St. Thomas Field Naturalist Club
Nurturing nature in Elgin.
Hello folks I bet you thought I had forgot about that great day several weeks ago. Well maybe I did. The weather was pretty good at 10 degrees and windy, thanks Brenda for the reminder.
There were a total of 136 species reported for the day. List of birds is attached. Eva Visscher had the best bird with a Hooded Warbler. There were many others, the Common Gallinule are still being seen at Yarmouth NHA, spotted by Reuven Martin and others.
Reuven also saw a Ruffed Grouse (reported 2 years ago by Paul Nicholson at Hawk Cliff), Swamp Sparrow, Northern Waterthrush and Pine Siskin at Port Burwell Provincial Park.
Eva Visscher and Al Hurst both saw Northern Parula. Eva also saw Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-headed and Warbling Vireo, Vesper Sparrow and Swainson’s Thrush. Al Hurst had Great Horned Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Eastern Meadowlark. Al has been my mentor for many years and greatly appreciated everything he has taught me. There are many members in the club who are willing to help people new to the natural marvels of Elgin County.
Newest club member Aaron Kuntz got the Wood Duck. Lucas Foerster added Red-breasted Merganser and Cliff Swallows. The Spicer Family and friends reported Sora, American Coot, Pileated Woodpecker, Bobolink, Black-and-white Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler and seven duck species.
Bob Johnston and Cary Graham also got the Cliff Swallow, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler and Black-throated Blue Warbler. Beth Ann Connors from Port Stanley reported the Orchard Oriole. Sandra Leys got Purple Martins and a Marsh Wren at the sewage lagoons in Rodney.
Raymond Roth reported a Ovenbird and Hooded Mergansers (missed on list) at Yarmouth NHA.
Anita Caveney got a Purple Finch at MeadowWoods Nature Preserve (this 105 acre property was donated to Thames Talbot Land Trust by Anita and Stan last fall – Awesome).
Su Redmond reported Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron and sadly 4 freshly and tragically deceased Purple Martins across road from East viewing stand at Port Stanley lagoons.
To date we have raised $475 for Birds Canada and province wide $122,127 has been raised towards their goal of $200,000. Thank you to all who have donated and reminder donations will be greatfully accepted until Dec 31st.
This year we had a total of 17 different Warblers vs 23 last year, really a nice list considering there did not seem to be a fall out day this spring. This year was also 8 days earlier than last year, so really great results.
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to send me their lists and the sightings reported on eBird. The grand total was 136 species seen this year compared to 144 last year.
Hoping we will all be able to get together, possibly in July at Pinafore Park. Fingers crossed.
Enjoy the warm weather and great birding;
Al Sharpe