Those that live near Lakes Ontario and Erie live under the influence of those large bodies of water. Just 25 km. north those impacts are poorly demonstrated. As such our birds arrive about 1-2 weeks, at least at the start of the season.
Yesterday was the first real push of birds here with robins present in large numbers and starlings (ugh!) on the move. Turkey Vultures are present in good numbers. Ravens and Pileated Woodpeckers are very visible as they start their breeding cycle. Highlights at Lakeridge and Reach Rds. in Scugog Twp: Yesterday - Trumpeter Swan - one checking out for open water – circled 3 times over a two hour period and then headed south Common Merganser – same result – scouting then headed south – it’s pretty frozen up here still Horned Larks – migrating Rusty Blackbird – one but it really was likely an overwintering bird from south Durham, not a true migrant Today – hundreds of Canadas were on the move with a few Mallards A Cackling Goss was flying with one of the Canada flocks 2 Great Blue Herons, 5 Killdeer, and an Eastern Phoebe showed up An adult Northern Goshawk made two passes through the yard For those of you interested, North Durham Nature was formed last September to serve Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge Township wildlife enthusiasts. Check them out at www.northdurhamnatureclub.com Geoffrey Carpentier www.avocetnatureservices.com _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
