Hi Birders,

There is an Eastern Towhee at 194 Old Garden River Rd. in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

It hides under an old stoop in the backyard. The owner does not mind visitors but you should let Mary Rickman know you are there. To get there, turn east onto Garden River Rd. from Second Line. Mary's house is six driveways down on the north side. The driveway is marked with yellow detergent markers. Best time for viewing is around 4:00 pm.

Bob Knudsen
Algoma Wildlife Specialists

This past week has been rather quiet with some good bird sightings reported. On the 21st, a Sault Naturalist outing to Hay Marsh on St. Joseph’s Island, produced 14 Canada Geese, several Common Merganser, 1 Hooded Merganser, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, 2 Ruffed Grouse, 1 White-Breasted Nuthatch, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Downy Woodpecker, and 1 Black-backed Woodpecker. Also on St. Joseph’s Island on the following day, 1 Bald Eagle was near Fort St. Joseph and 2 more were near the island’s bridge.

North of Elliot Lake two flocks of Gray Jays are beginning to feed aggressively and 1 Rough-legged Hawk remains.

A trip along Baseline towards the Sault Ste. Marie Airport on the 23rd , yielded 1 Snow Goose with 48 Canada Geese. That same day at Lake George, between Hwy # 17 and Pumpkin Point, there were only 4 Tundra Swans left with 30 Canada Geese, 350 Common Goldeneye, 114 Bufflehead, 12 Hooded Mergansers and 5 Evening Grosbeaks.

At Sault College 4 Pine Siskin flew overhead on the 25th, and at Lake St. and McDonald Ave. 2 Common Redpolls, 4 American Goldfinch and 1 Evening Grosbeak flew by. This has been the pattern for the last three weeks with all of the finches. They are not remaining at anyone particular location for long.

At the Sault Canal on the 25th, the 2 male Harlequin Ducks were feeding in the headrace, while 1 adult Glaucous Gull roosted on the log booms.

And finally, steel workers at the Algoma Steel plant are still reporting frequent sightings of having to work along side of the 2 Peregrine Falcons hunting for Rock Doves.

Bob Knudsen
Boarder Birder Hotline
[705]256-2790
Algoma Wildlife Specialists
[705]942-2127
jknuds@soonet.ca

A late report but a goody. On November 5th, and 6th a Red-bellied woodpecker visited a feeder in the east side of Bruce Mines. Northern Cardinals are starting to turn up at local feeders with reports of a male at a feeder on Maple Leaf Rd., 1 male at a feeder in Blind River, 2 males at a feeder on Boundary Rd. and 1 male at a feeder on Fairmount Dr.

A very late Brown Thrasher was reported at a feeder on November 14th, on Town Line Rd. near the airport. On November 11th, 25 Bohemian Waxwings settled in on Laura St.

An immature Northern Shrike was seen clumsily attempting to catch some American Goldfinch at a feeder on Fairmount Dr. on the 15th. The first Glaucous Gull for the season was seen at Algoma Mills on the 17th and another at the St. Mary’s River Rapids on the 19th. Both of these birds were first winter gulls.

While flying over the new Conservation Reserves in the Sault District two MNR Biologists tallied 20 Bald Eagles at the dam on Garden River on November 17th. Four more have been regularly visiting the Phinn’s Bay area near Echo Bay.

On the 18th, a visit along the St. Mary’s River produced a wide variety of waterfowl. One female Northern Shoveler was in a small cove across from Algoma University and 9 Bald Eagles were tallied along the Sugar Island side of the river. A total of 70 Canada Geese were counted along with 23 American Black Ducks, 22 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 17 Common Goldeneyes and 12 Bufflehead. The 2 male Harlequin Ducks can still be seen at the Sault Locks.

Bob Knudsen
Border Birder Hotline
[705]256-2790
Algoma Wildlife Specialists
[705] 942-2127
jknuds@soonet.ca

It is becoming quite evident that winter is settling into the Sault area. Although the snowstorm that hit southern Ontario went around us, there is very little natural food left in the bush to hold many birds. Common Redpolls and small flocks of Pine Grosbeaks have been migrating through the area for the past two weeks. Northern Cardinals have begun visiting feeders at Maple Leaf Rd. in Echo Bay and on Chipewa St. in the Ontario Sault on October 30th and November 5th. One Boreal Chickadee was reported traveling east on the St. Mary'’ River and Pine St. on the first. That same day at Belleview Park, 2 Common Redpolls were seen.

On the St. Mary’s River from Belleview Park to the Tailrace, on the 31st, 2 Oldsquaw, 1 Red-necked Grebe and 1 Horned Grebe were reported by a visiting birder from the Toronto area.

Ten Sault Naturalists braved a very cold gull outing at the Sault Locks on the 6th, only to find 200 Herring Gulls and 25 Ring-billed Gulls. The highlight for the outing was the 2 Harlequin Ducks found feeding in the headrace above the train tressel. Another search for them on the 7th, found them in the same area, with the season’s first Northern Shrike observed at the canal. Another Northern Shrike was seen on the “A” Line on St. Joseph’s Island.

At the Echo Bay Bridge and Highway 17 on the 6th, 62 Tundra Swans were reported, and the next day, 115 were counted. At that same location, 6 Pine Grosbeaks flew across the highway after an adult Bald Eagle patrolled the St. Mary’s River. At the end of Lake St. in Echo Bay, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Rusty Blackbirds and 2 Red-winged Blackbirds remain.

With the recent severe windy and cold weather conditions it was amazing to find that the Great Egret was still at the Desbarats River and Highway # 17 on the 7th. Also on the 7th, 1 dark morph Rough-legged Hawk was seen at Hwy #17 and Neebish Rd., another at Hwy #17 and Rydall Mill Rd. and a light morph on St. Joseph’s Island at the “F&G” Line and the Tenth Sideroad.

Bob Knudsen
Algoma Wildlife Specialists
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
jknuds@soonet.ca

Hi Ontbirders,
I just arrived home after fishing the St. Mary's River Rapids and observing 2 Adult Male Harlequin Ducks feeding on salmon eggs in the spawning beds.

Bob Knudsen

Winter finches have begun to appear with good regularity in the Algoma area. On the 23rd, 24 Evening Grosbeaks fed at a feeder on Walls Rd. near the airport. On the 27th, 12 Common Redpolls flew past a feeder behind White Pines High School. That same day at Saw Pit Bay north of Pancake Bay Provincial Park, 2 White-winged Crossbills and 10 Common Redpolls were reported. The next day 1 Pine Grosbeak was seen on the Jardin Mine Rd. in Garden River First Nation, and 2 Pine Grosbeaks were seen in Mississaugi Provincial Park. On Hwy # 639 north of Elliott Lake, a flock of 24 Common Redpolls were seen. Also at Elliott Lake 2 Horned Grebe remain.

The highlight for the week has been a Great Egret that has been reported by several observers since October 25th, and last seen at 10:00 am October 30th, at Desbarats River and Hwy # 17.

Another unusual report for Algoma has been an Oldsquaw that flew over the Pumpkin Point viewing platform on the 23rd, and another seen feeding in the St. Mary’s River at Squirrel Island on the 30th.

Several Bald Eagles have been reported this week. One adult and immature at Saw Pit Bay, 2 immatures at Garden River First Nation and 1 adult and 1 immature at Hwy # 17 and the Missausaugi River on the 28th.

Finally, a trip to Pumpkin Point and the surrounding agricultural areas on the 30th, yielded; 12 Rough-legged Hawks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 4 Northern Harriers, 1 Merlin, 2 Double-crested Cormorants, 3 Northern Pintails, 5o Green-winged Teal, 30 Mallards, 3 Black Ducks, 13 Buffleheads, 2 Common Goldeneyes, 5 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper and 1 Greater Yellowlegs.

The first signs of winter are arriving in the Sault with several reports of flocks of Snow Buntings on Hwy # 129, Algoma Steel, Searchmont Hwy and Pumpkin Point. Another early sign was the arrival of 1 Rough-legged Hawk on Pumpkin Point Rd. on the 17th, and 1 dark morph and 1 light morph near Brimley Michigan on the 17th. A flock of 7 Snow Geese was reported at Sill Lake while 1 Bald Eagle frequented the lake on the 8th to the 14th. While there, Cougar tracks were found along the shoreline mud. Track measurements were taken to rule out a possible Linx and/or Bobcat.

Our reporter from the Elliott Lake area still had an Eastern Phoebe at a feeder in Elliott Lake on October 4th, with 1 Fox Sparrow and an immature Chipping Sparrow. His trip to Manitoulin Island on the 9th, yielded 1 Golden Eagle at Barry’s Bay and rafts of Scaup and Common Goldeneye. There were also Red Bats and Hoary Bats seen migrating. At West Bay Red-necked Grebes and Common Loons were found.

A Sault Naturalist outing to Birch Point on the 17th yielded, 2 Common Loon, 6 Horned Grebe, 2 Red-necked Grebe, 2 Mallard, 4 Greater Scaup, 7 Lesser Scaup, 6 Common Merganser, 3 White-winged Scoter, 1 Double-crested Cormorant (down from 400 2 weeks earlier), 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Turkey Vulture and 2 Bald Eagles. That same day on St. Joseph’s Island, 1 killdeer and a mixed flock of mostly Red-winged Blackbirds and 1 Common Grackle at Richard’s Landing. From the marina 1 White-winged Scoter was observed feeding on crayfish with Common Loons and Wood Ducks. There were Tree Sparrows along the shore. In Thessalon, 5 late Sandhill Cranes flew west and 1 Red-necked Grebe, 5 Double-crested Cormorants, 2 Common Loons and 3 Hooded Mergansers could be seen from the marina. On the 17th at Blind River, Ring-necked Ducks and Scaup have rafted up and at Hwy # 17 and the Mississaugi River, the Bald Eagles can still be seen.

On October 20th, a small flock of Sharp-tailed Grouse was at Hwy # 17 and Neebish Rd. Thirty or so Tundra Swans are still at Pumpkin Point and a mixed flock of Pectoral Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs were seen at the middle marsh. At the inner marsh 3 American Coots and 1 Pied-billed Grebe remain. There are still many Northern Harriers observed in the farmers’ fields throughout the area. Also on the 20th, at the Sault Locks there were 3 Greater Yellowlegs, several American Robins and Tree Sparrows. Gulls are building in numbers with over 1000 tallied, mostly Herring with some Ring-billed. It was made easy for counting when an adult Bald Eagle flew in during its regular patrol of the St. Mary’s River. The 2 Peregrine Falcons were also seen earlier, talon grappling from the International Bridge.

Hi Ontbirders,
Joanne and I just arrived home from checking our local Sandhill Crane staging areas and DID NOT find the Common Crane seen in Quebec. Interesting sightings were 2 immature Red-shouldered Hawks (1 @ Pumpkin Point & 1 @ St. Joseph's Island) that were calling frequently. There are only 58 Sandhill Cranes left in our area, down from 905 last weekend.

This past week has seen the return of large numbers of Sandhill Cranes staging in the traditional staging fields near Desbarets. On the 16th, 1200 were counted along Government Rd. A count on the 19th, totaled the largest one day count of 1905 with 867 in one small field at Government Rd. and Puddingstone Rd.

From Whitefish Point; 1 Harris’ Sparrow on the 16th; 1 Yellow-headed Blackbird on the 17th; 1 Dickcissal, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 1 Black-backed Woodpecker and 1 Gray-cheeked Thrush on the 18th.

On September 16th, in Blind River, 1 House Wren (rare for Algoma), a flock of House Sparrows, and 90 Sandhill Cranes. A mixed flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Blue-headed Vireo, Parula Warbler, Common Yellowthroats, Black-throated Green Warblers and Nashville Warblers were reported from Blind River.

Also on the 16th, at Laird Park 16 mixed Golden and Black-bellied Plovers flew past. At Echo Bay a large flock of Brewer’s Blackbirds had gathered pre-migration. At the Echo Bay marsh there was 1 American Coot and at Rydall Bank 4 Pied-billed Grebes.

A new sod farm located at Lake George Rd. and Hwy 17 is attracting many migrants. On the 19th, there were 400+ Water Pipits, 40 Killdeer, 3 Golden Plovers and 8 Black-bellied Plovers.

The last of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds appears to have moved through Algoma on the 22nd.

On the 25th, at the north end of Goulais Rd. 18 Eastern Bluebirds were observed feeding on insects off the road. That same day on St. Joseph’s Island, there were 3 Bald Eagles and 1 immature Golden Eagle amongst many Turkey Vultures on migration.

Hi Ontbirders,
Thought you might be interested in a trip we took today Sunday Sept. 19/99. We tallied our largest numbers of Sandhill Cranes ever. 1905. There was aflock of 867 in 1 field at Government Rd. and Puddingstone Rd. Other most notable sightings were 3 Golden Plovers and 6 Black-bellied Plovers along with 400+ Water Pipits and Horned Larks in the new sod farm at HWY# 17 and Lake George Rd.

Bob Knudsen
Algoma Wildlife Specialists

A trip to Whitefish Point on Saturday Sept. 17, yeilded, 1 Dickcissal, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 1 Black-backed Woodpecker, fifteen White-throated Sparrows, 6 White-crowned Sparrows, 100 Water Pipits, 30 Horned Larks, 10 Lapland Longspurs, and 2 Boreal Chickadees.

With fall migration well under way there are lots of sightings to report.

From Whitefish Point; August 15th, 1 Prairie Warbler, August 16th, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper, August 17th, 1 Long-tailed Jaeger, August 24th, 1 Blue-winged Warbler, August 29th, 1 Red-necked Phalarope and 1 Surf Scoter, September 3rd, 1 Forster’s Tern, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Pomerine Jaeger and 1 Parasitic Jaeger, September 4th, 1 Little Gull, 1 Boreal Chickadee and 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, September 6th, 1 Black-backed Woodpecker, more Jaegers and 1 Orchard Oriole, September 11th, Pipits and White-throated Sparrows migrating, White-crowned Sparrows spent summer here Sanderlings, and large flocks of Black-capped chickadees mixed with some Boreals

From Iroquois Point; September 11th, 5 immature White-winged Crossbill, many Common Loons and Mergansers with Red-necked Grebes From Brimley Michigan on September 11th, a large flock of Sharp-tailed Grouse.

At the Bruce Mines Sewage lagoons on September 5th, most notable were 10 Northern Shovelers, 10 American Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Bufflehead, with over 100 Wood Ducks. Nearby at the Bruce Mines MTO yard 7 Sandhill Crane, Marsh Wren, 2 Turkey Vulture, 4 Northern Harrier and 1 Green Heron.

On September 4th, near Massey, on Mooney Rd. there were 300 Sandhill Cranes staging with some Red-tailed Hawks and some accipiters migrating overhead. That same day in Elliott Lake, 2 Pied-billed Grebe with 2 young were seen. The next day 2 American Coot with 4 juveniles were reported at Pumpkin Point.

A trip to the Robertson Lake cliffs yielded two birders 2 Peregrine Falcons on September 6th. On September 12th, at Government Rd. and McKnight’s Rd., several hundred Sandhill Cranes were staging in the grain fields. Nearby were some families of Eastern Bluebirds, and 30 Sharp-tailed Grouse with Northern Harriers, Merlins, American Kestrels, many Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks migrating.

At the Gore Bay airport on the 12th, 6 Buff-breasted Sandpiper. On Barry Island on the 12th, there were, 16 Common Loon, 2 Horned Grebe, 6 Red-necked Grebe, 108 Sandhill Crane, Black-bellied Plover and Caspian Tern. Not a bird but an unusual report of a Buckeye Butterfly was seen at Barry’s Island.

The best bird sightings reported to the hotline during the past month, have been the 2 Tundra Swans that have resided in the St. Mary’s River at Squirrel Island for over one month and the return of two Black-crowned-night Herons at the Clergue Generating station at the Sault Locks.

On August 19th, a lone female Peregrine Falcon was seen feeding while flying over Elliott Lake. On the 22nd, more evidence of Bonaparte’s Gull migration occurred at Algoma Mills, with 20, mostly immatures, with 2 adult and 2 immature Caspian Terns. These two species are regular but unusual for Algoma.

During a Sault Naturalist outing at Birch Point Michigan on the 22nd, the most numerous species counted were 500+ Double-crested Cormorants, with 28 White-winged Scoters and 14 Red-necked Grebes.

Sandhill Crane staging has been slow and late this year. A Sandhill Crane count east of the Sault tallied 207 on the 15th and 397 on the 27th.

Bird Report
July 17 - 24, 1999
Sault St. Marie to Hammer Lake Region, Ontario
H. Thomas Bartlett
Tiffin, Ohio
Tom_Bartlett@Tiffin.k12.oh.us

For the last 15-20 years I have been going to the Hammer Lake region of Ontario on a fishing trip each summer. I also keep track of the bird species observed. The average number of species observed is usually around 97 with a low of 76 and high of 109. Numbers are usually higher in June. This year warbler species were down. The woods seemed very quiet much of the time. I believe it was the heat. Temperatures were usually in the upper 20's each day. The others in the group are beginning to become better birders. Two even purchased and brought bird field guides with them. They included Dave Hershey, Brian Jakupca, Bob Odor, Paul and Brent Riley.

1999 Species List:

Common Loon                             Eastern Kingbird

American Bittern                        Blue-headed Vireo

Great Blue Heron                        Red-eyed Vireo

Canada Goose                    	Blue Jay

Wood Duck                               Gray Jay

Gadwall                         	American Crow

American Wigeon                 	Common Raven

American Black Duck             	Tree Swallow    

Mallard                         	Cliff Swallow

Green-winged Teal                       Barn Swallow

Ring-necked Duck                        Black-capped Chickadee

Lesser Scaup                  		Boreal Chickadee

Common Goldeneye                        Red-breasted Nuthatch

Hooded Merganser                        White-breasted Nuthatch

Common Merganser                        Brown Creeper

Ruddy Duck                              Winter Wren

Turkey Vulture                  	Golden-crowned Kinglet

Osprey                          	Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Bald Eagle                              Veery

Northern Harrier                        Swainson’s Thrush

Sharp-shinned Hawk              	Hermit Thrush

Northern Goshawk                        American Robin

Broad-winged Hawk                       European Starling

American Kestrel                        Cedar Waxwing

Merlin                          	Nashville Warbler

Ruffed Grouse                   	Chestnut-sided Warbler

American Coot                   	Magnolia Warbler

Sandhill Crane                  	Yellow-rumped Warbler

Killdeer                                Pine Warbler

Solitary Sandpiper              	Black-and-white Warbler

Spotted Sandpiper                       American Redstart

Least Sandpiper                 	Mourning Warbler

Ring-billed Gull                        Common Yellowthroat

Herring Gull                    	Chipping Sparrow

Mourning Dove                   	Savannah Sparrow

Barred Owl                              Song Sparrow

Great Gray Owl                  	Lincoln’s Sparrow

Common Nighthawk                        Swamp Sparrow

Belted Kingfisher                       White-throated Sparrow

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker        	Dark-eyed Junco

Downy Woodpecker                        Red-winged Blackbird

Hairy Woodpecker                        Rusty Blackbird

Northern Flicker                        Common Grackle

Pileated Woodpecker             	White-winged Crossbill

Olive-sided Flycatcher          	Pine Siskin     

Eastern Wood-Pewee              	American Goldfinch              

Alder Flycatcher                        Evening Grosbeak                

Least Flycatcher                        House Sparrow

This was the first year for Turkey Vulture. I had one at Lake Elsie on 7/19 and 2 at Hammer Lake on 7/21. The Great Gray Owl was at Lake Elsie also. First year without a Black-backed Woodpecker sighting. Plenty of signs but no birds.

After a brief absence working in the field I am back as your reporter. A reminder that this is the time of year we must check the field guides for those confusing fall warblers. Adults are moulting so their drab colours are back and have stopped singing, so they are in the concealment mode.

On June 25th, at Sunnyside Beach Rd., 7 American White Pelicans were seen by one lucky observer flying northeast.

Two male Northern Cardinals have been reported singing during the past two weeks at the Algoma University woodlot and in the town of Iron Bridge.

Black-billed Cuckoos have been quite numerous and boisterous in the St. Joseph’s Island to the Elliott Lake area. On July 1st and July 5th, Least Bitterns were seen and heard at Elliott Lake and Taylor Rd. in Bruce Mines. That same day, Olive-sided Flycatcher and Northern Waterthrush were still singing on territory at Elliott Lake.

The first of the fall shorebirds were reported seen at the Lake George North beach, with 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 4 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Killdeer and 11 Least Sandpiper.

On the “H” Line on St. Joseph’s Island, on July 17th, mixed flocks of sparrows were seen. They included; Clay-coloured, Savannah, Grasshopper, LeConte’s, Song, Swamp and White-throated. At the south end of the St. Joseph Island bridge there was a family of Merlins. Bobolinks are moulting into their yellow fall plumages and families of Sharp-tailed Grouse were seen in the fields.

The two Peregrine Falcon nests in Algoma have fledged two young each and the adult Peregrine that has been periodically reported on the international bridge was seen again on July 19.

There are many species of orchids in flower to be found in the Algoma area now. Green Adder’s Mouth, Spotted Coralroot, Northern Slender Ladies Tresses, Nodding Ladies Tresses and Ragged Fringed Orchids were found in the Elliott Lake area; Northern Green Orchids in Wawa and Slender Ladies Tresses and Purple Fringed Orchids on the Garden River.

Reports of breeding birds are coming in. Rare breeders are not reported on the hotline, however all reports are welcome and documented.

From the Gordon Lake area, 2 families of Wood Ducks with 10 and 16 babies were seen. Two Eastern Bluebird boxes contain 5 young each and two Tree Swallow families have five young each. A Black-billed Cuckoo has been calling regularly in the same area.

On June 10th, at Gordon Lake and Government Rd. 2 male Leconte's Sparrows sang on territory. That same day on St Joseph's Island, 1 Red-tailed Hawk was on the "A" Line, and 1 Clay-coloured Sparrow was singing at the Boyle's Side Road. That same day, 1 Virginia Rail was heard singing at the Sherriff Creek Conservation Area in Elliott Lake.

A trip to the Tequemenon River in Michigan, yielded one lucky birder ten species of warblers. Black and White, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, American Redstart, Magnolia, Canada, Northern Parula and a singing Cerulean. At Whitefish Point late White-crowned Sparrows were heard singing.

The first Northern Cardinal since the 1960's, was heard singing on Town Line on the 19th.

The best news for the week is the Peregrine Falcon release project has proved to be a success with the first 2 young hatching at a natural cliff site nest north of the Sault.

A common breeding bird along ditches in the Sault Ste. Marie area is the Brewer's Blackbird. They nest in small loose colonies near agricultural land. This past week, a known colony has been unwittingly, disturbed when a city tractor cut the ditch grass along Black Rd.

A visit to the Thessalon Marina proved to confirm that the Town of Thessalon has been successful at ridding the marina of their gull problem. Three years ago, every one of the islands surrounding the marina, had hundreds of Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Common Terns breeding on them. On June 16th, only 4 Herring Gulls could be seen at the marina and they were not breeding.

One final note; turtles are on the move in the twin Saults area. Please use caution so that road kills can be kept down in numbers.

Bird activity has slowed down to the breeding season in the Algoma area. This is the time for careful and responsible birding and reporting to ensure that the birds successfully reproduce.

A lingering Tundra Swan can be seen at Echo Lake along with twenty-five young Canada Geese and their parents and four American Wigeon young with their parent.

On May 29th, 1 Osprey was reported fishing on Maki Lake in the Heydon area.

At the north end of Lake George, on June 2nd, 4 Bonaparte's Gulls and 3 Caspian Terns were seen.

On June 4th and 5th, in the Chippewa River Valley, a report of a Wood Thrush singing, is the farthest north this bird has been reported for the past five years.

Results of forest bird monitoring plots in the Ranger Lake Rd. area, are producing good numbers of Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Veery and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Regular, but not numerous are Black-throated Green Warbler, Canada Warbler, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Scarlet Tanager.

The highlight for the week for this reporter, was my first sighting of an Eastern Cougar on the Mile 67 Rd., south of Huff Lake. This is a species that is reported occasionally in the Algoma area, but not regularly.

Not so good news was a report received this week, that the Town of Thessalon is once again destroying gull and Common Tern nests at their marina. They do have a permit to destroy gull nests but unfortunately, Common Terns' nests are also casualties during this exercise.

There has been a great deal of bird activity in the Sault area over the past week.
Many families of Mallards and Canada Geese are being seen from Bruce Mines to the Sault. An unusually cooperative pair of Sandhill Cranes are proudly displaying their young one at the Pumpkin Point Marsh.

There have been two good sightings, one; 2 Green Herons can be seen at a pond in Bruce Station; two; 1 Great Egret was observed feeding at the Lake George North Marsh during the afternoon of May 23rd. Two other interesting sightings were 2 Upland Sandpipers at Lake St. in Echo Bay and 1 Upland Sandpiper at Maple Leaf Rd. east of Echo Bay on the 22nd.

On May 24th, at Belleview Park, a nesting Merlin was seen chasing a Peregrine Falcon. That same day, there were 62 sub-adult Sandhill Cranes, 8 American Pipits and 1 Black-bellied Plover in a newly planted field on Calabogie Rd.

On Manitoulin Island at the Mississaugi Lighthouse, there were 3 Whimbrel, 200 White-winged Scoters and 1 Whip-poor-will, on the 23rd. At Gore Bay 1 Mute Swan and a late Tundra Swan were seen. On the 24th, one Short-billed Dowitcher was in Elliott Lake and on the 25th, 1 Golden-winged Warbler was heard and seen north of Blind River on Rob Rd.

Spring Warbler Counts have produced the return of Mourning Warblers and Canada Warblers this week, with the earlier migrants declining in numbers.

On the 28th, in Echo Bay, numbers of Pine Siskin have been building to 24, while at Lake George north, 1 Semi-palmated Plover, 8 Black-bellied Plover and 3 Killdeer were seen on mud flats that are usually never exposed.

A trip to the Gogama to Timmins area, produced good numbers of forest breeding birds with Ovenbird, Blackburnian, Swainson's Thrush and Magnolia Warbler the most common. At Ivanhoe Provincial Park, a Northern Saw-whet Owl called during the night of the 28th, and on the lake as many as 8 Bonaparte's Gulls were seen. This would be about as far south as Bonaparte's would be nesting in Ontario.

This morning between 8:00 and 9:00 am, a Tricoloured Heron was seen fishing on a cove at Belleview Park on the St. Mary's River. Despite several attempts by other birders to find this bird it was not seen since. However, it could turn up again nearby.

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on May 15, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

The warblers have been migrating for two weeks in the Algoma Region, with most heading directly to their breeding territories. Twenty species have stopped along the shorelines that have been reported by the birders that have not made their annual migration to Point Pelee.

A visit to the Little Current, Gore Bay and Mindemoya sewage lagoons on the 10th, yeilded, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper. Also the same birder heard one Least Bittern calling from a marsh north of South Baymouth.

On the 12th of May, at Pumpkin Point, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher and 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak were first arrivals. That same birder made a trip to Whitefish Point that day and saw one Golden Eagle fly by the hawk watch platform. At the Tequemenon River mouth, one Northern Parula was seen.

On May 13th, at Pumpkin Point, 1 Northern Parula and 1 Tennessee Warbler were tallied for the spring warbler count. A single Bobolink seen and heard on Calabogie Rd. on the 13th, was the first for the area. Nearby, on Lakeview Rd. 1 Lincoln's Sparrow and two Clay-coloured Sparrows sang on territory. Also on the 13th, one Common Tern was observed fishing at the OMNR District Office on the St. Mary's Riverfront.

On May 15th, a trip out to the Calabogie Rd. and Pumpkin Point area yielded 101 species. The highlights for the trip were; 2 Sora, 2 Virginia Rails, 1 Wood Thrush, 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher and 1 American Bittern at Echo Bay All five species of swallows and Purple Martin and 2 Leconte's Sparrows at Lake George Rd. and Bar River. 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 2 Warbling Vireos, 2 American Redstart, 32 sub-adult Sandhill Cranes and 16 Tundra Swans at Pumpkin Point 1 Scarlet Tanager, several Rose-breasted Grosbeak and two Northern Waterthrush at the Porchuk Rd. extension

There have been many migrants passing over the Sault area this past week and they are finding that the trees are out in leaf two weeks early.

The highlight for the week was a Rufous Hummingbird that made a brief stopover at my feeder on Terry Fox Pl. on the 7th. It has not been seen since.

Several reports of Caspian Terns have come in with as many as 7 seen at the Echo Bay bridge. 2 Redheads, in a raft of Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks were seen at Lake George North on the 3rd. Mixed flocks of American Pipits, Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs began to make their appearance on the 3rd, in Bar River and the Elliott Lake area. The first White-crowned Sparrows showed up at a feeder in Echo Bay on the 4th of May.

At Gordon Lake, on the 5th, 2 Upland Plovers returned and the following day, 1 Baltimore Oriole, 1 Brown Thrasher and 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak were present for the earliest date in twenty years. Also early was 1 Eastern Kingbird seen at Calabogie Rd. on the 6th.

A report from the Spanish area had 4 Ruddy Ducks on the 5th, and an unprecedented 473 Common Loons counted in two hours at Little Current.

Finally, results of Spring Warbler Counts are trickling in with four counters finding Nashville, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, lots of Yellow-rumpeds, Black-throated Greens, Blackburnians, Pine, Palm, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, and Common Yellowthroats.

Hi everyone, thought I would update tonight. The Rufous Hummingbird has not reappeared since it left our feeder this morning at 10:14. We will still be looking for it tomorrow, so if it shows up I will post the sighting.

There have been several species of warblers arriving this past week in the Sault area, however this report is regarding a rare bird report.

At 10:09 am 1 adult male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD spent 4 minutes at our feeder at 23 Terry Fox Place apartment 117. This was a spring adult that could be identified by its rufous brown back, tail and flanks and the buzzy trill sound it made when in flight.

The bird has not returned in 1 hours' time, but may still return. To get to the area, travel west along Hwy # 17 past the Husky gas station, turn left (south) onto Dacey Rd. Travel south on Dacey to Terry Fox Place which is a cul de sac. Number 23 is the apartment building to the southeast corner. Drive to the parking lot at the east end of the building and use your vehicle as a blind. Our balcony is on the ground floor and has two finch feeders and 1 Strawberry shaped hummingbird feeder on it. I will update further if the bird returns.

Many different species have been migrating north through the Sault area in the past week, with raptors dominating the flyways.

At Whitefish Point on the 25th, the kettles of hawks were moving with Broad-winged Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Bald Eagles, Merlins and the best for the day was a Golden Eagle. On M-28, look for up to 30 Sharp-tailed Grouse, on their lekking grounds. Also seen at Whitefish Point was 1 Townsend's Solitaire, 13 Long-eared Owls, Boreal Chickadee, 10 Bohemian Waxwing, Fox Sparrows and many Red-necked Grebes on the 24th, and 2 Spotted Sandpiper, 2 White-winged Crossbills, Northern Shoveler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet on the 25th.

From Echo Lake on the 26th, 2 Osprey, 15 American Goldfinch and Dark-eyed Junco have returned.

At Mark's Bay,

• on the 26th, 5 Sandhill Crane
• on the 27th, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 5 Sandhill Crane and 1 Mallard
• on the 28th, 2 Broad-winged Hawk, 1 Common Loon, 1 Mallard, 7 Common Merganser and 1 Belted Kingfisher

From the Wawa area

• On the 26th; Lakes are ice-free and no snow in the bush. 1 Peregrine Falcon was seen south of Wawa
• On the 27th; 2 Common Loon, 1 Winter Wren, 4 Merlin and Ruby-crowned Kinglets
• On the 29th; 100 Lesser Scaup, 20 Blue-winged Teal, 7 Green-winged Teal, 50 Mallard, 8 Northern Shoveler, 6 Bufflehead, 2 Common Snipe, and migrating kettles of Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, 1 Northern Goshawk, Bald Eagles and lots of Turkey Vultures.

Closer to home, at Bellevue Park

• on the 27th, the first 2 Caspian Terns were observed at the marina and
• on the 28th a wave of Savannah Sparrows came in at the Sault Locks.

Results of the first Red-shouldered Hawk and Spring Woodpecker Survey conducted on the 20th on Echo River Rd. produced:

• 34 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
• 6 Downy Woodpecker
• 2 Hairy Woodpecker
• 1 Pileated Woodpecker
• 7 Northern Flicker
• 1 Red-shouldered Hawk
• 3 Turkey Vulture
• 1 Northern Harrier
• 2 American Kestrel
• 4 Osprey

The first 3 Hermit Thrushes for Algoma were heard singing at first light from the top of Trap Rock on Echo River Rd. on the 20th. In Sylvan Valley, a Vesper Sparrow was also singing amongst 10 American Tree Sparrow. That same day there were 2 Canvasback and 1 American Coot at Echo Bay, amongst the 200 Ring-necked Ducks.

The first 2 Common Loons were seen at Finn's Bay on the 22nd, this is three days later than last year. Single Common Loons were also seen at Gros Cap and Pacquette Lake on the 23rd.

Some firsts;
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets were seen behind White Pines High School on the 21st.
1 White-throated Sparrow was feeding at a feeder behind White Pines High School on the 22nd.

The 2 male Harlequin Ducks that over-wintered in the Sault Canal were seen in the rapids on April 22nd and the Peregrine Falcon that also over-wintered at the International Bridge, was seen to be still hunting there on the 22nd.

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline.
Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan.
This update brought to you on April 17, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

Spring migration has slowed down this week with some migrants trickling in each day.

At Pumpkin Point

• On the 10th 1 Wood Duck
• On the 11th 6 Northern Pintail, and 83 Tundra Swans
• On the 12th 10 Common Snipe, 2 Osprey, and 1 Northern Shoveler
• On the 13th 1 Tree Swallow
• On the 15th 1 Lesser Yellowlegs

On Calabogie Rd. and Bar River Rd. several flocks of Sharp-tailed Grouse can be seen lekking early each morning.

Bald Eagles have been reported at Fort St. Joseph, Cutler, Spanish, Pumpkin Point, Echo Bay Marsh and Echo Bay throughout the week.

Canada Geese have been flooding in for the last 2 weeks but the first 2 Snow Geese were seen on April 12th at Maple Leaf Rd. and Hwy 17. Also on the 12th, 4 American Wigeon, 12 Sandhill Cranes, and 2 Northern Harrier were seen at the Echo Lake area.

At Finn's Bay Rd. on the 14th, 3 Merlins, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Eastern Phoebe, Song Sparrow, Double-crested Cormorant, 1 Great Blue Heron and several pairs of Bufflehead returned.

Owl surveys continue to produce well on some of the local routes;

        Stribling Point Route           4 Barred and 2 Northern Saw-whet

        Echo River Rd. Route    3 Barred, 1 Boreal and 8 Northern Saw-whet

        Jardin Mine Rd. Route   8 Barred and 12 Northern Saw-whet

        Milford Haven Route             7 Barred and 6 Northern Saw-whet

        Carpenter Lake Rd. Route        7 Barred and 11 Northern Saw-whet

Finally, Peregrine Falcons are back at their cliff sites. Interested birders can contribute to the Algoma Peregrine Falcon Ground Search by visiting cliff sites in the area and documenting each visit. Site visit forms are available by reporting all sightings to the hotline.

Spring bird migration is still progressing throughout the Algoma Region.

The first Eastern Phoebe was seen in Blind River on March 31st and the first Yellow-rumped Warbler was reported at Pumpkin Point on the 7th. Another Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen on the 9th at the Sault Locks. The first Turkey Vulture was seen on the 31st at Pumpkin Point and 2 days later, 2 others were seen at Maple Leaf Rd. east of Echo Bay.

A trip to whitefish Point on the 3rd yielded little bird life because of heavy fog. However, there were 10 Bohemian Waxwing, 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet and 2 Brown Creeper amidst dozens of American Tree Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

All species of puddle ducks have been seen at Pumpkin Point during this past week including both species of teal, American Coots on the 7th, 13 Tundra Swans on the 7th and 1 Northern Shoveler on the 9th. There are hundreds of Ring-necked Ducks and Hooded Mergansers in Lake George and Echo Bay with both species of Scaup.

On April 8th, a small flight of 18 Red-tailed Hawk and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk were tallied migrating over the Lake St. and Trunk Rd, area. On the 9th 1 Merlin patrolled feeders in behind White Pines High School.

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on April 2, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

Spring has sprung in the Algoma Region! Reports of thousands of new migrants are flooding into the hotline. The list is long and fantastic, so here goes.

On March 27th, 1 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Station Mall, 2 Sandhill Cranes, 2 Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Rough-legged Hawk and 1 Northern Harrier at Sunset Park on St. Joseph's Island, and 1 Bald Eagle at Sailor's Encampment.

March 28th, 2 Brown Creeper at Charles Point, 1 American Kestrel on Hwy. 17 and Bar River, 1 Redhead, 9 Tundra Swan, and 11 Great Blue Heron at Pumpkin Point. At Calabogie Rd. and Lakeview was 1 Eastern Meadowlark. A tally of Rough-legged Hawks in the agricultural area of Sault Michigan reached 63 birds feeding on voles.

On the 30th, 2 Short-eared Owls were seen in the Rudyard area on Plangston Rd. 2 miles west of Tillson Rd. At Whitefish Point, Eastern Bluebirds, 5 Red-shouldered Hawk and Eastern Meadowlarks were migrating. In Sault Ontario 1 Northern Flicker and hundreds of blackbirds were morning migrants that included Rusty's, Common Grackles, Red-wings and Brown-headed Cowbirds. Also on the 30th, the first American Woodcocks began courtship displays.

March 31st had the first 18 Brewer's Blackbirds reported from Old Baseline. At White Pines High School, 1 American Water Pipit flew overhead, while dozens of song Sparrows were reported singing.

April 1st, another morning flight of hundreds of mixed flocks of blackbirds passed through the Sault, including 2 Brewer's Blackbirds at White Pines High School. At Squirrel Island and the St. Mary's River, the first Belted Kingfisher was seen and at Joe Dollar Bay 3 Great Blue Herons made their presence known.

On April 2nd, 2 Green-winged Teal were seen at the Sault Airport. On Thornloe Cres., the first Chipping Sparrow appeared. At the Echo Bay marsh there were; 2 Green-winged Teal, 3 Northern Pintail, 100 Hooded Merganser, 100 Canada Goose, 300 Mallards and Blacks, 2 Sandhill Cranes, 4 Bufflehead, 50 Common Merganser, 30 Ring-necked Duck, 1 Northern Harrier, 2 American Kestrel, 3 Bald Eagles and 1 Northern Flicker. At Pumpkin Point, 2 Gadwall, 2 Lesser Scaup, 12 Greater Scaup, 4 Double-crested Cormorant and 18 Great Blue Heron were most notable.

A report from east of Bruce Mines on Joe Dollar Bay on the 26th, had the first 2 Sandhill Cranes and 2 Northern Harriers.

A trip out east of the Sault on the 27th produced the following;

• 2 Hooded Merganser, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Bufflehead, 20 Common Goldeneye, and 2 Ring-necked Duck at Squirrel Island.
• 1 Killdeer and 1 American Robin at the airport on Lakeview Dr.
• 30 Canada Geese and 2 Bald Eagles at Lake George
• 3 Red-winged Blackbirds at Pumpkin Point
• 1 dark Phase Rough-legged Hawk on Porchuk Rd.
• 107 Snow Buntings at Kentville on St. Joseph's Island
• 3 adult male Red-shouldered Hawks on Old Soo Rd.
• 1 Sandhill Crane flying over Ottertail Lake
• 1 Wood Duck on Stobey Creek and Government Rd.
• 1 Northern Harrier at Government Rd. and McKnight

The past week has been a quiet week despite a few signs of spring. Five Sharp-tailed Grouse were beginning to display in the fields at Second Line and Black Rd. on the 18th.

In Desbarets on the 18th, 2 Rough-legged Hawks that over-wintered there were still hunting over area fields. One Merlin was seen that same day at the St. Joseph Island bridge.

The first Red-shouldered Hawk for our area was reported having returned to the Gordon Lake area on the 21st. In the same area 1 adult Bald Eagle, 25 Common Redpolls and 15 Pine Siskins were seen.

On March 23rd, in the Goulais River area, 2 more Rough-legged Hawks were seen with 2 Adult Bald Eagles soaring above.

At the Sault Locks on the 25th 2 Great Black-backed Gulls were seen on the ice edge at the foot of the rapids, amongst the hundreds of Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, while 2 Canada Geese flew over the visitors centre. A Northern Shrike was calling from a treetop on St. Mary's Island.

From the Brimley and Sault Michigan agricultural areas, a tally of raptors revealed that 15 Rough-legged Hawks and 1 Red-tailed Hawk have moved north into the area on the 26th. The Peregrine Falcon that has over-wintered at the International Bridge was seen again on the 26th.

Results are in from seven Nocturnal Owl Survey routes conducted last week.

• March 8 Milford Haven Route St. Joseph's Island 12 Barred Owls
• March 10 Jardin Mine Rd. Route 6 Barred Owls, 3 Northern Saw-whet Owls and 1 Boreal Owl
• March 11 Ranger Lake Rd. Route 2 Barred Owls and 2 Northern Saw-whet Owls
• March 12 Stribling Point Route St. Joseph's Island
• March 12 Echo River Rd. 2 Barred Owls
• March 13 Carpenter Lake Rd. Route 5 Barred Owls, 5 Northern Saw-whet Owls and 1 Great Horned Owl
• March 14 Near Obatanga Provincial Park Route 3 Boreal Owls

On March 15th a trip to Wawa produced 1 Gray Jay in the Goulais River Valley and 60 Bohemian Waxwings at Hwy # 17 and Buttermilk Hill Rd on the way up. There were many Pine Siskin and Common Redpolls with some American Goldfinch and Pine Grosbeaks visiting local Wawa feeders. The bird of the day was 1 adult Bald Eagle seen flying over the town of Wawa.

The first Killdeer for the year was reported on March 17th, calling from the flat rooftop of the Bushplane Museum. Meanwhile a rough estimate of the Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull colony at the rapids ,that same day tallied 5000+ gulls present and well into courtship behavior.

This past week the hotline received several first reports for the year. When this happens it means that the birds are becoming more active with some new arrivals.

A late report for February 27th and 28th had a family winter camping at Bone Lake, north of the Ontario Sault. Not only did they have a Barred Owl calling all night but the first report of a Black-backed Woodpecker for our area, was seen on the 27th. At the Stokely Creek Lodge, 1 Gray Jay was seen by the campers on the 28th.

There are two adult Bald Eagles that have been reported on the St. Mary's River by many observers from the International Bridge to Finn's Bay Rd. One observer speculated that the eagles have not been here during the winter because there have been no River Otters seen bringing fish to the ice edge.

On the 5th of March, 1 Northern Goshawk was observed in the town of Desbarets while a Rough-legged Hawk hunted in nearby fields. On the 9th, near Thessalon, 2 Rough-legged Hawks were seen and in Kirkwood 1 Gray Jay frequented the old MNR office. Closer to the Sault, a gray phased Gyrfalcon was reported perched on the hydro poles east of Echo Bay on the 9th.

The first Northern Saw-Whet Owl was heard calling at 4:30 am on March 8th in Brimley Michigan. One Snowy Owl was seen on M 122 near 8 Mile Rd. on the 7th. The results are in from the first Nocturnal Owl Survey routes with 12 Barred Owls and 1 Eastern Screech Owl calling near Milford Haven on St. Joseph's Island on the 8th. The second owl route was done on the 10th, with 6 Barred Owls, 3 Northern Saw-whet Owls and 1 Boreal Owl calling near Echo Bay.

Results of a census taken on the 7th at the Sault Canal, produced; 31 Common Goldeneye, 20 Common Merganser, 2 American Black Duck, 106 Mallard, 1 Common Raven, 3 American Crow, 2 Rock Dove, 2 Harlequin Duck, 40 Herring Gull and 2 Black-capped Chickadee.

Hi Gord,
March 4, 1999.

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on March 4, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

With much freezing and thawing occurring the birds are having trouble deciding if spring is here or if it is still winter. Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin and Purple Finch have dominated reports from feeder watchers in both Sault Ontario and Brimley Michigan.

On the 26th a Rough-legged Hawk was reported from the Goulais River area. That same day a lucky observer had the elusive Gyrfalcon fly north over Belleview Park. Meanwhile around the corner from Belleview, 6 American Robins and 150 Bohemian Waxwings competed for mountain ash berries in the McMeekin Rd. area. There are several Dark-eyed Juncos and Purple Finch visiting feeders between McMeekin and Mark Streets.

On the St. Mary's River ice edge, 2 Adult Bald Eagles were seen by MNR staff on March 2nd with an immature Bald Eagle seen flying through the trees north of there. Also on the 2nd a Common Grackle still remains where it wintered at Wayne Ct. and Chambers. Woodpeckers are becoming more active with Downys and Hairys beginning to call while Pileateds are searching out their territories. One Pileated was seen at Queen St. and Barber flying north on March 3rd.

Common Ravens and American Crows have been reported this past week carrying nesting material in the Sault Ontario side. House Sparrows and European Starlings have also been observed courting and heard singing. Black-capped Chickadees have been heard singing their plaintive 3 note whistle and both species of nuthatches have been singing for the last two weeks.

March begins the season for monitoring birds in the Algoma Region with the Nocturnal Owl Survey commencing on the 5th. This survey will hopefully, turn up the owls that we have missed all winter. Anyone interested in starting their own Nocturnal Owl Survey route can contact Ron Rideout at Bird Studies Canada at 519 586-3531.

As always, please leave news of any of your bird observations. Remember to include your name and phone #, date and location of your observations. Until March 11th , or earlier, Great Birding in the Border Area

Hi Gord,

Here is this week's update for the Border Birder Hotline (705) 256-2790.

February 25, 1999

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on February 25, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

With one week of winter's return most of the Sault's birds that stayed have settled into favorite locations braving the cold. Most of this week's reports hail from the Upper Peninsula.

At the Hurlbert Bog, an adult Bald Eagle and a flock of Red Crossbills were seen on February 20th . On the same day a visit to the feeders at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory produced a flock of Pine Grosbeaks.

On the 20th, 1 Northern Shrike and 1 Rough-legged Hawk frequented the agricultural area south of Brimley, with no sign of the earlier reported Northern Hawk Owl. Two days later, Brown Creepers and Dark-eyed Juncos appeared in the Brimley area, one day late for the Backyard Bird Count. At Shunk Rd. and 9 Mile Rd. the large flock of Snow Buntings were seen again on the 23rd.

The best sighting for the week was the Peregrine Falcon on the International Train Tressel on the 21st. The band symbols were finally spotted on this bird. It is known that it was not from the release north of the Sault.

North of the Sault, along Fourth Line, a mixed flock of winter finches were reported singing on the 22nd. There were American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Pine Grosbeaks and 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets. Also on the 22nd, the Merlin was seen hunting House Sparrows on Queen St. and Kerr Dr. and the same day 200 Bohemian Waxwings and 4 American Robins were reported feeding on Mountain Ash berries on Shannon Rd.

Barred Owls are now just beginning to become more active during the day with the first reported perched above a feeder on Walls Rd. on the 23rd. Another unidentified owl species was reported in the River Rd. area. In the Goulais River area 1 Common Raven was observed carrying nesting material on the 23rd.

As always, please leave news of any of your bird observations. Remember to include your name and phone #, date and location of your observations. Until March 4th , or earlier, Great Birding in the Border Area.

Hi Gord,

February 18, 1999

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on February 18, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

I am pleased to announce that the Hotline is back up and running properly again. With the return of winter many birds have left the Sault area.

On February 13th a Bald Eagle was seen at the Sugar Island Ferry. It was seen again on the 14th flying over the international bridge. At the Michigan Information Centre a Pileated Woodpecker was observed perched on a hydro pole minutes later.

In the 9 Mile Rd. and Shunk Rd. area a total of 35 Sharp-tailed Grouse were reported along with a flock of 500 Snow Buntings on the 13th. Also on the 13th ,13 Gray Jays were seen off M128 at the Hurlburk Bog.

There are still good numbers of Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings in the Sault, feeding on what remains of the Mountain Ash berries. On Kerr Dr. in the east-end 12 American Robins were seen with 4 Bohemian Waxwings.

The 2 male Harlequin ducks are still in the headrace and last seen on February 18th. However there are no gulls to be seen in the area. The most common bird visiting feeders seems to be American Goldfinch. There are a few reports of Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll and Purple Finch accompanying the goldfinch.

Remember that this weekend the Great Backyard Bird Count takes place. Beginning Friday the 19th, count every bird you see at your feeders or in your backyard and call the Hotline at the end of each day and leave your results, if you do not have internet service. Your results can be posted instantly at the Cornell University's website if you have internet service. The count runs through to Sunday the 21st.

As always, please leave news of any of your bird observations. Remember to include your name and phone #, date and location of your observations. Until February 25th, or earlier, Great Birding in the Border Area.

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on February 12, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

With the arrival of the warm front this week 100 Herring Gulls came back to the headrace and tailrace. There is much more open water on the St. Mary's River allowing the waterfowl to spread out along the shores. They inturn, have attracted the gray phase Gyrfalcon to the East Sewage Treatment Plant on the 10th. This bird has been irregularly seen throughout the winter.

The two male Harlequin Ducks were last seen on the 11th on the ice at the foot of the rapids. These birds have moved around quite a bit this winter, making them as unpredictable as the weather.

The first Northern Hawk Owl of the year was reported frequenting the agricultural area ½ mile south of Brimley Michigan. This bird has been seen three times in the last two weeks. Another report from the Michigan area had 4 Gray Jays at Betchler Lakes.

As always, please leave news of any of your bird observations. Remember to include your name and phone #, date and location of your observations. Due to technical difficulties call 942-2127 and leave your observation reports. Until February 18th, or earlier, Great Birding in the Border Area.

February 7, 1999

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on February 7, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

On February 3rd, a warm spell reached its height around noon. This brought a gull migration north into the Sault. There had been no gulls here since January 6th, but 300 Herring Gulls were observed travelling north at the Pine St. Marina and then flew to the rapids and the headrace. Upon closer observation, these gulls were in spring breeding plumage and some were courting. On February 6th, a search of the area produced no gulls. Evidently with the onset of a cold spell these gulls must have returned south.

There are still several flocks of Bohemian Waxwings and American Robins feeding on Mountain Ash berries in several locations throughout the Sault. At many feeders throughout the area, dozens of Purple Finch have been reported along with hundreds of American Goldfinch and some Pine Siskin. One albino Purple Finch showed up at a feeder on Belleview Valley Rd. and Kirby Rd. There was also 1 Barred Owl observed hunting during the day on January 31st in the Goulais River Valley.

On February 6th, a feeder behind White Pines High School had 120 American Goldfinch, 20 Purple Finch, 6 Pine Siskin and 3 Gray Jays. At the same time 7 Sharp-tailed Grouse were seen on Korah Rd. feeding on apples.

In Bar River on the 6th, 1 dark phased Rough-legged Hawk and 1 very pale immature Red-Tailed Hawk were seen at Government Rd. Two more Rough-legged Hawks in the light-phase, were seen at Rydall Mill Rd. and Highway #17 and a Northern Shrike was reported at the "D" Line and "H" Lines on St. Joseph's Island.

As always, please leave news of any of your bird observations. Remember to include your name and phone #, date and location of your observations after the beep. Until February 11th, or earlier, Great Birding in the Border Area.

Thank you for calling the Sault Ste. Marie Border Birder Hotline. Sponsored by the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. This update brought to you on February 3, 1999, by Bob Knudsen.

There are still several hundred Bohemian Waxwings and some Cedar Waxwings in various locations throughout the Sault area, feeding on Mountain Ash berries along with American Robins.

On Maple Leaf Rd. in Echo Bay a male Northern Cardinal is still sharing a feeder with 2 Common Redpolls, 5 Evening Grosbeak, 5 Blue Jay, 22 Purple Finch and 20 American Goldfinch.

In Echo Lake there are 60 American Goldfinch, 1 Mourning Dove, Pine Grosbeak, both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatch and several Blue Jays coming to a feeder.

The first Pine Siskins of the year were reported arriving at a feeder on Walls Rd. on the 31st. At the same feeder there have been as many as 12 Evening Grosbeak, 24 Purple Finch, 24 American Goldfinch, and 1 Northern Shrike.

From St. Joseph's Island, 1 male Northern Cardinal has been visiting feeders in the Moffat Bay area. Another male Northern Cardinal was heard singing on January 26th during a mild spell on Fairmount Drive.

Two Rough-legged Hawks were found in the Brimley Michigan agricultural area and 1 Northern Shrike in the 5 Mile Rd. and Shunk Rd. area on the 30th. A trip to Whitefish Point on the same day yielded 2 Bald Eagles and several Common Goldeneye.

At the St. Mary's River rapids, on the 30th, an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk was observed to be fishing over the open water. It was unsuccessful in its attempts.

As always, please leave news of any of your bird observations. Remember to include your name and phone #, date and location of your observations after the beep. Until February 10th, or earlier, Great Birding in the Border Area.

Hi Gord,
There are several good birds around the Algoma area I thought to report earlier than I normally report.

St. Joseph's Island appears to be the place to bird for many species of over-wintering birds. A trip along the "P" Line on the 23rd, produced 6 Ruffed Grouse feeding on tree buds, 14 Pine Grosbeaks and mixed flocks of American Goldfinch, Purple Finch and Common Redpolls. A perfect example of how to set up a good feeding station at Hilton Road, near the 15th side road, proved to produce an excellent variety of birds. Twenty Common Crows, 12 Blue Jays, 3 Tree Sparrows, 9 Purple Finch, 4 American Goldfinch and 5 Snow Buntings were observed during the 10 minute visit.

Along Highway 17 near Rydall Mill Rd. 2 Rough-legged Hawks were observed, one hunting a vole on the snow-covered surface of a hay field. A dark phase Rough-legged Hawk was seen hunting over the fields in Bar River at Government Rd. on the 23rd. At a feeder in the village of Bar River 8 Mourning Doves roosted while 1 American Goldfinch successfully avoided becoming lunch to a Northern Shrike.

There are still many American Robins and Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings feeding on Mountain Ash berries in the Sault. Remember to look closely at all waxwings, for the colour of the under tail coverts. If they are red, they are Bohemian Waxwings. If they are white they are Cedar Waxwings. Both species have been observed together at several locations.

On the St. Mary's River behind Algoma Cabins, mixed with the 100 or so Mallards, 2 American Wigeon and 1 Canada Goose can be found. The Wigeon are travelling between here and the Sugar Island Ferry docks on the Michigan side. Also at the ferry docks were 50 Mallards and 1 Hooded Merganser.

Although there have been reports of crossbills in the Brimley and Paradise areas, a trip there on the 23rd did not find them, however, 4 Snow Buntings perched on the roof of the Museum at Iroquois Point and 3 Rough-legged Hawks were seen in the agricultural areas nearby.

Hi Gord,

There seems to be less bird activity in the Sault right now. This is the usual inactivity that occurs between weather systems at this time of year. Here is the Border Birder Hotline Update for January 21st. (705 942-2127).

Birds seem to be scattering in all directions around the Sault, because of the recent freezing and thawing we have been experiencing. Mountain Ash that provided food for the Robins and Waxwings last week have been gleaned, forcing the birds to move to other locations.

On January 14th, 1 American Robin and flocks of Bohemian Waxwings were on Boundary Rd. and Marconi St. On January 16th, two flocks of Bohemians were in the "P" Patch and flying around Sault College and on the 18th 4 American Robins were on Healey St.

The Northern Mockingbird is still visiting the feeder on McMurray St. and around the corner from there at 91 Wayne Court, the Common Grackle can still be seen along with a male Northern Cardinal.

A Northern Shrike was observed on the 16th, along the St. Mary's River and Algoma University while another was observed at the Sault Locks. The same day, a Cooper's Hawk hunted in the east-end and was last seen flying over the Boundary Rd. area.

Finally, the gulls appear to have left the area, but the Harlequin Ducks can still be found in the headrace along with several Common Goldeneye.

Hi Gord,

Here is the current update for our Hotline, (705 - 256-2790).

Not only are there many American Robins reported feeding on Mountain Ash berries in the Sault, but for the first time during the winter, there are three species of falcons present in the Sault. The Gyrfalcon was first seen on January 5th at the Canadian Forest Service building on Queen St. A Merlin was seen several times along the waterfront near Pine St. and Algoma University this past week. The Peregrine has been seen along the waterfront, from the steel plant to the Sault Edison Power Plant.

Three Bald Eagles are still being reported along the waterfront, as well as one adult along Serpent River on January 2nd. The latest raptor observed was one Rough-legged Hawk flying southwest over White Pines High School on January 9th.

Wayne Court in the east-end, is providing a hotspot for wintering songbirds. On January 10th, there were, 3 American Robin, 80 Bohemian Waxwing, 2 Cedar Waxwing, 1 Dark-eyed Junco, 1 Common Grackle, 20 Purple Finch, 1 Mourning Dove, and 1 Downy Woodpecker. On the same day, the Pine St. Marina was checked with 4 Redheads, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 1 Merlin observed.

At the Sault Locks, the 2 male Harlequins have been seen during this past week. Also at the locks, a flock of up to 500 Bohemian Waxwings can be seen feeding on tree buds and mountain ash berries.

A report from Elliott Lake, had 4 American Robin and a flock of Bohemian Waxwings there. In the Penokian Hills Sanctuary Tree Sparrows, Purple Finch, Pine Grosbeak and Evening Grosbeaks were seen.

On January 7th, 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet was seen in front of the Canadian Forest Service building and on January 11thanother Golden-crowned Kinglet was seen, at Hiawatha. Also on January 11th, the Northern Mockingbird was still coming to a feeder on McMurray, while on Parkside Drive, the Carolina Wren appeared at a feeder again on January 9th.

From Brimley, Michigan, on the 9th, Tree Sparrows, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove and flocks of crossbills were reported.

Hi Gord,

Here is the update for the Border Birder Hotline, (705) 256-2790. Not included in this report is 1 Merlin seen on Jan. 2nd on the front "lawn" of Algoma University and on Jan. 5th, the Gyrfalcon flew past the Canadian Forest Service building on Queen St. This is quite notable, because as far as I know there has never been 3 species of falcons seen during winter in the Sault.

A phenomenon has occurred in Ontario this winter that may not take place again for several years. There are reports of American Robins feeding on mountain ash berries not only across the Sault but also throughout southeastern and southern Ontario. There were 18 robins on Parkdale Crescent, 1 on Queen St. East and Shannon, 1 on Anita Blvd., 6 on Wayne Court and 4 on Grandmont Crescent. This is a good opportunity to get out and enjoy a touch of spring in our winter wonderland.

Bohemian Waxwings and Cedar Waxwings are also competing with the robins for the mountain ash berries mostly in the Lake St. and Queen St. East area. Although, as many as 130 Bohemians were seen on Chambers Ave. on the 2nd.

At Gordon Lake, 3 Tree Sparrows and 18 Sharp-tailed Grouse were seen feeding on natural foods on December 31st.

On the same day, a Common Grackle was still visiting a feeder on Wayne Court, along with 6 Purple Finch, 3 Mourning Dove, 24 American Goldfinch and 2 Bohemian Waxwing. At Fairmount Drive, 3 Tree Sparrow, 15 Mourning Dove, and 1 Northern Cardinal can be seen.

One pair of Pileated Woodpeckers are regular visitors at a feeder on Jean Ave. along with other wintering species.

On Maple Leaf Rd., east of Echo Bay, 1 Northern Cardinal, 8 Blue Jay, Mourning Dove and Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are coming to a feeder.

Finally, 2 immature and 2 adult Bald Eagles were seen on January 4th, at Little Neebish Island on Phin's Bay Rd.

Not a very successful trip to the Soo on January 1st and 2nd.. Mostly what I have to report is negative data: No northern owls, not even a Snowy Owl. No Gyrfalcon although on January 1st at 4 p.m. there was a large falcon on top of the Soo Edison plant in the Soo but it proved to be an adult Peregrine. I saw no Harlequin Duck on the Canadian side either although there was a male Old Squaw in the power canal on January 1st. Three hundred Bohemian Waxwings were in the Canadian Soo at Belleville Park on January 1st though I did not see any on the American side. I did not go to Sugar Island. On Neebish Island we found 30 or so Sharp=tailed Grouse at 9:15 am. I saw no northern finches around the Soo unless you consider Snow Bunting in that category. I did have some northern finches in the Paradise area--Evening Grosbeaks in Eckerman and on the road from Paradise to Newberry. Also on the latter road I had Pine Siskins, a White-winged Crossbill and 12 Red Crossbills. I had one Redpoll at Whitefish Point. I saw one Northern Shrike and a Goshawk on Riverside Road south of Barbeau.

Cheers,