Sunday, May 30, 2010

May 30, 2010 Birding Presqu'ile Provincial Park

Had a good day birding Presqu'ile Provincial Park., May 30th. Overall, little land bird migration but a good number of shorebirds on the move including 3 flocks of Red Knot totaling 107 birds, 74 Black-bellied Plover, and 84 Ruddy Turnstone. All at Owen Point or along shoreline between Beach 3 and Owen Point. Other birds of note included 1 Red-necked Grebe, 1 Horned Grebe, 2 Orchard Oriole, 6 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Good Birding, Bruce

Directions:To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there.
















May 29, 2010 Birding Amherst Island

Birded Amherst Island late morning. Lots of activity at the east end of the island, KFN property. Highlight was a Willet at the gravel bar and a Whimbrel. There were also 3 American Bittern, 3 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Upland Sandpiper, 12 Wilson's Phalarope, and 110+ Brant. Earlier during the morning the Tricolored Heron was observed just west of the gravel bar. Unfortunately we couldn't relocate it.
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/ ."



In flight the Willet has a very distinctive wing pattern.


A pair of Wilson's Phalarope feeding.


With low water levels, there was lots of shorebird habitat at the east end of Amherst Island

May 29, 2010 Birding Chaffeys Lock area

Spent a few early morning hours birding Chaffeys Lock area. Overall lots of activity including, 12 Cerulean Warbler, 3 Golden-winged Warbler, 3 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 4 Yellow-throated Vireo and 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Also, lots of Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Most birds were observed along Opinicon Road between Skycroft and Pangman Conservation Reserve.
Good birding, Bruce


Directions: Chaffeys Lock/Opinicon Road: Opinicon Road is north of Kingston. From Hwy. 401 take county road 10 (exit 617) north towards Westport for about 20 kilometres. Roughly 1 or 2 kms. past Perth Road Village on the right is Opinicon Road. Turn right and drive towards Chaffeys Lock making regular stops along the way to listen. Anywhere along Opinicon Road is can be good. The old railway line or the Rideau Trail system opposite Skycroft Campgrounds are great for birding. From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to Hwy.7 to Carleton Place. Turn left onto Hwy.15 and follow past Smiths Falls and continue towards Kingston. After passing Crosby start watching for Chaffeys Lock Road on your right.

May 25-28, 2010 Birding the Ottawa River






Friday, May 14, 2010