Loggerhead shrikes are indeed arriving back early this year. Yesterday I had confirmation from our Carden Biologist that 5 pairs and 5 singles have already returned to this area! One pair can be observed near a favourite haunt - Bluebird Box 10 on Wylie Rd. Please take advantage of the new bird blind that has been erected in this location, and the pull-off sections along the road. At least one returning bird was previously released from the captive breeding program - a male released in 2006, occupying the same territory as last year! This is a first for the program, in terms of age of the bird, and confirmed returning in consecutive years.
Many of the returning birds thus far are banded. The majority of birds received 4-colour combos last year. Wild adults who were newly banded in 2009 have yellow/silver on the right leg as part of this combo, and it is highly visible. We have not yet confirmed any returning birds wearing geolocators, but are still hopeful, as birds are continuing to move around and arrive on territory. Geolocator birds have only 2 bands - RED/SILVER on the LEFT. These birds must be re-captured in order to remove the tag and collect the logged data - this information will tell us where this bird has been all winter and what route(s) it took on migration. So we are especially keen to find at least one this season! Shrikes are steadily returning to the other core areas as well, with birds seen in Napanee and Grey-Bruce. PLEASE report any Loggerhead Shrike sightings to Wildlife Preservation Canada at [email protected], (phone) 1-800-956-6608, (fax) 519-836-8840. Please take a moment to look for bands on any shrike seen and report these with your spotting. Thank you in advance. Happy Birding! ********************************** Jessica Steiner Species Recovery Biologist Wildlife Preservation Canada RR#5 5420 Highway 6 North, Guelph ON N1H 6J2 Tel: 519-836-9314 Fax: 519-836-8840 [email protected] www.wildlifepreservation.ca _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
