Sightings for Wednesday September 30th

Bourchercille, parc de la Frayère: 2 Pectoral sandpiper, 6 Dunlin, 1 Least sandpiper, 5 Semipalmated plover, Wood ducks +-35, many young Moorhen in the marsh
Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée 2, Bécasseau variable 6, Bécasseau minuscule 1, Pluvier semipalmé 5, Canard branchus (au moins 35), plusieurs jeunes gallinules dans le marais- Daniel Lepage

Montreal: Heard, then seen, flying low over the lower McGill campus in the middle of downtown Montreal, a Common raven (Grand corbeau) - Eleanor Turner

Sightings for Tuesday September 29th

Pointe-du-Lac: Red phalarope in front of the lookout
Phalarope à bec large était posé sur la plage face au belvédère de Pointe-du-Lac - Jacques Gélinas

Color of the legs
The gulls have a variety of colors, both in plumage, beak and legs. In gulls, the range varies in relation to legs, pink, greenish, yellow and even black in the
Heerman Gull. Not everything is clear cut, taking into account the luminosity, age of the individual and the seasons. Here is an example.

I went this morning to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in the area of Sainte-Marie island, and Lesser black-backed gull reported recently along the Chambly canal was found along rue Sainte-Therese, with Ring-billed gulls

When at rest, it differs in size and color of its upper parts, allowing a comparison of the beaks. Standing this Larus fuscus graellsii adult bears all the subtleties of
color of its legs, it's feet appear flesh-colored. By cons, we can perceive a hint of yellow at the joints, giving the Assumption that the transition is moving towards a bright yellow ... as found in identification guides. Click for other photos

La couleur des pattes

Les laridés possèdent une panoplie de couleurs, tant au niveau du plumage,du bec et des pattes. Chez les goélands, la palette varie en regard des pattes, du rose, au verdâtre, au jaune et même noir chez le Goéland de Heerman. Tout n'est pas tranché au couteau, si l'on tient compte de la luminosité, de l'âge de l'individu et des saisons. En voici un exemple.

Je suis passé en matinée à Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu dans le secteur de l'île Sainte-Marie, et le Goéland brun rapporté récemment en bordure du canal Chambly se trouvait toujours le long de la rue Sainte-Thérèse, en compagnie de Goélands à bec cerclé.

Lorsqu'au repos, ce dernier se démarque par sa taille et la couleur de ses parties supérieures, permettant aussi une comparaison au niveau des becs. Debout, ce Larus fuscus graellsii adulte arbore toutes les subtilités de la couleur de ses pattes, dont les palmes apparaissent de couleur chair. Par contre, on peut percevoir un soupçon de jaune aux jointures, laissant supposer que la transition est en marche vers un jaune éclatant, ... comme montré dans les guides d'identification.

J'ai placé trois photos sur ce lien: Raymond Belhumeur

Sightings for Sunday September 27th

Boucherville, parc de la Frayère: Observed side by side a Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral
sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs and a Least sandpiper, this is a golden opportunity to tie the size of the bird, the shape of its beak, the color of the legs, the texture of feathers and feeding habits. See the feet of eight waders in close proximity, of four different species, what a show ...!
On a larger scale, I suggest that even a comparison between the Canada Goose and Cackling Goose, a small beak, a steep front and the absence of black under the chin
Observer côte-à-côte un Bécasseau à échasses, un Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée, un Bécassin à long bec, un Petit Chevalier ou un Bécasseau minuscule, voilà l'occasion rêvée de départager la dimension de l'oiseau, la forme de son bec, la couleur des pattes, la texture du plumage et la façon de s'alimenter. Voir à ses pieds dans un espace aussi restreint, huit limicoles si peu farouches, avec quatre espèces différentes, quel spectacle...!
À plus grande échelle, je vous propose de même un comparatif entre la Bernache du Canada et la Bernache de Hutchins, arborant un petit bec court, un front abrupt et l'absence de noir sous le menton - Raymond Belhumeur - Voici donc 14 photos (more photos)

Tadoussac dunes de Tadoussac: American dickcissel in flight making it's characteristic call. 6 species of woodpecker, 2 Orange-crowned warblers and a late Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Dickcissel d'Amérique en vol qui a fait entendre son cri caractéristique, six espèces de pics, deux Parulines verdâtres et un Moucherolle à ventre jaune tardif - Samuel Belleau

Kamouraska, on the beach about 1km west of the Kamouraska dock: 20 Black-bellied plovers, 2 Red-knot, 15 Sanderlings, 10 Semipalmated sandpiper, 1 White-rumped sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 1 Peregrine falcon, 30 snow geese flew over, about 50 Black ducks fed a short distance from shore
sur la plage à environ 1km à l'ouest du quai de Kamouraska: 20 Pluviers argentés, 2 Bécasseaux maubèche, 15 Bécasseaux sanderlings, 10 Bécasseaux semipalmés, 1 Bécasseau à croupion blanc, 2 Bécasseaux variables, un Faucon pèlerin, 30 Oies des neiges a survolé les lieux et une cinquantaine de Canards noirs se nourrissaient à faible distance du rivage - Jean Boulva

Boucherville, Parc de la Frayère: near the trail perpendicular to the road on the woods side - Warblers - Orange-crowned, Magnolia, Black & white, Yellow rumped. Swain's thrush, Blue-headed vireo, Ruby-crowned kinglet, White-throated sparrow, Dark-eyed junco, Northern cardinal etc.
Près du sentier perpendiculaire à la route, du côté du boisé, j'ai pu voir au moins trois Parulines verdâtres, Paruline à tête cendrée, Paruline noir et blanc, Paruline à croupion jaune, Grive à dos olive, Viréo à tête bleue, Roitelet à couronne rubis, Bruant à gorge blanche, Junco ardoisé, Cardinal rouge, etc. - Michel Bertrand

Sightings for Thursday September 24th

Boucherville: along the river behind Parc de la Frayère: Pectoral sandpiper, Wilson's snipe, Killdeer, Greater yellowlegs, , Solitary sandpiper, Spotted sandpiper, Least sandpiper, Semipalmated plovers - Stéphane Guimond - 6 Long-billed dowitchers. Near the Hydro towers several interesting passerines - Orange-crowned warbler, Palm warbler and a Lincoln's sparrow. There were 6 or 7 warbler species in this area - Pierre Bannon
Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée (3), Bécassine de Wilson (minimum absolu de 1, mais vraisemblablement 2), Pluvier kildir (1), Grand chevalier (1), Chevalier solitaire (1), Chevalier grivelé (1), Bécasseau minuscule (1), pluviers semipalmés - Stéphane Guimond - 6 Bécassins à long bec. Près des tours d'hydro, j'ai vu quelques passereaux intéressants, dont une Paruline verdâtre, une Paruline à couronne rousse et un Bruant de Lincoln. Il y avait 6 ou 7 espèces de parulines dans ce coin - Pierre Bannon

Sightings for Wednesday September 23rd

Escoumins, baie des Escoumins: Little gull (Mouette pygmée), Black-headed gull (Mouette rieuse) - Renaud Pintiaux

BPQ Field Trip to Philipsburg September 19th

Philipsburg 19 Sep 2009 8:30 - 15:00h Fair, breezy in the morning. Sandy Montgomery 19 observers
Snow Goose 350, Canada Goose 100+, Wood Duck 1, Am. Black Duck 2, Mallard 20,
Green-winged Teal 1, Wild Turkey 14, Greatt. Blue Heron 6, Turkey Vulture 30, Bald Eagle 2, Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 4, Golden Eagle 2, Bonaparte's Gull 1, Ring-billed Gull 100, Herring Gull 2, Rock Pigeon 6, Mourning Dove 2,Chimney Swift 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2, Downy Woodpecker 8, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 5,
E. Wood-Pewee 5, E. Phoebe 4, Blue Jay 80, Am. Crow 50, Black-capped Chickadee 200, White-breasted Nuthatch 10, Winter Wren 2, Marsh Wren 1, Hermit Thrush 2, American Robin 16, Gray Catbird 7, European Starling 2, Cedar Waxwing 17, Yellow-rumped Warbler 4, Cipping Sparrow 5, Savannah Sparrow 2, Song Sparrow 12, Swamp Sparrow 10, White-throated Sparrow 1, Northern Cardinal 6, Red-winged Blackbird 3, House Finch 2, American Goldfinch 20. - 46 species.
On leaving we saw a Northern Harrier just north of the crossroads in Philipsburg - Felix

Sightings for Tuesday September 22nd

Longue-Rive: Salt Marsh on the north side a magnificent Glossy ibis (young 1st winter)
Au Marais Salés de sur la Côte-Nord un magnifique Ibis Falcinelle semble ètre un jeune 1er.hiver - Yves Fabe

Cacouna: Hudsonian godwit west of the Cacouna dock. 4 Lesser yellowlegs, 1 Greater yellowlegs. On the ferry from Trois-Pistoles to Les Escouins a Parasitic jaeger +3 Jaeger sp
une Barge hudsonnienne à l'ouest du quai de Cacouna. Elle était en compagnie de 4 Petits et un Grand chevaliers.
Sur le Traversier de Trois-Pistoles à Les Escouins, nous avons observé un Labbe
parasite et 3 Labbes sp. - Gilles Ethier et Robert Chartier

Sightings for Monday September 21st

Pointe de Yamachiche: Buff-breasted sandpiper, Long-billed dowitcher, Plovers - American golden, Black-bellied, Killdeer, semipalmated. Sandpipers - Sanderling, Dunlin, Least, Pectoral, 1 Stilt sandpiper and American pipits
1 bécasseau roussâtre, 1 bécassin à long bec, pluviers bronzé ,argenté ,kildir et semipalmé. bécasseaux sanderling ,variable ,miniscule et à poitrine cendrée, 1 bécasseau à échasses et des pipits d'Amérique - Alain Sheinck, Huguette, Régent Jacques.

Boucherville: along the river behind Parc de la Frayère - Long-billed sowitcher, Stilt sandpiper, Killdeer, Solitary sandpiper, Lesser yellowlegs, Wood ducks - Charles Ménard - Wilson's Snipe - Gilles Ethier et Robert Chartier - Semipalmated plover, Pectoral sandpiper, Least sandpiper, Greater yellowlegs, Spotted sandpiper Pierre Bannon
Lesser yellowlegs (Petit chevalier)-------- click photo to enlarge -------

au bord du fleuve, un peu à l'est du ruisseau qui s'y jette derrière le Parc de la Frayère: Bécassins à long bec (juvéniles), Bécasseau à échasses (juvénile). Pluvier kildir, Chevalier solitaire, Petit Chevalier, Canards branchus, (env. 40 canards) incluant 5 beaux mâles tout en couleur dans le bassin retenu par le barrage - Charles Ménard + 7 Bécassines de Wilson - Gilles Ethier et Robert Chartier - Pluvier semipalmé, Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée, Bécasseau minuscule, Grand Chevalier, Chevalier grivelé - Pierre Bannon

Sightings for Sunday September 20th

Pointe de Yamachiche: 8 species of shorebirds observed - 1 Buff-breasted sandpiper, 1 Pectoral sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated sandpiper, 20 Least sandpiper, 6 Solitary sandpiper, 1 Greater yellowlegs, 4 Black-bellied plover, 8 Semipalmated sandpiper
en compagnie de Fanny Senez-Gagnon, nous avons pu observer 8 espèces de limicoles: 1 Bécasseau roussâtre (juvénile), 1 Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée, 1 Bécasseau semipalmé, 20 Bécasseaux minuscules, 6 Chevaliers solitaires, 1 Grand chevalier, 4 Pluviers argentés, 8 Pluviers semipalmés - Don-Jean Léandri

Dundee, Réserve nationale de faune du lac St-François: Sentier(trail) Digue aux Aigrettes – 6 Sandhill cranes (Grues du Canada) - Denise Donelle, Zofia Laubitz

WINTER FINCH FORECAST

WINTER FINCH FORECAST 2009-2010
General Forecast: The theme this winter is there will be no major finch irruptions outside their normal ranges. Finch numbers will be low and thinly distributed or absent in southern and northeastern Ontario and Quebec, where seed crops are poor. Higher numbers of finches should be attracted to much better cone crops in northwestern Ontario and west into northern Saskatchewan, the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland, and northern New England States.

Key Finch Trees: The key tree species in Ontario's boreal forest triggering finch movements and distribution are white and black spruces, white birch,and mountain-ashes. South of the boreal forest in the mixed coniferous/deciduous forest region, white pine and hemlock are additional key finch trees. Other trees play a lesser role in finch movements, but often buffer main seed sources. These include tamarack, balsam fir, red pine, white cedar, alders, and yellow birch.

Tree Seed Crops: Spruce cone crops are poor in central Ontario such as Algonquin Park and in northeastern Ontario and Quebec. However, spruce crops are good to excellent in the boreal forest north of Lake Superior and west into Saskatchewan. Spruce cone abundance is lower in Alberta and eastern Rocky Mountains, Yukon and Alaska, but is excellent in some high spruce zones of central British Columbia. East of Quebec, spruce crops are good to excellent in much of Eastern Canada including the island of Newfoundland. Heavy spruce crops are also reported in the northern New England States. The white pine cone crop is poor in central Ontario such as Algonquin Park and fair to good elsewhere in the province, but spotty. White pine crops are heavy in New Hampshire. The hemlock crop is almost zero in the province. The white birch crop is poor in central and northeastern Ontario and Quebec, but
improves westward in Ontario, becoming very good in Saskatchewan. Birch seed supplies are lower in Alberta and Alaska. The mountain-ash (rowan berry) crop is excellent across most of the boreal forest in Canada, including the island of Newfoundland where it is called dogberry.

INDIVIDUAL FINCH FORECASTS
Individual finch forecasts below apply mainly to Ontario, but neighboring provinces and states may find the forecast applies to them. An irruptive raptor and three irruptive passerines are also discussed.

Pine Grosbeak: Expect very little or no southward movement into southern Ontario because mountain-ash berry crops are excellent in most of the boreal forest. A few should get south to Algonquin Park as in most winters.

Purple Finch: Most Purple Finches should migrate south out of the province this fall because many seed crops are poor in the north. This finch has declined significantly in recent decades.

Red Crossbill: This crossbill comprises at least 10 "call types" in North America. Each type has its cone preferences related to bill size and shape. The types are exceedingly difficult to identify in the field. Types 2 and 3 and probably 4 occur regularly in Ontario. Most Red Crossbills prefer pines, but the smallest-billed Hemlock Type 3 (= subspecies sitkensis of AOU Check-list 1957) prefers the small soft cones of hemlock and white spruce when bumper in Ontario. However, it should be absent from traditional areas such as Algonquin Park where hemlock and white spruce occur together because these crops are poor there. White pine Type 2 is the most frequently encountered Red Crossbill in the province. Since white pine crops are low in most of the province, it should be rare to absent this winter. Other Red Crossbill types are possible in the province.

White-winged Crossbill: This crossbill has no subspecies or types in North America. In Ontario, it prefers the small soft cones of white, black and red spruces and hemlock. Many White-winged Crossbills left the province this past summer after last winter's irruption. Some went into northern Ontario attracted to the good spruce cone crops and were singing and presumably nested. These birds may remain in the north this winter and could breed again in mid winter if seed supplies last. White-winged Crossbills will be rare or absent this winter in traditional areas such as Algonquin Park because spruce and hemlock cone crops are low. White-winged Crossbills
should appear this winter in Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces and the
northern New England States, where spruce cone crops are good to heavy.

Common and Hoary Redpolls: Redpolls are a birch seed specialist in winter. Since the birch crop is poor in northeastern Ontario and Quebec, a few Common Redpolls should move south into southern Ontario and farther east and south. However, most redpolls may be drawn to good birch crops in northwestern Ontario and westward in the boreal forest into Saskatchewan.

Pine Siskin: Siskins are a conifer seed specialist when they winter in northern Ontario. Hemlock seed is another favorite in central Ontario. Most siskins departed the province early this past summer and appear to have gone mainly to western Canada. Banding recoveries show that siskins wander both ways between eastern and western North America. Siskins are currently very scarce in the Northeast. If siskins find good conifer crops in the Northwest, such as the interior of British Columbia, they will stay to winter and breed. It is uncertain whether many will return east this fall to winter in northwestern Ontario, the Maritime Provinces and northern New England States, where cone crops are good to excellent.

Evening Grosbeak: Breeding populations are much lower now than 35 years ago due mainly to a decrease of large outbreaks of spruce budworm beginning in the 1980s. A very few grosbeaks may move south from northeastern Ontario and Quebec where coniferous and deciduous seed supplies are generally poor. If any come, there are large crops of Manitoba maple seeds and plenty of sunflower seeds at feeders waiting for them.

FOUR MORE IRRUPTIVE SPECIES
Northern Goshawk: A good flight is very possible this fall or next. Goshawks in the boreal forest in winter prey on hares, grouse and red squirrels. Snowshoe Hares have been abundant in parts of northern Ontario the past few years and they should crash soon. Also, Ruffed Grouse likely had a poor breeding season due to a cool, wet spring and summer, which lowered chick survival.

Blue Jay: The flight began in the second week of September. This year's flight is much larger than in 2008 along the north shorelines of Lakes Ontario and Erie because most acorn, beechnut and hazelnut crops were poor this summer in Ontario with some local exceptions. Many fewer jays will winter in Ontario because most could not find enough food to store.

Red-breasted Nuthatch: Movements of this nuthatch in Ontario are linked to cone crop abundance, particularly white spruce, white pine and balsam fir when bumper. There has not been a noticeable southward movement along Lakes Ontario and Erie, indicating this is not an irruption year for it and associated winter finches such as White-winged Crossbills and Pine Siskins. However, Red-breasted Nuthatches will be scarce this winter in central Ontario such as Algonquin Park and in northeastern Ontario and Quebec because cone crops there are generally poor in these areas. Many nuthatches likely dispersed to better cone crops north and west of Lake Superior and
east to the Maritime Provinces.

Bohemian Waxwing: Like the Pine Grosbeak, this waxwing is a mountain-ash berry specialist in winter. Mountain-ash crops are high around Lake Superior and in many areas of northern Ontario. Crops are also good in Quebec, Newfoundland and northern New England States so this nomad may show up in these areas this winter. Its breeding and winter ranges in eastern North America have expanded in recent times. Range maps in field guides show Bohemians breeding east to James Bay, but recently they have been found in summer scattered across northern Quebec and Labrador. Historically they were very rare in winter on the island of Newfoundland, but are now abundant there some winters. Their winter range movements have also expanded to other eastern areas because of planted European mountain-ashes and ornamental
crabapples.

WHERE TO SEE FINCHES: A winter trip to Algonquin Park is always a birding adventure. The park is a three hour drive north of Toronto. Finch numbers will be low in Algonquin this winter, but the feeders at the Visitor Centre should attract a few Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Grosbeaks and redpolls. Gray Jays frequent the suet feeder and sometimes a Pine Marten or Fisher feeds on the suet. An observation deck overlooks a spectacular boreal wetland and black spruce/tamarack forest. Eastern Canadian Wolves (Canis lycaon), which until recently was a subspecies of the Gray Wolf, are seen occasionally from the observation deck feeding on road-killed Moose put out by park staff. The Visitor Centre and restaurant at km 43 are open on weekends in winter. Arrangements can be made to view feeders on weekdays. For information, call the Visitor Centre at 613-637-2828. The Spruce Bog Trail at km 42.5 near the Visitor Centre and the gated area north on the Opeongo Road are the best
spots for finches, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse and Black-backed Woodpecker.

FINCHES AND TREES: A good knowledge of trees is essential to understanding winter finch habitats, food preferences and distributions. By coincidence, the finch forecast comes out the same week as the new "The Sibley Guide to Trees". In a recent interview with Birder's World, David Sibley said "I wanted it to be a tree guide for birdwatchers".

Previous finch forecasts archived at OFO website.
http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/pastwinterfinches.php
Previous finch forecasts archived at Larry Neily's website.
http://ca.geocities.com/larry.neily@rogers.com/pittaway-old.htm

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I thank staff of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources from across the province designated by an asterisk* and many others whose reports allow me to make annual forecasts: Ken Abraham* (Hudson Bay Lowlands), Dennis Barry (Durham Region), Eleanor Beagan (Prince Edward Island), Syd Cannings (Yukon), Ken Corston* (Moosonee), Pascal Cote (Tadoussac, Quebec), Shirley Davidson (Minden/Dorset), Bruce Di Labio (Ottawa), Carrolle Eady (Dryden), Cameron Eckert (Yukon), Nick Escott (Thunder Bay), Brian Fox* (Timmins), Marcel Gahbauer (Alberta), Stacy Gan* (James Bay), David Govatski (New Hampshire), Skye Haas (Michigan), Charity
Hendry* (Ontario Tree Seed Plant), Leo Heyens* (Kenora), Tyler Hoar, George Holborn* (Thunder Bay), David Hussell*, Peter Hynard (Haliburton and Maine), Jean Iron (Northeastern Ontario/James Bay), Bruce Mactavish (Newfoundland), Erwin Meissner (Massey), Brian Naylor* (North Bay), Stephen O'Donnell (Parry Sound District), Mark O'Donoghue (Yukon), Fred Pinto* (North Bay), Rick Salmon* (Lake Nipigon), Harvey and Brenda Schmidt (Creighton, Saskatchewan), Chris Sharp (Trent University), Don Sutherland* (Northern Ontario), Eve Ticknor (Ottawa), Ron Tozer (Algonquin Park), Declan Troy (Alaska), Mike Turner* (Minden), Mike Walsh* (Muskoka), John Woodcock (Thunder Cape Bird Observatory), Matt Young has been very helpful with seed crop information from New York State, and Kirk Zufelt (Sault Ste Marie ON). Jean Iron
provided many helpful suggestions and proofed the forecast.

Ron Pittaway
Ontario Field Ornithologists
Minden ON
19 September 2009

Sightings for Saturday September 19th

Boucherville: 5 Short-billed dowitchers (Bécassins-roux) photos - Claudette Archambault, Georges Néron

Sightings for Friday September 18th

Dundee, Réserve nationale de faune du lac St-François: Sentier(trail) de la Digue aux Aigrettes – 11 Sandhill cranes (Grues du Canada) - Patrick Laniel

Sightings for Thursday September 17th

Cap Tourmente: Pied-billed grebe, American bittern, Great blue heron, Turkey vulture, Snow geese, Canada geese, Wood duck, Gadwall, American wigeon, Black duck, Mallard, Blue-winged teal, Northern shoveler, Northern pintail, Green-winged teal, Ring-necked duck, Bald eagle, Northern harrier, Sharp-shinned hawk, Red-shouldered hawk, American kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine falcon, Greater yellowlegs, Lesser yellowlegs, Mourning dove, Belted kingfisher, Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Northern flicker, Pileated woodpecker, Blue-headed vireo, Bluejay, American crow, Raven, Horned lark, Black-capped chickadee, White-breasted nuthatch, Ruby-crowned kinglet, Eastern bluebird, American robin, Gray catbird, American pipit, Cedar waxwing, Warblers – Nashville, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped, Common yellowthroat. Sparrows – Song, Lincoln, Swamp, Whit-throated. Indigo bunting, Bobolink, Rusty blackbird, American goldfinch
Grèbe à bec bigarré (7), Butor d'Amérique (4), Grand Héron (5), Urubu à tête rouge (6), Oie des neiges (800), Bernache du Canada (3), Canard branchu (1), Canard chipeau (58), Canard d'Amérique (9), Canard noir (7), Canard colvert (258), Sarcelle à ailes bleues (29), Canard souchet (1), Canard pilet (7), Sarcelle d'hiver (460), Fuligule à collier (1), Pygargue à tête blanche (2), Busard Saint-Martin (2), Épervier brun (1), Buse à épaulettes (2), Crécerelle d'Amérique (1), Faucon émerillon (3), Faucon pèlerin (3), Grand Chevalier (15), Petit Chevalier (13), Tourterelle triste (2), Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique (2), Pic maculé (1), Pic flamboyant (1), Grand Pic (1), Viréo à tête bleue (2), Geai bleu (6), Corneille d'Amérique (19), Grand Corbeau (2), Alouette hausse-col (3), Mésange à tête noire (15), Sittelle à poitrine blanche (2), Roitelet à couronne rubis (3), Merlebleu de l'Est (5), Merle d'Amérique (1), Moqueur chat (1),, Pipit d'Amérique (13), Jaseur d'Amérique (5), Paruline à joues grises (1), Paruline à tête cendrée (1), Paruline à croupion jaune (7), Paruline masquée (7), Bruant des prés (4), Bruant chanteur (3), Bruant de Lincoln (5), Bruant des marais (2), Bruant à gorge blanche (28), Passerin indigo (1), Goglu des prés (1), Quiscale rouilleux (2), Chardonneret jaune (16) - Sébastien Rioux

Sightings for Tuesday September 15th

Irlande, étang Slater (pond): Long-billed dowitcher, Stilt sandpipers and other shorebirds, Bald eagle, many ducks and a Great egret
Bécassin à long bec, 3 Bécasseau à échasses et quelques autre limicoles , 1 Pygargue à tête blanche et plusieurs canards et une Grande aigrette - Alain Sheinck

Chateauguay, centre écologique Fernand-Seguin: 2 Ring-billed Gull, 3 Northern Flicker, 1 Warbling Vireo, 6 Blue Jay, 2 American Crow, 20 Black-capped Chickadee, 5 White-breasted Nuthatch, 23 American Robin, 2 Gray Catbird, 6 European Starling, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 16 Song Sparrow, 3 White-throated Sparrow
Goéland à bec cerclé, Pic flaboyant, Viréo mélodieux,, Geai bleu, Corneille d'Amérique, Mésange à tête noire, Sittelle à poitrine blanche, Merle d'Amérique, Moqueur chat, Étourneau sansonnet, Paruline noir et blanc, Paruline masquée, Bruant chanteur, Bruant à gorge blanche

Saint-Timothee marsh: 80 Canada Goose, 1 Gadwall, 2 American Wigeon, 20 Mallard, 4 Blue-winged Teal, 2 Green-winged Teal, 6 Pied-billed Grebe, 2 Double-crested Cormorant, 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Great Egret, 1 Green Heron, 3 Northern Harrier, 1 Virginia Rail, 14 Common Moorhen , 2 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 American Crow, 1 Marsh Wren, 6 American Robin, 1 Gray Catbird, 16 European Starling, 3 Song Sparrow, 1 Swamp Sparrow, 150 Red-winged Blackbird
Bernache du Canada, Canards- Chipeau, d'Amérique, Colvert, Sarcelle à ailes bleues, Sarcelle d’hiver. Grèbe à bec bigarré, Cormoran à aigrettes, Grand héron, Héron vert, Busard Saint-Martin, Rale de Virginie, Gallinule poule-d'eau, Goéland à bec cerclé, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, Pic mineur, Corneille d'Amérique, Troglodyte des marais, Merle d'Amérique, Moqueur chat, Étourneau sansonnet, Bruant chanteur, Bruant des marais, Carouge à épaulettes - Thomas Long

Sightings for Sunday September 13th

Chateauguay, Île St-Bernard - Refuge faunique Marguerite d'Youville: 46 species
17 Wood Duck, 22 Mallard, 6 Green-winged Teal, 1, Pied-billed Grebe, 20 Double-crested Cormorant, 2 Great Blue Heron, 4 Great Egret, 2 Green Heron, 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Merlin, 14 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 17 Rock Pigeon , 1 Mourning Dove, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 4 Downy Woodpecker, 3 Hairy Woodpecker, 6 Northern Flicker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee, 1 Alder Flycatcher, 1 Warbling Vireo, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 6 Blue Jay, 13, American Crow, 22 Black-capped Chickadee, 7 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 House Wren, 26 American Robin, 2 Gray Catbird, 2 European Starling, 6 Cedar Waxwing , 1 Nashville Warbler, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 2 American Redstart, 16 Song Sparrow, 4 Swamp Sparrow, 4 Northern Cardinal, 2 Red-winged Blackbird, 3 Common Grackle, 30 American Goldfinch, 3 House Sparrow
Canard branchu, Sarcelle d'hiver, Grèbe à bec bigarré, Cormoran à aigrettes, Grand héron, Héron vert, Bihoreau gris, Busard Saint-Martin, Épervier de Cooper, Buse à queue rousse, Faucon émerillon, Goéland à bec cerclé, Goéland argenté, Goéland Marin, Pigeon biset, Tourterelle triste, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, Pic mineur, Pic chevelu, Pic flaboyant, Grand pic, Pioui de l'Est, Moucherolle des aulnes, Viréo mélodieux, Viréo aux yeux rouges, Geai bleu, Corneille d'Amérique, Mésange à tête noire, Sittelle à poitrine blanche, Troglodyte familier, Merle d'Amérique, Moqueur chat, Étourneau sansonnet, Jaseur d'Amérique, Paruline à joues grises, Paruline bleue, Paruline flamboyante, Bruant chanteur, Bruant des marais, Cardinal rouge, Carouge à épaulettes, Quiscale bronzé, Chardonneret jaune, Moineau domestique - Thomas Long

Kamouraska: Many shorebirds on the mud flats. Plus 50 Canada geese, numerous gulls and cormorants - 470 American golden plovers, 160 Red knot, 50 Sanderling, 45 Semipalmated sandpiper, 40 Semipalmated plovers, 5 Ruddy turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 2 Lesser yellowlegs, 1 Greater yellowlegs, 1 White-rumped sandpiper
Beaucoup de limicoles ce matin sur les battures de Kamouraska. Plus d'une cinquantaine de Bernaches du Canada, des nombreux goélands et cormorans, j'estime: Pluvier argenté 470 (une majorité d'adultes en mue), Bécasseau maubèche 160 (tout ceux que j'ai pu voir d'assez près étaient des juvéniles.), Bécasseau sanderling 50, Bécasseau semipalmé 45, Pluvier semipalmé 40, Tournepierre à collier 5, Bécasseau variable 3, Petit Chevalier 2, Grand Chevalier 1, Bécasseau à croupion blanc 1 - Jean-François Rousseau

Ste-Luce: near the church – 12 Whimbrel, 5 Semipalmated plovers, 2 Sanderling
Près de l'Église: 12 Courlis corlieu, 5 Pluviers semipalmé, 2 Bécasseaux sanderling

Ste-Luce-sur-Mer: at the mouth of Rivière à la Loutre – 12 Snow geese, 64 Canada geese, 200+ Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 1 Spotted sandpiper, 7 Green-winged teal, 1 Great blue heron, 6 Common eider, Gulls – Ring-billed, Herring, Great black-backed, Mallards 7 Black ducks
À la décharge de la Rivière à la Loutre: 12 Oies des neiges, 64 Bernaches du Canada, 200+ Bécasseaux sanderling, 3 Bécasseaux variable, 1 Chevalier grivelé, 7 Sarcelles d'hiver, 1 Grand héron, 6 Eiders à duvet, Goélands à bec cerclé, argenté et marin, Canards colvert et noir - Gilles Ethier

Sightings for Saturday September 12th

Montréal, Boisé Nature de l'Île Bizard: 2 Least bitterns, 3 Green herons, 1 American bittern, 1 Great blue heron, Warblers- Black-throated green, 1 Magnolia, 1 Blue-headed vireo, 5 Gray catbirds, x Cedar waxwings, xx Black-capped chickadees, 3 Northern cardinals, 2 Rose-breasted grosbeak, 4 Swamp sparrows, 2 Brown creepers, 4 Bluejays, 5 American robins, 1 Marsh wren, 1 Virginia rail, 1 Turkey vulture, 2 Belted kingfisher, 2 White-breasted nuthatch, 1 Green-winged teal, 9 Wood ducks, 8 Black ducks, xx Mallards, 2 Alder flaycatchers, 1 Downy woodpecker, 3 Hairy woodpeckers, 4 Northern flickers, 1 Yellow-bellied sapsucker, xx American crow, 2 Great black-backed gulls, xx Ring-billed gulls, x Canada geese (in flight), 1 Cooper’s hawk, 7 Common moorhen, 9 European starlings, 3 Mourning doves, 2 Rock pigeons
Je guidais aujourd'hui le C.O.L. au. Une vingtaine de personnes
Voici le résultat de nos observations: 2 Petits blongios, 3 Hérons vert, 1 Butor d'Amérique, 1 Grand héron, 1 Paruline à gorge noire, 1 Paruline à tête cendrée, 1 Vireo à tête bleue, 5 Moqueurs chat, x Jaseurs d'Amérique, xx Mésanges à tête noire, 3 Cardinals rouge, 2 Cardinals à poitrine rose, 4 Bruants des marais, 2 Grimpereaux brun, 4 Geais bleu, 5 Merles d'Amérique, 1 Troglodyte des marais, 1 Râle de Virginie, 1 Urubu à tête rouge, 2 Martins pêcheur d'Amérique, 2 Sitelles à poitrine blanche, 1 Sarcelle d'hiver, 9 Canards branchu, 8 Canards noir, xx Canards colvert, 2 Moucherolles des aulnes, 1 Pic mineur, 3 Pics chevelu, 4 Pics flamboyant, 1 Pic maculé, xx Corneilles d'Amérique, 2 Goélands marin, xx Goélands à bec cerclé, x Bernaches du Canada en vol, 1 Épervier de Cooper, 7 Galinules poule d'eau, 9 Étourneaux sansonnet, 3 Tourterelles triste, 2 Pigeons biset - 41 espèces - Gilles Ethier

BPQ Field Trip to Ile Bizard September 5th

I was rather apprehensive about this trip, having seen very little the previous day, but with many keen observers with sharp eyes and ears we came up with a very respectable list.

Ile Bizard: Saturday 8 Sept. 09, 7:30 - 12:30h Fair 22 observers

Canada Goose 3, Wood Duck 12, Mallard 40, Pied-billed Grebe 6, D/C Cormorant 6, Great Blue Heron 2, Green Heron 5, Turkey Vulture 2, Sharp-tailed Hawk 1, Cooper's Hawk 2, Red-shouldered Hawk 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Merlin 1, Virginia Rail1, Common Moorhen 15, Ring-billed Gull 1, Mourning Dove 1,Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Belted Kingfisher 2, Downy Woodpecker 3, Hairy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 6,Eastern Wood-Pewee 5, Eastern Phebe 1, Red-eyed Vireo 2, Blue Jay 8, Common Crow 10, Black-capped Chickadee 12, Red-breasted Nuthatch 3, White-breasted Nuthatch 6, House Wren 2, Marsh Wren 6, Swainson's Thrush 1, American Robin 1, Gray Catbird 2, European Starling 6, Cedar Waxwing 30, Blackpoll Warbler 1, Scarlet Tanager 1, Chipping Sparrow 2, Song Sparrow 1, Swamp Sparrow 2, Northern Cardinal 1, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, Red-winged Blackbird 2, American Goldfinch 6 - 46 species - F.Hilton

Sightings for Thursday September 3rd

Ville-Marie, Water treatment ponds: Red-necked palarope
aux bassins d'épuration un Phalarope à bec étroit - Jonathan Fréchette

Sightins for Wednesday September 2nd

Montréal, Parc Nature de l'Île de la Visitation (8:00-11:00): 51 species observed including – Cooper’s hawk, Ruby-throated humminbird, Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Hairy woodpecker, Eeastern phoebe, 2 Philadelphia vireo, Red-breasted nuthatch, Swainson’s thrush, 4 Baltimore oriole, Rose-breasted grosbeak, White-tthroated sparrow (imm), Scarlet tanager, Warblers – 2 Tennessee, 2 Nashville, 2 Chestnut-sided, 6 Magnolia, Black-throated green, 2 Black & white, 2 American redstart, Common yellowthroat, 2 Wilson’s
51 especes observe, dont le Epervier de Cooper(Adulte), Colibri a gorge rubis , Pic maculé (imm.), Pic chevelu(1), Moucherolle phebi, Vireo de Philadelphie(2), Sittelle a poitrine rousse(1), Grive a dos olive(1er de l'Automne), Oriole de Baltimore(4+), Cardinal a poitrine rose(imm.male), Bruant a gorge blanche(Imm.), Tangara écarlate(1, en plumage d'automne)), et 10 especes de parulines.La Paruline obscure(2), joues grises(2),flancs marron(1, plumage d'automne), tete cendrée(6+), gorge noire(1), noir et blanc(2), flamboyante(2), masquée(1er automne), calotte noire(2) - Joel Coutu

Cap Tourmente: WESTERN KINGBIRD an the sentier l'Allée d'Ormes sitting on a large stump of an Elm. A little east of the pavillon Provancher(pavillion)
The days total 80 species including: 4 Indigo buntings and a House wren at the same place as the Western kingbird. 2 Mash wrens, 2 Yellow-bellied flycatchers, 13 Least flycatchers, 1 American pipit, 9 species of warblers with 1 Canada. Lincoln’s sparrow, 23 Bobolinks migrating, 1 Black-crowned night-heron, 14 Sharp-shinned hawks, 8 Bald eagles, 3 Short-billed dowitchers etc
Nous avons observé un TYRAN DE L'OUEST entre 11:30 et 12:30 dans le sentier l'Allée d'Ormes posé sur un grand chicot d'Orme, un peu à l'est du pavillon Provancher.
La journée nous a valu un total de 80 espèces au cap, dont 4 Passerins indigo et un Troglodyte familier au même endroit que le Tyran de l'Ouest, 2 Troglodytes des marais, deux Moucherolles à ventre jaune et 13 M. tchébec, un Pipit d'Amérique, 9 espèces de Parulines dont une P. du Canada, un Bruant de Lincoln, 23 Goglus en migration, un Bihoreau gris, 14 Éperviers bruns, 8 Pygargues à tête blanche, 3 Bécassins roux, etc – Olivier & Nicholas Barden, Sébastien Rioux, Lise Laflamme

Dundee, Réserve nationale de faune du lac St-François: Sentier(trail) de la Digue aux Aigrettes – 5 Sandhill cranes (Grues du Canada) - Patrick Laniel

Sightings for Tuesday September 1st

St-Anne-De-Bellevue: 2 Caspian terns near the locks on one of the old cement pillars. on the lac-des-deux-montagnes side, inthe company of - Gulls - Great black-backed,Herring & Ring-billed
2 sternes caspienne près des écluses de St-Anne-De-Bellevue, côté lac-des-deux-montagnes. Elles se tiennent sur un des vieux piliers de béton en compagnie de goélands marins, goélands argentés et goélands à bec cerclé - Simon Duval

Pointe de Yamachiche: 16 American golden plovers, 5 Semipalmated plovers, 1 Greater yellowlegs, 3 Baird's sandpiper
Pluvier bronzé 16, Pluvier semipalmé 5, Grand Chevalier 1, Bécasseau de Baird 3 - Micheline Bisson

Dundee, Réserve nationale de faune du lac St-François: Digue aux Aigrettes trail – Osprey, Noarthern harrier, Merlin, Wood ducks, Great blue herons, juvenile warblers, 2 Great horned owls, Sandhill cranes
le Sentier de la Digue aux Aigrettes: un balbuzard pêcheur, Busard St-Martin, Faucon émerillon, Canards branchus, Grands Hérons, parulines juvéniles de toutes sortes, 2 Grands-ducs d'Amérique et les fameuses Grues du Canada - Patrick Laniel