A drive about the back roads of Haldiman produced flocks of migrating flocks of birds.
Large number of KILLDEER were in many fields. In a field with standing water on Concession 3, west of Cheapside, hundreds were in the field, most being 1st year birds. (See photo of bird watching a hawk overhead<http://ontfin.com/Birds/displayimage.php?album=373&pos=21>). They were joined by several pair of WILSON'S SNIPE. Across the road, a newly ploughed field was being worked by hundreds of AMERICAN PIPITS, more than I've ever seen in one place before (See photos<http://ontfin.com/Word/american-pipit/>). They were joined by HORNED LARKS and a few SAVANNAH SPARROWS. An Immature GREAT BLUE HERON used an interesting herding behavior to harvest some small fish. (You can see his plumage details here<http://ontfin.com/Word/immature-great-blue-heron/> .) WILD TURKEY seems to be quite common in groups of 7-8, and the field directly north of the power plant seems to be a reliable spot to spot them. NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD have also become easy to see with birds scattered throughout. Along the lakeshore a small number of SANDERLINGS were seen as well as the occasional GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Several groups of HORNED GREBES were offshore as were SCAUP SP. and a few BUFFLEHEAD. Raptors have not appeared in large numbers as yet, The common RED-TAILED HAWK were almost all adults (See photo<http://ontfin.com/Birds/displayimage.php?album=262&pos=9>) who haven't been joined by the immature birds yet. Good numbers of NORTHERN HARRIER worked the fields and AMERICAN KESTREL were common. The fields south of Rainham Road, west of Dunnville, hosted several huge flocks of blackbirds, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS, GRACKLES, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and STARLINGS. It is an amazing sight to see thousands of these birds, especially when they suddenly take flight. -- Harold Stiver Paris, Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://ontfin.com/ http://ontfin.com/Word/ _______________________________________________ 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/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
