On Friday, March 9th, 2012 this is the HNC Birding Report: Snow Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan American Wigeon King Eider Pied-billed Grebe Red-necked Grebe Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Merlin Sandhill Crane Killdeer American Woodcock Great Horned Owl Eastern Phoebe Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Pine Siskin
Spring is even more evident this week here in the Hamilton Study Area. More spring migrants moved in with some early birds testing their stamina in the cold air today. This week saw the first Eastern Phoebes at LaSalle Park yesterday record early by a week. Tundra Swans have been moving in force with over 1000 present at Puslinch Lake yesterday, over 400 seen at LaSalle yesterday and various sized flocks seen over Burlington, Hamilton, Dundas and Flamborough throughout the week. This is by far the greatest movement of Tundra Swans that many birders have seen in some years. Killdeer have been reported in increasing numbers in various locations this week. American Woodcock were heard on Avonhead Rd in Mississauga mid-week. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are now here in force. The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby has started as of March 1st. Significant winds have been a huge factor in deterring birds from arriving. This week though, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk (early), Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawk have been recorded. Snow Geese mixed in with Tundra Swans were seen early in the week and Killdeer have been also going over the tower. Warmer temperatures this week will be good to move birds through so plan an outing to come and visit. Still in the raptor category Bald Eagles are on nest at Brant Park in Brantford record early by a month. A Merlin was also seen in this vicinity. In the odds and sods, a Cackling Goose was seen on Wednesday over the 407 south of Britannia. American Wigeon have been seen in greater numbers with 25 seen from LaSalle on Wednesday. The immature male King Eider was seen as of today at LaSalle close to shore and yesterday coming up to sleep on shore making for nice photographic opportunities. It has been interesting seeing this bird change plumage as its been here for a while. Pied-billed and Red-necked Grebe along with a Snowy Owl were seen at Bronte Harbour yesterday. Sandhill Cranes have been calling in the marsh near Deer Run Court in Brantford over the past week. The Great Horned Owl is still on nest between the expansion joints of the bridge at the Valley Inn. Golden-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush were seen at Hopkins Tract off York Road. Pine Siskins are still being seen at feeders through the area although I am sure with the warm temperatures this coming week they will move out. This week is supposed to be temperatures above 10C. It should be good to move migrants in and perhaps even a surprise or two! Please send along your sightings. Good Birding, Cheryl Edgecombe _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
