This afternoon about 10 birders and I saw the "Yellow" Palm Warbler
on-and-off between 3:00 and 5:30 pm at Thickson's Woods in Whitby. This
distinctive eastern subspecies is very rare in Ontario and well worth
seeing. It's scientific name hypochrysea means "golden beneath".
Interestingly, another Yellow Palm Warbler was seen at Shell Park in
Oakville this week, creating much interest among Hamilton-area birders. The
much duller "Western" Palm Warbler is the usual subspecies seen in Ontario.
The two subspecies differ in so many ways that prominent ornithologist W.E.
Clyde Todd in 1963 stated, "I strongly suspect that we are dealing with two
closely allied but separate species." Todd's opinion was before
intergradation (interbreeding) was well established. Intergrades are rare.
See photos on OFO Photo Page of Thickson's bird
http://www.ofo.ca/photos/palmwarbleryellowch.jpg
and Shell Park bird in Oakville
http://www.ofo.ca/photos/palmwarblereasternkn.jpg
Directions: From the 401 in Whitby exit Thickson Road south to the
waterfront trail. Park along north side of waterfront trail opposite woods.
The Yellow Palm was just inside the entrance to Thickson's Woods along the
first path to the right. It was about 30 metres east of the bird feeder.
Ron Pittaway
Minden and Toronto
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From: "Ott User" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Subject: Re: [Ontbirds]Snowy Egret Update - Ottawa
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 21:04:38 -0400
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The Snowy Egret was again very active from about (forget exact time) 4:30pm
to about 5:50pm. It was actively feeding in the shallow water towards the
Hartwell Locks opposite Carleton University (description courtesy of Chris
Lewis previous email to Ontbirds regarding Snowy Egret). After it had its
fill the Snowy Egret then flew back to Dows Lake and settled in a spot quite
a bit off-shore.
From my observation of the Snowy Egret, it will feed for some time and then
fly and perch on a small rock out in the Lake. If you happen to catch it at
this interval in its day it will not be active (maybe some preening). From
my observation of this bird over a few days at various times of the day it
is actively feeding during the whole day with perhaps long intervals of
rest. If one cannot see the Snowy Egret at Dows Lake (if you are on the
side of the Arboretum parking area) a quick check around the bend toward the
locks area (near Carleton U) may reveal its presence. I have found this to
be the case on a few occasion.
Just a note. I was checking parts of this email and noticed that it was
"bounced" so not sure if this is caused when someone does a Reply All or via
some other means. I also noticed it says, On Behalf of XXXXX, so once again
not sure if that text is automatically appended to an email when some
responds to it with Ontbirds as recipient. Just wondering.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2005 1:57 PM
Subject: RE: [Ontbirds]Snowy Egret Update - Ottawa
The bird was still there at 1:15 PM, but is was NOT at all active.
Instead it was standing on its favourite resting rock, some 50 to 100
metres out from shore in Dow's Lake below the parking lot in the centre
circle. At this distance, binoculars are not enough for really
spectacular views, although the bird is certainly perfectly
identifiable. It appears that the bird is more likely to be both active
and close earlier or later in the day, which is hardly surprising.
Paul Matthews
Ottawa
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Ott User
Sent: April 22, 2005 9:47 AM
To: Ontbirds
Subject: [Ontbirds]Snowy Egret Update - Ottawa [few image links]
The Snowy Egret was again very active this morning at Dows Lake. It was
feeding constantly near the boat dock just down the hill from the
Arboretum
parking area. It was feeding in that spot for at least 15-20 minutes if
not
more. The bird also flew around the corner (the water in this area is
bordered by bike paths on both sides and I believe ColonelBy is the road
that runs along it with Careleton University just in the distance).
Then it
flew back to near the boat ramp.
Directions courtesy of Chris Lewis [DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 417 in Ottawa,
take the Parkdale exit and go south to Carling Ave., then left (east) on
Carling and right (south again) at the bottom of the hill onto Prince of
Wales Dr. Proceed past the Dow's Lake pavilion and go around the small
traffic circle, keeping left, and then immediately right into the
parking lot at the national Arboretum. Park in the public parking lot
(90 minutes free parking) at the Agriculture Canada buildings, and walk
down to the lake.]
W.H.
Ottawa, Ontario.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the
provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing
list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
