December 3, 2010 Pine Warbler

There is a Pine Warbler coming to a feeder just south of Ottawa. It was first observed on November 27th and reappeared today during the a.m.. The bird appears in good condition and feeding at the peanut feeder. It makes brief appearances and likely will become more regular once the cooler temps and snow arrives. The property owners, Kevin and Deanne Ryan welcome birders and please follow the O. F. O. Ethical Birding Principles.

http://www.ofo.ca/aboutus/ethics.php

Good Birding, Bruce

Directions: From Ottawa take Hwy 416 south to exit #57 Bankfield Road. Turn right and take first left and follow to 5718 William McEwen Drive on your right. There is no parking on the road and limited parking in their laneway.

The Pine Warbler is a rare late fall visitor to feeders in eastern Ontario.

Most records are from feeder watchers and the bird usually disappears during cold spells and heavy snow.

Being an insect eater Pine Warblers will feed on suet.

December 1, 2010 Ross's Goose New for the winter list

Today, December 1st, 1 adult Ross's Goose was still present along Greenbank Road south of Hunt Club Road. The goose was difficult to see due to its small size and was out of sight or hidden by Canada Geese most of the time I was there at around 11:00am. Also, I observed 1 adult Snow Goose and 1 Cackling Goose.
Good Birding , Bruce

Directions: From Hwy. 417 take Greenbank Road south to Hunt Club Rd. and watch on the west side of Greenbank Rd.

October 21, 2010 Birding Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary,B.C.

The birding today at Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Delta was very good despite thick fog at the beginning of my walk around the trails. Due to the fog 100's of puddle ducks were sitting around waiting for the fog to lift. Had great views of American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler and Snow Geese. There were numerous Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird and House Sparrows at the bird feeders. The highlight of the morning was watching an adult Peregrine Falcon eating a Long-billed Dowitcher it had just caught nearby.

A male House Sparrow waiting for its turn at the feeder.

The secretive Marshwren was easy to detect by its call.

A Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker

Most puddle ducks had finished moulting and were in breeding plumage.

A Peregrine Falcon having its breakfast, a Long-billed Dowitcher.

A male Spotted Towhee sitting on the fence line.

This male Varied Thrush was feeding on berries and was very wary.

A male Green-winged Teal almost in full breeding plumage.

October 20, 2010 Birding Vancouver, B.C.

Spent the day birding around Vancouver including Stanley Park. Lots of bird activity including Spotted Towhee, Golden-crowned Sparrow , Glaucous-winged Gull and Pelagic Cormorant. The biggest surprise was on my walk on Granville Island where I observed a Northern Saw-whet Owl sitting on a store awning right in the open. There was a large crowd watching the owl as it sat quietly probably wondering what the attraction was. I finally realized that everyone has a digital camera or a cell phone.

Granville Island, Vancouver,B.C
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Northern Saw-whet owl sitting on awning.

Everyone was talking pictures and asking questions about this owl.


Northern Saw-whet Owl watching on.


Fortunately the owl flew away at dusk and appeared in good shape.

Painted Turtle at lost Lagoon.

Female Northern Shoveler

A group of American Wigeon grazing.

Raccoons were everywhere in park.

October 17, 2010 Northern Wheatear on Petrie Island near Ottawa

I just received photos for identification and the bird in question turned out of a Northern Wheatear. It was photographed on Petrie Island, just east of Ottawa on October 16, 2010. I have no further information but I'm sure someone will be out tomorrow morning checking for the bird. I was seen at the beach where there is a rock jetty just left of the point. There are some picnic tables in the area.
Good birding, Bruce

Directions: Take Highway 417 east to the 174/417 split, stay left and continue along 174 east to the Trim Road exit. Turn left and follow to Petrie Island.

Photo: courtesy Gary Fairhead
The Northern Wheatear is very rare visitor to eastern Ontario and most records are from the fall period, late August to mid October.

Update from Gary Fairhead

Hello

Thanks to Bruce Di Labio for the ID

I could not relocate the Northern Wheatear I photographed on October 16 at Petrie Island this morning. However along the same jetty today was a Lapland Longspur and below the jetty on the beach was a lone Horned Lark. The lark was on the grass near the walkway and picnic tables on Oct 16. Also along the beach and on the grassy area ( Oct 16 and today) , a Black Bellied Plover has been feeding. On the grass he/she has been pulling worms much like a Robin ( a few steps, tilt of the head, strike and pull)

A photo of the Oct 16 Northern Wheatear can be found at this link. Once on that image you can navigate "previous" for 3 shots of the Lapland Longspur from today ( Oct 18) and if you navigate to "next" then the 3 next images are of the Black Bellied Plover ( Oct 16) . I will eventually update with more Wheatear images as well as some shots of the Horned lark

http://www.pbase.com/photofair/image/129519567

Directions: Take Highway 417 east to the 174/417 split, stay left and continue along 174 east to the Trim Road exit. Turn left and follow to Petrie Island.



Gary Fairhead
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October 17, 2010 Birding Algonquin Park.

On October 17th, spent the day birding various sites along Hwy. 60 in Algonquin Park. Overall, somewhat quiet, but a few interesting birds. At Wolf Howl Pond area along Mizzy Lake Trail we had 2 Bohemian Waxwing fly over calling and 1 female Black-backed Woodpecker near West Rose Lake. Finches were scarce, we had 3 Evening Grosbeak and 7 Purple Finch at the Visitor Centre along with distant views of 2 Moose. At the Spruce Bog Boardwalk, 1 Boreal Chickadee was heard calling. Gray Jays were easy to find at Spruce Bog Boardwalk parking lot, Opeongo Lake Road and Wolf Howl Pond. 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.

photo: courtesy Charles Smith

A female Black-backed Woodpecker near Wolf Howl Pond.

Fall colours along Mizzy Lake Trail.

The human bird feeder.

Always check the Visitor Centre feeders. A small flock of Purple Finch feeding.

Gray Jays were easy to find at various locations.

Ben feeding a Gray Jays near Wolf Howl Pond.

October 16, 2010 Birding at Shirley's Bay.

The birding along the Ottawa River at Shirley's Bay was very good this morning. There were 3 flocks of male Black Scoters totaling 250+ and 2 flocks of Brant 27 and 23 along with 17 White-winged Scoter and 4 Surf Scoter. Also seen were 50+ Redhead, 11 Red-necked Grebe and 7 Horned Grebe. A Gray Jay was observed along the dyke at the first island and was pursued by a male Merlin but got away safely. Good Birding, Bruce

Directions: Shirley's Bay: From Ottawa take Hwy. 417 west to the Moodie Drive exit and turn north (right) on Moodie Drive and continue to Carling Ave. Turn left at Carling Ave. and follow Carling to Rifle Road. Turn right (north) on Rifle Rd. Park at the lot at the end (boat launch). Walk back to the road, and continue through the gate on the Department of National Defense property. There is a trail on your right (clearly marked with vehicle "No Entry" signs) which heads into the woods, and, eventually to the dyke. There is lots of POISON IVY along the dyke. **** PLEASE NOTE**** YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE RANGE CONTROL OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE DYKE AREA-- Call (613) 991-5740 and request permission to visit the dyke area for birding.

photo: courtesy of Keith Rimstad

Gray Jays continue to show up along the Ottawa River. This individual was observed along the Shirley's Bay dyke at the first island.