Ontbirders
A small working group (16 max) turned up 45 species within Pt Pelee Park
this morning and early afternoon. Participants
were from Ottawa, Vineland -recently moved from Oregon, Toronto, Hamilton,
Ajax, and local birders.
The highlight was an unexpected Piping Plover that joined our group,
accompanied by a Sanderling, for our walk along the East side of the Tip.
The Plover provided tremendous scope close-ups and many photos. The Piping
Plover was still present at 3:30PM.
Tip Area: The early NW winds brought lots of Sharp-shinned Hawks and Blue
Jays. We were also treated to hundreds of Monarchs; we estimated
a steady stream of 3 - 4 a minute for most of the morning. 4 Gull species,
Red-breasted Merganser, Caspian Tern, and Double-crested Cormorant were
seen at the Tip. We had good looks of Merlins (1 perched briefly), a
Peregrine Falcon, N. Harriers, and a Bald Eagle. A possible Alder
Flycatcher
was one of the few small birds that dared sit in the open. E. Phoebe,
Carolina Wren (h), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrow, American
Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird, Cape May, American Redstart, and Nashville
Warblers were seen in the area. Nice photo ops of a new hatch Red Admiral
and 12 Spotted Skimmer.
VC Parking Lot: Osprey and Red-tailed Hawk
Tilden: very quiet except at Chinquapin end there was Magnolia Warbler,
Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet,
and Winter Wren.
DeLaurier: American Robin, Cedar Waxwings, Wood Ducks. In one flock on the
east boardwalk we had Black-throated Blue and Yellow-rumped warblers.
In the same flock were Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker, and Gray Catbird. One Silver-spotted Skipper.
Ross Mackintosh
Leamington, Ont.