From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Mon May 12 00:08:07 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Sun May 11 23:08:11 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - AW Pelican & Worm-eating W Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Sunday May 11, 2008 - evening Good evening birders. The two American White Pelicans in the area have been seen flying over the marsh and South Point Trail. The most reliable way to see them is to drive to the fishing dock in Erieau later in the day (see directions below). These are presumably the same two birds seen here at about this date last year. A total of 22 species of warblers was seen today, with most appearing in good numbers. The highlight was a very water-logged Worm-eating seen by many observers on the Spicebush Trail. Water-resistant birders reported a presumed pair of Prothonotarys and on Tulip Tree Trail and a single at the Pony Barn. A male Hooded was also seen on Tulip Tree Trail, and our first Mourning was at the Pony Barn. Other interesting sightings include a Peregrine Falcon and Yellow-throated Vireos at two locations. Good number of Sedge Wrens have been reported from the Marsh Trail. A large flock of shorebirds was noted in the Rondeau area May 10. Observers saw 2 Marbled Godwits, 1,000 Black-bellied Plovers and some Ruddy Turnstones in the onion fields off Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12). Good birding. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For the shorebird site near Erieau, from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A. The birds were seen in the ploughed onion fields to the left of the road in this vicinity. For the American White Pelican, from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau. At Nichols Ave., turn ~~left and follow Kerr Ave. to the end of the road at the fishing boat docks. Look north into Rondeau Bay and marsh. Most sightings at this location have been late in the day. I saw the birds there from 8:10 ? 8:25 pm today. _________________________________________________________________ Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212 From simkev at sympatico.ca Mon May 12 08:50:39 2008 From: simkev at sympatico.ca (Rod Lee) Date: Mon May 12 07:50:38 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Brighton Wetland and Lagoon Message-ID: Hello everyone: The Osprey continue to sit on the nest. Hopefully this is a sign that a little will soon be seen. The Wetland saw an increase in the number of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Also a flock of 15-20 Least Sandpipers with a few Spotted Sandpipers were observed. Other birds of interested to us - 6 Moorhen (all quite visible), a pair of Gadwall and Wood Duck, several Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal and Mallard, a few Canada Geese. There were also 14 swans which incudes the Trumpeter and 13 Mute. The Marsh Wren was heard singing as well as the Common Yellowthroat Warbler and the Yellow Warbler. A Nothern Harrier was pursued by several Common Grackle and many Redwing Blackbird. A Northern Waterthrush could be heard (by several people) but refused to let anyone see it. A huge Snapping Turtle and many. many Painted Turtles were also seen. All in all quite a productive couple of hours at the Constructed Wetland with Keith Lee. Thanks Keith. Maureen and Rod Directions: The Constructed Wetland is located at the SE corner of Brighton. From Hwy 401, take the Brighton exit 509 (Hwy. 30) and follow it south into town. Go south through the two traffic lights, over the railway tracks and follow the main road, now called Prince Edward Street, south. About 1 km south of the tracks, the main road begins to swing to the left and becomes Cty. Rd. 64. As this long turn ends the Constructed Wetlands appear on the right side. From lsir at sympatico.ca Mon May 12 10:31:06 2008 From: lsir at sympatico.ca (Langis Sirois) Date: Mon May 12 09:31:15 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Ruff at Marais des Laiches, Gatineau QC Message-ID: Good Morning. A male Ruff in breeding plumage has been discovered on Sunday morning May 11 at Marais des Laiches East, Gatineau QC. The bird was found by Jacques Savard and seen again and photographed later on the same day by other observers. For the detailed description provided by Savard, and for information on other rarities observed in Qu?bec lately, visit the rare birds web page of Regroupement Qu?bec-Oiseaux: [1]http://www.quebecoiseaux.org/index.php?option=com_oiseauxrares&Item id=200 Directions to Marais des Laiches courtesy of Neily World: [2]http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/oreq7.htm Good luck. Langis Sirois, Ottawa References 1. http://www.quebecoiseaux.org/index.php?option=com_oiseauxrares&Itemid=200 2. http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/oreq7.htm From Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca Mon May 12 12:58:35 2008 From: Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca (Janice.Sarkis@pc.gc.ca) Date: Mon May 12 11:58:37 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Pelee Bird Report May 12 Kentucky Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, many more Message-ID: Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008 No sign of the Lark Bunting as of yet, nor has the Black Vulture been resighted. The south winds allowed an advancement of migrants, and the rain began somewhere after midnight. Thus, a fairly large landing of many species. Birding is good in scattered locations in the Park, though a misty rain continues. At the tip. Many birds. Lots of species of Warbler, including Cape May Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Mourning Warbler and Red-headed Woodpecker, particularly on the seasonal trail on the east side near the tip and in the Loop Woods. Sparrow Field off north end of Loop Woods An Orange-crowned Warbler was at the northwest corner, and a Black-billed Cuckoo was noted north of there. Shuster Trail At the water hole before the entrance to Tilden, a Canada Warbler and Mourning Warbler. Tilden Wood Many species scattered throughout. Cape May Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Wood Thrush, Veery, Swainson's Thrush, Rusty Blackbirds, Blackburnian Warbler, Ovenbird and Northern Waterthrush, among others. An uncommon sighting was a White-breasted Nuthatch. A Kentucky Warbler and Canada Warbler were on the seasonal trail in Tilden Woods. Woodland Nature Trail. Not too much reported but a Parula and Hooded Warbler were found near post 16. Good Birding, Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, John, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim Janice Rogers, General Manager www.friendsofpointpelee.com From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Mon May 12 13:17:12 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Mon May 12 12:17:15 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - Sharp-tailed Sp, Worm-eating, Pelican Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Monday May 12, 2008 Good morning birders. The Worm-eating that arrived May 10 on Spicebush Trail is still present, and has been well seen by a number of patient observers. Other interesting warblers include Blue-winged on Spicebush Trail, and Golden-winged and Hooded on Tulip Tree Trail. A Nelson?s Sharp-tailed Sparrow has been seen all morning at the Pony Barns. As usual for this species, it is being very secretive. Good numbers of Sedge Wrens have been reported recently from the Marsh Trail. Shorebirds observed in the Rondeau area yesterday included Lesser Golden-Plover and Ruddy Turnstone. These birds were in the onion fields off Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), near McGeachy Pond C.A. I did not receive any additional reports of the large flock of Black-bellied Plovers with 2 Marbled Godwits seen in that area on May 10. The two American White Pelicans in the area have been seen flying over the marsh and South Point Trail. The most reliable way to see them is to drive to the fishing dock in Erieau later in the day (see directions below). Others who checked yesterday at 2 pm were unsuccessful, but I saw them from the dock at 8:10 pm. These are presumably the same two birds seen here at about this date last year. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For the shorebird site near Erieau, from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A. The birds were seen in the ploughed onion fields to the left of the road in this vicinity. For the American White Pelican, from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau. At Nichols Ave., turn ~~left and follow Kerr Ave. to the end of the road at the fishing boat docks. Look north into Rondeau Bay and marsh. Most sightings at this location have been late in the day. I saw the birds there from 8:10 ? 8:25 pm on May 11. _________________________________________________________________ Turn every day into $1000. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/213 From Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca Mon May 12 13:51:19 2008 From: Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca (Janice.Sarkis@pc.gc.ca) Date: Mon May 12 12:51:13 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Point Pelee Report supp. Black Vulture Message-ID: Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008 Just a quick update, the Black Vulture has been refound. It was seen roosting and on the beach, to the north of the end of the Shuster Trail where that trail hits the beach. Good Birding, Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, John, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim Janice Rogers, General Manager www.friendsofpointpelee.com From bjbird9 at hotmail.com Mon May 12 17:39:12 2008 From: bjbird9 at hotmail.com (Aaron Allensen) Date: Mon May 12 16:39:15 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Eurasian Tree Sparrow -Port Burwell Message-ID: Birders: Saturday May 10th around 7:00 p.m. there was a single male Eurasian Tree Sparrow feeding with white-crowned and white-throated sparrows underneath my niger feeder. I observed it from about 20 feet away indoors with field glasses. It had a full chestnut head ,black mask and narrowcentral bib. There were two distinctive black spots on white cheeks. I watched it feed and fly back into cover for perhaps 20 minutes before it dissappeared. It did not reappear the following day and was most likely moving along the lakeshore. Sunday morning despite the high winds and blowing sand on the west beach, I spotted a single ruddy turnstone ,a dozen spotted sandpipers and several unidentified pips before heading home. Good birding. Ron Allensen Port Burwell Directions Port Burwell is at the southern terminus of hiway 19 on lake Erie take the Ingersol exit south from 401. _________________________________________________________________ Enter today for your chance to win $1000 a day?today until May 12th. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/215 From pimuseum at hotmail.com Mon May 12 19:41:14 2008 From: pimuseum at hotmail.com (peleeisland museum) Date: Mon May 12 17:41:17 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Pelee Island report for May 12th, 2008 Message-ID: The unfavourable winds and damp weather greatly slowed migration. Highlights from yesterday and today include LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, RUDDY TURNSTONE, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER at Fish Point. Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0(519) 724-2291 "pimuseum" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island from May 1 until May 20 inclusive. Cost is $5.00. Meet at the Fish Point parking lot at 9 a.m. Check into the Heritage Centre for details on best birding areas and current rarities. The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, due south of the West Dock. Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and census operation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please visit: www.pibo.ca or call 519-724-2829. Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. _________________________________________________________________ Enter today for your chance to win $1000 a day?today until May 12th. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/215 From parula at magma.ca Mon May 12 18:53:21 2008 From: parula at magma.ca (Gordon Pringle) Date: Mon May 12 17:53:22 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Ottawa/Gatineau 12May08... Arrivals, Ruff, Rusty Blackbird Message-ID: <20080512215319.96AB3638A5@king.hwcn.org> - RBA * Ontario * Ottawa/Gatineau * 12 May 2008 * ONOT0805.12 - Birds mentioned Snow Goose Common Goldeneye Red-throated Loon RUFF Common Tern Barred Owl Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Least Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Wood Thrush Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Common Yellowthroat Scarlet Tanager Eastern Towhee Lincoln's Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Bobolink RUSTY BLACKBIRD Baltimore Oriole Evening Grosbeak - Transcript hotline: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club date: 12 May 2008 Number: 613-860-9000 For the status line PRESS * (star) To report bird sightings, PRESS 1 (one) Rare bird alerts are now included in the introductory message coverage: Ottawa/Gatineau (Can. Nat. Capital Reg.), E.Ont., W.Que. compiler & transcriber: Chris Lewis hagenius@primus.ca internet: Gordon Pringle parula@magma.ca THE OFNC BIRD STATUS LINE @ 5:30 pm, MONDAY MAY 12, 2008. This is Chris Lewis reporting. The month of May is always a fantastic time to be out birding, and the past week did not disappoint. The rare bird of the week was a male RUFF in breeding plumage discovered on the 11th, on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River in the Marais des Laiches east. There have as yet been no subsequent reports. The ever-popular Britannia Conservation Area has been hopping with activity, both the avian and human kinds. Fifteen species of warblers have been reported from Britannia and a total of 19 in the Ottawa-Gatineau area to date. The most recent arrivals, in various locations, were Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat and Ovenbird. Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers were so abundant that we were practically swatting them out of the way. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Scarlet Tanager, Bobolink, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole are all back on schedule with some of these species now in good numbers. An odd combination on the 7th was an Indigo Bunting among approx. 20 Evening Grosbeaks in a backyard in Chelsea, Quebec. A Barred Owl was spotted in the Stoney Swamp on the 10th. Chimney Swifts have been back for about 2 weeks and 100's were seen on the evening of the 7th at a traditional roosting site - the Dominican Fathers College on Empress Ave. near downtown Ottawa. Eight species of sparrows were found on the 11th including Eastern Towhee and a Lincoln's Sparrow singing on the Thomas Dolan Parkway in the Carp Hills. An unusual sight for May 7th was a flock of over 2,000 Snow Geese in a quarry pond along Giroux Rd. north of Navan, and approx. 50 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were in the Mer Bleue Conservation Area the same day. A few Common Goldeneye were still lingering on the Ottawa River below the Deschenes rapids on the 10th along with a Red-throated Loon, and a pair of Common Terns has been fishing and resting in Mud Lake, Britannia all week. And last but not least, a very vocal Northern Mockingbird was seen and heard in the woods south of the Hurdman bridge on the 11th. Thank you - Good Birding! - End transcript From gambit.2 at rogers.com Mon May 12 19:24:50 2008 From: gambit.2 at rogers.com (Jen, Mike & Mekenzie) Date: Mon May 12 18:24:54 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Brewsters Warbler, Chestnut-sided and others at Hawk Cliff Message-ID: <001001c8b47e$feca9f30$6500a8c0@ownerbe978eb78> Greetings all! A cool rainy morning along the road to Hawk Cliff, we saw: Brewster's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wood Thrush, Baltimore (Northern) Oriole, Rosebreasted Grosbeak and Grey Catbird among many other of the usual suspects. The Rosebreasted Grosbeaks were visiting my sunflower seed feeder again at the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority office. Cheers, Jennifer Dow London, ON Hawk Cliff can be reached by travelling south from the 401 on Highbury Ave to St. Thomas. Turn left onto Centennial and follow Centennial until you reach the end. Turn right, then turn left onto Fairview. When you reach Dexter Line, Fairview continues as Hawk Cliff Road. Where the road dips down into the ravine is where all of the bird activity was today. From gambit.2 at rogers.com Mon May 12 19:27:57 2008 From: gambit.2 at rogers.com (Jen, Mike & Mekenzie) Date: Mon May 12 18:28:00 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Bald Eagles, Boblinks and Eastern Bluebirds St. Thomas, ON Message-ID: <001701c8b47f$6e1d4f40$6500a8c0@ownerbe978eb78> Greetings all, In addition to my earlier post, a trip along John Wise Line south of St. Thomas today (where John Wise Line crosses Kettle Creek) we saw Bobolinks in the fields, an Eastern Bluebird, Wild Turkeys and a Bald Eagle. Cheers, Jennifer Dow London, ON From ldenbesten at primus.ca Mon May 12 19:45:24 2008 From: ldenbesten at primus.ca (Lisa Den Besten) Date: Mon May 12 18:45:26 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Leslie Spit warblers etc. May 11 Message-ID: <.1210632324@primus.ca> Despite the cool temperatures and an unpleasant east wind, it was a very satisfying day of birding on the Leslie spit on Sunday morning/early afternoon. Our most productive areas were to the south of the parking lot in a smallish woodlot where it was sheltered, as well as in a few trees & shrubs right near the entrance gate by the hot dog stand (also protected from the wind by a small berm). Birds seen: 1 common yellowthroat, 1 black-throated blue warbler, yellow-rumped warblers, many yellow warblers, many rose-breasted grosbeaks, many least flycatchers, 1 black and white warbler, 1 Blackburnian warbler (gorgeous!), 1 magnolia warbler, 1 Nashville warbler, several blue-grey gnatcatchers (and there were many gnats to catch), 1 Cape May warbler, 1 palm warbler (where all the rushes are by a marina on the spit), and other usual suspects. All in all a fabulous day, despite forgetting my binoculars! Lisa and Tina Den Besten (thanks for sharing Tina) P.S. thanks to Chris Earley for a tape of warbler songs he made long ago - we listened to it during the car trip and it was a great help! Directions to the spit: From areas west of T.O: 401 East to 427 south to the Gardiner expressway. Take it all the way to the end where it dumps you onto Lakeshore road. Turn right at Leslie street and follow it to the end. From don.wigle at sympatico.ca Mon May 12 19:55:08 2008 From: don.wigle at sympatico.ca (Don Wigle) Date: Mon May 12 18:56:09 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Northern Parula, south of Sudbury Message-ID: We saw a Northern Parula on the French River just east of Hwy 69 today. Don Wigle Ottawa Directions: Hwy 69 south from Sudbury or north from Parry Sound. From robert.knudsen at shaw.ca Mon May 12 20:52:19 2008 From: robert.knudsen at shaw.ca (robert.knudsen) Date: Mon May 12 19:52:30 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Tufted Duck in Sault Ste. Marie, ON Update Message-ID: <000b01c8b48b$37391200$a5ab3600$%knudsen@shaw.ca> Hi All, The Tufted Duck is still present at Bellevue Park giving everyone very close views. It has moved to the west cove this afternoon. A new addition to the area is a Willet found by John Ralston. It was feeding on the mud flats near where the Marbled Godwit has been for the past week. The Marbled Godwit was seen there today as well, but not when I was there at 6:00pm. To get to Bellevue Park take Hwy 17B from the east and continue onto Trunk Rd. Turn left (south) onto Lake St. Drive to the south end of Lake St. and you are at Bellevue Park. The Godwit and Willet are on mud flats to the east of the yacht club house. There is an area where the City Parks Department has hedged off with a cedar hedge. This area is where they have piles of compost and manure. Walk to the edge of the embankment to view the mud flats. Bob & Joanne Knudsen Sault Ste. Marie, ON From kristin at theboyk.net Mon May 12 23:10:51 2008 From: kristin at theboyk.net (Kristin Maling) Date: Mon May 12 22:11:01 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Caspian Terns, Sauble Beach Message-ID: <27D1C7AA-0CEB-4E85-8371-A2777BF9D93A@theboyk.net> This past Sunday, around 9AM, I came across a pair of Caspian Terns at Sauble Beach (on the beach at Lake Shore & 6th and later at Lake Shore & 11th). A couple of photographs can be seen here... pair: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theboyk/2488495904/ single: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theboyk/2488491682/ Regards, Kristin. From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Mon May 12 23:38:08 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Mon May 12 22:38:13 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - 25 Warblers, incl. Proth. & Worm-eating Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Monday May 12, 2008 - evening Good evening birders. Our warbler tally for today was 25 species. Birders were kept busy rushing from site to site with many notables to chase for those all-important year lists. Foremost among these ?flying jewels? was the Worm-eating that has been present since May 10 on Spicebush Trail, and was seen on and off all day. Other good warblers included Blue-winged (3 trails), Golden-winged, Prothonotary (2 sites), Orange-crowned, Hooded and Mourning. The best trails were Spicebush, Bennett Road and Tulip Tree. The Nelson?s Sharp-tailed Sparrow at the Pony Barn was seen in the morning during the inclement weather, but (apparently) decided to clear out when the rain stopped. Observers were able to get some close-up photos as it skulked about in the brush pile. A Fox Sparrow at the Pony Barn was very late. Other Carolinian species besides the Prothonotary Warbler and the ubiquitous Carolina Wren put in an appearance. An Orchard Oriole visited the feeders at the Visitor Centre, and a White-eyed Vireo fixed birders with its unusual stare at the Pony Barn. Red-headed Woodpeckers are once again nesting on Tulip Tree Trail, probably in the same tree. There also seem to be at least two pairs active along South Point Trail. The two American White Pelicans in the area have been seen flying over the marsh and South Point Trail. The most reliable way to see them is to drive to the fishing dock in Erieau later in the day (see directions below). Others who checked yesterday at 2 pm were unsuccessful, but I saw the birds from the dock at 8:10 pm. I have not yet heard back from birders who planned to visit the docks this evening. Shorebirds observed in the Rondeau area yesterday included Lesser Golden-Plover and Ruddy Turnstone. These birds were in the onion fields off Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), near McGeachy Pond C.A. I did not receive any additional reports of the large flock of Black-bellied Plovers with 2 Marbled Godwits seen in that area on May 10. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For the shorebird site near Erieau, from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A. The birds were seen in the ploughed onion fields to the left of the road in this vicinity. For the American White Pelican, from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau. At Nichols Ave., turn ~~left and follow Kerr Ave. to the end of the road at the fishing boat docks. Look north into Rondeau Bay and marsh. Most sightings at this location have been late in the day. I saw the birds there from 8:10 ? 8:25 pm on May 11. _________________________________________________________________ Turn every day into $1000. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/213 From sigipatti at sympatico.ca Tue May 13 00:59:08 2008 From: sigipatti at sympatico.ca (Siegmar Bodach) Date: Mon May 12 23:59:19 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Orchird Orioles- Thickson's Point Area Message-ID: <4829120C.9090706@sympatico.ca> After work today I went to check out Thickson's Woods( after 5pm) Warbler numbers were low in their 1"s and 2"s except for the Yellow Warblers in the field(4+) and Yellow-rumped Warblers(4+), North. Parula(1 male),Amer.Redstart(1 male),Common Yellowthroat(1 male), Nashville Warbler(2 males), and Magnolia Warbler(1 male) Still several Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Most White-throated Sparrows were gone(10+), 3 White-crowned Sparrows. Observed no thrushes in the woods at all- unusual. 2 Catbirds at the lake end of the cottage rd. There was also a Black-throated Blue Warbler singing from one of the large trees toward the Thickson's Rd. side. 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (1 male and 1 female) were near the bird feeder at the TW entrance. At around 7:30pm I and another birder took a walk down the Waterfront Trail and the brushy fields leading to Thickson's Point where we found 3 Orchird Orioles( 2 breeding males chasing each other and a female). There was also a pair of Balimore(Northern) Orioles there. 2 other pairs of Baltimore Orioles were at the TW roadside and along Corbett Creek. Also along the Corbett Creek trail was 1 Lincoln's Sparrow and 1 Swamp Sparrow among several WT Sparrows. Good birding, Sigi Aurora From andysross at rogers.com Tue May 13 01:10:21 2008 From: andysross at rogers.com (Andrew S. Ross) Date: Tue May 13 00:10:20 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Summer Tanager - London, Ontario Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20080513000019.00c5cdb0@pop.lndn.phub.net.cable.rogers.com> Hello, Just came home from an evening out and my parents showed me pictures of a Summer Tanager that had been coming to the suet feeder in our yard this evening. It is an immature male with a good amount of yellow still in the plumage. Our yard backs out on to Westminister Ponds in London, Ontario. I will update if the bird sticks around, but if you wish to look for the bird at the Ponds, I would recommend trying the area at the top of the large wooden stairs that are accessed by the field behind Tim Hortons on Commissioner's Road. We are located in the clearing at the top of those stairs. Earlier this morning, I had 4 Scarlet Tanagers, Northern Parula, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler and about 10 other species of Warbler in the same location just behind my yard. The following 3 pictures are the best that my parents grabbed and the fourth is one of the Scarlet Tanagers for comparison (hopefully the links work, if not, let me know): http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db33b3127ccec44da0b2785a00000056108CZs2rFs1ag9vPhw http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db33b3127ccec44d8a2f78d200000056108CZs2rFs1ag9vPhw http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db33b3127ccec44d127178c000000056108CZs2rFs1ag9vPhw http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db33b3127ccec44d9e92f95500000056108CZs2rFs1ag9vPhw Cheers, Andrew Ross London, Ontario andysross@rogers.com From c.knightingale at sympatico.ca Tue May 13 10:00:41 2008 From: c.knightingale at sympatico.ca (Carol McKnight) Date: Tue May 13 09:00:41 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Reesor Pond - Common Terns Message-ID: <001501c8b4f9$5a52c790$0a02a8c0@b1xgaf08> This am at Reesor Pond - 2 Common Terns - the pond lies just N of Hwy 407 on Reesor Road in Markham From wayne at renaudwebber.com Tue May 13 10:42:17 2008 From: wayne at renaudwebber.com (Wayne Renaud) Date: Tue May 13 09:44:42 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Port Credit, Mississauga Warbler migration: 13 May 2008 Message-ID: This morning from 6:45 to 8:30 a.m. I birded the woods and residential streets along a small section of Lake Ontario from Ben Machree Park to the Rhododendron Garden, SW Port Credit. While still not huge numbers the diversity (21 species) was somewhat impressive: Tennessee (1); Nashville (3); Northern Parula (4); Yellow (15); Chestnut-sided (3); Magnolia (5); Cape May (1); Blackburnian (5); Black-throated Blue (7); Cerulean (1); Black-throated Green (7); Yellow-rumped (10); Palm (6); Pine (7); Bay-breasted (1); Black-and-white (12); American Redstart (5); Mourning (1); Louisiana Waterthrush (1); Canada (1) and Wilson's (1). The trees in this are very mature and many of warblers were feeding high in the canopies. This nice mix of coniferous (spruce, pine, larch, firs, cedar) and deciduous trees (maples, oaks, birches, alder and beeches) and well as some major dense stands of low shrubs this area provides a diversity of habitats in a relatively compact and easily covered in an hour of birding. This was a my first Cerulean for this area: a male singing from at the top of large birch at the top of the bank just behind the large mass of mature Rhododendrons (now coming into bloom) just sw of the parking lot of the garden. The Mourning was singing in dense undergrowth just downstream from the first bridge over the creek from lakeshore and near the bathroom building. The Louisiana Waterthrush was along the same creek but just north of the southernmost of the three bridges. Surprisingly, the only species of thrush I saw was American Robin! Directions: Ben Machree Park is located at the south end of both Pine and Maple Avenues which run off Lakeshore 4 blocks west of Mississauga Road. The Rhododendron Garden parking lot is located only two block further west. The major concentrations of warblers were in the high trees in bottom half of Godfrey's Lane which abutts the se parts of the Rhododendron Garden. There is a small parking lot on the shoreline at the end of Godfrey's Lane (where it meets Ben Machree Drive) which runs south off lakeshore along the east side of the garden; this would get you closer to the center of action. Wayne Renaud From zufelt_k at ghc.on.ca Tue May 13 12:01:58 2008 From: zufelt_k at ghc.on.ca (Kirk Zufelt) Date: Tue May 13 11:02:30 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Tufted Duck & Marbled Godwit- Sault Ste. Marie Message-ID: <48297526.562C.00E9.0@ghc.on.ca> Hello: The Tufted Duck was present at Bellevue Park this morning form 6-9 AM with 4 Lesser Scaup. It was feeding in the little sheltered cove with the sailboats and was often very close to shore. The Marbled Godwit was present briefly on the island in the back bay behind the yacht club at about 0730. It was chased off by a Goose and I didn't see it again subsequently. Directions in previous posts. Kirk Zufelt Kirk Zufelt Sault Ste. Marie,Ontario Canada Confidentiality: The content of this e-mail is privileged and confidential and intended solely for its designated recipient(s). If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete the material from your system. Any dissemination, disclosure, distribution or copying of this material, other than by its intended recipient(s), is strictly prohibited. From Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca Tue May 13 13:03:13 2008 From: Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca (Janice.Sarkis@pc.gc.ca) Date: Tue May 13 12:03:39 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Friends of Pt. Pelee Bird Report May 13 - Black Vulture, Laughing Gulls, Mourning & Hooded Warblers Message-ID: Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008 The Warbler Mania from yesterday has slowed a bit in the Tip Area but there is still good numbers of species being seen well. The two White Pelicans from yesterday afternoon have not been reported today as of yet. Yellow-headed Blackbirds have been reported from the Mitchell Bay area on Angler Line. Hillman Shorebird Cell: Little Gull was reported. No word on the Mottled Duck or the Cackling Geese. Tip Area: Blackpoll, Pine, Orange-crowned, Hooded, Kentucky, Yellow-breasted Chat, Cerulean, and Blue-winged Warbler. A point of interest is that both the Blackpoll and the Pine were singing here on the same day. White-eyed Vireo was near the tram stop. East Beach: Laughing Gulls offshore from the Sparrow Field. The Black Vulture was near the end of Shuster Trail on the beach. Tilden Woods: Mourning Warbler was on the Centennial Bike Path near the West Beach. A Green Heron was at the main boardwalk. White-eyed Vireo, Golden-winged Warbler, and Mourning Warbler were on Shuster Trail. No reports from further north in the Park. Good Birding, Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, John, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim Janice Rogers, General Manager www.friendsofpointpelee.com From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Tue May 13 16:12:23 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Tue May 13 15:12:27 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - N Sharp-tailed Sp, Lesser BB Gull Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Tuesday May 13, 2008 Hello birders. Rumours of the Nelson?s Sharp-tailed Sparrow?s departure were much exaggerated. The bird was seen yesterday at the Pony Barn from 7:45 to 10:30 am, but there were no additional reports until about 4 pm. It was then seen until near sunset, and then again today in the same area by a number of birders. The sparrow continues to be elusive for extended periods. Our warbler count for this morning was 21 species plus one hybrid. The Worm-eating continues to be a crowd-pleaser at Spicebush Trail. Other warblers du jour included Brewster?s on Rondeau Road north of Spicebush, Cerulean at the South Point Trail parking lot on Gardiner, Prothonotary at Tulip Tree Trail and Bennett, and Hooded on Tulip Tree Trail. The best trails were South Point and Tulip Tree. Yesterday afternoon, the Maintenance Loop was very productive. Aside from the Prothonotary Warbler, other Carolinian species included Tufted Titmouse on Harrsion Trail, White-eyed Vireo singing at the Pony Barn, and both Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpeckers seen in good numbers at various locations. Both of these woodpeckers were seen at the Visitor Centre feeders. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen this morning at Erieau docks. The two American White Pelicans in the area have been seen flying over the marsh and South Point Trail. The most reliable way to see them, however, is to drive to the fishing dock in Erieau later in the day (see directions below). Others who checked on May 11 at 2 pm were unsuccessful, but I saw the birds from the dock at 8:10 pm. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For the American White Pelican, from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau. At Nichols Ave., turn ~~left and follow Kerr Ave. to the end of the road at the fishing boat docks. Look north into Rondeau Bay and marsh. Most sightings at this location have been late in the day. I saw the birds there from 8:10 ? 8:25 pm on May 11. The Lesser Black-backed Gull was also seen in this area. It would also be worth checking the Government Dock at the end of Mariner's Road for gulls. _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208 From fhelleiner at trentu.ca Tue May 13 18:15:18 2008 From: fhelleiner at trentu.ca (Fred Helleiner) Date: Tue May 13 17:15:43 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Prothonotary Warbler @ Presqu'ile. Message-ID: <482A04E6.9020401@trentu.ca> This morning someone anonymously reported a Prothonotary Warbler near the lighthouse at Presqu'ile. It was relocated at 4 p.m. by Barb Mackay (sp.?) and her friend Susan (sorry I don't know her last name). There is a gated laneway from the parking lot to the homes on Bayshore Road. It was around that laneway, near the wooden barrier. > > To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. > Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid > that is available at the Park gate. -- -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. From eric_harrison at ieee.org Tue May 13 18:25:15 2008 From: eric_harrison at ieee.org (Eric Harrison) Date: Tue May 13 17:25:17 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Bobolinks in Oakville Message-ID: Today in the morning I spotted one Bobolink along the side of the road, posing like a Red-winged Blackbird. At noon there were three Bobolinks in the meadow at the front of the GE Water & Process Technologies Property at 3239 Dundas Street West in Oakville. Beautiful song and great display of white backs in flight. If you choose to have a look, beware that it is private property and there is a small dirt road leading to a farm about 100 m from the entrance. Do not park along the paved road. Also the Baltimore Orioles are back. At least one pair and perhaps two pairs. They enjoy snacking on the Maple keys. And at least one of the pairs nests near the pond. Finally I watched the shadow of a large bird cross my path last week and turned and looked up to see a Red-tailed hawk land on its nest. I would never have noticed the nest otherwise. I have a couple of pictures of a suspicious adult eyeing me if anyone is interested. This pair (or their predecessors) have been seen around the property for as the building has been there - eight years. A lot going on. It gets more exciting every day! From don.wigle at sympatico.ca Tue May 13 20:59:15 2008 From: don.wigle at sympatico.ca (Don Wigle) Date: Tue May 13 19:59:25 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]correction re Northern Parula Message-ID: The bird I reported yesterday as a Northern Parula was in fact a Nashville Warbler. Don Wigle From pimuseum at hotmail.com Tue May 13 22:47:12 2008 From: pimuseum at hotmail.com (peleeisland museum) Date: Tue May 13 20:47:15 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Pelee Island bird report for May 13th, 2008 Message-ID: Although volume was lacking, the were nevertheless some interesting reports such as YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, CERULEAN WARBLER, and YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0(519) 724-2291 "pimuseum" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island from May 1 until May 20 inclusive. Cost is $5.00. Meet at the Fish Point parking lot at 9 a.m. Check into the Heritage Centre for details on best birding areas and current rarities. The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, due south of the West Dock. Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and census operation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please visit: www.pibo.ca or call 519-724-2829. Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208 From thoar at rogers.com Tue May 13 21:47:06 2008 From: thoar at rogers.com (Tyler Hoar) Date: Tue May 13 20:47:43 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Darlington Provincial Park Shorebirds and loons Message-ID: <000d01c8b55c$094bf250$6400a8c0@Tysuehoar69> I stopped by Darlington Provincial Park this evening to for a quick look for shorebirds On the central section of the beach there were the following Sandpipers: 83 Least, 21 Spotted, 9 Semi-palmated, 13 Dunlin Plovers: Killdeer 4, Semipalmated 2 If the small ponds remain on the beach and the birds are not excessively disturbed, the beach should get alot more shorebirds over the next 3 weeks. Offshore lots of birds sitting on a flat lake Loons: Common 22, Red-throated 6 1 Horned Grebe 5 Species of Gulls including Great Black-backed and Little Waterfowl: 1200+ Red-breasted Mergansers, 420 long-tailed Ducks, 30+ Gadwalls( feeding on emerging midges offshore), 5 White-winged Scoters, 7 Bufflehead and 5 Common Goldeneyes A 10 minute stop at the Oshawa Second marsh netted me 3 Black Terns, American Bittern, Sedge and Marsh Wrens and a Sora Direction: Oshawa Second Marsh Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of the lot. For a trail map of the Oshawa Second Marsh area visit www.secondmarsh.com and check the link for a trail map of the area Darlington Provincial Park borders the east side Oshawa Second Marsh/McLaughlin Bay Nature Reserve. To access the campground and park store area from the east.Take the Courtice road exit from the 401 and follow the park signs. There is a small parking lot at the gatehouse. Park here and walk the trail to the south. This will take you into the campground area. The park store is just south of the main office past the main gate. From circledots at rogers.com Tue May 13 21:21:02 2008 From: circledots at rogers.com (Robert Ross) Date: Tue May 13 22:11:20 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]RE: Summer Tanager at our Backyard Feeder................ Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20080513201437.00c50fb8@pop.lndn.phub.net.cable.rogers.com> Hello Folks: The Summer Tanager that was frequenting our Back Yard Suet Feeder last evening was not spotted again today unfortunately.......He was at the Suet Feeder at least 10 to 15 times between 6 PM and 8 PM last night. My wife and son kept an eye for him today with no luck. If he shows up again later this week...we will let you all know. I did not realize that this bird was quite Rare for Middlesex County. Our house backs out onto the Westminster Ponds here in London Ontario. Dave Martin...sorry he did not show up while you were here looking for him!!! If anyone would like some nice FULL SIZE PHOTOS we took of the bird last night.....Please Email me at radiorob@rogers.com And...I will send you 3 or 4 Nice Digital Pictures of the Summer Tanager at our Suet Feeder. Thanks for the interest in the bird..and we'll be sure to alert everyone if he shows up again. Regards..........ROB. Robert S. Ross VA3SW Box 1003, Stn. B. London, Ontario CANADA N6A5K1 Antique/Vintage Radio Enthusiast Amateur Radio Stations VA3SW/VE3JFC Defy Physics.....Play Table Tennis!! (Ping Pong with an Attitude) ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? From pjblake22 at hotmail.com Tue May 13 23:41:57 2008 From: pjblake22 at hotmail.com (Patrick Blake) Date: Tue May 13 22:42:00 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Am. Bittern - Mer Bleue, Ottawa Message-ID: I went birding after work this evening to the Mer Bleue Bog. There was a single AMERICAN BITTERN off of the eastern most boardwalk. It was actually visible for about ten minutes, bobbing its head and making that unmistakable call. After a while, though, I think it caught on that I was watching it, so it promptly disappeared into the reeds. Also present was a single WILSON'S SNIPE that made a brief appearance flying over the boardwalk. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS were in the woods near the OFNC feeder. DIRECTIONS: Take 417 to the Innes Road exit. Turn right onto Anderson Road about 5 kilometers and follow the signs to the Mer Bleue Bog. _________________________________________________________________ From cradley at cogeco.ca Wed May 14 10:00:11 2008 From: cradley at cogeco.ca (Claude Radley) Date: Wed May 14 09:00:20 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Tilbury Chat Message-ID: Greetings, The Yellow-breasted Chat that has been frequenting out back yard did not make an appearance this morning. We will repost if she happens to show up again. cheers, Claude and Nina Radley From lsir at sympatico.ca Wed May 14 10:06:01 2008 From: lsir at sympatico.ca (Langis Sirois) Date: Wed May 14 09:07:02 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] =?iso-8859-1?q?No_Ruff_at_Marais_des_La=EEches=2C_Gatineau_QC_on_May12?= Message-ID: Good morning. I went to Marais des La?ches yesterday morning hoping to see the male Ruff that had been discovered on Sunday morning May 11 at Marais des La?ches East, Gatineau QC. The bird had been seen again later on that day as well as on May 12. Upon my arrival, I met Andr? Cloutier who had seen and photographed the bird on the previous 2 days. Andr? had been there for a while when I arrived; we searched the marsh from both entries, East and West, to no avail. Andr? told me that the bird had been seen from both areas and that it moved around in the marsh. Small number of shorebirds at the marsh included White-rumped and Least Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowleg and Semipalmated Plover; among other birds present: Osprey, Common Morheen, American Bittern, Black Tern, and a singning Sedge Wren near the West side parking space. I also checked the Marais aux Grenouillettes, which is a little further East on highway 148, but no Ruff there either. Directions courtesy of Neily World: [1]http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/oreq7.htm Langis Sirois, Ottawa References 1. http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/oreq7.htm From lsir at sympatico.ca Wed May 14 10:06:54 2008 From: lsir at sympatico.ca (Langis Sirois) Date: Wed May 14 09:08:06 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] =?iso-8859-1?q?No_Ruff_at_Marais_des_La=EEches=2C_Gatineau_QC_on_May12?= Message-ID: Good morning. I went to Marais des La?ches yesterday morning hoping to see the male Ruff that had been discovered on Sunday morning May 11 at Marais des La?ches East, Gatineau QC. The bird had been seen again later on that day as well as on May 12. Upon my arrival, I met Andr? Cloutier who had seen and photographed the bird on the previous 2 days. Andr? had been there for a while when I arrived; we searched the marsh from both entries, East and West, to no avail. Andr? told me that the bird had been seen from both areas and that it moved around in the marsh. Small number of shorebirds at the marsh included White-rumped and Least Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowleg and Semipalmated Plover; among other birds present: Osprey, Common Morheen, American Bittern, Black Tern, and a singning Sedge Wren near the West side parking space. I also checked the Marais aux Grenouillettes, which is a little further East on highway 148, but no Ruff there either. Directions courtesy of Neily World: [1]http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/oreq7.htm Langis Sirois, Ottawa References 1. http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/oreq7.htm From l.neumann at sympatico.ca Wed May 14 16:14:32 2008 From: l.neumann at sympatico.ca (l.neumann@sympatico.ca) Date: Wed May 14 11:14:56 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Oakville - Cape May Warbler, White-crowned Sparrows Message-ID: A quick walk around the storm drainage pond behind the Iroquois Ridge Community Center found 1 Cape May Warbler 1 Yellow warbler 3 White-crowned sparrows (as well as the usual suspects - Song Sparrow, Red-wings, Robins, Goldfinches, etc.) The community center is at 8th line and Glenashton in Oakville. Park at the centre and walk around to the back of the building. The pond is behind and to the east of the centre. Larissa Neumann From Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca Wed May 14 13:14:08 2008 From: Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca (Janice.Sarkis@pc.gc.ca) Date: Wed May 14 12:14:13 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Pelee Bird Report May 14 Black Vulture, Laughing Gull, Golden and Blue-winged Warblers, etc Message-ID: Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008 The Black Vulture continues to be reported along the east beach, at the end of Shuster Trail (look north). New migrants have arrived but are in scattered pockets. Birding is steady in the intermittent rain. In all, more than 20 species of wood warbler have been reported in the Park. At the Tip The migrants that were noted at the Tip over the last couple of days appeared to have moved on. There was not as much activity there. A few species of warbler, including Blackpoll were noted there though, and there were reports of Red-headed Woodpecker, Bobolink, American Pipit and Pine Siskin. The two Laughing Gulls reported yesterday, apparently flew by the Tip this morning. The Yellow-breasted Chat continues to be spotted behind the display at the tram stop. In the Loop Woods at the Tip, White-eyed Vireo, and Lincoln's Sparrow. Along the path to the Sparrow Field at the Tip, a Marsh Wren. A Yellow-throated Vireo was nearby. >From Shuster Trail, a Wilson's Warbler was noted. Tilden Woods seemed to have the most activity. Near the start of the seasonal trail, Lincoln's Sparrow, Philadelphia Vireo, Scarlet Tanager and a Mourning Warbler, among other species. At the boardwalk a Golden-winged Warbler, and Gray-cheeked Thrush were sighted. Wood Thrush and Swainson's Thrushes were commonly seen. Several Blackpoll and Northern Parula were noted. Just west of the boardwalk, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was found. In the group campground area, a Blue-winged Warbler, and Canada Warbler were seen. Along the Woodland Nature Trail, near Post 12, a Hooded Warbler, and a Cerulean Warbler. The Redbud Trail, a Northern Parula, Tennessee Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler. The Mottled Duck was also reported yesterday (13th) at Hillman Marsh, as were two Little Gulls. Also of note, the two American White Pelicans observed a couple days ago were seen by Park staff on Middle Island yesterday. Good Birding, Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, John, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim Janice Rogers, General Manager www.friendsofpointpelee.com From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Wed May 14 13:31:47 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Wed May 14 12:31:51 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - Cerulean, Acadian F, WE Vireo Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Wednesday May 14, 2008 Good Morning birders. The warbler highlight for this morning was a Cerulean at Tulip Tree Trail. Spicebush Trail and the Pony Barn as well as Tulip Tree Trail all had good tallies. The birds at the Pony barn were very cooperative, posing low over the water, instead of forcing birders to look upwards and consult their ?confusing warbler bellies? pages. Not a warbler, but nonetheless cooperative, was the White-eyed Vireo at the Pony Barn. It was satisfying both visually and acoustically - perching at eye level and singing persistently. An Acadian Flycatcher was also present, along with a Least Flycatcher and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher nearby on Harrison Trail, for handy Empidonax comparisons. Other birds of interest there included Orchard Oriole, Tufted Titmouse, Indigo Bunting and a good assortment of migrants. On the Marsh Trail yesterday evening, we had a fine selection of wetland birds on my evening hike. American Woodcock, Whip-poor-will, American Bittern, Sora, and Sandhill Cranes were all singing and calling. The Nelson?s Sharp-tailed Sparrow seen at the Pony Barns on May 12 and 13 has not yet been reported today. Outside the park today, 40 Ruddy Turnstones were seen in the fields near Erieau, and 3 Willet were on Rose Beach Line just northeast of the park entrance. We have not heard back from birders who planned to check on the two American White Pelicans (present May 9-11 at least), previously seen from the Erieau dock. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For the American White Pelican, from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau. At Nichols Ave., turn ~~left and follow Kerr Ave. to the end of the road at the fishing boat docks. Look north into Rondeau Bay and marsh. Most sightings at this location have been late in the day. I saw the birds there from 8:10 ? 8:25 pm on May 11. The Lesser Black-backed Gull was also seen in this area on May 12. It may also be worthwhile to check the Government Dock at the end of Mariner's Road for gulls. For the shorebird site near Erieau (where the Ruddy Turnstones were seen): from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A. The birds were seen in the fields in this vicinity. For the Willets, from the Rondeau PP gate, go northeast on Rondeau Road past Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15). The road continues northeast, but is here called Rose Beach Line. The birds were along the shore, just west of the trailer park. _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208 From lockrey33 at rogers.com Wed May 14 16:01:16 2008 From: lockrey33 at rogers.com (Doug Lockrey) Date: Wed May 14 15:01:18 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Hooded, Canada, Cerulean, Blue-winged warblers highlight an otherwise slow mornings at Thickson-May 13 & 14 Message-ID: <003801c8b5f4$e3fceab0$45a5f563@douglus0kdu880> Of late few of us have elected to put in an Ontbirds report for Thickson's. I do hope someones will do so while I am up on the Bruce Peninsula from May 21 to 26 incl. As we all await this evening's showers, hopefully to bring in some migrants overnight, let me mention some of the highlight birds along the periphery of Thickson's Woods in southwest Whitby, during the morns of May 13 and 14--that is, the best spots were a) northwest corner cedar hedge area at the west end of the feeder trail, b)in the high trees of the south-central area, c)along the car-park roadway, and d)in the southeast corner near the wetland. May 13--warblers-bay-breasted, c.yellowthroat, Blackburnian, Wilson's, female cerulean, Tennessee, ovenbird, n.waterthrush, magnolia, black-throated blue, yellow, yellow-throated, black-and-white, magnolia, pine ; scarlet tanager, veery, long-eared owl, great crested flycatcher, Baltimore oriole. now then, for May 14-- warblers-blackpoll, hooded (m & f), blue-winged, Wilson's, Canada, n.parula, ovenbird, magnolia, pine, yellow-throated, c.yellowthroat, chestnut-sided, Am.redstart; Lincoln's sparrow, red-eyed vireo, Philadelphia vireo, warbling vireo. Doug Lockrey, Whitby,ON From bruce.dilabio at sympatico.ca Wed May 14 20:39:13 2008 From: bruce.dilabio at sympatico.ca (bruce.dilabio@sympatico.ca) Date: Wed May 14 15:39:18 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Hillmans Marsh: Mottled Duck Message-ID: Hi Everyone The Mottled Duck was still present at Hillmans Marsh in the shorebird and waterfowl habitat between 2:00pm-3:00pm, just before the heavy rains!. It was resting/feeding in a flock of 7 drake Mallards, 2 Gadwall and 2 American Wigeon. Also present were 3 Willets, 1 Stilt Sandpiper, 2 Sanderling and 1 imm. Little Gull. good birding Bruce Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O.Box 538 Carp,Ontario K0A 1L0 613-715-2571 cell From lockrey33 at rogers.com Wed May 14 17:08:14 2008 From: lockrey33 at rogers.com (Doug Lockrey) Date: Wed May 14 16:08:14 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] apologies re. reporting a yellow-throated at Thickson's-May 14 Message-ID: <005201c8b5fe$3e4c2f40$45a5f563@douglus0kdu880> PLEASE ACCEPT MY APOLOGY FOR REPORTING A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER MOMENTS AGO--indeed, I meant it to be a yellow-rumped!!! Doug Lockrey ----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Lockrey" To: "ONTBIRDS" Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:01 PM Subject: [Ontbirds]Hooded, Canada, Cerulean, Blue-winged warblers highlight anotherwise slow mornings at Thickson-May 13 & 14 Of late few of us have elected to put in an Ontbirds report for Thickson's. I do hope someones will do so while I am up on the Bruce Peninsula from May 21 to 26 incl. As we all await this evening's showers, hopefully to bring in some migrants overnight, let me mention some of the highlight birds along the periphery of Thickson's Woods in southwest Whitby, during the morns of May 13 and 14--that is, the best spots were a) northwest corner cedar hedge area at the west end of the feeder trail, b)in the high trees of the south-central area, c)along the car-park roadway, and d)in the southeast corner near the wetland. May 13--warblers-bay-breasted, c.yellowthroat, Blackburnian, Wilson's, female cerulean, Tennessee, ovenbird, n.waterthrush, magnolia, black-throated blue, yellow, yellow-throated, black-and-white, magnolia, pine ; scarlet tanager, veery, long-eared owl, great crested flycatcher, Baltimore oriole. now then, for May 14-- warblers-blackpoll, hooded (m & f), blue-winged, Wilson's, Canada, n.parula, ovenbird, magnolia, pine, yellow-throated, c.yellowthroat, chestnut-sided, Am.redstart; Lincoln's sparrow, red-eyed vireo, Philadelphia vireo, warbling vireo. Doug Lockrey, Whitby,ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: 5/13/2008 7:31 AM From reports at hawkcount.org Wed May 14 18:05:22 2008 From: reports at hawkcount.org (reports@hawkcount.org) Date: Wed May 14 16:50:34 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]HSR: Beamer Conservation Area (14 May 2008) 3 Raptors Message-ID: <20080514214822.31634.qmail@taiga.com> Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: May 14, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 0 81 5659 Osprey 0 5 49 Bald Eagle 0 4 63 Northern Harrier 0 14 167 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 228 2491 Cooper's Hawk 0 6 132 Northern Goshawk 0 1 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 637 Broad-winged Hawk 0 34 2961 Red-tailed Hawk 2 62 2234 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 60 Golden Eagle 0 6 14 American Kestrel 0 3 114 Merlin 0 1 10 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 7 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 8 Unknown Buteo 0 3 35 Unknown Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 3 36 Total: 3 451 14687 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Bouwe Bergsma Observers: Visitors: Diane and Jerry Harris from Toronto. Weather: A dull, windy and cool day with rain starting at 2pm(EST). Cloud cover remained at 100% the whole duration. Raptor Observations: Almost no migration again, with the local,Turkey Vultures(6),Cooper's Hawks(2) and Red-tailed Hawks(2). Non-raptor Observations: Rough-winged swallows were very active (hopefully eating the black flies), as was the Brown Thrasher. Others were Canada Geese, Double Crested Cormorants(3)10:30 E, Cardinals, Cowbirds, Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Chickadees,Blue Jays,Crows,Goldfinch and Grackles. The wind was even too much for the House Wren as she never came out. Predictions: Sunny 15C NW-15K winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Hawthorne () Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/ Site Description: Beamer Conservation Area is located on top of the Niagara Escarpment above the town of Grimsby, Ontario. The site is 1km south of the south shore of Lake Ontario, 20km east of Hamilton, 40km west of Niagara Falls. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 72, follow Christie St./Mountain St. to the top of the escarpment, turn right on Ridge Road West, and go 1.6km to Quarry Rd. Turn right on Quarry Rd. and drive 100m to the conservation area. Parking is normally available inside the park. If parking at the entrance or on the roads, do NOT leave valuables in your car. Please note: Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized after the end of the season. © 2008 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Wed May 14 19:49:21 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Wed May 14 18:49:24 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - Louisiana W, Acadian F, Cerulean W Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Wednesday May 14, 2008 - evening Hello birders. The Rondeau warbler list for today totalled 22 species. Highlights included Cerulean on Tulip Tree Trail, and Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue?winged and Hooded on Spicebush Trail. The best areas were for warblers were Tulip Tree Trail, Pony Barn and Spicebush Trail. Other good passerines at the Pony Barn included Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Orchard Oriole, Tufted Titmouse, and Indigo Bunting. Our first Philadelphia Vireo and a Gray-cheeked Thrush were seen on Tulip Tree Trail. Scarlet Tanagers were reported from Harrsion Trail and Pony Barn, while Orchard Orioles were seen at Spicebush Trail and Pony Barn. On the Marsh Trail Tuesday evening, we had a variety of wetland birds on the evening hike. American Woodcock, Whip-poor-will, American Bittern, Sora, and Sandhill Cranes were all singing and calling. Common Moorhen, a species that has become very uncommon in the park, was seen on the Marsh Trail south of the gate at the south end parking area. The Trail is generally only accessible by bicycle, or by attending my marsh hike on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7 pm. Outside the park today, 40 Ruddy Turnstones were seen in the fields near Erieau, and 3 Willet were on Rose Beach Line just northeast of the park entrance. Unusual for the local area, a Long-tailed Duck drake was seen in the same area this afternoon. Obervers who visited later in the afternoon did not see the Willet. Also outside the park, shorebirds and ducks were seen near McGeachy Pond C.A. Black-bellied Plover (5), American Coot (3), and Redhead (2) were reported there. Good birding. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For the American White Pelican, from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau. At Nichols Ave., turn ~~left and follow Kerr Ave. to the end of the road at the fishing boat docks. Look north into Rondeau Bay and marsh. Most sightings at this location have been late in the day. I saw the birds there from 8:10 ? 8:25 pm on May 11. The Lesser Black-backed Gull was also seen in this area on May 12. It may also be worthwhile to check the Government Dock at the end of Mariner's Road for gulls. For the shorebird / duck site near Erieau: from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A. The birds were seen in the fields in this vicinity. For the Long-tailed Duck and the Willets, from the Rondeau PP gate, go northeast on Rondeau Road past Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15). The road continues northeast, but is here called Rose Beach Line. The bird was seen along the shore here. _________________________________________________________________ Try Chicktionary, a game that tests how many words you can form from the letters given. Find this and more puzzles at Live Search Games! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/207 From rickthor at sympatico.ca Thu May 15 00:03:00 2008 From: rickthor at sympatico.ca (rickthor@sympatico.ca) Date: Wed May 14 23:03:36 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Pelee Black Vulture Captured Message-ID: <6bpls7$5okap6@toip6.srvr.bell.ca> For those wanting to look for the Black Vulture at Pelee, please note that this evening, Wednesday, as we arrived to go looking for it, park staff had captured it to take it to a rehabilitator. Hopefully it will make a full recovery. Rick Thornton, Exeter, ON from Leaminton From donnafano2 at yahoo.ca Thu May 15 00:22:40 2008 From: donnafano2 at yahoo.ca (Donna Fano) Date: Thu May 15 00:18:30 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Sandhill Crane Message-ID: <982002.98047.qm@web32807.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Shot Sandhill crane A solitary sandhill crane was observed living in a field of soybeans just west of Belleville during the last week of April. It had a broken leg due to a bullet wound possibly made by a hunter shooting wild turkeys. Myself and another Quinte Naturalist tried to catch it to take it to Sandy Pines Wildlife Sanutary in Napanee to have the leg set. The crane was able to fly short distance away from us so we were not able to catch it and help it. We observed it everyday for a week. After a week it was strong enough to fly away with the broken leg. Anyone who sees this crane with a broken leg please let me know. I would like to know how it is making out in life with only 1 leg and any curious birders will know what happened to it. Must be hard to lie down and then get up! Contact me at donnafano2@yahoo.ca if you see the crane or if you want a photo of it. Donna Fano, Belleville, Ontario __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/ From ppratt at city.windsor.on.ca Thu May 15 11:55:15 2008 From: ppratt at city.windsor.on.ca (Pratt, Paul) Date: Thu May 15 10:55:25 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Connecticut Warbler, Ojibway Prairie Complex in Windsor Message-ID: <1D6FB418A1753045A397EFCDD8F82B7C010F6D7D@meteor.corp.windsor> There was a heavy fallout of migrants overnight here in Windsor. Swainson's Thrushes seem to be everywhere. By 10 am this morning we had reports of 23 species of warbler from the Ojibway area including a male Connecticut Warbler found by Fred Urie at Spring Garden Natural Area. The feeders at the nature centre have Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole in addition to such regular species such as Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch and Red-bellied Woodpecker. A red phase Eastern Screech-Owl is being seen during the day in one of the nest boxes by the nature centre. The Ojibway Nature Centre is located in the southwest corner of Windsor next to the Windsor Raceway. Visit www.ojibway.ca for more detailed maps and directions. Paul Pratt Ojibway Nature Centre 5200 Matchette Road Windsor, ON 519-966-5852 ppratt@city.windsor.on.ca From Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca Thu May 15 13:09:32 2008 From: Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca (Janice.Sarkis@pc.gc.ca) Date: Thu May 15 12:09:38 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Point Pelee Bird Update - May 15 - Kirtland's Warbler & others Message-ID: Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008 After a cool wet day of birding yesterday, sunny skies greeted birders Thursday morning. The change in weather also brought in many new birds to the Park, including a very vocal KIRTLAND'S WARBLER. It was observed my many along the West beach trail south of the half-way stop (south of the Visitor Centre). Also drawing excitement were reports of the following: At the Tip area At least one adult plumaged Laughing Gull was spotted on the east side of the tip. As for songbirds, Prairie Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow, White-eyed Vireo, and Red-headed Woodpecker were most sought after. Overall, a good selection of species was present, many in song. Another Pine Siskin was at the Sparrow Field Between Tip Tram Loop and Visitor Centre Two male Hooded Warblers, a male Golden-winged Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow-throated Vireo were all seen along the main road. Tilden Woods A good variety of species were observed. Blackpoll Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, amongst many others were observed. Also present were lots of Indigo Buntings, several Scarlet Tanagers, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-eyed Vireo on territory and two fly-over Bald Eagles. Nearby, near the turn-off to the West Beach parking area, an Eastern Screech-Owl was discovered. Also close by, an Orange-crowned Warbler was observed along the Chinquapin Trail. Schuster Trail A Philadelphia Vireo and Wilson's Warbler were most noteworthy here. See note below on Black Vulture. Woodland Nature Trail Several Black-billed Cuckoos were observed along the trail. DeLaurier An Acadian Flycatcher was reported from the SE part of the trail. Hillman Marsh The Mottled Duck continues to be reported from Hillman Marsh. It was spotted this morning. Also present there were Willet and Little Gull. Black Vulture The Black Vulture reported yesterday from the East Beach (north of Schuster Trail) is no longer present there. Due to its apparent poor condition, it was captured and taken to a local rehabilitation centre. Good Birding, Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, John, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim Janice Rogers, General Manager www.friendsofpointpelee.com From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Thu May 15 14:23:54 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Thu May 15 13:23:58 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Rondeau Warblers - Kentucky & Hooded x2, Worm-eating, Chat Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Thursday May 15, 2008 Good morning birders. Despite the chilly dawn, there were some warblers up and about. Early birders found two Kentucky Warblers. One was along Rondeau Road 500 m north of the Spicebush Trail parking lot, and the other was some distance off the road along Bennett Ave. After lying low for a day, as Worm-eating Warblers are wont to do, the bird that has been present on Spicebush Trail for some time put in another appearance. Other good birds included a Hooded near the Pony Barn, and another on South Point Trail. There was also a Blue-winged on Tulip Tree Trail, and a Yellow-breasted Chat and a Mourning Warbler on South Point Trail. The most productive trail for warblers this morning was Spicebush. In addition to the chat, an Orchard Oriole was sighted at South Point Trail. Other good passerines late yesterday at Tulip Tree Trail, during a monsoon-style downpour, included a Philadelphia Vireo, a Blue-winged Warbler and a Gray-cheeked Thrush. Outside the park yesterday, 40 Ruddy Turnstones were seen in the fields near Erieau, and 3 Willet were on Rose Beach Line just northeast of the park entrance. Atypical for the Rondeau area, a Long-tailed Duck drake was seen in the same area yesterday afternoon. Observers who visited later in the afternoon did not see the Willet. Please note that the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons are temporarily inaccessible. The gate has been inadvertently locked with a keyed padlock. Those people who attend my hike on Friday May 16 at 1 pm will be given access, but otherwise, the lagoons will remain inaccessible for the time being. I will include updates on the status of the locked gate as soon as information is available. Good birding. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For the shorebird / duck site near Erieau: from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A. The birds were seen in the fields in this vicinity. For the Long-tailed Duck and the Willets, from the Rondeau PP gate, go northeast on Rondeau Road past Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15). The road continues northeast, but is here called Rose Beach Line. The bird was seen along the shore here. _________________________________________________________________ Try Chicktionary, a game that tests how many words you can form from the letters given. Find this and more puzzles at Live Search Games! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/207 From avocet at rogers.com Thu May 15 14:43:56 2008 From: avocet at rogers.com (Geoff - Birds) Date: Thu May 15 13:43:57 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Port Perry and Durham birds - May 15th Message-ID: <002b01c8b6b3$40e50050$6401a8c0@DFS8YG91> Lots of birds at Port Perry lagoons today ... Wilson's phalarope ( 1 male), 20 Semi-palmated Plovers, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 50+ Least Sandpipers, 10 Greater Yellowlegs, 35 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 5 Short-billed Dowirchers, 7 Spotted Sandpipers, 4 Killdeer, 15 Dunlin. Also seen at lagoons - Osprey on nest, Red-shouldered Hawk, 40+ Black Terns, 5 Caspian Terns, Redhead, 3 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Lesser Scaup, 7 Bufflehead, and 2 Hooded Mergansers. Also seen in Durham - 2 Common Ravens at Whites Road and Taunton Rd in Pickering and two pheasants near the Durham/York Line and Finch Ave in Pickering. Elsewhere - Terrie Smith had 40 Brant at Westney Rd and Ravenscroft Rd in Ajax yesterday May 14th. Directions to Port Perry lagoons: Permits must be purchased in advance of entering the lagoons. They cost $5.00 as they did last year. The permits may be purchased at the Durham Region Transfer Site located at 1623 Reach Rd, Port Perry during the following business hours .... Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. To get to the transfer station, travel north on Hwy 12 past Port Perry [Hwy 7A] to the next traffic lights [Regional Road 8 = Reach Rd.] and travel east to #1623 on the north side of the road. The lagoons are located one road north of the transfer site east off Hwy 12 on Concession Rd. 8 [don't get confused as, despite the fact that these roads are both numbered "8", they are two different roads - one is a regional paved road, the other a dirt concession road.] Permits cannot be shared nor can they be loaned. There are no "group entry" privileges. Please adhere rigidly to these requirements as any non-compliance could jeopardize our ability to use these important lagoons. Thank-you for your cooperation. Geoff Carpentier Ajax, Ontario From tsprague at kos.net Thu May 15 18:57:59 2008 From: tsprague at kos.net (Terry Sprague) Date: Thu May 15 17:58:16 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending May 15, 2008 Message-ID: <029401c8b6d6$bee38ee0$0201fea9@D3ZD7M31> WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE WEEK ENDING Thursday, May 15, 2008 The Prince Edward County Birding Festival started on the 10th and 29 species of warblers have been seen so far, making for a lot of happy birders. The woods at Point Traverse and at the Observatory have had a few good days and a few quiet ones but there has always been something to see. A very nearsighted RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was seen hovering in front of the red breast patch of a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK in the Point Traverse Woods this week, and in the same woods, a BALTIMORE ORIOLE early in the week was giving an almost perfect rendition of a Carolina Wren song! While most of the attention was focussed on Prince Edward Point this week, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen by one party behind the Maple Rest Heritage House at Sandbanks Provincial Park on Monday, and three BLACK TERNS showed up nearby the same day. Daily birding tours at Prince Edward Point have enjoyed great attendance with nearly capacity crowds every day. The birding walks in the Point Traverse Woods conclude Sunday morning, and banding demonstrations at the Observatory will also wrap up this coming weekend.. BRANT started moving on the 11th when 400 went past and they were followed by 18 the next day and 40 on the 14th. Many people have watched the SURF SCOTERS off Point Traverse on most days this week and on the 10th all three species of SCOTER were recorded there. LONG-TAILED DUCKS have decreased to about 100 offshore now and WHITE- WINGED SCOTERS number about 35. The female COMMON GOLDENEYE has been seen in the harbour but is often elusive. The first SPOTTED SANDPIPER was seen on the 11th and apart from the resident KILLDEER, WILSON'S SNIPE and WOODCOCK, it was the only shorebird seen all week. BONAPARTE'S GULLS can be seen occasionally offshore and the odd CASPIAN TERN pays a visit as well. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS are becoming more regularly seen as they visit the feeders. Flycatchers have started to arrive and an ALDER FLYCATCHER was seen on the 14th and 15th, an EASTERN WOOD PEWEE was see at Point Traverse on the 14th and up to 5 LEAST FLYCATCHERS are around in the woods, and GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS arrived on the 11th with 5 present on the 14th. WARBLING VIREOS are becoming commoner and some are even singing as they set up their territories around the harbour. The first RED-EYED VIREO was found on the 14th. BLUE JAYS continue to move through with up to 150 a day being seen. The COMMON RAVEN made his weekly appearance on the 14th. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS have dropped right off now and only one or two a day are being seen. At least three pairs of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS are breeding now. Thrushes are starting to arrive and 6 VEERY were seen on the 14th, with the first SWAINSON'S THRUSH being banded on the 14th with several more present the following day along with more VEERYS. WOOD THRUSHES numbered 10 on the 14th. By now you've probably guessed that we have had an arrival on the 14th and the numbers of our local birds increased that day, GRAY CATBIRDS numbered 18, while the local YELLOW WARBLERS were swamped by incoming immigrants with 120 recorded for the day. We banded 328 birds of an incredible 47 species that day. There were 27 species of warblers recorded, and highlights included 5 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS, 3 BREWSTER'S WARBLERS, 2 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS, 25 TENNESSEE WARBLERS, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 25 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS, 15 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 45 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 25 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, 20 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS, 4 HOODED WARBLERS, 15 AMERICAN REDSTARTS and the first BAY-BREASTED, CERULEAN, BLACKPOLL and CANADA WARBLERS of the spring. SCARLET TANAGERS arrived on the 9th and the red and black flashes of them can be seen daily in the woods. Two CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were singing on the 11th but have not been seen since. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have decreased and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS are still plentiful. The last DARK-EYED JUNCO was seen on the 9th. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS are increasing with 20 seen on the 12th and 13th and 40 were recorded on the 14th. INDIGO BUNTINGS are adding a touch of blue to the woods, BALTIMORE ORIOLES are adding orange, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS are adding orange and black, while the SCARLET TANAGERS are adding red and all are providing lots of colour in the woods these days. If you haven't sponsored anyone yet for the PEPTBO Baillie Birdathon its not too late to do so, Terry Sprague does his on the 16th and David Okines, the station manager, does his on the 25th. Wish us luck. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte Area. Special thanks to David Okines of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory for submitting his material early early while I psych up my feet and polish my binoculars for the Baillie Birdathon as I accompany Birding greats Michael Runtz and PEPtBO president Brian Joyce for what will truly be a straight 24-hour experience. We get under way at midnight. If I survive, this report will be updated on Thursday, May 22nd, but sightings can be e-mailed any time before the Wednesday night deadline. Belleville resident Dave Bell contributes all of our photos this week, including a ghostly photo of a TURKEY VULTURE in the setting sun on the Main Birding Page of the NatureStuff website. His photos of a BALTIMORE ORIOLE and a YELLOW WARBLER, taken on Saturday, appear in the online version of the Quinte Area Bird Report. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County tsprague@kos.net www.naturestuff.net From zufelt_k at shaw.ca Thu May 15 20:52:41 2008 From: zufelt_k at shaw.ca (Kirk Zufelt) Date: Thu May 15 19:52:57 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Tufted Duck and Mabled Godwit, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Message-ID: Hello; The male Tufted Duck spent the entire day in the small harbor at Bellevue Park. The Marbled Godwit was in the back bay on the little island at 1600 hrs. Bellevue Park is located at the foot of Lake St. on the St. Marys River in the east end of Sault Ste. Marie, ON. From Hwy 17 east travel onto Trunk Rd., then turn south on Lake St. to its end at the river. Kirk Zufelt From fhelleiner at trentu.ca Thu May 15 22:54:34 2008 From: fhelleiner at trentu.ca (Fred Helleiner) Date: Thu May 15 21:54:42 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending May 15, 2008. Message-ID: <482CE95A.6000500@trentu.ca> By the high standards to which birders at Presqu'ile Provincial Park are accustomed, the past few days have offered lack-lustre birding at best, in quantity of birds if not in quality. Finding warblers, for example, meant working for every one of the 23 species found by two observers yesterday. A few prizes, however, kept things from getting too dull. With unsettled weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday, things might be more productive for the annual "Warblers and Whimbrels" weekend that takes place at Presqu'ile. A flock of 30 Brant was at Gull Island on May 9, and another flock of five birds was there yesterday and today. Two Redheads were in Popham Bay on May 13, and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks was still in the marsh on May 15. A male scaup was in Popham Bay with a few Long-tailed Ducks on May 15. A male Hooded Merganser was seen on May 12. Great Egrets can be found every day, either in the marsh or on their nests on High Bluff Island or flying between the two. There was a second-hand report, without any details, of a Cattle Egret flying from High Bluff Island to the mainland. The species has not nested on Presqu'ile's offshore islands since 1965, but has been nesting more recently on other islands in eastern Lake Ontario. Three Green Herons were seen on May 13, two over the west end of the Park and one over the east end. May 9 was a good day for rails at Presqu'ile; two Virginia Rails were calling alongside the Owen Point trail and a vocal Sora swam into the open while three observers watched it. In the immortal words of the late Gerry Bennett, "There's nothing worse than an open Sora." A few Semipalmated Plovers are on the beach most days, and a Greater Yellowlegs was there today. Despite the optimistic name of the Warblers and Whimbrels weekend, the latter species may not yet have arrived back before the weekend ends. There is, however, a previous record as early as May 9. Two Ruddy Turnstones, a single Red Knot (at May 14, not quite a record early date), and a few Least Sandpipers and Dunlins are the vanguard of the imminent shorebird migration. On May 11, an American Woodcock was observed with four chicks in tow. Two Black Terns flew over the marsh on May 13. Black-billed Cuckoos have been found on each of the past two days. An Eastern Screech-Owl reported on May 9 behind the Park store could not be enticed to respond to a tape on a subsequent evening. A Chimney Swift flew over the lighthouse on May 14. A Red-headed Woodpecker was also seen on that day, and on the following day a large group of birders that was gathered around another uncommon bird saw a Red-headed Woodpecker land on a hydro pole nearby. Red-bellied Woodpeckers, while not often seen, are known by their calls to be ubiquitous these days. Yellow-throated Vireos were seen on May 11 (two birds) and May 13. Surprisingly, no one has yet reported a Philadelphia Vireo, a species that must surely be present in the Park by now. For the third consecutive week, two Common Ravens made passes over the east end of the Park on May 10. A late Horned Lark was seen on May 10, flying over the beach. On the same morning, a Northern Mockingbird was near the beach 2 entrance road, the same general area in which two were seen a few times in previous years. A late Hermit Thrush was seen on May 14, as well as the first Swainson's Thrushes. Although the warbler migration has apparently not yet reached its peak at Presqu'ile, 29 species of warblers were present this week, including Golden-winged Warbler, Blue-winged Warblers, Cape May Warblers, the second Hooded Warbler in two weeks, and the highlight of the week, a male Prothonotary Warbler on May 13, only the second of that species ever found at Presqu'ile. Most of the warbler species that normally reach here towards the end of the migration (Tennessee Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Canada Warbler) are also here in small numbers. A possible Connecticut Warbler was also heard singing, but only once. A Dark-eyed Junco was still present on May 9. For those who like colour, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, and Scarlet Tanagers are plentiful, and a few Orchard Orioles are seen every day. A Rusty Blackbird was near the lighthouse on May 11. A few Pine Siskins were at bird feeders on May 13. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: FHELLEINER@TRENTU.CA. -- -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. From dfsuggs at localnet.com Fri May 16 00:01:59 2008 From: dfsuggs at localnet.com (dfsuggs@localnet.com) Date: Thu May 15 23:02:05 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]WNY Dial-a-Bird 15 May 2008 Message-ID: <20080515230159.94xphv0w5c4wgogw@webmail.localnet.com> - RBA * New York * Buffalo * 05/15/2008 * NYBU0805.15 - Birds mentioned ---------------------------------------------------------- Please phone in rare sightings for update Submit email to dfsuggs localnet com Thank you, David ---------------------------------------------------------- BLUE GROSBEAK DICKCISSEL EVENING GROSBEAK RED-HEADED WDPKR. BLACK TERN Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Osprey Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Lesser Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Dunlin N. Rough-w. Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Ruby-cr. Kinglet Bl.-gr. Gnatcatcher Veery Swainson's Thrush White-eyed Vireo Blue-winged Warbler Orange-cr. Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-s. Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Bl.-thr. Bl. Warbler Yellow-r. Warbler Bl.-thr. Green Warb. Blackburnian Warbler Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Cerulean Warbler Bl. and w. Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Mourning Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Canada Warbler Scarlet Tanager Lincoln's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak Baltimore Oriole Purple Finch - Transcript Hotline: Dial-a-Bird at the Buffalo Museum of Science Date: 05/15/2008 Number: 716-896-1271 To Report: Same Compiler: David F. Suggs (dfsuggs at localnet com) Coverage: Western New York and adjacent Ontario Website: www.BOSBirding.org Thursday, May 15, 2008 Dial-a-Bird is a service provided by your Buffalo Museum of Science and this answering system was donated by the Buffalo Ornithological Society. Press (2) to leave a message, (3) for updates, meeting and field trip information and (4) for instructions on how to report sightings and use this system. To contact the Science Museum, call 896-5200. Highlights of reports received May 8 through May 15 from the Niagara Frontier Region include BLUE GROSBEAK, DICKCISSEL, EVENING GROSBEAK, RED-HEADED WDPKR., 25 warbler species and BLACK TERN. An exceptional find this week at Woodlawn Beach State Park on the Lake Erie shore in the Town of Hamburg, an immature BLUE GROSBEAK on May 11. Many observers found the grosbeak through at least the 13th. This would be just the third BLUE GROSBEAK in the BOS archives, all recorded in the first half of May. Almost as rare as the grosbeak, a female DICKCISSEL was at the same Woodlawn Beach location on May 11. An almost exceptional record this week, a briefly observed, probable Mississippi Kite migrating high over Amherst State Park on May 14. May 10, an uncommon surprise, a calling EVENING GROSBEAK on Woodbridge Avenue in Buffalo. A rare find away from breeding locations, a migrant RED-HEADED WDPKR. in a Williamsville yard May 13. Two to three RED-HEADED WDPKRS. still at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk. Also rare, a WHITE-EYED VIREO on the 13th at Beth Pond in Buffalo's Tifft Nature Preserve. At least 25 warbler species this week, highlighted by PRAIRIE WARBLER at Woodlawn Beach. The later arriving warblers, ORANGE-CR. WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER and CANADA WARBLER at a few locations. No reports yet of Tennessee Warbler. SCARLET TANAGERS, ROSE-BR. GROSBEAKS and BALTIMORE ORIOLES were widely reported this week. Seven SCARLET TANAGERS counted between Tifft Nature Preserve and Amherst State Park. In West Seneca, BALTIMORE ORIOLES were observed nest building. VEERY, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, LINCOLN'S SPARROW and PURPLE FINCHES at several locations, and numerous RUBY-CR. KINGLETS and BL.-GR. GNATCATCHERS continue. New reports this week - 2 BLACK TERNS on the Niagara River off Grand Island. Three BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER in the Town of Wilson with 25 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 2 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, 2 DUNLIN and 20 LEAST SANDPIPERS. Other reports - From Buffalo, seven rare-in-May GREATER SCAUP at Times Beach and 5 uncommon LESSER SCAUP nearby at Gallaghers Beach. OSPREY reported again at in the Delaware Park-Forest Lawn area and a WHITE-CR. SPARROW at the Buffalo Zoo. On the east branch of the Niagara River in Tonawanda, two OSPREY apparently nest building on an abandonded crane tower. OSPREYS also at the tree nest at Cinnamon Marsh in the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area. Nesting swallows - CLIFF SWALLOWS under the bridge at Bemus Point on Chautauqua Lake, N. ROUGH-W. SWALLOW in the cliffs at Angola on Lake Erie, and BARN SWALLOWS at the Meadville Road canal bridge in the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area. Dial-a-Bird will be updated Thursday evening, May 22. Please call in your sightings by noon Thursday. You may report sightings after the tone. Thank you for calling and reporting to Dial-a-Bird. - End Transcript From goodcompany at sympatico.ca Fri May 16 09:20:47 2008 From: goodcompany at sympatico.ca (Peter and Jane Good) Date: Fri May 16 08:21:44 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Kingston area birds to May 16, 2008 Message-ID: Despite the fact that many local birders spend a lot of time at Prince Edward Point this time of year there has been a considerable number of sightings in the more immediate Kingston area. The movement of Brant has started with a single flock of 2000 birds over Camden East last Sunday and another 1200 at Lemoine Pt. on Wednesday. There were N. Shovelers at the Amherstview sewage lagoons and at the KFN property on Amherst Island. The lagoons also had a male Ruddy Duck on Sunday. All three local terns were reported this week; 2 Caspian and 9 Black at the lagoons on Sunday and 2 Common on the Cataraqui River on Wednesday. All the expected herons are back; a Least Bittern at Collin's Creek last Friday, a Black-crowned Night-Heron at Hillview Marsh on Sunday and a Green Heron at Gananoque yesterday. The shorebird migration is barely underway; a Lesser Yellowlegs at the lagoons along with a few Least Sandpipers, more Least at the Wilton Creek and on Amherst Island, 6 Dunlin on Amherst Wednesday and the resident Wilson's Phalarope now number about fifteen. Lots and lots of warblers: 2 Am. Redstart on Amherst last Saturday, a Canada at Little Cat on Sunday, another at Lemoine Pt. on Wednesday along with Bay-breasted, N. Parula, and 2 Lincoln's Sparrows. Most of the White-throated Sparrows seem to have moved on but White-crowned are still abundant. It seems to be a good spring for Orchard Orioles with 2 seen on Amherst last Saturday and another at Lemoine Pt. on Wednesday. The finch movement continues with a Pine Siskin at Elginburg on Wednesday and two pair of Evening Grosbeaks, the first at Elginburg last Friday and the second out Montreal Street on Saturday. Other arrivals that will stick around include Chimney Swift, Whip-poor-will, and Common Nighthawk. Another sighting of note was a Peregrine Falcon on Amherst last Saturday. Cheers, Peter Good Kingston Field Naturalists 613 378-6605 From cheryle29 at cogeco.ca Fri May 16 11:44:54 2008 From: cheryle29 at cogeco.ca (Cheryl Edgecombe) Date: Fri May 16 10:52:35 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, May 16 th, 2008 Message-ID: On Friday May 16th, 2008, this is the HNC Birding Report: WHITE-EYED VIREO CERULEAN WARBLER PROTHONOTARY WARBLER Ruffed Grouse Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Green Heron Osprey Bald Eagle Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Dunlin Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Great Crested Flycatcher Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Ruby-crowned Kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson's Thrush Wood Thrush Gray Catbird Cedar Waxwing Blue-winged Warbler Golden-winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Mourning Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Scarlet Tanager Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Rose-breasted Grosbeak Baltimore Oriole Another busy week of birding in the Hamilton Study Area. Twenty-eight species of warblers reported in the week including two not so common warblers CERULEAN and PROTHONOTARY Warblers. We'll start east and work our way around the lake. On Tuesday of last week a male CERULEAN WARBLER was seen and heard at Rhododendron Gardens located just west of Mississauga Road off Lakeshore Road. Other warbler species seen here Tuesday and Wednesday were Tennessee, Nashville, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumped, Palm, Pine, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white , American Redstart, Mourning Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Canada and Wilson's Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Veery, White-crowned Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole. At nearby Rattray Marsh located at the end of Bexhill Drive in Mississauga, a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was found last Saturday at the edge of a flooded area of woodland adjacent the north end of the marsh. On Wednesday a cruise around this great location yielded a variety of migrating birds including Common Tern, Pileated Woodpecker, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Tennessee, Nashville, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Pine, and Bay-breasted Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Orioles and Indigo Bunting. Down at Bronte Bluffs a few migrating warblers seen on Saturday included another male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER singing loudly working its way around the park. Other species seen here included Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black-and-White and many Yellow rumped Warblers. Surprisingly Shell Park and Paletta/Shoreacres have been quiet this week. Shell Park had little activity and the Shoreacres list included Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Least Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Swainson's Thrush, WHITE-EYED VIREO (last reported Monday), Black-throated Blue Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler (last seen Saturday) Yellow Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and Indigo Bunting. Another hotspot this week has been Fifty Point Conservation Area. A couple of searches of the area bordering the large trout pond have yielded a spectacular number of species this week. Its worth a check of this area on a regular basis as the diversity this week has been good. Included in this weeks findings were Tennessee, Nashville, Northern Parula, Yellow Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Palm, Blackpoll, Black and White Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, and Hooded Warbler, Common Yellowthroat. Yesterday, Least Flycatcher, Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrush, Veery, Blue-winged Warbler, Brewster's another male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER and Orange-crowned Warbler, and Lincoln's Sparrow were additions to this list. Shore birding spots are hard to come by here in the Hamilton Study area. The Grimsby and Smithville Sewage Lagoons are both high however a couple of other sites have been productive for shorebirding this week. The wet fields next to the Rockton Berry Farm produced Semipalmated Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral, Least, Solitary and Spotted Sandpiper and Dunlin. Still in the Flamborough Area at the back of Christie Conservation Area on Middletown Road just south of Hwy 5, Semipalmated Plover, a number of Least Sandpipers and a Solitary Sandpiper were seen on the large mudflat exposed here. A small storm water pond located on Upper Middle Road between Burloak and Appleby Line in Burlington had Semipalmated Plover, Least and Spotted Sandpiper. In the odds and sods department this week, a Green Heron was seen at the McCormack Trail last weekend, another one seen by a large pond on Safari Road. A Bald Eagle is nesting in Caledonia at the end of McClung Road with two eaglets in the nest. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was reported from Merrick Orchard in the Dundas Valley. Bobolinks are being seen and heard at Rock Chapel and at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Up at Courtcliffe Park in Carlisle, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Kingbird, and Willow Flycatcher were birds seen this week. A Ruffed Grouse was drumming in the Halton Forest last evening. A Yellow-throated Vireo was seen on Captain Cootes Trail at the RBG. An Osprey was seen fishing on the Grand River just south of Cambridge, probably nesting somewhere along it. That's the news for this very busy week. Please keep reporting your sightings. Good Birding, Cheryl Edgecombe HNC Hotline 905-381-0329 From Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca Fri May 16 13:21:32 2008 From: Janice.Sarkis at pc.gc.ca (Janice.Sarkis@pc.gc.ca) Date: Fri May 16 12:21:35 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Point Pelee Bird Report May 16 Townsend's Warbler, Mississippi Kite, Laughing Gull Message-ID: Friends of Point Pelee provides daily updates of sightings within Point Pelee National Park during the Festival of Birds May 3 through May 19, 2008 An unsubstantiated report of a Townsend's Warbler has been made and many people are searching the Loop Woods. It was reported heading south towards the Tip. A Mississippi Kite has been seen in various locations throughout the south end of the Park. At least one of the Laughing Gulls reported over the last few days has been seen at the Tip this morning. The Kirtland's Warbler from yesterday has not been reported yet today. A good number of migrants are been seen in the Park. Much of the action has been at the Tip and the west side of the Park. At the Tip People are reporting many species of warbler this morning. Of special interest were a Blue-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler. As mentioned above there has been a report of a Townsend's Warbler in the Loop Woods. Also noted, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Yellow-throated Vireo, among other species. As well, there were fly-by reports of Ruddy Turnstone. And the Laughing Gull was seen offshore. West Beach Many species have been found along the west side, from the Tip up to a point even with the group campgrounds. Most activity reported from the West Beach parking lot and north. Philadelphia Vireo, Canada Warbler and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher were some of the highlights. Some 20 species of warbler were reported. Dunes Some good activity on the west side, with Yellow-throated Vireo also being reported there. Post Woods A number of species including a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Tram Road to Tip Seen from the road, halfway from the "halfway tram stop" to the Tip tram loop, a male Hooded Warbler. Good Birding, Hike Leaders, Pete, Ross, John, Dave, Karl, Justin, Kim Janice Rogers, General Manager www.friendsofpointpelee.com From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Fri May 16 13:28:09 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Fri May 16 12:28:11 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - Prothonotary X3, Worm-eating, Acadian F Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Friday May 16, 2008 Good morning birders. As usual, warblers were the headliners at Rondeau this morning. Our reliable Worm-eating seen on Spicebush Trail since May 10 was still present today. A Louisiana Waterthrush was also reported there this morning, as well as a Prothonotary. A presumed pair of Prothonotarys was seen on Tulip Tree Trail, their usual nesting site. Along Gardiner Avenue, just west of the Visitor Centre, a Hooded gave good views. Typically a harbinger of the last phase of warbler movement, a Blackpoll was found this morning on Spicebush Trail. Other songbirds moving through added a splash of colour. In addition to the brilliant Scarlet Tanagers, there was a bright red male Summer Tanager in full plumage, as well as a female, at the Spicebush Trail. At the Pony Barn, an Acadian Flycatcher was seen again. On the Marsh Trail yesterday evening, we had excellent views of American Bitterns in flight, as well as excellent ?hearings? of Sedge Wrens. Numerous American Woodcock were performing their elaborate aerial ballet, and the nightjars were ?whip-poor-will-ing? incessantly. Outside the park yesterday, there was a good variety of shorebirds and waterfowl at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. Please note that the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons are once more fully accessible. A permit is required, and local birders would much appreciate it if visitors would add their records to the sightings book there. Good birding. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Rondeau park entrance, take Chatham-Kent 15 (Kent Bridge Road) north ~6 km to Chatham-Kent Road 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly Hwy 3). Turn left and take Talbot Trail ~11 km to Blenheim (where it turns south). Continue 3 km to Lagoon Rd. Turn right. The lagoons are a short distance north on the right side. For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Hwy 401, take exit 90 and follow Chatham-Kent Road 11 (Communications Road) south for 10 km to Blenheim. Turn right on Chatham-Kent 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly Hwy 3) and go ~3 km to Lagoon Road. Turn right and go a short distance north to the lagoons on the right side. _________________________________________________________________ From pimuseum at hotmail.com Fri May 16 21:45:44 2008 From: pimuseum at hotmail.com (peleeisland museum) Date: Fri May 16 19:45:48 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Pelee Island May 16th Message-ID: Migrants from yesterday and today include WILSON'S WARBLER, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, lots of SCARLET TANAGERS, and CAPE MAY WARBLERS. A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues to hang around the tip area of Fish Point. A PINE SISKIN and some GOLDEN-PLOVERS were observed on the south end of the island and a late BUFFLEHEAD was also seen. Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0(519) 724-2291 "pimuseum" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island from May 1 until May 20 inclusive. Cost is $5.00. Meet at the Fish Point parking lot at 9 a.m. Check into the Heritage Centre for details on best birding areas and current rarities. The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, due south of the West Dock. Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and census operation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please visit: www.pibo.ca or call 519-724-2829. Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220. _________________________________________________________________ If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208 From s_a_mackenzie at yahoo.ca Fri May 16 18:06:29 2008 From: s_a_mackenzie at yahoo.ca (Stuart Mackenzie) Date: Fri May 16 20:06:33 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Snowy Plover - Blue Grosbeak - Long Point Message-ID: <140223.46417.qm@web39702.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hello Everyone, This afternoon around 17:00 a male Snowy Plover was discovered in the Long Point Provincial Park. It was approximately 1km east of the park's west boundary. There are large yellow posts marked with letters - the bird was nearest to post E. The bird is quite cooperative and can usually be found within 20m of the shoreline. *** PLEASE *** DO NOT PASS THE EAST BOUNDARY OF THE PROVINCIAL PARK*** Lands beyond this point are off limits to the public and you could be charged with trespassing. Migrants today at Long Point were few and far between. A stark contrast to the masses of migrants that were here on Wednesday. Having said this there was still about 15 species of warbler in the Old Cut woodlot including Hooded, Blue-winged and Northern Parula. For details on this past weeks migration and weekly summaries throughout migration seasons check out the Long Point Bird Observatory Sightings Board @ http://www.bsc-eoc.org/longpoint/index.jsp?targetpg=lpbosight Highlights from this past week include: Trumpeter Swan Lesser Black-backed Gull Blue Grosbeak - an after second-year male was banded at one of our remote field stations on May 16. Yellow-headed Blackbird Good Birding, Stu Long Point is situated on the north shore of lake Erie, in Canada. From Highway 401 or Highway 3, come south on Highway 59 to the north shore of Lake Erie. Highway 59 becomes Erie Ave. and ends at the Long Point Provincial Park. Stuart A. Mackenzie Landbird Programs Coordinator Long Point Bird Observatory/Bird Studies Canada PO Box 160, 115 Front Rd. Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0 Old Cut Field Station: 519 586 2885 BSC Headquarters: 519 586 3531 Mobile: 519 820 6040 Fax: 519 586 3532 s_a_mackenzie@yahoo.ca; lpbo@birdscanada.org __________________________________________________________________ Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options in Mail and switch to New Mail today or register for free at http://mail.yahoo.ca From rdmcrae at sympatico.ca Fri May 16 23:11:52 2008 From: rdmcrae at sympatico.ca (Doug McRae) Date: Fri May 16 22:06:27 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] White-tailed Peregrine at Presqu'ile, Rt Loon at Wicklow, Brighton Wetlands Message-ID: <3153F683-4BC4-41EA-BD38-A78B5F5BB464@sympatico.ca> Greeting all, A mix of things from a few spots today. Bill Gilmour and I saw a really odd looking Peregrine which flew west over Bill's Bayshore Rd. cottage on the Presqu'ile peninsula around 5 p.m. today. We didn't get a long look but the bird was first seen wheeling in tight circles, giving good views of the back, then flew past overhead. The bird showed a clearly white uppersurface to the tail, and the entire back and wings were noticeably paler and greyer than usual. The face, underside, including the underside of the tail, all appeared to show the usual markings of an adult Peregrine but perhaps a bit paler than typical but nothing like the uppersurface. It will be interesting to see if anyone else encounters this bird and can get a better look or pictures. I also made a stop at Wicklow Beach, (which is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario between Grafton and Colborne - from Hwy. 2, take Wicklow Beach Rd. south to the lakeshore where it swings east and becomes Lakeport Rd. - this is about 500 m west of the Public Boat Launch) and scanned the calm water offshore. There was one Red- throated Loon fairly close to the west, along with 8 Common Goldeneye, and 450+ Red-breasted Mergansers visible far offshore, and a female Hooded Merganser that came from the swampy woods to the north. There was also a large Blanding's Turtle sunning itself on a log in the same woods on the north side of the road (Part of the Haldimand Conservation Area). Finally, the Constructed Wetland at Brighton had small numbers of shorebirds including 1 Solitary (in lagoon on the north side of road), 9 Dunlin, 6 Lesser Yellowlegs, 9 Semi Plovers, 16 Least Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, as well as a Northern Pintail, both teal,the nesting Osprey, and the Trumpeter Swan mixed with Mutes. The Wetland will be open again to the public on Sunday from 9 a.m. till noon, and will be staffed by myself, Maureen Campeau and Rod Lee since Keith "Tiny" Lee (no relation), who has selflessly given his time and good nature to helping birders access the lagoons, is taking a real vacation for a week! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Cheers, Doug McRae Doug McRae Nature Services P.O. Box 3010 Brighton, Ontario Canada K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 rdmcrae@sympatico.ca Directions: For Wicklow, see above For Presqu'ile, take the Brighton exit from Hwy 401 south into town, then follow the Ontario Parks signs. For the Constructed Wetland, take the Brighton exit from Hwy 401 and follow Hwy 30 south through two traffic lights, and continue south (now Prince Edward St.) over the railway tracks. The main road will soon begin to swing into a long left curve, while a secondary street (Cedar St.) continues straight south. Take the main road swinging to the left (now Cty. Rd. 64) and watch for the constructed wetland on the right, just as you complete the long curve. Please park well off the road and do not drive into the lagoon. From stevelaforest at hotmail.com Sat May 17 00:01:35 2008 From: stevelaforest at hotmail.com (Steve LaForest) Date: Fri May 16 23:01:39 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Rondeau - Prothonotary, Louisiana W, Shorebirds Message-ID: Rondeau Bird Report ? Friday May 16, 2008 - evening Good evening birders. Many birders were out on the trails today, adding more birds to their year lists. Warbler species totaled 21 species. Highlights included Prothonotary (3 birds in 2 sites), Worm-eating, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged and Hooded (2 sites). Observers also reported Cape May, Canada, Blackpoll and Wilson?s (at its favoured spot near the Pony Barn). Other good sightings of passerines included a pair of Summer Tanagers on Spicebush Trail, a number of Scarlet Tanagers, and an Acadian Flycatcher at the Pony Barn. Outside the park today, there was a good variety of shorebirds and waterfowl at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. Sightings there included Northern Shoveler (2), Bufflehead (1), Ruddy Duck (~20), Horned Grebe, Short-billed Dowitcher (2), Dunlin (10), Black Tern (2) and American Coot (1). Please note that the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons are once more fully accessible. A permit is required. Black-bellied Plovers were also on the move. I saw 40 at the onion fields near McGeachy Pond, and 20 at Erieau. At the wetland on Kent Bridge Road at Rondeau Road, there were 6 Short-billed Dowitchers, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 25 Dunlin and 1 Greater Yellowlegs. Good birding. Steve LaForest Friends of Rondeau Bird Guide c/o Rondeau Visitor Centre (519) 674-1768 I will lead a guided bird hike twice daily May 3 to 19 (fee $5), as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 7:30 am & 1 pm; Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 am & 7 pm; Friday 7:30 am. All of the 7:30 am and 1 pm hikes listed above will meet at the Visitor Centre. The 7 pm hikes will meet at the entrance to the Marsh Trail. A second hike on Friday at 1 pm will meet at the Blenheim Sewage Lagoons. The Friends of Rondeau will provide a birders' brunch for a small donation (coffee, tea, bagels, soups & treats) daily from 7 - 11 am. Directions: To reach Rondeau PP, take exit 101 from Highway 401 and drive South 16 km on Chatham Kent Road 15. Follow the signs to the park. The Bird Sightings Book, Bird Sightings Board and other relevant information are located at the Visitor Centre (open 7 am to 5 p m from May 3 - 19). To reach the Centre from the park gate, travel 6 km South on Rondeau Road to Gardiner Ave. and follow it around the bend to the parking lot. For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Rondeau park entrance, take Chatham-Kent 15 (Kent Bridge Road) north ~6 km to Chatham-Kent Road 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly Hwy 3). Turn left and take Talbot Trail ~11 km to Blenheim (where it turns south). Continue 3 km to Lagoon Rd. Turn right. The lagoons are a short distance north on the right side. For Blenheim Sewage Lagoons, from Hwy 401, take exit 90 and follow Chatham-Kent Road 11 (Communications Road) south for 10 km to Blenheim. Turn right on Chatham-Kent 3 (Talbot Trail, formerly Hwy 3) and go ~3 km to Lagoon Road. Turn right and go a short distance north to the lagoons on the right side. For the shorebird site near Erieau: from the entrance to Rondeau PP, drive north ~1 km to Kent Bridge Road (Chatham-Kent 15), turn left and go 4.8 km to Talbot Trail (Chatham-Kent Road 3, formerly called Hwy 3), turn left and go 15.9 km (through several twists and turns, and through Blenheim) to Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent Road 12), turn left and go ~7 km to McGeachy Pond C.A. The birds were seen in the fields in this vicinity. For Erieau - from McGeachy Pond C.A. (see above), continue southeast on Erieau Road (Chatham-Kent 12) into the town of Erieau and follow the signs to the government dock. A large number of gulls, including many Bonaparte?s Gulls, are visible here. Shorebirds may be seen on the docks, on the shore or flying by. For the wetland at Kent Bridge Road and Rondeau Road - from the park gate, drive ~1 km north to Kent Bridge Road. The wetland is on the northeast corner of this intersection. Please take care to park safely, as Kent Bridge Road is a busy route with very narrow shoulders. _________________________________________________________________ From s_a_mackenzie at yahoo.ca Sat May 17 04:52:15 2008 From: s_a_mackenzie at yahoo.ca (Stuart Mackenzie) Date: Sat May 17 06:52:18 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds]Snowy Plover - Long Point - YES Message-ID: <144696.98338.qm@web39708.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Morning All, I found the Snowy Plover this morning on the beach in the Long Point Provincial Park at about 0635. The bird was by yellow-marked post C about 300m east of the park's west boundary before it flew further to the east. *** DO NOT PASS THE EAST BOUNDARY OF THE PROVINCIAL PARK IF YOU CANNOT FIND THE BIRD *** Areas past this point are not open to the public and you could be charged with trespassing. Other than that there is not much bird activity at Long Point this morning. Cheers, Stu Long Point is situated on the north shore of lake Erie, in Canada. From Highway 401 or Highway 3, come south on Highway 59 to the north shore of Lake Erie. Highway 59 turns into Erie Ave. and ends at Long Point Provincial Park. __________________________________________________________________ Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options in Mail and switch to New Mail today or register for free at http://mail.yahoo.ca From kmcilwri at NRCan.gc.ca Sat May 17 11:27:41 2008 From: kmcilwri at NRCan.gc.ca (McIlwrick, Ken) Date: Sat May 17 10:27:47 2008 Subject: [Ontbirds] WHITE-eyed Vireo, Last 4 days - Whitefish Island, Sault Ste. Marie