BARROW'S GOLDENEYE BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE SLATY-BACKED GULL GREAT EGRET GREEN HERON WESTERN KINGBIRD EASTERB PHOEBE RED-EYED VIREO FISH CROW NASHVILLE WARBLER NORTHERN PARULA YELLOW WARBLER BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER SCARLET TANAGER Wood Duck King Eider Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Common Goldeneye Red-necked Grebe Bonaparte's Gull Iceland Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Black-crowned Night Heron Golden Eagle Red-headed Woodpecker Marsh Wren Eastern Bluebird American Pipit Chipping Sparrow Fox Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler It's all quality birding here in the Hamilton Study Area this week. The top of the list highlights our rarities as well as some lingering birds of interest for the upcoming winter listing season. A BARROW'S GOLDENEYE remains in flocks of Common Goldeneye along the Stoney Creek lakeshore being seen anywhere from Confederation Park to Green Road. A female bird was also photographed last week off Sayers Park/Grays Road. On Tuesday an immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE flew past the point of Fifty Point Conservation area along with an immature Bonaparte's Gull. A returning mega-rarity, and adult SLATY-BACKED GULL was seen on and off through Tuesday and Wednesday last week at Mowhawk Lake in Brantford. Photographs seem to support that this was one of the birds from last year. As the ice dwindled on the lake later in the week, the gulls moved locations. Colder temperatures by end of week this week should bring it back to the ice. Several Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Iceland Gulls were also present here. Still not too late for FISH CROWS two were seen on Moffatt Road in Flamborough yesterday, an inland location out of the normal lakeshore haunts but just a heads up that they are still about. For those winter listing as of next Sunday, Hamilton has a number of potential targets in the area. The dynamic duo of GREEN HERON and WESTERN KINGBIRD continue at the Desjardins Canal this week. Parking is at the lot on King Street at the Urquhart Butterfly Gardens. The Kingbird has been seen out near the chimney at Canal Park and when cold best to look along the banks of the canal where it hawks insects. Two EASTERN PHOEBES were seen at Princess Point this week. Another potential bird was heard at Sedgewick Park in Oakville yesterday. A RED-EYED VIREO was seen at Gairloch Gardens in Oakville last Saturday, anyone out and about checking this area is asked to advise of an update. Lastly good old Sedgewick Park in Oakville has come through again this year for harbouring some late date species. No reports of the WHITE-EYED VIREO but a YELLOW WARBLER was seen up until last weekend and on Friday, a female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was found. There had also been a NASHVILLE WARBLER lurking about. All of these species may still be there but warmer weather tends to drive birds further from the tanks. Hopefully the birds will find their way south but cold weather at the end of the week will let us know if they are going or not. Of interest as well an immature Red-headed Woodpecker made its way to feeders along the west side of the park but was a one day wonder. A NORTHERN PARULA was seen at Bronte Bluffs on Thursday. Lastly a very late SCARLET TANAGER was feeding on grapes at the end of Fruitland Road in Stoney Creek. Any updates on all of the above birds are appreciated for those foolish enough to winter list! In the odds and sods, a female Wood Duck was present at the Desjardins Canal along with a couple of Black-crowned Night Heron. A King Eider has been present near the Burlington Ship Canal for most of the week. A Red-throated Loon was seen off VanWagners Beach. A few Red-necked Grebes are still about with birds seen off Van Wagners Beach, Bayfront Park and South Shell Park this week. Golden Eagles were reported over the Dundas Conservation Area and at Mowhawk Lake during the week. At the Dundas Marsh, a Marsh Wren and Eastern Bluebirds were seen on Wednesday. American Pipits are still moving through with birds seen at LaSalle Marina this week and one individual along the South Shell Park beach missing a tail and favouring one foot, likely a target of a predator. Chipping Sparrows are still being reported with birds seen at South Shell Park and Bronte Creek Provincial Park. A Yellow-rumped warbler was seen at Slot Road Wetland as well as a couple at Sedgewick Park in Oakville. On Kramer Road on the east side of Christie Conservation area, eight Fox Sparrows were scratching along the road in addition to a Hermit Thrush. It's going to be a wild ride of temperatures this week which may move birds around and bring them into feeders. Keep them stocked! Have a great week! Cheryl Edgecombe HNC