| DURHAM REGION | Archived Birding Reports 2001 |
Durham Rare Bird Line- December 30 - Sun, 30 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line Sunday, December 30 Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist Newcastle- (Sat) Pine Grosbeak- 9, Purple Finch- 1 (near the Post Office) report from E Barczyk Brooklin- (Sat) Rusty Blackbird- 30, Red-winged Blackbird- 2 report from B Henshaw Bond Head- (Sun) Snow Goose- 1, and at the feeder of M Lise on Mill St. White-winged crossbill, White-throated sparrow- 1, and a Common Redpoll. report from M Lise flocks of Bohemian Waxwings are being reported north and east of Durham Region. Wildbirds Unlimited closeout sale. Bruce Down is retiring. Everything is on sale. Thornton Rd and King St. Oshawa Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com Oshawa
Port hope to Newcastle today - Sun, 30 Dec 2001
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic thank you for your understanding. On leaving Port Hope today Bev and I drove along the Lake shore rd ( which runs east west from Port Hope to Newcastle along the lake ) we wear hoping to see some Shrike’s but found not a one the hole trip ( sorry) but did come up with 100’s of Redpolls , 16 snow geese and a hunting N Harrier and all the great birds at Markus feeders ! in Newcastle If you are traveling east and need a brake from the 401 get off at Newcastle and tack this rood ! it worth the extra time to see what you may find. Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
Brown Thrasher in Whitby - Sat, 29 Dec 2001
Gord,
We observed a brown thrasher in our back yard in downtown Whitby on December 28. This seems a bit late for a bird which winters in Texas.John Houghton
houghton1@sympatico.ca
Durham Rare Bird Line- December 28 - Fri, 28 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line Friday, December 28 Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist Oshawa- Ritson Road north of Winchester (Mon) Wild Turkey- 10 report from B Steel and S Morgan Whitby Harbour- Pringle Creek (Thur) Hooded Merganser- 1, Pintail- 1 report from L McClair Halls Road/ Cranberry Marsh- (Fri) Common Redpolls- 150, Coopers Hawk- 1 report from G Ernest Long Sault Conservation Area- (Mon) Northern Goshawk- 2, Pine Grosbeak- 1, report from B Steel and S Morgan Bond Head- (Thur/Fri) Snow Goose- 1, and at the feeder of M Lise White-winged Crossbill- 5, White-throated Sparrow- 1 report from L McClair, M Lise Waxwing reports- Concession 7 and Kinsale Rd: Bohemian Waxwing- 4, Cedar Waxwing- 50 Hwy 7 and Salem Road: Cedar Waxwings- 60 Hwy 12 and Columbus Road: Cedar Waxwings- 25 reports from TOC Hotline, B Steel and S Morgan Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com Oshawa
Dec 23, Durham Rare Bird Line - Sun, 23 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line Sunday, December 23 Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist Pickering Christmas Bird Count: (Sun) 75 species ( 1 territory has not reported yet) highlites: Brown Thrasher-1, Evening Grosbeak- 3, Common Redpolls- 102, Pine Siskins- 40, Bonopart's Gulls- 6, and Iceland Gull- 1. Report from A Woods Frenchman's Bay- (my area) American Wigeon- 1, Winter Wren- 1, Swamp Sparrow- 1, White-throat Sparrow- 1 and inside Pickering Nuclear Station Ring-necked Duck- 1. Report from R Pye Whitby- Lakeridge Road and Hwy 2- (Sun) Ringed Necked Pheasant- 1 Report from M Bense Lynde Marsh- (Sat) Pintail- 1, Snow Geese- 11 Report from H Currie Cranberry Marsh- (Sat)- White-throated Sparrow- 1, White-crowned Sparrow- 1 (north platform) Report from H Currie Bond Head- (Sat) Red Crossbills, White-winged Crossbills, Winter Wren, and Red-bellied Woodpecker. Report from M Lise Please park on the east side of Mill St. and stay inside your car to avoid flushing the birds and do not walk unto the property. Have a wonderful Christmas Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com Oshawa
Dec 21 Durham Rare Bird Line - Fri, 21 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line Friday, December 21 Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist Cranberry Marsh/ Lynde Shores: Common Yellowthroat was seen at the south platform. (Sun) There were 2 White-winged Crossbills near Halls Road. (Sun) The White-fronted Goose and 17 Snow Geese were west of Halls Road. (Tue) The White-fronted Goose was at Lynde Marsh. (Fri) Reports from J Carley, C McLaughlin, and TOC Hotline. Pickering: Snow Geese- 2 (Fri) Report from R Pye Bond Head: White-winged Crossbills- 17, Red Crossbills- 2 (Mon) White-winged Crossbills- 5 (Fri) and Red-bellied woodpecker. Report from M Lise Newcastle: (3rd Consession and Wilmot Ck) White-winged Crossbills-6. (Fri) report from E Allin North Pickering:(Sideline 12 and Consession 8) Northern Shrike- 1 (Tue) Report from K Kerr Haydon: Common Redpoll- 50 (Thur/Fri at a feeder) Report from D Szmyr Oshawa CBC: A Killdeer was seen at Whitby Harbour which brings the species total up to 83. This dose not include the introduced Trumpter Swan or the pet Raven near Orono. The Pickering CBC is on Sunday, December 23 Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com Oshawa
Dec 14 Durham Rare Bird Line - Fri, 14 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line December 14 Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist Cranberry Marsh- (Mon) The White-fronted Goose was in and out of the marsh several times during the day. The 2 Ross's Geese were still present of Friday along with 17 Snow Geese Reports from F Oland and G Carpentier Darlington Provincial Park- Winter Wren- 2 (valley), White-winged Crossbill- 4, Common Redpoll- 8, Great-horned Owl- 1, and a strange female Goldeneye. (it had yellow bill) report from T Hoar Lynde Shores Conservation Area- (Tue) Rusty Blackbird- 1, and a flock of Red-wing Blackbirds Report from C Horner Newcastle- feeder report: Common Redpoll- 2, lots of Goldfinch and House Finch Report from E Allin Oshawa Christmas Bird Count- Sunday, December 16 Rayfield Pye Oshawa raypye@oix.com
Geese - Ross's, Greater White-fronted, Snow - Cranberry - Tue Dec 11 - Tue, 11 Dec 2001
Hi All, Once again I had a chance to head to Cranberry Marsh in Whitby (before sunrise this morning), as I arrived at the North Platform I re-found the adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE that I had seen yesterday, on the ice this time, along with 4 SNOW GEESE (3 "Blue" & 1 "White") and 500+ Canada Geese, also along this path was 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. I then went over to Lynde Shores C.A. (small fee for parking) and walked down the road to the east platform overlooking the marsh, could not add anything to the Snows & White-fronted already seen from the west side, they were still there at 8am. I then took the gravel/paved path that heads east towards Lynde Creek (and past the old farm property where there is an old silo), as I came to the treeline beside the creek a flock of 14 or 15 (more concerned about species than #s) geese were flying north, I got my bins on these and they were 12 (or 13) SNOW GEESE and the 2 ROSS'S GEESE, all the Snows were white except for an immature plumaged bird, one of the Ross's was an adult white bird and one was an immature bird. I was able to watch this "pure" flock (no Canadas) fly for about 1 minute as they turned to the east and I lost them behind the trees. I then searched for them around Whitby Harbour and the Whitby Mental Hospital but could not relocate them. I have received another e-mail stating that they were seen at Lakeridge & Hwy 2 yesterday (Monday Dec 10), but I presume that they could have been feeding anywhere in the fields north & south of Hwy 401 in this area. These birds were likely roosting on Lynde Creek (where there were 2,000 + Canada Geese roosting) as they were quite low when I first spotted them. Also, for the winter listers there is a small flock of at least 10 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, plus 1 BROWN CREEPER in the Lynde Shores woodlot. I also had 52 MUTE SWANS, 1 female HOODED MERGANSER, 8 COMMON MERGANSERS in Whiby Harbour, plus another 1,000 + Canada Geese in and around Whitby Harbour. Good birding, Frank Pinilla Richmond Hill, ON frankpinilla@hotmail.com DIRECTIONS: Cranberry Marsh - take the Brock Street (Hwy 12) exit in Whitby off Hwy 401 south to Victoria Street, turn right/west and follow past Lynde Shores C.A. and on the left/south side you will come to Halls Road (gravel road beside Shisko's Farm sign), follow Halls down to the small parking area on your left and walk down to the marsh (there are two viewing platforms overlooking the marsh, the first one is good for overlooking the water that is building up). Lynde Shores C.A. - parking lot on the south side of Victoria Street, walk the road over the small bridge and turn left along a gravel/paved trail, this runs generally along Lynde Creek (hard to see), many many Geese roosting there overnight (and some Snows & Ross's mixed in). Whitby Harbour - keep going down Brock Street (instead of turning on Victoria Street), you will see the harbour on your right.
Greater White-fronted Goose, Cranberry Marsh - Mon Dec 10 - Mon, 10 Dec 2001
Hi All, I was able to take 1/2hr or so to try for the Ross's Geese that had been reported from Cranberry Marsh in Ajax yesterday. As I was standing at the north platform I watched a flock of 5 geese flying in from the north, noticed that the last in the flock was smaller and got my scope on the flock, the last bird was a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE which flew from north to south over the marsh and I watched it all the way to Lake Ontario where it landed on the lake on the south side of the barrier beach (in front of Cranberry Marsh). Other than that excitement I could not find any of the Snow Geese or Ross's Geese previously reported. Also around Cranberry, upon driving down Halls Road there was an adult COOPER'S HAWK sitting in one of the roadside trees, then shortly after this a flock of 35 COMMON REDPOLLS flew in and landed in another of the roadside trees, there was also an immature NORTHERN HARRIER patrolling the marsh. Around the north platform were 6 SONG SPARROWS in the brushy growth. I went down to the foot of Lakeridge Road (next road west of Halls Rd) and scanned the lake from there but could not refind the GWFG (although from that spot it would have been quite distant and there was some chop on the water). Good birding, Frank Pinilla Richmond Hill, ON frankpinilla@hotmail.com DIRECTIONS: Cranberry Marsh - take the Brock Street (Hwy 12) exit in Whitby off Hwy 401 south to Victoria Street, turn right/west and follow past Lynde Shores C.A. and on the left/south side you will come to Halls Road (gravel road beside Shisko's Farm sign), follow Halls down to the small parking area on your left and walk down to the marsh (there are two viewing platforms overlooking the marsh, the first one is good for overlooking the water that is building up).
December 9- Durham Rare Bird Line - Sun, 09 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line Sunday, December 9 Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist Cranberry Marsh- (Sat- morning) Ross Goose- 2, Snow Goose- 21 (blue- 5), Saturday afternoon they were feeding in a field west of Lakeridge Road, south of Hwy 2. Sunday morning- Cranberry Marsh, Sunday evening- Lake Ontario at the foot of Halls Road. Reports from T Hoar, M Bense, D Lockrey, and H Currie White-fronted Goose- 1 (Sat- morning) north of Bayly west of Lakeridge Road across the road from the Community Church. Report from B Henshaw and D Leadbeater Oshawa Second Marsh- (Sun) Ring-necked Pheasant- 2 (F) , Mockingbird- 1, Pintail- 1, Green-winged Teal- 24, and several Bonaparte's Gulls. Reports from T Hoar, O Peter, and R Pye Darlington Provincial Park- (Sat) Common Redpoll- 5, Hoary Redpoll-1. Report from T Hoar Thickson Woods- (Fri) Merlin- 1 Report from L Sayler Oshawa Christmas Bird Count Sunday, December 16 Pickering Christmas Bird Count Sunday, December 23 Rayfield Pye Oshawa raypye@oix.com
Dec 7 Durham Rare Bird Line - Fri, 07 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line Friday, December 7 Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist Ajax- (Fri) 9 Common Loon were seem migrating south in 1 hour. report from M Bense. Bond Head- (Fri) 7 White-wing Crossbill were at the feeder of M Lise on Mill St. Oshawa- I received a report of a falcon taking Mourning Doves from a back yard. No reports this week on the White-fronted Goose seen last weekend at Halls Road/Cranberry Marsh. Oshawa Christmas Bird Count Sunday, December 16 A few more volunteers are still needed. Contact Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com Rayfield Pye Oshawa raypye@oix.com
Durham Rare Bird Line- Dec 2 - Sun, 02 Dec 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line- December 2, 2001 Frenchman's Bay/Liverpool Road- (Sun) Double-crested Cormorant- 1, Black-crowned Night Heron-1 Report from M Bain Corner Marsh- (Sun) Peregrine Falcon- 1, Snow Geese- 3, a small Cackling Canada Goose- 1, Great Blue Heron- 19 Reports from M Bain and D Ruch Halls Road/Lake Ontario-(Sat) Red-throated Loon- 1 Report from B Henshaw (Sun) Greater White-fronted Goose- 1 (4 PM), American Coot- 5, Snow Geese- 6 Report from M Williamson and M Bense Oshawa Second Marsh- (Sat) Black-bellied Plover- 1 (fly over), Dunlin- 1, Report from M Bain Darlington Park- (Sat) Sanderling- 1, Black Scoter- 1, Double-crested Cormorant- 1 Report from B Henshaw and T Hoar Bowmanville Harbour/ Westside Marsh- (Sat) Snow Geese- 17 Report from B Henshaw Lake Suscog- (Sun) American Wigeon- 85 Report from B Henshaw B Henshaw also had 6 species of plants in flower. The Oshawa Christmas Bird Count will be on Sunday, December 16. To take part contact Rayfield Pye. raypye@oix.com Pickering Christmas Bird Count will be on Sunday, December 23. To take part contact Allin Woods. ajwoods@attcanada.net Rayfield Pye Oshawa raypye@interlinks.net
Nov 30- Durham Rare Bird Line - Fri, 30 Nov 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line- Nov 30 Petticoat Conservation Area- Pickering Brant- 1 Cranberry Marsh- Whitby Snowy Owl was seen again on the east side of Cranberry Marsh. (Tuesday) Migrating hawks- 6, including 1 Peregrine Falcon. There was a flock of Redpolls on Monday and Snow Buntings on Wednesday. Sunday, December 2nd will be the last day of the 12th hawk watch season. Doug Lockrey and his volunteers have had a great season. White-winged Crossbill : Please report all crossbills, especially at feeders. Oshawa Christmas Bird Count: Sunday, December 16 contact: Rayfield Pye, raypye@oix.com Pickering Christmas Bird Count: Sunday, December 23 contact: Allan Woods, ajwoods@attcanada.net Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com
The penultimate at CRANBERRY MARSH RW, Whitby,ON Nov.26-30'01 - Fri, 30 Nov 2001
MONDAY,NOV.26 to FRIDAY,NOV.30'01-north shore Lake Ontario e.of Toronto From Monday to Friday we have had a total of 6 migrating raptors. The late November warmth and rains has perhaps held back some "stragglers". Indeed I have extended the count to Sunday Dec.2 in hopes that I may be able to say a personal thanks to those who have helped AND, who knows, we may see the Snowy Owl or some late flypasts of hawks and songbirds. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture-0(2364),Osprey -0(102),BaldEagle-0(29),NorthernHarrier-2(161),Sharp-shinned Hawk -0(3785),Cooper's Hawk-0(136),N.Goshawk-0(21),Red-shouldered Hawk-0(115),Broad-winged Hawk-0(5418),Swainson's Hawk-0(0),Red-tailed Hawk-1(2065),Rough-legged Hawk-0(23),Golden Eagle-0(13),Am.Kestrel -2(1031),Merlin-0(34),Peregrine-1(23),UnidentifiedRaptors-0(93),TOTAL-6(15,363), HOURS-7(414) Non-hawk highlights have been Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, a Perche Snowy Owl and a hanging-in-there imm.White-crowned Sparrow. This has been the CMRW's 12th official season,operating each day until DEC.2. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters this week--Dan Kaczynski,Doug Lockrey,King Baker Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@rogers.com
Durham Rare Bird Line- Nov 25 - Sun, 25 Nov 2001
Durham Rare Bird Line- Nov 25 Cranberry Marsh- (Sat) 1 migrant hawk- Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 resident Northern Harriers, 5 Snow Geese (White), 1 Brant, and 1 White-crowned Sparrow. Corner Marsh- 1 Northern Goshawk, 9 Great Blue Herons, and a Hooded Merganser. Report form J Walsh Lake Suscog- (Sunday) 50 Mergansers Report from C Apperson 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker at Suscog Point. Report from B Atkens DRFN Meeting: A Guide to Fish Watching, by Dan Stuckey. Monday, November 26, 7:30 PM, North Oshawa Library, north west corner of Beatrice St and Ritson Rd. Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com
Durham Rare Bird Line- Friday, November 23 - Fri, 23 Nov 2001
Whitby Harbour- Snowy Owl was last reported on Monday. The Red-throated Loon was still present on Friday. Cranberry Marsh- Hawk migration is winding down. A Snowy Owl was on the east side of the marsh in the orchard on Friday. White-crowned Sparrow was still at the south platform. Thickson's Woods- 2 Lapland Longspurs were in the field west of Thickson's Road on Friday. Brooklyn- Feeder of Brian Henshaw- Eastern Towhee, White-crowned sparrow Presquile Prov Park- Snowy Owl- 4 Colbourg- Lake Ontario at Darcy Street- Purple Sandpipers- 2 DRFN/PN- Niagara River trip, Sunday, November 25,8 AM, meet at the south-west corner of the Pickering GO Station. Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com Oshawa
Cranberry - Brant - Sat Nov 17 - Sat, 17 Nov 2001
Hi All, I did a quick tour of some of Durham's lakeshore sites starting at Bonniebrae Point, then Thickson's Woods, Whitby Harbour & Cranberry Marsh from 8am to 11:30am. Bonnibrae Point, Oshawa 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS flying east on the lake. Thickson's Woods 1 WINTER WREN near the beaver pond. 16 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS flying east on the lake. 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW by the road that runs beside the lake. Whitby Harbour 1 adult RED-THROATED LOON, right at the boat channel in the harbour, the bird was actively catching fish and swam within 5m of me! 40 MUTE SWANS Cranberry Marsh As already mentioned by Jerry Walsh, 1 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT at the south platform as well as SWAMP, SONG, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. I also had 1 immature BRANT feeding in the field on the west side of Hall's Road with 1,200+ CANADA GEESE as well as 1 "RICHARDSON'S" CANADA GOOSE. 1 GREAT BLUE HERON flying over as I left. DIRECTIONS: Bonnibrae Point - take Simcoe Street exit off Hwy 401 in Oshawa south to Lakeshore Park, where you turn right into the park and then left on Kluane Drive, there is a parking lot at the lake and walk out to the point (can be very good for migrating waterfowl as documented by Tyler Hoar a couple of years back). Thickson's Woods - take the Thickson's Road exit off Hwy 401 in Whitby south to the woodlot which will be on your left at the lake, park on the north side of the small road (gated but open) at the north end of the woods and walk into the woods through the walkway entrance, also check down the road you parked on at the beaver dam & marsh. Whitby Harbour - take the Brock Street (Hwy 12) exit off Hwy 401 in Whitby south to the lake where there is a small parking lot overlooking the harbour and the pier out to the lighthouse, the loon was in the narrow area between the two breakwalls. Cranberry Marsh - take Victoria Street west from Brock Street in Whitby past Lynde Shores C.A. to Halls Road on the south side, follow halls to the 2nd walkway which takes you to the south platform and the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch (the Yellowthroat was right by this platform). Lynde Shores C.A. (small parking fee) can also be good. Frank Pinilla Richmond Hill, ON frankpinilla@hotmail.com
SANDHILLS, MERLIN, ROUGHIE, 35 RED-TAILEDS-Cranberry,Nov.16 - Fri, 16 Nov 2001
The northwesterlies brought a good number of raptors over the Cranberry Marsh RW today, Nov.16'01. Indeed, after 5 hours we observed 67 hawks--incl. 38 RTs, 1 ad. Rough-legged, 1 Merlin, 1 N.Goshawk,2 Red-shouldereds. But, a big highlight was the northwestward flypast of 2 SANDHILL CRANES (1 Ad., 1 imm.) at 1220. Doug Lockrey, coordinator CMRW, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
3 Ad.GOLDENS, 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS at Cranberry Nov.12 - Mon, 12 Nov 2001
Overnight rain followed by a rising BP and northerly winds prompted 70 raptors to fly over the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch platform by mid-AM on Mon.Nov.12. 5 watchers observed 70 migrants before the wind turned abruptly to the SW. THREE GOLDEN EAGLES (subadult at 11:12, adults at 11:37 and 12:40) sped across without as much as a wing flap--glorious sight. In addition a PEREGRINE winged its way westward at 11:52. The day's total was 7 Sharpies, 58 Red-taileds, 3 Goldens and 1 Peregrine. Our residents include 1 juv. Rough-legged, 2 Red-taileds and 2 N.Harriers. Non-raptors included 1 male & 1 female WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL right at the platform and several Cedar Waxwings. Doug Lockrey, coordinator CMRW Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
NOON NORTHWESTERLIES brought Red-taileds to Cranberry--Nov.7 - Wed, 07 Nov 2001
After a "slow" only 8-raptor start over 3 hrs. (incl. 2 PEREGRINES, 2 migrating N.GOSHAWKS,2 Sharpies & 1 Kestrel)-- the observers left. Then I and 5 others arrived, bringing in tow perfect northwesterly winds; this encouraged some good birds to the east to continue their trek westward low over us--we ended up with 82 hawks, incl. 51 RTs, 2 RSs, 1 light-morph ad.RL and 3 N.GOSHAWKS. The total count since Aug.21 at Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch is 15,058. CMRW is at the foot of Hall's Rd. in southwest Whitby, ON--12th season of camaraderie among many great volunteers. Doug Lockrey, CMRW coordinator lockrey33@home.com
6 GOLDENS at Iroquois in north Whitby, ON Nov.6 - Tue, 06 Nov 2001
Graham Nord spent 3 hours Nov.6 at the Iroquois Shoreline RW--when the hawks are not taking the north Lake Ontario shoreline there is a good chance that there will be a flight along the ancient Lake Iroquois shoreline, 10km. north of Cranberry marsh RW in Whitby, ON. Sure enough, today there were 6 GOLDEN EAGLES (2 adults) along with over 30 Red-taileds taking the inland route westward. Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@rogers.com
3 EAGLES,2 ROUGHIES,4 SANDHILL CRANES at Cranberry, Nov.5'01 - Mon, 05 Nov 2001
Over a period of 5 hours of brisk northerlies a great crew of observers at the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch thoroughly enjoyed the spectre of easily seeing 203 raptors AND 4 SANDHILL CRANES (at 1050, moving inland). The raptor highlights were: 136 Red-taileds, 11 Red-shouldereds, 2 ROUGH-LEGGEDs (juvenile and adult white-morphs at 0905 and 1008 resp.), 1 2-yr. BALD EAGLE at 0955 and 2 juv. GOLDENs (1058 & 1102). ALSO THE N.GOSHAWK THAT ENTERTAINED US YESTERDAY DID LIKEWISE AT 1015 TODAY. 2 of us were most fortunate to witness the juv. Roughie hover and drop onto a vole, taking it to a perch for devouring before flying off. The CMRW is on the lakefront in southwest Whitby,ON. Doug Lockrey, Coordinator CMRW, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
4 hrs.=4 ROUGHIES,438 RTs and 1 GOLDEN at Cranberry,Oct.30 - Tue, 30 Oct 2001
Clear blue sky made it difficile to see, BUT the marvelous "laser-eyes" of Donna Foster and Carol Horner were superb at picking out several flightlines while the winds were out of the north this AM at the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch in southwest Whitby, ON. Two of the 4 Rough-leggeds were Dark-morph. With only 5 of the 12 observers on the platform a giant of a bird appeared in the east, in the form of a sailing immature Golden Eagle. Of 490 raptors counted 438 were Red-taileds; other highlughts were 3 Red-shouldereds and 1 N.Goshawk. Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY MARSH RW, Whitby,ON Oct.29-Nov.4 '01 - Sun, 04 Nov 2001
MONDAY,OCT.29 to SUNDAY,NOV.4'01-north shore Lake Ontario e.of Toronto The sunny skies of Tuesday,Oct.30, made it difficult to pick up the raptors. 294 RTs enjoyed a north wind and rising BP for 1 hour to ride on thermals behind us from the lakefront; the wind quickly shifted, as did the line taken by another 130 RTs. In spite of cringing necks we enjoyed 4 incoming ROUGH-LEGGEDs (2 dark. The other days of the week had few highlights other than 38 TVs(on Mon.), 3 N.Goshawks and 1 GE. Sunday proved to be very exciting for 15 observers when sudden brisk NW winds brought a low-flying N.GOSHAWK. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture-50(2357),Osprey -0(102),BaldEagle-0(28),NorthernHarrier-11(153),Sharp-shinned Hawk -39(3654),Cooper's Hawk-12(110),N.Goshawk-3(16),Red-shouldered Hawk-4(100),Broad-winged Hawk-0(5418),Swainson's Hawk-0(0),Red-tailed Hawk-504(1661),Rough-legged Hawk-4(15),Golden Eagle-1(5),Am.Kestrel -6(1009),Merlin-0(33),Peregrine-1(18),UnidentifiedRaptors-11(84),TOTAL-646(14,763), HOURS-27.5(328) Non-hawk highlights have been C.Yellowthroat,C.Snipe,Snow Geese,Greater Y'legs, Great Horned Owl, 17 Tundra Swans on Sat., several Duck spp. on the lake,W-t Deer and rather late Monarchs. The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters and Observers--31 during the week Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
Roughies,Goshawks,Shoulders,Goldens Cranberry Oct.22-28 '01 - Sun, 28 Oct 2001
MONDAY,OCT.22 to SUNDAY,OCT.28'01-north shore Lake Ontario e.of Toronto Cloud, fog, haze, low temperatures and "wrong winds" were the norm for most of the week. During the weekdays Karl Jennewein and I stood forth in the breezes for at least 3 hours each day. A little bit of serendipity showed itself on most days in the form of "out-of-nowhere" PEREGRINES, GOLDEN EAGLES, N.GOSHAWKS and a late OSPREY. Then Saturday's northwest winds brought birds and people--Jerry Walsh was phenomenal as official counter, as the raptors came in on 3 lines, totalling 708, incl. 437 RT,7 RL,2 GE,63 RS and 129 SS. Sunday mellowed with "only" 56, BUT many of us were happy to see 7 TUNDRA SWANS high overhead. We have Tree Sparrows!!!! For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture-66(2307),Osprey -1(102),BaldEagle-1(28),NorthernHarrier-11(142),Sharp-shinned Hawk -185(3615),Cooper's Hawk-15(98),N.Goshawk-8(13),Red-shouldered Hawk-79(96),Broad-winged Hawk-0(5418),Swainson's Hawk-0(0),Red-tailed Hawk-555(1157),Rough-legged Hawk-9(11),Golden Eagle-4(4),Am.Kestrel -14(1003),Merlin-0(33),Peregrine-2(17),UnidentifiedRaptors-20(73),TOTAL-970(14,117), HOURS-32.5(299.5) The rains of late have created a substantial wetlands accepted by thousands of ducks. The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters and Observers--28 during the week Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
7 Rough-leggeds,2 Goldens,63 Red-shouldereds-Cranberry O27 - Sat, 27 Oct 2001
A most successful day at Cranberry Marsh RW today/Oct.27 --over 6.5 hrs. we kept Jerry Walsh very busy counting--708 migrants, incl. 7 Roughies (1 dark morph), 2 juv. Golden Eagles, 63 Red-shouldereds, 437 Red-taileds and 129 Sharp-shinneds. CMRW is in southwest Whitby, ON Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
GOLDENS & ROUGHIES at Iroquois, Whitby,ON Oct.25 - Wed, 24 Oct 2001
After the rains Mike Williamson spent 3 hours at the Iroquois Shorelines Raptor Watch platform in Heber Down CA in north Whitby,ON, an inland adjunct for Cranberry on the waterfront. He recorded 7GOLDEN EAGLES, 2 being adult, along with 48 TVs, 29 RSs, 67 RTs, 11 SSs, 4 CHs and 6 ROUGH-LEGGEDs (all white phase) The birds were flying high at the Cranberry Marsh RW- I needed help observing. I managed to record 33 TVs, 10SSs, 4 RSs and 21 RTs. Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY MARSH RW Oct.15-Oct.21 '01--"local" BE - Sun, 21 Oct 2001
MONDAY,OCT.15 to SUNDAY,OCT.21'01-north shore Lake Ontario e.of Toronto Sharp-shinneds to the east started to fly into Monday's west winds very early. Indeed, they were seen by a visitor very low along the barrier beach; the official count,starting at 8AM, missed them. Then on Tuesday, between morning rains 25 very high SSs were picked out of the sky. Interspersed rains slowed the migration on Wednesday, a day that was bitterly cold--BUT a WHIMBREL lightened the observers' spirits. A "late" Osprey and 2 Bald Eagles were among the 81 raptors noted from the 16th to the 19th. Indeed, one of the BALD EAGLES has "hung around" for 3 days, being in the willows on Sunday at noon. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture-208(2241),Osprey -1(101),BaldEagle-2(27),NorthernHarrier-6(131),Sharp-shinned Hawk -129(3430),Cooper's Hawk-3(83),N.Goshawk-2(5),Red-shouldered Hawk-0(17),Broad-winged Hawk-0(5418),Swainson's Hawk-0(0),Red-tailed Hawk-41(602),Rough-legged Hawk-0(2),Golden Eagle-0(0),Am.Kestrel -11(989),Merlin-1(33),Peregrine-1(15),UnidentifiedRaptors-4(53),TOTAL-409(13,147), HOURS-28(267) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters and Observers--27 during the week Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY MARSH RW, Whitby,ON Oct.8-Oct.14 '01 - Sun, 14 Oct 2001
MONDAY,OCT.8 to SUNDAY,OCT.14'01-north shore Lake Ontario e.of Toronto The week started off well with 403 TVs among the 507 raptors counted on days 1 & 2, along with a rather late Osprey and 2-year Bald Eagle. Then the rains hit; I thank Karl Jennewein for showing up with me to put in a few hours during the week, sighting only 22 over 3 days. WE WERE FOGGED IN ON SATURDAY, although 2 low-flying MERLINS created a stir. SUNDAY's SE winds and incoming rains resulted in only 6 birds over 2 hours. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture-416(2033),Osprey -1(100),BaldEagle-1(25),NorthernHarrier-9(125),Sharp-shinned Hawk -70(3301),Cooper's Hawk-3(80),N.Goshawk-1(3),Red-shouldered Hawk-3(17),Broad-winged Hawk-0(5418),Swainson's Hawk-0(0),Red-tailed Hawk-16(561),Rough-legged Hawk-0(2),Golden Eagle-0(0),Am.Kestrel -15(978),Merlin-3(32),Peregrine-0(14),UnidentifiedRaptors-0(49),TOTAL-538(12,738); HOURS-23(236) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters--23 during the week, plus many enthusiastic visitors Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
Inland kettling TVs north of Cranberry RW, Whitby,ON Oct.9 - Tue, 09 Oct 2001
It has been a deja vu pleasure to have Mike Boudreau (indeed, Colleen was also with us yesterday), presently living in Brockville, on the platform counting today. After 4.5 hours we only managed to see 147 raptors, 141 of which were distant TVs, kettling along to the north against the west winds. A highlight for the morning was an AMERICAN BITTERN flying in from the west to land in the canal of water which occupies the central area of the regenerating marshlands. 9 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS roosted in nearby trees, giving us good views. Since Aug.21 we have counted 12,707 migrating raptors. Cranberry is at the foot of Hall's Rd. in southwest Whitby, ON. Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY MARSH RW, Whitby,ON Oct.1-Oct.7 '01 (BIG DAY OCT.7) - Sun, 07 Oct 2001
MONDAY,OCT.1 to SUNDAY,OCT.7'01-north shore Lake Ontario e.of Toronto Inclement weather and/or "wrong conditions" for hawk migration cut the numbers of raptors observed drastically from Monday to Saturday. Highlights were limited to the antics of Merlins, our first N.Goshawk, and an immature Bald Eagle. THEN THE NORTHWESTERLIES AND LOW TEMP. BROUGHT TVs EN MASSE ON SUNDAY-AMONG THE 942 RAPTORS WERE 732 TVs,105 SSs,76 AKs, 1 NG. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture-815(1617),Osprey -0(99),BaldEagle-1(24),NorthernHarrier-0(116),Sharp-shinned Hawk -136(3231),Cooper's Hawk-6(77),N.Goshawk-2(2),Red-shouldered Hawk-0(14),Broad-winged Hawk-0(5418),Swainson's Hawk-0(0),Red-tailed Hawk-21(545),Rough-legged Hawk-0(2),Golden Eagle-0(0),Am.Kestrel -87(963),Merlin-6(29),Peregrine Falcon-1(14),Gyrfalcon-0(0), Unidentified Raptors-1(49), TOTAL- 1076(12,200), HOURS-31(213) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters--47 during the week, plus many enthusiastic visitors Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY RAPTORS, Whitby,ON Sep.24-30 '01--2178 counted - Sun, 30 Sep 2001
MONDAY, SEP.24 to SUNDAY, SEP.30 '01 Until late Thursday afternoon the weather situation along the waterfront had not been conducive to a major raptor migration. The shrubs and small trees along the pathway leading to our platform held a good variety of songbirds throughout the week. ON FRIDAY, SEP.28, NW WINDS AND RISING BP BROUGHT UP TO 15 OBSERVERS TO HELP IDENTIFY AND COUNT HAWKS COMING ALONG 3 LINES; at noonhour black clouds preceded a short rainfall, and the raptors decided to hold up in their westward migration. Nontheless we had 783 counted over 4 hours-including 47 BWs and our first Red-shouldereds and 1 Rough-legged. On Sat.Sep.29 we had our first big TV movement(447)among 1108 hawks which included an E.dark-morph RT. Sun.Sep.30 was a "windless" cloudless day, making it difficult to see the birds--we ended up with 210 TVs among 261 hawks. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture-728(802),Osprey -15(99),BaldEagle-1(23),NorthernHarrier-31(116),Sharp-shinned Hawk -827(3095),Cooper's Hawk-42(71),N.Goshawk-0(0),Red-shouldered Hawk-14(14),Broad-winged Hawk-58(5418),Swainson's Hawk-0(0),Red-tailed Hawk -320(524),Rough-legged Hawk-2(2),Golden Eagle-0(0),Am.Kestrel -119(876),Merlin-8(23),Peregrine Falcon-4(13),Gyrfalcon-0(0), Unidentified Raptors-9(48), TOTAL- 2178(11,124), HOURS-37(182) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a regerating marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters--56 during the week Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY MARSH RAPTOR WATCH -entertaining Merlin Sep.23 - Sun, 23 Sep 2001
FRIDAY, SEP.14 to SUNDAY, SEP.23 '01 Of the 3179 raptors during this 10-day period 3090 came through on Sep.14,15 and 23. Highlights have been 15 Bald Eagles,17 Ospreys and 2252 Broad-wingeds. Today/Sep.23 many observers were witness to a 3-hour AIRSHOW put on by a Merlin as he flew past many times, successfully capturing and eating-on-the-wing Dragonflies. For the 10-day period (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture -22(74),Osprey -17(84),BaldEagle -15(22), NorthernHarrier -48(95),Sharp-shinned Hawk -488(2268),Cooper's Hawk -7(29),N.Goshawk -0(0),Red-shouldered Hawk -0(0), Broad-winged Hawk -2252(5360),Swainson's Hawk -0(0),Red-tailed Hawk -95(204),Rough-legged Hawk -0(0), Golden Eagle -0(0),Am.Kestrel -208(757),Merlin -6(15),Peregrine Falcon -4(9),Gyrfalcon -0(0), Unidentified Raptors -17(39), TOTAL - 3179(8946), Hours -42(145) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters and Observers--43 during the week Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
SONGBIRDS ABOUND at CRANBERRY -Bald Eagle,few hawks Sep.22 - Sat, 22 Sep 2001
The past few days of "inclement" weather have brought few raptors along the north shore of Lake Ontario. We had one adult BE, an OS among 11 in toto. However the observers were entertained by many songbirds: of note- B-g gnatcatcher,pine warbler,,palm w.,magnolia w.,black-throated green w.,blackpoll,c.yellowthroat,Nashville w., n.waterthrush,rose-breasted grosbeak,Am.pipits,kinglets and white-throated sparrows. Cranberry is at the base of Hall's Rd. in southwest Whitby, ON Doug Lockrey, coordinator CMRW lockrey33@home.com
3907 hawks incl.2972 Broad-wingeds on Sep.13 at Cranberry - Thu, 13 Sep 2001
MONDAY, SEP.10 to THURS., SEP.13 '01 THIS IS AN INCOMPLETE WEEKLY REPORT- I SHALL BE AWAY FOR A WEEK- I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE COUNTERS AND OBSERVERS WILL KEEP OUR HOURLY DATA-GATHERING UP TO PAR. WE HAD A "BIG" DAY ON TUESDAY--NW WINDS AND 20 COUNTERS MADE DATA-RECORDING ENJOYABLE; THE BIRDS CAME THROUGH ON THREE FRONTS--small kettles of 89 Broad-wingeds and a sub-adult Bald Eagle were highlights among the 459 raptors. THEN CAME THURSDAY SEP.13!!!--over 7 hours we recorded 3907 hawks, incl. 2972 BWs, 1 Juv.BE, 732 SS, 8 OS and 119 AK For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture -34(52),Osprey -15(67),BaldEagle -2(7), NorthernHarrier -16(37),Sharp-shinned Hawk -1008(1780),Cooper's Hawk -13(22),N.Goshawk -0(0),Red-shouldered Hawk -0(0), Broad-winged Hawk -3061(3108),Swainson's Hawk -0(0),Red-tailed Hawk -57(109),Rough-legged Hawk -0(0), Golden Eagle -0(0),Am.Kestrel -245(549),Merlin -3(9),Peregrine Falcon -1(5),Gyrfalcon -0(0), Unidentified Raptors -3(21), TOTAL - 4458(5767), Hours -24.5(103) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters--27 different volunteers during the weekDoug Lockrey,
Whitby, ON
lockrey33@home.com
18 OSPREYS,3 BALDIES highlight Sep.3 to Sep.9 at Cranberry - Sun, 09 Sep 2001
MONDAY, SEP.3 to SUNDAY, SEP.9 '01 With the exception of Sep.4 & 5 the weather conditions have not been conducive to many raptors at the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch in southwest Whitby. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE BROAD-WINGED SEASON SOON. WE HAD SOME SUPERB VIEWS OF 18 OSPREYS AND 3 BALD EAGLES ON SEP.4 & SEP.5. There are 3 flight lines for the Sharpies, emphasizing the need for any persons who can volunteer to help in the count. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture -8(18),Osprey -18(52),BaldEagle -3(5), NorthernHarrier -8(21),Sharp-shinned Hawk -365(772),Cooper's Hawk -5(9),N.Goshawk -0(0),Red-shouldered Hawk -0(0), Broad-winged Hawk -9(47),Swainson's Hawk -0(0),Red-tailed Hawk -12(520),Rough-legged Hawk -0(0), Golden Eagle -0(0),Am.Kestrel -155(304),Merlin -2(6),Peregrine Falcon -0(4),Gyrfalcon -0(0), Unidentified Raptors -4(118), TOTAL - 589(1309), Hours -27.5(78.5) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters--35 during the week Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY MARSH RAPTOR WATCH - Sun, 02 Sep 2001
MONDAY, AUG.27 to SUNDAY, SEP.02 '01 Saturday,Sep.1, brought many avid counters to view raptors that were coming in along 3 fronts. AMONG THE 503 HAWKS COUNTED WERE 2 BALD EAGLES, 20 OSPREYS, 271 SHARP-SHINNEDS AND 131 AM.KESTRELS. THE FOLLOWING DAY WAS VERY SLOW with only 58 counted up to 1 PM. For the week (season total in brackets): Turkey Vulture -8(12),Osprey -27(31),BaldEagle -2(2), NorthernHarrier -11(13),Sharp-shinned Hawk -390(407),Cooper's Hawk -3(4),N.Goshawk -0(0),Red-shouldered Hawk -0(0), Broad-winged Hawk -33(38),Swainson's Hawk -0(0),Red-tailed Hawk -38(40),Rough-legged Hawk -0(0), Golden Eagle -0(0),Am.Kestrel -142(148),Merlin -4(4),Peregrine Falcon -2(4),Gyrfalcon -0(0), Unidentified Raptors -0(0), TOTAL - 675(720), Hours -32(51.5) The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters--21 during the week Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
CRANBERRY MARSH RAPTOR WATCH Aug.21-26 '01 - Sun, 26 Aug 2001
TUESDAY AUG.21 to SUNDAY, AUG.26 '01 The CMRW is into its 12th season, operating each day until Nov.30. Our counting is done from a Central Lake Ontario Cons.Area berm-platform that straddles a newly-developing marsh alongside the north shore of Lake Ontario in southwest Whitby, ON, at the foot of Hall's Rd. COORDINATOR--DOUG LOCKREY Counters--Karl Jennewein, Charles Adey, Stan Davies, Jim Fairchild, Rosemary Harris, George Morrison, Ken Ridge, Frank Oland, Doug Lockrey, Craig McLauchlan, Steve Wood, Kevin Kerr TOTALS Aug.21-Aug.26 SEASON TOTALS TURKEY VULTURE 2 OSPREY 7 BALD EAGLE NORTHERN HARRIER 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 17 COOPER'S HAWK 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK RED-SHOULDERED HAWK BROAD-WINGED HAWK 5 SWAINSON'S HAWK RED-TAILED HAWK 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK GOLDEN EAGLE AMERICAN KESTREL 6 MERLIN PEREGRINE FALCON 2 GYRFALCON UNIDENTIFIED RAPTOR 1 TOTAL 45 Hours 19.5 Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON lockrey33@home.com
Thicksons Woods 8-25-01 L.Waterthrush - Sat, 25 Aug 2001
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic thank you for your understanding. Today I decide that it wood be worth looking in to Thickson's woods, meeting Carol Horner there we booth wear amassed at the birds we found, what I thought wood be a hour walk turned in to three. Thickson's woods is found south of the 401 off of Thickson rd, in-between Whitby and Oshawa. We found 11 speeches of Warbler's Hi lights wear Louisiana Waterthrush 1( yes the big L not N) Morning Warbler 1 and Blackburnian Warbler 1 you dint have too look far to find a Warbler they wear ever wear , very posaball miss wear Northern Waterthrush ( it woodint come out from behind the log) and a fast look at a posaball Golden -W-Warbler , booth worth looking for .... Also the Carolina Wren was singing something I hadn't herd in a long time in the woods and booth Swainson's Thrush and Wood Thrush wear seen . lots of Red eye Vireo's, lots of Cedar Waxwing's a Green Heron and a Brown Creeper to top things off . P/S good too see that a Top Ont. field birder and computer head has taken on the job off play yard boss I am sheer you will do a wonderful job Mark good luck ... And good to see one of Ont. top birders is back on I have mist your posts Norm and glad too see that you made it to see the Storks. Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
Broad-wingeds alas- CMRW - WED.AUG.22 '01 - Wed, 22 Aug 2001
Cranberry Marsh is separated from Lake Ontario by a narrow barrier beach. The Raptor Watch takes place from the new berm-platform at the east end of the south pathway, accessed from the south end of Hall's Rd. in southwest Whitby,ON. Come down to learn about the marsh regeneration process. It may be difficult, yet challenging to spot resting migratory waterfowl this fall-- the only significant body of water in the wetlands can be seen only from the new berm on the east side--accessed by walking from the Lynde Shores C.A. parking lot.. YOUR HELP IN NOTING MIGRATING RAPTORS IS APPRECIATED BY THE CM RAPTOR WATCH '01 which goes through to Nov.30. BIRDS OF NOTE ON AUG.22-- 1 OSPREY migrating; 1 OS with large fish; 2 migrating NH, 1 Sharpie and OUR FIRST BROAD-WINGED HAWKS--2 distant birds to the north; 50 Yellowlgs; 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The day was very mild, seemingly inducing the Warblers to remain hidden. DOUG LOCKREY, coordinator CMRW
CMRW underway - Tue, 21 Aug 2001
I elected to start CMRW '01 today (Aug.21) simply because 7 Ospreys came through!!!!!!!! I plan to be on site most days around 9AM. Today 3 of us stayed through to noon. Your help is needed in promoting the site and suggesting to people to volunteer as counters. Doug Lockrey, coordinator, CMRW
shorebirds Durham - Sun, 19 Aug 2001
Shorebirds Durham Region Sunday, Aug 19 Oshawa Second Marsh GM platform- east side species of shorebirds- 12 shorebird total- 300 highlites: greater yellowlegs- 3 lesser yellowlegs- 145 black-bellied plover- 8 short-billed dowtchers- 19 stilt sandpipers- 4 pectoral sandpiper- 30 hooded merganser- 3 Frenchman's Bay- north end- small amount of habitat Corner Marsh- no habitat Hydro Marsh- shorebird habitat- shorebird total- 60, species count- 7 Whitby Harbour- habitat- shorebird total- 17, species count- 5 Rayfield Pye raypye@oix.com Durham Rare Bird Line
Cranberry Marsh 07-25-01 - Wed, 25 Jul 2001
Please Excuse my spelling, I am Dyslexic Thank you for your understanding. To day will attending a meeting at Cranberry marsh I tuck some time to do alittle birding. Out on the lake their wear 14 Com. Loon’s, allso seen one March Wren and 7 Spotted Sandpiper all though it looks like their will be little or no mud for shore birding this year. All so (I felt I was at the hawk watch) 1 Red. Tailed Hawk, 1 N. Harrier and a Merlin. Cranberry Marsh is found by going south on Halls rd from Victoria st. West in Whitby Ont Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
scissor-tailed flycatcher - Sun, 15 Jul 2001
further to my earlier email I originally saw the flycatcher at about 10:20 a.m. Later in the day I went back to the same location (approx. 1:00 p.m.) and the flycatcher was back on the hydro line directly above the Hebrew school sign. Charmaine Anderson. charmainanderson@home.com
scissor-tailed flycatcher - Sun, 15 Jul 2001
Hi, I am an amateur bird watcher, I was out cycling this morning and saw a scissor-tailed flycatcher in Durham Region on Anderson Road north of Taunton. I'm not sure if anyone has reported it yet, but I thought I would send an email in anyway. The flycatcher was sitting on the electrical wires on the west side of the road and was flying back and forth to the construction site directly across the road. It was sitting directly above a construction sign for a hebrew school which is about 300 metres north of Taunton. There were a number of starlings that were chasing it and it finally flew west towards a group of trees north of Sinclair Secondary School. Charmaine Anderson. charmainanderson@home.com
American Avocet Newcastle - Sun, 01 Jul 2001
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic
thank you for your understanding.After reading Markus post this afternoon Bev and I drooped the gardening and tuck a drive out to look for the Avocet , it was found right wear Markus had it in the pond with all the gulls , sum stunning look's at it in between the high winds and having to crouch behind the car to keep the scoop from blowing around.. I believe it to be a nonbreeding male.
Craig McLauchlan.
Markus J. Lise Directions:Take Highway # 401 east of Toronto to Newcastle. Take the main cut off Miss St. S. and once you have driven underneath the Railway Bridge the street splits up into "Y". Veer to the right where Mill St. becomes Port of Newcastle Drive. Take it as far as you can and curve to the right and then to the left to get on Lakeshore Rd. About a half a kilometer to the left and look down below into a large mud puddle and the AVOCET was near the south shore of the puddle.
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
Brant Pickering Ont.06-20-2001 - Thu, 21 Jun 2001
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic thank you for your understanding.I am sorry for the late post regarding this bird but i am having some difficulty convincing my self that this is a Young Brant and not a cross with a Canada goose, I do no that it was still three last night though .. I fell that it is too brown , all most the same cooler as the Canada G. it is with , and it has a nack line? that to low down along the neck? But all else is right with the bird ?? so I hope others will see it and let me know ( in private ) what they think
it is found by driving to the foot of Liverpool rd and walking east towards the power plant look for it with all the other wild Canadian goose that are hear going through there molt..
Liverpool rd runs south from Bayl st south of the 401 in Pickering ont.
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
red-headed woodpecker - Sat, 2 Jun 2001
I have never seen a red-headed woodpecker before, but on Thursday 31 May 2001, around noon I had one come to my feeder. It came for more than one visit and then took off into the woods and I haven't seen it since. The colours were outstanding, magnificent red head, pure white underparts, and what appeared to be a black cape. And I was really impressed by its size - about the size of a blue-jay. I have plenty of hairies and downys at the feeder, along with the rose-breasted grosbeak, indigo bunting, house finches, blue jays, cardinals, and plenty of goldfinches and chickadees. The pileated woodpecker comes occasionally, but not to the feeders. The hummingbirds come regularly, particularly in this extra chilly spring.
Marion Thomas Westney Road, Pickering Trydan@sprint.ca
Red Knot, Whitby - Brant, Pickering - May 31 - Fri, 01 Jun 2001
Hi All, I went out to Cranberry Marsh in Whitby last night hoping to find the Glossy Ibis with no luck. But, there was a large mixed flock of shorebirds on the far/east side of the marsh, including 7 RED KNOTS, a couple of WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, as well as ~100 Dunlin, some Semipalmated & Least Sandpipers, and scattered around the western half of the marsh just north and west of the Alders were a few BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, with some Semipalmated Plovers, Least Sandpipers & a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs. When I dropped back in about 1 hour later I saw the Red Knots again but then they flew off and I couldn't refind them. I stopped in at Moore Point by the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant and saw the same flock of about 40 BRANT, mixed with 5 Double-crested Cormorants, flying west at clifftop level that Geoff Carpentier has already reported, this was at approximately 8:15pm. Good birding, Frank Pinilla Richmond Hill, ON frankpinilla@hotmail.com DIRECTIONS: Cranberry Marsh - exit Hwy 401 at Brock Street (Hwy 12) in Whitby, head south to Victoria/Bayly Street, turn right/west follow along past Lynde Shores C.A. to Halls Road which runs south, take this down and park at the entrance to the path to the platform. Moore Point - exit Hwy 401 at Brock Road (Durham Road 1) in Pickering, head south to the Power Plant, turn left here and follow this road to where it ends at the lake
water,shorebirds return to Cranberry Marsh,Whitby,ON May30 - Wed, 30 May 2001
The recent days of rain saturated the dried mudflats of Cranberry Marsh and created extensive habitat for several species of shorebirds on May 29/30. Included were over 100 Black-bellied Plovers in various moults, at least 50 Red Knots, many many Dunlins, several Ruddy Turnstones, many Peeps, a few Semipalmated Plovers, one Willet , 2 Little Gulls and several Bonaparte's Gulls.
From the 401 you exit at Harwood in Ajax or Brock St. in Whitby, going south to Bayly/Victoria, hence west/east to Hall's Rd. (1 block east of Lakeridge).
Doug Lockrey, Whitby
lockrey33@home.com
Downfall of Warblers into Thickson's on AM of May23 - Wed, 23 May 2001
After the rains of May 22 I strolled through Thickson's Woods between 0800 and 0930, with the welcoming song of the Black-throated Blue Warblers egging me on to several good spots. I am sure that more species than what I report were found by others later. Flycatchers included were Least, E.Wood Pewee and Great Crested. Several Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and a Brown Thrasher were noted along the carpark roadside, where someone also saw a Black-billed Cuckoo. I SHALL BE AWAY FOR 7 DAYS--I ASK BIRDERS TO MONITOR THE B-G GNATCATCHER NEST-HAPPENINGS. Vireos included Red-eyed, Philadelphia and Warbling. The Warblers were Black-and-White, Nashville, N.Parula,Yellow,Magnolia,Cape May,Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped,Black-throated Green,Blackburnian,Chestnut-sided,Bay-breasted,OVENBIRD (singing), C.Yellowthroat,Wilson's,Canada and Am.Redstart; a BLACKPOLL was heard momentarily. Also seen were Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole and White-crowned Sparrow.
Thickson's Woods is at the foot of Thickson Rd. in east Whitby, it being accessed from the 401.
Doug Lockrey, Whitby,ON
lockrey33@home.com
Durham Region Baillie Birdathon - Sat May 19 - 135 spp. - Tue, 22 May 2001
Hi Birders,
I did my Baillie Birdathon beginning Friday evening at 6:45pm ending Saturday at 6:45pm (with a 3hr break to get some sleep) ending the 24hr period with 135 species. I restricted myself to Durham Region only. Highlights included Barred & Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Clay-colored Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Wilson's Phalarope, Northern Mockingbird, 18 warbler species (including Canada, Blue-winged, Cape May & Mourning), Purple Finch and Philadelphia Vireo. Too many BIG misses to even discuss!! Next year!
I began on Friday evening at Thickson's Woods where I picked up 10 warbler spp. as well as Swainson's Thrush and a pair of Great Horned Owls. The woods had been MUCH better in the morning when I was doing some scouting (I had 17 warbler species that morning). Went east from here along Wentworth Street to Phillip Murray Ave. and where this road turns east near the lake, I had my only Northern Mockingbird of the birdathon, I stopped in at Bonnie Brae Point in Oshawa but had no luck there at all, 3 years ago I had an excellent time here watching the duck migration, inlcuding Canvasback & King Eider. I drove north through Oshawa and picked up my only Chimney Swifts along Simcoe Street and King Street. I tried for Whip-poor-will in the Oak Ridges Moraine area that night and very early the next morning but no luck, also dipped on Common Nighthawk!!
Started at 2am the next morning and got Eastern Screech-Owl around Greenwood C.A. and later Barred Owl at an undisclosed site (with Friday night partyers in the background).
Headed up Old Simcoe Road out of Port Perry to it's intersection with Scugog Concession 10 where there is a small marsh (I call this Nonquon Marsh), had Veery, White-throated Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow another Great Horned Owl and American Woodcock calling but none of the regular rails or bitterns. On to Reach Marsh just before sunrise and got 2 more Great Horned Owls calling, as well as 4 Virginia Rails (2 seen), American Bittern, Wood Duck, Marsh Wren and Common Snipe winnowing overhead and 2 Black Terns, but missed regulars here such as Least Bittern, Pied-billed Grebe and Sora (all of which I missed for the birdathon).
Then on to a snowmobile track just south of Port Perry where I picked up Olive-sided Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, Ruffed Grouse, Mourning Warbler & Alder Flycatcher. On the drive along Hwy 7A I also saw a Northern Harrier.
Driving south from here and onto Coates Road (which runs east off Simcoe Street, south of Port Perry) I had Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cape May Warbler, Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Blue-headed Vireo, Vesper & Clay-colored Sparrows.
Back to Thickson's Woods I got Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (which nests there) and Philadelphia Vireo among other more common warblers as well as Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow and flushed an American Woodcock. At Darlington Nuclear Station along the Waterfront trail there is a small marsh where I picked up my only Osprey of the day (thanks to Dennis B. for pointing out this spot).
At Second Marsh I got Black-crowned Night-Heron and Short-billed Dowitcher but missed an Orchard Oriole that I had seen there just 2 days earlier. At Pumphouse Marsh I heard 2 Common Loons wailing on the lake and when I went out to look I picked up Red-breasted & Hooded Merganser as well. At Whitby Harbour I had a few Bonaparte's Gulls on the breakwater along with my only Purple Martins of the day (I didn't think to check on my way through Port Perry - probably too early for me, not totally thinking then). At Cranberry Marsh a male Ring-necked Pheasant along Halls Road on the west side.
At Moore Point (east side of Pickering Nuclear Station) I got Common Merganser to round out the Merg species. Up Westney Road at Glen Major C.A. I got one Blue-winged Warbler but missed Golden-winged which also nests here (there has been a Brewster's Warbler there for the past two years at least), also up this way I got Scarlet Tanager and Brown Thrasher.
On to some sewage lagoons where I picked up Wilson's Phalarope, Lesser Yellowlegs, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal and American Wigeon. Beyond this there wasn't much to add even though I looked hard enough through the northern areas of Durham Region. At 6:30pm with only 15 minutes left I got a singing male Purple Finch and 2 Eastern Phoebes at Uxbridge Concession 3 and Ashworth Road, where Pefferlaw Creek flows by. Made my way home for a good sleep.
On to the Taverner Cup in eastern Ontario this weekend (our team "The Flying Dodos" is being sponsored by Tasco Binoculars)!!
Good birding all,
Frank Pinilla Richmond Hill, ON frankpinilla@hotmail.com DIRECTIONS: Greenwood Conservation Area - Southwest of intersection of Westney Road & Hwy 7, near the town of Greenwood. Reach Marsh (signed "Cedar Marsh" by Ducks Unlimited) - west off Hwy 7/12 at Saintfield (Scugog Concession 14), this is all private property except from the roads around here. Snowmobile Track South of Port Perry - south on Cartwright West 1/4 line to first road running west (Church Street) drive to the end and park, walk in along track, can be very muddy & wet. Do not go off the track as this is all private property. Thickson's Woods - south at exit 412 (Thickson's Road) off Hwy 401 in Whitby Pond at Darlington Nuclear Power Stn - south on exit 432?? (Park Road) past some soccer fields to an entrance on the east to the Waterfront Trail, walk in about 200m, you will see the pond on the left (note that the Osprey hovered for a bit but didn't seem to be nesting in the area). Oshawa Second Marsh - exit 419 south along Farewell Street, turn left/east at Colonel Sam Drive and park in the south east corner of the General Motors Parking lot, walk down to observation tower. Pumphouse Marsh - take the Simcoe Street exit south off Hwy 401 in Oshawa, follow down to Wentworth Street, turn right/west then left/south on Cedar Street, park in the high school parking lot and walk to the viewing tower over the small marsh (last year I had my only Common Moorhen and Great Egret here, nothing this year other than 2 Trumpeter Swans, which I could not read the tags on). Whitby Harbour - take exit 410 off Hwy 401, Brock Street (Hwy 12) south to the lake, park in the waterfront park and scan the harbour and breakwall (have had Ruddy Turnstone here in past years). Cranberry Marsh (which is totally dry right now) - west from Whitby Harbour along Victoria Street to Halls Road which runs south off Victoria, there are two viewing platforms overlooking the marsh, which can be excellent when there's some water! A small dam at the lake is being completed to control water levels, should be done this year sometime, hopefully for the fall shorebird migration. Moore Point - take exit 399 Brock Road south in Pickering to Montgomery Park Road (at the entrance of the Pickering Nuclear Station), turn left on Montgomery and follow until it ends at the lake, this spot can be good for lake birds (ducks, loons), but wasn't on this day. Glen Major/Bluebird Trail - take Westney Road north (exit 401 on Hwy 401) up to the Oak Ridges Moraine where Westney becomes Uxbridge Concession 6, the area is on the west side of Uxbridge Conc. 6 south of the Goodwood Road (Durham Road 21) and north of Myrtle Road (Durham Road 5).
Durham Region - Frenchman's Bay - Black-crowned Night-Heron - Sat, 19 May 2001
Hi Gord - your site (Ont. Birding Home pg) is a great site - very useful and logically laid out. We use it to plan our weekends. Just wish more people would submit information. And, with that in mind ...
The Black-crowned Night-Herons have returned to Frenchman's Bay (Pickering) for another season - I noticed 2 last night at twilight (without my binoculars, but their profile was unmistakable).
To see these herons, take Liverpool Rd. south, turn right (west) on Commerce St., and park in the gravel lot at the corner (you head to the site of the abandoned marina). Look toward the sunken barge about 150 feet from shore - they perch on or near the barge around dusk (saw them last night just after sunset). Because they're out in the open, you get a great view (or photos) of them. They are very reliable, and within a few weeks there should be at least a 1/2 dozen at that location.
Plus, there's lots of good songbird variety in the scrub and willows backing onto Douglas Park at the north east corner of the bay.
Cheers,
Dan Shire, Pickering, Ont.
sdshire@netscape.net
RUFF Reeve and B-B Plover at Cranberry, Whitby, ON May14/01 - Mon, 14 May 2001
The Reeve (fourth day at Cranberry)flew in with 20 smaller shorebirds to land on the mudflat 50 m.in front of the north platform at 0915 on Monday, May14. Several of us had a most spectacular view of the bird for 20 minutes before she decided to fly further to the east on the barren mudflats of Cranberry "Marsh". Among the other birds sighted were: Ring-necked Pheasant, several Pectoral Sandpipers, many Least Sandpipers, both Yellowlegs, many Semi-palmated Plovers, 20 Dunlins, 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS (1 in beautiful breeding plumage), 1 Solitary Sandpiper, along with the following Warblers--Magnolia, Black-throated Green,Chestnut-sided,Yellow,Nashville.
From the west exit the 401at Harwood in Ajax, south to Bayly/Victoria, east a few kms. through Lakeridge Rd. to the next road/Hall's Rd. in the west end of Whitby, south to the northern walkway entry. From the east, exit at Brock St. in Whitby, south to Victoria, left across to Hall's.
Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON
Thickson's Woods, Whitby ON, is humming with migrants - Fri, 04 May 2001
I shall endeavour to list the birds sighted at Thickson's and environs for May2,3 and 4: Blue-winged Teal, Caspian Tern, Yellow-belied Sapsucker, N.Flicker, Downy Woodp., E.Kingbird, Blue-headed Vireo, Philadelphia V., Red-eywd V., Warbling V. (there was a report of a White-eyed), House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (nest still be worked on), Veery, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Am.Robin, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Nashville Warbler, NORTHERN PARULA, Yellow W., Chestnut-sided W., Magnolia W., CAPE MAY W., Black-throated Blue W., Black-throated Green W., Yellow-rumped W., PRAIRIE W., Palm W., Pine W., Black-and-White W., Ovenbird, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, Common Yellowthroat, a report of a KENTUCKY W., SCARLET TANAGER, Chipping Sparrow, Song S., White-throated S., WHITE-CROWNED S., Savannah S., N.Cardinal, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, Brown-headed Cowbird,, ORCHARD ORIOLE, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch Thickson's Woods is at the foot of Thickson's Rd S., a 401 exit in southeast Whitby, ON Doug Lockrey, Whitby,ON
Apr.29 at Thickson's Woods, Whitby ON--few warblers - Sun, 29 Apr 2001
Birding at Thickson's Woods has been "slow to build". Today/Apr.29 we had numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Black-and-White W., 1 Nashville W., 1 Pine W., 2 Hermit Thrush, several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and a nest down the entry roadway near the marsh, 1 EASTERN KINGBIRD, several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, including one immature which had many people thinking was a Three-toed, 1 Caspian Tern, 3 Greater Yellowlegs, several Song Sparrows, 1 Swamp Sparrow and 2 Savannah Sparrows. Someone reported a Field Sparrow. Thickson's Woods is at the bottom of Thickson's Rd. which exits from the 401 in east Whitby.Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON
lockrey33@home.com
Thickson's Woods - Thu, 26 Apr 2001
Thickson's Woods is alive with the sounds of birds these days. The warblers are starting to arrive, and today we spotted a Hooded, Nashville, Palm, Yellow-rumped, Black and White warblers. Also spotted were the Blue-gray Natcatcher, Eastern Towhee, many white-throated sparrows, Lincoln's sparrow and Song sparrow.
Abel Zwart
azwart@home.com
PINE WARBLER at Thickson's/ Whitby,ON on Apr.15 - Sun, 15 Apr 2001
Although the number of birds was low the periphery of Thickson's Woods did give us some good birding. Singing took us directly to the likes of PINE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and EASTERN TOWHEE. Other bird highlights were HERMIT THRUSH, FOX SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. On the waterfront 3 BELTED KINGFISHERS seemed to be vying for territory and a PIED-BILLED GREBE was spotted, along with RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. Thickson's is at the foot of Thickson's Rd. in the east end of Whitby, ON. Doug Lockrey, Whitby,ON lockrey33@home.com
Harlequin Ducks at Darlington P.P. - Thu, 5 Apr 2001
4/4/01 8 am to 11am Darlington Provincial Park 15 species of waterfowl. No Eurasian Widgeon in Mclaughlin Bay However on the lakeside of the barrier beach, the resident adult male Harlequin was in his usual location. He was so actively courting a female Common Goldeneye that it appeared that he did not notice the three new Harlequins. These new Harlequins ( 2 adult males and a female) were further east of the resident Harlequin and were approximately 200m directly south of the Poplars. These birds were actively feeding. All four Harlequins were observed by myself and two other birders. Two White-winged Scoters and a Common Loon also off the beach with the Goldeneyes other new arrivals 3 Tree Swallows flew nw over Mclaughlin Bay 1 Red-shouldered Hawk thermalling eastward 1 Eastern Phoebe just south of the Pioneer Log cabin 1 Adult Black-crowned Night Heron 2 Double-crested Cormorants also a several flocks of migrating robins, blackbirds, and Canada geese Second Marsh 2 Bonaparte's Gulls on the mud straight west of GM lookout 1 female Merlin flew NW over the platform 13 species of waterfowl Directions Second Marsh is located in Oshawa and is reached by taking the exit for Harmony and Farewell Sts. from 401(exit 419) and then turning left at the second set of lights onto Colonel Sam Dr. Park in the GM office west lot then walk down the Trail to the platform facing the second marsh. South east from the parking lot is McLaughlin Bay. You can view most waterfowl in the bay from the McLaughlin bay reserve side. Walk south from the parking lot on the trails towards the bay. After viewing from this location you can continue south to the lakeshore. Walk east along the lakeshore and into Darlington Provincial Park. The Harlequin Duck is usually in the area between the park's west boundary and the Poplar grove in the mid section of the beach. Entering from the Main gate side of Darlington Provincial Park Take Hwy 401 to exit 425: Courtice Rd ( first exit east of Oshawa ). Turn south on Courtice Road to Darlington Park rd. and follow it into the park. The Pioneer Log cabin is at the east end of the picnic area along the lakeshore east of Mclaughlin Bay. Tyler Hoar
2,E.Wurasian.King Eider,Townsend's solitaire,in Durham today - Tue, 03 Apr 2001
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic thank you for your understanding. I know that I have sead this before !! but after a day like today is their any better place to bird other than Ontario.... I don't think so !!!!!!! and hears why .. I left Toronto this morning with plans to bird only Second Marsh and McLaughlin Bay (no relation) which is found by tacking the exit # 425 from the 401 in Oshawa and go south on Farewell St. to Colonel Sam. Dr turn left and follow along to the GM head office Second Marsh is on your right and McLaughlin Bay is on your left. On the way their I watched large # of Canada Goose flying hi in V form over the hiway I think all day I saw about 1500 , a great sine was just as I got out of my car at Second Marsh I got on a flock of Canada Geese with a Blue Snow Goose in with them fly over my head . Then at the viewing plat form their wear 15 Tundra Swans , One with a neck band , a wight band with black numbers X121 ( if any one knows wear to report this other than the 1 800 327 2263 # let me know thanks ) , their wear also 3 tagged Trumpeter swans which I could not see the #.and all the common waterfowl Over at McLaughlin Bay the Eurasian Wigeon was seen at the south end of the Bay , And also heard but not seen was a A. Bittern calling, the 3 Trumpeter Swans wear still their I was abele to reed the one ratty tag #356 all other preveals reported ducks wear seen including the Harlequin duck and the Com. Loon . On my way to the King Eider (which was seen at Bluffers park off of Brimley rd . In Scarborough along with 2 Iceland gulls and 2 Trumpeter swans one Tage # was 528 ), I decide to stop by the area that the Townsend's Solitaire was last seen At Dunbarton rd off of Fairport rd and as I drove up to the far end or Applevew rd (in Pickering) their it was setting on top of a tree in a orchard on the west side of the rood , I have the house # but did not get permichon to post it , do to not even thinking to see if some one was home to ask .it was a 4 digit house # thought .and the bird was seen flying down in to the back yard which can be seen from the rood to the west .this was a Life Ont bird for me I am so happy I have chased this bird all over Ont. It was then back out to Cranberry Marsh to see what was going on with the empting of the water only to see another Eurasian Wigeon Yes that's 2 in one day in one area (Durham)in Ont .. I went out and bout a Loto 649 ticket because I think the odds of this happening again are the same.......... pretty slim ...... Wow what a day .... Craig.S.A.McLauchlan Toronto/Ont/Canada/World. csam@sympatico.ca
Townsend's Solitaire, Pickering, Ontario - Fri, 16 Mar 2001
Periodically a Townsend's Solitaire has been sighted in the Rouge Valley, near the juncture of the Little Rouge River and Twyn Rivers Dr., to the west of Altona Rd. and to the east of Meadowvale Rd. Most recently (Mar.12) it was spotted along Appleview Rd. in Pickering--from the eastern end of Sheppard Ave., north on Fairport, under the RR.subway, then right at the first street--Dunbarton, east to the first street, then left/north along Appleview.
Doug Lockrey, Whitby
lockrey33@home.com
Durham Birds - Sat, 03 Mar 2001
My usual trip from Oshawa to Scarborough today netted me the best birding so far this year. As I turned north from Philip Murray to Thornton the sky was filled with birds. I pulled onto to Skae St (or Rd) only to find several kestrels sitting on the wires. There were at least 3 females when along came a male in a most amorous mood. As I moved along the road I encountered another male with the biggest juiciest mouse hanging out of his mouth. Much to his dismay he dropped it! As I came to the turn I thought I could see 2 hawks on the "for sale" sign but was surprised to find 2 short eared owls up close and personal. Before long there were 6 owls hunting in the fields on both sides of the road. I headed north to Wentworth to check out the rough legs only to be rewarded by a dark phase r. l. sitting on the wore at the corner. North of the intersection there were several rough legs chasing down prey and putting on a great show. As I headed back to the ramp to the 401 there perched a few feet from the road was a red tail. A nice way to end my birding trip home.
Arlene
arlene@interlog.com
3 Great Gray Owls - Midland, Belted Kingfisher - Don River Valley - Wed, 14 Feb 2001 Hi All,
Yesterday (Tue Feb 13), around dusk I had the chance to go to Triple Bay Road just east of Midland and was rewarded with the sight of 3 Great Gray Owls. One was sitting in a tree directly across from #3116 Triple Bay Road, another was on a fencepost along the driveway of #3199 and the third was just at the top of the ridge beyond #3199 on the left/west side of the road. What I heard from talking to a local resident was that the birds usually appear just before dusk and he has seen them catching mice/voles, he also mentioned that there are days where he hasn't seen them at all.
On Monday Feb 12, about 300m south of Pottery Road along the Don River, I saw a female Belted Kingfisher (probably the same one I've seen on 4 other occassions this winter) from the GO train.
On Sunday Feb 11, I was in Durham Region for a quick drive around and at
Pringle Creek (which empties into Whitby Harbour) there was a beautiful male Northern Pintail along with a male Ring-necked Duck but no sight of the previously mentioned Hooded Mergansers.
At the north end of Claremont Conservation Area was an immature Cooper's Hawk. This bird, although having immature (brown) plumage, did have a red iris, which in all the field guides I looked at show immature with a yellow iris.
I could not find the Snowy Owl which has been seen north of the Whitby Hospital.Regards & good birding,
Frank Pinilla
Richmond Hill, ON
frankpinilla@hotmail.comDIRECTIONS:
Great Gray Owls - Triple Bay Road runs North from Hwy 12, a few kilometres east of Midland.
Pottery Road runs east off of the Bayview Extension (which runs N-S along the west side of the Don River) and is just north of Bloor Street.
Pringle Creek flows under Brock Street in Whitby, south of Hwy 401, there is usually some open water here with waterfowl waiting for food.
Claremont Conservation Area - Bounded by Westney Road on the east, 7th Concession on the south, 8th Concession on the north and Sideline 12 on the west.
Short-Eared Owls - Whitby Feb 3rd - Mon, 5 Feb 2001
Hi Gord,
We went out Saturday night hoping to catch some sights of short-eared owls. Couldn't believe it - We saw 6 Short-Eared Owls flying and perching in the fields to the north on Taunton at Wentworth. We parked half way down Taunton towards the railway tracks right across the street from a female owl perched a tree. Gave us a great view for about 15 minutes before moving on.
(Exit the 401 at Thickson - head South on Thickson to the next light and head East on Wentworth. Then head North on Taunton - I think it is about 2 or 3 lights down. The best time to go right now is 5:30pm)
ps: We also stopped at Cranberry Marsh - there were about 25 men playing hockey in the frozen over marsh. Didn't know that your allowed to do that in a protected area.
Robin & Cathy Anderson
Removing the Water Street Extension from Whitby's Official Plan - Sat, 27 Jan 2001
At last week's Whitby Planning Committee meeting staff presented a report suggesting that before proceeding to remove the Water Street extension from their official plan, the Town should undertake a transportation study at a cost of $50,000 or $75,000. The committee rejected this advice and voted to recommend to Council that the Town proceed to remove the Water Street extension from the official plan. The committee also recommended that the Town ask the Region of Durham to remove the Water Street extension from its official plan.
This should be on the agenda for the Monday, January 29 meeting of Whitby Council. I believe Whitby Council meetings still begin at 8:00 p.m., but I'm not sure what time this item will come up for discussion. Anyone who is able to attend Monday's meeting is urged to do so. While there will not be an opportunity to address council, being there to show support for Council's moving forward on this issue is very important.
Since this is likely to come before Regional Council in the near future, Trail users who live in other parts of Durham are urged to contact their Regional Councillors to request their support.
Dennis Barry
"Friends of Whitby Waterfront Trail"
wwtfriend@interlinks.net
Jan.26 Whitby's SNOWY,ROUGHIES,HOODEDS,PHEASANTS et al - Fri, 26 Jan 2001
Common sightings in south Whitby for the past 4 weeks can still be seen. Along Hall's Rd., south from Victoria, you might notice up to 2 male and 2 female R-N PHEASANTS. Along the north trail leading to Cranberry Marsh some of the birds are singing House Finches, Robin, Swamp Sparrow, Song Sparrows, Junco, Chickadee, Tree Sparrow, Cardinal.
In the field between the big trucking company and Victoria St. "our resident" SNOWY OWL has become a fixture, particularly if the temp. is well below 0C. He has been seen flying low over the roadway several times. At the bridge at the bottom of Brock St. the a Ring-necked Duck and 4 Hooded Mergansers are easy to find.
Then the highlight of a birding day is along Thornton St., north off Wentworth, just below the 401 on the western border of Oshawa with Whitby-- up to 8 Rough-legged Hawks (incl. a dark-phase) and 2 N.Harriers are "guaranteed" to be perched/on the ground/ flying about/hovering--a great entertainment.
Doug Lockrey, Whitby, Ontario
lockrey33@home.com
Durham birds - Sun, 21 Jan 2001
Hi Gord, Today on my way from Scarborough to Oshawa produced my best birding day so far for 2001. A quick trip to say hello to the snowy owl found him/her very close to the road sitting behind a duffle bag. looked rather silly but sure brought a smile to my face. As I was getting ready to leave a flock of about 250 snow buntings performed an arial display ( no larks that I could see mixed in). I proceeded on my way down to Wentworth where I saw the rough legged hawk. Totally satisfied with my diversion on the way to dinner I headed along Philip Murray only to spot a kestrel perched on the hydro line along the road. I pulled over opened the window and took a few pictures. Maybe the key to birding is just to be aware because the birds were all "just there"
Arlene Brazeau
arlene@interlog.com
Pickering Harris's sparrow - Mon, 15 Jan 2001
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic
thank you for your understanding.After looking for the Townsend's Solitaire throw out the Glen Rouge park hear in Toronto with out any luck to day.
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan
I tuck a hour and sat at #219 on the third con.off of Altona rd. in Pickering and saw the 1 st winter Harris's sparrow , I saw it at 12:50 but was told it has bin seen at dusk over the last fue days ( must have bine the rain) also seen in this area wear 2 R.N.Pheasant , and 10 C . Waxwing's along with 12 A Robin's .
Toronto/Ont/Canada/World.
csam@sympatico.ca
Durham report - Sun, 14 Jan 2001
Hi Gord
Walking along the Oshawa Creek Trail this morning just south of Thomas Street, we watched a Pileated woodpecker for approximately ten minutes. Awesome! Plus, just north of Wentworth street we sighted four misguided robins who apparently didn't get the message to fly south.
Steve Bond
Oshawa
stevcher@interlinks.net
SHORT-EARED OWLS - Sat, 13 Jan 2001 Oshawa/Whitby
Wentworth and Thornton Rd. SHello Gord,
There has been a reliable pair of Short-eared owls (1 male and 1 female) at the intersection of Wentworth and Thornton Rd. South. They were sighted on Sunday Jan.7 and I found them again on Thurs. Jan 11. Northern Harriers and Rough-legged hawks hunt in the area during the day. The time for the Short-eared owls is after 4:30 pm. The best way to see them perched before it gets dark is to go just south of the intersection of Wentworth and Thornton look over to the first field to the east, you will see large mounds of sand from bulldozers. They seem to perch here before the nightly flight.
All the best,DAVE MUDD
(emudd@netrover.com)
Rusty,Pileated,Snowy et al in s.Whitby,ON Jan.1 2001 - Mon, 01 Jan 2001
Day 1 of the new millennium offered some good birds in south Whitby below the 401. The 2-year old SNOWY OWL can be found in the fields to the west of the Iroquois Sports Complex on Victoria St. Along Hall's Rd.(east of Lakeridge Rd.) several people saw a Pileated Woodpecker and a N.Flicker this AM. At the entry to the north path toward Cranberry Marsh were---Robin, Downy Woodpecker,House Finch,Am.Tree Sp.,Dark-eyed Junco,RUSTY BLACKBIRD,N.Cardinal,Blue Jay; toward the marsh platform the regulars were seen--Swamp Sp.,Song Sp.,Am.Goldfinch. Over at Pringle Creek north of the small bridge on Watson St. (it runs east from Brock St., Whitby)-- Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Am.Black Duck and many Mallards and Canada Geese, the latter seemingly in a frigid torpor!!
Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON
lockrey33@home.com
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