Sightings for Monday July 30

Sainte-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc: The Little Egret was again present in the bay to the left of the stairs leading down to the river. Map

 
L'Aigrette Garzette était encore présent, dans la baie à gauche de l'escalier menant au fleuve Carte - Luc Laberge, D'Aoust Raynad

Sightings for Sunday July 29

Rivière-Ouelle: I visited the wharf at Rivière-Ouelle early this morning. First it was fairly quiet, with little movement of birds. By cons, as sometimes happens, one of them has made my day! 90 minutes of observation (5:45 to 7:15) stationary at the end Dock: Low tide, beautiful sunrise, sunny and cool. Wind Lightweight N-E. The river is well proclaims, only a few ripples and no surf. Excellent visibility (A +). Red-throated Loon ... 20 (Some flying eastward, but the majority of adults, on the water off shore). Manx Shearwater ... one (the bird flies to the east and I think first dealing with a alcid because of the strong contrast between the white underside (including underside of the wings) and the black underside. But I soon deduced the proper identification by of the shape of the bird and its very characteristic flight. The silhouette is slender, long wings, pointed and substantially narrower than any Alcide. The Shearwater has a swift direct flight, close to the water, consists of several rapid beats followed by a short glide. The wings are slightly arched, the shallow wing beats entirely under the bird. At 6:55 I followed the shearwater for a full minute, it is quite far off but visibility today is truly exceptional. After several years of observation, this is the first Shearwater I see at the Rivière-Ouelle wharf, a great reward for so many visits! Northern gannet ... 3 (two adults Westbound in flight that ultimately connect to a third individual). Double-creasted cormorant 44 ... (alone or very small groups (up to 7) flying west). Great blue Heron ... 3 (in the Bay). Black Duck ... 8 (a group of 4 in the water near the dock then a group of four flying to the east). Lesser Scaup ... 1 (in flight the east). Common eider ... 15 (3 on the water near the wharf and in small groups flying to the west). Surf Scoter (3 on the water not far from the dock) ... 1 Spotted Sandpiper (on the beach) ... Bonaparte's Gull 37 (in 3 groups, all adults flying east) Ring-billed Gull ... 50 Herring gull ... 17 Great black-backed gull 7 ... Razorbill ... 1 (in flight to the east) ... Barn Swallow 3 (feeding over the river)

Bonjour, J'ai fais une visite au quai de Rivière-Ouelle tôt ce matin. Disons d'abord que c'était passablement tranquille avec peu de déplacements d'oiseaux. Par contre, comme il arrive parfois, un seul d'entre-eux aura fait ma journée! Bilan de 90 minutes d'observation (5h45 à 7h15) en stationnaire au bout du quai: Marée basse. Lever de soleil magnifique, ensoleillé et frais. Vents légers du N-E. Le fleuve est bien clame, seulement quelques ondulations et aucune vague déferlante. Visibilité excellente (A+). Plongeon catmarin ...20 (quelques-uns au vol vers l'est mais la majorité, des adultes, sur l'eau au large du quai). Puffin des anglais ...1 (l'oiseau vole vers l'est et je crois d'abord avoir affaire à un alcidé à cause du fort contraste entre les dessous blancs (incluant le dessous des ailes) et le dessus noir. Mais je suis vite ramené à la bonne identification par la forme de l'oiseau et par son vol très caractéristique. La silhouette est élancée, les ailes longues, pointues et nettement plus étroites que n'importe quel alcidé. Le puffin a un vol rapide et direct, au ras de l'eau, constitué de plusieurs battements rapides suivis d'un court plané. Les ailes sont tenu légèrement arqué, les battement d'ailes sont de faible amplitude et entièrement sous l'oiseau. À 6h55 j'ai suivis le puffin durant une bonne minute, il est passablement loin au large mais la visibilité est vraiment exceptionnelle aujourd'hui. Après plusieurs années d'observation, il s'agit du premier puffin que j'observe au quai de Rivière-Ouelle, une superbe récompense pour tant de visites! Fou de Bassan ...3 (deux adultes au vol vers l'ouest qui rejoignent finalement un 3e individu). Cormoran à aigrettes ...44 (solitaires ou très petits groupes (jusqu'à 7) au vol vers l'ouest). Grand Héron ...3 (dans la baie). Canard noir ...8 (un groupe de 4 à l'eau près du quai puis un groupe de 4 au vol vers l'est). Petit Fuligule ...1 (seul, au vol vers l'est). Eider à duvet ...15 (trois sur l'eau près du quai puis e petits groupes au vol vers l'ouest). Macreuse à front blanc (trois sur l'eau non-loin du quai) Chevalier grivelé ...1 (sur la plage) Mouette de Bonaparte ...37 (en 3 groupes, toutes des adultes au vol vers l'est) Goéland à bec cerclé ...50 Goéland argenté ...17 Goéland marin ...7 Petit Pingouin ...1 (un solitaire au vol vers l'est)Hirondelle rustique ...3 (nourrir au-dessus du fleuve) - Jean-François Rousseau
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sainte-Angèle-de-Laval: 2 Caspian Terns were present in the east of the Sainte-Angèle-de-Laval dock this afternoon. Also 5 Bald eagles, inclunding adults perched on the rocks.


2 sternes caspiennes étaient présentes à l'Est du quai de Ste-Angèle-de-Laval cet après-midi. Aussi 5

pygargues à tête blanche, dont adultes perchés sur les roches. - Alain Daigle

Summer Series 2012 - Trip Report #5

An excellent turnout of both birders and birds on a great day, weather-wise. 19 birders turned out for an outing which covered the Mercier sewage lagoons, Ste-Martine, St-Louis-de-Gonzague and Ste-Timothée.


We were hoping for some early migrating shorebirds, particularly at Ste-Martine. We were able to come up with 5 species. Another target bird was the Least Bittern at Ste-Timothée. They did not disappoint either with two birds appearing several times out of the marsh. There were also a few puzzling birds at the same location. Some Redheads took a group effort to finally identify and a single Tern in the Beauharnois Canal was never identified. It was quite far off, even with the scopes.

We ended the day with a total of 62 species. Here is the breakdown for the day - Sheldon:

Canada Goose 12, Wood Duck 24, Gadwall 3, American Wigeon 7, Mallard 115, Redhead 7, Lesser Scaup 1, Pied-billed Grebe 1, Double-crested Cormorant 50, Least Bittern 2, Great Blue Heron 20, Great Egret 5, Black-crowned Night Heron 6, Turkey Vulture 2, Northern Harrier 1, Cooper's Hawk 1, Virginia Rail 2, Common Moorhen 6, Greater Yellowlegs 2, Lesser Yellowlegs 6, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Spotted Sandpiper 24, Least Sandpiper 3, Wilson's Snipe 1, Ring-billed Gull 100+, Great Black-backed Gull 1, Tern Species 1, Rock Pigeon 50, Mourning Dove 20, Chimney Swift 6, Belted Kingfisher 4, Downy Woodpecker 4, Northern Flicker 3, Eastern Phoebe 1, Eastern Kingbird 1, Warbling Vireo 1, American Crow 2, Blue jay 1, Horned Lark 2, Purple Martin 18, Tree Swallow 24, Cliff Swallow 3, Barn Swallow 12, Black-capped Chickadee 1, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Marsh Wren 6, American Robin 7, Gray Catbird 1, European Starling 250+, Cedar Waxwing 24, Yellow Warbler 4, Chipping Sparrow 1, Savannah Sparrow 4, Song Sparrow 16, Swamp Sparrow 1, Northern cardinal 1, Red-winged Blackbird 250+, Eastern Meadowlark 1, Common Grackle 55, Baltimore Oriole 1, American Goldfinch 6, House Sparrow 10

Bernache du Canada 12, Canard branchu 24, Canard chipeau 3, Canard d'Amérique 7, Canard colvert 115, Fuligule à tête rouge 7, Petit Fuligule 1, Grèbe à bec bigarré 1, Cormoran à aigrettes 50, Petit Blongios 2, Grand Héron 20, Grande Aigrette 5, Bihoreau gris 6, Urubu à tête rouge 2, Busard Saint-Martin 1, Épervier de Cooper 1, Râle de Virginie 2, Gallinule poule-d'eau 6, Grand Chevalier 2, Petit Chevalier 6, Chevalier solitaire 1, Chevalier grivelé 24, Bécasseau minuscule 3, Bécassine de Wilson 1 , Goéland à bec cerclé 100 +, Goéland marin 1, Sterne espèces 1, Pigeon biset 50, Tourterelle triste 20, Martinet ramoneur 6, Martin- pêcheur d'Amérique 4, Pic mineur 4, Pic flamboyant 3, Moucherolle phébi 1, Tyran tritri 1 , Viréo mélodieux 1, Corneille d'Amérique 2, Geai bleue 1, Alouette hausse-col 2, Hirondelle noire 18, Hirondelle bicolore 24, Hirondelle à front blanc 3, Hirondelle rustique 12, Mésange à tête noire 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 1, Troglodyte des marais 6, Merle d'Amérique 7, Moqueur chat 1, Étourneau sansonnet 250 +, Jaseur d'Amérique 24, Paruline jaune 4, Bruant familier 1, Bruant des prés 4, Bruant chanteur 16, Bruant des marais 1, Cardinal rouge 1,Carouge à épaulettes 250 +, Sturnelle des prés 1, Quiscale bronzé 55, Oriole de Baltimore 1 , Chardonneret jaune 6, Moineau domestique 10

Sightings for Friday July 27

Rigaud: The recent heatwave attracted all of my usual visitors plus to my backyard pond as well as the following birds that I have not seen before. 1 House wren (Troglodyte familier), 1 Brown Thrasher (Moqueur roux) (seen twice), and seen many times- 1 Solitary Vireo (Viréo à tête bleue). Also in the field behind my work, 1 male Northern Harrier (Busard Saint-Martin). Jim Forster near Rigaud mountain
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ste-Catherine Récré-O-Parc: The Little Egret was again present in the bay to the left of the stairs leading down to the river. Map

L'Aigrette Garzette était encore présent, dans la baie à gauche de l'escalier menant au fleuve Carte - Raymond Belhumeur, Luc Goneau

Summer Series 2012 - Field Trip #5 - Saturday, July 28

For this week's Summer Series trip we will visit some locations that we last visited back in the 2009 Summer Series, beginning with the sewage lagoons in Mercier, then the dam at Ste-Martine, on to St-Louis-de-Gonzague and then to the marsh at St-Timothée.

DATE: Saturday, July 28
TIME: 8:00 AM – Half day; combination driving/walking trip
MEETING PLACE: The parking lot of the new Tim Horton's at 611 boul. St-Jean-Baptiste (Highway 138) in MercierHere is a Google Map link showing the meeting place http://goo.gl/maps/xweH

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: Coming from Montreal, take the Mercier Bridge to the South Shore. Stay right coming off the bridge on to Highway 138/132W through the towns of Kahnawake and Chateauguay, continuing aross Highway 30, into the town of Mercier, The new Tim Horton's will be on your right at 611 St-Jean-Baptiste.


NOTE: Distance from the south end of Mercier Bridge to the Tim Horton's is approximately 11 kilometers.


ITINERARY: We will begin the day looking for shorebirds, ducks, etc. at the Mercier Lagoons and at the dam in Ste-Martine. From there, we will drive some interesting farmland backroads to the bridge at St-Louis-de-Gonzague on the Beauharnois Canal and on to the marsh at St-Timothée. The longest walking segment of this outing will be at St-Timothée. Time permitting we may stop at MacDonald Street in Maple Grove to look for the Caspian Terns that nest in the area.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. On Saturday morning you can reach me on the BPQ cellphone at 514-637-2141. The forecast at this point is for some rain on Saturday, so be prepared. We may extend a bit beyond lunchtime, so you may wish to bring lunch. If you have walkie-talkies, please bring them. They are very useful on driving trips such as this. -Sheldon

Sightings for Wednesday July 25

Sainte-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc: I saw the Little Egret from approximately 10:15 to 10:35. She stood on a rocky islet with a little vegetation in the bay, a reasonable distance from the shore, allowing a clear view of the dark lores. She walked a little and groomed (scratching with his yellow foot). She was still there when I left

J'ai pu observer l'Aigrette garzette de 10h15 à 10h35 environ. Elle se tenait sur un îlot rocheux comportant un peu de végétation dans la baie, à une distance raisonable de la rive, permettant de bien voir le lore foncé. Elle a marché un peu et fait sa toilette (se grattant avec son pied jaune). Elle était toujours là à mon départ. - Diane Demers-------------------------------------------------------------

Brossard: This afternoon, I saw a Northern Mockingbird in a conifer behind green on hole No. 1 at the Brossard golf club. I also saw a Merlin on the course.


Cet après-midi, j'ai vu un Moqueur polyglotte dans un conifère derrière le vert du trou no.1 du club de golf de Brossard. J'ai aussi vu au Faucon émerillon sur le parcours. - Charles Ménard

Sainte-Catherine: The Little egret was observed briefly this morning by ten observers, and through the good eyes of an American who waited since yesterday. It was perched in a tree on a small island occupied by a number of cormorants on the shore opposite the récréo-parc. Then she headed to Île des Soeurs, where it landed near the observation platform. It was then about 10:15

Sainte-Catherine: L' Aigrette Garzette a été observée brièvement ce matin par une dizaine d'observateurs, et ce grâce aux bons yeux d'un américain qui l'attendait depuis hier. Elle était posée dans un arbre sur un petit ilôt occupé par un bon nombre de cormorans, sur la rive opposée au récréo-parc. Elle s'est dirigée ensuite vers l'Île des Soeurs où elle s'est posée à proximité de la passerelle d'observation. Il était alors 10h. 15. - Daniel Lepage
---------------------------------------------------------
Verdun, Île des Soeurs: Little Egret (Aigrette Garzette) today from about noon till we left at 2:30. It was at the shore behind 150 Boulevard Pointe Sud nearest cross street was rue Parulines. It appeared quire settled in - we got great views at about 50 yards and were able to take multiple pictures - Maureen and Kernan Bell

Summer Series 2012 - Trip Report #4

11 birders participated in today's outing to Ste-Anne-de-Sorel. We visited the Maison du Marais – Ecological Marsh trails, operated by La Société d'aménagement de la baie Lavallière inc. We spent close to three hours covering the main trail that leads through a variety of habitats including marshland, forested sections and grassy areas.

The park has a very friendly welcome centre from which they operated guided boat tours of up to 12 people per boat. They navigate through a network of channels that wander between the dozens of islands in the Sorel island chain. The marsh waterways and streams in the region are a popular spot for canoe and kayak outings. There are some very active feeders installed in the parking area, as well as a number of picnic tables.

We were able to find 35 species of birds for the morning. Highlights included an immature Bald Eagle, plus young families of Eastern Wood Pewees, Great-crested Flycatchers and Cedar Waxwings. Here is today's complete species list - Sheldon

Wood Duck - 1, American Bittern - 1, Great Blue Heron - 6, Black-crowned Night Heron - 2, Bald Eagle - 1, Virginia Rail - 1, Killdeer - 1, Spotted Sandpiper - 1, Ring-billed Gull - 3, Black Tern - 10, Mourning Dove - 6, Belted Kingfisher - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 2, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 3, Great-crested Flycatcher - 5, Eastern Kingbird - 24, Warbling Vireo - 6, Philadelphia Vireo - 1, Blue Jay - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, Marsh Wren - 20, American Robin - 15, Gray Catbird - 6, European Starling - 30, Cedar Waxwing - 6, Yellow Warbler - 17, American Redstart - 3, Common Yellowthroat - 6, Song Sparrow - 25, Northern Cardinal - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 75, Common Grackle - 40, Baltimore Oriole - 1, American Goldfinch - 12

Canard branchu - 1, Butor d'Amérique - 1, Grand héron - 6, Bihoreau gris - 2, Pygargue à tête blanche - 1, Râle de Virginie - 1, Pluvier kildir - 1, Chevalier grivelé - 1, Goéland à bec cerclé - 3, Guifette noire - 10, Tourterelle triste - 6, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique - 1, Pic mineur - 1, Pic flamboyant - 2, Pioui de l'Est - 3, Huppé Tyran - 5, Tyran tritri - 24, Viréo mélodieux - 6, Viréo de Philadelphie - 1, Geai bleu - 1, Mésange à tête noire - 6, Troglodyte des marais - 20, Moqueur chat - 6, Étourneau sansonnet - 30, Jaseur d'Amérique - 6, Paruline jaune - 17, Paruline flamboyante - 3, Paruline masquée - 6, Bruant chanteur - 25, Cardinal rouge - 1, Carouge à épaulettes - 75, Quiscale bronzé - 40, Oriole de Baltimore - 1, Chardonneret jaune - 12

Sightings for Saturday July 21

Montréal: This morning there were at least 4 Northen mockingbirds adults in Pointe-Saint-Charles (Business park and railway workshops of Pointe-Saint-Charles). I also found a nest containing at least 2 young.

Photo of an adult near the nest: http://www.pbase.com/pbannon/image/144879728

Families of American Kestrels (6) and Eastern Kingbird (6), and a Cooper's hawk were added to the fauna of the place, not to mention Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets seen in flight.


Ce matin, il y avait au moins 4 Moqueurs polyglottes adultes dans le quartier Pointe-Saint-Charles (Parc d'entreprises et ateliers ferroviaires de Pointe-Saint-Charles). J'ai aussi trouvé un nid contenant au moins 2 jeunes.

Photo d'un adulte près du nid: http://www.pbase.com/pbannon/image/144879728

Des familles de Crécerelles d'Amérique (6) et de Tyrans tritri (6), ainsi qu'un Épervier de Cooper s'ajoutaient à la faune de l'endroit, sans oublier les Grands Hérons et les Grandes Aigrettes aperçus en vol. - Pierre Bannon
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ile-Bizard: Bald eagle (Pygargue à tête blanche) this morning at the top of 5th avenue - Danièle Larose

Sightings for Friday July 20

Ste-Catherine: The Little Egret was again present around 11:30 to the left of the stairs leading down to the river. Map


L'Aigrette Garzette était encore présent, vers 11:30 dans la baie à gauche de l'escalier menant au fleuve Carte - Tom Long
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bois-de-L'ile-Bizard: 3 Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers were feeding with Black-Capped Chickadees at about 8:00am between the two marshes. One of them was being harassed constantly by a pair of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.

3 gobe-moucherons gris-bleu se nourrissaient avec mésanges à tête noire à environ 8:00 am entre les deux marais. L'un d'eux a été harcelé par une paire de colibris à gorge rubis - Lisa Keelty
----------------------------------------------------------------------
St-Hubert, Parc de la Cite: Earlier this morning I witnessed a couple of Rusty Blackbirds (Quiscale rouilleux) perched on the thin tree's by the bog among some silenced Red-winged Blackbirds (Carouges à épaulettes). As well an inconspicuous Least sandpiper (Bécasseau minuscule)  was heard peeping beyond the reeds - Nick Bonnema

Summer Series 2012 - Field Trip #4 - Saturday, July 21

As we like to do during the summer series from time to time, this week we are heading out to a brand new location for us. We will head to the Maison du Marais – Ecological Marsh trails, operated by La Société d’aménagement de la baie Lavallière inc., in Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel, QC

This site has its own webpage: http://www.sablmaisondumarais.org/francais/

There is a welcome centre, and a 1.3 km. trail, with several observation posts along the way, that crosses through 21 square kilometers of marshland at the southwestern corner of Lac St-Pierre and Lavalliere Bay.

A recent outing by some Quebec birders to this location produced a Glossy Ibis, Black-billed Cuckoo, American Bittern, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Virginia Rail, Black and Caspian Terns, Bonaparte’s Gull, Egrets, and some early migrating sandpipers.

As I said, BPQ has not been to this location, as least as far as I know over the past 10 years or so, so it should be an interesting outing. Here are the details.

Date: Saturday, July 21
Time: 7 am – Half-day, perhaps a little longer

Meeting and Departure point: Zeller’s parking lot, Place Portobello on Taschereau Blvd., in Brossard, QC. (Taschereau Blvd. exit off of Champlain Bridge; turn right on Taschereau Blvd. and take first right into parking lot in front of Zeller’s store).

We will depart from the meeting point at 7 am, driving in convoy to the site. It is approximately a 75-minute drive from the Zeller’s to the destination. Here is a link to a Google Map showing the route from Brossard to the destination which is located at 3742, chemin du Chenal-du-Moine, Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel, (Québec) J3P 5N3

Note: There is a token $1 fee requested at the welcome centre to visit the site.

Carpooling from the Zeller’s parking should be considered to cut down on the number of vehicles, if possible. We can easily return to the departure site at the end of the outing to pick up cars left there in the morning. If you have two-way walkie-talkie radios, please bring them along (channel 11) so that we can stay in touch in the convoy on the road.

Please feel free to bring along your lunch as there is a spot for lunch at the welcome centre at the site.

If you have any questions, please contact me at by e-mail, or 450-462-1459. On Saturday morning, call 514-637-2141

We look forward to exploring this new territory on Saturday. It looks like an excellent weather day as well. See you then - Sheldon

Sightings for Thursday July 19

Îles-de-la-Madeleine: On vacation at Iles-de-la-Madeleine, I took a little time this morning to visit the area around the Martinique beach. By examining the Lagoon at Baie du Havre aux basques, I was surprised to see a pale figure resembling an owl on a wooden sign. I first thought it was something plastic. The thing made of plastic quickly flew to the ground to alight near a second Snowy Owl!


En vacances au Îles-de-la-Madeleine, j'ai pris un peu de temps ce matin pour aller visiter les abords de la Plage de la Martinique. En scrutant la lagune de la Baie du Havre aux basques, quelle ne fut pas ma surprise d'apercevoir une silhouette pâle ressemblant à un hibou sur une pancarte en bois. J'ai d'abord pensé à un truc en plastique. Le truc en plastique s'est rapidement envolé pour aller se poser au sol près d'un deuxième Harfang des neiges! - Frédéric Bussière
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Charlemagne: I went to see the new layout of Ducks Unlimited near the 40 at Charlemagne and although I saw some ducks, the site seems to be interesting. In addition to families of Moorhens and Pied-billed Grebes, I was able to briefly see a Least Bittern flying over cattails. The Marsh wrens were still in voice. The exceptionally low level on rivière des Mille-îles boardering the marsh hosted some shorebirds: -20 Least Sandpipers, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 3 Wilson's Snipe, 25 Killdeer

The quantity of muddy shores available for shorebirds in the region Montreal may be particularly high this year if the trend maintains. If I remember correctly, it's more than 10 years since I'd seen it (2001?).


Je suis allé voir le nouvel aménagement de Canards Illimités près de la 40 à Charlemagne et même si j'ai vu peu de canards, le site semble devenir intéressant. En plus des familles de Gallinules et Grèbes à bec bigarrés, j'ai pu y voir brièvement un Petit Blongios survoler les quenouilles. Les Troglodytes des marais étaient encore très en voix. Le niveau exceptionnellement bas de la rivière des Mille-îles en bordure du marais accueillait quelques limicoles soit: -20 Bécasseaux minuscules, 1 Bécasseau semipalmé, 3 Bécassines de Wilson, 25 Pluviers kildirs

La quantité de rivages boueux disponibles pour les limicoles dans la région de Montréal risque d'être particulièrement élévé cette année si la tendance se maintient. Si ma mémoire est bonne, ça fait plus de 10 ans que j'avais vu ça (2001?). - Samuel Denault

Sightings for Wednesday July 18

Sainte-Catherine: The Little egret - photo - was still present this morning at the same place as usual, in the small bay near the Récré-O-Parc

L'aigrette garzette - photo - était encore présent ce matin au même endroit, comme d'habitude, dans le petite baie près de la Récré-O-Parc - Raymond Belhumeur
-----------------------------------------------------------
St-Armand, rang. St-Henri: Sandhill crane (Grue du Canada) walking in hayfield - David Jeremy Kaiser
-----------------------------------------------------------
St-Lazare sand pits: Stilt Sandpiper along with 20+ Least sandpipers,  2 Semipalmated sandpipers Greater yellowlegs, Lesser yellowlegs

Bécasseau à échasses avec 20 + bécasseaux minuscule, 2 bécasseaux semipalmés. Grand Chevalier, Petit Chevalier - Mark Dennis

Sightings for Monday July 16

Pincourt: Red eyed vireo (Viréo aux yeux rouge)  adult and immature seen in our back yard this evening. Baltimore oriole (Oriole de Baltimore) adult and immature seen eating berries in our back yard on July 1st. - Sharon and Mat Hayden

Sightings for Sunday July 15

Beauport: Black-billed cuckoo was heard again at 9:30  near my place. Had not heard it for 2 weeks, For those interested, the bird frequently the wasteland at the end of the Rue du Bourg-Talon

Coulicou à bec noir se refait entendre à nouveau chez-moi, à 9h30. Ne l'ayant entendu depuis 2 semaines. Pour les intéressés, l'oiseau fréquente la friche à l'extrémité de la rue du Bourg-Talon. - Diane Labarre
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ile des Madelaines​: This morning and yesterday evening to my great surprise I saw 2 Snowy Owls (Harfangs des neiges) hunting from lamp posts around the causeway connecting Fatima Island. Both Juveniles were heavily barred. My first time seeing them in July! Please be respectful and follow best practises when watching these birds as they are very close to a busy road and could easily be hit - Alex Stone

Two Orchard Orioles at Ste-Catherine

While we were all busy checking out the Little Egret today, little did we know that two other birds were flitting around, probably directly behind us along the shoreline today.


Jean-Sebastien Guenette posted this message on Ornitho-QC. It details the findings of three guys from Cornell University who were at the location this morning, at the same time our group was.


Bonjour, Pour votre information, je viens de recevoir un courriel de Chris Wood, de l'Université Cornell, qui a observé ce matin deux Orioles des vergers au Récré-O-Parc de Sainte-Catherine, en même temps que
l'Aigrette garzette. Voici la description de l'oiseau:


First-year male seen by Tom Johnson and Nathan Senner and adult male seen by me. I first detected the adult by the song when I went back to get my camera to photograph the egret. The song was a warbled jumble of notes recalling as if a Warbling Vireo or Blue Grosbeak song was being sung by an oriole. I looked up and immediately saw the male Orchard Oriole, still looking quite nice with a rich chestnut body and black head, chestnut bar on wings and pale tips to greater coverts. Black tail. Dark legs and bill. Bill smaller and thinner than Baltimore Oriole. Unmistakable. - Sheldon

Summer Series 2012- Trip #3 Report

HEADLINE!


Bird attracts international audience!

19 birders arrived at Ste-Catherine, QC this morning with one major goal in mind. Of course, all the other birds would be observed and noted but today was all about the star attraction, the Little Egret (Aigrette garzette), and it did not disappoint.

In our group alone, we had two birders from Texas who were here specifically to track down the bird, plus a friend of mine, a novice birder from Lynn, Mass. who may be one of the first people in North American to have a Little Egret in his first batch of birds for his life-list, on his very first "official" birding field trip!

Throughout the morning we also crossed paths with many other birders, some who had arrived from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, London, ON, and Ottawa, ON.

There were anxious moments from our arrival to the waterfront a little after 8 am for about the next 90 minutes to 2 hours as we could not locate the bird. Finally, scanning across to the eastern tip of Heron Island, a few of our group spotted what appeared to be a smaller white bird perched on some rock. Conveniently, a Great Egret landed beside him and the excitement built as the bird was definitely much smaller than his Great cousin. The bird took flight and landed in a tree-top on a small island just off the shore of Heron Island.  During its flight to this location, birders scoped the bird and were able to notice the yellow feet and black pronounced bill. It was no doubt what we were looking for. Now, would it take flight again and return to the basin where it has been seen almost every day since a week ago Thursday. In a few moments it took flight and headed our direction. Encouraged by our group, it glided its way towards its seemingly favourite location in the shallow water of the bay directly in front of our patient group on the shore. Lots of great looks and photos galore by everyone. Patience had paid off.

During our time waiting for the bird's arrival we were able to gather up a total of 41 additional species for the morning. Our complete list of 42 species for the day follows. Thanks to everyone for coming out on such a hot day and for waiting it out for the reward. The numbers per species below are definitely rough estimates:

Canada Goose - 4, Mallard - 6, Common Merganser - 4, Red-breasted Merganser - 1 adult with 12 young, Double-crested Cormorant - 25, LITTLE EGRET - 1, Great Blue Heron - 25, Great Egret - 30+, Black-crowned Night Heron - 3, Osprey - 1, Killdeer - 2, Spotted Sandpiper - 5, Solitary Sandpiper - 1, Semipalmated Sandpiper - 4, Bonaparte's Gull - 6, click photo to enlarge - Ring-billed Gull - 300+, Great Black-backed Gull - 10, Common Tern - 15, Black Tern - 2, Rock Pigeon - 8, Chimney Swift - 1, Belted Kingfisher - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Eastern Kingbird - 2 (1 on nest with babies), Warbling Vireo - 1, American Crow - 4, Tree Swallow - 40, Barn Swallow - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 4, White-breasted Nuthatch - 1, American Robin - 12, Gray Catbird - 2, European Starling - 75, Yellow Warbler - 10, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1, Common Yellowthroat - 4, Song Sparrow - 12, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 100+, Common Grackle - 20, House Finch - 2, House Sparrow - 8

Bernache du Canada - 4, Canard colvert - 6, Grand Harle - 4, Harle huppé - 1 adulte avec 12 jeunes, Cormoran à aigrettes - 25, Aigrette garzette - 1, Grand héron - 25, Grande Aigrette - 30 +, Bihoreau gris - 3, Balbuzards pêcheurs - 1, Pluvier kildir - 2, Chevalier grivelé - 5, Chevalier solitaire - 1, Bécasseau semipalmé - 4, Mouette de Bonaparte - 6, Goéland à bec cerclé - 300 +, Goéland marin - 10, Sterne pierregarin - 15, Guifette noire - 2, Pigeon biset - 8, Martinet ramoneur - 1, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique - 1, Pic mineur - 1, Tyran tritri - 2 (1 sur le nid avec les bébés), Viréo mélodieux - 1, Corneille d'Amérique - 4, Hirondelle bicolore - 40, Hirondelle rustique - 1, Mésange à tête noire - 4, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 1, Merle d'Amérique - 12, Moqueur chat - 2, Étourneau sansonnet - 75, Paruline jaune - 10, Paruline à flancs marron - 1, Paruline masquée - 4, Bruant chanteur - 12, Cardinal à poitrine rose - 1, Carouge à épaulettes - 100 +, Quiscale bronzé - 20, Roselin familier - 2, Moineau domestique - 8

I'm quite sure that this Little Egret will be talked about in this region for many years to come, particularly when anyone heads out to Ste-Catherine. I doubt that there will be any other species in our region challenging this bird for the "Bird of the Year" award.

We were all very fortunate to see it. Some of us have now had several chances to enjoy it. If you haven't been yet, I strongly suggest that you take the time to do so. The bird certainly seems happy and content in this location, with great conditions and lots of food, but, of course, there is no telling just how long it will take him (or her) to realize that this is not its normal stomping grounds. - Sheldon

Summer Series 2012 - Field Trip #3

Be prepared, it's going to be a hot one! The forecast for Saturday is sunny with a high of 33 degrees! As I mentioned, there is sufficient interest from people wanting to go to Ste-Catherine to look for the Little Egret, so we'll give it a try. Here are the details

Saturday, July 14
TIME: 8 am - Half Day.
LOCATION: Ste-Catherine Seaway Locks & Recré-o-Parc, Ste-Catherine, QC
MEETING SPOT: Empty lot across the street facing the road leading up to the bridge at the locks. There is a church adjacent to this empty lot. MAP
 Directions to the Ste-Catherine Seaway Locks in Ste-Catherine, QC

By car, via Champlain Bridge: Take the Champlain Bridge, take the first exit after the bridge toward New York State (#15 south / #132 east); take Exit 46 (LaPrairie/Salaberry) and turn right on to Marie-Victorin Blvd. Drive 5.2 km and arrive at the bridge on the right leading to the Sainte-Catherine Locks. Parking lot is on the left.

By car, via Mercier Bridge. At the south end of the bridge, take the left exit (direction LaPrairie-132 east), drive 6.5 km, turn left onto Rue Centrale. Follow Centrale which will turn right on to Marie-Victorin Blvd. The road to the locks is on the left. The Parking lot is on the right.

Itinerary: From the parking lot we will walk across the bridge over the locks, then descend a staircase down to the waterfront. We will walk along the shoreline on a well-worn path to the area of the bay where many birds hang out, hopefully including the Little Egret. Some days, the bird has been showing up later in the morning. If that is the case, we will move on in to the park itself which has an extensive network of paved trails through woods, fields and along the waterfront. We should be able to see a good selection of birds there as well. We'll then return to the basin later in the morning.

This trip will involve a lot of walking. Given the sun and heat being forecast, be prepared with sufficient refreshments, comfortable clothing and shoes, etc. Binoculars, scopes and cameras, of course. If the Little Egret is there, you will have excellent observations and photo ops.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 450-462-1459, or on Saturday morning on the BPQ cell at 514-637-2141

Sightings for Thursday July 12

Ste-Catherine: The Little Egret was again present around 9:23 to the left of the stairs leading down to the river. Map


L'Aigrette Garzette était de nouveau présent, vers 9h23, dans la baie à gauche de l'escalier menant au fleuve Carte - Raymond Belhumeur
----------------------------------------------------------
St-Flavien, 1214 rang des Pointes: Eurasian Collared Dove (Tourterelle turque) - Lise Jacques

Sightings for Wednesday July 11

Ste-Catherine: The Little Egret was back at its usual site. It was absent this morningand did not arrive until around 12:30.


L'Aigrette Garzette est de retour à son site habituel. Elle était absente ce matin et n'est arrivée que vers 12h30 - Olivier Barden

Sightings for Tuesday July 10

Ste-Catherine: The Little Egret was again present around 9:23 to the left of the stairs leading down to the river. Map


L'Aigrette Garzette était de nouveau présent, vers 9h23, dans la baie à gauche de l'escalier menant au fleuve. Carte - Raymond Belhumeur

Sightings for Monday July 9

Ste-Catherine: The Little Egret is still present to the left of the stairs leading down to the river.  Map

L'Aigrette Garzette toujours présente à gauche de l'escalier qui descend au fleuve. Carte - Jean-Sébastien Guénette
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tracy: Bike path between Chemin St-Roch and rue de Prouville 4 Northern Mockingbirds on a wire. 5 minutes later, rue Vandal 1 Northern Mockingbird chasing an American crow


Piste cyclable entre Chemin St-Roch et rue de Prouville 4 moqueur polyglotte sur un fil. 5 minutes plus tard, rue Vandal 1 moqueur polyglotte pourchassant une corneille d’Amérique - Jean Bellerose ---------------------------------------------------------------
Parc-Nature Île-Bizard : Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at the small boardwalk this morning,  but, apart for some Virginia Rails, it was very quiet.

Gobemoucheron gris-bleu à la petite passerelle, ce matin, mais, à part pour râle de Virginie, il était très calme - Felix Hilton

Sightings for Sunday July 8

Ste-Catherine: The Little Egret still present to the left of the stairs leading down the river. Very active feeding.

L'Aigrette Garzette toujours présente à gauche de l'escalier qui descend au fleuve. Très active à se nourrir. - Jean Laporte

Sightings for Saturday July 7

Sainte-Catherine, in the Bay at Recre-O-Parc the Little Egret is still being seen

dans la baie au Récré-O-Parc de la Aigrette garzette est encore vu - Tom Long
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Bergeronne, rang St. Joseph on the North Shore near the lake view in the presence of Pagé Sylvie a Tricolor heron flew over the lake.

sur la Côte-Nord près du lac vue en présence de Sylvie Pagé une Aigrette Tricolore survolant le lac. - Yves Fabe

Summer Series 2012- Trip #2 Report

Today's Summer Series outing was a combination of a birding trip and an insect walk. I'll report here on the results of the birding. Chris Cloutier will no doubt follow up with a report on the insects, plus whatever birds they may have come across.

18 birders arrived at Philipsburg for the 8 am start. A handful returned to the (ex) motel parking lot for 10 am to participate in the Insect Walk. The rest continued on birding. It was a very pleasant day, weather-wise. Cloud cover throughout much of the day kept the heat and humidity down, for the most part.

We began by crossing the highway and heading over to town stopping at the pier where we had our first major surprise of the day. There were just over 20 Turkey Vultures sitting on the rocky shore just south of the pier! The second treat followed not long after as we headed north along the lakeshore, stopping at a field of cattle. Looking east towards Highway 133 we found an adult Bald Eagle perched in a snag. This was a great kick-off to an excellent day of birding to come as we headed east along ch. St-Armand exploring the network of farms, grasslands and forested roads south of ch. St-Armand down to the US border and as far east as St-Armand Centre. On ch. Beaulne, we were treated to an excellent aerial and vocal display by a family of three Red-tailed Hawks.

Wrapping up this part of the day around noon, 8 of us decided to plan our route home through Ste-Catherine in hopes of seeing the Little Egret discovered there on Thursday by Raymond Belhumeur. It was well worth the effort as we were rewarded with excellent views of the bird feeding in the bay amongst a nice mix of water birds.

We completed the day with a total of 66 species. Here is our complete list for the day. All birds noted were seen in the Philipsburg/St. Armand region, except where noted. Thanks for the great turnout today.

SC = Ste-Catherine

12 Canada Goose - SC, 4 Gadwall - SC, 1 American Wigeon - SC, 12 Mallard - SC, 4 Common Merganser - SC (with young), 1 Ruffed Grouse, 10 Wild Turkey, 1 Common Loon - SC, 24 Double-crested Cormorant - SC, 6 Great Blue Heron - SC, 28 Great Egret - SC, 1 LITTLE EGRET - SC, 1 Green Heron, 30 Turkey Vulture, 2 Bald Eagle, 4 Red-tailed Hawk, 2 American Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 7 Killdeer, 1 Spotted Sandpiper - SC, 250+ Ring-billed Gull - majority SC, 8 Great Black-backed Gull - SC, 20 Common Tern - SC, 50+ Rock Pigeon, 50+ Mourning Dove, 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 2 Belted Kingfisher - 1 SC, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Hairy Woodpecker, 2 Northern Flicker, 3 Eastern Wood-Pewee, 2 Eastern Phoebe, 3 Eastern Kingbird, 4 Warbling Vireo, 6 Red-eyed Vireo, 10 Blue Jay, 20 American Crow, 15 Tree Swallow - 12 SC, 25 Barn Swallow, 5 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 10 House Wren, 2 Eastern Bluebird, 3 Veery, 1 Wood Thrush, 30 American Robin, 4 Gray Catbird, 300+ European Starling, 12 Cedar Waxwing, 5 Yellow Warbler, 1 Black and White Warbler, 4 Ovenbird, 20 Common Yellowthroat, 6 Chipping Sparrow, 6 Savannah Sparrow, 15 Song Sparrow, 2 Northern Cardinal, 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 1 Indigo Bunting, 2 Bobolink, 60+ Red-winged Blackbird, 40 Common Grackle, 20 Brown-headed Cowbird, 4 Baltimore Oriole, 50+ American Goldfinch, 6 House Sparrow
12 Bernache du Canada - SC, 4 Canard chipeau - SC, 1 Canard d'Amérique - SC, 12 Canard colvert - SC, 4 Grand Harle - SC (avec les jeunes), 1 Gélinotte huppée, 10 Dindon sauvage, 1 Plongeon huard - SC, 24 Cormoran à aigrettes  - SC, 6 Grand Héron - SC, 28 Grande Aigrette - SC, 1 Aigrette garzette - SC, 1 Héron vert, 30 Urubu à tête rouge, 2 Pygargue à tête blanche, 4 Buse à queue rousse, 2 crécerelle d'Amérique, 1 Faucon émerillon, 7 Pluvier kildir , 1 Chevalier grivelé - SC, 250 + Goéland à bec cerclé - la majorité SC, 8 Goéland marin- SC, 20 Sterne pierregarin - SC, 50 + Pigeon biset, Tourterelle triste 50 +, 2 Colibri à gorge rubis, 2 Martin pêcheur d'Amérique - 1 SC, 1 Pic mineur, 2 Pic chevelu, 2 Pic flamboyant, 3 Pioui de l'Est, 2 Moucherolle phébi, 3 Tyran tritri, 4 Viréo mélodieux, 6 Viréo aux yeux rouges, 10 Geai bleu, 20 Corneille d'Amérique, 15 Hirondelle bicolore - 12 SC, 25 Hirondelle rustique, 5 Mésange à tête noire, 1 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 10 Troglodyte familier, 2 Merlebleu de l'Est, 3 Grive fauve, 1 Grive des bois, 30 Merle d'Amérique, 4 Moqueur chat, 300 + Étourneau sansonnet, 12 Jaseur d'Amérique, 5 Paruline jaune, 1 Paruline noir et blanc, 4 Paruline couronnée, 20 Paruline masquée, 6 Bruant familier, 6 Bruant des prés, 15 Bruant chanteur, 2 Cardinal rouge, 2 Cardinal à poitrine rose, 1 Passerin indigo, 2 goglu des prés, 60 + carouge à épaulettes, 40 Quiscale bronzé, 20 Vacher à tête brune, 4 Oriole de Baltimore, 50 + Chardonneret jaune, 6 Moineau domestique

Sightings for Friday July 6

I just found the Little egret. She is currently on the shore of Île aux Hérons, far away from me. I'm in the same place as yesterday, on the path along the bay of the Récré-O-Parc in Sainte-Catherine. It hunts on the waterfront, advancing quietly and pausing abreast with outstretched neck, like the Little blue heron. Like a Little egret.

Je viens de localiser la Aigrette garzette. Elle est présentement sur la rive de l'Île aux Hérons, donc très loin de moi. Je suis au même endroit qu'hier, sur le sentier qui longe la baie au Récré-O-Parc à Sainte-Catherine. Elle chasse sur le bord de l'eau, avançant calmement et faisant des pauses à l'affût le cou tendu, à la façon de l'Égrette bleue. Et comme une garzette. - François Grenon

Around noon, the Little egret had moved closer to the lock and was clearly visible. There were fifteen observers at the site.

Summer Series of Birding 2012 - Field Trip #2 - Saturday, July 7

This coming Saturday BPQ will be conducting a special event featuring both birdwatching and an insect walk.


BPQ's Chris Cloutier, an Interpretive Naturalist, will be leading an insect walk in BPQ's Philipsburg George H. Mongomery sanctuary, looking for and identifying dragonflies and butterflies. His walk will begin at 10 am in the BPQ car park adjacent to the old motel just north of the border crossing on the east side of Highway 133 just north of the Philipsburg/Highgate Springs border crossing.


Bring binoculars, camera, field guides, an insect net if you have one, and your curiosity for a half-day walk to discover some fascinating winged critters.


Learn how to identify some of our most common species and find out about their incredible way of life.


For those wishing to arrive early, at 8 am, I will be leading the birdwatching outing, starting from the same location. We will explore the waterfront area of Lake Champlain and parts of the Philipsburg reserve until a little before 10 am. At that time, those wishing to participate in the insect walk can return to the motel parking to meet up with Chris for the 10 am start.


For those preferring to continue birding, we will head out east of the reserve along chemin St-Armand, exploring roads in the St-Armand, St-Armand Centre, Pigeon Hill and Frelighsburg regions.


For those wishing to participate only in the insect walk, please go directly to the motel parking for 10 am to meet up with Chris Cloutier.


So here is a summary:


For early birding:


8 AM - Meet at the old motel parking lot on Highway 133 in Philipsburg


For information on the birdwatching outing, please contact Sheldon Harvey at 450-462-1459, or on Saturday morning at 514-637-2141, or  e-mail


For Chris Cloutier's Insect Walk


10 AM - meet at the old motel parking lot on Highway 133 in Philipsburg


For information on the Insect Walk please contact Chris Cloutier e-mail


Driving instructions: From Montreal take the Champlain Bridge, Highway 10 east to exit 22, Highway 35 south to St. Jean to join Highway 133 south to Philipsburg. Continue past flashing light, cross to the east side of the highway at the motel. Note the small PQSPB sign; enter the motel drive, park in the BPQ lot just south of the motel.  MAP
Please note that the old motel was demolished recently, although the parking lot still exists. The Motel was on the left just before boulevard de la Falaise where you would make a U-Turn to get to the parking

Feel free to bring along your lunch, snacks, refreshments, etc. There are limited stores and/or facilities in the region.