Bruce Di Labio's Blog: May 27-30, 2011 Eastern Ontario Tour

Thursday, June 2, 2011

May 27-30, 2011 Eastern Ontario Tour

Birded Alfred Sewage Lagoon early morning on May 27,2011. The east cell was low and there were 500+ shorebirds mainly Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpiper, highlight were 11 Red-necked Phalarope. Also had 70+ Ruddy Duck. At Embrun Sewage Lagoon 1 Whimbrel was observed until an immature Peregrine Falcon flew in and flushed the shorebirds.
In the afternoon at Lake Dore near Eganville we observed 2 Arctic Tern along with 80+ Common Tern, 1 Black Tern and 3 Bonaparte's Gull. The terns could be viewed from Lake Dore Road.
Good Birding, Bruce

DIRECTIONS: From the town of Alfred go east on Highway 17, then turn south on Peat Moss Road and drive for 2 km. The lagoons are on your left (east side of road). The birds are best observed from the viewing tower. Access to the viewing tower is free and no permit is needed.

Spent the morning, May 28th, birding various sites along Hwy. 60 in Algonquin Park. We observed 2 male Spruce Grouse along Arrowhon Road at Km. 4. Both males were displaying along the road and gave us excellent views. At West Rose Lake along the old railway bed we had a female Black-backed Woodpecker at a nest site, a Olive-sided Flycatcher singing and 3 Eastern Bluebirds, 2 male and 1 female which was checking either checking out a nesting cavity or nesting. There were a number of Moose along Hwy. 60 and on peongo Lake road we observed another 2 Black-backed Woodpeckers at the winter gate area. Unfortunately no Gray Jays were found.
Good Birding, Bruce

Directions: 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.

With migration slowing down there was still a small flight of warbler today, May 29th at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The later migrants included Blackpoll, Canada and Wilson's Warblers. At Owen Point and along Beaches #1-3 there were was small number of shorebirds mainly Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel and a flock of 24 Ruddy Turnstone flying over. At the Marsh Boardwalk a couple of Great Egrets were observed feeding and a Least Bittern put in a brief appearance as did an American bittern. With the high water levels on Lake Ontario the trails around Owen Point are flooded and rubber boots are necessary.

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.

Our final stop of the tour was Amherst Island on May 30th. We birded the east point area and observed 1 Whimbrel, numerous Wilson's Phalarope and 1 Brant. In the fields Bobolinks were easily found along with a few Upland Sandpiper. The Purple Martin colony on the KFN property was doing very well with lots of activity at both martin houses.

Difficult to find earlier this season, we were fortunate to have two males displaying along Arrowhon Road.

A second Spruce Grouse shows off to us.

Black-backed Woodpecker nesting site.

The female Black-backed Woodpecker in search of food.

This has been an excellent spring for Whimbrel sightings.

A Great Egret along Huff road near Brighton.

Another Whimbrel on Amherst Island.

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Birding Ethics

Ontario Field Ornithologists' Ethical Birding Principles
As the number of birders increases, we must all make every effort to act in a positive and responsible way. We must also convey responsible image to non-birders who may be affected by our activities. Most people appreciate birds but this appreciation can be quickly destroyed by the irresponsible actions of a handful of birders.

In the past a code of ethics was not considered necessary, but times have changed and as more and more pressure is put on our environment it is essential to do whatever we can to lead by example. Each of us must show consideration to other birders, landowners, habitat, birds and other wildlife at all times. We are ambassadors of birding and our actions today will reflect the respect we receive in the future.

The welfare of the birds must come first.
Whatever your interest, from scientific study to listing, always consider the impact of your activity on the bird. Respect bird protection laws. We are all responsible to ensure we abide by them at all times.

Habitat protection.
Habitat is vital for the existence of birds and we must ensure that our activities cause minimum damage to our environment. Use trails to avoid trampling vegetation.

Keep disturbance to a minimum.
Although some birds can tolerate human activity, this varies from species to species and from season to season. Use common sense and extreme caution around nests. Migrants may be tired and hungry and should not be kept from resting or feeding. When photographing birds, study their reaction and if they become agitated, back off. Avoid the use of flash photography on owls. Tape recordings and similar methods of attracting birds may cause stress for territorial birds. They should be used sparingly and avoided in heavily birded areas. Do not deliberately flush birds. Patience is often rewarded.

Rare breeding birds.
If you discover a rare breeding bird, do not feel under any obligation to report your find to other birders. Record the details of your discovery. You may wish to file the nest with the Ontario Nest Records Scheme at the Royal Ontario Museum. Avoid visiting known sites of rare breeding birds unless they can be viewed from a distance without disturbance.

Rare birds.
Rare migrants or vagrants are the species most sought after by birders. If you discover a rarity, consider the circumstances carefully before releasing the information. You must take responsibility for the decision to release the find. You should consider whether an influx of birders will disturb the bird, people or other species in the area; whether habitat will be damaged; and where people will park. Inform the landowner of the find, explain what may happen and obtain permission to tell other birders. Ask the landowner for a list of dos and don'ts, for example, where birders may stand to get a good view and what restrictions there may be on time of day. Also ask which areas are off limit. If you decide to release the news, give precise directions and instructions. If possible include a phone number. At all times make as little noise as possible. Remember, most non-birders will be surprised by the number of visitors who wish to see a rare bird.

Respect the rights of landowners and occupiers of land.
Before entering an area, be aware of the rules about access such as by-laws of Conservation Authorities, National and Provincial Parks, and Regional Authorities. Many landowners and authorities allow birders access to areas normally off limits. Always act in a responsible way and if you are asked to leave, do so immediately. Do not block gateways or cause damage to fences, and leave gates as you find them. Do not obstruct people who may be working in these areas.

Have proper consideration for other birders.
When telephoning for information, do so at reasonable hours of the day. Try not to disrupt other birders’ activities or scare the birds they are watching. Many other people enjoy the outdoors; do not interfere with their activities. Be polite to other birders and helpful to beginners. If you see people obviously disturbing birds or significantly damaging habitat, explain to them the effect of their actions but be courteous, they may not be aware of the effect they are having.

Increase our knowledge about birds.
Keep notes of your sightings and send them to area compilers. Send rare bird reports to the Secretary, Ontario Bird Records Committee.

When birding in other countries, provinces or regions.
Find out if there is a local code of ethics or any special rules that should be respected.

|Other Birding Codes of Conduct|

Bruce Di Labio's Blog

Thursday, June 2, 2011

May 27-30, 2011 Eastern Ontario Tour

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