[Ontbirds] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, January 18th, 2008

[Cheryl Edgecombe]

On Friday, January 18th, 2008, this is the HNC Birding report

NORTHERN HAWK OWL
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET
BOHEMIAN WAXWING

Brant
King Eider
Harlequin Duck
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk (Western, Calurus, Rufous morph)
Merlin
Glaucous Gull
Northern Shrike
Common Raven
Tufted Titmouse
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
Brown Headed Cowbird
Pine Grosbeak
Pine Siskin


At the very low point in reporting birds this winter in the Hamilton Area.
The winter doldrums have set in and we await those warmer days once again
and/or for things to get frosty and drive those birds who are roaming into
the feeders.

A nice sighting last Saturday was a flock of about 300 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in
the area of 5th Concession West and Middletown Road in Flamborough.  Smaller
flocks birds were seen last Friday as well but a check later on Saturday
showed the true meaning of Bohemian as the birds had wandered off elsewhere.
At the same intersection though were 9 Eastern Bluebirds and the Western
Calurus, Rufous morph Red-tailed Hawk.

The NORTHERN HAWK OWL was seen last Saturday at the same general location
along the tracks on 10th Road East in Saltfleet.

Winter finches seem to be sporadic of late.  A flock of 30 Pine Grosbeaks
were seen on 6th Concession East, east of Centre Road near the tracks.  A
large flock of 50 Pine Grosbeaks were reported from a yard in North Halton
as well as a female Brown Cowbird at the same property. There have been no
reports this week of Pine Grosbeak on Walkers Line.

Waterfowl reports have been sparse this week as well.  A male Harlequin Duck
was reported from Coronation Park last week, no sign of it on Friday in
choppy waters but I'm sure its still about.  A 1st year male King Eider was
seen off Fifty Point Conservation Area last Saturday.  Early in the week as
many as 4 King Eider were seen off Millen Road.  A single Brant was seen on
private land hanging out with a number of Canada Geese just east of Pier 8
in Hamilton.  A Common Loon was seen in the Harbour off the Parks Canada
Discovery Centre.  Also seen on the bay at CCIW was an adult Glaucous Gull.
A number of Bald Eagles of various ages can be seen flying over the bay.

In other news, there are other good winter birds in the Hamilton Study Area.
The RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was seen mid-week at LaSalle Park.  The
Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen at the Red Hill Creek Outlet near the
Eastport Drive Bridge on Monday.  A Hermit Thrush was seen on the Sawmill
trail just off the McCormack trail in the Dundas Valley yesterday. Two
Pied-billed Grebes are being seen in the Desjardins Canal.  A Common Raven
was seen near 5th Concession in Flamborough. Several Northern Shrikes were
found as well in various spots west of Hwy 6 in Flamborough. Two Tufted
Titmice were reported from Shoreacres/Paletta Park in Burlington with two
more being seen at a feeder in the Appleby Line and Spruce area.  Pine
Siskins and more Eastern Bluebirds were reported from the Brantford area
and a Merlin was seen at Upper James Near the Escarpment.

That's the short and sweet news of the week.  Please report your sightings
to the hotline.

Good Birding
Cheryl Edgecombe
HNC Hotline
905-381-0329