White Pelican - May 20, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

The white pelican remains in Burlington. At 5:30 we saw it all by itself
almost directly in front of Paletta/Shoreacres Park.

Paletta Park is south of Lakeshore Road halfway between Walker's and Appleby
Lines. 

Bob and Lynn Gapes
blgapes@cogeco.ca

Am. White Pelican, Brant at Bronte, Lake Ontario - May 20, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

This morning at 11:00 am there was a White Pelican on the water and
flying between Bronte and Shell Park.
Also on the west side of the river at Bronte were 14 Brants.

Alfred Raab
Brampton, Ont
905 454 1702
alfredraab@rogers.com

Willet at Bronte - May 20, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Ontbirders

Mark Jennings just called  to say he had a Willet on Lakeshore Road in
Bronte at Shell Park.  It's at the temporary pond on the north side of
Lakeshore Road west of the entrance to Shell Park and adjacent to a model
home (so much for Burloak Woods!). This is  about a Km west of Bronte Road
and Lakeshore.

Bob Curry and Glenda Slessor
3115 New St. Unit 30
Burlington, ON
Canada
L7N 3T6
905-637-2022
curry.slessor@sympatico.ca

Mourning Warbler - Thickson, Evening Grosbeak - Concord (just north of Toronto), - May 15, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Prior to departing for a visit to Thickson Woods this morning, I had a
cornucopia of colourful spring visitors in my small garden in Concord:
Indigo Bunting and Hummingbird (daily since May 10th), two Rose-Breasted
Grosbeaks, several Baltimore Orioles - all of the preceding males - and a
late Junco, in addition to all the regulars (22 species in all).
However, the best visitor was a fine male Evening Grosbeak. This was the
first visit by this species to my backyard. He was visiting the feeders
again when I returned home this evening. Safflower seeds seemed to suit his
palate best.

At Thickson, in addition to the significant species already reported by
others today, was a male Mourning Warbler, in the same area that I saw him
on Saturday, i.e. along the path on the far side of the bridge by the marsh.
He was skulking low down close to the water and took some finding.
Also, on the lake, close in, were four Common Loons.

 To reach Thickson's Woods exit from 401 to Thickson Road South in
Whitby.  Proceed south past Wentworth Street to the Waterfront Trail.  Turn
left, turn around and park on the north side of the road.  Enter the woods
on a path from the south side, about 200 metres east of Thickson Road.

My house in Concord backs onto Marita Payne park, which is on the west side
of Dufferin Street, at the first lights north of Steeles Avenue in Toronto.


IAN CANNELL, CONCORD, ONTARIO
Cannell@rogers.com

White Pelican still in Burlington - May 15, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

At 6:59 p.m. the White Pelican was seen by myself off of Sioux Lookout on
the Lakeshore in Burlington.

Directions

QEW to Walkers line, south to Lakeshore Ave.  West on Lakeshore, Sioux
Lookout is a small park on the water about 1.5 km from Walkers Line

Good Birding,
Cheryl Edgecombe
cheryle29@cogeco.ca

Hummingbird in Oakville - May 8, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

I spotted a Ruby-throated Hummingbird a few minutes ago hovering over a
cluster of wildflowers.

Other sightings last evening and this morning:
6+ Baltimore Orioles
1 Gray Catbird
1 Spotted Sandpiper
Yellow warblers

This is in Oakville by the 16 Mile Creek/Oakville Golf Club.

Ina Legzdins
Oakville, ON
laukpele@echo-on.net

Bronte Red-necked Grebes on eggs - April 20, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Red-necked Grebes are once again nesting on their traditional floating tire
in Bronte Harbour. I had only a brief imperfect view during  a shift change
but it looked like two eggs. At least one other pair was present in the
harbour.

I looked for the Red-throated Loon and might have seen one very far offshore
but I cannot be certain of the ID.

Directions:    Exit the QEW at Bronte Road and go to the lake, turn left
when Bronte Rd. ends. The nest is near shore just east of the huge building
that is under construction.

Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca

Joshua Creek Kinglets Oakville - April 9 - April 10, 2002

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Species at Joshua Creek on Tuesday, April 9:

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 singing.
Golden -crowned Kinglet- 50 plus
E. Phoebe - 11
Fox Sparrow - 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -2

Directions: Exit the QEW at Winston Churchill Blvd.
Drive south to the lake and turn right. Go 20 meters 
to Arkendo. Walk the trail between the creek and the
sewage treatment plant. The trail on the bottam of
the creek is muddy but passable. Golden-crowned
Kinglets were in the evergreens around the soccer
field to the south-west of the sewage treatment 
plant as well.

Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com

Oakville Migrants - March 24-31 - Sun, 31 Mar 2002

Gord,
With Black-throated Green seen in Columbus, Ohio,
this week, something different is due soon.
Species seen in Oakville this week:

Mar. 24 - Bronte Cr. Prov. Park - E. Bluebird 3

Mar. 27 - Bronte Cr. Prov. - E. Meadowlark 7 
                            (Deb LeBert)

Mar. 28 - Upper Middle Rd. - N. Mockingbird 2
                             W. Thr. Sparrow 2 singing

Mar. 29 - Bronte Cr. Prov. - Killdeer 14

Mar. 30 - Bronte Cr. Prov. - Golden Cr. Kinglet 2
                            Brown Creeper 6 (2
singing)
                            Killdeer 4

Mar. 31 - 16 Mile Creek - E. Phoebe 1
        

Good birding,
Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com

bald eagle sighting - Sun, 17 Mar 2002

My girlfriend and I spotted a bald eagle on Saturday March 16 at 1pm. We saw it north of Grand Valley, near highway 89. The bird had the unmistakable white head and was otherwise dark. Though we are not experienced birders, we have seen bald eagles before (in California) and are fairly familiar with other birds of prey in the region - this bird stood out from the rest very clearly. We also looked it up in a field guide afterwards. Unfortunately, we did not have a camera with us (and there was nowhere nearby to buy a disposable). Hope this info is useful.

Dave Seminowicz
dave_seminowicz@hotmail.com

Wild Turkey - Thu, 1 Mar 2001

February 26, 2001

I saw a wild turkey run accross our 4 acre property into a neighbours pine forest. During the last 2 days the female turkey has come to our bird feeder and eaten the seeds on the ground under it.

Dell Menzies,
R.R. # 2
Alton, Ontario
D.menz@home.com

European Goldfinch - Fri, 1 Dec 2000

Just located your website and wanted to report the sighting of a European Goldfinch at our finch feeder, I first spotted him Nov., 15th 2000 and I have seen him several times since at our feeder. In fact I saw him at elevan am this morning.

We are located just outside of Limehouse, Ontario which is between Georgetown and Acton. Have there been any other sightings of this bird or is this extremely rare.

Margaret Ellis
offroad@aztec-net.com

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Hi Margaret, it is quite a rare species in Ontario, and likely an escapee. There is a remote chance that it might be a wild bird, but difficult to prove.

Gord Gallant ...... gord@web-nat.com

Supposed Magnolia Warbler - Wed, 22 Nov 2000

Gord
First our apologies. The late warbler was back at our suet feeder today. Our initial identification was wrong!! The bird is very skittish & flies at the first sign of larger birds, squirrels & passers-by but today Judy managed to capture a couple of short sequences on video through the window.

We now believe the bird to be a yellow throated warbler (dendroica dominica) which would be a first for us. We have captured the video as "avi" files which we will be pleased to share with you if someone familiar with the species can help with a firm identification.

Please advise & keep up the good work.

Pat & Judy Kimber
kimber@stn.net

Late Magnolia Warbler - Mon, 20 Nov 2000

My wife & I were totally surprised by the appearance of a male Magnolia Warbler at our suet feeder on Sunday 20 November. It came back several times over the course of the afternoon but was not sighted today. This seems extremely late in the year for Georgetown. Any comments or observations on the apparent lateness of this bird?

Regards

Pat & Judy Kimber
kimber@stn.net

Port Credit Peregrine - Tue, 14 Nov 2000

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Hi all!

On my way to work in T.O. this morning, I saw a Peregrine flying north over the harbour bridge(Lakeshore Rd.)- it circled and headed south, so I turned right at the Post Office( Elizabeth St.?) and parked, but lost sight of the bird.

I decided to walk out on the pier and check the "Ridgetown" and there she was on the forward mast crossmember - a beautiful large adult, very alert and likely looking for breakfast. I could not see any bands. What a nice start to the day - even though I got to work 15 minutes late.

Incidentally, I was at the in-laws at Ailsa Craig on the weekend and visited Kettle Point area both days. On Sat. I had 2 Snowy Owls and Sun. I saw 3, but others had seen 4 individuals. I saw one adult which had staining(possible injury) near the left eye/ear and I managed to get a few pictures of it as it hopped around near some cottages along the beach north of 'Pat's Point'. So there could be 5 or more of these birds in the area - which seems like a major concentration.

In my travels I also counted 31 Red-tails, 1 N. Harrier, 1 Cooper's, 1 Golden Eagle, 6 E.Bluebirds, 3/4 flocks of Horned Larks(12 to 20) and 1 flock of Snow Buntings(25+).

On Sat. I also unsuccessfully looked for the Hudsonian Godwit at Wildwood, but had many Kildeer, 2 Black-bellied Plovers and a few Dunlin and Pectorals here.

Maris Apse (OFO SALES)
(9050 - 338-0318
OAKVILLE

Golden Eagle - Sunday Nov 12 2000 - Brampton - Mon, 13 Nov 2000

Driving along Hwy 7 between Mississauga Rd and Heritage Rd on the north side I spotted a Golden Eagle sitting in the top of a tree right beside the roadway. When I was returning back to Brampton approx. 1hr later, he was still in the same spot. I was unable to stop my vehicle to observe but I am 90% sure it was a Golden Eagle. Just a huge, spectacular bird!

John Hymers - Brampton
jhymers@attcanada.ca

Mountsberg Conservation arear - Sept.30/00 - Sat, 30 Sep 2000

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Seen today at 8:00 a.m. in Mounstberg conservation area located west of Campbellville off of Campbellville Rd. and Mountsberg. Rd.

White Throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red Breasted Nuthatch
Great Blue Heron
Double Crested Comorant
American Coot
American Widgeon
Blue Winged Teal
Cedar Waxwing
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
Killdeer
Canada Geese
Blue Jay
Black Capped Chickadee

Have a great birding weekend

Victor Bell
Milton
mebell@idirect.com

Mourning Warbler at Mountsberg- Aug. 14 - Tue, 15 Aug 2000

Birders,
At Mountsberg Conservation Area on July 26-27, there were 4 or 5 Ospreys at the Osprey nesting platform. Yesterday, August 14, there were still 3 immatures screaming.

On Wednesday, July 15, I found an immature Magnolia
Warbler. Other species included Caspian Terns, Rose-
breasted Grosbeaks, a Least Flycatcher and Bobolink.
On Thursday, July 27, there was a Red-breasted
Nuthatch, an Ovenbird and Pied-billed Grebes.
New species observed on August 14, included:
White-throated Sparrow
Mourning Warbler-1st year male
Black + White
Am. Redstart-family of 4
Warbling Vireo-at least 5 immatures
Virginia Rail-called once

Directions: Exit the QEW at Guelph Line and drive north. Go 8k past Dundas-Highway 5 to Campbellville. Turn left at the light onto Halton 9. Drive 4k to Millburough Line and turn right. Mountsberg is 2k on your left.

Good birding,

Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com

Great Egrets - Tue, 1 Aug 2000

Tuesday, August 1/00

Dear Gord Gallant,

I hope that this is the proper address to send this letter.

I just visited your website for the first time, to see if there were any reports of Great Egrets (Common Egret). My friend, Janice Enright, at A Wing and A Prayer, in Muskoka, said that one had been seen in that area. I have been watching some (four today) in Halton for a few weeks now.

They are in the water ways along the 407 toll road, east side, just north of the connection to 403, where it turns south after Winston Churchill and just south of Derry Road.

Beautiful large birds, almost as large as the three resident Great Blue Herons, yellow bill, black legs and feet.

Is this a common sighting? I certainly haven't seen them before.

Yours truly,
Kathleen Ogino.
kogino@sprint.ca

Hi Kathleen, there seems to be more birders reporting Great Egrets than I recall in the past. This may be due to the fact that more birders are on the internet and sending reports in during the summer. They are almost always seen in the spring during migration, but seldom reported after that. This summer, several reports of Great Egrets have been received.

Gord Gallant ..... gord@web-nat.com

Hooded Warbler in Oakville-July 31 - Mon, 31 Jul 2000

Birders,
A Hooded Warbler has been singing 2 or 3 types of songs at Bronte Creek Prov. Park since July 10. It is in the woodlot at the end of Spruce Lane. It can be located by its call-note, a metallic "tchip" or "tchink", along the south-east edge of the woods, and will sing if you mimic its song.

Directions: Exit the QEW at Burloak. Drive north. Bronte Creek Prov. Park is on your right. Good birding,

Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com

Mountsberg Birds-July 26-27 - Fri, 28 Jul 2000

Gord,
Mountsberg Conservation Area is on the Escarpment near Milton. There are 4 or 5 Ospreys on a nest platform near the parking lot. On July 26 I found a Magnolia Warbler, Caspian Terns, Wood Ducks and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, as well as a Least Flycatcher and a male Bobolink.

On July 27, an Ovenbird sang once. Barn, Tree, Cliff, and Rough-winged Swallows flew back and forth near the barn area.

This is probably an incredible birding area in late May.

Good birding,

Fred Urie
fredurie@yahoo.com

Possible Mockingbird Nesting in Brampton - Wed, 21 Jun 2000

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

I've observed a pair of Northern Mockingbirds on two occasions about ten days apart in exactly the same spot in Brampton. The location is beside a restaurant/fast food plaza in the east end of Brampton, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Queen Street East (Hwy 7) and Gateway Boulevard. Gateway is between Airport Road and Torbram; north of Queen it's called Chrysler Drive. On both occasions, the birds were observed in the same strip of hedge located at the top of the retaining wall at the west end of the parking lot, and on the first sighting (from the patio of Shoeless Joe's Bar - birds are where you find them) appeared to be carrying food or nesting materials. While this doesn't trump the North Bay sighting of this species, I thought it might be of interest to anyone who birds in the Brampton area, since the birds have (so far) been dependable at the above site.

John Thompson
jthmpson@arvotek.net

Red-necked Grebe near Milton - Wed, 7 Jun 2000

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

This morning (Wednesday, 7 June) at 9:45 a.m., I saw a Red-necked Grebe on Scotch Block Reservoir, about 6 km NNW of Milton. From Hwy. 401 take Hwy. 25 (Exit 320) and go NW for 5 km. Turn right (NE) on the 10 th Side Road and drive about 800 m. Then turn left (N), just before the railroad tracks. Drive about 1.2 km until the road crosses the reservoir. The grebe was on the water to the left (W) of the road.

Burke Korol
Guelph, ON
burke.korol@sympatico.ca

Mourning Warbler in Meadowvale - Mon, 8 May 2000

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

An early morning walk along the Credit River this morning (May 8), just north of Meadowvale Village in Mississauga, was punctuated with the following highlights:

MOURNING WARBLER
PALM WARBLER
NORTHERN ORIOLE

The warblers were observed in heavy brush on the east side of the river, about 100 yards north of Derry Road. Parking is available on the south side of Derry Road, west of Mavis Road, and is only accessible from Old Derry Road which runs through Meadowvale Village. You can walk along the river under the Derry Road overpass.

James Hartshorn, M.Sc.
Environmental Division
Golder Associates Ltd.
2180 Meadowvale Blvd., Mississauga, ON L5N 5S3
ph: (905) 567-4444     fax: (905) 567-6561
email:  jhartshorn@golder.com

Prairie warbler and others, Mountsberg - Wed, 03 May 2000

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Hi all

Today at Mountsberg I heard a Prairie Warbler calling along our Wildlife Walkway trail. I also saw and/or heard a Palm Warbler, an Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and White-crowned and White-throated sparrows as well as the usual stuff. I also saw 2 Red-necked grebes on the north end of the reservoir. Although duck numbers and variety are down there are still Ring-necks, Scaup, Buffleheads, Gadwall, Wigeon, Redhead and Ruddy ducks.

The Mountsberg Centre is located on Milburough Line west of Campbellville. Take Hwy 401 to Guelph Line, go south on Guelph line to Campbellville Rd, west (right) on Campbellville Rd to Milburough Line and north (right) on Milburough.

Sandra Metzger
guelphpefa@hotmail.com

Birds in Dufferin County - Sun, 30 Apr 2000

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Still many winter birds: Evening Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Chicadee, Goldfinch Also some spring birds: Chipping Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Pine Warbler, 1 singing Vireo (species not determined), Kingfisher, Canada Goose Sightings were made in and around the Dufferin County Forest

Directions: North on Airport Road (Dufferin 18) from #89 10 km, past Mulmur SR 17 and Mansfield Outdoor Centre, to top of long hill, access on East side of road at Dufferin County Forest sign.

Rod Murray
rodmurr@total.net

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