On Thursday, November 11th, 2010 this is the HNC Birding Report: PACIFIC LOON BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE CAVE SWALLOW LECONTE'S SPARROW
Tundra Swan Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter BarrowsxCommon Goldeneye Ruffed Grouse Red-throated Loon Common Loon Northern Goshawk Golden Eagle Virginia Rail Greater Yellowlegs White-rumped Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Dunlin Lesser Black-backed Gull Thayer's Gull Short-eared Owl Common Raven Tufted Titmouse House Wren Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler White-winged Crossbill Evening Grosbeak It's been another big week here in the Hamilton Study Area with our annual fall bird count occurring last Sunday. The star of the count the LECONTE'S SPARROW was seen on the count and the day after at the Rona Ponds in Waterdown. It has not been seen since Monday but is highly elusive so.....could still be about. On Monday, birders looking for the Purple Sandpiper at 50 Point Conservation Area on the count were fortunate to find three species of Loon including a PACIFIC LOON. The bird was seen early afternoon but was elusive diving and remaining underwater for much of the time. Another good find Tuesday at 50 Point was a lingering CAVE SWALLOW seen at the mouth of the marina. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also seen here. Continuing west along the lake, a Short-eared Owl was seen at Gray's Road on Saturday and the Barrows x Common Goldeneye hybrid returned this area. All three scoters are being seen along various access points. A Thayer's Gull was seen on the count from the Stoney Creek Lakeshore. Down the way at Hutch's restaurant a Black-legged Kittiwake made a fly-by and then landed on the beach with the gulls. It then flew off to the east toward Confederation Park. Today three POMARINE JAEGERS made an appearance at about 3 o'clock. Our fall bird count was quieter this year than last. This is the latest date that the count can be done so even a week at this time of year can make a difference. Highlights included Golden Eagle (three over Waterdown, total 5), Greater Yellowlegs at Dundas Marsh and Dundas Hydro Ponds, White-rumped Sandpiper and Dunlin at Princess Point, White-winged Crossbills near Binbrook, Evening Grosbeak in North Halton. Others include Northern Goshawk, House Wren, Tufted Titmice at several feeders, Gray Catbird and Brown Thrasher. Pine and Yellow-rumped Warbler were the only two warblers seen on count. In the odds and sods, Virginia Rail was heard mid week in the Middletown Road and 5th Concession area, a very late date for this species. Ruffed Grouse are coming to a feeder in the Westover Road and 8th Concession area. A group of 5 Common Ravens flew over the same area. A great gathering of over 100 American Pipits occurred last Saturday at 4th Concession West and Lynden Road. Its quality not quantity this week. This is an exciting time of year for vagrants so get out and report the ones you find. Have a great week, Cheryl Edgecombe HNC Hotline 905-381-0329 _______________________________________________ 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/
