Current Field Trip Reports

January 1 (Sunday) Peterborough Area

Leader: Dave Milsom.

12 birders attended the New Year’s Day OFO trip north of Peterborough today. The morning was mild and cloudy. The afternoon was a mix of rain and sleet.Only 25 species were recorded. Highlights were 5 Bald Eagles including 3 adults in the Lakefield area, Pileated Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Snow Buntings, Evening Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Kinglet and both nuthatches. Waterfowl included Common and Hooded Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes and Black Ducks.The only waxwings seen were Cedar.

December 4 (Sunday) Niagara River Gull Watch

Leaders: Ron Tozer, Jean Iron.

Eleven species of gulls were seen by about 75 birders on today's annual OFO field trip to the Niagara River. The outing was a great success in fine balmy weather and ideal viewing conditions.

1. Franklin’s Gull: one first winter bird on the Roosting Rocks between Adam Beck and the Butterfly Conservatory and seen early and late afternoon flying in its usual right corner near the Robert Moses Dam at Adam Beck.

2. Little Gull: 1 adult at the Queenston boat Launch and 2 out of 3 that flew to Lake Ontario at the fly‐past at Niagara‐on‐the‐Lake.

3. Bonaparte's Gull: abundant.

4. Ring‐billed Gull: common.

5. Herring Gull: abundant.

6. Thayer’s Gull: 2 adults at Adam Beck Overlook.

7. “Kumliens” Iceland Gull: 2 or 3 adults at Adam Beck overlook.

8. Lesser Black‐backed Gull: 1 first winter at Adam Beck, and several adults at Chippawa and Goat Island across the river.

9. Glaucous Gull: 1 first winter in the middle of the river at Chippawa.

10. Great Black‐backed Gull: many.

11. Black‐legged Kittiwake: one first winter flying with Bonaparte’s at the Whirlpool

*Candidate Slaty‐backed Gull: a very distant bird on the American side near Gull Island. However because of distance we could not see bright pink legs and string‐of‐pearls to confirm a Slaty‐backed.

*Possible hybrid gull: sleeping on the wall at Chippawa that had a darker mantle than Herring Gull and much head streaking. We were hoping for California Gull, but when it woke up it had pink legs and pale eyes.

OTHER BIRDS

Juvenile Pomarine Jaeger seen all day at Adam Beck.

3 female Harlequin Ducks on the wall at Chippawa.

1 Purple Sandpiper on its usual rock right of the barge above the Falls.

2 Peregrine Falcons on the American side behind the barge.

3‐5 Black Vultures seen at the overlook on the Niagara Parkway below Brock Monument and several seen at Adam Beck.

Hooded Mergansers at Dufferin Islands reservoir. Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren and Red‐bellied Woodpecker at feeders in Chippawa were seen by some of the group.

There were no reports of the Razorbill at Niagara‐on‐the‐Lake.

See the Gull Watching Guide here.

December 3 (Saturday) Toronto Lakeshore

Leaders: Hugh Currie, Tyler Hoar.

With Dave Milsom out of town, Tyler Hoar and Hugh Currie led the group of about 25 in his place. Highlights included 2 Northern Pintail (one at East Humber and one at Colonel Sam Smith Park), 8 Green‐winged Teal (it is getting late) , 6 Ruddy Ducks (refugees from Hamilton Harbour?), 4 Black‐crowned Night‐Herons, a coot, a Northern Shrike, 5 Northern Mockingbirds, and last, but definitely not least, a female Northern Parula at Bronte Bluffs Park late in the day.

November 5 (Saturday) Hawk Cliff & Area, southwest of London

Leaders: Pete Read, Ian Platt.

Just over 20 birders attended the OFO trip to Hawk Cliff today. There were good numbers of raptors moving at Hawk Cliff throughout the morning, highlighted by 10 Golden and 1 Bald Eagles, 1 Rough‐legged Hawk and several Red‐shouldered Hawks among large numbers of Red‐tailed Hawks and smaller numbers of other species. There were very few birds around on the ground (best were a Fox Sparrow and a Purple Finch, unfortunately not seen by most of the group), but large numbers of birds overhead with 1000s of blackbirds (including at least 200 Rusty Blackbirds), many Pine Siskins and several hundred Tundra Swans.

After Hawk Cliff, we visited Port Stanley, where there were many gulls around, although nothing more exciting than a few Great Black‐backed Gulls. On the beach were 4 Sanderling and a flock of Snow Buntings.

We finished off the day at Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons, where we located 5 species of shorebird (Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer and 1 Long‐billed Dowitcher) amongst the numerous waterfowl and Bonaparte’s Gulls.

The species total for the day was 72 species.

October 30 (Sunday) Grand Bend, Pinery Provincial Park, Kettle Point

Leader: Maris Apse.

By 0830 fourteen vehicles had gathered at Grand Bend Sobey's seeing a Kestrel here. By car pooling, 12 headed to the beach for a quite cool start to the day, seeing 3 species of Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Surf Scoter, Horned Grebe, Red‐throated Loon, Double‐crested Cormorant and 3 gull species. Our second stop at Grand Bend lagoons was quite productive with lots of waterfowl plus Golden‐crowned Kinglet, American Tree and Song Sparrows, Red‐winged and Rusty Blackbirds, American Pipit, Killdeer, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin and Greater Yellowlegs and 4 Sandhill Crane as we returned to the cars.

We drove to Pinery via Mollard, Greenway, Cold Storage, Goosemarsh to the Museum parking lot to leave 2 cars whilst in the park. En route we saw Rough‐legged and Red‐tailed Hawks, Horned Lark, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Harrier, Dark‐eyed Junco, Blue Jay. We ate lunch at the picnic tables and saw Cedar Waxwing, American Robin and Cardinal here as well as a very fresh Red Admiral as the sun had raised the temperature. On the way to Burley Bridge we saw more Eastern Bluebirds, Downy Woodpecker but the Bald Eagles were not to be seen.

The VC feeders produced several Tufted Titmouse, 1 Fox Sparrow, a female Eastern Towhee and the usual chickadees and juncos. At Beach Parking #9 the water was quite bumpy making it difficult to identify some fairly distant ducks and we opted to go to the Heritage trail to seek the Red‐headed Woodpecker family ‐ we probably saw all 4 birds albeit 2 at a time as well as 2 Golden Eagle flying high over the old Ausable channel.

After retrieving 2 vehicles at the museum we headed to Kettle Point via Army Camp, driving onto the beach at West Ipperwash. We found all 3 Scoter species, several Common Loon, lots of Horned Grebe and more. At the main point we added 2 juvenile Bald Eagle, 3 adult Great Black‐backed Gull, Mute Swan, 6/7 Black‐bellied Plover and close to 300 Dunlin (until a dog spooked them)–but this made for some spectacular flights. A light morph Parasitic Jaeger was a fabulous close to a lovely day of birding with some very kind and co‐operative people. The total count for the day was 77 species.

October 28 (Friday) Ottawa River

Leader: Tony Beck

On Friday afternoon, twenty enthusiastic birders gathered at Andrew Haydon Park for OFO’s “Dusk Birding along the Ottawa River”. After a spectacular week of stellar birding, mainly east of the Deschenes Rapids, expectations were high that the river would continue to reveal mega‐rarities. We stayed mainly along the shores of the western side of Lac Deschenes. However, a cold west wind and high water levels made viewing conditions bitter and challenging resulting in low diversity. Regardless, everyone had an excellent time, often getting close‐up views of uncommon species. Those that stayed to the end were treated to an enchanting show of large flocks arriving for their evening roost, their aerobatic flights draped against a clear vermillion sky. Other highlights included a juvenile Brant, a female Northern Shoveler, 2 juvenile Greater Snow Geese, 11 Red‐necked Grebes, all three species of scoter, and several individuals & small flocks of Long‐tailed Ducks. For photographers, one very accommodating Long‐tailed Duck, and a cooperative Wilson’s Snipe, provided some pleasant diversion.

October 8 (Saturday) Hamilton, Burlington & Vicinity

Leader: Tom Thomas.

On Saturday October 8th 2011, 23 avid birders met at Hutches’ on the Beach Strip, on what was a perfect day to look for birds. I have found from experience, that perfect days don’t always mean that there are lots of birds around. I did some scouting mid week, and there were lots of birds to be found, but by Friday most of these birds had left, and on Saturday morning we had to really search hard with meager results.

The lake was as calm as a mill pond, and the winds if any, were not favorable to blow in any of the rarer species.

Having said all that, we did however find some nice birds. On the trails behind Hutches’ we saw Black‐throated Blue, Common‐yellowthroat, Eastern Towhee, Rusty Blackbird, Trails Flycatcher, Field Sparrow, and Yellow‐bellied Sapsucker.

A trip out to the Windermere Basin (there is some extensive rehabilitation work going on here, and there is no longer a large pond forwaterfowl) was good for Black‐bellied Plover, White‐rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin, Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper. Other species found here were, Northern Shoveler, Green‐winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Northern Mockingbird, and Horned Lark.

After lunch most of the group wanted to check out the Dundas Marsh, which proved to be a good decision. Here we found Yellow‐rumped Warbler, Red‐bellied Woodpecker, Marsh Wren, Swamp Sparrow, Nelson’s Sparrow (a few of the sparrows showed well, and most of the group had good looks at what was a life bird for some of them), Hudsonian Godwit, and a soaring Goshawk.

In total we had 75 species which I would have jumped at before the trip started.

Here is the final species tally for the members who participated.

• Canada Goose
• Mute Swan, Mallard
• Blue‐winged Teal
• Northern Shoveler
• Northern Pintail
• Green‐winged Teal
• Lesser Scaup
• Double‐crested Cormorant
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Black‐crowned Night‐Heron
• Turkey Vulture
• Sharp‐shinned Hawk
• Cooper's Hawk
• Northern Goshawk
• Red‐tailed Hawk
• Black‐bellied Plover
• Killdeer
• Spotted Sandpiper
• Hudsonian Godwit
• White‐rumped Sandpiper
• Pectoral Sandpiper
• Dunlin
• Ring‐billed Gull
• Herring Gull
• Rock Pigeon
• Mourning Dove
• Red‐bellied Woodpecker
• Yellow‐bellied Sapsucker
• Downy Woodpecker
• Trails Flycatcher
• Eastern Phoebe
• Blue Jay
• American Crow
• Horned Lark
• Black‐capped Chickadee
• White‐breasted Nuthatch
• Brown Creeper
• Carolina Wren
• Marsh Wren
• Golden and Ruby ‐crowned Kinglet
• American Robin
• Gray Catbird
• Northern Mockingbird
• European Starling
• Cedar Waxwing
• Black‐throated Blue and Yellow‐rumped Warbler
• Common Yellowthroat
• Eastern Towhee
• Field
• Nelson's
• Song
• Swamp
• White‐throated Sparrow
• White‐crowned Sparrow
• Northern Cardinal
• Red‐wing Blackbird
• Rusty Blackbird
• Brown‐headed Cowbird
• House Finch
• American Goldfinch
• House Sparrow.

I would like to thank Anthony Miller for keeping score, Barry Cherriere for pointing out the shorebirds at the Windermere Basin, and to all those who turned out for the field trip, and hopefully had a good time.

September 11 (Sunday) Presqu’ile Provincial Park

Leaders: Don and Ian Shanahan.

A string of recent summer weather likely contributed to the unusually low species count of 63 birds for our group of about 25 birders at Presqu’ile today, but the lack of quantity was compensated for by quality looks and quality sightings. The EARED GREBE that has been visible off of Owen Point for several days offered distant views at mid‐morning and a juvenile LONG‐BILLED DOWITCHER appeared at Owen Point shortly after a juvenile SHORT‐BILLED DOWITCHER flew in with 4 BLACK‐BELLIED PLOVERS just prior to lunch. Other notable shorebirds of our 13 species for the day include one juvenile DUNLIN, 2 juvenile RUDDY TURNSTONES, 2 juvenile LEAST SANDPIPERS, 6 molting adult WHITE‐RUMPED SANDPIPERS and 15 SANDERLINGS. All shorebirds were seen at close range and in good light amidst appearances by a MERLIN, a PEREGRINE FALCON and a juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER.

Other raptors of note include a kettle of 10 TURKEY VULTURES above the Owen Point Trail parking lot mid‐afternoon as well as 2 COOPER'S HAWKS and a SHARP‐SHINNED HAWK at our beginning location around the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre. It was inititally thought that the presence of the two smaller accipiters around the lighthouse resulted in low songbird numbers there, but songbirds were challenging to find throughout the park all day.

A brief early afternoon visit to the second tower of the Marsh Boardwalk afforded excellent views at 30 WOOD DUCKS and then a surprise fly‐by from a dark Ibis that is almost assuredly the WHITE‐FACED IBIS that has been seen recently in the park (including on Gull Island by others this morning) became the highlight of the day.

Other notables from the day include a singing WARBLING VIREO and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, vocalizing Gray Treefrogs, Spring Peepers and 1 Northern Leopard Frog, 11 butterfly species (including a Common Buckeye at Lookout #1 on the Owen Point Trail) and many swarms of Black Saddlebags and darners.

September 10 (Saturday) Ottawa (all day to 5 pm )

Leader: Jeff Skevington.

Today was noticeably slower than the last couple of days but our group of about 15 people still managed to muster up 90 species on our outing. Highlights were 2 Sanderling near the filtration plant at Britannia, a Red‐necked Phalarope at Ottawa Beach, a great migrant passerine flock that included an Orange‐crowned Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo and House Wren, 8 White‐rumped Sandpipers and 3 Bald Eagles at Shirley’s Bay, and 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 White‐rumped Sandpiper and 3 Ring‐necked Ducks at Casselman Lagoons.

Note that they have now flooded the formerly empty cell and Casselman is no longer very good for waders. We had only about 50 individuals of 8 species of shorebirds along the remaining mud fringe. We also stopped at Embrun Lagoons and all cells were very high. The only birds of interest were 4 Common Gallinules and a very late nesting Ruddy Duck with 4 small young.

September 3 (Saturday) Toronto Islands

Leader: Ian Cannell.

The outing this year was again well attended. Unfortunately, there were perhaps more participants than there were birds. The Islands were as quiet, bird‐wise, as I’ve seen them; not completely surprising as the migration‐friendly northerly winds overnight have continued to be absent (but wait for the coming week to change that).

In spite of that, thanks to the good eyes and ears of our birders, we did find a few nice birds. Highlights were obligingly sedentary Yellow‐billed Cuckoo and Cooper’s Hawk and a nice fly‐over Osprey.

Other species included Blue‐gray Gnatcatcher, Baltimore Oriole, CedarWaxwing, Eastern Wood‐Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Great‐crested Flycatcher, Sharp‐shinned Hawk and 8 species of Warbler. Total number of species was 42.

August 28 (Sunday) Palgrave, Beeton Sod Farms, Schomberg Lagoons

Leader: Dave Milsom.

45 birders enjoyed the beautiful cool day at Palgrave, Beeton sod farms and Schomberg.

A total of 65 species were seen.

At Palgrave, highlights included 5 warbler species, Pileated Woodpecker, Purple Finch, Wild Turkeys, immature Indigo Bunting and Great Crested Flycatcher. Also, many Red‐eyed Vireos and Red‐breasted Nuthatches were seen.

Beeton Sod Farms and Schomberg Sewage Lagoons produced 13 species of Shorebirds.

Highlights were a juvenile Buff‐breasted Sandpiper seen by all at Beeton, 20 juvenile Baird’s Sandpipers, and at Schomberg 2 juvenile Stilt Sandpipers.

August 14 (Sunday) Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes

Leaders: Rayfield Pye, John Stirrat and Jerry Ball.

Day total‐ 75 species

20 birders met at the parking lot at Lynde Shores Conservation Area at 7:30 in the morning.

The Cranberry Marsh area produced 61 species. Highlights:

Great Egret‐ 6,

Wilson’s Snipe‐ 3,

Pied‐billed Grebe‐ 3,

Hooded Merganser‐ 1,

There were only a couple of small flocks of migrating songbirds.

Sobey’s Pond‐ 12 species

The group had excellent looks at Short‐billed Dowitchers and both Yellowlegs.

The Oshawa Second Marsh produced 37 species. Highlights:

Great Egret‐ 6,

Hooded Merganser‐ 3,

Bonaparte’s Gull‐ 2,

Merlin‐ 1

August 7 (Sunday) Rock Point Provincial Park & Eastern Lake Erie Shore

Leaders: John Black, Dan Salisbury.

30 birders spent a rewarding morning exploring the Rock Point Provincial Park shoreline and the Mosaic Esterhazy Lagoons on Sunday August 7. A total of 63 bird species were seen on the morning portion of the trip.

Normally we see American Golden‐Plovers and one or two Buff‐breasted Sandpipers at the sod farms in the area. A search of the sod farms at 0645 hours indicated that no American Golden‐Plovers were present. As a result, after lunch in Stromness, the trip continued to Smithville with only a quick drive through the sod farms. Unfortunately, only Killdeer were seen on the sod farms and no shorebirds were seem at the Smithville Sewage Lagoons (Water levels too high!).

Shorebirds observed were:

• Semipalmated Plover 10
• Killdeer 10
• Spotted Sandpiper 8
• Solitary Sandpiper 1
• Greater Yellowlegs 2
• Lesser Yellowlegs 10
• Sanderling 2
• Semipalmated Sandpiper 40
• Least Sandpiper 5
• White‐rumped Sandpiper 1
• Pectoral Sandpiper 1

Other birds of interest were:

• Wild Turkey 2
• Great Egret 1
• Green Heron 5

Special thanks to George Madsen for access to the Mosaic Esterhazy Lagoons.Special thanks to Jim Heslop and Kevin McLaughlin for help in leading the trip.

June 25 (Saturday) Happy Valley, King Township

Leader: John Schmefelske.

On Sunday 25 birders spent a rewarding day exploring Happy Valley and Palgrave Conservation areas, tallying 62 species, a respectable number considering the weather.

The morning started at Happy Valley Forest with great scope viewing of a pair of young Red‐shouldered Hawks in their nest. The resident Acadian Flycatcher was heard singing by all group members but, perhaps due to the steady drizzle, it would not come out of the dense foliage for a viewing. The rain did not let up for most of the morning, but in spite of the lack of bird song we were able see or hear a good number of species and had satisfying looks at Scarlet Tanager, as well as Blue‐winged (seen off the southern Happy Valley trail ), Blackburnian and Black‐throated Green Warblers.

In transit to Palgrave we had excellent views of Eastern Bluebirds which seemed fairly common on the 16th concession just west of Happy Valley.

Thankfully the rain abated in the afternoon. Near Palgrave we checked out some grassland species and then explored the conservation area. At Palgrave we picked up Pine Warbler, White‐throated and Swamp Sparrows. We ended the day at a small swamp nearby where we had excellent looks at Green Herons and a calling Pileated Woodpecker.

A small subgroup of insect and flora lovers kept the group informed between bird sightings regarding the non‐bird aspects of nature including plants, beetles and butterflies. Highlights: Elderberry Borer, Red‐spotted Purple/White Admiral Intergrade a rather large Millipede and Lady’s‐Slipper.

Special thanks to Becky Flook for her digital recordings and a note of acknowledgement that the person holding the audio equipment often doesn’t get as good a look! Also, thanks to Dave Worthington, Rob MacIver, and Hugh Currie for pre‐trip reconnaissance and advice. Also thanks to “the Flower Guy” and Dave Milsom for reaching out from Alaska with timely information.

June 18 (Saturday) & June 19 (Sunday) Bruce Peninsula

Leaders: Cindy Cartwright, Alfred Raab.

38 participants enjoyed beautiful weather for the OFO Bruce Peninsula trip on June 18/19.

108 species were observed including Upland Sandpiper, Brewer’s Blackbird, Black Tern, Red‐Shouldered Hawk, Piping Plover, Sandhill Crane, Clay‐Coloured, Vesper and Grasshopper Sparrows.

Thanks to Mary and Pat for identifying many flowers and ferns for the participants and leaders.

June 11 (Saturday) Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma

Leader: Kirk Zufelt.

The OFO field trip from Sault Ste. Marie exploring select locations on the eastern upper peninsula of Michigan started off this morning with cool temperatures at 0520 hrs. We were viewing a very cooperative Le Conte’s Sparrow in the scope before 0600. Then the rain started and the temperatures plummeted to what would be considered “bad” for April. We proceeded to the Trout Lake area were despite persistent moderate to heavy rain a Connecticut Warbler performed its routine proudly from high in the Black Spruce “canopy” until the group had all had good looks. Although the rain was annoying that combined with the cool temperatures kept the bugs which are typically quite extreme to a remarkably negligible level. After a few stops we all needed coffee and some time to warm up and dry out in what seemed like a rather incongruously (given the weather) named Paradise, Michigan. During a brief abatement in the rather torrential downpour we toured a quite productive road through pristine bog habitat and managed to find Yellow‐bellied and Olive‐sided Flycatcher’s along with breeding Palm Warblers, Alder Flycatchers and several other warbler species. We headed back towards the Sault stopping at a few spots for Brewer’s Blackbirds, Clay‐colored Sparrows, Bobolinks etc. but as often is the case at this time of year we stuck out on Sharp‐tailed Grouse (which were undoubtedly huddled up some place dry). Given the cold rain we skipped the walk out to Whitefish Point for Piping Plovers.

Despite the adverse conditions we found most of what people were looking for. The 5 keen birders that joined me had mostly driven a very long way to partake in the outing and they were all very congenial and enthusiastic despite the less than welcoming climatic conditions.

Their company was much appreciated.

June 5 (Sunday) Skunk’s Misery

Leaders: Rob Read, Gavin Platt.

Ideal weather conditions (sunny, low wind, not overly humid, but warm) met the group in the town of Newbury, very close to Skunk’s Misery, which is one of the largest remnants of Carolinian forest in Ontario.

Our first stop did not disappoint, with Cerulean Warblers heard almost immediately, and eventually seen very well, since a nest was located by Donald Pye, and focused on in a scope to show the female apparently feeding young birds in the nest (though they were not visible). A male Cerulean later landed on the road in front of our line of cars and gave some excellent, though brief, views.

After this fine start, we went on to see, or in some cases only hear, our target birds. Hooded Warblers were heard in several locations, but not seen well. Blue‐winged Warbler and Mourning Warbler were also only heard, but great views of Yellow‐billed Cuckoo, and later Yellow‐throated Vireo, made up for this. Acadian Flycatcher was also seen exceptionally well.

A Broad‐winged Hawk was seen (and later heard) attacking a Turkey Vulture by diving at it repeatedly.

One of the most exciting birds of the day, though unfortunately not seen by all, was a Ruffed Grouse. Reported very rarely in Middlesex County in the past 10‐15 years, a grouse was also heard drumming in the same area two weeks previously. We are unsure whether this bird is related to human‐assisted re‐introduction programs, or whether such programs are active in the area, though it is possible.

A total of 58 species were seen or heard.

An abundance of butterflies were in flight in the later morning, including large numbers of Giant Swallowtails and smaller numbers of Spicebush Swallowtails. A total of 17 butterfly species were seen.

Thanks again to all who braved the mosquitoes–which were less than usual, but still a fierce force.

June 4 (Saturday) Long Point Area

Leaders: Christian Friis, John Brett, Stu Mackenzie.

Twelve birders joined me and John on a tour of the Long Point area. Beginning in Backus Woods at 7 am, birding was tough, restricted to mostly aural observations. Most species tucked away in the scrubby understory or high in the canopy, offering poor viewing unfortunately, though we did get a number of Carolinian goodies. We persevered and continued to Spooky Hollow, where we were treated to views of an Acadian Flycather just before a the sky opened and a thunderstorm hit around 11 am. This was a good time for lunch. We arrived at Old Cut field station shortly after lunch where a late Pine SIskin was hanging around, and then headed to Big Creek National Wildlife Area where we were treated to views of Black Terns and Least Bitterns. After birding Concession A and around the Port Rowan lagoons, where we added Orchard Oriole, we went to Townsend sewage lagoons, where we picked up a few shorebird species (Semipalmated Plover, and Baird’s and Semipalmated Sandpipers) and added to our waterfowl species. All together an okay day, despite the challenging birding that made up the bulk of the trip.

John and I would like to thank the people who came out to the trip; the Hamilton Field Naturalists for allowing our group access to Spooky Hollow; and Bird Studies Canada for allowing us to park in their lot and car pool from there.

May 29 (Sunday) Ottawa

Leader: Bernie Ladouceur.

There were 17 participants on our exploration of some of Ottawa’s prime west end birding spots. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t prime: it was both not very good and not bad enough.

The first stop was along the Carp Ridge to look for Golden‐winged Warbler and Eastern Towhee. On the way we had three Turkey Vultures feeding on the side of the road. We failed to get the warbler but the towhee made up for it, singing for several minutes at the top of pine for all to view through the scope.

Then it was off to Torbolton Ridge Road for Sedge Wren. It was right in the open when we arrived. Unfortunately, not everyone arrived in time for that great view; however, most of us were able to get several very quick looks as it tantalized us for about 20 minutes. Actually, the best view of it was probably a photo of it in flight taken by one of our group. Also present were a very vocal Virginia Rail, a Wilson’s Warbler, a Black‐billed Cuckoo, and two cooperative Wilson’s Snipe.

It was off to Constance Bay to search for the two “red” woodpeckers. On the way we had Northern Harrier and American Kestrel. The showers were supposed to end by 10 am, but that was when the rain really started, putting a damper on our woodpecker search.

We switched strategies and checked a few spots along the Ottawa River. We had five Common Loons at four different spots, including Britannia, which also had a Common Tern and several Bonaparte’s Gulls. Two distant terns refused to fly–one was sitting where an Arctic Tern had been sitting the day before.

Overall, despite our mixed luck, it was an enjoyable morning with about 80 species observed.

May 29 (Sunday) Carden Alvar

Leader: Jean Iron.

Sunday’s OFO field trip to the Carden Alvar easily found most of the target birds including Loggerhead Shrike at three locations, Upland Sandpiper, Sedge Wren, Golden‐winged Warbler, Clay‐colored Sparrow at four locations and Grasshopper Sparrow. In the morning we walked north along Wylie Road to the Sedge Wren Marsh. Birds were active in the periods of warm fine rain which wasn't a problem. At the Sedge Wren Marsh we heard American Bittern, Sora and Virginia Rail, and heard and saw Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Alder Flycatcher and Black‐billed Cuckoo. After a picnic lunch at the Kirkfield Lift Lock, we birded Shrike Road south of McNamee Road where we saw two Loggerhead Shrikes. We later saw a fairly close Loggerhead Shrike just north of the parking lot at Cameron Ranch. The ranch is a reliable spot to see a shrike, which is difficult bird to find along Wylie Road this year. We were very lucky to see two Least Bitterns in a cattail marsh south of Canal Lake. At marshes along Prospect Road south of Highway 48 we added Common Moorhen, Pied‐billed Grebe, Sora, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren and Willow Flycatcher.

We recorded 90 species and the temperature was a pleasant 23 C when the trip ended about 4 p.m. Selected other birds observed included Wilson’s Snipe, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Bluebird, Cliff Swallow, Field Sparrow, and a migrant male Blackpoll Warbler. Carden’s signature alvar wildflower, Prairie Smoke, is in full bloom.

May 28 (Saturday) Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: Garth Riley.

Twenty birders turned out in the fog and mist at 8 am and seven hardy souls finished the day in the sun at 4:30 pm. A total of 86 species were seen by the group. Highlights were long views through the scope of a very co‐operative Gray‐cheeked Thrush, 19 species of warbler, close views of a roosting Common Nighthawk, 200 plus Chimney Swifts in a feeding frenzy over the (very) Wet Woods, 12 Whimbrel resting on the shoreline, and a few birders got looks at an young male Orchard Oriole and a Yellow‐billed Cuckoo.

I am also pleased to report that European Starling, Rock Pigeon and House Sparrow were not recorded on this outing. The Leslie St. Spit truly is Toronto’s Urban Wilderness.

Butterflies didn’t show until late in the day but there were several newly emerged Black Swallow‐tails and a single Spring Azure.

Thanks to all the particpants and their keen eyes.

May 28 Opinicon Road, Amherst Island

Leaders: Kurt Hennige, Gary Ure.

17 birders attended this OFO outing under overcast skies. The 5 different areas visit were Opinicon Road, Moscow Marsh, Newburgh Grasslands, Amherst Island and a flooded field near Amherstview. A total of 112 species were recorded.

Opinicon Road

Although subdued songs this morning, we managed to find all our targets including Cerulean & Golden‐winged Warblers, Yellow‐throated Vireo and heard both Cuckoos. However the highlight was an unexpected Olive‐sided Flycatcher.

Moscow Marsh

Willow Flycatcher, Common Moorhen, Black Tern, Ring‐necked Duck, Marsh Wren

Newburgh Grasslands

Grasshopper & Clay‐colored Sparrows

Amherst Island

Upland, Semipalmated and White‐rumped Sandpipers, 500 Dunlins, Philadelphia Vireo, Tennessee & Magnolia Warblers, Brant

Amherstview flooded field

On our return ferry ride from Amherst Island we meet Mike Burrell who directed as very kindly to a flooded field near Amherstview were he had found the species below earlier. Hudsonian Godwit, only the fifth spring record for the Kingston area, Red Knot, Whimbrels, Ruddy Turnstones, 85 Black‐bellied Plovers many in immaculate breeding plumage, Semipalmated Plover.

No doubt these were the highlights of a great day of birding.

May 7 (Saturday) Durham lakeshore

Leader: Geoff Carpentier.

29 OFOers joined me this morning as we birded the Durham waterfront. Stops included Duffins Creek/Rotary Park in Ajax, Hall’s Road/Cranberry Marsh, Whitby Harbour, Thickson’s Woods and Second Marsh.

We found 101 species. Highlights included:

1 Little Gull in a large flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls off Hall’s Road

several Common Loons and Horned Grebes

Trumpeter Swans, Redheads, Ring‐necked Duck were amongst the 15 species recorded

5 species of raptors–Red‐tailed, Cooper’s and Sharp‐shinned Hawks + Merlin and Northern Harrier

Virginia Rail at Second Marsh and Sora and Common Moorhen at Cranberry Marsh

1 Great Horned Owl in Thickson’s Woods

1 Chimney Swift at Rotary Park, Ajax

1 Marsh Wren at Second Marsh

1 Least Flycatcher and 3 Eastern Kingbirds at Second Marsh

2 Great Egrets and 3 BCN Herons at Second Marsh

1 Red‐bellied Woodpecker and a Yellow‐bellied Sapsucker at Thickson’s Woods

Blue‐headed and Warbling Vireos

1 Orchard Oriole at Second Marsh + lots of Baltimores everywhere

1 BG Gnatcatcher at Hall's Rd and two at Cool Hollow (Second Marsh)

1 Swainson’s Thrush at Thickson’s Woods

11 species of warblers

8 species of sparrows including one Fox Sparrow at Thickson’s Woods

3+ Bobolinks at Second Marsh

1 Eastern Meadowlark at Thickson’s and Hwy 401–an uncommon sighting in the city.

Thanks to all who came and endured my bad jokes.

May 1 (Sunday) Rondeau Provincial Park

Leaders: Maris Apse, Donald Pye.

15 People meet at the Park at 8 in the morning to check out some of the early birds in spring migration. In the morning we had heavy rain showers and light rain in the afternoon.

We found 100 Species for the day.

Our best bird was a YELLOW‐THROATED WARBLER, seen at the feeders at Ric McArther’s home.

We had 11 Species of Warblers including a Blackpoll.

We had 3 Species of Vireos. We had 3 Grebes Including the Horned and Eared.

We had a pair of Wilson’s Phalarope at Blenheim Lagoons.

April 30 (Saturday) Minesing Swamp

Leader: Dave Milsom.

35 birders attended the OFO Minesing outing on a beautiful Spring day.

We could not find the 2 White‐fronted Geese seen yesterday but did mange to find some nice birds in our total of 77 species.

Water levels are very high. When they recede, the area should be great for shorebirds the next two weeks. We found many Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, a lone Dunlin and lots of Killdeer.

Duck numbers were high, including Hooded Merganser, Northern Shoveler, Ring‐necked Duck, Bufflehead, Green and Blue‐winged Teal and Northern Pintails.

Warblers: several Pine Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Palm Warbler and many Yellow‐rumps.

Sparrows included Vesper, Swamp, White‐crowned, White‐throated, Chipping, American Tree, Field and Savannah.

Others : Brown Thrasher, Rusty Blackbirds (about 25), Rose‐breasted Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Brown Creeper, Blue‐headed and Red‐eyed Vireo, Sapsucker, Flicker, Catbird, Eastern Bluebird, Winter Wren, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Red‐shouldered Hawk, Eastern Phoebe, Least Flycatcher and Wild Turkey.

The best area is Mackinnon Road which is just east of Angus on County Road 90.

The swamp can be accessed on foot at the end of Baldwick, off Sunnidale.

April 16 ‐17 (Saturday‐Sunday) Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island

Leader: Gord Cameron. Sharp

The weekend Manitoulin trip was a great success for the 16 participants despite the dreadful weather conditions.

The weather on Saturday was so bad that even the Sharp‐tailed Grouse abandoned the lek before the second group had settled into the airport blind. Fortunately, Kara Lefevre and the Friends of Misery Bay were kind enough to take out the group again on Sunday when 22 grouse were viewed going through some of their dancing and mating rituals.

Many thanks to Kara, John, Sylvia and Steve Hall for accommodating our group so well and providing such wonderful refreshments at Gore Bay Airport. Thanks also to the airport management for permitting us to access their premises again to see the grouse.

Our OFO group should also be commended for their birding prowess: none of you who stayed until late Sunday could be termed “fair weather birders”!

We recorded a fine total of 88 species over the weekend. There were some excellent finds: 2 Loggerhead Shrikes, one wearing a red band on its left leg, were scoped at Billings Concession 10 East near Kagawong; an American Bittern on 14th Concession; a female Brewer’s Blackbird (near Ice Lake) found along with many Rusty Blackbirds (groups of 50, 30, and smaller numbers in the teens at 3 separate feeders); a pair of Ring‐necked Pheasants near Gore Bay Airport ; 4 Ross’s Geese and 1 Snow Goose on Noble Sideroad near Lake Wolsey; Osprey (2) and Bald Eagles (4) on nests ; one Cackling Goose; another lek of 7 Sharp‐tailed Grouse on Barrie Island; 5 Vesper Sparrows, 6 Fox Sparrows at a feeder in Mindemoya; Wilson’s Snipe, 5 Greater Yellowlegs, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby‐crowned Kinglet, Yellow‐rumped Warbler, 7 Hermit Thrush, Merlin, Short‐eared Owl (Barrie Island), Pileated Woodpecker, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, Horned Lark, Pine Siskin, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, and hundreds of Sandhill Cranes.

Thanks to Erwin Meisner and Gord Cameron for birding tips on Manitoulin.

April 17 (Sunday) Algonquin Provincial Park

Leader: Ron Tozer.

An enthusiastic group of about 60 keen birders persevered in the snow squalls, occasional sunny breaks and frequently windy conditions today in pursuit of Algonquin’s boreal species. Unfortunately, we came up a little short. We were unable to locate a Spruce Grouse, I believe for the first time in the 22 years of this trip. I suspect the wind distorted our playback efforts and the winter conditions may have discouraged a response. Our only success with the boreal target species was Gray Jay.

Some first arrivals here this spring were noted, including a Broad‐winged Hawk, a Wilson's Snipe and two Hermit Thrushes. A Bohemian Waxwing in flight at the Visitor Centre and a Vesper Sparrow along the grassy margin of Opeongo Road were much appreciated. The Vesper Sparrow was originally found and photographed yesterday.

I want to thank all who attended the trip and made a difficult day so much fun. I am particularly grateful to my co‐leader Kevin Clute who worked tirelessly slogging through often deep snow and ice water trying to find a Spruce Grouse at five locations, to no avail. Maybe next year.

April 3 (Sunday) Spring Waterfowl Migration East of Ottawa

Leader: Bob Cermak.

The April 3rd (Sunday) OFO field trip for spring migration waterfowl on migration was very successful given the almost complete lack of flooding east of Ottawa. Twenty five hardy souls (in 12 cars) coped with the early start and braved the cold winds.

The highlights were four Geese species; Canada, Cackling, Snow and Greater White‐fronted. Gray Partridge and a Redhead Duck were also seen.

We started off at the Petrie Island causeway, which is usually good for waterfowl but, given the late winter we have had, was frozen solid. Not good for waterfowl! Milton road had lots of Canada Geese and several flocks of Greater Snow Geese. We were able to locate at least two Sandhill Cranes but they were extremely distant and only visible when they stopped feeding to lift their heads. At the Shaws Creek bridge on Frank Kenny we heard Snow Buntings, some people saw a pair of Gray Partridge (great spotting Colin) and one person saw a Pied‐billed Grebe. The Cobb’s Creek lowlands east of Bourget had virtually no flooding so, other than Northern Pintails, ducks were hard to come by. We were able to find one male Redhead Duck and a Wood Duck among the Canada Geese and a few Mallards and American Black Ducks. We had a Northern Harrier and flocks of Snow Geese overhead. We found an elusive Cackling Goose then were were delighted when a Greater White‐fronted Goose flew in with some Canada’s and landed within scope view. We made a stop at the east end of Larose forest and managed to see one of the Evening Grosbeaks that were calling in the area. We had nothing other than Canada Geese on the South Nation river after a visit to the St. Albert cheese outlet.

We had a total of 45 species, including an early Great‐blue Heron, Ring‐necked Ducks and Common Merganser. We also saw Red‐tailed Hawk, American Kestrel and Turkey Vulture.

Thanks to all who attended and special thanks to Bernie, Colin, Kim and Jack who helped make this outing successful.

March 12 (Saturday) Long Point Area

Leaders: George Pond, Barry Jones, Jim Heslop, Bob Stamp.

Today a good‐sized group of keen birders assembled at the St. Williams Forestry Station to participate in the annual early “spring” OFO field trip to Long Point. Thank you to those members that car pooled, which made manoeuvring a fairly large group a good bit easier. We were lucky that we didn't have the weather that the area experienced yesterday with blowing snow and treacherous roads. Long Point Bay was still frozen over this year, so waterfowl viewing was limited to “lakes” in the surrounding corn fields as a result of all the recent rains. Some local roads were still almost impassable also limiting the number of stops we made.

Nevertheless, we did see the “big three” advertised species. Tundra Swans were in the thousands on the ice of Long Point Bay as we drove the causeway. Better views were had on the “Front Road”, County Road 42, both calling in flight and in surrounding corn fields. A number of pairs of Sandhill Cranes were out in the fields too, allowing good telescope looks. A little surprisingly, given their nice recovery of recent years, we didn't see a Bald Eagle until our final stop of the day, an immature bird, with a radio transmitter strapped to its back! New for the year for many included, American Robins, a number of Killdeer, and blackbirds. We had Pine Pine Siskins in several locations. An extremely cooperative Merlin perched right along the road so that most or all of the group got a look and some even pictures. The wily Wild Turkeys managed to elude us this year but some fortunate individuals saw some on their drive down and/or home.

Thank yous go to Bob Stamp and John Olmsted for co‐leading the outing, Birds Studies Canada for allowing us to use their Old Cut Field Station as a lunch room, volunteers from the Friends of Long Point for arranging access to the St. Williams Forestry Station facilities and to Diane Salter for again allowing us to visit her well‐stocked feeders in Walsingham, which never fail to produce a few species we miss elsewhere.

February 5 (Saturday) Fisherville Area, Haldimand‐Norfolk County

Leader: Dave Milsom.

We began the day in high spirits as we joked about the terrible weather we had encountered on previous winter Fisherville trips. The sun shone and the temperature was almost balmy. By day’s end, we were happy to reach home as we crawled along the roads in heavy snow!

The 40 participants on today’s outing were rewarded with some excellent sightings. At Ruthven Park we saw 4 Red‐bellied Woodpeckers, several Eastern Bluebirds ( more than 12 through the morning), one Pine Siskin, White‐breasted Nuthatch, White‐throated Sparrow and Sharp‐shinned Hawk.

At Roger Gifford’s feeders on River Road, Cayuga, were 3 Tufted Titmouse, 6 Rusty Blackbirds, 2 Red‐bellied Woodpeckers, a Red‐breasted Nuthatch, Northern Mockingbird and a American Robin.

On a field south of Hagersville were 2 Lapland Longspurs, Horned Larks and Snow Buntings.

Most of Lake Erie was frozen, including the water near Nanticoke Power Station, but we still recorded Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, American Black Duck and Mallard. Apart from missing Northern Harrier, we had a great day for raptors: Cooper’s and Sharp‐shinned Hawks, several American Kestrels, a Merlin, both dark and light morph Rough‐legged Hawks, Red‐tailed Hawks, 8 Bald Eagles as well as 4 Northern Shrikes. Other highlights were Northern Flicker; 3 Song Sparrows; a female Belted Kingfisher and a Great Blue Heron at the warm‐water outflow from Nanticoke; and a total of 7 Short‐eared Owls at the Raptor Reserve near Fisherville.

Total number of species was 47.

Many thanks to John Schmefelske, Gord Cameron and Hart Brasche for their expertise and assistance today.

January 22 (Saturday) Ottawa Area [until Noon]

Leader: Mark Gawn (assisted by Bob Cermak).

Ignoring frostbite warnings, more than 30 hardy souls gathered Saturday for a winter's day sub‐zero birding in the Ottawa area. On the itinerary: fields and feeders. With few birds in the bush most activity is strongly concentrated around bird feeders, so a route was plotted to visit feeders that could conveniently be viewed from the roadside. The usual assortment of winter birds were apparent, including good numbers of Common Redpolls. At one feeder, several participants were able to get good enough views to confirm an arboreal “exilipes” Hoary Redpoll. Roadside stops in the South March area yielded two adult Bald Eagles, an amusing flock of Bohemian Waxwings, and Northern Shrike. A hoped for Red‐bellied Woodpecker, one of several wintering in the Ottawa area this winter, eluded the group, but a flyby Pileated was well seen by many. Open fields in the Kinburn and Richmond area yielded Horned Lark, Snow Bunting and cracking views of Lapland Longspur, the latter locally more common than usual this winter. A covey of Grey Partridge staked out the day before had left the area, a tell tale set of (human) tracks in the snow suggesting that they had been flushed by a thoughtless observer/photographer. The final stop of the day, the Trail Road dump, produced, wait for it, two (two!) gulls, both adult Great Black‐backed. It's been a cold winter. Somewhat unexpectedly the group totalled eight Red‐tailed Hawks, seen in ones and twos throughout the day. In total 27 species were seen, less than one species per participant! Thank you to Bob Cermak and Jen Spallin for their assistance and to Jeff Skivington for putting up with a host of birders peering into his front yard!

January 1 (Saturday) Peterborough Area

Leader: Dave Milsom

Terrible weather conditions of incessant rain and thick fog did not deter 22 hardy birders from attending today’s OFO trip in the Peterborough area.

Despite the weather, there were some good sightings : 30 Bohemian Waxwings close to Lakefield College in Lakefield; 100 + Snow Buntings on a manured field near Stony Lake on County Road 6; 20 Evening Grosbeaks at the Drain house feeders on County Road 6; 2 flocks of Wild Turkeys; Coopers, Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed hawks, American Kestrel; Pileated, Hairy and Downy woodpeckers; Common Goldeneye and Common Mergansers on the Otonabee River south of Lakefield; American Tree, White‐throated and Song sparrows at feeders on Scollard Drive in Peterborough.

December 5 (Sunday) Toronto Lakeshore

Leader: Dave Milsom.

15 OFO members attended today’s outing. The weather forecasts probably disuaded many but the sun shone throughout the day and it was warm in sheltered spots off the lake.

50 species included 25 species of duck. Best finds were White‐winged and Surf Scoters in rough waters off Millen in Stoney Creek; many Canvasbacks and Redheads, 25 Ring‐necked and about 200 Ruddy Ducks off LaSalle Park in Hamilton; 5 Northern Pintail, 6 Green‐winged Teal, 4 Double‐crested Cormorants and 30 Northern Shovelers on Red Hill Creek leading into Windermere Basin. There were all 3 swan species and 12 American Coots at LaSalle Park. We also found all 3 mergansers, a Black‐crowned Night‐Heron, Northern Mockingbird and 4 Song Sparrows at Humber Bay Park East, 2 Peregrine Falcons at the lift bridge in Hamilton, and at day’s end 2 Yellow‐rumped Warblers at Sioux Lookout in Burlington.

November 28 (Sunday) Niagara River Gull Watch

Leaders: Ron Tozer, Willie D’Anna, Betsy Potter.

Over 82 OFO members and friends enjoyed a day of good weather, gulls and other birds along the Niagara River today. Our main objective was to see gulls, and ten species were found. Most participants got to see all of them well.

We started at the Adam Beck Overlook where the following were noted:

• California Gull: 1 adult
• Thayer’s Gull: 1 juvenile and 1 adult
• Iceland Gull: at least 2 juveniles and 2 adults
• Lesser Black‐backed Gull: 2 juveniles and 2 adults

Next we visited the Whirlpool where we viewed:

• Little Gull: 2 adults
• Eastern Screech‐Owl: 1 red morph roosting in a red cedar adjacent to the parking lot, spotted by the amazing eyes of Betsy Potter! This owl was the highlight of the day for many.

At this point we split the group, with some heading to the Control Gates above the falls and others to Tim Horton’s and Thomas Street in Chippawa. An adult Lesser Black‐backed Gull was found at the Control Gates and there was a Red‐bellied Woodpecker and a Tufted Titmouse at Thomas Street.

The groups joined up again and we proceeded to Dufferin Island where we parked and walked to look at the river above the falls. Here we observed:

• Little Gull: 1 adult
• Lesser Black‐backed Gull: 2 adults
• Glaucous Gull: 1 juvenile
• Tufted Titmouse: 1

Some participants then went on to Fort Erie to look at the Tundra Swans along the river and the Cackling Goose near the Peace Bridge. Others went back to Sir Adam Beck to look at the gulls there again.

Trip leaders Willie D’Anna, Betsy Potter and Ron Tozer would like to thank everyone on today’s trip for their enthusiasm and participation in locating birds. It was a great group effort.

November 6 (Saturday) Hawk Cliff and Area, southwest of London

Leaders: Pete Read, Ian Platt.

Ian and I met about 10 hardy birders on a rather cool Saturday morning at Hawk Cliff for late migrating raptors and other sightings.

As the movements of hawks began rather late we didn’t leave the cliff until about 2 pm, but by that point we had seen our target species. Included were 5 Golden Eagles, 4 of which were immature, some at good viewing distance, and 3 Northern Goshawks, 2 of which were immature, at high altitude unfortunately, and a dozen or more Red‐shouldered Hawks of various age, one particularly close bird.

Many Red‐tails were moving today as well as a few Harrier, Cooper’s and Sharp‐shinned. A number of Turkey Vultures were noted and three Bald Eagles put in an appearance. I think a few saw a Roughleg or two, and one was captured and banded I heard.

We had started about half way up the Hawk Cliff road, as we noted the wind was out of the north, but not too stiff, and the official Hawk Cliff counters had moved up there. Reports of some movement came in from north of Dexter Line, so we drove up there. Yes, a few started moving through about 11 am, but since the wind came up even more, we noted that the small kettles forming were indeed being pushed towards the lake so by 12:30 we moved back to the original spot. Just after 1, after noting quite a few red‐tails and other species, the eagles started appearing. We left about 2 pm in order to get the next two places covered.

Besides the raptors, a number of passerine species were noted at the Cliff. We had at least two Fox Sparrow, a Tufted Titmouse, a number of White‐throated Sparrow, several Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, one Golden‐crowned Kinglet only, three Wood Duck, and a number of others.

Flicker, Hairy, Downy, and Red‐bellied Woodpeckers were found there and one couple had a Pileated as they approached Hawk Cliff.

I should mention that another person had a few swans, probably Tundra, on the way. I saw a number of Wild Turkey on my way home.

Following the lake, presumably migrating were numbers of American Pipit, 100 or so, in one large flock. Also moving today, goldfinch and bluebirds and some blackbird species

A few Common Loon were seen coming from the north, amounting to about 9.

We headed over to the Port Stanley Harbour where a large number of common species of gulls, ring‐bill and herring, were loafing. A few Great Black‐backed were also noted. A lone Dunlin was hanging around. A Bald Eagle was seen over the town.

We then headed up to the sewage lagoons, where a number of waterfowl were seen. These included Northern Shoveller, Green‐winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, American Wigeon, Ring‐necked Duck, one female scaup, a few Redhead, Hooded Merganser, Mallard, and Bufflehead.

A few Bonaparte’s Gulls were noted as well.

From there the group dissolved and headed off.

Altogether we saw about 40 species of birds.

Thanks to all of those who came out and enjoyed looks at our target species. The weather held out quite well, wind being mostly out of the north pushing the birds towards the lake for viewing fun. There was a variety of clouds but with some sunshine, so that many birds were seen in excellent light.

A big thank you to all the official Hawk Cliff counters who helped us immensely during our time at the Cliff. We really appreciate your advice and help.

October 31 (Sunday) Grand Bend, Pinery Provincial Park, Kettle Point and/or Point Edward if strong north winds.

Leader: Maris Apse.

It was a very blustery Halloween day with intermittent rain, sleet and even a short burst of hail but some 2 dozen hardy OFO members met at 0830 hrs to enjoy some ‘birding around the bend’–pun intended!

Most of the waterfowl flying past the beach were quite far out but both Black‐and‐White‐winged Scoter(2 that landed were hard to see in the huge waves) gave some decent looks along with 2 Common Loon.

The lagoons were quite productive but also featured the first rainfall–3 Greater and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Hudsonian Godwit, 3 Semipalmated and 4 Pectoral Sandpiper plus some 20 Dunlin were in the first pond and a Killdeer was heard from the adjacent field and several American Pipit were found in the weeds. A total of 14 duck species, including Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye were found, mostly in the second pond. Sparrows were hard to see in the tall weeds but 6 of the 9 Emberizids of the day were found as we walked aall the way back to the 4th lagoon, where we added Yellow‐rumped Warbler.

On Klondyke Road we stopped to look at a few more sparrows but no new species and carried on to Pinery P.P. to warm up at the Visitor Centre, enjoy feeder watching, lunch and some of Penny’s '’Zombie Finger Cookies’. A Brown Creeper, a dozen Pine Pine Siskin, a Field and several White‐throated Sparrow, plus Purple Finch (male and female), Tufted Titmouse and Red‐bellied Woodpecker were seen.

I missed seeing 2 Sandhill Crane off Northville Road but luckily 'eagle‐eye' Pye(Donald) found them and advised me at the next stop (for a Common Grackle) and we drove around the block to have good views. Along Army Camp road some saw a Pileated Woodpecker and we stopped at the Ipperwash Swales area finding a flock of about 16 Snow Bunting but nothing new. At Kettle Point the sun broke briefly, we admired a rainbow forming until a huge dark cloud loomed over us and driving rain began. We wrapped up the trip at 15:30 hrs after some saw a Great Blue Heron on a dump truck near the marina.

The day’s list totalled 70–not too shabby considering the difficult weather conditions–of 12 vehicles at GB Sobeys , 7 carloads of ‘diehard birders’ headed home for a well deserved rest.

October 29 (Friday) Ottawa River

Leader: Tony Beck.

Brisk 20 kilometre winds from the northwest couldn't stop 12 hardy birders from enjoying an afternoon of birding along the Ottawa River. Seven degree Celsius temperatures, and a nasty windchill, made this feel more like a Christmas Count–NOT the southern Cave Swallow weather we were hoping for.

We started at Andrew Haydon Park East moving quickly to the western side, avoiding a group of windsurfers. The park seemed surprisingly slow until we heard a flyover of Bohemian Waxwings. We watched the flock of about 80 birds disappear over a row of spruce. The choppy river white‐caps made it difficult to observe things on the water. However, 3 American Coots, still uncommon in these parts, provided some excitement.

Anticipating northern birds, we ventured out to Dick Bell Park. As we started along the breakwater, seven Snow Buntings landed among the nearby rocks giving everyone excellent views. A mixed flock of Mallards and Northern Pintails flew by. An American Pipit also flew overhead. Plus several more‐common species were observed here. Upon our return, a very tame Snow Bunting posed for photos.

Our next stop was Shirley's Bay where we observed at least 7 Red‐necked Grebes, and one Horned Grebe. A young light morph Rough‐legged Hawk put in a great performance as it flew by the boat launch. At the Hilde Road feeders, we had 2 male Northern Cardinals, and a host of common species. The highlight was a cooperative adult Northern Shrike.

With winds persisting, we headed back to Andrew Haydon Park. Those that stuck around to the end enjoyed a few thousand Canada Geese coming in to roost.

Compared to years past, the bird diversity and overall numbers are low along this part of the river. The high winds and low temperatures also made for difficult birding. Regardless, we had a few highlights, some participants got life‐birds, and we had a lot of fun.

October 24 (Sunday) Durham Waterfront

Leader: Geoff Carpentier.

Despite heavy rain to start the outing, 7 hardy souls joined me as we birded the Durham waterfront. Tyler Hoar joined me for part of the adventure (unfortunately leaving just before we saw the Common Loons (see below) :‐) His knowledge and observational skills were most appreciated.

We started at Lynde Shores woods where we found several most cooperative and hungry Black‐capped Chickadees and sparrows at the feeders. As we worked through the woods we added Purple Finches, Fox Sparrow and Hermit Thrush. On the walk south toward Cranberry Marsh we had great looks at several Rusty Blackbirds, a phoebe, a catbird and many more Fox, White‐throats and White‐crowned Sparrows and a few more Hermit Thrushes. A Common Yellowthroat was in the tall weeds and about 6 deer sauntered across the road at one point.

At Cranberry we added most of the expected puddle ducks plus Hooded and Common Mergansers and Bufflehead and Northern Harrier that was hunting the marsh. Back at the car we drove to Pringle Creek where Trumpeter and Mute Swans slept on flats and two Greater and three Lesser Yellowlegs allowed great opportunities to compare these confusing species.

From here we headed east to Oshawa Second Marsh, where we birded the main marsh first adding lots of cormorants and Great Blue Herons, Pied‐billed Grebes, 47 American Coots, lots of puddle ducks including Wood Duck, a Marsh Wren, pipits and several Swamp Sparrows. The fields nearby were jumping with sparrows–Song, White‐throated, White‐crowned and a Chipping. A few Yellow‐rumped Warblers joined the melee and a Peregrine Falcon appeared overhead looking for lunch in the marsh. Golden‐crowned Kinglets offered great up close views, with one male showing his orangey‐red crest. In sleepy hollow we added Winter Wren, Ruby‐crowned Kinglet and a phoebe.

As we neared the shore, things got exciting as I scoped for Common Loons and Grebes–first I found a winter plumaged Common Loon, then several White‐winged Scoters and a few Long‐tailed Ducks, plus hundreds of Red‐breasted Mergansers. As I rescanned the area looking for Grebes, a beautiful breeding plumaged Pacific Loon was suddenly directly in front of us. It dove repeatedly so was unfortunately not seen by the entire group. (I understand it was relocated later by other parties near Oshawa harbour). Then two Common Loons flew into view going west to east–one was a Red‐throated (winter plumage) and the other was not identified due to distance, but appeared to also be a Red‐throated.

From here we went to Thickson's Woods where we added very little but did see about 50 Pine Pine Siskins, another Winter Wren and several Common Loons out on the lake. Then it was off to Duffin's Creek in Ajax, where we added a single Surf Scoter and a Killdeer.

Total count for the day was 68 species–not bad for a rainy day!

October 9 (Saturday) Hamilton, Burlington and Vicinity

Leader: Tom Thomas.

For the 40 or so members that showed up at Van Wagners Beach on a picture perfect Saturday morning, it was a question of quantity of birds over quality.

The winds were perfect for Jaeger watching, but unfortunately we were looking into the early morning sun, and all the bird activity was on the far horizon. We did manage to pick out a number of Bonaparte’s Gulls, and flocks of Long‐tailed Ducks however.

Walking along the Waterfront Trail, we saw many Yellow‐bellied Sapsuckers, Brown Creepers, Golden and Ruby‐crowned Kinglets, White‐crowned, White‐throated, and Chipping Sparrows.

The ponds and trails behind Hutches were good for Hermit Thrush, Eastern Phoebe, Least Flycatcher, Orange‐crowned, Black‐throated Blue, and Nashville Warblers, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Field Sparrow, White‐throated Sparrow, and perhaps a hundred or more Juvenile White‐crowned Sparrows, I suspect the ratio of adults to juveniles was about a hundred to one in favor of the juveniles.

The timing of our walk on the trail behind Hutches was fortunate for one particular bird. A sharp eyed birder spotted something in a bed of Burdock. On further investigation we found a Golden‐crowned Kinglet with its wings and breast feathers totally snagged. The bird was still alive, although it looked like it was exhausted, and ready to give up, we gently untangled it, and it flew a couple of yards into some nearby Goldenrod, where hopefully it can quietly recover.

After lunch we took a trip to the Windermere Basin, to look for ducks and shorebirds, there was lots to look at here, but a scope is a must to identify the distant shorebirds and the large mix of waterfowl. Some of the highlights here were a late Barn Swallow, and an Orange‐crowned Warbler that popped up and sat for a while on some Goldenrod, giving us great looks.

From the Windermere Basin we backtracked to Confederation Park, where this year the birding was less than stellar, but we did add an Eastern Wood‐Pewee, and Wood Duck to the tally.

There were just a couple of birders left when we decided to check out the lake in a last effort to see a Jaeger. Fortunately for us Cheryl Edgecombe was looking at two distant jaegers as we arrived at the Lakeland viewing area. We both agreed that these were more than likely Parasitic Jaegers, as this is the species that goes after gulls in a big way, and this is what these two birds were doing.

At the end of the day we counted a total of 78 species, which is a pretty good effort when the birding gets tough.

List of Species

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green‐winged Teal, Redhead, Ring‐necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, White‐winged Scoter, Long‐tailed Duck, Ruddy Duck, and Common Loon.

Double‐crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black‐crowned Night‐Heron.

Sharp‐shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red‐tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon.

American Coot, Black‐bellied Plover, White‐rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin.

Bonaparte’s Gull, Great‐Black‐backed Gull, Ring‐billed Gull, and Herring Gull.

Parasitic Jaeger.

Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove.

Yellow‐bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker.

Easter Wood Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe.

Blue‐headed Vireo.

Blue Jay, American Crow.

Barn Swallow.

Black‐capped Chickadee, Red‐breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden and Ruby‐crowned Kinglets.

Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher.

European Starling, Cedar Waxwing.

Orange‐crowned, Black‐throated Blue, Black‐throated Green, Nashville and Yellow‐rumped Warblers.

Eastern Towhee, Chipping, Field, Fox, Song, Swamp, White‐throated, White‐crowned Sparrows, Dark‐eyed Junco.

Red‐winged Blackbird, House Finch, Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

I would like to thank everybody who took the time to make this trip so enjoyable, and I hope to see you next year.

October 3 (Sunday) Point Pelee National Park

Leader: Marianne Reid.

About 15 birders arrived to the southernmost point in Canada for a little bit of fall birding in the morning and into the early afternoon in Point Pelee National Park.

Despite strong winds and a constant drizzle of rain, 65 species were located at the Tip, around the visitor centre, the Delaurier Trail, and at the Northwest Beach parking lot. With the strong northeast winds all day, areas that were sheltered seemed to be the most productive.

A Few Highlights:

At the tip there was a lone Sanderling along with a few warbler species within the surrounding trails including Orange‐crowned Warbler and Wilson’s Warbler. Both Gray‐cheeked, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes were seen. A Northern Harrier was flying low way out over the lake as well.

The skies around the visitor centre parking lot produced a few raptors, including Bald Eagle, Sharp‐shinned Hawk, and Broad‐winged Hawk.

On the Delaurier Trail we located a female Black‐throated Blue Warbler, and a Nashville Warbler, while around the parking lot there were many White‐throated and White‐crowned Sparrows, along with a single Palm Warbler.

At the Northwest Beach Parking lot a Peregrine Falcon came into view, and we picked up a couple more sparrow species including Savannah Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow. A pair of Horned Grebes were spotted on the lake.

I think everyone agreed we had to work for our birds today, good job everyone!

September 11 (Saturday) Ottawa (all day to 5 pm)

Leader: Jeff Skevington.

About 25 of us had a pleasant day birding in the west end of Ottawa. We started at Mud Lake (Britannia) at 7:30 am and worked west to Andrew Hayden Park, Shirley’s Bay, Constance Creek and finally Carp Ridge. We recorded 85 species. The highlight was our first stop at Mud Lake where we had an excellent warbler flock (most of the 16 warbler species that we saw today were there). Estimated warbler numbers for the day were: Tennessee Warbler 4, Nashville Warbler 3, Northern Parula 7, Chestnut‐sided Warbler 3, Magnolia Warbler 4, Yellow‐rumped Warbler 140, Black‐throated Green Warbler 35, Blackburnian Warbler 2, Pine Warbler 1, Palm Warbler 1,Bay‐breasted Warbler 2, Blackpoll Warbler 30, Black‐and‐white Warbler 4, American Redstart 1,Common Yellowthroat 1, and Wilson's Warbler 1. Non‐warbler highlights here included 2 Black‐crowned Night‐Herons and 1 Rusty Blackbird.

There were very few shorebirds around. 8 Sanderling at Andrew Hayden Park were the only species of interest. The only other bird there of note was a single Bonaparte’s Gull.

Shirley’s Bay was quiet with the only highlights being Scarlet Tanager and 15 Great Egrets. The melanistic chipmunk put on a show for everyone though.

Further west we saw 7 Eastern Bluebirds along the 6th Line, 10 Common Common Moorhens at Constance Creek (at Thomas Dolan Road) and 7 Purple Finches and 3 Field Sparrows at Carp Ridge (off Thomas Dolan).

September 12 (Sunday) Presqu’ile Provincial Park

Leaders: Don and Ian Shanahan.

The annual Presqu’ile OFO trip led by myself and my dad, Don Shanahan, is once again in the books and with many sightings of note to report.

Though the weather looked ominous to start the day as we set out in search of songbirds around the Lighthouse area, little more than occasional periods of thin drizzle in the morning were encountered. A MERLIN perched in plain view near Presqu’ile Weekly Birding Report writer Fred Helleiner’s residence. Its presence, unfortunately, was surely the cause of unusually wariness of a songbird flock on Paxton Drive. Better success with songbirds was achieved at Calf Pasture as good views of a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and both BLACKPOLL and at least three BAY‐breasted WARBLERS were enjoyed by all. A lingering adult CASPIAN TERN as well as a newly arrived immature COMMON LOON were seen off the shores of Calf Pasture in addition to several PIED‐BILLED GREBES. Three COOPER’S HAWKS also made a brief appearance.

As is almost always the case on this outing, shorebirds reigned supreme due to a productive visit to Owen Point. Quality looks at several SEMIPALMATED and LEAST SANDPIPERS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, SANDERLINGS and BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS, two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and an adult DUNLIN right at Owen Point were combined with slightly more distant looks at RUDDY TURNSTONES and BLACK‐BELLIED PLOVERS (adult and juvenile birds). Two juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS also dashed by briefly as did a distant PEREGRINE FALCON over Gull Island. Ducks of note in the Gull Island area included GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, BUFFLEHEAD, GREEN‐WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREATER SCAUP and REDHEAD. On the way to and from Owen Point, two small songbird flocks contained GOLDEN‐CROWNED KINGLETS, BLACK‐THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, MAGNOLIA WARBLERS and a WILSON’S WARBLER.

After lunch, the group visited the Gilmours’ cottage at 83 Bayshore Road and enjoyed some exceptional backyard birding involving looks at a BALTIMORE ORIOLE, three BROWN THRASHERS, two SWAINSON’s THRUSHES, a resident CAROLINA WREN, a group of newly‐arrived WHITE‐THROATED SPARROWS and several RUBY‐THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS. A songbird‐dispersing buzz by a SHARP‐SHINNED HAWK signalled our departure to our last stop at the Brighton Constructed Wetland.

At the wetland, many LESSER YELLOWLEGS, BONAPARTE’S GULLS and BLUE‐WINGED TEAL were seen as were three SORAS. Two or three MARSH WRENS and a single COMMON MOORHEN capped off the afternoon as did across‐the‐road looks at WOOD DUCKS and a HOODED MERGANSER. Non‐bird species of note included several Monarchs, two Eastern Tailed Blues, various darners and clusters of Fringed and Bottled Gentians.

The total bird species count was *Ninety‐four* (possibly a new high for this trip) as birding was steady all day. *Fourteen species of shorebirds* as well as *twelve species of warblers* greatly contributed to the high species diversity of the day.

My dad and I would like to extend a special thanks to the Gilmours for their incredible hospitality (and good birds) and Bill Gilmour, Maureen Riggs and the contingent of local birding friends for volunteering their time to lend extra eyes and ears all day. Good birding and see you next year!

August 29 (Sunday) Palgrave, Tottenham Sod Farms, Schomberg Lagoons

Leader: Dave Milsom.

Over 40 birders enjoyed today’s very warm weather and some good birds, particularly in the afternoon.

The morning at Palgrave Conservation Area was slow. Only 7 species of warbler were seen, best being Golden-winged, Canada and Tennessee. Pileated Woodpecker was seen well flying over the pond. Also, Northern Harrier, Eastern Wood Pewee, Wild Turkey, White-throated and Swamp sparrows were found.

The afternoon was productive for shorebirds and 11 species were seen. Best find was a juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper seen very well by all the group at Zander Sod Farms on the 10th Concession near Beeton. Also there were 14 Baird's Sandpipers and Black-bellied Plover.

At Schomberg Lagoons were both Yellowlegs, Solitary, Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers, Wilson’s Snipe, Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper.

A total of 75 species were found throughout the day.

August 28 (Saturday) Toronto Islands

Leader: Ian Cannell.

The beautiful sunny day we enjoyed on the Islands today was matched only by the nice group of birders who made it a pleasure to lead this outing.

As has been usual for the past three years a large group of birders showed up to practise their skills at identifying those “confusing fall warblers” and practise they had, in full.

After 2 or 3 hours we had progressed no further than a few hundred metres from the Ward’s Island ferry dock as wave after wave of warblers, vireos, flycatchers and other species flew into a few willows in front of us. A beautifully plumaged male Canada Warbler was a big favourite as was a cooperative male Black‐throated Blue Warbler. Philadelphia Vireos and Yellow‐bellied Flycatchers were other popular sightings.

When we finally left the Ward's cottage area and headed west, we enjoyed seeing an Olive‐sided Flycatcher from Snake Island, at the very top of the highest bare snag, as is typical for this species.

Snake Island is a good place to find this species at this time of year.

If you have an opportunity to get over to the Islands in the next few weeks, particularly after northerly winds overnight you can be pretty sure of a great day of birding.

Two things:

Be sure you have the correct ferry schedule; it’s the summer schedule now, but will change to the fall schedule on Sept. 7th.

New ferry ticket machines are now in place, just outside the entrance to the ferry dock.

The good news is that they will now accept credit cards.

The bad news is that they are far from intuitive to use.

To use them:

Use the two buttons at the left to scroll up or down to choose the kind of ticket you want (Adult, or Seniors, etc.).

Then select the number of people for whom you want tickets on the number pad below.

Then push the green “Print” button.

The screen will then display the amount it expects from you.

Either enter the correct change in the yellow slot below ($6.50 adult or $4.00 Seniors) or enter your credit card.

Then push the green “Print” button again.

Finally remove the ticket when it drops down into the slot at bottom right (note that multiple tickets will be printed if you paid for more than one person).

I provide these details because I had to help most people to figure out how to use these new machines.

August 15 (Sunday) Durham Region and Lake Ontario Marshes

Leaders: Rayfield Pye, John Stirrat.

Thirty two participants met at the parking lot at Lynde Shores Conservation Area at 7:30 a.m. and walked through the Lynde Shores woodlot down to Cranberry Marsh. We saw few species on the way there– mainly Eastern Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwings and American Goldfinches.

Once there, we did get to see a variety of Herons–Great Blue, Great Egret, Green, and Black‐crowned Night‐Herons. Waterbirds consisted of Mute and Trumpeter Swans, Common Moorhen, Pied‐billed Grebe,and Mallard ducks. Caspian Terns and a Belted Kingfisher patrolled the marsh. A small area of shorebird habitat yielded Lesser Yellowlegs, Least and Pectoral Sandpiper. The highlight was a great long look at a Least Bittern sitting in the cattails on the far side of the marsh.

We next went to the small woodlot and beach at the foot of Gordon Street in Whitby where we had Red‐eyed and Philadelphia Vireo, Black‐and‐white Warbler and Blue‐gray Gnatcatcher.

We stopped for lunch at the local Tims and then went to Oshawa Second Marsh where we added American White Pelican and Wood Ducks on the marsh and American Redstart, Yellow, Cape May, and Magnolia Warblers on the walk down to the lake. Some, unfortunately, were also introduced to “European fire ants”–nasty, little guys.

We had 68 species for the day–despite the heat and humidity and, for the third consecutive year, having virtually no shorebird habitat.

August 8 Rock Point Provincial Park and Eastern Lake Erie Shore

Leaders: John Black with Jim Heslop and Kevin McLaughlin.

31 participants from 0800 to 1330 hours. 50 species, of which 15 species were shorebirds, were seen.

Rock Point

Strong winds off the lake led to a much reduced beach and very few shorebirds. Six Semipalmated Plover, a few Killdeer, and Spotted Sandpiper, a single Ruddy Turnstone, six Sanderling, two Least Sandpiper and fifteen Semipalmated Sandpiper were observed. Not one yellowlegs was seen!

Mosaic–Esterhazy Lagoons (Permission required for entry)

Here we added both yellowlegs to the trip list along with five Short‐billed Dowitcher, two Pectoral Sandpiper and, the highlight of the trip, a single Red‐necked Phalarope. Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper and Semipalmated Sandpiper were also present. A lone Bald Eagle was also observed.

Sod Farms

On the grass, to the northwest of Canal Bank Road, northeast of Stromness and southwest of Hutchinson Road, 15 Black‐bellied Plover were observed. On the grass, to the north of athe intersection of Hutchinson Road and Poth Road, 12 Black‐bellied Plover were observed.

Shorebird totals

Black‐bellied Plover 28, Semipalmated Plover 12, Killdeer about 70, Spotted Sandpiper 20, Greater Yellowlegs 5, Lesser Yellowlegs 15, Ruddy Turnstone 1, Sanderling 6, Semipalmated Sandpiper 30, Least Sandpiper 5, Pectoral Sandpiper 2, Short‐billed Dowitcher 5, Red‐necked Phalaraope 1.

June 19 (Saturday) and June 20 (Sunday) Bruce Peninsula

Leaders: Cindy Cartwright, Alfred Raab.

32 participants enjoyed sunny skies and beautiful weather on the June 19/20 OFO trip. 105 species were observed including Piping Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Sandhill Crane, Brewer's Blackbird, Red‐headed Woodpecker, Black Tern, and a Virginia Rail with chicks. Nests of seven species were documented.

Other highlights included orchids, ferns and other specialty plant species, dragonflies, butterflies, and a young black bear.

Thank you to all the participants–it was a pleasure spending the weekend with you.

June 5‐6 Rainy River

Leader: Glenn Coady

I had the pleasure to lead this year’s OFO trip to Rainy River on the weekend of June 5‐6. There were 16 participants on the trip, coming from places as varied as Ottawa, Dryden, London, St. Catharines, Thornbury, Toronto and Friendswood, Texas!

Our group observed a total of 132 species over the two days. Contrary to most years, there was very little to be found at either the Emo or Rainy River sewage lagoons (other than the expected species of ducks). A large, newly‐created third lagoon at Rainy River should make this site much more productive in the years to come. A favourite feature of our trip was the excursion to Windy Point. There we had very close views of the Yellow‐headed Blackbird colony, a pair of Sandhill Cranes, migrant White‐rumped Sandpipers and Sanderlings in breeding plumage, two Forster’s Terns and a pair of Piping Plovers at the nest.

Here are some details of many of the specialties of the Rainy River area that we encountered:

American White Pelican–scores of pelicans were seen each day flying over, on the ground, or in the water, at places like the Rainy River sewage lagoons, Budreau’s Oak Grove camp, the Sable Islands, Harris Hill Resort, Burton Island, Gull Rock, Quick Island and Windy Point.

Bald Eagle–we had many sightings of adult Bald Eagles (Rainy River lagoons, Budreau Beach, end of Kreger’s Road, Quick Island, Highway 600 at the River Road and other spots) and also saw a few year‐old birds as well (including one flushed from a roadside kill on Kreger’s Road).

Sharp‐tailed Grouse–both mornings we observed birds dancing at a lek on the west side of Highway 600 halfway between Kreger’s Road and Harris Hill. We also saw a bird on the morning of the 5th that was perched in a tree on the west side of Worthington Road 3.

Yellow Rail–it was generally a very dry spring at Rainy River, with appreciable rain only coming in the 10 days before our trip. Consequently, there were no Yellow Rails to be found in any of the hay fields in the area. or in the usually poorly drained areas along the east end of Wilson Creek Road. On our first attempt to find this species in the suitable wet sedge habitat of the Big Marsh north of Fred’s Road on Saturday evening with most of the group, we failed to hear any Yellow Rails at all (although we knew they had been heard there the night before). After missing them Saturday night, only four of us returned to the Big Marsh Sunday night, but our persistence paid off. About 9:20 p.m. we heard 2 Yellow Rails in the marsh (in which the water was the lowest that I have ever seen it) about 1.2 km beyond the big solitary elm tree. As we walked toward the clicking of the rails with the sun still above the horizon, I flushed one of the rails up from out of the marsh. Instead of flying away from us, it flew directly back at me, and crossed right past us at shoulder height, affording wonderful views of its yellow bill, neck and breast and its golden plumes on the black back. It flew about 40 metres and then weakly fluttered down into the marsh behind us, giving nice views of its white secondaries as it did. Definitely this was a trip highlight!

Sandhill Crane–this species continues to become more common at Rainy River, with paired birds seen at more than a dozen sites, among them Worthington Road 3, Blue Road 2, Wilson Creek Road, River Road, several sites along Highway 600, Kreger’s Road and Windy Point.

Piping Plover–the highlight of our trip to Windy Point was a pair found at a nest, seen defending the nest area from a female Yellow‐headed Blackbird that was foraging too close to the nest.

Marbled Godwit–one of the first species that we found on Saturday morning, a pair were seen standing on fence posts near our meeting spot at Highway 11 and Worthington Road 3. Later that morning, we found a pair defending a nest site (saw the female come off the nest) in a field on Blue Road 3. The male flew and circled low over our heads, and the agitated female flew right out onto the road behind our parked cars and followed us down the road and back to our cars allowing several participants to take nice photographs.

Forster‐s Tern–among the many Common Terns seen out at Windy Point, we also found 2 adult Forster‐s Terns feeding.

Black Tern–several Black Terns were seen flying over the Big Marsh north of Fred’s Road.

Northern Hawk Owl–early on the morning of the 5th, we found a Northern Hawk Owl perched high in a tree top to the northwest of the corner of Hartnell Road and Embury Road north of Blue Road 3.

Great Gray Owl–on a tip from Alan Wormington, who had scouted the area in early May, we looked for a nest that he had found in a Black Ash woods next to a clear cut on Highway 600. Although we easily found the nest on the south perimeter of the clear cut (presumbably an old Broad‐winged Hawk nest by appearance), on both days there was no activity and no adult owls were found in this area, where they had been actively nesting a month earlier, so we assumed this pair had failed. After our Yellow Rail outing on the 6th, we stopped at another area (further south along Highway 600) at dusk, to listen to Whip‐poor‐wills and watch the flights of American Woodcocks. While doing that, an adult Great Gray Owl flew right over our heads across the road, and began to call repeatedly from the woods behind us. The following day (Monday), I searched this woods next to Highway 600 where we had seen and heard this bird, and I found a female at a nest with at least 2 large young. Another trip highlight, to be sure.

Long‐eared Owl–on the south end of the River Road (east of the Camp of the Woods), we found a nest with 2 young Long‐eared Owls in it, and two larger young which had already left the nest into adjacent trees. These were right beside the road and afforded nice scope views for everyone.

Short‐eared Owl–we saw a bird flying around near the southwest corner of Wilson Creek Road and highway 600 on the evening of the 5th.

Olive‐sided Flycatcher–a male was seen singing in the same tall, dead tree on Kreger’s Road in which I saw one in 1996, 2001 and 2005. Site tenacity is a great thing! Everyone was able to view this bird through scopes.

Yellow‐throated Vireo–we found this rare resident of the oak stands singing in the riparian area of the Camp of the Woods directly beside the Rainy River.

Black‐billed Magpie–this species continues to become more common in the Rainy River area and we saw well over 200 of them throughout the weekend, with a family of 6 young recently fledged from a nest right opposite our cabins at the Harris Hill Resort.

Sedge Wren–although the area was fairly dry, we did hear and see this species at more than 20 areas where we found wet, poorly drained meadows. At a couple of sites we obtained nice scope views of this species.

Connecticut Warbler–almost our entire group got to see a singing male in the canopy of an aspen stand on the west side of Highway 600 south of Kreger’s Road.

Clay‐colored Sparrow–we found this species singing at dozens of roadside sites throughout the area.

Le Conte’s Sparrow–although this was a drier than average year, there were still many Le Conte’s Sparrows present in some of the wetter hay fields of the area. We had nice scope views of this species at a couple of locations and heard them at a couple of dozen additional sites.

Western Meadowlark–one of the first birds of our trip, we saw and heard them singing at several sites, including Worthington Road 3, Worthington Road 2, Blue Road 3, River Road, Wilson Creek Road, Byrnes Road and Highway 600.

Yellow‐headed Blackbird–besides two that were coming to the feeders of the Harris Hill resort (along with Purple Finches and Pine Pine Siskins), we observed many birds at very close range feeding on the shorelines at Windy Point and in the colony at the extensive cattail marsh there.

Brewer’s Blackbird–this species was as ubiquitous as ever, found at virtually all the roadsides we travelled.

Specialties of this area that we missed altogether included Eared Grebe, Wilson’s Phalarope, Franklin’s Gull, Red‐headed Woodpecker, Western Kingbird and Golden‐winged Warbler.

I would like to thank Alan Wormington for sharing information on locations where he had found several key species during his May trip to Rainy River for the benefit of our group.

I would also like to thank Cheryl and Gary Gauthier of the Harris Hill Resort, who shared their knowledge of local bird sites and provided us with safe travel to Windy Point and comfortable and friendly accommodations at their Harris Hill Resort.

Thanks also to Dave Elder, who so popularized this area with OFO members with his birdfinding guides and in leading outings here over two decades, and who has helped me so much over the years in learning where to find the specialties of the Rainy River area.

June 6 (Sunday) Skunk’s Misery

Leaders: Rob Read, Gavin Platt.

The rain held off and it was actually sunny for some of the time for the Rob and Gavin annual Skunk‐’s Misery trip.

Nine people joined Rob and substitute leader Pete on a breezy cool journey touching into some of the best areas for much sought after species in South‐western Ontario.

We were able to hear and briefly see a couple of Hooded Warblers.

A group of very young wild turkeys were seen along the road but somehow they snuck away quickly through the tall verge grass.

We heard an Acadian Flycatcher but it moved off before we could find it and it’s nest wasn’t located either.

We could also hear a Cerulian Warbler but only a couple of folks saw it.

A Tufted Titmouse was more co‐operative as was a Scarlet Tanager. Also noted were Blue‐winged, Pine and Chestnut‐sided Warblers, Yellow‐throated and Red‐eyed Vireo, Eastern Towhee, and lots of Indigo Buntings.

A number of other mature forest species such as Ovenbird and Pileated Woodpecker were also heard.

It seems this was a listening day for the most part due to the leaves and their wind‐assisted movements and the droning of mosquitoes and their nasty stabs were also a bit distracting.

But all in all our target species were mostly accounted for and we left the Misery with satsfaction.

May 30 (Sunday) Ottawa (until noon)

Leader: Bernie Ladouceur.

Fourteen birders turned up to search for some of west‐end Ottawa’s breeding bird specialties and to catch what movement there was along the Ottawa River. The entire morning was overcast, not so great for breeding birds but not bad for bird movement.

We made a quick stop at the west end of Andrew Haydon Park along the Ottawa River, where we searched in vain for a Red Knot that had been reported the nigh before. We had a single Dunlin, a Semipalmated Plover and 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers.

From there it was off to the DunAmerican Robin area. Our first stop was at Constance Creek along the Thomas Dolan Parkway, just north of the DunAmerican Robin road. Highlights were Least Bittern, American Bittern, Virginia Rail and Common Moorhen (all heard only).

Next we drove south along the Thomas Dolan Parkway up onto the Carp Ridge, an outcrop of the Canadian Shield. The ridge is the only location for breeding Golden‐winged Warblers on the Ontario side of the Ottawa‐Gatineau region, and by far the most dependable area for Eastern Towhee in the entire region.

We stopped for Golden‐winged Warbler first. One bird sang persistently but just didn‐t want show itself, except for the quickest views in flight.

We had better luck with the towhees, with most participants getting a pretty good look at a male. A few people also managed to get a look at a Field Sparrow. A number of other breeding species were noted, but the morning was definitely quieter than usual.

We headed for Constance Bay. On our way, we made a stop along Dunrobin road, just before the Constance Bay exit. Here we had excellent views Eastern Meadowlark and Bobolink, and pretty good looks at 2 Upland Sandpipers.

We then headed to a small burnt area in Constance Bay for what may be the last Red‐headed Woodpeckers in the entire Ottawa‐Gatineau region. With a lot of patience, we were rewarded with an excellent look at a Red‐headed Woodpecker, a lifer for two of the participants. Nearby, we found a male Common Golden‐eye along the Ottawa River.

We headed back to the west end of Andrew Haydon Park. The highlight was a Caspian Tern, rare in Ottawa. Also putting in an appearance were a Black‐crowned Night‐Heron, a Common Merganser and a Hooded Merganser.

Our final stop was Britannia Point to look at the action over the Deschênes Rapids. There were about 15 Bonaparte’s Gulls and 7 Ruddy Turnstones, which landed on the exposed rocks in the rapids. This was in addition to the hundreds of nesting Ring‐billed Gulls, a number of Double‐crested Cormorants and a Black‐crowned Night‐Heron, two species that have only recently begun to breed in the area. (No Arctic Terns this time, but the next few days look promising.)

Our final tally was 77 species.

May 30 (Sunday) Carden Alvar

Leader: Jean Iron.

Forty‐five OFO members and guests found many of Carden’s specialty birds on today’s annual field trip. Most target species such as the Loggerhead Shrike and Sedge Wren were seen.

Loggerhead Shrike: We saw a distant Loggerhead Shrike in the morning on the east side of Wylie Road between bluebird boxes 3 and 7 a little north of the large White Birch. This year shrikes are not being seen west of bluebird box 10. After a picnic lunch at the Kirkfield Lift Lock, we had much better views of a Loggerhead Shrike on south side of McNamee Road opposite the gated unnamed road running north, two concessions east of Wylie Road. Recently a shrike was seen on the Cameron Ranch from the parking lot. Scan the tops of hawthorns and dead branches for shrikes in areas grazed by cattle. A scope is a big help.

Wrens: Several Sedge Wrens were singing at Sedge Wren Marsh and we had excellent views of two birds. Best area is the northeast corner along the road where grasses and sedges predominate. Caution: There was a Marsh Wren singing from the cattails just west of the marsh bridge. Later we saw and heard many Marsh Wrens at the Prospect Road Marsh. House Wrens were singing at several spots along Wylie Road.

Upland Sandpiper: We saw and heard several along Wylie and McNamee Roads. Watch for its flickering wing beats and listen for its curlew‐like song and calls.

Wilson’s Snipe: A few snipe were winnowing in flight and calling at wet areas along Wylie Road.

Rails: Both Sora and Virginia Rail are more common this year. The group heard both at the Sedge Wren Marsh and both at Prospect Marsh where we had close views of a Virginia Rail. We haven‐t heard Yellow Rails at the Sedge Wren Marsh this May. They may not like the slightly higher water level in the marsh this year caused by a beaver dam, but the wetter conditions seem to be favouring Soras and Virginia’s.

American Bittern: Two were seen briefly in flight at the Sedge Wren Marsh.

Osprey: Three nests with adults on them were observed at Canal Lake.

Black‐billed Cuckoo: At least two birds were seen and heard. Cuckoos and Baltimore Oriole numbers are up this year associated with a moderate outbreak of Eastern Tent Caterpillars. Cuckoos and orioles are among the few birds that eat the hairy larvae. Just how cuckoos and orioles know that there are abundant caterpillars and move into Carden is unknown.

Flycatchers: One singing Alder Flycatcher was observed at the Sedge Wren Marsh. Least Flycatchers were singing at many spots and are more common this year. No Willow Flycatchers were heard. We also saw Eastern Kingbirds, but numbers seem down. We had a close view of a Great Crested Flycatcher and heard others.

Golden‐winged Warbler: The group had great views of a singing male at the top of a dead tree along Wylie Road south of the Sedge Wren Marsh.

Grasshopper Sparrow: We saw several singing birds perched on rocks and shrubs along Wylie Road. A scope is helpful.

Clay‐colored Sparrow: We heard and eventually saw a singing bird on the west side of Prospect Road about 2 km south of Eldon Station Road.

Other good sightings today included two close Common Loons in breeding plumage on Canal Lake; calling Common Ravens lent a northern flavour to the alvar; Eastern Bluebirds; several singing Brown Thrashers; two singing Field Sparrows; a close Eastern Towhee sang and called beside Wylie Road, but it stayed out of sight in the thickets; and many Eastern Meadowlarks were seen and heard among the group’s 70 bird species.

Non‐bird sightings included a large basking Blanding’s Turtle and a Bullfrog at the Great Blue Heron colony pond east of Shrike Road and south of McNamee Road. Large areas of Prairie Smoke, Carden’s signature wildflower, and Balsam Ragwort brightened the alvar meadows.

Many of the group remarked that most birds were seen very well today.

It was a pleasure having Sean Smith, Visitor Experience Manager of Trent Severn Waterway, Parks Canada, on the outing. I thank Ron Pittaway, Ron Tozer, Eleanor Beagan, and Rick and Kim Brown for ensuring that the group had great views of birds.

May 29 (Saturday) Leslie Street Spit, Toronto

Leader: John Carley.

Today approximately 40 OFO members and guests birded the Leslie Street Spit (Toronto’s Public Urban Wilderness) under cloudless skies, in phenomenally clement weather, and hot temperatures, amassing a total of 71 species. What you receive in weather is taken away in species count.

However, there were some excellent sightings. A Prothonotary Warbler reported by the TTPBRS was heard by a few and seen by one fortunate birder, in the dense underbrush at the water’s edge near the tip of Peninsula D. A Red‐bellied Woodpecker flew over the group on the Spine Road, and an alternate‐plumage Horned Grebe was seen near shore, well east of the lighthouse. Willow Flycatchers were heard and seen at many locations; and, for those 10 birders who hung on till the end, their patience was rewarded at 4 pm by a flock of 55 Whimbrel landing and joining others on the brick shingle beach on the east side of the endikement arm opposite Cell 1. We counted approximately 85 in all. When 9 Black‐bellied Plovers joined them, a small flock of 30 Whimbrel promptly flew off, leaving the remainder settled on the shingle.

Additionally, 10 species of butterfly were tallied.

May 22 (Saturday) Napanee area and Amherst Island

Leaders: Kurt Hennige, Gary Ure.

Many thanks to Kurt Hennige and Gary Ure for a great OFO fieldtrip today to the Kingston area and Amherst Island.

A special thankyou to the Kingston Field Naturalists for allowing us to access their wonderful grassland and shorebird habitat on Amherst Island.

Car pooling enabled 29 birders to use 14 cars for the outing. A group total of 107 species included many highlights:

7 Wilson’s Phalarope (4 females) on Amherst, Short‐billed Dowitcher, Brant flock + one injured goose onshore, a flock of White‐winged Scoter, Common and Red‐throated Loons from the ferry, Least Bittern, Black Tern, both Cuckoos, 5 woodpecker species including Pileated, Loggerhead Shrike, 2 Golden‐winged and 2 Cerulean Warblers, a Scarlet Tanager singing from the top of a pine tree, and Grasshopper Sparrow.

May 2 (Sunday) Rondeau Provincial Park

Leaders: Maris Apse, Donald Pye.

Over 20 OFO members met at 8:00 am at the Visitor Centre seeing a Lincoln’s Sparrow at the feeders with some of the more usual “feeder birds”. The weather loomed but improved greatly until our last stop, when we had to abandon Blenheim Sewage Lagoon due to driving rain. We managed to tally just 86 species–surely quite a low count but an enjoyable and varied day of birding. Species highlights, more or less in order.

South Point Trail–Common Loon(6/7), House Wren, Blackburnian Warbler, Red‐headed Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Warbling Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Field, Chipping Sparrow.

Tulip Tree trail – Cooper’s Hawk on nest, Red‐bellied Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Northern Waterthrush.

Spicebush Trail–Wood Duck, Nashville, Black‐throated Green Warbler (heard only), White‐throated, White‐crowned Sparrow.

Maintenance loop–Black‐and‐white, Yellow‐rumped Warbler.

Donald Pye and one or two cars proceeded directly to the Blenheim lagoons as they had other commitments wheras the rest of us drove to Erieau via Shrewsbury and then to Blenheim.

Shrewsbury–Great‐blue Heron heronry, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Lesser Yellowlegs.

Erieau–Caspian, Forster’s Tern, Great Black‐backed, Bonaparte’s Gull and Cattle Egret at Erieau Road and Bisnett Line.

Blenheim Sewage Lagoon–Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Spotted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Dunlin as well as the Wilson’s Phalarope (who arrived about Mar 17), all six swallow species, Savannah Sparrow and a pair of Bobolink as we left.

May 1 (Saturday) Minesing Swamp

Leader: Dave Milsom.

Saturday 27 birders attended the OFO outing to Minesing Swamp. A total of 83 species were recorded with 8 more on the way home for a grand total of 91.

Highlights: 10 species of Sparrow including scope views for everyone of Grasshopper Sparrow.

6 warbler species, all seen well.

Despite the lack of standing water, Mackinnon Road proved to be very worthwhile with singing American Bittern & Sora, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Killdeer and Wilson’s Snipe, many Rusty Blackbirds, 2 Great Egrets, plus Wood Ducks.

At the end of Baldwick we walked into the swamp to find Northern Waterthrush, Black‐throated Green, Yellow‐rumped and Black and White Warblers, Brown Creeper, Yellow‐bellied Sapsuckers, Great Crested Flycatcher and Red‐breasted Nuthatch.

Other good finds were 3 House Wrens, Purple Finch, 4 Brown Thrashers, Eastern Bluebird, Cliff Swallow, Virginia Rail, Warbling Vireo, an early Bobolink, Common Raven and Sandhill Crane.

Late finds included a second Bobolink, Caspian Tern, Spotted and Solitary Sandpiper at Earl Rowe Park, as well as an early Eastern Kingbird.

Many thanks to John Schmelefske and Gord Cameron for their able assistance on this trip.

April 18 (Sunday) Algonquin Provincial Park

Leader: Ron Tozer.

The 21st annual OFO Algonquin Park trip today had spectacular sunny conditions throughout. About 45 people in 21 vehicles explored the Highway 60 Corridor from 9 am to 6:30 pm., observing 57 species of birds

.

All the northern species we sought were found:

Spruce Grouse: male and female at Spruce Bog Boardwalk, north from trail register box.

Black‐backed Woodpecker: Male excavating nest cavity in third utility pole west of road into Leaf Lake Ski Trail parking lot at km 53.9.

Gray Jay: single along Highway 60 between Lookout Trail and Eucalia Lake; pair near chain gate along old railway east of Arowhon Road; pair along old railway at West Rose Lake.

Boreal Chickadee: At least three vocalizing birds allowing brief but good views along old railway near West Rose Lake.

Other highlights included:

American Bittern: first of the spring, at Cache Lake marsh.

Osprey: one over Tea Lake Dam road.

Merlin: pair at Harkness Fish Lab on Lake Opeongo

Blue‐headed Vireo: singing male across from Cache Lake Marsh. This was a new early date for Algonquin; previous earliest was April 20.

Pine Warbler: two singing males near site 22 in Lake of Two Rivers Campground. (No Yellow‐rumped Warblers were observed today.)

We would like to thank everyone who came on today’s trip. We walked a long way, but it was a fun day.

April 17 (Saturday) Spring Waterfowl Migration East of Ottawa

Leader: Bob Cermak.

Twenty two hardy birders participated in the OFO east Ottawa spring waterfowl migration field trip yesterday, 17 April. Despite early morning cold and rain we had an enjoyable time travelling a total of 120 kilometres to find 60 bird species including 11 waterfowl species and Sandhill Cranes. The cranes (7) were distant and partially hidden but they could be heard trumpeting and were seen dancing and jumping.

Thanks to everyone who attended. We had a great time.

April 10‐11 (Saturday‐Sunday) Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island

Leaders: Gordon Cameron, Steve Hall.

On the snowy drive up, a Great Blue Herony of five active nests was observed at km 198 and a Northern Goshawk was seen at km 200 on Hwy 400 near MacTier.

Eight OFO members attended the trip which started with wintery weather on the way to and spring weather on the way back from Manitoulin Island. Weather on the island ranged from light snow flurries, rainshowers, strong winds and ice cold fog rolling in from Lake Huron to almost mild calm and clear skies.

Late Friday evening was spent on Airport Road, Gore Bay, listening to Wilson’s Snipe and American Woodcock display flights and Killdeer calls.

On Saturday morning, Steve Hall kindly agreed to guide us through his favourite birding haunts around Gore Bay. On Barrie Island, we heard the grouse before we saw them. We observed about a dozen male Sharp‐tailed Grouse displaying on their lek with several females watching. Everyone had great views of the yellowish eye combs and the inflated purplish neck sacs on the males. For six of the OFO members, except the leaders, this was a lifer. After seeing this undisturbed (by humans) lek habitat, it was easier to understand why the airport lek was closed to viewing for the first time in many years. Whereas the birds on Barrie Island were standing in short grass just up to head height, the Gore Bay Airport birds were literally dancing in the bushes which were two to three times the bird’s height. Other good birds seen were Bald Eagles, 4 dark morph and 1 light morph Rough‐legged Hawks, Sandhill Cranes displaying, Tree Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, Winter Wren, Wood Duck and two Savannah and four Fox Sparrows. After returning Steve to his home, we birded Kagawong including Bridal Veil Falls which produced a male and female Rusty Blackbirds, Brown Creeper and many Golden‐crowned Kinglets. The Kagawong River held Pied‐billed Grebe and Hooded Merganser. Mudge Bay produced 3 Common Loons, and a Merlin. Numerous Bald Eagles and Common Ravens were seen sitting on nests between Gore Bay Airport and Kagawong. All lakes were ice‐free. The Indian Point/Lake Wolsey area produced an Osprey building a nest and hundreds of waterfowl including a pair of Red‐necked Grebes. In the evening, one of only two Red‐tailed Hawks on the trip was seen and excellent views were had of both snipe and woodcock display flights on the Noble Sideroad.

Sunday was spent birding from Gore Bay to South Baymouth then to Little Current. Good birds seen or heard were two Lincoln’s and one Swamp Sparrows, numerous Sandhill Cranes, Pileated Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Ring‐necked Pheasant, Merlin, Northern Harrier, one Pine Pine Siskin, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Meadowlark, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Shrike, two Blue‐winged Teal, and seven Trumpeter Swans. Three more Sharp‐tailed Grouse were seen perched atop a tree. Thousands of waterfowl were seen in the Strawberry and the North Channels from the Hwy 6 lookout above Strawberry Channel between Sheguiandah and Little Current.

We observed 76 bird species on Manitoulin Island from Friday to Sunday including 20 species of waterbirds, nine species of raptors, but only three species of shorebirds.

Mammals seen were Mink, Porcupine, Red Squirrel, (white) Snowshoe Hare, two Coyotes, Red Fox with a vole, and several hundred White‐tailed Deer. Spring Peepers and Northern Leopard Frogs were heard. Only Common Blue Violet and Coltsfoot were seen in bloom.

OFO wishes to thank Steve Hall for sharing a morning of his time birding with the group, Irwin Meisner for suggesting birding hotspots, and Andrew Keaveney for providing his previous Ontbirds report. I wish to thank Steve Hall, as a passenger in my car, for sharing the birding and human history of the island, too.

March 13 (Saturday) Long Point Area

Leaders: George Pond, Barry Jones, Jim Heslop, Bob Stamp.

Today about 35 intrepid field naturalists braved the inclement weather to participate in the annual early spring OFO field trip to Long Point. Not one of whom can ever be called a “fair‐weather” birder. Although the wind and rain made viewing a tad tough and kept the raptors grounded, we still managed, as a group, to view forty some‐odd avian species.

Maybe more importantly, we did see the “big three” advertised species those being Tundra Swans both on Long Point Bay, in flight and on surrounding corn fields, at least four Bald Eagles in the same locales, (both adults and younger individuals) and, luckily, a pair of Sandhill Cranes in a field along Front Road just west of Hwy 59. New for the year for many included, a sizable flock of American Coots, a number of Killdeer, several Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins. The wily Wild Turkeys managed to elude us this year but some fortunate individuals saw some on their drive down.

Thank yous go to George Pond and Bob Stamp for co‐leading the outing, George again for arranging and Birds Studies Canada for allowing us to use their Old Cut Field Station as a lunch room, what a godsend. Also to Diane Salter for arranging access to the St. Williams Forestry Station powder rooms and especially for allowing us to visit her well‐stocked feeders in Walsingham which never fail to “produce” a few species we miss elsewhere. Last, but not least, thank you to Wendy Hunter for making the trek down to make available to folks OFO merchandise such as checklists, hats and sweatshirts. If you don‐t know all that is available, check the OFO website.

Any way, we look forward to doing it all again next March, in bright sunshine – Bob and George guarantee it.

February 6 Fisherville Area, Haldimand‐Norfolk County

Leader: David Milsom.

The day started with a strong cold east wind and flurries but ended with sunshine and a decreasing wind. There were 46 birders and 26 cars on the outing. By day’s end there were still 20 cars at 5.30!

Our first stop at Ruthven Park produced 6 Eastern Bluebirds in the valley. On River Road near Cayuga we found several Red‐bellied Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmouse, Chipping and White‐throated Sparrows.

At a feeder near the lake south of Selkirk were Red‐winged Blackbird and Song Sparrow.

Altogether we saw 9 species of raptor: Cooper’s and Sharp‐shinned Hawks, Red‐tailed Hawk, both colour morphs of Rough‐legged Hawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, at least 6 Northern Harriers, 3 Bald Eagles at Nanticoke, and opposite Hagersville dump were 4 Short‐eared Owls.

We also tallied several ducks including both Scaup and all 3 mergansers.

At dusk there were over 1000 American Crows just west of Clanbrassil.

A total of 50 species was recorded.

January 23 Ottawa Area

Leader: David Britton.

A group of about 25 birders met in Ottawa this morning for the annual OFO January winter field trip. It was a beautiful mid‐winter morning–sunny and almost windless, if a bit cold first thing. While winter birding has been a bit slow in the Ottawa area this winter with a dearth of owls and finches, we had a very enjoyable morning and saw 29 species, including a number of the regional specialties.

We began the trip along Maple Grove Road in Kanata, where we quickly found 3 GRAY PARTRIDGE coveyed up underneath the pines at the City of Ottawa public works yard. Heading south from there along Huntmar Drive, some of the group members spotted a NORTHERN SHRIKE. Our next stop was a storm water management pond off of Iber Road in the Goulbourn Industrial Mall, where the combination of a little bit of open water and a nearby backyard birdfeeder has concentrated ducks including 4 CANADA GEESE and a male WOOD DUCK (unusual in winter in Ottawa).

We headed south through the agricultural lands between Ottawa and Richmond, adding a few SNOW BUNTINGS and a darkly‐barred SNOWY OWL. Along Akins Road we also had another small group of GRAY PARTRIDGE running about between rows of corn stubble in the fields.

At the frozen Moodie Drive quarry ponds we found a group of 100+ gulls loafing on the ice. The presence of a coyote on the ice nearby made the gulls skittish, but we still got great scope looks at the birds, which were unusually close to the gate. The group was composed mainly of GREAT BLACK‐BACKED and HERRING GULLS, but there were a few adult and juvenile GLAUCOUS GULLS and at least 1 juvenile ICELAND GULL. A couple of RED‐TAILED HAWKS were present in the area, as well as a single light morph ROUGH‐LEGGED HAWK.

We moved on to the Jack Pine Trail feeders where amongst the usual suspects we had good looks at an obliging BROWN CREEPER and a close encounter with an 8‐point buck White‐tailed Deer. At the Hilda Road feeders we added AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW.

It was already noon, but a few of the group decided to continue on to Remic Rapids. Unfortunately, the Peregrine Falcon that I had seen perched on the nearby R.H. Coates building early that morning hadn’t stuck around, but a male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was quickly found amongs the COMMON GOLDENEYE off of the lookout and provided great views.

January 1 (Friday) Peterborough

Leader: Dave Milsom.

Only 4 birders, James Smith (Dundas), Bill Logan (Cobourg), Maurice Sherman (Toronto) and myself attended the OFO New Year’s Day trip around Peterborough today.

We had snow most of the day but the roads were generally fine. Only 33 species were recorded but we found some “quality” species.

At Hall’s Glen on County Road 6 north of Lakefield were 56 Bohemian Waxwings. Just north of there at a feeder were 4 Evening Grosbeaks, 2 male, 2 female.

Along County Road 6 were 12 Northern Common Ravens. At Nephton a 1st‐year Golden Eagle flew overhead. We missed the Red Crossbills seen earlier in the day at Petroglyphs Provincial Park. but were satisfied with Black‐backed, Pileated, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, White and Red‐breasted Nuthatches, Golden‐crowned Kinglet and Brown Creeper.

Close to the Petroglyphs Park, a Barred Owl sat on the wires adjacent to the road. Near the highway, a 2nd‐year Bald Eagle was roosting in a Hemlock.

Along the Otonabee River near Lakefield were Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, American Black Duck, Mallard and Canada Geese. We also saw 2 Sharp‐shinned Hawks, one at Lakefield and one at Young’s Point.

Animals included 2 Red Fox and a White‐tailed Deer.