12 birders spent May 30 & 31 birding the Rainy River area with guides Dave and Mary Elder. Heavy rain and thunder storms on Thursday evening and night did not bode well but Friday dawned with a fine drizzle that eventually cleared off by mid morning. The area was experiencing one of the latest springs ever and the trees were just starting to leaf out. A total of 133 species were observed over the 2 day tour and included lots of American White Pelicans, 2 lek s of Sharp-tailed Grouse, 3 pairs of Marbled Godwits on territory, Red-headed Woodpecker, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, many Black-billed Magpies, Sedge Wrens, Clay-coloured Sparrows, LeConte's Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Brewer's Blackbirds. Five brave birders walked (waded) into the Big Marsh and were rewarded with 2 calling Yellow Rails, one of which flushed twice for great looks. Sandhill Cranes were seen and heard frequently and 2 Piping Plovers were found on Windy Point. Thanks to good weather, a rewarding tour was had by all.
Dave Elder, Atikokan, Ont. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
