Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Saturday, April 17, 2010

April 16, 2010 Lots of feeder activity!

The backyard and feeders were alive with activity today. Lots of Dark-eyed Junco moving through the area along with White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow and a few American Tree sparrow. The highlight of the morning was a flock of 14 Evening Grosbeak activity feeding on the maple keys of one of our Manitoba Maples. After a while a few visited the sunflower feeder and we have excellent views! The Evening Grosbeak was a regular winter visitor in large numbers back in the late 60's, 70's, and into the 80's. It wasn't unusual to have 50-100 birds at your feeder during the winter months. It is now an erratic visitor and in small numbers.


American Goldfinch are now moulting into their summer plumage.


The White-throated Sparrow is a spring favorite for many feeder watchers.


Once a common sight in eastern Ontario during the winter months, the Evening Grosbeak is now erratic and a treat to have at your feeder!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

April 8, 2010 Early Red-headed Woodpecker back at Constance Bay

This afternoon I observed 1 adult Red-headed Woodpecker at the "Old Burn site" at Constance Bay. This is the 9th consecutive year for the woodpecker at this site and the earliest date. Last year, 1 was observed on April 23rd which, then, was the earliest date. Normally they arrive back around mid May. Also had 5 Red-shouldered Hawks, 2 at Constance Bay, 2 near Dunrobin along 5th Line Road and 1 at Constance Creek and Thomas Dolan Parkway.
Good Birding, Bruce

Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles and (RHWO). Please do not use IPods/CD/tapes to call the bird out. The area is small, but you do require patience.





Directions: Constance Bay: RHWP: From Ottawa travel west bound on Hwy. 417 to the March Rd./Eagleson Road and exit right onto March Rd. Follow to Dunrobin Road and turn right continuing northwest through Woodlawn. At the hill turn right onto Constance Bay Rd following it for approx. 1.5 km. Turn left on Allbirch Road and drive 1.3 km to the " T " intersection. Turn left on Bishop Davis Drive and then right on Bayview Drive. Follow Bayview Drive to Ritchie St. Turn right and go a short distance to Whistler Rd. Turn left and drive .3 km and watch for a gate on the right. The trail through the burn area is opposite the gate. Parking is limited.

Early arrival for Red-headed Woodpecker at Constance Bay

April 7, 2010 Amherst Island Birding

Spent most of yesterday birding various areas on Amherst Island before the rain started in the afternoon. The Owl Woods had a small variety of land birds including 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Brown Thrasher, 1 Field Sparrow and 2 Hermit Thrush, all singing. At the East Point (KFN property) there was a good selection of water birds. Highlights included 150+ Bonaparte's Gull, 175+ American Wigeon, 200+ Gadwall, 3 Greater Yellowlegs, and 500+ Long-tailed Duck. Along the South Shore Road 1 Common Loon, 1 Red-necked Grebe and 6 Horned Grebe were observed. In the open fields a number of Savannah Sparrows and Eastern Meadowlarks were singing while 4 Rough-legged Hawks, 9 Northern Harrier, 5 Red-tailed Hawk and 3 American Kestrel were seen.

Good Birding, Bruce


Directions: Amherst Island: Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Rd. 4, Camden East) and drive south to the very end (Millhaven). Turn right on Hwy. 33 and drive 100 metres until you see the sign for the Amherst Island ferry. The ferry (20 minute trip) leaves the mainland on the half hour and leaves the island on the hour. Cost is $8.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island ferry dock. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road.

Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists'property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN
member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit
http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ."





Adult Red-tailed Hawk in the rain.


Water bird viewing along the south shore and East point was excellent.


The winter of 2009-10 was the best ever for Barred Owls in Eastern Ontario with a number of concentrations between Brockville-Kingston-Presqu'ile.



Another owling season comes to an end on Amherst Island.