[Ontbirds] ACADIAN FLYCATCHER - Oxford Mills - South of Ontario
Hello, Sorry for the late post but my original email didn't go through last night? I understand the significance of this sighting to the Capital Region and I wanted to get it out everyone earlier. Hello, At 1830 last night (May 7) I observed an ACADIAN FLYCATCHER calling and actively feeding throughout the mature hardwood woodlot behind our house. As I do every evening at this time of year, I was searching for returning breeders to our property. This bird was originally identified by its loud call in a large Bur Oak tree on my property. I was able to find it immediately at which point I realized that it was an Empidonax flycatcher, which caught me by surprise somewhat as I have not observed any flycatchers (except Eastern Phoebe) on the property to date. It appeared large, long tailed with long primary injection. Yellowish/olive/green colours were apparent on back and upperparts that showed up nicely next to the clean, pale underparts. Two distinct white wing bars were clear. Decent sun made these features easily apparent. The bird quickly fed on insects within the canopy, moving up and down through the mid to upper portions of the canopy. I was able to compare this bird to the larger resident Eastern Phoebe for approximately 3 minutes as they fed in the same trees. I observed this bird for approximately 10 minutes straight until it moved quickly NNW our my house into the mature hardwood stand. I followed and searched for 45 minutes afterward stopping every so often to listen for its call again but I was unable to rediscover the bird. I searched for the bird again this morning at approximately 0530 for 20 minutes to no avail. I will again search again when I get home today. Josh *Directions: * Oxford Mills is located approximately 60km southwest of Ottawa. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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
[Ontbirds] Greater Snow Geese in Eastern Ontario
To further Brian Morin's post earlier today, I first observed a large flock (500) over the Finch-Chesterville corridor on March 11. The past few days the Snow Geese have been prevalent on the South Nation River east of Chesterville at the confluence of Kirby Creek. The field on the west side of Kirby Creek is flooded and they have been mixed in with the Canada's. Snow Geese numbers have stabilized in this area this week, but the Canada Geese numbers have exploded in this area. Many portions of the South Nation River will surely be open after this weekend. Another spot where Snow Geese are prevalent is along the South Nation River north of County Rd. 9 (Berwick Rd.). Finch and Chesterville are located along the Highway 43 corridor east of Winchester. Josh Mansell ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] More Eastern Ontario Snow Geese
I work for the South Nation Conservation Authority in Finch and I was fortunate enough to be traveling the roads yesterday west towards the Spencerville region. Large migrating flocks of white geese were observed throughout the day in numbers that parallel previous reports. These flocks were observed all along the Highway 43 corridor and all lands south. Large flocks were observed on the ground in the Finch, Chesterville, Winchester and Brinston areas. None were observed this morning however along my travels, yet... Josh Mansell _ Live connected with Messenger on your phone http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9712958___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds]Birding High Park
This past week around the High Park area has been significant in terms of returning migrants. Just a quick walk around the park can reveal many species that have recently made the trip across the Lake Ontario. Now that Grenadier Pond is free of ice, the park has been acting as a refueling station for many species of waterfowl, wading birds and various landbirds. Species that have been noted in the park include plenty of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds (2 females only) and Common Grackles; as well as Ruby-crowned Kinglets (2) and a smaller flock of Cedar Waxwings (8). In Grenadier Pond various pairs of Wood Ducks can be found throughout; along with 15 or so Northern Shovelers. A Black-crowned Night Heron was hiding amongst the cattails in the north end of the pond also. In the Lower Duck Pond a Great Egret was found fishing along the shoreline. High Park is bordered on the south by the Queensway and on the north by Bloor. The main entrance can be entered on the westside of the park off of Parkside Ave. Josh Mansell _ Enter today for your chance to win $1000 a day—today until May 12th. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/215___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Humber Bay Park Birds
Sunday February 24, 2008 Humber Bay Park West 7:00 - 10:00 AM Along the Southeast point of the park I watched 2 Horned Grebes rest and feed amongst a large raft of Greater Scaup. Just around the corner from the Southeast point a single White-Winged Scoter was also feeding. Afterwards I moved along to the parking near the lighthouse and marina on the Southwest side of the park. At the trash can a very brave Northern Mockingbird was feeding in the garbage. As I walked along the West Side of the point there were 6-7 American Coots feeding amongst some Scaup and further up, nearly 10 or so White-winged Scoter's were mingling with some Long-tailed Ducks. It was a great morning for birding, as there were plenty of the regular overwintering ducks present throughout the park. Bird On!! Josh Mansell _ ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Port Union Waterfront
Today's walk occurred during some thick fog in the late morning hours, which limited the distance at which we could see. We started at the Rouge Hill GO Train station and worked our way west to Highland Creek (2 km). We encountered a small flock of American Tree Sparrows with the company of a few Dark-eyed Juncos. There were hundreds of Greater Scaup that littered the shoreline throughout our walk. Other diving ducks included Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers. There was also several Gadwall and American Wigeon amongst numerous Mallards. There was a female American Kestral perching along the train tracks during our walk. Directions: take the 401 to the Port Union Rd. onramp. Head south on Port Union Rd. to Lawrence Ave. Head east on Lawrence to the Rouge Hill GO Train station, where parking is available. Bird On! Josh Mansell _ Exercise your brain! Try Flexicon! http://puzzles.sympatico.msn.ca/chicktionary/index.html?icid=htmlsig___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
