Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend a couple early evening hours
birding the Carden Birding area.
On Wiley Rd., between Bluebird boxes #88 & 89, there is a small wet area to
the west of the road. Here I saw a Vesper Sparrow, Snipe (several along
the road), Woodcock, Baltimore Oriole and Towhees (many all along Wiley
Rd.), and heard Upland Sandpipers and a Sora.
Well out in the pasture behind Bluebird box #10, I was watching a
Loggerhead Shrike through the scope, when another flew past and then alit
on the same branch. It then snuggled with the first, they nuzzled beaks,
and then the second one mounted the first, in what I can only assume was a
mating attempt. The male soon flew off to hunt, and the female flew into
what I believe was the nest, and did not re-emerge while I was there. It
was quite a treat to witness.
There was a lot of activity at the Sedge Wren Marsh, but nothing out of the
ordinary. I did not hear or see a Yellow Rail, but I did get a super view
of an American Bittern "singing". The grasses and sedges are not yet long
enough to fully conceal these large birds. It is very interesting to
watch, as he "coughed" up his vocals. He would make 3-4 silent coughs and
bill snaps before he had enough air to pump out the "gunk-a-lunks".
Directions (borowed from Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway): Kirkfield is east of
Lake Simcoe along Kawartha Road 48 about 19 km from Highway 12. Follow the
signs to the Lift Lock. Go 2.5 km north of the Lift Lock. Turn right onto
McNamee Road and then immediately left onto Wylie Road. Bluebird Box 10 is
on the left about 1.8 km. Stay on the roadside to view birds.
Please remember...
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could
only do a little!"
- Edmund Burke
Scott A. Martin, B.Sc., H.B.O.R.
Ecologist / Owner
WILD Canada - Native Plant Nursery and Ecological Consulting
#75 - 39th Street North
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2A3
Phn: 705-429-4936
Fax: 705-429-1435
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.wildcanada.ca
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Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 15:01:46 -0400
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Pelee Island Birds, May 10, 2005
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A good selection of the usual species is present on the island today =
with Lighthouse Point sporting clouds of warblers including a =
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.
Fish Point saw another reverse migration this morning with birds flying =
south off the tip at a rate of 25-50 birds per minute, a higher rate =
than yesterday's movement. Orioles, blackbirds, tanagers, buntings, and =
warblers comprised the bulk of the species observed. NASHVILLE WARBLERS =
were again the dominant warbler species.=20
Two MOCKINGBIRDS were seen at the Fish Point tip. A LONG-EARED OWL was =
spotted at Sheridan Point as was a CERULEAN WARBLER was found there =
yesterday. Ninety-three AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS were seen in a field on =
Homeward Road yesterday.
Total of species observed in May: 155
Rob Tymstra
Ron Tiessen
Pelee Island Heritage Centre
West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0
(519) 724-2291 "pimuseum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
-----------------------------------------
There will be daily bird hikes on Pelee Island until May 20. Cost is
$5.00 which includes admission to Heritage Centre. Meet in front of the =
Centre at the foot of
West Dock every day at 7:30 a.m. Check into the Centre for details on =
best birding areas and
current rarities.
The Heritage Centre is open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains =
a 'sightings board' listing May bird sightings (open 24 hours). =
Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island, Sheridan Point on =
the NW
corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on the SW corner, =
due south of the West Dock.
The Fourth Annual Pelee Island Bird Race / Baillie Birdathon will take =
place from noon Friday, May 13, to noon, Saturday, May 14. The =
Springsong Celebration continues Saturday evening with a 'Talk and =
Dinner' featuring Jane Urquhart with an introduction by Margaret Atwood. =
Sunday, May 15, features a talk by Bill Lishman, 'Father Goose.' The =
'Green' category of the Bird Race continues this year, allowing only =
human-powered or non-fossil fuel modes of transportation.=20
Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and =
census
operation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please =
contact the Heritage Centre or check the website: www.peleeisland.org
Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times =
daily. For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220.
