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ONTBIRDS for Saturday, May 31, 2008
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Subject: [Ontbirds] Carden Alvar at Kirkfield - Red-headed
Woodpecker, Rails, Wrens and other goodies
From: "Norman Murr" <normurr(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 31 May 2008 5:07am
Good morning
Yesterday ( Fri., May 30th ) Ian Cannell and I went up for a shortened day in
the Carden Alvar area and despite not going up for the dawn chorus and being
ultimately rained out we did find 88 species of birds and for the last hour or
so we were graced with the very good company of Sheila and Naish McHugh.
Common Loon, American Bittern, Wood Duck, Ospreys on nests, Northern Harrier,
Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey ( in 3 locations ), Virginia Rail, Sora, Sandhill
Crane, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Black-billed Cuckoo, R-T Hummingbird,
Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker ( south end of Shrike Road ), Pileated
Woodpecker ( tapping on a tin roof just north of the Sedge Wren Marsh ), E.
Wood-Pewee, Willow, Least and Great Crested Flycatchers, many E. Kingbirds,
Common Raven, House, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, lots of Eastern Bluebirds, Veery,
Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, 14 Warbler species
including, Golden-winged, Blackburnian and Canada Warblers, Eastern Towhee,
Clay-colored, Field, Vesper, and Grasshopper Sparrows, and tons of E.
Meadowlarks and Bobolinks and some more common birds such as Savannah Sparrow,
Indigo Bunting and Baltimore Oriole..
Another nice trip up there despite the rain but at least we did get home early
this time.
Directions:-
CARDEN ALVAR INCLUDING WYLIE ROAD / THE SEDGE WREN MARSH / PROSPECT ROAD
Wylie Road is north of Kirkfield in Victoria County and Kirkfield itself is on
County Road 48 east of Highway 12 and well north of Whitby and about 130 km from
Toronto if you follow the roads and not a Crow.
>From the centre of Kirkfield go north on County Road 6 passing under the Lift
Lock on the Trent Canal and drive about 2 ½ km further north to where the road
curves left or west. On this curve and on your right is McNamee Rd, turn right
here onto McNamee and drive east for about 300 yards and you will be at Wylie
Road. This road is about 9 ½ km long ending at Alvar Rd (a T intersection).
Birding can be good on this road as well, either way.
The Sedge Wren Marsh is about 5 ½ km up Wylie Road, you can’t miss it as it has
the only bridge along the road. Park just to the south of and overlooking the
bridge and walk the road. Birding is good all along the road and I find that the
best birding happens when you park and walk both ways a km or 2 from your auto.
This is a narrow road with little traffic but be sure to park in such a way as
to not block the road as you don’t want to rile up the locals. This is all
private property but there really is no need to leave the road.
Other roads to check in the area are Shrike, Curl’s, Dalrymple, and Eldon
Station Roads.
PS
You may also want to drive down Rockview Rd just west of Kirkfield on your right
along County Rd 48. Past the dump road (on your right) you will come to a wet
wood lot that straddles the road. This is a great place for N. Waterthrush. We
heard and saw 7 there on May 5/01 and May 4/02. Also along here you should find
Upland Sandpiper and Grasshopper Sparrow.
Continue south to Eldon Station Rd (the next road) turn right (west) and drive
to Prospect Rd. Turn right (north) and drive up to a large marsh. Here you
should find many Marsh Wrens along with Sora and Virginia Rail, A. Bittern and
Green Heron and watch for Osprey, N. Harrier and T. Vulture. If you continue
north on this road you will come upon another small marsh and pond just short of
County Rd 48. Of coarse most of the roads in this and the Wylie Rd area can be
very productive and it is not a stretch saying you could spend a whole day in
the area, I have.
PPS
Wylie Rd south of the Sedge Wren Marsh is good for Upland Sandpiper, Vesper and
Grasshopper Sparrow and lots of E. Bluebirds. North of the marsh are the same
birds and near the north end of the road watch and listen for Purple Finch,
Golden-winged Warbler and Clay-colored Sparrow.
Norm Murr
Richmond Hill, ON
"Sils mordent, mords les"
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Carden Alvar at Kirkfield
From: "Norman Murr" <normurr(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 31 May 2008 5:24am
OOPS !!
And Loggerhead Shrike.
Norm Murr
Richmond Hill, ON
"Sils mordent, mords les"
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [Ontbirds] Capspian Tern, Red-necked Phalarope, Arctic Tern
-- Ottawa West
From: "Connie Denyes" <cdenyes(AT)rogers.com>
Date: 31 May 2008 3:48pm
A group birding with Tony Beck saw a Caspian Tern this morning on the ponds
on Moodie Drive. Also present were 10 Short-billed Dowitchers, 100 Dunlin
and 60-70 "peeps" predominantly Semi-palmated Sandpipers. A coyote strolled
along the far shore and eventually onto the sandbar sending all the
shorebirds into the air during its brief visit.
On the Ottawa River, viewed from the Britannia Conservation Area, were two
Red-necked Phalaropes quite a distance from the shore. Also present was 1
Arctic Tern, several Common Terns, and 12 Bonaparte's Gulls.
Earlier in the morning during the heavy rain we had good views of very wet
Vesper, Grasshopper, Clay-coloured, Savannah and Song Sparrows in the fields
south of the airport.
Connie Denyes
Ottawa, ON
Directions can be found on NeilyWorld Birding at the following links:
Ponds on Moodie Drive:
http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily(AT)rogers.com/stony8.htm
Britannia Conservation Area:
http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily(AT)rogers.com/orwo10.htm
Fields South of the Airport:
http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily(AT)rogers.com/airport4.htm
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Great Egret and Dunlin in Fort Erie
From: "Jean and Bob" <bob.jean(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 31 May 2008 1:30pm
Hi All,
Today, May 31, my wife and I observed six Great Egrets on the Niagara River
in Fort Erie. They were observed on the stone pier slightly south of the
International Railway Bridge at 2:00 PM this afternoon. Two egrets flew up
river as we were leaving the parking area.
Four Dunlin were observed on Lake Erie at "Jaeger Rocks" near Lakeshore Road
and Adelaide Street at 3:00 PM this afternoon.
Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson
St. Catharines, ON
Directions:
Stone Pier on the Niagara River
In Fort Erie, exit the QEW at the Central Avenue exit. Turn right on to
Central Avenue and continue towards the river and head north (turning left)
on the Niagara Parkway (Lakeshore Rd/Niagara Blvd.). The parking area south
of the
International Railway Bridge is 1.5 km from the south end of Central Avenue
and on the right. Catherine Street will be on the left.
"Jaeger Rocks"
As above, but turn right on to Lakeshore Road. Lakeshore Road follows the
Lake Erie shoreline. At Lakeshore Road and Adelaide Street a rocky area
along the shoreline is apparent.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: [Ontbirds]Reesor Dowitchers
From: "STAN LONG" <stan.long(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 31 May 2008 2:08pm
4.30 pm at Reesor Pond today - 3 Short-billed Dowitchers [griseus] -
Great Egret, Caspian Terns - 50-60 Semi-palmated Sandpipers - single
Pectoral. A solitary Black-bellied Plover showed earlier today.
400 + Dunlin showed up Thursday + flock of 50-60
Semipalmated Sandpipers + 1 Black-bellied Plover + 1 Ruddy Turnstone -
all flown by Friday - Reesor Pond lies just north of hwy 407 on
Reesor Road in Markham - S Long
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
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Subject: [Ontbirds]James Bay - Akimiski Island Report # 4
From: Jean Iron <jeaniron(AT)sympatico.ca>
Date: 31 May 2008 5:34pm
This is Jean Iron's report for 27 - 30 May 2008. Migration is still
behind schedule. The pack ice is against the north coast of Akimiski
island providing very little inshore habitat and no open water.
Shorebird habitat is better along west coast of James Bay with very
large flocks of unidentified shorebirds seen flying northwest in that
direction. The effects of sea ice and the cold water of James Bay
create subarctic conditions deep into the interior of Canada. As an
example, Edmonton, Alberta is farther north than Akimiski Island.
Canada Goose: 800 nests found to date. First goslings on 30 May.
Brant and Snow Goose: On 29 May, Ken Abraham flew by helicopter to
nearest community of Atawapiskat on the Ontario coast. He saw
thousands of Brant along the west coast. Ken noted that they were fat
so in good condition for migration to breeding grounds much farther
north. He also noted about 1000 Snow Geese nesting on the western
portion of the island.
Semipalmated Plover: On 28 May, Erica Nol observed two colour-banded
plovers from last year, which apparently had just arrived. Males were
displaying. The females were actively feeding in the below average
temperatures after a long flight.
Marbled Godwit: Adrian Farmer and Bridget Olsen fitted a mated pair
on territory with transmitters and took feather samples for isotope
analysis. Now all 5 transmitters are on godwits. The transmitters
work for 10 hours and turn off for 48. This sequence is repeated.
They will get information on local movements, how long the pair stays
together, when each sex migrates, do they winter together and return
together, etc. Taxonomy and Populations: There are three breeding
populations of Marbled Godwits. The largest is "under 170,000
individuals" which breed on the northern prairies. This is the
nominate subspecies fedoa. The James Bay population size is
uncertain. There about 150 breeding pairs on Akimiski Island (Abraham
2007 in Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas). The largest number probably
breeds along the extensive flat west coast (prairie-like in places)
of Ontario. Quebec has a small population at the southern end of
James Bay adjacent to Ontario, but most of Quebec's much steeper
coast is unsuitable for nesting Marbled Godwits. The James Bay's
subarctic population of "about 1500 birds" is considered part of the
subspecies fedoa and probably originated from it. Adrian and Bridget
told Jean that Akimiski birds look different than mid-continent
prairie birds. More study is needed. The third disjunct breeding
population is the subspecies beringiae, which breeds on the Alaska
Peninsula (Gibson and Kessel 1989, Condor 91:436-443). The Alaskan
population is "about 2000 birds" suggesting that the James Bay
population is smaller.
Other Birds: Ken Abraham saw an American White Pelican,
Double-crested Cormorants and 30 Caspian Terns around the islands in
Akimiski Strait on 29 May. 8 American Bitterns calling. First
Short-eared Owl on 30 May. Flock of 28 Green-winged Teal. Northern
Pintail is the commonest puddle duck. 26 American Golden Plover on 28
May. Scattered Hudsonian Godwits. 3 Red-necked Phalaropes on 30 May.
Boreal Chickadees and Gray Jays are in the burn behind the camp.
These Gray Jays do not associate people with food and are less
approachable. First Orange-crowned Warbler on 28 May seen by Burke
Korol. Burke also found a singing Le Conte's Sparrow found on 28 May.
Many singing Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows. Hundreds of Lapland
Longspurs still migrating, but American Pipits and Snow Buntings now fewer.
Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas 2007: Even though Akimiski Island is in
Nunavut, it was included in both Ontario atlasses because it is so
close to Ontario and its birds/vegetation are more closely allied to
Ontario mainland than to most of NU. There is a copy of the new Atlas
in camp. When you're at remote sites, resources such as the Atlas are
invaluable.
Mammals: A Lynx was seen around camp on 29 May. Lynx and their main
prey Snowshoe Hares were in high numbers last winter in many areas of
northern Ontario. There are Snowshoe Hares (now mostly gray/brown
with whitish legs) around camp and a Red Fox chased a hare. One of
the foxes is a cross fox. This colour morph has long black hair on
the upper parts forming a cross from shoulder to shoulder. Meadow
Vole populations are generally low.
Map shows the snow and ice conditions. Note that the snow cover is
gone now along Ontario's north coast.
http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif
See three pages of Akimiski photos from Jean's trip at the same time
in 2005. She'll put up this year's photos when she returns about 12 June.
http://www.jeaniron.ca/Shorebirds/2006/akimiski/index.htm
Next update in 2-3 days.
Ron Pittaway
Minden/Toronto ON
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS(AT)hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
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