Hi all,
Yesterday I had 35 Bohemian Waxwings feeding on crab apples on Butler Street in
Brighton, halfway between Ontario Street and Prince Edward Street, and today I
had a flock of 80 in Cobourg on William Street where the two sets of railway
tracks cross. It seems there is some kind of movem
Hi all,
Kiana Rittwage and I went to Fowler’s Corners this evening to look for the
previously reported male Dickcissel that was found yesterday. The male was
singing from the west side of the road, opposite house number 1203 on Frank
Hill Rd., almost immediately. In 30 minutes it crossed the
Hi all,
Posting on behalf of Peter Burke who has just located a male Dickcissel in a
hayfield north of Castleton. The bird is on Jakobi Road, just north of Moore
Road in a hayfield on the west side where the power lines cross the road.
Directions: Most direct route from Hwy 401 is to go north
Hi all,
Since no one has posted this yet, Ron Tozer found a Marbled Godwit on Beach 3-4
of Presqu’ile Park this evening. The shorebirds have been great in recent days
with about 300 birds today.
Also today was a female Cerulean Warbler seen by Bill Gilmour and myself along
Paxton Drive, about
Hi all,
While not earth shattering, a moulting adult Dark-eyed Junco just appeared in
my backyard in Brighton. I don’t think I have ever seen one in August before
and it seems remarkably early for a migrant. Just thought I would pass that on.
Cheers,
Doug McRae
Doug McRae
P.O. Box 3010
Brig
Hi all,
About 30 people enjoyed a brilliant fall day birding Presqu’ile Park. As Ian
Shanahan was under the weather I filled in as leader with assistance from Ron
Tozer and Bill Gilmour, as well as lots of spotting help from the entire group.
In some ways it was a quieter day than we have bee
Hi all,
Ron Tozer and I went out to Gull Island (Presqu’ile Prov. Park) this morning
and relocated the Yellow-headed Blackbird found by David Bree yesterday. I
think it is a female (most resembles figure 54h on plate 24 of the new world
blackbird guide). It was sitting up on dead plant stalks
Hi all,
This afternoon if found a hybrid Hooded Merganser x goldeneye in the town of
Frankford, which is on the Trent River about 10 km north of Trenton and the 401
in Hastings County.
The bird was with 55 Common Goldeneyes swimming about 500m north of the main
bridge in the centre of town (ro
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 30 March-5 April 2018
I would like to start my first attempt at the Presqu’ile Bird Report by
acknowledging the dedication of Fred Helleiner, who has done this report
without fail for nearly two decades. As I try to assemble the information for
this edi
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 6-12 April 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights this week include the reappearance of the male HARLEQUIN DUCK near
the Lighthouse on 11 and 12 Apr, up to four RED-THROATED LOONS in Popham Bay on
the 12th, and a lingering SNOWY OWL on the Salt Pt. lighthouse on 9 Ap
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 13-19 April 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights this week include HARLEQUIN DUCK, RED-THROATED LOON, LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL, DUNLIN, SNOWY OWL, NORTHERN SHRIKE and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.
The story this week was much the same as past few weeks with more north wind
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 20-26 April 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights this week include HARLEQUIN DUCK, SANDHILL CRANE, SNOWY OWL, and
SHORT-EARED OWL.
Spring finally arrived. The warmer weather and southerly airflow released a
major flights of birds into the area, especially o
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 27 Apr – 3 May 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights this week include SANDHILL CRANE, SANDERLING, LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD and SUMMER TANAGER
It was a fun week at Presqu’ile with fairly strong movements on several days
and a host of retuning s
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the week of 4-10 May 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: RED-THROATED LOON, LEAST BITTERN, PIPING PLOVER, SNOWY OWL,
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER,
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, COMMON REDPOLL
It has been a great week of birding at the P
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 11-17 May 201
By Doug McRae
Uber Highlights: BLUE GROSBEAK, EURASIAN TREE SPARROW
Other Highlights: RED-THROATED LOON, SANDHILL CRANE, LITTLE GULL, SNOWY OWL,
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, HORNED LARK, GOLDEN AND
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, OR
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 18-24 May 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: BRANT, CATTLE EGRET, WHITE-FACED IBIS, SANDHILL CRANE, LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL, SNOWY OWL, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER,
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.
It has been another great week of birding
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 25-31 May 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: BRANT, CATTLE EGRET, SANDHILL CRANE, RED KNOT, LESSER BLACL-BACKED
GULL, BLACK TERN, WHIP-POOR-WILL, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, HOODED WARBLER, CLAY
COLOURED SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO
This may have been the last big
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 1-7 June 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: BLACK SCOTER, CATTLE EGRET, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, SNOWY OWL,
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN PARULA.
Migration has definitely slowed to a crawl and most observations this week
pertained to breeding birds, of
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 8-14 June 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: LESSER SCAUP, RED-THROATED LOON, CATTLE EGRET, SANDHILL CRANE,
GREATER YELLOWLEGS, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
A few tardy northbound migrants were still around this week, but the vast
majority of sig
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 15-21 June 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: LESSER SCAUP, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, LONG-TAILED DUCK, CATTLE EGRET,
BROAD-WINGED HAWK, MAGNOLIA WARBLER
It was a quiet week at Presqu’ile, partly due to very limited coverage by
birders. We are now in the
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 22-28 June 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: GREATER SCAUP, CATTLE EGRET, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, SNOWY OWL,
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
It’s been a slow week because birds are in the height of breeding and being
somewhat secretive, and it seems very few people are
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 29 June-5 July 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: COMMON GOLDENEYE, CATTLE EGRET, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, PINE SISKIN
The oppressive heat and general lack of birders made for a slow week and a slim
report. It should be noted however that swallows and blackbirds
Good morning Ontbirders
It’s a good morning at Presqu’ile! There is a banded Piping Plover on Beach
2-3. It is Number 064 which I think is the female that nested here in 2016.
There is also a Semipalmated Plover in the same area. The Lake is glass calm
and in the far distance straight out fr
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 21-27 September 2018
By Doug McRae
First let me begin by thanking Bill Gilmour for stepping up and doing such a
good job with these weekly reports while I was working in James Bay for the
past two months. I thought he did such a good job that he should keep
Presqu’ile Weekly Bird Report for Week on 21-27 Sept 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: SNOW GOOSE, STILT SANDPIPER, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, PRAIRIE
WARBLER
It was a busy week with lots of migrants passing through, especially on 22 and
27 September.
Waterfowl diversity is good right now wi
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 28 Sep - 4 Oct 2018
By Doug McRae
There hasn’t been much birding coverage at Presqu’ile this week so the report
is a little sparse. Hopefully the holiday weekend will bring some birders to
the area to bulk up the sightings.
Waterfowl remain well repres
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 5-11 Oct 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights this week include JAEGER SP., CAROLINA WREN, LECONTE’S SPARROW
Waterfowl remain well represented with most puddle ducks still present - mostly
in the marsh, and increasing numbers of diving ducks. SURF SCOTERS have been
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 12-18 Oct 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: CATTLE EGRET, LITTLE GULL, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, SNOW BUNTING
It was a good week for arriving migrants and by the end of the week the first
taste of winter birding had arrived. Although coverage was still light, Gull
I
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of October 19-25 2018
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RED-THROATED LOON, LITTLE GULL, COMMON TERN, CAROLINA WREN, LAPLAND
LONGSPUR, COMMON REDPOLL
It was a great week for birding but unfortunately coverage at Presqu’ile
remains low so much of the big passage not
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 26 Oct – 1 Nov 2018
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BRANT, LITTLE GULL, COMMON TERN, CAROLINA WREN, LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Waterbirds abound in the marsh, Presqu’ile Bay and Popham Bay (off the beach
and islands). Seven BRANT were on Gull Is. on 28 Oct (FH). Alarm
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 2-8 Nov 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: CACKLING GOOSE, RED-THROATED LOON, SNOWY OWL, CAROLINA WREN,
EVENING GROSBEAK
There are still a number of lingering migrants about but it is starting to feel
a little more like things are settling in for winter.
Waterfowl a
This afternoon Gray Carlin and I saw a Harlequin Duck at Gull Island,
Presqu’ile Prov. Park. It was swimming along the south side of Gull Is., then
flew west to the channel between Gull and High Bluff Is. I believe it is an
immature male with a crisp ear spot and a patchy, larger facial patc
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 9 – 15 Nov 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: BRANT, CANVASBACK, HARLEQUIN DUCK, SANDHILL CRANE, EASTERN PHOEBE,
CAROLINA WREN, BROWN THRASHER, FIELD SPARROW, NASHVILLE WARBLER, WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILL, EVENING GROSBEAK,
By weeks’ end the cold weather gave
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 16-22 November 2018
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: NORTHERN SHRIKE, CAROLINA WREN, BROWN THRASHER, CHIPPING SPARROW,
PINE GROSBEAK, EVENING GROSBEAK
The bitter cold continued to freeze up the quiet water in the marsh and in
general, put a damper on bird (and b
Posting for Andrea Kingsley who, along with Marie Wannamaker have just
relocated and photographed the Summer Tanager that was reported from the
College St. area of Cobourg. The bird was seen near 301 College St. but is
moving about. This is a quiet neighbourhood so please be respectful of peop
Presqu’ile Weekly Bird Report for 23-29 Nov 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: DUNLIN, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN THRASHER, GRAY
CATBIRD, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, EVENING GROSBEAK
The week was fairly quiet, likely due to the generally poor weather, but
waterfowl continue to abound,
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 30 Nov – 6 Dec 2018
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: DUNLIN, BROWN THRASHER, FOX SPARROW, SWAMP SPARROW
It was a very quiet week with very few reports received, and very few birds by
those that went out. Lingering birds have mostly gone and it’s feeling like
w
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 7-13 Dec 2018
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: DUNLIN, GLAUCOUS GULL, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, EASTERN BLUEBIRD,
BROWN THRASHER, CHIPPING SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
It was another quiet week with limited coverage but a few unusual things were
noted.
In spi
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 14-20 Dec 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: RING-NECKED DUCK, CANVASBACK, DUNLIN, ICELAND GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL,
CHIPPING SPARROW, PINE GROSBEAK, RED CROSSBILL
Once again coverage was light this week with the exception of Sunday Dec 16
when the Presqu’ile CB
Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 21-27 Dec 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: RING-NECKED DUCK, DUNLIN, ICELAND GULL, BROWN THRASHER
It was a quiet week for birders with the Belleville CBC and Christmas so
observations are limited. The general sense is that most expected species are
arou
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 28 Dec 2018 – 3 Jan 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: CANVASBACK, GLAUCOUS GULL, HERMIT THRUSH, SONG SPARROW, PINE
GROSBEAK
It was a quiet week with limited coverage. Although we are in ‘the dead of
winter” there was evidence of some bird movement on the ver
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 4-10 January 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: LESSER SCAUP, BROWN THRASHER, SONG SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
Its pretty quiet in the Park but the annual mid-winter Waterfowl Survey helped
boost the sightings a little.
Ten species of waterfowl were seen wi
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 11-17 Jan 2019
HIGHLIGHTS: ICELAND GULL, BROWN THRASHER, PINE GROSBEAK
It was a painfully quiet week at Presqu’ile as the cold sets in.
Apart from the typical winter ducks, very few species are lingering. Two
REDHEAD were seen on 12 Jan, a WHITE-WINGED SCOTE
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 18-24 Jan 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BROWN THRASHER, PINE GROSBEAK
With the recent cold and near total freezing of Presqu’ile Bay things remain
very quiet. Most bird activity is near feeders and the woods in general are
very quiet (but still lovely to w
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 25-31 Jan 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BROWN THRASHER
It’s another slim week for birds. Feeders are busier but the woods are almost
lifeless, something that can happen when the peninsula is exposed to extended
deep cold and wind. Presqu’ile Bay opened up a bit
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 1-7 Feb 2018
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: TUNDRA SWAN, ICELAND GULL, BELTED KINGFISHER, BROWN THRASHER
There was some light at the end of the winter tunnel this week with a few new
arrivals noted plus several species bursting into song in response to longer
days! Wate
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 8-14 Feb 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, BROWN THRASHER
It was a week of variable weather with some subtle changes in birdlife. A few
migrants arrived plus some other birds appeared in places they hadn’t
previous
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 15-21 Feb 2019
by Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: EASTERN BLUEBIRD, BROWN THRASHER
It was a very quiet week with almost no coverage so this is a skimpy report.
Waterfowl seemed static with pretty much the “usual suspects” about. The only
new arrival was a single AMERICAN
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 22-28 Feb 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: HOODED MERGANSER X COMMON GOLDENEYE, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, BROWN
THRASHER
It has been another quiet week with minimal coverage. There are a few hints
that spring is coming, particularly with an increase in diving ducks
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 1-7 March 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: TURKEY VULTURE, ICELAND GULL, BROWN THRASHER
Another week of cold and two impressive snowfalls kept the winter vibe going
but a few undeniable spring signs shone through. The upcoming “heat wave” on
Sunday may well b
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 8-14 March 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BIRDS! CACKLING GOOSE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, KILLDEER, CAROLINA WREN,
EASTERN BLUEBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, BOHEMIAN WAXWING
Finally spring has arrived with a flood of waterfowl, huge numbers of gulls on
Gull Is., and lots of migra
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 15-21 March 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: CACKLING GOOSE, RUDDY DUCK, RED-NECKED GREBE, BONAPARTE’S GULL,
PEREGRINE FALCON, BROWN THRASHER
Like last week, waterfowl was the big story with a smattering of other
interesting finds and new arrivals.
Two CACKLING
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 22-28 Mar 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: PEREGRINE FALCON, CAROLINA WREN, BROWN THRASHER
There was limited coverage this week but a number of new arrivals were seen and
waterfowl numbers appear to be near peak with thousands of diving ducks in
Presqu’ile Bay. Th
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 29 Mar – 4 Apr 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BLACK SCOTER, RUDDY DUCK, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, LONG-EARED OWL,
BROWN THRASHER
The cool weather and northerly winds have kept migration somewhat at bay but
new birds continue to trickle in in spite of opposing winds.
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 5-11 April 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BLACK SCOTER, RUDDY DUCK, CAROLINA WREN
Birds continue to show up but the big numbers have yet to arrive. They, and
us, are still waiting for a big southerly push of warm air. Waterfowl numbers
are now dropping and m
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 12-18 Apr 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: Lots of returning birds but nothing unusual.
There have been a few small surges of migrants during brief windows of suitable
weather but we have yet to see a big passage of migrant songbirds. Most birds
seem to be arri
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 19-25 Apr 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RED-THROATED LOON, CATTLE EGRET, LAUGHING GULL, CAROLINA WREN, SNOW
BUNTING
There were several days with good numbers of migrant passerines arriving
although we still haven’t had a “big” day yet. Waterfowl numbers have thi
Hi Ontbirders
There is a Piping Plover on Beach 1 at Presqu’ile Prov. Park. It was
apparently found this morning by Park staff and was present this evening when I
checked at 1700h. It is a banded bird - combination is UL=metal, LL=Black over
Orange split band, UR=Orange, LR=Black with numbers
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 26 Apr-2 May 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RUDDY DUCK, RED-THROATED LOON, SANDHILL CRANE, PIPING PLOVER,
LITTLE GULL, ICELAND GULL, FORSTER’S TERN
Like last week there have been a number of new arrivals but still no big push
of songbirds. The Beach is partially
This evening there is an adult Laughing Gull and the Piping Plover on Beach 1
at Presqu’ile Prov. Park
Cheers,
Doug
Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake
Ontario, just south of the town of Brighton. It can be reached from either
Hwy. 401, or Cty. Rd. 2
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 3-9 May 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RED-THROATED LOON, SNOWY EGRET, CATTLE EGRET, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK,
PIPING PLOVER, LITTLE GULL, LAUGHING GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL,
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER
It was a great week wi
Hi all,
There is a Piping Plover on Beach 1 at Presqu’ile with 2 Black-bellied Plovers
and a Ruddy Turnstone. It is colour banded and appears to be a different bird
than the 1-6 May bird but a better look is desired. If you see it, try to get
the combination.
There is also a Cattle Egret bac
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 10-16 May 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, CATTLE EGRET, SANDHILL CRANE, PIPING
PLOVER, BLACK TERN, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, EVENING GROSBEAK
It’s been a great week of birding at Presqu’ile with a big surge in songbirds,
especially warblers. Th
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 17-23 May 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: CATTLE EGRET, SANDHILL CRANE, PIPING PLOVER, LAUGHING GULL, BLACK
TERN, CERULEAN WARBLER
Presqu’ile always shines in the latter half of May and this past week was very
busy with several excellent warbler days. The rising
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 24-30 May 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BRANT, RING-NECKED DUCK, RED-THROATED LOON, BIG SHOREBIRD
GROUNDING, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, KENTUCKY WARBLER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
This was probably the last big week of northbound migration, although some
later migrants wi
Hi all,
There are 3 species of egrets around Presqu’ile.
A Snowy Egret was photographed yesterday in the Woodpile Marsh (between High
Bluff and Pines campground) in Presqu’ile Park. This morning it was seen from
Beach 2 feeding in a beach pool to the south (roughly on Beach 3). The beach is
Hi Ontbirders
The Snowy Egret was feeding at waters’ edge at Beach 2 this morning. It is
along the beach right where the southern-most path from the Beach 2 parking lot
meets the beach so walk very slowly as you approach the beach or it will flush.
It has some kind of injury to side of its fa
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 31 May – 6 June 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RING-NECKED DUCK, RED-THROATED LOON, SNOWY EGRET, CATTLE EGRET,
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO
Spring migration is winding down but there are still some migrant warblers and
shorebirds about. The flooded beach has been ver
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 7-13 June 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: NORTHERN PINTAIL, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, RED-THROATED LOON, SNOWY
EGRET, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
A few vestiges of spring migration remain but we are now squarely in the
nesting season with many species obse
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 14-20 Jun 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHT: SNOWY EGRET
Things have really settled into the summer grove with most sightings pertaining
to breeding birds with lots of observations of fledged young, and a dearth of
reports so this will be quick!
Interesting/lingering
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 21-27 June 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RED-THROATED LOON, PIPING PLOVER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, NORTHERN
PARULA
We are in the heart of nesting season so most birds are keeping busy feeding
young and trying to do it inconspicuously. Birders on the other hand were
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 28 Jun – 4 July 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: COMMON GOLDENEYE, BLACKPOLL WARBLER
There wasn’t much coverage this week and the heat made birding less productive.
As in the past few weeks, most observations pertain to nesting birds and the
many young that are fl
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 13-19 Sept 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: LONG-TAILED DUCK, RED-NECKED GREBE, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, LAPLAND
LONGSPUR, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER
Let me start by thanking Bill Gilmour who very capably filled in for me over
the past two months while I was in James Bay. Th
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 20-26 Sept 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, LONG-EARED OWL, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO
There were no exceptional movements this week but a good variety of species
were detected. Shorebirds are few in number but species diversity was good
with mos
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 27 Sep-3 Oct 2019
By Doug McRae
There were no unexpected sightings this week but migration carried on
throughout the week with an especially birdy day on 3 October.
Now that the waterfowl hunt is going on most ducks are sitting in Popham Bay
offshore from the isla
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 4-10 Oct 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: SNOW GOOSE, EASTERN SCREECH OWL
There were no major flight days this week but a good selection of birds are
still passing through. Waterfowl numbers continue to build, especially off the
beach in Popham Bay. Shorebirds numbe
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 11-17 Oct 2019
By Doug McRae
There has not been a significant change in birdlife since last week’s report.
Migration carries on but without any large movements and, for the most part,
what we are seeing are the “usual suspects” for this time of year.
Most puddle du
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 18-24 Oct 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: CALIFORNIA GULL
The week was characterized by a strong passerine flight on the 18th, and a
solid week of waterbirds and shorebirds. Gull Island remained the best place
to see shorebirds but for the first time in several w
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 25-31 Oct 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: AMERICAN AVOCET
There was no significant change from the previous week with a few new arrivals,
one very classy rarity, and a few days with numbers of birds on the move.
Waterfowl are plentiful now with most expected species
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 1-7 Nov 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BRANT, SNOW GOOSE, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
This week’s cold weather stimulated lots of movement with an increase in
waterfowl and a thinning of passerine numbers.
On 1 Nov a lone BRANT flew north out of t
Presqu’ile Bird Report 8-14 Nov 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
There was a significant difference in birdlife between the start of the period
and the end thanks to a deep freeze/snow event that hit on 11-12 Nov. The
marsh is mostly frozen, ponds are frozen, and there
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 15-21 Nov 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RED-THROATED LOON, GOLDEN EAGLE, PURPLE FINCH
The cold weather eased up a bit by week’s end but the birding seemed pretty
quiet for the most part.
Six TUNDRA SWAN were reported on 19 Nov. Puddle ducks are much scarcer n
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 22-28 Nov 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: SANDHILL CRANE, PURPLE SANDPIPER
The thaw made birding more pleasant but there didn’t seem to be much around
outside of the usual suspects. That said, the biggest SANDHILL CRANE fight on
record was fun and PURPLE SANDPIPE
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 29 Nov – 5 Dec 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: PURPLE SANDPIPER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE
A storm on 1 December left 15 cm of snow and continued cold weather has frozen
most still water, the immediate shoreline of the beach and islands, and the
inner Bay. Although coverage
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 6-12 Dec 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: WINTER WREN
There wasn’t much coverage this week, or much to see it seems so this is a
quick report.
Presqu’ile Bay is half frozen so most ducks are near the ice-edge, best viewed
from the Municipal Dock on Bayshore Rd.
Hi all,
Numbers are still coming in so no final totals, but The Presqu’ile Christmas
Bird Count was held under difficult conditions (but not as bad as Saturday).
High west winds and occasional snow kept birds down and quiet.
In general most species, especially passerines, seemed very low. Many
Presqu’ile Bird Report for Week of 12-19 Dec 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: CANVASBACK, LESSER SCAUP, BLACK SCOTER, COMMON LOON, DUNLIN, PURPLE
SANDPIPER, WINTER WREN
The Presqu’ile Christmas Bird Count was held on 15 Dec in windy, rough-water,
difficult conditions but it generated some in
Hi all,
There are two Purple Sandpipers and a Dunlin walking around the tip of Owen Pt.
at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. With a scope we could also see a Snowy Owl on
Gull Island, and two adult Bald Eagles sitting together and a dark morph
Rough-legged Hawk on High Bluff Is.
Owen Pt is the sout
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 20-26 Dec 2019
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BLACK SCOTER, DUNLIN, PURPLE SANDPIPER, BROWN THRASHER
There wasn’t much coverage this week so sightings are sparse. Waterfowl picked
up a bit with more CANADA GEESE feeding in the Bay plus varying numbers of
diving ducks
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 27 Dec 2019-2 Jan 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RUDDY DUCK, DUNLIN, PURPLE SANDPIPER, WINTER WREN, BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRD
Almost all the coverage this week was focused on the group of PURPLE SANDPIPERS
and a DUNLIN that continue to frequent Owen Pt; otherwise ther
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 3-9 Jan 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: RUDDY DUCK, PURPLE SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, WINTER WREN, BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRD
Things have mostly settled into a pattern with the exception of waterfowl,
whose numbers fluctuate almost continuously. Land birds seem especially thin
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: COMMON LOON, PURPLE SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
The annual Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey was conducted all along the shoreline of
Lake Ontario on 12 Jan and provided some clear numbers, but coverage was
otherwise sporadic this week.
Earlier I mentioned ho
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 17-23 Jan 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: LESSER SCAUP, DUNLIN
There was very little coverage this week so not much to report. A cold wave
and snowstorm on 18 Jan covered the ground and froze much of Presqu’ile Bay,
however by weeks’ end it had opened again to th
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 24 – 30 Jan 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: WINTER WREN, COMMON GRACKLE
It was a painfully slow week with almost no coverage and a general dearth of
birds. Sorry.
Waterfowl drift in and out of Presqu’ile bay with the ice so numbers vary but
usually there are betw
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 31 Jan – 6 Feb 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: WINTER WREN
It has been another quiet week without any surprises. Waterfowl are mostly
located around the islands and the outer Bay when its not choked with ice.
Landbirds are generally very scarce and most are
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 7-13 Feb 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, WINTER WREN, HERMIT THRUSH
The warmer weather resulted in waterbirds picking up a little this week with
both ducks and gulls showing increased numbers and/or diversity. Even
landbirds showed some
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 14-20 Feb 2020
By Doug McRae
There were almost no reports received this week so there is very little to say
other than the “usual suspects” are about and a few migrants arrived.
RING-NECKED DUCK – a report came through ebird of 14 birds with other diving
ducks
Presqu’ile Bird Report 21-27 Feb 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: GADWALL, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, NORTHERN FLICKER, EASTERN BLUEBIRD
A brief wave of warmer weather brought in some waterfowl and even some AMERICAN
ROBINS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS that appeared to be migrants, rather than the
wi
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 28 Feb – 5 Mar 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: CACKLING GOOSE, LESSER BLACK-BACKLED GULL
Signs of spring are obvious with a big influx of waterfowl, more gulls and a
smattering of the early migrant land birds. The weather predicted for this
Sunday will likely
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 6-12 Mar 2020
By Doug McRae
HIGHLIGHTS: BROWN THRASHER
It was another week of light coverage with pretty much the usual suspects
noted. The ice in Presqu’ile Bay has opened substantially and the ice-edge –
where most of the duck action is – is now west of the Calf
1 - 100 of 104 matches
Mail list logo
