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 Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
American Crow
Canada Goose
Horned Grebe
Horned Lark
Tundra Swan
Rock Pigeon
Carolina Wren
Wood Duck
Mourning Dove
European Starling
Northern Shoveler
American Coot
American Robin
Gadwall
Killdeer
House Sparrow
American Wigeon
Ring-billed Gull
American Goldfinch
Mallard
Herring Gull
American Tree Sparrow
American Black Duck
Greater Black-backed Gull
Dark-eyed junco
Northern Pintail
Turkey Vulture
White-crowned Sparrow
Green-winged Teal
Northern Harrier
White-throated Sparrow
Redhead
Bald Eagle
Song Sparrow
Red-necked Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Lesser Scaup
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bufflehead
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Common Grackle
Hooded Merganser
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Cardinal
Common Merganser
Hairy Woodpecker
Ruddy Duck
Blue Jay
Above list of birds seen by the group.
Wood Ducks by Trish SniderLesser Scaup – female photo by Trish SniderIridescent purple showing on this Bufflehead – photo by Trish SniderLong-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.
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.
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.
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.
This years Christmas Bird Count will be on Tuesday, December 26th. Our club has participated in this citizen science project since it was created in 1950. Last year we had 14,525 birds with 82 species. There will be no potluck after the days count. If you would like to participate email asharpe@outlook.com
Our day to raise funds for Birds Canada under the umbrella of Birds Canada Birdathon (birding for conservation) will take place the same day as “Global Big Day” on Saturday, May 13th. To participate we will meet at intersection of Kent Bridge Rd (15) and Rose Beach Line (17) at the mailboxes at 9 a.m. In the morning we will walk around Bates Dr to Pike St and back via Rose Beach Line, approx 2 km.
Vehicle admission to Rondeau PP is $14.50 for seniors and $18 regular. We will stop at the rest rooms just inside the park and hopefully walk around the maintenance area. We will then go to the visitor centre for lunch. Pack your lunch because Rondeau does not have a large variety of food on offer.
We will base the afternoon walks on information we learn at the visitor centre. Everyone who wants are invited to Rondeau Joe’s, just outside the park for supper. Time and health considered we may be able to take in Keith McLean CA after supper.
This day’s adventure is to raise funds for Birds Canada and a portion comes back to our club. To make a donation please go to our fundraising page at: https://www.canadahelps.org/s/nB5yJV
If unable to donate online please see either Al Hurst or Al Sharpe to make sure your donation makes its way to Birds Canada. A sign up sheet will be at the May meeting.
Hope you can make it out for this great day of birding.
Club member Candy McManiman has a showing of her art at St. Marys Station Gallery until April 8th. Candy also has her art at Art and Soul in Port Stanley. When out and about you will find her art in the most unexpected places like in the middle of forests. Will leave that up to you to find.
When the weather is sunny plan a trip to see Candy’s presentation in St. Marys. Gallery hours are 11am to 4:30 pm Wednesday thru Saturday. You never know what you might see at the Thames River waterfront in St. Marys.
The second article is a good write up of the things Catfish Creek Conservation Authority has done over the year. Missing in the article was that Ron Casier presented a talk on the Chestnut trees, with advances and set backs to the program.
Front page has a picture of Tundra Swans taking off and landing at Aylmer WMA.
The Maple Syrup festival at Springwater is only a one week event this year. Saturday March 11th to Sunday March 19th. Pancakes are 9 dollars and for children 5 dollars. Bird house building is available on the 16th Craft Day. Friday features woodcarvers and maple baked goods on Saturday. The last day will feature live music, face painting and baked goods by Creative Confection Bake Studio.
If you want to know what’s going on in Elgin County get the Aylmer Express. All info above was from this weeks issue.
With three days done of the four day GBBC, we are at 59 species. Last year we had 63 species. The walk pictured above at Fingal WMA did not produce vary many birds, extremely quiet. With one day to go hoping we can beat last year. It turns out you can go to the website ebird.org/gbbc/submit and your sightings will automatically be included in the GBBC.
Continue enjoying the celebration of birds in February.
Quick update: We ended up with 68 species, I will post a complete list and highlights after March 1st when all rare reports should be in. Not that I think we have any.
This years GBBC is on Friday Feb 17th to Monday Feb 20. Last year we had 63 species reported in Elgin. Hoping to better that this year. I will be leading people on Saturday the 18th at 10 am at Yarmouth NHA at 47502 Sparta Line. We will go around Herb Kebbel Wetland and along Catfish Creek. Sunday will have Ron’s walk at Fingal WMA at 1:30 pm, 34469 Fingal Line.
Hello folks, due to the inclement weather our guest speaker has wisely decided to stay home. Mary will be booked to do the talk in the future. Marches speaker has been decided.
Stay warm and safe and we will meet in March on the 10th, notice the change for March to second Friday.
