Most were well away from "driveable" roads so estimating numbers was a challenge...but approx. 50,000-60,000 would not be an exaggeration. Quite the spectacle! Also of interest, we observed 18 Sandhill Cranes in the fields on the west side of Milton Rd. between Perrault and Smith rds. southwest of Navan, ON.

Yesterday evening at Blenheim Sewage Lagoons there were an impressive 7 Wilson's Phalarope, 2 Short-billed Dowitcher, 2 Black Tern and huge number of swallows, I estimated 1500 in total. Thank you to everyone who contributed sightings and please continue to do so at the Visitor Centre.

We counted a conservative estimate of 84 species, but not everyone saw every species, as some of the group elected to stay at the beach where the birding was as good as it's been in the history of field trips that I have led to this area.

We made a very conservative estimate of 300+ birds. Directions: Lakeshore Rd. 311 can be reached by taking Hwy. 77 south from the 401 or north from Leamington. Drive east until you come to Richardson Side Rd. which ends at a "T" intersection with Lakeshore Rd. 311. The birds were in the large field of stubble (not corn) Northwest of the intersection.

Sent from Samsung tablet -------- Original message -------- From: Burke Korol Date: 11-13-2015 7:15 PM (GMT-05:00) To: birdalert@ontbirds.ca Subject: [Ontbirds] Huge number of Common Loons in Barrie On Friday 13 Nov 2015 I estimated the number of COMMON LOONS Loons in a loose, swimming raft at at least 2,300 birds.

Conservative total estimate was 26 birds. There were likely more, but it was difficult to count accurately. Bonaparte's were in good numbers before the sun rose, but lighting was a challenge, so who knows what all was out there! Yesterday we had fine looks at an EARED GREBE there.

I roughly estimated 40. The EARED GREBE is still on the east side frequenting the area between the visitor centre and dog beach. RED-THROATED LOONS are seen quite frequently and I saw two today flying south near dog beach. They are generally quite rare at Rondeau, but this fall more than usual have been seen.

Geese numbers were high and I estimated 25,000 Canada Geese, mainly at Andrew Haydon Park, Moodie Drive ponds and Embrun. Highlights included one Ross’s Goose at Winchester along with 10,000 Snow Geese including a neck banded individual, UP 63 and one female Northern Pintail.

I did a sweeping estimate of the numbers 3 times to be sure, and always came within a couple of hundred, so I've gone with the most conservative number - there were more WAY out on Kempenfelt Bay towards the main lake.

No fumbling for charts, chart lights, trying to estimate bearings to lights. It's great! Joe & Debbie Engel Marine Computer Service, Inc.