April 27 2025 (Sunday) Nephton
Leader: Dave Milsom, Cathy Douglas, Brian Wales, Leo Weiskittel.
Twenty participants joined us for a full day's birding effort at Nephton Mine. Situated atop a Precambrian ridge overlooking Petroglyphs Provincial Park and the Peterborough Crown Game Preserve, this location offers a panoramic view of the sky ideal for the observation of migrating raptors and waterfowl. Though strong north winds during our trip created less than perfect conditions for this, clear skies and relatively warm temperatures allowed the group to locate several highlight species. At the meeting spot on County Road 6, a few of us noted a Ring-necked Duck pair occupying a shallow sedge-dominated wetland suitable for nesting. This site also yielded a Sandhill Crane, a Belted Kingfisher, a Pileated Woodpecker, singing Swamp Sparrows, and a Rusty Blackbird. From here, Covia Corporation escorted us in a school bus to the Blue Mountain mine site. En route, we observed three Wild Turkeys, two Greater Yellowlegs flushing from a tailing pond, an Osprey, a displaying pair of Broad-winged Hawks, and an American Kestrel visiting a nest site on the side of the Blue Mountain plant building. Over an hour?s hawkwatch at the first observation point, we noted two Sharp-shinned Hawks, a Northern Harrier, two Bald Eagles, five Broad-winged Hawks, four Red-tailed Hawks, and an extremely distant raptor that may have been an American Goshawk. A foray into the nearby pine-oak forest provided us with excellent views of two Blue-headed Vireos, several singing Pine Warblers, and other newly arrived passerines. We then travelled to another site overlooking Kasshabog Lake, from which we observed a locally uncommon Cooper?s Hawk, four Broad-winged Hawks, several Turkey Vultures, a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Peregrine Falcon. Most exciting was an immature Golden Eagle soaring distantly to the northeast. Given the unexpectedly late date for this species, this individual was likely a nonbreeding bird benefitting from the Peterborough Crown Game Preserve?s large deer population. Thank you to Covia Corporation for continued access to the mine site. Report submitted by Leo Weiskittel.
April 5 2025 (Saturday) Long Point
Leader: Stewart MacDonald.
OUTING REPORT FOR APRIL 5, 2025 EXCURSION TO LONG POINT AND PORT ROWAN
On April 5, 2025, 7 people joined Stewart MacDonald for this excursion. Although there was a prediction of heavy intermittent showers, the majority of the outing was conducted without rain falling.
The group observed 57 Species of birds, including 20 Waterfowl.
The outing started at the Birds Canada Office, where several species of Dabbling Ducks were observed to start the day off on the right foot. The group then drove west on Lakeshore Road where we observed more Waterfowl along the way. Heavy rains on the prior Wednesday created many temporary ponds in the local fields, so the birds had many places to go.
One of the highlights of the morning was observing several Sandhill Cranes together, with display behavior from some of the birds.
Off we went to the Long Point Causeway with stops to observe diving ducks in Long Point Bay. There were large rafts of Greater and Lesser Scaup, Canvasbacks, Redheads, Ring-Necked Ducks and others which were observed. The highlight was several Horned Grebes which gave the group excellent views. Some of these birds were developing their breeding plumages.
The group then took an excursion by foot and observed Greater Yellowlegs, Bald Eagles and other Ducks.
Off to Old Cut Observatory, for a walk in the woods and into Long Point Provincial Park, where Hermit Thrush, Eastern Phoebe and Field Sparrow being the highlights. Many Golden-Crowned Kinglets were observed.
The final stop was Port Rowan Harbour, where a Red-Throated Loon and Osprey were observed!
Many Thanks to Barb O'Neill for her photography and to all the participants for a Fun day of Birding!
