[Ontbirds] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, November 30th, 2007

[cheryle29 at cogeco.ca]

On Friday, November 30th, 2007 this is the HNC Birding Report:


PACIFIC LOON
NORTHERN GANNET
PURPLE SANDPIPER
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER

Brant
Cackling Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Green-winged Teal
King Eider
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Red-throated Loon
Merlin
Parasitic Jaeger
Great Horned Owl
Northern Shrike
Tufted Titmouse
Winter Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Fox Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird
Pine Grosbeak
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin

A short and to the point report this week.  We are one day away from winter listing and there are still a few goodies
hanging around in the Hamilton Study Area.  This weeks “place to be” seems to be Fifty Point Conservation Area. 
Early in the week a PACIFIC LOON was seen not too far off shore along with a number of Red-throated Loons.  Our trio of
NORTHERN GANNETS was seen here on Tuesday in a migrating line just off the point.  There may be more than three on this
end of the lake as more were seen earlier in the day and then again last Saturday.  Also seen last Friday were two more
PURPLE SANDPIPERS.  Unfortunately their stay was short, just a rest and then they moved on.  Other birds seen here
include Cackling Goose mixed in with Canada, Northern Shrike and Common Redpolls.

Moving along the lakeshore, a female King Eider was spotted from Fruitland Road on Monday, and better viewed from the
parkette at the end of Frederick Road just west of here.  The bird was also reported on Tuesday and is probably still in
the area if you have the time to sift through the birds.  At Gray’s Road, the Barrow’s Goldeneye was seen at close
range last weekend.

Other good winter birds about include reports of Tufted Titmouse, Winter Wren, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER and Green-winged
Teal at Paletta Park/Shoreacres in Burlington.  Down at Burloak Park,  Brant were observed last Saturday and may still
be around but can be hard to see in all the nooks and crannies along the lakeshore.  At the Marine Discovery Centre, a
Parasitic Jaeger was seen chasing the gulls yesterday, another excellent choice for a winter bird.

Behind the Dundas Arena, Eastern Bluebirds, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Fox Sparrow were seen in the week.  A flock of 14
Tundra Swans also flew over.

Winter finches are still in the area with Pine Grosbeaks being reported from Hyde Tract on Safari Road once again.  Also
of note is a spot in Carlisle where they were feeding on crabapples a couple of days ago.  They were seen on the north
side of Kentmere Grove and Flamborough Hills Drive, which is the first road on the left if you come from Centre Road and
head east on Carlisle Road.  This could be a good magnet for Bohemian Waxwings too.  Pine Siskins were reported from the
Brantford Area. Common Redpolls are showing up at feeders in the area.

In the odds and sods this week, a Merlin has taken up residence in south Oakville, close to Bronte area.  A Great Horned
Owl has been heard calling in Brantford Area. Rusty Blackbirds were observed at the Valley Inn and Trumpeter Swans (now
countable!) have returned to LaSalle Marina.

That's the news for this week.  Happy Winter Birding, please report your sightings!

Cheryl Edgecombe
HNC Hotline
905-381-0329