Sightings for Saturday December 29

Clarendon: Great gray owl  around 12:00 was found in a tree on the south side of chemin Front in front of the farm Armstrong (C 361). Near the intersection of chemins Front and Heath

Chouette lapone vers 12h00 se trouvait dans un arbre du côté sud du chemin Front en face de la ferme Armstrong (C 361). Presque à l'intersection des chemins Front et Heath. - Deborah Powell
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Les Cèdres: Between 2pm and 4pm there was a Great gray Owl on chemin St Féréol between civic numbers 575 and 577 on the west side of the road (or in front of 570) and south of aoutoroute 20. She was perchednear the road and highly visible on the edge of the woods.

Entre 14h et 16h il y avait une Chouette Lapone sur le chemin St-Féréol à Les Cèdres entre les numéros civiques 575 et 577 du côté ouest du chemin (ou en face du 570) et au sud de l'autoroute 20. Elle était perchée près de la route et très visible sur cette bordure de boisé. - Michel Juteau
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Rigaud: This mourning, a flock of 10 - 20 Snow Buntings (plectrophanes des neiges) investigating the manure pile of a Horse ranch , near the corner of highways 201 and 342. - Jim Forster

Hermit thrush (Grive solitaire) Early afternoon, on Montee St. Henri, near Chemin St. Henri, Rigaud. Feeding on the blue berries west side of the road. Also a flock of 6 Wild Turkeys (Dindon sauvage) close by. - George Palagian
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Sainte-Etienne-de-Beauharnois: about 25 Wild turkeys (Dindon sauvage) autoroute 30 just past the exit for Sainte-Etienne-de-Beauharnois -Tom Long
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Saint-Clet, 3e rang:  Snowy owl, Gray partridge 19 (Harfang des neiges, Perdrix grise 19) - Patrick Laniel
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St-Lazare, Montee St-Lazare: Great Grey Owl (Chouette lapone) photo on BLOG - Sandra & Mark Dennis

Sightings for Wednesday December 26

Sainte-Martine: Short-eared owl between 180 and 198 rue Grand Marais a
Hibou des marais entre le 180 et le 198 rue Grand Marais - Patrick Laniel

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Sainte-Catherine, Réc-réo-parc: Pine Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, American Tree Sparrows, Tufted titmouse, Black-capped chickadees, Common redpolls

Paruline des pins, Paruline à calotte noire, Bruant à couronne blanche, Bruants hudsonnien, Mésanges bicolore, Mésanges à tête noire, Sizerins flammé - Gilles Ethier

Sightings for Sunday December 23

Great Gray Owl (Chouette lapone) seen in Hudson area this morning but private property owner would prefer to keep exact location under wraps. Hope it or some of its friends stick around until Saturday's CBC. - Wayne Grubert
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Adult Bald Eagle (Pygargue à tête blanche) flew over the Old Mont Tremblant village around 14:00 - Bruce Campbell

Hudson Christmas Bird Count

The 72st Hudson Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday December 29

The count takes place in the area shown on this map

Interested in taking part? Then contact the compiler, Jean Demers by email

It started in 1939 and was done every year except 1951 and 1952 for reasons unknown. Over the years we observed 139 different species. In 2006 we had our greatest number of species 67 and our highest number of birds 16,031. Four species were seen every year, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and the White-breasted Nuthatch. Ruffed Grouse, House Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow 69 times, Downy Woodpecker, European Starling 70 times. Anybody interested in seeing all the data, detailed or summarized in an Excel format can contact me, e-mail and I will forward to you

This year the collation for the after count will be held at the St-Hubert 601 avenue St-Charles Vaudreuil.

Highway 40 going east, take exit 35 and the restaurant will be on your left. This link will take you to a map showing its location:

We will be in a little room to the left of the entrance. Some food will be available: onion rings, chicken wings, Nachos, mini-brochettes, mini-spring rolls etc. The room will be available from 16:00 to 19:00. If anybody prefers a full meal and drink, you will have to pay for it.

The Hudson circle: The Hudson circle is centered at the Cooper airport in St-Lazare and has a 24 km diameter. It covers cities like Vaudreuil, Dorion, Les Cèdres, Coteau-du-Lac, St-Clet, obviously Hudson and a small part of Oka.

Participation: You can participate in the Hudson Christmas Bird Count either in the field or in the warmth of your home as feeder-watcher. It is a very rewarding experience either way you choose and you are helping in gathering very important data.

Feeder-watcher: If you are already familiar with feeder counts, we are particularly interested in attracting Project Feeder-Watch participants. However even if you are not already a Project Feeder-Watch participant, and want to get involved, please feel free to participate. There are no entry restrictions.

You will find a list of instructions on how to participate by following the link on top of the page (same instructions as the Montreal Christmas Bird Count) and you can also download our feeder checklist. There is no charge for being a Feeder-watcher and you do not have to be a member of a bird, nature or environmental group. However we ask that you ensure first that you reside within our Count Circle. Please contact me for confirmation if you are really within the circle.

Field participants: There is no charge this year, however if you want to help Bird Studies Canada, you can give a little contribution, easily done on their website: The names of all field participants are included in the results published by the National Audubon Society.

If you want to participate, please contact me and I will assigned you to one of our 17 parties. Normally the count starts at dawn, not very early at this time of the year. You will be compiling all the birds you see, by species and by number of each, don’t worry you will be with an experienced birder. Detailed instructions will be provided to all the field participants. - Jean Demers Compiler

Sightings for Monday December 17

Rigaud: 8:30 am, on Chemin St Henri near the corner of Montee st Henri, perched on a power line overlooking a field , a Barred Owl (Chouette rayée). It turned to look at us when we stopped and flew off to the trees. Have heard it calling on occasion at night near home, (who-cooks-for-you). - Jim Forster

Montreal CBC

The unofficial total for the Montreal Christmas Bird Count was 80 species recorded so far. Still have the feeder watchers reports to come. The previous high, record species count was 76.

Sightings for Friday December 14

Ste-Catherine: I made a short visit to the Réc-réo-Parc, where I had the pleasure of finding Gérard Cyr. Together we found a Purple sandpiper on one of the islands of rocks in front of the park chalet.

Also of note there, a female bufflehead in the company of Common goldeneye and a Common loon and at the small bridge.

J'ai fait une petite visite au Réc-réo-Parc de Ste-Catherine où j'ai eu le plaisir d'y trouver Gérard Cyr. Ensemble, nous avons trouvé un Bécasseau violet sur un des ilots de roches à peu près en face du chalet du parc.

Autre fait à noter sur place, un petit garrot femelle en compagnie de garrot à oeil d'or et un plongeon huart au niveau du petit pont. - Daniel Ouellette

Black-Crowned Night-Heron PHOTO next to the dock in front of the restaurant l'Escale (4075 boul. Marie-Victorin). Also seen a Pied-billed grebe and a Sharp-shinned hawk

Bihoreau gris PHOTO à côté du quai en face du restaurant l'Escale (4075 boul. Marie-Victorin). Aussi vue, un Grèbe à bec bigarré et un Épervier brun - Michel Juteau

Sightings for Wednesday December 12

Montréal, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery: Northern Mockingbird He was in section TR (Troie) 5008-1. He seemed intrigued by flowers left on a grave. Then he flew towards the Parc du Mont-Royal (west of Beaver lake).

cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges: Moqueur polyglotte. Il se trouvait dans le secteur TR (Troie) 5008-1. Il semblait intrigué par des fleurs laissées sur une tombe. Puis il s'est envolé en direction du parc du Mont-Royal (à l'ouest du lac des Castors). - Julie Tremblay

Verdun: A male American Kestrel (PHOTO) with prey, seen today on the bank of the river across from rue Leclair and boulevard LaSalle Leclair

Crécerelle d'Amérique mâle (PHOTO) avec une proie, observeé aujourd'hui sur la rive du fleuve en face de la rue Leclair et boulevard LaSalle - Pierre Lamontagne

Sightings for Sunday Decemebr 9

Montréal, Northern Mockingbird (Moqueur polyglotte) on rue des Eclusiers, not far from the Atwater Market. - Jean Bacon
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St-Ferdinand, lac William: Redhead, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher

Fuligule à tête rouge, Grand harle, Garrot à oeil d’or, Petit fuligule, Fuligule à collier, Canard colvert, Bernache du Canada, Pygargue à tête blanche,Martin-pêcheur d’Amérique - Daniel Gagné

Sightings for Saturday December 8

Sherbrooke, Blanchard Park: European Goldfinch at the feeders near the welcome center. Also, a Brown Creeper, White-breasted nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Common Redpoll, etc.. and hundreds if not thousands of Crows that congregate nearby.


Also, on the letters of the Delta on rue King, a Peregrine Falcon which has been there since the fall
parc Blanchard: Chardonneret élégant était dans les mangeoires à côté du centre d'accueil. Aussi, un Grimpereau brun, Sitelle à, poitrine blanche, Chardonneret jaune,  Sizerin flammé, etc. et des centaines pour ne pas dire des milliers de Corneilles qui se rassemblent tout près.

Aussi, sur les lettres du Delta de la rue King, un Faucon pèlerin qui s'y tient depuis cet automne - Benoît Turgeon

Montreal Christmas Bird Count

We have just about finalized the sector team leaders and team members for Saturday, December 15th.

I would just like to remind everyone to take note of any out of the ordinary sightings during the Christmas Count Week. They can also be noted in the count statistics. Please keep details of where and when they were seen. From December 12th to 14th and December 16th to 18th, 3 days on either side of the actual count day of December 15th, make up the Count Week.

There are a few sectors where we could definitely use a few more participants.  If any of you would like to participate in the Christmas Count but have not yet contacted me, please do so as soon as possible  514-637-2141 or by e-mail. We can easily place you on a team.

There are a few sectors in particular where we could use another person or two to join the existing teams. They are: South Shore Sector 4 - The Ste-Catherine Locks area Montreal Downtown Sector 2- Summit Park/Westmount/TMR West, etc Montreal Downtown Sector 4- Mount Royal Cemetery Montreal West-Sector 3- Lasalle/Angrignon Park/Montreal West

Finally, a note for the teams covering the Southwest sectors off the island (Chateauguay, Kahnawake, Ste-Catherine, St-Constant, Delson), the Mercier Bridge is scheduled to have one side closed to traffic next weekend, with two-way traffic, one lane in each direction on the open side. This may affect your travel plans to and from these areas on Count Day.

Sightings for Thursday Decemeber 6

Trois-Rivières, rue Williams: Red-bellied Woodpecker (Pic à ventre roux) - Maxime Carbonneau

Sighting for Monday, December 3

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard: We sighted two Red-throated Loons (Plongeon catmarin) from the north end of the park, overlooking Lake of Two Mountains, very close to shore when we first sighted them. Alas, a return visit today,Tuesday, did not result in seeing these birds again. - Ian and Eleanor Turner

Sightings for Sunday Decemebr 2

Saint-Hubert: 1 American tree sparrow (Bruant Hudsonien) along with other feeder birds including; Dark-eyed juncos (Junco ardoisé), Black-capped chickadees  (Mésanges à tête noire),  House finches (Roselin familier), House sparrows (Bruant moineau) and later in the afternoon a Merlin (Faucon émerillon) with its meal! -Shawna Sevigny

Hudson Christmas Bird Count

The Hudson Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday December 29
The count takes place in the area shown on this map

Interested in taking part? Then contact the compiler, Jean Demers by email

This year on the 27 December we will hold our 72st Hudson Christmas Bird Count.

It started in 1939 and was done every year except 1951 and 1952 for reasons unknown. Over the years we observed 139 different species. In 2006 we had our greatest number of species 67 and our highest number of birds 16,031. Four species were seen every year, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and the White-breasted Nuthatch. Ruffed Grouse, House Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow 69 times, Downy Woodpecker, European Starling 70 times. Anybody interested in seeing all the data, detailed or summarized in an Excel format can contact me, e-mail and I will forward to you

This year the collation for the after count will be held at the St-Hubert 601 avenue St-Charles Vaudreuil.

Highway 40 going east, take exit 35 and the restaurant will be on your left. This link will take you to a map showing its location:

We will be in a little room to the left of the entrance. Some food will be available: onion rings, chicken wings, Nachos, mini-brochettes, mini-spring rolls etc. The room will be available from 16:00 to 19:00. If anybody prefers a full meal and drink, you will have to pay for it.

The Hudson circle: The Hudson circle is centered at the Cooper airport in St-Lazare and has a 24 km diameter. It covers cities like Vaudreuil, Dorion, Les Cèdres, Coteau-du-Lac, St-Clet, obviously Hudson and a small part of Oka.

Participation: You can participate in the Hudson Christmas Bird Count either in the field or in the warmth of your home as feeder-watcher. It is a very rewarding experience either way you choose and you are helping in gathering very important data.

Feeder-watcher: If you are already familiar with feeder counts, we are particularly interested in attracting Project Feeder-Watch participants. However even if you are not already a Project Feeder-Watch participant, and want to get involved, please feel free to participate. There are no entry restrictions.

You will find a list of instructions on how to participate by following the link on top of the page (same instructions as the Montreal Christmas Bird Count) and you can also download our feeder checklist. There is no charge for being a Feeder-watcher and you do not have to be a member of a bird, nature or environmental group. However we ask that you ensure first that you reside within our Count Circle. Please contact me for confirmation if you are really within the circle.

Field participants: There is no charge this year, however if you want to help Bird Studies Canada, you can give a little contribution, easily done on their website: The names of all field participants are included in the results published by the National Audubon Society.

If you want to participate, please contact me and I will assigned you to one of our 17 parties. Normally the count starts at dawn, not very early at this time of the year. You will be compiling all the birds you see, by species and by number of each, don’t worry you will be with an experienced birder. Detailed instructions will be provided to all the field participants. - Jean Demers Compiler

Montreal Christmas Bird Count - December 15

Where: Christmas Bird Counts are held within mandated 24-km wide circles. The Montreal circle is centered at the intersection of Sherbrooke Street West and Westminster Avenue in Montreal West. The following link provides a detailed map of the Montreal circle: Map of the Montreal circle.


Contact information: Sheldon Harvey and Barbara Szabo, coordinators of this year’s count, may be contacted by telephone at 514-637-2141 or by e-mail

How to get involved: You can contribute to the count in one of two ways, either as a field participant or a feeder-watcher.

Field participant: As a field participant, you will be assigned to one of several existing teams responsible for covering a designated territory within the count circle. An experienced birder leads each team and is responsible for ensuring that detailed records are kept of all species seen and counted throughout the day.

Until now, Bird Studies Canada funded its count coordination and data analysis via a mandatory participation fee. With effect 2012-2013, BSC has waived this fee and hopes to fund these activities through donations. With this in mind, we will have a donation box set up at the after-count social. We hope you will continue sustaining this critically important program.

Feeder watcher: If you maintain bird feeders at home and live within the count circle, you are invited to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count by recording species seen at your feeders on the day of the count. Instructions on how to participate can be found by clicking on the following links:

Feeder-Watcher instructions

Feeder-watch checklist

There is no charge for being a feeder watcher participant. However, you are asked to contact one of the Christmas Bird Count coordinators in order to register your name and location.

In the event that you do have well-stocked feeders but cannot participate on the day of the count, we invite you to give us a call so that we may ask the team responsible for your sector to swing by and take a look to record whatever species may show up.

After-count social and compilation of results: All Christmas Bird Count participants are invited to attend an after-count social at the Montreal West Curling Club (17 Ainslie Avenue in Montreal West) where the day’s results will be compiled. Food will be provided free of charge and a cash bar will be available. Doors open at 4 p.m. with the compilation beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. Come share your stories with us!

The following links provide additional information on the Christmas counts:

• Map of the Montreal Christmas Bird Count circle

•Official 2011 bird species checklist

Background information: Historical results from the North American Christmas Bird Counts provide important long-term baseline data on the population dynamics of many early winter species across the continent. You can view these results by visiting the Audubon Christmas Bird Count website at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/hr/.

Local historical bird population trends are also evident in the Historical Species list 1931-2010.There you will find a listing of all species seen on Montreal CBCs since its inception. This table provides information on the first year each species was recorded, the number of years recorded, the record high count, and identifies the record year or years.

You can find more historical data on our counts by examining the following table Level of participation & species totals 1931-2009 which lists the number of participants for each year, the total number of participant hours and the total number of species recorded each year since 1931.

Sheldon Harvey and Barbara Szabo: Montreal Christmas Bird Count Coordinators
  The Christmas Bird Count is great fun plus it is also a very important citizen science project providing researchers with vital statistics about the birds in our area. There are details about the Montreal area Christmas Bird Count on the

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday 1 December – samedi 1 décembre

Casselman and Ste-Rose-de-Prescott, Eastern Ontario
Leader : Jacques Bouvier 613-524-1154   e-mail

8:30 a.m.* Meet in the parking lot of Tim Hortons in Casselman, Ontario. From Montreal, take Highway 40 to the Ontario border. Continue on Highway 417 to Exit 66 (Casselman). From the exit, continue north towards Casselman for a short distance. Tim Hortons is on the right as you head north. This will be mostly a driving trip with the possibility of a couple of short walks. Looking for Snowy Owl, Horned Lark and other winter birds of open country as well as other winter residents. Half day.

8h30* Rassemblement au Tim Hortons à Casselman, Ontario. Emprunter l'autoroute 40 jusqu'à la frontière avec l'Ontario. Poursuivre sur l'autoroute 417 jusqu'à la sortie 66 (Casselman). À la sortie, continuer vers le nord en direction de Casselman sur une courte distance. Le Tim Hortons sera à votre droite. Excursion en voiture principalement, avec la possibilité de faire quelques courtes randonnées. Espèces recherchées : Harfang des neiges, Alouette hausse-col et autres oiseaux d'hiver se tenant dans des endroits à découvert en plus des résidents. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Wednesday November 28

Verdun, l'ile des Soeurs: This morning, Jean De Marre and I had good views of the Yellow-throated Warbler (Paruline à gorge jaune)  on ile des Soeurs. It was on the river side of rue Darwin, in a pine tree, with chickadees and several other common species. Also present in the same area were Pine Grosbeaks (Durbec des sapins). Hooded Merganser and Goldeneye (Harle couronné et Garrot à œil d'or) were on the river. - Jean Bacon

Sightings for Tuesday November 27

Québec: The Prairie Warbler was seen at the Domaine de Maizerets by several people along the bike path and near the white bridge

La Paruline des prés a été revue au Domaine de Maizerets par plusieurs personnes, le long de la piste cyclable et près du pont blanc. - Diane Labarre

Sightings for Monday November 26

Verdun, l'ile des Soeurs: Yellow-throated Warbler is still present

Paruline à gorge jaune est toujours présente - Gilles Ethier

Sightings for Saturday Novemebr 24

Québec: Prairie warbler is always present at the Domaine de Maizerets

paruline des prés est toujours présente au Domaine de Maizerets. - Stéphane Blais

Sightings for Friday November 23

Québec,  Domaine de Maizerets: The Prairie warbler was seen this morning Maizerets area before noon. She was on the trail along the bike path and autoroute Duferin or the trail perpendicular to the trail along the river.

La paruline des prés a été revue ce matin au domaine Maizerets en avant-midi. Elle était dans le sentier qui longe la piste cyclable et l'autoroute Duferin, soit le sentier perpendiculaire au sentier qui longe la rivière. - Francine Cauchon

Sightings for Tuesday November 20

Québec,  Domaine de Maizerets: Prairie warbler, in the central part of Domaine de Maizerets, between the marsh and the river, south of the boardwalk.  

au Domaine de Maizerets (Québec): Paruline des prés dans la partie centrale du Domaine, entre le marais et la rivière, au sud de la passerelle - Fanny Senez-Gagnon, Don-Jean Léandri-Breton

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, November 24 - samedi 24 novembre

Montréal, Parc nature du Cap-St-Jacques
Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 514-774-0811 (Cell – Morning of trip only)   e-mail

8:00 a.m. Take Highway 40 West. Exit Chemin Ste-Marie. Turn left to l'Anse-à-l'Orme Road. Turn right and continue to the end. Turn right on Senneville Road (Gouin Blvd). Continue for 2 km to the chalet d'accueil of the park. Parking: $8.00. Half day.

08 h 00 Prendre l'autoroute 40 ouest. Prendre la sortie pour le chemin Ste-Marie et tourner à gauche sur celui-ci. Continuer jusqu'au chemin de l'Anse-à-l'Orme. Tourner à droite sur celui-ci et continuer jusqu'au bout. Tourner à droite sur le chemin Senneville (boul. Gouin) et continuer sur une distance de 2 km jusqu'au chalet d'accueil du parc. Frais de stationnement : 8,00 $. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Monday November 19

Sutton: I was working in Sutton today and a group of Black-capped chickadees (Mésanges à tête noire) decided to come and check out what I was doing along with a Tufted titmouse (Mésange bicolore)! Other birds that were around included; Blue jays (Geai bleu), Red breasted nuthatch (Sittelle à poitrine rousse), Downy woodpecker (pic mineur), starlings (étourneaux).

Also in Farnham I saw 4 Pine grosbeaks (Dubecs des sapins) - Shawna
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Verdun, l'ile des Soeurs: This afternoon, there was a Yellow-throated Warbler. She was along the trail behind the houses south of the  West-Vancouver park. This is the house where there are two large pines together.

The bird accompanied a band of head Black-capped chickadees and fed often in the Willows still filled with leaves. Offshore on the river, I saw one Red-throated Loon and a Barrow's goldeneye. In the woods, an Eastern screech owl and a Winter wren. There are at least 3 Eastern screech owls in the woods.

Cet aprs-midi, il y avait une Paruline à gorge jaune. Elle tait le long du sentier derrière les maisons au sud du parc West-Vancouver. C'est la maison où il y a 2 grosses pinettes ensemble.
L'oiseau accompagnait une bande de Mésanges à tête noire et se nourrissait  souvent dans les saules encore bien garnis de feuilles. Au large sur le fleuve, j'ai repr un Plongeon catmarin et un Garrot d'Islande. Dans le bois, un Petit-duc maculé et un Troglodyte des forêt. Il y a au moins 3 Petits-ducs maculs dans le bois - Pierre Bannon

Sightings for Sunday November 18

Charlemagne, Ruisseau de Feu (Fire Creek): Northern shrike (Pie-grièche grise), 1st winter, hunting sparrows!

And, in last 2 days at/ near this site, Northern harrier (Busard Saint-Martin), Rough-legged (Buse pattue) (2) and Red-tailed hawks (Buse à queue rousse), as well as Hooded merganser (Harle couronné) (3). - Nathan Gricks

Sightings for Saturday November 17

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, rue Notre-Dame and rue Champlain: Canada geese, Greater White-fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose, Cackling Goose,  Black Scoter, 3 Ruddy duck, 1 Barrow's Goldeneye male among the  Common Goldeneye behind the l'auberge Harris, 1 Long-tailed duck, 19 Bufflehead, 8 Hooded mergansers, 12 Common mergansers, 628 Common goldeneye, 4 Greater Scaup, 8 Lesser scaup, 4 Ring-necked duck, Double-crested Cormorants 2, Canada Geese, 2 Northern Pintails, 7 Black Ducks, Mallard lots

In non-waterfowl birds of particular mention include: Pileated woodpecker and female, ans a flock of Redpolls - Stéphane Guimond

1 Cackling goose, a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls - Raymond Belhumeur

Bernaches du Canada, Oie rieuse,Bernache nonnette, 1 Marcreuse à bec jaune,3 érismatures rousse, 1 Garrot d'island mâle parmi les Garrots oeil d'or derrire l'auberge Harris 1 Haralde Kakawi, 19 Petits garrots,8 Harles couronnés, 12 Grands harles, 628 Garrots oeil d'or, 4 Fuligules milouinans, 8 Petits fuligules, 4 Fuligules à collier, 2 Cormorans aigrettes, 2 Canards pilets, 7 Canards noirs, Canard colvert en masse
les oiseaux non aquatiques, mentionnons particulirement un Grand pic femelle et une vole de sizerins. - Stéphane Guimond

1 Bernache de Hutchins. une dizaine de Mouettes de Bonaparte. - Raymond Belhumeur
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au quai de Venise en Québec dock: Black Guillemot (Guillemot à miroir) PHOTO - Jean-Guy Papineau

Sightings for Thursday Novemebr 15

Chambly: Around noon, upstream from the pont (bridge) Yule de Chambly, on the Richelieu River there was a male Barrow's Goldeneye with Common Goldeneye and Scaup

In front of the Fort Chambly, fifteen Bonaparte's Gulls that were on the move, in addition to an Iceland Gull PHOTO first winter.

Sur l'heure du midi, en amont du pont Yule de Chambly, il y avait sur la rivière Richelieu un mâle de Garrot d'Islande parmi les Garrots à oeil d'or et différents fuligules.


En face du Fort-Chambly, une quinzaine de Mouettes de Bonaparte étaient en déplacement, en plus d'un Goéland arctique PHOTO de premier hiver. - Raymond Belhumeur

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, November 17

Beaudet Reservoir, Victoriaville, QC & Étang Burbank, Danville, QC
Leader: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459  e-mail
12:00 Noon Meet at the parking lot of Beaudet Reservoir in Victoriaville, QC (NOTE: From Sherbrooke & Decarie in Montreal, Google Maps calculates 2 hours (170 km. to Victoriaville)

From all points head to Autoroute 20 East (Direction-Quebec City). Travel on Autoroute 20 to Exit 210 to Autoroute 955. Follow Autoroute 955 (direction Saint-Albert/Victoriaville/Warwick) for 15 km. and turn LEFT on Route 122. Travel 11 km on Route 122 to Grande-Ligne. Turn left on Grande-Ligne. In 350m, turn right on to Garand. There is a parking lot on the right just in front of the reservoir. GPS or Google Map Coordinates: +46° 4'7.60", -71°58'38.60"

We will view the reservoir from a causeway crossing it, looking for waterfowl, etc.

From Reservoir Beaudet in Victoriaville, we will drive approximately 40 km. to Étang Burbank, in Danville, QC. NOTE: A map of the route from Victoriaville to Danville will be provided to everyone at Victoriaville.

We will arrive around mid-afternoon and explore the trails and boardwalks around the pond. Just before dusk, we will return to the observation tower to wait for the arrival of the ducks and geese (Snow & Canada) as they return to the pond, hopefully in the thousands, to spend the night. Half day.

Website for Étang Burbank http://www.etangburbank.ca/

12:00 - Rendez-vous au parking du réservoir Beaudet à Victoriaville, QC (REMARQUE:. De Sherbrooke et Décarie à Montréal, Google Maps calcule 2 heures (170 km pour Victoriaville). Quelque soit le point de départ, prenez l'autoroute 20 Est (direction-Québec). Continuez sur l'autoroute 20 jusqu'à la sortie 210. Prenez alors l'autoroute 955(direction Saint-Albert/Victoriaville/Warwick). Suivez l'autoroute 955 sur 15 km et tourner à gauche sur la route 122. Continuez 11 km sur la route 122 jusqu'à Grande-Ligne. Tournez à gauche sur Grande-Ligne. À 350m, tournez à droite sur Garand. Il ya un parking sur la droite, juste en face du réservoir (Coordonnées GPS ou Google Map: +46 ° 4'7 .60 ", -71 ° 58'38 .60").

Nous allons observer le réservoir depuis la jetée, à la recherche de la sauvagine. Depuis le Réservoir Beaudet à Victoriaville, nous nous dirigerons ensuite à l'étang Burbank, situé à environ 40 km, à Danville, QC. REMARQUE: Une carte de l'itinéraire de Victoriaville à Danville sera fournie à tout le monde à Victoriaville. Nous arrivons à l'étang Burbank en milieu d'après-midi et explorerons les sentiers et les promenades autour de l'étang. Juste avant le crépuscule, nous reviendrons à la tour d'observation pour l'arrivée des canards et des oies qui retourneront à l'étang, je l'espère, par milliers, pour y passer la nuit. Demi-journée.

Website for Étang Burbank / site web pour l'étang Burbank: http://www.etangburbank.ca/

Sightings for Sunday November 11

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: At 11:50 the Barnacle Goose and Greater White-fronted goose was present in front of rue Cayer and Champlain

À 11h50 la Bernache nonnette et Oie rieuse était présente en face des rues Cayer et Champlain - Louise Ladouceur-Côté
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Laval: 2 Greater White-fronted goose on rivière des mille îles, seen from Laval, corner of rue des Européens

2 oies rieuse sur la rivière des mille îles, vu de Laval au coin de la rue des Européens. - Jonathan Roy

Bird Protect Quebec "Field Trip Report" November 10

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Morgan Arboretum

A glorious, crisp and sunny morning - so nice that even if we had seen no birds at all we would have had a wonderful time just being there.

Some 30 birders turned out (plus or minus a couple who came and went) and walked the red and yellow trails plus diversions. Stretches of the route were quite quiet while others were hopping with activity and the day turned out to be very productive indeed with some nice surprises.

The advance notice of the trip mentioned that we were hoping to see the Red-bellied Woodpecker ... well, we didn't BUT, Betsy was out before us and did get it and along the trail we walked too. Such are the joys of serendipitous birding. Highlights for the group included two Ravens and a Red-tailed Hawk circling around each other as they soared high above us, two Barred Owls (one beside the red trail and one at eye level right beside the edge of the larches in the small field north of Chalet Pruche - posing for the photographers), and a small group of White-winged Crossbills cracking seed from larch cones just above our heads beside the "Bobolink field".

We had a division amongst as to bird of the day and so we awarded the honour equally to the cooperative eye-level Owl and to the Crossbills.

The list for the morning was as follows: House Finch 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 6, Blue Jay 12, American Crow 8, Mourning Doves >20, Pileated Woodpeckers 4, American Robin 20, Black-capped Chickadee >50, European Starling 3, American Goldfinch 12, Barred Owl 2, Brown Creeper 1, Downy Woodpecker 6, Hairy Woodpecker 6, White-winged Crossbill 4, Canada Geese 50 (+ another 200 on the campus fields), Rough-legged Hawk 1, Ring-billed Gull 3, Golden-crowned Kinglet 2, Dark-eyed Junco 5, Northern Cardinal 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1 (+ 1 just outside the arboretum beside the highway), Common Raven 3, Pine Siskin 1

Roselin familier 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 6, Geai bleu 12, Corneille d'Amérique 8, Tourterelles tristes> 20, Grand Pic 4, Merle d'Amérique 20, Mésange à tête noire> 50, Étourneau sansonnet 3, Chardonneret jaune 12, Chouette rayée 2, Grimpereau brun 1, Pic mineur 6, Pic chevelu 6, Bec-croisé bifascié 4, Bernache du Canada 50 (+ 200 autres sur les champs de campus), Buse pattue 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 3, Roitelet à couronne dorée 2, Junco ardoisé 5, Cardinal rouge 2, Buse à queue rousse 1 (+ 1 juste à l'extérieur de l'arboretum à côté de l'autoroute), Grand corbeau 3, Tarin des pins 1

To which we should add Betsy's observations: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Evening Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Red-bellied Nuthatch

Pic à ventre roux, Gros-bec errant, Sizerin flammé, Sittelle à poitrine rousse- Richard

Sightings for Saturday November 10

Sainte-Catherine: Yesterday, at the Récré-O-Parc , there was a Cackling Goose amongst about 2000 Canada Geese. Seen here behind a Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull - photo
Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu: This morning, at Parc des Voiles de, a cormorant was perched far from shore, on a tree trunk washed up the Chambly Basin. A second cormorant is subsequently situated next to the first individual, where I was able to confirm the presence of the Great Cormorant (first winter). I post a photo still of poor quality, where the comparison of dimensions supports my hypothesis. - photo

Hier, au Récré-O-Parc de Sainte-Catherine, il y avait une Bernache de Hutchins parmi environ 2 000 Bernaches du Canada. On la voit ici derrière un Goéland argenté et un Goéland à bec cerclé - photo

Ce matin, à partir du Parc des Voiles de Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, un cormoran était posé loin du rivage, sur un tronc d'arbre échoué sur le bassin de Chambly. Un second cormoran s'est par la suite posté à côté du premier individu, où j'ai pu confirmer la présence du Grand Cormoran de premier hiver. J'affiche tout de même une photo de faible qualité, où la comparaison des dimensions supporte mon hypothèse de départ. - Raymond Belhumeur
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St-Jean-sur-Richelieu: the Barnacle Goose is still present, a Greater White-fronted Goose was also there. The two rare birds were visible from the channel strip, accessible by the boardwalk  in front of rue Notre-Dame.

La Bernache nonnette était toujours présente à St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Une Oie rieuse s'y trouvait également. Les deux oiseaux rares étaient visibles à partir de la bande du canal, accessible par la passerelle en face de la rue Notre-Dame.- Sylvain Mathieu
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Victoriaville, réservoir Beaudet: 2 Ross's goose adults and a hybrid goose (Ross's X Snow goose)

2 Oie de Ross adultes et une oie hybride (Ross X Oie des neiges) - Daniel Gagné
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St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near the autoroute 35 bridge: Greater white-fronted goose (Oie rieuse) (1)

missisquoi nwr, VT (just across the border from Clarenceville, qc) on missisquoi bay : Long-tailed duck (1), White-winged scoter (10+), Red-throated loon (3) (Harelde kakawi (1), Macreuse brune (10 +), Plongeon catmarin (3) - David Jeremy Kaiser

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, November 10 - samedi 10 novembre

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue
Morgan Arboretum - Arboretum Morgan
http://www.morganarboretum.org/


Leader: Richard Gregson  e-mail

8:00 a.m. From Montreal take Highway 40 west. Take exit 44 (Morgan Blvd.). Turn left on Chemin Ste-Marie. Drive 1.4 km to second stop sign (at Arboretum road). Turn right. Drive 1 km to main parking on left. $5.00 admission charge for non-Arboretum-members. Half day.

8h00 De Montréal, prendre l'autoroute 40 ouest, sortie 44 (boul. Morgan). Tourner à gauche sur le chemin Ste-Marie et continuer sur une distance de 1,4 km jusqu'au second arrêt (rue Arboretum). Tourner à droite et rouler sur une distance de 1 km jusqu'au stationnement principal, situé à gauche. Frais d'entrée : 5,00 $ pour les non-membres. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Sunday November 4

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard: Wood duck (2), Red-tailed Hawk (1), Ring-billed Gull (2), Downy Woodpecker (3), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Pileated Woodpecker (2), American Crow (6), Blue Jay (2), Black-capped Chickadee (12), White-breasted Nuthatch (3), Brown Creeper (5), Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), American Robin (1), Bohemian Waxwing (3), Northern Cardinal (2), Pine Grosbeak (7), American Goldfinch (3)

Canard branchu (2), Buse à queue rousse (1), Goéland à bec cerclé (2), Pic mineur (3), Pic chevelu (1), Grand pic (2), Corneille d'Amérique (6), Geai bleu (2 ), Mésange à tête noire (12), Sittelle à poitrine blanche (3), Grimpereau brun (5), Roitelet à couronne dorée (2), Merle d'Amérique (1), Jaseur boréal (3), Cardinal rouge (2), Durbec des sapins (7), Chardonneret jaune (3) - Lisa Keelty
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île-aux-Hérons: 40 Wild turkeys (Dindons sauvage) - Raymond Belhumeur
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Terrebonne, au ruisseau de feu: Cattle Egret was still present at the end of rue Bernard-Gagnon (street blocked by concrete blocks).

au ruisseau de feu: ce midi, pour constater que le Héron garde-boeufs était encore présent au bout de la rue Bernard-Gagnon (rue bloque par des blocs de béton). - Samuel Denault
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A Swan (Cygne) was flying with a large group of Canada geese (Bernaches du Canada) just across the border in Ontario at Voyageur Provincial Park It disappeared into the bay at the west end of the park off Front Road (regional Road 4) before a positive species ID could be made.
Also an immature Iceland Gull (Goéland artique) below the Carillon Dam in Pointe Fortune just this side of the Ontraio border. - Wayne Grubert

Sightings for Saturday November 3

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: Early this morning, the Barnacle Goose was present in front of rue Cayer and Champlain. At about 9:00 am, she left to feed in the fields in the area. PHOTO


Tôt en matinée, la Bernache nonnette était présente en face des rues Cayer et Champlain, à Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Vers 9h00, elle a quitté pour s'alimenter dans les champs du secteur. PHOTO - Raymond Belhumeur

Bird Protection Quebec "Monthly lecture"

November 5

Lecture starts at 19h30 at Knox Crescent Kensington and First Presbyterian Church 625 Godfrey Avenue, Montréal in NDG

Woodpeckers and Deadwood

Recently Burned and Old Forests in the Boreal Ecosystem: Key Interactions for the Maintaining Biodiversity with Pierre Drapeau, professor, Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal.

Loss of old growth forests in different ecosystems affects several bird species particularly those associated with decaying and deadwood. Among them, hole-nesting birds, particularly woodpeckers are considered keystone species given their disproportionate influence in providing resources, such as cavities, to many species in forest ecosystems. This presentation looks at the ongoing work conducted on woodpeckers in recently burned and old forests of the boreal ecosystem. It shows their ecological contribution and their relationship with decaying and deadwood both for nesting and foraging.

Pierre Drapeau is professor in conservation ecology at the département des Sciences biologiques of Université du Québec à Montréal. He is also co-chair of the Centre for Forest Research (CFR), a research center that brings together 57 scientists from eleven universities in the province of Québec working in forest ecology and forestry.

His research program investigates wildlife-habitat relationships in managed and naturally disturbed landscapes of temperate and boreal ecosystems covering topics such as habitat loss and fragmentation effects on wildlife populations (birds and mammals), populations dynamics of birds and insects in recently burned forests, and deadwood dynamics and deadwood associates in old growth forests. Applications of his research program deal with integrating knowledge on habitat requirements of wildlife to refine ecosystem-based approaches of sustainable forest management.

He recently co-edited a book on « Ecosystem management in the boreal forest » published at Presses de l'Université du Québec.

Sightings for Friday November 2

Rigaud: Around noon at my backyard feeder near Rigaud mountan, a flock of 20 - 30 Pine Siskins (Tarin des pins). Jim Forster

Sightings for Thursday November 1

St-Stanislaus de Kostka: I saw a Pacific Loon (Plongeon du Pacifique) in non-breeding plkumeage about 400m along the Beauharnois Canal from the Hungry Bay parking lot. Also in the same general area, a single Red-throated Loon (Plongeon catmarin) (immature) and a further seven over in one group going east and around 26 Common Loons (Plongeon huard); nine Red-necked Grebes (Grèbe jougris) up to 50 Black Scoters (Macreuse à bec jaune), three White-winged Scoters (macreuses brune) and a single Surf Scoter (Macreuse à front blanc). Also along the cycle path 30 Snow Buntings (Plectrophanes des neiges) and two showy Tufted Titmice (Mésange bicolore).

Earlier in the day I'd been at Les Coteaux but the wind had shifted and there was not much to report from there, just a couple more Red-necked Grebes (Grèbe jougris)

At St-Lazare sand pits 1 Dunlin (Bécasseau variable) and 4 Cackling Geese (Bernaches de Hutchins) in with the Canada Geese (Bernaches du Canada) in the morning before they head out to the local fields.- Mark Dennis
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Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: Barnacle Goose was present at 8:30 this morning across from rue Cayer
Bernache nonnette tait toujours présente ce matin 8h30 en face de la rue Cayer. - Bertrand Hamel

Sightings for Wednesday October 31

St-Stanislaus de Kostka: at the mouth of the Beauharnois Canal 2 Black scoters, Long-tailed duck, 8 Common goldeneye. chemin Larocque bridge 2 Tufted titmouse accompanying a group of Black-capped chickadee. There were also three Red-necked grebes near the bridge.

l'embouchure du canal de Beauharnois Saint-Stanislas de Kostka: 2
Macreuse à bec jaune, harelde kakawi, 8 Garrot à oeil d'or. Au pont du chemin Larocque 2 mésange bicolore qui accompagnait un groupe de mésange à tête noire. Il y avait aussi trois Grèbe jougris prés du pont. - Denis Collins.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday 3 November - samedi 3 novembre
Montréal, Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies
Leaders: To be announced

8:00 a.m. Take Highway 40 East to the exit for Boul. Gouin (Exit 92). Turn left (west) on Gouin Blvd. and follow it for 1.9 km, looking for the blue signs indicating "Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies." The parking lot is located at the Pavillon des Marais section of the park, at 12,300 Gouin Blvd. East. Parking: $8.00. Half day.

8h00 À partir de l'autoroute 40 est, prendre la sortie pour le boulevard Gouin (sortie 92). Tourner à gauche, direction ouest, sur le boulevard Gouin. Continuer sur Gouin sur une distance de 1,9 km jusqu'au panneau bleu indiquant l'entrée du Parc-Nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies. Le stationnement est situé au Pavillon des marais, 12 300 boulevard Gouin Est. Frais de stationnement : 8,00 $. Demi-journée.