GRAY CATBIRD PAINTED BUNTING SAVANNAH SPARROW Snow Goose American Wigeon Black Scoter Common Loon Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Merlin Common Raven Horned Lark Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush Snow Buntings Lapland Longspur White-crowned Sparrow Common Redpoll
Not too much happening here in the Hamilton Study Area but thought I would put out the report for what is here. The landscape is constantly changing so things will start to mix again, there is hope. The winter star is still around although it is hard to imagine how such a bird could survive the cold nights. The PAINTED BUNTING is still being seen at the feeder along the ravine best accessed at the end of Arkendo in Oakville. Also of note a GRAY CATBIRD seems to be making it through the winter at a feeder set up on 11th Concession East in Flamborough. Another great find was a SAVANNAH SPARROW in a group of American Tree Sparrows at Great Lakes Blvd and Rebecca last Saturday. A White-crowned Sparrow and Common Redpolls were also present here. There are certain expected movements at this time of year. Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs seem to move in force starting in February. This week a significant flock was seen along Jerseyville Road just east of Lynden Road. The majority of the flock were Snow Buntings but if you were lucky enough to get them to come close to the road, there were a number of Horned Larks and a few Lapland Longspurs in the mix. Another smaller flock was seen near Dyments Farm on Fallsview Road in the past couple of days. Horned Larks and two Lapland Longspurs accompanied the flock here. Another movement of birds is Common Redpolls. Several flocks were seen in the HSA this week including at the RBG Arboretum, on Millborough Town Line near Mountsberg, in the weedy field near Great Lakes Blvd and Rebecca and at Saddington Park in Mississauga. In the odds and sods this week, a Snow Goose continues to be seen among the thousands of Canada Geese here. There are various access points along the lakeshore. A pair of American Wigeon are still at the Desjardins Canal in Dundas. A female Black Scoter was photographed east of the lift bridge, one of a few still lurking. A Common Loon flew past Canada Centre for Inland Waters likely coming from the open water of the lake. This year's Turkey Vulture roost seems to be in Jerseyville where up to 12 were seen mid-town coming into roost across from the general store. Up to 8 Bald Eagles were seen on the frozen bay today. A Sharp-shinned Hawk caught the attention of this driver on the 403 near Waterdown Road. Merlins look to be setting up shop near Howe Ave where they have nested previously. This bird was seen at Warren and McElroy a short distance away as the Merlin flies. Common Raven sightings continue with one photographed near Glen Morris and two more in a barrel roll on Campbellville Road near Mountsberg. Eastern Bluebirds were seen at Taquanyah C.A. down in the south of the city. A hardy Hermit Thrush was photographed in the northernmost parking lot at Fifty Point C.A.. That's the news for the week, winter listers are looking to bump up their lists for the seasons so if you see anything unusual, report your sightings here!!! Stay warm. Cheryl Edgecombe HNC. --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
