30‐31 May 2008 Rainy River
Leaders: Mary & Dave Elder.
12 birders spent 30 & 31 May birding the Rainy River area with guides Dave and Mary Elder. Heavy rain and thunderstorms on Thursday evening and night did not bode well but Friday dawned with a fine drizzle that eventually cleared off by mid morning. The area was experiencing one of the latest springs ever and the trees were just starting to leaf out. A total of 133 species were observed over the 2 day tour and included lots of American White Pelicans, 2 leks of Sharp‐tailed Grouse, 3 pairs of Marbled Godwits on territory, Red‐headed Woodpecker, 2 Red‐bellied Woodpeckers, many Black‐billed Magpies, Sedge Wrens, Clay‐colored Sparrows, LeConte’s Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, Yellow‐headed Blackbirds and Brewer’s Blackbirds. Five brave birders walked (waded) into the Big Marsh and were rewarded with 2 calling Yellow Rails, one of which flushed twice for great looks. Sandhill Cranes were seen and heard frequently and 2 Piping Plovers were found on Windy Point.
Reported by Dave Elder.
3‐4 June 2005 Rainy River
Leaders: Dave and Mary Elder.
On 3-4 June 2005, Dave and Mary Elder led 17 birders on a tour of the Rainy River area. About 90 species were seen in total and everyone had good looks at everything. The special birds of the area were concentrated on and included American White Pelican, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Sandhill Crane, Wilson's Phalarope, Red-Headed Woodpecker, Black-billed Magpie, Sedge Wren, Yellow-throated Vireo, Connecticut Warbler, Clay-coloured Sparrow, LeConte's Sparrow (arm's-length views), Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Brewer's Blackbird. Best of all, at least 20 calling Yellow Rails (one briefly seen) were noted along a 1 km. section of wet grass meadow on the Wilson Creek Road. Due to lots of rain this spring, the fields were very wet and may have created lots of suitable habitat for the rails. Also, Eastern Bluebirds were seen in good numbers and Western Meadowlarks were more common than in the past 5 years. Unfortunately, no Piping Plovers were present on Windy Point for the second year.
Reported by Dave Elder
30‐31 May 2003 Rainy River
Leader: Dave Elder.
Fourteen really tough birders braved high winds, horizontal rain and cold temps on Friday morning to start the tour. By noon things had improved and Sat. dawned clear, mild and windless. A collective total of 131 species were found. Arm's length views of Le Conte's Sparrow, Connecticut Warbler and Mourning Warbler were exciting as were the half-hearted attempts at dancing by a group of Sharp-tailed Grouse on a gravel road. Area specialties found by the group included Eared Grebe, American White Pelican, Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Sandhill Crane, Piping Plover (perhaps the last bird in Ontario), Wilson's Phalarope (200+ on Rainy River sewage ponds), Franklin's Gull, Black-billed Magpie, Sedge Wren, Connecticut Warbler, LeConte's Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Brewer's Blackbird. A Red-bellied Woodpecker was seen by some participants staying at the Oak Grove Campground but could not be found on the tour. It is the third Rainy River District record for the species.
1‐2 June 2001 Rainy River area
Led by Mary and Dave Elder.
The 15th Rainy River Area OFO Birding Tour was enjoyed by 24 participants, a new high.
We noted 125 species in spite of a cold and rainy day one. Highlights were: four Eared Grebes at the RR sewage ponds, White Pelicans, Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Sandhill Cranes, Marbled Godwits, Wilson's Phalaropes, Great Gray Owl, five Short-Eared Owls, Red-headed Woodpecker (nest), Black-billed Magpie, Sedge Wrens, Northern Mockingbird, Golden-Winged Warblers, Connecticut Warblers, LeConte's Sparrows, Clay-Colored Sparrows, Brewer's Blackbirds and Yellow-Headed Blackbirds.
Record high water levels on Lake of the Woods prevented a boat trip to Windy Point. There is no beach on the Point and very little, if any, habitat for Piping Plover this year.
Reported by Dave Elder