At 11:15am, Thursday, February 20th, 2003, this is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report. The Hotline is normally revised on Thursday nights, unless an unusual bird turns up in the Hamilton area.
It was another quiet week for rarities. The majority of this week's sightings were of waterfowl - here is a rundown: One hotspot was the Desjardins Canal where two HORNED GREBES were reported, along with TRUMPETER SWAN, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, COMMON MERGANSER, HOODED MERGANSER, and REDHEAD. An unlikely hotspot was the 16 Mile Creek at Milton. Waterfowl seen at this location include CANADA GOOSE, WOOD DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEON, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, MALLARD, NORTHERN PINTAIL, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and COOPER'S HAWK were also seen at this location, as were a pair of BELTED KINGFISHERS. The Travelodge in Burlington was good for CANVASBACK, LONG-TAILED DUCK, TRUMPETER SWAN, MUTE SWAN, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, SURF SCOTER, AMERICAN COOT, GADWALL, and AMERICAN BLACK DUCK. Further south on the lakeshore HARLEQUIN DUCK, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and BALD EAGLE were reported near the lift bridge, and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BUFFLEHEAD, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were spotted at Van Wagner's Beach. That concludes the waterfowl roundup. Other birds seen in the Hamilton area this past week include BROWN THRASHER at Valley Inn, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, GREAT HORNED OWL, HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN CREEPER and NORTHERN FLICKER in the Hopkins tract at RBG, CAROLINA WREN at a feeder just south of downtown Hamilton, and COOPER'S HAWK in a Burlington yard. Out of town, a trip to Fisherville over the weekend yielded 14 SHORT-EARED OWLS, a female NORTHERN HARRIER, one ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, and a dozen HORNED LARKS. There were some signs of spring at Point Pelee. HORNED LARKS, TUNDRA SWANS and 8 other species of waterfowl have started to move into the Pelee area. Many more will be sure to follow! Thanks to everyone who submitted reports this past week. Be sure to let us know about your sightings this week. Leave your name, telephone number, as well as the time and date of your call. Sightings can also be reported by e-mail. GOOD BIRDING! Keith Dieroff C/O Hamilton Naturalists' Club Birding Hotline Report Hamilton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hamilton Naturalists' Club Tel: (905) 381-0329 www.hamiltonnature.org ______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca Keith Dieroff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
