Hi folks,
This report is for those interested in migration status in the near north
(summarized snippets from Border Birder Hotline reports)
- On April 9th a weather system from the south-west brought in warmer
temperatures and with it a number of migratory birds. Lake and river ice is
now quickly disappearing and fields are soggy and wet again. Snowpack in
the bush has also dropped, however, there is still between 20 and 60cm of
snow in the bush.
- On April 12th a Yellow-rumped Warbler was reported at a residence in the
City of Sault Ste. Marie and one was reported at a residence out near
Goulais. These are the first reports for the season.
- On April 3, two Peregrine Falcon were observed feeding on a prey item off
of Highway 17 in the Harmony Bay area (20 minutes north of the Sault) - This
was the first report for the year.
- On April 10, two Peregrine Falcon were observed flying around the support
pillars of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge (Sault Ontario side -
where they have been observed in other years)
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Other bird observations of note in the last week or so.
- Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle and Turkey Vulture migration is steady (good
numbers seen today small kettles)
- Red-shouldered Hawk first reported on St. Joseph Island on April 7th
(migration is progressing)
- Other migrating buteos, falcons and accipiters include Northern Harrier,
Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, Sharp-shinned
Hawk, Cooper's Hawk and Northern Goshawk.
- Barred Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Long Eared Owl and Great Horned Owls
reports are up.
- Tundra Swan were reported in Echo Bay Marsh on April 12th
- Double-crested Cormorant at the foot of Pine Street in the St. Mary's
River on April 12th (many more arrived today)
- Ring-necked Duck were observed in the open waters under the St. Joseph
Island Bridge on April 12th
- Horned Grebe and Pied-billed Grebe reported today (April 15th) out in
front of Belleview Park.
- Blue-winged Teal and Green-winged Teal were observed at Belleview Park on
the 14th
- Canada Geese, Mallard, American Black Duck, Common Merganser (many more
today), Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead (many more today) and Hooded Merganser
(many more today) numbers are up from the last two weeks
- Sandhill Crane, Great Blue Heron, Killdeer (many more today) and American
Woodcock numbers are up from the last two weeks (many Sandhill Cranes seen
migrating through today)
- Northern Shrike are still around.
- Ruffed Grouse actively drumming and displaying.
- Belted Kingfisher reported today (April 15th) along the St. Mary's River
- Commonly reported birds not listed above include Song Sparrow, Common
Grackle (many more today), Red-winged Black Bird, American Robin, Mourning
Dove, American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Snow Bunting, Dark-eyed Junco, American
Tree Sparrow Black-capped Chickadee, Red and White-breasted Nuthatch,
Pileated, Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, American Crow,
Common Raven, European Starling, House Sparrow and Rock Dove.
- Less commonly reported birds include, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Siskin, Purple
Finch, Evening Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbill, Brown-headed Cowbird,
Eastern Meadowlark, Boreal Chickadee, Brown Creeper and Golden-crowned
Kinglet.
- Many birds are actively singing or drumming and courtship and breeding
activity is increasing each day.
Ken McIlwrick
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Forest Ecologist / Ecologiste forestier
Canadian Forest Service / Service canadien des Forests
Great Lakes Forestry Centre, 1219 Queen St. E.
Centre de foresterie des Grands Lacs, 1219, rue Queen Est
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2E5
Tel/Tél(705)541-5643,Fax/Téléc (705)-541-5700
"McIlwrick, Ken" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
