London Area Past Field Trips

Grand BendTop

1 November 2009 Grand Bend, Pinery PP, Kettle Point and/or Point Edward.

Leader: Maris Apse.

About 35 OFO members enjoyed a cool but dry day of birding the ‘West Coast of Ontario’. During the first hour at the beach we saw many waterfowl, including all 3 Scoter species, both Common and Red‐breasted Merganser flocks mostly flying downlake, about 40 Common Loon in various groupings of 3 to 20 mostly overhead angling inland. A few Horned Grebe, Long‐tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and Scaup kept us busy.

We walked around the first 3 lagoons seeing many more waterfowl including a male Wood Duck and 5 American Coot plus 3 White‐rumped Sandpiper, about 20 Dunlin and a Greater Yellowlegs. An Eastern Phoebe, Song, American Tree, White‐crowned, Fox and Vesper Sparrow were also seen.

At Pinery P.P. we had lunch at the Visitor’s Centre whilst birding (everyone saw several Tufted Titmouse). Downy, Hairy and Red‐bellied Woodpecker plus Field, Fox and White‐throated Sparrow and a female Purple Finch added interest. Along the river we saw several American Robin and Cedar Waxwing and an adult Bald Eagle before driving to Burley bridge, where 40 to 50 Hooded Mergansers and 3 Pied‐billed Grebe were seen along with a Red‐tailed Hawk.

At Kettle Point the American Avocet was seen by all and 4 Red‐necked Grebe played hide and seek in the bay and we saw 7 Mute Swan and a Great Black‐backed Gull southwest of the point.

Our last stop was at Cedar Cove marina where we watched about 10 Double‐crested Cormorant, about 15 Horned Grebe, both Tundra and Mute Swan and a Great Blue Heron. A flock of about 100 Tundra Swan turned inland as they flew over us. A fitting end to a nice day and as most of the cars were heading up the hill a few of us heard and then saw a flock of 9 Sandhill Crane fly right over us and down the lake (one carload had seen 2 of these earlier in a field and as we returned north we stopped to have a closer view).

During this day we had seen 23 Ducks, Geese and Swans, 3 Grebes, 4 Raptors, 3 Woodpeckers and 8 Sparrows for a total of 77 species tallied by the group to‐day.(I’m including a Northern Shrike at Army Camp Road seen by Donald Pye on his way back towards the Pinery).

Thanks to all the participants and especially my ‘helpers’ who found so many good birds to‐day–it’s such a pleasure to lead a group that is so willing to share and help each other with finding and identifying the birds we see.

4 November 2007 Grand Bend, Pinery Provincial Park, Kettle Point and Point Edward (north winds)

Leader: Maris Apse.

After outlining the day’s plan, 10 participants in 6 vehicles proceeded to the main beach, where we spent the first hour finding Horned Grebe, all 3 Scoter species, Common Goldeneye, Ring‐necked Duck, Redhead, Greater Scaup, Red‐throated and PACIFIC Loons. Blake Mann saw an adult Little Gull flying south with a flock of Bonaparte’s as we left the beach.

Grand Bend was our second stop, where we continued ticking waterfowl: American Coot, Green‐winged Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Black Duck, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck and a single white Snow Goose flying with hundreds of Canada Geese. We also had 1 Killdeer, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Song and American Tree Sparrows, American Pipit, Horned Lark, Eastern Bluebird and our first of several flocks of Snow Buntings.

At Pinery Provincial Park we found 2 Bald Eagles, Red‐tailed Hawk, 2 Pied‐billed Grebes, Great Blue Heron, Red‐bellied and Red‐headed Woodpeckers, both Kinglets, Tufted Titmouse, both Nuthatches, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Swamp Sparrow and Purple Finch and ate lunch at the Visitors Centre.

En route to Kettle Point we located a Northern Shrike just south of the golf course on Elliott Road where it was yesterday. We saw our 1st Great Black‐backed Gull ’dominating’ a dead carp on the beach, while about a dozen Herring Gulls waited. At the point we saw the last 1 or 2 Double‐crested Cormorants and further south a Common Loon, 9 Dunlin and another flock of Snow Buntings.

Our last stop was at Forest Lagoons where we added Northern Pintail and Wilson’s Snipe to finish with 70 species (unless I add the American Kestrel I saw on my way home along Hickory Creek Road).

Reported by Maris Apse.

4 November 2006 Grand Bend, Pinery Provincial Park, Kettle Point and Point Edward

Thirteen OFO members in seven vehicles gathered at Sobeys parking lot by 08:30 this brisk November day to meet Emily and me for a day of driving and walking around Grand Bend. Carpooling reduced our convoy to six as we began at the Grand Bend Lagoons on Mollard Line, finding 13 species of waterfowl, including a flyover juvenile blue morph Snow Goose plus 1 Common and 3 Red‐throated Loons, 300+ Bonaparte’s Gulls in the third lagoon, 8 Dunlin flying about, several mixed flocks of Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and American Pipits, plus Rusty Blackbirds.

Then, we proceeded to Pinery Provincial Park. Some saw our only Winter Wren en route at the edge of a cornfield. We took a quiet walk on the Riverside Trail seeing 1 Red‐bellied Woodpecker, 1 American Tree Sparrow and Peter Fearon wrapping up the mist nets of the Ausable Bird Observatory for the season; he will be returning 7 April 2007.

From #3 Beach Parking Area we saw an apparently injured white morph adult Snow Goose on the beach and our first of 6 Sharp‐shinned Hawks. #7 Beach Parking Area produced our first few Tufted Titmice, 1 Yellow‐rumped Warbler, both nuthatches, Downy Woodpecker, Black‐capped Chickadees and Golden‐crowned Kinglets. At the Maintenance/Meeting area we found 1 Hairy and 2 adult Red‐headed Woodpeckers and a few more titmice. The Visitor Centre was closed (signage to the contrary) and the feeders mostly empty except for a few Dark‐eyed Juncos and American Goldfinches, 1 House Finch and titmice. We ate lunch and used the facilities near the closed store. We then walked downstream of the dam to find many American Robins and Blue Jays with a few Cedar Waxwings, more titmice and a Double‐crested Cormorant. Driving out of the park some of us saw a Pied‐billed Grebe.

After driving the Port Franks ’L Lake’ loop (Red‐winged Blackbird), we made a short stop at Ipperwash Beach seeing about 12 distant scoter species and 2 Double‐crested Cormorants. We continued to the parking area just south, where we found many American Robins and Cedar Waxwings while several Red‐tailed Hawks soared overhead. We drove the rather bumpy Kettle Point Beach and stopped at the Point, where we saw 2 Great Black‐backed Gulls, about 30 Dunlin, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Red‐breasted Mergansers and 2 Horned Grebes. One carload left for London and the rest drove to the Forest lagoons on Brush Line seeing about 1,000 Ring‐billed Gulls and about 500 European Starlings following the plow, 1 American Kestrel, a male Northern Harrier and a huge mixed flock of about 1,500 Snow Buntings and Horned Larks en route. We saw 10 Hooded Mergansers at the lagoons and the same waterfowl seen earlier. We scoped the big flock of field birds on the way out and found 2 or 3 Lapland Longspurs.

Our total for the day was 68 species: 17 waterfowl species, 2 species of Common Loons, 2 species of Grebes, 6 species of raptors, 4 species of gulls, 4 species of woodpeckers, but only 3 species of sparrows. I thank the participants for their cheerful dispositions, stamina and assistance on this inaugural late fall Grand Bend OFO Field Trip

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Reported and led by Maris Apse.

22 October 2000 Grand Bend Area

Led by Ian Platt and Ann White.

We had a great day for this outing, a continuation of the Indian Summer we have all been enjoying. There were 16 participants. After hearing that a Snowy Owl had just been spotted at Kettle Point, we quickly changed our plans and went straight there. It was very easy to see, sitting on a rock, and got ticked as a life-bird by one of the group. We watched it fly and get harassed by a couple of gulls, but it didn't seem too bothered. A Merlin came to sit in a bare tree where it could watch the birdwatchers.

We spotted a few flocks of shorebirds - Dunlin, Sanderling and Red Knot, then went on to where we could access the beach. There were mutterings from some participants about the east wind and jaegers, and someone else who had actually driven from Hamilton that morning, mentioned the word "gannet" . As soon as we drove onto the beach and got out of our cars we could see scoters close in and just in front of us. Amazing! We found both Black and Surf in the group. I remarked that this was just as good as Hamilton, but that gannet talk proved too much for one group and they decided to abandon Lake Huron for Van Wagners beach!

We visited Grand Bend sewage lagoons next which produced lots of birds. There were 15 species of waterfowl, Bonaparte's Gulls, coots, Pied-billed Grebes in the water; Killdeer, Tree Swallow, Rough-legged Hawk in the air, and kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, redwings, Tree and White-throated Sparrows in the surrounding shrubs. The ducks were cooperative enough that all participants were able to see every species through a scope. Present were Redhead, Canvasback, Northern Pintail, American Black, 2 species of Teal, wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked, and of course Ruddy. They seem to be having a population explosion. From a pre-trip visit I knew there were White-crowned Sparrows in the cornfield , but everyone said they were too hungry, and wanted to go for lunch. Oh,Oh. Four more of our participants now decided that perhaps Hamilton was the place to be, with the chance of Jaegers and Gannets. The rest of us made for the Pinery Visitor Centre to watch the feeders while we ate. We saw Tufted Titmice and Purple Finch and picked up a few more species, (but no White-crowneds!). Touring around Pinery Park we saw many Hermit Thrushes on the Riverside Trail, Common (or Great Northern) Loon, Horned and Red-necked Grebes at the beach, a grackle in a campground, and the usual wood species near the river including many robins. We finished the afternoon with just over 70 bird species on the trip, life birds for several, and I think we all made some new friends. Thanks to the participants who made this a real fun trip.

Reported by Ann White

Hawk Cliff and Other Hawk Watch LocationsTop

7 November 2009 Hawk Cliff and Area, South‐west of London

Leaders: Pete Read, Ian Platt.

Some 15 OFO members enjoyed a mostly sunny but blustery day. Standing at Hawk Cliff in the brisk southwest winds proved fruitful only that we saw an adult Golden Eagle at close range just over the treetops above us, as it coursed along tacking into the wind. The only other hawks we saw in the “wrong” wind, were a Red‐tailed Hawk, a Cooper’s Hawk, and a Sharp‐shinned Hawk. Few migrants were going along the cliff today, nor in the woods. We did see a hungry Red‐bellied Woodpecker eating apples on a wild apple tree.

The official hawk counters at Hawk Cliff had abandoned that spot and headed inland as they usually do on a south wind. We ended up at the so‐called Sparta Ridge, where we saw a few Red‐tailed Hawks using the updrafts there. Bailing on such a slow morning of hawk watching, we headed over to Port Stanley Harbour where we ate at Mackies Restaurant and looked at the gulls on the break‐wall. On the way there, the leaders grabbed a quick view of a Northern Goshawk, but being in cars, the trailing vehicles missed the bird. In the Harbour, a Double‐crested Cormorant was seen but the best birds were two adult Lesser Black‐backed Gulls.

On we went to the Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons, where we saw a dozen species of waterfowl including Tundra Swan, Northern Shoveller, Common American Coot, and a Horned Grebe. Also noted were about 5 Dunlin and 3 Killdeer.

We decided that since most of our group lived east of there, we would head over to Aylmer on highway 73, where we visited the Aylmer Sewage Lagoons and the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area. At the former location we found a lot of waterfowl including a couple of Blue‐winged Teal, and many Bonaparte’s Gulls and amongst them one Little Gull.

Our final stop was at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, but nothing new was added there. We had a group total of 55 species recorded, some on our way to and from the trip, and we thank those who turned out and helped make it a successful day.

25 October 2008 Hawk Cliff and Area, South‐west of London

Leaders: Pete Read, Ian Platt.

About 10 birders took part in our annual trek to Hawk Cliff hoping for a sighting of the elusive Golden Eagle, and some of the other late October raptor migrants. We even had two people show up from St. Louis, Missouri, though they claim that they were just there because of hearing about Hawk Cliff online, and not to take part in the OFO trip.

Unfortunately the weather didn't co‐operate and we had one of the slowest days I have ever experienced for migrants at Hawk Cliff. We had only one each of Cooper’s Hawk and Red‐tailed Hawk, and an immature Bald Eagle, the latter two most likely being locals. Add to that the smaller birds such as grackle and Red‐winged Blackbird and a few jays, and it was indeed slow. The somewhat gusty winds were out of the south, and the sky ranged from overcast with a low ceiling to sunny with a high ceiling.

That was the bad news, but there was a lot of good news. As we arrived, all sorts of migrants that had arrived the night before were eagerly feeding along the roadside. There was a huge crop of food, including wild grape, floribunda rose, lots of seeds, which scads of American Robins, waxwings, the bluebirds and sparrows were eating. Insects were plentiful, and so were many kinglets, and tons of Yellow‐rumped Warblers. One of our favourite sightings was the immature Bald Eagle coursing by the cliff at head height. Another was the Fox Sparrow getting grit off the road and chasing the Juncos about. It took until just after 11 a.m. for us to realize that the migration watch was going to be a bust. On we went to Mackies in Port Stanley Harbour. After refreshing ourselves with their patented orangeade and wolfing down some sinful fries, we scouted the gulls out on the beach and break wall. Why do people so enjoy disturbing the resting gulls on the beach?

Amongst the many gulls on the pier, Gavin spotted a Lesser Black‐backed Gull. The wind was stiff out of the south, so it was difficult to see any ducks out in the water over the heavy waves. So we headed up to the Port Stanley sewage lagoons, which have two nice blinds overlooking four ponds. The first two held a number of duck species and lots of Bonaparte Gulls, but the second two helped bring out total bird species higher, as they had mud flats. We saw a few shorebirds, including a Pectoral Sandpiper.

The 67 species seen are listed below with the approximate numbers seen.

Canada Goose 100+, Wood Duck 1, American Black Duck 6, Mallard 10, Northern Shoveller 20, Northern Pintail 2, Green‐winged Teal 10, Redhead 2, Lesser Scaup 5, Bufflehead 5, Common Merganser 10+, Red‐breasted Merganser 50+, Ruddy Duck 50+, Wild Turkey 10, Turkey Vulture 10+, Bald Eagle 1, Sharp‐shinned Hawk 1, Cooper’s Hawk 2, Red‐tailed Hawk 2, American Kestrel 1, Killdeer 1, Pectoral Sandpiper 1, Dunlin 5, Wilson's Snipe 2, Bonaparte's Gull 100+, Ring‐billed Gull 50+, Herring Gull 100+, Lesser Black‐backed Gull 1, Great Black‐backed Gull 10+, Rock Pigeon 40+, Mourning Dove 5, Downy Woodpecker 2, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 1, Blue‐headed Vireo, Blue Jay 10+, American Crow 8+, Horned Lark 1, Black‐capped Chickadee 5+, Red‐breasted Nuthatch 1, Winter Wren 1, Golden‐crowned Kinglet 5+, Ruby‐crowned Kinglet 50+, Eastern Bluebird 12, Hermit Thrush 1, American Robin 50+, European Starling 100+, American Pipit 2, Cedar Waxwing 25, Yellow‐rumped Warbler 50+, Eastern Towhee 2, Field Sparrow 2, Fox Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 10, Swamp Sparrow 3, White‐throated Sparrow 50+, White‐crowned Sparrow 2, Dark‐eyed Junco 10+, Northern Cardinal 2, Red‐winged Blackbird 1, Common Grackle 1, Brown‐headed Cowbird 50, Purple Finch 3, House Finch 12, Pine Siskin 8, American Goldfinch 10+, House Sparrow 20+.

Reported by Pete Read

14 October 2006 Hawk Cliff and Area

I, Pete Read, and Ian Platt were pleased to host about 20 migration watchers from here and far. Things were hopping, er flapping, at Hawk Cliff. There were tonnes of migrants flying past, besides our raptor hopefuls, including many thousands of blackbirds (I stopped counting after 10 000), also hundreds of American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, American Pipits, Blue Jays, American Crows, Tree Swallows, and multitudes of other passerines, mainly Yellow‐rumped Warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, Hermit Thrushes, Golden‐crowned and Ruby‐crowned Kinglets, White‐throated and White‐crowned Sparrows, Winter Wren, and Yellow‐bellied Sapsucker, and more. Five Common Loons flew in from the north and a half dozen Northern Flickers, a Barn Swallow with Tree Swallows and a Greater Yellowlegs flew past. We had singles of Nashville and Palm Warblers, and Blue‐headed Vireo.

The hawk totals for our 3 hours at the Cliff included 12 Northern Harrier, 4 Cooper’s Hawks, 3 American Kestrels, 2 Merlins, 5 Bald Eagles, and about 175 Sharp‐shinned Hawks. One Northern Goshawk was reported by the official Hawk Cliff counting team, but we missed it. One of our group saw a Red‐tailed Hawk and another saw a young Peregrine Falcon as they approached Hawk Cliff. No sign of our mowraps (most wanted raptors), Red‐shouldered Hawk and Golden Eagle. We had a couple of Turkey Vultures, and saw more as we drove on nearby roads to other locations inland.

We headed off to Port Stanley and Mackie’s Restaurant. The report of a Sabine’s Gull this week had us hoping. We found some good birds on the beach. Besides the begging Ring‐billed Gulls and a few Herring Gulls, there was an adult Lesser Black‐backed Gull on the breakwall. Two Red‐necked Phalaropes bobbed in the surf near the rocky point, and came onshore to the flotsam puddles on the beach to stir up stuff with several Sanderlings, a Dunlin and a Semipalmated Plover.

Then, we went to the Port Stanley sewage lagoons where we saw hundreds of Ruddy Ducks and Bonaparte’s Gulls. Also in the mix were a good number of American Coots and Northern Shovelers. We also noted a few each of Blue‐winged Teal, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Mallards and Pied‐billed Grebe. We saw Song, Swamp and White‐crowned Sparrows and a late Savannah Sparrow. Up popped a Sora, not once but several times, ensuring that we all got a look. A Marsh Wren also made a quick appearance, though just a few saw it. Most of us headed home at this point. Only a few went home via Fingal Wildlife Area where the only extra species was a Mute Swan.

Our total was 78 species seen by one or more of the participants. We were glad the rain was only in widely scattered light mistings. Interestingly, a lot of the hawks and migrants flew on this fairly strong southern wind, and they were fairly close to the lake.

Reported and led by Pete Read and Ian Platt.

22 October 2005 Hawk Cliff and Area, Southwest of London

Leaders: Pete Read, Ian Platt, and Gavin Platt.

We had a good mix of birds flying by at the Cliff aided by a strong Northeast wind. Good for birds but a bit chilly for mortals. Apparently a much stronger flight happened on the previous day, but we had a good and varied migration. We remained at the Cliff from 9:30 to just after noon and there were still birds moving through after we left. We saw dozens of Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, a good number of Turkey Vultures, some six or so Bald Eagles, six Red-shouldered Hawk, two Rough-legged Hawks, a half dozen Northern Harriers (including at least two late males), singles of Northern Goshawk, Merlin, Kestrel. We missed Golden Eagle.

Non-raptors included large numbers of American Crow, and various blackbirds. Yellow-rumped Warblers and White-throated Sparrows were very abundant. Also seen in the woods along the road were Hermit Thrush, and a Pine Warbler. We noted about six loons coming from the northwest, and dropping towards the lake. Several large flocks of mergansers flew by, as well as a large group of scaup. We continued to Port Stanley, picking up a Peregrine as it flashed past. Gulls in the harbour included the usual and a few Great Black-backed and Bonaparte's Gulls. Two more Bald Eagles passed by as we ate Mackie orange-aid, and fries. There was a good movement along the lake of Red-breasted Mergansers.

Later, at Port Stanley, we dropped in to Joe Hurst's place for Purple Finch, Carolina Wren, and a Blue-headed Vireo.

Up at the sewage lagoons, north of town, we hit the species bonanza. The lagoons had many species of waterfowl, including a few Gadwall, Northern Pintail, American Widgeon, and Green-winged Teal, and many Ruddy Duck. Lots of Mallards and Northern Shovelers were present. Also noted were Bufflehead, and a pair of Hooded Merganser. A few Lesser Scaup and a Redhead were also seen there. We had several shorebirds besides Killdeer, including Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper and at least four Wilson's Snipe.

A total of 76 species were noted by our participants.

Directions: Port Stanley is located on Lake Erie, at the south end of County Rd 4, south of St. Thomas. Hawk Cliff, is located off Dexter Drive (County Rd 24), about 3 km east of Port Stanley. Turn south onto Hawk Cliff Drive and park at the end of the road. Watch out, the cliff is steep and the edge of the cliff is a bit crumbly. Watch for migrating hawks flying across the road from east to west, anywhere along the road, depending on the wind conditions, but mostly in the last half km. Joe Hurst's home is on Lake Line, up the hill from road 20 in Port Stanley. Stop along the side of the road. You can watch for feeder species, coming to visit his vast array of feeders. For the sewage lagoons, continue west up the hill from there, on Lake Line, and turn right onto Scotch Line. The lagoons are about a kilometre along Scotch Line, just after it turns to the west. There are two viewing towers.

Reported by Pete Read

23 October 2004 Hawk Cliff and Area, Southwest of London

Leaders: Pete Read and Ian Platt.

Weather ranged from partly sunny to overcast, but the constant was the strong southeast winds. Temperature seemed to be in the single digits, but we felt colder due to wind chill.

Highlights at Hawk Cliff included the flight itself, with many hundreds of crows, jays and blackbirds, and a dabbling of other migrants such as American Pipits, American Goldfinches and American Robin (some Canadian birds such as Canada Goose were spotted later). An immature Bald Eagle flew by earlier than most people had arrived, but a Peregrine Falcon coursed along the edge of the cliff after most of the 20 or so people had gotten there. One Merlin was spotted streaking by, and 20 or so Sharp-shinned Hawks along with a few Cooper Hawks winged westward over the three or so hours we were there. Several Common Loons flew over, heading into the winds. It was a good day for Turkey Vulture. Our best bird of the day was Brant, two of which flew right over us and landed in a field to the east, just out of sight. We added several species in the woods, including Eastern Bluebird, Pine Siskin, and Hermit Thrush, and several at the beach such as Great Black-backed Gull, at Port Stanley.

At the sewage lagoons, we were able to add many waterfowl, including both scaups, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, and lots more. Several species of shorebird lingered including Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. And a quite late Semipalmated Sandpiper was present. A few of our trip members scouted the lagoons and saw four dowitchers, but not sure which species (Long-billed more likely at this time?) Our list about totaled 68.

Reported by Pete Read

25 October 2003 Hawk Cliff and Area, Southwest of London

Leaders: Pete Read and Ian Platt.

Some 14 people came out to our Hawk Cliff/Port Stanley OFO outing. We braved the early morning damp conditions and southerly flow of winds (not necessarily good for hawks). Not only did the weather become increasingly tolerable, but also we were rewarded with some 63 species of birds, some at the Cliff, some in Port Stanley, and some at the Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons. Of note, besides the lack of hawks, was the sighting of a late migrant Cape May Warbler, and Tufted Titmouse, both at the Cliff. We had 15 species of waterfowl and 3 shorebirds at the Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons, including a Least Sandpiper.

Some of the other birds our group reported: Sharp-shinned Hawk-2 or 3, Coopers Hawk-1 or 2 Red-tailed Hawk-2 or 3, Bald Eagle- 2 adults, one immature Virginia Rail (found dead), Bonapartes Gull-30+ at lagoons, Red-bellied Woodpecker White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet ,Golden-crowned Kinglet ,Hermit Thrush, American Pipit (10 +), Eastern Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting (11 at harbour), Purple Finch.

Some parties reported a few other species in transit, on the way to or from the outing - including American Kestrel, 2 Eastern Meadowlarks, and Ring-necked Duck. (not in group total).

Reported by Pete Read

26 October 2002 Hawk Cliff and Area, Southwest of London

Leaders: Pete Read and Ian Platt.

As we assembled at Hawk Cliff, the cloud ceiling was low and only a few wisps of wind were evident - not good if you are hoping for hawks. After looking for local migrating small passerines, we headed over to Port Stanley Harbour and then to the Port Stanley Sewage Lagoons. By then it had brightened up and a northwesterly wind encouraged us to return to the cliff where we ended our wanderings. As we stood around in eager anticipation, the clouds thickened and we found ourselves once again standing in cool overcast conditions. In fact, very few raptors were moving today. We noted only a dozen Sharp-shinned Hawks, a couple of American Kestrels, a single Red-shouldered Hawk, a few Red-tailed Hawks and less than 10 Turkey Vultures.

At the cliff, we found lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a few Golden-crowned, some Yellow-rumped Warblers, Winter Wren, and lots of White-throated Sparrows, a few Song Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos, an American Tree Sparrow, and a Fox Sparrow. Singles were also noted for Red-bellied Woodpecker and Blue-headed Vireo. A couple of American Golden Plovers flew out over the lake. A number of flocks of American Pipit and Horned Larks passed. As well, a flock of Rusty Blackbirds was noted (a few were at the lagoons also). At the Port Stanley harbour, a Horned Grebe and a couple of Common Loons were out and about. Quite far out, a good number of Red-breasted Mergansers were flying. The local Ring-billed and Herring Gull flocks included many Bonapartes (even more at the lagoons) and a few Great Black-backed Gulls.

At Joe Hurst's home on the way to the lagoons, we stood stunned and wide-eyed as we caught quick looks at a White-eyed Vireo, while we watched for birds at his feeders. Ann White did some research and found that there was only one previous fall record in Elgin County - a bird banded at Hawk Cliff, 10 October 1955, by Marshall Field, John Lemon and Fred Lewis. So this bird was only the second seen in fall, and also was the county's record latest. It took 47 years to get the second fall sighting! We saw about 12 species of waterfowl at the lagoons including six Snow Geese, and we located two Wilson's Snipe and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers. Three late Tree Swallows were there also.

The group of about 25 birders started winging their way home shortly after 3. Probably most headed along the lake on their way, looking for a large dark bird that had eluded us today. At Port Bruce and Port Burwell there were Snow Buntings, Sanderlings, and Greater Yellowlegs. A quick trip to Big Creek Marsh at Long Point yielded lots of Tundra Swans, Wilson's Snipe and at least three Sandhill Cranes. Two of our group, Anne Anthony and Jerry Ball, headed to Blenheim and Lagoon Road near Rondeau Bay where they saw the Tropical Kingbird, but they were unsure of its identification at the time.

We ended up with 68 species for the day, quite good given the conditions.

Reported by Pete Read and Ian Platt

27 October 2001 Hawk Cliff and area, south of London

Led by Pete Read and Ian Platt.

About 28 birders took part in a very successful outing to Hawk Cliff on Lake Erie. The winds were out of the north-northwest. It was cold and overcast with occasional bits of frozen and liquid precipitation for much of the day, but spirits were high due to the number of birds seen. After days of southerly winds and much rain, the birds were eager to go, so it was a good day to watch them moving.

Thousands of blackbirds including American Crows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, European Starings, Rusty Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds migrated, as did many American Robins, American Pipits, Eastern Bluebirds, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, and of course lots of hawks. We had 14 species of hawks including many Sharpies, Cooper's, Redtails, Turkey Vultures, and Northern Harriers. The highlights included 7+ juvenile Northern Goshawks, 3 immature Bald Eagles, a late Broad-winged Hawk, more than 15 Red-shouldered Hawks, a Rough-legged Hawk and finally around 2:30, a Golden Eagle. A Peregrine and a Merlin also passed the observers on the road. Most birds passed by just south of the first big gulley from the intersection entering Hawk Cliff. For exact numbers see the report by the Hawk Cliff observers sent out on an earlier posting.

Many passerines were noted along the road, perhaps one of the more interesting being a Philadelphia Vireo, seen by and surprising a few of our group. Better for viewing was a Saw-whet Owl, first found by the chickadees and nuthatches, and we had a Short-eared and a Long-eared Owl. A Palm Warbler, Field Sparrow and a couple of Fox Sparrows were also good. Several groups of Pine Siskins passed by as did a group Common Redpolls, and even a flock of about 40 Evening Grosbeaks.

After the Golden Eagle at about 2:30 p.m. we had over 72 species, and moved on to Port Stanley to pick up a few species including Great Black-backed Gull at the breakwall and Horned Grebe along the shore, as well as some french fries in town. We finished the trip at the Port Stanley lagoons where the Eared Grebe still resides in the 4th lagoon from the east. About 20 other species were present, including many ducks, Tundra Swans, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs (yes Barb, I am sure it said Tu-Tu-Tu) and Dunlin. A great day with the final total being about 100 species.

It was said by the official hawkwatchers we met at Hawk Cliff that if the winds stay out of the north, more Golden Eagles could be by that location in the next few days.

Thank-you to all those who came out and enjoyed a day at the Cliff, and to those hawk-watchers who helped us locate and id the hawks.

Directions to Hawk Cliff: from St. Thomas, take Fairview Avenue south to stop sign, continue over Dexter line down gravel road at Hawkes Cliff Farm. Hawk Cliff viewing area is from the roadway only, unless gate is open on the east side of Hawk Cliff Road. Please respect the landowners either side of roadway and Do Not Trespass. Use extreme caution, if going to cliff edge, severely undercut.

Alternatively, take 401 to Highway 4, south to Union, which is south of St. Thomas, turn left and go one road to Fairview, turn right and continue south to the intersection with Dexter. Continue south onto gravel road at Hawkes Cliff Farm. The Port Stanley sewage lagoons: From the town of Port Stanley on Lake Erie, take Highway 4 west over the river, then go north on County Road 20. At the next stop sign, go left and up a large hill. This road is called Lake Road. At the top of the hill take a right onto Scotch Road and go 1.1 km to the lagoon complex on the left side of the road. Use the viewing tower overlooking 4th lagoon from east to see the Eared Grebe.

Reported by Pete Read

15 September 2001 Hawk Hill, High Park, Toronto

Hosted by Don Barnett and the Greater Toronto Hawk Watch

For a map of the park see Greater Toronto Hawk Watch

21 October 2000 Holiday Beach, Essex County

Led by Paul Pratt.

Ontario Field Ornithologists members gathered at the Holiday Beach Conservation Area, located along the shores of Lake Erie in the Town of Amherstburg, Essex County, on a clear fall morning. Birding leader Paul Pratt, City of Windsor's Ojibway Nature Centre's Naturalist, welcomed birders hoping for good sightings of raptors at this well known raptor migration location. Predictions of light winds from the northeast were perfect conditions to bring migrating birds of prey past the Conservation Area's hawk tower.

The day began with a Peregrine Falcon perched atop a dead tree on Eagle Island in Big Creek Marsh, with a second reported flying through. The 30-member group moved directly below the Holiday Beach hawk tower to view the fine congregation of waterfowl resting on Big Creek Marsh. These included a record number of Ruddy Ducks, and a few lingering herons. Overhead Sharp-shinned Hawks migrated west across Big Creek Marsh along with flocks of Blue Jays and American Crows. Flocks of American Goldfinch and Cedar Waxwings hurried westward, the usual flight direction at Holiday Beach. Hawk watcher Bob Hall-Brooks brought news of an Eastern Screech-Owl enjoying the warm sun on a broken poplar tree trunk. This comfortable perch had often been occupied by a rufous phase Eastern Screech-Owl during the 1999 fall migration. Oddly, the perch had remained empty this fall until Bob s fortuitous discovery.

While walking to the owl's roost, the group stopped to observe some of the season's first Dark-eyed Juncos foraging along a grassy parking lane, in the company of two Field Sparrows. The group set up telescopes on the grassy strip where the Festival of Hawks festival tent is usually located in September Telescopes gave a fine portrait view of a gray phase Eastern Screech-Owl which was fully alert, very much aware of the visitors. Kinglets called from the dogwood thickets behind while two Brown Creepers explored a poplar tree trunk in the woodlands.

Upon returning to the roadway beside the Trout Pond at 11:00 a.m., two Golden Eagles, an adult and an immature, were spotted over Big Creek Marsh. Participants were delighted with these sightings, anxiously scanning the skies for more Golden Eagles. Light northeast winds were indeed bringing good numbers of migrants by the hawk tower. Two kettles of Turkey Turkey Vultures were observed to the north, while Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks and straggling flocks of American Crows passed overhead. Sixty Turkey Vultures, dramatically dark against a deep blue sky, streamed over the hawk tower. The next Golden Eagle was seen at 11:20 a.m. This sighting was followed by good views of Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and a Cooper's Hawk.

At 11:40 a.m., another three Golden Eagles were seen together, followed at 11:45 a.m. by four Golden Eagles passing overhead, one behind the other. An American Kestrel was noted at 11:50 a.m., followed at 11:54 a.m. by yet three more Golden Eagles. An adult male Northern Harrier was spotted soaring overhead with Red-tailed Hawks.

Excited birders exclaimed as an adult Bald Eagle soared low to the west of the hawk tower. More Turkey Vultures kettled over the tower as birders headed out for lunch. Some who lingered in the parking lot saw another Golden Eagle overhead.

After lunch, the group explored the Conservation Area's northern nature trail. A light phase Rough-legged Hawk was seen overhead flying east at 1:50 p.m., then another Golden Eagle was observed at 2:10 p.m heading west. Birders explored several pine plantations for roosting owls, one unknown owl species flushed from its roost in the pine plantation across from the Conservation Area on County Road 50.

Banders Dorothy and Gary Balkwill reported that their banding total for the day was six raptors, five Sharp-shinned Hawks and an American Kestrel. The raptors overhead were intent upon migrating, oblivious to the banders' set-up. At 12:30 p.m., the station lost one of its nets when a Golden Eagle dropped from a height of two hundred feet, flew through the net, then evaded a second net by passing under it. Banders reported hearing the mist net material snap as the Golden Eagle flew through the net.

Our thanks to Paul Pratt for sharing his expertise and knowledge of Holiday Beach Conservation Area. 21 October 2000 was a memorable day at Holiday Beach as thirty-five Golden Eagles were observed by tower hawk watchers, a new one day record for Golden Eagles seen at this site.

Compilation of the day's sightings were provided by participant Paul DesJardins.

Total Species - 76

Total Bird Species - 64

Total Butterfly Species 4

Cabbage White Butterfly, Pieris rapae - 2

Clouded (Common) Sulfur, Colias philodice -1

American Painted Lady, Vanessa virginiensis -1

Monarch, Danaus plexippus -1

Total Odonata Species - 4

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile - 1

Common Green Darner, Anax junius - 6

Yellow-legged Meadowhawk, Sympetrum vicinum - 7

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata - 1

Total Beetle Species - 2

Box Elder Beetle - 2

Southern Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis - +300

Northern Brown Snake - Road Kill -1

Northern Leopard Frog - 1

Reported by Betty Learmouth