November 10-11, 2012 Amherst Island Birdng

Hi Everyone

 

Spent the weekend birding Amherst Island. With great weather and very mild temperatures, it felt more like mid October and a few  species of reptiles and amphibians were still active along with a couple of butterfly species.  The Owl Woods produced 4 species of owls  with Northern Saw-whet, Long-eared, Short-eared, and Barred Owl being found. A check along the roads produced a number of American Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and Northern Harrier. The KFN property at the east end of the island was quiet with little activity.

 

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 visithttp://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ."

 

 

 



Numerous Common Loons were observed on the crossing.

A 2nd year (cycle) Iceland Gull was observed along the south shore of the island.

A Mink in full stride.

With mild conditions everyone was out sunning!

A Northern Water Snake was also out with the warm temperatures.

American Tree Sparrows were easy to observe at the feeders in the Owl Woods.

A number of American Kestrel were observed feeding along the roads catching insects that were active due to the warm temperatures.

A Barred Owl eating a Garter snake a first for me!

 

A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was vocal in the woods giving a "chuck" call.

A late Fox Sparrow was feeding at the feeders in the Owl Woods.



 

 

November 6, 2012 birding Amherst Island



Hi Everyone

 

Spent the day birding Amherst Island. Overall it was quiet but there were a few owls in the Owl Woods including 2 Northern Saw-whet, 2 Long-eared and 1 Barred Owl. Also species present included a small flock of White-winged Crossbill, a couple of Common Redpoll, 1 Fox Sparrow and a Red-bellied Woodpecker at the feeders. A walk out to the east point, KFN property produced a late Dunlin, 34 Tundra Swan,  and 500+ Greater Scaup. There were a small number hawks including American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk and Rough-legged Hawk.   

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 $9.00 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 visithttp://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ."

The Owl Woods on Amherst Island will be closed from November 19-December 9th.

One of two Northern Saw-whet Owls that were present in the Owl Woods.



A section of the Owl Woods is now fenced off and there is no access.

The Long-eared Owl is a regular migrant on the island and usually very wary. This individual was very tame.

This Long-eared Owl spent most of the day roosting quietly in a Jack Pine.

A small group of Evening Grosbeaks was a nice bonus on the island.

These birds were feeding on the Staghorn Sumac fruit.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker continues to expand its range north into eastern Ontario. 

The low water levels on Lake Ontario continue and the gravel point at the east end of Amherst island is now connected to the first island.

Access to the east point KFN property is restricted. You must be accompanied by a KFN member.

A late lingering Dunlin on the KFN property.

The Snow Bunting is an Arctic breeder and winters in eastern Ontario.

Usually travelling in flocks this individual was on its own.

Novemmber 5, 2012 Birding ang the Ottawa River

Hi Everyone
The Ottawa River continues to be the place for birds. This afternoon at 2:00pm, while searching for the Cave Swallow, I observed a dark morph Gyrfalcon flying over the river at Remic Rapids heading south over the city. Didn't see Ottawa's first record of Cave Swallow which was last reported at dusk on Nov.3rd but did see the Cliff Swallow feeding over the river between Remic Rapids and the Champlain Bridge. Also observed 2 flocks of Bohemian Waxwings totaling 120+ birds flying over.
Good birding, Bruce

Directions: Remic Rapids is located along the Sir John A. McDonald Parkway ( formerly Ottawa River Parkway) just east of the Champlain Bridge.

November 4, 2012 Birding at Algonquin Park

The birding today at Algonquin Park was very good with increasing numbers of winter finches including White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, and the first Pine Grosbeaks of the fall. The Algonquin Park specialties, Spruce Grouse and Black-backed Woodpecker were elusive but we managed to have great views of Boreal Chickadee and Gray Jay. The Gray Jays were easy to find with 4 along Opeongo Lake Road, 2 along Hwy.60, 8 along Mizzy Lake Trail/Old Railway bed. Boreal Chickadee was found a Wolf Howl Pond and a number of small flocks of Snow buntings were observed along Hwy.60.  
Good Birding, Bruce

Directions: courtesy of Ron Tozer
 The Visitor Centre at km 43 on Highway 60 is officially open on weekends and holidays only for the winter (9 am to 5 pm). Access to view birds and the exhibits is often possible on weekdays, however. At the centre you can find recent bird sightings, information, and helpful Park Staff to assist your birding efforts.
Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs, which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the park. Kilometre markers along Highway 60 in the Park go from the West Gate (km 0) to near the East Gate (km 56). Get your park permit and the park tabloid (with a map of birding locations mentioned here) at the gates.

Please send us any bird sightings you¹ve had in the park, even of common birds, as we continue to monitor the autumn migration.
You can also get directions to the locations, as well as updates and info
about other park events at: www.algonquinpark.on.ca




The first Pine Grosbeaks of the fall were observed in Algonquin Park  on November 4th feeding along Hwy. 60.

A Red Fox made a brief appearance along Arowhon Road as we drove along.

The top end of Mizzy Lake Trail/ Old Railway bed is a great location Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker and recently Great Gray Owl.

Ben  videoing  a Gray Jay while it sits on head feeding.

The Gray Jay is a permanent resident in Algonquin Park.

The Hooded Merganser is a regular fall migrant.



A light dusting of snow overnight was a reminder that winter isn't far behind.



A Ruffed Grouse sits quietly in a tree but finally flew a short distance and disappeared in the forest.

November 3, 2012 Ottawa'a first ever Cave Swallow!

The Ottawa-Gatineau districts first ever Cave Swallow was discovered along the Ottawa River off Bate Island at the Champlain Bridge during the morning on November 3, 2012. Two swallows were observed feeding off the south east corner of Bate Island over the channel by Ian Davidson and others.  Due to the distance a positive ID  wasn't possible. Ian phoned me and I was there in minutes. With a scope we identified the swallows, 1 Cave and 1 Cliff. The birds were enjoyed by many who where able to make it down. Below is a series of Cave Swallow photos. More later!  

 

Hi Everyone

Lots of bird activity along the Ottawa River yesterday, November 3rd. During a hour period, 9:00-10:00am a group of us birding at Dick Bell Park recorded 14 Red-throated Loon, 6 Common Loon, 60+ Long-tailed Duck, 4 Golden Eagle, and 1 Peregrine Falcon. All the birds were migrating south except for the flock of Long-tailed Ducks which stayed on the river.
Good birding, Bruce

Directions: Dick Bell Park is located along Carling Ave. just west of Holly Acres Road and Andrew Haydon Park. 
 

 

 

 

Ottawa district's first ever Cave Swallow.

November 2, 2012 Red-throated Loons on Lake Deschenes, Ottawa River.

The birding along the Ottawa River continues to be interesting with a variety of northern water birds still moving south. The weather conditions were good with a low cloud ceiling, misty, with light rain and windy. I spent 3 hours birding Lake Deschenes from Dick Bell Park and Britannia Pier. The highlight was a total of 12 adult Red-throated Loon in winter plumage, a flock of 8 and 3 and a single bird. All the loons were in flight flying around the lake but never landing. 
Other birds of note included 12 male Long-tailed duck, 4 Black Scoter, 3 White-winged Scoter, 150+ Common Goldeneye and 6 Common Loons. Since the mid 1970's Lake Deschenes has become well known for flights of Brant, Red-throated Loons, Black Scoters, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter,Long-tailed Ducks and Purple Sandpiper from mid October to mid November. Watch the weather forecast and check for cold fronts passing through the region or a sudden drop in temperatures further north.

November 1, 2012 Black-legged Kittiwakes along the Ottawa River

Great day birding today! After searching for rarities the past few days finally had some luck. The highlight was 3 first winter plumage Black-legged Kittiwakes.
While scanning over the Ottawa River at Constance Bay I observed a kittiwake as it slowly made it way down river at 10:50 a.m. The was very little activity in general but I kept looking for a while than took a break for lunch at my parents place nearby. After lunch I was back at it scanning and within minutes of my arrival at 11:50a.m., 2 more immature Black-legged Kittiwakes flew by heading down river. During the next hour I observed 21 Brant, 45+ Long-tailed duck, 14 Black Scoter, 2 Surf Scoter, 8 White-winged Scoter, 2 Red-necked Grebe, 3 Horned Grebe, 14 Evening Grosbeak, 3 Common Redpoll, and 7 White-winged Crossbill. Sometimes it pays off just staying in one spot and waiting!
 The Black-legged Kittiwake is a very rare visitor to the Ottawa district and eastern Ontario. The majority of  records are from late October to mid December but they have shown up as early as late August. Most records are single first winter birds and there are at least two observations of multiple birds, 3 immature at Shirley's Bay on November 12, 1983 and of 3-4 immature mid August 2008 at the Moodie Drive Ponds.  
 Before I arrived at Constance Bay I birded along the 5th Line Road near Dunrobin and found a flock of 100+ Bohemian Waxwings resting in a couple of trees and 2 Eastern Bluebirds feeding on Staghorn Sumac fruit.

Good Birding, Bruce
 

A Greater Yellowlegs feeds along the edge of the shore at Constance Bay.

With little shoreline available this  juvenile Black-bellied Plover was searching for food under  oak leaves.

A flock of Bohemian Waxwings sit preening during the early morning.

The Bohemian Waxwing is an erratic winter visitors to eastern Ontario. Based on the number in this flock, 100+, we may have a good winter.