The group of 7 enjoyed a cool and often rainy day birding the Peterborough and Northumberland counties this Saturday.
A total of 86 species including some real rarities. Initially we "dipped" on yesterday's Long-billed Dowitcher but did find 30 Greater and 10 Lesser Yellowlegs on Bensfort Road, Peterborough. At Briar Hill were Common Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, many Tree Swallows, and Eastern Meadowlarks. Many Canada Geese were viewed on Keene Road and 2nd Concession north of Bailieboro, along with Green-winged Teal, Northen Pintail, Black Ducks and American Wigeon. Also seen nearby were 2 Winter Wrens, Purple Finch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Rusty Blackbird and Caspian Tern. At Garden Hill we found 2 Solitary and 2 Spotted sandpipers, Pine Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, Brown Creeper, Rough-winged Swallows and Belted Kingfisher. In the pond to the south was a Common Loon. On Kellogg Road near Welcome, we were scoping a leucistic Canada Goose when a flock containing a juvenile Blue Goose and a Cackling Goose flew overhead. Great views were obtained of Vesper Sparrows too. On Choate Road near Port Hope, Matthew Tobey spotted a possible Solitaire as we drove south. We immediately scanned the field and found a Townsend's Solitaire perched on top of a small fruiting bush. Photos were taken. At Port Hope Harbour 5 swallow species were viewed. We also added 2 Red-throated Loons, Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes and several cormorants. When we returned north to Peterborough Airport, we found a pair of recently fledged Great Horned Owls, Merlin, Virginia Rail and Wilson's Snipe. Many thanks once again to my co-leader, Matt Tobey, for his excellent spotting and identification skills, and his general good nature. Dave Milsom [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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
