Saturday, June 13, 2015

June 12,2015 More Churchill birding

Hi Everyone 

The birding continues to be interesting despite the continuing cool weather, northerly winds and the slowdown of migration. Today we spent the morning birding east of Churchill, along Launch Road and Twin Lake Road out to the old burn site. It was very quiet; remarkably few birds were singing.  Our highlight was a pair of Golden Eagles soaring overhead. At the large fen along Twin Lake Road we had a number of shorebirds displaying: Hudsonian Godwit, Short-billed Dowitcher, American Golden Plover, Least Sandpiper and Wilson's Snipe. The big surprise was a male Snowy Owl being harassed by Herring Gulls as it flew over the fen. There was still some  ice on the larger lakes, where we saw a pair of Common Loons along with a few Arctic Terns. At the Churchill Northern Studies Centre an Arctic Hare was hopping around the building. 
The continuing COMMON CRANE was observed at the Granary Ponds and north of the Grain Elevator. It has now been observed by many of the local residents and its the talk of the town. If you haven't heard about the discovery check out the following link. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/blown-off-course-eurasian-crane-spotted-in-churchill-1.3104875

Good birding,
Bruce




A few Sanderling in full breeding plumage continue to be reported from the "Flats" area. 

Several flocks of White-rumped Sandpipers are still in the area.


As each day goes by more broods of baby Canada Geese are being seen.  

The COMMON CRANE continues to be the star attraction at Churchill. 

A pair of Golden Eagles in the Twin Lakes area was a surprise find. 


The Green-winged Teal is a common summer resident at Churchill. 

The Hudsonian Godwit is a long distant migrant. It winters in southern South America and  spends its summers along the treeline at Churchill. 

A few late lingering Snow Buntings are now almost in full breeding plumage. 

A Whimbrel easily blends into the  background. 

In spite of the cool, windy, wet weather Yellow Warblers are singing.   

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