Ontbirds subscribers, Yesterday, July 9th, while atlassing in the Rainy River area, I discovered an adult California Gull on Byrnes Rd. It was among 400+ Ring-billed Gulls and 150+ Franklin's Gulls which were feeding in a freshly cut hay field. To reach this field, proceed 1.65 km north from the corner of Hwy 11 and Government Rd. (corner with the Roadrunner Motel and the Rainy River Curling Club on it) to the corner of Government Rd. and Byrnes Rd. Turn right (east) and proceed 1.97 km along Byrnes Rd. Many observers will remember this as the same farm property where John Lamey discovered a singing Baird's Sparrow in 1996. Many of the Ring-billed Gulls were following a tractor cutting hay on the north side of the road. The California Gull was loafing with large numbers of Ring-billed Gulls and Franklin's Gulls on the south side of the road near the area with the large rolls of newly cut hay. The western part of Rainy River district has received an enormous amount of rain this spring and summer (much like nearby southern Manitoba) with the very hot and humid spell of the past week (persistent 32-34C) being the first long break from precipitation. Consequently, the water levels on Lake-of-the-Woods are very high (Windy Point is now a small island - most of it now being under water) and most poorly drained hay fields across the entire area have effectively become nice facsimiles of wet sedge fens. The result is that Le Conte's Sparrows, Sedge Wrens and Yellow Rails are present in astounding numbers, much higher than I have ever experienced in the area (although I'm sure such occurrences are periodic). Le Conte's Sparrows are not only to be found in EVERY sizeable hay field, but fields in which I am used to hearing or seeing 1-2 birds often have 10 or more, and those which normally have 5-10 birds often have 20-30. On many point counts Le Conte's Sparrow outnumbers Savannah Sparrow. Similarly, the number of sites for Sedge Wrens has increased dramatically, with more birds per site than usual. In driving the area at night, the number of Yellow Rails is truly remarkable. The traditional area sometimes suitable for them along Wilson Creek Rd. has at least 50-60 birds. In addition, most of the large flooded hay fields have Yellow Rails. I have found Yellow Rails ticking at flooded hay fields along Hwy 600, River Rd., Colonization Rd., Acree Rd., Worthington Rd. 2, Worthington Rd. 3, Blue Rd. 2, Blue Rd. 3, etc. I have found them in flooded hay fields as far east as Pinewood and Stratton as well. An estimate of about 200+ birds would be quite conservative. How many additional birds already incubating full clutches are already fallen silent? Unfortunately, many of these ephemeral territories are in hay fields that are right now being cut, meaning many of these Le Conte's Sparrows, Sedge Wrens and Yellow Rails will undoubtedly meet with nest failures. Bird song in the area is still quite good, the one noticeable exception being Connecticut Warbler, which is sometimes found by pishing or use of playback, but I found few that were still singing in the aspen stands. On July 5th, I found an adult Red-shouldered Hawk off Hwy 621 south of Gameland - presumably a wandering individual, but I did see it fly into a swampy mixed forest on private land which I could not obtain permission to access. Other atlassing highlights have included a nest with young of Red-bellied Woodpeckers (yes, you read that correctly!) found south of the Oak Grove Camp on July 8th, a long-sought Yellow Rail nest, fledged young Marbled Godwits in squares 15UQ90 and 15UP99, and several Connecticut Warblers carrying food (presumably to already fledged young, as this nest has regretfully eluded me yet again). Black-billed Magpies continue to proliferate in this area, with many more active sites each time I visit, and used nests being simply ubiquitous now. On one point count I had 28 Black-billed Magpies! The good fortune of fine weather enabled me to do 150+ point counts in 5 squares in western Rainy River district. Good luck to all with your own final atlassing push in your area, Glenn Coady _________________________________________________________________ Scan and help eliminate destructive viruses from your inbound and outbound e-mail and attachments. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN® Premium right now and get the first two months FREE*.