At 2:00 p.m. on March 4th, 2004, this is the Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding report:
BARROW'S GOLDENEYE TUNDRA SWAN KILLDEER COMMON GRACKLE BROWN HEADED COWBIRD Red-throated Loon Red-necked Grebe Horned Grebe American Wigeon Norther Shoveller Ring-necked Duck Canvasback King Eider Surf Scoter Black Scoter White-winged Scoter Turkey Vulture Northern Goshawk Red-shouldered Hawk Northern Harrier Merlin Ring-necked Pheasant Wild Turkey American Coot Glaucous Gull Iceland Gull Common Raven Northern Shrike American Robin Northern Mockingbird Brown Creeper Carolina Wren Red-winged Blackbird This weeks report marks a turning point in the season when we marvel at the return of common species such as COMMON GRACKLE and BROWN HEADED COWBIRD and migrant Red-winged Blackbirds. It seems odd how we get all charged up with the return of these species who quickly lose their luster in a short time but deserve some credit for the journey they make every year. Many reports of these species were received this week from backyard birders as well as people out and about in the warm weather. This weeks big highlight was clearly the return of the BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. Perhaps the same one which eluded many all fall and winter out on the lake amongst the thousands of ducks or perhaps another. Nonetheless, a perfect spot for a close look at this difficult species. The bird continues to be seen at LaSalle Park (located at the end of Waterdown Road)last being found this morning at the end of the pier. Other species arriving this week include American Wigeon, a total of 40 being seen along the ice at LaSalle. A smattering of Northern Shoveller, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, American Coot along with the regulars make LaSalle Park ideal this week. Looking further off the dock of LaSalle and into the bay, Horned Grebe, Rednecked Grebe and Red-throated Loon have all been reported this week. On the ice still present on the harbour Glaucous and Iceland Gulls have been viewed. Out on the lake, I have had a chance to find 4 immature King Eiders this week, feast or famine in my case. However these birds have been fairly cooperative in that they were fairly close to shore both days last weekend (a scope was still necessary although could be seen with binoculars fairly well). Also observed were all three scoter species. Tundra Swans are starting to trickle in with reports of birds trying to land on the frozen Dundas Marsh and other reports of hearing birds flying overhead. Another familiar migrant reported was a KILLDEER over the Olympic Arena on Sunday. The Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch has reported a little migration this week with Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier and Turkey Vulture being amongst the first guests over the tower. Other raptors noted this week were a Northern Goshawk at Christie Conservation Area and on Tuesday I watched a Merlin perched right at the corner of Concession 4 and Middletown Road in Flamborough. A Merlin was also reported from Dundas. Common Raven are still being reported displaying from Dundas along the escarpment and from the quarry. Perhaps a pair will set up shop here again this year. Ring-necked Pheasant was seen on Saturday on Mud Street just east of 1st Concession E and a nearby flock of 10 Turkeys were seen in the same area. Northern Shrike was also seen on this outing on 10th Concession just above Ridge Road. Shrike was also reported from the Westdale Area of Hamilton and Mohawk Sports Park on Hamilton mountain. American Robins seem to be more numerous, likely migrants. A few people have reported the presence on Northern Mockingbird this week from yards. Brown Creepers were seen in some number this week with 3 being seen at the back of the Olympic Arena on York Road and 7 of them in the RBG property this week. Lastly, I had a Carolina Wren singing his heart out in the Southshore Trails just off of Cootes Drive in Dundas. That's the buzz for this week. Keep reporting those migrant sightings. Cheers and Good Birding Cheryl Edgecombe Hamilton Naturalists' Club > Tel: (905) 381-0329 > www.hamiltonnature.org "Cheryl Edgecombe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
