The first photos from Point Pelee are now up. You can view them here.
Thanks for your patience!
Good birding,
Bruce
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Point Pelee Update: May 8, 2009
May 8, 2009
Our final morning was spent checking the tip and working our way to the north end of the park. Overall not too much change from yesterday. A few new migrants were observed including a Wilson's Warbler at the tip and a male Bay-breasted Warbler in Tilden Woods.
The seasonal trail at Sanctuary hosted a number of warblers including Blue-winged, Palm, Black-throated Blue, Cape May, Nashville and a few Yellow-rumped. After departing Pelee at 10:30 a.m. we drove by Hillman's Conservation Area and had 100+ Black-bellied Plover and 1 flyby Great Egret.
Our drive home was uneventful and we arrived in Carp 8 hours later! Will be back to Pelee Sunday afternoon on my second tour with my son Ben co-leading.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I've made it back to Ottawa! Keep your eye out for photos over the next few days. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
Our final morning was spent checking the tip and working our way to the north end of the park. Overall not too much change from yesterday. A few new migrants were observed including a Wilson's Warbler at the tip and a male Bay-breasted Warbler in Tilden Woods.
The seasonal trail at Sanctuary hosted a number of warblers including Blue-winged, Palm, Black-throated Blue, Cape May, Nashville and a few Yellow-rumped. After departing Pelee at 10:30 a.m. we drove by Hillman's Conservation Area and had 100+ Black-bellied Plover and 1 flyby Great Egret.
Our drive home was uneventful and we arrived in Carp 8 hours later! Will be back to Pelee Sunday afternoon on my second tour with my son Ben co-leading.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I've made it back to Ottawa! Keep your eye out for photos over the next few days. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Point Pelee Update: May 7, 2009
May 7, 2009
For the fourth day in a row we made it to the tip on the 6:00 am tram. Fog had developed early this morning making visibility at the tip challenging. Showers developed late afternoon. Overall it was a somewhat quiet day with few new arrivals, but due to these conditions many species fed low in the vegetation allowing for excellent views.
At the cemetery we watched four Eastern Kingbirds flycatching on the ground. Cape May, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Northern Parula, and Blue-winged were some of the warblers we easily viewed as they fed low in the trees. Five species of thrushes were noted in Tilden Woods - Swainson's, Hermit, Wood, Gray-cheeked and Veery. Six Sandhill Cranes were observed flying and calling as we birded Tilden Woods in the rain.
During a walk down the tram road three male Wild Turkey entertained us with their displaying. The weather forecast for Friday looks promising with clear skies and south winds - it should prove to be an interesting day.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I've made it from Vancouver to Toronto and will be home tomorrow, so will add photos over the weekend. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
For the fourth day in a row we made it to the tip on the 6:00 am tram. Fog had developed early this morning making visibility at the tip challenging. Showers developed late afternoon. Overall it was a somewhat quiet day with few new arrivals, but due to these conditions many species fed low in the vegetation allowing for excellent views.
At the cemetery we watched four Eastern Kingbirds flycatching on the ground. Cape May, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Northern Parula, and Blue-winged were some of the warblers we easily viewed as they fed low in the trees. Five species of thrushes were noted in Tilden Woods - Swainson's, Hermit, Wood, Gray-cheeked and Veery. Six Sandhill Cranes were observed flying and calling as we birded Tilden Woods in the rain.
During a walk down the tram road three male Wild Turkey entertained us with their displaying. The weather forecast for Friday looks promising with clear skies and south winds - it should prove to be an interesting day.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I've made it from Vancouver to Toronto and will be home tomorrow, so will add photos over the weekend. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
Point Pelee Update: May 6, 2009
May 6, 2009
At Pelee the bird activity and variety was up today. For the third day in a row, we caught the 6:00 am tram to the tip and we were rewarded with a Willet this morning. The bird was very cooperative and was viewed by many.
There was a significant movement of birds overnight, which resulted in a number of new arrivals for the tour. Highlights included 1 Prairie Warbler, 6 Blue-winged Warbler, 3 Golden-winged Warbler, 1 American Redstart, and numerous Magnolia Warblers. Ovenbirds were easily seen, and other birds of note included Veery, Lincoln Sparrow, and Chimney Swift. White-crowned Sparrows, which were almost absent yesterday, were seen and heard singing throughout the park today.
The vegetation at the north-end of the park is now beginning to come out, while at the tip the vegetation has yet to emerge. With winds out of the south-west and rain in the forecast, everyone is hoping for a fall out. Tomorrow could prove to be a very interesting day.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I'm in Vancouver this week so will add photos to this post when I return to Ottawa on the weekend. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
At Pelee the bird activity and variety was up today. For the third day in a row, we caught the 6:00 am tram to the tip and we were rewarded with a Willet this morning. The bird was very cooperative and was viewed by many.
There was a significant movement of birds overnight, which resulted in a number of new arrivals for the tour. Highlights included 1 Prairie Warbler, 6 Blue-winged Warbler, 3 Golden-winged Warbler, 1 American Redstart, and numerous Magnolia Warblers. Ovenbirds were easily seen, and other birds of note included Veery, Lincoln Sparrow, and Chimney Swift. White-crowned Sparrows, which were almost absent yesterday, were seen and heard singing throughout the park today.
The vegetation at the north-end of the park is now beginning to come out, while at the tip the vegetation has yet to emerge. With winds out of the south-west and rain in the forecast, everyone is hoping for a fall out. Tomorrow could prove to be a very interesting day.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I'm in Vancouver this week so will add photos to this post when I return to Ottawa on the weekend. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Point Pelee Update: May 4 & 5, 2009
May 4 & 5, 2009
Due to extraordinarily warm weather, last week had a record setting 34 species of warblers at Pelee (unusual for late April). Comparatively, this week seems quiet so far. Since May 4th we have recorded 18 species of warblers, which is more the norm for the first week of May. Highlights have included Hooded Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and Blue-winged Warbler to name a few. Unfortunately the weather has been "too nice" and so we are hoping for unsettled conditions with southerly winds to push new migrants into Pelee. There has yet to be any "super rarities" but we are enjoying great views of the regular migrants.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I'm in Vancouver this week so will add photos to this post when I return to Ottawa on the weekend. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
Due to extraordinarily warm weather, last week had a record setting 34 species of warblers at Pelee (unusual for late April). Comparatively, this week seems quiet so far. Since May 4th we have recorded 18 species of warblers, which is more the norm for the first week of May. Highlights have included Hooded Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and Blue-winged Warbler to name a few. Unfortunately the weather has been "too nice" and so we are hoping for unsettled conditions with southerly winds to push new migrants into Pelee. There has yet to be any "super rarities" but we are enjoying great views of the regular migrants.
Good birding,
Bruce
Note from the Webmaster: I'm in Vancouver this week so will add photos to this post when I return to Ottawa on the weekend. Stay tuned! Thanks for your patience! ~ Frances
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Chaffeys Lock: Cerulean Warbler & Golden-winged Warbler
Today, May 3rd, birded along Chaffeys Lock Road and Opinicon Road. There was a definite increase in bird activity since my earlier visit on April 29th. We had 1 Cerulean Warbler, 1 Golden-winged Warbler, 1 American Redstart, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and 3 Yellow-throated Vireo. Other recent arrivals included Eastern Kingbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole and Wood Thrush.
Good birding,
Bruce
Good birding,
Bruce
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Ottawa Area: Red-headed Woodpecker
Birded a number of locations in the west end of Ottawa today. The Red-headed Woodpeckers are back at the Constance Bay "Old Burn Site" for the 8th consecutive year. This is the earliest arrival date by 2 weeks.
Overall the migration has slowed down with the cooler temperatures but there was still a small number of warblers, including Yellow-rumped, Pine, Palm, Nashville and Yellow. There was an increase in the numbers of Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher and Virginia Rails. Also had 2 Red Crossbills along Carling Avenue near Grandview Road. Pine Siskins are still around in good number, had 100+ at my feeder today. Saw 3 Chimney Swifts yesterday in Carp.
Good birding,
Bruce
Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles (available in the right-hand menu).
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.
Overall the migration has slowed down with the cooler temperatures but there was still a small number of warblers, including Yellow-rumped, Pine, Palm, Nashville and Yellow. There was an increase in the numbers of Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher and Virginia Rails. Also had 2 Red Crossbills along Carling Avenue near Grandview Road. Pine Siskins are still around in good number, had 100+ at my feeder today. Saw 3 Chimney Swifts yesterday in Carp.
While out today on my birding course we observed two Virginia Rails having a dispute. Here are a few photos of the "battle"...
Good birding,
Bruce
Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles (available in the right-hand menu).
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.
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