Five days ago I reported a flock of at least 15, and probably a few more, American White Pelicans at Middle Island, Lake Erie, but I had not, at the time, enlarged my many photographs of distant birds including a then unidentified raptor. I did that a couple of days ago, and as a matter of possible interest to some, it was an adult plumage Peregrine Falcon. I also confirmed my non-birder companions' claim of two Black-crowned Night-Herons which I had missed, but managed to pick up with my camera. Today the bird-killing and chasing was curtailed or prevented by unforeseen circumstances, but as of the time we left, around 1:00 p.m., there were three American White Pelicans that appeared to land on the side away from us (or in the shallows), and later were seen on the water, and landing very close to shore.
Interesting (to me, at least) observation: Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles seem to fly to and from the island fairly regularly, which strikes me as odd as they have to fly over considerable expanses of open water. I saw two male Red-wings pass by the boat just a meter or so above the tops of highest waves, for as long as they were in view. Barry Barry Kent MacKay Bird Artist, Illustrator Studio: (905)-472-9731 http://www.barrykentmackay.ca mi...@sympatico.ca Markham, Ontario, Canada _______________________________________________ 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
