Over lunch today, I stopped by High Park in search for signs of spring. I found a few, but not as many as I had hoped. At the northeast end of the allotment gardens, several Song Sparrows have joined the resident Juncos (which are singing incessantly now). A little to the north, in the spruces by the compost heap, there were 5 GC Kinglets and 2 Creepers.
The most interesting birds were on Grenadier Pond. South of the floral clock were 3 Ring-necked Ducks (1 male, 2 female) with a single male Bufflehead. To the east of them were 15 male and 2 female Shovelers, close to shore. At the southwest end of the pond were about 30 Common Mergansers and 6 Mute Swans. On the remaining ice were several G. Black-backed Gulls and lots of Herring Gulls, as well as RBGs. Interestingly, there were no Mallards or C. Geese to be seen (although they were present in the duck ponds).
this grey, overcast to foggy, but mild spring day saw a nice assortment of ducks, and a growing number of early returners. species seen (between 3-4 pm included; p.b. grebe (2), a. widgeon (6), mallard, n. shoveller (1), c. goose, m. swan (30-40!) , common merganser (5), hooded merganser(3), bufflehead (20), common loon (1), oldsquaw (4-500), blue-winged teal (4), gadwall(2), a. blackduck; also, killdeer(2), red wing blackbirds(100), a. robin(30), a. crow, c. grackle, song sparrow(12-15), golden-crowned kinglet(2), great blue heron(1), ring bill gull, herring gull(3), mourning dove, blue jay(1), northern flicker(6), house finch(2), and great black back gull(2).
The Northern Flicker were seen coming in off the water, and were likely very fresh. The Great Blue Heron looked tired (if i can anthropormorphise), and was out on the first point past the foot bridge as you walk east from the parking lot. The Common Loon was mixed with the oldsquaw at the southeasterly point of the park - about 100 metres out. Two p.b. grebe were seen, one to the west of the road as you drive in, and a second at the mouth of the where it has been decided that humans, canada geese, and r-b gulls should co-mingle.
Regards,
paul millen
Last Friday we went for a walk along the Trail at West Humber Bay Park. We were in for a shock. There were no birds to be seen. No ducks, not even gulls. Then we have noticed the stench coming from the water and unmistakable sheen of oil or gasoline on the surface of water. The Bay was completely covered by oil. Police boat went around in circle looking for something. It was weird. There were two swans at the mouth of bay about 2000 feet away. But nothing else. Very strange. Does anybody know what happened? The Bay I am talking about is the one between Marina and lake shore where the Gazebo is. Did it come from Marina or one of storm sewers that spill into the Bay? There is one just to the right of Gazebo. Not a very pretty picture.
Till later, Jerry
In Reply to: What Bird Houses to build in Caledon? posted by Glenn Macgowan on March 24, 1997 at 18:38:31:
Bluebird boxes would be well suited for areas with pastureland. The boxes must be hung in pairs about 1 fencepost apart to deal with the problem of competition. Should there be an interest in endangered species, there is a need for nest boxes for Prothonotary Warbler. These boxes would require special habitat (flooded woodlands) and there is a need for them at Long Point and Rondeau.
In Reply to: What Bird Houses to build in Caledon? posted by Glenn Macgowan on March 24, 1997 at 18:38:31:
Hi Glenn, I'm glad to read of your interest in putting up bird houses. An organization which may be able to help you in this respect is Song of Hope: Bringing Back Indigenous Species to the Greater Toronto Area, which I am a member of. Song of Hope is a non-profit volunteer-based organization that operates a variety of projects, including nesting box construction and installation. Song of Hope has built boxes for bluebirds, bats, and wood ducks, and is looking into boxes for kestrels and butterflies. Schematic diagrams for most of these boxes are available. Song of Hope would be happy to send a representative to your group to advise what species you may want to focus on, and to give a demonstration and/or a brief presentation, if you like.
Song of Hope can be reached by phone at (416) 284-1901, by fax at (905) 841-1055, or by writing at 15028 Dufferin Street, King City ON, L7B 1K5.
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay update - March 18 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 23, 1997 at 17:20:14:
Hi Marcel, last Sunday we have noticed that they started to build some kind of jetty righy int mouth of Mimico Creek. There is a lot of sediment there right now with lots of Gulls using it. I still wish that City would post some kind of Project description.
I am starting up an environmental\naturalist group at my high school "Robert F. Hall RCSS" in Caledon East Ontario (north of Brampton in the Albion Hills). I want to find out which birds we should be building houses for. We will probably be posting some of the houses around our schoolyard and along the Caledon railtrail which runs closeby. Any suggestions on resources for finding a good design are also needed.
Today was a third day in the row that we have seen the Harlequin Duck at West Humber Bay Park. Also we are pleased to say that we have directed 16 other birders to the Gazebo that we ourselves couldn't find at first. But thanks to an unidentified birder that told us where the Gazebo was located we were only too glad to share. The duck is still there and if anybody is interested to see it here is the direction: When you enter West Bay Park, park your car in the first lot on your left. Start of the ""Trail" is opposite Maintenance Yard. First yellow speed bump points to the entrance. Go west (right if you go from Lakeshore Blvd.). Follow the trail till you reach BIG gazebo(about 600 feet). The Harlequin Duck is usually around this end of the bay. There was a time that he was so close that my close focusing binoculars were unable to focus! That is close (6 feet)! Good luck and enjoy!
In Reply to: SNOWY OWL posted by Jay Morrison on December 09, 1996 at 08:39:08:
I would deeply apreciate you sending me some information on the snowy owl within the next couple of hours, thanks.
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay update - March 18 posted by Jerry J. Kubera on March 22, 1997 at 19:54:19:
Hi Jerry, I'm glad you found the Harlequin. It wasn't me in the car -- I usually come by TTC. I was somewhat surprised that you and others were unfamiliar with the 'north shore' of the park. I've found that the ducks visible from the northwest end of the west peninsula are almost always easier to see from the north shore.
With respect to the construction at Humber Bay East, I too would be interested to see the plans. The only information I have about it is what Chris Clark posted on March 19. If this report is accurate, I think that this is a positive development. True, the bay was used by many species of duck, but there are many other bays to which they can move. The benefits of having a marsh habitat in this area outweigh this drawback (and I suspect that it will also cause mallard and goose numbers to decline because of reduced access to the 'feeding area'. Any further information on this project would be greatly appreciated.
In Reply to: SNOWY OWL posted by Jay Morrison on December 09, 1996 at 08:39:08:
The snowy owl sucks
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay update - March 18 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 20, 1997 at 07:30:48:
Hi Marcel, so after two futile attempts to locate the Harlequin Duck we have finally succeded this morning (Sat. March 22) around 11 AM. We would have never found it if a gentlemen in car wouldn't drive by and tell us where the gazebo was. Till now West Humber Bay Park's boundery was the fence between Sailing Clubs and drive to the tip. I guess I have to expand my horizon :-). BTW, was it you in that car?
In Reply to: Re: Baby pigeons - March 10 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 20, 1997 at 07:34:22:
That is exactly what they are doing, Marcel. They are a virtual breeding machine. Just like sparrows or starlings. They do not seem to have a defined breeding season. Just like us ;-). BTW, have you seen or know where to see the plan for the Humber Bay Park development? I would love to see it. The City has posted the plans when they were developing the North end of Grenadier Pond in High Park. They have done a great job.Last Fall we have seen a lot of shorebirds in there very, very close.
In Reply to: Re: Baby pigeons - March 10 posted by Jerry J. Kubera on March 11, 1997 at 18:55:12:
By now (March 19) the pigeons have grown greatly, and look almost like the adults. I agree that the pigeons appear to be very good parents. An interesting thing has happened, though. The two young birds are still in the old nest, but at the opposite end of the ledge, the parents have built a new, even larger nest. Does anybody know what the purpose of this might be? (Is it possible that they are already getting ready for raising another brood?)
In Reply to: Re: Humber Bay update - March 18 posted by Chris Clark on March 19, 1997 at 13:28:13:
The gazebo I was referring to is on the north shore of Humber Bay West, on the Waterfront Trail. Sorry for any confusion.
In Reply to: Humber Bay update - March 18 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 19, 1997 at 08:55:25:
Don't know for sure, but somebody mentioned to me that the construction at HBE was to dam off the inlet so that reeds and other stuff could grow and make it a real marsh.
BTW, which "gazebo" are you refering to for the Harlequin duck? Is it at the West park?
In Reply to: Bald Eagle posted by Barb Reid on January 05, 1997 at 09:03:10:
please send stuff on birds i thank you
Unfortunately, I could not find the Ross' goose today. However, there were several other good birds around. The male harlequin duck was right beside the gazebo, and would make a wonderful photo opportunity. Just to the west was a ruddy duck, along with the usual mixture of goldeneye, bufflehead, WW scoter, and a few scaup. In the bay between HB West and East, there were 10 more scoters (all WW), a pair of ring-necked ducks, both RB and Common Mergansers, more Bufflehead, and a few Oldsquaw. All three regular gull species were present as well. On the east side, the most interesting find was 3 male and 1 female Am. Wigeon waddling around on land with the Mallards near the 'feeding area'. In the bay to the east of the parking lot, there were 10 redhead, 10 scaup, and 2 more ring-necked ducks. By the way, does anybody know what the goal is of all the construction that is going on at Humber Bay, and how much more they are going to do?
In Reply to: Re: Bird Locations (owls,crossbills etc.)(Please we need help!) posted by barry atkinson on March 09, 1997 at 17:29:34:
Barry, Two years ago April,I was up near Timmins. We spotted a pair of Hawk Owls. The male seemed to be making sounds very similar to a Sandhill Crane It flew to a snag where it grabbed a vole-sized animal, which it must have cached there earlier. The male then offered it to the female, who took it and "incubated" it (to thaw it before eating?) The pair then copulated a number of times, disappearing occassionally into a hole in a large nearby snag.
Maybe your Hawk Owl is up to the same thing, given it is near that time of year again
There are two pairs of Ring-Necked Ducks in a bay between West and East Humber Bay Park. The Ross' Goose is gone. There are still big rafts of Oldsquaws out in the open water. BTW, why are the ring-necked ducks called like that when only ring you see is on their beak?
In Reply to: Yellow Rumped Warbler posted by Ruth Gilbert on December 21, 1996 at 14:36:15:
please send any new findings about the warbler
thank you marissa ......
In Reply to: Spring is coming! posted by Chris Clark on March 12, 1997 at 08:51:13:
Not to sound the pessimist, but if our sightings suggest the state of the seasons, what does a huge flock of Snow Buntings mean? I saw them last Monday (Mar10) just North of Lakefield. It was a very large flock (at least 100 birds), and they demonstrated well to my daughter why they are dubbed "snowflakes".
In Reply to: Spring is coming! posted by Chris Clark on March 12, 1997 at 08:51:13:
I saw 8 robins, hanging with a few grackles in Taylor Creek on the weekend. There was also a pair of red-winged blackbirds doing their thing. Now if we could only make the bloody snow go away...
Seen this morning at West Humber Bay Park: Ross' Goose!!!, White Winged Scoter (two pairs), Red-Breasted Mergansers (two pairs), two mating pairs of Oldsquaws, mating Buffleheads, Northern Shovelers, Green-Winged Teal, Goldeneyes, Malards etc. The Ross'Goose was a show stopper. I and three more birders were observing it from as close as 10 feet. It was with flock of migrating Canada Geese close to the end of the road in West Humber Bay Park. Also ,for me, this spring's first Red Wing. Spring is here!
Well, it isn't quite a Robin, but while walking home yesterday I did see (and hear) a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD by SkyDome. There were also a couple of GRACKLES (which I hadn't seen until last week) and some MOURNING DOVES (also not seen all winter).
Buenos! I'm currrently doing a study on White-breasted nuthatch vigilance during foraging, and was wondering if anyone knows of an easily accessible location within Toronto where one might be able to do a study without being oveerrun by dogwalkers etc... Any suggestions/hot tips on ideal territories would be cool. Thanks
In Reply to: Baby pigeons - March 10 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on March 10, 1997 at 16:42:26:
My wife and I had a pleasure to observe the whole cycle of a nesting pair. From courting to weaning the young. We live across from High Park. Across from our kitchen window there is another kitchen window with an air conditioner. Under the air conditionerwas a ledge of about 5 inches. This is where the pair build the nest. It was very interesting. The nest was mere 8 feet away. The bigest suprise was the color of hatched birds. Yellow like a ducklings. And they stayd that way for about two to three weeks. By the way, we found the pigeons an excelent parents. They both took turns in hatching and rearing the young. Too bad they are so messy.
It's one of those urban myths that no one ever sees baby pigeons. Obviously this isn't true, but the fact is that they are rarely seen. For anyone who would like to see what young pigeons look like, I suggest going to the northwest corner of Harbord and Spadina. Above the doorway to 650 Spadina is a narrow ledge on which the nest is balanced. There are two or three young (it's hard to tell!) in the nest, and they are already roughly the size of a starling; however, they still look very scraggly.
In Reply to: Bird Locations (owls,crossbills etc.)(Please we need help!) posted by Matt on February 14, 1997 at 20:53:04:
Here in Thunder Bay we have enjoyed the best Hawk Owl eruption in at least 20 years. As of today, the 9th of March, some seem to have moved on but today one got us excited about a possible nesting situation. Whilst watching one hunt, we observed it catch a large mouse or vole and instead of eating it in the usual manner,it flew over top of us carrying its prey,landed in the top five feet of a [I think] spruce, about 30' tall,landed on a large snow laden bow,disappeared for no more than five seconds,flew back overhead and continued hunting... Do Hawk Owls stash food? Do they nest in conifers? Is it too early for nesting activities?
There are 4 white-winged scoters in Humber Bay Park west.
Last sunday (Feb. 23) there were 2 Glaucous and 2 Iceland Gulls at the Cobourg Harbour.
In Reply to: Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL posted by S. Plumb on January 26, 1997 at 23:47:03:
WHILE ON A SKI VACATION IN VERMONT, WE STAYED AT 1836 CABINS IN WATERBURY CENTER (NEAR BEN AND JERRY'S:SAME SIDE OF ROAD) (TOTALLY AWESOME ACCOMODATIONS BTW)...ANYWAYS WE SAW A GROUP OF PEOPLE ON THE 1836 CABINS ACCESS-ROAD WITH BINOCS ON TRIPODS AND OTHER STUFF LOOKING HIGH IN THE TREES...THEY FLAGGED US DOWN AND ASKED IF WE WANTED TO SEE A RARITY...SO WE TOOK A SCOPE AND SAW THE GREAT NORTHERN HAWK OWL PERCHED IN A TREE WIDE AWAKE LOOKING BACK AT US. SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAD TRAVELED MANY MILES TO SEE THIS OWL AND I DON'T BLAME THEM. IF ANYONE WANTS TO SEE SOMETHING JUST AS MAJESTIC AS A BALD EAGLE GO TO VERMONT. THE 3AMIGOS HIGHLY RECOMMEND 1836 CABINS, SKIING AT BOLTON VALLEY, AND ANY SIGHTINGS YOU CAN GET OF THIS PRIZE BIRD!!!
In Reply to: Trumpeter Swan along harbourfront (released bird) posted by Chris Clark on February 07, 1997 at 10:05:05:
The same bird (Yellow tag, #276) is now at Ashbridge's Bay Park, along with a number of white-winged gulls. (Feb 24/97)
In Reply to: South American Birds posted by Margaret MacAulay on December 16, 1996 at 13:01:13:
What do Condors eat?
In Reply to: Re: SNOWY OWL posted by Mora Carruthers on January 17, 1997 at 19:33:52:
doing a report on the snowy owl. need all the info i can get my hands on. please help
In Reply to: Re: SNOWY OWL posted by S Pantrey on January 22, 1997 at 22:39:06:
doing a report on the snowy owl. need all info i can get. please help
Anyone out there know of a reasonably reliable place around Toronto where any of the aforementioned birds may be found.
Does anyone out there have any information on reasonably reliable locations for these species?
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, February 16th, 1997
Not a whole lot around this week in Prince Edward County to tempt any birders contemplating a trip to the Picton area. AMERICAN ROBINS continue to be reported in small isolated groups around the county.
An immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER made one appearance at a feeder on Scoharie Road (County Road 1) northwest of Picton on February 14th, and has not been seen since.
SONG SPARROWS have been visiting feeders at both Albury (just south of Trenton) and at Waupoos this past week. HORNED LARKS appeared en masse in the county as early as February 8th and are now a regular feature along most county roadsides. And the EASTERN TOWHEE continues to visit feeders in the Fenwood Gardens area.
The GOLDEN EAGLE at Stinson Block, west of Consecon, is still in the area according to three separate observers who have seen the large bird this past week. The HAWK OWL is still on the Lange Road west of Trenton. Observers are keeping their eyes peeled for the appearance of any great gray owls in Prince Edward County, but so far none has appeared. GREAT HORNED OWLS, however, are everywhere as they commence their nesting duties.
One observer e-mails, "It may be wishful thinking on my part but I thought that the WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were travelling in pairs this weekend. Would that be a significant observation if it were accurate or is it just a symptom of a desperate desire for signs of spring?"
Best to wait awhile before getting too optimistic. There's plenty of winter left yet.
This report will be updated Sunday, February 23rd Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Bird Locations (owls,crossbills etc.)(Please we need help!) posted by Matt on February 14, 1997 at 20:50:35:
I would also like any directions to see any Barred Owls,or Great Grays,Grosbeaks, Crossbills,Redpolls,or any other,GOODIES Please,your help is appreciated!.
If you have any information on any spots to find HAWK OWLS
If you have any information on any spots to find HAWK OWLS
If you have any information on any spots to find HAWK OWLS
In Reply to: Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL posted by S. Plumb on January 26, 1997 at 23:47:03:
I NEED INFO ON THE NORTHERN HAWK OWL RIGHT NOW!!!
ANYONE!!! PLEASE!!! e-MAIL ME AT EVILDIC192@AOL.COM
In Reply to: Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL posted by S. Plumb on January 26, 1997 at 23:47:03:
I NEED INFO ON THE NORTHERN HAWK OWL RIGHT NOW!!!
ANYONE!!! PLEASE!!!
In Reply to: Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL posted by S. Plumb on January 26, 1997 at 23:47:03:
I need info on the northern hawk owl, PLEASE!!!
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
February 09, 1997 Ice continues to build up along the shore of Prince Edward County making observation of waterfowl more difficult as the winter progresses. At Sandbanks, fields of ice continue out into Lake Ontario for some distance, but where conditions prevailed last week rafts of OLD SQUAW, BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON GOLDENEYE were present. The large population of AMERICAN ROBINS continues to be reported by observers throughout the county. Additional flocks have been seen at Northport, Luck's Crossroad, Royal Street, County Road 14 between Demorestville and Highway 62, and Green Point. In excess of 2,000 have been tallied so far from individual reports and from the local Christmas bird counts within the county. The Albury Swamp on Tuesday, location of one of the county's largest heronries, had ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, AMERICAN CROW, PURPLE FINCH and guess what ? - AMERICAN ROBIN. The EASTERN TOWHEE is still feeder hopping in the Fenwood Gardens area, south of Belleville. It was first reported December 19th.
The region's first GREAT GRAY OWL was seen by Ed Huevel, Feb. 2nd at Foxboro, just a short distance north of Belleville. It has not been reported since. If you have been birding in Prince Edward County this past week, we'd love to hear from you.
This report will be updated Sunday, February 16th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: redpolls posted by jennifer pyke on February 07, 1997 at 20:25:29:
Jennifer Need Redpolls in a bad way. Can you be more specific?
several redpolls at the feeder this morning. Haven't seen redpolls for several years. Richmond Hill
We were out at Queen's Quay and York to feed the mallards last night and were very surprised to see a TRUMPETER SWAN. (The bill was completely black and both wings were tagged.) We checked this morning and itwas still there around 8:30 am.
After making a few calls we found out that there is a release program for these birds which explained why it was so far from the usual range of the west coast. We've reported the tag number (276) to somebody involved in the program so they can track migration etc.
In Reply to: Re: Owls posted by Jay Morrison on November 18, 1996 at 08:54:55:
I AM DOING A REPORT ON BARRED OWLS--I WOULD APPRECIATE
ANY HELP-INFO YOU COULD GIVE ME
Winter listers might be interested in some of the species currently present at Morningside Park in Scarborough. Just north of the parking lot, bird seed has been spread on the ground, and is attracting a White-throated Sparrow, several Goldfinches, and also good numbers of Chickadees, Cardinals, and Tree Sparrows. A little to the west, there is a path leading to the right which ends up in a large clearing. At the northwest end this morning were 3 or more Golden-crowned Kinglets, 2 Creepers, and more Chickadees. To the east, at the edge of the swamp, a Song Sparrow can usually be found. Last week there was also a Winter Wren and a Swamp Sparrow here. Three species of woodpecker (Downy, Hairy, Pileated) are common in this entire area. Caution: watch where you step when in the swamp - the ice is quite thin, but easy to overlook because of the snow cover. Another bird of interest is the male Kingfisher, which is usually found on Highland Creek, just east of Morningside.
In Reply to: Owl Grand Slam posted by David McNorton on February 02, 1997 at 18:46:13:
I was also out on the Spit on Feb. 2, and saw 8 owls in total (4 Snowy, 2 Saw-whet, 1 Boreal, 1 Short-eared). There were several other notable sightings. South of cell 3, there were over 20 White-winged Scoters, but they took off when attacked by one of the Snowy Owls. In the same area were 2 Muskrats. All three merganser species were present in small numbers. At the tip of peninsula B was a large flock of Scaup, with about 20 Redheads, and (according to other birders) a Tufted Duck. The Shrike was in its usual area just south of the bridge. 2 Snow buntings were around the gravel piles south of cell 3, and about a dozen Song Sparrows were mixed in with the 40+ Tree Sparrows on peninsula B.
Saturday night we were feeding the MALLARDS at Queens Quay and York (behind The Second Cup coffee shop) when we noticed a male WOOD DUCK amongst them. He was going after the bread we were throwing and when the mallards moved in close enough to feed by hand, he moved in and took a piece right from our fingers! He was there sunday morning as well. Based on this behaviour, I suspect that he has been there a while and is a "regular". Also seen on our Sunday morning walk along the harbour front: 3 male COMMON MERGANSERS, about a dozen MUTE SWANS (including this year's young that still have some grey on them), CANADA GEESE, a female HOODED MERGANSER (a "regular resident"), the MANDARIN DUCK (another resident) a couple OLDSQUAW and a GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL. May have seen a HERRING GULL based on it's size, but it was too far out to tell for sure. Later on Sunday we went to Leslie St. Spit and saw the SNOWY OWS and BOREAL OWL. We also saw 4 KESTREL that were having a good day as two of them were eating some rodent. In the channel between the Spit and Ward's island there must have been about 1000 SCAUP. We also spotted 4 RED HEADS in the crowd and some BUFFLEHEADS off by themselves.
The 2 Carolina Wrens reported earlier are still to be seen preening themselves or feeding at my bird feeding station overlooking the Grand River in Kitchener.
On February 2nd we didn't see any groundhogs on the Leslie St. spit, but the presence of four species of owls that day was impressive. The
spit had 3 Snowy Owls, 3 Saw-Whet Owls, and a Boreal Owl. There were also Glaucous Gulls and 2 White-winged Scoters there. Finally, we saw 2
(!!) Northern Hawk-Owls, one in Vaughn and one in Caledon.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
February 02, 1997 Pretty fair weather in Prince Edward County this past week for birding. While open water is at a premium around the shores of Prince Edward County, other species have made up for the low number of waterfowl sightings this past week. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES have been seen this past week at Picton, Milford and at Sandbanks (Richardson's Campground) CANADA GEESE continue to be reported daily at Wellington, and on January 29th, two MUTE SWANS were still making regular visits to the harbour whenever small patches of open water become available. A LONG-EARED OWL turned up Wednesday near the Richardson's Campground at Sandbanks Provincial Park. AMERICAN ROBINS continue to dominate the scene in the Quinte area with high numbers persisting wherever suitable cover may be found. There were 100 at Glenora on January 30th, 250+ at Massassauga Point Conservation Area early in the week, 40 at Carrying Place, 20 in a Demorestville area back yard, and scattered single sightings throughout Prince Edward County all week. The Christmas bird counts at Prince Edward Point, Belleville, and Presqu'ile in late December all recorded totals of 500+ on each count. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have been among the regular clientele at a South Bay feeder since January 30th. A review of the Presqu'ile Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 22nd, a small portion of which takes place on a corner of Prince Edward County, produced a few interesting finds. The Stinson Block area, immediately west of Consecon village yielded two WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, and another 170 AMERICAN ROBINS. Bald Head Island and Bald Head Peninsula in Weller's Bay had 1 PURPLE SANDPIPER and an AMERICAN WIGEON. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were also tallied within the Prince Edward County portion of the count circle. Speaking of Presqu'ile, the area's only GREAT GRAY OWL was seen Friday at Chatterton Point. And that's it for this week in Prince Edward County. The warbler migration is just around the corner! This report will be updated Sunday, February 9th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Bald Eagle posted by Barb Reid on January 05, 1997 at 09:03:10:
i MAY PRODUCE A BAULD EAGLE CD, WITH
MANY CLOSE-UP PHOTOS-
wATCH MY PAGE-
HTTP://MEMBER.AOL.COM/MAXPOWER1/JEFFCC.HTM
In Reply to: Help needed with injured red-tail posted by Hartung family on January 30, 1997 at 16:11:11:
Contact the Wild Bird Clinic at the U. of Guelph and they will take the bird and administer to it's injuries. Call 519 824 4120 Ext. 4162
I have a redtail hawk that has been struck by a vehicle and am
wondering how to care for him and release him. He seems to be very calm
except in the presents of our dog and cat, he has not yet tried to bite
anyone of us but we are being very careful. It appears his left wing may be
broke, he cannot fly he only hops around, I have givin him hamburger and
water but hasn't touch either on. So if you could please contact me for some
instructions or any ideas you may have. thanks
Hartung Family 1/30/97
In Reply to: Re: Lestlie St. Spit posted by Hawkmoon on January 27, 1997 at 14:14:10:
The Spit is at the foot of Leslie St. If you are coming from the West,
take Lakeshore Blvd. to Leslie St...overhead, the
Gardiner Expressway will end here. Turn right on
Leslie St. and follow to the end and park your car.
The Spit awaits you there.
Dear Fellow Birders I was at Humber Bay today and here is a list of birds seen
in today's cold for 3 1/2 hours. The highlight was a adult
female and immature female Surf Scoter right at the mouth of
the river. Also there and on many other parts of the west bay
were many White-Winged Scoters. Also at the mouth were a male
and female Hooded Merganser, many Redhead, Greater Scaup,
Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Oldsquaw, several Ring-Necked
Ducks, American Black Ducks, Canada Geese, Mallards, Mute
Swans, and a Trumpeter Swan. On the west bay there were Mute
Swans, both Scaups, Red-Breasted and Common Merganser, Gadwall,
Mallards, Oldsquaw, Common Goldeneye, a American Kestral,
and two Song Sparrows. On the east bay there were Bufflehead,
Red-Breasted and Common Mergansers, Gadwall, Mallards, and
Oldsquaw. No Ruddy Ducks or Shovellers were seen. Mike
Dear Fellow Birders I was at Humber Bay today and here is a list of birds seen
in today's cold for 3 1/2 hours. The highlight was a adult
female and immature female Surf Scoter right at the mouth of
the river. Also there and on many other parts of the west bay
were many White-Winged Scoters. Also at the mouth were a male
and female Hooded Merganser, many Redhead, Greater Scaup,
Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Oldsquaw, several Ring-Necked
Ducks, American Black Ducks, Canada Geese, Mallards, Mute
Swans, and a Trumpeter Swan. On the west bay there were Mute
Swans, both Scaups, Red-Breasted and Common Merganser, Gadwall,
Mallards, Oldsquaw, Common Goldeneye, and two Song Sparrows.
On the east bay there were Bufflehead, Red-Breasted and Common
Mergansers, Gadwall, Mallards, and Oldsquaw. No Ruddy Ducks
or Shovellers were seen. Mike
Sorry this is a little late...
On Saturday we stopped by HBP East for only 10 minutes, but spotted quite a number of waterfowl. The inner bays had partially thawed (although they're probably frozen again given the weather since then).
The biggest surprise was an AMERICAN COOT who was socializing with the MALLARDS. Several MUTE SWANS where just taking off when we arrived. CANADA GEESE are still there in numbers. a handful of BUFFLEHEADS were very close to shore and we got quite a good look at them. As for numbers, the RED HEADS were represented by about 70 birds while we saw only one RUDDY DUCK. Several COMMON MERGANSERS were in the second bay over fro the parking lot. Several (lesser?) SCAUP were hanging out with the red heads. For 10 minutes in the cold, it was worth it!
In Reply to: Lestlie St. Spit posted by Mike on January 26, 1997 at 09:06:16:
Hi Andy: As I am from outside of Toronto , I would like it
if you could tell me where about in Toronto is
the Leslie Spit. I am looking forward to going
there.
Thanks
In Reply to: NORTHERN HAWK OWL posted by DANLBF on November 27, 1996 at 20:00:57:
Have you heard about the three northern hawk owls that are hanging out in Vermont right now? I work at the Green Mountain Club in Waterbury Center, Vermont and we have had one residing at our headquarters since mid-December. It is pretty exciting. Many bird watchers have journeyed here to see the owl. He/she has such intense eyes. We are all very excited about this.
In Reply to: NORTHERN HAWK OWL posted by DANLBF on November 27, 1996 at 20:00:57:
Have you heard about the three northern hawk owls that are hanging out in Vermont right now? I work at the Green Mountain Club in Waterbury Center, Vermont and we have had one residing at our headquarters since mid-December. It is pretty exciting. Many bird watchers have journeyed here to see the owl. He/she has such intense eyes. We are all very excited about this.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
January 26, 1997 The snowsqualls predominating over the Quinte area last week settled into mild and rainy weather on Wednesday, returning to much colder weather by the end of the week. The open waters off Sandbanks Provincial Park today had the usual mixture of conditions with ice fields, floating ice and a perpetual cold and heavy mist hovering above the surface making observation difficult. However, scattered numbers of OLDSQUAW, COMMON GOLDENEYE and BUFFLEHEAD became visible long enough to be identified. Sandbanks also had a light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK today. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen Thursday between the East Lake and West Lake Sectors of the park along the lakeshore. HORNED LARKS were present today on Kleinsteuber Road at West Lake and AMERICAN ROBINS are still present everywhere in Prince Edward County wherever one goes despite the winter conditions. Brent Bennett chalked up a mature GOLDEN EAGLE near Consecon Lake on Friday. This may be the same individual that was sighted earlier by several people west of the village of Consecon. An immature BALD EAGLE was reported from Adolphustown today, just east of the county. Many observers have been reporting NORTHERN HARRIERS this winter, their numbers far surpassing that of previous winters. Just outside the county limits, an EASTERN MEADOWLARK was seen last week on Aikens Road, near Belleville, and at Presqu'ile, a male HARLEQUIN DUCK was observed Friday. This report will be updated Sunday, February 2nd
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
Dear Fellow Birders I was at the Spit yesterday and it was fairly dead down there
but here is a list of sightings. 3 Glaucous Gulls, along with
Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-Backed Gulls, the Boreal
Owl at the same spot he's always been, Redheads, Scaups,
Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-Brested Merganser, Mallards,
and Oldsquaw. Also seen were 2 Coyotes moving across on the
ice. Also earlier that day at South Shell Park near the
Burloak pier were two flocks of about 100 each of scoter, but
were too far out to be identified. Also there were 3 Red-
Brested Mergansers and Ring-Billed Gulls. And this morning
in Oakville at 6th Line and Upper Middle the Mockingbird was
seen again. Mike
Northern Harrier (male) over the marsh east of the
main gate at Leslie Street Spit. Confirmation by email would
be appreciated. He's a beauty.
In Reply to: Lestlie St. Spit posted by Mike on January 04, 1997 at 18:52:39:
Saturday January 25. Saw a male Northern Harrier
over the marsh to the east near the entrance gate.
In Reply to: NORTHERN HAWK OWL posted by DANLBF on November 27, 1996 at 20:00:57:
whilst watching a hawk owl at less than 20 yds I
observed and heard it making a quiet almost warbler
like sound for half a minute or so. what is this
sound. it had just ate a whole pigeon over a period of
a couple of hours. is this contentment? I can find
no reference to such behaviour.?????
In Reply to: Re: SNOWY OWL posted by Fiorino Gallo on December 11, 1996 at 12:02:57:
the best site for snowy owls
lttp://www.ec.gc.ca/envcan/docs/owl/owl.html
In Reply to: White-throated sparrow - Jan. 9 posted by Mike on January 09, 1997 at 20:08:20:
I have had two White throated sp. all winter at my feeder in Cold Springs 10km north of Cobourg.A male Oregon Junco appears regularly, this is the third winter that it has been here.
In Reply to: SNOWY OWL posted by Jay Morrison on December 09, 1996 at 08:39:08:
Snowy Owls must be a good topic for a school report. My daughter is in first grade and is doing a report on Snowy Owls. The following site was good.
www.tulsawalk.com/birding/snowy.html
Two Blue morph Snow Geese were seen at Bronte Harbour on January 20th 1997, at 5:00 p.m.
At Humber Bay, the ice has closed all of the bays, and the ducks are now concentrated along the lakeshore. 17 species of duck were seen today. Highlights were a male RUDDY DUCK on the south shore of H.B. East, a male RING-NECKED DUCK with 2 male WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS at the southwest end of H.B. East, and a female CANVASBACK at the northwest end of H.B. West. Among the other species present were 5 WIGEONS, 8 SHOVELERS, 3 female RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 7 COMMON MERGANSERS, and over 100 REDHEAD. About 1 km west of H.B. West was an enormous raft of SCAUP etc. Also seen within the park were 2 GOLDFINCHES on the north side of the H.B. East parking lot, and a FOX running east across the frozen Mimico Creek.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
January 19, 1997 Between snow squaws, a characteristic of Prince Edward County that has made it somewhat notorious, and sub-zero temperatures, there was little opportunity for birders to get out much this past week. Last weekend a TURKEY VULTURE was present near the corner of County Road 18 and Salmon Point Road, at Sandbanks. Eight BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were also seen in the same general area. Despite the channel and harbour freezing solid at Wellington, 7 MALLARDS were seen in flight over the village. At least one of the AMERICAN COOTS seen there a week ago before the harbour froze made it presence known on Tuesday. It turned up in the middle of King Street, in Picton, and was rescued by an IGA employee on her way to work. Picton has managed to chalk up an interesting list of grounded birds over the years that have fallen from the skies onto town streets, including a red-necked grebe in 1977, and a red-throated loon in the mid 1980s. A SNOWY OWL is hanging around the Stinson Block area, west of the village of Consecon, and can often be seen atop the ice mountains along the shore of Lake Ontario not far from the base of Bald Head Peninsula. The bird feeder at the Moira River Conservation Authority office on Highway 2, west of Belleville currently has MOURNING DOVE (22), HOUSE FINCH (2), PURPLE FINCH (1), WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (2), BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (15), DOWNY WOODPECKER (2), TREE SPARROW (15+), AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (5), and AMERICAN CROW (1). Our thanks to Belleville Thrasher Feeds and Garden Centre for supplying complimentary bird feed this winter.
This report will be updated Sunday, January 26th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Presqu'ile Bird Sightings posted by Donald Davis on November 26, 1996 at 11:49:54:
I am an undergraduate student at Queen's
University doing a research project on the impact
of human intervention on the ecosystems found in
Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Any useful information
on this subject that you could provide would be
greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.
In Reply to: Re: SNOWY OWL posted by Mora Carruthers on January 17, 1997 at 19:32:02:
I gave you the wrong e-mail address before -please note the change
In Reply to: Re: SNOWY OWL posted by Debby Williams on January 12, 1997 at 15:22:26:
I am a grade 3 student doing a project on snowy owls. Is ther any information you can send me or direct me where I can get some information? Thanks Mora
In Reply to: Carolina Wrens posted by Neil E. Taylor on January 13, 1997 at 06:51:12:
11 Meadowl larks were sited in the Fisherville area south-west of Cayuga, 1:15, January 15, 1997. Email pieris@sentex.net for details of precise directions.
In Reply to: Carolina Wrens posted by Neil E. Taylor on January 13, 1997 at 06:51:12:
Two birds are now showing up daily along with 20+ mourning doves, hairy and downy woodpeckers, 12+ northern cardinals, chickadees, juncos, tree sparrows, blue jays, whitw-breasted nuthatches.
Two Carolina Wrens are regular daily visitors to my feeding station in Kitchener overlooking the Grand River.
In Reply to: Gulls posted by Thomas Brown on January 14, 1997 at 13:57:04:
Lesser Black-Backed Gulls have been found in Ontario
mainly around Niagara Falls, but also around the
west-end of Lake Ontario occasionally.
High Park was very productive this morning. The best area is around the allotment gardens. On the east side of the gardens were 5 GOLDFINCHES, 12 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 10 JUNCOS, 3 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, 4 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, countless CHICKADEES, and a ROBIN. A little further north, near the compost pile, there were 3 DOWNY WOODPECKERS and 1 or 2 CREEPERS. On the east side of Spring Road, west of Howard Park, were many more nuthatches and chickadees, all of which were extremely tame/aggressive.
I am sending this from Staten Island, New York. I am wondering
if Lesser Black-backed Gulls are reported along the east coast of
Canada, and throughout the Great Lakes. For the CBC, on December 21,
we recorded 7 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, six of them at the
Fresh Kills Landfill, the largest landfill in the world. I have
observed as many as 13 Lesser Black-backs at the landfill site
on one occasion (December 28, 1996). I am curious to see if these Gulls are being reported in similar
numbers elsewhere, or if the Landfill on Staten ISland is attracting
them. Tom Brown
the college of Staten Island
brownt@postboxcuny.csi.edu
Hello!! I am in desperate need of a person that will email or phone me for an interview of sorts that knows something about the black capped chickadee.
I need it for my zoology final, and I have been procrastingating getting an interview.
Please don't tell my college prof:)
Thanks and please email me with info:)
Two Carolina Wrens have appeared at the same time at my feeding station overlooking the Grand River in Kitchener. The first one was seen the first week of November. There visits are quite unpredictable.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
January 12, 1997 Colder temperatures this past week resulted in quite a change in the waters of Prince Edward County compared to last week at this time. Mountains of ice have formed along the Lake Ontario shoreline of the county, and even the harbour and channel at Wellington were frozen solid by Sunday. However, a few interesting birds turned up early in the week before Old Man Winter completely sealed West Lake. On Tuesday, there were still two AMERICAN COOT in the harbour along with LESSER SCAUP, CANVASBACK, REDHEAD and numerous MALLARDS. Two MUTE SWANS were seen there, also on Tuesday, by Albert Boisvert. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS continue to turn up on a weekly basis in the county. Eight were seen on 40 Foot Hill near Salmon Point last week, with an additional 4 near Northport. A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD is visiting a feeder on West Lake Road, and the EASTERN TOWHEE at Fenwood Gardens is still making its rounds within a two-mile radius of where it was first seen earlier this winter. It showed up today at a feeder of a reporter for the Belleville Intelligencer. NORTHERN HARRIERS appear to be somewhat more common this season than in past winters. Individuals have been seen at Mountain View, Big Island, Huyck's Point, Point Petre, Sandbanks and Rednersville. A female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is visiting a feeder near the east end of Consecon Lake. This is the first one to be reported this winter, quite unlike the half dozen or so that usually turn up around the county. Just outside the county limits, the NORTHERN HAWK OWL is still hanging northwest of Carrying Place. It, and the IVORY GULL seen January 3rd at nearby Presqu'ile Park would both make handsome additions to the Prince Edward County winter list, if they would but wander around a bit.
This report will be updated Sunday, January 19th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Re: SNOWY OWL posted by Fiorino Gallo on December 11, 1996 at 12:02:57:
My nice is doing a project on Snowy Owl also. Is there any interesting information
you can pass on to us?
In Reply to: White-throated sparrow - Jan. 8 posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 09, 1997 at 07:37:49:
A White-Throated Sparrow was heard singing in a
woodlot near 6th Line and Upper Middle Road in
Oakville.
Today there was a white-throated sparrow on the U of T campus, calling from the Austrian pine outside the main entrance to Knox College on the west side of King's College Circle. Up until a couple of weeks ago, there were also six or more robins in this area, but I didn't see them today.
In Reply to: tufted titmouse posted by Sheila Kirkland on November 12, 1996 at 11:06:25:
I need the information too, please forward anything you find out.
The female summer tanager which was first reported on the TOC hotline around Christmas is still present. It is behind 15 Berryman, in the Bay/Davenport area. To see the bird, walk west past the house until you come to a lane which leads around to the back of the houses. From there you can see the backyard with the birdfeeder where the tanager is normally seen. Today the tanager was not at the feeder, but in a bush on the west side of the yard, facing away. I watched it for about an hour, hoping it would eventually turn around, but it remained still, even when other birds (juncos, house sparrows) were nearby. I would be interested in hearing from other people who have seen the bird - is it often this lethargic, or was it just the cold weather today that stunned it?
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
January 05, 1997 Somewhat unseasonable temperatures this past week and rainy weather this weekend likely contributed to the dearth of much in the way of exciting birds at most feeders in Prince Edward County. However, it has provided excellent viewing opportunities for waterfowl, and likely has been responsible for the abundance of "summer" birds reported this past week. An update on the AMERICAN ROBIN numbers for both the Belleville and Prince Edward Point Christmas bird counts reveal a startling 559 robins being tallied on the Belleville count (of which 284 were counted in the Prince Edward County portion of the count). The Prince Edward Point final count was 435, all of which were recorded in the county. Four EASTERN BLUEBIRDS showed up today at a residence on Northport Road, directly across from Big Island. And yesterday, a small creek near the community of Elmbrook harboured a GREAT BLUE HERON. AN ADULT golden eagle was seen by several people on Thursday in the Stinson Block, just west of Consecon, and east of Presqu'ile Park. Prince Edward Point had little to offer Saturday except for several rafts of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and one SURF SCOTER. The best find was an immature BALD EAGLE which perched obligingly for several minutes in a tree on the Point Traverse corner of the peninsula, less than 50 metres from our car! The harbour at Prince Edward Point contained only a handful of OLD SQUAW and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. There was no sign of the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, seen in the area during the Dec. 21st Christmas count. At the County Road 18 bridge over the Outlet River, a reported RING-NECKED DUCK was picked up by a passerby on Friday. The bird was found along the roadside, a probable hit and run victim. Although an attempt was made to save it, the duck died the following day. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County.
This report will be updated Sunday, January 12th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Lestlie St. Spit posted by Mike on January 04, 1997 at 18:52:39:
Short-eared Owl on peninsula D also on Jan. 4
Saturday, January 4th @ 10:00 a.m.
On an outing to Lynde Shores CA we had the pleasure of
watching an adult Bald Eagle for about 1/2 hr.
What a wonderful sight!
Dear Fellow Birders The highlight from the Lestlie Spit today was a pair of
adult Harlequin Ducks. They were seen on the lakeside near
the dumpster, at the far end of the spit, and were later
seen on the next headland north of it. They were extremely
closs to shore, and I got a really good look. Just a
reminder to birders, that these birders are probably from
Atlantic population which is endangered and there is less
than a thousand of them left. Also seen were two Snowy Owls,
a Great Horned Owl, two or three Snow Buntings, a bunch of
Song Sparrows, all three mergansers, C. Goldeneye,Bufflehead
plenty of Oldsquaw, Gadwall, and the three regular gulls.
An immature GOSHAWK was in Petticoat Creek Conservation Area (at the foot of White's Road) in Pickering this morning. It was west of the valley, perched high in a cottonwood. Other birds in the park included one ROBIN, 19 BUFFLEHEAD, 40 GOLDENEYE, 2 BLACK DUCKS. Further east, at the foot of Liverpool Road, the only bird of interest was a solitary GREAT BLUE HERON, east of the parking lot. At Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby, there were a few surprising birds at the southeast end of the feeder trail. There were 20 COWBIRDS, 10 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, and 1 CREEPER. Other birds (CHICKADEES, TREE SPARROWS, JAYS, MOURNING DOVES) were present only in low numbers.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
December 29th, 1996 Another interesting week in Prince Edward County. Wildlife artist Mia Lane received a super gift on Christmas Day by spotting a GOLDEN EAGLE near her home at Fish Lake. Meanwhile, at Cressy, Ian and Margaret Ferguson had 3 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS near their feeder, and Marc Johnson at Fenwood Gardens still has the RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW coming to his feeder, as well as a male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. Not sure what the attraction is around here this winter for the scatterings of swans in the county. Last weekend, 23 TUNDRA SWANS were seen at South Bay, and on Boxing Day, two turned up in West Lake - mostly likely the same two individuals that have been there since early November. Two were also seen at Sandbanks Provincial Park two days ago and five TUNDRA SWANS were present today in Lake Ontario, at Wellington. Wellington today (West Lake) also had large numbers of MALLARDS and one AMERICAN COOT. The best bird today was a beautifully marked BARROW'S GOLDENEYE just off shore at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Prince Edward County residents are finally being convinced that not all robins fly south in the winter. Close to 300 AMERICAN ROBINS were seen on the Prince Edward Point bird count last week, and approximately the same number was recorded by the Quinte Field Naturalists on their Belleville count yesterday. Just under 200 were seen in one flock alone at Massassauga Point! In two days we add up our 1996 bird lists, and on New Year's Day we start all over again! For me, it means a return visit to Sandbanks to relocate the Barrow's goldeneye. Why do we do this to ourselves? This report will be updated Sunday, January 5th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
Sunday A.M. awakened by unrelenting screeching crows. Target was a Goshawk sitting high in large maple tree, corner of Lakeshore Drive and 6th Street. Crows dive bombed hawk but he seemed unperturbed. Watched for about an hour. Finally Hawk chased crows away. Has not returned. P.S. We are novice birders so assume it was a Goshawk from bird books. Comments welcome.
Northern Hawk Owl, spotted near Sandhill, East on County Rd 9 (King St.) then south at Centreville Creek Road, spotted within .2 and .5 kilometers.
Single Glaucaus Gull, first year winter, seen in inner bay of Port Credit Yacht Club with Greater Black Backs and Ring Billed Gulls
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
December 22nd, 1996 Now, this is more like it! Lots of good stuff in the Quinte area to report this weekend. The Prince Edward Point Christmas Bird Count resulted in some good finds on Saturday, including a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and a RED-THROATED LOON, both offshore from the lighthouse. The AMERICAN ROBIN was the order of the day with 282 being found by just one party alone! Complete results from the count are not in yet to determine whether or not the species was as numerous elsewhere within the count circle. A total of 13 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS turned up near Lake-on-the-Mountain, with a WINTER WREN and BROWN CREEPER also being found in the area. Smith's Bay yielded four GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and a NORTHERN FLICKER was found at both Smith's Bay and Lake-on-the-Mountain. EASTERN MEADOWLARK, RUSTY BLACKBIRD (9) and 3 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were discovered almost together on Old Milford Road. COOPER'S HAWK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, NORTHERN HARRIER , WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and 2 SONG SPARROWS were a few of the other interesting finds on the Saturday count. Number-wise, OLD SQUAW did very well, being represented by 35,000 off Prince Edward Point, followed closely by 8,000 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. High numbers were also represented by PURPLE FINCH (218) and EUROPEAN STARLING (1092). All of these numbers are apt to increase once the final tallies are in. South Bay still had the 23 TUNDRA SWANS that have been present since November 4th. Meanwhile at Fenwood Gardens, just south of Belleville, both a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and a RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE have been visiting a feeder since mid-week. The NORTHERN HAWK-OWL, near Trenton, has reappeared, but has moved north of its former location. The best find on the weekend was not in Prince Edward County, but at Kingston, just in behind Collin's Bay Penitentiary. A NORTHERN GANNET turned up with some gulls. Kingston Field Naturalists were hoping the bird would still be around for the Kingston Christmas Count today. May I take this opportunity to wish all readers a joyous Christmas and best wishes and super birding in 1997. This report will be updated Sunday, December 29th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
On Dec 17 an immature male yellow rumped warbler came to my feeder in the center of Waterloo. The feeder only has blackoil sunflower seeds in it. It appeared to pick at the discarded pieces left by the sparrows and finches. It spent a lot of time on the feeder chasing off the other birds. Today Dec 21 he is still there but seems to tolerate the other birds better. I have put out some fat and fruit and will see how he takes to that. Lets hope for a mild winter.
A regular at my local pub -- a fine fellow it goes without saying -- has
heard rumours about a one-volume condensed/abridged version of a
Field Guide to Birds of South America by Ridgely and Tudor. The full thing
apprarently is a four-volume magnum opus being published by the
University of Texas Press (Austin). The first two volumes are already
out.
If anyone has heard anything about this he, my fellow regular, would be
delighted to hear. His e-mail adddress is Halsey_Bradford@manulife.com
The BOREAL OWL is still present. It was about 50 metres south of the road to the marina, just west of the main road. Other highlights were a SNOW BUNTING circling a NORTHERN SHRIKE at the north end of cell 1, 3 SONG SPARROWS and 2 GOLDFINCHES at the east side of the base, and 1 male (cell 3) and 3 female (cell 1) HOODED MERGANSERS.
I was just wondering on how I could get involved. Thank you, for your time.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
December 15th, 1996 Not a lot to report from the Quinte area this week. We're still waiting for some semblance of winter and with it, perhaps an influx of something in the way of exciting birds. Winter lists are getting a few new additions here and there. A GREAT BLUE HERON was present at the Big Island Marsh, north of the village of Demorestville, on Friday. The DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, seen last week in West Lake is still perched on the same partially submerged log near the harbour at Wellington. The harbour was relatively free of ducks on Saturday, except for about a dozen MALLARDS. BUFFLEHEADS were present Saturday in Athol Bay at Sandbanks Provincial Park. This sheltered cove in Lake Ontario often produces some interesting finds, but unfortunately is the first to freeze once colder weather arrives. Paul Thompson of Trenton observed a fully mature BALD EAGLE, off Shoal Point on Saturday. This is the most north-westerly tip of Prince Edward County, just a stone's throw from Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The NORTHERN HAWK OWL, seen December 3rd near the junction of Wooler Road and Highway 33, north of Carrying Place, seems to have moved. It was last observed at 2:00 p.m. on December 6th. An EVENING GROSBEAK at Smithfield, 40+ AMERICAN ROBINS seen near Massassauga Point early last week, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE north of Demorestville rounds out the birds present in Prince Edward County and the Quinte area this past week. Perhaps the Prince Edward Point Christmas Count next Saturday will produce something a bit more exciting. This report will be updated Sunday, December 22nd
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Re: Boreal Owl at Lestlie St. Spit posted by craig mclauchlan on November 28, 1996 at 21:59:35:
Sat. Dec. 14th The Boreal was at the Spit again today. It was on cell 'D' which is the Marina Rd.
It was on the left side of the road, look for the first path (or what looks like a
path)...walk about 100ft in & he'll be right in front of you....hopefully! He's been
there for the past 2 weekends!
Barb
In Reply to: SNOWY OWL posted by Jay Morrison on December 09, 1996 at 08:39:08:
My sister is doing a project on Owls. I hope
you could send me some informatoin and pictures
in concerns with the subject.
In Reply to: Bird Feeders posted by Bob Greenaway on December 08, 1996 at 14:43:45:
The Home Depot stores I have been to have a very
large selection of feeders. Some of them are really
cheap looking crap, but some are very nice.
I`m a licenced bird ringer of the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society.
I`m looking for an opportunity to buy birding nets usable for bird ringing somewhere in the area of Toronto.
Could anybody give me any help or advice concerning this topic? Thanks in advance.
Leslie
A Snowy Owl had many people stopping on the Leslie
Spit yesterday as it perched on a marina dock preening
itself.
Other highlights of the day were a Great Horned owl;
a usual resident of the first point past the bridge,
and a Kestrel with a fresh vole.
Unfortunately, no sign of the Boreal owl that was
reported. If anyone one did see the Boreal owl,
I'd be interested in hearing about it.
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
December 8th, 1996 This is the week when dyed-in-the-wool birders start compiling their list of winter birds observed between December 1st and February 28th. For Albert Boisvert of Trenton his list had a fine start on December 3rd with a NORTHERN HAWK OWL seen at the corner of Highway 33 and Wooler Road, just west of the Trenton limits. With the warmer temperatures and occasional windy weather preventing the lakes and bays from breezing, ideal conditions have been present for ducks. Between 40 and 50 REDHEADS were present Monday in East Lake. Over 30 were present in West Lake on Saturday. Elsewhere, scattered flocks comprised GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, COMMON MERGANSER and a large number of MALLARDS. The warm weather this past week has also resulted in some lingering migrants making their way on the winter list. A DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT was still present at the harbour in Wellington on Saturday, along with 5 AMERICAN COOTS. Five AMERICAN ROBINS turned up on Tripp's Road, west of Demorestville, and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was spotted at Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area, both on Saturday.
This report will be updated Sunday, December 15th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
Hi,
Am seeking some assistance as to where I might find a large selection of crafted bird feeders in the greater Toronto area.
Thx,
Bob G
December 2 1996-Peregrine falcon(tufts of white on back and banded)feeding on small bird(junco?)Kipling and Albion.
In Reply to: Re: Owls posted by Jay Morrison on November 18, 1996 at 08:54:55:
I live in Austin, Texas and am interested in
building a habitat for owls to live in my back
yard in the city, and at my ranch 45 miles west
of Austin. Where do I start. Any and all
ideas will be welcomed. Regards dhenson@flash.net
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
December 1st, 1996 Not a lot around this week, so we will also take a look in this report at what's around in some good birding locations outside of the county. High winds and driving rain today made birding difficult although a few good things were seen. At Sandbanks Provincial Park, the Outlet Beach was deserted today except for a few BONAPARTE'S GULLS, RING-BILLED GULLS and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS. A flock of at least 150 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES flew over as we were driving out of the park, leaving us to wonder if that is the only finch species we will see all winter. Certainly there has been nothing to indicate that we will see much in the way of colourful finches this winter. Rough water and some ice in West Lake resulted in few species of ducks present today. MALLARDS and CANADA GEESE were about the only thing present in any numbers at all, interspersed with a few AMERICAN COOTS. CANADA GEESE numbering 150+ were also present in Prince Edward Bay near Waupoos Island on Friday. A few GREAT BLUE HERONS persist in hanging around the shallows and open spots in the Quinte area during the winter months. An injured individual was seen north of Picton on Thursday, and it was feared the bird was beyond saving.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was present at Big Island, near the village of Demorestville on Thursday, and a RED-TAILED HAWK was seen on Gilead Road, just north of Bloomfield today. Judging from the fine crop of red cedar berries and wild grapes in the Quinte area this year, there may very well be a crop of AMERICAN ROBINS this winter to reflect the bountiful harvest.
Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area on Friday had several AMERICAN ROBINS, five were seen on Black Street, south of Demorestville today, and 40+ were observed at the Frink Centre today. The Frink Centre, located near Plainfield, north of Belleville, also contained 14 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS on Friday. About a dozen PINE GROSBEAKS were seen at Cloyne, south of Bon Echo Provincial Park on Wednesday, so there may be some hope yet for northern finches this year - if we can just get them to move south into the Quinte area. Sean Blaney found WINTER WREN and YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER ON Saturday in the Batawa Ski Club area. A YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER was also seen Friday on County Road 14, between Demorestville and Highway 62. A flock of 150 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS was hanging around a residence along Scoharie Road up until last week, and COMMON GRACKLES have been reported coming to several feeders in Prince Edward County. Come on! Fall is over. Let's bring on winter and some colourful finches!
This report will be updated Sunday, December 8th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Boreal Owl at Lestlie St. Spit posted by Mike Boyd on November 26, 1996 at 17:43:24:
Mike that was what I beleve to be the 4 Boreal
to be found on the spit, but if any one has any
outer records i wood love to no about them
(that,s for the spit)
that was a great Toronto bird it was a great siprise to me ,all
thou i was hoping that one wood show up seeing that thay are all
around us .
best ov best craig
DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE NORTHERN HAWK OWL? IF SO COULD YOU SEND IT TO ME?
Dear Fellow Birders On Sunday at the spit the highlight of the day was a Boreal
Owl. It was seen on the first point past the bridge. It was
on a tree about 5 ft off the ground. Other sightings were a
mixed flock of Scaups, Bufflehead, Oldsquaw, American
Kestral, Common Loon, and a Yellow-Rumped Warbler.
Humber Bay was very productive yesterday morning (Nov. 25). The highlight was a female Harlequin Duck, associating with about 30 Oldsquaw and 20 Buffleheads in Mimico Creek, about 50 metres north of the lake. It was good for other species too - a total of 27 species in a little over an hour. Most of the regulars were present, with the exception of Gadwall. 8 Ruddy Ducks were still in the north bay, along with a few Bufflehead and Scaup. A pair of Hooded Mergansers, with the male in full display posture, were by the old beaver lodge west of the road. At Humber Bay West, there were more Buffleheads, and at the northwest end, there was a group of 40 Redheads and a pair of Common Goldeneyes. To the east were about 100 Scaup, and 5 female Red-breasted Mergansers. The only songbirds seen were 3 Song Sparrows and a Junco (all at the southeast end of H.B. West), and 2 American Tree Sparrows by the parking lot at H.B. East.
Please note that boreal owl and LeConte's sparrow have been added to the
Presqu'ile Provincial Park Bird Species List. This brings the park species
total to about 317 - and includes a wild turkey discovered this spring during
the Waterfowl Festival. On November 12th, a record 57+ turkey vultures were counted as they passed
through the park. These were observed by Park Superintendent Brian Peck,
Assistant Park Superintendent Tom Mates, and Presqu'ile-Brighton Naturalist
Maureen Riggs. The following are the most recent noteworthy bird sightings from Presqu'ile.
Keep an eye out for owls. Four species - including a boreal and 7 snowies -
were seen today on the Leslie Street Spit in Toronto.
I was wondering if anyone who uses this page would be interested
in a Birding Newsletter. I am looking for potential readers
as well as potential contributors from various areas. Please provide feedback to jmorrison@neocom.ca. Thanks.
Jay Morrison
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
November 24th, 1996
Not an awful lot in the way of birds this past week in the Quinte area, other than a repeat of last week. TUNDRA SWANS continue to be widely dispersed in the South Bay area. An additional two were seen on Tuesday at Sheba's Island, in West Lake. They were still there yesterday quietly dabbling for food in the marshy shallows. West Lake at Wellington had MALLARDS, COMMON MERGANSERS, GADWALL, GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, COMMON GOLDENEYE AND BUFFLEHEAD. Close to 150 AMERICAN COOTS were still present, widely spread across the lake and in the harbour. Four DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were still hanging about the harbour. Despite the strong winds and heavy rain and high waves, a few Isolated rafts of ducks were observed from the car, including BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE and a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. The mouth of the Outlet River contained only HERRING GULL, RING-BILLED GULL and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. The county's second SNOWY OWL of the season was seen on Tuesday at Prince Edward Point, but little birding at the Point is taking place due to the heavy hunting pressure which continues down there seven days a week with no control. This reporter finds it difficult to understand why walking trail maintenance has been discouraged due to the possible disturbance of provincially significant plants, but hunters in 4 X 4s are permitted to churn back and forth across the shallow alvars in an area that has been set aside by the CWS as a National Wildlife Area. The mysteries continue. Elsewhere in the county, little else has turned up to provide any insight into what kind of winter, birdwise, it will be this season. It will take a lot to surpass last winter's populations of great gray owls and Bohemian waxwings. The 120+ people who turned up at last weekend's bird feeding workshop in Picton's Regent Theatre is a clear indication the interest in the county's winter birds is definitely there, and hopefully those in attendance will share their observations with us.
This report will be updated Sunday, December 1st
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Question?????? posted by Andrew Shantz on November 18, 1996 at 16:16:20:
during the last feue times out burding I have seen
no shore birds thats not to say ther not ther.
the moust coomen at this wood be black bellied
plover and lesser golden plover and this is the
best time four purple sandpiper! all can show up
on and alon the shore at burlington beach good luck craig
I just wanted to know what spieces of shorebirds are still lingering at this
time of year and where are the best places to find them{somewhere in the
Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamiltion area}? Thanks For Your Time.
In Reply to: Owls posted by Heidi on November 02, 1996 at 18:04:00:
What do you want to know about owls?
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
November 17th, 1996 Gulls, swans, bluebirds and shrikes - you name it and
the Quinte area had it this weekend. Despite hunting pressure, ducks were still pretty
much the order of the day this past week. Incredibly, hunting
pressure was at its greatest at Prince Edward Point, an area
that is supposed to be a National Wildlife Area! Even the
commercial fishermen who lease property at the Point stayed
low! One has to wonder why these areas are even set aside in
the first place. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, OLD SQUAW, and GREATER and LESSER
SCAUP were present despite the dangers, but understandably,
remained far out in Prince Edward Bay. The 4 TUNDRA SWANS
reported last week at Black River and South Bay were present
again this weekend, and have increased to 23 in total, dispersed
between Black River, Smith's Bay and South Bay. Both COMMON
and HOODED MERGANSERS were seen at Black River, while the
waters off Salmon Point contained fine numbers of OLD SQUAW
and HORNED GREBES. Two RUDDY DUCKS were present again at Wellington along
with scattered numbers of MALLARDS, COMMON GOLDENEYE, REDHEADS
and about 100 AMERICAN COOTS. The latter species numbered
about 200 on the Trenton side of the Bay of Quinte this weekend,
along with 7 RUDDY DUCKS, CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, BLACKS,
AMERICAN WIGEON and COMMON MERGANSERS. Prince Edward Point had a NORTHERN SHRIKE on Friday,
and the county's first SNOWY OWL of the season turned up in
the village of Wellington on Thursday. Whattam's Crossroad
east of South Bay had 4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, along with 2
EASTERN MEADOWLARKS and 3 NORTHERN FLICKERS. LITTLE GULLS seem to be a bit more difficult to find
in Prince Edward County this fall, unlike other years when
close to two dozen may be seen in the West Lake and East Lake
areas. One was found, however, at West Lake near Conley
Crossroad, and another in East Lake off the Sandbanks Provincial
Park group campground, both on Thursday. At Massassagua Point Saturday there weren't a lot of
species but most of what was there were present in good
numbers and quite active. There were good sized flocks of
AMERICAN ROBINS, CEDAR WAXWINGS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS (including
one nicely marked OREGON JUNCO spotted by Sean Blaney),
PURPLE FINCHES and European STARLINGS. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
and a BONAPARTE'S GULL were also present with the usual
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and BLUE JAYS.
This report will be updated Sunday, November 24th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
In Reply to: Re: Leslie Spit Nov 9/96 posted by Jay Morrison on November 12, 1996 at 16:16:37:
the loon,s that wear seen in the first ponds wear
com.loon,s all thoue ther wear 4 red throated loon
off the east roud in the lack along with 83 com.
loon,s this past wekend . PLEASE EXCUSE THE SPELLING I AM DYSLEXIC
A cigar smoking bider craig
In Reply to: Leslie Spit Nov 9/96 posted by Jay Morrison on November 12, 1996 at 16:14:41:
error...i mean what TYPE of loons...not what TIME.
by the way...thanks to the two cigar smoking birders
that pointed out the saw whet.
Goshawk near the main gate.
Peregrine Falcon at the south end near the lighthouse.
Saw whet Owl asleep in a tree on the last peninsula before
the lighthouse. (with a mouse in its talons.)
Great Horned Owl...2 sightings of the same bird.
Plenty of buffleheads. Anyone have any idea what time of loons those are in the first
pond? 3 loons were spotted amongst hundreds of other waterfowl
but winter plumage made difficult to identify.
I am desperate for some information on this bird! I need it
for a school report and I have looked everywhere including
the internet and can only find a paragraph or two.
Please help!! Thanks
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
November 10th, 1996 Still some waterfowl in the news from Prince Edward
County and area this week. Four TUNDRA SWANS were seen between
November 4th and 7th near Black River. An unconfirmed report
of "at least eight, and perhaps more" at nearby South Bay
earlier in the week was also received. At Wellington, the content
of the duck population seems to change day by day. On Wednesday,
there were 150+ MALLARDS, interspersed with COMMON GOLDENEYE
and AMERICAN WIDGEON. Numbers of AMERICAN COOT had dropped
from an earlier population of 200 to about 100. Eleven
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were also present on Wednesday,
just across the harbour from Wellington, on the edge of the sand
dunes and in the trees on the Sandbanks. On Saturday, 350+ COMMON GOLDENEYE were present in Lake
Ontario, at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Goldeneye were also
present in Prince Edward Bay, where WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS
made up the bulk of the ducks seen there Saturday. Prinyer's
Cove had MALLARDS, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER while Picton
Harbour produced the same species along with several COMMON
MERGANSERS. Sandbanks had its first ever PURPLE SANDPIPER at West
Point on November 8th, seen by David Bree. It did not appear
to be present Saturday, although another was found at Prince
Edward Point Saturday by Terry Sprague. SANDERLINGS, DUNLIN
and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were also present at Prince Edward
Point, along with BELTED KINGFISHER, countless DARK-EYED JUNCOES,
35 SNOW BUNTINGS and 350+ PURPLE FINCHES. A flock of 15
EASTERN MEADOWLARKS was seen on Middle Road, just west of
the point. Easterbrook Road, near Point Petre, had several flocks
of AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. A recently harvested corn field there
which appeared black in the distance turned out to be an army
of blackbirds comprising BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES
and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, marching across the corn stubble. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS continue to show up in varying
numbers around the Quinte area as they work their way south.
Six were seen in a wooded area on Glenora Road, east of Picton
on Tuesday. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was present on Huff's Island
Saturday, but little else, although several loose flocks of
AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS did appear along the roadside bushes
- an ominous sighting given the forecast of snow flurries
for the Quinte area over the next few days.
This report will be updated Sunday, November 17th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
There are now 25 RUDDY DUCKS present (incl. 7 males), all in the first bay east of the parking lot. With them were two SCAUP and a winter plumage HORNED GREBE. About 50 OLDSQUAW were visible from the east end of the peninsula. About 25 BUFFLEHEAD and a female GOLDENEYE were near the mouth of Mimico Creek. The 2 DUNLIN are still present on the east side of the mudflats. I didn't see any songbirds except for a single SONG SPARROW in the sumacs near the east end.
On the way to the park, I passed by Grenadier Pond, and saw a PIED-BILLED GREBE near the southwest corner, along with the usual MALLARDS and GEESE.
In Reply to: Nov.3 - Humber Bay Park posted by Joan and Gerard on November 03, 1996 at 14:24:02:
Walking over to the far side and looking out onto Lake Ontario there were approximately 20 Oldsqauw. They were all fairly far out in the Lake, although clearly visible with 7x binos. Counted about 12 ruddy (mostly female) and over 60 Gadwalls!
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday,
November 3rd, 1996 Waterfowl continue to dominate the Prince Edward County
scene this month with huge rafts of them present at both
Sandbanks Provincial Park and in West Lake. COMMON GOLDENEYE
and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were present in good numbers in Lake
Ontario just off the shore of Sandbanks on Saturday.
At Wellington Harbour close to 150 AMERICAN COOTS were milling
about in the harbour close to the government wharf. East of
the wharf in West Lake there were RUDDY DUCKS, AMERICAN WIGEON,
BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE and about 25 DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS.
The season's first SNOW BUNTINGS (at least for me)
flew over the village of Wellington on Saturday, although one
was seen three days earlier north of Belleville by another
observer. Over 150 were observed at Presqu'ile by Albert Boisvert
during the same time period. At the mouth of the Outlet River on Saturday, six
TURKEY VULTURES loafed on the beach, totally unconcerned about my presence. Around them was a splendid collection of birds including RING-BILLED GULL, HERRING GULL, GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (30), BONAPARTE'S GULL (60) and three SANDERLINGS.
Presqu'ile Provincial Park had 10 DUNLIN, 6 BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVER and 1 SANDERLING on Saturday. Don Shanahan found a
PURPLE SANDPIPER at Presqu'ile's Owen Point on the 31st. Margaret and Ian Ferguson who have become famous
through their sightings over the years of both a Say's
Phoebe and a Blue Grosbeak at their home in North Marysburgh
Township, spotted an immature CATTLE EGRET near Prinyer's
Cove, just east of their home, just this past Wednesday.
I was informed by telephone today that the bird is still
there.
Joanne Dewey, who has been responsible for many of
the outstanding bird sightings at Sandbanks during her
employment there as park naturalist, spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE
in flight just north of Picton last Saturday, the 26th.
She also saw an immature BALD EAGLE, in flight at West Lake
the previous week. At Big Island, north of the village of Demorestville
on Sunday, there were still about 6 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS present.
These birds have generally cleared out by this time, although
individuals do remain much later, and into the winter. This report will be updated Sunday, November 10th
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
Just arrived back from Humber Bay Park and saw about 18
buffleheads, a few Ruddy ducks and Lesser Scaup. We also
saw a pair of common Goldeneyes sunning on a rock near
where the creek meets the Lake. There were still quite a
few Gadwalls in the pond.
Last weekend at High Park saw a nice pair of green winged
teals.
Do you anything on Owl?
WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM THE QUINTE AREA - Sunday, October 27,
1996 Some interesting stuff this past week in the Quinte area. A somewhat tardy GREEN
HERON was observed Tuesday by Albert Boisvert behind Kenron Estates, just
east of Trenton. At Twelve O'Clock Point a conservative estimate of over 4,000 scaup, mainly
LESSER SCAUP were seen in the Bay of Quinte on Tuesday. Waterfowl were
also the order of the day just east of there near the A & P. store where 200
AMERICAN COOTS, 12 RUDDY DUCKS and about six each of REDHEADS
and CANVASBACKS were found . BLACK DUCK, GADWALL and
MALLARD were also observed in the waters off Trenton this past week. Presqu'ile Provincial Park had five LITTLE GULLS on the beach during the week.
The species continues to come and go in varying numbers at Sandbanks Provincial
Park where as many as two dozen have been recorded at any one time. Signs of the fall were everywhere in Prince Edward County this past weekend.
Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area, at Picton, yesterday contained large
numbers of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW, RUFFED GROUSE (7) and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES.
Well over 1,000 blackbirds comprising almost entirely COMMON GRACKLES
with a sprinkling of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were observed repeatedly
during a guided hike there yesterday morning. At times the din was so intense, it was
difficult to hear much else. Prince Edward Point produced both WINTER WREN and HOUSE WREN
yesterday along with 40 BRANT, 6 SNOW GEESE, 300+ WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS, 5 SURF SCOTERS, 3 BLACK SCOTERS, 35 AMERICAN
WIGEON, and smaller numbers of MALLARD, BUFFLEHEAD, LESSER
SCAUP and 7 HORNED GREBES in Prince Edward Bay. At Little Bluff Conservation Area, near South Bay, there were plenty of
DARK-EYED JUNCOS about along with HERMIT THRUSH. On Friday, Albert Boisvert and Charlie Jose saw five RUDDY DUCKS in the
harbour at Wellington. A total of 94 TURKEY VULTURES were also seen Friday
between Point Petre and Sandbanks, along with seven EASTERN
MEADOWLARKS. Point Petre also produced 11 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS. Nick Quickert and Nels Banting found DUNLIN, SANDERLINGS and
PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Sandbanks Provincial Park on Saturday. They also
checked off 12 CANVASBACKS in West Lake and close to 100 AMERICAN
COOT in the harbour at Wellington. The duo also picked up no fewer than 4 FOX SPARROWS in a single bush on
Second Dug Hill Road, Trenton. And with them was a TREE SPARROW. Winter
can't be far behind! This report will be updated Sunday, November 3rd
Please e-mail tsprague@limestone.kosone.com
Hi! I was hoping someone here might be able to help me. Does anyone know
the name of this bird? I have looked in ALL the field guides and still cannot
identify it. It's a small bird. The body is 3 inches long head to rump. It has
a forked tail, 1/2 inch long pointed beak 1/4 inch wide. The colouring is unusual.
It has a buff colour chest blending to white. It's head is brown with white flecks.
The tail has white feathers on either side and is white underneath. It has rust and black featheres mixed
with some white feathers on its back. They blend down from the head to grey then
white to white and brown mixed. The wings...the primary feathers are from the outer feather to
the inner feather as follows: 4 brown featheres, 4 white feathers, 1 brown, 6 white, 4 brown.
The secondaries are browns , whites, browns, whites. And then some reddish brown ones.
It has a lot of white showing which is why I can't match it to any photo I've seen in the
field guides....other than a bunting.
I hope someone can tell me what kind of bird this is.
In Reply to: Humber Bay Park - Oct 26 posted by Chris Clark on October 28, 1996 at 10:40:51:
On the morning of October 29, most of the same birds were still present, although there were only 9 RUDDY DUCKS, and just one SHOVELER. New were 5 OLDSQUAW near the mouth of Mimico Creek, and 2 DUNLIN feeding on the mudflats. A KINGFISHER and 2 CORMORANTS were in the same area. Toward the eastern end of the peninsula were lots of GOLDFINCHES, SONG SPARROWS, TREE SPARROWS, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. I didn't see the COMMON MERGANSER or the GOLDENEYE.
The fall migration is continuing. We counted 16 RUDDY DUCKS this weekend (up from about 3 last weekend). The GADWALL population has also increased; we counted over 3 dozen. The SHOVELERS, LESSER SCAUP, MALLARDS, BLACK DUCKS, CANADA GEESE and MUTE SWANS are all still there in the same numbers. New this weekend was a female COMMON MERGANSER. Not entirely sure on the identification, but there appeared to be two female GOLDENEYE as well. A couple BLACK-BACKED GULLS were mixed in with the rest of the RINGED-BILLED ones.
Welcome to the new page. I hope you approve of the format.
Bird Locations (owls,crossbills etc.)(Please we need help!)
Posted by Matt on February 14, 1997 at 20:51:56:Bird Locations (owls,crossbills etc.)(Please we need help!)
Posted by Matt on February 14, 1997 at 20:50:35:Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL
Posted by William on February 10, 1997 at 11:42:36:Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL
Posted by William on February 10, 1997 at 11:42:00:Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL
Posted by William on February 10, 1997 at 11:40:31:Quinte Area Bird Report - February 9th
Posted by Terry Sprague on February 09, 1997 at 16:29:57:Re: redpolls
Posted by Terry Osborne on February 09, 1997 at 14:01:52:redpolls
Posted by jennifer pyke on February 07, 1997 at 20:25:29:Trumpeter Swan along harbourfront (released bird)
Posted by Chris Clark on February 07, 1997 at 10:05:05:Re: Owls
Posted by LINDSEY on February 04, 1997 at 21:47:27:Kinglets - Feb. 4
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 04, 1997 at 16:24:57:Re: Owl Grand Slam
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on February 03, 1997 at 20:53:00:Tame Wood Duck, other Harbourfront sightings
Posted by Chris Clark on February 03, 1997 at 12:12:21:Carolina Wrens - 2 at a time!
Posted by Neil E. Taylor on February 03, 1997 at 10:06:06:Owl Grand Slam
Posted by David McNorton on February 02, 1997 at 18:46:13:Quinte Area Bird Report - February 2nd
Posted by Terry Sprague on February 02, 1997 at 16:28:52:Re: Bald Eagle
Posted by JEFF SPEISER , CEO on February 02, 1997 at 13:23:41:Re: Help needed with injured red-tail
Posted by Terry Osborne on January 30, 1997 at 21:33:06:Help needed with injured red-tail
Posted by Hartung family on January 30, 1997 at 16:11:11:Re: Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Jay Morrison on January 30, 1997 at 09:20:23:Humber Bay
Posted by Mike Boyd on January 29, 1997 at 22:57:59:Humber Bay
Posted by Mike Boyd on January 29, 1997 at 22:56:51:Humber Bay Jan 25th
Posted by Chris Clark on January 29, 1997 at 11:27:35:Re: Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Hawkmoon on January 27, 1997 at 14:14:10:Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL
Posted by S. Plumb on January 26, 1997 at 23:47:03:Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL
Posted by Sylvia L. Plumb on January 26, 1997 at 23:46:30:Quinte Area Bird Report - January 26th
Posted by Terry Sprague on January 26, 1997 at 18:00:54:Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Mike on January 26, 1997 at 09:06:16:sighting
Posted by Garrett Wharton on January 26, 1997 at 00:41:43:Re: Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Garrett Wharton on January 26, 1997 at 00:32:59:Re: NORTHERN HAWK OWL
Posted by Barry Atkinson on January 23, 1997 at 19:38:37:Re: SNOWY OWL
Posted by S Pantrey on January 22, 1997 at 22:39:06:Re: White-throated sparrow - Jan. 9
Posted by Adrian Greenwood on January 22, 1997 at 09:35:13:Re: SNOWY OWL
Posted by Sarah Hill on January 22, 1997 at 07:01:22:Blue Geese
Posted by Gavin Edmondstone on January 21, 1997 at 20:19:40:Humber Bay - Jan. 21
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 21, 1997 at 18:27:34:Quinte Area Bird Report - January 19th
Posted by Terry Sprague on January 19, 1997 at 18:45:44:Re: Presqu'ile Bird Sightings
Posted by Peter Dyment on January 18, 1997 at 18:11:02:Re: SNOWY OWL
Posted by Mora Carruthers on January 17, 1997 at 19:33:52:Re: SNOWY OWL
Posted by Mora Carruthers on January 17, 1997 at 19:32:02:Re: Meadow Larks
Posted by Neil E. Taylor on January 16, 1997 at 11:26:42:Re: Carolina Wrens
Posted by Neil E. Taylor on January 16, 1997 at 11:22:15:Carolina Wrens
Posted by Neil E. Taylor on January 16, 1997 at 11:17:36:Re: Gulls
Posted by Mike on January 14, 1997 at 19:10:12:High Park - Jan. 14
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 14, 1997 at 16:54:57:Gulls
Posted by Thomas Brown on January 14, 1997 at 13:57:04:Black Capped Chickadee
Posted by Candi Anderson on January 13, 1997 at 17:30:01:Carolina Wrens
Posted by Neil E. Taylor on January 13, 1997 at 06:51:12:Quinte Area Bird Report - January 12th
Posted by Terry Sprague on January 12, 1997 at 19:12:23:Re: SNOWY OWL
Posted by Debby Williams on January 12, 1997 at 15:22:26:White-throated sparrow - Jan. 9
Posted by Mike on January 09, 1997 at 20:08:20:White-throated sparrow - Jan. 8
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 09, 1997 at 07:37:49:Re: tufted titmouse
Posted by Lindsay Iuppa on January 08, 1997 at 18:18:18:Summer tanager - Jan. 7
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 07, 1997 at 20:30:37:Quinte Area Bird Report - January 5th
Posted by Terry Sprague on January 05, 1997 at 13:53:28:Re: Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Terry Osborne on January 05, 1997 at 12:09:21:Bald Eagle
Posted by Barb Reid on January 05, 1997 at 09:03:10:Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Mike on January 04, 1997 at 18:52:39:Goshawk, creeper, etc. - Jan. 3
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on January 03, 1997 at 20:35:38:Quinte Area Bird Report - December 29th
Posted by Terry Sprague on December 29, 1996 at 18:55:06:Goshawk, South Etobicoke
Posted by Mary Ellen Mathison on December 29, 1996 at 11:27:37:Northern Hawk Owl
Posted by Sue Davis on December 27, 1996 at 20:38:00:new sighting - Lakeview
Posted by Sue Davis on December 27, 1996 at 20:32:45:Quinte Area Bird Report - December 22nd
Posted by Terry Sprague on December 22, 1996 at 18:27:15:Yellow Rumped Warbler
Posted by Ruth Gilbert on December 21, 1996 at 14:36:15:South American Birds
Posted by Margaret MacAulay on December 16, 1996 at 13:01:13:Leslie Spit - Dec. 14
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on December 16, 1996 at 09:38:44:Interested
Posted by Albert Bradford on December 15, 1996 at 18:46:44:Quinte Area Bird Report - December 15th
Posted by Terry Sprague on December 15, 1996 at 18:15:18:Re: Boreal Owl at Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Barb Reid on December 14, 1996 at 21:29:40:Re: SNOWY OWL
Posted by Fiorino Gallo on December 11, 1996 at 12:02:57:Re: Bird Feeders
Posted by Andy on December 10, 1996 at 08:18:42:Birding nets
Posted by Dr. Laszlo Torday on December 09, 1996 at 16:26:13:SNOWY OWL
Posted by Jay Morrison on December 09, 1996 at 08:39:08:Quinte Area Bird Report - December 8th
Posted by Terry Sprague on December 08, 1996 at 17:14:30:Bird Feeders
Posted by Bob Greenaway on December 08, 1996 at 14:43:45:Peregrine falcon-Rexdale
Posted by Al Siriunas on December 07, 1996 at 13:28:22:Re: Owls
Posted by dhenson on December 04, 1996 at 11:12:06:Quinte Area Bird Report - December 1st
Posted by Terry Sprague on December 01, 1996 at 20:59:17:Re: Boreal Owl at Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by craig mclauchlan on November 28, 1996 at 21:59:35:NORTHERN HAWK OWL
Posted by DANLBF on November 27, 1996 at 20:00:57:Boreal Owl at Lestlie St. Spit
Posted by Mike Boyd on November 26, 1996 at 17:43:24:Harlequin Duck at Humber Bay
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on November 26, 1996 at 13:43:33:Presqu'ile Bird Sightings
Posted by Donald Davis on November 26, 1996 at 11:49:54:
Nov. 21 - 2 black-bellied plovers
- 2 sanderling
- 50+ snow buntings
Nov. 20 - 3 tundra swans
- 1 snowy owl
Nov. 18 - 1 pileated woodpecker
Nov. 17 - 1 snowy owl
- 1 little gull (first winter)
- 100 coots
- 1 horned grebe
Nov. 15 - 1 brown creeper
- 3 tundra swans
- 1 Iceland gull
- 1 white-rumped sandpiper
Nov. 14 - 1 meadowlark
- 1 double-crested cormorant
Nov. 13 - 1 cattle egret (on nearby Huff Road, west of the park)
Nov. 11 - 1 purple sandpiper
Newletter
Posted by Jay Morrison on November 25, 1996 at 08:39:20:Quinte Area Bird Report - November 24th
Posted by Terry Sprague on November 24, 1996 at 18:07:26:Re: Question??????
Posted by craig mclauchlan on November 19, 1996 at 17:39:26:Question??????
Posted by Andrew Shantz on November 18, 1996 at 16:16:20:Re: Owls
Posted by Jay Morrison on November 18, 1996 at 08:54:55:Quinte Area Bird Report - November 17th
Posted by Terry Sprague on November 17, 1996 at 19:12:28:Re: Leslie Spit Nov 9/96
Posted by craig on November 14, 1996 at 21:26:34:Re: Leslie Spit Nov 9/96
Posted by Jay Morrison on November 12, 1996 at 16:16:37:Leslie Spit Nov 9/96
Posted by Jay Morrison on November 12, 1996 at 16:14:41:tufted titmouse
Posted by Sheila Kirkland on November 12, 1996 at 11:06:25:Quinte Area Bird Report - November 10th
Posted by Terry Sprague on November 10, 1996 at 17:32:52:Humber Bay Park - Nov. 4
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on November 05, 1996 at 13:30:57:Re: Nov.3 - Humber Bay Park
Posted by Chris Clark on November 04, 1996 at 11:01:01:Quinte Area Bird Report - November 3rd
Posted by Terry Sprague on November 03, 1996 at 19:10:37:Nov.3 - Humber Bay Park
Posted by Joan and Gerard on November 03, 1996 at 14:24:02:Owls
Posted by Heidi on November 02, 1996 at 18:04:00:Quinte Area Bird Report
Posted by Terry Sprague on October 31, 1996 at 16:40:51:Unidentified Species?
Posted by Nancy Maxwell on October 29, 1996 at 17:44:42:Re: Humber Bay Park - Oct 26
Posted by Marcel Gahbauer on October 29, 1996 at 10:57:05:Humber Bay Park - Oct 26
Posted by Chris Clark on October 28, 1996 at 10:40:51:Welcome
Posted by Andy on October 21, 1996 at 11:47:10: