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

A few people have written me asking the location of Hilliardton marsh. The marsh is located about 15 km NorthEast of NewLiskeard. NewLiskeard is on the North shore of Lake Timiskaming it is about 5 hours North of Toronto more precisely it is 150 km north of NorthBay. The marsh itself was constructed by ducks unlimited 8 years ago and the banding facility and bird observatory is an effort to discover what non waterfowl species are using the marsh and to momitor migratory numbers an effort that was initiated by ducks unlimited and the Timiskaming bird obseravtory and the timiskaming board of Education.And with greatly appreciated financial assistance from Bird Studies Canada We are in our fourth year of banding and are having our best year ever this year. The area we band in is a fen type habitat encompassing a space about equivalent to perhaps 10-12 football fields. To date we have banded 70 species with 2392 birds being banded.

If anyone would like any information about the banding operation please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely Bruce Murphy

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

Greetings I thought it would be worth alerting southern birders to the possibility of a chickadee migration this year. Banding result at the marsh for the the last four years regarding chickadees seem to support the idea that something is up. We have banded 1, 2, and 8 black caps in 96, 97, and 98 respectively so far this year we have banded 31 this fall including one boreal chickadee.

Yesterday we banded some american tree sparrows and 7 ruby crowned kinglets so they will soon be appearing in numbers south as well.

Englehart birders report a flock of 20 rusty blackbirds today.. Please contact me if you wish more information or comment on the banding or the notion of migrating chickadees.

Sincerely bruce murphy

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

Greetings birders we had a glorious day of banding in windy conditions at the hilliardton marsh bird observatory with 63 birds being banded representeing 19 species with a significant number of warblers still going through and another new species for the banding station with the capture of 2 brown creepers in the same net. As well we captured the second boreal chickadee for the station the first was three years ago the boreal chickadee is contrasted with the 25 black caps that we have banded in the last three outtings. Here are the results for Sunday the 19th

• nashville warbler 7
• orange crowned warbler 1
• magnolia warbler 2
• wilson's warbler 1
• palm warbler 1
• yellow rumped warbler 1
• common yellow throat 2
• ruby crowned kinglet 7
• golden crowned kinglet 1
• white crowned sparrow 7
• white thorated sparrow 3
• swamp sparrow 4
• american tree sparrow 2
• lincoln sparrow 2
• junco 1
• black capped chickadee 16
• boreal chickadee 1
• brown creeper 2
• hairy woodpecker 1

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

White crowns are everywhere as are other sparrows so batten down the hatches Southern Ontario as they are on their way

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

Hugh Reynolds of Englehart reports a signifcant gathering of sandhill cranes just South of the hIlliardton marsh today. Over 100 cranes have gathered in a field. While we believe sandhills breed in our area I do not believe we have witnessed a gathering of this number on migration.

Of interest to birders maybe the still noteable presecne of hawks in the area. Kestrels are still very common on hydro lines as we travel through the area as are northern harriers. A turkey vulture was seen today just outside of Haileybury as was a redtialed hawk. Redtailed sightings while not rare this far North are certainly limited to under ten a year.

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

A great day of banding at the marsh today the best of the fall so far with 5 species of warblers and 4 species of sparrows. The sparrows accounted for more than half the birds banded so I think you could say this shows a significant movement. Forecast is for frost again so the birds are on the move.

Today we set a new record for species banded in one year at the marsh with a three toed woodpecker and hermit thrush being banded. That puts us at 58 speies for the year and the three toe was a first for the banding station which puts are species count at 69. We are now in the fourth year of banding operation.

Here are todays results

• three toed woodpecker 1
• swainson's thrush 1
• hermit thrush 1
• american robin 1
• white crowned sparrow 17
• white throated sparrow 3
• swamp sparrow 6
• lincoln sparrow 1
• junco 1
• common yellow throat 3
• nashville warbler 6
• magnolia warbler 1
• yellow rumped warbler 1
• tennessee warbler 1
• ruby crowned kinglet 1

15 species banded 46 individuals

This year's total which includes only spring and fall banding is now at 778 .
For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch sincerely

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

Greetings birders northern warblers seem to want to defy the migration and are still lingering here are the results of a day of banding on Thursday at the marsh which is located about 15km Northeast of newLiskeard

• 1 white throated sparrow
• 2 lincoln sparrows
• 9 chickadees
• 1 red eyed vireo
• 3 philadelphia vireo
• 6 nashville warblers
• 1 least flycatcher
• 1 ruby crowned kinglet
• 2 alder flycatchers
• 1 american redstart
• 2 purple finch
• 1 yellow bellied sapsucker
• 1 common yellow throat
• 1 slate coloured junco

today we saw our first white crowned sparrow and white throat numbers seem to be increasing. Geese are everywhere with one flock of 400 being reported. Frost is forecast for the night so that should be a big incentive to kick start lingering birds south. Happy migrations

Hello Gord,
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile .
Every Sept. 'our' cormorant shows up and this year he has taken up with a group of gulls. Usually he spends time with the ducks on our dock but we decided NOT to feed the ducks this year as they were spending too much time on my steps!!

We noticed three sets of Common Loon with one young each while on an hour boat ride today.

Still have lots of American Goldfinches at the feeders but notice that the Hummingbirds are decreasing in numbers every day.

Just to spite me perhaps, today we had a flock of at least 40 grackles and a lone pine siskin found its way to the niger feeder on Gillies lake just outside of Cobalt

It would seem that some are predicting an invasion year in the south for many winter finches and it looks like the siskins have spent the summer around many feeders. Birders in Englehart and Gowganda have been amused by siskins all summer. The grackls have left our place all except one which seems to have acquired quite a taste for sunflowers. We had a slow day banding at the marsh today banding only 12 birds. We were delighted to find nashville warblers are still around as are wilson's american redstarts, and common yellowthroated warblers. We managed to band one swainson's thrush. All reports from the south indicate the majority of warblers have moved through but it is nice to see there is still lots to see in the area.

One final note A turkey vulture was seen agian at waht is perhpas our most predictable spot . Wilsons farm whic is located kitty corner form The Timiskaming hospital in newliskeard. Happy birding

My appologies for my last posting(Hilliardton Marsh banding gets going). I have had a few friendly "hints" about using alpha codes as a short form for birds ,that was my mistake and I will be sure not to do it again. As for the location Hilliardton marsh is 15km North east of NewLiskeard ont. It is a ducks unlimited project that provides wonderful biriding opportunities. It is incredibly underbirded and will afford wonderful chances for discoveries in the future. Anyone wishing any further info about the marsh or the banding results please contact me for details to date we have banded 2220 birds over four years representing 68 different species. The number one banded bird this year is the wislon' warbler we have managed to band 72 of them.

Again my apologies and my thanks for those of you who took me to task regarding the alpha codes it really shows me that this service is worthwhile and it is making me a better birder and in time a better reporter of sightings

Sincerely Bruce murphy

Last night at least 150 Nighthawks were observed just outside of Newliskeard which is 150 km north of NorthBay as well two flocks of 30 plus geese were seen flying west of the Hilliardton Marsh tonight. The birds are getting restless.

Here are the totals for today the first official day of banding at the Hilliardton marsh for the fall. Hopefully next year we will try to coincide with other bird observatories .

• Amre 3
• wiwa 3
• lisp 1
• coye 4
• mowa 1
• revi 4
• swsp 2
• rbgr 1
• NOWA 1
• PHVI 1
• MAWA 1
• ALFL 2
• WTSP 1

TOTAL 25 BIRDS

First time ever for rbgr

There will be more reports to come from this banding station this fall. I think reports of a fall warbler migration are a bit premature it is only a trickle so far

Sunday Aug 22

I wanted to comment that as I have been driving around the area I have been seeing mourning doves everywhere. There seem to be more than usual and I believe is part of a trend that has seen mourning dove populations expand in agricultural area's. The other note I wish to add is the odd behaviour that I witnessed in some blue jays the other day. A couple of birds were hopping on the ground and then taking momentary flight and lurching to one side or the other than coming to the ground. Closer examination with a spotting scope revealed they were catching grasshoppers. I probably should not have ben surprised by this discovery but it was the first time I had ever witnessed jays eating grasshoppers.

A trip the other day to the Hilliardton marsh was wonderful but it revealed no shorebirds or redwinged blackbirds however watewrfowl is abundant and warblers are on the wing. Happy birding

Thursday Aug 19th

After a couple of months without that flash of yellow and black the grobeaks are back to split seed and do there song type thing at the feeder. Anyone who knows the call of the evening grosbeak would have to struggle to refer to it as a call or a song. Barry Kinch refuses to band them as they have the meanest bite in the avaian kingdom . Happy birding and welcome back yellow black and white ones

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

While northern Ontario enjoyed groups of Nighthawks along the Sturgeon Falls flats in large numbers just a day or two before they reach the south, and the northern warblers, such as Tennessee, (to-day, Aug. 19, at Mattawa), Blackburnian, Magnolia, Wilsons, and 10 others last week, (I guess we should be reminding the south of the upcoming upsurge of all these migrants, since they do arrive here naturally, before reaching "down there"), perhaps it would be more truly interesting to report upon an especially exciting discovery upon the upper Ottawa River (really, the lower Lake Temiskaming), on the 19th.

There, were seen two families of Peregrines. They had fledged young (presumably) a few weeks ago, but at least 3 of the adults were still around. Soon they may pass a hawk watch down south.

Seeing Peregrine Falcons is always exciting; but, seeing them near their natural homes adjacent to two 300 feet cliffs, in brilliant sunshine, amidst the huge grandeur of the uninhabited areas of Lake Temiskaming was very special. These are not new Peregrine locations, to the few cognoscenti who reach these areas, but that they are still around at this time of year, may be new information to most.

To get to these spots one would most conveniently (if you are from southern Ont) get a large boat at a landing near Temiskaming, 40 miles north-east of North Bay, and go north about 15 miles. On the Ontario shore just north of Indian River is a towering cliff; on the Quebec shore about 4 miles south of there, is another. With patience one may get views of one of our most majestic birds, amidst huge White Pine and glorious, sharp granite faults within one of Canada's most majestic waterways.

Hi gord here is a colum I wrote for the the local paper on LLoyd's death. He was our number one birder and I thought it might be appropriate to post it on your page you can decide it may be too laong to be appropriate. I hadn't been able to write anything about it until now But he died August 1st

Sincerely BM

Farewell to Lloyd Taman

It was in mid June that I heard Lloyd Taman was very sick and I felt the wind guiding my thoughts on birding would soon be gone. In fact I haven't been able to pen a column since. However as I heard people speak at his memorial service I realized that Lloyds legacy will live on for he was in plain terms a wonderful man.

My introduction to Lloyd came soon after I started writing the feather file. His friendly calls from Matachewan became something to look forward to as there were few people in the area that actually wanted to talk about birds. I soon discovered the breadth of Lloyds records and his memory of sightings was incredible. Soon Lloyd was joining us in the tri-towns for Christmas bird counts and our summer bird census the stanley cup soon to be renamed to remember Lloyd and Percy.

Lloyd was the most knowledgeable birder in our area but at gatherings his humble demeanor always attracted a crowd looking for answers to puzzling questions about birds . He quietly infected all around him with his love of birds. This is evidenced in our case as Timiskaming birders now have over 150 bluebird houses up around our area. It took several years to attract bluebirds to our area because they all seemed to be in Matachewan.

Lloyd seemed to have what native people might refer to as a calling for whenever I had the chance to get out with Lloyd birds seemed to appear. Many of my first sightings were with him. My first oriole, bald eagle, I could go on he just had a knack of discovery. I am sure those who know Lloyd all have similar stories. I was shocked to discover one day at the NewLiskeard sewage lagoons after Lloyd picked out a surf scoter from a huge distance aided only with his binoculars that he was coloured blind. I had asked him if it was the red on the bill that caught his eye. He said that there was just something different about the bird and was interested to know that it had red on the bill. Curious to think with all of his attention to detail in his art and taxidermy and moth and butterfly collecting that he could be colour blind, he was a marvel.

The last time I saw Lloyd was in the hospital in July and I asked him if he had the chance to come back as a bird which one would he choose. He hesitated for a brief moment than a peaceful smile lit up the room and he quipped " it would have to be a bluebird"

Lloyd will easily be remembered with every bluebird I see. Thoreau said that the "bluebird flies with the sky on its back" but I believe it is Lloyds spirit that brings them this far north. Farewell Lloyd you inspired and touched us all. Would that we could have had more time.

Had a junco at the feeder today the first one I have seen all summer though Barry at Mountain Chutes has had them off and on all summer.

Happy Birding

August 16th

Purple finches are becoming common around area feeders and it seems virtually impossible to look anyway around the tri-towns without seeing flickers feeding on the ground. Contract banders with the MNR indicate that wood duck numbers seem to be up this year at hilliardton marsh. Ohter duck species at this marsh seem to be suffering very high nest predation rates. Anyone with any information about nest predation rates in natural settings or manmade marshses. Please get in touch. Happy birding.

Sunday we had one lone grackle show up at our feeder. Today we had about 50 I am almost afraid to see what tomorrow will bring. The fact that we have so many would seem to indicate that the lone grackle communicated the larder of good eats to the other birds. I do not think it is well documented that birds communicated the location of food but how can one explain the appearance of so many birds? Hope to be around with more reports later. Happy bird feeding

Was alerted to a birding drama by the noise of a bird in distress I was amazed to see a flicker swoop from the top of a poplar with a sharp shinned hawk in pursuit. The hawk gave up after what appeared top be some contact then it gave up its stoop and circled the area for awhile . The flicker seemed unperturbed by the ordeal and stayed on our lawn while the hawk was circling I am sure in plain view of the hawk then made its way.

As well today I noticed chipping sparrow adults feeding young on poplar branches just beyond our feeder. Loons appear to be rafting up and people in the area seem to be saying chickadee numbers are way up. Happy birding

August 14th
Meadowlarks

The meadowlark sighting continues to become more interesting. Birders reading about the sighting form ontbirds have suggested the possibilty that it may have been a western meadowlark rather than an eastern meadowlark that was sited. It has been suggested that many iof the sightings acroos the north have turned out to be Western. Add to this the diificult in correctly identifying the difference between the two leads us to having another bit of birding intrigue for our area. Whoever said the more you know the more you need to know must have been a birder. Happy birding.

Timiskaming Feeder news
August 13th

The feeder is now back up after my usual summer break but I have been amazed at the speed that the birds have rediscovered it. I put the feeder up Tuesday and within two days a red breasted nuthtach, and scores of chickadees have been busy as well, chipping sparrows, white throats and song sparrows have been feeding. Goldficnhes and purple finches made their appearance this afternoon, and Wednesday we had at least 18 blue Jays that I think had just picked our are to gather as they were absent today. Barry kinch reported that he had a gathering of some 150+ nighthawks over mountain lake and yesterday I noticed for the first time chimney swifts in cobalt. This should not be a surprise as we often see them in Haileybury a brief 6 km away but I have never seen them in Cobalt.

That is it for now with the feeder upo and banding at Hilliardton around the corner we should have more reports to make in the coming weeks. Happy birding

Aug 4th

While at the bbq on my new birding deck I saw a bird fly into a cedar so I thought I would look seeing it was incredibly tiny, I was rewarded with a nice long look at a winter wren.

In addition Inez and Lorne Reed of Kennebec report a family of meadowlarks. This is huge news for us as meadowlarks are very rare and breeding evidence is exciting.

As well Barry kinch of mountain chutes reports bonaparte gulls on Mountain lake.

Many people in the area are concerned about the apparent absence of nighthawks. Could be due to the lack of bugs for the second year in a row.

Happy birding

Hi Gord;
It has been an interesting couple of days around camp. The Bald Eagles now have 2 little ones in the nest. The 4 of them make a beautiful sight. Yesterday we had 3 Pileated Woodpeckers flying around the yard for an hour and 1 of the pairs of Canada Geese showed up on Saturday with 1 small one in tow. Apparently it is very unusual for them to nest in this area.

Barry

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

                         Barry Kinch

        BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING

                                 at

              MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP

http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

Hi Gord;

I have been out of service for a while so will update you on the area news. The big sighting was a Dickcissel in New Liskeard last Friday which will be an OBRC report. The banding at Hilliardton Marsh is going great and we have a couple of the students who are now "birding addicts". That's better than bird sightings. Record numbers are being set with a good variety of warblers each day. Another major find was a Common Gallinule in the marsh which sounds like an area first.

Gord,
I was back out to the New Liskeard lagoons this evening with my daughter( a junior birder) and we saw the redhead again. There are tons of mallard, wigeon, common goldeneye, shoveler, lesser scaup, and a few green wing and blue wing teal. No gadwall tonight but I did see them last Tuesday. There were several bobolinks last Tuesday but none tonight.

We also saw one semi-palmated plover, several lesser yellowlegs and many least sandpipers/semi-palmated sandpipers.

Gord,
A first for this area , as far as I know - spotted a Scarlet Tanager at Longpoint Lake (20 km east of Gowganda) . Also saw Northern Waterthrush, Ruby crowned kinglet, osprey , chipping sparrow today.

Rick Caldwell

Dear Gord, an update from Gowganda, Temiskiming Dist. Hi folks,

My husband has taken me to many parts of the lake these last two days in search of 'loons', and although we saw lots of loons, we did not find a pair with chicks.

After I received the inquiries from some of you , I did a bit of research on loons and am beginning to doubt the sigting by Mary , myself. ( although you 'sweet' folks never once came out and said it yourselves.)

I will continue to monitor the loons , and should I see a couple of 'old and larger' chicks amongst a batch of little ones further into the season, we will all know for sure.
I know how unusual, to say the least, these early hatchings would be.

I shall keep you abreast of the situation.

PS to Laura and Don, saw 2 , large, yellow tiger striped butterflies. for the first time yesterday.

Also have an unusual large group of Ruby throated hummers at the feeders.

Hi Gord,
Another warbler to add to the Norths list of returning warblers.

I am anxious to see what Bruce's nets will turn up in another week or so.

No doubt there will be a race to the computer to see who gets to report to you first.

Also , a pair of loons presented the first 'babies' of Gowganda Lake, for inspection , yesterday afternoon. Parents and babies are doing well.

Hi there Gord,

Spring is so neat!
Yesterday , the 8th, I saw the first Ruby-Throated Hummingbird of the District , a male.
( eat your heart out Barry!)
Last years date..May 17th.

The white crowned , white throated and chipping sparrows have finally returned to their spot under the evergreen tree.
They are a week behind from last years dates.

The feeders are very active ......still. Evening Grosbeaks seem to think it is fall.
There are more American Goldfinches than normal.

I haven't seen the Magnolia warbler again but the 'yellow rumps' are everywhere.

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

Greetings Mike,
Caught sight of the Magnolia Warbler late this afternoon.
First Sighting for our district this year and for my town, Gowganda.

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

a single lincoln sparrow was banded at the hilliardton marsh today for those who are interested in tracking these birds as they move north.

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

At the hilliardton marsh where the TERRA students are banding with the timiskaming banding group several warblers were banded. These include palm, nashville. yellow rump and northern water thrush. IN addition Gert trudel reports the sighting of the areas first Eastern bluebird. Tree swallow numbers are the highest we have ever experienced. Today at the marsh was the first sighting of lesser yellowlegs . The area's checklist now stands at 94 species for the year

The hilliardton marsh is 15 minutes Northeast of Newliskeard and is loacated on hwy 569 just outside of the hamlet of Hillardton.

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

Timiskaming arrivals include ruby crowned kinglets, barn swallows bitterns, hermit thrush and swamp sparrows.

Hello Gord,

We had a beautiful, sunny, calm day here at the lake.

I didn't have to go anywhere, but out on the deck, to see my first Yellow Rumped Warbler of the year. (as Barry already told you)

Also the American Goldfinches have returned to my neck of the woods as have the Pine Siskins, late this year.

My Tree Swallows have also 'come home'.

A cooper's hawk visited awhile yesterday and today he nabbed a red-winged blackbird 30 ft. from me while I was walking through the little swamp near our house.

On a ride on the water tonight we counted 4 pairs of Common Loons and an unusual number of Common Goldeneyes.

There are very few Mallards and Blackduck returnies so far.

Hi Gord;

The White-Throated Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows are back at camp. I also saw a Belted Kingfisher today. Gert Trudel had a Yellow-Rumped Warbler in Gowganda (but she will probably let you know about that). It should be a great weekend for birding, so we hope everyone has a real good time.

Barry

April 28th Redheads in the lagoon

Readheaded ducks were seem in the newLiskeard sewage lagoons by rick caldwell today this very keen sighting today joins the great news of the third year return of an eastern phoebe at mountain chutes. Junoc numbers are on still on the increase and swallows are already checking out nesting boxes. Spring is the thing

I couldn't wait until the end of the day to report the Eastern Phoebe I just had outside the kitchen window. That makes 3 years in a row. Maybe this year we'll find a nest.

new sightings in the Timiskaming area by Barry Kinch today include a Spotted Sandpiper and Northern Flicker at mountain chutes and a trip to Hilliardton Marsh revealed the first Osprey ever for the marsh and barry noted that the Blue-winged Teals have finally arrived.

The marsh is a du marsh and while we have osprey in the area it is the first for the marsh. The hilliardton marsh is 20 km northeast of NewLiskeard on hwy 569

Hi Gord;

There seems to be quite a few new arrivals in the Timiskaming area in the last few days. Today at Mountain Chutes we had our first Spotted Sandpiper and Northern Flicker. A trip to Hilliardton Marsh found an Osprey and Blue-winged Teal. There seem to be quite a few Turkey Vultures in the area now. Tree Swallows can be found regularly in the last few days. Yesterday I saw my first Savannah Sparrow of the year. Bruce Murphy reports many Scaup (Greater & Lesser) at the New Liskeard lagoons.

April 26th

Barry kinch reports the prescence of savannah sparrows while out putting up bird houses in the Elk lake area. Another turkey vulture was spotted this time just outside of NewLiskeard. Turkey vulture sigthings have been fairly uncommon in our area over the years but they seem to be on the increase. Tree swallow numbers are on the increase while junco and American tree sparrow numbers seem lower than usual. Activity around the feeder is very slow right now perhaps in preperation for large numbers of white throats. Yesterday i spotted the a brown creeper at gilles lake. This is the first time i have ever seen one here although we banded one on dawson point soem ten years ago and occasional reports of brown creepers keeps this species prescence in our area a mysterious one. Happy birding all

Today we had a sighting of a turkey vulture just outside of NewLiskeard turkey vultures are fairly rare for our area although sightings are increasing every year. Tree swallows and savannah sparrows just arrived for those tracking the northward migration .

A lone turkey vulture was at Ferguson bay on lake Temagami as well as a small group of golden crown kinglets on Last friday. The vulture was quire co-operative giving a crowd of students a chance to see a low fly by. Loons have arrived on Gilles lake today and a few pine siskins are still lingering at the feeder. Happy birding

Hey Gord,

Among the last floating remnants of this winters ice I watched a pair of ducks that have not been on this lake , Gowganda, before...American Wigeon.

I was thrilled . Imagine, walking past your window and looking down at the lake and there in the bay, Wigeon .

On the rocks nearby were Common Mergansers, and Common Goldeneye. Yesterday I saw a Bufflehead male and a couple of Common loons.

There are still Evening Grosbeaks about and Purple Finches .

For those interested in moose, a momma and her calf walked within 8 ft. of our house the other night .

Hi Gord:

Today I spotted our first Northern Shovellers and Pied-Billed Grebes of the season. In Hilliardton Marsh there were a few Green-Winged Teal, Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks and American Wigeons along with lots of Mallards. Most of the feeder birds have really slowed down. There are still a few flocks of Snow Buntings around but getting harder to find each day. Canada Geese must be moving north as the huge flocks of a week ago are pretty well gone. I only counted about 500 today.

The fox sparrows arrived today at gilles lake and the two days ago we we witnessed the arrival of the first cowbird of the season in Elk lake. Area lakes will be open by the end of the weekend. This is two weeks ahead of average but about two weeks behind last years records

Greetings birders;

The last few days have brought sightings of quite a few firsts of the year. Wednesday, Bruce Murphy had an Alder Flycatcher that he watched and heard in his yard at Gillies. I saw Buffleheads and Ring-Necked Ducks in the one open cell at Hilliardton Marsh. Today I had a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker at camp and saw a Common Loon on the river in Elk Lake. There were also some swallows (square-tailed???) flying around the bridge in Elk Lake. Spring is really on the move in the north.

Barry

I was shocked this morning to be greeted on the way out the door almost late for work by a singing alder flycatcher. I just knoew the boss would believe that when most birders might question it. Happy biridng

Today, Saturday April 10, we watched a Trumpeter Swan in a flooded field in Casey Township for over an hour.

As most roads up here don't have names, it was about 1 mile north of the east entrance to Casey Marsh. Barry

Thursday afternoon I spotted my first Tundra Swan of the spring in Casey Township. The single bird was with a flock of Canada Geese. Canadas are present in ever increasing numbers along with many Mallards, Northern Pintails and American Black Ducks.

Barry

Monday afternoon in Casey twp. on Hwy #65 we saw the first Red-tailed Hawk of the year but the highlight of the day (if not the year) was a White-Fronted Goose which nobody in this area ever remembers seeing. It was with about 300 Canada Geese in a flooded field. Also seen was the first American Wigeon of the spring.

Barry

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Barry Kinch
BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING
at
MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP
http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

Today (Sat. April 3) brought major flocks of waterfowl into the north. Bruce Murphy reports a flock of over 1000 Mallards with some American Black Ducks included. He also saw flocks of Northern Pintails in Casey Township. At Mountain Chutes Camp we had our first Song Sparrow which is 2 days earlier than any previous year's arrival date. Also in Barber Township we found 4 Sandhill Cranes which is 10 days earlier than normal.

Barry

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Barry Kinch
BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING
at
MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP
http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

The Dark-Eyed Juncos have finally arrived in the north. Bruce Murphy spotted them at Gillies Lake on Friday (Apr 1) and we banded one at Mountain Chutes on Saturday.

Barry

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Barry Kinch
BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING
at
MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP
http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

We are seeing more birds daily in Timiskaming. Today at Mountain Chutes we had 4 pairs of Common Goldeneyes on the river. A Bald Eagle was around camp all afternoon. A short drive provided sightings of American Kestrels, 3 Northern Shrikes and a pair of Hooded Mergansers. A pair of Common Mergansers were spotted at Gillies Lake. Canada Geese are quite common today. It's great to be a birder when spring hits the north.

Barry

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Barry Kinch
BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING
at
MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP
http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

More reports of new arrivals in Timiskaming are winging in. March 29 had an American Woodcock sighted in Englehart. There are many American Robins, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, American Kestrels and Northern Harriers in the area now. On March 31, Bruce Murphy watched a Great Blue Heron north of New Liskeard.

Isn't SPRING great?

Barry

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Barry Kinch
BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING
at
MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP
http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

The last day of March has brought quite a few birds to our area. Among the new arrivals that I spotted today were 1 Killdeer and a pair of Northern Harriers. At Mountain Chutes Camp we had our first Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and Canada Geese. The geese must have been the same ones we had last year because the first thing they did was go to the place where the corn pile had been last summer. They waited around until I went and put out the first corn of the year. We still have about 200 Snow Buntings, 50 Evening Grosbeaks and 100 Purple Finches. I also spotted a flock of about 500 Common Redpolls with at least 1 Hoary Redpoll with them.

Good birding to all;

Barry

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Barry Kinch
BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING
at
MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP
http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

Helloooooooo Gord,

Wow, what a Spring . What a Winter. If I was a bird I would be pretty darn happy .
The warmer weather has come , but alas the birds are going.

Today there were fewer Common Redpolls than the day before but my hoary redpoll was still at the niger. The Purple Finches have incxreased and strangely so have the Evening Grosbeaks. I had a flock of 25 all day. I had my husband drag out the ol'swing and I was content and warm with coffee in one hand and binoculars in the other. I was amazed that not once was the air still , but filled with the voices of 'happy' birds all the day.

I nearly collided with a Merlin today as I rounded the corner of the shed, he in hot pursuit of a bird . (The bird got away)

I haven't seen the killdeer that are in town , but I hope to get a look at them soon.

I saw my first starlings here yesterday. I heard from others that there were some in the village but I never saw any all winter.

Two reports to mention . Last thursday a bald eagle was seen at Duncan lake outside of Gowganda and Sat Mar 27th 2 killdeer were seen in Gowganda. Spring is in the air in the North. Redpoll numbers are way downacross the region suggesting they have begin their northern migration

Hugh Reynolds reported an American Kestrel seen just outside of NewLiskeard today. This follows substantial winds from the South over the weekend

We just spotted our first Hoary Redpoll of the season at Mountain Chutes. Common Redpolls are really starting to build in number.

Barry

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Barry Kinch
BIRDWATCHING IN TIMISKAMING
at
MOUNTAIN CHUTES CAMP
http://www.interlog.com/~gallantg/mtchutes.html

Hi Gord; Today I saw abut 30-40 Herring Gulls at the landfill in Haileybury and 2 unidentified gulls at the New Liskeard dump. Bruce Murphy saw a lone Ring-Billed Gull at the Haileybury dump yesterday. I also watched a Horned Lark (prairie race) today in Kerns township outside of New Liskeard. It looks like the Migration might be getting to us as the gulls are usually a good sign that there will be lots following.

March 19th

It would appear that pine grosbeaks have left for more Northerly latitudes. Lloyd Taman of Matachewan reports that a female redwinged blackbird overwintered as have perhaps thousands of American tree sparrows throughout the district. We are still without any gulls.

No migrants have ventured into the Northern heartland yet but I wanted to report the huge number of common redpolls in Timiskaming. IN a two hour period today Barry kinch and I banded 101 common redpolls which brings our total to 254 for 8 hours of banding this week.Also of note is the large recent influx of red breasted nuthacthes to area feeders, These are almost exclusively males.

How many redpolls???
Just how many redpolls would you expect to find in the average flock that visits a feeder?? That is a question that has been working away at me for the last couple of days. The March break has given me the chance to do a little banding and the number of redpolls has meant I have been busy. Barry kinch has joined me twice now but today was our best total. In a two hour period we banded 101 common redpolls as well as one red br nuthatch, 3 evening grosbeaks, a purple finch, and 2 chickadees.

Our total for the redpolls now stands at 254 and today we only had 7 retraps which works out to about 7% of the birds. THis means that the redpolls that are caught are net weary or there are just that many redpolls in our area. Watching the birds with binoculars at the feeder shows that most of the birds are unbanded which brings me back to my original question just how many redpolls are out there?

Birding always leads us to more questions I suppose happy birding no migrants have showed up yet but we are expecting the gulls any day now.

Happy biriding

Timsiakaming has seen a marked increase in the number of red breasted nuthatches recently. It seems that everyone with a feeders has at least one . Winter finches are being noticed as well with a marked increase in the number of american goldfinches and purple. We have not seen any of the black backed woodpeckers that have been gaining attention throughout the north. Pine grosbeak and evening grosbeak numbers are still up and the red winged blackbird in matachewan looks like it made it through the winter. How long until she rejoices with those that made the trip South?

If you live in an area that doesn't have redpolls than Timiskaming is the place to visit. Barry Kinch and I have banded 104 common redpolls in three hours of banding and have omnly had on e retrap in that time. How many redpolls are there in the flocks that descend on our feeder. I am planning to band a few more days this week so I may have a better idea soon.

Periodically we catch a bird that has an orange crown rather than a red one I have wondered about this in the past and thought it worth asking if anyone has an answer for this oddity. Does it represent a molt perhaps??? Retrapped a chickadee today tha was originally banded in Jan 20th 1993. The north has been good to chickadees.

While out looking for gulls on the weekend I cam across a flock of 20-30 american tree sparrows on the road into the Haileybury dump. No gulls though maybe soon. The snow is melting and we are looking for migrants

Happy birding

Hi Gord; It looks like spring must be on it's way to the north. The Pine Grosbeaks are getting harder to find each day and that is usually a sign that birds are moving. We still have hundreds of Snow Buntings, lots of Evening Grosbeaks, and increasing numbers of Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. Red-Breasted Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Gray Jays, Purple Finches, Hairy Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers are quite frequent. We also have one Rock Dove which we seldom see around this area. The number of Black-Capped Chickadees is amazing. On Tuesday we banded 47 in the back yard and there are still many unbanded ones. Hopefully my next report will include the first migrants of the year. Good birding to all.

Robins and finches

Timiskaming has had another robin reported this one was seen in Haileybury Feb 28th. It has been difficult convimcing the excited birder that this most likely represents a bird that has made it through the winter and not as a harbinger of spring as many frozen Northerners would like to believe.

Today I celebrated all of the winter finches in one day. At the feeder in the morning I saw siskins, redpolls and american goldfinch, and after work I spied a number of purple finch rounding off the total. Evebing grosbeak numbers are still high as are pine grosbeaks. I was pleased to see a male red br nuthatch on the weekend and a caller described the " the who cooks for you " call of a barred owl hooting to the march moon the other night. Redpoll numbers are soaring in the tri-town area and many birders are still reporting american tree sparrows and the base of their feeders . Soon we will be talking about migrants .

Happy birding

Dear Gord,

Greetings from the land of snow!!!!!

The birds were just getting use to seeing patches of grass here and there when suddenly the snow fell and once again ..it is winter.

I still have over 200 Common Redpolls and 1 Hoary redpoll. There aren't as many Pine Grosbeaks as there were only a week ago...wonder where they are?

A friend from Kenabeek e-mailed me tonight and wrote that the male , orange/peach Pine Grosbeak which was in Gowganda for a few days was at their feeders today.

Lorne said his wife, Inez, nearly deafened him with her shriek at seeing the bird.

Kenabeek is a little over an hour east of Gowganda ( 20 min. west of New Liskeard.)

You would wonder why he didn't stay around for the rest of the winter..

Happy Birding Gord,
Sincerely,

Hello Gord,

Gee this birding is fun. Just when you get "hohum" about it and think nothing new will happen outside your window..it does.

Appearing today was a beautiful mature male Pine Grosbeak , but he was a 'light burnt orange colour'. Everywhere that the PIGR are red , this one was orange. "He was not an immature male..which have lots of gray and various tinges/streaks of orange" This orange bird was sitting with 2 other males and an immature PIGR on a flat feeder 10 ft. from the window. He was there a long while . I took a picture and hope it shows him clearly, as I took it through the window. (and it was cloudy and getting late) I hope he shows tomorrow and I will try for a clearer picture. There were over 200 common Redpolls and 1 Hoary Redpoll today also. I knew the flock was increasing , but 200!! The PIGR numbered about 30 and EVGR about 12 today.

Sincerely,

Feb 1st 1999

The Northern Cardinal that was seen during the christmas bird count has moved a few feeders away and has taken up residence near dawson point in NewLiskeard. While always a rare sighting cardinals have been reported virtually every year in the tri towns for the past 7 years . Nice to see birds living up to the Northern part of their name.

Hi Gord,

Just a short update on what I have been seeing at my feeders.

There are still a lot of Common Redpolls which number close to 100 birds and they have a 'foreigner' in their number , 1 lone hoary redpoll.

The evening grosbeaks are once again increasing , which means colder weather here.

They have been getting along splendidly with the pine grosbeaks. The bcch do not like the commotion all these birds create and the numbers are down where they are concerned.

I have another Hairy woodpecker female coming now too.

Although Barry at Mountain Chutes camp says he has a large flock of snowbuntings , I have only about 10 to 15 now and then.

The Reeds at Kenabeec had 4 American Goldfinches today ...I haven't seen ONE.

Good Birding to you..as Murph would say,

Jan 25th 1999

Common redpolls seem to be playing tag with feederwatchers everywhere except for gowganda where they are consistent. In the tri town area they are here one day and gone the next. Abundant birch catkins sem to be keeping them happy as niger feeders seem to be holding more snow than birds. Oine grosbeak numbers are climbing and reports of 100 evening grosbeaks are not uncommon. purple finch numbers are consistent and occasional small flocks of goldfinches keep us happy. There has not been a single report of an owl in 1999. But a peregerine was spotted in both haileybury and newliskeard form the 9th to the 17th. Bohemain waxwings are still present but the number of sightings is in decline and maerican tree sparrows and robins are still in the news with the last robin being spied in Haileybury on the weekend.

More to report soon hopefully happy birding

Dear Gord,

I was watching all the birds today and thought," For us birders , the trees are always decorated in winter; only it is the birds that are the colourful bulbs."

There was lots of activity today that lasted all through the day.

The 60 plus Pine Grosbeaks are still getting along with some 15 Evening Grosbeaks.

The 100 Common Redpolls were joined yesterday by a Hoary Redpoll, who happens to be a fiesty bully. When the flock suddenly takes off it is very easy to follow him with the eye but I got a positive ID as his favourite feeder was only 9 ft. from the window.

Black capped chickadees tolerate the invasion of the birds to 'their feeders' but just barely.

Everyday the numbers and species vary...I wonder sometime if it is them that are constant and I that varies in 'watching them?'

Anyway , today the Purple Finch, Hairy woodpecker, American Tree Sparrows, Blue Jays and Gray Jays fought for their places at the feeders with the afore mentioned hord, keeping me glued to the windows.

I would tell visitors that the nose prints on the windows were from the dog...only...we don't have one!

Have a good day!

Happy New Year Gord; New year hit the north with very cold weather and the usual assortment of birds at the feeders. At camp we have about 100 Evening Grosbeaks, 6 Pine Grosbeaks, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 6 Purple Finches, 6 Gray Jays, 3 Blue Jays, a few Common Redpolls and about 25 Black-capped Chickadees. In Haileybury I saw a flock of about 100 Bohemian Waxwings. Haileybury and New Liskeard also have lots of European Starlings, Rock Doves, American Crows and Common Ravens. There are also a lot of Snow Buntings in the fields. I also got a report from Lorne Reed at the Kenabeek Store of a Western Kingbird in November. That is quite rare for this area. All the best for the New Year and keep up the great work. It makes birding much more enjoyable for everyone.

Happy New Year Gord;

New year hit the north with very cold weather and the usual assortment of birds at the feeders. At camp we have about 100 Evening Grosbeaks, 6 Pine Grosbeaks, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 6 Purple Finches, 6 Gray Jays, 3 Blue Jays, a few Common Redpolls and about 25 Black-capped Chickadees. In Haileybury I saw a flock of about 100 Bohemian Waxwings. Haileybury and New Liskeard also have lots of European Starlings, Rock Doves, American Crows and Common Ravens. There are also a lot of Snow Buntings in the fields. I also got a report from Lorne Reed at the Kenabeek Store of a Western Kingbird in November. That is quite rare for this area. All the best for the New Year and keep up the great work. It makes birding much more enjoyable for everyone.

Happy New Year!

From the activity going on outside at the feeders , it promises to be a good 'feeder' year.

There are great numbers of Evening and Pine Ggrosbeaks- close to a hundred each.

Common redpoles add little dots of colour in the snow, they number about 100 too. I notice that they are favouring the hulled sunflower seeds now and just 'visit 'the niger feeders.

We still have 5 reg. Blue Jays and 3 Gray Jays come.

The Hairy woodpeckers make their presence known at the suet on and off all day.

Of course the Black capped Chickadees are ALWAYS about.

Timiskaming Christmas bird Count

Hi birders we had lots of open water for our bird count this year and the result was a staggering 42 species. A whopping increase of ten species better than any count ever and a 17 species increase from our one of our lowest counts last year. Here is our list and there will be a few species here to raise a few eyebrows i am sure. Hope everyone had a wonderful count. All the best for a festive season. Outdoorably yours bruce murphy

Evgr                    290
pigr                    23
bcch                    204
rbnu                    3
blja                    58
grja                    15
hawo                    24
dowo                    12
piwo                    6
amcr                    24
cora                    442
eust                    633
cogr                    5
rodo                    498
modo                    16
ring turtle dove        1 (didn't know the short form)
atsp                    37
wcsp                    2
amgo                    39
pisi                    22
core                    396
pufi                    11
snbu                    600
rugr                    2
cedw                    14
bohemain waxwing        560
mall                    2
old squaw duck  	1
common goldeneye        3
hooded merganser        1
canada goose            2
northern shrike         3
norhtern Cardinal       1
bobolink                2
ring billed gull        3
herring gull            18
Glaucous gull           1
roughlegged hawk       6
American robin  	1

This brings our total of species to 59 Looking forward to reading about other cbc'c over the holidays.

Bye for now Bruce murphy

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