Red Bellied Woodpecker - Tue, 24 Oct 2000

I have had a male red Bellied Woodpecker at my feeder for the past week. I have been feeding birds for a long time and this is a first for me. I live in Wingham, Ont.

Bob Campbell
bcampbell@scsinternet.com

Buff-breasted Sandpiper ... - Fri, 1 Sep 2000

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

Unusual sighting of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper this afternoon (1st Sept) in Point Farms Prov Park about 5km north of Goderich on Hy 21. It was feeding/roosting/walking about on a stony spit in the park beside Lake Huron. I observed it for about a half hour. It seemed to be eating white bugs as its beak probed the muddy stony shore among some weeds.

In the park go right to the end of the day picnic area large parking lot - the most southerly. Park and walk towards the beach - 50 meters. The 'spit' should be right in front of you. An employee was using a tractor all afternoon 'cleaning' up the beach but that did not bother the BBSA who was in the company of a Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, 10 Killdeer and about 100 gulls.

On the way home I saw a Great Egret on the Maitland river in the village of Auburn on Hy 25 about 20 Km in from Goderich.

Good luck,

Antonio
----------------------------------------------
Antonio (Toni) Salvadori
17 Colborn Street, Guelph, Ont, Canada N1G 2M4
(519) 821-2257 
rosella@snowhite.cis.uoguelph.ca

Interested in African Birds? Why not join the African Bird Club? 
As Canadian representative I would be delighted to e-mail you 
any information about the club or visit our web site at 
http://www.africanbirdclub.org

yellow-headed blackbird at Grand Bend S.L. today, June 7 - Wed, 7 Jun 2000

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

I went to check out the yellow-headed blackbird today, reported earlier, and it is still present. Three of us saw and heard it this morning. It is in the second pond, about 3/4 way up the far side as you enter the area. There is a large patch of reeds there and some fragmites, and it was easily seen. It does not appear to be bothered by people, and we had excellent views. Then we noticed a nest with young in, very close to the side of the pond, no Redwings were guarding it, so we wondered if perhaps it could belong to the Yellow-headed. We did not see a female yellow-headed. It was the only bird hanging around, though there were Redwings moving in the area. Also at the lagoons of interest to those who try to list birds for every month, were Tundra Swan,(1), Ruddy, Wood, (with babies), Shoveller, Blue wing teal, Canvas back, Pied-billed Grebe and Coot. Several Spotted Sandpipers, and a dozen Sanderlings, running on the edge of the 4th pool. Lots of Mallards and Canadas with many young too of course. The Grand Bend lagoons are on Stephen #22 or Morden road, about 2km. from #81 (now Grand Bend rd.) and about 2-3 kms. south from #21. A WESTERN Meadowlark was heard on Sunday in the vicinity of the Killally Bar, which is on Highbury, north of Kilally Road. Note Highbury is closed for construction from #401 to Bradley, so can't enter London that way. Use Airport Rd. from east, Wellington from west. Then use Commissioners to get to Highbury, and go north nearly to #22. Road is to be closed several weeks.

Ann

Ann White
London Ontario Canada
dwhite@odyssey.on.ca

American Bitterns in Huron County - Mon, 8 May 2000

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

Had a great sighting at Hullett Wildlife Area the evening of May 6. Around 8:30PM as we were about to leave, my wife asked me if I was seeing the large birds in front of our vehicle. I swung my binocs around to catch a very close look at a pair of AMERICAN BITTERNS as they flew in to land in the meadow to our right. They proceeded to pull their "acting like grass" routine for the next 45 minutes until it got too dark to see. I haven't been back to see if these birds are around but if anyone would like specific directions, please email me privately.

Also seen in Hullett were BOBOLINK, EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, NORTHERN BOBWHITE, YELLOW WARBLERS as well as the more common species. Heard but not seen were COMMON NIGHTHAWKS.

Hullett Wildlife Area is located 1 hour north of London or 20 minutes east of Goderich. At the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 8 in Clinton, turn east onto Highway 8 and take the first sideroad left. Turn right at the next sideroad and proceed about 2 miles East to the Management Office on the left where a map of the area can be obtained.

Fair warning that Hullett is open to hunters at all times but is generally quiet in the springtime.

 
latour@tcc.on.ca
Tony Latour
Box 981
Clinton, Ontario
N0M 1L0
(519) 482-1309