| HAMILTON and surrounding area |
Archived Birding Reports - 2000 |
immature Cooper's Hawk - Fri, 15 Dec 2000 An immature Cooper's Hawk has been hanging around our yard in Waterdown, Ontario (near Hamilton) for the past week. Takes a lot of energy to scare him off...the hawk sits until you are almost on top of him and sometimes just goes around one of the evergreens and sits again. Has finished off one dove and keeps trying to catch some of the sparrows...probably has when we haven't been looking.
Best regards
Ron Collum
905-690-3070
collumr@iprimus.ca
Hamilton Harbour waterfowl - Sat, 2 Dec 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Brief visits to a few spots around Hamilton Harbour late this morning proved fairly productive, with a total of 18 species of waterfowl and a couple of other pleasant surprises.
At LaSalle Marina, the Whooper Swan and its Trumpeter Swan companion are indeed quite smitten with each other - they were rarely more than a metre or two apart, and I watched (and listened) as they went through some rather elaborate courtship rituals. All of the other local Trumpeters, plus a couple of Mutes were well off to the east. The highlights here were herons - a Great Blue and an immature Black-crowned Night Heron, both on the rocky islands just offshore. West of the LaSalle parking lot there were 23 Coots and 6 Hooded Mergansers, plus a few Gadwall and Red-breasted Mergansers. Also 2 Song Sparrows in the bushes among a total of 100+ House Sparrows.
On the east side of the harbour at CCIW, the Snowy Owl was on a distant lamppost on the south side of the buildings, and two Mockingbirds flew across Eastport Drive just north of the complex. The north Tollgate Pond is still unfrozen; among the hundreds of scaup there was a group of 33 Shovelers (30 of them male). No Ruddy Ducks here, but there were half a dozen or so at Windermere (exact number hard to guess because of the mist rising from the water). On the north side of the bridge at Windermere was a lone Double-crested Cormorant swimming with more than 50 Canada Geese.
Good birding,
Marcel Gahbauer
Scarborough ON
marcelga@istar.caDirections: LaSalle Park - head west on North Shore Blvd from the QEW; turn south on LaSalle Pk Blvd to the parking lot at the shore. East Harbour - take the Eastport exit from the QEW; if coming from the north, CCIW is encountered first and is clearly marked, Tollgate Ponds are 1-2 km further south on the right, and Windermere Basin is accessed by proceeding another ~1km and turning right at Pier 25.
Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report - Thursday, December 14th - Thu, 14 Dec 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
At 9:00pm, Thursday, December 14th, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights unless an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area.
Two heavy snowfalls have limited the number of reports received by the Hotline this week. However, there are still some great birds to be found in the Hamilton area. Best of all is the adult male KING EIDER seen on the weekend and again today on the lakeshore in Stoney Creek. The bird has been reported at points just east and west of Greens Road. Directions are as follows: take the QEW Niagara and exit at Fruitland Road. Travel towards the lake and head back towards Hamilton, checking points along the lakeshore as you go.
The WESTERN GREBE, along with a PURPLE SANDPIPER were reported Saturday at the Best Western Beacon Harbourside near Jordan Harbour, and the HARRIS' SPARROW was still in Port Weller on the same day.
Other local reports this week include RUFFED GROUSE at Beverley Swamp, and CAROLINA WREN in a yard on the lakeshore in Burlington.
Farmers' fields around Hagersville can be great for raptors and other wintering birds. Seen in the area this week were HORNED LARK, SNOW BUNTING, MEADOWLARK, and LAPLAND LONGSPUR. When birding this locale, keep an eye out for GRAY PARTRIDGE.
Last but not least, gulls reported on the Niagara River this past weekend include: NELSON'S GULL, CALIFORNIA GULL, and SABINE'S GULL.
Be sure to let us know about your sightings. Include your name, phone number, the date of your call, and the time and date of your sighting. Sightings can also be reported by E-mail.
Good birding!
Keith & Karen Dieroff
kdieroff@bestnet.org
Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Upate December 7th, 2000 - Thu, 07 Dec 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
At 7:30pm, Thursday, December 7th, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report.
Some excellent winter birds were found just outside the Hamilton area this week. First, a HARRIS' SPARROW was found on Friday near Port Weller in Niagara Region. The bird is associating with a number of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, TREE SPARROWS and JUNCOS. Directions are as follows: take the QEW Niagara to St. Catharines, exit at Niagara Street and proceed north to Lakeshore Road. (There is a small detour at the north end of Niagara Street, follow the directions via Bunting Avenue). Go to Lock 1 over the Welland Canal at Lakeshore and Bunting. Cross over the bridge at Lock 1 and proceed east 2.7km to McNab Ave (look for apples for sale sign). Turn right here and go south 1 block to Church Street. Turn left and go about 100 yds to a heavy brush area in a small depression on your left just before the first house, #392 Church Street. The bird is in the heavy brush of vines.
Second, a WESTERN GREBE can be found behind the Best Western Beacon Harbour Motor Inn at Jordan Harbour. Jordan Harbour is located off the QEW Niagara just before St. Catharines. Exit at Victoria Road and take North Service road to parking lot on east side of the motel and scan the lake for Grebe.
In and around Hamilton lakeshore, the female COMMON EIDER was reported as recently as Sunday at the foot Dewitt Road off the North Service Road in Stoney Creek. At least one SNOWY OWL can still be found at points between Windemere Basin and the CCIW, and a RED-THROATED LOON was reported at Van Wagner's Beach.
At LaSalle Marina, WHOOPER SWAN and TRUMPETER SWAN can be seen along with GREAT BLUE HERON, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, AMERICAN COOT, GADWALL, HOODED MERGANSER, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
For those in search of a winter birding adventure, I recommend the following: a drive along Highway #60 through Algonquin Park. Birds seen on this route the past week include WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, PINE GROSBEAK, NORTHERN SHRIKE, PURPLE FINCH, SPRUCE GROUSE and BOHEMIAN WAXWING. Or closer to home, look for SANDHILL CRANE, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, TUNDRA SWAN, and HERMIT THRUSH at Long Point plus PINE WARBLER near the Old Cut Banding Station.
On the Niagara River, CALIFORNIA GULL, SABINE'S GULL, LITTLE GULL, BONAPARTE'S GULL, THAYER'S GULL, ICELAND GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were reported this past week. Also look for the female HARLEQUIN DUCK at the control gates near Chippewa, and HORNED GREBE and DUNLIN on the river.
Be sure to let us know about your sightings. Include your name, phone number, the date of your call, and the time and date of your sighting. Sightings can also be reported by E-mail.
Good birding!
Keith & Karen Dieroff
kdieroff@bestnet.org
Western Grebe(s) - Sun, 26 Nov 2000 Hi Gord
As you know I do not make many reports anymore as my kind of motto now is "if you want to see what I see you better be standing beside me" as too often the doubt and criticism gets out of hand from some quarters.Case in point of not mentioning is 2 Hawk Owls, Great Gray Owl, 2 California Gulls together, Varied Thrush, Spruce Grouse, Red Phalarope, etc. but last Saturday (Nov.18th, 2000) there were not one but two Western Grebes. I spotted them and mentioned them to Stan later (because he was not within calling distance and they had flown off) before this latest sighting was known to me. They were spotted off Gray Road in the morning. These birds were first found together on the water beyond a large Scaup / Scoter flock before they both took flight and flew towards Fifty Point.
I mention them now as I am not a complete (letters left out) and so that others may get a chance to try for these birds if they are still around. You can post this email if you want to but I will understand if you do not. I hope I don't get chastised for the letters that I left out.
Norm Murr
NORMURR@SYMPATICO.CA
Sunday, Nov.26, 2000
Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report - November 23rd, 2000 - Thu, 23 Nov 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
At 7:00pm, Thursday, November 23rd, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights, unless an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area.
Further searches for the NORTHERN HAWK OWL seen Wednesday, November 15th on Highway 5 west of Clappison's Corners have produced no reports. However, a number of good birds were found locally before the cold weather moved in.
A birder from Richmond Hill made the trip to Hamilton this week and was rewarded with five HORNED GREBES, a COMMON LOON, and twenty SURF SCOTERS on the lakeshore, as well as PINTAIL, DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT and a late BLACK BELLIED PLOVER at Windemere Basin. On Saturday, a female COMMON EIDER was seen on the lake at Confederation Park. A visit to the Hendry Valley produced WINTER WREN, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and SONG SPARROW. Other local reports include a SNOWY OWL at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, and two BRANT on the soccer fields behind the Hamilton Cathedral.
The Niagara River continues to be good for gull watching. Seen this week at Adam Beck were CALIFORNIA GULL, ICELAND GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, and BLACK LEGGED KITTIWAKE. Further up the river below the falls, LITTLE GULL, SABINE'S GULL, and BONAPARTES GULL were reported.
Further afield, SHORT-EARED OWLS can again be seen at dusk at the Raptor Preserve on the 6th concession north of Fisherville. Birders are reminded that this is private property so please respect the wishes of the owners and stay on the road. The immature NORTHERN GANNET was still in Toronto at the Leslie Street Spit on Monday. Look for SNOWY OWL and NORTHERN SHRIKE if you are visiting this location.
Be sure to let us know about your sightings. Include your name, phone number, the date of your call, and the time and date of your sighting. Sightings can also be reported by E-mail.
Good birding!
Keith & Karen Dieroff
kdieroff@bestnet.org
Common Eider off Confederation Park in Hamilton - Sat, 18 Nov 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
I'm posting a message for Kevin McLaughlin who just called to say he found a female COMMON EIDER on the Lake Ontario shoreline off Confederation Park in east Hamilton (11:30 a.m., Saturday, November 18). The bird was associating with a large flock of several thousand Scaup towards the east end of the park (west of Grays Rd). For best viewing, either enter the park from the North Service Rd. just west of Centennial Parkway (entrance fee in effect), or park at Hutch's Restaurant at Van Wagners Beach and walk east along the lakeshore trail (about a 15 minute walk) until the flock is encountered.
Rob Dobos
Flamborough, Ont.
bcharltn@netcom.ca
Barbara Charlton
bcharltn@attcanada.ca
Birding Hotline Report - Thursday, November 16th, 2000 - Fri, 17 Nov 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
At 9:00pm, Thursday, November 16th, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights, unless an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area.
There have been no further reports of the NORTHERN HAWK OWL seen Wednesday on Highway 5 just west of Clappison's Corners in Flamborough. At least one local birder searched the area but was unable to find the bird. Regardless, NORTHERN HAWK OWLs have been reported in several locations around Ontario, including Orillia, Arnprior, Sturgeon Falls and Parry Sound. Other owl reports this week include GREAT-GRAY OWL near Peterborough, and SNOWY OWL at Waterloo and Keswick.
Locally, at trip to Bronte Harbour on Sunday produced RED THROATED LOON, TUNDRA SWAN, BALD EAGLE, and SNOW BUNTING, as well as a good look at the immature NORTHERN GANNET. At Van Wagner's Beach in Hamilton, BRANT, KING EIDER, another BALD EAGLE and a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE were reported. Further along the lake shore, BLACK SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen along with at least 20 other species of duck. At Princess Point, an AUSTRALIAN BLACK SWAN has joined the MUTE SWANS and CANADA GEESE. Across the Highway on the soccer fields behind Hamilton Cathedral two BRANT were reported. Finally, near the junction of Highway 403 and 52 in Ancaster, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted hunting at the side of the road.
On the Niagara River this week an adult winter plumage CALIFORNIA GULL was seen on US side of the river at the Sir Adam Beck generating station. Also seen along the river were GLAUCOUS GULL, ICELAND GULL, THAYERS GULL, LITTLE GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.
Last but not least, yard reports this week include RED BREASTED NUTHATCH in Ancaster and a MERLIN in your reporter's yard.
Be sure to let us know about your sightings. Include your name, phone number, the date of your call, and the time and date of your sighting. Sightings can also be reported by E-mail.
Good birding!
Keith & Karen Dieroff
kdieroff@bestnet.org
NORTHERN HAWK OWL at Rock Chapel Rd., Flamborough - Wed, 15 Nov 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Anton Vermeert of Chatham called to advise that at 4:30 this afternoon, Wed., Nov. 15, 2000 he watched a NORTHERN HAWK OWL catch a mouse opposite the 'One Stop Colour Shop' on Hwy. 5, about 2-3 km west of Clappison's Corners (near Rock Chapel Road) in Flamborough (just nw of Hamilton). Directions: Hwy. 401 to Hwy. 6, south 20km or so to Hwy. 5, right (west) on Hwy. 5 approx. 2-3km OR Hwy. 403 to Hwy. 6, north 3-4km to Hwy. 5, left (west) on Hwy. 5 approx 2-3km. Mike Mike Street Ancaster, Ontario, Canada mikestreet@hwcn.org
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, November 9, 2000 - Thu, 9 Nov 2000
At 7:00PM Thursday, November 9, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.) After eleven (11) years of bringing you the Hamilton Birding Hotline almost every Thursday night, this is my last report. I would like to thank all the people who have helped by reporting birds over the years, and especially Rob Dobos and George Naylor who provided backup for vacations and business trips. Next Thursday Keith Dieroff will take over as Hotline Compiler and Reporter. Please give Keith the same support you have given me. Birders should note that the Bird Study Group meeting this month is one week behind normal. At the gathering on Nov. 27 George Bryant will present a slide program about his recent around the world Pelagic Birding trip. Anyone interested in Seabirds should not miss this meeting. Visitors are always welcome. Probably the highlight of Sunday's annual Hamilton Fall Bird Count was the juvenile NORTHERN GANNET, which made its third appearance on the count in the last 10 years by landing almost on the beach at Gray's Rd in Stoney Creek just as the count group were doing their job. A flock of 28 TUNDRA SWANS was seen by the same group. Adult NORTHERN SHRIKES were found on Lower Lion's Club Rd. in Ancaster and on Baptist Church Road in Caledonia. The relatively warm weather produced several COMMON GRACKLES, many AMERICAN ROBINS, hundreds of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, lots of RED- TAILED HAWKS, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and a few RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS. Your reporter was able to hear or see 10 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS and 4 GREAT HORNED OWLS in his area. Last Saturday 14 BRANT - 4 adults and 10 juveniles - and 4 RED- NECKED GREBES were at Bronte Harbour. On Tuesday at Bronte the first PURPLE SANDPIPER reported in our area this year was on the large rocks at the base of the breakwater. On Monday a RED PHALAROPE flew by Van Wagner's Beach at noon. The next day a juvenile PARASITIC JAEGER was seen there. Found at Princess Point were two juvenile BRANT feeding on the grass, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 30 GREEN-WINGED TEAL and a pair of NORTHERN SHOVELLERS. At least 100 AMERICAN COOTS are at Lasalle Marina. A flock of 200 CANVASBACKS and several groups of RUDDY DUCKS were at TOLLGATE PONDS. It's getting to be gull season on the Niagara River. Last weekend 8 species were found, including adult LITTLE GULLS, two first- winter BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, an adult ICELAND GULL and several adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. Also on the river, above the control gates at Chippewa, were large rafts of CANVASBACK, Scaup, and COMMON GOLDENEYE. Highlights from Selkirk Provincial Park include an additional pair of NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS banded, plus a late BALTIMORE ORIOLE, a late FIELD SPARROW, an EASTERN TOWHEE and 20 PINE SISKINS. Another late bird found on the north shore of Lake Erie was a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER seen this morning at Port Ryerse. The best yard bird reported in a while was a male BREWER'S BLACKBIRD which turned up in Dundas late last week. In a Winona yard this week an immature SHARP-SHINNED HAWK has been giving the resident MOURNING DOVES fits. When the colder air returns keep an eye on the sky for Tundra Swans, Red-Tailed Hawks and possibly a few more Golden Eagles. And for one last time - Good birding! Mike Street Ancaster, Ontario, Canada mikestreet@hwcn.org
Bluebird Flock in Bronte Creek PP - Sat, 04 Nov 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
While exploring the changes being made to the east side of Bronte Creek PP today (the new campground is under construction), a flock of birds approached from the NE and landed in a nearby tree. To my surprise, it was at least a dozen E. Bluebirds! They landed in a lower shrub with their backs to me so I could count them, their beautiful blue colour shining in the afternoon light.
I have never seen Bluebirds in a flock before, only in singles and pairs.
Directions: Bronte Road (#25) to Upper Middle Road. West on UMRoad 250m to dead end. The birds were near where the the hydro line enters the forest edge.
Rod Murray in Oakville
rmurray69@home.com
14 Brant at Bronte Harbour - Sat, 4 Nov 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
As of 9:30 November 4 there are 14 Brant at Bronte Harbour. The group is comprised of 4 adults and 10 juvenile. They were first seen feeding on the rocks of the breakwater with the walkway. They flew east of the harbour where they were feeding along the rocks at the shore.
Four Red-necked Grebes are also present.
Directions: Exit QEW at Third Line (part of Bronte Rd. is closed for construction) and go to Lakeshore. Go south on East St. and check the shore to the east.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, November 2, 2000 - Thu, 2 Nov 2000
At 7:00PM Thursday, November 2, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.) Birders who would like to help out with the annual Hamilton Fall Bird Count this Sunday, Nov. 5 should contact Compiler Bill Lamond at 519-756-9546 soon. The last stop for the touring exhibit of original hand-coloured prints of North-American birds by John James Audubon began last Saturday at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. The exhibit runs until December 3, 2000. Gallery hours are 11-5 Tuesday through Sunday, except Thursday when the gallery is open until 9PM. There is NO charge to see the Audubon prints. An immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was off Gray's Rd. in Stoney Creek this afternoon. Also seen there today were RED-THROATED LOON, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER and SURF SCOTER. The NORTHERN GANNET was seen off at Van Wagner's Beach Saturday and then off the pier at Bronte Harbour on Sunday morning. On Sunday a light morph juvenile plumage POMARINE JAEGER was seen off Gray's Road in Stoney Creek. Last Friday three BRANT, one a juvenile, were on the goose pasture south of Ontario Street at Bronte Harbour, while two pairs of RED-NECKED GREBES were in the harbour. Among waterfowl at Cootes Paradise in the last few days were GREEN-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, AMERICAN WIGEON, RUDDY DUCK and NORTHERN PINTAIL. A Saturday outing in the Hendry Valley area of the Royal Botanical Gardens produced 10 WOOD DUCKS, a GREAT BLUE HERON, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, SONG SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and a few late RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. Other sightings include a pair of SNOW BUNTINGS over Van Wagner's Beach, plus an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE and a LONG-EARED OWL at Shell Park, all on Saturday. Seen on the North Shore Trails were EASTERN BLUEBIRD, FOX SPARROWS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, WHITE- THROATED SPARROWS. The cold air which moved in overnight last Friday/Saturday brought more raptors to the area. Seen at Hawk Cliff on Sunday were 3 BALD EAGLES, 98 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 1360 RED-TAILED HAWKS and 22 GOLDEN EAGLES. A Hamilton birder spotted a rare western bird, a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, at Hawk Cliff Sunday. Four LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were found at the landfill at Niagara Falls. Another NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was banded at Selkirk Provincial Park. Among highlights from the Long Point area were GOLDEN EAGLE, PARASITIC JAEGER, EASTERN SCREECH OWL, SURF SCOTER, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, LAPLAND LONGSPUR and a really late PINE WARBLER. Further out of town, a CALIFORNIA GULL was seen at Cornwall, and NORTHERN HAWK OWLS turned up in southern Ontario at Presqu`ile Provincial Park and near Brockville. Birders near Lake Erie should keep their eyes open - a Wood Stork was reported near Erie, Pa and a Dovekie was reported in Ohio. Way out of town, a second winter Heermann's gull at Fort DeSoto, Florida has people wondering if it is the same bird which spent most of the last year at Toronto.Good birding.Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Northern Mockingbird - Sun, 29 Oct 2000 A Northern Mockingbird (male) has been a regular visitor to our Waterdown (Hamilton area) for the past two weeks. semingly living in the Hawthorn bush and cedars at the end of our residential lot. We have several bushes with berries, have several feeders and lots of water in our yard. I haven't recognized the female yet...although a male and female visited with us in early spring.
Best regards
Ron Collum
71 Chudleigh Street
Waterdown. Ontario
collumr@iprimus.ca
Gannet at Bronte Harbour - Sun, 29 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
I saw the Northern Gannet briefly at 8:30 AM October 29 from the pier at Bronte Harbour. I noticed a distant flock of gulls that seemed interested in something on the water. After a few minutes the gannet took flight briefly.
Directions: Part of Bronte Road is closed for construction. Exit the QEW at Third Line or Burloak and go south to Lakeshore Rd. Turn right from Third Line, left from Burloak. Turn south on Bronte Road.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Hendry Valley Birds - Sat, 28 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Saturday morning 28 October, 2000 the following birds were seen in the Hendry Valley of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario:
10 Wood Duck 15 Mallard Duck 15 Canada Geese 1 Great Blue Heron 16 American Goldfinch 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 4 Red-winged Blackbird 2 American Robin 4 Blue Jay 4 Northern Cardinal 2 Downy Woodpecker 20 Black-capped ChickadeeGeorge Redburn
Hamilton, Ontario
Gannet at VanWagner's Beach October 28, 2000 - Sat, 28 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Hi everyone,
Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I along with three other birders (Dan Salisbury, Michael Tate and a third birder I did not know) saw the NORTHERN GANNET this morning (Saturday) at 9:00 a.m. off Van Wagner's Beach. In total we saw the bird for approximately one minute at quite a distance. Unfortunately, it was pretty far out and always in the zone of heat shimmer. Nevertheless, its distinct size and shape made its identity obvious, especially in comparison to the gulls that were chasing it.
Other noteworthy birds observed during my two hour stint were 1 HERMIT THRUSH (along the south wall of Hutch's Restaurant), 2 SNOW BUNTINGS and couple dozen LOONS (including one possible Red-throated Loon), most flying in a northwesterly direction!? This seemed a bit odd since the winds were from the north.
Elsewhere, I spotted my first NORTHERN SHRIKE (immature) of the winter in the fields immediately west of the woods in Shell Park (Bronte), where the owls are traditionally seen. For fear of being too specific, I did also find, thanks to a rather noisy Blue Jay, a rather concerned looking LONG-EARED OWL in the vicinity.
Good birding,Karl Konze
Guelph, Ontario
To get to Van Wagner's Beach (Hutch's restaurant): Heading towards Niagara on the QEW, take the skyway bridge and exit at Woodward Ave. and double back under the expressway and take the Beach road which is a right turn at the first light. From Niagara, take Hwy 20 (Centennial Parkway) and travel along the lakeside past Centennial park to the beach area.
To get to Shell Park: Take the Q.E.W. to Burloak Drive. Head south to Lakeshore Rd. and turn east (left). After driving past the park on the left, I turn left (north) on Chalmers Street. Riverview is your second left. Turn here, drive around the corner and park by the walkway between the houses on the left hand side. This takes you to the woods to the left and the overgrown fields beyond.
Imm blue Snow Goose and N Gannet - Sat, 28 Oct 2000 Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic
thank you for your understanding.This morning the N Gannet was see at 9:30 and 11:40 but might have bin feeding off of Vanwgners beech in Hamalton most of the morning way off in the haze .so oo hard to tell at times
Also to night their was a imm. blue morph Snow Goose off Halls rd in Whitby , if you have never seen this age I rely say go see it,,, it is a reel stumper , see page #70 of the National Geographic Birds of North America it is the lower right hand bird ..
one can only hope the Lesley st spit is as good tomorrow ..
O and seeing that I have bin asked this a number of times over the last copal of weeks, I spent the day yesterday adding up my ticks for the year and have got to 290 for Ont. not bad for not trying..
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan
Toronto/Ont/Canada/World.
csam@sympatico.ca
Brant at Bronte Harbour - Fri, 27 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
As of 10 AM October 27 there are three Brant, one a juvenile, on the goose pasture south of Ontario Street by Bronte Harbour.
Two pairs of Red-necked Grebes were in the harbour.
Directions: Part of Bronte Road is closed for construction. Exit the QEW at Third Line or Burloak and go south to Lakeshore Rd. Turn right from Third Line, left from Burloak. Turn south on Bronte Road which ends at Ontario Street.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for October 26, 2000 - Thu, 26 Oct 2000 At 6:00PM Thursday, October 26, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.)
Birders who would like to help out with the annual Hamilton Fall Bird Count on Sunday, Nov. 5 are asked to contact Compiler Bill Lamond at 519-756-9546.
The juvenile NORTHERN GANNET found Saturday off Gray's Rd. in Stoney Creek and Sunday off Van Wagner's Beach was reported off Van Wagner's again on Wednesday morning. Other waterfowl seen from those locations were an immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, a Blue phase SNOW GOOSE flying with a small flock of CANADA GEESE, PARASITIC JAEGERS, an EARED GREBE and many COMMON LOON and RED- THROATED LOONS. On Sunday an immature BRANT was off the Travelodge Hotel in Burlington.
FOX SPARROWS and an EASTERN TOWHEE were at Martin's Field in Ancaster. HERMIT THRUSHES were seen in several places. One of Hamilton's PEREGRINE FALCONS was calling from the Fairclough Building on King St. this morning.
Toronto Bird Observatory on the Toronto Islands banded its first AMERICAN TREE SPARROW of the season as well as a late YELLOW- BILLED CUCKOO.
Out of town, arriving two weeks ahead of the normal peak for the species, record numbers of GOLDEN EAGLES were seen in south- western Ontario. Over 50 GOLDEN EAGLES were recorded at Holiday Beach near Amherstburg over the weekend, while 8 miles away at Erie Metropark south of Detroit nearly 80 were counted.
The winter gull season got further off the ground with two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS found on the rocks about 1/4 mile above Niagara Falls and another below the falls. Down river, two adult PEREGRINE FALCONS shared a meal on the Adam Beck Power Plant structure.
Among highlights from Long Point Bird Observatory were 44 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS banded last Thursday night, GOLDEN EAGLE, SANDHILL CRANE, 6 GREAT EGRETS in the pond across from the Marinas, plus DUNLIN and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.
Six NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were seen in the Thunder Bay area, another in Temagami, and one - much closer to us - near Parry Sound. Today a PURPLE SANDPIPER was located at Presqu`ile Provincial Park.
Back yard reports include early DARK EYED JUNCOS on the central mountain and in Ancaster, while in Caledonia a PINE SISKIN and both male and female PURPLE FINCHES came to a feeder, followed soon after by a COOPER'S HAWK.
Good birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
N.Gannet Hamilton - Wed, 25 Oct 2000 Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic
thank you for your understanding.To day at 8:30am the juv. N Gannet was seen flying by Van Wagers beach going south east along the shower ..
also seen wear 5 R T Loon's , and 8 C Loon's.
Van wagers is found along the Beach Blvd at Hunches Restaurant in Hamilton near the QEW.
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan
Toronto/Ont/Canada/World.
csam@sympatico.ca
Northern Gannet at Van Wagner's Beach - Sun, 22 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
We headed down to check out the Juvenile Northern Gannet which had been reported this morning and yesterday.
We arrived at Van Wagner's Beach around 2:30 p.m and were immediately disapointed, the Gannet had apparently not been seen since 8 a.m. and we had just missed a Black-Legged Kittiwake by about 20 minutes! We stayed for about 30 minutes and decided we would drive a bit further and check out Gray's Rd.
As we were pulling out of the parking lot of Hutch's restaurant a birder came running out to the car, saying that 2 Gannets had just been spotted, so, it was out of the car again and back to the beach. By the time we could get back to the beach however the Gannets had gone down and were out of sight. We stayed though and were rewarded with a fairly close Parasitic Jaeger, as well another Jaeger much further out. Finally someone spotted a Gannet, on the horizon! We all got looks at it and then it was down again.
Before we decided to head for home someone spotted a Jaeger, up fairly high, then there were two Jaegers circling high above the lake, then three...four..five..six..seven Parasitic Jaegers kettleing like hawks! We decided this was enough to call it a day.
Directions: Take the QEW to the Centennial Parkway (Hwy. 20) exit in Stoney Creek. Go west - towards Hamilton - on the North (lakeside) Service Rd. to Hutch's Restaurant.
Good Birding,
Mike Burrell
Heidelberg, Ont.
GANNETT at Van Wagner's Beach, Hamilton NOW - 8AM, Sun., Oct. 22 - Sun, 22 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Relaying a phone call from Jean Iron:
The juvenile NORTHERN GANNETT was in the water off Van Wagner's Beach, Hamilton, at 8AM this morning, Sunday, Oct. 22.
Take the QEW to the Centennial Parkway (Hwy. 20) exit in Stoney Creek. Go west - towards Hamilton - on the North (lakeside) Service Rd. to Hutch's Restaurant.
Mike
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Re: Northern Gannet at Gray's Rd., Stoney Creek!! Oct. 21, 5 PM - Sat, 21 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
We saw the Northern Gannet flying a little after 5 PM at Gray's Road. It took over an hour of looking before the bird showed up. We also saw a Parasitic Jaeger, an Eared Grebe and several female Black Scoters.
Directions: See Mike's post below.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Northern Gannet at Gray's Rd., Stoney Creek!! Oct. 21, 1PM - Sat, 21 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Relaying a phone call:
Luke Fazio's group found an immature NORTHERN GANNET sitting on the water just off Gray's Raod, Stoney Creek at 1PM this afternoon, Saturday, Oct. 21.
Take the QEW to the Centennial Parkway (Hwy. 20) exit in Stoney Creek. Go east -towards Niagara Falls - on the North (lakeside) Service Rd. . Gray's Rd. is just past Confederation Park. Follow it to the lake. Look also from Sayer Park off the first street about 200m east of Gray's Rd.
Mike
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Hamilton Area Bird Probably NOT Greater White Fronted - Sat, 21 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
A closer look by a much more knowledgeable birder at the photo of the unusual goose reported yesterday in the Hamilton-Grimsby area has resulted in an opinion that the bird "is likely a 'white-fronted like' domesticated hybrid goose." This bird is, however, quite different from the hybrid seen often last year at Windermere Basin and Princess Point and may be of interest to birders who study hybrids.
MikeMike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report
for Thursday, October 19, 2000 - Thu, 19 Oct 2000
At 7:30PM Thursday, October 19, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.) Birders who would like to help out with the annual Hamilton Fall Bird Count on Sunday, Nov. 5 are asked to contact Compiler Bill Lamond at 519-756-9546. After a long drought, virtually all of this week's report originates right here in our own area. Sunday afternoon and Monday morning saw great birding at Van Wagner's Beach. Seen there were up to 10 PARASITIC JAEGERS, including at least 4 adults, a POMARINE JAEGER, over 300 BRANT, 1000 OLDSQUAW, an ICELAND GULL, COMMON LOON, RED-THROATED LOON, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, SURF SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER, not to mention DUNLIN, SANDERLING, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and WILSON'S PHALAROPE. Wednesday was grebe day at and off LaSalle Marina. In addition to a basic or winter plumaged EARED GREBE, there were HORNED GREBE, RED-NECKED GREBE and PIED-BILLED GREBE. Also at LaSalle were 50 AMERICAN COOTS. Numbers of diving ducks are starting to build along the north shore of Hamilton Harbour, among them REDHEAD, CANVASBACK, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, GREATER SCAUP and BUFFLEHEAD. A probable immature Brant was reported at Bayfront Park this morning. Last Friday a birder visiting Shell Park was very pleased to hear a chorus of 3 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS. On Saturday an early NORTHERN SHRIKE and a pair of EASTERN PHOEBES were found at the park. Species reported along the Chedoke Rail Trail were NASHVILLE WARBLER, SWAMP SPARROW, a loudly singing CAROLINA WREN, 4 HERMIT THRUSHES and an adult COOPER'S HAWK. Five RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were at Borer's Falls. A listener in Burlington was quite startled to find an AMERICAN WOODCOCK patrolling his lawn on Monday morning. A female RUBY- THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was still coming to a feeder on the escarpment above Burlington on Monday. SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were found at Cootes Paradise last Saturday. They weren't seen Tuesday, but a first year BALD EAGLE was watching over the marsh, and DUNLIN and GREATER YELLOWLEGS were on the mudflats. Going east to west along Lake Erie, LITTLE GULLS were seen near the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie/Buffalo, Selkirk PP, Turkey Point and Port Ryerse. It's been another good week at Selkirk Provincial Park. An adult male COOPER'S HAWK caught in the banding nets was identified as a bird probably banded at Braddock Bay, NY last year. Today a LONG- EARED OWL and a pair of NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were banded, and the NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL banded Oct. 11 was retrapped Tuesday. Other birds seen at Selkirk included an adult GOLDEN EAGLE, MERLIN, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER and AMERICAN REDSTART. Birds banded at Rock Point Provincial Park included WINTER WREN, NASHVILLE WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER and INDIGO BUNTING. Highlights of birds seen or banded at Long Point were ORANGE- CROWNED WARBLER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, HOODED WARBLER, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, SANDHILL CRANES, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, PEREGRINE FALCON, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, unidentified Dowitchers TUNDRA SWANS and GREAT EGRETS. The Hudsonian Godwit was not reported at Amherst Island near Kingston this week, but a EURASIAN WIGEON was seen on nearby Wolfe Island. Both species could show up in our aera and should be watched for. Look also for flocks of American Pipits in fields and overhead. Good birding. Mike Street Ancaster, Ontario, Canada mikestreet@hwcn.org
Eared Grebe at Hamilton Harbour - Wed, 18 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Today (Wed. Oct. 18) over the noon hour I had a basic plumaged Eared Grebe along the north shore of Hamilton Harbour, seen off LaSalle Marina in Burlington. The bird was about 200 m off the very eastern end of the shoreline trail, and was associating closely with two Horned Grebes, so nice comparisons of these similar species were possible.
Other birds of interest there included 1 Red-necked Grebe, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, and about 50 American Coots; numbers of diving ducks are starting to build along the north shore of the Harbour, including Redhead, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, both scaup, and Bufflehead.
LaSalle Marina is reached from the foot of LaSalle Park Dr., which runs south from Plains Rd in the Aldershot area of Burlington.
Rob Dobos
Flamborough, Ont.
Hamilton. Van Wagner's Beach today - Mon, 16 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic
thank you for your understanding.As predicted by one Toronto birder on another post, today at Van Wagner's beach was fantastic ( well good) I arrived at 9:30 and stayed until 1:30 and this report is only what I saw , others saw more , Com.Loon 17 ,Red T Loon 3, Brant 348, Can Goose 22 ,W W Scoter 21 , Surf Scoter 1 , Black Scoter 2 , L.T.Duck (Oldsquaw) 1000+ ,?scaup 2000+, Parasitic Jaeger 10, Pomarine Jaeger 4 , ? Jaeger 2 , Iceland gull 1 imm , N Mockingbird ( it wouldn't be Van wagner's with out a Mockingbird) and 1 imm Female Peregrine Falcon .
Not bad for a Monday too bad I have to go back to work tomorow.......
Location thanks too Thomas A. Crooks
: Van Wagner's Beach (Hutch's restaurant): Heading towards Niagara on the QEW, take the skyway bridge and exit at Woodward ave. and double back under the expressway and take the Beach road which is a right turn at the first light. From Niagara, take Hwy 20 (Centennial parkawy) and travel along the lakeside past Centennial park to the beach area.
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan
Toronto/Ont/Canada/World.
csam@sympatico.ca
Jaegers at Van Wagners Beach, Hamilton - Mon, 16 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Hello Ontbirders,
On Sunday afternoon, 15 October, in east winds, jaegers put on a fine display at Van Wagners Beach in Hamilton. We had outstanding views of four adult Parasitic Jaegers that flew right over us as we stood on the beach near Hutch's Restaurant. Before that they entertained us with aerial flights out in the bay chasing each other and some gulls. There was a larger, bulkier juvenile jaeger flying and sitting on the water that could have been a Pomarine. The jaegers continued flying about further out for the rest of the afternoon. Also seen were small flocks of Dunlin and Sanderlings. A juvenile Black-bellied Plover and a Sanderling landed on the beach. Bonaparte's Gulls were migrating. Brant, Long-tailed Ducks, scaup and other ducks were also seen. Good birding, Jean Iron President, Ontario Field Ornithologists 9 Lichen Place Toronto, Ontario M3A 1X3 Canada Phone: 416-445-9297 e-mail: jeaniron@sympatico.ca Web Page: http://www.interlog.com/~ofo
Hamilton. Van Wagner's Beach, Sunday, Oct 15th - Mon, 16 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Hamilton. Van Wagner's Beach, Sunday, Oct 15th
As the east winds picked up about 1pm and the fog lifted somewhat sightings of jaeger's began highlighted by( as of 4pm when I departed) 4 adult Parasitic individuals passing directly low overhead of the assembled birders on the beach. One of the first sighting was a juvenile, very dark individual with a white flash on the outer wing and quite robust in the body area ; observed on the water and flying which many labelled as a Pomarine. Several other fairly distant sightings occured while I was present.
Prior to our first jaeger sighting, 38 Brant flew by in close proximity to the beach and prior to them a single Wilson's Phalarope skirted the shoreline./tac
Location : Van Wagner's Beach (Hutch's restaurant): Heading towards Niagara on the QEW, take the skyway bridge and exit at Woodward ave. and double back under the expressway and take the Beach road which is a right turn at the first light. From Niagara, take Hwy 20 (Centennial parkawy) and travel along the lakeside past Centennial park to the beach area.
Thomas A. Crooks 489 Forestwood Court Burlington, Ontario Canada, L7L 4K6 Tel: 905-634-1178 Fax: 905-634-9616 E-Mail: eclectic@worldchat.com
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline report for October 13, 2000 - Fri, 13 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
At 6:30PM Friday, October 13, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.)
The Bird Study Group meets this Monday the 16th, at the Canada Centre For Inland Waters on Eastport Drive just beside the Skyway Bridge. This month's meeting will feature a talk by Dr. Chip Weseloh on "The Colonial Birds of Hamilton Harbour and the Great Lakes". The meeting starts at 7:30PM. Visitors are always welcome.
Species found Monday at Shell Park in Oakville included PALM WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO and RED- BREASTED NUTHATCH.
LESSER SCAUP, REDHEAD and RUDDY DUCKS were in Tollgate Ponds on Monday, and there are GREEN-WINGED TEAL at Valley Inn.
An immature GOLDEN EAGLE flew over Woodland Cemetery Sunday. Large numbers of TURKEY VULTURES were seen migrating west through the area this week, with as many as 800 reported at one time at the chicken farm south of Caledonia.
Not all summer birds have migrated. A female RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was still coming to a feeder on the escarpment above Burlington yesterday, and two recently fledged AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES were being still being fed by adults at a city niger feeder last Saturday.
A birder new to Hamilton was surprised to see close to 1,000 AMERICAN CROWS flying in toward the escarpment at dusk. We tend to forget that these birds are around. Their numbers will grow as winter approaches.
Things have been busy at both Rock Point Provincial Park and Selkirk PP, with over a thousand birds banded between the two locations in the last few days. Among highlights were NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, COOPERS' HAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, GRAY CATBIRD, NASHVILLE WARBLER and ORANGE CROWNED WARBLER.
Other species reported over Selkirk were a very late COMMON NIGHTHAWK, PINE SISKIN, AMERICAN PIPITS, and a single LAPLAND LONGSPUR. In addition to the NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, Selkirk reports a couple of pairs of calling EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS, the local pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS which are also calling, and one LONG-EARED OWL seen briefly last Friday.
This week's report is late because your reporter spent the last two days on a short holiday in Algonquin Park. Although there were not many birds to be found in Algonquin, today proved to be a lucky Friday the 13th. Found this morning on the rail trail off Arrowhon Pines Road were 2 to 4 GRAY JAYS, half a dozen BOREAL CHICKADEES, 3 SPRUCE GROUSE and - best of all - a BOREAL OWL located because it was being mobbed by several Red-breasted Nuthaches and at least 8 of both species of chickadees.
It looks as though this is going to be a good winter for owls. Over 300 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS and an unprecedented 16 BOREAL OWLS have been banded at Thunder Cape Observatory near Thunder Bay so far this fall.
Other good birds reported in Ontario were ROSS' GOOSE at Ottawa, female BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER in Presqu'ile Provincial Park at Brighton, HUDSONIAN GODWIT at Amherst Island near Kingston, plus two NORTHERN HAWK OWLS and three TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES seen near Thunder Bay.
Good birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
ducks in Tollgate ponds, Hamilton - Tue, 10 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
We saw these ducks on Mon. Oct. 9: -Lesser Scaup -Redhead Ducks -Ruddy Ducks Also, there are Green-winged Teal at Valley Inn Park. The Tollgate ponds (at least what I've been calling the Tollgate ponds) are segmented inlets of the Hamilton Harbour, that can be seen from the road near the Canada Centre For Inland Waters. Valley Inn is located off Plains Road between Hamilton and Burlington. Ken & Angie Williams williamsmusic@execulink.com Hamilton, Ont.
Sharp-tailed Sparrow - Sun, 8 Oct 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
There is still at least one Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow at the Willows in Hamilton's Cootes' Paradise. The bird was on the far side (east) of the large pond around noon. An immature Peregrine sat high in a dead tree at the west end the marsh for at least half an hour. Kevin McLaughlin had a Sabine's Gull off Van Wagner's in the morning.
Ron Scovell
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Friday, October 6, 2000 - Fri, 6 Oct 2000
At 8:00PM Friday, October 6, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.) First, my sincere thanks to Keith Dieroff for looking after the line while I was away the last two weeks. It was much appreciated. The October Bird Study Group meeting will be on the normal date, Monday the 16th, at the Canada Centre For Inland Waters on Eastport Drive just beside the Skyway Bridge. This month's meeting will feature a talk by Dr. Chip Weseloh on "The Colonial Birds of Hamilton Harbour and the Great Lakes". The meeting starts at 7:30PM. Visitors are always welcome. Two SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were located at Dundas Marsh on Tuesday. On Sunday near the old tower in the marsh a local birder found all four wrens - CAROLINA WREN, SEDGE WREN, HOUSE WREN and MARSH WREN - plus a pair of YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS. As many as 12 GREAT EGRETS were in the Hydro Pond behind Olympic Arena in Dundas on Monday. Also seen there were two LINCOLN'S SPARROWS. A really late COMMON NIGHTHAWK was over the Dundas Valley on Tuesday evening. Seen at Grindstone creek yesterday were a male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER and an immature female CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, plus four BLUE-HEADED VIREOS in a single tree. On the lakeshore, numbers of GREATER SCAUP and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS have increased signficantly this week. EARED GREBES and COMMON MERGANSERS are also present and a female Eider, reported as a Common but possibly the female King Eider which has been around all year, was also seen. Seen Saturday at Mountsberg Conservation Area were AMERICAN COOT, AMERICAN WIDGEON, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, RED BREASTED NUTHATCH, CEDAR WAXWING and RUBY CROWNED KINGLET. Found yesterday on Nassagaweya Fourth Line in North Milton were two early AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and a late possible Alder Flycatcher. An unusual dark-phase hawk flew over a birder's car on Hwy. 53 in Ancaster, and a probable Black-crowned Night Heron flew out of the construction pond at the QEW and Brant Ave. in Burlington. Shorebirds seen at Port Rowan Tuesday included LEAST SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Three late OSPREY were also seen. After extensive examination and comparison with other specimens in the Royal Ontario Museum collection, it has been determined that the Storm Petrel found near Long Point this summer was a BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL, only the second Band-rumped ever confirmed in Canada. Among good birds seen in the Kingston area this week were HUDSONIAN GODWIT, WESTERN KINGBIRD, EURASIAN WIGEON and BOREAL OWL. Those who like to punish themselves by hearing about great sightings in other locations will suffer well at the news that yesterday the Florida Keys Hawkwatch recorded 171 OSPREY, 100 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 196 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, and an incredible 354 PEREGRINE FALCONS! This weekend is normally the time when between 5- and 10,000 Turkey Vultures leave the province for the winter. Look for them and other raptors during any intervals between showers in the next few days.Good birding.Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Jaegers at Van Wagners beach Hamilton - Thu, 5 Oct 2000 Please Excuse my spelling ,I am Dyslexic
thank you for your understanding.This mooring will standing waiting for the N/E winds to pick up ( witch they dint) I got good yet long looks at 2 Long Tailed Jaeger's, dark and 1 light Parasitic Jaeger, witch jest goes to prove what the good birders In Hamilton have bin telling me for years ..... "You don't need strong East winds (all though it helps) you jest need hungry Jaeger's " I am glad I asked ..
Van Wagner's beach is found east of the QEW on Lakeshore rd or Beach blved look for Huces restaurant
Craig.S.A.McLauchlan
Toronto/Ont/Canada/World.
csam@sympatico.ca
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report Thursday, September 14, 2000 - Thu, 14 Sep 2000 At 7:00AM Thursday, September 14, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.)
With only two reports from the Hamilton Birding area, this week's report will be brief.
Closest to home, three immature SABINE'S GULLS were off Van Wagner's Beach on Sunday morning.
Birds reported at Rattray Marsh in western Mississauga on Monday included 39 juvenile and adult RED-NECKED GREBES in winter plumage, a GREAT EGRET, SANDERLING and WOOD DUCK.
Hawk migration is picking up. AMERICAN KESTRELS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS are moving, and the first BROAD-WINGED HAWKS have been reported. A light phase SWAINSON'S HAWK was spotted at the Old Cut field station at Long Point at 10 am yesterday, September 13. A SWAINSON'S HAWK was also seen yesterday at the Southern Michigan Raptor Research site south of Detroit, but there's no indication it was the same bird.
South of the city, large numbers of GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH and SWAINSON'S THRUSH were banded yesterday at the banding stations at both Rock Point Provincial Park near Dunnville and Selkirk Provincial Park at Selkirk. Other birds reported from these sites include NASHVILLE WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, OVENBIRD, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, WARBLING VIREO, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, RED-EYED VIREO. LINCOLN'S SPARROW, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and WINTER WREN were also seen at Selkirk.
Elsewhere, the immature LITTLE BLUE HERON continues to stay at Bate's Marsh just outside Rondeau Provincial Park, and the AMERICAN ANHINGA is still in the Delaware Sportsman's Club Pond west of London. At least 20 species of warblers were reported migrating through through Toronto last weekend.
This weekend should see a major migration of Broad-winged Hawks. The best places to see the largest numbers are at Hawk Cliff near Port Stanley and Holiday Beach near Amherstburg, but they may also be seen from Hamilton's Woodland Cemetery or the High Level Bridge.
Be sure to let us know about your sightings. Please wait a full two seconds after the tone before leaving your message, and include your name, phone number, the date of your call, and the time and date of your sighting. Sightings can also be reported by e-mail.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
SABINE'S GULLS at Van Wagners Beach, Hamilton, Sunday, Sep. 10 - Mon, 11 Sep 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Bill Smith and others saw three immature SABINE'S GULLS of Van Wagner's Beach in Hamilton yesterday morning, SUnday, Sep. 11, 2000. This is only the second reprt from southern Ontario this season, and the first (I believe) for Hamilton since 1998.
Directions: http://www.hwcn.org/link/hamnature/
Mike
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 - Thu, 7 Sep 2000 At 6:00PM Thursday, September 7, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-381-0329.)
Regular Hamilton Birding Hotline callers will have already learned that after almost 11 years at the same spot, the hotline now has a new telephone number. The change is part of an upgrade the Hamilton Naturalists' Club has made to take advantage of new technology to improve its communications with the public.
As often happens at this time of year, shorebird numbers and variety build up with warm or calm weather, and the birds then take advantage of a passing cold front to start the next leg south. This happened last weekend as more than a dozen species were reported, mainly at Tollgate Ponds. Among those seen were BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, RED KNOT, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, SHORT- BILLED DOWITCHER, WHIMBREL and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Also reported at Tollgate were WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, plus GREATER YELLOWLEGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. SANDERLING were seen on the sand and flying past Van Wagners beach. BUFF- BREASTED SANDPIPERS were also found near Mount Hope Airport at a sod farm on on the south side of Airport Rd. a few hundred metres E of Hwy. 6, and another on a sod farm at Miles Rd. and Whitechurch Rd.
Also seen over the weekend at Van Wagners Beach were a juvenile dark/intermediate morph LONG-TAILED JAEGER, a juvenile intermediate PARASITIC JAEGER and an adult dark phase PARASITIC JAEGER, as well as PEREGRINE FALCON, OSPREY and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER.
Out of town, the immature LITTLE BLUE HERON remains at Bate's Marsh just outside Rondeau Provincial Park, and the AMERICAN ANHINGA is still in the Delaware Sportsman's Club Pond west of London.
Although we've had no reports from the Hamilton region, sightings in adjacent areas indicate that the cold front which dragged its way through the area on Monday brought with it many warblers and raptors. Look for more of these birds behind the next cold front, and watch for shorebirds to build up again itno the weekend.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Par. Jaeger - Mon, 04 Sep 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
At Van Wagners beach in Hamilton at 5:15 an adult dark phase Parasitic Jaeger flew between the beach and the wave tower, affording a good look with a scope. A lot better than the specks we looked at all afternoon! To get toVan Wagners take QEW to Hwy 20 turn left (north) and then turn left onto the N Service Rd and follow to Hutches Restaurant.
Dan Burton,
burton@csolve.net
Gravenhurst
Western + Buff-Breasted at Tollgate Ponds - Sun, 03 Sep 2000 This evening my family and I decided to check out the Toll Gate ponds in response to the report of Red Knots and Buff-Breasted Sandpipers yesterday. After turning off of Eastport Drive onto Pier 25 north gateway and making a quick right turn we stopped to ckeck out the shorebirds in a flooded section on the left side of the road. In these 2 ponds were 2 RED KNOTS, 1 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, 1 LEAST SANDPIPER, 1 SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and several KILLDEER. Continuing along to the end of the road we got out of the car and walked the rest of the short distance to the Toll Gate Ponds. On the near shore we had a great selection of birds highlighted by several SEMIPALMATED, several LEAST, 1 WHITE-RUMPED, 2 BAIRD'S and 1 WESTERN SANDPIPER all in close quarters for great comparisons. Also seen along here were a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 1 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 1 RED KNOT, 1 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a few LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
Good Birding,
Mike Burrell,
Heidelberg, Ont
burrellsc@golden.net
Jaegers and Buff-breasts at Hamilton - Sat, 2 Sep 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Today (Sep. 2) off Van Wagners Beach in Hamilton, we, along with several other birders, had looks at five jaegers in the moderate NE winds between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. At least one was identified as a juvenile dark/intermediate morph LONG-TAILED JAEGER. Another was IDed as a juvenile intermediate PARASITIC JAEGER, while the other three were too distant and left unidentified. See Bob Curry's earlier post for a description of the flight styles of Long-tails, which is distinctive. Also seen there were: 1 PEREGRINE FALCON, 1 OSPREY, 4 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, 8 SANDERLING, 4 LONG-TAILED DUCKS.
Also this morning at Tollgate Ponds were 12 species of shorebirds including the following:
-2 juv. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER -3 juv. RED KNOT -2 juv. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER -1 juv. SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER -1 ad. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERMany of the birds, including the buffies, were walking around on the fresh fill material at the small pond being actively filled. Turn off Eastport Drive into the Pier 25 North Gateway, turn right and park at the end by the gate. Access to this area is not a problem on the weekend, however, during the week when work is ongoing, viewing should be done from the shoulder of Eastport Dr. Look for the trampled path through the weeds up to the fence for close views of the birds on the pond mudflats.We also heard today from John Olmsted that another BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was near Mount Hope south of Hamilton this morning. It was at a sod farm on Airport Rd. a few 100 m E of Hwy. 6, on the south side. Apparently it was at a different sod farm nearby yesterday. To get to this area, take Hwy. 6 (Upper James St.) south from Hamilton to Mount Hope, turn left at Airport Rd.
Rob Dobos & Barb Charlton
Flamborough
bcharltn@attcanada.ca
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, August 31, 2000 - Thu, 31 Aug 2000 At 6:15PM Thursday, August 31, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
With the humidex hitting 37 degrees centigrade today, perhaps we can cool you off with news of a few fall and winter birds. In the easterly winds on Sunday and Monday persistent birders watching from the shore of Lake Ontario in Hamilton and Grimsby saw several juvenile or sub-adult LONG-TAILED JAEGERS, both light and dark versions, and several PARASITIC JAEGERS as well. To round out the note, at least one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen east of Fifty Point in Winona.
The first COMMON NIGHTHAWK migration report for our area came Tuesday night from Aldershot.
The RED-NECKED GREBE family returned to Bronte Harbour for a visit over the weekend. Two of the juvenile birds are almost indistinguishable from the adults.
Three GREAT EGRETS and several GREAT BLUE HERONS were in the marshy area on the southeast side of Highway 407 just before the Derry Road exit ramp in Oakville.
At least 30 COMMON SNIPE were on the center island at the Vanderleeke Pond near Bismarck east of Smithville on Tuesday. Also seen there were a GREAT EGRET and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. Shorebirds at Rock Point Provincial Park included 100 SANDERLING and 4 RUDDY Turnstones, plus SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS.
Among shorebirds seen at Presqu'ile Provincial Park near Brighton this week were BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, RED KNOT, WHIMBREL, and STILT SANDPIPER.
An immature LITTLE BLUE HERON has been present in Bate's Marsh just outside Rondeau Provincial Park since the weekend.
The AMERICAN ANHINGA was still in the Delaware Sportsman's Club Pond west of London this morning. Migrating species seen there today included RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
Although the sighting of large numbers of BLUE JAYS in Ancaster seems a bit early, other species are late. Look for flocks Common Nighthawks over the city in the evening, possibly with Gulls, Buff- Breasted Sandpipers on sod farms and golf courses, and Ruby- throated Hummingbirds, whose southbound flight normally peaks over the next few days.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
jaegers at Hamilton - Mon, 28 Aug 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Ontbirders
Following up on Kevin Mclaughlin's message. Yesterday there were at least a couple of Parasitic Jaegers and a dark morph juv. long-tailed seen by Rob Dobos and John Olmsted from Van Wagner's Beach. I didn't post because we spent about three hours looking both before and after these sightings and saw absolutely nothing.
However, as the brisk easterly winds continued today we went to Van Wagner's about 4:00pm. Again nothing for an hour until we spotted a light phase Long-tailed well beyond the wave tower (late afternoon light conditions were excellent). We had difficulty aging the bird but it may have been a second alt./second basic (ie.sub-adult) as it appeared to have a light grey mantle and light barred rump. The behavior was absolutely distinctive and something I've never seen Parasitic do. Over and over, the bird stalled in flight by swooping upwards and dropping to the water for a few seconds. In this manner it resembled the feeding style of a small gull or small tern. Eventually it dropped to the water, disappeared and stayed down until we left after 10-15 minutes. This behavior is described in Anthony McGeehan's article, Telling tails in Birdwatch July 1995 ( a British mag).
So it would appear to be a good flight year for Long-tailed Jaeger with one already at the eastern end of L. Ontario and at least two at the west end. Jaeger watching can be likened to police detective work - hours and hours of boredom punctuated occasionally by a few minutes of excitement.
To reach Van Wagner's exit the Qew at Hwy 20 in Stoney Creek. Go north and turn left along the shore road about a half km or so until you reach Hutch's restaurant. Park here and settle in. Winds out of the east if not paramount, do increase the odds of success considerably.
Bob Curry and Glenda Slessor 30-3115 New Street Burlington, ON L7N 3T6 905-637-2022 slessorg@haltonbe.on.ca
Long-tailed Jaegers - Mon, 28 Aug 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Yesterday (Sunday Aug 27) I stationed myself at the lake end of the Grimsby sewage lagoons,having noticed that the wind had picked up,coming onshore from the northeast.At around 2:55pm I looked up and saw two jaegers going overhead flying from east to west,and watched them as they veered inland and continued to fly west somewhere south of the QEW.I was able to get on one of the birds and recognized the distinctive silhouette of a juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger.I was not able to get a comparable study of the second bird as the two were 50 to 75 feet overhead for only a few seconds and quickly flew south,gaining height as they circled.Both birds were indentical in structure and were flying and interacting together.A few moments later,a White-winged Scoter flew by on the lake.Both of these sightings remind us that the autumn "lakewatching"season is upon us.
The Grimsby sewage lagoons are located on the Baseline Road just west of Oakes Road and can be accessed by taking the QEW east to the Fifty Road exit,then going east on the North Service Road to Kelson Avenue.Turn left here and go a short distance to the Baseline Road.Turn right and go east for several hundred yards.The lagoons are on the left just past the rifle range.
Kevin McLaughlin..
kmclaughlin@uniongas.com
Hamilton - Hendrie Valley - Sun, 27 Aug 2000 Hi Gord,
Yesterday we went birding in the Hamilton area. At the Tollgate ponds among the 100's of cormorants there were 2 redheaded ducks and a white-winged scoter. From there we went to the Arboretum's North Shore Trail where we found a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, a Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Phoebe, a Warbling Vireo and a Blue-Winged Warbler.
We then went to the Woodland Cemetery where we saw 2 Ospreys and 6 Turkey Vultures. Down the hill is the start of the Hendrie Valley's, Tollhouse Trail. We struck gold there! We walked in to the platform overlooking the marsh and spotted a Great Egret and 3 Wood Ducks. In the bushes next to the platform were several warblers flitting around - Black & White, Blackpoll, a couple of Wilson's, Cerulean, Canada and a Connecticut. We watched them flitting back and forth along the path for about half an hour before they moved further back in to the woods.
Robin & Cathy Anderson
Cathy.Anderson@gwl.ca
Bronte Red-necked Grebe Update Aug. 27 - Sun, 27 Aug 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
I had not seen Red-necked Grebe family in Bronte Harbour in recent weeks but they were there this morning. Two of the juvenile birds are almost indistinguishable from adults.
Directions: Exit QEW at Bronte Rd. (Oakville) and drive to the lake.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, August 24, 2000 At 8:30PM Thursday, August 24, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
Thanks very much to George Naylor, Rob Dobos and Barb Charlton for looking after the hotline while your reporter was away. As always, this kind of help is very much appreciated.
Listeners will remember that a few weeks ago we reported the finding of a Storm-petrel in Lake Erie near Long Point. Today we learned that another seabird, a MANX SHEARWATER which had been banded in Northern Ireland, has been found alive on the Michigan shore of Lake St. Clair. Since there have been no hurricanes from the south or heavy storms from the east, the presence of this bird so far inland has ornithologists scratching their collective heads.
Birders visiting the chain of old beaver ponds off Twiss Rd. near Carlisle were pleasantly surprised to find a family of at least 3 PILEATED WOODPECKERS. Also seen were RED-EYED VIREO, GREY CATBIRD, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD and several flycatchers including EASTERN KINGBIRD, EASTERN WOOD PEWEE, EASTERN PHOEBE and an empidonax species.
A WHIP-POOR-WILL - the first in many years - was heard calling at 5:30 am this morning in Caistor Centre.
The sight of flocks of COMMON GRACKLES over the QEW in Burlington at dawn this morning suggests that they are getting ready to head south.
The Rock Point Provincial Park Bird Banding Station reports a good movement of passerines. Among species banded this week were AMERICAN REDSTART, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, ALDER FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, WARBLING VIREO and YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
Shorebird species found along the north shore of Lake Erie this week included RED KNOT, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and LEAST SANDPIPER.
An early fall migration of raptors seems to be underway, with 3 adult BALD EAGLES and 125 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS reported at Cranberry Marsh in Whitby this week.
The AMERICAN ANHINGA was still in the Delaware Sportsman's Club Pond west of London yesterday.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Whip-poor-will - Thu, 24 Aug 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
A Whip-poor-will was heard calling at 5:30 am this morning in Caistor Centre. We haven't heard one around here for years. I will give directions but I doubt anyone will see the bird. It may have been passing through.
Loretta Routsky
8331 3rd Concession Road
Caistor CentreCome along 20 highway from Hamilton to the Caistor Centre Road, come up the Caistor Centre road, cross over Silver Street and continue on to the 3rd Concession Road, turn left, it was calling near the road at #8331.
HAMILTON, ONTARIO BIRDING HOTLINE REPORT for AUGUST 17, 2000 - Fri, 18 Aug 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Species mentioned in this report:
Common Loon Red-necked Grebe Great Egret Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Oldsquaw Common Merganser Ruddy Duck Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Semipalmated Plover Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Whimbrel Semipalmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Sanderling Ruddy Turnstone Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Common Nighthawk Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Northern Flicker Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Nashville Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Wilson's Warbler BobolinkAt 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, August 17, this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights, and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
It was another quiet week for the hotline with very few reports received. Regardless, fall migration is underway on many fronts, with southbound shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, warblers and others occurring in our area.
Tollgate Ponds remains the best place locally for shorebirds, with small numbers of juveniles of SEMIPALMATED and LEAST SANDPIPERS, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and adult SANDERLING and PECTORAL SANDPIPER there today. Earlier in the week, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, STILT SANDPIPER, RUDDY TURNSTONE and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER were also present. A WHIMBREL was there a week ago, and another one flew over Van Wagners Beach Road on Saturday.
Waterfowl numbers and diversity continue to increase around the waterfront. At Tollgate Ponds, NORTHERN SHOVELER, BLUE-WINGED and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RUDDY DUCK, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER and GREATER SCAUP and REDHEAD can be found. Two broods of REDHEAD chicks can also be seen there. Two summering OLDSQUAW were off Van Wagners Beach today, while a female COMMON MERGANSER was at LaSalle Marina Monday. A flock of 36 RED-NECKED GREBES can be found off of Shoreacres in Burlington.
Woodland Cemetery has been good for migrant passerines and other birds the past few days, including: BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BLACK-AND-WHITE, WILSON'S and NASHVILLE WARBLERS, EASTERN KINGBIRD, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BOBOLINK, CHIMNEY SWIFT, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, NORTHERN FLICKER, OSPREY, NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and COMMON LOON.
A GREAT EGRET was at the Bronte Marsh on Wednesday, while from two to four birds have been regular in Flamborough on the 5th Conc. west of Middletown Rd.
Two COMMON NIGHTHAWKS over Gage Park on Saturday were considered to be a local pair; however, they should be moving through in good numbers now, so keep an eye out for them.
Out of town, Ontario's two mega-rarities continued with the ANHINGA being seen daily at Delaware west of London, and Toronto's HEERMANN'S GULL returning to Poulson St. in the port lands area after a brief absence.
The next Hamilton Naturalists' Club Wednesday Evening Outing will be on August 23. Marilyn Baxter will lead a walk at Valley Inn and the Hendrie Valley boardwalk to view the wetland features. Meet at the foot of Valley Inn Rd. at 6:00 p.m.
We would appreciate hearing about your sightings. Please wait a full two seconds after the tone before leaving your message, and include your name, phone number, the date of your call, and the time and date of your sighting. Sightings can also be reported by e-mail. Good birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Hamilton Birding Hotline - Fri, 11 Aug 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
At 8:00 AM Friday August 11, 2000, this is the Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Hotline Report.
The hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone # is 905 648-9537)
Next Wednesday, August 16, Lois Evans will lead the Wednesday Evening Walk to discover the trees of Hamilton's Gage Park. Those interested should meet at the parking lot north of the bowling green off Lawrence Rd. at 6:00 PM.
A very sparse week for new reports for the Hamilton area. Shorebird migration continues to pick up steam, with reports of both Yellowlegs species, Least, Semi-palmated and Stilt sandpipers,along with Short-billed dowitchers, Semi-palmated and Black-bellied Plover at Windermere and tollgate Ponds.
Further afield, the American Anhinga is still being seen, west of London. The Heerman's Gull, a long time visitor to the Toronto waterfront has not been seen for a few days. This bird has disappeared from his usual haunt a few times before so birders in other centres around Lake Ontario should be on the lookout for this bird. A Heerman's Gull would be a wonderful addition to your local Life List.
A singing Dicksissel was discovered in a field north of Port Hope. Directions are as follows; Exit the 401 at exit 464, go north on County Rd. 28, 2 Kms to the stoplight at Dale Rd. Turn right onto Dale Rd., 1 Km to Hamilton Rd. The bird was seen & heard in the second field past Hamilton Rd. on the south side.
Jaeger season is starting, although the report from the Pinery Provincial Park, on Lake Huron, of a Pomarine Jaeger on the beach is the least likely of the 3 jaeger species to be seen at this time of year.
Please tell us what you are seeing. Wait a full two seconds after the tone at the end of this message, before leaving your name, phone #, and the date, time & location of your sighting.
Good birding!
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Bronte Red-necked Grebe Update Aug 4 - Fri, 4 Aug 2000 There are still two active Red-necked Grebe nests in Bronte. Three chicks are almost fully grown but still have striped faces. They are now diving but still being fed. They do catch a few low flying insects on their own. One adult continues to sit on the nest which is in the northeast corner of the Outer Harbour. The other nest is in Bronte Creek opposite Stoneboats Restaurant one a tire between two sailboats. This nest looks more stable than previously. There is one egg.
Directions: Exit QEW at Bronte Rd. (Oakville) and drive to the lake.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, August 3, 2000 At 10:10PM Thursday, August 3, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
Next week's Wednesday Night Walk, on August 9, will feature a walk up the waterway which gives Stoney Creek its name. Meet Leader Don McLean in the Fiesta Mall parking area between Fortino's and Queenston Rd, Stoney Creek, at 6:30PM.
Good birds in other places include the AMERICAN ANHINGA which was still west of London today, a RUFF at Cranberry Marsh in Whitby last Friday, a BLACK VULTURE at Hillman Marsh near Point Pelee, and a reported Tricoloured Heron in the same location.
A HOODED WARBLER has been heard singing 2 or 3 types of songs in the woodlot at the end of Spruce Lane at Bronte Creek PP. The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still at Clappison's Corners on Monday.
Last Friday at Selkirk PP a CAROLINA WREN and the observatory's first ever ORCHARD ORIOLE were banded. A COMMON LOON was calling at dawn. Further east, at the Rock Point PP Banding Station near Dunnville, the 327 birds banded last week included 150 YELLOW WARBLERS and 35 GRAY CATBIRDS.
Shorebird migration is getting into full swing. Found last Sunday at Tollgate Ponds and Windermere Basin were 2 WHIMBREL and 11 STILT SANDPIPERS, many SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, plus two very difficult to identify SANDERLING. Ducks at Windermere Basin included a female KING EIDER, a COMMON GOLDENEYE and a RUDDY DUCK.
As part of the reconstruction of QEW interchanges at Guelph Line and Brant Street in Burlington a large stormwater control lagoon has been created. If you can stand the noise, shorebirds which have been seen there are LESSER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Taquanyah Nature Centre near Cayuga has reasonable mud flats this summer. Among shorebirds there were SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and LEAST SANDPIPER, as well as a GREAT EGRET. Today at Rock Point PP 15 shorebird species were highlighted by 10 STILT SANDPIPERS and 1 WHIMBREL, plus numerous RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Western Meadowlark-Clappison's Corners-July 31/00 - Mon, 31 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
The Western Meadowlark at Clappison's Corners was heard and observed around 3:00pm near the soccer fields on July 31st, 2000. Directions below.
WESTERN MEADOWLARK, in a small meadow about 400 m north of Hwy.5 on the west side of Hwy. 6 at Clappison's Corners. The field is bordered on the south by the Borer's Creek drain and on the north by Beverly Tire. Please note - the traffic here is very heavy so it can be difficult to hear the bird and parking on the shoulder is dangerous. It is suggested that birders park in the closed down restaurant parking lot at the intersection and walk up to the field.
Brian Pomfret Wildlife Biologist Royal Botanical Gardens P.O. Box 399 Hamilton, Ontario Canada (905) 527-1158 ext 248 bpomfret@rbg.ca
Shorebirds in Burlington - Sun, 30 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
A recent piece of urban highway construction has created some potentially productive shorebird habitat easily accessible to birders making their way along the QEW.This has not gone unnoticed by some local birders.
As part of the reconstruction of QEW interchanges at Guelph Line and at Brant Street in Burlington a large (approx 3 acres) stormwater control lagoon has been created. The design includes many different features such as varying depths of water, mudflats, islands, deepwater ponds, rocky shorelines, open water, and cattail & pickerel weed plantings. A microcosm of shoreline variety.
Today the shorebird variety was not great; Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, and Spotted Sandpipers, (the last 2 species breeding there) (I swear the Spotted Sandpipers would colonize the bathrooms of Ontario if we'd let them).
Access is limited. There's a large commuter parking lot within a few metres, and you can freely set up at the entrance to the lagoon site. The passing road traffic makes this site reminiscent of the Hamilton Harbour roadside along by the QEW. There's a large NO TRESPASSING sign at the entrance to the lagoons. The lagoon is owned by the people of Ontario and access is restricted courtesy of the Region of Halton. The north shoreline of the lagoon is owned by the people of Ontario and kept free of people courtesy of Ontario Hydro. If we have subscribers to Ontbirds with influence at either of these public bodies maybe we could arrange a birder protocol; (surely we can).
How to get there. Exit the QEW at Guelph Line, go north. Take the 1st left on North Service Road. The commuter parking lot is about 200 M along the road on the left. The lagoons are across the road.
With high water almost everywhere its quite encouraging to find an area with real (manmade) mudflats. (What did you do at work today daddy? I made mudflats for the birds.)
Peter Thoem
Bulington.
pthoem@home.com
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, July 27, 2000 - Thu, 27 Jul 2000 At 9:00PM Thursday, July 27, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
Next Wednesday Evening, August 2, take an evening walk with Brian Wylie to see what the Royal Botanical Gardens' Berry Tract has to offer. Meet on Patterson Road about 0.3 km east of Valley Road or 1.5km west of Old Guelph Road at 6:30PM. Due to lack of space on Patterson, it is suggested that walkers park on the side street on the east side of the tract and walk back to the entrance.
As is often the case, the end of July can be pretty slow for birding, as borne out by the lack of reports this week.
The AMERICAN ANHINGA was last seen west of London on Tuesday. This bird proved very popular - it is estimated that close to 1000 birders got a look at it. Thanks to Pete Read of London for helping people see this great Ontario rarity. Another unusual species - a possible Least Tern - was reported yesterday in Amherst, NY. Birders should keep an eye out, especially along the shore of Lake Erie where one turned up a couple of years ago.
At least one male Dickcissel was still present Sunday near the Winona radio towers and sewage lagoons. Shorebirds at the lagoons included GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LEAST SANDPIPER and SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER.
Two STILT SANDPIPERS were at Tollgate Ponds Tuesday. The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still at Clappison's Corners last Friday. A WILD TURKEY was seen in Caledonia, and LESSER YELLOWLEGS and LEAST SANDPIPER were in a field off the Hwy. 6 Caledonia Bypass.
Fall migration harbingers at Rock Point Provincial Park include SWAINSON'S THRUSH and TENNESSEE WARBLER, not to mention the 10 GRAY CATBIRDS and 40 YELLOW WARBLERS banded in the last few days.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Magnolia at Dundas Valley-July 22 - Sun, 23 Jul 2000 Gord,
Yesterday, July 22, I found a Magnolia Warbler at Dundas Valley. It was on the McCormack trail. The Black thr. Green was still singing on the Main O loop. A single male Blue-winged Warbler popped out of the bushes on the Sawmill trail.Good birding,
Fred Urie
fredurie@yahoo.com
Hooded at Bronte-July 23 - Sun, 23 Jul 2000 Gord,
I heard a Hooded Warbler sing at Bronte Creek Prov. Park from July 10 to around the 15th. It was in the woodlot at the end of Spruce Lane, but I was never able to see it.Good birding,
Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com
Hamilton Bird Sightings - Sun, 23 Jul 2000 Birds seen at Royal Botanical Gardens, Grindstone River Valley Area, Burlington, Ontario.
Two Ospreys seen with, one carrying a fish, flying up Grindstone River Valley to where?
3 Carolina Wrens, two on breeding territory on Tollhouse Trail and at Grindstone Marsh Parking area, with one on Tollhouse Trail Boardwalk just before the Hendrie Park Trail.
2 Sora's under the Tollhouse Trail Boardwalk calling back and forth.
Lynn Sayers & Ken Walton
lsayers@attcanada.ca
Western Meadowlark at Clipperton Corners - Fri, 21 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Good morning Ontbirders,
After making a long drive for the Anhinga (thanks and keep the updates coming, Pete!), I decided to check for the Western Meadowlark at Clipperton Corners on the way home this morning. It was still there, singing loudly.
Directions:
>From the intersections of highways 5 & 6, go about 100 m West on Hwy. 5 and turn right into the Community Centre parking lot. From here walk across the soccer fields back towards Hwy 6 and keep your ears open.Good birding,
Dave Geale
------------------------------Dave Geale
http://dgeale.jumphobbies.com/
dgeale@hotmail.com
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, July 20, 2000 At 9:00PM Thursday, July 20, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
Next Wednesday Evening, July 26, visit the Urquhart Butterfly Garden in Dundas. The garden is tucked in behind Ben Veldhuis Ltd. greenhouse just west of the Desjardins Canal. Meet Leader Joanna Chapman at 6:30PM.
The bird of the week, if not of the year, is an adult male AMERICAN ANHINGA found Monday and still present today, Thursday, in the Delaware Sportsman's Club Pond west of London. Directions are: Take Hwy. 401 to London and then Hwy. 402 toward Sarnia. Exit at Longwoods Road. Turn east onto this road and head through Delaware about 3.5 km east to Brigham Rd. Turn left (north) and drive about 1 km to a marsh on the east side of the road. At the north end of the marsh look for the "Christmas House" and a sign for the Delaware Sportsman's Club.
Close behind the Anhinga as bird of the week or year was a Leach's or Band-rumped STORM PETREL found by boaters in Lake Erie off Long Point last weekend. While the bird was turned over to Bird Studies Canada, it unfortunately did not survive its several hundred if not thousand mile trip from the nearest ocean. Whatever it turns out to be, this bird brought Long Point's species list to a total of 370, which just happens to coincide with Point Pelees's species total!
The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still at Clappison's Corners on Sunday night, along with a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD which does a very good imitation of a Northern Cardinal. Seen on the the Monarch Trail in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area last Thursday were an adult male BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, 4 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS and a male PINE WARBLER.
On the home front, a SCARLET TANAGER and a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK both turned up in a yard on Mineral Springs Rd. in Ancaster. An adult ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and 3 juveniles visited a feeder at a home in Caledonia. Also seen from that yard were CAROLINA WREN, WOOD THRUSH and a BELTED KINGFISHER.
As part of the National Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan, a concerted effort to closely monitor the status of Ontario's population this year has resulted in an impressive tally of 50 nesting territories confirmed, with an additional 4 possible but unconfirmed territories. This is the highest number of territories that has been confirmed in Ontario in any year, and is significantly higher than any previous year's total. The total includes 29 confirmed nesting attempts, the highest ever recorded, an additional 11 confirmed territorial pairs, and an additional 10 confirmed occupied territories. In Southern Ontario there were 12 confirmed sites, including our family here in Hamilton, a possible new pair on the north shore of Lake Erie, and a new cliff nest on the Bruce Peninsula -only the second cliff nest documented in Ontario since the population recovery began.
As of Sunday evening the Bronte Harbour RED-NECKED GREBES have three growing chicks and two eggs in Nest 1, two presumably dead eggs being incubated in the damaged Nest 2, adults in Nest 3 but no eggs yet, and all other nests abandoned.
Passerines at Selkirk PP this week included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and OVENBIRD. Also seen were juvenile of BALTIMORE ORIOLE, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and EASTERN KINGBIRD, all presumably on postbreeding dispersal, and YELLOW WARBLERS seem to be moving out. The morning flight of thousands of BANK SWALLOWS continued until this morning, when only a few hundred were seen. A third year LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, over 30 early BONAPARTE'S GULLS and a surprising pair of adult LITTLE GULLS were on the water at Selkirk.
The spell of cooler weather means that more shorebirds will be arriving. Be sure to check wet fields for them.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Western Meadowlark in Clappson Corners - Sun, 16 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Dear Fellow Birders
I went looking for the Western Meadowlark yesterday evening and as soon as I got out of my car I was able to hear it singing, however I was not able to see it.
Directions: Exit the QEW at Hwy 6 and follow it north to Hwy 5 and turn left (west) than a few hundred metres past the intersection turn right (north) on North Wentworth Drive and then into the atheletic complex. It is across the soccer fields by Hwy 6.
Mike Boyd
Oakville, Ontario
mikeboyd@yesic.com
Bronte Red-necked Grebe Update July 16 - Sun, 16 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Nest 1 No change, three growing chicks and two eggs being incubated. Easy to see east of the picnic dock.
Nest 2 is now on a tire back where it was. Two presumably dead eggs are being incubated. Good photo opportunity but some garbage in nest. On east shore of Outer Harbour near nest 1.
Nest 3 is still being tended but no eggs. Opposite Stoneboats Restaurant in Bronte Creek.
All other nests are abandoned.
Directions: Exit QEW at Bronte Rd. (Oakville) and drive to the lake.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Bronte Red-necked Grebe Update July 13 - Thu, 13 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Here is the latest from the grebe patch in Bronte Harbour:
Nest 1- Still three growing chicks but the nest is down to two eggs, one is floating near the nest. This nest is very easy to observe on a tire east of the picnic dock in the Outer Harbour.
Nest 2- Gone. It has been moved (obviously by a human) onto a tire just passed the fence on the east side of the Outer Harbour. Abandoned eggs were visible.
Nest 3- Contrary to my last post here the birds are still tending this nest but there are no eggs. This nest is on a tire in Bronte Creek opposite Stoneboats Restaurant.
Nest 5- This nest is still active but I can't tell what is happening otherwise. It's well concealed under a dock.
Nest 6- This nest is under construction, no eggs. It's attached to the dock leading from the most westerly gate in the Outer Harbour.
Directions: Exit QEW at Bronte Rd. (in Oakville) and drive to the lake.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Black-thr. Green in Hamilton-July 13 - Fri, 14 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Birders,
The adult male Black-throated Green warbler at Dundas Valley Conservation Area was still singing just north of the start to the monarch trail on July 13. I saw Blue-winged warblers at 4 locations along the monarch trail for a total of 7. A male Pine warbler was at the same spot on the monarch trail as 1999.Directions:
Exit the 403 at 2-8 Main St. west. Drive west along Main St.-Osler and then left at Governors Road. Drive past Bridlewood and Davidson Blvd. Dundas Valley Conservation Area is on the left.Good birding,
Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, July 13, 2000 - Thu, 13 Jul 2000 At 8:00PM Thursday, July 13, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
Next Wednesday Evening, July 19, join Don McLean to look for 'Fireflies and More' in the Red Hill Valley. Meet Don behind the Rosedale Arena, near the ball diamonds and creek at 6:30PM.
A male EURASIAN WIGEON in worn breeding plumage was found at the Grimsby sewage lagoons Sunday. Also seen there were 3 female HOODED MERGANSERS.
The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still at Clappison's Coreners last Saturday. Two BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS visited a yard on Mineral Springs just west of Martins's Rd. in Ancaster. Birds banded recently at Ruthven Historical Site near Cayuga include ORCHARD ORIOLE and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.
Good species found in the Hopkins Tract-North Shore trails area of the Royal Botanical Gardens include ORCHARD ORIOLE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER AND MOURNING WARBLER.
Last Saturday at the RED-NECKED GREBE colony in Bronte Harbour there were three chicks and six eggs in the first nest, and 5 eggs in the second, although these were in question due to deterioration of the nest structure. The third and fourth nests were abandoned, but a fifth nest with a bird sitting in it was discovered under a dock. An AMERICAN COOT and immature COMMON TERNS are also present at Bronte.
About 7:30 last night the three PEREGRINE FALCON juveniles were seen sharing a catch on the east side of the Fairclough building, across the street from the nest site at the Hamilton Sheraton hotel.
Found at Townsend lagoons last Saturday were GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON, RING-NECKED DUCK, RUDDY DUCK, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, LEAST SANDPIPER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
An unusual sighting was that of a PINE SISKIN banded at Rock Point. This is the second report of Siskins staying around for the summer on the north shore of Lake Erie. The other came from Long Point where a pair actually nested. Also seen at Rock Point was a white-winged gull, probably an Iceland Gull seen there in May.
A total of 23 CASPIAN TERNS is the largest number of that species ever seen at Selkirk PP at one time by the Haldimand Bird Observatory. Also counted were 33 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, a species not usually found in summer on Lake Erie. An immature LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also at Selkirk, and this morning an estimated 10,000 BANK SWALLOWS were going over the park.
Elsewhere in Ontario, an adult male SUMMER TANAGER was again found in Wheatley, a DICKCISSEL nest with two eggs was found east of Blenheim, a singing male DICKCISSEL was on Hwy 3 east of Wheatley, and two AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen along the Detroit River near Windsor. The HEERMANN'S GULL can still be found in the parking lot at the end of Polson St. in the dock area of Toronto.
This is the peak of UPLAND SANDPIPER migration. Look for them especially in freshly mowed but not yet baled fields. More shorebirds will be arriving, particularly after a cold front.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Eurasian Wigeon sighting - Tue, 11 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
This past Sunday July 9 I discovered a male Eurasian Wigeon at the Grimsby sewage lagoons.It was in worn alternate(breeding) plumage and was in the company of a grey headed female Wigeon,species not determined.Also present with the birds were 3 female plumaged Hooded Mergansers.
To get to the lagoons take the QEW east to the Fifty Road exit and go east on the north service road to Kelson Ave.Turn left and go a short distance to the next road which is Baseline Road.Turn right(east) and go about 1/4 mile.The entrance to the lagoons is on the left.
Kevin McLaughlin.
Cambridge to Dundas Warblers-July 11 - Tue, 11 Jul 2000 Gord,
Christie Conservation Area and Pinehurst Lake Cons. Area are plantations with thousands of pines. Pinehurst had some mature pines and extensive meadows. On July 8 at Christie C.A., I found Golden-crowned Kinglet, adult male Chestnut-sided and adult male American Redstart. Both warblers were still singing. At Pinehurst Lake C.A., south of Cambridge, there were Pine Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow and Red-breasted Nuthatch on July 10.Both areas had many mosquitoes and biting flies.
Good birding,
Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com
Blue-headed Vireo in Hamilton- July 7 - Sun, 9 Jul 2000 Gord,
At Dundas Valey on July 7, I found a male Blue-headed Vireo and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The area had a lot of pines and hemlocks, and was up on the escarpment. Good birding,Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com
Bronte Red-necked Grebe colony update - Sat, 8 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
In response to popular demand here here are observations made this morning (July 8) at the Red-necked Grebe colony in Bronte Harbour:
Nest 1: Still three chicks and six eggs. For the first time in four years of watching these birds I saw one chick behave aggressively towards another. A chick that had just been fed was pecked by a sibling. This nest is very easy to observe on a tire east of the picnic dock in the Outer Harbour.
Nest 2: Still 5 eggs but the nest structure has deteriorated and the eggs are wet. The birds were working hard, if not effectively to fix it. Good photo opportunity while it lasts but there is garbage in the nest. This nest is on vegetation adjacent to east shore of the outer harbour by the fenced in boat storage area.
Nest 3: Abandoned. I have never seen any eggs in this nest although others have. This nest is on a tire in Bronte Creek opposite Stoneboats Restaurant.
Nest 4: Abandoned a week ago.
Nest 5: New discovery! This nest is under a dock and I can't tell what is in it but there was a sitting bird this morning. Located west of Nest 1 near a tire which is not being used at an east-facing jog in the main dock. This nest not easily seen and is not possible to photograph.
The American Coot is still around and immature Common Terns are present.
Directions: Exit QEW at Bronte Rd. (in Oakville) and drive to the lake.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
3 osprey chicks at the Mountsberg C.A. - Thu, 06 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Hi All
Our Osprey pair at the Mountsberg Wildlife Centre are the proud parents of 3 chicks. Today I saw the adult female feeding two of the chicks (who look to be about four weeks old) while the adult male sat on top of the nest pole and surveyed his territory. It was a wonderful family portrait!
The nest is located in the south end of the Mountsberg reservoir. The best viewing spot is from the grass behind the horse paddock (if you need more specific instructions stop at the Interpretive Centre and ask any of the staff).
Sandra Metzger
guelphpefa@hotmail.com
Guelph, ONDirections to Mountsberg: Take Hwy 401 to Guelph Line. Go south on Guelph Line to Campbellville Rd, west on Campbellville Rd to Milburough Line, then north on Milburough Line. The park entrance is on the left hand side just before the railway tracks. Alternatively, take Hwy 6 north from Hamilton or south from Guelph to Campbellville Rd, east on Campbellville Rd to Milburough Line, north on Milburough Line.
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, July 6, 2000 At 9:00PM Thursday, July 6, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
After 10.5 years your reporter would like to relinquish the duties of Birding Hotline compiler and reporter. If you would like an incredible opportunity to learn about birds, and help your fellow birders in the process, please leave your name and number after the tone at the end of the tape. Access to email is necessary, but experience is not - training and support will be provided.
Next Wednesday Evening, July 12, join Hazel Broker for walk on the South Shore Trails and explore the ravine near the old RBG teaching gardens. Meet at the parking lot at the aviary off Marion St. at 6:30PM.
We've had no word since last Thursday of the Dickcissels found at FIfty Point CA, nor the CLAY-COLOURED SPARROW in West Flamborough, nor the WESTERN MEADOWLARK at Clappison's Corner, although all are likely still around.
Two excellent sightings, a chunk out of our area but still useful as a reminder that birds have wings, were a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and a RUFF, both seen at the Point Mouille Preserve south of Detroit.
The local bird of the week, found by the wife of a birder who happened to look up while they were having tea on their back deck, was an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN riding the thermals over Cootes Paradise. After about ten minutes the Pelican headed west and kept on going. Another good sigthing was a one year old COMMON BLACK- HEADED GULL seen Saturday with several BONAPARTE'S GULLS at the Winona Lagoons. Unfortunately the gulls, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, GREEN- WINGED TEAL and RUDDY DUCK in the water were all spooked by the noise of a Herring Gull which was captured by a Snapping Turtle.
Among other area reports were a family of 4 BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS and a male BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, a probable SEDGE WREN at Bronte Provincial Park, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER at Valens Conservation Area, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at the Appleby GO station in Burlington, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO along the north end of Martin's Rd. near Mineral Springs Rd. in Ancaster and ALDER FLYCATCHER further along Mineral Springs Rd.
On Sunday there were four active RED-NECKED GREBE nests in Bronte Harbour, but a day later one of the nests was gone. Of those left, there 3 chicks and 6 eggs in the first nest and 5 eggs in the second.
Although an evening flight of a dozen COMMON GRACKLES was another hint that time is marching on, there were several reminders that summer is still here. A juvenile DOWNY WOODPECKER and a juvenile CHIPPING SPARROW were being trained by their respective parents in your reporter's yard all weekend. On the east mountain, an AMERICAN KESTREL pair were showing off their three chicks to folks on Upper Gage near Concession St. The big news, both in size and importance, was that the OSPREY pair at the Mountsberg Wildlife Centre are the proud parents of 3 chicks. To see the Osprey and take in the raptor show take Hwy 6 north from Hamilton or south from Guelph to Campbellville Rd, east on Campbellville Rd to Milburough Line, north on Milburough Line.
South of the city, ORCHARD ORIOLE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and MOURNING WARBLER were seen at Rock Point Provincial Park. Also seen at Rock Point were LEAST SANDPIPERS & LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Two LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a PURPLE FINCH were at nearby Morgan's Point.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Yellow-rumped in Flamborough- July 4 - Wed, 5 Jul 2000 Birders,
A Yellow-rumped Warbler sang from a pine tree at Valens Conservation Area on July 4.Butterfly species included Coral Hairstreak, and Dun, Crossline, N. Broken Dash and Delaware Skippers.
Directions:
Exit the 403 at Highway 6. Drive north past Highway 5 and 6 where the Western Meadowlark sings. Continue northward for 13k, and turn left onto regional road 97. Drive another 9k past Valens and Valens Conserva- tion Area is on your right.Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com
White Pelican over Hamilton - Tue, 4 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
While we were having tea on the back deck of our home this afternoon, my wife looked up and said what's that bird up there. I was sure at first glimpse, but I grabbed the binoculars, and sure enough it was a white pelican riding the thermals. We live just half a km from Cootes Paradise, and the bird made three or four passes over the marsh. It gained great altitude and took off far to the west after about ten minutes. Directions below are to Cootes Paradise, but I would suggest that the best place to look for this bird now would be the north shore of Lake Erie!
Cootes Paradise (Princess Point access) can be reached from Highway 403 in Hamilton. For westbound drivers, exit at Main St. eastbound, make a quick left on Dundurn and left again on King St. Over the bridge, turn right on Macklin and follow it all the way to the end. For eastbound drivers, exit at Aberdeen Ave. and turn left on Longwood Rd. Follow Longwood all the way to the end.
Cheers,
David Moffatt
moffatt@idirect.com
Sedge Wren at Bronte Prov. Park ? - Mon, 3 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
We believe we've found a sedge wren --- but we're relatively new at this, and if anybody discovers that it's something else, please email and let us know.
The bird was singing in the grassy field on the north side of Upper Middle Road, just before the dead end where the east entrance is to Bronte Prov. Park (this is East of Bronte Creek.)
To get there, follow Bronte Rd. North from the QEW or South from Hwy 5, and turn West on Upper Middle Rd.
Angie & Ken Williams
williamsmusic@execulink.com
Hamilton, Ont.
Re: Red-necked Grebes in Bronte: 3 nests - Mon, 3 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Sue and I just came in from an inspection tour of Bronte's Red-necked Grebe colony. We are down to "only" three nests. Nest 4, described below, is gone. It was on a tire that was an essential part of the mooring of a sailboat that was temporarily away and has now returned.
Nest 1 has 3 chicks and 6 eggs.
Nest 2 now has 5 eggs.
Nest 3 has no eggs yet.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Red-necked Grebes in Bronte Harbour - Mon, 03 Jul 2000 Dear Gord,
I shot some pictures of the Red-necked Grebes in Bronte Harbour (Oakville, Ontario) this past Friday (June 30th).
Although there appears to be four active red-necked Grebe nests in Bronte Harbour, the grebes I shot were located on a tire in the outer harbour east of the picnic dock. As well as the two adults there were three young and about 7 more eggs being incubated.
Regards,
Dan Olech
Oakville, Ontario
karenanddan.olech@sympatico.ca
Black-throated Green in Hamilton-June 30 - Mon, 3 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Birders,
While looking for butterflies at Dundas Valley Conservation Area, I found a family of 4 Blue-winged Warblers on the JW trail, and a male Black-throated Green Warbler at the start of the Monarch trail. June 30 seems late for a Black-throated Green here, but I have not lived in the GTA.Directions: Exit the 403 at 2-8 Main St. West. Drive west along Main St.-Osler Dr. and turn left at Governor's Rd. Drive past Bridlewood and then Davidson Blvd. Dundas Valley Conservation Area is on the left. Good birding,
Fred Urie
Oakville
fredurie@yahoo.com
Red-necked Grebes in Bronte: 4 nests - Sun, 2 Jul 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
We now have four active Red-necked Grebe nest in Bronte Harbour.
1. On a tire in the outer harbour east of the picnic dock. Three young and more eggs being incubated.
2. On vegetation adjacent to east shore of the outer harbour by the fenced in boat storage area. Near the first nest. Four eggs. This is the best photo opportunity aside from some garbage incorporated into the nest. I don't know what is anchoring this nest.
An Amercan Coot was nearby.
3. On a tire in Bronte Creek (east side) opposite Stoneboats Restaurant on Bronte Rd. Bird sitting, could not get egg count but likely one.
4. On a tire in Bronte Creek near the boat launch on the west side. Best viewed from a dock. No gates here. I was told there was one egg yesterday.
Directions: Exit QEW at Bronte Rd. and drive to the lake. Cross Bronte Creek on the Lakeshore Rd. bridge to view nest 4.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Hamilton ON Birding Hotline Report for Thursday, June 29, 2000 - Thu, 29 Jun 2000 At 7:30PM Thursday, June 29, 2000 this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline report.
The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights and is updated if an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)
As announced in the May edition of the club's Wood Duck newsletter, after 10.5 years your reporter would like to relinquish the duties of Birding Hotline compiler and reporter. If you would like an incredible opportunity to learn about birds, and help your fellow birders in the process, please leave your name and number after the tone at the end of the tape. Access to email is necessary, but experience is not - training and support will be provided.
This Saturday, July 1, join Bill Lamond for a Summer Butterfly Outing at the RBG's Rock Chapel property and learn more about butterflies. Contact Bill at (519) 756-9546 to participate.
Next Wednesday, July 5, Frank Morley will lead a walk along the Limeridge Rail Trail to look for prairie species dropped by the trains and other wildflowers, as well as some of the many birds in the area. Meet at 6:30PM at the Sports Park parking lot at Limeridge & Kenilworth. Allow some time as parking may be tight if there is a ball game at the park.
Last week we advised that DICKCISSELS had been found at Blenheim, ON and near Buffalo, and suggested that they might be in our area as well. On Saturday a DICKCISSEL was found near Hagersville, and then several were found yesterday, Wednesday, in and near Fifty Point CA in Winona. Listen and look for these birds from the abandoned orchard in the east end of the park east to the Radio tower fields near Casablanca Blvd. Please be warned that there is an active rifle range right in the middle of this area. Do not go off paved roads.
A resident but hard to find species in our area is the CLAY- COLOURED SPARROW. One was heard and seen Monday at Pinedale Farm, 1650 6th Concession in West Flamborough. Please park safely and remember not to go on private property.
The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still present at Clappison's Corner on Tuesday. To look for this bird safely, go 300m west of Hwy. 6 along Hwy. 5 to North Wentworth Drive, and turn north to the athletic complex. The meadowlark was on the Hwy. 6 side of the soccer fields.
As of Monday morning at least three RED-NECKED GREBES had hatched in the nest in the Bronte Outer Harbour Marina. There is a second nest on a tire on the east side of the creek but no eggs were seen.
A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was over the city near Gage Park about 9:15 last evening.
For the third time this month two SNOWY EGRETS were observed at the South end of Motor Island in the Niagara River in New York waters.
This week's PEREGRINE FALCON report comes not from the Hamilton Sherraton Hotel but from Nanticoke Generating Station on the shore of Lake Erie, where last Friday a pair of Peregrines was seen soaring over and then roosting on tall structures. At least one of the falcons was present yesterday.
Only a week after summer arrived officially, we regret to advise listeners that fall migration has begun. The WILSON'S PHALAROPE seen last week at Tollgate Ponds was suggestive, but the 3 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS seen Monday at Taquanyah CA make it pretty certain. As if that was not enough, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH visited your reporter's yard Tuesday morning. We are also advised that BANK SWALLOWS have been collecting on the wires along the Lake Erie shoreline for the past week or so.
Please share news about your favourite summer birding spots with others. Be sure to let us know about your sightings. Please wait a full two seconds after the tone before leaving your message, and include your name, phone number, the date of your call, and the time and date of your sighting. Sightings can also be reported by e-mail.
Good Birding.
Mike Street
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
mikestreet@hwcn.org
Western Meadowlark still at Clappison's June 26 - Tue, 27 Jun 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Hello Ontbirders,
The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was still present at Clappison's Corners on Monday, June 26. I tried for it first thing in the morning but they were cutting the grass on both the playing fields and so nothing could be heard. I then tried later (2:30 p.m.) and saw the bird foraging in the grass between the two soccer fields.
To hear this bird, go 250 m west of Hwy 6 along Hwy 5 to North Wentworth Drive, and turn north into the athletic complex. Drive around to the back and park.
Good luck.
Karl Konze
Guelph, Ontario
kkonze@uoguelph.ca
Bronte Red-necked Grebes - Mon, 26 Jun 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
As of this morning (Monday) at least three Red-necked Grebes have hatched in the nest in the Bronte Outer Harbour Marina. I was told that the first hatching took place about a week ago. There is a second nest on a tire on the east side of the creek opposite Stoneboats Restaurant. I could see no eggs. We just returned from Alberta where Red-necked Grebes are conspicuous nesters in many wetlands. Most of those birds are still incubating. If anyone who is not on Birdchat is interested in a trip report let me know.
Directions: Exit QEW at Bronte Road (west Oakville) and drive to the lake. The hatchlings are near shore at the east end of the Outer Harbour by the picnic dock.
Gavin Edmondstone
Oakville, Ontario
sue-gavin@sympatico.ca
Western Meadowlark - Sun, 25 Jun 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).
Dear Birders,
My family and I heard the Meadowlark at Clappisson's Corner's today at around 2 p.m. There was also 2 Mockingbirds around the Communtiy Centre.Directions: Take Hwy. 6 south from Hwy. 401 or North from Hwy. 403 to the intersection with Hwy. 5. Turn west towards Paris on Hwy. 5, go about 300m, then turn north on North Wentworth Drive to the Community Centre the bird was singing by the soccer fields on the Hwy. 6 side.
Good Birding,
Kenny Burrell
Heidelberg,Ont
Western Meadowlark at Clappison's Corners - Fri, 23 Jun 2000 Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists