Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip report" September 8

Dundee and Ste-Matine field trip

The stormy start to the day in Montreal probably kept many birders from risking the lengthy drive to Dundee. Six birders did show up but did not bring the rain with them. Skies were cloudy, temperatures were very warm (26C) and humidity levels uncomfortable. The breeze increased to a steady strong wind by mid-day.

We first birded the tower area at The Lake St Francis Reserve where the elevated view gave us a good look at a young osprey which didn't seem to realize that its parents weren't going to "support" it anymore and it was going to have to go hunting on its own. It sat on its nest platform and cried out for most of the early morning. We also had views of a distant adult bald eagle and very close views of another flying osprey. The tower also offered good close sightings of cedar waxwings, catbirds, a beautiful male baltimore oriole and a family of rose-breasted grosbeak in various plumages. Warblers were almost nonexistent in the area. The group then proceed the Egret Trail where we spent some time observing the marsh. Another bald eagle and and two northern harriers were highlights there as was a flock of approximately 800 red-winged blackbirds that put on quite an aerial show in the stiffening breeze. Four of the party made the drive to Ste-Martine which proved disappointing for shore birds (water levels were high with very little rock showing) but we were rewarded with several fly-by's of a peregrine falcon as well as another osprey and two great egrets. The only shorebirds present were a half dozen lesser yellowlegs. - Wayne


Our complete list of 49 species seen at both locations and en route between included:  Canada goose - 50,  Wood duck - 20, American black duck - 10, Mallard - 50, Green-winged teal - 4, Double-crested cormorant - 5, Great blue heron - 4, Great egret - 2, Green heron - 2, Turkey vulture - 4 (en route), Osprey - 5, Bald eagle - 2, Northern harrier - 2, Sharp-shinned hawk - 1, American kestrel - 1, Peregrine falcon - 1, Sandhill crane - 1 (heard only), Lesser yellowlegs - 6, Wilson's snipe - 1, Ring-billed gulls - 50, Rock pigeons - 12, Mourning doves -8, Ruby-throated hummingbird - 1, Belted kingfisher - 2, Downy woodpecker - 1, Hairy woodpecker - 2, Northern flicker - 2, Warbling vireo - 1 (Heard only), Red-eyed vireo - 1, Blue jay - 10, American crow - 20, Common raven - 1 (en route between sites), Tree swallow - 6, Black-capped chickadee - 10, White-breasted nuthatch - 4, Marsh wren - 2, Thrush sp. - 1, Gray catbird - 3, Brown thrasher - 1, European starling - 50, Cedar waxwing - 10, Common yellowthroat - 4, Song sparrow - 5, Swamp sparrow - 1, White-throated sparrow - 2, Rose-breasted grosbeak - 6, Red-winged blackbird - 1000+, Baltimore oriole - 1, American goldfinch - 6

Bernache du Canada - 50, Canard branchu - 20, Canard noir - 10, Canard colvert - 50, Sarcelle d'hiver - 4, Cormoran à aigrettes - 5, Grand héron - 4, Grande aigrette - 2, Héron vert - 2, Urubu à tête rouge - 4, Balbuzard pêcheur - 5, Pygargue à tête blanche - 2, Busard Saint-Martin - 2, Épervier brun - 1, Crécerelle d'Amérique - 1, Faucon pèlerin - 1, Grue du Canada - 1 (entendu seulement), Petit chevalier - 6, Bécassine de Wilson - 1, Goéland à bec cerclé - 50, Pigeon biset -12 , Tourterelle triste - 8 , Colibri à gorge rubis - 1, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique - 2, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu - 2, Pic flaboyant - 2, Viréo mélodieux - 1 (entendu seulement), Viréo aux yeux rouges - 1, Geai bleu - 10, Corneille d'Amérique - 20, Grand Corbeau - 1 (en route), Hirondelle bicolore - 6, Mésange à tête noire - 10, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 4, Troglodyte des marais - 2, sp Grive. - 1, Moqueur chat - 3, Moqueur roux - 1, Étourneau sansonnet - 50, Jaseur d'Amérique - 10, Paruline masquée - 4, Bruant chanteur - 5, Bruant des marais - 1, Bruant à gorge blanche - 2, Cardinal à poitrine rose - 6, Carouge à épaulettes - 1000 +, Oriole de Baltimore - 1, Chardonneret jaune - 6