OFO Long Point tour 4 June 2011 Leaders: John Brett and Christian Friis Number of participants: 12 Locations visited: Backus Woods, Spooky Hollow, Old Cut field station, Big Creek NWA, Concession A Rd., and Townsend sewage lagoons. Weather: mild (20 degC) until about 1100h, when thundershowers hit. Strong wind thereafter, clearing around 1230h. Wind from south-west. Number of species observed: 100 Highlights: LEBI, ACFL, CERW, HOWA, SCTA, PISI
Summary: Twelve birders joined me and John on a tour of the Long Point area. Beginning in Backus Woods at 0700h, birding was tough, restricted to mostly aural observations. Most species tucked away in the scrubby understory or high in the canopy, offering poor viewing unfortunately, though we did get a number of Carolinian goodies. We persevered and continued to Spooky Hollow, where we were treated to views of an Acadian Flycather just before a the sky opened and a thunderstorm hit around 1100h. This was a good time for lunch. We arrived at Old Cut field station shortly after lunch where a late Pine SIskin was hanging around, and then headed to Big Creek National Wildlife Area where we were treated to views of Black Terns and Least Bitterns. After birding Concession A and around the Port Rowan lagoons, where we added Orchard Oriole, we went to Townsend sewage lagoons, where we picked up a few shorebird species (Semipalmated Plover, and Baird's and Semipalmated sandpipers) and added to our waterfowl species. All together an okay day, despite the challenging birding that made up the bulk of the trip. John and I would like to thank the people who came out to the trip; the Hamilton Field Naturalists for allowing our group access to Spooky Hollow; and Bird Studies Canada for allowing us to park in their lot and car pool from there. Good Birding, Christian (and John) _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
