Bruce Di Labio's Blog

Sunday, May 8, 2011

May 8, 2011 Great day at Pelee! Kirtland's, Yellow-throated, Kentucky, Hooded, Prothonotary and more!

Lots of activity today in the park. Warbler watching was great with numerous rarities.

Yellow-throated Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

American Toad

Canada Warbler

Young Great Horned Owl at nest site.

Hooded Warbler

The second Kirtland's Warbler for the week!

This individual was observed along West Beach Trail just south of the parking lot.

A Red-eyed Vireo feeding on the ground.

Red-eyed Vireo

Saturday, May 7, 2011

May 7, 2011 More Pelee birding

More pictures from Birding Pelee.

An orange variant Scarlet Tanager

Female Eastern Bluebird at DeLaurier

A view of Pelee Marsh from the viewing tower.

Always check the sightings board and book before heading out on the trails!

Alvaro Jaramillo, Bruce Di Labio, Ross Harris, Sarah Rupert, Brandon Holden

Bruce and Ben @ Pelee. This is Ben's 6th year birding Pelee in the spring.

A Sandhill Crane soaring around with Turkey Vultures.

White-eyed vireo is a regular breeder at Pelee.

The Wood Thrush can be easily found in Tilden's Woods.

A Yellow-breasted Chat was a bonus.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

No shortage of photographers at the tip in the morning.

A morning flight of Red-breasted Mergansers off the tip.

And no shortage of birders too.

Sunrise at the tip.

Comparing notes in the morning.

The Eastern Towhee is a regular migrant and breeder in the park.

Blue-headed Vireo was formerly called Solitary Vireo.

May 6, 2011 Kirtland's Warbler at Pelee!

Definitely the highlight today was the Kirtland's Warbler! First observed and photographed earlier in the morning this bird was relocated after noon at the northwest corner of the Visitor Centre parking lot. It caused great excitement and was very tame as it fed on the ground or low in the shrubbery. A lifer for Ben, one he was hoping to see! The Kirtland's fed along Centennial Trail and than Tilden's woods Trail and was still present at 8:00p.m.

Kirtland's Warbler at Pelee!

Despite the light rain everyone was out watching.

Always a crowd pleaser, this Kirtland's was present from early afternoon to almost dusk.

Due to its behavior it was sometimes hard to pick out as it fed low in the vegetation.

First Spring male Kirtland's Warbler

The Kirtland's Warbler has become almost become annual at Pelee in the spring.

May 4-5, 2011 Birding Rondeau, Blenheim, and Point Pelee

Left Ottawa @ 6:00a.m. for my first of 2 tours to Point Pelee. Enroute we observed a flock of 20+ Bohemian Waxwing near Carleton place and 2 Sandhill Cranes in flight over Hwy. 401 at Napanee. Lots of activity at Rondeau and the highlight a Yellow-throated Warbler coming to a local feeder. This rare southern visitor was very cooperative and gave of great views. At Blenheim sewage Lagoon we were able to see the breeding plumage Eared Grebe which had been present for a few days.
On May 5th we birding Pelee for the day a had a nice selection of birds including Orchard Oriole, Blue-winged Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler and White-eyed Vireo.

Yellow-throated Warbler at feeder.

White-eyed Vireo

Prothonotary Warbler along Woodland Trail.

Blue-winged Warbler

The Prothonotary Warbler was very tame and gave us excellent views.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

May 1, 2011 Birding Algonquin Park

Ben and I spent the day birding various sites along Hwy. 60. Overall, an interesting day but numbers low. We did have 3 Spruce Grouse, 1 male at Spruce Bog Trail and 2 along Mizzy Lake Trail along with 1 Boreal Chickadee. There were 2 Gray Jays observed at mile marker 54 by a group from Kingston. The warbler variety was low but we did have Black & White, Nashville, Pine, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat and lots of Yellow-rumped Warbler. At the Old Airfield there were a few birds including American Pipit, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow and a couple of Evening Grosbeaks flew over. Along Hwy. 60 we observed 6 Moose.

A Moose along Hwy. 60, looking for directions?

A number of Ruffed Grouse were observed increasing one drumming.

A male Spruce Grouse along Spruce Bog Trail was very tame.

A female Spruce Grouse quietly walks along a trail. Again very tame.

Another male shows off to us along Mizzy Lake Trail.

Usually more difficult to see as they skulk in a cattail marsh, this Swamp Sparrow fed in the open along one of the trails.

We observed at least 7 moose along Hwy. 60.

Ben searching the old airfield on his 14th birthday and hoping for a "lifer". Not this time, maybe at Pelee.

April 30, 2011 Local birding

Spent the morning birding along the Ottawa River at Shirley's Bay this morning. A noticeable increase in migrants was noted including Spotted Sandpiper, Common Tern and Eastern Kingbird along the causeway. A couple of Brown Thrashers were heard singing along Hilda Road. In the flooded fields along Brophy Road we observed a flock of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs along with a few Green-winged Teal and a Vesper Sparrow. More migrants to come!

April 28, 2011 windy day at the feeders.

The high winds today didn't stop the Common Redpolls and American Goldfinch from feeding at the feeders. Some gusts reached 96 km/hour and blow over many trees in the Carp area.

Redpolls and Goldfinch hold on during wind storm.

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|