Hi Len, thank you for your inquiry! Thickson's Woods is a significant birding hotspot and visited by birders from the Durham area, and by birders from afar. It is a small square woodlot near Lake Ontario in the extreme south east corner of Whitby. It is at the foot of Thickson's Road. Entrance to the woodlot can be had from the north side of the woodlot, from the Corbet Creek Water Treatment Plant Road (this is actually part of the 'Waterfront Trail'). There is also a couple of other entrances from a couple of the private roads. Please note that parking is available only on Thickson's Road or on the Corbett Creek Road (.3km north, from the foot of Thickson's Rd).

There are trails throughout the woodlot. The vegitation in this woodlot is to be respected, and you are encouraged to remain on the paths to help preseve the beauty of this environmentally significant habitat.

Here is a map of the area to help you locate this beautiful birding and nature hotspot.

Enjoy!

Location: Thickson's Woods, Whitby

Hello Gord, I was out with Elinor Voskamp today and she said " Hey what's that bird over there". I looked through the binoculars and I said " Wow, It's a Northern Mockingbird". If Elinor had not directed my attention to the bird I would never have seen it. I have never seen one before so I was happy. Was this a good sighting or what ??????

Total list for the day:

1 Northern Mockingbird
1 Tufted Titmouse
10+ American Tree Sparrows
1 Fox Sparrow
12+ Dark-eyed Juncos
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
10+ House Finch

Dear Gord,

I went straight over to Thickson's woods to the feeder and saw the Carolina Wren. I have never seen one before. Unfortunately, I did not see the Tufted Titmouse. GONE !!!!

I would love to see one.

Good luck ... and good birding!

Gord Gallant
gallantg@interlog.com

Hi Gord,

I squeezed in a quick Durham outing before the rain hit today, and was rewarded with sightings of 50 species. I started the day at Thickson's Woods, where I saw the Titmouse (a lifer for me), as well as Siskins, Goldfinches, Waxwings, WC and WT Sparrows, a Carolina Wren, and a Phoebe on the north side of the road.

Over at Corner Marsh, there was a surprisingly large flock of shorebirds. There were ~15 each of Killdeer, Dunlin, and Pectoral Sandpiper. Ducks included Hooded and Common Mergansers, Shovelers, and GW Teal. There was also a Rusty Blackbird on the shore.

Down at the mouth of Duffins Creek, there were 2 Snow Geese (1 adult, 1 immature). RW Blackbirds and Robins were both singing here. On the west side of the marsh there were two Yellowlegs (probably Lesser), and on the mudflats in the centre there were 10 smallish sandpipers which I couldn't identify, due to distance and poor light. In the fields west of the marsh, there was a Field Sparrow in the company of several WT and Song Sparrows.

Good birding,

For those that do not already know, there has been an adult Tufted Titmouse (excellent plumage) at Thickson's Woods. It can be easily found at the feeder to the right of the north entrance.

There are also various finches, and sparrows - including Fox Sparrow. While quietly watching the Tufted Titmouse from a reasonable distance, there was a Fox Sparrow no more than 6 feet away. With the close-focus ability of the B&L Elites, the view was awesome!

The resident Carolina Wren is also around - but closer to the houses on the south side.

Location: Orono Backyard (Durham Region)

Hello Gord, I have not see a Common Redpoll in my backyard for years. There was only 1 male and he was mixed in with a flock of Pine Siskins at my niger seed feeder. The total list for the day was:

1 Common Redpoll (male)
12 Pine Siskins
2 Fox Sparrows
1 White-Throated Sparrow (tan morph)

Hello Gord, here is my total list for the day:

2 Fox Sparrows
10+ Pine Siskins
10+ Oregon "Pink-Sided" Juncos
10+ Slate-Coloured Juncos
1 Cardinal (male)
1 White-Crowned Sparrow (juvenile)
1 White-Throated Sparrrow (tan morph)
1 White-breasted Nuthatch (male)
1 Red-Breasted Nuthatch
7 Blue Jays
4 Purple Finch (2 male, 2 female)
6 American Goldfinch
5 Black-Capped Chickadees

species         October 18      19      20      21      22      23      24



Common Loon             782     7       341     939     69      7       73

Red-throated Loon                       1                       1       3

Red-necked Grebe                                                        2

Horned Grebe            15              1       5       3               59

Pied Billed Grebe                       1

White-winged Scoter     150     2       16      61              7       109

Black Scoter                                                            6

Oldsquaw                348             30      1727    50      8       3483

Red-breasted Merganser  248             7       161     64      192     255

Parasitic Jaeger                        1 imm dark phase

Pomarine Jaeger                         1 subadult

Sabine Gull                                                     1 adult flew w 

Thayers Gull                                                            1 first 

winter 

Little Gull                                                             1 adult

Bonapartes gull                                                         31

Iceland Gull                                                            1 adult

Whimbrel                2 flew west

Hudsonian Godwit                                                        6 flew 

west 9:23 am

Last second additions:

Brant 7 on October 22

This morning, October 24 passerines feeding in bushes and on the ground around me.
67 yellow-rumped warblers 1 actually hopped on my foot for a quick second. 1 male black-throated green warbler and 1 palm warbler

Hi Gord...Lots of activity at the backyard feeders recently. For the past 3/4 weeks, a large number of white-throated and white-crowned sparrows have been present feeding on the ground under the feeders and a large flock of juncos(compared to last year) have also been feeding with them. On Friday, fox sparrows arrived and we now have 4 in the yard feeding under the spruce trees at the rear of the property. Lots of chickadees and white-breasted nuthatches as well; purple finches, blue jays, and, unfortunately, the occasional Sharp-shinned Hawk swoops through for a meal. Almost forgot... a pair of cardinals arrived on Saturday and still sighting meadowlarks in the farmers fields across the street from us as well as robins. A phoebe and a yellow-rumped warbler are continuing to feed among our spruce trees in the rear of the property and have seen a small number of golden-crowned kinglets here as well. With the beautiful fall weather we have been experiencing, it's a pleasure to sit out in the yard and watch all this activity.

Best wishes...

Location: Orono (Durham Region)

Hello Gord, like every year, Juncos arrived in my backyard for the winter. However, this year was different- the flock was much larger than usual (45+) as opposed to (22+). The majority fit the typical plumage. However, there were "odd" males and females. They had distinct chesnut-brown patches on their backs and scapulars. Their plumage does not fit any field guide images. According to Stokes "The Bird Feeder Book" , ( first-year/immature males and females have varying amounts of brown on their upperparts. This most accurately explains what I saw.

All the Best,

Take care Dave - and continued good birding!

Gord Gallant
gallantg@interlog.com

Location: Orono (Durham Region)

Hello Gord, I was birdwatching in the old Orono Forestry today. I saw an (immature) Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker for the first time. I also saw a Swainson's Thrush as it had a "buffy eye-ring" and buff cheeks. The total list for the day was as follows:

1 (immature) Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
1 Swainson's Thrush
2 Brown Creepers
2 Red-Breasted Nuthatches
1 White-Breasted Nuthatch

Location: Darlington Hydro Marsh (Bowmanville/Courtice)

Hello Gord, I was out with Orono Birder Roy Forrester today. Our list was as follows:

( 1 Rusty Blackbird - male winter plumage, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 lesser yellowlegs, 1 Common Snipe - was not a short-billed dowitcher as it had a white stripe on top of the head, stripes on back and a larger eye, and 7 green-winged teal ).

Oshawa Second Marsh Pond, in behind GM Headquarters---Without a doubt ( 1 Great Egret ).

Other sightings for this day include ( 1 imm. Northern Harrier/Marsh Hawk, 6 Brown Creepers, 5 palm warblers( fall plumage), 1 imm. Nashville warbler ).

Today, Sunday Sept 7/97 was looking like a bleak day for birding - except for the fact that there was a north wind. That is what is needed to attact a good flight of raptors along Lake Ontario in Whitby at Cranberry Marsh off of Halls Road. I spent the day there with fellow hawk watchers and counters that I have met over the past years. It is always a pleasure to bird with them (Doug, Mike, Alf, Martin, and others that popped in and out).

Today, dispite mostly overcast skies, we had a good variety of species and respectable numbers of each, as follows:

* Bald Eagles - The first bird, a 1st year bird flew by high in the sky - we almost missed it. The second year bird however, started out fairly high, but gave us great looks over a period of about 30 minutes. It flew towards us at a high altitude and then back east over and past the marsh. It then returned at a much lower height that allowed us close study of the bird, which helped us to determine that it was a 2nd year bird. At this point ... it was obvious that it was hunting for food! It took a few more circles close to us and then headed out over Cranberry Marsh - where we witnessed it catch its meal for the night. A 3 to 4 lb fish(my guess), it caught effortless by swooping just above the water and sinking its talons into it. It then flew off, concealling its catch under its tail, as if nothing ever happened.

While at this location betweem 11a.m. through 2:30p.m., a very good selection of warblers were seen...Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Black & White, American Redstart, Magnolia, Canada, Blackburnian, Nashville, Wilsons. But the best catch of the day was a male Golden-winged!

Other species seen included Red-breasted Nuthatch, Downey Woodpecker, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood PeeWee, Least Flycatcher, Belted Kingfisher, and a female Northern Oriole. Not too bad of a day...

Hi Gord
Tonight, Aug 18th, we left our house by the Pumphouse Marsh and went out on our mountain bikes for a quick ride to the Oshawa Harbour. We saw several Kingfishers as well as some common terns cruising around right where the boats are moored.

There were a few night herons about and we saw two birds that we think were least bitterns. We're fairly new to this, have the Golden book for ID, and from the flight characteristics, that's what we think these were. They didn't fly like green herons.

I write the Outdoors column for Oshawa / Whitby This Week as well as a few other papers in southern Ontario and have done a few columns on birdwatching from a beginners point of view. We've learned a lot in a short period of time.

Great site, keep up the good work.

Hello:

In early July, 1997 a bird slightly larger than our Bluejay. but darker blue, visited ourback yard in Whitby, Ontario. Research in our "Birds of North America" birdbook showed that it matched the Stellars Jay's description perfectly. The book stated that these jays are native to the West coast. Are these jays known to move out of their natural range? Has anyone reported having seen the Stellars Jay as far East as Ontario?

Again, through the internet, I arranged to meet with a birder from out west. This time it was Kurt Radamaker from the San Diego area. Kurt was here on business and wanted to get out and do some birding while here and only had a few hours on Sunday to do so. I decided to take Kurt out to roughly the same areas I covered earlier with Barry MacKay and Steve Hampton.

Starting at Second Marsh in Oshawa, we had an obliging Northern Waterthrush near the south platform. The usual species were present such as Green Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, Great blue Herons, Double-crested Cororants, various gulls, terns and ducks.

The best birding spot was Nonquon Sewage Lagoons! One of the first species we identified there was a Golden Plover! In addition to the plover, there were many common species of shorebirds in this pond (furthest west).

On our way along the widest dike, we encountered many small Leopard Frogs - and appropriately - an American Bittern - which flushed from the reeds immediately beside us. It gave us a long look while in flight - allowing us to pick out the black wing tips - a key field mark, visible while in flight. We also flushed three Snipe while walking along the dike.

In the second pond (from the east) there was a large patch of mudflats that hosted a great variety of shorebirds. Included in this area were Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Killdeer, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Bairds Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Red-necked Phalarope.

There was also plenty of birders - so there is usually help in identifying shorebirds for those who need it. I quickly realized how experienced Kurt was - when he was helping everyone else out in indentifying several different species in various plumages. It was certainly a pleasure birding with Kurt! His area of expertise is birding on the Baja Penninsula. As a well traveller birder, he has quite a life list - yet enjoys casual observation style of birding, and helping others !

Dear Gord,

Today (August 3) Sedge Wrens were still singing loudly in Lynde Shores in the fields northeast of Cranberry, some right in the open.

Yesterday (August 2) the juvenile Franklin's gull was still showing well at Nonquon; 1 adult Baird's, 15-16 Stilt Sandpipers still present. Breeding-plumaged Red-throated Loon still off mouth of Rouge River.

---

Most unfortunately, the sightings book at Thickson's Woods has been vandalised AGAIN, and the observations for June and July have been lost. Any bird sightings at Thickson's during this period would be most welcome, especially for the first two weeks of June when late migrants were still coming through in some numbers.

Please send any data to Margaret Bain at mjcbain@sympatico.ca

Many thanks, Margaret.

We live close to the Pumphouse Marsh and two week's ago noticed a bird we thought was an American Bittern

. I saw it again today just before 10 a.m. in the same location. We're still green but keen birdwatchers.

Bonniebrae point Lake watch Spring totals.

The count was conducted primarily in the evenings 5 pm till dusk with a few morning counts from dawn to 10 am. The count period was from April 21 to June 1st.

Species



Common Loon             1588            Red-throated Loon               10

Western Grebe           1               Red-necked Grebe                2641

Horned Grebe            839             Grebe sp.                       23

Double-crested Cormorant5913            Brant                           376     

Duck sp.                618             Mallard                         67

American Widgeon        4               Northern Shoveler               3

American Black Duck     1               Gadwall                         34

Northern Pintail        2               Redhead                         7

Greater Scaup           37              Lesser Scaup                    276

Scaup sp.               309             Bufflehead                      410     

Harlequin Duck          2               Common Goldeneye                563

Oldsquaw                31158           White-winged Scoter             15452

Black Scoter            112             Surf Scoter                     87

Scoter sp.              2023            Common Merganser                52

Red-breasted Merganser  4744            Great Blue Heron                19

Great Black-backed Gull 25              Lesser Black-backed Gull        3

Glacous Gull            4               Iceland Gull                    1

Bonapartes Gull         4364            Little Gull                     108

Thayers Gull            1               Black-legged Kittiwake          1

( ring-billed and Herring gulls were very abundant and were not counted )

Black Tern              18              Forsters Tern                   8       

Caspian Tern            124             Common Tern                     576

Tern sp.                2               Jaeger sp.                      2       

Whimbrel                682             Dunlin                          570     

Spotted Sandpiper       25              Black-bellied Plover            29      

Ruddy Turnstone         22              Shorebird sp.                   122.

Osprey                  4               American Kestrel                1

Northern Harrier        1               Common Raven                    1

Steve Hampton from California, contacted Barrry Kent MacKay and myself and arranged a birding trip throughout Durham on Sunday July 27th. We covered Second Marsh, Whitby Harbor, Cranberry Marsh, and Nonquon Sewage Lagoons.

Barry Kent MacKay is a freelance writer for the Toronto Star, 'Nature Trail' column in the 'PEOPLE' section. Writing is just one of his many talents. Barry is also a wildlife artist and naturalist.

Steve Hampton is into agricultural research in California. He was fortunate enough to have a day in which to get some birding in, while attending a conference in Toronto. I quickly found out that both Steve and Barry are very good birders - and it was a pleasure to be birding with them on Sunday.

I headed out to start the day at Second Marsh in Oshawa, prior to Barry and Steve meeting up with me there. It had rained overnight, but it wasn't too wet or uncomfortable. It was an excellent day for birding!

Second Marsh is a great marsh which has been enhanced to encourage breeding terns, waterfowl, and typical marsh species. All of the usual species were present such as Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Marsh Wren, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow and Purple Martin. There were plenty of Cormorant, Common & Caspian Terns, and a few Black Terns. Great Blue Herons were well represented as were Black-crowned Night Heron.

When Steve and Barry arrived they were greeted by a Northern Waterthrush and then a Black-billed Cuckoo(which even called for us). Being from the west, the Eastern Kingbird was a pleasure to see and hear for Steve. We tried to see as many eastern type species as we could - but we spent time observing what we came across. We were happy to see and or hear about 50 species in the Second Marsh area alone. There was a couple of families of Wood Duck, and many Mallards. It was a very enjoyable morning - but it was time to replenish our fluids since it was getting hot and we were getting dehydrated.

After getting something to eat and drink, we head for Thickson's Woods. There wasn't too much to see or hear there - but it was cool under the canopy of mixed woods.

Working our way west, we stopped in at Whitby Harbor. There, we studied the various plumages of Greater Black-back Gulls (which are not on the west coast). A lone Turkey Vulture floated to ground, landing in one of the marina lots - probably finding a fresh kill...we didn't bother to check it out though as we went on to the next spot.

We stopped briefly at Lynde Shores Conservation Area. There, Steve spotted Bobolink ... female first. We eventually found a male in fairly good plumage. At the walkway over the water near the entrance, was a family of Mute Swans. One of the adults was showing us how destructive Mute Swans can be. It was pulling reeds out out the marsh and uprooting them and other vegitation. A Norther Cardinal perched briefly for Steve to see, while by one of the paths down Halls Road. There wasn't much else to see - but what can you expect during mid day in the heat.

We decided to head north to Nonquon Sewage Logoons - near Port Perry. We had heard that things were picking up there ... and we weren't disappointed! There were a couple of ponds with good mudflat areas. I have never seen so many Snipe, Stilt Sandpiper, or Solitary Sandpiper in that area before. There were at least 8 or 10 of each of those species - and we were able to study them at close range. In addition to these, there were also Pectoral, Semi-palmated, Least, and Spotted Sandpipers. Among them were good numbers of Killdeer, Semi-palmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Lesser Yellowlegs.

Waterfowl were represented by Mallard, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, and Canada Geese. We found a couple of Pied-billed Grebes, a few Moorhen and Coots. There was a sizable flock of Bonaparte's Gulls in various plumages. It was interesting to study the Black Terns in different plumages as well. We were lucky to have a continuous breeze - so the heat and bugs was not a problem.

In total, we identified about 70 species ... not bad for a hot summer day. It was a memorable outing - and a pleasure to spend some time with Steve Hampton and Barry Kent MacKay.

Hi Gord,

This morning I spent a couple of hours in the Rouge Valley, and was surprised to find over 40 species (including 5 Warblers!) in this time. I began at the Beare Road Landfill access road at Meadowvale, and walked south to Twyn Rivers and slightly beyond.

The highlight was a male Eastern Bluebird. I've been asked not to disclose the exact location because it is suspected that this bird is mated and attempting to breed in the area. The other 'blue birds', Indigo Buntings, were present in several locations, including east of the old ski hill south of Twyn Rivers.

In the Hydro right-of-way between the landfill access road and Twyn Rivers, I saw/heard: 1 Field Sparrow, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 2 Alder (?) Flycatchers, 2 Meadowlarks, 2 Kingbirds, 1 Great-crested Flycatcher, 5 Cedar Waxwings. In the woods to the south, there were the usual forest birds - Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, Wood Thrush, and Ovenbird. I also heard Common Yellowthroat and Yellow Warbler calling from near the main Rouge River.

The best area this morning was south of Twyn Rivers, along the ridgetop and south of the old ski slope. There was a singing Scarlet Tanager in one of the large White Oaks, with a Black-and-white Warbler and a Black-throated Green Warbler just to the south, both also singing. Continuing south, there were at least 2 Ovenbirds, 2 more Wood Thrushes, 1 Veery, and 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches. As I looped back to Twyn Rivers, following the main Rouge River, I came across a female deer in a small wet area just 50 metres south of Twyn Rivers. A nice way to top off the morning!

Good birding,

This report is a little delayed for various reasons - most of them mine.

On May 19th, a nature photographer friend ( John Ashdown ) took some fantastic photos of a Least Bittern in a popular Durham birding location. Due to the potential of a pair nesting at this location, and the potential for them to be easily disturbed, it has been kept a secret except to a few people who normally bird in that area.

I have created a website that features one of his several excellent shots of this beautiful marsh bird that is rarely seen. I have had the good fortune of seeing a collection of John's photos that he has transfered from slide to print. If you want additional information about John, I will be glad to pass it on to you.

Hi Gord,

We visited Lynde Shores on Sunday June 1. Some interesting things to report.

In the marsh east of the parking lot (which the board-walk goes into) a pair of Mute Swans has built a nest very near the embankment that carries Bayly Rd. It is only a few yards away from the road. The male is extremely aggressive, he was terrorizing the few Canada geese in the area.

On the feeder trail in the forest south of the parking lot activity seemed low, but careful observation (and listening) revealed a few note-worthies such as Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker(MF) - one male is *very* friendly, landing only inches away from me, and swooping past a little girls hand - looking for a handout just like the chipmunks and Chickadees, Hairy Woodpecker, House(?) Wren, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-Eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler (lots!), Cedar Waxwing (an entire flock), some other indistinguishable flycatcher, Chestnut-Sided Warbler, Red-Wing Blackbird, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Cowbird.

In the open fields south, and on either side of the road are many male Bobolink's (a first for us) - their odd calls and peculiar way of flying make them easy to spot. There are many Yellow warblers in the bushes and thickets, plus Goldfinches, swallows, song sparrows, and Savannah Sparrow (ident by sight and sound). An Eastern Kingbird was also seen.

One particular bird has us stumped: it was sparrow like, striped breast, hint of a dark line through the eye, darker crown with a light strip in the middle, light eyebrows, darker back. The overall colour was a very light tan-grey, very much lighter than a typical sparrow. Looking in Peterson's the first bird that looked like a match was the "Ipswich" Sparrow (a sub-species of the Savannah) - but that's very rare and breeds on the east coast. So we don't know what it could be. We saw it twice in the northern end of the field to the east of the road, perched (like a sparrow) on a tall stalk.

In the trees further south we saw a Northern Parula (F), while a Grey Catbird was seen to the west near the marsh. In the marsh are a number of Terns and several Blue Herons.

Back near the parking lot a pair of Canada Geese were herding 9 young.

Cheers

John Harper                     Teresa Kroeker

harper@scar.utoronto.ca         kroeker@astro.utoronto.ca

About 40 birders had turned out by 1100hrs. The list of Warblers is very similar to the Darlington Park (Durham Region) list for 19May, except that we did not see Palm or Cerulean Warblers. Cape May, Blue Winged, Golden Winged, and Blackpoll may be added to that list. Interestingly, the Yellow Rumped and Black & White warblers were less numerous relatively, with the Chestnut Sided and Redstarts, as well as Magnolia and Black Throated Blue being relatively abundant. Canada Warblers and Common Yellow Throat were frequent as well.

Notable other species seen were Grey Cheeked Thrush, Olive Sided Flycatcher, and Waterthrush.