday June 9th I arrived home very late & received a message left earlier from Harry Kerr that several observers that day (Geoff Carpentier, Terrie Smith & Dennis Duckworth, I believe) had both seen and heard what they believed to be an Acadian Flycatcher (quite an exceptional rarity in Toronto) near the buried creek bed in the orchard at Colonel Sam Smith park (the old psychiatric hospital grounds).
Initially, my first reaction was to strongly doubt this report mainly because on Monday, June 7th I had seen an obvious and late Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (the likeliest empidonax to misidentify as Acadian Flycatcher in my view) which was both calling and singing occasionally near some conifers at the north end of the orchard. This report was being made about 100 m south of there. In addition, Acadian Flycatcher's very rare status in this area combined with the odd habitat and such a late date gave me many reservations about this sighting. I dismissed any thought of perhaps searching for this bird the next morning and went to bed.
The next day when I woke up I began to think about this report again. Although the date was very unlikely for a migrant Acadian Flycatcher, it also was for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Alder Flycatcher, both of which I had seen there in recent days (along with Willow & Least Flycatchers too). This spring I did find empidonax flycatchers distinctly later in arriving and lingering later as migrants than usual. On top of this, these observers were experienced with Acadian Flycatcher and had heard the bird in question sing in a site where singing Willow Flycatchers would have been available for comparison. Although still doubtful about the report, I decided I would go down to the site and check it out myself. Perhaps I might even be lucky enough to get another chance to photograph the Western Kingbird if still present.
I arrived at Colonel Sam Smith park about 9:25 a.m. and the only birder I saw there then was Derek Spindlow, an old friend. He did not know of any reported Acadian Flycatcher but was there to try and relocate the Western Kingbird he had belatedly heard about. We birded the area around the marsh pond near the parking lot (where we heard singing and saw 2 Willow Flycatchers)& the woods north of the smokestack (where another singing Willow Flycatcher was foraging). All three gave standard FITZ-bew songs and were distinctly brownish-olive backed with moderate primary extension beyond the folded secondaries.
After about 20 minutes we made it up to the area near where the old former creekbed crosses the orchard and listened and watched for any other empidonax. For about 5 minutes there we heard and saw nothing other than American Goldfinches, Mourning Doves and Savannah Sparrows.
Suddenly about 40 metres south of us we heard an emphatic "PEET-sut" followed by 3 more songs which as we got closer sounded more like "PEET-seeup". The singing bird in question was in the densest little grove of trees singing from well above head height but very frustrating to get a good look at due to thick foliage. It was very skittish and we followed it south along this grove of trees. Near the southern end of this dense grove it did a high level flight back north and landed low (3 ft) on a dead branch, sang once more and stayed there for about 3 minutes whereupon Derek & I both observed the bird very well noting various useful identification aspects aloud. This was the only time this bird came into the open. On all subsequent times we followed it, it stayed high in the densest parts of the available foliage even though only limited groves offered this opportunity. Each time flushed, it did a high flight immediately to similar conditions. It was very difficult to relocate as it moved through the densest-leaved trees. Two other birders who had joined us by this point could not locate it in such foliage at all. I managed to take one photo of the bird but the overcast conditions of the approaching storm meant shooting at 1/90th of a second - not likely to be anything but a pitiful blurogram with a 600 mm lens!
First noticeable about this bird was that it was so overall richly greenish backed even on so overcast a morning, explaining why it was so difficult to pick out against leafy foliage. The entire back, uppertail coverts and particularly the crown and facial area were a homogeneous leafy green tone with complete absence of the olive brown tone to the back as on the obvious Willow Flycatchers we had seen earlier. It also seemed overall a larger flycatcher too.
The bird had quite a long bill which we only saw in profile which gave it quite an elongated, "pointy" appearance to the head. What we could see of the lower mandible suggested it was entirely yellow-orange in contrast to the dark upper mandible. We could not assess the shape of the bill from below at any point in our observations.
I mentioned to Derek to look at the relatively long projection of the primaries visible beyond the folded secondaries which we later compared in the field again to the still present Willow Flycatchers. (This also gave a good chance to review anew the differences in coloration).
The wing bars were a buffy white as were the tertial edges. This buff was nowhere near the bright cinnamon buff evident on fall Acadian Flycatchers. It also was visibly not a clean white. We noted very little else about the wings other than they appeared dark.
The bird's head seemed very greenish with a quite distinct even eye ring which, like the wing bars, also seemed tinged in buff tone.
Although the bird was quite uniformly one very greenish tone dorsally from head to rump, ventrally its color tone was quite variable as with most empids. The throat was a dull ashy white with no yellow or buff tones. Below this a smudgy, incomplete (centrally) olive breast band was present. The lower breast/upper belly was again ashy white, and the lower belly to the undertail coverts being a dirty light yellowish similar to the same area on an Ash-throated Flycatcher, but dirtier with a slight greenish tinge.
The angle of presentation and brevity of the best sighting precluded much evaluation of the tail.
Even when not visually observable in densely leaved areas the bird was relocated three times by its emphatic "PEET-sup" song. No call notes were heard from this bird by myself or Derek.
The total time we followed the bird was about 30 minutes. Direct visual observation might have been 5 minutes in total.
Shortly after we lost this bird on a long flight Harry Kerr turned up with an Acadian Flycatcher tape which we could compare to what we had heard from this bird. The song was precisely the same. It is one I am very familiar with having seen & heard this bird many times at Point Pelee, Rondeau, Walpole Island, Backus Woods, Wilson Tract, Deer Creek watershed, Niagara, etc. in Ontario as well as New York state, Virgina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Dry Tortugas and many other parts of the southeastern U.S. where it is the only breeding empidonax.
After Harry turned up with Jerry Guild we attempted to relocate the bird. I thought I had heard it once out in the orchard, but Harry stated it was him playing the tape. After a little more searching Derek & I had to leave. That afternoon Harry told me they briefly found the bird exactly where I thought I had heard it singing in the orchard (south of the path with the emergency phones) - I probably had not heard his tape after all!
After Derek and I left it appears this bird was only seen briefly by Harry Kerr, Jerry Guild and Theo Hoffman (to my knowledge) before others on the scene could not relocate the bird and wondered whether Willow Flycatchers now also present in the area were what all the fuss had been about.
I returned in the afternoon (5:40) and met Bob Yukich who told me that this was precisely the experience he, Dave Beadle and Ray Geras among others had had, which I suspect must have been both very frustrating and doubt-inducing.
I could not relocate the bird in the next two hours but I did see three empidonax in the same area which all gave either classic Willow Flycatcher song or call notes and looked similar to the Willow Flycatchers I had identified earlier that morning. None was skittish, on the contrary they were quite conspicuous. Several birders I did not know were still claiming one of these (which admittedly had an eye ring but was quite olive brown) was the Acadian Flycatcher. The source of many birders' frustration was thus apparent.
I have no doubt that the bird Derek & I saw in the morning was an Acadian Flycatcher but am rather dumbfounded by what it was still doing in an area of such unsuitable habitat at such a late date. Also confounding, I found it odd the bird was singing in unsuitable habitat - I have far more commonly heard migrants giving call notes only. This sighting was the reverse.
I will file a rare bird report with the Toronto Ornithological Club rarities committee.
Quite an unusual find for Mssrs. Carpentier, Smith & Duckworth! Maybe I should question my doubt reflex more often.
Yesterday morning I saw a singing male Magnolia Warbler near Guildwood Parkway and Rowatson Road in Scarborough. This is the first warbler of any kind I've seen in this area in almost two weeks. I was quite surprised to find a migrant songbird passing through this late.
In Reply to: Red-necked Grebes posted by Ram Nambiar on June 12, 1998 at 11:25:40:
Dear Ram,
If, as you say, these Red-necked Grebes "are hooked onto this area" I suspect it is a non-breeding flock which may summer at this site without breeding this summer. But if they develop site fidelity to this location they may breed there in successive years. Keep watching for any attempt this summer which you may be missing though.
In case it interests you, Beth Jefferson of the Citizens Concerned with the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront has a pair of Red-necked Grebes acting similarly at the foot of 4th St. in Etobicoke as well.
There were very few callers to the hotline this week. The birding activity at the park has declined a bit as we now enter into the summer - spring migration is finishing up and many birds are settling down for the summer to raise their young. Some of the birds that have been confirmed breeding at the Spit include: brown thrashers, spotted sandpipers, blue-gray gnatcatchers, Baltimore orioles, warbling vireos, eastern kingbirds, killdeer, mourning doves, tree swallow, and mallard ducks.
Shorebirds reported this week include: whimbrel, red knot, and ruddy turnstones on the endikement and: semi-palmated sandpipers, sanderling, and least sandpipers on the mudflats.
Other birds reported to the hotline include: 1 male and 2 female canvasbacks in the goldfish pond, a green heron was reported in the goldfish pond Sat. the 6th, loons were observed out on the lake, barn swallows south of the pedestrian bridge, a wood thrush on peninsula C, a great crested flycatcher, a red-tail hawk, and brown-headed cowbirds.
Staff continue to observe the coyotes on a regular basis. Other mammals observed this week were groundhogs and cottontail rabbits.
More wildflowers bloomed over the past week. Plants currently flowering are showy ladies slippers, vipers bugloss, chicory, Indian blanket flowers, ox-eye daisy, bittersweet nightshade, silverweed, orange hawkweed, asters, forget-me-nots, and buttercups.
Tommy Thompson Park is a unique natural area located at the foot of Leslie Street on the Toronto Waterfront. It is currently open to the public on Weekends and Holidays throughout the year. Admission and parking is free.
The Tommy Thompson Park hotline is in part supported by Environment Canada?s Great Lake 2000 program.
Tommy Thompson Park Wildlife Hotline (416) 661-6600 ext. 248
Friday, 11th June '98
On 3rd of May I reported sighting a 15 member Red-necked Grebes(Podiceps grisegena)flock in Etobicoke to two of the birding forums,-one in Toronto and the other in the US. I thought then that this migratory flock had simply stopped over here to feed and to rest but en route to their Prairie slough breeding destination. Instead,they stayed back exactly on the same coastal waters of the lake Ontario in Etobicoke, just below Marie Curtis Park(west of Etobicoke Creek).
Murray Spiers in his book "Birds Of Ontario" called the Red-necked 'a bird of surprise'. He was referring then to their showing up on the Lake Ontario waters in some years and not being seen for next several years. This small flock I have been seeing here for more than a month now is another instance of the unpredictable nature of these Grebes. From what I see, the Red-necks are behaving as though they are hooked on to this one location.
From the time I saw these Grebes here first to now, things have drastically changed around the area. The last couple of weeks witnessed an increasing number of speed boats. I watched these beautiful and unsuspecting Grebes diving for their lives and resurfacing farther away. Knowing full well it is a risky place to be in and will be even riskier in the days ahead, why are these grebes still hanging around to this area? Are they summer adults planning to raise a family nearby or is it simply a non-breeding flock?
In one of my daily visit to the scene two weeks ago, I heard one of them uttering a pig-like or a stallion-like cry. An hour observation daily is not enough to draw any conclusions but I didn't see any courtship ceremonies of 'dancing in the water with weeds dripping from their bills' and the like. Although a western species, Dr.Spiers,in the eightees, had reported to have seen some odd pairs of Red-necked Grebes nesting in the floating boxes in Burlington about 2O miles west from Etobicoke along the lake. Glenn Coady and couple of other birders have informed me few weeks ago that in late April of this year a pair of this Grebes had selected a floating tire in Brontie harbour to nest. If 23 days period is for the hatching in this species, the youngones should be out by now.
Here in Etobicoke, I have been searching with my scope for floating or stationary vegetable compost,marshy islets or even strange objects like a tire or box in the shore line. Not far from where the grebes are,is the raised rocky harbour like extention into the lake from the hydroplant nearby. I could see a lot of vegetable matter and odd items that had already been washed against the side edges and gaps of these rocks. Problem is that there is no access to this area unless you are a hydro employee.
Originally 15 inividuals, some days I have been seeing 1O grebes,other times 12. I wish I had more time to monitor their activities.
The floating Red-necks are sometimes about 1Ometers feet from the shore. At this time of the year their upper heads are dark and though not so obvious show miniature crests. The rich chestnut on the long necks and rosy yellowish breasts will not be overlooked even by a passerby, with the exception of the hot dogs riding the speed boats on them. From a distance the white cheeks of these grebes may give someone the mistaken notion these are those love lost honkers. I don't know if you guys have noticed. Summer adult Red-necks swimming with the neck raised are gorgeous looking from the side view. Close up straight front view, however, with their heads crouched and the blunt front face and both eyes are visible, they don't look like a bird but some reptilian creatures.
Good Birding, Ram Nambiar 3368 Hargrove Rd,Mississauga,9O5 828-4997,birder @echo-on.net, http://www.echo-on.net/~birder
In Reply to: Flags on Shorebird posted by Alfred Raab on June 05, 1998 at 21:52:10:
Alfred,
I forgot to mention that the flag colour will tell you at least the country in which the shorebird was banded. Canada is white, the United States is green. I don't know the colours for the many South American countries in which it may have been banded.
This afternoon I tried for the third time to see the Western Kingbird, but again came away unsuccessful. Does anyone know whether it is still around, and if so, what part of the park it is most often seen in?
I also failed to locate the Acadian Flycatcher. However, at the point where the park road bends to the right (50+ metres south of Lakeshore), there were two very active Willow Flycatchers.
The best bird of the day was just to the west of here. There is a path leading west from the road at the bend, along which there are wooden poles. Past the third pole, on the north side, there are some bushes. In one of the honeysuckles, perched almost a metre above ground, was a Virginia Rail. There is no water in this area. I wonder whether it may have been disturbed by the construction which appears to be well on the way to destroying the small marsh north of the parking lot (where a Virginia Rail spent some time last summer).
The extent of the area under construction appears to be expanding by the day. Many large trees have already disappeared, and vast areas of field are buried under mountains of rubble and dirt. Fences are up around most of the creek area, and bulldozers are ripping away at the soil all around the little wetland, with trucks full of the soil driving across the creek bed. I should say that I don't know much about why the construction is occurring, or whether the final result will have any redeeming environmental features, but at the moment it looks awful.
Back to the birds: out on the peninsula, I saw 2 Mockingbirds, an immature Bonaparte's Gull, and 4 species of swallow (I missed Cliff and Rough-winged). There were also 2 female Hooded Mergansers in the marina bay.
Marcel Gahbauer gsteve6@ibm.net
In Reply to: Flags on Shorebird posted by Alfred Raab on June 05, 1998 at 21:52:10:
Dear Alfred,
You can report your data to Pawtuxent's Bird Banding Laboratory toll-free at 1-800-327-BAND or visit their web site at:
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/default.htm
Due to recent cutbacks they concentrate on getting your data to the pertinent researcher first and feedback to you as the finder in the form of a recovery certificate will follow several weeks later. It does work, though slower now that their government funding is much reduced.
In Reply to: Re: Western Kingbird posted by Hugh Currie on June 07, 1998 at 18:41:52:
The western Kingbird is still being seen at the south east pond as of june 9 1998 all so jist in side the park near the first stop sing a acadian flycatcher was heard calling on june 8 1998 this bird might still be ther, best to lisin for it,s song after the costrushon ends for the day,it song is a esplosive peet-suh,2-4 times.goodluck
CRAIG
In Reply to: Eastern Kingbird posted by Linda on June 08, 1998 at 22:53:14:
I think they are fairly common here. The other evening I walked on leslie St. Spit and saw more than 10 flying about and perching. Last year in migration a very large flock landed at Humber Bay Park in Toronto. They were very tired and sat on the ground. Sandra
An Eastern Kingbird perched on my clothesline, in the back yard, tonight at around 7:30p.m. What a sight that was for me! I live around Gage Park, in Hamilton, just below the escarpment. Are they common in this area? Thank you, Linda.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, June 07, 1998
There are still lots of opportunities in the Quinte area for some good birding. The far north end of the Quinte Conservation Area has at least two pair of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, along with ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, FIELD SPARROW and EASTERN TOWHEE.
Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area at Picton last week had WINTER WREN, WOOD THRUSH, OVENBIRD, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. The above list was also present at the Frink Centre near Plainfield last Monday, in addition to VEERY, NORTHERN CARDINAL, WOOD PEWEE and RED-EYED VIREO.
There is a pair of RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS nesting at Prinyer's Cove. One of the birds is actively visiting a local bird feeding station.
Another SANDHILL CRANE was observed in flight over Sandbanks Provincial Park two weeks ago. An aerial tour over Prince Edward County today revealed GREAT BLUE HERONS nesting at the Albury Swamp where a hike is planned for June 22nd, and about 12 pairs nesting at the east end of the Cressy Swamp. Even at 1,200 feet, there were plenty of birds to be seen on our flight over the Quinte area, with 200+ DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS at Gull Bar, NORTHERN HARRIERS at the First Nations Airport, TURKEY VULTURES south of Kaladar, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at Beaver Lake near Marlbank.
Presqu'ile Provincial Park on June 4th had 20 RED KNOTS, 50+ RUDDY TURNSTONES, 300-400 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 30+ SANDERLINGS, 20+ DUNLIN and 4 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS. And on Wednesday, there was a PIPING PLOVER at Victoria Beach in Cobourg. The bird was apparently not seen again.
This past week, Amherst Island has produced CATTLE EGRET, RED KNOTS, WILSON'S WARBLERS, and NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. ARCTIC TERN and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER were seen on the Kingston Field Naturalists property, and there was a BLACK-NECKED STILT at the nearby Lennox Generating Station.
The Prince Edward County Field Naturalists' monthly meeting will be held June 23rd, 7:30 p.m. at Macaulay Mountain. Guest speakers George and Gerry Elliot will be giving an illustrated presentation, "At the Edge of the Field" on the birds, plants, insects, and their environment. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 14th. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Western Kingbird posted by Alfred Raab on June 06, 1998 at 12:22:30:
It was still there Sunday. I saw it at 4:30 PM. It ranged between 50 & 150 m north of the parking lot over to 200 m to the NW
The Betty Sutherland Trail, which is north of York Mills and west off Don Mills, is accessed from Duncan Mill Road. Part of the Don River East branch flows through here. On June 2, I saw a Belted Kingfisher flying into this area. On the same day, I saw an Eastern Kingbird there. It is also a great place to see Red-Wing Blackbirds.
In my own area (Bathurst & Finch), I saw a Cowbird and Downy Woodpecker this week.
... Leslie
The American White Pelican in Coote's Paradise (Hamilton) was there this morning. I saw it from near the high level bridge. This spot allows a large area to be scoped from one spot. A scope is needed as the distance is large. Also present were recently released Trumperter Swans.
The Red-necked Grebes in Bronte Harbour are continuing to incubate.
Saturday morning,9:30am,June 6, 98, at Colonel Sam Smith park: 1 Western Kingbird, also a late Wilson Warbler.
Saturday, 5th June,'98
Escaped Black Swan?
I was at the lake side just at the foot of Humber Park East yesterday. It was quiet unexpected. A saw a Black Swan(Cynus atratus)swimming and upending with the local Mutes.
Shiny red bill with a white band towards the tip of it, the head and the rest of the body in contrasting black, some wing feathers curled upwards, and its slow movements on Lake waters here made this large Australian(+Tasmanian) native one of a kind to me.
Several non-biders taking the waterfront stroll were curious about this strange visitor. Since I had the good fortune of seeing and photographing strue wild Black Swans in their natural habitat in Orbust Australia, about 35Okm east of Melbourne,during the visit to my sister there 8 years ago, I took the liberty yesterday of answering few of those Torontonians' questions about this Swan here.
Did this Swan escape from Metro Zoo or from an ornamental pond of some individuals in Toronto area? While the swan was doing the upending I could see clearly its grey legs. They were devoid of any tags. No tags on the wings. Did anybody report about its missing?
Good Birding,
Ram Nambiar Mississauga.ONT birder@echo-on.net http://www.echo-on.net/~birder
I have seen and photographed a Semipalmated Sandpiper with bands on both legs and a flag on one leg. Who is banding these birds? Need address to send in report.
In Reply to: Re: Indigo Bunting posted by Glenn Coady on June 05, 1998 at 17:31:28:
Hi Glenn,
It is nice that the Oriole is getting its name back.The history behind that name cannot easily be forgotten. Lord Baltimore had been gone more than 35O years ago. He, in his grave in England, will be sleeping little better now after knowing he is still being remembered as long as this bird is existing as a species.
Yes, the Grebes are still there. I will be posting a report on them to Andy soon. Have you been to Lake side of Humber Park East? I saw a Black Swan today there swimming and upending with Mutes. A possible escapee from Metro zoo or from some farm where they are keeping them as an ornamental bird in their pond.
Thank you for writing Glenn. I put the names of each bird one under the other. But when it came in the webpage they were all in a straight line without even a comma. Since our readers are very intelligent I guess they will understand.
Ram Nambiar
In Reply to: Re: Indigo Bunting posted by Glenn Coady on June 05, 1998 at 17:31:28:
Hi Glenn,
It is nice that the Oriole is getting its name back.The history behind that name cannot easily be forgotten. Lord Baltimore had been gone more than 35O years ago. He, in his grave in England, will be sleeping little better now after knowing he is still being remembered as long as this bird is existing as a species.
Yes, the Grebes are still there. I will be posting a report on them to Andy soon. Have you been to Lake side of Humber Park East? I saw a Black Swan today there swimming and upending with Mutes. A possible escapee from Metro zoo or from some farm where they are keeping them as an ornamental bird in their pond.
Thank you for writing Glenn. I put the names of each bird one under the other. But when it came in the webpage they were all in a straight line without even a comma. Since our readers are very intelligent I guess they will understand.
Ram Nambiar
In Reply to: Indigo Bunting posted by Ram Nambiar on June 05, 1998 at 17:08:22:
Yes Ram, I too prefer Baltimore Oriole which indeed the American Ornithologists Union re-split from its western counterpart the Bullock's Oriole recently.
Sounds like a nice place to bird as a local patch.
BTW, have the Red-necked Grebes you reported on BirdChat at Marie Curtis Park remained?
Tue, June 5, '98
Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea)
It was in mid-May I saw and heard this colourful Indigo male singing from its treetop perch at Erindale Park woodlot. Although familiar with its long clear song(similar to that of Goldfinch)I heard this newly arrived migrant's voice somewhat subdued.
This morning not far from that general location but very close to Credit river water's edge bush I had the opportunity to see both this sparkling blue and his brown spouse less than 1O feet away from me.
It was their continuous rough 'chirp' 'chip' alarm, should I say 'scolding', calls and hysterical moves of those two dissimilar feathers that caught my attention first. Then the unforgettable blue in the open for few sends. Closer view of its head section revealed a rather purplish colour than blue.
The male quickly moved to the inner shades of the bush.Its head feathers were all puffed up, a sign of true anger towards me, the trespasser. I must have been close to their nest which the pair didn't approve. The female had some white hair like stuff in her beak, probably to reinforce the interior of her nest! I didn't want to be a spoiler. I turned back. Farther away I stopped and looked back and to listen. No more alarm calls.
The other avian novelties that are probably breeding in the thickets and woodlots of the park seen and most often heard now are:
Spotted Sandpiper Belted Kingfisher Yellow-Shafted Flicker
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Yellow Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Baltimore Oriole* Eastern Kingbird Eastern Phoebe Great Creasted Flycatcher Cedar Waxwing Catbird Purple Martin
*I hear taxonomists are bringing back its original name 'Baltimore' than the unfitting 'Northern'.
Good Birding,
Ram Nambiar Mississauga.ONT birder@echo-on.net http://www.echo-on.net/~birder
I went out to the Leslie St. Spit this evening and although I detected virtually no passerines that I might still consider migrants, I did still see a nice mix of northbound shorebirds.
Almost all the shorebirds were on the lake side of the endikement.
They included: 6 Red Knots (part of the reason I've been going out here so frequently lately was in hopes of seeing some of these), 5 Ruddy Turnstone, 17 Dunlin, 19 Sanderling, 67 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 2 White-rumped Sandpiper.
The triangular pond had 1 Lesser Yellowlegs and 1 Semipalmated Plover but unfortunately NO Black-necked Stilt any longer.
I found a dead Bank Swallow on the endikement that I'll bet was recently hit by one of the trucks.
While out there I saw 23 people roller-blading, 6 cyclists, 2 others on foot, and 9 cars on route to the Aquatic Park Sailing Club. If this many people are going to use the park when it is officially closed, I'm going to regularly join them on evenings after the trucks have ceased dumping for the day.
A movie was being shot at the corner of Unwin Ave. & Leslie St. tonight. If it continues, I'd advise watching where you park as it was quite congested there.
In Reply to: Pigeons posted by Sylvie on June 03, 1998 at 14:11:40:
Actually they are Rock Doves, but most people call them pigeons. My wife and I had the privilege to observe them from courtship stage till two Doves have fledged. They are a very messy birds. The nest is a mass of sticks and nothing else. When the chicks hatch they are pure yellow, just like a ducklings. But they grow fast. Very fast. Before you know it they have fledged. In my opinion, the Rock Doves are excellent parents. Both of them shared hatching and feeding responsibilities equally. Very impressive. Enjoy the experience.
Jerry.
In Reply to: Re: Marbled Godwit @ Nonquon Sewage Lagoons (Port Perry) - May 31 - June 1, 1998 posted by Frank Pinilla on June 04, 1998 at 11:00:42:
One small correction in case Roy Smith picks up this data for the Toronto Ornithological Club database.
Frank's sighting was Wednesday June 3 (NOT June 4).
No disrespect intended - Typos have as nasty habit of getting into databases forever.
Thanks for the update Frank.
In Reply to: Re: Marbled Godwit @ Nonquon Sewage Lagoons (Port Perry) - May 31 - June 1, 1998 posted by Frank Pinilla on June 04, 1998 at 11:00:42:
The Greater Yellowlegs was present when Gerry & I were there on Monday as well, and yes, this is a fairly late date for that species. It was with 3 Lesser Yellowlegs for direct comparison.
Gerry saw a silent dowitcher very briefly which we could not relocate to further identify - possibly your griseus Short-billed Dowitcher.
In Reply to: Marbled Godwit @ Nonquon Sewage Lagoons (Port Perry) - May 31 - June 1, 1998 posted by Glenn Coady on June 02, 1998 at 11:38:06:
I was up at Nonquon S.L. last night (Wednesday June 4/98) and the Marbled Godwit was still present in the westernmost pond along with an assortment of other shorebirds, including one griseus race Short-billed Dowitcher and a Greater Yellowlegs (this seems pretty late for this species, doesn't it?). Also present were ~100 Semipalmated Sandpipers, many Semipalmated Plovers, a few White-rumped Sandpipers, a Ruddy Turnstone and many Dunlin. This was all at about 7:45pm, thus I didn't really have time to check out the other ponds for the Wilson's Phalarope.
I have been looking for information on nesting pigeons. I live on the 10th floor in the city of Toronto and there was 2 pigeons that kept coming to get fed. About one week ago, one built a nest under my BBQ on the ciment. Then, she destroyed it and rebuilt on the platform of the BBQ where the tant is. It is now 2 days that she has not move from there. I went to feed her and she's not taking the food or running away. Her nest also looks weird, like flat instead of the regular round nest I have always seen. If anyone has any info I would greatly appreciate. Are those city park pigeons called Rock Dove ? Thank you
I went out to the Leslie St. Spit last evening (June 2) to determine if the Black-necked Stilt was still present. As far as I could tell it was not. I did meet a birding friend from Guelph, Karl Konze, on the way out.
Almost predictably, the second powerful wind storm in three days produced another good bird though. About 7:00 p.m. both Karl and I had the good fortune to see a very close flypast by a Cattle Egret near the end of the endikement.
We also saw a 3rd-summer black-backed gull which I'm still puzzling over. It was a relatively large (equal to all Herring Gulls present) gull with a mantle shade slightly darker than an average graellsii Lesser Black-backed Gull. The primaries, though, were clearly darker than the mantle. The bird's head (particularly near the eye), nape, and sides of chest were extensively & finely streaked as in winter Lesser Black-backed. There were no white mirrors on any primary and the tail was white with only a faint speckling as vestige of any prior tail band. The bill was mostly dusky with a yellowish base with no red gonydeal spot evident yet. It was shorter and finer billed than all Herring Gulls available for comparison. In flight the entire wing was dark slate gray with some brownish in the greater and median secondary coverts. The legs were entirely pink although Karl felt they looked yellowish in some light conditions.
All the above marks among others are consistent for Lesser Black-backed Gull. The source of confusion was that the bird did not have the long attenuated look of most Lesser Black-backed Gulls caused by the combination of long primary projection in combination with a short tail. In fact, in comparison to available Herring Gulls it appeared to have shorter primary projection and an equally long tail. In flight it did not give the long, narrow-winged appearance of a typical Lesser Black-backed Gull but instead had very broad-based wings more typical of Great Black-backed Gull.
In terms of identification I think Great Black-backed Gull is ruled out by the above description, it might be a large male third-summer Lesser Black-backed Gull, or it might represent a Great Black-backed X Herring Gull hybrid or backcross. I think the middle possibility is the most likely.
I wish I'd had my camera with me for this one.
In Reply to: Re: male King Eider - still exquisite but I'll bet it's 3rd winter, not adult posted by Mark Cranford on March 02, 1998 at 23:32:45:
I am in search of a photograph of the King Eider I am a detailed artist and am interested in painting the Male. Any one that can help I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You Ramona Hernandez California
In Reply to: Black-necked Stilt @ Leslie St. Spit - May 31 - June 1, 1998 posted by Glenn Coady on June 02, 1998 at 11:22:07:
I neglected to mention that on Sunday May 31, 1998 after seeing the Black-necked Stilt we also saw 186 Ruddy Turnstones and 105 Sanderling - all on the armouring rocks of the endikement between the blue box and the base of the endikement on the lake side. One of the Ruddy Turnstones was a very freshly dead individual.
On Sunday May 31, 1998 a birder (Jean Iron, I believe) returning from the OFO field trip to the Carden Plain discovered a Marbled Godwit at the Nonquon sewage lagoons.
This bird was still present yesterday, June 1, in the second pond from the west (in the southeast corner). Gerry Binsfeld and I saw it at about 7:00 p.m.
The Nonquon sewage lagoon is found by going 4.5 km north of where Hwy 7A goes east from Hwy 12 until you reach the third road that runs east (Scugog 8th Line NOT Durham 8th Line). Turn right (east) and proceed 3.1 km to the east. Stop at the metal entrance gate on the right.
There were about 15 Black Terns foraging over the lagoons and we saw a male Purple Finch singing near the bridge before you reach the lagoons. Common Moorhens and Ruddy Ducks were present in the easternmost lagoon.
I was a bit surprised that no one posted to this forum about the occurrence of a Black-necked Stilt on the Leslie St. Spit for the past two days.
This delightful find was made on Sunday morning about 8:30 a.m. by Larry Morse and was seen by scores of birders over the next two days. I'm not sure yet whether it is still there today but it was yesterday. It was seen in the large triangular pond on the left just beyond the bridge on Sunday and on the shallow ponds on the land bridge between the original Spit and the endikement yesterday.
Gerry Binsfeld and I returned from the Carden Plain to see it about 6:00 p.m. on Sunday and despite low light conditions I was able to get several good photographs using my scope.
The Leslie St. Spit, unfortunately, is officially closed Monday to Friday.
I have set up a group of forums in response to a bit of positive feedback (OK, *one* person thought it was a good idea) I received from a post below. The intent of the boards is to provide a meeting place for local naturalists to exchange information. Please have a look at the setup and give me some feedback. I can set up more/fewer individual boards.
If this idea flies, I will need some moderators for the individual boards. So, if you are interested in moderating one of the forums, please let me know.
Lastly, the boards will likely run a bit slowly right now as they are on our secondary server. Once moved to our new server, they should function speedily.
In Reply to: Frogging Reports posted by Andy on May 29, 1998 at 15:02:52:
Sorry not to have included the URL's. Here they are:
The Frogging Page is at: http://www.zoo.utoronto.ca/natalie/frogpage.html.
The Frogging Reports page is at: http://www.zoo.utoronto.ca/FUN/frogs.html
In Reply to: Re: Frogging Reports posted by Jerry on May 30, 1998 at 21:00:02:
You can find frogging reports through the UofT Zoology Home Page under Links or just use The following URL http://www.zoo.utoronto.ca/natalie/frogpage.html . Note the page contains lots of images and can take awhile to load
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, May 31, 1998
Not a lot to report this week, although that is to be expected since the spring migration is beginning to wind down. At prime birding locations in the Quinte area, this can be seen by the abundance of female warblers in comparison to males. Prince Edward Point still has some of the later arrivals including MOURNING WARBLER and BLACKPOLL WARBLER. There is a late YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER which can be heard daily near the north end of the Quinte Conservation Area. Other birds to be heard regularly there include WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and FIELD SPARROW.
Amherst Island had a MARBLED GODWIT on Tuesday on the northeast corner of the Kingston Field Naturalists property, followed by a CATTLE EGRET, just south of Stella, also on the island.
Visitors to Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area at Picton are guaranteed good success if one stays to the trails along the wooded escarpment. An hour hike there Saturday afternoon yielded plenty of singing WOOD THRUSHES, OVERNBIRDS, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, WOOD PEWEES and GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS.
Although the excitement of the spring migration is all but over in Prince Edward County, birders are still out in full force. Belleville area birders birding the county early last week found RUDDY TURNSTONES at Sandbanks Provincial Park when they hiked up the beach toward the village of Wellington. On their return trip, they located a small colony of BANK SWALLOWS nesting in the dunes, as well as finding GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON in flight.
Other sightings reported around the county include NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at Gull Pond, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER at Pleasant Bay, LONG-EARED OWL at the Stinson Block and a singing WINTER WREN along Partridge Hollow Road. The two pairs of MUTE SWANS seen last week at Consecon Lake are believed to be nesting according to residents there.
Bird feeders around the county are reporting as good success this spring as during the winter, except with slightly different cliental. Surprisingly few feeders however reported ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and INDIGO BUNTING - usually regulars during the spring migration. Our feeders have BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, DOWNY WOODPECKER, HOUSE FINCH, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, MOURNING DOVE, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and SONG SPARROW. Several CHIPPING SPARROWS come daily to a peanut butter/suet cake feeder.
This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 7th Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
I saw a summer tanager on Saturday 30 May at 6:40am on the north side of Queensway between Glengarry and Rosemary roads in Mississauga. This is my first sighting this year. The bird alighted on the sidewalk about thirth feet in front of me and afforded a good view before flying into the adjacent woods.
In Reply to: Frogging Reports posted by Andy on May 29, 1998 at 15:02:52:
What is the Frog Page URL. Or is it as secret as froggies life?
Till later, Jerry.
The frogging page is now up and alive. You are invited to post there your reports, sightings, questions, etc., related to frogs. The title suggests only Toronto area reports, but we welcome information from anywhere in the province. Your input is requested.
I am also considering other such boards. E.g. general nature, wildflowers, fungi, nature photography. If you have any interest in these areas, please let me know.
A male Chukar was sighted & heard in West Rouge, (that is part of the new Toronto) just south of 401 & west of Rouge Valley, May 27, 1998. As it turns out, this bird has been in the neighbourhood for a while. He was observed over a period of several days by a grade 2/3 class at the local school about three weeks ago. It is probably a released bird, or an escapee from the Zoo, but it is a beautiful bird with very distinct markings.
Elizabeth Gilbert
In Reply to: Help for visiting birders posted by Andy on May 15, 1998 at 09:53:48:
Hi Andy No joy yet with my request though the 2 who have mailed me gave your address and one sugested that you might be able to arrange for one of your students to take us out for a couple of hours and also gave some useful informations on local sights. Many thanks for your help. Howard
I saw 3 Brant on the waterfront in Oakville at the base of Trafalgar Road this evening. They feeding close to shore.
Around 5:00 this afternoon I saw a flock of 16 Whimbrel approach the Sam Smith peninsula from the lake. They followed the edge of the peninsula south and west until they were out of sight. About five minutes later I saw another (more distant) flock of approx. 15 approach from the same direction - these may have been the same birds if they made a big loop out over the lake, or they could have been a second flock. Other interesting birds on the peninsula included Mockingbird, Bonaparte's and G. Black-backed Gulls, and Common Tern.
Is there such a thing as a "scout" hummer, meaning that one comes around to check out the food supply, and possibly comes back after letting others know???? I've seen my very first hummingbird hovering around one of my feeders last Sunday, but I haven't seen any since. I would love to get more information
Today (May 27), I saw an Eastern Kingbird at York Mills and Don Mills in Toronto. I saw one last year, in this same area. There are lots of Red-Wing Blackbirds in this area and today I saw an irate male chasing a crow.
Leslie Kinrys
We have a hummingbird feeder up in our back yard which we watch regularly, we have noticed a HOUSE WREN visiting it once in a while. I have checked the feeder to see if I can see any insects gathering on it that the wren may be eating however I have not seen any as of now. Could the wren be drinking the nectar from the feeder or is he picking of the odd insect that he notices on the feeder? I have tried to see with binoculars if the bird is drinking or eating and I am unable to tell.
My husband, Dan, was birding this morning, May 26 at Cranberry Marsh in Whitby. He was on the south lookout off Halls Rd. When he drove off, he accidentally left his green fanny pack on the back bumper of his pick-up truck. In the bag is a Peterson Field Guide and a small black binder with a log of all the birds he has seen this year. He returned to Halls Rd when he discovered it was missing, but couldn't find it. There were other birders in the area. If anyone has found it, please phone (905)428-7300 or e-mail chris.kaczynski@sympatico.ca
Thank you
My friend John Triffo & I visited the Colonel Sam Smith park landfill early this morning. We revisited the Northern Mockingbird nest that I had found on Sunday. The one chick from Sunday was no longer in the nest but had scampered down below the nest about a foot where it was being fed by both parents. The unhatched egg from Sunday had hatched but this bird was recently dead as of this morning but apparently untouched by predators. We secured photos of the nest and both chicks.
While there we saw two flocks of Whimbrel - one flock of eleven at 08:10 and a second flock of sixteen at 08:13. Both flocks came from the east and flew inland just to the east of the Lakeview Generating Station.
We did not see any Bobolinks as we did on Sunday. We did find a singing Brown Thrasher.
In Reply to: Peregrine Falcons in Etobicoke - 3 chicks as of Monday morning posted by Marcel Gahbauer on May 25, 1998 at 22:35:55:
I visited the Etobicoke FalconWatch Centre this morning and the fourth chick had recently hatched just before dawn. I would encourage all those interested to visit the centre in the east tower of the Mutual Group Buildings (3250 Bloor St. W.) near the Aberfoyle St. entrance. An excellent live video monitor of the eyrie is there and recorded playback of nest activity is available for viewing. Please remember to sign the guest book if you go.
In Reply to: Peregrine Falcons in Etobicoke - 3 chicks as of Monday morning posted by Marcel Gahbauer on May 25, 1998 at 22:35:55:
The last egg at Etobicoke hatched shortly before dawn today. By early afternoon it was standing up alongside the older three chicks, and was getting its first feeding. All seem to be doing well so far, and are getting a diet of mostly starlings and a few house sparrows, six or more times a day.
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine Falcons in Etobicoke - 2 chicks hatched as of Sunday afternoon posted by Glenn Coady on May 25, 1998 at 17:30:04:
At first light this morning, a third eggshell was visible in the nest - the chick must have hatched during the night. All three chicks were observed throughout the day and appear healthy. The fourth egg is expected to hatch within the next day or two.
In Reply to: Quinte Area Birding Report - May 24/98 posted by Terry Sprague on May 24, 1998 at 20:07:59:
As a participant in the OFO trip on Saturday, I would like to say how great the trip was. I particularly like seeing the cliff swallows swooping in and out of their nests on the cliffs of the point.
The Point of Prince Edward County southeast of Picton is so remote.
After we left the group we saw a mocking bird and a blackpoll warbler by the road.
At Sandbanks we were lucky to see a Snipe, very close, rise up and touch the top of a tree for a few moments and then fly on for about 30 yards. I had never had such a good view.
Sandbanks had quite a few catbirds too.
Spotted a pair of Magnolia warblers and a pair of Mourning warblers in the tree in my backyard. It was raining and they were after insects in a honey locust tree adjacent to a paper birch.They often visit the birch on their migration north as the trees leaf out. It is unusual to see them this late in the season.
Yesterday, May 24, 1998, I led an outing to Colonel Sam Smith Park in Etobicoke for the Citizens Concerned with the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront.
We saw 13 Whimbrel fly past out over the lake from east to west last seen over the Lakeview generating plant about 9:00 a.m. 1 Common Loon (still in winter plumage) was also seen off the south tip.
We also saw four Dunlin and a Semipalmated Sandpiper on the rocks around the extreme southeast coner of the landfill.
We all got to see a Northern Mockingbird nest which contained one nestling mockingbird and one unhatched egg.
Just east of the new marina building we saw a female and 3 male Bobolink which looked to be on territory as well.
Up on the grounds of the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hopsital we saw 19 species of warbler including: a beautiful singing male Mourning Warbler, a male Canada Warbler, a male Magnolia Warbler, a male and female Cape May Warbler, a male Blackburnian Warbler, 2 Common Yellowthroats, 4 Yellow Warblers, 3 singing male Black-throated Green Warblers, 1 male Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 male Wilson's Warbler, 9 singing male Blackpoll Warblers, 1 Tennessee Warbler, 1 Nashville Warbler, 3 male American Redstarts, 3 male and 1 female Bay-breasted Warblers, 2 singing male Chestnut-sided Warblers, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 Northern Waterthrush, and 2 Ovenbirds. Five Swainson's Thrushes and 4 Red-eyed Vireos were also noted.
At long last there is an update on the status of the Peregrine Falcons in Mississauga.
Mark Chojnacki reports that he saw two birds copulating within the "MEC" symbol on 2 Robert Speck Parkway around noon today. Later, he observed what must have been a prey item being plucked atop 1 Robert Speck Parkway. He suspects these birds may be nesting on one of the two buildings. It would seem a very reasonable assumption but should be confirmed.
I would appreciate any information relating to this pair at coady@ftn.net.
Thanks in advance.
In Reply to: Re: Peregrine Falcons in Etobicoke - 1 chick hatched posted by Marcel Gahbauer on May 22, 1998 at 21:00:41:
Indeed, it seems Mark Nash's report was slightly in error. The first chick hatched about 7:30 a.m. Friday morning and the second chick shortly before 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The remaining two eggs had not hatched as of Sunday at 5:00 p.m.
This morning I took a short walk along the east side of the main Rouge River, south of Twyn Rivers. The most conspicuous birds were Indigo Buntings and American Goldfinches, both of which were singing from the tops of trees all along the trail. Along the river, I saw a Solitary Sandpiper, 3 Great Blue Herons, and at least 4 Kingfishers. Yellow Warblers and Yellothroats were also scattered along the edge of the river, and I saw a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in a Manitoba Maple overhanging the water. In the clearings I heard and saw both Mourning Warblers and House Wrens. In the forested areas, there were Veery, Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Redstart, Great-crested Flycatcher, and several others.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, May 24, 1998
Things were a bit slow in the Quinte area over the past week, with indications that the spring migration is winding down. Indications were that the migration was steady, and except for two or three good days, there were few spectacular waves. The 41st annual Kingston Field Naturalists Spring Roundup which chalked up 203 species within the 24-hour period, occurred May 16-17 and there were some notable sightings in the Prince Edward Point area as part of the KFN effort. Overnight 16/17 May, the passage of migrants was very heavy and easily counted as the low cloud ceiling forced the birds to fly lower. Along the axis from Kingston to Deseronto and south to the Point, the rate of flight was about 60,000 per hour per km of front. Thrushes made up a significant fraction led by VEERY, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. On the ground along the peninsula leading to Prince Edward Point during the following morning, there was an excellent variety of migrant passerines. Many accumulated within the National Wildlife Area to feed and rest. The brisk westerly winds that accompanied the passage of the front brought a small hawk flight of immature birds, typical of the time in May when the adult raptors are well advanced with their nests. Some 60 TURKEY VULTURES, 20 RED-TAILED HAWKS, a few SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, COOPER'S HAWK and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK along with a few BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS passed by. Around noon, two separate flocks of waders passed over Point Traverse which were 12 RED KNOTS and 10 dowitchers all in breeding plumage.
Among the songbirds, 29 species of warblers were found, noteworthy among which were an ORANGE-CROWNED, PRAIRIE, 2 HOODED WARBLERS, and 2 YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS. Two RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS and TWO RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were also there.
HOODED WARBLER was still around a week ago when Albert Boisvert visited the Point . There were lots of BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, and one BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. There was a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO on Babylon Road, and one YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen and heard .
There were 3 ORCHARD ORIOLES at P.E. Pt. Monday evening for a hike conducted by Quinte Conservation.
The 2nd annual Prince Edward County Birding Festival took place throughout last week, but a synopsis of their field trips did not arrive in time for this evening's report.
On Thursday, Albert Boisvert was at Amherst Island and chalked up 8 WILSONS PHALAROPE, 13 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, LEAST SANDPIPER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, DUNLIN , BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Ducks seen were NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL , BLUE-WINGED TEAL, WOOD DUCK , BLACK DUCK, GADWALL and MALLARD.
At Frontenac Provincial Park he found RED-SHOULDERED HAWK calling and was also treated to the song and sight of a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH.
An 8-km stretch of the abandoned CNR railway bed in Hillier Township in Prince Edward County produced an interesting blend of bird sightings early Friday morning. The silver maple swamp near Hillier village that is drained by Slab Creek contained OVENBIRD, WOOD THRUSH, HERMIT THRUSH, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and RED-EYED VIREO. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was heard calling from a deciduous woods near Palmer-Burris Road, and VESPER SPARROWS were singing near County Road 1. At the Consecon Lake crossing, there were GREAT BLUE HERON, MALLARDS, and two pairs of MUTE SWANS.
The Ontario Field Ornithologists field trip to Prince Edward Point yesterday resulted in over 70 species seen, but no spectacular numbers or species. There were only 12 warbler species recorded with BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER and BLACKPOLL WARBLER being the most frequently encountered. A CERULEAN WARBLER was found by the Quinte Field Naturalists group. There was some hawk movement with 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS noted along with RED-TAILED HAWK, NORTHERN HARRIER and BROAD-WINGED HAWK. GREAT HORNED OWLS were found in the swamp some distance west of the Point. Other species found included BRANT, CASPIAN TERN, BLACK TERN, VEERY and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.
A CERULEAN WARBLER turned up at Amherst Island last week, along with YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, MOURNING WARBLER, STILT SANDPIPER and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have also been observed there, and one was seen today in Prince Edward County on King's Road. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen by Brian Grimley at the small bridge toward the southern end of King's Road.
Main Duck Island, located some 12 miles off Prince Edward Point, which has the potential of being every bit as good for birds as the Point itself, was a huge disappointment when two members of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists journeyed out there by boat recently. What they saw could have been tallied just as easily in their backyard, according to their candid comments. This report has been brought to you by Quinte Conservation, and will be updated at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31st. Our thanks to contributors who make this report possible. Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Colonel Sam Smith park - May 19, 1998 posted by Glenn Coady on May 21, 1998 at 16:02:20:
This morning I couldn't find any shorebirds at the park, but the warbler activity was fairly good. Redstarts and Blackpolls were by far the most common, but there were also a few Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Wilson's, Tennessee, Yellow, and Chestnut-sided.
In Reply to: Peregrine Falcons in Etobicoke - 2 chicks hatched posted by Glenn Coady on May 22, 1998 at 15:42:29:
Actually, as of 6:30 pm there was still only 1 chick hatched. In all of the excitement this morning when we discovered the chick, there was some miscommunication, and Mark thought there were two chicks.
However, chances are that by the time anyone reads this, the second chick will have been born. We are expecting that the remaining three eggs will likely hatch over the weekend. We will attempt to capture as much of the action as possible on videotape, and will make this available for viewing at the information centre (open from 8 am to 6 pm weekdays, and 10 am to 3 pm this Sunday only).
Just received word from Mark Nash of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation that two of the eggs at the Etobicoke Peregrine Falcon eyrie hatched shortly after 7:00 a.m. this morning. They have video footage of this at the FalconWatch centre which can be viewed (3250 Bloor St. W.) on site.
Beth Jefferson has e-mailed me to let me know that she saw 120 Whimbrel fly in and land at Colonel Sam Smith park in Etobicoke Tuesday evening at about 7:00 p.m.
PRESQU'ILE BIRD SIGHTINGS
Warblers and Whimbrel's Weekend was a complete success, with the number of species seen over the long weekend approaching, if not exceeding, 150! Park Naturalist Steve Laforest reports that the migration is a strange one. The arrival of blackpoll warblers usually signals the end of the migration, yellow rumps are readily seen. A Louisiana waterthrush was reported, but has not been confirmed. The same with a report of an Arctic tern.
This ucoming weekend (Saturday and Sunday May 23rd and 24th) will host the last of the spring birding program guided hikes, commencing both days at 10:00 am from the Beach #4 parking lot.
The Spring Art Exhibition in the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre will again be open this weekend. See some outstanding art based on Presqu'ile themes.
Birding highlights include:
May 18 - blackpoll warblers - white-rumped sandpiper - 2 brant - horned lark (unusual in the park) - male orchard oriole - a few whimbrels just outside the parkDonald DavisMay 17 - 4 sandhill cranes flying overhead - 5 black-crowned night herons - 9 short-billed dowitchers - 2 ruddy turnstones - 2 least sandpipers - 8 dunlin - 3 semipalmated plovers - 1 clay-colured sparrow - 1 Carolina wren
May 16 - red-bellied woodpecker (inspecting a tree cavity) - northern parula - 2 Philadelphia warblers - mourning warbler - hooded warbler - cerulean warbler - black-billed cuckoo - many scarlet tanagers - evening grosbeak - 3 blackpoll warblers - 2 northern waterthrush
May 15 - fox sparrow - 100 brant - yellow-throated vireo - Tennessee warbler - blackburnian warbler - pine warbler - golden-winged warbler - blue-winged warbler - Nashville warbler
May 14 - blue-gray gnatcatcher - clay-coloured sparrow - wilson's warbler - 30 brant - orchard oriole - American redstart
May 13 - whip-poor-whil - 20 wood thrush - Lincoln's sparrow - red-headed woodpecker - 2 blue-winged warblers - golden-winged warbler
May 12 - 3 red-necked grebe - golden-winged warbler
Our sunflower tube feeder has become a favourite spot for a Hairy Woodpecker. He has been visiting for about a week now, merrily stuffing his face with seeds. Am just wondering how prevalent such odd behaviour is. I emptied the feeder to check for insects, but found none, so I'm sure it's the seed he's after.
In Reply to: Tommy Thompson Park - May 9-15/98 posted by Tamara on May 19, 1998 at 15:55:11:
On the 18th at tommy t saw Blackpolls-2, Blackthroated blue females-3, palm-1, Chestnut sided-4, magnolia-1, scarlett tanagers-3, Red bellied woodpeckers-2, philadelphia vireos-3, and the usual suspects in the water
In Reply to: Flocks of Blue Jays posted by Schuy Jones on May 17, 1998 at 08:01:42:
The Blue Jays you are seeing are migrants. In both spring and fall the many Blue Jays that do not overwinter in s. Ontario often migrate in sometimes very large flocks. In fall as many as 10,000 have been seen passing one point in a single day in Toronto.
The timing is just about right for migrant Blue Jays - indeed I saw about 200 over Colonel Sam Smith park before a walk I led there on Saturday morning.
Hope this is helpful.
In Reply to: Impatient!!! posted by Linda on May 19, 1998 at 22:06:49:
We have had Hummingbirds and Orioles since the 13th May, but I have only seen the Hummingbird on the feeder a couple of times. I think they're just not too hungry. I'm sure they will come to your feeders soon. Be patient and you will be rewarded. Mike
In Reply to: Swede going to Canada posted by Jan Henriksson on May 18, 1998 at 18:24:50:
Give me a call at 416-535-1902 when you get to Toronto. I do the Toronto & Ontario hotline (416-350-3000 ext2293)and I am retired so I have quite a bit of time. When will you come???
It's me again....the one that lives around Gage Park, in Hamilton. I'm getting real disappointed......I'm trying so hard to attract hummers and orioles! No luck! I have mature trees, bushes, columbines and other red flowers, an oriole feeder, half of an orange on a peg, 2 hummingbird feeders (with fresh syrup, changed every 2-3 days).... What am I doing wrong????? I seem to attract the "regulars", cardinals, blue jays, etc. with sunflower seeds. I also have a big fuschia plant near one of the hummingbird feeder.....Oh, I forgot, I also put out grape jelly.....What more can I do?? (aside from moving to another neighborhoud) LOL......Thank you. Linda.
Tommy Thompson Park Wildlife Hotline (416) 661-6600 ext. 233
If you would like to record your own wildlife sighting at any time during this recorded message, please press 5 on your touch tone phone and provide a detailed description of your sighting after the tone. To assist us, please include the date and time of your observation along with your full name and telephone number.
The following is an update of the wildlife in and around Tommy Thompson Park for the week of May 9th to May 15th, 1998.
Warblers on migration are still trickling through the Park this week. Although the numbers were not high, there were a variety were still observed. Species reported included: Palm, yellow-rump, yellow, northern parula, chestnut-sided, Nashville, hooded, northern waterthrush, and ovenbird. Shorebird migration has also been slow with only spotted sandpipers, least sandpipers, and dunlin being reported.
Also of interest this week was the sighting of 2 marsh wrens on the base Sat. May 9 and Sun. May 10. Although this is not a rare bird, it is not commonly observed at the Spit.
Other birds reported this week include: Baltimore orioles, a pair of hooded mergansers and a coot in embayment D, wood thrushes, swamp sparrows, mocking bird, least and great-creasted flycatchers, a bobolink, a woodcock on the base, red-breasted nuthatches, a veery, red-breasted grosbeaks, savannah sparrows, a warbling vireo, and a scarlet tanager.
Mammals reported this week include 3 muskrats observed near the pedestrian bridge and cottontail rabbits on the base of peninsulas A and C.
And finally a reminder that the Park will be open the Victoria Day Monday from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Tommy Thompson Park is a unique natural area located at the foot of Leslie Street on the Toronto Waterfront. It is currently open to the public on Weekends and Holidays throughout the year. Admission and parking is free.
The Tommy Thompson Park hotline is in part supported by Environment Canada?s Great Lake 2000 program.
Yesterday (May 18) I saw a flock of 29 Short-billed Dowitchers along with 32 Dunlin, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Least Sandpipers, 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 1 Spotted Sandpiper. The dowitchers were the subspecies hendersoni.
Warblers were also present in small numbers: Blackpoll Warbler - 3; Black-throated Green Warbler - 1; Magnolia Warbler - 1; Yellow Warbler - 2; Tennessee Warbler - 4; Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1; American Redstart - 2; Common Yellowthroat - 1; Bay-breasted Warbler - 1; Cape May Warbler - 1; Black-and-white Warbler - 1; Nashville Warbler - 1.
In Reply to: Swede going to Canada posted by Jan Henriksson on May 18, 1998 at 18:24:50:
I forgot to write when I'll be in Canada.
I'll arrive in Hallifax the 3rd of June and will go back on the 29th of June.
Today it's not exactly decided when I'll be in Toronto!
Jan
Hi
I'm a 28 y/o Swede living in a town called Luleaa in the northern part of Sweden. I have an American girlfriend studying at York University in Toronto. Right now I am planning a “holiday” trip to visit her and to see a lot of Canada's nature a