End of August Stuff
3 days ago
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Bird-a-Day During A Holiday Weekend
When the provincial government first announced the idea of a long weekend in February, it was not appealing. I would not be gaining an additional paid holiday. The floater day used on Christmas Eve day would now have to be used on the statutory holiday "Family Day". A few years have past since then and a long weekend in February has grown on me. It helps when the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is on the same weekend.
Twitching was set aside until mid-afternoon. Jean and I visited feeders at a residential property near St. John Conservation Area. An early Eastern Towhee tick last year, has us returning to this spot from time to time and this day produced a few species worthy of my Bird-a-Day list. Both nuthatch species, Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee were expeditious when picking seed from the feeder and though the views were short, we had no problem observing the birds from our car.
So for the Saturday of the long weekend, I went with Red-breasted Nuthatch. It's a species that has proven to be elusive at times and considering I may not observe one again for a few weeks, I thought best to tick it while I could.
Sunday February 19
The weekly Hamilton Naturalists Club (HNC) report on ontbirds had Jean and I heading to a spot just outside of the Niagara Region. Short-eared Owls were observed the previous weekend during a HNC field trip on top of the Niagara Escarpment and I relished the thought of adding a fourth owl species to the year list after last year's bleak results. Before the prowl on 10th Road East, we stopped at a few spots along the Lake Ontario shoreline in Grimsby. White-winged and Surf Scoters as well as Long-tailed Duck were on the bench for the Bird-a-Day list if needed.
We arrived at Ridge Road shortly after 4:00 pm and walked along the trail west of Ridge Road with hopes of flushing a hidden Short-eared. We were not the only birders anxious for the tick. Some walked the trail as well while those with cameras ready were patiently waiting by the roadside.
As dusk approached, we chose our spot and began scanning the open field east of 10th Road. The small group of birders that dotted the roadside reminded me of the UFO watchers in Close Encounters of a Third Kind.
My toes were starting to feel the cold (should have worn thicker socks) when the first Short-eared Owl flew in from the south. As it soared in, I tapped (more like a loud knocking) on the car window to alert Jean that the owl had arrived. We had some great views of the bird through our scope when it landed in a tree but it took off before Jean could capture some digiscoped images.
Then, it was like someone flipped a switch. Above the field behind us, two more Short-eared Owls circled around until they perched themselves on a branch better suited for a Northern Shrike.
Two more owls joined in and we had owls to the right and owls to the left. This was one middle I did not mind being stuck in. A total of 7 Short-eared Owls, plus 2 Northern Harriers, put on one impressive evening air show. The 10th Road observations just keep getting better and better.
Monday February 20
The holiday Monday, Jean and I viewed waterfowl from Queens Royal Park and Nelson Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
No Little Gull spotted with the few Bonaparte's by Fort Niagara so I settled for White-winged Scoter for my Bird-a-Day challenge.
It was back to work the next day and if I got through the shortened work week and survived the weekend, all I needed was another three days to beat last year's stretch. That's only 9 species. How hard can that be in a milder than usual, southern Ontario February?
Saturday February 18
Twitching was set aside until mid-afternoon. Jean and I visited feeders at a residential property near St. John Conservation Area. An early Eastern Towhee tick last year, has us returning to this spot from time to time and this day produced a few species worthy of my Bird-a-Day list. Both nuthatch species, Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee were expeditious when picking seed from the feeder and though the views were short, we had no problem observing the birds from our car.
Before reaching a decision, we headed over to the Roland Road entrance to Short Hills Provincial Park. A short walk along the Palaeozoic Path and viewing of Swayze Falls did not add anything new.
So for the Saturday of the long weekend, I went with Red-breasted Nuthatch. It's a species that has proven to be elusive at times and considering I may not observe one again for a few weeks, I thought best to tick it while I could.
Sunday February 19
The weekly Hamilton Naturalists Club (HNC) report on ontbirds had Jean and I heading to a spot just outside of the Niagara Region. Short-eared Owls were observed the previous weekend during a HNC field trip on top of the Niagara Escarpment and I relished the thought of adding a fourth owl species to the year list after last year's bleak results. Before the prowl on 10th Road East, we stopped at a few spots along the Lake Ontario shoreline in Grimsby. White-winged and Surf Scoters as well as Long-tailed Duck were on the bench for the Bird-a-Day list if needed.
We arrived at Ridge Road shortly after 4:00 pm and walked along the trail west of Ridge Road with hopes of flushing a hidden Short-eared. We were not the only birders anxious for the tick. Some walked the trail as well while those with cameras ready were patiently waiting by the roadside.
As dusk approached, we chose our spot and began scanning the open field east of 10th Road. The small group of birders that dotted the roadside reminded me of the UFO watchers in Close Encounters of a Third Kind.
My toes were starting to feel the cold (should have worn thicker socks) when the first Short-eared Owl flew in from the south. As it soared in, I tapped (more like a loud knocking) on the car window to alert Jean that the owl had arrived. We had some great views of the bird through our scope when it landed in a tree but it took off before Jean could capture some digiscoped images.
Then, it was like someone flipped a switch. Above the field behind us, two more Short-eared Owls circled around until they perched themselves on a branch better suited for a Northern Shrike.
Two more owls joined in and we had owls to the right and owls to the left. This was one middle I did not mind being stuck in. A total of 7 Short-eared Owls, plus 2 Northern Harriers, put on one impressive evening air show. The 10th Road observations just keep getting better and better.
Monday February 20
The holiday Monday, Jean and I viewed waterfowl from Queens Royal Park and Nelson Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
No Little Gull spotted with the few Bonaparte's by Fort Niagara so I settled for White-winged Scoter for my Bird-a-Day challenge.
It was back to work the next day and if I got through the shortened work week and survived the weekend, all I needed was another three days to beat last year's stretch. That's only 9 species. How hard can that be in a milder than usual, southern Ontario February?
Saturday, March 17, 2012
A Golden Day on Big Creek
For the last three years Jean and I have attended the OFO trip at Long Point to observe migrating waterfowl and cranes. This year, we joined our fellow Peninsula Field Naturalists and the Niagara Falls Nature Club for a Sunday drive to Norfolk County in search of our main target species the Sandhill Crane. If an adult male Smew just happened to get in the field of view of our spotting scope, well I guess that would make the list too.
The previous day was the OFO trip and a total of 62 species were observed. Highlights included, Little Gull, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Meadowlark, and White-winged Crossbill. A lucky few spotted a Golden Eagle. The Smew (first observed by Ron Ridout on March 8) was not seen.
The next morning, a parking lot in Fonthill was abuzz with talk of the most recent Smew sighting. The adult male was seen in flight with mergansers, scaup and buffleheads by Josh Vandermeulen shortly after 8:00 am.
We left Fonthill behind and had Carol and Arlene along for the ride. All the better to spot firsts of the year during the 2 hour drive to the Long Point area. Just south of Simcoe, on Regional Road 24, we ticked a FOY Turkey Vulture. Approaching Port Rowan, the skies were empty. The large white blobs with wings seen in a clear blue sky during our first trip were absent.
After a pick-me-up coffee and toast with marmalade, I stood in the parking lot of the restaurant and looked south towards the Causeway and the point. Somewhere out there, either in the inner bay to the east or Big Creek National Wildlife Area to the west, was a male Smew.
From the Causeway we observed a small flock of Tundra Swans in the creek. Surprisingly, this was the only observation of Cygnus columbianus while birding the Long Point area.
Standing on the viewing platform, we had a broad view of Big Creek National Wildlife Area.
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There were a few Mute Swans spotted in the channels but if there were any large flocks of waterfowl they were well hidden by the cattails and Phragmites. In the distance, we spotted an immature Bald Eagle following the route of County Road 42. Another large raptor appeared and circled high above the wildlife area.
We studied the bird as it continued to soar. This one was different. A birder sharing the platform indicated this one was a Golden Eagle. There was white patch at the base of the tail. Our lifer Golden Eagle (#314) was a juvenile. It suddenly dived and spiraled as it plummeted towards the ground. As it disappeared behind the golden-coloured grasses, a large mass of ducks flew up in every direction. It was like the eagle had dived into a pool of waterfowl. The juvenile raptor reappeared and flew low towards a mound of earth. There it sat to dine on an undetermined species of duck. This attracted the attention of a juvenile Bald Eagle and we watched the standoff through the scope. The Bald Eagle was unsuccessful in its attempts to steal some brunch.
While on the platform I heard the calls of Sandhill Cranes (FOY) and though some were able to view them (including Jean) I never did see the long, grayish-red bodies flying across the horizon. No worries. I would see them when we stopped at Lee Brown. Right?
A bit further down the road, our group stopped at the viewing platform that looks out onto Long Point Inner Bay. This time, I was able to watch a Sandhill Crane in flight. It was flying in a northwesterly direction, perhaps heading to the fields near the Lee Brown WMA. I would meet up with this bird later. Based on the last three visits, the cranes would be there.
We then birded the forested area surrounding the Old Cut Field Station. Ticked a first of the year Golden Crowned Kinglet, followed by finding a lifer Black-legged Tick (seen at the right on the Lyme Disease widget) on my sock while having lunch in the parking area of the Old Cut. Not sure where I picked up the sesame seed-sized arachnid but its appearance suddenly increased the numbers of times I scratched an imaginary itch.
We moved back to the mainland and stopped at Lee Brown WMA.
Scoping the small, artificial pond, we found geese, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck and American Wigeon (FOY). Despite the fact that cranes breed in the marshes to the south, none were found in the surrounding corn fields. If not for the brief observations while out on the point, we just might have gone home without a crane tick.
We moved further inland and stopped at two locations in the Big Creek valley.
Our stroll along the 'A Road' was pretty quiet. The Wood Duck boxes did not produce an Eastern Screech Owl tick.
Waterfowl found this sunny afternoon included, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup (pair) and Hooded Merganser (pair). Hidden in the grasses and dabbling frequently, were a few male Northern Shovelers (another target species ticked for the day).
The trip concluded when the sewage lagoons came up empty but there was one last stop for Jean, Carol, Arlene and I. The marina at Port Rowan. Unlike previous years, there was no ice in the harbour or any snow on the ground. There were quite a few waterfowl in the inlet west of the park but back lighting from the sun made identification difficult. An exceptionally close, immature Bald Eagle fly-by was well worth the stop. Sightings of an American Coot and a couple of Bonaparte's Gulls concluded the day's observations.
Overall, Jean and I observed 32 species and ticked 6 firsts of the year while in Norfolk County. The Smew refused to cooperate for our group but the lifer Golden Eagle tick, well, that was somewhat inspirational. Considering the juvenile eagle was too far away to capture a reasonable digiscoped image, Jean did the next best thing to mark the ticking of lifer #314.
The previous day was the OFO trip and a total of 62 species were observed. Highlights included, Little Gull, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Meadowlark, and White-winged Crossbill. A lucky few spotted a Golden Eagle. The Smew (first observed by Ron Ridout on March 8) was not seen.
The next morning, a parking lot in Fonthill was abuzz with talk of the most recent Smew sighting. The adult male was seen in flight with mergansers, scaup and buffleheads by Josh Vandermeulen shortly after 8:00 am.
We left Fonthill behind and had Carol and Arlene along for the ride. All the better to spot firsts of the year during the 2 hour drive to the Long Point area. Just south of Simcoe, on Regional Road 24, we ticked a FOY Turkey Vulture. Approaching Port Rowan, the skies were empty. The large white blobs with wings seen in a clear blue sky during our first trip were absent.
After a pick-me-up coffee and toast with marmalade, I stood in the parking lot of the restaurant and looked south towards the Causeway and the point. Somewhere out there, either in the inner bay to the east or Big Creek National Wildlife Area to the west, was a male Smew.
From the Causeway we observed a small flock of Tundra Swans in the creek. Surprisingly, this was the only observation of Cygnus columbianus while birding the Long Point area.
Standing on the viewing platform, we had a broad view of Big Creek National Wildlife Area.
There were a few Mute Swans spotted in the channels but if there were any large flocks of waterfowl they were well hidden by the cattails and Phragmites. In the distance, we spotted an immature Bald Eagle following the route of County Road 42. Another large raptor appeared and circled high above the wildlife area.
We studied the bird as it continued to soar. This one was different. A birder sharing the platform indicated this one was a Golden Eagle. There was white patch at the base of the tail. Our lifer Golden Eagle (#314) was a juvenile. It suddenly dived and spiraled as it plummeted towards the ground. As it disappeared behind the golden-coloured grasses, a large mass of ducks flew up in every direction. It was like the eagle had dived into a pool of waterfowl. The juvenile raptor reappeared and flew low towards a mound of earth. There it sat to dine on an undetermined species of duck. This attracted the attention of a juvenile Bald Eagle and we watched the standoff through the scope. The Bald Eagle was unsuccessful in its attempts to steal some brunch.
While on the platform I heard the calls of Sandhill Cranes (FOY) and though some were able to view them (including Jean) I never did see the long, grayish-red bodies flying across the horizon. No worries. I would see them when we stopped at Lee Brown. Right?
A bit further down the road, our group stopped at the viewing platform that looks out onto Long Point Inner Bay. This time, I was able to watch a Sandhill Crane in flight. It was flying in a northwesterly direction, perhaps heading to the fields near the Lee Brown WMA. I would meet up with this bird later. Based on the last three visits, the cranes would be there.
We then birded the forested area surrounding the Old Cut Field Station. Ticked a first of the year Golden Crowned Kinglet, followed by finding a lifer Black-legged Tick (seen at the right on the Lyme Disease widget) on my sock while having lunch in the parking area of the Old Cut. Not sure where I picked up the sesame seed-sized arachnid but its appearance suddenly increased the numbers of times I scratched an imaginary itch.
We moved back to the mainland and stopped at Lee Brown WMA.
Scoping the small, artificial pond, we found geese, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck and American Wigeon (FOY). Despite the fact that cranes breed in the marshes to the south, none were found in the surrounding corn fields. If not for the brief observations while out on the point, we just might have gone home without a crane tick.
We moved further inland and stopped at two locations in the Big Creek valley.
Our stroll along the 'A Road' was pretty quiet. The Wood Duck boxes did not produce an Eastern Screech Owl tick.
North of the A Concession Road, we stopped at another popular birding spot on Big Creek. The field south of the First Concession Road floods in the spring and with the recent creation of a wetland habitat, migrating waterfowl can be easily observed from the roadside.
Waterfowl found this sunny afternoon included, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup (pair) and Hooded Merganser (pair). Hidden in the grasses and dabbling frequently, were a few male Northern Shovelers (another target species ticked for the day).
The trip concluded when the sewage lagoons came up empty but there was one last stop for Jean, Carol, Arlene and I. The marina at Port Rowan. Unlike previous years, there was no ice in the harbour or any snow on the ground. There were quite a few waterfowl in the inlet west of the park but back lighting from the sun made identification difficult. An exceptionally close, immature Bald Eagle fly-by was well worth the stop. Sightings of an American Coot and a couple of Bonaparte's Gulls concluded the day's observations.
Overall, Jean and I observed 32 species and ticked 6 firsts of the year while in Norfolk County. The Smew refused to cooperate for our group but the lifer Golden Eagle tick, well, that was somewhat inspirational. Considering the juvenile eagle was too far away to capture a reasonable digiscoped image, Jean did the next best thing to mark the ticking of lifer #314.
Can't wait to see how she recreates a day at the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Bird-a-Day: The Seventh Week
Monday February 13
The plan was to drive to the Adam Beck overlook after work to look for a gull species not on the Bird-a-Day list. Though it would be a quick inspection, there could be a few gulls to chose from.
Once on the Niagara Parkway, Jean spotted a raptor perched on a tree branch, north of the Queenston-Lewiston bridge. We were thinking the bird was a vulture and quite possibly, a Black Vulture. They were still being observed in the area so it was worthy of investigation. I turned the car around without reaching Adam Beck and pulled over onto the shoulder to study the bird. It was a Red-tailed Hawk.
Rather than turn around again to stop at the planned spot, I decided we should go to the nearby Locust Grove picnic area. With its open view of the river and Lewiston, New York, we still might have a chance to find one or two vulture species.
Neither species of vulture were seen but there were plenty of gulls flying at the the bottom of the Niagara Gorge. Bonaparte's Gull to start the work week.
Tuesday February 14
Unfortunately, the kingfisher displayed on my bottle of beer at dinner Tuesday evening could not be used for the Bird-a-Day. I had to settle for a pocket bird when the hunt around North Pelham came up empty. Rock Pigeons seen on a power line near the downtown would have to do. I still have European Starling and House Sparrow squirreled away and I'm hoping to hold onto them as long as possible.
Wednesday February 15
Looking for a reliable tick, Jean and I went to the forebay on the upper Niagara River. Pied-billed Grebe and Hooded Merganser were already on the list so I went with another species that can be commonly found above the Falls at this time of year. After ticking Gadwall, my options for waterfowl in this area of the region were fleeting.
Thursday February 16
I thought best to take this one while I could. Spotted an American Crow perched in a tree while I was heading to Thorold for a morning dental appointment. When I made an effort to look for this species, they were never around.
Friday February 17
Another closing shift for me at work so I headed to the Merritt Trail in the morning for a stroll along 12 Mile Creek. As usual, Mallards dotted the bank and cardinals were calling from both sides of the creek. I could have used the male Downy observed when returning to my car but I went with a species that was heard only. Though I did try to spot the American Goldfinch flying somewhere overhead, it never did come into view.
With the work week done, I could relax and breathe again. Another weekend to find that special species and thanks to Family Day, the search would extend into the holiday Monday.
The plan was to drive to the Adam Beck overlook after work to look for a gull species not on the Bird-a-Day list. Though it would be a quick inspection, there could be a few gulls to chose from.
Once on the Niagara Parkway, Jean spotted a raptor perched on a tree branch, north of the Queenston-Lewiston bridge. We were thinking the bird was a vulture and quite possibly, a Black Vulture. They were still being observed in the area so it was worthy of investigation. I turned the car around without reaching Adam Beck and pulled over onto the shoulder to study the bird. It was a Red-tailed Hawk.
Rather than turn around again to stop at the planned spot, I decided we should go to the nearby Locust Grove picnic area. With its open view of the river and Lewiston, New York, we still might have a chance to find one or two vulture species.
Neither species of vulture were seen but there were plenty of gulls flying at the the bottom of the Niagara Gorge. Bonaparte's Gull to start the work week.
Tuesday February 14
Unfortunately, the kingfisher displayed on my bottle of beer at dinner Tuesday evening could not be used for the Bird-a-Day. I had to settle for a pocket bird when the hunt around North Pelham came up empty. Rock Pigeons seen on a power line near the downtown would have to do. I still have European Starling and House Sparrow squirreled away and I'm hoping to hold onto them as long as possible.
Wednesday February 15
Looking for a reliable tick, Jean and I went to the forebay on the upper Niagara River. Pied-billed Grebe and Hooded Merganser were already on the list so I went with another species that can be commonly found above the Falls at this time of year. After ticking Gadwall, my options for waterfowl in this area of the region were fleeting.
Thursday February 16
I thought best to take this one while I could. Spotted an American Crow perched in a tree while I was heading to Thorold for a morning dental appointment. When I made an effort to look for this species, they were never around.
Friday February 17
Another closing shift for me at work so I headed to the Merritt Trail in the morning for a stroll along 12 Mile Creek. As usual, Mallards dotted the bank and cardinals were calling from both sides of the creek. I could have used the male Downy observed when returning to my car but I went with a species that was heard only. Though I did try to spot the American Goldfinch flying somewhere overhead, it never did come into view.
With the work week done, I could relax and breathe again. Another weekend to find that special species and thanks to Family Day, the search would extend into the holiday Monday.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Guides for the Day
In a recent post, I indicated that Jean and I have visited the Falls more often to observe birds than the natural wonder of the Horseshoe and American Falls.
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| Courtesy of Bruce and Genalyn Highcock |
If visiting the Falls in the winter, I recommend parking at the Niagara Parks Greenhouse. Parking is free at this time of year and the walk to Table Rock is a short and picturesque 10 to 15 minutes. If you're a birder, without relatives in tow, it may take longer.
Directly across from the greenhouse is the Engineerium. Gulls, waterfowl and.....uhmmm....the species that shall not be named until we actually see one can be observed here.
More ducks and gulls en route to Table Rock.
Though playing the part of tourists we could not resist checking out the gulls below the Falls.
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| Courtesy of Bruce and Genalyn Highcock |
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| Courtesy of Bruce and Genalyn Highcock |
I continued to scan the Herring, Great Black-backed and Bonaparte's Gulls below the Horseshoe Falls and spotted a large gull that was not like the others. Its wings stretched the width of the river as it circled amongst the other gulls. The gull was mostly buffy-coloured with touches of grey. It was definitely a Glaucous Gull (FOY) and the colouration suggested it was second winter bird.
It has been many years since I've been in the building at Table Rock. Memories are vague and I seem to recall a large moose head on the wall in the cafeteria. After some major renovations, there is now a pedestrian bridge crossing the Parkway and an escalator to an observation deck.
During inclement weather this may come in handy for spotting gulls at the brink of the Falls. Does that still count as winter birding? Jackets unzipped and bones are not chilled?
OK. Spending time with my brother and his family and spotting some good birds turned out to be a great day.
Now there was a decision to be made. What species for my Bird-a-Day? Herring Gull could be used, as well as Bonaparte's, but these two species are probably best saved for another day. It was down to the falcon and Glaucous. Not an easy decision. There is no guarantee that the peregrine would be present if I was to return later in the week. The large, immature Glaucous could be elsewhere as well. I weighed my options to the best of my ability and came to the conclusion (using the most scientific decision making equipment available) that Falco peregrinus would be the bird of the day for Sunday February 12.
Later in the evening, I sent out a report to ontbirds and a representative from the Canadian Peregrine Foundation contacted Jean and I the next day. He noticed the posting on ontbirds and was interested in posting the information on their website along with any additional details we could provide. Frank Butson, indicated that with their volunteer base in Toronto, it is difficult to get regular information on the Niagara Falls birds. How could we refuse? We even provided a couple of images to post with the notes of our observation on the Sightings Menu.
With another weekend gone, it was back to looking for a quick fix during the work week.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Bird-a-Day:Another Work Week
After the Super Sunday Fish Crow tick it was another week of spotting a species after a full day of work. The days are getting slightly longer which allows me to extend my search for a bird that is not one of the 36 species already on my Bird-a-Day list.
Monday February 6
The building where I work is fairly close to 5th Avenue. It's a stretch of road in west St. Catharines that I frequently check for a few FOY ticks. I can actually watch Canada Geese preparing to land in the fields surrounding the rural road. How long it will remain rural is not known but, for now, I'll look to this small patch of open land to observe Savannah Sparrow, Bobolink, Northern Harrier, Upland Sandpiper, and Horned Lark.
It's still too early for Bobolink and Savannah Sparrow so, after finishing work, Jean and I headed to 5th Avenue to look for larks. Two Northern Harriers were playing above the field south of the road but this raptor was ticked on January 11. North of the road is where I expected to find larks. The remains of last year's corn crop filled the field and we sat in the car listening for the flute-like song of the Horned Lark.
We soon heard their song and after a little searching and discounting of corn stalks blowing in the wind, Jean and I found 2 Horned Larks darting between clumps of soil.
Tuesday February 7
Another late afternoon search after work. This time I thought I would try a few feeders in the North Pelham area. The properties I check back onto Short Hills Provincial Park so there always the chance of something good showing up. You just have to be there at the right time and this day was not it. Bird activity at the 3 feeders was non-existent. I included the Roland Road entrance to Short Hills P.P. in my hunt but that was quiet as well. No chickadees, woodpeckers or nuthatches. A Mourning Dove spotted on a utility line as I left work would have to do.
Wednesday February 8
A different environment this time and the unlucky streak continued. I had to reluctantly use another ubiquitous species. The Mallards at the marina in Lakeside Park had no unusual associates. Sure there were American Black Ducks and Bufflehead but they were already ticked.
Thursday February 9
After two days in a row of using my safety net, I drove to the Falls after work to ensure the trend would not continue. I had visited there the previous week to find Hooded Merganser but the appearance of a surprise Pied-billed Grebe deferred the waterfowl tick.
Hooded Mergansers and Gadwalls were observed again in the hydro forebay.
I continued my stroll along the path looking for something out of the ordinary.
Not many gulls this late in the afternoon. While walking back along the pedestrian bridge, I spotted the Pied-billed Grebe I observed the previous week. The small grebe was not too keen on being looked at and dove every time I tried to view it through my bins.
Walking to the parking area in Dufferin Islands, I decided to go with Hooded Merganser. Hopefully the Gadwall stay and I'm able to find them during the next work week.
Friday February 10
Searching the Welland Canal below Lock 1 was not helpful at all. I really did not have time to walk along the trail on the east pier Friday evening so I continued my search at Jones Beach in Port Weller. Nothing on Lake Ontario. I slowly drove back up the road to leave the east-side of Port Weller when I heard the call of a woodpecker. From the road, I walked across the grass of Port Weller East Park and found the Picoides responsible. There, hammering away at a tree branch, was a Hairy Woodpecker. A nice save to end the work week.
Another weekend was here and a chance to find a species while acting as a tour guide in the Falls. When you're a birder, the binoculars are always at the ready.
Monday February 6
The building where I work is fairly close to 5th Avenue. It's a stretch of road in west St. Catharines that I frequently check for a few FOY ticks. I can actually watch Canada Geese preparing to land in the fields surrounding the rural road. How long it will remain rural is not known but, for now, I'll look to this small patch of open land to observe Savannah Sparrow, Bobolink, Northern Harrier, Upland Sandpiper, and Horned Lark.
It's still too early for Bobolink and Savannah Sparrow so, after finishing work, Jean and I headed to 5th Avenue to look for larks. Two Northern Harriers were playing above the field south of the road but this raptor was ticked on January 11. North of the road is where I expected to find larks. The remains of last year's corn crop filled the field and we sat in the car listening for the flute-like song of the Horned Lark.
We soon heard their song and after a little searching and discounting of corn stalks blowing in the wind, Jean and I found 2 Horned Larks darting between clumps of soil.
Tuesday February 7
Another late afternoon search after work. This time I thought I would try a few feeders in the North Pelham area. The properties I check back onto Short Hills Provincial Park so there always the chance of something good showing up. You just have to be there at the right time and this day was not it. Bird activity at the 3 feeders was non-existent. I included the Roland Road entrance to Short Hills P.P. in my hunt but that was quiet as well. No chickadees, woodpeckers or nuthatches. A Mourning Dove spotted on a utility line as I left work would have to do.
Wednesday February 8
A different environment this time and the unlucky streak continued. I had to reluctantly use another ubiquitous species. The Mallards at the marina in Lakeside Park had no unusual associates. Sure there were American Black Ducks and Bufflehead but they were already ticked.
Thursday February 9
After two days in a row of using my safety net, I drove to the Falls after work to ensure the trend would not continue. I had visited there the previous week to find Hooded Merganser but the appearance of a surprise Pied-billed Grebe deferred the waterfowl tick.
Hooded Mergansers and Gadwalls were observed again in the hydro forebay.
I continued my stroll along the path looking for something out of the ordinary.
Walking to the parking area in Dufferin Islands, I decided to go with Hooded Merganser. Hopefully the Gadwall stay and I'm able to find them during the next work week.
Friday February 10
Searching the Welland Canal below Lock 1 was not helpful at all. I really did not have time to walk along the trail on the east pier Friday evening so I continued my search at Jones Beach in Port Weller. Nothing on Lake Ontario. I slowly drove back up the road to leave the east-side of Port Weller when I heard the call of a woodpecker. From the road, I walked across the grass of Port Weller East Park and found the Picoides responsible. There, hammering away at a tree branch, was a Hairy Woodpecker. A nice save to end the work week.
Another weekend was here and a chance to find a species while acting as a tour guide in the Falls. When you're a birder, the binoculars are always at the ready.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Fishing for a Bird-a-Day
After a good day of birding along the Niagara River on the the last Saturday of January, my excursion the next day was limited to the late afternoon. A fine blowing snow made it difficult to observe the progress of the new regional hospital and interfered with the spotting of a possible Cackling Goose mixed in with the hundreds of Canada Geese.
Each goose scanned as they took flight was your standard Canada. The several Dark-eyed Juncos observed at the backyard feeder during my weekend Project Feeder Watch would have to do. I was hoping there would be some improvement during the work week.
On Monday January 30, Jean picked me up after work and we went for a stroll along 12 Mile Creek. A few ducks on the creek which included American Black Duck (ticked 4 days earlier) Bufflehead (already picked) and Mallard (too soon). But there were some male and female Common Goldeneyes. The species I sought. Nothing else materialized that would would have kept Bucephala clangula off the list so Goldeneye was penciled in at the start of another work week.
The next day was unbelievably warm (10 degrees Celsius) and it influenced me to try something new. I decided to try for Hooded Merganser in the forebay above the Falls. Though they were not found at this location during a recent nature outing it was worth a shot. If not there, I could always use Gadwall as a backup. After finishing work, I was at the Falls in less than 20 minutes. Over the last few years, I think I've visited this site more often to spot gulls and waterfowl than to see the thundering waters of the American and Horseshoe Falls. Hoodies and Gadwalls there be in the forebay but a smaller bird caught my attention. It was a species that you don't normally see at this time of year and it required confirmation when entering my checklist to eBird Canada. For the last day of January, a FOY Pied-billed Grebe.
On the first day of February, I headed west along the QEW after work. This year, I was extending my reach a little further and I was at Jordan Harbour in no time and I began my search for a reported Snowy Owl. No owl but there was one female Hoodie and even better, an American Coot in the marina. So the coot was the bird-of-the-day and Mallard remains off the list.
A flock of American Robins made for a quick and easy pick the next day and on the Friday a different approach was set. I was scheduled to close at the end of the week and it allowed me to take some time in the morning to find something out of the ordinary. Down at Martindale Pond while walking along the path in Rennie Park, I heard the song of Carolina Wren (FOY). I could not see the bird but its quick three-part song was coming from the far side of the pond near the Henley Grandstand. Good enough for a Bird-a-Day tick.
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| Image Courtesy of Dave Van de Laar |
On Sunday February 5, Jean and I went to the southern edge of the Niagara Peninsula to chase another reported species. For the last few weeks, a member of the Corvidae family was attracting Ontario and New York birders to a short stretch of residential road in the town of Fort Erie. Fish Crows (3-5 at a time) were being observed with many American Crows. I had been looking for a chance to take a crack at spotting one of these Fish Crows and Super Sunday seemed like an ideal day for it. Ingredients for the game-day chili were purchased in the morning and by early afternoon Jean and I did not need to look far when approaching the road from the south. To our left was the golf course and straight ahead, a couple of parked cars. There were three birders looking north towards a clump of trees containing crows. The crows were calling and mixed in with the caws we could hear the distinctive nasal call of a Fish Crow. If we did not get a visual on the calling bird it would be okay. Jean and I observed our lifer while vacationing in the Panhandle of the Sunshine State. All five of us were concentrating on one particular crow and when we set up our scopes for a closer look it soon flew from its roost.
The crows changed there position and were collecting on the ground and in the trees approximately 150 metres away from where we all stood (two more birders had joined our little group).
There was a house immediately to the right of the spot we were studying and it most have been an interesting view for the homeowner. She did come out but that was only to retrieve her concerned dog that had approached our group. Once the dog was sure we were no threat and retrieved by the owner, we continued our search for a Fish Crow. The nasal calls could still be heard and one crow sitting in a tree attracted my attention. It was slightly smaller than the other crows in the neighbouring trees. Our scopes were fixed on the bird and I informed three birders about to leave that it may be worth staying a bit longer. Turns out it was a Fish Crow. Watching the crow through the scope until it called sealed the i.d.
The large flock of crows continued to move but we got on the Fish Crows again and both Jean and I captured some digiscoped images. We observed two Fish Crows in one tree and a third was heard calling.
So, Fish Crow was added to the Ontario list, the 2012 list, the Winter Bird list, and of course, the Bird-a-Day list.
A couple more images before heading to the river for a picnic lunch while observing waterfowl drift by and a drive along the Parkway. The rafts of Redhead and Canvasback were back.
After some good finds on the weekend it was time to enjoy some chili and American football before setting a plan of attack for another work week.
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