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

Today, December 12th, 1999 we decided to take another trip to try and find the Moutain Bluebird at Fishers Glen. (4th try) we finally saw the bird just as we got there. We had the bird between house numbers 2070 and 2048 at about 10:00am. The bird was on the South side of Front Street East of Fishers Glen. He was hanging around with 5 to 8 Eastern Bluebirds and they were going between the fence row and a small pond.

Good Birding.

Dennis and Gwen Lewington
Carl Hamann

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

The mountain bluebird was still along Front Street east of Fishers Glen today at 1:00 p.m. It was with six Eastern bluebirds eating sumac berries on the north side of the road between # 1960 and # 2048 at the bluebird boxes 0.3 km west of # 2048. This is the same area where Wm. Broderick saw the bird on Wednesday.

hwy 24 south and west to Fishers Glen Road. South on Fishers Glen Road to Front Street just north of Fishers Glen. Turn left (east) and drive 0.3 km pass # 1960 & # 1961 to the bluebird boxes which are 0.3 km before # 2048.

There were also two short-eared owls at the Fisherville Raptor Preserve this evening plus six Northern harriers. The Heermann's gull was not seen in the Polson Street to Ashbridge's Bay area this morning. It appears that it likes Maple garbage better than Toronto's garbage.

For directions to the raptor preserve see email from John Miles. It is on the 6th con. of South Cayuga between Fisherville and Selkirk roads north of Fisherville.

Bob Bowles
bowles@bconnex.net

(Fishers Glen is just east of Turkey Point near Long Point)

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

The mountain bluebird is still at Fishers Glen. It was seen on Wednesday, 12/8/99, on Front St. about one mile east of Fishers Glen Road at 10:15 AM. The bird was foraging in a brushy field with 5 Eastern Bluebirds 150 yards east of 1961 Front St.on the north side of the road. At 11 AM it was found again about 100 yards further east perched on the overhead wires and on a dead tree just off the north side of the road.

There was also considerable avian activity in front of 1843 Front St., especially in the multiflora hedge at the front edge of the property. Seen at this location -fox sparrow,2 purple finches, field sparrow, downy woodpecker,hairy woodpecker,cardinals,blue jays, flocks of juncos and tree sparrows,and goldfinches. Also present was a large flock of cedar waxwings. However no Bohemians were observed. Along old Route 3 while driving there and back I saw 2 rough-legged hawks, at least 12 kestrels, and several red-tail hawks.

Bill Broderick
Youngstown, New York
bjbroderick@worldnet,att.net

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

The Selkirk Provincial Park field station of the Haldimand Bird Observatory closed down for the season November 17th. 1999 was a successful year with 4464 birds banded of 99 species, 1998 birds in the spring and 2466 in the fall.

Noteworthy numbers and unusal species banded are as follows, Sharp-shinned Hawk 32, Merlin 1,Northern Saw-whet Owl 68, Whip-poor-will 4, Olive-sided Flycatcher 1, Acadian Flycatcher 2, Golden-crowned Kinglet 637, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 329, Gray-cheeked Thrush 42, Blue-winged Warbler 3, "Brewster's" Warbler 1, Orange-crowned Warbler 6, "Yellow" Palm Warbler 1, Connecticut Warbler 2, Mourning Warbler 15, Yellow-breasted Chat 1, Clay-colored Spaarrow 1, Lincoln's Sparrow 50, Song Sparrow 270, White-throated Sparrow 350, "Gamble's" White-crowned Sparrow 1, Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 242, Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 1.

Our next event will be the Fisherville Christmas Bird Count to be held Sunday January 2, 2000 co-sponsored with the Norfolk Field Naturalists followed by our annual meeting to be held Saturday February 19th in the village of York. At this meeting the successful bidder for the orginal painting of a head portrait of a male Northern Harrier by Barry Kent MacKay in our silent auction will be announced.

If you are interested in putting in a bid on this painting kindly contact me directly.

See you in the spring, good birding.

John Miles
Chairman
Haldimand Bird Observatory
Nanticoke, On

Well known nature illustrator/artist and nature columnist Barry Kent MacKay has very generously donated an original painting of a head portrait of a male Northern Harrier to the Haldimand Bird Observatory. This painting which measures approximately 6 1/2 inches by 9 inches is mounted in a museum grade frame. The over all size of the mounted picture measures approximately 13 inches by 16 inches.

The Haldimand Bird Observatory is offering this painting to the highest bidder in a silent auction with the successful bidder to be announced at the Haldimand Bird Observatory's annual meeting which will be held Saturday February 19, 2000 in the village of York. Bids will be accepted by mail up to February 10, 2000.

If you would like a chance of owning this painting please clip the bid form on the bottom of this page, complete the form and mail it to the address indicated to arrive no later than February 10, 2000. Thank you for your bid and good luck.

John Miles
Chairman
Haldimand Bird Observatory

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

To:     Silent Auction,    

        Haldimand Bird Observatory

        Box 25

        Nanticoke, Ont.

        N0A 1L0 



I bid $           for the painting of a head portrait of a male Northern Harrier

by Barry Kent MacKay



Name ____________________________________________________



Address__________________________________________________



City/town_______________________ Postal Code  ___________



Phone Number ____________________________________________

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

Swallow watch on Saturday, east end of Lk Erie - nothing of note at the Ft Erie beach ruins in the morning. No swallows in the PM at Rock Point - 10 Common Redpolls scattered around with many goldfinches and kinglets, 120 Dunlin and 11 Sanderlings.

David F. Suggs
dfsuggs@acsu.buffalo.edu
SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

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

We watched the two Glossy Ibises near Kohler (see previous msg from Mike Street for directions) from 1830 until 1845 when it got too dark. Approach the pond carefully and walk clockwise around it as the birds were almost hidden in the far corner. These appeared to be juvenile/first basic Glossies but the light was poor. We could detect what appeared to be a pale off white line (bluish?) from eye to bill base on one and just a trace of this on the other. No light skin could be determined below the eye. We could not tell eye colour ie. we could not definitely say the eyes were not red. Perhaps others will see them better although what we did see suggests Glossy.

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

We watched the Ibises in the pond from around 5:00-5:30 (Oct 10/99). We had excellent views of them except for the poor lighting. We could see them as soon as we walked the short path on the far shore.

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

Gerry and Nina Chapple just phoned. While doing the Buffalo area count today they found a pair of Glossy Ibis near Kohler, south of Cayuga, ON

Directions:

From Cayuga take Hwy. 3 west across Grand River. Turn Left (south) on Reg. Rd. 8, toward and through Kohler and past the Race track, then turn left at the flashing yellow light onto Reg. Rd. 20 (NOTE: RR 20 is 'Indian Line', the same road which goes past the junkyard and through Hagersville.) From the intersection go 3.1km to a curve, and turn right onto Bains Rd., then go another 1km. Look for a gravel track on the right leading to a sand pit. Park at the broken gate and go the rest of the way CAREFULLY on foot.

The birds were there at 1:40PM today, Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999

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

The first Northern Saw-whet Owl of the season was observed this morning in Selkirk Provincial Park. A rarely seen fall Whip-poor-will was banded this morning, the 4th for the park this fall.

There was a noticable migrantion overnight with a substantial increase in the numbers of Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets along with Yellow-rumped Warblers. Other warblers encounter this morning were Tennessee, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Palm. Black-and-white, American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat. Gray-cheeked thrushes continue to move through along with the odd Lincoln's Sparrow. The edge of the marsh has scads of White-throated Sparrow.

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

Since the beginning of October the numbers of and variety of warblers present in the park has dropped off drastically. A few waterfowl continue to be in the marsh with Blue-winged Teal and American Wigeon the most noteable. The diving ducks have not put in an appearence. Over head the raptors continue to move through. Turkey, Vultures, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, lots of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawk, Broadwing, Red-tails, Am. Kestrel and Merlin.

The sandbar islands at the mouth of Sandusk Creek has had this month Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral and Dunlin. Also on these islands have been Bonaparte's, Ring-billed, Herring, Greater Black-backed Gulls and Caspian Terns.

The Great Horned Owls are still vocal in the predawn hours and an Eastern Screech-owl, grey phased was banded Sunday morning. No sign of Northern Saw-whets but they should be arriving very shortly.

Saturday morning saw 5 swallows fly over, 3 Tree and 2 Cliff. Good numbers of Blue Jays in flocks of 10-30 birds continue to stream west every morning. Sunday morning saw the first flocks of American Robins going west. The Eastern Bluebird flocks will not be far behind.

House, Winter and Carolina Wrens were all present Sunday morning. Golden-crowned Kinglets are becoming more numerous in the pines while Ruby-crowns seem a little tardy in arriving in numbers. Hermit Thrushes have not put in an appearance so far this month but Swainson's and Grey-cheeked are still going through with Grey-cheeked out numbering the Swainson's this week.

Since the beginning of the month the following warblers have been present in the study area, Tennesse, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Blackpoll, American Redstart, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat. White-throated, Song and Swamp Sparrows can be found along the edge of the marsh in good numbers but they are staying low and their present is noticed by the chips and alarm notes although some young birds are trying to sing in the early morning with awful renditions of what adult birds sound like in the spring.

Good numbers of Rusty Blackbirds are moving through going west each morning. Numerous Purple Finches were going over this morning and even a Pine Siskin.

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

The most noteworthy bird at Selkirk Provinvial Park this morning was a Hermit Thrush. The first Black-throated Blue Warblers for the season also put in an appearance. Yellow Warblers for the first time this fall were not seen or heard today.

At nearby Ruthven Park there were 2 Blue-winged Warblers and 2 Brewster's Warblers. A Purple Finch also put in an appearance while the first Olive-sided Flycatcher for the fall at this location was spotted.

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

Ruthven Park reports a good movement through the grounds today. Amongst several species of warblers banded were a Brewster's, Black-throated Blue and Wilson's Warblers. Also present were Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and 2 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers.

Ruthven Park, a National Historical site, is located about 2 miles north of Cayuga along former highway #54.

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

Last night's cold front brought in some new birds and increased the numbers of those who had started to arrive over the past few days. 2 Common Nighthawks were over the marsh in the the early morning light. The season's first Cooper's Hawk was an immature male which was banded. Overhead an Osprey was circling with a small kettle of Turkey Vultures. Several short-billed Dowitchers were on the mud flats.

Yesterday 4 American Wigeon were flying with the Mallards. Today 7 Double -creasted Cormorants were noticed circling high in the sky.

Flycatchers continue to move through with several "Traill's" present. 1 Yellow-bellied was banded, the 11th this fall and an Alder was separated by measurements. At least 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers were present today. On the warbler front at least 9 species were present today, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Mourning (3 banded), and Common Yellowthroat.

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

Recently sightings include Blue-winged, Tennessee, Blackburnian, Yellow, Canada Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart. Also Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckcoo. Several Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Willow, Alder and Least have been all banded, also Olive-sided Flycatchers has been seen on 5 different days. A few Blue-grey Gnatcatchers are moving through. The number of Bank Swallows is dropping off but the number of Barn Swallows is increasing. Purple Martin numbers have been declining rapidly.

Short -billed dowitchers, both Yellow-legs and Least Sandpipers have been on the mud flats and Ruddy Turnstones are showing up on the sandbar islands in the estuary.

This morning a Common Loon flew in from the north and went east along the Lake Erie shoreline. A 90o pivat reveals a group of 6 Common Loons out on Lake Erie swimming just off shore.

A little further a field we have just had a report of a Louisiana Waterthrush still singing on territory in a woods near the Wilson Tract in South Walsingham Township north of Long Point.

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

The variety of birds being encountered at Selkirk Provincial Park has increased over the past few days. Recent arrivals include Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided, and Canada Warbler. The season's 3rd Olive-sided Flycatcher was hawking for insects from the dead branches of a hickory tree today. A Yellow-billed Cuckcoo was banded today. A singing Carolina Wren was along the nature trail on Sunday. After an almost complete absence last winter and spring Red-breasted Nuthatches are putting in an appearence and appear to be arriving in number.

Small flycatchers are going through steadily with Least, Alder, Willow and Yellow-bellied all having been encountered over the past couple of days as well as Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.

The season's 3rd Swainson's Thrush was banded today.

Further a field several Short-billed Dowitchers, a Stilt Sandpiper, many Yellowlegs of both species, Pectoral, Least, Semiplamated etc where in the shallow pond on the west side of the Long Point Causeway. Also present were many Forster's and a few Caspian Terns. Only one Black Tern was noted on a post off the boat marina at the south end of the causeway.

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

Dear Fellow Birders

I decided to go down to Rock Point hoping to see the Willets, but they were not seen. However there were 9 shorebird species present the most common being Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper, also present were about 20 Ruddy Turnstones, several Sanderlings, a few L. Yellowlegs, Semi. Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, a few Semi. Plovers, and 1 G. Yellowlegs, in total there were about 60-70 shorebirds. Also present were 95 Bonaparte's Gulls, at least 3 G. Black-backed Gulls, and 4 female Yellow Warblers.

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

Migrating birds continue to move through Selkirk. Eastern Kingbird numbers have been increasing over the past few days. At ground level the second Swainson's Thrush appeared this morning as well as the second Ovenbird. The fall season's first Tennessee Warbler also arrived this morning.

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

This morning there was a noticeable influx of Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in the park. Yellow Warblers continue to move through in reasonable numbers.Also noticed moving through was a Least Flycatcher, two Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and a Northern Waterthrush. A Carolina Wren also put in an appearance early in the morning.

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

Over the past few days the number of migrants has increased both in numbers and species.

Yellow Warblers are moving in earnest with the odd Least, Yellow-bellied, Alder and Willow mixed in. The number of new Gray Catbirds, Baltimore Oriloles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are on the rise and new birds are present each day. A Nashville Warbler put in an appearance on Saturday and today a Swainson's Thrush.

Overhead 100's if not1000's of Bank Swallows are going over steadily and the cries of Eastern Kingbirds are becoming more noticeable. Soaring with them today over an open field was a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

A Great Egret was along the shoreline on Saturday while on the mud flats several species of shorebirds have been present depending upon the lake level which can change by almost a foot depending upon the wind direction. While not a bird the second Giant Swallowtail this month was flying around the park today.

Fall is fast approaching as the Goldenrods and the asters have started to bloom.

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

Fall migrating shorebirds continue to arrive in Southern Ontario. This morning 2 Least Sandpipers were on the bed of the Sandusk Creek west of the hamlet of Cheapside. The Lesser Yellowlegs reported June 29th was still there. Upland Sandpipers are becoming more common in the cut hay fields as they begin to move.

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

The fall migration is under way. Swallows have been collecting on the wires near Lake Erie for over a week now. Where the Sandusk Creek crosses the 2nd concession of Walpole west of the hamlet of Cheapside a Lesser Yellowlegs was on the creek bed this morning. Where the Sandusk Creek crosses the Sandusk Road a Greater Yellowlegs was in the shallows there this morning. Both locations are in the Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk south of Caledonia.

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

Tonite, Sunday, at about 7:30 pm I saw a single Snowy Egret in Port Maitland just north of Rock Point Prov. Park (near Dunnville) To find it follow Feeder road west to the Albright Wilson Americas plant(this is just east of the Grand River where the Maitlaind river meets the Grand). The egret was in the lagoon on the south side of Feeder Rd between Siddall Rd and the Grand river

(905) 682-2995
Email ynt@mergetel.com

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

The end of May has arrived and the number of migrants is dropping off. Over the past weekend noticable migrants were Mourning Warblers, Swainson's Thrushes, Gray-cheeked Thrushes, Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Common Yellowthroats and small flycatchers.

On the sandbar off the mouth of Spring and Sandusk Creeks 20-300 Bonapartes can still be found along with up to 12 Greater Black-backed Gulls. 2 late Whimbrels were seen there Saturday while a Great Egret was in the Spring Creek marsh. Common Loons can still be heard calling out on the lake in the early morning.

This morning a Connecticut Warbler was singing along the edge of the hardwoods just west of the end of the boardwalk.

A male Yellow-rumped Warbler has been present for some time in the study area singing and acting as if it is on territory.

At least 3 pairs of Willow Flycatchers have set up territories in the park. One bird banded May 26, 1996 was retrapped May 25th this year. Of note a Gray Catbird retrapped May 29th was banded at the Long Point Bird Observatory's Old cut field station as a hatch year bird Sept. 23rd, 1998.

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

Over the past few days the noticeable migration through the park has slowed down as far as the number of birds is concerned. Variety of species continues with the small flycatchers becoming more evident the last couple of days including two Acadians yesterday. This morning a Clay-colored Sparrow was recorded in the park. Nearly 20 species of warblers can still be found with several Mourning Warblers present. Swainson's and Gray-cheeked as well as a few Veerys have been present the past two days. On the waterfront a Great Egret was present yesterday and a lingering Tundra Swan has been present all week.

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

There was a reasonable amount activity in Selkirk Provincial Park this morning. 13 species of warblers were noted in the study area including Wilson's, Bay-breasted and Orange-crowned. Several Swainson's, Veerys, Wood and a Hermit Thrush were present. A Green Heron was along Spring Creek. Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Plovers were noted on the the mud flats.

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

11 Species of warblers were noted in the SW corner of the park this morning including a Blue-winged Warbler. Also present was a Brewster's Warbler. The first Gray-cheeked Thrush for the park appeared this morning. Swainson's, Veerys and Wood Thrushes are still present.

On the mud flats were Semipalmated Plovers, about 100 Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs and a Black-bellied Plover. After 10:30 a.m. the wind shifted and blew the lake water back into the marsh covering most of the mud flats.

The water can rise or fall about 1 foot depending upon the wind direction so the mud flats may reappear by morning.

Yesterday the Haldimand Bird Observatory official birdathon party covered Haldimand County from Jarvis east to Rock Point and up to 2 roads north of Highway no. 3 recording 118 species. The strong winds keep the birds and calls down. Most marshes along the lake had no water and the cattails were dry resulting in no marsh birds. The strong winds at one marsh were so strong the lure tape for rails at full blast could not be heard at 5 feet. The Osprey was still on the nest south of Cayuga.

At Rock point there were only 2 Spotted Sandpipers and two Ruddy Turnestones, no other shorebirds were present. A Green Heron was in the feeder canal south of Dunnville.

West of Port Maitland along the shoreline to Selkirk Provincial Park were 100's of shorebirds, mainly Least Sandpipers in flocks up to 200 birds but mixed in were Semipalmated Plovers, Dunlins, Short-billed Dowitchers, Lesser Yellow-legs, Greater Yellowlegs, Solitaries, Killdeer, Spotties and the odd Black-bellied Plover..

A male Orchard Oriole was at the James N. Allen Provincial Park west of Port Mailtand. Along the shoreline west of the Hald-Dunn Townline was a female Orchard Oriole, a Red-headed Woodpecker coming to a feeder and carrying off pieces of bread every couple of minutes. In the same general were 4 American Pipits were trying to be sandpipers along the shore. Baltimore Orioles were everywhere in number.

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

Many of the migrants of last week in the park have departed and not much has come in to replace them. There is still a few new birds arriving but no numbers. Most obvious today was the arrival of several Wilson's Warblers and a singing White-eyed Vireo that was heard and seen just where the Wheeler's Walking Trail enters the hardwoods at the west end of the boardwalk. Marsh Wrens are becoming more numerous in the cattails.

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

The number and variety of spring migrants is increasing along the Lake Erie shoreline. in the park today was a male Ruby-throated Humminbird. Several Least Flycatchers were seen and hear as well as a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Veerys, Hermit Thrushes and Wood Thrushes were every where.

Warblers noted were Nashville, Yellow, Magnolia, many male Black-throated Blues, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, many Black-and-white, scads of Ovenbirds.

Balitmore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are moving through. The woods were over run with White-throated Sparrows while several White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows were noted.

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

Spring migrants continue to move through Selkirk Provincial Park today. Of note were at least 2 Eastern Kingbirds, a Veery, a Blue-headed Vireo and 6 species of warblers were seen, Nashville, Yellow-rumped (many), at least 5 Palm Warbler, Black-and-white, Pine and a couple of Northern Waterthrush. A sobering reminder that colder temperatures could return was the flyby of an immature Glaucous Gull in the early afternoon along the lake shore. Selkirk Provincial Park is located west of the village of Selkirk off the Wheeler Rd.

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

The large influx of Golden-crowned Kinglets that arrived April 3rd have now moved on. A few new arrivals were noted today. These were a Hermit Thrush, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Purple Martin and a Virginia Rail. In the area singing were both Brown Thrasher and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, both of which first appeared April 6

On nice days such as today, our temperature this afternoon is in the low 70's, the local red-bellied Woodpeckers are very vocal in the park. Selkirk Provincial Park in located on the Wheeler Rd., 1 mile west of the Village of Selkirk.

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

Sat.,Apr.03,1999

Today Stan Bajurney and I motored on down to the Townsend sewage lagoons and Long Point and among the 77 species of birds found we came up with some fair sightings.

At the Townsend sewage lagoons this morning among the many waterfowl we observed 3 blue phase Snow Geese landing . As we were about to scope these birds we heard a Sandhill Crane overhead and turned to watch it pass in our binoculars and scopes. After it passed we turned back to the Snow Geese and discovered they were gone. We birded the lagoons further discovering a Richardson's Goose with some Canada Geese but finally left without sighting the Ross' Goose but planed to return on our way home.

When we returned in the evening we were again disappointed with the lack of white geese but stayed around as some geese and Tundra Swans could be seen a half a mile or so away feeding in the fields. After what seemed like forever we finally started to see geese and swans coming to the lagoons and at 6:40 pm we spotted the Ross' Goose as it flew over and landed on the water in front of us. As we observed this bird in our scopes we heard many Canada Geese heading our way and watched as from 1700 to 2000 geese and 200 or so swans came in to alight on the lagoons. In with these geese we spotted the 3 Snow Geese and they came in and landed only about 25 feet from the Ross' Goose. We swung our scopes around and got a pleasant surprise as the 3 Snow Geese were only 2 Snow Geese, but the third bird was a Greater White-fronted Goose. We observed these 3 and the Ross' until 7:05 pm and at times had all four in our glasses and scopes at once.

To get to the Townsend sewage lagoons drive south from Hamilton along hwy 6. Drive through Hagersville to Jarvis and just before you get to Jarvis turn right on road 69 (just before you get to the old railway station on the right, the road is marked Townsend) drive to the traffic lights, turn left, staying on 69 and just before you get to the railway tracks ( the rails and ties have been lifted) turn right on concession 14 and drive a few hundred yards. You will see the gate and raised area of the lagoons on the right, park and good birding

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

This morning there was a flock of 10 Pectoral Sandpipers on the mud flats near the mouth of Spring Creek in Selkirk Provincial Park. Selkirk Provincial Park is sw of Selkirk, Ont.

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

Early spring arrivals continue show up along the Lake Erie shore line. This morning a Pied-billed Grebe was at the mouth of Stoney Creek just south of the village of Selkirk. In the first bay west of the mouth of the creek was a male Green-winged Teal.

The group assembled at the Cayuga High School under a clear blue sky with the sun shining. While waiting, John showed the group a road-killed Short-eared Owl and a Long-eared Owl found starved to death in Selkirk Provincial Park. John explained that the heavy snows in early January had been too deep for some raptors and many had moved on or starved. Consequently few if any Northern Harriers, Long-eared and Short-eared Owls were likely to be found. The 40-50 OFO members and friends moved out in 17 vehicles and proceeded to York, then to Regional Road #9 and along the 3rd Line. A short way down the road we pulled over to view 4 Red-winged Blackbirds. Someone spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker land in a tree. A little further, we spotted Brown-headed Cowbirds at a feeder, a Northern Shrike, and a light morph Rough-legged Hawk soared south. A closer examination of the cowbirds revealed a few Rusty Blackbirds. Around the corner on the MacKenzie Road at least 5 Turkey Vultures were sitting low where they have been all winter. The group had good looks at about 35 Red-tailed Hawks west of the chicken farm. At Caledonia below the dam, 6 American Coots were with Canada Geese, Mallards and Common Mergansers.

Traversing the back roads, we picked up several species and ended up at Peacock Point where several Brown-headed Cowbirds were at a feeder. A flock of Bufflehead was offshore and a flight of 17 Tundra Swans headed west low over the water fighting a strong head wind.

Heading east on Regional Road #3, several American Kestrels were on the wires. Below the dam at Dunnville, the wintering Pied-billed Grebe was quickly spotted. At Port Maitland amongst the gulls, a first year Glaucous Gull provided good looks and in the open water were two female and one male Canvasback.

On our way to the west side of Port Maitland we spotted a male Northern Harrier. Near Port Maitland a male Red-winged Blackbird was at one feeder and a Swamp Sparrow at another. Lots of gulls were on the ice at the mouth of the Grand River at Port Maitland, amongst them an adult Glaucous Gull. The group saw many Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers and Buffleheads. We turned north at Robinson Road and then west along King's Row. Among a flock of Horned Larks on a laneway, a Lapland Longspur was close and cooperative, giving everyone good looks at this elusive species. Along Lakeshore Road, we stopped for a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and some saw an Iceland Gull.

Heading north on the Fisherville Road, the group encountered heavy snow drifts just south of Regional Road #3. Along Selkirk Road, 7 Wild Turkeys in low trees at the back of a small field quickly dropped down out of sight.

We arrived at the Raptor Preserve on the 6th Concession just north of Fisherville shortly before 6:00 p.m. No Northern Harriers were in the area and no Short-eared Owls appeared which has been the pattern for the previous three weeks. With the strong winds still blowing and the wind chill producing biting cold we broke up the outing. The group recorded 45 species on this blustery day.

At Rock Point Prov. Park on Sun.Feb.7/99 there were Common Goldeneye, Red-Breasted Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads,and Common Goldeneye ducks. Also there were two adult Bald Eagles in the park at the lakeshore. They seem to be staying in the area since I had a report of them being there on Feb. 1/99.

Gord, over the past few days a few interesting birds have been seen in Haldimand. Below the dam at Caledonia in addition to the regular expect species have been a Mute Swan, 2 Northern Pintail, a male Green-winged Teal, 5 American Coots and a Belted Kingfisher. Eastern Bluebirds have been found from single birds up to flocks of 42 birds throughout the area. The 6th Concession of Oneida is where a flock of 42 were seen, a flock of 25 were seen on the Irish Line. Smaller numbers were seen on the second Concession of Oneida, by the culvert at Taquanyah, along the River Road and along the Canal Road south of Dunnville.

A great Blue Heron was at Taquanyah on Saturday. Red-headed Woopeckers continue to be seen along the Irish Line and elsewhere. Near there feeders are attracting, Tufted Titmice, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and White-crowned Sparrows.

Below the dam at Dunnville an American Coot has joined the Pied-billed Grebe that is wintering there. Out on the ice from there a 2nd year Glaucous Gull was with the commonly expected gulls. Off the Nanticoke power plant the warm water being discharged is keeping a portion of Lake Erie open and several species of waterfowl are there. The heavy snows at the beginning of the month appears to have forced many of the N. Harriers and Short-eareds to move on.

From: BIRDCHAT

Here in Ontario in the former County of Haldimand most winters we have good numbers of both Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls wintering unless we get heavy snow falls and then they move out. Both species prefer grassy fields with the harriers active during the day and the short-ears late in the afternoon before they dispurse.

As evening approaches a good field may attract 20-40 harriers coming in to roost. These birds hunt low over the fields and put up the odd short-eared out of the grass dive bombing the short-eared. As it gets darker more and more short-eared appear and they start dive bombing the harriers which are setling into the grass. Numerous occurences of harriers chasing short-ears and then short-ears chasing harriers are observed. It appears these interchanges are a common occurence as the two species change places, one hunting and the other roosting.

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

On my feeder count I had one immature white-crowned sparrow, a white throated sparrow (tan head), and a song sparrow.

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

Today dispite snow showers ahd blowing difting snow the Norfolk Field Naturalists had their annual Hawk and Owl trip. West of Townsend were 2 Am . Robins at the top of a tree near some orchards. Horned Larks and Snow Buntings were numerous along the roadsides. East of the Sandusk Rd on the Army Camp Rd. A Northern Shrike was chasing a Tree Sparrow.

Across Reg. Rd. #20 at the auto wreckers 6 meadowlarks were in the field with Snow Buntings.

On the 4th concesion at the chicken farm 4 Turkey Vultures were in the trees visable between the barns fairly close to the roads. Another 9 were seen sitting low in the woods on the west side of the McKenzie Rd. between the 3rd and 4th lines.

Conditions with the blowing and drifting snow were worsening so we hit the raptor preserve around 1:30 pm and found 1 Short-eared in an apple tree east of the raptor preserve on the north side of the road. The raptor prserve is on the 6th concession.

The Savannah Sparrow reported yesterday was in my backyard all day today again.

The Timpfs reported 5 Short-eared Owls yesterday between the Nanticoke Hydro Plant and the village of Nanticoke when looking for a Snowy Owl that a non birder had reported there. No sign of the Snowy but they have been reported from this area in past years when none could be located elsewhere.

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

Yesterday morning in our backyard we caught and banded a Fox Sparrow. This morning we caught and banded a Savannah Sparrow! Since the moring of Jan. 3rd nearly 390 Brown-headed Cowbirds have also been banded. Several Short-eared Owls were observed flying over the house early this morning.

Location: 42o50'N 79o50'W center at jct. Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Rd. 12 and 5th conc. Town of Haldimand to include Fishervi lle, Balmoral, Cheapside, Cayuga, Selkirk, Clanbrassil, Kohler and Nelles Corners.
Date: Jan. 2, 1999
Time: 12:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Temp 5o to 22o F. Wind E 0-30 mph. 0"-1" snow cover. Still water frozen. Moving water partly open. A.M.clear with high clouds moving in. P.M. cloudy with snow late in the afternoon.

Observers: 42 in field in 16-17 parties (non-owling) plus 13 at feeders (20 hours); 17.5 hours and 207 miles owling. Total party-hours 131; party miles 961; 59 hours and 61 miles on foot, 72 hours and 895 miles by car.

Species Counted:Great Blue Heron 7, Trumpeter Swan 1 (tag 438), Canada Goose 2578, American Black Duck 61, Mallard 777, Gadwall 3, Canvasback 1, Redhead 879, Ring-necked Duck 14, Greater Scaup 4146, Lesser Scaup 3, scaup, sp. 1515, Common Goldeneye 141, Bufflehead 986, Common Merganser 515, Red-breasted Merganser 8, Turkey Vulture 26, Bald Eagle 1im., Northern Harrier 34, Sharp-shinned Hawk 8, Cooper's Hawk 5, Northern Goshawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 329, Rough-legged Hawk 25, American Kestrel 51, Ruffed Grouse 7, Wild Turkey 13, Killdeer 2, Purple Sandpiper 2, Common Snipe 2, Bonaparte's Gull 7, Ring-billed Gull 247, Herring Gull 215, Iceland Gull 1, Glaucous Gull 4, Great Black-backed Gull 174, Rock Dove 642, Mourning Dove 1054, Eastern Screech Owl 91, Great Horned Owl 30, Long-eared Owl 16, Short-eared Owl 27, owl,sp. 1, Northern Saw-whet Owl 2, Red-headed Woodpecker 6, Red-bellied Woodpecker 27, Downy Woodpecker 132, Hairy Woodpecker 31, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 7, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Horned Lark 166, Blue Jay 375, American Crow 214, Black-capped Chickadee 442, Tufted Titmouse 6, Red-breasted Nuthatch 3, White-breasted Nuthatch 61, Brown Creeper 9, Golden-crowned Kinglet 68, Eastern Bluebird 30, American Robin 4, Northern Mockingbird 4, American Pipit 2, Northern Shrike 12, European Starling 3005, Palm Warbler 1, Northern Cardinal 176, American Tree Sparrow 912, Field Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 39, Swamp Sparrow 6, White-throated Sparrow 4, White-crowned Sparrow 2, Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 430, Lapland Longspur 1, Snow Bunting 976, Eastern Meadowlark 9, meadowlark sp. 7, Brown-headed Cowbird 91, House Finch 412, American Goldfinch 283, House Sparrow 2866.

Total: 80 species; 25476 individuals.

Participants: Compiler--John Miles, P. O. Box 449, Jarvis, Ont., NOA 1J0; Alfred Adamo, Stan Bajurny, Betty Barker, Stan Barker, Colin Bell, Eleanor Bell, Drew Campbell, Floyd Deiter, John Dickie Jr., Marcya Foster, Mary Galli, Ray Galli, Janet Gifford, Roger Gifford, Jerry Guild, John Harvey, Jim Heslop, Mark Jennings, Amy Johnson, Dallas Johnson, Barry Jones, Marg Ludkin, Rick Ludkin, Jim Mathieson, Sandra Mathieson, Sandra Maxwell, Hugh McArthur, John McBride, Jamie Miles, John Miles, Matt Mills, Fred Moerschfelder, Marcel Morganstein, Sabrina Morganstein, Loretta Mousseau, Norm Murr, Don Perks, George Pond, Wilfred Pond, Shirley Rickert, James Rising, Steve Rowe, Kayo Roy, Sue Schneider, Tom Schneider, Richard Skevington, Betsy Smith, Jim Smith, Brian Stewart, Joanne Stewart, Mike Street, Neil Taylor, Adam Timpf, Doug Timpf, Matt Timpf (Norfolk Field Naturalists and the Haldimand Bird Observatory).

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

The following is the results of the 10th Fisherville Christmas Bird Count held Jan. 2nd. The count started off with a clear cold windless night and a full moon, towards dawn high thin clouds stated to make their presence noticed. By dawn an east wind was noticeable and it proceeded to cloud over. A few lake effect snow showers were noticed along the lakeshore in the morning. As the morning progressed the east winds increased. Around 4:00 pm the expected storm arrived which curtailed the Short-eared Owl evening flight. Temperatures ranged from 5oF to 22oF.

The totals seen this year were 80 species of 25476 individuals.

Highlights were 4 new species

• Trumpeter Swan (tag 438)
• 2 Purple Sandpipers
• 1 Iceland Gull
• 1 Palm Warbler

Count record Highs, previous high in brackets.

Mallard				777	(542)

Redhead				879	(25)

Ring-necked Duck		14	(1)

Bufflehead			986	(734)

Turkey Vulture			26	(1)	This should be a new 

                      				all time Canadian 

                      				CBC high count

Cooper's Hawk			5	tied previous high

N. Goshawk			1	tied previous high

Glaucous Gull			4	(2)

Great Black-backed Gull		174	(106)

Mourning Dove			1054	(1006)

Red-headed Woopecker		6	(3)

Golden-crowned Kinglet		68	(44)

Eastern Bluebird		30	(8)

American Pipit			2	(1)

Dark-eyed Junco			430	(296)

Other birds of note, Northern Harrier 34, Red-tailed Hawk 329, Rough-legged Hawk 25, Am. Kestrel 51 (our lowest count ever), Killdeer 2, Common Snipe 2, 167 owls including 91 E. Screech Owls, Red-bellied Woodpecker 27, Tuffed Titmouse 6, only 4 American Robin!?!, Eastern Meadowlark 9 and 7 Meadowlark sp.

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

The first Dunnville Christmas Bird Count was held on Wed. Dec. 30.
Seventeen souls braved the frigid weather to put in 800 driven miles and 33 miles on foot. Much thanks to the success of this count was due to the individuals who drove from Wiarton, Welland, Paris, Walsingham, and Jarvis to add to the few local individuals.

Seventy species were reported.

Noteworthy are:

• 1100 Greater Scaup
• 7730 Common Mergansers
• 14 Northern Harriers
• 81 Red-tailed Hawk
• 2 Bald Eagle
• 209 Bonaparte's Gull
• 346 Ring-billed Gull
• 614 Herring Gull
• 77 Greater Black-backed Gull
• 12 Northern Flicker
• 8 Robin
• 1 Gray Catbird
• 9 Song Sparrow
• 1 Pileated Woodpecker

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

On a drive this sunny afternoon I went around by way of the chicken farm on the 4 th line south of Caledonia. In the woodlot along the west side of the McKenzie Rd. between the 3rd and 4th lines there were at least 11 Turkey Vultures sitting in one tree near the SE corner of the wood lot. This must be a new record count for Turkey Vultures on Christmas Day in Ontario!

Gord, unofficially the Woodhouse CBC is in with 83 species. Some highlights include 14 Killdeer, 2 Common Snipe, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 70 Rusty Blackbirds, over 1600 brown-headed Cowbirds.

Gord, with the start of the Christmas counts just a few days away some interesting birds still are lingering. On Friday the 10th there were still 24 Turkey Vultures along the Mckenzie Rd. with 17 in one tree. On Monday 7 Killdeer were on the mud flats at the Nanticoke harbour. Yesterday over 100 Brown-headed Cowbirds invaded my 8x10 back yard accompanied with 2 Common Grackles.

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

Turkey Vultures still continue to be south of Caledonia in good numbers for this time of year. This mourning 1 was over the woods behind the chicken farm on the 4th line where 30-50 Red-tails were in view sitting in the trees. Along the MacKenzie Road between the 4th and 3rd line sitting in the trees on the west side of the road were 18 more Turkey Vultures, 14 in one tree.

In the Haldimand area over the past couple of days along Lake Erie and in the mouth of the Grand River are a few Common Loons. A few Horned Grebes can still be found off Peacock Point.Nearly a dozen Tundra Swans are in the Sandusk Creek estuary. Several flocks of 1000+ Greater Scaup can be found in the sheltered bays. Bufflehead are present in good numbers with a few Common Goldeneye. The large flocks of Red-breasted Mergansers seems to have moved along although there was a good size flock about 1/2 mile upstream form the mouth of the Grand River today.

49 Turkey Vultures were report from the 4th line south of Caledonia a couple of days ago which is a large number so late in the fall. An adult Bald Eagle was sitting in a tree near the mouth of the Grand River today. Most shorebirds seem to have moved on with only 1 Killdeer noted along 10+ miles of the Lake Erie shoreline on Friday.

Only the common gulls were noted along the lake on Friday.

One Long-eared Owl was found on today in the pine plantations at Selkirk Provincial Park while at least 5 Short-eared Owls were over the Raptor Preserve near Fisherville Friday night with others at other locations. With the mild open conditions small land birds are hard to find as well as blackbirds although 4 Snow Buntings were at Pt. Maitland today.

Gord, the migration continues along the north shore of Lake Erie. Recent sightings at Selkirk Provincial Park include Common Loons heading south. The hawk flight over the park continues with Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks the most obvious ones going through currently.

Lake Erie's water level has dropped nearly 2 feet in the past month and sand bars and mud flats are now attracting shorebirds. Also gulls are collecting on them. Both Lesser Black-backed and Little Gulls have been off Selkirk in the past week.

Saw-whet Owls are migrating and several have been banded in the past 10 days. At Long Point over 100 have been banded there and almost as many at Cabot's Head on the Bruce.

The past week has seen numerous reports of migrating Red-headed Woodpeckers along the Lake Erie shore line but 8 banded at Cabot's Head was a bit of a surprise.

On the 19th of October a Whip-poor-will was sitting in the middle of the trail into the Selkirk Prov. Pk banding site.

The fall Am. Crow migration over the past few days has become noticeable with loose flocks migration west along the Lake Erie shore line. Since Thanksgiving Black-capped Chickadees has started to move in small numbers. Whether a fall flight will develope is still too early to tell but we are over due for one. If so be one should be on the lookout for Boreal chickadees moving with them.

Kinglets are currently moving through in good numbers along with Brown Creeperes and Winter Wrens.

The late migrating thrushes on now on the move. Over the past couple of days 100's of Am. Robins have passed over Selkirk in the mornings along with numerous flocks of Eastern Bluebirds of up the 25 birds in a flock. Large numbers of American Pipits are also moving west in small flocks. Cedar Waxwings have been seen in large flocks going west along the lake shore.

While most of the vireos and warblers have left Blue-headed Vireos and Yellow-rumped Warblers can still be found.

Sparrows and Northern Juncos arae moving through in good numbers with Fox and American Tree Sparrows having been reported over the past couple of weeks. 2 Lapland Longspurs were seen last weekend just north of Long Point. The fall flight of blackbirds is well underway with 1000's moving west every morning.

Purple Finches, Pine Siskins and good numbers of House Finches have been observed over the past few days going west over Selkirk.

Gord, with the passing of the cold front Monday night the bird life in Selkirk has become much more active. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was present on the sandbar Tuesday morning while in the woods there were many more bird calls. A Black-billed Cuckoo was still present on Thursday while 4-5 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are still present. A Hermit Thrush showed up on Tuesday while Swainson's and Gray-cheeked are still around. Both species of kinglets are making their presence know while migrating Brown Creepers are filtering through the pines.

Warblers species noted this week include Orange-crowned, (2 banded), Nashville, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, (several), Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Palm, Blackpoll, American Redstart, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat.

Diurnal migrating birds include good numbers of Blue Jays, and lots of Rusty Blackbirds.

Gord, a good number of migrants arrived with the cold front on Monday and this movement continued on Tuesday although numbers tappered off Wednesday. Veerys, lots of Swainson's and good numbers of Gray-cheeked Thrushes were present. 14 species of Warblers were noted including a Connecticut which was banded. Ruby-crowned Kinglets have started to appear and also the odd Lincoln's Sparrow. A Whip-poor-will was calling at first light this morning while an Eastern Screech-owl was calling in the hardwoods while I was walking in.

Overhead a fair movement of hawks was noted whenever I was able to look up while banding. These included Sharp-shinned Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Broadwings, Red-tails and American Kestrels.

Gord, Migration through Selkirk has picked up over the past couple of days. Monday saw a small raptor flight go through around noon with 2 Osprey, 4 Sharp-shinneds, 1 Red-tail and 8 Am. Kestrel. Both Swainson's and Grey-cheeked Thrushes have appeared and several of each have been banded. Red-breasted Nuthatches were present today and a Lincoln's Sparrow was banded today.

Warblers seen or banded the last couple of days include; Tennessee, Nashville, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Mourning, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's and Canada.

Eastern Kingbird numbers have dropped off drastically as have Bank Swallow plus the mourning flyover number of Bobolinks is dropping off.

Gord, the warblers continue to filter through Selkirk Provincial Park. A Connecticut Warbler was banded on the 25th while an Olive-sided Flycatcher was also seen that day. The 5th one this month in the park. Veerys started moving through the park on the 25th and small numbers have been noted every day since. A female Oldsquaw, a rare bird in this section of Lake Erie, was seen on Aug. 27th. This bird swam right into shore below this observer and climbed up onto a fallen tree laying in the water. This is only the 3rd Old Squaw seen this year in the park with over 150 days of observing the lake front.

A Black-bellied Plover has been present for the past 2 days on the sand spit jutting out into Spring Creek.

Great Horned Owls are heard almost every day calling at dawn. A family of Virginia Rails were squacking in the marsh this morning.

Gord, for the past 4 days a Prothonotary Warbler has been seen regularly along the edge of the banding area. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was present today. Several species of warblers have been seen this week in addition to the Prothonotary including Tennessee, Nashville, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Mourning, Common Yellowthroat and Canada.

Gord, over the past few days migrants continue to filter through Selkirk Provincial Park. High lights have included a pair of Olive-sided Flycatchers, several Yellow-bellied Flycatchers to go with a fair collection of Warblers which have included several Yellow-rumped, Tennessee, Am. Redstart, Ovenbirds, Magnolias, Cape May and even a Prothonotary was seen today. The local male Yellow Warbler that arrived May 8th and has sang every day since then was not on territory today and we presume left for the south last night as the number of Yellow Warblers moving through have started to decline indicating most of them have gone.. Overhead Bank Swallows continue to stream by in good numbers as well as a steady stream of Bobolinks.

A steady movement of Eastern Kingbirds has also been noted and should peak soon as most are gone by Labour Day weekend. There after any seen should be checked for Westerns.

Gord, in reply to Charlie's inquiry there have been several sightings over the past few years of partial albino Redtails in the Haldimand area as well as the several sighting of dark phase Redtails.

The migration continues to pick up in Haldimand with warblers starting to appear in increasing numbers both to species and numbers. Recent sightings include Blue-winged Warbler, Tennessee, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Mourning, Canada, etc. Shorebirds reported on the Sandusk Creek west ofthe Hamlet of Cheapside include both Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated, Least and Pectoral Sandpipers. Upland Sandpipers can still be found in the hay fields.

My name is Charlie Montgomery , three to four years ago I spotted a strange bird , at Stelco's Lake Erie site in Nanticoke, the bird is the size of a red tailed hawk, white on the underside,white with some grey spots on the back, and a red tail. Amatuer birders I know were puzzled by my description. I can only guess it is an albino, if you are interested in any further information, or you can tell me what this bird is please contact me. One final note this bird is in company red tailed hawks.

Gord, a few notes from this week in Haldimand.

The big push of Bank Swallows out of Ontario is well under way, 100's if not 1000's have been moving west along Lake Erie every hour each morning over Selkirk Provincial Park.

Some Warblers, particularly Yellows are moving with good numbers being reported daily at Ruthven Park while a noticable number have been seen at the extreme south west corner of Selkirk Provincial Park. Also noted moving have been Nashville, Chestnut-sided Warblers and Ovenbirds. A Blue-winged Warbler was at Ruthven Park last Tuesday.

"Traill's" Flycatchers are also on the move as well as Yellow-bellied Flycatchers.

Both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos have been calling regularly each morning for almost a week.

From the marsh at Selkirk are at least 11 singing Marsh Wrens, a Virginia Rail has been heard grunting early in the morning as well as a King Rail on two separate days. The coo coo call of the Least Bittern has also been heard.

On Wednesday afternoon an Osprey was flying over the Hagersville quarries. The hay field west of Hagersville where the Henslow's Sparrow was found was cut earlier this week.

Gord, this morning about 1 mile west of Hagersville along Regional Road # 20 I had a singing Henslow's Sparrow.

On an after supper trip down to Selkirk Provincial Park this evening there were 6 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 11 Least Sandpipers and a Solitary Sandpiper on the Sandusk Creek west of the Hamlet of Cheapside. In the park there were several Marsh Wrens calling in the cattails along the boardwalk. A nice surprise was a Least Bittern that flew by over the cattails.

Wood Thrushes were still singing in the hardwoods.

The fall migration is underway in Haldimand. Yesterday there was 1 Lesser Yellowlegs on the Sandusk Creek west of Cheapside. Today there were 3 Lesser Yellowlegs there along with 2 Least Sandpipers and a Solitary Sandpiper.

The Norfolk Field Naturalists have now posted to their web site the check list of the Birds of Haldimand-Norfolk comprising of the 375 species know to have occurred in Haldimand-Norfolk.
The web site is www.kwic.com/~gartcar/birdlist/htm

There was a first year Lesser Black-backed Gull at Selkirk Provincial Park this morning. The park is one road west and south of the Village of Selkirk which is located on Regional Road # 3 between Port Dover and Dunnville, Ont.

Regards,

The past few days have been quiet as the migration winds down. Wednesday a few warblers including a Blue-winged were around but these have moved on.

A few Grey-cheeked and Swainson's have been present and banded most mornings. Today A couple of Wood Thrushes and aVeery were present. 140 Whimbrel were reported Wednesday on the breakwall at the marinia on the east side of Pt. Dover harbour and 25 circled Selkirk on Thursday. To-day the surprise at Selkirk was a first year Iceland Gull molting into the second year plumage sitting on the sandbar at the mouth of Spring Creek.

Hi, Gord.

The last of the baby bluebirds left the nest on May 23. I stayed at the window from 6am to 2pm to be sure I saw them fledge and they finally flew out at 1:10 and 1:40. It was worth the wait. They made nice first flights.

The little Song Sparrows fledged May 24. On May 25, the Tree Swallows had 6 tiny new babies, one of the grackle nests had 2 new babies (still 2 eggs to hatch) and the other grackle nest was down from 5 eggs to 3 (I've been seeing grackles chasing crows and other grackles - so one of them got a couple of the eggs).

I'm hanging by the fingertips waiting to see whether the bluebirds nest here for a second brood. They took the young ones to the woods across the road and haven't been here very much since May 23. Mostly, they come in to the walnuts at the road in the morning and evening and sometimes into the front yard. But at 4:30 May 25 they both came in to the back yard and both parents had 2 baths (the first baths I've seen them take - just drinks before) so I'm still hoping. They seem to be acting as if this is "still home"???

On May 24, a pair of Brown Thrashers came in. They are still here and started to build this morning (May 26) in the weeping mulberry. Also this morning, when I went out the front door, I found a robin in the nest on the porch - she didn't budge when I walked out past her and back in - so she must be laying there again. I see the young ones that left that nest following mom/dad around on the lawn and one was picking for itself yesterday. They fledged on the 13th, so she's taken almost 2 weeks to start her new nest. I thought the bluebirds would be re-nesting right away, but maybe I have to wait a bit longer. This was my first bluebird nest and all my book says is that she starts the new nest while dad looks after the fledglings but not how soon.

Hope you're having good spring birding.

An immature Little Blue Heron was found Tuesday night just north of Port Dover, Ontario and was still there this afternoon. If coming from the east or the west proceed to the hamlet of Renton on highway #3 between Simcoe and Jarvis. Turn south at the traffic light on proceed south to Regional Rd. 3 where there is a stop sign. Continue south through the intersection and turn left at the first cross roads which is just at the north end of the town of Port Dover. Proceed east and down a steep hill which veers to the right, the road then swings to your left and on the right side is a flooded field. The bird is feeding in the field with some Canada Geese. it has been observed to walk into the tall grass and disappear at times.

Hi, Gord. Had a bit more action in the past week than I've been having.

4 Robin nestlings fledged yesterday (May 13). Three went their way but one returned to the nest shelf and stayed there all night. It finally made its move about 8:00 this morning and I located 2 of the others in the yard being fed.

The 4 Eastern Bluebird nestlings are 10 days old now and seem to be doing fine. The Tree Swallow nest has 5 eggs in it and 2 pairs of grackles have built in the Austrian pines. The Song Sparrow nest is so deep in a juniper I can't actually see it this year but they're in/out a lot so it's active.

Visitors in the past week have been: Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, sapsucker, Pine Siskin, Barn Swallow, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Cooper's Hawk and House Wren. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird finally appeared yesterday (May 13) - very late for here and the first arrival was a female.

The House Wren is singing continuously and a second one appeared this morning, so it's possible they may stay. I haven't seen them at the wren box yet, though.

Have a good day.

After a very quiet weekend the bird migration picked up on Monday and has continued steadily right through until today. White-throated Sparrows and Ruby-crowned Kinglets have been the main species but as each day has gone by more and more different migrants are turning up although in small numbers.

Today several Least Flycatchers were in the hardwoods just west of the board walk. All the brown backed thrushes except Gray-cheeked and Bicknells were banded in the park on Thursday.

On Monday a Blue-headed Vireo was in the park, on Thursday Warbling, Philadelphia and Yellow-throated were all present.

The Warblers noted in the park this week were Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green, Palm, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat.

Other species that arrived in the park this week were White-crowned Sparrow, Gray Catbird, Baltimore Oriole and Rosebreasted Grosbeak. Lincoln's Sparrows are almost becoming common with 6 banded on Thursday. Nearby on the Sandust Creek the following shorebirds were present this week, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted, Least and Dunlin. Upland Sandpipers were seen north of Selkirk and also along the Sandust Road.

Hewitt's Pond near Hagersville Thurday afternoon had Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers and a Dunlin.

After 5 days of next to no birds around the first real wave of the year arived in the park on Wednesday, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes and White-throated Sparrows with a few other species also arriving in small numbers. Most note worthy were an Ovenbird and a Common Yellowthroat. Also seen was a male Evening Grosbeak. Birds continued to arrive on Thursday but in lesser numbers with the best being a Lincoln's Sparrow and a Wood Thrush. Friday there were still reasonable numbers of passerines around including a Wood Thrush but nothing of note. Warblers were still few and far between.

By Saturday morning most of the passerines had moved on and no replacements had arrived. One party of birders did report a Least Bittern from the boardwalk, Virginia and Sora were found by another group of birders. A Green Heron flew over the banding station while a Marsh Wren was banded. At the nearby Sandust Creek a Least Sandpiper was present on Friday to be replaced by 3 Solitary Sandpipers on Saturday.

Gord, the last few days in Selkirk have been very quite as far as any numbers of newly arrived passerines but there have been the odd surprise. On Thursday an early Cape May Warbler was a surprise as well as a calling Great Crested Flycatcher. Friday's bird was a Blue-headed Vireo while on Saturday when walking into the banding site in the predawn 3 rails were heard calling from the boardwalk, Sora, Virginia and King. A "western" Palm Warbler was the only warbler of note on Saturday. Also 3 flocks of Lapland Longspurs flew over the park on Saturday.

Gord, a few warblers came in overnight with a small flock of Yellow-rumped, a couple of Black-throated Green Warblers and a "Yellow" Palm Warbler in the area. Also in were several White-throated Sparrows, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and several Hermit Thrushes. A Fox Sparrow also was present.

The Great Horned Owls are again nesting in the woods just south of the Stelco main gate at Nanitcoke. A Black-crowned Night Heron is being seen regularly in the evening at Nanicoke harbour before it heads off to Hydro's warm water outlet.

at Selkirk Prov. Pk. today a Virginia Rail was heard for the 3rd time this spring. In the field west of the park in amongst the Bonaparte's Gulls one/two Little Gulls have been seen for the past two days.

White-throated Sparrows are arriving now as well as a few Hermit Thrushes. In nearby Norfolk, the Western Meadowlark south of Renton was seen and heard over the weekend.

Hi, Gord. Not a great many new arrivals here yet, but lots of action to keep me glued to the windows.

I've spent a lot of time watching the bluebirds who arrived March 31 and seem to have decided to stay. They started building in one of the nest boxes on April 10 and are in the backyard trees and shrubs a lot of the time. Already, this is the highlight of my year - I've waited a long time for this. The female is doing most of the building but the male has carried in twice and goes into the box a lot - far more than the male tree swallows ever seem to do. I even saw him carrying out! of the box - he removed two stems he didn't seem to like.

A robin began building on April 11, was carrying mud from the pond on the 12th and today (17th) has 3 eggs in the nest - the earliest robin nest I've had. It seemed to be built very fast and is not as big or as deep as the nests usually are.

Other nests are getting underway too. A Song Sparrow has been carrying into a juniper (to a spot used for a nest last year) and House Sparrows are building on the trellises under the eaves (and trying to get into boxes which is not permitted). Tree swallows are visiting their favourite nest box and this afternoon, a pair of flickers provided entertainment with a courtship on the lawn - performing what my handbook calls "billing and bobbing" as well as other displays.

Other visiting (and staying) birds included chipping and white-throated sparrows, pine siskins and a flock of cedar waxwings (which fed on holly berries and clinging highbush cranberries) and a lone female redpoll is still lingering (by herself since April 3), apparently reluctant to leave the niger feeder. My tree sparrows seem to be gone and only a few juncos remain.

Gord, the spring migrants are filtering through the park these days. Vesper Sparrows are singing along the west side. White-throated Sparrows can be heard in the park while the odd Hermit Thrush is on the ground. Winter Wrens have been singing for several days. Brown Creepers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are working up the tree trunks. A Brown Thrasher appeared today while a couple of Common Loons were seen migrating NW over the park. Along the lake shore there are good numbers of Tree Swallows and Caspian Terns have been seen.

Hi, Gord. Every day is bringing changes this week.

Mar 28 - Turkey Vultures arrived here in Vanessa.

Mar 29 - Eastern Phoebe here.

Mar 30 - Tree Swallows swooping over Waterford Ponds (here next day).

                A frog chorus from my goldfish pond in the evening.

                (Also saw a flock of 25 Turkey Vultures circling over

woods on N side of Hwy 401 between Woodstock and London.)



Mar 31 - Had an early Chipping Sparrow plus numerous Northern Flickers

digging in the lawn.

               Also - a pair of bluebirds investigated my nest boxes for

4 hours and came back today.   This was a big event for me - the boxes

have been up since 1993 and this is the first time any bluebirds have

taken more than brief looks.




April 1 (today) - Belted Kingfisher on wire by road.

Gord, the warm weather over the past few days have brought in a variety of migrants. In the park the following have been noted, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Tree Swallow, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow. The Red-bellied Woodpeckers are calling regularly and a Tufted Titmouse was singing on Sunday. A Vesper Sparrow was sighted Friday just east of Jarvis along highway #3.

6am singers today were Northern Cardinal, American Robin (the first robin song I've heard - they were very unhappy with the cold and snow) and White-throated Sparrow.

After last night's mildness, many of my Common Redpoll were gone this morning - only 20 are still here and flocks of cowbirds came to the feeders (only 3-5 previously).

An Eastern Meadowlark appeared at 7am.

(No report sent last week - slightly late info:)

After seeing House Sparrows entering my bluebird boxes, a check of the boxes on Mar.13 found 2 fully built House Sparrow nests and a mouse nest. Only one male Eastern Bluebird has been in (on a very cold day) and it did not inspect the boxes at all.

Gord, I saw the Ornge-crowned Warbler twice today. A male Red Crossbill flew over calling and several flocks of Tundra Swans were noticed moving west. A White-throated Sparrow was banded today which was a bit of a surprise.

Gord, another cold miserable wintery day in Selkirk today but there was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet along the nature trail west of the boardwalk.

Gord, just a short update on the wintering Orange-crowned Warbler. We caught and banded it today. Otherwise not too much happening, it is pretty wintery right now

Gord, we set up the mist nets in Selkirk Prov. Pk. today to get the Selkirk Prov. Pk. Migration Monitoring and Banding Station up and running. We spotted a Saw-whet Owl in a pine tree, a Peregrine flew by, the wintering Orange-crowned Warbler put in an appearence. On the east side of the park was a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

In Spring Creek were 300+ Common Mergansers and 3 Am. Widgeon.

Gord, I live in Vanessa - NE of Delhi & SW of Brantford - where I keep daily logs and a record book of birds and animals seen. I often wish I could share sightings. I send e-mails to the Hamilton hotline occasionally when I have something special but I am really outside their main reporting area. I visit Long Point frequently but it, too, is quite a distance away and I am not really in that area. I am not in any CBC area - just outside several.

Would you be interested in starting up a "Norfolk Region" or "Delhi Township" report? In addition to home sightings, I keep record of what I find while driving around the area and have several friends who call me when they find something interesting like a hummingbird nest, bluebird nest or White-crowned Sparrows at a winter feeder.

At home, alone, I now have sighted 130 species of birds of which 103 have actually come right on to my 0.4-acre property. Having a Great Blue Heron come in for my goldfish (20 feet from the house), a Belted Kingfisher diving into the pond and catching a goldfish, and a Black Tern swooping in over the pond are examples of the things that have happened. Last winter I had a Red-bellied Woodpecker all winter (got some great pictures) and this winter I've been spending more on birdseed than groceries with 100-130 redpolls gobbling up niger seed as fast as I fill the feeders.

Last summer, because it was so cold, I kept a couple of feeders open all summer for the first time. In August and September I had 3 families of Purple Finches - up to 13/14 fledglings (which were not on record as breeding in this area and have been reported to LPBO and the ROM). I also keep records of nests found and report them to ONRS.

I went to school in Delhi and returned to this area when I retired in 1992. I'm a member of the Toronto Ornithological Club (TOC), BSC/LPBO, OFO, OEBS and other nature groups and spend a lot of my time birding now that I am free in the daytime.

Please let me know if you'd be interested in setting up a report for this area. I'd enjoy keeping it updated.

Take care Anne, and good birding!

Sincerely,
Gord Gallant
gallantg@interlog.com

Gord, flocks of Redwinged Blackbirds observed going north this morning over Jarvis, Ont. Am. Robins are being reported in this area. Tundra Swans are ariving and some were noted today at their spring staging are along No. 3 just west of the Townsend Rd.

The annual OFO trip to Haldimand for hawks and owls took place on Sunday Feb. 8th. After car pooling nearly 70 OFO members in 23 vechiles left the Cayuga High School and headed east. Along highway No. 3 the Snowy Owl found earlier in the morning was still in the same field although it had moved onto the ground from the fence post it had been sitting on. In the background a Northern Harrier cruised back and forth while in the foreground 7 meadowlarks were noted.

Turning south on the Windecker Road 2 light phased Rough-legged Hawks soared around while Horned Larks were calling in the nearby field. As we were turning west onto the first road south on No. 3 a Red-shouldered Hawk was spotted sitting low in a tree less than a hundred yards east of the intersection where it remained for several minutes while the group had good looks at it. It then flew around putting on a good display before landing in another tree.

Nearly a mile west of the intersection we stopped at the Grand River Conservation Authority property on the south side of the road and entered the property in search for owls. Just before starting to comb the pine plantations several crows were heard acting as if they were mobbing an owl. We pursued the crows back along the trail and on several occasions caught glimpes of a Great Horned Owl as it moved further back into the property with the crows in hot pursuit. In a likely looking area we split up and checked out several good looking pine and spruce plantations for owls. Back in a dense stand of spruce several members flushed a couple of Long-eared Owls.

Back in the cars we continued west back to the East River Road and onwards to Cayuga, across the Grand River and south along the West River Road checking out several feeders. While several species of birds were found the weather was too nice and there was little activety at the feeders although several species were added to our day's list.

We headed up to Hagersville to Tim Horton's and a much needed pit stop. Turning onto the 4th line of Oneida another light phase Rough-legged Hawk was spotted that landed and sat in a tree before taking off and circling over head with good back lighting. The usual good collection of Red-tailed Hawks were present at the Chicken farm where a quick sweep of the bins on one side of the road picked up over 30 birds with many more on the other side and in the air.

Turning south of the MacKenzie Rd.we proceeded south for about 1/2 mile before stopping again where there were several Red-tails and 3 more Rough-legged Hawks. 2 light phase and 1 dark phase. The dark phased soared near us and was seen with good back lighting.

Continuing south we next stopped on the Cheapside Road just north of the 10th Concession where there was another light phase Rough-legged Hawk, a Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk and two American Kestrel all at the same location.

We proceed onwards to Selkirk Provincial Park. In the first pine plantation across the footbridge a Long-eared Owl was found sitting in a spruce tree where it sat while the whole group had a look at it without flushing. Upon exiting the pine plantation a group of 9 Cedar Waxwings were feeding on the multa flora rose and presented good views.

At the extreme SW corner of the park overlooking the lake were 2 Trumpeter Swans and several species of ducks and gulls. Chickadees, Downies, Golden-crowned Kinglets, both species of Nuthatches and a Hairy were working along the edge but the wintering Orange-crowned Warbler was not seen.

We travelled up to Jarvis and a quick stop at a restaurant for a coffee etc and then went down to the lake beside the Nanticoke Power plant where we added to our waterfowl list. At Peacock Point were several small flocks of Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneye. Several large flocks of Canada Geese flew by.

As the day was getting on we headed over to the Raptor Preserve where 15/20 Harriers were in the air. Just after arriving the first Short-eared Owl appeared and landed in a tree where it sat for some time. At approximately 5.59 p.m. around 20 Short-eared Owls exploded out ot the grass and flew around over the field before dispursing. The group then disbanded with the members heading for home in the waining twilight.

Gord, the Common Snipe was seen again at Taquanyah today. At the large spring fed pond where the stream starts a Killdeer was located. Yesterday the Pine Warbler was found in the Haldimand Conservation area.

Gord, there was a Common Snipe along the banks of the stream that flows into the lake at the Taquanyah Nature Centre to-day. It was just west of the culvert. The wintering Merlin on the Irish Line was still present yesterday and last Thursday a Yellow-rumped Warbler visited the same feeder.

Gord, today in the Haldimand Conservation Area in the first creek valley north of the Superident's residence were 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets in a flock of B.C. Chickadees, a couple of Red-brested Nuthatches, Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Brown Creeper. One Long-eared Owl was located in the White Pines north of the camp grounds.

Gord, over the weekend birders from Texas, Ohio and Michigan arrived and saw the Tufted Duck. Several groups found the Orange-crowned Warbler in Selkirk Prov. Pk. and a few found the Saw-whet and the Long-eared Owls. To-day which travelling through Haldimand delivering copies of the Fisherville CBC to the feeder watchers I had a flock of 1000 Snow Bunting east of Selkirk across the road from the IPM site. On the Rickert Rd. just north of reg rd. # 20 was a flock of 7 meadowlarks. East of Cayuga was a Snowy Owl. Across the road from the Hagersville Auto Wreakers was another Snowy Owl sitting on top in the middle of a barn.

Gord, the Tufted Duck was still present to-day, it seems to be staying from the foot of the Wheeler Rd east to the first cottage on the lake side of Lakeshore Rd. A large number of scaup with some Redhead have moved in making it a little more difficult to locate as there are more birds to look at. Also the Orange-crowned Warbler was sighted briefly on the west side of Selkirk Prov. Pk. in the pine plantation south of the walking trail near the picnic bench.

Gord, this afternoon on Reg. Rd. #9 about 2 to 21/2 miles west of Hagersville were 3 Gray Partridge. Go west of rhe railway track that cross the road, On the south side of the road immediately west of the track is a house. The Partridge were in the first field west of this house about 100/150 ft. off the road.

The Tufted Duck reported earlier was still present in the same location near Selkirk, Ont. to-day. Also the Saw-whet Owl and the Long-eared Owls reported in Selkirk Provincial Park were also found to-day. With the snow fall of yesterday Snow Buntings, and Horned Larks have reappeared along the road side. North of the village of Selkirk to-day mixed in with a large flock of Snow Buntings at least 4 Lapland Longspurs were spotted along Reg. Rd. #53.

Gord, the Tufted Duck was seen again to-day in the same general area where it was found on Sunday. The best place seems to be with a small raft of Scaup that are behind the first cottage on the lake side of Lakeshore Rd. east of Wheeler Rd. The elusive Snow Owl that has been around the Hagersville Auto Wreckers was seen to-day in the field on the NW corner of Regional Roads 20 & 9 when headed towards York.

In response to inquiries the Tufted Duck was still present to-day. It seems to be favouring a small raft of scaup that are to be found behind the first cottage on the lake side of Lakeshore Rd east of the Wheeler Rd. As a reminder the Wheeler Rd. is the first road going south from Haldimand-Norfolk Reg. Rd No. 3 west of the village of Selkirk. Selkirk is about 20 miles east of the Town of Simcoe and 6 miles south of Provincial highway No. 3.

This evening at 4:50 p.m. a Short-eared Owl was sitting on top of the tree on the SE corner of Reg. Rd. 3 and the Wheeler Rd.

Half way between Reg. Rd. 3 and Lake Erie on the west side of the Wheeler Rd. is Selkirk Provincial Park. On the west side of the park across the boardway over Spring Creek are three pine plantations. Last weekend N. Saw-whet Owl, Long-eared Owl and an Orange-crowned Warbler were found in the pine plantations. The Orange-crowned is moving with a flock of Black-capped Chickadees that usually has 2/3 Golden-crowned Kinglets in the flock. The warbler does not sit still long and you have to look quickly at all the birds to find it . It has been there since at least Dec. 7th.

If you have time travel north on the main street in Selkirk (I believe Reg. Rd. #53) to the 6th concession going east (approx. 5 miles),. turn east and go to about the middle of the concession, on the south side of the road is a big sign "Raptor Preserve" with a painting of a Screech Owl (red phase) on it. Up to 14 N. Harriers have been seen hunting over this field. On Sunday at 4:40 p.m. 10 Short-eared Owls exploded out of the grass where they roost during the day.

If you continue north on Reg. Rd. #53 cross Provincial highway #3 and continue north to the"T" intersection. Turn left on Reg. Rd. No. 20. and go to the second road that goes right, Reg. Rd. No. 9. On your left is the Hagerville Auto Wreckers. There has been a Snowy Owl in this area since at least Dec. 20th.

This bird was seen to-day in the field on the N. W, corner about 100 ft up Reg. Rd. # 9 as you head towards York.

The Tufted Duck was still present to-day east of Selkirk Provincial Park and a flock of 20 Sandhill Cranes were on the Front Rd., just west of #59 in the first corn field and the south side. In Big Creek were 4 Am Coots, hundreds of Tundra Swans, a dozen or more Ruddys, a Pied-billed Grebe and large mixed flock of scaup, Canvasbacks, etc at the mouth of the creek.

Gord, today while leading a NFN Hawk and Owl trip I had over 40 Red-tails along a 1 mile of the 4th line of Oneida. At the Raptor Preserve on the 6th conc. of S. Cayuga there were up to 5 N. Harriers in the air at once. At 4:40 p.m. 10 Short-eared Owls were in the air at once.

Just east of Selkirk Prov. Pk I found a breeding plumaged male Tufted Duck. In the park 2 Long-eared Owls and a N. Goshawk were seen. Yesterday in the park the Orange-crowned Warbler was seen along with a Saw-whet Owl.

Gord, the 9th annual Fisherville CBC was held on Saturday Jan. 3rd. It was the 3rd day in a row of strong SW winds in the 20-30 mph range. This cut down on the number of owls found owling and kept many of the cavity roosting birds in their holes during the day. Also the lack of snow resulted in the open field birds not being along the roadsides and the feeders being empty. Consequently many numbers are low although the birds are in the area.

The following is the official count:

42o50' N 79o50" W centre at jct. Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Rd. 12 and 5th conc.
Town of haldimand to include Fisherville, Balmoral, Cheapside, Cayuga, Selkirk, Clanbrassil, Kohler and Nelles Corners.
Jan. 3, 1998; 12:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Temp 43o to 46o F. Wind SW 20-30 mph. 0" snow cover.Still water open. Moving water open. A.M. overcast with the odd light shower. P.M. cloudy, the odd light rain shower. Observers; 41 in field in 17-18 parties (non-owling) plus 9 at feeders (30 hours); 17.75 hours and 223 miles owling. Total party-hours 140.75; party miles 950; 71.25 hours and 65 miles on foot, 69.5 hours and 885 miles by car.

Double-crested Cormorant 1, Great Blue Heron 11, Tundra Swan 40, Canada Goose 927, American Black Duck 45, Mallard 308, Gadwall 2, Canvasback 1, Redhead 1, Greater Scaup 11587, Lesser Scaup 19, scaup sp. 2, Oldsquaw 56, White-winged Scoter 1, Common Goldeneye 110, Bufflehead 556, Common Merganser 202, Red-breasted Merganser 73, duck sp. 5, Bald Eagle 1 im., Northern Harrier 45, Sharp-shinned Hawk 4, Cooper's Hawk 4, Red-tailed Hawk 237, Rough-legged Hawk 14, American Kestrel 54, Ring-necked Pheasant 4, Ruffed Grouse 6, Wild Turkey 14, Bonaparte's Gull 441, Ring-billed Gull 1708, Herring Gull 378, Glaucous Gull 1, Great Black-backed Gull 47, Rock Dove 513, Mourning Dove 287, eastern Screech-owl 35, Great Horned Owl 9, Snowy Owl cw, Long-eared Owl 11, Short-eared Owl 23, Northern Saw-whet Owl 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 20, Downy Woodpecker 92, Hairy Woodpecker 31, Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker 6, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Horned Lark 40, Blue Jay 122, American Crow 172, Black-capped Chickadee 432, Tufted Titmouse 4, Red-breasted Nuthatch 14, White-breasted Nuthatch 76, Brown Creeper 16, Carolina Wren 1, Winter Wren 4, Golden-crowned Kinglet 44, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2, Eastern Bluebird 2, American Robin 1, Northern Mockingbird 4, Northern Shrike 7, European Starling 4703, Orange-crowned Warbler 1, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 1, Pine Warbler 1, Northern Cardinal 113, Rufous-sided Towhee 1, American Tree Sparrow 752, Field Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 42, Swamp Sparrow 16, White-thraoted Sparrow 13, White-crowned Sparrow 2, Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 281, Snow Bunting 1, Red-winged Blackbird 1, meadowlark sp 5, Rusty Blackbird 1, Common Grackle 1, Brown-headed Cowbird 21, Purple Finch 2, House Finch 498, White-winged Crossbeill 6, Common Redpoll 219, Pine Siskin 8, American Goldfinch 335, House Sparrow 2492.

Total: 86 species; 28392 indiviuals.

Participants: Compiler-- John Miles, P. O. Box 449, Jarvis, Ont., N0A 1J0; Alfred Adamo, Colin Bell, Eleanor Bell, Drew Campbell, Glenn Cody, Mark Cranford, Floyd Deiter, John Dickie Jr., Lois Evans, Marcya Foster, Janet Gifford, Roger Gifford, Jerry Guild, Dorothy Haddington, Sid Haddington, Kevin Hannah, Betty Hoskin, Mark Jennings, Barry Jones, Rick Ludkin, Sandra Mathieson, Sandra Maxwell, Hugh McArthur, Kevin McLaughlin, Elisabeth Mihalj, Jamie Miles, John Miles, Steven Miles, Matt Mills, Don Perks, George Pond, Shirley Pond, Tom Reavely, Kayo Roy, Diane Salter, Al Sandilands, David Sandilands, Neil Sandilands, Betsy Smith, Jim Smith, Pat Smith, Brian Stewart, Joanne Steward, Mike Street, Dave Sutton, Pat Thomas, Adam Timpf, Doug Timpf, Matt Timpf, Linda Wilson (Norfolk Field Naturalists and the Haldimand Bird Observatory).

Gord, along the 6th concession of South Cayuga just east of the Raptor Preserve was a flock of 150 Redpolls this afternoon. Sitting on a fence post was a Short-eared Owl and 3 Northern Harriers were present hunting over the preserve.

Gord, the Pied-billed Grebe reported on the Woodhouse CBC was still present in Simcoe's main downtown park this morning with the Mallards.

The following is the Woodhouse Twp, (Simcoe / Port Dover) Ont. CBC held Dec. 21st and compiled by George Pond.We have a few winter birds up here in the great white north.

Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 8
Tundra Swan 33
Trumpeter Swan 3 (released for re-introduction)
Mute Swan 2
Canada Goose 3634
Wood Duck 1
Am Black Duck 120
Mallard 1336
Canvasback 1
Redhead 18025
Ring-necked Duck cw
Greater Scaup 50000
Lesser Scaup 5000
Com. Goldeneye 104
Bufflehead 295
Hooded Merganser 5
Com. Merganser 236
Red-br. Merganser 16
Ruddy Duck 2
Bald Eagle 1 ad.
Northern Harrier 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7
Cooper's Hawk 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 166
Rough-legged hawk 7
Am Kestrel 30
Gray Partridge 13
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
Ruffed Grouse 19
Wild Turkey 10
Bonaparte's Gull 232
Ring-billed Gull 1488
Herring Gull 172
Great Black-backed Gull 4
Rock Dove 688
Mourning Dove 505
Eastern Screech-owl 18
Great Horned Owl 18
Long-eared Owl 1
Short-eared Owl 8
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 167
Hairy Woodpecker 37
N. (Y.-S.) Flicker 14
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Horned Lark 55
Blue Jay 475
Am. Crow 1072
Black-capped Chickadee 825
Red-br. Nuthatch 41
White-br. Nuthatch 119
Brown Creeper 10
Carolina Wren 5
Winter Wren 7
Golden-cr. Kinglet 60
Ruby-cr. Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 21
Hermit Thrush 2
Am Robin 3
N. Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 14
N. Shrike 3
E. Starling 2983
Yellow-r. (Myrtle) Warbler 8
Am Tree Sparrow 904
Chipping Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 59
Swamp Sparrow 17
White-thr. Sparrow 18
White-cr. Sparrow 8
Dark-eyed (S.-C.) Junco 1048
Red-winged Blackbird 16
Meadowlark, sp. 24
C. Grackle 25
Brown-h. Cowbird 274
Purple Finch 39
House Finch 1319
White-winged Crossbill 12
Common Redpoll 452
Pine Siskin 105
Am. Goldfinch 453
Evening Grosbeak 23
House Sparrow 1723

Total 90 species about 94911 individuals.

Gord, the Woodhouse Count results not all in but with two parties still to report the total stands at 79 species. Several interesting sightings were made. A Pied-billed Grebe is in Simcoe's Park amongst the lighted Christmas displays. Along the lake east of Port Dover one raft of ducks was estimated to contain 30,000 Greater Scaup and Redheads with the split being 60/40 in favour of Redheads. 2 different Y-B. Sapsuckers were found, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and 13 Grey Partridge.

Gord, today at the Nanticoke Harbour were 3 Trumpeter Swans. Harry Lumston released 6 this summer on the Lake Erie Steel Works property which is nearby. A few Bonapartes were on the ice with the usual Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. The crows were mobbing a Great Horned Owl roosting in the willows.

A little further west in a sheltered bay was a flock of 2000 greater Scaup and approximately 400 Redheads.

Over in Norfolk on the 12th conc. of Townsend at house no. 1544 were 2 Eastern Bluebirds if not more. One was a high plumaged male.

Gord, the winter gathering of Red-tailed Hawks is occuring again on the 4th line of Oneida. From Highway #6 to the Mackenzie Rd I counted 60 this afternoon with the bins only. There may have been a lot more but the sun ws in my eyes and I did not bother to scope the bush were the largest number usually sit.

At the Meadow and Wilson Rds 10 Short-eared Owls were either flying or sitting on the hay bales at 4:15 p.m.

Another 13 were counted in the air or on the telephone poles by the raptor preserve on the 6th conc. of S. Walpole.

Across the road from house no. 540 on the Suter Rd. a Vesper Sparrow was along the fence row. This is the 4th winter in a row that I have had 1 or more wintering Vesper Sparrows.

Gord, my wife Ann and I took a little drive through the Fisherville CBC area of Haldimand this morning. The usual ducks were present along Lake Erie, lots of Bufflehead, Mallards, Blacks, rafts of Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers. At the mouth of the Sandust Creek were 3 Tundra Swans and 4 Hooded Mergansers. At least 20 Brn-headed Cowbirds were at the good feeder at Peacock Point.

In Selkirk Provincial Park near the beginning of the nature trail were a least 2 Tufted Titmice. One of these birds has a tendency to check out the holes in the trees I presume looking for roosting Screech Owls. Every so often this bird gives out a rolling eh, eh eh, eh, eh, call that attracts Black-capped Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches. This is the second time I have located titmice by hearing this call in Selkirk this fall.

Just west of Featherstone Pt along the long sand beach was a Killdeer and east of the Kohler Rd on a limestone shelf was a second Killdeer. Just west of the Sweet Corner's Rd was an Oldsquaw which is very unusal along this section of Lake Erie.

A the the junction of the Souter Rd and Reg. Rd. # 20 were 2 Short-eared Owls roosting in a small pine tree with 2 N. Harriers flying overhead.. 3 more Short-eared Owls were in the spruce trees east of the Raptor Preserve on the 6th conc. of S. Cayuga.

Between the Selkirk Rd. and the Cheapside Rd on the 5th conc. of Walpole was a Northern Mockingbird.

On the 6th conc. of Walpole between the Nanticoke Rd. and highway no. 6 feeding along the roadside in a mixed flock of Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos was an Am Pipit while in the background a flock of 200 Snow Buntings and a few Horned Larks were flying over the fields.

On a walk through Selkirk Prov. Pk this afternoon a few of the birds seen included a Great Blue Heron, Hooded Merganser, Canvasback, Great Horned Owl, Long-eared Owl, 3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, N. Flicker, Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

The best bird was an Orange-crowned Warbler at the south end of the west side of the park.

A female Harlequin Duck was found to-day at Port Rysere over in Norfolk Co. They are rarely found in this part of Lake Erie.

Gord, a drive along the Lake Erie shore line this afternoon from Nanticoke to the Dunn-Hald line produced 4 Killdeers and 15 Dunlin. A few Am Pipits were also noted. The number of Bonaparte's Gulls have increased significantly since last week.

The Short-eared Owls have returned to the roost on the 4th concession of South Cayuga where they have roosted for several years.

Red-tailed Hawks and Am Kestrels were present to-day in good numbers. Several Rough-legged Hawks and a few N. Harriers were also seen

---