Good evening birders: The last-minute change to the weather forecast fell in our favour as a largely beautiful day served as a backdrop to the 4th annual Cobourg/Presqu'ile OFO excursion.
18 participants cumulatively amassed a respectable 53 bird species. Though no rare gulls or uncommon shorebirds put in appearances, it was an excellent early/mid-November day along the north shore of Lake Ontario. On the heals of a rare "peep sweep" during the September OFO outing at Presqu'ile at the height of shorebird season, today's group enjoyed the targeted "scoter sweep" with a single BLACK SCOTER off of Owen Point, Presqu'ile; 6 SURF SCOTERS showing well near Salt Point, Presqu'ile; and small numbers of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS at various locations. Other waterfowl of note included 4 TUNDRA SWANS--vocalizing to boot--at Cobourg Harbour and 2 female HOODED MERGANSERS in the Presqu'ile marsh across from the Camp Office. A small group of DUNLIN with 6 SANDERLINGS and a single WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER fed at OWEN Point, while BONAPARTE'S GULLS came and went. From Owen Point, distant views of 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and a 1 COMMON RAVEN were had over the Northumberland hills to the north. The day ended at about 2:30pm with the darker northern abieticola race of RED-TAILED HAWK circling low over the Presqu'ile marsh. Other birds of interest included an adult male NORTHERN HARRIER near Chub Point, Grafton; immature COMMON LOONS off Wicklow Beach (1) and the Government Dock, Presqu'ile (2); and a BROWN CREEPER on the Owen Point Trail, Presqu'ile. In the six-legged realm, a small burst of warmth during a sunny period just after noon stirred up a lively Autumn Meadowhawk behind the Presqu'ile Park Store. Many thanks to those who took part in today's outing and lent a hand in scouting and spotting. Best wishes, Ian Shanahan Toronto _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
