Franklin: This morning around 6:00 with Nicole Guenette, Bernard Lemaire and Claude Fréchette we observed and photographed Blue Grosbeak, it moved from orchard field along Montée Clinton. The American dickcissel was also present on the wire along Route 202
Ce matin vers 6h00 en compagnie de Nicole Guénette, Bernard Fréchette et Claude Lemaire nous observé et photographié le Guiraca bleu, ce dernier se déplaçait du champ au verger le long de la Montée Clinton. Le DIckcissel d'Amérique était également présent sur le fil le long de la route 202. Bonne journée. Lucien Lemay
Rare and interesting bird sightings from Quebec
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Bird Protection Quebec, Summer Series 2014 - Field trip #1 Report
The first field trip of the 2014 Summer Series of Birding attracted 24 birders for a walk through Parc des Rapides in Ville Lasalle. The weather was great but started to heat up quickly as the morning wore on. This year's crop of mayflies, or shad flies, (not sure which is which) emerged by the thousands throughout the park. As a result, the bird life was extremely active, with many birds not even having to move from their perches to chase down the insects. They would just sit and pick them out of the air. New life was present in many spots today with many, many parent birds busily feeding their young, making for some interesting observations.
Our total species count for the morning was 31. Here is the list. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the morning. - Sheldon Harvey
Canada Goose 30 Wood Duck 1 Gadwall 1 American Wigeon 2 American Black Duck 1 Mallard 25 Double-crested Cormorant 40 Great Blue Heron 20 Great Egret 10 Green Heron 1 Black-crowned Night Heron 6 Ring-billed Gull 50 Great Black-backed Gull 3 Common Tern 25 Chimney Swift 5 Downy Woodpecker 3 Eastern Kingbird 4 Warbling Vireo 3 Red-eyed Vireo 1 American Crow 2 Tree Swallow 15 Black-capped Chickadee 1 American Robin 5 European Starling 35 Cedar Waxwing 2 Yellow Warbler 20 Song Sparrow 25 Red-winged Blackbird 200+ Common Grackle 6 Baltimore Oriole 5 House Sparrow 2
Bernache du Canada 30 Canard branchu 1 Canard chipeau 1 Canard d'Amérique 2 Canard noir 1 Canard colvert 25 Cormoran à aigrettes 40 Grand héron 20 Grande aigrette 10 Héron vert 1 Bihoreau Héron 6 Goéland à bec cerclé 50 Goéland marin 3 Sterne pierregarin 25 Martinet ramoneur 5 Pic mineur 3 Tyran tritri 4 Viréo mélodieux 3 Viréo aux yeux rouges 1 Corneille d'Amérique 2 Hirondelle bicolore 15 Mésange à tête noire 1 Merle d'Amérique 5 Étourneau sansonnet 35 Jaseur d'Amérique 2 Paruline jaune 20 Bruant chanteur 25 Carouge à épaulettes 200 + Quiscale bronzé 6 Oriole de Baltimore 5 Moineau domestique 2
Our total species count for the morning was 31. Here is the list. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the morning. - Sheldon Harvey
Canada Goose 30 Wood Duck 1 Gadwall 1 American Wigeon 2 American Black Duck 1 Mallard 25 Double-crested Cormorant 40 Great Blue Heron 20 Great Egret 10 Green Heron 1 Black-crowned Night Heron 6 Ring-billed Gull 50 Great Black-backed Gull 3 Common Tern 25 Chimney Swift 5 Downy Woodpecker 3 Eastern Kingbird 4 Warbling Vireo 3 Red-eyed Vireo 1 American Crow 2 Tree Swallow 15 Black-capped Chickadee 1 American Robin 5 European Starling 35 Cedar Waxwing 2 Yellow Warbler 20 Song Sparrow 25 Red-winged Blackbird 200+ Common Grackle 6 Baltimore Oriole 5 House Sparrow 2
Bernache du Canada 30 Canard branchu 1 Canard chipeau 1 Canard d'Amérique 2 Canard noir 1 Canard colvert 25 Cormoran à aigrettes 40 Grand héron 20 Grande aigrette 10 Héron vert 1 Bihoreau Héron 6 Goéland à bec cerclé 50 Goéland marin 3 Sterne pierregarin 25 Martinet ramoneur 5 Pic mineur 3 Tyran tritri 4 Viréo mélodieux 3 Viréo aux yeux rouges 1 Corneille d'Amérique 2 Hirondelle bicolore 15 Mésange à tête noire 1 Merle d'Amérique 5 Étourneau sansonnet 35 Jaseur d'Amérique 2 Paruline jaune 20 Bruant chanteur 25 Carouge à épaulettes 200 + Quiscale bronzé 6 Oriole de Baltimore 5 Moineau domestique 2
Friday, June 27, 2014
Sightings for Friday June 27
Franklin: 2 rare species (Blue grosbeak and American dickcissel) in Quebec are at the same time in the same field at the corner of Route 202 and montée Clinton in Franklin. I saw them this morning in the company of a dozen very respectful observers.
We can not emphasize enough, it is important that observers and photographers are on the road. First, respect for Private property and respect for the habitat of these birds and other species using the field, not forgetting that good behavior increases the opportunities of other observers who move will in turn see these two species. I noticed the start of a trail in the vegetation of the field near a pole on Clinton and that is why I insist on the respect for property and housing.
As usual for 3 weeks, the Dickcissel sung almost constantly on the telephone wire. As for the Blue grosbeak he sang also, but less often than the Dickcissel. When he sings, he perches in the vegetation and singing is not always easy to detect. his song very similar to that of a Purple Finch, but more guttural.
2 espèces rares au Québec (Guiraca bleu et Dickcissel d'Amérique) se retrouvent au même moment dans le même champ, au coin de la route 202 et de la montée Clinton à Franklin. J'ai pu les voir ce matin en compagnie d'une dizaine d'observateurs très respectueux.
On ne le répétera jamais assez, il est important que les observateurs et les photographes restent sur la route. D'abord par respect pour la propriété privée, puis par respect pour l'habitat de ces oiseaux et les autres espèces qui utilisent le champ, sans oublier qu'une bonne conduite augmente les chances que les autres observateurs qui se déplaceront pourront à leur tour observer ces 2 espèces. J'ai remarqué un début de sentier dans la végétation du champ près d'un poteau sur Clinton et c'est pourquoi j'insiste sur le respect de la propriété et de l'habitat.
Comme d'habitude depuis 3 semaines, le Dickcissel chantait presque constamment sur son fil de téléphone. Quant au Guiraca, il chantait aussi mais moins souvent que le Dickcissel. Quand il chante, il se perche dans la végétation du chant et n'est pas toujours facile à détecter. Son chant ressemble beaucoup à celui d'un Roselin pourpré, mais plus grasseyant. - Pierre Bannon
We can not emphasize enough, it is important that observers and photographers are on the road. First, respect for Private property and respect for the habitat of these birds and other species using the field, not forgetting that good behavior increases the opportunities of other observers who move will in turn see these two species. I noticed the start of a trail in the vegetation of the field near a pole on Clinton and that is why I insist on the respect for property and housing.
As usual for 3 weeks, the Dickcissel sung almost constantly on the telephone wire. As for the Blue grosbeak he sang also, but less often than the Dickcissel. When he sings, he perches in the vegetation and singing is not always easy to detect. his song very similar to that of a Purple Finch, but more guttural.
2 espèces rares au Québec (Guiraca bleu et Dickcissel d'Amérique) se retrouvent au même moment dans le même champ, au coin de la route 202 et de la montée Clinton à Franklin. J'ai pu les voir ce matin en compagnie d'une dizaine d'observateurs très respectueux.
On ne le répétera jamais assez, il est important que les observateurs et les photographes restent sur la route. D'abord par respect pour la propriété privée, puis par respect pour l'habitat de ces oiseaux et les autres espèces qui utilisent le champ, sans oublier qu'une bonne conduite augmente les chances que les autres observateurs qui se déplaceront pourront à leur tour observer ces 2 espèces. J'ai remarqué un début de sentier dans la végétation du champ près d'un poteau sur Clinton et c'est pourquoi j'insiste sur le respect de la propriété et de l'habitat.
Comme d'habitude depuis 3 semaines, le Dickcissel chantait presque constamment sur son fil de téléphone. Quant au Guiraca, il chantait aussi mais moins souvent que le Dickcissel. Quand il chante, il se perche dans la végétation du chant et n'est pas toujours facile à détecter. Son chant ressemble beaucoup à celui d'un Roselin pourpré, mais plus grasseyant. - Pierre Bannon
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
2014 Summer Series of Birding - Trip #1 - Saturday, June 28
The spring field trips have ended and it's time to kick off the 11th annual Summer Series of Birding. For those of you not familiar with the Summer Series, we choose the destination of the field trip each week just a few days prior to the trip itself. The destination will be posted here, as well as on the BPQ Facebook group page as soon as it is chosen. Throughout the summer, I'll try to come up with a few spots that we haven't visited before, or that we haven't been to in a long time. Also if any rare birds show up in our region throughout the summer, we'll do our best to arrange outings to try to track them down.
To kick things off this summer, seeing as our most recent spring outings were driving trips a good distance from Montreal, we'll keep it local giving everyone an opportunity to come to an easy-to-get-to destination. We will be heading to the always interesting Parc des Rapides in Ville LaSalle. Here are the details:
DATE: Saturday, June 28
Start Time: 8:00 a.m. - Half-day walking trip
Meet in the parking lot at Parc des Rapides, corner of LaSalle Blvd. and 6th Avenue in Ville LaSalle (just east of Bishop Power Blvd.). Free Parking
Driving Instructions: Take Hwy 20 to the Blvd. de la Vérendrye exit. Heading west on de la Vérendrye, follow it to Bishop Power Blvd/Shevchenko. Turn left on Bishop Power Blvd and follow to the waterfront on LaSalle Blvd. Turn left on LaSalle Blvd. and follow it to the parking lot at the corner of 6th Avenue.
From the West Island another option is Highway 20 to the Angrignon Blvd. exit. Follow Angrignon Blvd which changes name to des Trinitaires at Newman Blvd. Continue on des Trinitaires to de la Verendrye Blvd. Turn right on de la Verendrye and follow it to Bishop Power Blvd/Shevchenko. Turn left on to Bishop Power and follow the instructions above.
Public transportation is available from the Angrignon Metro station. Check metro and bus routes for full details.
We will explore the park as well as the LaSalle/Verdun waterfront looking for songbirds, marsh birds, water fowl, gulls, terns, raptors, and whatever else we can find!.
If you have questions, please contact me at 450-462-1459, or on the BPQ phone line on the day of the trip at 514-637-2141, or by e-mail.
We look forward to another great summer of birding.
Sheldon Harvey
To kick things off this summer, seeing as our most recent spring outings were driving trips a good distance from Montreal, we'll keep it local giving everyone an opportunity to come to an easy-to-get-to destination. We will be heading to the always interesting Parc des Rapides in Ville LaSalle. Here are the details:
DATE: Saturday, June 28
Start Time: 8:00 a.m. - Half-day walking trip
Meet in the parking lot at Parc des Rapides, corner of LaSalle Blvd. and 6th Avenue in Ville LaSalle (just east of Bishop Power Blvd.). Free Parking
Driving Instructions: Take Hwy 20 to the Blvd. de la Vérendrye exit. Heading west on de la Vérendrye, follow it to Bishop Power Blvd/Shevchenko. Turn left on Bishop Power Blvd and follow to the waterfront on LaSalle Blvd. Turn left on LaSalle Blvd. and follow it to the parking lot at the corner of 6th Avenue.
From the West Island another option is Highway 20 to the Angrignon Blvd. exit. Follow Angrignon Blvd which changes name to des Trinitaires at Newman Blvd. Continue on des Trinitaires to de la Verendrye Blvd. Turn right on de la Verendrye and follow it to Bishop Power Blvd/Shevchenko. Turn left on to Bishop Power and follow the instructions above.
Public transportation is available from the Angrignon Metro station. Check metro and bus routes for full details.
We will explore the park as well as the LaSalle/Verdun waterfront looking for songbirds, marsh birds, water fowl, gulls, terns, raptors, and whatever else we can find!.
If you have questions, please contact me at 450-462-1459, or on the BPQ phone line on the day of the trip at 514-637-2141, or by e-mail.
We look forward to another great summer of birding.
Sheldon Harvey
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday June 21
Twelve early risers set their alarms and managed to make it down to Ormstown for the 5:30 a.m. official start of our Summer Solstice Trip. (Well two were a little late!). It was a bonus that this year's trip actually fell on the exact solstice date and we were birding at the official time of 6:51 a.m. The weather was partly cloudy with cool morning temperatures of 10C warming up nicely to 22C by morning's end. Light breezes.
Our day started on Rang 3/Gore Road where we had good views of Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. Three Upland Sandpipers at the Graham Farm were welcome additions. We then deviated slightly from our usual route in order to view the Dickcissel at the corner of Clinton and Highway 202. He did not disappoint and put on quite a show being very aggressive while chasing anything in feathers out of his territory.
Our route then took us along Massey Road and Gowan Road. The feeder on the corner of these two roads provided goods views of 4 different Rose-breated Grosbeaks and 4 Purple Finches. A quick pit stop in Huntingdon was followed by a walk along Biggar Road which proved to be a little disappointing considering the good birds which have been seen there recently. It may very well be that we arrived a little late in the morning. One Golden-winged Warbler was heard singing very briefly and several Eastern Towhees were calling with one providing a quick view. Two Willow Flycathers were also calling near the more southerly section of the road and several Brown Thrashers performed flybys. We made a few stops on Black-Ridge Road and finished our trip at the Droulers archeological site. A quick after-lunch scan of the local area failed to produce the Clay-coloured Sparrow that had been reported but a Black-billed Cuckoo gave several participants a flyover.
Many thanks to all who came out for a very enjoyable morning.
Thanks to Sheldon for navigating and providing the Walkie-Talkies that allowed us to keep in touch. We won't even mention the promises our new president made about thrashers walking at our feet and Golden-winged's dripping from the trees which failed to materialize. Ah, politicians and broken promises! Never thought it would happen in BPQ. Thanks for being a good sport about the abuse over lunch, Sheldon.
Our complete list of 78 species includes: Wood Duck - 4 Ruffed Grouse - 1 American Bittern - 1 Great Blue Heron - 3 Green Heron - 2 Turkey Vulture - 7 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Broad-winged Hawk - 1 Killdeer - 1 Upland Sandpiper - 3 Ring-billed Gull - 8 Rock Pigeon - 12 Mourning Dove - 12 Black-billed Cuckoo - 2 (one seen, 1 heard) Chimney Swift - 10 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 5 Downy Woodpecker - 4 Hairy Woodpecker - 3 Northern Flicker - 4 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 6 Alder Flycatcher - 4 Willow Flycatcher - 2 Least Flycatcher - 6 Eastern Phoebe - 6 (includes 3 young on nest) Great Crested Flycatcher - 4 Eastern Kingbird - 7 Warbling Vireo - 1 Red-eyed Vireo - 10 Blue Jay - 36 American Crow - 12 Tree Swallow - 20 Cliff Swallow -4 Barn Swallow - 20 Black-capped Chickadee - 6 White-breasted Nuthatch - 5 Brown Creeper - 1 (heard) House Wren - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 3 Veery - 12 Hermit Thrush - 1 (heard) Wood Thrush - 3 (heard) American Robin - 40 Gray Catbird - 6 Brown Thrasher - 3 European Starling - 36 Cedar Waxwing - 40 Golden-winged warbler - 1 (heard) Yellow Warbler - 15 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 6 Black-throated Green Warbler - 2 (heard) Black-and-white Warbler - 4 (heard) American Redstart - 3 Ovenbird - 12 (heard) Northern Waterthrush - 2 (heard) Common Yellowthroat - 8 Scarlet Tanager - 3 (heard) Eastern Towhee - 3 (heard with brief glimpse of 1) Chipping Sparrow - 10 Field Sparrow - 1 (heard) Savannah Sparrow - 5 Song Sparrow - 12 White-throated Sparrow - 4 Northern Cardinal - 2 Rose-breasted grosbeak - 8 including 4 at feeder on Gowan Road) Indigo bunting - 3 Dickcissel - 1 Bobolink - 12 Red-winged Blackbird - 30 Eastern Meadowlark - 3 Common Grackle - 24 Brown-headed Cowbird - 2 Baltimore Oriole - 6 Purple Finch - 8 House Finch - 1 American Goldfinch - 45 House Sparrow - 8
Our day started on Rang 3/Gore Road where we had good views of Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. Three Upland Sandpipers at the Graham Farm were welcome additions. We then deviated slightly from our usual route in order to view the Dickcissel at the corner of Clinton and Highway 202. He did not disappoint and put on quite a show being very aggressive while chasing anything in feathers out of his territory.
Our route then took us along Massey Road and Gowan Road. The feeder on the corner of these two roads provided goods views of 4 different Rose-breated Grosbeaks and 4 Purple Finches. A quick pit stop in Huntingdon was followed by a walk along Biggar Road which proved to be a little disappointing considering the good birds which have been seen there recently. It may very well be that we arrived a little late in the morning. One Golden-winged Warbler was heard singing very briefly and several Eastern Towhees were calling with one providing a quick view. Two Willow Flycathers were also calling near the more southerly section of the road and several Brown Thrashers performed flybys. We made a few stops on Black-Ridge Road and finished our trip at the Droulers archeological site. A quick after-lunch scan of the local area failed to produce the Clay-coloured Sparrow that had been reported but a Black-billed Cuckoo gave several participants a flyover.
Many thanks to all who came out for a very enjoyable morning.
Thanks to Sheldon for navigating and providing the Walkie-Talkies that allowed us to keep in touch. We won't even mention the promises our new president made about thrashers walking at our feet and Golden-winged's dripping from the trees which failed to materialize. Ah, politicians and broken promises! Never thought it would happen in BPQ. Thanks for being a good sport about the abuse over lunch, Sheldon.
Our complete list of 78 species includes: Wood Duck - 4 Ruffed Grouse - 1 American Bittern - 1 Great Blue Heron - 3 Green Heron - 2 Turkey Vulture - 7 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 Broad-winged Hawk - 1 Killdeer - 1 Upland Sandpiper - 3 Ring-billed Gull - 8 Rock Pigeon - 12 Mourning Dove - 12 Black-billed Cuckoo - 2 (one seen, 1 heard) Chimney Swift - 10 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 5 Downy Woodpecker - 4 Hairy Woodpecker - 3 Northern Flicker - 4 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 6 Alder Flycatcher - 4 Willow Flycatcher - 2 Least Flycatcher - 6 Eastern Phoebe - 6 (includes 3 young on nest) Great Crested Flycatcher - 4 Eastern Kingbird - 7 Warbling Vireo - 1 Red-eyed Vireo - 10 Blue Jay - 36 American Crow - 12 Tree Swallow - 20 Cliff Swallow -4 Barn Swallow - 20 Black-capped Chickadee - 6 White-breasted Nuthatch - 5 Brown Creeper - 1 (heard) House Wren - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 3 Veery - 12 Hermit Thrush - 1 (heard) Wood Thrush - 3 (heard) American Robin - 40 Gray Catbird - 6 Brown Thrasher - 3 European Starling - 36 Cedar Waxwing - 40 Golden-winged warbler - 1 (heard) Yellow Warbler - 15 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 6 Black-throated Green Warbler - 2 (heard) Black-and-white Warbler - 4 (heard) American Redstart - 3 Ovenbird - 12 (heard) Northern Waterthrush - 2 (heard) Common Yellowthroat - 8 Scarlet Tanager - 3 (heard) Eastern Towhee - 3 (heard with brief glimpse of 1) Chipping Sparrow - 10 Field Sparrow - 1 (heard) Savannah Sparrow - 5 Song Sparrow - 12 White-throated Sparrow - 4 Northern Cardinal - 2 Rose-breasted grosbeak - 8 including 4 at feeder on Gowan Road) Indigo bunting - 3 Dickcissel - 1 Bobolink - 12 Red-winged Blackbird - 30 Eastern Meadowlark - 3 Common Grackle - 24 Brown-headed Cowbird - 2 Baltimore Oriole - 6 Purple Finch - 8 House Finch - 1 American Goldfinch - 45 House Sparrow - 8
Canard branchu - 4 Gélinotte huppée - 1 Butor d'Amérique - 1 Grand Héron - 3 Héron vert - 2 Urubu à tête rouge - 7 Buse à épaulettes - 1 Petite Buse - 1 Pluvier kildir - 1 Maubèche des champs - 3 Goéland à bec cerclé - 8 Pigeon biset - 12 Tourterelle triste - 12 Coulicou à bec noir - 2 (un vu, entendu 1) Martinet ramoneur - 10 Colibri à gorge rubis - 1 Pic maculé - 5 Pic mineur - 4 Pic chevelu - 3 Pic flamboyant - 4 Grand Pic - 1 Pioui de l'Est - 6 Moucherolle des aulnes - 4 Moucherolle des saules - 2 Moucherolle tchébec - 6 Moucherolle Phébi - 6 (3 jeunes sur le nid) Tyran huppé - 4 Tyran tritri - 7 Viréo - 1 Viréo aux yeux rouges - 10 Geai bleu - 36 Corneille d'Amérique - 12 Hirondelle bicolore - 20 Hirondelle à front blanc -4 Hirondelle rustique - 20 Mésange à tête noire - 6 Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 5 Grimpereau brun - 1 (entendu) Troglodyte familier - 2 Merlebleu de l'Est - 3 Grive fauve - 12 Grive solitaire - 1 (entendu) Grive des bois - 3 (entendu) Merle d'Amérique - 40 Moqueur chat - 6 Moqueur roux - 3 Étourneau sansonnet - 36 Jaseur d'Amérique - 40 Paruline à ailes dorées - 1 (entendu) Paruline jaune - 15 Paruline à flancs marron - 6 Paruline à gorge noire - 2 (entendu) Paruline Noir et blanc - 4 (entendu) Paruline flamboyante - 3 Paruline couronnée - 12 (entendu) Paruline des ruisseaux - 2 (entendu) Paruline masquée - 8 Tangara écarlate - 3 (entendu) Tohi à flancs roux - 3 (entendue avec bref aperçu de 1) Bruant familier - 10 Bruant des champs - 1 (entendu) Bruant des prés - 5 Bruant chanteur - 12 Bruant à gorge blanche - 4 Cardinal rouge - 2 Cardinal à poitrine rose - 8 Passerine indigo - 3 Dickcissel d'Amérique - 1 Goglu des prés - 12 Carouge à épaulettes - 30 Sturnelle des prés - 3 Quiscale bronzé - 24 Vacher à tête brune - 2 Oriole de Baltimore - 6 Roselin pourpré - 8 Roselin familier - 1 Chardonneret jaune - 45 Moineau domestique - 8
Friday, June 20, 2014
Sightings for Friday June 20
Chateauguay, Ile Saint-Bernard: 40 species - Canada Goose 48, Wood Duck 3, American Black Duck 1, Mallard 17, Great Blue Heron 3, Great Egret 9,Black-crowned Night-Heron 7, Osprey 1, Ring-billed Gull 8, Caspian Tern 1, Common Tern 3, Rock Pigeon 1, Mourning Dove 1, Downy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 2, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Willow Flycatcher 2, Great Crested Flycatcher 1, Red-eyed Vireo 3, Tree Swallow 18, Cliff Swallow 11, Black-capped Chickadee 4, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, House Wren 5, Marsh Wren 7, Veery 3, American Robin 20, Gray Catbird 5, European Starling 7, Cedar Waxwing 3, Common Yellowthroat 4, American Redstart 11, Yellow Warbler 45, Song Sparrow 25, Northern Cardinal 3, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2, Red-winged Blackbird 50, Common Grackle 10, Baltimore Oriole 6, House Sparrow 2
Bernache du Canada 48, Canard branchu 3, Canard noir 1, Canard colvert 17, Grand héron 3, Grande Aigrette 9, Bihoreau gris 7, balbuzard pêcheur 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 8, Sterne caspienne 1, Sterne pierregarin 3, Pigeon biset 1, Tourterelle triste 1, Pic mineur 2, Pic flamboyant 2, Grand pic 1, Moucherolle des saules 2, Tyran huppé 1, Viréo aux yeux rouges 3, Hirondelle bicolore 18, Hirondelle à front blanc 1, Mésange à tête noire 4, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Troglodyte familier 5, Troglodyte des marais 7, Grive fauve 3, Merle d'Amérique 20, Moqueur chat 5, Étourneau sansonnet 7, Jaseur d'Amérique 3, Paruline masquée 4, Paruline flamboyante 11, Paruline jaune 45, Bruant chanteur 25, Cardinal rouge 3, Cardinal à poitrine rose 2, Carouge à épaulettes 50, Quiscale bronzé 10, Oriole de Baltimore 6, Moineau domestique 2
Bernache du Canada 48, Canard branchu 3, Canard noir 1, Canard colvert 17, Grand héron 3, Grande Aigrette 9, Bihoreau gris 7, balbuzard pêcheur 1, Goéland à bec cerclé 8, Sterne caspienne 1, Sterne pierregarin 3, Pigeon biset 1, Tourterelle triste 1, Pic mineur 2, Pic flamboyant 2, Grand pic 1, Moucherolle des saules 2, Tyran huppé 1, Viréo aux yeux rouges 3, Hirondelle bicolore 18, Hirondelle à front blanc 1, Mésange à tête noire 4, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Troglodyte familier 5, Troglodyte des marais 7, Grive fauve 3, Merle d'Amérique 20, Moqueur chat 5, Étourneau sansonnet 7, Jaseur d'Amérique 3, Paruline masquée 4, Paruline flamboyante 11, Paruline jaune 45, Bruant chanteur 25, Cardinal rouge 3, Cardinal à poitrine rose 2, Carouge à épaulettes 50, Quiscale bronzé 10, Oriole de Baltimore 6, Moineau domestique 2
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Bird Protection Quebec "Field trip"
Summer Solstice Field Trip
Saturday, June 21 --- samedi juin 21
Southwestern Quebec - Early Solstice Trip -- Sud-ouest du Québec - Excursion du solstice d’été
Guides: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 e-mail
and Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 e-mail Cell: 514-774-0811 (Please use only on morning of trip)
Exceptional Start Time!
5:30 a.m. Meet on 3ème rang, just off Hwy 201. From Montreal take the Mercier Bridge and follow Hwy 138 to Ormstown. Turn left on Hwy 201 to 3ème Rang (called Rang de Tullochgorum on opposite side of 201). Turn right on 3ème Rang and wait there for the group. From the West Island, take Hwy 20 west to exit 14 (Hwy 201) for Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Take Hwy 201 through Grande-Île, following signs for Ormstown. There are a number of lights and turns on this route (see a map). Stay on 201 beyond Ormstown. Turn right on 3ème Rang and wait there for the group. This is a driving trip; carpooling is recommended. This trip will explore some of the roads of southwestern Quebec in the Ormstown-Huntingdon area. We are starting early because some of the roads are busy and parking can be difficult. Looking for birds of the forests and of open country. Possible species include Yellow- throated Vireo, Golden-winged Warbler, Field Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird as well as more common passerines. Half day.Possibility of extension into the early afternoon.
5 h 30 Rassemblement le long du 3ème rang. De Montréal, prendre le pont Mercier. Tourner à gauche sur la route 201 et continuer jusqu’à l’intersection avec le 3ème rang (indiqué rang Tullochgorum de l’autre côté). Tourner à droite sur le 3ème rang et y attendre le reste du groupe. De l’Ouest-de-l’Île de Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 20 direction ouest jusqu’à la sortie 14 (route 201) pour Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Prendre la route 201 et traverser Grande-Île en suivant les indications pour Ormstown. On rencontre un bon nombre de lumières et tournants sur cette route : consulter une carte. Continuer sur la 201 après avoir traversé Ormstown. Tourner à droite sur le 3ème rang et y attendre le reste du groupe. Les déplacements se feront principalement en voiture. Le covoiturage est recommandé. Cette excursion permettra d’explorer certaines routes du Sud-Ouest du Québec, dans la région de Ormstown et Huntingdon. L’excursion débute tôt car certaines routes sont très achalandées et il peut être difficile d’y trouver un stationnement. À la recherche d’oiseaux forestiers et d’oiseaux d’espaces ouverts. Parmi les espèces susceptibles d’être rencontrées, notons le Viréo à gorge jaune, la Paruline à ailes dorées, le Bruant des champs, le Merlebleu de l’Est ainsi que d’autres passereaux plus communs. Demi-journée, avec possibilité de poursuivre jusqu’en début d’après-midi.
Saturday, June 21 --- samedi juin 21
Southwestern Quebec - Early Solstice Trip -- Sud-ouest du Québec - Excursion du solstice d’été
Guides: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 e-mail
and Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 e-mail Cell: 514-774-0811 (Please use only on morning of trip)
Exceptional Start Time!
5:30 a.m. Meet on 3ème rang, just off Hwy 201. From Montreal take the Mercier Bridge and follow Hwy 138 to Ormstown. Turn left on Hwy 201 to 3ème Rang (called Rang de Tullochgorum on opposite side of 201). Turn right on 3ème Rang and wait there for the group. From the West Island, take Hwy 20 west to exit 14 (Hwy 201) for Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Take Hwy 201 through Grande-Île, following signs for Ormstown. There are a number of lights and turns on this route (see a map). Stay on 201 beyond Ormstown. Turn right on 3ème Rang and wait there for the group. This is a driving trip; carpooling is recommended. This trip will explore some of the roads of southwestern Quebec in the Ormstown-Huntingdon area. We are starting early because some of the roads are busy and parking can be difficult. Looking for birds of the forests and of open country. Possible species include Yellow- throated Vireo, Golden-winged Warbler, Field Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird as well as more common passerines. Half day.Possibility of extension into the early afternoon.
5 h 30 Rassemblement le long du 3ème rang. De Montréal, prendre le pont Mercier. Tourner à gauche sur la route 201 et continuer jusqu’à l’intersection avec le 3ème rang (indiqué rang Tullochgorum de l’autre côté). Tourner à droite sur le 3ème rang et y attendre le reste du groupe. De l’Ouest-de-l’Île de Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 20 direction ouest jusqu’à la sortie 14 (route 201) pour Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Prendre la route 201 et traverser Grande-Île en suivant les indications pour Ormstown. On rencontre un bon nombre de lumières et tournants sur cette route : consulter une carte. Continuer sur la 201 après avoir traversé Ormstown. Tourner à droite sur le 3ème rang et y attendre le reste du groupe. Les déplacements se feront principalement en voiture. Le covoiturage est recommandé. Cette excursion permettra d’explorer certaines routes du Sud-Ouest du Québec, dans la région de Ormstown et Huntingdon. L’excursion débute tôt car certaines routes sont très achalandées et il peut être difficile d’y trouver un stationnement. À la recherche d’oiseaux forestiers et d’oiseaux d’espaces ouverts. Parmi les espèces susceptibles d’être rencontrées, notons le Viréo à gorge jaune, la Paruline à ailes dorées, le Bruant des champs, le Merlebleu de l’Est ainsi que d’autres passereaux plus communs. Demi-journée, avec possibilité de poursuivre jusqu’en début d’après-midi.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Sunday June 14
Thirteen birders decided to ignore early morning showers present in the Montreal area and head for the Rigaud Mountain area for our weekly field trip. Magically they were treated to bright blue skies and cool breezes on arrival. Combined with cool temperatures in the mid-teens these conditions gave us very pleasant conditions for our walk with a minimum of mosquitoes, black flies and deer flies.
We started our trip with a short stop at a small pond on Chemin St Henri which produced a pair of Canada Geese and their three goslings and a mother mallard along with her newly hatched brood of ten ducklings. A great Blue Heron was cruising the shoreline and a pair of kingbirds were attending to a nest.
From there we continued on to the Nature-Action Québec property near the Erabliére St Henri for a walk to Lac Castor. Good ears were a necessity for the day but many of the group were eventually rewarded with good views of a Mourning Warbler and Scarlet Tanager. The heronry on Lac Castor seems to have diminished considerably in size as the dead trees in the middle of the lake have fallen leaving only three visible nests. One seemed to be occupied with an adult and a young bird visible.
Thanks to everyone who came out for an enjoyable morning. Set your alarms early for next week! - Wayne
Our complete list of 53 species heard or seen by at least some members of our group included: Canada Geese - 5 (3 young), Mallard - 11 ( Female with 10 ducklings), Wild Turkey - 2 (seen by one participant close to meeting point on St Georges Road), Great Blue Herons 3 (including one young), Turkey Vulture - 2, Cooper's Hawk - 1, Red-shouldered Hawk - 2, Broad-winged Hawk - 1, Rock Pigeon - 3, Mourning Dove - 2, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3, Northern Flicker - 2, Pileated Woodpecker - 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2, Alder Flycatcher - 1, Least Flycatcher - 4, Eastern Phoebe - 2, Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 (heard), Eastern Kingbird - 2, Warbling Vireo - 1, Red-eyed Vireo - 6, Blue Jay - 3, American Crow - 7, Tree Swallow - 1, Barn Swallow - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 4, Brown Creeper - 1 (heard), Veery - 5 (heard), Hermit Thrush - 2 (heard), American Robin - 3, Gray Catbird - 1, European Starling - 2, Cedar Waxwing - 12, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 6, Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2 (heard), Black-throated Green Warbler - 2 (heard), Black-and-white Warbler - 2, Ovenbird - 6 (heard), Northern Waterthrush - 1 (heard), Mourning warbler - 3, Common Yellowthroat - 2 (heard), Scarlet Tanager - 2, Chipping Sparrow - 1 (heard), Song Sparrow - 4, Swamp Sparrow - 3 (heard), White-throated Sparrow - 4, Northern Cardinal - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 6, Common Grackle - 10, Brown-headed Cowbird - 6, Baltimore Oriole - 2, American Goldfinch - 6
Bernaches du Canada - 5 (3 jeunes), Canard colvert - 11 (femâle avec 11 canetons), Dindons sauvage - 2 (vu par un participant à proximité de point de rencontre sur chemin St Georges), Grands Hérons 3 (dont un jeune), Urubu à tête rouge - 2, Épervier de Cooper - 1, Buse à épaulettes - 2, Petite Buse - 1, Pigeon biset - 3, Tourterelle triste - 2, Colibri à gorge rubis - 1, Pic maculé - 3, Pic flamboyant - 2, Grand Pic - 1, Pioui de l'Est - 2, Moucherolle des aulnes - 1, Moins Moucherolle - 4, Moucherolle phébi - 2, Tyran huppé - 2 (entendu), Tyran tritri - 2, Viréo mélodieux - 1, Viréo aux yeux rouges - 6, Geai bleu - 3, Corneille d'Amérique - 7, Hirondelle bicolore - 1, Hirondelle rustique - 1, Mésange à tête noire - 4, Grimpereau brun - 1 (entendu), Grive fauve - 5 (entendu), Grive solitaire - 2 (entendu), Merle d'Amérique - 3 Moqueur chat - 1 Étourneau sansonnet - 2 Jaseur d'Amérique - 12 Paruline à flancs marron - 6, Paruline bleue - 2 (entendu), Paruline à gorge noire - 2 (entendu), Paruline noir et blanc - 2, Paruline couronnée - 6 (entendu), Paruline des ruisseaux - 1 (entendu), Paruline triste - 3, Paruline masquée - 2 (entendu), Tangara écarlate - 2, Bruant familier - 1 (entendu), Bruant chanteur - 4, Bruant des marais - 3 (entendu), Bruant à gorge blanche - 4, Cardinal rouge - 1, Carouge à épaulettes - 6, Quiscale bronzé - 10, Vacher à tête brune - 6, Oriole de Baltimore - 2, Chardonneret jaune - 6
We started our trip with a short stop at a small pond on Chemin St Henri which produced a pair of Canada Geese and their three goslings and a mother mallard along with her newly hatched brood of ten ducklings. A great Blue Heron was cruising the shoreline and a pair of kingbirds were attending to a nest.
From there we continued on to the Nature-Action Québec property near the Erabliére St Henri for a walk to Lac Castor. Good ears were a necessity for the day but many of the group were eventually rewarded with good views of a Mourning Warbler and Scarlet Tanager. The heronry on Lac Castor seems to have diminished considerably in size as the dead trees in the middle of the lake have fallen leaving only three visible nests. One seemed to be occupied with an adult and a young bird visible.
Thanks to everyone who came out for an enjoyable morning. Set your alarms early for next week! - Wayne
Our complete list of 53 species heard or seen by at least some members of our group included: Canada Geese - 5 (3 young), Mallard - 11 ( Female with 10 ducklings), Wild Turkey - 2 (seen by one participant close to meeting point on St Georges Road), Great Blue Herons 3 (including one young), Turkey Vulture - 2, Cooper's Hawk - 1, Red-shouldered Hawk - 2, Broad-winged Hawk - 1, Rock Pigeon - 3, Mourning Dove - 2, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3, Northern Flicker - 2, Pileated Woodpecker - 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 2, Alder Flycatcher - 1, Least Flycatcher - 4, Eastern Phoebe - 2, Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 (heard), Eastern Kingbird - 2, Warbling Vireo - 1, Red-eyed Vireo - 6, Blue Jay - 3, American Crow - 7, Tree Swallow - 1, Barn Swallow - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 4, Brown Creeper - 1 (heard), Veery - 5 (heard), Hermit Thrush - 2 (heard), American Robin - 3, Gray Catbird - 1, European Starling - 2, Cedar Waxwing - 12, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 6, Black-throated Blue Warbler - 2 (heard), Black-throated Green Warbler - 2 (heard), Black-and-white Warbler - 2, Ovenbird - 6 (heard), Northern Waterthrush - 1 (heard), Mourning warbler - 3, Common Yellowthroat - 2 (heard), Scarlet Tanager - 2, Chipping Sparrow - 1 (heard), Song Sparrow - 4, Swamp Sparrow - 3 (heard), White-throated Sparrow - 4, Northern Cardinal - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 6, Common Grackle - 10, Brown-headed Cowbird - 6, Baltimore Oriole - 2, American Goldfinch - 6
Bernaches du Canada - 5 (3 jeunes), Canard colvert - 11 (femâle avec 11 canetons), Dindons sauvage - 2 (vu par un participant à proximité de point de rencontre sur chemin St Georges), Grands Hérons 3 (dont un jeune), Urubu à tête rouge - 2, Épervier de Cooper - 1, Buse à épaulettes - 2, Petite Buse - 1, Pigeon biset - 3, Tourterelle triste - 2, Colibri à gorge rubis - 1, Pic maculé - 3, Pic flamboyant - 2, Grand Pic - 1, Pioui de l'Est - 2, Moucherolle des aulnes - 1, Moins Moucherolle - 4, Moucherolle phébi - 2, Tyran huppé - 2 (entendu), Tyran tritri - 2, Viréo mélodieux - 1, Viréo aux yeux rouges - 6, Geai bleu - 3, Corneille d'Amérique - 7, Hirondelle bicolore - 1, Hirondelle rustique - 1, Mésange à tête noire - 4, Grimpereau brun - 1 (entendu), Grive fauve - 5 (entendu), Grive solitaire - 2 (entendu), Merle d'Amérique - 3 Moqueur chat - 1 Étourneau sansonnet - 2 Jaseur d'Amérique - 12 Paruline à flancs marron - 6, Paruline bleue - 2 (entendu), Paruline à gorge noire - 2 (entendu), Paruline noir et blanc - 2, Paruline couronnée - 6 (entendu), Paruline des ruisseaux - 1 (entendu), Paruline triste - 3, Paruline masquée - 2 (entendu), Tangara écarlate - 2, Bruant familier - 1 (entendu), Bruant chanteur - 4, Bruant des marais - 3 (entendu), Bruant à gorge blanche - 4, Cardinal rouge - 1, Carouge à épaulettes - 6, Quiscale bronzé - 10, Vacher à tête brune - 6, Oriole de Baltimore - 2, Chardonneret jaune - 6
Friday, June 13, 2014
Sightings for Friday June 13
Cap-Tourmente: Tri-colored heron was present today at marais des Graves (marsh) (this morning I was there 9 - 9:45 and at 3 pm)
L’aigrette tricolore était présente, aujourd’hui, au marais des Graves à Cap-Tourmente (ce matin j'y étais de 9h à 9h45 et à 15h) - Michel Juteau
L’aigrette tricolore était présente, aujourd’hui, au marais des Graves à Cap-Tourmente (ce matin j'y étais de 9h à 9h45 et à 15h) - Michel Juteau
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"
Saturday, June 14 – Samedi 14 juin
Rigaud Mountain
Guide: Wayne Grubert - PHONE: 450-458-5498 EMAIL
Cell 514-774-0811 (Please use only on morning of trip)
7:30 a.m. Take Hwy 40 west toward Ottawa to Exit 17(“Facilities” available here.) Take Hwy 201 south for 2 km to Rue St. Georges on your right. Follow St. Georges for 6 km to the parking lot for the Sucrerie de la Montagne. Drive carefully as this is a narrow winding road. We will explore some of the walking trails and roads which criss-cross Rigaud Mountain and surrounding area looking and listening for breeding songbirds and raptors. Bring insect repellent, water and something for an early lunch if desired. Half day.
7 h 30. Prendre l’autoroute 40 ouest en direction d’Ottawa puis la sortie 17 (services disponibles à cette sortie). Prendre la route 201 et rouler sur une distance de 2 km jusqu’au chemin Saint-Georges. Tourner à droite sur celuici et continuer sur une distance de 6 km jusqu’au stationnement de la Sucrerie de la montagne. Conduire prudemment, cette route étant étroite et sinueuse. Nous allons explorer à pied certains sentiers et routes qui parcourent le mont Rigaud et ses environs, à la recherche de passereaux nicheurs et de rapaces. Apporter un insecticide, de l’eau et, si désiré, un lunch. Demi-journée.
Monday, June 09, 2014
Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Sunday June 8
NCC/BPQ Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve at Prévost/Piedmont about an hour north of Montreal. Gratifyingly there were 20 birders who decided to brave the hot trails and come along to see what was happening. Thank you all for showing confidence in your leader by rising so early on a Sunday morning. I had rashly “promised” Peregrine Falcons… maybe that was carrot enough?
A pleasantly sunny start to the day turned into near 30degC temperatures by noon when we finished but once inside the forest the cool shade was very pleasant – and the mosquitoes were really not too bad at all.
Starting at the old station in Prévost we walked the well graded gravel “road” of the Petit train du nord though mixed woodland containing plenty of singing warblers etc before branching off towards the cliffs where we I had encouraged people to believe that we would see Peregrine falcons. A week ago while scouting the area in preparation for this trip we had seen Peregrines flying above the cliffs and managed to grab a distant and fuzzy photograph. A few days later we learned that the local birders who have been monitoring them for some weeks since they returned in the spring hadfinally managed to find the nest and on showing them the picture I was told (thanks Réjean) “… le nid des Faucons pélerin se trouover sur la falaise à l’extrème gauche de la photo“. That seemed pretty clear and so, suitably encouraged and with fingers crossed, I suggested that everyone line up on the trail, point scopes at the cliff and get scanning for the nest.
Twenty minutes later, somewhat chastened, we folded our scopes away with neither sight nor sound of the Peregrines and headed deeper into the forest where we passed to the east side of Lac Paradis and continued up the slopes towards the hydro-power lines that cut through the trees. A nice collection of birds was gathered before we turned back and descended towards the lake which this time we passed by the opposite shore.
Half way along this shore is a turning to the left which forms a new, well marked, but somewhat precipitous at times trail through the forest back towards the cars. About half the group decided that they would like to investigate this and so we divided into two groups and agreed to meet at the station around noon. The fit explorers zoomed into the forest while the rest of thought we would “have another look at the cliff”… where almost immediately after setting up our scopes we saw first one and then two Peregrines and shortly after located the nest with two chicks in it. I must say they have picked a particularly well-favoured spot for the nest, a slight backwards slope from the edge, judiciously placed stones to mitigate winds and rain and a small bush growing in a crack above it to provide shade. Clearly these are parent birds who know what they are about.
I feel a little bad about this, as after having suggested people might like to try the alternate trail those who took up the idea thereby missed the Peregrine by being so adventurous. I hereby apologise – and also I thank them for being gracious about it when we met up again and started crowing about our good fortune. The alternate party smiled, nodded, said congratulations and noted that they had enjoyed their trail … but they missed the Falcons. Of course, this just gives them a good excuse to go back by themselves … it’s always worth the journey up there.
The birds we saw amounted to the following 36 species … after you have read though the list of species there are some photographs for you and a short video of the Peregrine on its nest with two chicks.
Canada Goose 50 – Wood Duck 2 – Mallard 2 – Great Blue Heron 1 – Turkey Vulture 3- Red-shouldered Hawk 1 – Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 – Belted Kingfisher 1 – Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 – Downy Woodpecker 1 – Hairy Woodpecker 1 – Pileated- Woodpecker 1 – Peregrine Falcon 2 – Alder Flycatcher 1 – Red-eyed Vireo 10 – Blue Jay 6 – American Crow 6 – Black-capped Chickadee 15 – Winter Wren 2 - Veery 4 – American Robin 1 – Cedar Waxwing 12 – Ovenbird 8 – Black-and-white Warbler 4 – Common Yellowthroat 4 – Magnolia Warbler 1 – Blackburnian Warbler 1 – Chestnut-sided Warbler 3 – Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 – Black-throated Green Warbler 7 – Song Sparrow 2 – Scarlet Tanager 1 – Indigo Bunting 1 – Common Grackle 3 – American Goldfinch 12 - Mourning dove1
A pleasantly sunny start to the day turned into near 30degC temperatures by noon when we finished but once inside the forest the cool shade was very pleasant – and the mosquitoes were really not too bad at all.
Starting at the old station in Prévost we walked the well graded gravel “road” of the Petit train du nord though mixed woodland containing plenty of singing warblers etc before branching off towards the cliffs where we I had encouraged people to believe that we would see Peregrine falcons. A week ago while scouting the area in preparation for this trip we had seen Peregrines flying above the cliffs and managed to grab a distant and fuzzy photograph. A few days later we learned that the local birders who have been monitoring them for some weeks since they returned in the spring hadfinally managed to find the nest and on showing them the picture I was told (thanks Réjean) “… le nid des Faucons pélerin se trouover sur la falaise à l’extrème gauche de la photo“. That seemed pretty clear and so, suitably encouraged and with fingers crossed, I suggested that everyone line up on the trail, point scopes at the cliff and get scanning for the nest.
Twenty minutes later, somewhat chastened, we folded our scopes away with neither sight nor sound of the Peregrines and headed deeper into the forest where we passed to the east side of Lac Paradis and continued up the slopes towards the hydro-power lines that cut through the trees. A nice collection of birds was gathered before we turned back and descended towards the lake which this time we passed by the opposite shore.
Half way along this shore is a turning to the left which forms a new, well marked, but somewhat precipitous at times trail through the forest back towards the cars. About half the group decided that they would like to investigate this and so we divided into two groups and agreed to meet at the station around noon. The fit explorers zoomed into the forest while the rest of thought we would “have another look at the cliff”… where almost immediately after setting up our scopes we saw first one and then two Peregrines and shortly after located the nest with two chicks in it. I must say they have picked a particularly well-favoured spot for the nest, a slight backwards slope from the edge, judiciously placed stones to mitigate winds and rain and a small bush growing in a crack above it to provide shade. Clearly these are parent birds who know what they are about.
I feel a little bad about this, as after having suggested people might like to try the alternate trail those who took up the idea thereby missed the Peregrine by being so adventurous. I hereby apologise – and also I thank them for being gracious about it when we met up again and started crowing about our good fortune. The alternate party smiled, nodded, said congratulations and noted that they had enjoyed their trail … but they missed the Falcons. Of course, this just gives them a good excuse to go back by themselves … it’s always worth the journey up there.
The birds we saw amounted to the following 36 species … after you have read though the list of species there are some photographs for you and a short video of the Peregrine on its nest with two chicks.
Canada Goose 50 – Wood Duck 2 – Mallard 2 – Great Blue Heron 1 – Turkey Vulture 3- Red-shouldered Hawk 1 – Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 – Belted Kingfisher 1 – Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 – Downy Woodpecker 1 – Hairy Woodpecker 1 – Pileated- Woodpecker 1 – Peregrine Falcon 2 – Alder Flycatcher 1 – Red-eyed Vireo 10 – Blue Jay 6 – American Crow 6 – Black-capped Chickadee 15 – Winter Wren 2 - Veery 4 – American Robin 1 – Cedar Waxwing 12 – Ovenbird 8 – Black-and-white Warbler 4 – Common Yellowthroat 4 – Magnolia Warbler 1 – Blackburnian Warbler 1 – Chestnut-sided Warbler 3 – Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 – Black-throated Green Warbler 7 – Song Sparrow 2 – Scarlet Tanager 1 – Indigo Bunting 1 – Common Grackle 3 – American Goldfinch 12 - Mourning dove1
Bernache du Canada 50 - Canard branchu 2 - Canard colvert 2 - Grand Héron 1 - Urubu à tête rouge 3 - Buse à épaulettes 1 - Colibri à gorge rubis 1 - Martin-pêcheur 1 - Pic maculé 1 - Pic mineur 1 - Pic chevelu 1 - grand pic- 1 - Faucon pèlerin 2 - Moucherolle des aulnes 1 - Viréo aux yeux rouges 10 - Geai bleu 6 - Corneille d'Amérique 6 - Mésange à tête noire 15 - Troglodyte mignon 2 - Grive fauve 4 - Merle d'Amérique 1 - Jaseur d'Amérique 12 - Paruline couronnée 8 - Paruline Noir et blanc 4 - Paruline masquée 4 - Paruline à tête cendrée 1 - Paruline à gorge orangée 1 - Paruline à flancs marron 3 - Paruline bleue 2 - Paruline à gorge noire7 - Bruant chanteur 2 - Tangara écarlate 1 - Passerin indigo 1 - Quiscale bronzé 3 - Chardonneret jaune 12 - Touterelle triste 1
Sightings for Monday June 9
Cap-Tourmente: Tri-colored heron was present today at marais des Graves (marsh)
L’aigrette tricolore était présente, aujourd’hui, au marais des Graves à Cap-Tourmente. - Guylaine Tremblay
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Franklin: American Dickcissel, is at the corner of Clinton and Route 202
dickcissel d'Amérique se trouve au coin de Clinton et de la route 202 - Michel Bertrand
L’aigrette tricolore était présente, aujourd’hui, au marais des Graves à Cap-Tourmente. - Guylaine Tremblay
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Franklin: American Dickcissel, is at the corner of Clinton and Route 202
dickcissel d'Amérique se trouve au coin de Clinton et de la route 202 - Michel Bertrand
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Sightings for Sunday June 8
Franklin: American Dickcissel, is at the corner of Clinton and Route 202. This is a very territorial male sings a lot and it very visible from the road. If you go, please, do not go to the fields or into the orchard in pursuit and unduly disturb. To his detriment, and to the detriment of other observers. It would be good that it remains as long as possible here.
Un dickcissel d'Amérique se trouve au coin de Clinton et de la route 202. Il s'agit d'un mâle très territorial qui chante beaucoup, et est très bien visible de la voie publique. S'il-vous-plait, n'allez pas dans les champs ou dans le verger à sa poursuite pour le déranger inutilement à son détriment et au détriment des autres observateurs. Ce serait bon qu'il demeure le plus longtemps possible chez nous. - Daniel Ouellette
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Cap Tourmente: Tri-colored heron at marais le Souchet
Aigrette tricolore au marais le Souchet au Cap Tourmente. - Stéphane Blais, Guy Lemelin, Peter Lane, Maurice Raymond
Un dickcissel d'Amérique se trouve au coin de Clinton et de la route 202. Il s'agit d'un mâle très territorial qui chante beaucoup, et est très bien visible de la voie publique. S'il-vous-plait, n'allez pas dans les champs ou dans le verger à sa poursuite pour le déranger inutilement à son détriment et au détriment des autres observateurs. Ce serait bon qu'il demeure le plus longtemps possible chez nous. - Daniel Ouellette
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Cap Tourmente: Tri-colored heron at marais le Souchet
Aigrette tricolore au marais le Souchet au Cap Tourmente. - Stéphane Blais, Guy Lemelin, Peter Lane, Maurice Raymond
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Sightings for Wednesday June 3
Westmount Summit: This morning between 10:15 am and 11:45 the most interesting sightings were a Scarlet Tanager, repeatedly singing, west of the Outlook, and a Black-billed Cuckoo, silent, but just happened to come into my view while I was looking for a singing Chestnut-sided Warbler in the forest. Had a great look! - Nicholas Acheson
Ring-billed Gull 1 Black-billed Cuckoo 1 Chimney Swift 2 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Eastern Phoebe 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 4 Red-eyed Vireo 7 American Crow 4 Black-capped Chickadee 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 1 European Starling 4 American Redstart 1 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Chipping Sparrow 5 Song Sparrow 1 White-crowned Sparrow 2 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Indigo Bunting 1 American Goldfinch 4 House Sparrow 2
Goéland à bec cerclé 1 Coulicou à bec noir 1 Martinet ramoneur 2 Pic chevelu 2 Grand pic 1 Pioui de l'Est 3 Moucherolle phébi 2 Tyran huppé 4 Viréo aux yeux rouges 7 Corneille d'Amérique 4 Mésange à tête noire 3 Sittelle à poitrine blanche 1 Merle d'Amérique 2 Moqueur chat 1 Étourneau sansonnet 4 Paruline flamboyante 1 Paruline à gorge orangée 1 Paruline à flancs marron 2 Bruant familier 5 Bruant chanteur 1 Bruant à couronne blanche 2 Tangara écarlate 1 Cardinal rouge 2 Passerin indigo 1 Chardonneret jaune 4 Moineau domestique 2
Ring-billed Gull 1 Black-billed Cuckoo 1 Chimney Swift 2 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Eastern Phoebe 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 4 Red-eyed Vireo 7 American Crow 4 Black-capped Chickadee 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 1 European Starling 4 American Redstart 1 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Chipping Sparrow 5 Song Sparrow 1 White-crowned Sparrow 2 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Indigo Bunting 1 American Goldfinch 4 House Sparrow 2
Goéland à bec cerclé 1 Coulicou à bec noir 1 Martinet ramoneur 2 Pic chevelu 2 Grand pic 1 Pioui de l'Est 3 Moucherolle phébi 2 Tyran huppé 4 Viréo aux yeux rouges 7 Corneille d'Amérique 4 Mésange à tête noire 3 Sittelle à poitrine blanche 1 Merle d'Amérique 2 Moqueur chat 1 Étourneau sansonnet 4 Paruline flamboyante 1 Paruline à gorge orangée 1 Paruline à flancs marron 2 Bruant familier 5 Bruant chanteur 1 Bruant à couronne blanche 2 Tangara écarlate 1 Cardinal rouge 2 Passerin indigo 1 Chardonneret jaune 4 Moineau domestique 2
Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"
Sunday, June 8 – dimanche 8 juin
NCC/BPQ Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve at Prévost/PiedmontGuide: Richard Gregson e-mail
This week we shall be visiting the wonderful Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve where, if the birding gods are shining on us, we shall see Peregrine Falcons on the cliffs. If you have a spotting scope you might want to bring it with you as the Peregrine nest is well hidden high on the cliffs. This is a Sunday trip. 7:30 a.m. Meet at La Gare de Prévost which is located at 1272, rue de la Traverse, Prévost. Take Autoroute 15 north in the direction of St-Jerome; take the right fork in St- Jerome on Autoroute des Laurentides Ouest which in 2 km becomes Boulevard du Curé-Labelle/QC-117 N; in about another 7 km in Prévost turn right on Rue de la Station (sign for Saint-Hippolyte) and you will find the station in less than 100 metres. The following Google Map link will help give you directions from your home. (http://goo.gl/nzhUq ) Looking for raptors (hopefully Peregrine Falcons), warblers and other Laurentian Forest species in the new Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve, which you have read about in recent editions of the Songsparrow newsletter. Half day.
Note: Our walk will take us along a well gravelled and mostly level road through warbler rich woodlands to the base of the cliffs at Prévost where we will attampt to find and see the Peregrine Falcon nest (bring a scope if you have one). From there we will take a short woodland trail up a gentle slope to Lac Paradis and from thence to the area of last year’s Peregrine nesting site. Ravens will doubtless scold us. We will return more or less the same way later in the morning to the cars – however, a new trail runs from the lake through forest to the cars … but it is quite steep in parts so take that only if you feel up to it. This will be an optional extra. It passes through an area that seems to be amazingly rich with Thrushes of various species if Thrushes are your thing and if you would like the exercise. It’s a nice walk too.
7 h 30. Rassemblement à la gare de Prévost, qui est située au 1272, rue de la Traverse, Prévost. Prendre l’autoroute 15 Nord en direction de St-Jérôme. A la bifurcation de St-Jérôme, prendre la voie de droite sur l’autoroute des Laurentides Ouest qui, après 2 km, devient le Boulevard Curé-Labelle/QC-117 N; après 7 km, tourner à droite dans Prévost sur la Rue de la Station (direction Saint-Hippolyte), la gare est située à moins de 100 mètres. Le lien Google Map suivant vous aidera à obtenir l’itinéraire depuis votre domicile. (http://goo.gl/nzhUq ). À la recherche des oiseaux de proie (avec optimisme le faucon pélerin), des parulines et autres espèces de la forêt laurentienne dans la nouvelle réserve naturelle Alfred Kelly, qui a récemment fait l’objet d’articles dans le bulletin Songsparrow. Demi-journée.
Sunday, June 01, 2014
Bird Protection Qujebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday May 31
Twenty-two birders who showed up for our walk this morning in the west end of Hudson were greeted by glorious day of sunshine, light NE breezes, and temperatures which rose from single digits to 17C by trip's end. Included in our group was a visitor from the Czech Republic. Welcome Jiri (sp?)!
After meeting at Thompson Park we walked down to the lake for a quick look around and were rewarded with an Osprey fly-by. Water levels are still high for this late date and birdlife on the water was minimal. A distant pair of Greater Scaup seen by everyone and three Double-crested Cormorants seen by just a few were the only birds of note.
From the park we headed west along the railway line past Finnegan's Market exploring several different habitats. We mostly avoided the heavily wooded areas as the mosquitoes were making their presence felt if one ventured into the shade and when we went into the fields we generally kept to areas which were mown. Highlights of this section of the trip included two American Bitterns who flew back and forth across the railway tracks at close range on two separate occasions and also gave us good views while standing in the reeds. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was a pleasant surprise giving us good if distant views as it perched on a high snag in classic behavior. Two meadowlarks, one of which was seen flying over a hayfield, were appreciated. A distant adult bald eagle late in the trip was cruising the river shoreline and was seen by about half our group. For comic relief (well maybe not for the recipient) a Red-winged Blackbird was seen attacking and actually pecking a Canada Goose on the neck after it apparently invaded the blackbird's territory. Good views of Baltimore Orioles, Great-crested Flycatchers, Alder Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers and Cedar Waxwings were enjoyed by everyone. - Wayne Grubert
Our complete list of 56 species seen or heard by at least some members of the group included: Canada Goose - 6, Mallard - 5, Greater Scaup - 2 Double-crested Cormorant - 3 American Bittern - 2 Great Blue Heron - 2 Green Heron - 1 Turkey Vulture - 6 Osprey - 1 Bald Eagle - 1 Cooper's hawk - 2 Broad-winged hawk - 2 Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 6 Rock Pigeon - 3 Mourning Dove - 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3 Northern Flicker - 4 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 (heard) Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 Alder Flycatcher - 6 Great Crested Flycatcher - 4 Eastern Kingbird - 1 Warbling Vireo - 1 (heard) Red-eyed Vireo - 3 (heard) Blue Jay - 4 American Crow - 15 Tree Swallow - 12 Black-capped Chickadee - 2 (heard) Brown Creeper - 1 (heard) Veery - 3 (heard) American Robin - 4 Gray Catbird - 6 European Starling - 12 Cedar Waxwings - 12 Yellow Warbler - 24 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 6 Black-and-white Warbler - 4 ( 1 seen, 3 heard) American Redstart - 1 (heard) Ovenbird - 1 (heard) Common Yellowthroat - 12 Chipping Sparrow - 2 (heard) Song Sparrow - 8 Swamp Sparrow - 3 (heard) White-throated Sparrow - 3 (heard) Northern Cardinal - 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2 Indigo Bunting - 1 Bobolink - 6? (2 seen but several heard) Red-winged Blackbirds - 20 Eastern Meadowlark - 2 Common Grackle - 20 Brown-headed Cowbirds - 6 Baltimore Orioles - 8 American Goldfinch - 12
Bernache du Canada - 6 Canard colvert - 5 Fuligule milouinan - 2 Cormoran à aigrettes - 3 Butor d'Amérique - 2 Grand Héron - 2 Héron vert - 1 Urubu à tête rouge - 6 Balbuzard pêcheur - 1 Pygargue à tête blanche - 1 Épervier de Cooper - 2 Petite buse - 2 Chevalier tacheté - 1 Goéland à bec cerclé - 6 Pigeon biset - 3 Tourterelle triste - 1 Colibri à gorge rubis - 3 Pic maculé - 3 Pic flamboyant - 4 Grand Pic - 1 (entendu) Moucherolle à côtés olive - 1 Moucherolle des aulnes - 6 Tyran huppé - 4 Tyran tritri - 1 Viréo mélodieux - 1 (entendu) Viréo aux yeux rouges - 3 (entendu) Geai bleu - 4 Corneille d'Amérique - 15 Hirondelle bicolore - 12 Mésange à tête noire - 2 (entendu) Grimpereau brun - 1 (entendu) Grive fauve - 3 (entendu) Merle d'Amérique - 4 Moqueur chat - 6 Étourneau sansonnet - 12 Jaseurs d'Amérique - 12 Paruline jaune - 24 Paruline à flancs marron - 6 Paruline noir et blanc - 4 (1 vu, entendu 3) Paruline flamboyante - 1 (entendu) Paruline couronnée - 1 (entendu) Paruline masquée - 12 Bruant familier - 2 (entendu) Bruant chanteur - 8 Bruant des marais - 3 (entendu) Bruant à gorge blanche - 3 (entendu) Cardinal rouge - 3 Cardinal à poitrine rose - 2 Passerin indigo - 1 Goglu des prés - 6? (2 vu mais plusieurs entendu) Carouge à épaulettes - 20 Sturnelle des prés - 2 Quiscale bronzé - 20 Vacher à tête brune - 6 Orioles de Baltimore - 8 Chardonneret jaune - 12
After meeting at Thompson Park we walked down to the lake for a quick look around and were rewarded with an Osprey fly-by. Water levels are still high for this late date and birdlife on the water was minimal. A distant pair of Greater Scaup seen by everyone and three Double-crested Cormorants seen by just a few were the only birds of note.
From the park we headed west along the railway line past Finnegan's Market exploring several different habitats. We mostly avoided the heavily wooded areas as the mosquitoes were making their presence felt if one ventured into the shade and when we went into the fields we generally kept to areas which were mown. Highlights of this section of the trip included two American Bitterns who flew back and forth across the railway tracks at close range on two separate occasions and also gave us good views while standing in the reeds. An Olive-sided Flycatcher was a pleasant surprise giving us good if distant views as it perched on a high snag in classic behavior. Two meadowlarks, one of which was seen flying over a hayfield, were appreciated. A distant adult bald eagle late in the trip was cruising the river shoreline and was seen by about half our group. For comic relief (well maybe not for the recipient) a Red-winged Blackbird was seen attacking and actually pecking a Canada Goose on the neck after it apparently invaded the blackbird's territory. Good views of Baltimore Orioles, Great-crested Flycatchers, Alder Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers and Cedar Waxwings were enjoyed by everyone. - Wayne Grubert
Our complete list of 56 species seen or heard by at least some members of the group included: Canada Goose - 6, Mallard - 5, Greater Scaup - 2 Double-crested Cormorant - 3 American Bittern - 2 Great Blue Heron - 2 Green Heron - 1 Turkey Vulture - 6 Osprey - 1 Bald Eagle - 1 Cooper's hawk - 2 Broad-winged hawk - 2 Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 6 Rock Pigeon - 3 Mourning Dove - 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 3 Northern Flicker - 4 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 (heard) Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 Alder Flycatcher - 6 Great Crested Flycatcher - 4 Eastern Kingbird - 1 Warbling Vireo - 1 (heard) Red-eyed Vireo - 3 (heard) Blue Jay - 4 American Crow - 15 Tree Swallow - 12 Black-capped Chickadee - 2 (heard) Brown Creeper - 1 (heard) Veery - 3 (heard) American Robin - 4 Gray Catbird - 6 European Starling - 12 Cedar Waxwings - 12 Yellow Warbler - 24 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 6 Black-and-white Warbler - 4 ( 1 seen, 3 heard) American Redstart - 1 (heard) Ovenbird - 1 (heard) Common Yellowthroat - 12 Chipping Sparrow - 2 (heard) Song Sparrow - 8 Swamp Sparrow - 3 (heard) White-throated Sparrow - 3 (heard) Northern Cardinal - 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 2 Indigo Bunting - 1 Bobolink - 6? (2 seen but several heard) Red-winged Blackbirds - 20 Eastern Meadowlark - 2 Common Grackle - 20 Brown-headed Cowbirds - 6 Baltimore Orioles - 8 American Goldfinch - 12
Bernache du Canada - 6 Canard colvert - 5 Fuligule milouinan - 2 Cormoran à aigrettes - 3 Butor d'Amérique - 2 Grand Héron - 2 Héron vert - 1 Urubu à tête rouge - 6 Balbuzard pêcheur - 1 Pygargue à tête blanche - 1 Épervier de Cooper - 2 Petite buse - 2 Chevalier tacheté - 1 Goéland à bec cerclé - 6 Pigeon biset - 3 Tourterelle triste - 1 Colibri à gorge rubis - 3 Pic maculé - 3 Pic flamboyant - 4 Grand Pic - 1 (entendu) Moucherolle à côtés olive - 1 Moucherolle des aulnes - 6 Tyran huppé - 4 Tyran tritri - 1 Viréo mélodieux - 1 (entendu) Viréo aux yeux rouges - 3 (entendu) Geai bleu - 4 Corneille d'Amérique - 15 Hirondelle bicolore - 12 Mésange à tête noire - 2 (entendu) Grimpereau brun - 1 (entendu) Grive fauve - 3 (entendu) Merle d'Amérique - 4 Moqueur chat - 6 Étourneau sansonnet - 12 Jaseurs d'Amérique - 12 Paruline jaune - 24 Paruline à flancs marron - 6 Paruline noir et blanc - 4 (1 vu, entendu 3) Paruline flamboyante - 1 (entendu) Paruline couronnée - 1 (entendu) Paruline masquée - 12 Bruant familier - 2 (entendu) Bruant chanteur - 8 Bruant des marais - 3 (entendu) Bruant à gorge blanche - 3 (entendu) Cardinal rouge - 3 Cardinal à poitrine rose - 2 Passerin indigo - 1 Goglu des prés - 6? (2 vu mais plusieurs entendu) Carouge à épaulettes - 20 Sturnelle des prés - 2 Quiscale bronzé - 20 Vacher à tête brune - 6 Orioles de Baltimore - 8 Chardonneret jaune - 12