St. Thomas Field Naturalist Club

Author: Digital_Al

  • 2025 Christmas Bird Count Results

    The day started out with freezing rain and continued till 3 p.m. This inclement weather saw a lower turnout of volunteers (46) and thus contributed to the lower numbers. That being said we had 6 count week birds which brought our total number to 71 species. We are really pleased with end result.

    Highlights would be new high count of 30 Lesser Scaup seen by Joe Stephenson. Common Mergansers are increasing over the last 6 years. Dave Jolly saw our lone Common Raven. Common Ravens have been seen for the last three years and Red-headed Woodpecker seen last two years at Springwater. Peregrine Falcon seen last two years. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has been seen reliable recently. Considering the weather 84 Cedar Waxwings were seen out enjoying the berries with the Robins.

    Several Purple Finch and Common Redpoll were lone winter finches. Last sign of a winter finch eruption was in 2020. No White-winged Crossbills since then.

    Low counts included Snow Bunting at 32, American Tree Sparrow at 48 and Rock Pigeon at 48.

    Count Week Birds: Cackling Goose, Great Blue Heron, American Kestrel, Iceland Gull, Belted Kingfisher and Fox Sparrow.

    Notable misses were Rough-legged Hawk and Horned Lark. To be expected in this weather, no warblers. Snowy Owl still a no show.

    It was a trying day for our volunteers and we had new volunteers who tested it out. We hope you enjoyed the day and will join us next year as mother nature is constantly changing.

    This year we put the pot-luck back on at the church. Everyone brought lots of food and had a great time. The inclement weather really reduced the audience to people who lived locally, although a few brave soles from farther away did make it in.

    Trish Snider had put in a lot of effort gathering prizes for the volunteers who came out to celebrate the last outing of our 75th Anniversary on Boxing Day. Trish had over 35 prizes, so many people went home with a prize.
    Thank you to all businesses that donated prizes.

    Clovermead Adventure FarmSparta Country CandlesCanadian Raptor Conservancy
    Follow Me NorthCatfish Creek C.A.Picard Peanuts
    Howes Family Farm MarketHawkeye Bird & Animal ControlSparta Lavender Farm
    Railway City BrewingCanadale NursuriesFingal Farm Supply
    From the MeadowAylmer Country MillsPinecroft
    Carquest Auto PartsBriwood Farm MarketM&M Meat Shop

    Special thank you to Trish for all the effort she put into making the day truly memorable.

    Thank you to our volunteers and wish you all great birding in 2026,
    Jackie and Al Sharpe

  • Hawk Cliff Woods Migration Weekend

    Saturday and Sunday, Sept 27 & 28, 2025 10 a.m to 3:30 p.m. above photo by Rob Paterson

    Note: new location at Hawk Cliff Woods north meadow entrance at 43277 Dexter Line, Union, ON.

    Celebrate the spectacular fall migration of hawks and other raptors and Monarch butterflies at this free outdoor event hosted in partnership with St. Thomas Field Naturalist Club, Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders, and volunteers of Monarch Watch. Learn about migrating raptors and Monarch butterflies, their lives, and conservation challenges and opportunities!

    Sunday and Saturday Program

    10:00 AM: Hawk Talk by the Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders
    Be awed and inspired by the hawk and raptor conservation work of the Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders! Learn about some of our local hawks and raptors, their migrations, and the banding work completed by volunteer banders. Live wild birds are responsibly handled under permit during this presentation, pending weather and wind conditions.

    11:30 AM: Raptor Presentation by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy
    Get ready to be educated and entertained with the Canadian Raptor Conservancy! Learn about the natural history, size, prey species, range, and relationship to humans of a variety of birds of prey up close and personal. This demonstration showcases domestically produced, professionally trained birds in free-flight – you won’t want to miss it.

    1:00 PM: Monarch Presentation
    Learn about the amazing journey and life of the Monarch butterfly, and some of the great conservation work being done to protect our small but mighty friends. Live butterflies are responsibly handled under permit during this presentation, pending weather conditions.

    2:00 PM: Hawk Talk by the Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders
    Be awed and inspired by the hawk and raptor conservation work of the Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders! Learn about some of our local hawks and raptors, their migrations, and the banding work completed by volunteer banders. Live wild birds are responsibly handled under permit during this presentation, pending weather and wind conditions.

    Information supplied by Thames Talbot Land Trust

  • Skunks Misery Butterfly Count

    Just a final reminder about the Skunk’s Misery Butterfly Count on Sunday, July 6th.    Please meet at the Newbury Hospital parking lot at 8:30am, as usual, to get organized for the morning efforts.  For those of you who do not know me, I will be the big fellow with the grey Tilley hat on. The $5 North American Butterfly Association fee and required sign-in will be collected at the hospital parking lot.  I will also have a small supply of the Butterflies of Southwestern Ontario books, and the laminated Butterflies of Southern and Eastern Ontario quick reference cards for sale – $10 each.  I have also secured a small quantity of butterfly nets from an overseas supplier – those are available at the $30 cost.  First come, first serve.  They will be available at the hospital parking lot in the morning and at the BBQ dinner in the evening. 

    Just a few other reminders:

    1. Lunch Rendezvous – CHANGE THIS YEAR – PLEASE READ!!!!!

    This year, we will meet for a “bring your own lunch” at the picnic pavilion at Big Bend Conservation Area outside of Wardsville.  The picnic table area at Little Kins Park in Wardsville, where we normally have met is unavailable this year and no picnic tables are present.  We have booked the picnic pavilion at Big Bend CA starting at 11am.  The picnic pavilion is near the back of Big Bend CA near the Boat Ramp.  A giant map of Big Bend CA is available when you first enter the driveway.  Of course, if you would rather continue hunting for butterflies, feel free to continue and eat lunch wherever you might be looking. 

    1. Evening BBQ and Count Summary

    We are going to have the BBQ and Count Summary in person again this year!!  You are free to arrive at my parent’s place at 11110 Furnival Road, south of Rodney (if you have hit Marsh Line while driving south on Furnival Road, you have gone too far) any time after 4pm.  Just find a shady spot in the back yard if you are earlier than the rest of the crowd!  Please bring your own chair, and something to share with the group in the way of vegetables, salads, finger foods or dessert.  Hamburgers, sausages, condiments, water, sodas, iced tea and lemonade will be provided courtesy of the Prieksaitis family.

    Any other questions, just feel free to drop me a line.  Also, feel free to forward this reminder to anyone else who might be interested in attending – the more the merrier!!  My cell phone is 647-401-2038 if there are any other emergencies on the count day. 

    And also, the Clear Creek Butterfly Count will also be held on Sunday, July 27th (on the last Sunday of July).  A separate message will follow but mark it in your calendars as well.

    Looking forward to the event and the chance to get together to celebrate once again!!  Hope you can make it!

    Cheers,

    George

  • First Wednesday evening walk

    There were 14 of us out for a walk. We saw a large variety of ducks. Al Hurst spotted a Wilson’s Snipe
    and most people got to see the Great Egret. There was one lone Tundra Swan still in back ponds.
    Big thanks to Tom d’Entremont for organizing our Spring walks and of course Ron Casier for doing
    an amazing job looking after the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area. Looking forward to next weeks
    walk at Springwater Conservation Area.

    Great Blue Heron photo by Jackie Sharpe

  • Duck Rally 2025 Results

    Annual Duck Rally started at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area with 30 species to start our day including a juvenile Trumpeter Swan. The coldest place this year was Belmont Sewage Lagoons due to extremely cold brisk winds from the north. Because of the weather the harbour at Port Stanley was a bust.
    We had a great turnout with 28 people from the west end of the county, London and all the way to Stratford in the north east joining us for a great day birding. A Belted Kingfisher greeted us at Lake Margaret and that is where we got our Pied-billed Grebes and Blue-winged Teal.
    Twenty of us went to The Buccaneer in Port Stanley for a very enjoyable lunch and finished at Port Stanley Lagoons where many got to see an immature Golden Eagle and crazy number of American Coots. We ended with 52 species for the day. Surprise of the day was no Wood Ducks.
    Hope everyone who came out had a great time and look forward to the Rondeau Adventure on May 10th.

    List of birds seen on Duck Rally on March 22, 2025

    Canada GooseBuffleheadBelted Kingfisher
    Mute SwanHooded MerganserBlue Jay
    Trumpeter SwanCommon MerganserAmerican Crow
    Tundra SwanRuddy DuckCommon Raven
    Blue-winged TealMourning DoveBlack-capped Chickadee
    Northern ShovelerAmerican CootEuropean Starling
    GadwallKilldeerEastern Bluebird
    American WigeonRing-billed GullAmerican Robin
    MallardPied-billed GrebeHouse Sparrow
    American Black DuckHorned GrebeDark-eyed Junco
    Northern PintailGreat Blue HeronWhite-crowned Sparrow
    Green-winged TealTurkey VultureSong Sparrow
    CanvasbackGolden EagleEastern Meadowlark
    RedheadCooper’s HawkRed-winged Blackbird
    Ring-necked DuckNorthern HarrierBrown-headed Cowbird
    Greater ScaupBald EagleCommon Grackle
    Lesser ScaupRed-tailed HawkNorthern Cardinal

  • 75th Christmas Bird Count

    With the snow fresh on the ground it is time to think about this years CBC.
    We will be holding it as usual on Boxing Day the 26th of December.
    The declining bird populations really make this citizen science project extremely
    useful in comparing declines and the occasional increase.
    There was already a Snowy Owl and White-winged Crossbill sightings in Elgin.
    Birds will be busy seeking bird feeders, make sure you have cleaned them recently.
    If you are interested in participating eMail Al at asharpe@outlook.com or phone 519-633-4455.

    Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and great weather on the 26th.

    Jackie and Al Sharpe

  • Audubon 2024 Photography Award Winners

    Sedge wren balancing on gray-head coneflower. Photo by Trisha Snider

    Trisha Snider received the honorable mention in the Plants for Birds category.
    She has been honing her skill on birds in Elgin and we are happy she has received this
    world wide recognition. Trisha has donated her photos to the club November can raffle.
    Around here she is considered a bird whisperer account she gets shots we can only dream of.

    Click here to see all the Audubon photo contest winners

    Congratulations Trisha;
    Keep up the great work;
    All the best going forward.

  • Duck Rally 2024 Results

    Tundra Swans bathed in warm evening light by Trish Snider

    Twenty one people took part in all or part of the day. Seventeen of us enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Buccaneer in Port Stanley.  It was an overcast day with a temperature of 4 degrees to start the day at 8:00 AM at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.

    Snow GoosePied-billed GrebeAmerican Crow
    Canada GooseHorned GrebeHorned Lark
    Tundra SwanRock PigeonCarolina Wren
    Wood DuckMourning DoveEuropean Starling
    Northern ShovelerAmerican CootAmerican Robin
    GadwallKilldeerHouse Sparrow
    American WigeonRing-billed GullAmerican Goldfinch
    MallardHerring GullAmerican Tree Sparrow
    American Black DuckGreater Black-backed GullDark-eyed junco
    Northern PintailTurkey VultureWhite-crowned Sparrow
    Green-winged TealNorthern HarrierWhite-throated Sparrow
    RedheadBald EagleSong Sparrow
    Red-necked DuckRed-tailed HawkRed-winged Blackbird
    Lesser ScaupYellow-bellied SapsuckerBrown-headed Cowbird
    BuffleheadRed-bellied WoodpeckerCommon Grackle 
    Hooded MerganserDowny WoodpeckerNorthern Cardinal
    Common MerganserHairy Woodpecker
    Ruddy DuckBlue Jay
    Above list of birds seen by the group.
    Wood Ducks by Trish Snider
    Lesser Scaup – female photo by Trish Snider
    Iridescent purple showing on this Bufflehead – photo by Trish Snider
    Long-tailed Duck taken at Port Bruce by Trish Snider

    Spotted by others while traveling to different locations were Long-tailed Duck, Great Blue Heron,
    American Kestrel, Northern Shrike, Common Raven and Black-capped Chickadee. All in all a great day and we hope everyone enjoyed the day.

  • Dan Tippin Keeps Busy

    Todd from Parks department takes deliver of the 17 Bluebird boxes built by Dan.

    Dan Tippin recently completed 17 new Bluebird boxes for the cities Parks Department. The uncut lumber was generously donated by Springwater Sawmill. Dan and Al Hurst picked up the lumber and ran it through Dan’s planer. Dan did all the rest and as you can see by the photos he did a marvellous job.

    Thanks Dan;
    Members STFNC

    Ten of the finished Bluebird boxes.
    Final 7 bluebird boxes.

  • 2023 Christmas Bird Count Results

    Northern Shrike photo by Eva Visscher

    This year was a really warm CBC with a high of 10 degrees Celsius, we started the day with rain but it proceeded to get drier as the day progressed. All the water in our area was open, yet that did not help with getting more waterfowl.

    This year ‘s total of 71 species and 4 count week birds gave us a total of 75 species and total number of 18,003 birds. Since 1950 we have counted 1.25 million birds with an average of 15,423 and this year, we were right on with the average of 71 species. Over the years we have seen a total of 158 species during our CBC.

    Click here for a complete list of this years birds.

    For comparison last year we had 82 species and 14,525 birds. Last year our 4 Red-shouldered Hawk and 2157 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) were Canadian high counts for the year and we tied with other areas with 2 Long-eared Owls.

    A new species was reported by Al and Eva Hurst and Eva and Laurel Visscher, both groups got a Common Raven this year. Apparently Common Ravens were reported nesting in every county in Ontario this year.
    Al and Eva Hurst had over 1000 Tundra Swans, a new high count for our club, the warmer climate is keeping them further north. Al and Eva got another high count with 8 Ruddy Duck. This was the first year of our count where we didn’t get an American Black Duck after reporting them for 73 years.

    We reached a new high with 4 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 9 Winter Wren and 62 Carolina Wren.

    George Prieksaitis got our lone Short-eared Owl and 2 Rusty Blackbirds. Eva and Laurel Visscher managed to find a Northern Shrike, a nice bird for our CBC. Candy McManiman got our lone Gray Catbird (first reported in 5 years) and 2 Swamp Sparrows on the same bulrush. Bob Johnstone’s group was the only one to get 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets (last reported in 2016) and 25 Cedar Waxwings.

    With this warm green count we had only 3 Horned Lark seen by Ron Kingswood and Ed Pietrzak, they also ventured out in the rain to get 3 of our Eastern Screech-Owl and 2 Great Horned Owls in the damp night.

    Cape May Warbler photo by Trish Snider

    Trish Snider got a real good bird, Cape May Warbler at the corner of Centennial Ave and Roberts Line on count week. Karen Auckland got our lone Hermit Thrush at Lake Margaret on count week and Sally Martyn got our lone Purple Finch on her property also on count week. Jackie and Al Sharpe found the Black-billed Magpie that had been seen during the fall on Fingal Line, we found it south on Lyle Rd near the abandoned CSX tracks during count week.

    Black-billed Magpie photo by Al Sharpe