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

At 6:20 p.m. on New Year's Eve 1998 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.)

Start the year off on the right foot(path) with a New Year's Day walk in the Red Hill Valley. Meet John Struger at 10:00AM tomorrow (Friday) at the Red Hill Valley Bowl parking area at the junction of King Street and Lawrence Avenue.

Highlights of a somewhat quiet Hamilton Christmas Bird Count on Boxing Day were an immature NORTHERN GANNET, an immature POMARINE JAEGER and 125 SURF SCOTERS seen between the Skyway Bridge and the Venture Inn on the Burlington lakeshore. Although many species of ducks had left the area, some 20,000 Scaup were in the bay off Woodland Cemetery. A GRAY CATBIRD was found in Waterdown, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK in Burlington and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were near the Dundurn Reservoir. A total of 13 EASTERN SCREECH OWLS and 4 GREAT HORNED OWLS were tallied by the early birders of the count.

A scouting trip this afternoon for Saturday's Fisherville CBC produced a NORTHERN SHRIKE on 4th Line Oneida near Mackenzie Rd., 10 TURKEY VULTURES including the one with partial white primaries on Mackenzie Rd. between 4th and 3th Lines, two ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS hunting over the same field at Sandusk Rd. and the 10th Concession, two female NORTHERN HARRIERS opposite the Hagersville junkyard, and 200 SNOW BUNTINGS in a flock along Reg. Rd. #9 near the junction with Mackenzie Rd.

Other Boxing Day sightings include 50 HORNED LARKS and a LONG- EARED OWL at 87 Acre Park in upper Stoney Creek; 5,000 OLDSQUAW off Bronte Harbour; and PIED-BILLED GREBES, HOODED MERGANSER, AMERICAN COOTS, CANVASBACK, RING-NECKED DUCK, TUNDRA SWANS at LaSalle Marina.

Among gulls seen on the Niagara River Saturday were LITTLE GULL, THAYER'S GULL ICELAND GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED and lots of BONAPARTE'S GULLS, plus a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS were reported at CCIW, near the RBG and in Cayuga. Lots of AMERICAN ROBINS seem to have stayed around the area, and 20 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were on English Church Rd. in Mount Hope.

A listener out for a walk near the Corktown park on Tuesday got lucky when a PEREGRINE FALCON dive bombed and chased away a RED- TAILED HAWK right over his head.

Two BRANT were close to shore at Shelburne Place in Bronte on Monday. A lakeshore run Wednesday produced all three Scoters and 2000 COMMON GOLDENEYE off Stoney Creek; HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, PIED-BILLED GREBE and RUDDY DUCKS at Windermere Basin; GADWALL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, COMMON MERGANSER, and NORTHERN SHOVELLER in the bay adjacent to the frozen Tollgate Ponds, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and a pair of AMERICAN WIGEON at the north island near CCIW.

Reports from other Christmas counts held last weekend include 11 BALD EAGLES way up north at Atikokan; a female SPOTTED TOWHEE, 2 GYRFALCONS and 2 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS at Thunder Bay; lots of winter finches at Petroglyph's PP; a GRAY CATBIRD and 10 GREAT BLUE HERONS recorded by the new Dunville CBC, a female BREWER'S BLACKBIRD and a SWAINSON'S THRUSH at Toronto, a HARLEQUIN DUCK at Pickering and 3100 SNOW BUNTINGS at Ingersoll.

Stragglers of the week are the VIRGINIA RAIL and half a dozen COMMON SNIPE at the sewer outlet in Port Hope this afternoon, and at least 40 PURPLE SANDPIPERS still at Presqu'ile on Sunday.

A Happy New Year and Good Birding to all.

Dear Gord,

Today my Dad,my brother,my sister,and I went to RBG in Hamilton first we went to the Arboretum. There it was very productive. We saw 20+ Chicadees,3 Tufted Titmouse,25 White Breasted Nuthatch,15+ Downey Wood peckers,75+ Mourning Doves,2 Cardinal,1 Junco,60+ Crows,10+ Goldfinch,10 Herring Gulls,1 Tundra Swan,1 Coopers Hawk,5 Hairy Woodpeckers,2 Red Tailed Hawks,1 Red Bellied Woodpecker,5 Greater Black Backs,30 Canada Geese. Across the highway there's a cemetary and you can get a really good look over the bay and everything around it. There was a point going out into the bay so we went down there so we could get a better look at all the Swans and Ducks. Here's what we saw 250 Tundra Swans,150+ Canada Geese,35+ Greater Black Backed Gulls,20+ Herring Gulls,500+ Mallards,500+ Bufflehead,100+ Common Goldeneye,300+ Common Mergansers,50+ Canvasbacks,1000+ Scaups (both species),100+ Red Breasted Mergansers,15+ Black Ducks,1 Lesser Black Backed Gull.

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

Hamilton CBC reports are still coming in but birders will be interested to know that Bill Smith and Co. saw the immature NORTHERN GANNET several times today in the area between the Skyway Bridge and the Venture Inn on the Burlington lakefront. Also seen in the same area by Bill's group was an immature POMARINE JAEGER and 125 SURF SCOTERS.

At 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 24, 1998 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.)

Most of the local reports you are about to hear are of birds seen before the dramatic change in temperature between last weekend and today, so many of the species named may not be around any longer. Just in case some are, however, and with the Hamilton Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, listeners might want to make sure that their feeders are full. Don't forget to report any unusual sightings this weekend, especially on Saturday.

Seen on the north shore of Cootes were many AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS in the woods behind Olympic Arena in Dundas, four EASTERN BLUEBIRDS at the boxes along the Macdonnell trail in the RBG, 300 CEDAR WAXWINGS near the Bruce Trail Center at the Arboretum, and 2 TUFTED TITMICE between the Nature Center and Cootes.

NORTHERN SHRIKES were at the intersection of Tenth Rd. E. and the train tracks in Upper Stoney Creek, and along York Rd. near Hopkins in Dundas. The Bruce Trail Club walk at Christie Conservation Area Sunday produced a large flock of AMERICAN ROBINS near the dam, and 6 to 10 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in the Wilderness section.

On Sunday an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on the new islands at LaSalle Park. An EASTERN SCREECH OWL was in a tree on the LaSalle Park bluff and a GREAT HORNED OWL on 11th Road E. in upper Stoney Creek. A possible Gray-cheeked Thrush was reported in a Mountain Brow backyard near Jolley Cut on Monday. Visitors to the Elves' Workshop on Botanical Drive in Burlington report several COMMON GRACKLES coming to feeders there yesterday, the 23rd.

Many Christmas Bird Counts took place last weekend. Participants had to put up with damp and raw conditions, but the warm weather made up for it with a few rarities and large numbers of some species, particularly waterfowl. Here are some of the highlights from our area and other parts of the province.

A PINE WARBLER was at a feeder off the Chancery Promenade in Oakville, and two BRANT were seen on the Oakville lakeshore. Long Point had many interesting birds, including the first ever WHITE-EYED VIREO and LESSER YELLOWLEGS on a CBC, plus DUNLIN, KILLDEER and over 30 SANDHILL CRANES in the marsh. The Buffalo folks were delighted to find the PRAIRIE WARBLER still on Grand Island, ICELAND GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL and COMMON LOONS on the Niagara River and many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS above the river. HARRIS' SPARROWS were found at Oshawa, Point Pelee and Rondeau. Point Pelee had its first ever SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and Rondeau also had an AMERICAN AVOCET, possibly one of those which was here in Hamilton two weeks ago.

In what is certainly the biggest CBC in Ontario, probably in Canada and possibly on the continent, more than 700 birders and feeder watchers in North Bay reported all kinds of birds, including an immense flock of over 1,000 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS which led to a total of 1700 of that species. Other CBC sightings included a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER near Barrie, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at Lake-on-the-Mountain in Prince Edward County, and a RED-THROATED LOON at Kingston.

Remember that the Hamilton Christmas Bird Count is on Saturday. Please fill your feeders and keep an eye on them. Don't forget to report any unusual sightings this weekend, especially on Saturday.

Season's greetings to all and may Santa Claus bring you Good birding.

At 8:15 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 1998 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.)

The Hamilton Christmas Bird Count will, take place on Boxing Day. Anyone interested in helping out with the vount can leave a message on the tape.

The annual Christmas meeting of the Bird Study Group takes place next Monday, December 21 at the Canada Centre For Inland Waters on Eastport Drive just beside the Skyway Bridge. This month's meeting will feature a talk by Kevin Hannah on the Birds of the Boreal Forest and a Bird Quiz. The meeting starts at 7:30PM. Visitors are always welcome. Please bring Christmas treats for this meeting.

Thousands of Scaup were off Pier 4 Park, and REDHEADS, WHITE- WINGED SCOTER, COMMON GOLDENEYE and BUFFLEHEAD were closer to Bayfront Park and in McDonald Marina. At Valley Inn and off Woodland Cemetery were numbers of GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL and CANVASBACK. More than 200 TUNDRA SWANS were in the bay closer to LaSalle Park, and this afternoon 10 tagged TURMPETER SWANS were in the Desjardins Canal.

The immature NORTHERN GANNET was seen Sunday from the foot of Grays Road in Stoney Creek. Also spotted there were WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER and SURF SCOTER, a RED-THROATED LOON and RED-NECKED GREBES. At least one immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was off Van Wagner's Beach the same day.

A MERLIN has returned to the area around Victoria Park on King St. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS are active in the vicinity of the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel. 24 TURKEY VULTURES were still south of Caledonia along the McKenzie Rd. between the 3rd and 4th line last Friday, and today your reporter noticed a large increase in the number of RED-TAILED HAWKS in the Hagersville-Nanticoke area.

Other sightings include a KILLDEER at the Hydro Ponds, 3 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS at Sassafras Woods off the North Service Rd in Waterdown, and a COOPER'S HAWK looking for dinner in your reporter's back yard.

There's been a lot of activity at Long Point this week. Found at Old Cut Blvd. were the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, AMERICAN REDSTART, and WHITE-EYED VIREO, as well as a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and an EASTERN PHOEBE. Seen along the Long Point causeway were KILLDEER, DUNLIN and a LESSER YELLOWLEGS. About 30 SANDHILL CRANES, as well as good numbers of TUNDRA SWANS, NORTHERN SHOVELER, HOODED MERGANSER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and NORTHERN PINTAIL were in the Big Creek marshes. At Turkey Point 3 LITTLE GULLS were over the bay. Further west along Lake Erie, 7 KILLDEER were at Nanticoke Harbour today while an immature LESSER-BLACK BACKED GULL was at Peacock Pt. TUNDRA SWANS can be found between Peacock Pt. and the mouth of the Sandusk Creek.

At Niagara Falls, a PINE WARBLER and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were found at King's Bridge Park in Chippawa, south of the river control gates. An adult CALIFORNIA GULL has been roosting on the breakwall on the other side of the control gates. Also seen this week on the river were FRANKLIN'S GULL, THAYER'S GULL, ICELAND GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL. A HERRING GULL X GLAUCOUS GULL hybrid called Nelson's Gull was reported at the Beck overlook. The PRAIRIE WARBLER was still at Buckhorn Island State Park on Grand Island near Buffalo as late as Monday.

Out of town, a HARRIS' SPARROW was found Tuesday in Ajax. On Sunday Algonquin Park featured WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, PINE SISKIN, EVENING GROSBEAK, SNOW BUNTING, RUFFED GROUSE, PURPLE FINCH, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER and BOREAL CHICKADEE. The 54 PURPLE SANDPIPERS remained at Presqui'le PP. Way out of town, on Sunday FOUR Townsend's Solitaires were found in the same tree at Thunder Cape. At least one GYRFALCON is being seen regularly along the Thunder Bay waterfront.

Good birding.

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

I spent part of Sunday afternoon (Dec 13) at Van Wagner's Beach in Hamilton, and in addition to the immature Northern Gannet and a Red-throated Loon mentioned in other reports I saw one immature Black-legged Kittiwake flying very close to the water (and alighting briefly) at about 12:45.

I would also like to note that I first spotted the Gannet on the water and at a great range at about 13:20, and it remained on the water for the next hour and a half (at which point I left). Even when it joined a feeding frenzy of gulls and mergansers (bringing it much closer to the beach), it flew over, plunged in once, and then swam back and forth sticking its head under water but never took off again. Could it be that in calm weather like Sunday's (the water was like glass) it takes too much energy for a pelagic, gliding bird like a Gannet to fly? Just wondering.

Good birding!

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

The immature Northern Gannet was seen this morning at about 11:30 from the foot of Grays Road in Stoney Creek. Also seen were three scoter species and a Red-throated Loon. There was also a goldeneye with a white head.

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

A couple of gentlemen from Fergus, Ont. relocated one of the juv. N.Gannets off the foot of Grays Rd. in Hamilton, Sat. 12/12.

The bird was seen plunge diving at noon. Also seen from the same vantage point were all 3 spp of Scoter and a Red-necked Grebe.

Grays Rd is just east from the Hwy 20/Stoney Creek/Confederation Pk Exit 88 from the QEW.

At 9:30 p.m. Thursday, December 10, 1998 this 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.)

In the continued warm weather last Friday an immature NORTHERN GANNET and an EARED GREBE were off the Burlington Beach Canal opposite the Skyway Bridge, and the two AMERICAN AVOCETS were at either the Pier 24 pond or at Tollgate Ponds. Birds weren't the only thing enjoying the weather - 50 species of wildflowers were still in bloom on the weekend. Normal for this time of year is 0 to 3 or 4.

The change in weather initiated by last Saturday's cold damp winds has also altered the birding picture. While the Gannet was again off the Burlington Beach Canal today at noon, the Avocets have not been reported since Monday.

At least one immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was seen right in the Beach Canal last Saturday. The end of the Beach Canal pier has been an excellent spot to watch winter ducks, especially OLDSQUAW, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and WHITE-WING SCOTERS. A PARASITIC JAEGER and up to 4 immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were seen from Van Wagner's Beach Saturday.

Seen on the Burlington lakeshore Saturday were a 1st winter male KING EIDER, 2 female BLACK SCOTERS, RED-NECKED GREBE, HORNED GREBE, AMERICAN COOTS and a CAROLINA WREN.

After a great deal of viewing and consulting, it was decided the bird identified as a first-winter COMMON GULL at Adam Beck Generating Station on the Niagara River was most likely not of that species. Most birders, however, felt that the exercise in plumage examination was well worth the effort. Other river sightings include an adult CALIFORNIA GULL above the falls on the breakwall below the control gates, FRANKLIN'S GULLS at the Whirlpool and above Adam Beck, LITTLE GULLS on the lower river, THAYER'S GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL and ICELAND GULLS and BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE at or near Beck, plus a possible BLACK-HEADED GULL and a RED-THROATED LOON below the falls.

One birding couple had a good day this week, spotting an EASTERN SCREECH OWL out in the open off the Boardwalk in Coote's Paradise, and then a GREAT HORNED OWL and a MERLIN at Martin's Rd. in Ancaster. Home visitors this week include a juvenile SHARP-SHINNED HAWK at an Ancaster feeder and a single BROWN COWBIRD in the city. The TUFTED TITMICE can again be found near the feeder area at the RBG Arboretum.

Out of town, the bird of the week was a very rare for Ontario CAVE SWALLOW found late Monday and as late as yesterday morning at Point Pelee NP. The YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER appears to have departed Algonquin Park, but it is being made up for by BOHEMIAN WAXWING, SPRUCE GROUSE, PURPLE FINCH, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL, BOREAL CHICKADEE and GRAY JAY, plus EVENING GROSBEAK and PINE GROSBEAK. A really late PRAIRIE WARBLER was reported at Buckhorn Island State Park on Grand Island near Buffalo. As of Tuesday a WHITE-EYED VIREO, an AMERICAN REDSTART and a BRANT were at or near Old Cut Blvd. in Long Point. The number of PURPLE SANDPIPERS seen at Presqui'le PP has soared to an incredible 54 at last report. The GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE remain at the Aylmer Police College ponds.

Good birding.

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

On Dec. 7/98 at 11:30 a.m. I saw what were very likely the two immature gannets. The look I had was distant and brief (at a life bird), nevertheless I am reasonably certain that is what they were. I was on Eastport Drive well south of tollgate ponds and Pier 25, standing on the bridge overlooking the creek that I believe is called Windermere Creek right by the traffic light. As I was facing west, the birds were fairly far out on the creek, near the bend. I ran to the car to get my scope and when I returned seconds later they were out of view. I was out of time and had my 6-year old daughter with me who was now out of patience, so I did not pursue them.

In any event, if looking for the gannets this is one more place worth checking.

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

Sat Dec 5/98 Birds of interest seen:

• King Eider ( 1st winter male) ; at Guelph line and Sioux Lookout ( same bird )
• Black Scoter ( 2 females ); at Guelph line and at Walker's line.
• Red-necked Grebe ( 7) ; off Appleby line
• Horned Grebe (1); off Appleby
• Coots ( 12 ) ; at St.Lawrence Cement ( west side)
• Carolina Wren; at St Lawrence Cement & Lake shoreline ( west side)
• Kittiwake Gull ( 1st winter, one) ; Van Wagner Beach
• Avocets (2) ; both at pier 24 pond and at second " Toll pond"

Cheers { note : no Gannets were seen over a 4 hours viewing on Dec 5)

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

I was at the end of the Burlington Beach Canal pier from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. today (Dec 6/98).

First winter Black-legged Kittiwake was in the canal and then flew out 100 M onto lake.

12 White-winged scoters flew by out on the lake.

No Gannet during this time interval.

2 Avocets still there on Pier 25 ... they were swimming on the bigger pond at this time.

The two avocets were on the south shore of the second (more southern) of the Tollgate Ponds around 11 am today. Also at the Tollgate Ponds were ~70 Ruddy Ducks, 60+ Canvasbacks, 2 Redheads, 18 Pintails, 13 Shovelers, at least 8 Ring-necked Ducks, and 8 Hooded Mergansers. Other species present there were Greater and Lesser Scaup, Mallard, Black Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Greater Black-backed Gull. There were also 2 Red-throated Loons and 7 Snow Buntings flying east overhead.

At Van Wagner's Beach there was a first-winter Black-legged Kittiwake around 10:20 am. I tried there and at the Burlington Canal several times for the Gannet, but unfortunately missed it. Others, however, did see one at the Burlington Canal around 3 pm, flying toward Van Wagner's and beyond. Red-breasted Mergansers and Oldsquaw were present in good numbers, but were far offshore and hard to see for the waves.

In downtown Hamilton, I saw both of the adult Peregrine Falcons on the Sheraton Hotel, almost at their nest site. They seem to be staying around for the winter again, like the Peregrines in Toronto and Etobicoke.

At the Royal Botanical Gardens Nature Centre, there were flocks of Cedar Waxwings (23) and American Goldfinch (14), as well as a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Down at the east end of Cootes Paradise there were small numbers of Tundra Swans and Gadwalls, as well as a Cormorant.

At Lasalle Park in Burlington, there were 48 Coots, and almost as many Tundra Swans. Visible from there was a raft of at least 3000 Scaup near the centre of the harbour - they took off at one point, and split into two flocks while in the air, allowing me to get at least a rough estimate of numbers.

Good birding,

At 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 1998 this 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.)

Seen today were at least one of three immature NORTHERN GANNETS off the Burlington Beach Canal opposite the Skyway Bridge, and the two AMERICAN AVOCETS which were at the Pier 24 pond.

Many area birders find winter listing to be both challenging and a lot of fun. A winter list consists of species seen between December 1 and the last day of February. The warm weather made this year's first day of the winter season memorable for many. Highlights from Tuesday were 2 NORTHERN GANNETS off the Beach Canal, 2 AMERICAN AVOCETS at the Pier 24 Pond, 32 TURKEY VULTURES at Oneida 4th Line, plus 6 COMMON SNIPE and 6 KILLDEER in the Grand River below York. Found in the Long Point Area on Tuesday were an AMERICAN REDSTART and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at the Old Cut Banding Station, 45 LITTLE GULLS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Turkey Point, as well as DUNLIN, COMMON SNIPE and KILLDEER at the Long Point Causeway.

The latest report from the Niagara River tells us that the first- winter COMMON GULL was seen Sunday afternoon from the Adam Beck overlook. This bird seems to roost on the Robert Moses Power Plant across the river. Other gulls seen Sunday included FRANKLIN'S GULL at the whirlpool, on the rocks above Adam Beck and across from Souvenir City, LITTLE GULL at the whirlpool, THAYER'S GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL and ICELAND GULL at Adam Beck, and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Adam Beck and above the falls. Reported at Niagara-on-the-Lake on the weekend were an adult winter plumaged BLACK-HEADED GULL, LITTLE GULLS and a FRANKLIN'S GULL.

A THICK-BILLED MURRE was reported in the lake at the Burlington Beach canal at 2:40 Sunday afternoon. Another bird reported at the end of the Beach Canal, swimming with OLDSQUAW, was an EARED GREBE. Hundreds of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were in the lake. On Saturday and again on Wednesday one of the NORTHERN GANNETS circled right over the lighthouse and a lucky birder's head.

From the marsh comes news of a domestic goose masquerading as a White-Fronted at Princess Point, a male WOOD DUCK at the mouth of Chedoke Creek, 270 TUNDRA SWANS on Cootes Paradise, plus large numbers of puddle ducks including NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, GREEN-WING TEAL, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, and HOODED MERGANSER.

Two PEREGRINE FALCONS spent part of last Friday at Pier 4 Park on the bay.

Home visitors this week include a juvenile SHARP-SHINNED HAWK taking juncos at a Dundas feeder, a male PILEATED WOODPECKER touching down briefly in the same backyard, and a MERLIN using a central mountain bird feeder as a smorgasbord.

Out of town, the first ever YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER in Algonquin Park, found by Hamilton birders at the Visitor Centre Sunday, was still there this morning. A flock of about 15 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was seen along Hwy. 60 between Dwight and the Park entrance. A female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was found by Bird Studies Canada staff at the St. Williams Forestry Station on Hwy 24 & Regional Road 16. Seen at Rock POINT PP last Friday were a late PALM WARBLER, SNOW GEESE, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and BROWN CREEPERS. A total of 32 PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen Tuesday at Presqui'le PP. The number was so high that they were referred to as a 'herd' instead of a flock. The four GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE remain at Aylmer.

Good birding.

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

I just had some fabulous views of the imm Northern Gannet from the lighthouse at the end of the pier at the Burlington Canal between 10-11AM Thurs. Dec.3rd. The Gannet seemed to come in close to check out the commotion every time the other birds found a school of fish near the surface. It would then return to deeper water out on the lake. On several occasions the Gannet circled right over the lighthouses, and my head, so close that I hardly needed binoculars!

(Directions courtesy of Denise Raglin)

Directions to Canal: Take Eastport Drive exit from QEW and proceed

south.  Go over the lift-bridge at the canal and park in the parking

area on the left side of the road, which is approximately 200m south of

the canal.

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

I finally had the opportunity to seek the Avocets and the Gannets in Hamilton. Hit 50% plus I got another consolation prize.

At about 2:30 I was at the Burlington Canal looking for Gannets and decided to walk out to the end of the pier (the one on the right facing into Lake Ontario). Near the end on the right side swimming with 2 Oldsquaw was an Eared Grebe. It was very close. I could see its red eyes. It looked exactly as depicted in the American Bird Conservancy's Field Guide, All the Birds, with a very fluffy rear.

Although I had missed the Avocets earlier at Pier 25 (around 11am) I decided to try again around 3 or so. Just as I arrived they were landing in the water (but I don't know if they had arrived then or were landing after a disturbance, mine or someone else's). It was fantastic to see them so close and so cooperative. The male's bill really was longer and straighter than the female's.

Other things I found interesting in the beach area were the hundreds of Red-breasted Mergansers, some swimming, but mostly flying in flocks far out; also I saw my first American Tree Sparrows this "winter". There was a carp in the Avocet pond too.

(Directions courtesy of Denise Raglin)
Directions to Canal: Take Eastport Drive exit from QEW and proceed south. Go over the lift-bridge at the canal and park in the parking area on the left side of the road, which is approximately 200m south of the canal.

Directions to Avocet pond: Coming from Toronto, take QEW to Niagara and take the Eastport Drive cutoff. Proceed south past the Burl. Canal and you will pass a recreational vehicle dealership on the right. Just to the east of the dealership will be a sign indicating Pier 25....turn right and go over the small bridge. The Avocets were standing and feeding in the pond on the left hand side.

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

On Sunday, November 29 at noon I saw an immature northern gannet off the south side of the Burlington canal pier. It was floating in the water for about 15 minutes before taking wing. It flew around for about 2 minutes before disappearing in the thick fog. It re-appeared after about 5 minutes and landed on the water, this time on the north side near the limit of visibility. A group of around 10 birders on the south side were also fortunate enough to see the bird.

Directions to north side of canal. Take Eastport Road exit from QEW and proceed south. Take the first right into the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters. Take the first left and proceed towards a gate. Immediately before the gate turn left then, after ~100m turn right on an unpaved 'road' and proceed south to the canal. Park and walk along the concrete ledge on the edge of the canal to the eastern end of the pier.

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

A thick billed murre was found in the lake at Burlington canel by Bob Sachs and seen by Sheila Baowslaugh & Carl Rothfels at 2.40 p. m. to-day. It flew in and joined a flock of oldsquaw, but was later disturbed by a boat and flew off east towards Van Wagners Beach.

The Avocets were still at pier 25 ponds and 1:25 p. m.

Two adult and 2 young red necked grebes are still in Bronte Harbour marina.

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

My birding friends and I (a party of four) spent the morning visiting a number of known birding sites in and around the Hamilton lakefront and Burlington Bay area . We were fortunate to observe a good variety of waterfowl (Canvasbacks, Scaups, Buffleheads, Shovellers, Goldeneyes, Old Sqaw, Ruddys, Cootes, Mallards, Pintails, Tundra and Mute Swans. We checked out the ponds on the left side of Pier 25 and were amazed to find two Avocets standing in the shallow water! These were definately life birds for the four of us! Very impressive!!! I was disappointed with the Old Squaws on Lake Ontario as their plumage was very muted and unimpressive. We were amazed at the large rafts of waterfowl on Lake Ontario off of Greens Road....too many to count and a little too far out to get a really good view even at 32x.

Directions for the Avocets:
Coming from Toronto, take QEW to Niagara and take the Eastport cutoff. Proceed east and you will pass a recreational vehicle dealership. Just to the east of the dealership will be a sign indicating Pier 25....turn right and go over the small bridge. The Avocets were standing close to the road on the left hand side.

Regards,

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

Sat. Nov. 28, 1998, 4:25 pm
The two Avocets were settling down for the night at pier 25 pond so hopefully should still be there on Sunday for anyone who missed them.

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

Actually, Norm Murr and a colleague saw THREE gannets at that place around 16.00 this afternoon.

Theo Hofmann                                  

199 Arnold Avenue                     Phone: 905 889-1554             

Thornhill  Ontario                    Fax:   416 978-8548

Canada  L4J 1C1

                                      e-mail: theo@hera.med.utoronto.ca     

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

Dan Burton reports that the NORTHERN GANNET was off the Burlington Beach Canal (opposite the Skyway Bridge, lake side) and that the two AMERICAN AVOCETS were at Tollgate Ponds (not at Pier 24) this afternoon around 1:30.

Mike

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

Barry Cherriere reports that there were TWO (2) immature NORTHERN GANNETS at the Burlingtonn Beach Canal this afternoon.

Mike

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 26, 1998 this is 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.)

Every year we offer a warm welcome to our American friends visiting the area on this their Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend. We would like to claim responsibility for the over 50oF temperatures expected this weekend but cannot.

The Niagara River was again the hot spot in the area, but we must advise that the gulls are really spread out and birders have found it difficult to run up a large species list. A LAUGHING GULL was found at the QUEENSTON reservoir off Stanley St. near Hwy 405 Monday and the CALIFORNIA GULL was at the rocks near the Adam Beck power station on Saturday afternoon, while on Monday a fairly easy to find FRANKLIN'S GULL was hugging the west shore of the Whirlpool, one or two THAYER'S GULLS were at Adam Beck, and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was above the falls. Also reported in the last ten days were BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, LITTLE GULL, ICELAND GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL and SABINE'S GULL.

As of noon today there were not one but two AMERICAN AVOCETS at the Pier 24 pond off Eastport Drive at Windermere Basin. The immature NORTHERN GANNET was seen off Van Wagner's Beach Sunday but we've had no reports since. An adult BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE and six RED-THROATED LOONS were at Van Wagners Beach last Saturday.

Other reports include KILLDEER, COMMON SNIPE and a PECTORAL SANDPIPER in the Grand River shallows at York. Further along the river toward Mt. Healey was an adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.

Two PEREGRINE FALCONS are in the vicinity of the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel - it appears that the adult male is entertaining an immature female. An unbanded adult PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at Grant's Point on Lake Erie. A MERLIN is making regular stops around dusk at the Headquaters of the Hamiton Region COnservation Authority on Mineral Springs Rd. in Ancaster. A COOPER'S HAWK chased 20 SNOW BUNTINGS at Van Wagner's Beach Sunday. A late TURKEY VULTURE was over the Grand River yesterday.

Birders watching the 200 or so TUNDRA SWANS gathered in Cootes Paradise waters last Saturday got lucky when an adult FRANKLIN'S GULL flew by. A possible White-fronted Goose was reported at Princess Point Wednesday.

From Bronte Harbour comes news that the pair of RED-NECKED GREBES and one of this year's offspring are still around, with an AMERICAN COOT nearby. Other birds on the Burlington and Stoney Creek lakeshores include OLDSQUAW, GREATER SCAUP, LESSER SCAUP, HOODED MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and BUFFLEHEAD. 60 AMERICAN COOTS are at LaSalle Marina. A SNOW GOOSE was on the lake at Vineland.

On the home front, we have a NORTHERN SHRIKE making a meal out of a Junco in a yard at Kilbride, both RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH plus a NORTHERN FLICKER visiting an Ancaster feeder, a male and female RUSTY BLACKBIRD at another Ancaster feeder, AMERICAN ROBINS in a few places, and a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD imitating a male Northern Cardinal's best spring song on Selkirk in the city's east end.

Out of town, a total of 18 PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen today at Cobourg Harbour and Presqui'le PP. Stragglers reported from Long Point this week include a young AMERICAN REDSTART and a YELLOW- BREASTED CHAT. ROSS'S GOOSE sightings came from the vicinity of West Lorne near Chatham and from Presqui'le PP. A small group of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was found at Aylmer.

Good birding.

Hi Gord,

On the way down to Niagara, I stopped in at Hamilton Harbour for about an hour. Over four sites I found 16 species of duck, plus a few other good water birds.

At LaSalle Park on the north shore of Hamilton Harbour, there were 21 American Coots, 4 female Common Mergansers, 1 Ruddy Duck, 2 Am. Wigeons, 4 Redheads, 1 D-C Cormorant, 80 Bufflehead, and over 250 Scaup. Far to the west were at least 110 swans - most if not all of which were Tundra Swans.

The Tollgate Ponds on Eastport were very good today. In the north pond there were over 80 Canvasbacks, 3 male Pintails, 4 male Green-winged Teal, and 8 Ruddy Ducks. In the south pond were 17 Shovelers, 2M & 1F Hooded Merganser. All of the more common species (Mallard, Black Duck, Scaup, Bufflehead) were also present. Most of these were also at Windermere Basin in large numbers.

Over at Van Wagner's Beach, it was pretty quiet (at least at 8 am when I was there). The only bird of note was a Red-throated Loon in winter plumage, 200+ metres offshore from Hutch's Restaurant.

Good birding,

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 1998 this is 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.)

Well, the excitement continued into this week, with an immature NORTHERN GANNET being seen off Van Wagner's Beach from Saturday at least through Wednesday. A newcomer at Van Wagner's on Sunday was a first winter CALIFORNIA GULL which was also present Tuesday, as were a POMARINE JAEGER and a PARASITIC JAEGER, both immatures. Several birders got an eyeful when the PARASITIC JAEGER chased the NORTHERN GANNET for a short time. At least one adult FRANKLIN'S GULL, several immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were also seen at the beach at various times. The last report of the female AMERICAN AVOCET at Pier 24 off Windermere Basin came late Sunday afternoon.

It appears that the invasion of FRANKLIN'S GULLS has been followed by a smaller one of CALIFORNIA GULLS, with individuals being reported at London and on the Niagara River at the rocks near the Adam Beck power station. Also on the river on the weekend were an immature SABINE'S GULL in the gorge at the base of the falls, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, FRANKLIN'S GULL, LITTLE GULL, ICELAND GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, THAYER'S GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Two late COMMON TERNS were on the river just north of Fort Erie.

Shorebirds seen Saturday include several PURPLE SANDPIPERS at Rock Point PP, DUNLIN, KILLDEER, SANDERLING, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, COMMON SNIPE and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER there and at other Lake Erie spots, and four LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER in the Grand River shallows at York.

On the raptor scene, on Tuesday a GOLDEN EAGLE and three probable RED-TAILED HAWKS were soaring together over Guelph Line and Hwy. 5, while two more GOLDEN EAGLES were seen over Dundas. A COOPER'S HAWK appears to be back for the winter on Unity Rd. near Mines Rd. in the Caledonia area. An immature BALD EAGLE has been seen around the marsh and in the bay.

A GREAT HORNED OWL was at Woodland Cemtery today, and at least 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen over the Hagersville Army Camp. A local birder had a pleasant home sighting when he stepped outside and found himself staring at an EASTERN SCREECH OWL perched in a tree in the yard.

The pair of TUFTED TITMICE are back at the feeders at the RBG Nature Centre, while SNOW BUNTINGS and late RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and AMERICAN ROBINS were over Mount Hope.

A large flock of swans reported far out in Cootes Paradise waters is probably comprised mostly of TUNDRA SWANS, but it is possible there are a few TRUMPETER SWANS, some MUTE SWANS and even the one and only WHOOPER SWAN, which has returned for another winter on the bay. Two immature TRUMPETER SWANS and numbers of COMMON GOLDENEYE and BUFFLEHEAD were on the lake off Burlington.

There are tons of ducks at Tollgate ponds, including several hundred each of CANSVASBACK and REDHEAD, plus BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN PINTAIL and NORTHERN SHOVELLER. A NORTHERN SHELDUCK has turned up in the west end of Cootes Paradise.

Out of town, an ANCIENT MURRELET seen Saturday at the tip of Point Pelee was found Sunday at Eire Metropark south of Detroit. FRANKLIN'S GULLS remain in many locations, both on water and inland. An usual report came from the tip of Long Point where a CATTLE EGRET flew by last Friday.

Good birding.

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

Reports from several observers.

Mike
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The California Gull flew away from Van Wagner's Beach around 10:30 and had not returned by lunch time. There were compensations, however:

• Northern Gannet -1 imm.
• Pomarine Jaeger - 1 juv.
• Parasitic Jaeger - 1 juv.
• Franklin's Gull - 3 ad.
• Black-legged Kittiwake - 1 imm.
• Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 juv. at Confederation Park

The Gannet was a fly by, and it was actually being chased for a short time by the Parasitic Jaeger!

At 6:00 a.m. Sunday, November 15, 1998 this is first update in the tenth year of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline.

It is not possible to acknowledge by name all of the many people who contribute sightings to these reports, but two deserve special recognition. The hotline would not be possible without the regular reports and help of Rob Dobos, who got me into this in 1989, and John Olmsted. My sincere thanks to them and everyone else.

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.)

The Bird Study Group will meet tomorrow night, November 16, at the Canada Centre For Inland Waters on Eastport Drive just beside the Skyway Bridge. This month's meeting will feature a talk by Toni Salvadori on the Birds of Papua-New Guinea. Rob Dobos will do an ID session on King and Common Eiders. The meeting starts at 7:30PM. Visitors are always welcome.

The update is to advise birders of the present situation in our area, which has changed dramatically since Thursday.

The best new bird is an immature NORTHERN GANNET which puzzled birders for quite a while before taking to the air and showing its identity off Van Wagner's Beach yesterday afternoon. An adult FRANKLIN'S GULL, several immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were also seen at the beach at various times. Just a km away, in the pond at Pier 24 off Windermere Basin, a female AMERICAN AVOCET was seen all day yesterday.

Two good birds were found at the Niagara River yesterday. An immature SABINE'S GULL was in the gorge at the base of the falls, and the adult CALIFORNIA GULL has returned to the rocks in the river near the Adam Beck power station. Other reports from Niagara include 100s of OLDSQUAW, RED-NECKED GREBES, an unidentified phalarope species, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, FRANKLIN'S GULL, LITTLE GULL, THAYER'S GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and thousands of BONAPARTE'S GULLS.

Birders should also be on the lookout for another seabird - an ANCIENT MURRELET seen yesterday at the tip of Point Pelee could be anywhere today. Note also that reports of FRANKLIN'S GULLS have come in from all over southern Ontario, including a pair found in a field on Wolfe Island near Kingston yesterday and another on Lake Huron.

Shorebirds seen Friday and yesterday include at least two PURPLE SANDPIPERS at Rock Point PP, DUNLIN, KILLDEER, SANDERLING, BLACK- BELLIED PLOVER, COMMON SNIPE and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER there and at other Lake Erie spots, and four LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a SEMI- PALMATED SANDPIPER in the Grand River shallows at York.

Unfortunately, there have been no sightings of the BLACK VULTURE south of Caledonia since Thursday.

Other reports from last week include an immature GOLDEN EAGLE over the Royal Botanical Gardens, NORTHERN SHRIKE at 87 Acre Park, COMMON TERN at Port Dover, WINTER WREN and BROWN CREEPER at the Dundas Marsh, SNOW BUNTINGS at Mount Hope and a NORTHERN FLICKER working at a kitchen windowsill in Ancaster.

Although most reports of TUNDRA SWANS came from south of the city, many were in our area. TRUMPETER SWANS and an escaped Black Swan were found, and the WHOOPER SWAN has returned for another winter on the bay. Lots of HOODED MERGANSERS, plus NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELLER and GREEN-WING TEAL were present in local ponds as well.

Out of town, a late WHITE-EYED VIREO turned up at Port Ryerse, a COMMON REDPOLL was found at Ipperwash Beach, and Presqu'ile PP hosted a GREAT GRAY OWL, a late BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER and 200 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS.

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.

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

An immature (first winter) NORTHERN GANNET was observed today (Saturday) from 2:30pm to 3:50pm at Van Wagner's Beach in Hamilton. It was approximately 700 metres offshore from Hutch's Restaurant sitting on the water before it departed (out into the lake and perhaps east). Also in the vicinity was an adult light-phase PARASITIC JAEGER - it even alighted near the Gannet briefly!

We also saw the female AMERICAN AVOCET at the pond beyond the bridge near Pier 24 at about 2pm. It was accompanied by a Dunlin with a broken leg.

Other birds in the area (CCIW, Tollgate Ponds, Van Wagner's Beach):

• 100+ Snow Buntings
• 110 Am. Black Duck
• 12 Hooded Merganser
• 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

plus Canvasback, Redhead, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Northern Shoveller, Lesser Scaup, Oldsquaw, White-winged Scoter, Common Loon, Red-breasted Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Double-crested Cormorant and other regular birds.

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

Bob Henry had an AMERICAN AVOCET (f) at the Pier 24 Pond at Windermere Basin at 12:50 pm Friday. An adult FRANKLIN'S GULL was at Van Wagners Beach all morning Friday and an adult LESSER-BLACK BACKED GULL was .5km west, on the beach near the Skyway Bridge. 2 imm. BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were also seen from Van Wagner's Beach.

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

The American Avocet reported at Hamilton's Pier 24 yesterday was seen at first light today (Saturday Nov 14), but at about 9am +/- had vanished. It was back in the same pond at 4.00 pm. In the same area this morning a Red-tailed Hawk and immature Peregrine Falcon were noisily disputing ownership of remnants of a Green-winged Teal.

At 9:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 1998 this is first report of the tenth year of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline.

It is not possible to acknowledge the many people who contribute sightings to these reports, but two people deserve special recognition. The hotline would not be possible without the regular reports and help of Rob Dobos, who got me into this in 1989, and John Olmsted. My sincere thanks to them and everyone else.

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.)

The Bird Study Group will meet next Monday, November 16, at the Canada Centre For Inland Waters on Eastport Drive just beside the Skyway Bridge. This month's meeting will feature a talk by Toni Salvadori on the Birds of Papua-New Guinea. Rob Dobos will do an ID session on King and Common Eiders. The meeting starts at 7:30PM. Visitors are always welcome.

Not only is it our anniversary, but this week has also been one of the most exciting in the Hamilton area since the line began. We started Sunday morning with what experienced birders were quite certain was a PACIFIC LOON among some 15,000 COMMON GOLDENEYE in Lake Ontario at Green's Rd. in Stoney Creek. Later Sunday an AMERICAN AVOCET was found in the Sandusk Creek at the shore of Lake Erie near Cheapside Road, and people looking for the Pacific Loon found an immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE off Van Wagner's Beach.

On Monday came word that an adult BLACK VULTURE had been found with TURKEY VULTURES south of Caledonia near 4th Line Oneida and Mackenzie Rd. The excitement continued Tuesday when a flock of 50 (fifty) BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES showed up off Van Wagner's Beach at noontime. A SHORT-EARED OWL crossing the lake at the same time wound up circling with the Kittiwakes for a few minutes.

We're not finished. The Avocet, seen Monday but not Tuesday, was found again Wednesday in the same location - with two adult FRANKLIN'S GULLS! By the end of the day FRANKLIN'S GULLS had been reported from Van Wagner's Beach, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Point Pelee, and a flock of 130 were found southwest of Detroit. It seems obvious that the massive storm which went through the American mid-west on Monday picked up a large number of these gulls and carried them eastward in its stronger than gale force winds. FRANKLIN'S GULLS are rare enough in our area; the fact that many were adults seems to back up this idea.

The BLACK VULTURE was seen again Wednesday. There have been no reports of the Avocet or Vulture today, but not to worry, there's lots to go around - this afternoon 8 immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, a FRANKLIN'S GULL and 11 BRANT were seen off Van Wagner's Beach!

Things are starting to heat up on the Niagara River as well, with reports of 100s of OLDSQUAW, RED-NECKED GREBES, an unidentified phalarope species, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, SABINE'S GULL, FRANKLIN'S GULL, LITTLE GULL, THAYER'S GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and thousands of BONAPARTE'S GULLS.

The local birding action wasn't only on the lakeshore. On Sunday a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was off the north shore trails at Dundas Marsh, and an immature GOLDEN EAGLE flew over the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Although most reports of TUNDRA SWANS came from south of the city, many were in our area. TRUMPETER SWANS and an escaped Black Swan were found, and the WHOOPER SWAN has returned for another winter on the bay. Lots of HOODED MERGANSERS, plus NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELLER and GREEN-WING TEAL were present in local ponds as well.

Birders seeking shorebirds were not disappointed. Up to six PURPLE SANDPIPERS were at Rock Point PP, DUNLIN, KILLDEER, SANDERLING and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER in other Lake Erie spots, COMMON SNIPE in many locations, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS and SEMI- PALMATED SANDPIPER in the Grand River at York.

Other reports include NORTHERN SHRIKE at 87 Acre Park, COMMON TERN at Port Dover, WINTER WREN and BROWN CREEPER at the Dundas Marsh, SNOW BUNTINGS at Mount Hope and a NORTHERN FLICKER working at a kitchen windowsill in Ancaster.

Out of town, a late WHITE-EYED VIREO turned up at Port Ryerse, a COMMON REDPOLL was found at Ipperwash Beach, and Presqu'ile PP hosted a GREAT GRAY OWL, a late BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER and 200 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS.

Good birding.

Bob Henry and Brian Wylie refound the AMERICAN AVOCET this morning. Close by were two adult FRANKLIN'S GULLS. When John Miles checked several hours later none were around. The Avocet may still be in the area. It's hard to say about the Franlin's Gulls, but this is the third report of that species today on Lake Erie. The Black Vulture was again seen in the area of the 4th Line Oneida/Mackenzie Rd. south of Caledonia off Hwy. 6.

The Avocet/Franklin's find today was at the bridge where Cheapside Rd crosses Sandusk Creek, 100m north of the Lake Erie shore. The Avocet was originally found 200m east, closer to where the creek actually meets the lake. Take Hwy 6 south out of Hagersville, then the first left (Sandusk Rd/Reg. Rd 18), go 8+km to Reg. Rd. 3 (Rainham Rd.), then left (east) to the SECOND road (Cheapside) going to the lake.

Guess who works 5km from this location, passes Hwy. 6/4th Line Oneida every day on the way to work, and has yet to see any of these birds!

Mike

Rob Dobos and others saw a flock of approximately 50 (fifty) immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES off Van Wagner's Beach in Stoney Creek at 1PM this afternoon. Also seen were an immature GLAUCOUS GULL, and a SHORT-EARED OWL which wound up circling with the Kittiwakes! Van Wagner's is just west of Confederation Park, reachable from exit 88 (Centennial Parkway/Hwy 20) on the QEW in Stoney Creek.

Rob was advised by others that the BLACK VULTURE was seen again at noon today south of Caledonia.

Jim Cram advises that an adult BLACK VULTURE was circling with 7 TURKEY VULTURES over the chicken farm south of Caledonia, ON this afternoon.

Directions: follow Hwy. 6 south from Hamilton around Caledonia on the bypass to the Fourth Line, Oneida Township. Turn left (east) and go about 1.5 km to a point past the chicken farm. The birds could be on either side of the road.

NOTE: Tuesday's weather forecast calls for high winds and heavy rain

At 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 1998 this is an Update to 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, as is the case with this message. (The phone number is 905-648-9537.)

The November Hamilton Naturalist's Club meeting will take place this Monday evening, the 9th. Our Guest Speaker, well known naturalist Dan Stuckey, will conduct a 'Cross Canada Nature Check Up'. Meetings are held at 8:00PM at the Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd West, Burlington. Visitors are always welcome.

The Update concerns TWO good birds found today in the Hamilton area. This morning, moving among some 15,000 COMMON GOLDENEYE and Scaup in Lake Ontario at the foot of Green's Rd. in Stoney Creek, experienced birders found what they are quite certain was a PACIFIC LOON. Unfortunately, the bird moved off when a motorboat scattered the waterfowl and it was not found again today. The lookout will continue tomorrow. The second discovery was an AMERICAN AVOCET found this afternoon on the shore of Lake Erie near Nanticoke. Directions to the Avocet are: take Hwy. 6 south from Hamilton through Hagersville. Turn left at Sandusk Rd. (Reg. Rd. 18), go approximately 8km to Reg. Rd. 3, turn left or east and go to the next road. (This road is the first road west of the road which goes to Selkirk PP.) Follow this road to the lakeshore. Where the road turns right at the lake, go left to a sign which says not to go any further. Look for the Avocet on the north shore of the creek at that point.

Two other reports since Thursday are of a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL off the north shore trails at the Dundas Marsh today, and four PURPLE SANDPIPERS at Rock Point PP on Friday.

Now for Thursday night's report:

In the last few weeks close to 400 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS have been banded at Long Point, including 90 in one night, and another 100 Saw-whets have been banded at Cabot Head on the east side of the Bruce Peninsula. GOLDEN EAGLES continue to move west past Windsor and Detroit.

Niagara reports include two PURPLE SANDPIPERS below the lighthouse on the Niagara side of Port Weller spit on Thursday, and an immature FRANKLIN'S GULL at Niagara Falls last Sunday and Monday.

Reports from last Sunday's annual Hamilton Area Fall Bird Count include a NORTHERN GOSHAWK at Christie CA; two more Goshawks, a MERLIN, a BALD EAGLE, six other raptors and an EVENING GROSBEAK over Dundas Marsh; EASTERN SCREECH OWL and PARASITIC JAEGER at Fifty Point CA; BARN SWALLOW and BLUE-WING TEAL at Grimsby Lagoons; PURPLE FINCH, FOX SPARROW and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER behind the Olympic Arena; DUNLIN, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and 20 GREAT BLUE HERONS at the Willows; EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in many locations, and large numbers of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS in country areas. One counter was thrilled to get 70 copies of a life bird when a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS popped up out of the grass at Mount Hope Airport. Ducks at the Marsh and Pier 24 included GREEN-WING TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, HOODED MERGANSER, CANVASBACK, RUDDY DUCK and RING- NECKED DUCK.

Other sightings this week include an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE on Old GUELPH RD., a TUNDRA SWAN, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, FOX SPARROWS and SNOW BUNTINGS at 87 Acre Park; NORTHERN SHRIKE at Mount Hope; a KING EIDER in the lake off Stoney Creek, a PINE SISKIN over the city and a reported WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL at Mount Nemo.

Out of town, on Monday the number of LITTLE GULLS off Turkey Point had increased to 150. A VIRGINIA RAIL was calling at Selkirk PP on Sunday, and a LONG-EARED OWL was banded there today. Birders at Rock Point Provincial Park report a late HOUSE WREN, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, DUNLIN and KILLDEER.

Good numbers of Red-Tailed Hawks will be seen in the next week, and more Golden Eagles could show up as well. The cold weather should bring flocks of Tundra Swans.

Good birding.

Some of us who did not manage to spot the Pacific Loon had a great consolation prize. A Juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake landed at the water's edge at Van Wagner's Beach and stayed there floating for several

minutes. This was today Sunday around 3pm.

(there were a few loons in the distance, one certainly Common but a couple of others were possible Pacific, it was just too far for our group to decide for sure.)

Bill Smith and Denys Gardiner have just called (11AM) to report a bird which they are quite certain is a Pacific Loon in Lake Ontario at the foot of Green's Rd. in Stoney Creek.

To get there, take the Queen Elizabeth Way to the Hwy. 20/Centennial Parkway exit (Exit 88), then take the NORTH Service Rd eastbound to Green's Rd. Look for tall apartment buildings on the lakeshore as a marker. There is likely to be a crowd.

Mike

During August a pair of northern flickers visited my yard for about 1 hour. I compared them to pictures in two different birding books and I am sure that is what they were.

How common are they in the Hamilton, ON area?
I have not seen them before or since.

Gord Gallant
gallantg@interlog.com

At 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 1998 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.)

The November Hamilton Naturalist's Club meeting will take place next Monday evening, the 9th. Our Guest Speaker, well known naturalist Dan Stuckey, will conduct a 'Cross Canada Nature Check Up'. Meetings are held at 8:00PM at the Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd West, Burlington. Visitors are always welcome.

At the end of last week's report we said that the cold weather the previous week had not sent many Golden Eagles south. Within two hours of taping the message we had been advised that earlier the same day 35 GOLDEN EAGLES had been seen at Hawk Cliff and 29 at Erie Metropark south of Detroit. Both were record numbers for the sites. Over the weekend another 27 Golden Eagles were counted near Detroit. We have also learned that in the last few weeks an amazing 400 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS have been banded at Long Point, including 90 in one night, and another 100 Saw-whets have been banded at Cabot Head on the east side of the Bruce Peninsula.

The best birds this week were a pair of PURPLE SANDPIPERS below the lighthouse on the Niagara side of Port Weller spit this afternoon, and an immature FRANKLIN'S GULL at Niagara Falls on Sunday and Monday.

Reports from last Sunday's annual Hamilton Area Fall Bird Count include a NORTHERN GOSHAWK at Christie CA; two more Goshawks, a MERLIN, a BALD EAGLE, six other raptors and an EVENING GROSBEAK over Dundas Marsh; EASTERN SCREECH OWL and PARASITIC JAEGER at Fifty Point CA; BARN SWALLOW and BLUE-WING TEAL at Grimsby Lagoons; PURPLE FINCH, FOX SPARROW and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER behind the Olympic Arena; DUNLIN, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and 20 GREAT BLUE HERONS at the Willows; EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in many locations, and large numbers of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS in country areas. One counter was thrilled to get 70 copies of a life bird when a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS popped up out of the grass at Mount Hope Airport. Ducks at the Marsh and Pier 24 included GREEN-WING TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, HOODED MERGANSER, CANVASBACK, RUDDY DUCK and RING- NECKED DUCK.

Other sightings this week include an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE on Old GUELPH RD., a TUNDRA SWAN, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, FOX SPARROWS and SNOW BUNTINGS at 87 Acre Park; NORTHERN SHRIKE at Mount Hope; a KING EIDER in the lake off Stoney Creek, a PINE SISKIN over the city and a reported WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL at Mount Nemo.

Out of town, on Monday the number of LITTLE GULLS off Turkey Point had increased to 150. A VIRGINIA RAIL was calling at Selkirk PP on Sunday, and a LONG-EARED OWL was banded there today. Birders at Rock Point Provincial Park report a late HOUSE WREN, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, DUNLIN and KILLDEER.

Good numbers of Red-Tailed Hawks will be seen in the next week, and more Golden Eagles could show up as well. The cold weather should bring flocks of Tundra Swans.

Good birding.

At 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 1998 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.)

My thanks again to Rob Dobos for covering the line the last two weeks while we were away.

Followers of Hamilton's Peregrine Falcon family will be interested to know that the adult male, known as Dad, has been identified as a bird banded at Macdonald College near Montreal in 1993. This week Dad and an unidentified immature Peregrine, apparently not one of this year's local brood, have been keeping downtown watchers entertained with flights between the Standard Life Building, the Sheraton Hotel and the Commerce Bank tower.

Seen at Pier 25 on Sunday were 6 juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 30 DUNLIN, several PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and one each of STILT SANDPIPER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

Among water area sightings were an immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE off Van Wagner's Beach at 5:30PM yesterday, 9 TUNDRA SWANS in the Harbour off Burlington Golf & Country Club, a Blue Phase SNOW GOOSE at Pier 25, and a late GREEN HERON at Eastport Dr. In the lake off Confederation Park lots of Scaup plus a few BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE and OLDSQUAW can be found.

Other reports include a late FIELD SPARROW in Mount Hope, FOX SPARROW at Van Wagners Ponds, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at Middletown Marsh and a female PURPLE FINCH today at an Ancaster feeder.

Banding stations in the area have been busy. A TUFTED TITMOUSE was tagged at Ruthven, while a WHIP-POOR-WILL and several NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were banded at Selkirk Provincial Park. The current cold weather produced a modest raptor flight over Selkirk today. Close to 40 birds of 5 species were seen, with an immature GOLDEN EAGLE and an immature BALD EAGLE soaring together as the highlight. Good numbers of Thrushes, Blackbirds, Pipits and Bluebirds have been seen moving past Selkirk at dawn this week.

Out of town, from Sarnia comes a report of a GREATER WHITE- FRONTED GOOSE at the harbour and a way-out-of-its-range PURPLE GALLINULE which was found alive but unfortunately did not survive. SURF SCOTERS and RED-THROATED LOONS were the highlights at Presqu'ile PP. An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen in the Long Point area, and several immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were seen along Lake Erie near Port Dover.

The cold weather should result in a modest flight of Golden Eagles this weekend, and flocks of Tundra Swans may also start to show up in the area.

Good birding.

On Sunday Oct 11, early in the morning, I saw a number of Ruby and Golden Crowned Kinglets in the trees on the east side of Oakville Harbour. They fooled me at first, cause I haven't seen them for a while and were very active!

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 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.)

Highlights of this update include: Eared Grebe, Golden Eagle, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Long-billed Dowitcher and Blue Goose.

Two basic plumaged EARED GREBES were once again seen off Shoreacres in Burlington on Sunday, along with 18 HORNED and 50 RED-NECKED GREBES.

Shorebirds at Windermere Basin's Pier 24 Pond on Monday included a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, three STILT SANDPIPER'S, two BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, several DUNLIN, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. A BLUE GOOSE was also seen at Windermere Basin on Monday and Tuesday.

At Dundas Marsh, at least three NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were still present this past weekend. Also seen on Monday was an AMERICAN BITTERN along Spencer Creek near the foot bridge, and two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS on the mudflats. A GREAT EGRET was along the N shore of Cootes Paradise on Wednesday. A PEREGRINE FALCON perched above observers at the end of the Willows on Monday.

A modest raptor flight observed over the west Hamilton Mountain on Tuesday included an immature GOLDEN EAGLE along with other common species.

Waterfowl numbers continue to build. On Wednesday, 91 RUDDY DUCKS were on the Harbour off Woodland Cemetery while 98 were at Cootes Paradise, and another 120 were at Tollgate Ponds today. A flock of 35 OLDSQUAW were on the Harbour today. Other ducks at Tollgate Ponds include large numbers of NORTHERN SHOVELER, REDHEAD, LESSER and GREATER SCAUP and GADWALL, and a few RING-NECKED DUCKS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAIL and AMERICAN WIGEON.

Out of town, four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were at Martindale Pond in St. Catharines on Monday. The juvenile SABINE'S GULL was still present at the Port Perry Sewage Lagoons until Monday at least. And still farther afield, a tantalizing report from the Algoma area was of 10 Whooping Cranes flying SE over Iron Bridge on Monday. Perhaps these birds will turn up with staging Sandhill Cranes on Manitoulin Island or elsewhere?

The next Hamilton Naturalists' Club Bird Study Group meeting will be held this Monday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m., at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters off Eastport Dr. under the Skyway Bridge. This month features an ID session by Jim Dowall and a presentation on the birds of the Arctic by George Drought.

The Ontario Field Ornithologists will be holding their Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 17, also at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. Featured speakers include Bruce MacTavish on gull ID and Ken Abraham on Ontario geese. The meeting starts at 9:00 a.m., and tickets can be purchased at the door for $15.00. This will be followed by an OFO outing on Sunday, October 18 led by Bob Curry, meeting at Van Wagners Beach at 8:00 a.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.

on monday oct.12.1998 ther wear 51 red necked grebe's, 9 horned grebe,and 2 eared grebe's off shoreacres in burlington to get ther tack the Q.E.W to appleby line and then west on (from toronto)lakeshore rd once you pass over shoreacres creek park on the south side and walk to the lake,all so ther wear still 3 sharp tailed sparrow,at cootes paradise in hamilton.

The Curlew Sandpiper reported on last night's Toronto hotline update could not be found by the many observers present this morning (October 12). The bird was reported to be at Hamilton's Pier 25 on the left just past the bridge. Present were 3 Stilt Sandpipers, 1 Black-bellied Plover and some Dunlin.

The family (2 juvenile, 2 adult) of Red-necked Grebes is still present at Bronte Harbour.

At 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 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.)

Highlights of this update include: Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Parasitic Jaeger, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Sabine's Gull.

Despite three days of strong easterly winds earlier this week, sightings at Van Wagners Beach were rather disappointing, with only a single PARASITIC JAEGER and a flock of seven SNOW GEESE seen on Sunday. Small numbers of SURF, BLACK and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, COMMON LOONS and other waterfowl were also seen there.

Dundas Marsh continues to provide the best birding locally. Up to 12 NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were easily seen on Saturday at the usual spot on the east side of Paradise Pond. Several thousand ducks are present on the open waters of Cootes Paradise, with GREEN-WINGED TEAL being the most numerous, and numbers of AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL and WOOD DUCKS also present. Shorebirds may be found on the extensive mudflats throughout the Marsh. Five LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and 18 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER were sighted this week. At least two GREAT EGRETS remained near University Landing. Large numbers of passerine migrants were present last weekend around Cootes Paradise, dominated by YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, WHITE- THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, RUBY and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and CEDAR WAXWINGS. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, WINTER WREN, HERMIT THRUSH, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, PALM WARBLER, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS could also be found in smaller numbers. Two LAPLAND LONGSPURS flew over Dundas Marsh on Saturday.

A LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was also seen at Windermere Basin's Pier 24 Pond on Sunday. Good shorebird habitat can also be found at Valley Inn, Van Wagners Ponds, Smithville Sewage Lagoons and Lake Niapenco at Binbrok Conservation Area, with the typical species being reported at each. A GREAT EGRET was still present at Van Wagners Ponds on Tuesday, and a MERLIN was also seen there. 62 AMERICAN COOTS were at the Bayfront Park in Hamilton Wednesday.

Interesting late migrants reported this week include a MARSH WREN at Shoreacres on Tuesday, a NORTHERN PARULA at Hendrie Valley on Saturday, an INDIGO BUNTING at Dundas Marsh on Saturday, and a RED- HEADED WOODPECKER at 87 Acre Park in Saltfleet on Sunday.

Farther afield, a juvenile SABINE'S GULL was present at the Port Perry Sewage Lagoons from Saturday to at least Tuesday. A KINGBIRD believed to be either a COUCH'S or TROPICAL, found at Hurkett Cove east of Thunder Bay on September 27, was seen again on October 2 and the 4th.

The next Hamilton Naturalists' Club Bird Study Group meeting will be held on Monday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m., at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters off Eastport Dr. under the Skyway Bridge. This month features an ID session by Jim Dowall and a presentation on the birds of the Arctic by George Drought. The Ontario Field Ornithologists will be holding their Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 17, also at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. Featured speakers include Bruce MacTavish on gull ID and Ken Abraham on Ontario geese. The meeting starts at 9:00 a.m., and tickets can be purchased at the door for $15.00.

Good birding.

At 10:00PM Thursday, October 1, 1998 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.

The October Hamilton Naturalist's Club meeting next Monday evening, the 5th, will be the Annual General Meeting & Members Night. Several short presentations will be given. Meetings are held at 8:00PM at the Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd West, Burlington. Visitors are always welcome.

Hawkwatchers and others will be interested to learn that a record 800,000 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS have been counted at Corpus Christi, TX in the past four days.

Last weekend saw many people head for Dundas Marsh to look for SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS. First reports indicated as many as 5 on Sunday, but on Monday an unprecendeted - as far as we know - 10 Sharp-tails were found there. Other birds seen in the marsh and at the Willows were an AMERICAN BITTERN, a BLACK SWAN and as many as 9 GREAT EGRETS, as well as PHILADELPHIA VIREO, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, GOLDEN- CROWNED KINGLET, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.

About 2000 puddle ducks were in the open waters of Cootes Paradise, most of them GREEN-WING TEAL, with smaller numbers of AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GADWALL and BLUE-WING TEAL.

Lots of RED-NECKED GREBES, a couple of HORNED GREBES and some REDHEADS were off Shoreacres, and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, SWAMP SPARROW and WINTER WREN were on shore. Birders at Mountsberg C.A. found WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON, RUDDY DUCK, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, AMERICAN COOTS and 74 PIED-BILLED GREBES! Similar species, plus an AMERICAN BITTERN, were at Valens CA. SURF SCOTER, RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP AND LESSER SCAUP were in the Harbour off Bayshore Park in Aldershot.

Species reported at Valley Inn, Woodland Cemetery and the north shore of Cootes Paradise near the Boat House included YELLOW- BELLIED SAPSUCKER, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, HERMIT THRUSH, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER, PINE WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER and lots of BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. A WHIP-POOR-WILL was banded at Selkirk PP last Friday.

The Sheraton Hotel's female PEREGRINE FALCON has returned to the nest site and spends much of the day just sitting in the sun. On Monday she gave a spectauclar display when she stooped from the top of the Standard Life building and ended up on the School Board building, complete with a pigeon lunch. MERLINS were seen at Valens CA and Dundas Marsh, and a juvenile PEREGRINE FALCON visited the marsh.

Among shorebirds at Windermere Basin today were AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Reported at the Smithville lagoons were AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, LONG- BILLED DOWITCHER AND COMMON SNIPE. The McMaster Landing mud flat attracted STILT SANDPIPER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, AND SOLITARY SANDPIPER, while SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and SPOTTED SANDPIPER were found at Valley Inn.

On the home front, in the last week one of our young reporters in Mount Hope has spotted DARK-EYED JUNCO, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, PALM WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, AMERICAN PIPIT, EASTERN PHOEBE, HORNED LARK and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH in and from his yard. Not far away, on Dickenson Rd., a CAROLINA WREN was singing up a storm.

This next week will see more Peregrine Falcons passing through, and the main migration of Turkey Vultures will start any day. Look also for more thrushes and warblers. If you're looking for signs of winter other than tonight's cold temperatures, a listener reported a small flock of SNOW BUNTINGS west of Jerseyville this week.

Good birding.

ONTBIRD members,

Just to help start the ball rolling I thought I would provide a few sightings of my own. Here goes.

AT DUNDAS MARSH

Of most interest to me, I saw 5 Sharp-tailed Sparrows I saw at Dundas Marsh (park at along Cootes Drive) this afternoon. All 5 birds were seen well on the east side of the pond beyond the now defunct observation tower (about 300 m beyond?). They seemed to be present in the shorter vegetation along the edge of the pond, next to the taller cattails. Since the birds typically move into the taller cattails after being flushed, the afternoon is a good time to get good light on them. Then again, cloudy conditions are fine too! Most of the birds I saw sat up for at least a few seconds and on one occasion for about a minute. Nice!

As for other birds there, I didn't spend much time walking around but heard several typical migrants. I didn't walk out to the end of the willows either but could see 9 Great Egrets beyond the point.

SHOREACRES PARK, BURLINGTON

I did stop off at the lake to see if the two Eared Grebes were still around but could not find them. However, I did count 52 Red-necked Grebes,two Horned Grebes and 7 Redhead. As migrants, I only saw 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Swamp Sparrow and Winter Wren. Others before me mentioned that they had a little flurry of warblers that included Orange-crowned Warbler.

Other stops at the Lake around the vicinity proved unproductive.

MOUNTSBERG C.A.

On the way home, I briefly stopped at Mountsberg. The water levels there are quite low and quite a few ducks are around, including Mallard, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Black Ducks, and unidentified teal amongst the multitude of Canada Geese. Also beginning to increase in numbers are Ameican Coots (I didn't get a count). Again, of interest to me, I counted 74 Pied-billed Grebes! There were probably more that I couldn't see, and I didn't even bother to check out the reservoir south of the railway tracks. This seems like a pretty respectable total. I can't think of any other places where one can see so many birds. Any thoughts?

So, that's it for now. Good Birding!

At 8:45PM Thursday, September 24, 1998 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.

Last week's mention of a calling EASTERN SCREECH OWL brought a report of another calling for 3 consecutive nights in a tree in the Lakeshore Rd and 4th Line area of Oakville.

Seen at Highland Gardens Park last Thursday were RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, NASHVILLE WARBLER, BLACK and WHITE WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, BROWN THRASHER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, SCARLET TANAGER, HERMIT THRUSH, GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH, and SWAINSON'S THRUSH.

At Shoreacres on Saturday were 2 EARED GREBE, 4 HORNED GREBE AND 74 RED-NECKED GREBE, along with GREATER SCAUP, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, WINTER WREN, LINCON'S SPARROW and 9 WARBLER SPECIES including BLACK and WHITE WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and OVENBIRD.

At LaSalle Park Monday were a large number of AMERICAN COOTS, HORNED GREBE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, CANVASBACK, COMMON MERGANSER AND REDHEAD on the water, PLUS CAROLINA WREN, PINE WARBLER and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET inland.

Other sightings reported include a pair of very visible VIRGINIA RAILS near the Hendrie Valley boardwalk, TENNESSEE WARBLER at the Willows, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and PALM WARBLER on English Church Rd., PIED-BILLED GREBE, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and GREEN HERON at 87 Acre Park, NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER in Dundas, PHILADELPHIA VIREO at Valley Inn, and at Fifty Point a CONNECTICUT WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and BLUE-HEADED VIREO. A Green Parakeet was flying with 25 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS at Lake Niapenco. A HERMIT THRUSH and 2 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were banded at Selkirk PP.

Van Wagner's Ponds produced GREAT EGRETS, WILSON'S WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, DARK-EYED JUNCO, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and a MERLIN.

Among the waterfowl at Tollgate Ponds and Windermere were RUDDY DUCK, RING-NECKED DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GADWALL, REDHEAD and GREATER SCAUP, along with a PEREGRINE FALCON trying to get them to fly. Another PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and OLDSQUAW were over the Lake off Fifty Point. TRUMPETER SWANS and an escaped Black Swan were at Cootes Paradise. A quite early LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was off Selkirk PP this morning.

A juvenile LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was at Windermere Basin's Pier 24 pond, along with DUNLIN, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER. A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was at 87 Acre Park. Shorebirds at the Smithville Lagoons and Rock Point PP included AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, RUDDY TURNSTONE, RED KNOT, SANDERLING and DUNLINS.

Unusual birds reported but so far not confirmed in the Greater Toronto area include an Ash-throated Flycatcher at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, a Tri-colored Heron at Cranberry Marsh and a Little Blue Heron at Frenchman's Bay.

In the next week look for more warblers and thrushes, and don't forget that Peregrine Falcon migration peaks in the last few days of September and the first few of October.

Good birding.

At 9:30PM Thursday, September 17, 1998 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.

The first Bird Study Group meeting of the season will take place next Monday night, Sep. 21, at 7:30 at the Canada Centre For Inland Waters on Eastport Drive, just beside the Skyway Bridge. This month's meeting will feature hawk identification by Bruce Duncan and a video on the fall hawk migration at Veracruz, Mexico, which is called the 'River of Raptors'.

Birders going to Presqu'ile Provincial Park should note that the Controlled Waterfowl Hunt will take place in the park on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 25th to Christmas. During these times, access to certain sections of the park may be restricted.

The annual major flight of BROAD-WING HAWKS got off to a terrific start as between 40,000 and 50,000 Broad-wings were counted today by members of the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory at Amherstburg near Windsor. Other raptors seen there today include well over 1000 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, hundreds of AMERICAN KESTRELS, close to 50 NORTHERN HARRIERS, and 15 OSPREY, not to mention 23 BALD EAGLES, most of them immatures.

Perhaps the best local sighting of the week was an EASTERN SCREECH OWL calling from a telephone wire on Dickenson Rd in Mount Hope last Thursday night.

Seen yesterday in strong NE winds at Van Wagners Beach were a WHIMBREL, a LITTLE GULL, BONAPARTE'S GULLS, COMMON LOONS and SANDERLING but no jaegers, which was a suprise. There are still two RED NECKED GREBE chicks at Bronte Harbour. 8 GREAT EGRETS were at Dundas Marsh last Friday.

A female MERLIN sat on the Dalewood School fence long enough for birders in a nearby home to make a positive life bird identification.

New migrants seen this past week at Middletown Marsh include WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, AMERICAN PIPITS, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and EASTERN PHOEBE. On Sunday 3 SORA and 4 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were at Bronte Marsh, while an AMERICAN BITTERN, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, lots of RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and WINTER WRENS were at Shell Park.

Warbler sightings in the area included TENNESSEE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.

The mud flat at at Valley Inn has grown. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, many LESSER YELLOWLEGS and lots of GREEN- WINGED TEAL were seen there this week. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were at the Willows last Friday. Eleven shorebird species were at the Smithville Sewage Lagoons, and a RED KNOT was on the Lake Erie shore in Fort Erie. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER were found at Dunnville sod farms.

Observers expect between 200-400,000 more Broad-wing Hawks to move down the southwestern Ontario peninsula in the next few days, so if you can, get out and look for them, other hawks and Bald Eagles tomorrow through Sunday. The best time is between 10AM and 3PM. We are probably at the peak of fall warblers, so they're worth a look too. Two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS found at Holiday Beach yesterday suggest that the species should be looked for here as well.

Good birding.

At 6:50PM Thursday, September 10, 1998 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.

The first Hamilton Naturalist's Club meeting of the new season will take place next Monday evening, the 14th. Well known Toronto astronomer Terence Dickinson will present 'A Naturalists Guide to Star Gazing'. Meetings are held at 8:00PM at the Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd West, Burlington. Visitors are always welcome.

We've had lots of wader sightings this week, including as many as 6 GREAT BLUE HERONS feeding on carp in a drying pond near Alberton, 4 GREEN HERONS in a pond near the Welland Canal, up to a dozen immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS near LaSalle Park and in the Hydro Pond, an amazing 8 GREAT EGRETS at Dundas Marsh and 3 more GREAT EGRETS plus a Sora at Van Wagners Ponds.

Two very young RED-NECKED GREBES are now at the Bronte nest. One chick is noticeably smaller than the other. One of their siblings from the previous clutch was in the harbour hunting independently. Numbers of other waterfowl are increasing. Many GREEN-WING TEAL, BLUE-WING TEAL, WOOD DUCK, NORTHERN SHOVELLER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, AMERICAN WIGEON and GADWALL can be found.

There are still lots of shorebirds around. This week's highlights include RED KNOT, juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and COMMON SNIPE at Windermere Basin; BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS at Valley Inn; a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER in Dundas Marsh despite the presence of a hunting PEREGRINE FALCON; RUDDY TURNSTONE and SANDERLING at the NE shore of the Harbour; a flock of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER on the Airport Rd. sod farm just east of Hwy. 6; a MARBLED GODWIT which flew out towards the lake and wasn't seen again; a WILLET apparently seen at Tollgate Ponds and a BUFF- BREASTED SANDPIPER at Townsend Sewage Lagoons. The ponds at Jarvis Lagoons are down and have lots of birds.

The cold snap on the weekend got the raptors moving. Seen over Woodland Cemetery and Dundas yesterday and Selkirk PP today were good numbers of OSPREY, NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL and BALD EAGLE. Between 4-5,000 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were counted yesterday by the Greater Toronto Raptor Watch at High Park, while Southeastern Michigan Raptor Research at Lake Erie Metropark south of Detroit counted 14,738 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS yesterday. A single PEREGRINE FALCON has reappeared at the Mississauga Executive Centre, and a female MERLIN was on the Royal Botanical Gardens' North Shore Trails.

The smaller birds are moving too. Local reports include LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, CANADA WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, VEERY and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Close to 20 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH and 30 SWAINSON'S THRUSH and a CONNECTICUT WARBLER were banded at Selkirk PP this week. A listener in Dundas reports more than 30 birds heard overhead in a 15 minute period around 10:30 Tuesday night. As many as 4 adult and 2 juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS have been coming to a feeder at 7180 Dickenson Rd. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have been seen in several places.

Good birding.

At 7:10PM Thursday, September 3, 1998 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.

The fall birding program at Presqu'ile Provincial Park off Hwy 401 at Brighton starts Saturday, September 5, with guided bird walks on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am from the Beach #4 parking lot. Later in September to Thanksgiving, guided bird hikes will only take place on Sundays.

If you're tired of hearing about shorebirds, here's some good news - the other birds are arriving. Species at Dundas Marsh Sunday included WILSON'S WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, CHESTNUT- SIDED, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, OVENBIRD, AMERICAN REDSTART and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. Birds banded this week at Selkirk PP include GRAY CHEEKED THRUSH, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, PALM WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, plus a just fledged BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO and its parent. So far this season 24 species of warbler have been seen at Selkirk, and a surprising 50 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS have been banded. Spotted at Shoreacres Tuesday were BLACKPOLL WARBLER and PINE WARBLER. CAROLINA WRENS were at Shoreacres and Dundas Marsh. BLACK & WHITE WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, SCARLET TANAGER and RED-EYED VIREO were seen at 16 Mile Creek. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and YELLOW-THROATED VIREO were at Middletown Marsh.

While the four HUDSONIAN GODWITS found last Saturday in Coote's Paradise did not stay, another 13 species of shorebirds were seen this week in the mud off the end of the Willows. Among them were RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, STILT SANDPIPER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and RED KNOT. At least one BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was still on the first sod farm on the south side of Airport Rd., 1/2km east of Hwy. 6 in Mount Hope, yesterday. Another BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was on a sod farm off Carluke Rd. Sunday. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE and several BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were at Tollgate Ponds on the weekend. Two WHIMBREL were seen Sunday near the Avondale Cannery ponds in St. Catharines, and a WHIMBREL flew past Selkirk PP today.

The RED-NECKED GREBE pair at Bronte Harbour have at least one new chick to look after. A large group of RED-NECKED GREBES is off Shoreacres. Over a dozen BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS, including many immatures, as many as four GREAT EGRETS and a GREEN HERON were in Dundas Marsh this week. A GREAT EGRET was at Lake Niapenco in Binbrook CA. Marshes on Wellington Side Road #32, a mile north of Rd. 34 near Guelph, produced a great variety of birds, including GREAT EGRET, OSPREY, CASPIAN TERN, PIED BILLED GREBES and BLUE WING TEAL, plus several shorebirds.

A completely albino AMERICAN CROW is being seen in the Fonthill area south of St. Catharines. Closer to home, an all-white parrot was along the Burlington Beachstrip waterfront trail near the Beach Canal Wednesday.

Backyard reports include RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD in several areas. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was over an east end Hamilton home at 5 this afternoon.

Raptors are moving too. An adult BALD EAGLE was seen Monday over the Red Hill Valley, and a Dundas birder reports an adult BALD EAGLE over his house on three days this week. At least one OSPREY can be found at Dundas Marsh. In about 40 minutes this morning 2 OSPREY, 9 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, a COOPER'S HAWK and several RED- TAILED HAWKS flew over Selkirk PP. MERLINS were reported in three locations.

Shorebirds should stay through the weekend. One place to look is the mudflats forming at Valley Inn. The relatively cool weather will bring more warblers and raptors, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will peak in the next few days. If winds have an easterly component, head for the beach and watch for jaegers and fall gulls.

Good birding.

At 8:00PM Saturday, August 29, 1998 this is an update to 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, as is the case with this message. The phone number is 905-648-9537.

This is Monarchs and Migrants Weekend at Presqu'ile Provincial Park off Hwy 401 at Brighton. From today through Monday the 31st visitors are invited to witness & participate in one of nature's most unusual and spectacular events, the fall migration of Monarch butterflies and shorebirds. Activities include Monarch Tagging and Bird Banding Demonstrations, as well as Shorebird Viewing Stations conducted by expert volunteer birders.

The best bird of the week was, you guessed it, a shorebird, but not the ones seen in Hamilton. The honour goes to the Nation's Capital where a SPOTTED REDSHANK, normally seen only in Europe, was found at Ottawa Beach.

Tonight's update concerns Godwits found this morning in Coote's Paradise. Although originally reported as 3 Marbled and a Hudsonian, later sightings have confirmed that there are in fact 4 HUDSONIAN GODWITS. Fourteen species of shorebirds, including two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, STILT SANDPIPER and RED KNOT, as well as two GREAT EGRETS, were found today in the mud off the end of the Willows. If the light is good, some or all of these birds may also be seen from the boardwalk on the north shore trails below the RBG Nature Centre. Two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were also found this morning on the first sod farm on the south side of Airport Rd., 1/2km east of Hwy. 6 in Mount Hope. In addition, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE and several BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were at Tollgate Ponds today.

Now for the balance of Thursday's report.

There have been no sightings since last weekend of the AMERICAN AVOCET or BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS found at Windermere Basin or Tollgate Ponds.

A very early immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was seen at noon last Saturday off Van Wagner's Beach. The RED-NECKED GREBE pair at Bronte Harbour are incubating at least three new eggs, while two of their first brood have moved out, apparently to join a group of more than 50 adult RED-NECKED GREBES and a few HORNED GREBES off Shoreacres. A FORSTER'S TERN and more than 30 NORTHERN SHOVELER were at Tollgate Ponds, along with a couple of REDHEADS, while several BLUE-WINGED TEAL were at Windermere. At least 20 immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were on the islands near CCIW in full daylight last Sunday. Adult GREAT-BLACK BACKED GULLS have arrived in the area.

Small birds are moving. While watching the Northern Lights just before 1 o'clock Thursday morning your reporter heard at least 6 warblers and 2 thrushes passing overhead. A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, several LEAST FLYCATCHERS and a VIRGINIA RAIL were in Coote's Paradise Wednesday, and a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was in Dundas. A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was banded at Selkirk PP, where an OLIVE- SIDED FLYCATCHER was also seen. A TUFTED TITMOUSE was back at the feeder at the RBG Nature Centre. Among migrants seen over Dundas Tuesday were 100 BARN SWALLOWS and 70 CHIMNEY SWIFTS, plus a single COMMON NIGHTHAWK.

Backyard reports include 4 sightings of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD at a north Burlington home last weekend, while in Dundas an obviously confused MOURNING DOVE was seen carrying nesting material to a conifer.

The weather forecast suggests that shorebirds will stay around for a few more days. The latter part of the coming week will see a peak in migrating warblers. Don't let either family intimidate you - take your book and learn how to identify them. Be sure to check sod farms on Hwy. 5 in Flamborough and near Mount Hope, and the ponds at Lake Niapenco or Taquanyah CA. Next week will also be the peak for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. If winds have an easterly component, head for the beach and watch for jaegers and fall gulls. If there's a real cold snap, look up for raptors.

Good birding.

At 7:00PM Thursday, August 27, 1998 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.

This is Monarchs and Migrants Weekend at Presqu'ile Provincial Park off Hwy 401 at Brighton. From Saturday the 29th through Monday the 31st visitors are invited to witness & participate in one of nature's most unusual and spectacular events, the fall migration of Monarch butterflies and shorebirds. Activities include Monarch Tagging and Bird Banding Demonstrations, as well as Shorebird Viewing Stations conducted by expert volunteer birders.

The best bird of the week was, you guessed it, a shorebird, but not the one seen here. The honour goes to the Nation's Capital where a SPOTTED REDSHANK, normally seen only in Europe, was found at Ottawa Beach.

Although we've had no reports since last weekend, it is very possible that the AMERICAN AVOCET which made regular flights back and forth across Windermere Basin, and the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS found on the grass on the north side of Windermere basin and on the earth berm in the south-west corner of the eastern Tollgate Pond could still be around. Seen this week on mud in Coote's Paradise were as many as 14 species of shorebirds, including WHIMBREL, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, RED-KNOT, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. We are advised that the RBG trail from the York Blvd. parking lot, while a long walk, is easier than the trek out to the end of the Willows. Other birds seen on the mud at Coote's include 4 GREAT EGRETS and various swans and geese. Telescopes will be helpful at Coote's.

A very early immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was seen at noon last Saturday off Van Wagner's Beach. The RED-NECKED GREBE pair at Bronte Harbour are incubating at least three new eggs, while two of their first brood have moved out, apparently to join a group of more than 50 adult RED-NECKED GREBES and a few HORNED GREBES off Shoreacres. A FORSTER'S TERN and more than 30 NORTHERN SHOVELER were at Tollgate Ponds, along with a couple of REDHEADS, while several BLUE-WINGED TEAL were at Windermere. At least 20 immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were on the islands near CCIW in full daylight Sunday. Adult GREAT-BLACK BACKED GULLS have arrived in the area.

Small birds are moving. While watching the Northern Lights just before 1 o'clock this morning your reporter heard at least 6 warblers and 2 thrushes passing overhead. A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, several LEAST FLYCATCHERS and a VIRGINIA RAIL were in Coote's Paradise yesterday, and a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was in Dundas. A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was banded at Selkirk PP, where an OLIVE- SIDED FLYCATCHER was also seen. A TUFTED TITMOUSE was back at the feeder at the RBG Nature Centre. Among migrants seen over Dundas Tuesday were 100 BARN SWALLOWS and 70 CHIMNEY SWIFTS, plus a single COMMON NIGHTHAWK.

Backyard reports include 4 sightings of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD in a north Burlington back yard last weekend, while in Dundas an obviously confused MOURNING DOVE was seen carrying nesting material to a conifer.

The weather forecast suggests that shorebirds will stay around this weekend. The latter part of next week will see a peak in migrating warblers. Don't let either family intimidate you - take your book and learn how to identify them. Be sure to check sod farms on Hwy. 5 in Flamborough and near Mount Hope, and the ponds at Lake Niapenco or Taquanyah CA. Next week will also be the peak for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. If winds have an easterly component, head for the beach and watch for jaegers and fall gulls. If there's a real cold snap, look up for raptors.

Good birding.

At 6:00PM Monday, August 24, 1998 this is an update of last Thursday's 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, as is the case with this message. The phone number is 905-648-9537.

The August 26 Wednesday Night Walk, the last for this summer, will feature the Reconstructed Prairie at Christie Conservation Area on Hwy. 5. Next Wednesday's walk will feature the unveiling of an interpretive sign, funded by the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, about the prairie environment. Meet Leader Bruce Duncan at the entrance to Christie at 6:30 p.m. The entrance fee will be waived for walk participants.

The update concerns some great shorebirds seen yesterday in the Tollgate Ponds and Windermere Basin area. Unfortunately, due to the construction work going on there during the week, chances of most of these birds being seen during the day are small. The best bird yesterday was an AMERCIAN AVOCET which made regular flights back and forth across Windermere Basin. Also found at Windermere, on the grass on the north side of the basin nearest to Eastport Drive, were three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS. A single BUFF- BREASTED SANDPIPER was on the earth berm in the south-west corner of the eastern Tollgate Pond, a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was on the south side of the same pond, and a WHIMBREL was seen in both the east and west Tollgate Ponds. Also reported in the same area on Saturday were several RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. In case you haven't had your fill of shorebirds, a total of 14 species, including STILT SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER were found at the Willows on Saturday.

A very early immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was seen at noon Saturday off Van Wagner's Beach. The RED-NECKED GREBE pair at Bronte Harbour are incubating at least three new eggs, while two of their first brood have moved out, apparently to join a group of more than 50 adult RED-NECKED GREBES and a few HORNED GREBES off Shoreacres. More than 30 NORTHERN SHOVELER were in Tollgate Ponds, along with a couple of REDHEADS, while several BLUE-WINGED TEAL were at Windermere. At least 20 immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were on the islands near CCIW in full daylight yesterday. Adult GREAT-BLACK BACKED GULLS have arrived in the area.

Last week's reports from Shoreacres and Woodland Cemetery included BLACK-&-WHITE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, PLUS PHILADELPHIA VIREO. Species banded at Selkirk PP included PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER and several quite early adult YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was banded at Ruthven. On a good news note, six PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS, possibly the most endangered Ontario warbler at the moment, have been banded at Holiday Beach in the last ten days. If the construction activity or tonight's thunderstorms move the shorebirds out of the harbour area, it is possible that they may go south to the sod farms near Mount Hope or to Taquanyah CA or to the north shore of Lake Erie. If winds have an easterly component, head for the beach and watch for Jaegers.

Good birding.

An American Avocet, possibly the same one which was at Port Perry on Friday, was found in the Windermere Basin area today. It is quite active, flying between small ponds on the south and the QEW side of the main pond.

Nearby, at Tollgate Ponds, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on the earth above the water in the south west corner of the eastern pond and a Whimbrel was observed on the berm at the center of the south side of the western pond near the Cormorant nests. Other shorebirds present include Sanderling and Baird's Sandpiper.

NOTE: if you cannot make it to Hamilton this afternoon, do not plan to come if you have to drive a long distance. All these areas will be busy with workmen doing various things tomorrow.

At 7:35PM Thursday, August 20, 1998 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.

The August 26 Wednesday Night Walk, the last for this summer, will feature the Reconstructed Prairie at Christie Conservation Area on Hwy. 5. Next Wednesday's walk will feature the unveiling of an interpretive sign, funded by the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, about the prairie environment. Meet Leader Bruce Duncan at the entrance to Christie at 6:30 p.m. The entrance fee will be waived for walk participants.

As expected, more warblers and allies are heading south. Among birds seen at Shoreacres and Woodland Cemetery were BLACK-&-WHITE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, PLUS PHILADELPHIA VIREO. Species banded at Selkirk PP included PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER and several quite early adult YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was banded at Ruthven. On a good news note, we have learned that six PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS, possibly the most endangered Ontario warbler at the moment, have been banded at Holiday Beach in the last ten days.

If you've looked at the calendar you may have noticed that we are almost into September, which means it's time to start paying attention to the direction of the wind. Off Van Wagners Beach in fairly strong NE winds were COMMON LOON, LESSER SCAUP, and a flock of SANDERLING. Moderate E winds brought BLACK TERN, BONAPARTE'S GULL and an unidentified phalarope. On Monday the first fall GREAT-BLACK BACKED GULL flew past your reporter's office window at Nanticoke.

Other species reported this week included CAROLINA WREN at Shoreacres, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER on Middletown Rd south of Conc 5 and at Selkirk PP, 30 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS over Dundas, plus SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS and COOPER'S HAWKS in several locations. A BALD EAGLE was over Dundas and an OSPREY near Selkirk.

Shorebirds are still arriving, with as many as 1 adult and 3 juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, STILT SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS at Tollgate Ponds. Many of the same species, plus a juvenile WILSON'S PHALAROPE, PECTORAL SANDPIPER and RUDDY TURNSTONE, were at Windermere Basin. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER were found on Airport Rd. east of Hwy 6 in Mount Hope. More shorebirds were reported along the north shore of Lake Erie including a WESTERN SANDPIPER at Waverley Beach, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER at Windmill Point and several species at the Avondale Cannery Ponds on Stewart Road in St. Catherines. Lagoons in the Kincardine area are also reported to be good for shorebirds.

From the waterfront comes the most interesting news that the RED-NECKED GREBE pair at Bronte Harbour are incubating more eggs, and one of the first brood has moved out. Over 40 RED-NECKED GREBES and 2 HORNED GREBES were off Shoreacres, and more than 30 NORTHERN SHOVELER were in Tollgate Ponds.

Keep looking for Buff-breasted Sandpipers on sod farms, Common Nighthawks over the city, plus Osprey and Sharp-shinned Hawks. If winds have an easterly component, head for the beach and watch for Jaegers.

We have been advised that the eye disease known to affect House Finches has now been seen in American Goldfinches in this area. Anyone noticing this in either species at this time is asked to leave a message.

Good birding.

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.

Visit Plan B Organic Farms on the August 19 Wednesday Night Walk. To learn a bit about Community Shared Agriculture and organic farming, and visit the farm's woodlot for a little birding, meet Leader Melanie Golba at 1377 5th Concession West, just west of Westover Road in Flamboro, at 6:30 p.m.

More migrants have passed through the area this week. Seen in and over Dundas were a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO last Friday, GREEN HERON, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and WOOD DUCKS on Sunday, four COMMON NIGHTHAWKS and 29 EASTERN KINGBIRDS on Monday, plus NASHVILLE WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER and 6 BALTIMORE ORIOLES yesterday.

A one-morning WILLET visited the Windermere Basin area on Saturday. Seen Monday at Tollgate Ponds were SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, STILT SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Not far away, at the NE Shore of Harbour near CCIW were AMERICAN COOT, HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN SHOVELER, REDHEAD and LESSER SCAUP, all of which have summered here.

It appears that a pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS have raised a youngster in the Charlton and Wellington area downtown this summer.

A pair of SANDHILL CRANES flew over Selkirk Provincial Park, where 50,000 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, 20,000 COMMON GRACKLES and 20,000 EASTERN STARLINGS have made the marsh a very noisy place. The best out-of-town reports came from the Buffalo area where both an AMERICAN AVOCET and a MARBLED GODWIT were found on the weekend, and from the Onion Fields at Point Pelee where five BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were spotted Saturday.

In the next week or two look for Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the sod farms around town, and continue to watch out for large numbers of Common Nighthawks in the sky over the city. Warblers will move with the next few cold fronts. Osprey and the first Sharp-shinned Hawks are migrating too.

Good birding.

At 6:30PM Thursday, August 6, 1998 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.

The August 12 Wednesday Night tour is a Crooks Hollow Nature Walk. Meet Leader Brian Wylie in the Conservation Authority parking area, beside Spencer Creek, on the south side of Crooks Hollow Road, just west of Bullocks Corners at 6:30 p.m.

The bird of the week, turned up by an American visitor familiar with its call, is a rare for Ontario adult male BLUE GROSBEAK found south of Uxbridge on Con. 7, 6km south of Reg. Rd. 21.

Shorebirds are again the main story this week. Unfortunately, good habitat - mud, and lots of it - is in short supply in our area.

The best shorebirding has been at the Port Perry or Nonquon lagoons, northeast of Toronto. Among the sixteen species there Tuesday were a REEVE, WESTERN SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, WHITE- RUMPED SANDPIPER and PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Fourteen species were at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week, with a RED KNOT and a WHIMBREL taking the honours. A sewage lagoon tour of southwestern Ontario on Sunday turned up good shorebird habitat at Mitchell, Tavistock and Parkhill Sewage Lagoons. An adult BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at Mitchell was the highlight.

Locally, on Monday birders canoeing in Dundas Marsh found STILT SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. At Tollgate Ponds Tuesday were small numbers of PECTORAL SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS and a SANDERLING. SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, mostly without spots at this time of year, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS were at the marsh behind Bodden's Marine on the South Service Road in Stoney Creek.

Three GREAT EGRETS remain at Dundas Marsh, while another was at the Millgrove loam pits. On Monday more than a dozen immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS were present in daylight on the westernmost of the new islands near the Canada Centre for Inland Waters on Eastport Drive. Over 40 RED-NECKED GREBES and a female HOODED MERGANSER were at Rattray Marsh Monday. Shorebird fanciers also found the Port Stanley lagoons productive Sunday, but the best bird there was a SNOWY EGRET. At least 10 SANDHILL CRANES were in the Long Point marsh this week.

An early migrating OSPREY was over Burnamthorpe Rd. at Glen Erin Rd. in Mississauga on Tuesday, another was over Millgrove, and the pair of OSPREY are still at Dundas Marsh.

Other reports include a VESPER SPARROW on Eighth Side Road East and Young Street just south of Highland Road in upper Stoney Creek, while BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, RED-EYED VIREO, PHILADELPHIA VIREO and WARBLING VIREO, PILEATED WOODPECKER and EASTERN KINGBIRD were all seen at Rattray Marsh.

A Dundas listener had a nice surprise this morning when two CAROLINA WRENS and a HOUSE WREN popped in to his yard for a visit. On Tuesday your reporter's evening bike ride near the Royal Hamilton Golf Course turned up three RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES in spruce trees, and about a dozen BARN SWALLOWS gathering on a phone line.

Look for large numbers of Common Nighthawks in the sky over the city in the next week or two. It's also just about time to keep an eye out for Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the sod farms around town. Warblers are starting to move, as are Osprey, and the first Sharp-shinned Hawks will be around too.

Good birding.

At 8:00PM Thursday, July 30, 1998 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.

A Burlington Heights Botanical Tour is the feature of the August 5 Wednesday Night Walk. Items of interest include trees in the Hamilton Cemetery and remnant prairie plant communities. Meet Leader Jeremy Lundholm in the Dundurn Castle parking area at 6:30 p.m.

Shorebirds are the story this week, with a RUDDY TURNSTONE at the Burlington Beach Canal Saturday. Found at Smithville Sewage Ponds were SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and STILT SANDPIPER, plus good numbers of PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS and KILLDEER. Smaller numbers of PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were at Windermere Basin and Tollgate Ponds and more were reported at 87 Acre Park in Stoney Creek and in the Sandusk Creek near Cheapside.

Other reports from the area include a SANDHILL CRANE at the Beverly Swamp off 8th Con. Flamborough on Saturday, a BLACK- BILLED CUCKOO over St. Augustine's Cemetery in Dundas, and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and SCARLET TANAGER at 87 Acre Park. Four GREEN HERONS were together in a small pond in the Red Hill Valley, and a GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER was nearby. An OSPREY was hunting in the Hagersville Quarries.

One of our canoeing birders got his reward this week when a pair of LEAST BITTERNS flew out of reeds in the canal area at Cootes Paradise. A pair of GREAT EGRETS, WOOD DUCKS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS and COMMON MOORHEN were also seen on the trip. An unusual duck with some features similar to those of a Garganey was seen in Desjardin Canal Monday, but it did not stay around long enough for a positive identification.

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