[Ontbirds] Kingston Area Birds: 2nd - 9th December 2016

2016-12-09 Thread Mark D. Read 
Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of
MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders using eBird are encouraged to share their
sightings with 'Kingston FN'. Alternatively, please email or post records
directly to me - contact details below. Please note that some sightings may
require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.

 

Highlights:

It's cooled down a bit and a day's worth of snow early in the week brought
birds to the feeders. Hopefully, the forecast of much colder weather coming
in as of this evening will help concentrate birds even more. Highlights of
the week include: SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, WOOD DUCK, EURASIAN WIGEON,
NORTHERN SHOVELER, KING EIDER, RUDDY DUCK, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON,
NORTHERN GOSHAWK, ICELAND GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, SNOWY OWL, TUFTED TITMOUSE,
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, AMERICAN PIPIT, FOX SPARROW,
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and COMMON GRACKLE.

 

Kingston

The continuing BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was last seen at Hillview Pond
(Collins Bay) on 3rd. Over in the Inner Harbour at Belle Island, a male
EURASIAN WIGEON was present from 4th - 5th only. Also seen on the 4th was a
single CACKLING GOOSE. On 6th, a RUDDY DUCK was found to still be lingering
there too and in the woods at the same location a TUFTED TITMOUSE was seen
the same day. A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was also seen on 6th and 8th. Numerous
NORTHERN SHOVELERS are also still present at this location. A good find this
week was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK seen in the city's north end. At Marshland CA, a
COMMON REDPOLL was seen on 4th along with a single COMMON GRACKLE and
several RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS (that have continued all week). Just across
the road in Cataraqui Bay the only sighting this week of a CANVASBACK came
in on the 3rd. A late AMERICAN PIPIT was seen at Invista on 6th.

 

Wolfe Island IBA

The only SNOWY OWL of the week was seen on 5th Line on 4th. The consistently
inconsistent NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD reappeared at Button Bay today (9th).

 

Amherst Island IBA

Three SWAMPS SPARROWS at Sand Beach on 5th were the only birds reported from
the island this week. Please note that the OWL WOODS (closed for hunting)
will reopen on Monday 12th December.

 

Prince Edward County

Not too many visitors to the county this week. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, FOX
SPARROW, and PINE SISKIN were all observed on 4th at Prince Edward Point,
where 5 HORNED GREBES were seen on 6th. At Cressy Point a nice find was a
flock of 97 TUNDRA SWANS, also on 6th.

 

Other Sightings

The only SNOW GOOSE of the week was a single blue bird seen at Bath on 3rd
and Millhaven on 4th. At the same site, both ICELAND and LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLs have been seen this week, with 6 CACKLING GEESE seen there on 3rd. To
the west, in Napanee, the continuing male WOOD DUCK was seen on a couple of
dates this week, including today (9th). In the Hay Bay area, RUDDY DUCKS
were still present in good numbers on 3rd with 55 birds seen. Getting late,
7 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen on McIntyre Road on 4th in the presence of 45
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. Near Millhaven a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen on
9th. The immature male KING EIDER at Amherstview Sewage Lagoons was last
seen on 4th. Please note you must be a member of KFN to enter this location
- see the website for more details. Near Gananoque, another TUFTED TITMOUSE
continues to be seen regularly and together with the one mentioned above and
another 2 at Beadles Point Road in Jefferson County, NY would indicate a
minimum of 4 birds in our area. At the Gananoque location both a COMMON
GRACKLE and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS are also being seen. At Lansdowne Dump a
GLAUCOUS GULL was seen on 7th.

 

In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property, Kingston Field
Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings Policy. Also note that,
as requested by the landowners, sightings of owls at the privately-owned Owl
Woods must not be shared on the Internet (this includes posting as 'Amherst
Island' on eBird) by KFN or anyone who visits. To ensure continued access to
this location, please respect their wishes and follow the guidelines posted
on-site. To maintain records for conservation purposes, sightings from that
location are welcomed through all the traditional channels.

 

As always, thanks to all those who have submitted sightings over the last
week.

 

Mark.

 

Mark D. Read

337 Button Bay Road,

Wolfe Island,

Kingston, Ontario

K0H 2Y0

Canada

 

Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246

Home: +1 (613) 385-1651

Email: markdr...@gmail.com

Blog: "Confessions of a Global Birder" http://markdread.blogspot.com
 

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markdread/

 

eBird Guidelines for Reporting Sensitive Species
 

 

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[Ontbirds] Algonquin Park Birding Report: 8 December 2016

2016-12-09 Thread Ron Tozer 
The Park was transformed into a beautiful winter landscape this week, with
lots of snow on the ground. Only the larger lakes remain open.

A Short-eared Owl being chased by a raven was photographed at the Old
Airfield on December 4. Our previous latest fall date for this very rare
migrant owl in Algonquin was November 6.

Twenty Bohemian Waxwings perched briefly in trees near the Visitor Centre
feeders on December 3. These waxwings appear to be attracted to the sounds
of birds at the feeders but then quickly move on when there is nothing there
for them to eat.

BOREAL SPECIALTIES

Spruce Grouse: There was a report from the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed
(currently accessible via Arowhon Road).

Black-backed Woodpecker: Check all black spruce areas.

Gray Jay: Regular at Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed, Spruce Bog Boardwalk and on
Opeongo Road (gated at Cameron Lake Road junction).

Boreal Chickadee: The best bet still seems to be the Mizzy Lake Trail rail
bed, where the species was reported this week.

WINTER FINCHES

Pine Grosbeak: Seven were observed eating ash keys on Opeongo Road on
December 3.

Purple Finch: One or two appeared irregularly at the Visitor Centre feeders.

Red Crossbill: Occasional small flocks continued to be seen this week.

White-winged Crossbill: Twenty-five were observed in black spruce areas
along the Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed on December 3.

Common Redpoll: No reports in the Highway 60 Corridor, despite the sighting
of large numbers last week on the Park's East Side.

Pine Siskin: No reports.

American Goldfinch: Up to a dozen came to the Visitor Centre feeders.
 
Evening Grosbeak: Numbers peaked at 64 birds at the Visitor Centre feeders,
providing excellent opportunities to see and photograph these large and
colourful finches.


Birders reporting records through eBird are encouraged to share their lists
with the Algonquin Park Bird Records account (APPbirds).



Good Birding!
 
Ron Tozer
Algonquin Park Naturalist (retired)
Dwight, ON
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
Algonquin Provincial  Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways
400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs which start in Toronto on Highway 400.
>From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the
park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the
West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56).

In winter, the Visitor Centre exhibits and restaurant at km 43 are open on
weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. There is access with limited services on
weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm.
 
Get your park permit and Information Guide (with a map of birding
locations mentioned here) at the East Gate or the West Gate.
Locations are also described at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca



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Re: [Ontbirds] Lark Sparrow - Toronto

2016-12-09 Thread kevin empey 
Lark Sparrow is still there.  Moving east and west in front of the building.   
Directions as per Joanne below. 


Kevin Empey

9057065501


> On Dec 9, 2016, at 14:04, Joanne Redwood  wrote:
> 
> I (and others) just saw the Lark Sparrow exactly where Garth Riley said it 
> was.
> 
> As per Garth:  It is east of the Don roadway, North of Lakeshore Blvd. Bird 
> is about 200 metres east of the Don Roadway, along the edge of a private road 
> along side a warehouse building.
> 
> Directions: Park on Villiers south of Lakeshore and east of the Don Roadway. 
> Walk north and then east along a gravel road north and adjacent to a rail 
> line.
> 
> ___
> ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the 
> provincial birding organization.
> Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
> 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
> 

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[Ontbirds] Robins in Sundridge

2016-12-09 Thread Stephen O'Donnell 
With the recent snow covering the ground it appears that lingering Robins are 
looking for food.

Three Robins  appeared in the Mountain ash tree at my home and quickly devoured 
the few remaining berries before moving on.

A male Common Merganser the first I have seen this fall was on the lake in 
front of the house.

Stephen O'Donnell


Sundridge is located on Hwy 11 north approx. 3hrs north of Toronto
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[Ontbirds] Female King Eider -- Amos Waites Park, Etobicoke

2016-12-09 Thread Andrew Keaveney 
Seen with flock of Ring-billed Gulls in close viewing. Just flew east into the 
bay to the west of Humber Bay Park West.

I viewed it from Myles Road End Park but I think it should be seen from Amos 
Waites which is where I'm heading now.

Directions-- Mimico lakeshore just west of Park Lawn Rd.

Cheers,

Andrew Keaveney
647-383-8894
Sent from my iPhone
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[Ontbirds] Ross's Goose, Wheatley harbour

2016-12-09 Thread Michael Nelson 
At noon today there was a Ross's Goose on the east side of Wheatley harbour
on the beach with the Canada Geese.

Directions- from the 401 exit at Tilbury and take Road 1 (Wheatley
road)south all the way to the beach.

Mike Nelson
Leamington, ON
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[Ontbirds] Lark Sparrow - Toronto

2016-12-09 Thread Joanne Redwood 
I (and others) just saw the Lark Sparrow exactly where Garth Riley said it was.

As per Garth:  It is east of the Don roadway, North of Lakeshore Blvd. Bird is 
about 200 metres east of the Don Roadway, along the edge of a private road 
along side a warehouse building.

Directions: Park on Villiers south of Lakeshore and east of the Don Roadway. 
Walk north and then east along a gravel road north and adjacent to a rail line.

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[Ontbirds] Lark Sparrow - Toronto

2016-12-09 Thread Garth Riley via ONTBIRDS 
--- Begin Message ---
 Bird has just been rotated today. It is east of the Don roadway, North of Lakeshore Blvd. Bird is about 200 metres east of the Don Roadway, along the edge of a private road along side a warehouse building. Directions: Park on Villiers south of Lakeshore and east of the Don Roadway. Walk north and then east along a gravel road north and adjacent to a rail line.Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Rogers network.

--- End Message ---
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