DEC 9th Kempenfelt Lakeshore ( Barrie Migrants) Hike Report Jim Coey Leader About35 hardy souls braved the cold to explore the Kempenfelt Bay shores in Barrieto see what bird life would present itself. The temperature hovered around -2 to 0 and it was quite bitter inexposed locations. A light snow startedabout mid-morning eventually becoming heavy enough to reduce visibilityconsiderably and the walk ended around 12.30pm. Many thanks to all for coming out and for everyone’s help. Highlights included a White-winged Scoter, a late AmericanCoot, a Pacific Loon, a Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull. There were large numbers of Red-necked Grebesand many rafts of Common Mergansers. This must be a major staging area for this species. Does anyone have any information regardingthis.?
There were two active mink along the shoreline and 1 Black Squirrel. Thanksto Chris Evans, Kevin Shackleton, John Watson and Paul Forde for data, picturesand support. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 300 estimate only asbirds were very active Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 50 estimate as birdswere very active American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 2 Greater/Lesser Scaup (Aythya marila/affinis) 1 onesingle male individual White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) 1 Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 1 Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 20 There were a numberof small flocks and individuals around the bay Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 30 Therewere a number of small flocks in several locations Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 300 Many birdsand very active Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 1 Arctic/Pacific Loon (Gavia arctica/pacifica) 1 Thisbird has been reported in this location since early November Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1 Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 70 Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 40 Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 20 Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) 1 Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) 1 Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 17 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 22 Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 3 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 5 Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1 European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 5 Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1 Jim Coey _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
