Bird Protection Quebec's field trip report

Dundee-Ste Martine field trip report

It seems that yesterday's weather forecast of high temperatures, humidity, and possible rain and thunderstorms kept most birders and birds lying low for the day. Only five birders risked the long trek to Dundee for our field trip to the Lac St François Reserve. Tom Long and I were pleased to welcome Joe and Monique Delesantro from New Jersey who have taken part in a few of Sheldon's trips this summer and new member Makoto Nagano who came out for the first time. We wished we could have shown them a few more birds but we did have a few good sightings.

Highlights of the day were three Bald Eagles all in different plumages, two Sandhill Cranes in a field just outside the reserve (seen by a few of the group just after leaving), the aerial acrobatics of several Northern Harriers coursing the marsh and a determined Sharp-shinned Hawk looking to make a meal of one of the many Red-winged Blackbirds hiding in the phragmites reeds.

As for smaller birds, the bushes and trees were eerily silent as passerines were almost non-existent or hiding very well. Cedar waxwings were the exception to the rule as they were quite common in small groups. Some ducks were flying in the area but for the most part they too were relatively inactive.

A stop at the dam in Ste Martine proved disappointing for both us and a lone Merlin perched in the usual dead tree as shorebirds were almost completely lacking due to high water levels left over from hurricane Irene. Several egrets and herons and a few smaller birds were in the area but little else.

Our complete list of 41 species from both areas includes:  Canada Geese – 30+,  Wood Duck – 12,  American Black Duck – 12,  Mallards – 70,  Blue-winged Teal – 7,  Hooded Merganser – 2, Great Blue Heron – 6, Great Egret - 6, Green Heron - 2, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Bald Eagle - 3Northern Harrier - 3, Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1, Red-tailed Hawk – 1, Merlin - 1, Sandhill Crane - 2, Spotted Sandpiper - 2, Ring-billed Gull – 15, Rock Pigeon - 12, Mourning Dove - 30 (mostly on the drive), Belted Kingfisher - 4, Northern Flicker - 2, Warbling Vireo - 2, Blue Jay - 6, American Crow - 15,Tree Swallow - 15, Black-capped Chickadees – 10, American Robin – 1Gray Catbird - 4, European Starling – 60, Cedar Waxwing - 30, Magnolia Warbler - 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1, Palm Warbler - 1Common Yellowthroat - 6Song Sparrow –20, Swamp Sparrow - 5, Northern Cardinal – 3, Bobolink - 1, Red-winged Blackbird – 200 American Goldfinch - 6

Bernaches du Canada - 30 +, Canard branchu - 12, canard noir - 12, Canards colverts - 70, Sarcelle à ailes bleues - 7, Harle couronné - 2, Grand Héron - 6, Grande Aigrette - 6, Héron vert - 2, Bihoreau girs, Pygargue à tête blanche - 3, Busard Saint-Martin - 3, Épervier brun - 1, Buse à queue rousse - 1, Faucon émerrillon - 1, Grue du Canada - 2, Chevalier grivelé - 2, Goéland à bec cerclé - 15 , Pigeon biset - 12, Tourterelle triste - 30, Martin-pêcheur - 4, Pic flamboyant - 2, Viréo mélodieux - 2, Geai bleu - 6, Corneille d'Amérique- 15, Hirondelle bicolore - 15, Mésanges à tête noire - 10, Merle d'Amérique - 1 Moqueur chat - 4, Étourneau sansonnet - 60, Jaseur d'Amérique - 30, Paruline à tête cendrée - 1, Paruline à croupion jaune - 1, Paruline à couronne rousse - 1 Paruline masquée - 6 Bruant chanteur -20, Bruant des marais - 5, Cardinal rouge - 3, Goglu des prés - 1,l Carouge à épaulettes - 200 Chardonneret jaune- 6

Thanks to all who participated for turning a hot, humid day into a pleasant, congenial outing. Only a birder could say this but let's hope for a few cold fronts to get a few more migrants moving in the coming weeks! - Wayne