Dear Fellow Birders,
While the rare bird from the past week was the Ross's Goose reported
yesterday, several harbingers of spring have been noted yesterday and today,
brought up by the recent warm front. Additionally, the opening in the lake
just west of Long Point continues to widen, Big Creek is opening up as well
as several small openings are present at the causeway bridge (and it is
completely open in Port Royal), and a few small openings have formed in the
Inner Bay which have already been found by scaup. So it won't be too long
until waterfowl begin to pour back into the area. If people are interested
in tracking the breakup of ice on Lake Erie (and other Great Lakes) this is
an excellent website
http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/app/WsvPrdCanQry.cfm?CanID=11080&Lang=eng
Some of the spring migrants that were found yesterday and today include one
Killdeer yesterday and two today at West 1/4 Line & Lakeshore Rd, and
another Killdeer at Bird Studies Canada yesterday as well. Tundra Swans were
seen heading west along the lake shore yesterday and today and an additional
birds to the flock that over-wintered have been seen in the fields lately as
well. Large numbers of Common Mergansers, Herring and Great Black-backed
Gulls have been seen moving back and forth between openings on the lake and
scaup have been seen making scouting flights into the area looking for open
water. Another wave of American Crows and increased numbers of European
Starlings have been noted in the area, and a few American Robins were seen
moving in from off the lake today. Large numbers of Horned Larks have pushed
into the area and over 1000 Snow Buntings were seen yesterday with a few
Lapland Longspurs in with them. A few flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds have
been in the area recently, a couple small flocks of Common Grackles were
seen today, and the 200+ Brown-headed Cowbirds continue to winter in the
Clear Creek area.
Other recent good birds include a Common Raven in the Wilson Tract, the male
Eastern Towhee in Clear Creek, Sandhill Cranes continue to winter here,
although family groups (vs. flocks) have been more frequent lately, a
dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk has spent the last few days at the BSC office,
Bald Eagles are regularly seen on the ice near any of the openings, and a
few flocks of Wild Turkeys have been seen with a group of 25 having been
seen regularly 500m west of Gore Rd on Lakeshore Rd (just west of Long
Point) and another group in Backus Woods near campground A seen regularly as
well.
Directions: Exit the 401 at Hwy 59 near Woodstock and follow it south all
the way to Port Rowan. There is an intersection here, to the left is Front
Rd (which takes you by the Bird Studies Canada office on the right), and
Lakeshore Rd to the right (which takes you towards Clear Creek). If you
continue straight on Hwy 59 you will come into Big Creek which is the large
marsh that will surround you.
Mike Boyd
Clear Creek
From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sat Mar 3 16:38:18 2007
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From: "Jim Heslop" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: [Ontbirds]Varied Thrush -Selkirk Provincial Park
Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 16:38:15 -0500
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OntBirders
The female Varied Thrush reported by Tom Thomas 2 weeks ago was still at the
banding trailer in Selkirk P.P. this morning. Tom's directions below.
A flock of 15 Red-winged Blackbirds were at a backyard feeder south of
regional road 3 on the road into the park. Also, on the drive down from
Ancaster, there was a pair of N. Flickers down on the roadside on McKenzie
Rd. south of York Rd. Horned Larks were at the roadside literally everywhere
along with a few small flocks of Snow Buntings.
Good Birding
Jim Heslop
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "ontbirds" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 10:46 PM
Subject: [Ontbirds]Varied Thrush -Selkirk Provincial Park
Hello birders,
While Tim King and I were birding Selkirk P.P.this afternoon,we
spotted a Varied Thrush.
We were watching the bird feeders set up around the late John
Miles banding station, hoping to see a tufted Titmouse, when in to the
surrounding trees flew what we assumed was an A.Robin. The bird didn't
stay
too long, but long enough to see that it was not a Robin, but a possible
Varied Thrush, as we only had the briefest of looks through the trees.
The bird eventually returned, and it was indeed a Varied
Thrush -female. The thrush continued to circle the feeders, but did not
come
in to feed while we were there.
My bet is that the Thrush will stay around this area, as the feeders
still have some seed/ peanuts in them.
If you go, it may be a good idea to bring in some mixed bird seed.
Good luck.................Tom.
Selkirk Provincial Park is in Haldimond County, south of Hagersville, on
Road 3 (Rainham Rd.) which is south of #3 Talbot Rd.W, and between Sandusk
Road and Road 53.
Once in the park, go straight for about 200m and look for a side
trail on the right. This trail should lead to a boardwalk over the marsh.
At
the end of the boardwalk, stay to the left, until you come to another
small
boardwalk, and take the trail to the right, this should take you up close
to
the boundary fence on the west side of the park , and overlooks an open
field. Bear left here and you should see the banding station ahead of you.
These directions may seem a little convoluted, but I'm sure you will
find it if you persevere.
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