Sharp-Tailed Grouse and lots more on Manitoulin - April 14, 2002

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

I attended the OFO trip to Manitoulin Island (Gore Bay area) on Saturday.
The primary goal was to see the Sharp-tailed Grouse at a lek. Mission
accomplished. About 15 of us, in two shifts in the blind, were treated to an
awesome display by 50+ grouse. The weather was perfect and the grouse
sometimes as close as 15 feet.

Steve Hall, our host at the lek, kindly took us birding around the area.
Thanks to Steve we saw a Raven on a nest (on top of a silo) and a Barred
Owl.
While checking out a field full of Canada Geese, etc., we found a
White-Fronted Goose. I believe it was of the Greenland race, although the
bill looked more orange than yellow.

Other personal sightings from a total of 50+ species, included:
Bald Eagles (2)
Sandhill Cranes (quite a few of these in the fields).
Wild Turkeys (2 males/2 females).
Osprey (1, at nest).
Common Loons (4)
Wood Ducks (2males/2 females).
Pied-billed Grebe.
12 other species of duck (Common Mergansers and Goldeneye were particularly
abundant).
Merlins (a pair, coupling).
Snipe (1)
Rough-Legged Hawks (several).
Ring-necked Pheasants (2 female).
The same recent migrants that we've seen in Southern Ontario recently
(Kinglets, Phoebes, Creepers, Flickers, Hermit Thrushes, Sapsuckers,
Killdeer, Tree Swallows, Turkey Vultures, Cormorants, Great Blue Herons)
were also seen.

Other birds not seen by me, but that I remember being told were seen by
other OFO members on this trip, included a Ruffed Grouse and three Pileated
Woodpeckers.

IAN CANNELL, CONCORD, ONTARIO
Cannell@rogers.com

Manitoulin: Sunday @ South Baymouth - April 10, 2002

There was a full southerly gale blowing at S. Baymouth on Sunday morning, April 7th with lots of snow for a while. In a patch of seepage, surrounded by snow and ice along the beach were several birds. A Greater Yellowlegs was resting but small flocks of Golden-crowned Kinglets and Song Sparrows were feeding on the ground. Offshore a Common Lonn was swimming and a group of Cormorants flew by. In the village, Robins flocked and Shirley Robbie found the first Northern Flicker. A couple of Tree Sparrows, a Junco and two House Finches were nearby. Duncan Robbie reported the first Song Sparrows on the 5th and a Brown Creeper on the 9th.

Chris Bell
cbell@isys.ca

Update Sudbury and Manitoulin Island - April 7, 2002

Gord,
I've checked out this site for the past couple of years and thoroughly enjoy
it.  I've been able to keep up with who's arriving, sticking around etc. and
some of the sightings have been once in a lifetime opportunities.  Anyway
now I figure it's time for me to take an active part on passing on my
findings as well.

Overall the winter has been slow to let go here and there is very limited
open water, however the waterfowl is managing to trickle back in pockets.
In Sudbury at Fielding Memorial Park there are approximately 30-40 Canada
Geese, and 15 or so Mallards.  The creek crossing Southview Dr. has pockets
of geese as well on the 5th April I found a pair of Blue Herons (first ones
for the season)what a welcome surprise that was.

A drive to Manitoulin Island on the 6th produced the following:

6 Kestrel's, 30 Mallards, 6 Hooded and 4 Common Mergansers, 2 Sandhill
Cranes, 100+ Ring Bill Gulls,
7 Robins and about 10 buffleheads.

As a bonus I managed to spot 86 deer.

Anyone with current sightings of Cardinals please provide as much detail
regarding location as possible, I've been waiting anxiously to see one of my
favourites in the Sudbury area.

Take care

Wayne
keenenandkali@sympatico.ca

Manitoulin in February - Tue, 12 Feb 2002

Manitoulin in February is proving somewhat quiet. The only finches reported are Common Redpolls, Pine & Evening Grosbeaks and a White-winged Crossbill in Evansville.

On the 9th Chris Bell found Bohemian Waxwings in Little Current and Steve Thorpe near the Mindemoya Sewage Works- a total of 110. Two Bald Eagles were seen that day and a Rough-legged Hawk. Steve reported 92 Common Goldeneyes at Providence Bay

Chris Bell
cbell@isys.ca

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