Olive-sided Flycatcher in northern Peterboro County - May 6, 2002

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

This morning (May 5) Colin Jones, Rich Russell and myself  observed an early
Olive-sided Flycatcher near Tallan Lake north of the village of Apsley. We
were surprised by its presence as this seems to be an earlier than usual
arrival date for the province.

In comparision to what was seen today along the Great Lakes the area had
lots of territorial Nashville, Black-and-white, Yellow-rumped Warblers,
Northern Waterthrushes and a smattering of Black-throated Green and
Ovenbird. We also had Least Flycatchers.

Peter Burke
13 McKenzie Ave.
London, ON  N6C 1V1
Canada
peter.burke2@sympatico.ca

Osprey - April 18, 2002

Gord one thing to pass on that I forgot on my last email. If anyone wishing
to see active nesting Osprey can go east on Road 10 off HWY 28 in the town
of Baileboro north of Port Hope. There are two large nests on telephone
polls and each has a nesting pair. I observed them on wednesday and took
several photos I will email them to you when they are developed. I would
recommend this to anyone not having watched these majestic giants
communicate with each other and other pairs that seemed to fly  by. 5 pairs
in all.

Peter Darcy
peterdarcy1@rogers.com

Common Redpolls - Tue, 5 Mar 2002

   
Hi Gord:
 
We feed black sunflower and niger seeds to a variety of winter birds at our farm
20 km east of Peterborough, Ontario.  This morning I was distressed to find 8 dead 
Common Redpolls under the niger feeder. I found two more - barely alive.  I've ruled 
out contaminated seed because the fatalities are type specific.
 
Have you heard from anyone else about this?  Any ideas as to cause?
 
Bill Hooper
bill.hooper@sympatico.ca

I believe that the cause is related to a virus that targets specific species, such as Redpolls, and House Finches. I would take down the feeders and remove the seed and disinffect the feeders. Be careful handing the feeders, use latex gloves. I can't remember the name of the vius at this time, but it is highly contagious and lethal between specif birds and likely not to kind to other willdlife, including humans.

This is just a precaution, and steps to preventing it from spreading. I know that it was a problem in the Toronto area last year.

Gord Gallant
gord@web-nat.com