Recent Ontario Birding Reports - Haldimand District

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

The first visible sign of spring migration at Selkirk P. P. occurred this
morning with flocks of Tundra Swans going west along the Lake Erie shoreline
while Red-winged Blackbirds were observed going N. E. East and N.E. is the
traditional route taken by spring migrating blackbirds, Am. Robins,
Killdeers etc. over Selkirk.

The Tufted Titmouse reported earlier is present every morning around the
banding station and occasionally comes into the feeder in front of the
banding trailer. This bird is very vocal and is often heard more often than
seen. Red-bellied Woodpeckers continue to be vocal in the park too.

While no one has reported it lately N. Saw-whet pellets are showing up
regularly under the pines on the trails through the banding area so at least
one should be in the area somewhere. This however is the time of the year
when N. Saw-whets are migrating north to the breeding areas.

Several Eastern Bluebirds were along the 1st line north of Hagersville this
afternoon. They were just west of the bridge over the railway line east of
No. 6 highway.

Selkirk P. P. is SW of the village of Selkirk off the Wheeler Rd.

John Miles
Jarvis, On
1-519-587-5223
miles@kwic.com

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

        I went over to the overlooks near Nichols Marina in Ft. Erie for
a brief look at the ducks.  This has been and is a most productive area
for sheer variety of ducks. The Common Loon and Harlequin Duck were not
here today,  but there were many others including about 15 White winged
Scoters, 1 immature or female Black Scoter, many Greater Scaup and Red
breasted Mergansers, and lesser numbers of Buffleheads, Common
Golden-eyes, and Common Mergansers.  And plenty of Red-necked Grebes,
about 40 or so. One first winter grebe was so close that it almost
challenged my close focus.

    However the main intent of my outing was to find a Long-eared owl.
After some looking, I saw a nice LONG-EARED OWL  in "active" posture
from the Grand River Trail at Rock Point Provincial Park. I got a good
long look, and left without spooking it.

    Looking for Saw-whets and Boreals (always the optimist) was a
different story. The brush, brambles, etc. are awful at Rock Point, and
negotiating through all this to seek out roosting owls was tedious at
best. As you may have guessed, no finds.  I mainly checked the spruces
behind (north and west) of the banding station, near the feeders. By the
time I checked the "plantation spruces" going towards the Woodlot
Trail, it was getting too dark.

    On the way back I saw a very tame (more likely a very cold) bluebird
perched  fully exposed to the howling frigid wind.   Although nature can
be cruel, I do not like seeing sweet little Bluebirds (nor
Yellow-breasted chats)  exposed to this type of weather.

 I noticed many  footprints at Rock Point - definitely an owler.  If you
are on this list--did you find anything?

Lewis Crowell
ltcjac@attglobal.net

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

For the past several days a Tufted Titmouse has been vocal in Selkirk P. P.
doing it's spring Peter, Peter call. This call sounds like a "soft" cardinal
call and is often repeated about 4 times in a row. It can be heard for quite
a distance but usually only in the morning.

Great Horned Owls were calling sporatically in the park this afternoon even
with clear blue skies. At Stelco's Lake Erie Works at the entrance to their
administration offices off Riverside Rd. right over the road there is a
Great Horned Owl sitting on an old hawk's nest. This site should be occupied
until at least early May when the young should be really to leave the nest.

There is a good assortment of ducks and in good numbers tucked into the east
side of the Nanticoke Hydro plant. One of the few spots along Lake Erie
where open water can be found. An American Wigeon there this morning may be
an early arrival as nonehave been reported in this area since December.

Selkirk P. P. is located about 1 1/2 miles SW of the village of Selkirk off
the Wheeler Rd. in Haldimand County. The hydro plant is at the foot of Reg.
Rd. #55. The 200 metre smoke stacks can be seen for miles. The Stelco
property is just west of the village of Nanticoke.

John Miles
Jarvis, On.
1-519-587-5223
miles@kwic.com

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

The covey of Gray Partridge reported earlier on the 13th Conc. of Walpole
were back this morning. They were in the field opposite 911 no. 915. This is
just west of the Sandust Rd. (Reg. Rd. 18). The 13th runs west from Reg. Rd.
#20 at the western edge of Hagersville.
There were at least 26 Short-eared Owls on the 6th concession north of
Fisherville today. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are becoming very vocal in
Selkirk P. P. while White-breasted Nuthatches are doing their courting
calls.


John Miles
Jarvis, On
miles@kwic.com

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

This afternoon the N. Saw-whet Owl was one tree north of where it was found
last weekend on the east side of the pine plantation in the spruce west of
the long foot bridge.
Most of the species reported Saturday in Haldimand were present again on
Sunday although there was an adult Bald Eagle in the "eagle" tree.
A total of 8 Rough-legged Hawks were found by our group today, 4 dark phase
and 4 light phased. Saturday's gale force winds have opened up the waters of
Lake Erie more so since yesterday.
Selkirk P.P. is located Sw of the Village of Selkirk in Haldimand County.
Entrance is off the Wheeler Rd.Please do not block the south gate to the
park as people visit their trailers in the park and park staff occasionally
come into the park on weekends to work.


John Miles
Jarvis, On
1-519-587-5223
miles@kwic.com

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

Dear Fellow Birders

Did my own route with a few friends in the Fisherville area today and turned up 
many good birds, most similar to the OFO trip. At the Grand River we also had a 
Song Sparrow, quite tough to be seen on a day like today. Had two adult Bald 
Eagles at the open water at the eastern edge of the power plant (one of which 
was later seen at Selkirk) as well as a Great Blue Heron. There were not many 
Redtails at the chicken farm near Willowgrove, maybe two dozen. And at the open 
stream from the Steel Co. near the power plant there wasn't anything other than 
scaup and goldeneye. At Selkirk we had several A. Robins, 2 Long-eared Owls, 
and a Golden-crowned Kinglet. And at the raptor preserve there was at least one 
Rough-legged Hawk, 7+ Short-eared Owls, 6+ N. Harriers, and Horned Larks (must 
be spring). Also near Reg. Rd. 53 and Conc. 4 there were two 2nd year Bald 
Eagles flying together.

Directions: 
Chicken Farm - From Hwy 6 south of Caledonia turn left on 4th Line.
Power Plant and Steel Co. - Continue south on Hwy 6 to Reg. Rd. 55 and follow 
this south, at Rainham Rd make a left to the Steel Co. and a right to the power 
plant.
Selkirk - Continue east on Rainham Rd. then make a left at Wheeler Rd.
Raptor Preserve - South on Hwy 6 from Caledonia to Reg. Rd. 20 and make a left 
and then a right onto Reg. Rd. 53, then a left onto Conc. 6.

Mike Boyd
Guelph, Ontario
boydm@uoguelph.ca

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

Nearly 80 OFO'ers and friends assembled at the Cayuga High School this
morning and after car pooling 28 cars and vans departed at about 9:15 am
but not before a Cooper's Hawk did a fly by down the highway. Despite the
mainly sunny conditions there were nearly gale force winds blowing which made it
very bone chilling to be out of the cars too long. Many birds kept out of
sight and hunkered down making it very difficult birding.
At our first stop where there are very good feeders a fortunate few caught
sight of a female pheasant before it faded back into the underbrush. A
White-throated Sparrow was a little more co-operative.
Along the town line a Northern Shrike was in the bottom of a bush beside the
road but took off for parts unknown very quickly. Further down the road a
Northern Flicker flew into a woodlot and disappeared past a perched
Red-tail, one of many seen during the day. Many Red-tails were perched,
often low down on the leaward side of the woodlots out of the wind.
Along the 5th concession the group saw many Short-eared Owls, several
which were close enough for photo opportunities. However with the strong bone
chilling winds very little else was present and most birders retreated
back to the cars quickly.

The eagles were not to be seen near the power plant yet even with poor
lighting conditions 1000's of Common Mergansers were seen tuck in beside
the power plant dock.

Heading north we stopped below the dam at Caledonia where Common Goldeneye
and Buffleheads were in fairly close. Across the river was a Male Hooded
Merganser. Leaving Caledonia we took the backroads south and a fortunate
few caught a quick glimpse of a male Eastern Bluebird along the 3rd concession
that made a hasty retreat back into a woodlot never to be seen again.

Along the West River Road  just south of the Indiana Line a woodpecker was seen
to land  high up in a tree around 150 metres away where it remained. Through
the scopes the white patches  on the wings and a tint of red on the head
revealed an adult Red-headed Woodpecker.

The Am. Pipit could not be found along the Link Rd. but before turning off
the Rickert Rd. onto the Indian Line a light phase Rough-legged Hawk
cruised by the group. Back to the raptor preserve where the Short-eared Owls were
again observed and by now the Northern Harriers were out hunting. 3 were
noted including an adult male that even perched on the ground while our
second Rough-legged Hawk flew by.

We continued onwards to the eagle tree picking up our 4th Northern Harrier
for the day perched on the ground in a hay field. At the eagle tree an
immature Bald Eagle was perched for all to see. From here we broke up and
headed our separate ways after a tough birding day. The group was
fortunate to record  about 35 species for the day under very trying conditions.

John Miles
Jarvis, On
1-519-587-5223
miles@ kwic. com

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

This afternoon there was a covey of 10 Gray Partridge on an open field on
the south side of the 13th Conc. of Walpole just west of the Sandust Rd.
opposite 911 sign #915.
The 13th conc. goes west from Reg. Rd. # 20, (the Indian Line and the main
east-west street in Hagersville) at the west edge of Hagersville. The birds
are about a mile out of town .If you get west on #20 to where the Sandust
Rd. ends you have gone too far but can turn left south on the Sandust and
turn right at the first road.

John Miles
Jarvis, On
1-519-587-5223
miles@kwic.com

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

Today John Miles hosted the South Peel Naturalists' Club on their annual
outing to the area.
We started off with White throated Sparrow at a winter bander fried of
John's. He has had over a dozen White throats at his feeders this winter
along with White Crowned Sparrow and Eastern Towhee. We continued on with
Snow Buntings and Horned Larks along the back roads. At a traditional stop
for Short eared Owls we were happy to see two dozed of the birds. Jean Iron
digiscoped some pics which may show up on the OFO web site. During the day
we also had 4 Rough-legged Hawks in both light and dark phases, along with
several Red Tailed Hawks, Kestrels and two Northern Harriers. At the
Nanticoke Plant we had 3 Bald Eagles, two of which were adult birds. There
were also at least 15 Great Blue Herons on the rocks along the shore
line.Selkirk Provincial Park yielded Saw Whet and Long-eared Owls along with
Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Carolina Wren. Our last stop was Links Rd. for
the American Pipit and a dozen more Short-eared Owls. Not a bad birding day!

Donna Sheppard
dc.sheppard@3web.net

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

This afternoon there were at least 20 Short-eared Owls along the 6th
Concession north of Fisherville. Photographers are urged to stay on the road
and not go up people's lanes as took place today.
Also seen along the road near the raptor preserve were several Red-tailed
Hawks, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin and a Northern Shrike.
There was no sight of the American Pipit late in the afternoon that was
reported yesterday but 11 Short-eared Owls left the roost on the Link Rd.
Halimand Count is located south of Hamilton.

John Miles
Jarvis, On
1-519-587-5223
miles@kwic.com

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

We found at least 20 short-eared owls on the 6th concession north of
Fisherville between 5 and 6 p.m. today (Saturday). We didn't find any our
first time down the road but on the second go-around we stopped to ask the
people in a slow moving van coming towards us if they were also on an owl
prowl. They said yes but no owls and were heading home. Immediately as we
started to talk to them, all the owls flew out of the spruce trees right
beside our cars.  They continued to fly over the adjacent fields and
overhead for at least a half an hour. Three cars about 100 metres down the
road got to see this amazing display as well.

This all happened from the trees in front of a farm with a sign designating
it as Pine Row Farms.  It is just before the Raptor Preserve as you travel
west along the 6th concession.

Directions:  From the intersection of Main and Erie in Fisherville, follow
Erie St. N. to the 6th concession, the first road left after leaving
Fisherville. 

We wish all who go to see the birds the same awesome sight that we had!

Bob and Lynn Gapes
Burlington

P.S.
Be careful of drifted snow on the side roads and highways in the area. We
were missed by about a foot as a car coming towards us spun out on drifted
snow at an intersection. Just as lucky as our sighting!

blgapes 
blgapes@cogeco.ca

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

With the better part of Lake Erie now frozen over Bald Eagles are starting
to concentrate around the Nanticoke Power Plant.
The "eagle" tree east of the plant on the south side of Reg. Rd. # 3 had 4
eagles in it this afternoon. The last time the lake froze over upwards to a
dozen eagles were in this tree at once with twice that many over and around
the open water by the power plant.
The eagle tree is between the Sandust Rd. and the Nanticoke Power Generating
Plant in Haldimand County south of Hamilton.

John Miles
Jarvis, On. N0A 1J0
1-519-587-5223
miles@kwic.com

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

Hello Birders

 Today Sat., Jan..18, 2003 Stan Bajurny and I headed down to the Long Point
/ Fisherville area and I guess we kind of did a reverse of Geoff Carpenter,
et all's trip today. We started with the Gray Partridge and ended at the Owl
Sanctuary near Fisherville.

 After talking with Geoff and party at Old Cut Woods we went over to try and
find the Pine Warbler at the entrance to Long Point Provincial Park, no luck
but at the entrance area we found 1 female and 4 male Eastern Bluebirds, 1
Carolina Wren, and 2 Brown Creepers and overhead a Great Blue Heron. From
here it was off to the Owl Sanctuary area and that turned out to be a  very
productive move.

 A small aside maybe worth mentioning - Between the Yuiil Rd area and the
Long Point area (including both areas) we counted 204 Dark-eyed Juncos (as
if you could really count them accurately!!).

 In the Owl Sanctuary area on Concession 6 near Fisherville we counted over
one field west of the sanctuary 7 Northern Harriers ( at one time we had 5
Harriers and 1 Red-tailed hawk right in front of us, some as close as
100ft), including 2 males and 2 Red-tailed Hawks, this was as the light was
fading. East of the sanctuary as we waited for the light to get dimmer we
found 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 American Kestrels and 2 Red-tailed Hawks along
with a very fast and high jumping Virginia White-tailed Deer. At the
sanctuary itself we waited a short time and watched as 4 Short-eared Owls
bucked the usual Ontario wind and hunted at times very close. After this
display we decide to head for Hwy 20 and home but as we approached Hwy 20 at
Concession 6 I decided to play my Eastern Screech Owl tape. I played once
and immediately got a response and within 1 minute a Screech Owl was perched
on a limb softly calling not 20 ft from us. A pleasant end to a good outing.

DIRECTIONS

OWL SANCTUARY

  The Owl Sanctuary is on Haldimand Concession Rd 6 northeast of
Fisherville. From the centre of Hagersville drive southeast down County
(Regional) Rd 20 thru Nelles Corners to the  County (Regional) Rd 53, turn
right (south) and drive 2 roads down to Concession Rd 6, turn left (east) on
6 and drive about 1 1/2 to 2 km and you will see the sign on your right
telling you that this is the Owl Sanctuary. Best times of coarse are at dawn
and dusk.

LONG POINT PROVINCIAL PARK (FEE IN SEASON)
The Provincial Park at Long Point is southwest of Hamilton, directly south
of Port Rowan. To reach it you can drive south on Hwy 6 from Hamilton,
passing through Hagersville and turning right, west in Jarvis onto Hwy 3,
drive to Simcoe and turn left, south on Hwy 24 and follow this to Hwy 59,
( it curves to the west south of town) turn left, south on Hwy 59 and drive
right down about 8 km and past the golf coarse and you will be on the
causeway.

Drive on across the bridge and continue past the marina on your left. The
road comes to Lake Erie where it curves to the left through the cottage /
retail business area. Continue driving along this road passing Old Cut Road
and you will come to the park entrance.

The park is closed for the season so park here being sure not to block road.

 Just before you get to this park and only about 500 yards back is Old Cut
Rd and a couple of hundred yards down this road is Old Cut Woods on your
right.

NOTE: Be sure to lock your car and put your valuables out of sight).


Norm Murr
NORMURR@SYMPATICO.CA

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

Terrie Smith, Anne Anthony, Peter Hogenbirk, Tony Bigg and I did another
marathon day ...

Highlights:

Short-eared Owl - 2 at Fisherville at dawn flying over the fields + 4
Rough-legged Hawks and 2 Northern harriers - Conc 6 near Fisherville

Gray Partridge  - 6 at Yuill Rd and Charlotteville Road + 4 Eastern
Bluebirds - Hwy 3 to Charlotteville Rd 10 then when you hit Yuill Rd turn
right to the next road Charlotteville Rd 11. - thx to SB & NM

Pine Warbler at Old Cut, Long Point - just west of the entrance to Long
Point Prov. Park

Tufted Titmouse, Northern Shrike + Red-bellied Woodp. at Walsingham A -
first road north of the causeway when coming out of Long Point on Hwy 59

White-crowned Sparrow - 4 at Walsh - somewhere north of Simcoe ????

Gray Catbird at Hendrie Valley - Hwy 6 north off the 403 to Plains Rd - east
to bridge and then first parking past this park and walk down to the
boardwalk.

Geoff Carpentier
Ajax, Ont.
geoffcarpentier@rogers.com

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

    Birder's,
Mike and I birded the Long Point area and came up with some neat stuff.
Our highlights are as follows;
    - 6 Gray Partridges in the Lynedoch area, these birds were very
close to the road allowing great looks - reported earlier by George Pond

    - 2 White-crowned Sparrow's at a feeder in the vicintity of the
GRPA, and 1 at Old Cut
    - 10 Eastern Bluebirds also close to where the Partridges were
    - 1 Carolina Wren at Old Cut
    - 3 Field Sparrow's at Old Cut along fence bordering the Lighthouse
property
    - 1 Chipping Sparrow with the Field Sparrow's
    - 1 male Pine Warbler at Old Cut near the boat house
    - 32 Sandhill Cranes west of Port Royal along hwy. 42 close to Lee
Borwn's
    - ~20 Rusty Blackbirds at Turkey Point right along main road
    - Red-winged Blackbirds, 5 @ Turkey Pt., ~10 between Port Rowan and
Turkey Point
    - ~15 Brown-headed Cowbirds with Rusties
    Also while we were at Old Cut we found an immature Cooper's Hawk
dead on the forest floor, it seemed to be fairly fresh. We speculated
that it had starved to death as the crop was totally empty. We dropped
the bird off at the Old Cut house.

Good Birding,
Kenny Burrell
Heidelberg, Ont.

Directions: to Gray Partridges (from George Pond), from Simcoe go west
on No. 3 Highway to the Turkey Point Road which is Regional 10-Turn
south for 1 concession [Charlotteville 11 road ]-Turn west to next road
[ Yuill Road ] birds were in the north east field.
to Old Cut: follow hwy. 59 to Long Point turn right onto Old Cut Blvd.

The Burrells 
burrellsc@golden.net

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This page was created: Thursday, December 11, 1997
Last Updated: July 31, 2004 09:48:25