There was a major fallout of migrants along the Lake Ontario shoreline at Hamilton today in the rain and fog, probably one of the best I have ever seen in spring at Hamilton, certainly in April. At Van Wagners Beach and Van Wagners Ponds this evening (after the rain had ended), Cheryl Edgecombe, Dave Don and I spent several hours and had lots to look at. The highlight was a Yellow-throated Warbler (albilora subspecies) amongst 12 species of warblers, which also included a female Cerulean, Cape May, Nashville, Yellow, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Pine, Palm, Black-and-white, Northern Waterthrush and hundreds of Yellow-rumpeds. The Yellow-throated Warbler was seen around 6:00 pm on the west side of Van Wagners Beach Rd where it takes a jog and runs north-south at the west side of Confederation Park, in the treed area next to the park office building and the small creek. Many of the other warbler species were in this area as well.
Another highlight was a Clay-colored Sparrow in the gravel parking lot across from Baranga's Restaurant, one of 11 sparrow species seen in the area. Hermit Thrushes were very abundant, as were kinglets. A nice sight was a flock of at least 66 Purple Finches (many males) on the grass and in the trees around Baranga's. Flocks of Rusty Blackbirds in the hundreds were flying through and landing briefly. The bird that drew us to the area was a Least Bittern found earlier in the afternoon by Tom Thomas perched in the shrubs between the waterfront trail and the beach about 25 m west of Baranga's. The bird sat motionless here a few feet off the ground as pedestrians walked past unknowing. It remained here until dark. I have no idea whether any of these birds will be around tomorrow, but it should still be a good day to check the area. Directions: From the QEW highway in Hamilton, take the Centennial Parkway (formerly Hwy 20) exit (exit no. 88), go north to the North Service Rd, turn left and go west; the road turns right onto Van Wagners Beach Dr (this is the N-S jog mentioned above). At the 3-way stop, you can turn right into a parking lot (fee required), or turn left and continue west to Baranga's restaurant and there is a gravel parking lot on the left side. One can continue farther west to the parking lots at Van Wagners Beach near Hutch's Restaurant as well. Cheers, Rob Dobos Dundas, Ont. [email protected]
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