Recent Ontario Birding Reports

Sudbury Ornithological Society Diary
Sunday January 25, 2004

Much of the week was very cold with averages about minus 18 during the day, minus 25 to 30 at night. Today was no exception. Beautiful, blue clear sky, lack of wind (thankfully) and cold temperatures for our adventure. A rendezvous had been planned with the Nipissing Naturallist's Club. They are some hours of driving, away from Sudbury but wished to see a Gyrfalcon , (one of two) which have been regular (somewhat, as we shall read) in the area since December. Promises were made. I was invited along to meet the group at Tims' at 10:30. I did a quick drive to the mall, sister-in-laws' and Kelley lake before arriving at Tims'. Driving our usual route we noted a large bird up ahead, not quite all black from a distance; our first clue. My son and I found the large raven-sized gyrfalcon sitting on a green telephone pole , watching the open areas of Junction Creek for ducks. It was the large dirty-grey mottled female we had seen several times before. Cere appeared bluish. Time was 9:30. We did not stop close to the bird for fear of scaring it off and drove to the donut shop to let the others know it was there when they arrived.

At almost exactly 10:30 (very punctual, those Naturalists) a group of eight arrived from North Bay. Dick, Cal, Angela and the others had arrived.The Sudbury group of John, Chris, Charlie, Chris and Greg were already there. After a quick coffee we trecked off in caravan to see the bird.

While driving there Chris spotted a Northern Shrike perched atop a poplar tree and some of us got a quick look before the bird took off. Later , another adult shrike would be seen near Kelley lake. We drove to our destination. Sure enough, the falcon had flown the coop and was not seen on the pole it had been on , one hour earlier. Some people remarked that at least a few points should be assigned to those who looked at the pole.(joke)

Careful scanning of the distant hills, silo and trees revealed no falcon in sight. We all walked down to the stream and split into two groups. At the mouth of Junction creek there were eight over wintering trumpeter swans. John brought some corn for them. At the other end of the creek we were privileged to watch the antics of a river otter (freshwater seal) and a few photos were taken. In typical otter fashion, its curiousity brought it to within a few feet of some of us. The more serious birders treked on. At the bend in the stream we found mallards (day total 100), American black duck (day total 30), two green-winged teal, and a common goldeneye which "whistled" over us a couple of times. An over wintering American coot was spotted and birders got a good view of the white sheath on the bill. Flushed ducks did not stimulate the gyr to move from where ever it had gone.

Lunch followed at a local restaurant where the placing of some twelve people at one table during rush hour proved a challenge. The waitress was very understanding, particularly about milk shakes, cold rye bread and blocked passage ways.

Although the target species was not seen by most, the adventure did prove rewarding to the participants. A brisk walk, some good birding, great conversation and mammalian displays were great fun.
Later in the day the following birds were seen:
Snow bunting (20) feeder, Lively
White-breasted nuthatch (m) "
Black-capped chickadee (4)"
Downy woodpecker (2) "
Hairy woodpecker (2)"
Common raven (8) paired, terretorial displays, interactions
American crow (1) cold

Writer:
Chris Blomme

C.Blomme
cblomme@nickel.laurentian.ca

While common in the Algoma and Manitoulin Districts, the Sharp-tailed Grouse is rare in The Sudbury Distict with only three sightings prior to 2003. In March 2003 Erwin Meissner found two birds near Walford and he relocated them on February 12th this year. Joan & I went to look for them on the 13th and had good, close-up views of five or six birds. Joan took a photo. They were walking in the snow and feeding in small red pines. Erwin watched them picking buds in poplar trees. Fom Highway 17 at Walford turn north on to Sugar Lake Road. After a few hundred metres, after passing a gravel pit, turn right on Lees Road and start looking for the birds. This is a short dead-end road and we found the birds about half-way along. Other birds seen were Pine Grosbeaks at a River Road feeder and Common Redpolls.

Erwin found a Hawk Owl on the 12th but we could not find it in the blowing snow on the 13th. The Hawk Owl was on a utilities pole at the intersection of the Birch Lake Road and Fraser Road. The Birch Lake Road goes from Hwy 17 west of Webbwood to Hwy 17 east of Massey and is north of Hwy 17. The Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers seen along this road have not been reported for a few days.

Remember the SOS meeting at Marymount on Monday, 16th.

Chris Bell
cbell@isys.ca

February 17, 2004

The Sudbury Ornithological Society had their February meeting last night. Observations were reported by the members. To date, no Bohemian waxwings have been seen in Sudbury but several were reported by C.Bell on Manitoulin Island, and we may expect some sitings soon. The grey gyrfalcon was seen on a regular basis. Last week it was observed cruising casually along a rock face when it came upon a raven on the ground. It dropped on the raven from several feet and gave the raven , the "scare" of its life, before lifting off again. The raven left in a "huff" and the falcon continued its cruise. Many times the gyr has been harassed by ravens as it attempts to hunt the mallards down below, so this appeared to be poetic justice. Snow buntings were reported in small flocks at several feeders. White and red-breasted nuthatches, and black-capped chickadees were seen at the feeders. Good numbers of both hairy and downy woodpeckers are seen at the feeders. Rodney reported at least five separate northern shrike sitings.

Three toed woodpeckers of both varieties were observed this month (black-backed and three-toed). A pileated woodpecker comes to Monica's feeder in the city of Sudbury. The varied thrush of Wahnapitae has not been seen since the end of December, last.

Overwintering trumpeter swans (8), mallards, American black duck, two green-winged teal and an American coot were seen. A report of a weakened American woodcock came for Manitoulin Island.

writen by C.Blomme

C.Blomme
cblomme@nickel.laurentian.ca

March 29 and 30, 2004

A barred owl was stirred from it's roost at Laurentian University and pursued by a group of crows. The bird landed in a pine about a third of the way down and spent much of the day there. In the evening ring-necked ducks (8), hooded mergansers (10), a single trumpeter swan and many Canada geese were seen at Fielding park. An American woodcock was calling at sunset.

Red-winged blackbirds, common grackles and European starlings are on territory and at nest sites. Golden-crowned kinglets were seen this morning. Great blue heron in pristine breeding plummage was perched along a river bank as the high pitched call of a northern shrike was made from a tree top, above it.

Canada geese are arriving in larger numbers (100 this morning) and the flats region at Kelley lake is flooded and visited by mallards and American Black ducks.

Two snow buntings still come to the feeder occasionally, and the hairy and downy woodpeckers have been paired for awhile. Laura Cook reports the first Tortoiseshell of the year. Rubarb is starting and some of my bulbs.

Chris Blomme
cblomme@nickel.laurentian.ca

April 13, 2004
Dear birders and Gord,

This is a reminder  that the Kelley Lake field trip is tomorrow evening
for the Sudbury Ornithological Society.
This mourning at Kelley Lake there were the following:
Double-crested cormorant (1)
Canada goose (100)
Gadwall (4) Paired
American wigeon (6) paired
American black duck (30)
Mallard (30)
Northern Pintail (4)
Ring-necked duck (40)
Lesser scaup (10)
Bufflehead (10)
Common goldeneye (40)
Hooded merganser (4)
Common merganser (10)
Ring-billed gull (one host)
Herring gull (one host)
Monica bring your rubber boots.

Yesterday the bald eagle was out on the ice, hiding in plain site.
Saturday there were:
Turkey vulture, Osprey, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, and a
melanistic rough-legged hawk in the Lively/Whitefish area.

Crows are having aggressive, terretorial fights. Jennifer and Tom
witnessed two entangled birds land in traffic , near the General
hospital. Their outcome was uncertain , though they were close to
emerge.
Small passerines include: fox sparrow, American tree sparrow (in large
numbers) , song sparrow, common redpoll, pine siskin and an American
goldfinch.

Common grackle, red-winged blackbirds and American robins are back in
force. Ice is still predominantly out on the regional lakes with open
water at river inflows and outflows. Average freezing temperatures at
night (around -4 to -6C) are keeping many of the frogs quiet still.

C.Blomme
cblomme@nickel.laurentian.ca

Burwash Burn 
160 hectacres of old Burwash grassland was burned on the 14th and 15th.
to revitalize the substrate.On Sunday April 18, a field trip produced a
number of new migrants.

Common loon (1) at the Lake even though it was only 20% free of ice
Great blue heron (5) majestic breeding plumage, Burwash
American bittern (1) booming in the cattail marsh near the RR
(unburned)
Turkey Vulture (1)
Canada goose (40) at Ducks Unlimited Pond at Burwash
Wood duck (5) at Ducks Unlimited Pond
Mallard (lots) at Ducks Unlimited Pond
Green-winged teal (5) at Ducks Unlimited Pond
Ring-necked duck ( 10) at Ducks unlimited Pond
Bufflehead (8)
Hooded merganser (4)
Common merganser (6)
Northern harrier (2)
Sharp-shinned hawk (m) Lively after Am.Tree sparrow, intervention by
daughter and hawk must soar again sans sparrow
Rough-legged hawk (1) over the burn area
American kestrel (4) paired birds
Killdeer (4) Burwash
Greater yellowlegs (15) Burwash 
Common snipe (8) Burwash
Northern Flicker (6) first real appearance, this weekend, Burwash
Eastern Phoebe (1) Lively
American crow (20) Burwash
Common raven (4) two nesting sites, birds on nests
Tree swallow (10) Kelley lake at nest boxes
Hermit thrush (1) night time interlude, Lively
American robin (20) Burwash, working the burn area
European Starling (30) Burwash
American pipit (25) Burwash
American tree sparrow (10) Lively
Lapland longspur (1) Burwash
Red-winged blackbird (20) Burwash with the fellows below
Rusty blackbird (40) small flocks with other blackbirds, Burwash
Common grackle (10) Burwash
Brown-headed cowbird (8) Lively
Pine siskin (1) Lively

C.Blomme
cblomme@nickel.laurentian.ca

Cloudy and sporadic precipitation followed by a  torrential rain one
half hour before our 6:00 redezvous suggested the SOS field trip would
be limiting. Our policy is always that we never cancel. As it turned
out, the rain let up to a stop for most of our Azilda, Whitewater Lake,
Chelmsford field and lagoon visitations. An excellent turnout of twelve
brave hearts ranging in age from two young eight year old enthusiasts to
a ninety plus year old pro challenged the weather. As is often the case,
"fowl" weather followed by a break can lead to some interesting and
picturesque observations. Our visit to Whitewater Lake and Centennial
Park  led to our first ruby-crowned kinglet, yellow-bellied sapsucker
and belted kingfisher. A mist over the lake made tantalizing
observations on the mystery juvenile gull on the distant ice and the
vanishing diver as they fished for their meals. A raven on a large stick
nest in an exposed deciduous tree was a treat. Rusty blackbirds (50),
white-throated sparrow (1), swamp sparrow (1) , greater yellowlegs (18),
lesser yellowlegs (2), killdeer (1), a flighty kestrel for Eric, and a
northern harrier were all observed. The little girl saw a loon through
her glasses and said that bird watching was ok.
A close up view of some courting common goldeneye (apparently we cannot
say whistler unless we meet some other criteria) gave a commical
interpretation of what the ducks were doing. Head bobbing and slinging
those heads backwards, was watched by many. No privacy these days. 
 Anatids (ducks and geese) at the Chelmsford lagoon included: Canada
goose (40), blue-winged teal (m), green-winged teal (m), American wigeon
(2), wood duck (1), buffleheads (10), ring-necked ducks (20), lesser
scaup (6), common mergansers, and mallards.

As it got considerably darker we went to the road near the Azilda dump
to see if we could hear the barred owl known in this area , from times
past. A good long wait through the cacophony of wood frogs and spring
peepers resulted in the identification of a common snipe (Pat) and the
display antics of several American woodcock. The troop decided to move
for home,but the last car decided to play an owl tape from the dash. The
tape played its Bubo calls. Silence reined for five minutes. It was
getting wetter and cooler.  The driver got in the car , ready to leave,
the passenger  got in the car ready to leave but the window was open.
Suddenly the call notes of something interesting responded three or four
times. We got out quickly. No more calls. Were we hearing things? We
played the tape again. Waited fiive minutes, then there it was.
Distinctive, clear, repetitive calls of a northern saw-whet owl, very
close to our car. It must have been hunting for frogs in the area. We
decided to try just down the road for the barred owl , near the dump
entrance. We played the tape , and waited. Five minutes, six minutes
then flash Chris saw a barred owl fly from the woods and over the car. A
few seconds transpired then, flash the other Chris saw the bird move
down the road away from the car. Traffic was interferring. We moved off
for the night. For us, very satisfying.

Chris Blomme
cblomme@nickel.laurentian.ca

SOS Diary, Massey field trip : Saturday  May 1, 2004
The day began  not too cold, but bleak, overcast, and rainy . A
struggle to get out of the house but inclement weather often brings out
the most interesting of observations. Three of us drove out to
rendezvous with members of the Sudbury Ornithological Society, members
of  Massey and members of the Espanola community. We arrived at the
restaurant in Massey an hour later and  met Joan , Chris, Charlie and
Rodney for a quick coffee and breakfast. At  8:31 (blamed for being a
minute late)  arrived at the corner in Massey to meet other members for
the day's adventure. Some introductions and car pooling, then off we
went to the Centennial Park area. A ruffed grouse scurried across our
path in the mature deciduous tract. At the park itself , the Sauble
river flows by. From the far bank a distant cry and there was a merlin
high in the tree top. It looked like territorial interests were at hand.
A single yellow-rumped warbler called and John pointed out a calling
ruby-crowned kinglet. A pair of common mergansers swam up the river.
Rodney suggested Greg should tap on the trunk of a dead tree with an
interesting hollow. No head popped out.
	Into the cars and off to the farm country we went. Sandhill
cranes were about in a number of fields. Perhaps as many as two hundred
birds were eventually seen. The first field had forty five. Some birds
flew in and called. A short display was seen. Savannah sparrow came
close to two of the cars for a good look. Suddenly a small passerine
with a slow flicking tail and a tinge of yellow came into the roadside
shrubbery. A rusty red-brown cap, striped sides, yellow face and chest
were present. Our first male palm warbler presented itself to us.
American kestrel on the distant line and a northern harrier worked the
open fields. Canada geese, mallards and of course the ring-billed gulls
were in the open areas.
	A stop at one of the farms introduced us to the three sized dogs
present and a young lamb. In the lilac  bushes four species of sparrow
perched for Carol to get a view. White-crowned sparrow, white-throated
sparrow, song sparrow and American tree sparrow were there. Eastern
phoebe began their nesting in the usual area of the shed as Charlie
pointed this out. Barn swallows flew by and a couple of tree swallows
were there. A shorebird cried from a very wet, black field next to the
house. We searched for several minutes before Rodney found the pair of
killdeer, a bird that is getting scarce here. A large horse came to
greet us as the three sized dogs: one white, one black and one noodle,
saw something in the woods and ran off.
	At one stop while watching some cranes a small flock of
passerines dropped into the corn stubble and blended into the earth.
Some of us rested our binoculars against the fence posts and began the
search. Eventually six horned larks were found. Their movements were
casually given. A lone bird with a beautiful red-brown nape, striped
body and black face kept dipping into a trough and out of site. Close
enough for a good look at the breeding plumage of the Lapland longspur
was noted.
	At other stops we saw Eastern meadowlark singing and displaying,
greater yellowlegs, one flock of eleven killdeer, broad-winged hawks,
red-tailed hawk, a mystery brown thrasher, belted kingfishers, pileated
woodpeckers (and an interesting tree), and rock pigeons.
	Lunch was picnic style at the Blue Heron Lodge. A great place to
rent a lodge by the river for a weekend vacation Wayne and his wife
provided us with scrumptious deserts and coffee. The weather had warmed
up considerably, though it was still overcast. We met the new Chihuahua
carefully bundled as a mature bald eagle was seen in a distant tree. The
little black dog favoured its hind leg as it got morsels of food. Osprey
flew down the river and a flock of 20 Double-crested cormorants were
working the current. Evening grosbeaks were heard and pileated
woodpecker as well. 
We then drove to the Spanish harbour (Algoma District) to find the
ducks and swans described by Dave. From the high vantage point some 45
(or was it 46), tundra swans were seen in the river mouth, feeding with
a variety of ducks. No less than three bald eagles were feeding on fish,
begging for fish or looking for fish. A large group (troop?) of
double-crested cormorants were seen, one hundred or so birds. At the
lagoons lesser scaup, ring-necked ducks, blue-winged teal and wood ducks
(30) were present. A lone pied-billed grebe, American coot and male
ruddy duck were found. Yellow-rumped warblers, pine warblers (2), and
palm warblers (4) were working the banks for insects.
 The day was winding down for the members. Three cars left to check for
sharp-tailed grouse at a known location. Nothing was to be seen here. A
quick stop at the Webwood  lagoon (back in Sudbury District). A white
domestic goose, buffleheads (25) and a few ring-necked ducks were seen.
A phone call later in the day from John told me that Joan and Chris had
found the bird of the day in the same community of Webwood. They had
decided  to check a few feeders in the small community. At one place
they found a small passerine with a chestnut wing patch, black bib and
house sparrow- like demeaner.  Dickcissel, possibly Sudbury's second
record  for the species.

C.Blomme
cblomme@nickel.laurentian.ca

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