Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks - May 12, 2002

We had two male rose-breasted grosbeaks at our feeder at dinner time tonight (Mothers Day). Our youngest daughter ran for the Field Guide before they flew off otherwise we may have not known what they were. We have lived here for 26 years and it is the first time we have ever seen them.

Don Taylor
Cambridge
donet@rogers.com

Northern Waterthrush + Nashville Warbler - May 5, 2002

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

Northern Waterthrush, Nashville Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, White throat
sparrows, and ruby-crowned kinglets were observed this a.m. at Taylor's
Woods.

Taylor's Woods is a private property located at 1016 Wilson Ave., Kitchener
close to Homer Watson Park.  This property is accessed by a private drive
between the Devtek plant and the Bell Depot yard.   It overlooks the Grand
River.  Tel. (519) 893-6469

Neil E. Taylor
tntcomm@sentex.net

Chimney Swifts - Guelph - April 20, 2002

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

Dear Fellow Birders

Today in downtown Guelph there were two Chimney Swifts flying about around 
dusk, the first I have seen this season. Also present were 6-10 Rough-winged 
Swallows near the Speed River and Gordon St, and at the Arboretum there was a 
Hermit Thrush, but also more interesting was the first Dragonfly I have seen 
this season.

Directions: From the 401 exit at Hwy 6 south/Brock Rd (299), and go north. For 
the arboretum turn right at College St and then right on east ring road then 
there should be signs pointing you towards the arboretum. For downtown Guelph 
continue north on Gordon and when you hit Quebec St, turn right.

Mike Boyd
Guelph, Ontario
Mike Boyd 
boydm@uoguelph.ca

Coopers Hawk - April 13, 2002

Friday evening, April 12th between 6:30 and 7:00pm a Coopers Hawk killed and ate what we suspect was a mourning dove in our back yard. It consumed it while sitting on our fence.
It was fascinating to watch it and be able to see it wipe its' beak on the fence and our tree before it flew away.
This is the third year in a row that we have seen one in our backyard and always with a kill.
We do have bird feeders and several mourning doves feed here every day. 
The sightings have always been when there are no leaves on our trees.
We live in a subdivision just south of the 401 in Cambridge at the Highway 8 exit (Waterloo region).

Don Taylor
donet@rogers.com

Pine Warbler in Heidelberg - April 11, 2002

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

Ontbirders,

We had oiur first Pine Warbler of the year arrive in our yard in
Heidelberg (just north of Waterloo) today.  We also had a Ruby-crowned
Kinglet in the yard.  In a small woodlot on the north edge of town there
are several Winter Wrens, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creepers and
our first White-throated and Field Sparrows.

Heidelberg can be reached by taking Hwy. 86 north from Waterloo to King
St.  Follow King St. a short distance towards St. Jacobs and turn left
(west) onto Lobsinger Line.  This takes you into Heidelberg (don't blink
or you'll miss it) our house is the second on the left on Arthur Rd.
(last Rd. off of Lobsinger before Heidelberg ends, right turn).

Good Birding.
Mike Burrell
Heidelberg, Ont.
burrellsc@golden.net

Vesper Sparrow - University of Guelph - April 11, 2002

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

Dear Fellow Birders

I figured I would post this sighting since I don't believe I have seen any 
others reported so far this spring. I spotted a VESPER SPARROW on the western 
side of the Ontario Vetrinary College on the far side of the parking lots 
there, around 5pm today.

Directions: Exit the 401 at Brock Rd/Hwy 6 south (299) and follow this north 
all the way into Guelph, then turn left at College St, and make a left at end 
of the OVC building and then turn right into the parking lots and it was seen 
on the far side.

Mike Boyd
boydm@uoguelph.ca

Bohemian Waxwings still in Guelph today - April 10, 2002

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

35 Bohemian waxiwings were still present at 8:45 a.m. directly behind the
Nature Centre at the Arboreteum.  They flew while we were there and we were
not able to relocate however there are still plenty of juniper berries left
here and they will probably return.

We also saw a fox sparrow singing in the same area.

Directions: from Gordon St at the university turn right on College Ave. and
follow signs for the arboretum. You can drive to the nature centre.  You can
also park in the parking lot for the Arboreteum Centre and follow the signs
for the nature centre.  The garden behind it (Gosling Garden??) is where we
located them.

Good Birding

Cheryl Edgecombe
Thomas Crooks
cheryle29@cogeco.ca

bald eagle in cambridge/waterloo region - Wed, 16 Jan 2002

   
a bald eagle has been seen several times in 
the riverbluffs park area in cambridge heading south.
last winter there were two birds but so far i've only
sighted one. they cruise the river looking for dinner
and totally ignore the mobbing crows.

Larry Shepley
shep70@rogers.com