While not quite what was hoped for based on the weather forecast, today's migrants included a few noteworthy sightings.
First off, Tundra Swans have been passing through the area in small numbers since Friday. Birds lingering in fields mainly west of Big Creek have numbered about 1000 birds each day. Mixed in with them have been a similar number of Canada Geese and a smattering of other waterfowl. This morning Stu Mackenzie saw a flock of 4 White-fronted Geese flying north over Port Royal. Others looking for these birds were unsuccessful though Mike Burrell did find a Cackling Goose in with Canadas in the Dedrick Creek valley at the First Concession (just northwest of Port Rowan) at noon. Several of us were lucky enough to see a male Peregrine Falcon fly in off the bay and land on the communications tower at Bird Studies Canada headquarters this morning. Blackbird flocks poured into the area on Friday and this weekend along with numbers of American Robins and Killdeers. Other migrants today included Merlin and the first Eastern Meadowlark. Without any open water in the area, waterfowl numbers remain very low for the middle of March and will remain so until the area's creeks and Inner Bay begin to open up. Given the lower temperatures predicted for the remainder of the week, it's difficult to say what is in store though some birds will undoubtedly begin to push through. Ron Ridout [email protected] 519 586 3531 x114 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
