Ontario Field Ornithologists 2016 Rainy River tour.17 Participants made the long trek to Rainy River this year. Weather was cool, windy, and rain in the evening. A total of 161 species were located on the trip Highlights:5 Trumpeter Swans, 3 of which were foraging in a muddy field used by Marbled Godwits and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Unlike southern Ontario birds. These swans want nothing to do with humans and kept a considerable distance from us.Bald Eagles widespread as usual Sharp-tailed Grouse 12 birds at 2 locations. One of the locations appeared to be a lek with at least one bird still dancing in a very muddy field for uninterested females.Shorebirds 9 species including:Marbled Godwit at least 3 pairs were found this year with 2 of the pairs entertaining us daily.Red-necked and Wilson Phalaropes in the Rainy River lagoon the evening of the 2nda solitary immature Franklins gull was located on a distant sandbar off windy pointAmerican White Pelicans. Several hundred seen with a flock of 168 birds soaring over Rainy River near Oak grove campground a definite highlight.Great Gray Owls a few located at dusk and dawn hunting roadsidesRed-headed Woodpeckers colony on Antonson rd remains vibrantEastern Whip-poor-wills, Common Nighthawks, Wilson's Snipe and American Woodcock vocal in the middle of the night between the rain for those who ventured out to listenSeveral Black-billed Magpies seen daily21 species of warblers 1 Golden-winged Warbler hwy 521 north of Sleeman Connecticut Warblers were present in much lower numbers than in the last few years. One provided clean, hard, and crippling views and great pictures roadside this year in the bog9 species of Sparrows including many skulking Lecontes, and Clay-colouredsBrewers Blackbirds were widespread as expected. Western Meadowlarks more widespread than in previous few years. Yellow-headed Blackbirds Windy Point and Rainy River Sewage Lagoons Thank you to Michael Dawber for assisting me on this tour. _______________________________________________ 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
