DURHAM REGION Recent Birding Reports
Most Recent Report(s) are at the bottom of the page
Last Updated: May 24, 2004 - 6 new reports for week or so

Visit the Thickson's Woods web site to see how you can help
save this precious habitat. This area is viewed by many birders
as one of the best birding locations in Durham Region.


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, January 2, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Hampton: (Dec 25) Gyrfalcon- 1
on Durham  #57 north of Taunton Rd.
report from B Logan

Clairington: (Jan 2) Common Raven- 1
Conc 6 and Bethesda
report from D Szmur

Cranberry Marsh: (Dec 30) Northern Harrier- 4
report from S LaForest

Whitby: (Jan 1) Kingfisher- 1
Wentworth and Thickson
report from E Beagan

Pickering CBC: December 28-
Species total- 61
highlights: Eastern Bluebird- 1 Finch and Pickering Townline
Hooded Merganser- 1  Frenchman's Bay
Double-crested Cormorant- 1  inside the Pickering Nuclear Plant
Ring-necked Duck- 3    inside the Pickering Nuclear Plant
Ring-necked Pheasant- 2  north of Cranberry Marsh
Great Blue Heron- 5 at Corner Marsh
report from A Woods

Due to technical difficulties there was no report last Sunday.

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, January 4, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Uxbridge/ Durham Region Forest: (Sun) Common Raven- 2
doing territoral display flights
report from B Henshaw

Thickson's Woods: (Sat) Gadwall- 1, Northern Flicker- 1, and Pileated
Woodpecker- 1
report from S LaForest

Oshawa Second Marsh:(Sun) Northern Mockingbird- 1
report from F Jerome

Ajax: (Sun) Coopers Hawk- 1
back yard of G Carpentier

Algonquin CBC- 30 species   highlight- American Three-toed Woodpecker

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Thursday, January 8, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.


Halls Road: (Sat) Field Sparrow- 2
report from M Wilson

Whitby/ Lick Pond: (Sun) Green-winged Teal- 11
report from D Ruch

Whitby Harbour: (Wed) American Coot- 1, Hooded Merganser- 2, Gadwall- 5,
Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup
report from S LaForest

The next update will be after I return from Cuba.

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Saturday, January 17

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Halls Road/ Cranberry Marsh: (Jan 10) Field Sparrow- 1, White-crowned
Sparrow- 1,
Song Sparrow- 2, Northern Flicker- 1, Ring-necked Pheasant- 1, Northern
Shrike- 1, and Rough-legged Hawk
the feeders have been moved back to the north pathway
reports from M Bense, C Anders, and D Lockrey

Lynde Shores woodlot: (Jan 10) White-crowned Sparrow- 1
report from M Bense

Thickson's Woods: Pileated Woodpecker- 1
roosting in the woodlot for the night. It usually return at about 4:15 PM.
report from D Barry

Utica:(Jan 8) Northern Goshawk- 1 immature
found dead
report from  J Kamstra

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, January 18, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Whitby/ Lynde Marsh: (Sat) Bald Eagle- 1 adult
 with a slightly injured left wing
report from B Henshaw

Whitby/ Halls Road: (Sat) White-crowned Sparrow- 1
report from L Sayler
(Sun) Bald Eagle- 1  adult
report from D Lockrey

Whitby Harbour: (Sat) Great Horned Owl- 1,
(Sun) Glaucous Gull- 7, Hooded Merganser- 3, and Northern Goshawk- 1
reports from L Sayler, D Worthington, and T Hoar

Ajax: (Sat) Hermit Thursh- 1
back yard of G Carpentier

Ajax: (Sun) Bald Eagle- 1 immature
at Rotary Park
report from D Lockrey

Oshawa: (Sat) Northern Goshawk- 1, Northern Shrike- 1
back yard of D Dalke

Oshawa/ Fox St.: (Sat) White-throated Sparrow- 1
report from T Hoar

Pickering: (Sat) annual Pegg's winter bird feeder tour- Durham Region Field
Naturalist
31 species of birds seen- highlights: Snow Buntings- Conc 8 and Sideline 6,
Red-bellied Woodpecker- Conc 5 and Sideline 16, and Purple finch is several
locations.
report from D Lockrey

Brooklin: Brown Thrasher- 1
back yard of B Henshaw

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, January 23, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Thickson Woods: (Tue) Short-eared Owl- 1, Pileated Woodpecker- 1
The Short-eared Owl was hunting over the meadow.
report from J Floegel

Orono: (Wed) Wild Turkey flock
on Darlington- Clark Townline, north of  Taunton Road
report from K Ridge

Frenchman's Bay: (Fri) Glaucous Gull-2, Gyrfalcon x Saker hybred falcon- 1
report from the TOC Toronto Star Hotline

Whitby: Snow Buntings and 2 Lapland Longspurs
on Spenser Road at the east end of Heber Down CA.
report from the TOC Toronto Star Hotline

Halls Road: Ring-necked Pheasant, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated
Sparrow,
report from D Lockrey

Durham Region Field Naturalist- January meeting
Monday, January 26, at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
Beatrice St. and Ritson Road

topic: tropical Florida by Rayfield Pye

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, January 25, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Halls Road/ Cranberry Marsh: (Sun) Red-necked Grebe- 1 (injured)
It was found in the ditch between the 2 walkways along Halls Road. It was
caught and taken
 to the Toronto Humane Society. It will be a couple of days before we know
what will happend
to it.
report from S Barone

Orono: (Sat) Horned Lark- 40, Snow Buntings- 7
The Wild Turkeys were not found.
on Darlington- Clarke Townline, north of Taunton Road
report from M Lise

Durham Region Field Naturalist- January meeting
Monday, January 26 at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
Beatrice St. at Ritson Road
Oshawa

topic: Tropical Florida by Rayfield Pye

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, January 30, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

The Red-necked Grebe that was found last Sunday on Hall's Road, had a broken
wing and several other problems. It had to be put down.
report from S Barone

Oshawa: (Thurs) Short-eared Owl- 1
Thornton Road- north of Wentworth at 7:15 PM
report from J Floegel

Hall's Road/ Cranberry Marsh: (Fri) Common Redpolls, Song Sparrow, and
Ring-necked Pheasant
this is great place to watch birds on a cold day.
report from F Jerome

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, February 1, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Utica: (Sun) Wild Turkey- 3
Westney Road and Durham Rd 21
report from J Fairchild

Beaverton: (Sun) Wild Turkey- 53
Hwy 48 and Brock Sideline 17
report from N Murr

Halls Road/ Cranberry Marsh: (Sun) Ring-necked Pheasant- 1, Rough-legged
Hawk- 1, American Robin- 1, and Common Redpolls
report from R Pye

Oshawa: (Sat) Coopers Hawk- 1
south of the airport
report from K Ridge

Pickering:(Fri) Snow Goose- 1
flying across the 401 north of Frenchman's Bay
report from D Pye

Orono: (Sun) Snow Buntings- 20
on Clark/ Darlington Townline- north of  Taunton Road
report from R Pye

Toronto/ Lesley St. Spit: (Sat) Snowy Owl- 1, Rough-legged Hawk- 3
report from J Fairchild

Bowmanville: One of Margaret Carneys readers sent in a picture of a juvenile
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that was at their feeder last week.

Gyrfalcon X Barbary Falcon- Toronto and Pickering
The hybred falcon seen along the waterfront is a juvenile female that
excaped while being moved to a transport crate for export. Photos of the
falcon are on Jean Iron's website.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jeaniron/
report from R Pittaway

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, February 6 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Pickering/ Moore Point: (Wed) Red-throated Loon- 1, Long-tailed Duck- 1000+
report from J Floegel

Cranberry Marsh/ Halls Road: (Wed) Snow Buntings- 200, Ring-necked Pheasant-
1,
Northern Flicker- 1, Purple Finch- 1, Northern Cardinal- 9, and Common
Redpolls
(Thurs) Snow Buntings- 1000+
(Fri) Snow Buntings- 2000+
reports from D Lockrey and E Beagan

Oshawa/ Fox St.:(Mon) Northern Mockingbird- 1, White-throated Sparrow- 1
report from T Hoar

Oshawa/ airport: (Mon) American Robins- 24
report from K Ridge

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, February 8, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Halls Road: (Sun) Snow Buntings- 2000+, Lapland Longspur- 1
report from C Horner

Pickering: (Sun) Bohemian Waxwing- 60
#4685 Westney Road
Wild Turkey- 50
Westney Road and Durham Road 5
report from M Wilson
Wild Turkey- 76, Rough-legged Hawk- 1
Conc 6 south of Durham Road 21
report from C Horner

Ajax/ Rotary Park: (Sat) White-wing Scoter- 3, Scaup and Redheads
report from M Williamson and M Bense

Oshawa:(Sun) White-throated Sparrow- 1, and Brown-headed Cowbird
on Fox St.
report from T Hoar

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sun) Snow Buntings- 200
report from R Pye

Darlington Prov Park: (Sun) Snow Buntings- 80
report from R Pye

Bond Head: (Sun) Hoary Redpoll- 1, Common Redpoll- 3
report from M Lise

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, February 13, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Pickering: (Mon) Bohemian Waxwing- 300
4605 Westney Road
(Tue) Bohemian Waxwing- 100
Sideline 14 north of Conc 7
(Wed) Bohemian Waxwing- 49
Sideline 12, west of Clairemont Conservation Area
reports from C Horner, A Anthony, and L Sayler

Halls Road: (Wed) Snow Buntings- 3000, Hooded Merganser- 12, and
White-winged Scoters
report from L Sayler

Whitby/ Thickson's Road: (Wed/ Thurs) Short-eared Owl- 1, Rough-legged Hawk-
2, and
Snow Buntings- 30
near the entrance of the Waterfront Trail
report from J Floegel

Oshawa/ Fox St: (Wed) Long-eared Owl- 2 (dead), Northern Mockingbird- 1,
report from T Hoar

Oshawa: (Fri) American Robin- 6, and lots of Pine Siskins
backyard of D Dalke

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, February 15, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Halls Road: (Sat afternoon) Snow Buntings- small flock, Peregrine Falcon- 1
report from E Beagan

Oshawa: (Sat) Northern Harrier- 1 (male)
being harrassed by American Crows
report from L Hartwig

Pontypool: (Sun) Common Redpolls- lots, Northern Shrike- 1, Northern
Goshawk- 1
it catches a Mourning Dove each day. There are no Pine Siskins.
report from S Williams

Oshawa- Fox St: The 2 Long-eared Owls found dead last week had been killed
by a preditor.
report from T Hoar

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, February 20, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Lakeshore Road: (Tues) Short-eared Owl- 1
Newtonville Rd and Lakeshore
report from M Bain

Whitby/ Thickson's Road: (Wed) Short-eared Owl- 3
in the fields west of Thickson's Woods
reports from L Sayler and J Floegel

Whitby Harbor: (Wed) Tundra Swan- 2, Redhead Ducks, and White-winged Scoters
report from L Sayler

Halls Road:(Sun) Long-eared Owl- 1 (dead)
report from F Pinilla
 (Wed) Peregrine Falcon- 1, Rough-legged Hawk- 3, and Trumpeter Swan- 3 (tag
# 837)
reports from L Sayler, and G Ernest

Brooklin: (Sun) Snow Buntings- 300+, Horned Lark- 30+
Cochrane St. south of Hwy 7
report from F Pinilla

Pickering/ Frenchman's Bay: (Fri) Lesser Black-backed Gull- 1, Iceland Gull-
10,
Glaucous Gull- 20
report from the TOC Toronto Star Hotline


Durham Region Field Naturalist- February Meeting
Monday, February 23 at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
northwest corner of Beatrice Rd at Ritson Road

topic: Hiking the Newfoundland East Coast Trail
by Mandy Walker

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Ashburn: (Feb 15/ 16) Golden Eagle- 1 (Adult)
photographed by H Rudolph
identified by R Tozer and R Pittaway
report from M Carney

Brooklin: (Fri) Lapland Longspur- 2, Snow Buntings- 30, Horned Lark- 500+
report from S LaForest and C King
(Sun) Lapland Longspur- 1, Snow Buntings- 200, Horned Lark- 100, and
American Kestral- 1
report from B Steel and S Morgan
on Cochrane St, north of Hwy 7

Claremont Conservation Area: (Sun) Golden-crowned Kinglet- 5
report from B Steel

Brooklin:(Sun) Pine Siskin- 5, Common Redpoll- 1
feeder of B Steel

Frenchman's Bay: (Sun) Trumpeter Swan- 7
in the small amount of open water beside the bridge on Liverpool Rd.
report from R Pye

Durham Region Field Naturalist- February meeting
Monday, February 23 at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
Beatrice St. at Ritson Road

topic: Hiking the Newfoundland East Coast Trail
by Mandy Walker

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, February 27, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Dagmar/ Chalk Lake area: (Thurs) Golden Eagle- 1, Common Raven- 1, and Red
Crossbill- 1
report from J Fairchild

Whitby: (Thurs) Bohemian Waxwing- 20
Ashburn Rd, south of Townline Rd.
report from the TOC Toronto Star Hotline

Oshawa: (Tue) Killdeer- 1    flying over
report from D Mudd

Halls Rd: (Wed) White-winged Crossbill- 5, Brown Creeper- 1
reports from C Adey and S LaForest

Whitby Harbour: (Thurs) White-winged Scoter- 3, Glaucous Gull- 7, and
Iceland Gull- 1
report from S LaForest

Nonquon Education Centre: (Tue) Brown Creeper- 1, Northern Shrike- 1, and
Common
Redpoll- 6
report from D Mudd

Orono: (Thurs) Wild Turkey- 12
on Taunton Road, east of Acres Rd.
report from D Mudd

Brooklin: (Mon) lots of Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and a Lapland Longspur
on Cochrane St. north of Hwy 7
report from L Sayler

Whitby: (Mon) Ring-necked Pheasant- 2
on Halls Road, north of Hwy 2
report from L Sayler

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, February 29, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Thickson Woods: (Fri) Short-eared Owl- 5 to 7
in the field west of Thickson's Woods, beside the waterfront trail.
Pileated Woodpecker- 1
entered the her roosting cavitity at 5:15 pm in Thickson's Woods
reports from S LaForest

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sun) Red-shouldered Hawk- 1
report from D Docherty

Halls Road: (Sun) Bald Eagle- 1, Peregrine Falcon- 1, Rough-legged Hawk- 1,
reports from R Stephenson, and D Lockrey

Oshawa: (Sat) Lapland Longspur- 1 and a small number of Snow Buntings
on Thornton Rd, north of Hwy 7
report from D Ruch
(Sun) Northern Flicker- 1, Northern Mockingbird- 1, and White-throated
Sparrow- 1
on Fox St.
report from T Hoar

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, March 5, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Halls Road: (Fri) Snowy Owl- 1
in a tree near Victoria St, west of Halls Rd.
other birds: Rough-legged Hawk- 1, Northern Harrier- 3, and lots of
Red-winged Blackbirds
report from D Lockrey

Solina: (Mon) Bohemian Waxwings- large flock
report from N Miller

Newcastle: (Fri) Bohemian Waxwings- 12
Conc 3 at Wilmot Ck.
report from E Allin

Flocks of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds have been arriving this
week.

A dead female Red-bellied Woodpecker was found by E Allin on Monday.
Possibly the same one that was visiting her feeder in early January.

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, March 7, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Clarington: (Sat) Woodcock- 1
on Mosport Road, north of Leskard
report from R Pye

Brooklin: (Sun) Snow Goose- 1 (blue),
on Cochrane St.
Bohemian Waxwing- 80
at 7411 Cochrane St.
report from B Edmunds

Frenchman's Bay: (Sun) Thayer's Gull- 1, Iceland Gull- 3, Glaucous Gull- 3,
Ring-necked
Duck- 1, White-winged Scoter- 1, and a Northern Shrike
report from B Edmunds

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, March 12, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.

Pickering: (Tue) Great Blue Heron- 7
flying over the herony on Taunton Road
report from B Steel

Bond Head: (Tue) Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1, Carolina Wren- 1
report from M Lise

Utica: (Sun) Pine Siskin- 1
first one this winter
report from J Kamstra

Tundra Swans are migrating through traditional spots along Lake Erie. We may
get a few flocks over Durham Region.

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, March 14 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist.
http://www.drfn.ca


Pontypool: (Thurs) Wild Turkey- 50
(Sat) Evening Grosbeak- 1
on Telcom Rd, west of Pontypool
reports from S Williams

Utica: (Thurs) Saw Whet Owl- 1  (calling)
report from J Kamstra

Halls Road/ Cranberry Marsh: (Sat) Ring-necked Pheasant- 1, White-crowned
Sparrow- 1,
Song Sparrow- 10, and a Northern Flicker
report from D Lockrey

Orono: (Sat) American Woodcock- 1
report from R Pye

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, March 19, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Ajax: (Mon) Tundra Swans- 27
(Tue) Peregrine Falcon- 2
one was chasing the other one
reports from M Bense

Pickering: (Mon) Bald Eagle- 1
Lakeridge Rd and Columbus
Common Raven- 1
east end of Durham Forest
reports from M Bense

Pickering: (Mon) Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1 (male)
sideline 16 south of 5 Conc
Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1 (male)
3378 Westney Rd.
reports from D Mudd

Corner Marsh/ Ajax: (Fri) waterfowl- regular winter birds, no migrants,
Glacuous Gull- 1
small amount of open water
report from R Pye

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, March 21, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Thurs) Iceland Gull- 2
report from T Hoar

Oshawa Harbour: (Thurs) Tundra Swan- 18
report from T Hoar

Frenchman's Bay: (Sat) Glaucous Gull- 5, Ring-necked Duck- 2, and
White-winged Scoter- 1
report from D Lockrey

Uxbridge: (Fri) Turkey Vulture- 1
report from M Wilson

Halls Road: (Sat) Ring-necked Pheasant- 1 (male)
report from D Lockrey

Bowmanville Harbour: (Sat) small amount of open water, no waterfowl.
report from R Pye

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, March 26, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Newcastle: (Mon) Pine Siskin- 1,
(Wed) Northern Shrike- 1
report from E Allin

Bowmanville: (Mon) Turkey Vulture- 1
report from S Williams

Bowmanville Harbour: (Fri) Northern Shoveler- 4, Ring-necked Duck- 5
report from E Allin

Oshawa Second Marsh: Glaucous Gull- 1, Tundra Swan- 3, waterfowl- 11 species
(Fri) Tundra Swan- 18, waterfowl- 14 species
report from T Hoar

Oshawa: (Thurs) American Woodcock- 5
on Fox St.
report from T Hoar

Cranberry Marsh: (Fri) Hooded Merganser- 2, American Coot- 1 and Ring-necked
Pheasant
report from  D Lockrey

Corner Marsh: (Fri) Green-winged Teal- 3
report from R Pye

Durham Region Field Naturalist- March meeting
Monday, March 29 at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
Beatrice St. and Ritson Road

Rice Lake Prairie/ Black Oak Savanna
by Rick Beaver
http://www.aldervillesavanna.ca

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, March 28, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturlist
http://www.drfn.ca

Ajax: (Sun) Tree Swallow- 1, American Woodcock- several, Killdeer- lots
report from G Carpentier

Port Granby: (Fri) Eastern Phoebe- 1
at the lagoon's
report from M Bain

Newcastle: (Sat) Rusty Blackbird- 4, Turkey Vulture- 1
the blackbirds were with a large flock of Common Grackles
report from D Ruch

Pickering: (Sun) White-wing Crossbill- 1, Northern Goshawk- 1
Glen Major Forest on 6 conc, just north of the Bluebird Trail.
report from B Steel

Brooklin: (Sun) American Woodcock- 3
report from B Steel

Bowmanville: (Sat) Eastern Screech Owl survey-
Eastern Screech Owl- 1, Long-eared Owl- 1, American Woodcock- 8
report from R Pye

Frogs: Spring Peepers were calling on Saturday night north of Bowmanville
and Sunday night north of Ajax.

Durham Region Field Naturalist- March meeting
Monday, March 29 at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
Beatrice St. and Ritson Road
Oshawa

topic: Rice Lake Prairie/ Black Oak Savanna
by Rick Beaver
http://www.aldervillesavanna.ca

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, April 2, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Pontypool: (Thurs) Eastern Bluebird- 3, Evening Grosbeak- 75, Common
Redpolls- only
a few left.
on Telcom Rd. west of Hwy 35
report from S Williams

Lake Ontario/ Oshawa Second Marsh area: (Fri) Harlequin Duck- 1 (immature
male), Bonaparte's Gull- 1
report from T Hoar

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Tue) Tree Swallow- 56, Waterfowl- 15 species:
highlights, Ring-necked Duck- 224, Horned Grebe- 1
(Fri) Northern Shoveler- 35, Canvasback- 1
reports from T Hoar

Bowmanville: (Tue) Northern Flickers, Eastern Phoebe, Belted Kingfisher, and
White-winged Scoter
at Samuel Wilmot Nature Area
report from E Allin

Oshawa: (Mon) Eastern Towhee- 1,
Simcoe and Rossland area
report from D Ruch

Brooklin: (Fri) Fox Sparrow-1, Song Sparrow- 2, Pine Siskin- 1
report from B Steel

Whitby: (Fri) Fox Sparrow- 1, Hermit Thrush- 2
at Lynde Shores Conservation Area
report from D Lockrey

Oshawa: (Sat) Wilson Snipe- 1
west of Purple Woods Conservation Area
report from O Peter

Ajax: (Tue) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- 1
report from B Arriss

Pickering: (Tue) Golden-crowned Kinglet- 6
at Frenchman's Bay- north end
report from C Onafrychuk

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, April 4 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Lake Ontario/ Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sat) Eared Grebe- 1  (Harlequin Duck was
not found)
just east of the marsh outflow.
report from M Bain


Second Marsh: (Sat) 22 species of waterfowl- highlights- Canvasback- 3,
Redhead- 2,
Ruddy Duck- 1, Wood Duck- 2,Pied-billed Grebe- 3, Ring-necked Duck- lots,
Northern Shoveler- lots,Winter Wren- few, Eastern Phoebe- several, Tree
Swallows- lots
report from M Bain

Thickson's Woods: (Sun) Fox Sparrow- 2, Hermit Thrush- 1, Winter Wren- 1
reports from M Bain and D Worthington

Whitby: (Sun) Snowy Owl- 1
on South Blair St.- flew eastward towards the berm at LASCO Steel.
report from M Bain

Halls Road:(Sun) Northern Goshawk- 1
at the north feeder
report from M Bain

Cranberry Marsh: (Sat) Wood Duck- 5
seen from east side
report from J Floegel

Whitby/ Chalk Lake: (Sun) Hermit Thrush- 1, Ruffed Grouse- 1, Golden-crowned
Kinglet- 12,
American Robin- 24
old Easter Seals property on Middle March Road
report from C Onafrychuk

Ajax/ Corner Marsh: (Sat) Pileated Woodpecker- 1, Ring-necked Duck, American
Wigeon, and Green-winged Teal
report from J Walsh

Pontypool: (Fri) Fox Sparrow- several
report from S Williams

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Thursday, April 8, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Lake Suscog: (Tue) Sandhill Crane- 1
report from T Hoar

Nonquon Sewage Lagoon: (Thurs) Ring-necked Duck- 300+, Trumpeter Swan- pair,
shorebirds- none,
the best shorebird habitat is in the middle lagoon.
report from M Bain

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Tue) Little Gull-2, Bonaparte's Gull- 85,
(Thurs) Greater Yellowlegs- 1, Little Gull- 3
waterfowl- 23 species and 600+ individuals
report from T Hoar

Cranberry Marsh: (Tue) Blue-winged Teal- 7 pairs, Wood Duck- 4,
(Wed) Northern Pintail- 1, American Coot- 6, Ring-necked Duck- 80+,
reports from D Lockrey and S LaForest

Whitby Harbour: (Tue) Horned Grebe- 1
report from S LaForest

Nonquon Lagoons- permit required- 5.00 for the season
Pick up your permit from the Waste Transfer Station on Reach St. in Port
Perry.
hours- Tues, Wed, Fri, and Sat: 8 am to 4 pm. Thursday- 8 am to 6 pm
closed on Sunday and Monday

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, April 11, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Pontypool: (Sat) Vesper Sparrow- 1
on Telcom Rd.
report from S Williams

Cranberry Marsh: (Sun) Bald Eagle- 1 (immature- flying eastward),
Yellow-rumped Warbler- 1,
White-crowned Sparrow- 5, American Coot- several
report from D Ruch

Whitby Harbour: (Sun) Caspian Tern- 1, Glaucous Gull- 1
report from D Ruch

Oshawa: (Sat) Common Redpoll- 1, Pine Siskin- several
report from D Dalke

Seagrave: (Sat) Eastern Screech-Owl- 1
on Brock Scugog Townline
report from R Pye

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, April 16, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Thickson's Woods: (Sun) Yellow-rumped Warbler- 1, Fox Sparrow- 5, Hermit
Thrush- 1,
Winter Wren- 5, Brown Creeper- 8,
(Fri) Pine Warbler- 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- 1, Eastern Towhee- 1, Fox
Sparrows, and
Hermit Thrushs
reports from M Bain and J Stirrat

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sun) Pectoral Sandpiper- 4, Bald Eagle- 1 (immature)
(Mon) Northern Shrike- 1
(Wed) Red-shouldered Hawk- 1, Sedge Wren- 1, and Virginia Rail
(Fri) Little Gull- 11, Foresters Tern- 1,
reports from M Bain, T Hoar, C Johnston, and O Peter

Cranberry Marsh/ Halls Road: (Tue) Ruddy Duck- 4, American Coot- 4,
Ring-necked Pheasant- 2
(Thurs) American Woodcock- 4
(Fri) Wilson Snipe- 1
reports from K Appleman, D Lockrey, and R Pye

Newcastle: (Fri) Osprey- 1
report from E Allin

Bond Head: (Thurs) Carolina Wren- 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker- 2 (m and f),
report from M Lise

Pickering: (Fri) Turkey Vulture- 2
circling the office buildings at Liverpool Rd and Hwy 2
report from R Pye

Oshawa/ Bonniebrey Pt.: (Thurs) grebe migration- 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Red-necked Grebe- 52, Horned Grebe- 5
report from R Pye

Oshawa: (Sun) Pine Siskins (last day seen)
(Mon) Chipping Sparrow- 1
report from D Dalke

Butterflies: Mourning Cloak- 1 (Mon) in Oshawa
Frogs: Wood Frogs were abundant at Cranberry Marsh on Thursday night.

Oshawa Second Marsh: Ducks Unlimited is lowering the water levels to allow
the marsh plants to regenerate. The area will be very good for shorebirds
this spring.

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, April 18, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Thickson's Woods: (Sat) Yellow-rumped Warbler- 15, Pine Warbler- 6,
Blue-headed Vireo- 1,
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- 8, Hermit Thursh- 10+, Verry- 1, Fox Sparrow- 4,
(Sun) Yellow-rumped Warbler- 6, Pine Warbler- 2, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker-
1,
Hermit Thursh- 4, Eastern Towhee- 1
report from the Thickson Woods record book

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sat) Peregrine Falcon- pair, Wilson Snipe-1, Osprey-
1,
Little Gulls- 4
report from T Hoar

Cranberry Marsh: (Sun) Ruddy Duck- 8, Broad-winged Hawk- 1
report from D Ruch

Pumphouse Marsh: (Sun) Virginia Rail- 1
report from R Pye

Oshawa/ Bonniebrey Pt: (Sun) White-winged Scoter- 9,

Oshawa/ Fox St.: (Sun) Pine Warbler- 3
report from T Hoar

Oshawa/ Grandview St.: (Sat) Fox Sparrow- 2, Blue-headed Vireo- 1, Pine
Siskin- 1
report from D Dalke

Oshawa Second Marsh- International Migratory Bird Day

Join CWS ornithologist Dr. Chip Weseloh and colleagues Jim Richards, Richard
Joos, and
Tyler Hoar at Oshawa Second Marsh for a rare opportunity to view migrating
Little Gulls at
their largest known spring staging area in North America.

April 23, 24, and 25
sunrise to 10 AM

Meet at the Oshawa Second Marsh Observation Viewing Tower near the General
Motors of Canada headquarters.

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, April 23, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Thickson's Woods: (Wed) Yellow-rumped Warbler- 15, Pine Warbler- 2,
 Nashville- 1, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher- 2, and Brown Thrasher- 1
(Fri) Palm Warbler- 1, Rose-breasted Grosbeak- 1
report from the Thickson's Woods record book

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Mon) Great Egret- 2
(Wed) Iceland Gull- 1, Tayers Gull- 1, Marsh Wren- 1
(Thurs) Green-wing Teal- 403, Greater Yellowlegs- 15, Dunlin- 5, Common
Redpoll- 25
(Fri) Little Gull- 24
reports from T Hoar, S LaForest, C Weseloh

Lake Ontario/ Oshawa Second Marsh: (Thurs) Eared Grebe- 1
report from T Hoar

Pickering: (Wed) Sandhill Crane- 1, Common Raven- 1, White-wing Crossbill- 8
at Dagmar Ski hill, on Lakeridge Rd.
report from C McLauchlan

Port Perry/Nonquon Sewage Lagoon: (Wed) Greater Yellowlegs- 28,
Lapland Longspur- 1
report from G Carpentier

Cranberry Marsh: (Wed) Ruddy Duck- 5, Pied-billed Grebe- 1
report from S LaForest

Oshawa/ Bonniebrey Pt: (Fri) Red-necked Grebe- 70, Horned Grebe- 41
White-winged Scoter- 1, Scaup sp- 241
(7:20 PM to 8:20 PM)
report from R Pye

Oshawa Second Marsh- Little Gull Viewing Days
Saturday, and Sunday
sunrise to 10:00 AM
GM platform

Durham Region Field Naturalist- April meeting
Monday, April 26 at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
Beatrice St. and Ritson Rd

topic: Wolves of Algonquin Park
by Brent Patterson

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Saturday - midday:

Cranberry Marsh - Halls Road (east of Lakeridge Rd. south off 
Bayly - which actually turns into Victoria St. West at Lakeridge Rd.)

American Coot
Gadwall
Ruddy Duck
Northern Pintail
Lesser Scaup
Mallard
Northern Shoveller
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Turkey Vulture
Tree Swallow
Common Grackle
Red-winged Blackbird

Lynde Shore Conservation Area (just east of Halls Rd. 
off Victoria St. West on south side)

Mallard
Black-capped Chickadee
Cardinal
Blue Jay
Common Grackle
Red-winged Blackbird
Report of Tufted Titmouse associated with 
Chickadees at west side of feeder trails.

Gord Gallant

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com
Scarborough


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, April 25, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist

Oshawa Second Marsh: Little Gull viewing days- excellent job done by CWS and
Friends
of Second Marsh.

Thickson's Woods: (Sat) Yellow-rumped Warbler- 5, Pine Warbler- 2,
Rose-breasted
Grosbeak- 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1, and Osprey- 1
(Sun) Northern Waterthrush- 1, Pine Warbler- 3, and Hermit Thrush- 26
reports from the Thickson's Woods record book

Lynde Shores: (Fri) Virginia Rail- 1
(Sat) Tufted Titmouse- 1
reports from C Onafrychuk and J Giraud

Nonquon Sewage Lagoon:  permit required (Sat) Greater Yellowlegs- 44,
Lesser Yellowlegs- 9, Least Sandpiper- 1, Pectoral Sandpiper- 1,
Ruddy Duck- 4, Virginia Rail- 1, Bank Swallow- 1, and Barn Swallow- 3
reports from M Bain and J Floegel

Darlington Prov Park: (Sat) Fox Sparrow-1, House Wren- 1, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher- 2
report from C Onafrychuk

Ganaraska Forest: (Sat) Wild Turkey- 8 (males displaying), Vesper Sparrow-
4,
Pine Warbler- 1, Brown Thrasher- 1
report from R Pye

Kendal: (Sat) Northern Goshawk- 1, Evening Grosbeak- 2
report from R Pye

Frog reports: American Toads are calling

Butterfly reports:(Sat) Red Admiral- 1 at Oshawa Second Marsh
report from D Pazaratz

Durham Region Field Naturalist- April meeting
Monday, April 26 at 7:30 PM
North Oshawa Library
Beatrice St. at Ritson Rd.

topic: Wolves of Algonquin Park
by Brent Patterson

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, April 30, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Tue) Little Gull- 12, Virginia Rail- 1
(Thurs) Marbled Godwit- 1, Black-bellied Plover- 1, Little Gull- 23
(Fri) Marbled Godwit- 1, Black-bellied Plover- 1, Little Gull- 12,
Peregrine Falcon- 1,
reports from J Kamstra, T Hoar, S LaForest,

Thickson's Woods: (Tue) Le Conte's Sparrow- 1 (first record for Thickson's
Woods)
(Wed) Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1, Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Thurs) Baltimore Oriole- 1, Great Crested Flycatcher- 1, Common
Yellowthroat,
and Ovenbird
(Fri) 11 species of warblers in small numbers, Cape May- 1, Wilson- 1,
Black-throated Blue- 2, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak- 2
reports from the Thickson's Woods Record Book

Bond Head: (Fri) Baltimore Oriole- 1
report from M Lise

Nonquon Sewage Lagoon/ Port Perry: (Wed) Permit required
shorebirds- 200+, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs most common,
most common ducks- Bufflehead, Scaup, and Northern Shoveler
report from B Aikins

Nonquon Education Centre: (Tue) Sandhill Crane- flying over, Purple Finch,
and Piliated Woodpecker
report from D Mudd

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


After the success that Sumbul and I had last weekend in Durham (as per report in the "Birding in Canada Chatroom"), we decided to bird the same areas again, but concentrate on Thickson's Woods for the better part of the morning. This is Sumbul Zafar's second official birding trip.

I have been birding seriously since 1983 and enjoy helping new birders learn the nuances of birding and the locations where you would be most likely to find migrants at this time of year. Durham Region, especially along the lakeshore from Pickering to Oshawa has always been a favorite birding route for me and will continue to be, especially after the success and fun that we had yesterday. It was also very nice to see all of my birding buddies that frequent this area as well whom I haven't seen for a while.

Sumbul and I got an early start. We were in Whitby by 6:00 a.m.. It was still relatively dark since it was overcast with fog. We went down Halls Road and rolled down the windows of the car and were treated to an orchestra of bird calls. Most of them were White-throated Sparrows, and the usual local birds, but sounded like it was going to be an excellent birding day! We didn't stay there long because we wanted to be at Thickson's Woods where we expected to really do some serious birding.

Upon arrival at Thickson's Woods, we checked out the beaver dam. There wasn't much there except for a Spotted Sandpiper and Belted Kingfisher, which we didn't get anywhere else during the entire day. When we went back up the road we were told that there was a Blue-wing Warbler song being heard by Dennis Barry. After a little searching we found it. The viewing conditions early in the morning we not ideal, but we were able to identify this bird after a few half decent looks. The birding for the rest of the day got even better! Below is a list of what we saw.

Most of the species found were lifers for Sumbul, but it was a thrill for me to see many of these birds for the first time this year as well and to share the excitement of Sumbul's new discoveries, several of which she found herself. Many species were both seen and heard, which helps contribute to the overall pleasure and learning experience.

Saturday May 1, 2004 - full day (6:15 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.!

Thickson's Woods

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Great Horned Owl - adult and juvenile
Coopers Hawk
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
Rufous-sided Towhee
Brown Thrasher
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue-winged Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler
Ovenbrd
Hooded Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush

Second Marsh

Palm Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Orchard Oriole
Eastern Meadowlark
Turkey Vulture
Trumpeter Swan
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Northern Shoveller
Green-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Gadwall
Lesser Scaup

Whitby Harbor

Gadwall
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Caspian Tern
Ring-billed Gull
Greater black-backed Gull

Lynde Shore Conservation Area, Halls Road and Cranberry Marsh from North Platform

Black-capped Chickadee
Cardinal
Blue Jay
Common Grackle
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Brown-headed Cowbird
Downy Woodpecker
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Coot
American Kestrel
Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk) x4 including one male
Ruddy Duck
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Green-winged-Teal
Mute Swans - counted 30!
Caspian and Common Tern
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Song Sparrow
(and many Chipmunks!)

Brock Road and MacKay intersection 

Medium size flock of Cedar Waxwings

In total we identified 92 species, and a few that inevitably we didn't get a good enough of a look at and was not identified.

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com
Scarborough


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, May 2, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Thickson's Woods: (Sat) Summer Tanager- 1, and 18 species of warblers,
Hooded Warbler- 2, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blackburnian Warbler, Cape May,
Tennessee, Orchard Oriole, and Eastern Kingbird
(Sun) Summer Tanager- 1, Hooded Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blue-winged
Warbler
Scarlet Tanager, and Chimney Swift
report from the Thickson's Woods Record Book

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sat) Snowy Egret- 1, Marbled Godwit- 1,
Short-billed Dowitcher- 4, Peregrine Falcon- 1, Orchard Oriole- 2,
Little Gulls, Virginia Rail, and Sora
(Sun) Snowy Egret and Marbled Godwit were not seen.
reports from C Horner, N Murr, K Ridge, and G Carpentier

Oshawa/ Thornton Woods: (Sat) Carolina Wren- 1, Wood Thursh
report from C Onafrychuk

Oshawa/ Purple Woods: (Fri) Clay-coloured Sparrows
at the usual location- Coates Rd and Harmony Rd
report from F Jerome

Heber Down CA: (Sat) Field Sparrow, Great Creasted Flycatcher
report from R Pye

Thickson's Woods: Breakfast and Boblinks
Saturday, May 8, 9:00 AM to Noon

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Golden-winged warbler, both Tanagers highlight

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

Cool northwest winds kept the warblers low except in the south end of
Thickson's Woods. In the meadow was an Eastern Kingbird. In the mudflats of
Corbett Creek was a solitary Sandpiper.

Within the woods a Golden-winged Warbler kept many birders "hopping" about
as the bird was rather elusive. My count tallies to 18 warbler species, with
the aforementioned and Tennessee, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Cape May,
N.Waterthrush and Ovenbird being highlights. Both Orioles were there. While
many were finding the Summer Tanager a Scarlet Tanager showed itself several
times. The Red-bellied Woodpecker shows itself periodically.
There are many Blue-headed Vireos and a few Warbling Vireos.

Exit the 401 onto Thickson Rd., south toward the lake, turning left at the
Waterfront trail sign.

Doug Lockrey, Whitby




Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, May 7, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Thickson's Woods: (Tues) Summer Tanager- 1, Rough-legged Hawk- 1,
Hooded Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and Orchard
Oriole
(Wed) Hooded Warbler- 2, Blue-winged Warbler
(Thurs) Hooded Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chimney Swift, and Sandhill Crane
(Fri) 18 species of warblers, Sandhill Crane-1, Peregrine Falcon- 1, Merlin-
1,
Red-shouldered Hawk- 1, Pine Siskin- 1, Northern Mockingbird- 1,
Black-billed Cuckoo, and Rusty Blackbirds
reports from the Thickson's Woods Record Book

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Fri) American Bittern- 1
report from B Henshaw

Ajax: (Tue) Red-headed Woodpecker- 1
flying across the 401 near Lakeridge Rd.
report from D Ruch

Oshawa: (Wed) Merlin- 1
near the airport
report from K Ridge

Haydon: (Thurs) Northern Goshawk- 1
report from D Szmur

Breakfast and Boblinks- Thickson's Woods
Saturday, May 8- 9 AM to Noon

pancake breakfast with real maple syrup
guided bird walks
silent auction, bucket raffle, and bake sale
Help pay of the mortage on the meadow

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Thickson's Woods was alive with many species of songbirds 
dispite the cool temperatures. Many birders showed up for
the Breakfast and Bobolinks to support the Thickson's Woods
foundation.

Highlights were Blue-winged Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Blackburnian 
Warbler, and Indigo Bunting. I may have seen a Yellow-throated 
Warbler but I could not confirm it. We saw a beautiful white-tailed 
Deer at the north side of the beaver pond early in the morning.

My birding partner Sumbul Zafar and also went to Second Marsh to 
add waterbird species to our lists for the day. There wasn't 
anything out of the ordinary that we could see there. We drove 
north to Port Perry Sewage Lagoons. We did not go into the 
inclosure, but we scouted the marsh on the road north of the 
sewage lagoons. There we heard both Sora and Virgina Rail.

Sumbul and I saw or heard a total of 91 species of birds for the day.
A good time was had by all!

Good birding!

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com
Scarborough


Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, May 9, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Thickson's Woods: (Sat) Blue-winged Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler,
Orange-crowned
Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Pine Siskin
(Sun) Blue-winged Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Paraula,
and Red-headed Woodpecker- 1

Nonquon Sewage Lagoon: (Fri) Greater Yellowlegs- 65, Lesser Yellowlegs- 287
Least Sandpiper- 3, Little Gull- 1, Caspian Tern- 28, Ruddy Duck- 1,
American Pipit- 3, Sora Rail and Virginia Rail
best shorebird habitat was in the second lagoon from the west.
report from M Bain

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sun) 485 shorebirds of 9 species, Short-billed
Dowitcher- 2,
Pectoral Sandpiper- 1, sandpipers- 300, Little Gull- 1, White-crowned
Sparrow- lots
The water levels are very low, there are lots of mudflats.
report from R Pye

Cranberry Marsh: (Sun) Osprey- 2
report from J Walsh

Brooklin: (Sun) Pine Siskin- 6, Clay-coloured Sparrow- 1,
report from B Steel

Butterfly report:(Sun) Spring Azure- 12 at Ganaraska Forest

Rayfield Pye
raypye@interlinks.net
Oshawa


Birding at Thickson's Woods yesterday was simply incredible! 
There was a lot of activity - both song and movement. A huge
wave of warblers, sparrows, thushes, and other songbirds came
in and offered views in almost every tree. My new birds for the
year included Cape May Warbler, American Redstart, Tennesee 
Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Bay Breasted Warbler, Philadelphia 
Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Veery, Swainson's Thrush, Bobolink,
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chimney Swift.

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com
Scarborough


Hi,
    A flock of 35 Brant flew west along the Lake Ontario shore past
Thickson's Woods about 7:45 p.m.  Perhaps a dozen flocks of White-winged
Scoters followed the same route.  Yesterday at about the same time two adult
Lttle Gulls flew westward.
    A major fall-out of land birds occured overnight, with Yellow-rumped
Warblers still the most abundant species.  New for the year were Canada
Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo, and Eastern Kingbird.  At dusk three Green
Herons flew over the meadow and the woods.
    Sunday morning Margaret and I had excellent views of a Least Bittern
that she spotted in a beaver pond on the east branch of Corbett Creek.
Unfortunately, it managed to disappear before other birders could be
alerted.
    The east branch of Corbett Creek is about a fifteen minute walk east
from Thickson's Woods along the Waterfront Trail.  The trail crosses a
bridge over the creek/marsh/breaver pond.  The sides of the bridge are
planked to provide a blind.  The Least Bittern was skulking along logs below
the bridge on the east side of the marsh along with  a pair of Sora Rails.


To reach Thickson's Woods exit from 401 to Thickson Road South in
Whitby.  Proceed south past Wentworth Street to the Waterfront Trail.  Turn
left, turn around and park on the north side of the road.  Enter the woods
on a path from
the south side, about 200 metres east of Thickson Road.  Follow the trails
through the woods, some of which access the Lake Ontario shore.  To view the
beaver pond and Corbett Creek Marsh continue east about 100 metres past the
entrance to the woods.  The meadow is across the Waterfront Trail
immediately north of the woods. The entrance is directly across the
waterfront trail from the entrance to the woods.  To view a map,
visit the Thickson's Woods website at http://www.thicksonswoods.com

Dennis Barry & Margaret Carney
Thickson's Point, R.R. 2
Whitby, ON L1N 5R5
(905) 725-2116

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com
Scarborough


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

Hello Birders

Mary Schuster and I went up to the Non-quon (Port Perry) Sewage Lagoons 
this afternoon to look for shorebirds. In the eastern-most cell there was a 
female WILSON'S PHALAROPE near the south end.

There is good shorebird habitat in cell #4 (counting from east to west). 
There were GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN, 1 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, 
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS  and many LEAST SANDPIPERS. A good number of waterfowl 
species can be found in the other cells, where the water levels are high.

Directions:

A permit is required and can be obtained in person only from the waste 
transfer station on Reach Road in Port Perry, east of Hwy 12. The cost is 
$5 and the permit is good until October. The station is closed on Sunday 
and Monday.
The lagoons are on Scugog Line 8, east of Hwy 12. (One road north of Reach).

Good birding
Carol

Carol Horner
phalarope AT NOSPAMsympatico.ca
Toronto, Ontario
Canada


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

Hello Birders:

On May 11th at 10:30am. a fellow birder and I found a Piping Plover 
mixed in with about 300 other shorebirds. From the east side viewing 
platform look southwest toward a raised rock pile in the centre of the 
mud flats .A Spotting scope and some searching are needed. Other 
shorbirds present were. Wilson's Phalarope 1, Black Bellied Plover 1, 
Least Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin,
Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, and 5 Great 
Egrets.

Directions:

Exit from the 401 at Harmony rd; Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on 
Farewell st. to Colonel Sam Drive. Go east on Colonel Sam Drive to the 
parking lot at the GM office building. Park in the west parking lot 
close to the marsh. The east side platform is located here.

                                 Dan Kaczynski  Pickering



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

Hello ontbirders,

Ian Cannell and I embarked on an outing to Thickson's this morning (after a 
great long weekend at Pelee) to find a pretty good number of birds about. 
The highlight being a female red morph Summer Tanager which gave us good 
looks out on the residential street south of the woods.

In the woods, a female Canada warbler and a very vocal male Golden-Winged 
which we found three times during the morning. 18 species in total, which 
also included a singing Orange-Crowned and a couple of Tennessee warblers. 
Yellow-Rumped warblers were everywhere. We did have three species of Vireo 
(Warbling, Blue-Headed and Red-Eyed). I suspect I heard the Philadelphia 
reported yesterday, but it was in the distance and didn't sing for long. The 
Red-Bellied Woodpecker and Great-Horned Owls were of course present.

We did take a look for the Least Bittern by the second arm of Corbett Creek 
to no avail.

Good birding!

Jay Peterson
High Park, Toronto

Thickson's woods is at the south end of Thickson Road in Whitby, accessible 
from the 401.




Started the morning off at just after 9:00 at Thickson's Woods. 
Found it much quieter than Monday and Tuesday but still a few 
good birds were reported. I found a Gray-cheeked Thrush to go 
along with Veery, Swainson's, and Wood Thrushes.

John S. mentioned that he was thinking of going up to Carden 
Plain and invited me to go with him, but first we decided to
check out Second Marsh. There was a fairly good variety of 
species to be seen at S.M.. Highlights for us were Dunlin, 
Pectoral Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Least and Semipalmated
Sandpipers, Foresters Tern, Little Gull, and Great Egret.  

It was now around noon. We went up to Nonquon Sewage Lagoons so 
that I could pick up my permit, then we headed north to Carden
Plain. I didn't check my watch, but I assume that we arrived at 
around 2:00pm. 

Bird species seen included the following:

American Bittern - heard only at the sedge marsh
Yellow Rail - heard several times at the sedge marsh after 
              a long wait
Marsh Wren - heard only at the sedge marsh
Sedge Wren - heard and seen at the sedge marsh
Common Yellowthroat - heard near the sedge marsh
Grasshopper Sparrow - heard several and a partial view of one 
                      in the grass  
Vesper Sparrow - seen and heard a few
Savannah Sparrow - heard and seen several
Field Sparrow - heard several
Horned Lark - excellent view through scope
Eastern Meadowlark - several seen and heard
Eastern Bluebird - several seen and heard 
Loggerhead Shrike - seen one after a couple of long searches
Ring-necked Pheasant - observed a male beside the road for 
                       about 10 minutes
Common (Wilson's) Snipe - observed several on fence posts and 
                          in flight, heard calling and winnowing   
Upland Sandpiper - saw two at a distance and heard calling
Least Flycatcher - Seen and heard
Willow Flycatcher - heard
Eastern Wood-Pewee - possible visual but not heard
Eastern Kingbird - many seen and heard
Brown Thrasher - many seen and heard

Sora, Virginia Rail were heard up close on Prospect Road as well 
as American Bittern. 

Mammals seen included the following:

Woodchuck (groundhog)
Black Bear - mother and two yearlings about 1-2 km 
             north of the sedge marsh - we were very
			 glad that we were in the car when we encountered
			 these bears. Discovered how fast they really are
			 as the yearlings ran off into the bush, up and down
			 trees, and ran across the road again. AMAZING! 
			 We though that the yearlings were big, until we saw 
			 the mother - wow! 
			 
	Warning - for your safety, do not venture off too far from 
	the car, if you do decide to get out and explore.   

Butterflies Seen at Carden Plain:

Silery Blue
Dreamy Duskywing
Cabbage White
Red Admiral
Spring Azure
Possible Meadow Fritillary

In closing, we had a great day of sightings, great weather, and
good company. Thanks, John for driving your car up to Carden, and
for your persistance in finding a few difficult species!

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com
Scarborough


Started the morning off at just after 8:00 at Thickson's Woods. 
Found it relatively quiet especially after the great days earlier
in the week. There were a few species of warblers by the road 
but nothing spectaclular.

John S. and I then met up and headed to Second Marsh to look
for the Piping Plover and anything else that we needed for the 
year. The first bird I focused on was a female Wilson's 
Phalarope. There was also the usual recent birds there. We 
did not find the Piping Plover and do not think that anyone 
else saw it either on Wednesday. We did get Least and Willow
flycatchers singing at this location. Our main destinination 
for the day was Nonquon Sewage Lagoons, so we didn't stay too 
long at Second Marsh. 

We arrived at Nonquon S.L. at around noon. The eastern 
enclosures and southern enclosure all had high water 
levels. We did see a variety of waterfowl including the
following: Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Mallard,
Gadwall, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Northern
Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, American Black
Duck, and Canada Geese with young. 

We spotted a lone Common Moorhen in the last eastern enclosure
with water. Then we heard and saw three Black Terns over the 
same area.

The last or second last enclosure had the water drawn down!
It had a variety of shorebirds including the following:
Least SP, Semipalmated SP, Dunlin, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary
SP, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover, and
Spotted SP.

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com
Scarborough


  • Gray-cheeked Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler at Thickson's-May 14 - Fri, 14 May 2004

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

    Thursday and Friday / May 13 & 14 at Thickson's Woods in southeast Whitby
have been slow birdwise, but some good birds are being seen, particularly
along the car-park roadside and just inside the woods.
Among today's warblers were Canada, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Blue-winged,
Black-throated Blue & Chestnut-sided. Thrushes included Gray-cheeked, Wood,
Hermit, Swainson's and Veery.
On Thursday I heard at least 10 Common Loons flying over the woods, while
viewing Scarlet Tanager, Cape May and other warblers.

Exit the 401 at Thickson Rd., going south toward the lake, turn left at the
woods edge at a Waterfront trail sign.

Doug Lockrey, Whitby, ON
lockrey33@rogers.com

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

    Fri, 14 May 2004

Hi,
    Three Great Egrets flew eastward along Corbett Creek Marsh at 7:15 p.m.
About 20 minutes later, a Common Nighthawk flew westward over the meadow
calling as it went.


    To reach Thickson's Woods exit from 401 to Thickson Road South in
Whitby.  Proceed south past Wentworth Street to the Waterfront Trail.  Turn
left, turn around and park on the north side of the road.  Enter the woods
on a path from
the south side, about 200 metres east of Thickson Road.  Follow the trails
through the woods, some of which access the Lake Ontario shore.  To view the
beaver pond and Corbett Creek Marsh continue east about 100 metres past the
entrance to the woods.  The meadow is across the Waterfront Trail
immediately north of the woods. The entrance is directly across the
waterfront trail from the entrance to the woods.  To view a map,
visit the Thickson's Woods website at http://www.thicksonswoods.com

Dennis Barry & Margaret Carney
Thickson's Point, R.R. 2
Whitby, ON L1N 5R5
(905) 725-2116



    Return to Top of Page

    Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, May 14, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Thickson's Woods: (Mon) Brant- 35, White-wing Scoter- 12 flocks,
Canada Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo, and Eastern Kingbird
(Tues) Golden-winged Warbler- 1, Blue-winged Warbler- 1
(Wed) Orange-crowned Warbler- 1
(Fri) Kentucky Warbler- 1, Blue-winged Warbler- 3, and Red-bellied
Woodpecker- pair
The Kentucky Warbler was found at 12:30 and was still present at
6 PM. It was a very difficult bird to locate.
reports from the Thickson's Woods record book

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Tues) Piping Plover- 1, Wilson Pharolope- 1,
Black-bellied Plover- 1, and Great Egret- 5
(Fri) Wilson Pharolope- 1, Little Gull- 1, and Clay-colored Sparrow- 1
reports from D Kaczynski and R Joos

Nonquon Sewage Lagoon: (Tues) permit required
Wilson Pharolope- 1 (female), Short-billed Dowitcher- 1
report from C Horner

Oshawa: (Mon) Northern Mockingbird- 1
at Thorton Rd. just north of Champlain
(Tues) Grasshopper Sparrow- 1
at the airport
(Thurs) Golden-winged Warbler- 1
backyard on Roberts St.
reports from C Onafrychuk, and D Ruch

Pontypool: (Mon) Baltimore Oriole- 6
eating lots of Oranges
report from S Williams

    Rayfield Pye
    raypye@interlinks.net
    Oshawa


    This was Sumbul Zafar's first trip to Carden Plain,
and my second trip within a week.

Bird species seen included the following 
highlights in addition to other common species:

American Bittern - heard only at the sedge marsh
Yellow Rail - heard at the sedge marsh after a long wait
Marsh Wren - heard and seen at the sedge marsh
Sedge Wren - heard at the sedge marsh
Common Yellowthroat - heard and seen the sedge marsh
Grasshopper Sparrow - heard and an excellent view of one  
Vesper Sparrow - heard and excellent view on post roadside
Savannah Sparrow - heard and seen several
Clay-coloured Sparrow - heard and seen very well pearched in tree
Field Sparrow - heard and seen several
Eastern Meadowlark - several seen and heard
Eastern Bluebird - several seen and heard 
Loggerhead Shrike - not seen by us, but was seen by others
Common (Wilson's) Snipe - observed several in fields and in flight, 
       heard calling and winnowing almost the entire morning   
Upland Sandpiper - saw in grass with grazing cattle
Least Flycatcher - Seen and heard
Eastern Phobee - seen bobbing tail
Eastern Kingbird - many seen and heard
Brown Thrasher - many seen and heard
Gold-winged Warbler - heard and seen through scope
Turkey Vultures - several seen
Purple Finch - male and females feeding dowm low on roadside
Sharp-shinned Hawk - seen and heard at Lake Dalrymple Resort
Female American Kestrel - seen on route home

Mammals seen included the following:

	Porcupine in a tree

Butterflies Seen at Carden Plain:

	Silery Blue
	Dreamy Duskywing
	Juvenile Duskywing
	Cabbage White
	Red Admiral
	Spring Azure
	Eastern Comma

Great trip, well worth the time and effort getting there from
Toronto or anywhere.

    Gord Gallant
    gord@web-nat.com
    Scarborough


    Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sat) Piping Plover- 1 (unbanded), Black-bellied
Plover- 3,
Osprey- 1,
report from M Bain
(Sun) Piping Plover- 1, Great Egret- 1
report from D Worthington

Thickson's Woods: (Sat) 15 species of warblers in small numbers
Kentucky Warbler- 1, Orange-crowned Warbler- 1, Blue-winged Warbler- 1,
Blackpoll, Orchard Oriole, and Gray-checked Thrush
(Sun) Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1, Great-horned Owl- 2, (The adult and a young
one were flying arround the woodlot in the afternoon)
report from the Thickson's Woods Record Book

Cranberry Marsh: (Sun) Osprey- 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker- 1, Bobolink- 6,
Common Moorhen- 3, Pied-billed Grebe- 2, Ruddy Duck- 4 and Cape May Warbler
report from R Pye

Butterflies and Dragonflies: (Sun- Cranberry Marsh)
American Lady- 1, Red Admiral- 1, Common Sulphur- 1, Green Darner- 1, and
Calico Pennant- 1
report from R Pye

    Rayfield Pye
    raypye@interlinks.net
    Oshawa


    Durham Rare Bird Line

Wednesday, May 19

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Wed) shorebirds- 932
Whimbrel- 85  (flew north at 7:30 PM)
Black-bellied Plover- 9
Short-billed Dowitcher- 4
Dunlin- 144
peeps- hundreds

The Piping Plover was seen on Monday, but I could 
not find it tonight.

    Rayfield Pye
    raypye@interlinks.net
    Oshawa


    Durham Rare Bird Line

Friday, May 21, 2004

Sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Mon) Piping Plover- 1, American Golden Plover- 2,
Great Egret- 1,
(Tue) Wilson Pharolope- 2, Black-bellied Plover- 12, Short-billed 
Dowitcher-12
(Wed) Whimbrel- 85
(Thurs) shorebirds- 1000+
(Fri) Whimbrel- 307
reports from A Anthony, T Hoar, R Pye, and M Williamson

Thickson's Woods: (Tue) Connecticut Warbler- 1, Mourning Warbler- 2,
Wilson's Warbler- 4,
(Wed) Canada Warbler
(Fri) Blackburnian, Northern Parula, Blackpoll, and the young 
Great-horned Owl was sitting in a tree beside the meadow being 
mobbed by all of the songbirds.
report from the Thickson's Woods Record Book

Cranberry Marsh: (Fri) Family of Coots, Sora, Ruddy Duck, Wood Duck, and
Ring-necked Duck
report from D Lockrey

Haydon: (Mon) Red-headed Woodpecker- 1
report from D Szmur

Pickering: (Thurs) Common Loon- 1
trapped in a small pond on the Cherry Downs Golf Club
report from D Lockrey

    Rayfield Pye
    raypye@interlinks.net
    Oshawa


    Durham Rare Bird Line

Sunday, May 23, 2004
sponsored by Durham Region Field Naturalist
http://www.drfn.ca

Oshawa Second Marsh: (Sat) Piping Plover- 1 (banded), Marbled Godwit- 1
Whimbrel- 34, Short-billed Dowitcher- 4, and Peregrine Falcon- 1
report from J Dixon
(Sun- morning) Piping Plover- 1, Marbled Godwit- 1, Wimbrel- 4,
Sanderling- 1, Black-bellied Plover- 2, Peregrine Falcon- 2
report from T Hoar
(Sun- afternoon) Piping Plover- 1, Marbled Godwit- not seen, Whimbrel- 95,
Sanderling- 8,  Black-bellied Plover- 7, American Golden Plover- 2,
Semipalmated Plover- 118+, Peregrine Falcon- 1
report from R Pye

Thickson's Woods: (Sat) Yellow-throated Vireo- 1, Mourning Warbler, Canada
Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Blackpoll Warbler
report from the Thickson's Woods Record Book

Utica: (Sun) Common Raven- 2
near Durham 23 and Goodwood Rd.
report from B Henshaw

Oshawa: (Sat) Northern Mockingbird- 1
on Gibb St. near the Oshawa Center
report from D Ruch

Pickering: Wild Turkey- nest
on Durham 23 south of High Hope Farms
report from M Bense

Enniskillen Conservation Area: (Sun) Winter Wren- 1, Mourning Warbler- 1,
Clay-colored Sparrow- 3, and Alder Flycatcher
report from R Pye

    Rayfield Pye
    raypye@interlinks.net
    Oshawa





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