Sunday, June 28, 2015

Summer Series of Birding Field Trip #1 Report - June 27

Our 12th annual Summer Series of Birding kicked off today in fine fashion at Parc des Rapides in Ville Lasalle. No less that 32 birders showed up on a beautiful morning for a walk along the waterfront in Lasalle and Verdun and then along the trails of the park itself. It was particularly fun to have several fairly novice birders along on today's outing. Special thanks to a number of our veteran birders who helped out the newcomers with spotting birds, various identification tips, etc. We all had a great time.

A great start to the Summer. Thanks to everyone who turned out for the morning. - Sheldon Harvey

We completed the morning with 36 species. Here is our list: Canada Goose 60, Wood Duck 1, Gadwall 2, American Wigeon 9, Mallard 30, Hooded Merganser 1, Common Merganser 5, Double-crested Cormorant 20, Great Blue Heron 30, Great Egret 12, Black-crowned Night Heron 4, Spotted Sandpiper 1, Ring-billed Gull 80, Great Black-backed Gull 4, Common Tern 10, Rock Pigeon 1, Mourning Dove 2, Chimney Swift 10, Belted Kingfisher 1, Downy Woodpecker 3, Eastern Kingbird 8, Warbling Vireo 4, American Crow 1, Tree Swallow 35, American Robin 8, Gray Catbird 1, European Starling 12, Cedar Waxwing 6, Yellow Warbler 12, Song Sparrow 15, Northern Cardinal 3, Red-winged Blackbird 100+, Common Grackle 4, Baltimore Oriole 6, American Goldfinch 1, House Sparrow 6

Bernache du Canada 60, Canard branchu 1, Canard chipeau 2, Canard d'Amérique 9, Canard colvert 30, Harle couronné 1, Grand Harle 5, Cormoran à aigrettes 20, Grand héron 30, Grande Aigrette 12, Bihoreau gris 4, Chevalier grivelé, Goéland à bec cerclé 80, Goéland marin 4, Sterne pierregarin 10, Pigeon biset 1, Tourterelle triste 2, Martinet ramoneur 10, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique 1, Pic mineur 3, Tyran tritri 8, Viréo mélodieux 4, Corneille d'Amérique 1 , Hirondelle bicolore 35, Merle d'Amérique 8, Moqueur chat 1, Étourneau sansonnet 12, Jaseur d'Amérique 6, Paruline jaune 12, Bruant chanteur 15, Cardinal rouge 3, Carouge à épaulettes 100+, Quiscale bronzé 4, Oriole de Baltimore 6, Chardonneret jaune 1, Moineau domestique 6

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Sightings for Saturday June 27

Châteauguay, Refuge Faunique Marguerite-D’Youville - map/carte

Glossy Ibis Seen at the marsh of the petite digue 

Ibis falcinelle Observé dans le marais de la petite digue. -  Phil Audet

Friday, June 26, 2015

Sightings for Friday June 26

Châteauguay, Refuge Faunique Marguerite-D’Youville - map/carte

Glossy Ibis Observed in the marsh of the petite digues southern end Photographers were also present at this site

Ibis falcinelle Observé dans le marais au sud de la petite digue. Des photogrpahes étaient également présent sur placeDominic Gendron

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #1

12th Annual Summer Series of Birding - Field Trip #1- Saturday, June 27, 2015
The spring field trips have ended and it's time to kick off the 12th annual Summer Series of Birding.

For those not familiar with the Summer Series, we choose the destination of each week's field trip just a few days prior to the trip itself. The destination each week is posted on Songsparrow, on the BPQ Facebook page and in a weekly e-mailing usually by Wednesday or Thursday. I'll try to come up with some locations that we haven't visited before, or locations we haven't visited in a long time. Also if any rare birds show up in our region throughout the summer, we'll do our best to get out to look for them.

To kick off this summer's trips, 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 and popular Parc des Rapides in Ville LaSalle. We'll 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!

DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2015
Ville LaSalle, Parc des Rapides
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.

If you have questions, please contact me by e-mail. On the morning of the trip you can reach me at 514-637-2141.
We look forward to another great summer of birding. - Sheldon Harvey

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" June 20

A number of south-western Quebec's favourite birding hotspots were on the route for today's annual BPQ Summer Solstice field trip...and they did not disappoint. A small group this year, just 7 birders, were treated to an average of 11 species per birder for a total of 77 species in roughly 7 consecutive hours of birding. That's a really great number considering that the route did not take us to any significant bodies of water, thus no ducks or geese on the list, and only a handful of marsh and shorebirds.

Single-digit temperatures greeted us at our 5:15 AM start time in Ormstown. Things warmed up fairly quickly throughout the morning and we were treated to a spectacular day of clear skies, cooling breezes and low humidity. Our stops included 3e Rang/Gore Road, ch. des Planches, 4e rang and Mtee. Biggar in Godmanchester, ch. Paul and ch d'Athelstan in Athelstan, wrapping up in downtown Huntingdon for lunch.

Highlights of the day included Upland Sandpipers at the Graham Family farm on Gore Road; Clay-coloured Sparrows on ch. des Planches, north of Ridge Road; and a Golden-winged Warbler on Mtee. Biggar.

Thanks to everyone for getting up early to join Wayne and me on our final spring outing of 2015. Next week we kick off the 12th year of the Summer Series of Birding. Keep an eye on here, the Songsparrow group and BPQ's Facebook page for each week's destination. - Sheldon Harvey

Here is today's complete list: Great Blue Heron 2, Great Egret 1, Turkey Vulture 6, Northern Harrier 1, Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1, American Kestrel 1, Virginia Rail 1, Killdeer 2, Upland Sandpiper 2, Wilson's Snipe 3, Ring-billed Gull 30, Rock Pigeon 12, Mourning Dove 20, Chimney Swift 6, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 10, Downy Woodpecker 2, Northern Flicker 4, Eastern Wood-Pewee 4, Alder Flycatcher 4, Willow Flycatcher 1, Least Flycatcher 6, Eastern Phoebe 5, Great-crested Flycatcher 6, Eastern Kingbird 5, Warbling Vireo 8, Red-eyed Vireo 15, Blue Jay 6, American Crow 15, Common Raven 2, Horned Lark 1, Tree Swallow 24, Cliff Swallow 1, Barn Swallow 20, Black-capped Chickadee 6, White-breasted Nuthatch 2, Brown Creeper 3, House Wren 5, Eastern Bluebird 8, Veery 10, Wood Thrush 4, American Robin 20, Gray Catbird 6, European Starling 30, Cedar Waxwing 35, Golden-winged Warbler 1, Yellow Warbler 6, Chestnut-sided Warbler 2, Black-throated Blue Warbler 1, Black and White Warbler 1, American Redstart 20, Ovenbird 12, Northern Waterthrush 1, Common Yellowthroat 8, Scarlet Tanager 2, Eastern Towhee 2, Chipping Sparrow 8, Clay-coloured Sparrow 2, Field Sparrow 4, Savannah Sparrow 6, Song Sparrow 12, Swamp Sparrow 3, White-throated Sparrow 5, Northern Cardinal 3, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6, Indigo Bunting 4, Bobolink 20, Red-winged Blackbird 15, Eastern Meadowlark, American Goldfinch 20, House Sparrow 6
Grand héron 2, Grande Aigrette 1, Urubu à tête rouge 6, Busard Saint-Martin 1, Buse à épaulettes 1, Buse à queue rousse 1, Crécerelle d'Amérique 1, Râle de Virginie 1, 2 Pluvier kildir, Maubèche des champs 2, Bécassine de Wilson 3, Goéland à bec cerclé 30, Pigeon biset 12, Tourterelle triste 20, Martinet ramoneur 6, Colibri à gorge rubis 1, Pic maculé 10, Pic mineur 2, Pic flamboyant 4, Pioui de l'Est 4, Moucherolle des aulnes 4, Moucherolle des saules 1, Moucherolle tchébec 6, Moucherolle phébi 5, Tyran huppé 6, Tyran tritri 5, Viréo mélodieux 8, Viréo aux yeux rouges 15, Geai bleu 6, Corneille d'Amérique 15, Grand Corbeau 2, Alouette hausse-col1, Hirondelle bicolore 24, Hirondelle à front blanc 1, Hirondelle rustique 20, Mésange à tête noire 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, Grimpereau brun 3, Troglodyte familier 5, Merlebleu de l'Est 8, Grive fauve 10, Grive des bois 4, Merle d'Amérique 20, Moqueur chat 6, Étourneau sansonnet 30 , Jaseur d'Amérique 35, Paruline à ailes dorées 1, Paruline jaune 6, Paruline à flancs marron 2, Paruline bleue 1, Paruline noir et blanc 1, Paruline flamboyante 20, Paruline couronnée 12, Paruline des ruisseaux 1, Paruline masquée 8, Piranga écarlate2, Tohi à flancs roux 2, Bruant familier 8, Bruant des plaines 2, Bruant des champs 4, Bruant des prés 6, Bruant Chanteur 12, Bruant des marais 3, Bruant à gorge blanche 5, Cardinal rouge 3, Cardinal à poitrine rose 6, Passerine indigo 4, Goglu des prés 20, Carouge à épaulettes 15, Sturnelle des prés, Chardonneret jaune 20, Moineau domestique 6

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Sightings for Thursday June 18

Sainte Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte

15 species: 1 Little Gull (Observed close to Bonaparte's Gulls and common tern.. Present since June 14) 2 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 25 Double-crested Cormorant, 3 Great Blue Heron, 1 Great Egret, 5 Bonaparte's Gull, 80 Ring-billed Gull, 6 Herring Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 100 Common Tern, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Warbling Vireo, 3 Tree Swallow, 1 Yellow Warbler

15 espèces: 1 Mouette pygmée (Observée près de Mouettes de Bonaparte et de Sternes pierrregarin. Mention depuis le 14 juin). 2 Canard chipeau, 2 Canard colvert, 25 Cormoran à aigrettes, 3 Grand héron, 1 Grande Aigrette, 5 Mouette de Bonaparte, 80 Goéland à bec cerclé, 6 Goéland argenté, 2 Goéland marin, 100 Sterne pierregarin, 1 Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, 2 Viréo mélodieux, 3 Hirondelle bicolore, 1 Paruline jaune - Monique Groulx

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, June 20 – samedi 20 juin
Southwestern Quebec – Early Solstice Trip
Sud-ouest du Québec – Excursion du solstice d’été
map/carte https://goo.gl/maps/kSByV
Note the exceptional start time!
Veuillez noter le temps de rendez-vous.

Guides: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459  e-mail 
Wayne Grubert : 450-458-5498  e-mail 
Cell (Please use only on morning of trip – SVP à utiliser seulement le matin de la sortie) 514-774-0811
5:15 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 15 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.

Sightings for Wednesday June 17

Sainte Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte

32 species: 1 Little Gull (Well observed in the Bay with Bonaparte's Gulls. Present since June 14). 7 Gadwall, 3 Mallard, 1 Common Goldeneye, 1 Common Merganser, 1 Common Loon, 30 Double-crested Cormorant, 8 Great Blue Heron, 1 Great Egret, 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron, 1 Osprey, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 5 Bonaparte's Gull, 30 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 200 Common Tern, 2 Rock Pigeon, 1 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Northern Flicker, 2 Warbling Vireo, 10 Tree Swallow, 10 Cliff Swallow, 6 American Robin, 30 European Starling, 5 Cedar Waxwing, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 1 Yellow Warbler, 8 Song Sparrow, 25 Red-winged Blackbird, 2 Common Grackle, 1 American Goldfinch

32 espèces: 1 Mouette pygmée (Bien observée dans la Baie avec des Mouettes de Bonaparte. Présente depuis le 14 juin). 7 Canard chipeau. 3 Canard colvert, 1 Common Garrot, 1 Grand Harle, 1 Plongeon haurd, 30 Cormoran à aigrettes, 8 Grand héron, 1 Grande Aigrette, 1 Bihoreau gris, 1 Balbuzard pêcheur, 1 Chevalier grivelé 5 Mouette de Bonaparte,  30 Goéland à bec cerclé, 2 Goéland argenté, 6 Goéland marin, 200 Sterne pierregarin, 2 Pigeon biset, 1 Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, 1 Pic flamboyant, 2 Viréo mélodieux, 10 Hirondelle bicolore, 10 Hirondelle à front blanc, 6 Merle d'Amérique, 30 Étourneau sansonnet, 5 Jaseur d'Amérique, 1 Paruline masquée, 1 Paruline jaune, 8 Bruant chanteur, 25 Carouge à épaulettes, 2 Quiscale bronzé, 1 Chardonneret jaune 



Sunday, June 14, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" June 13

On behalf of Felix Hilton here is a brief report concerning our field trip to Ile Bizard yesterday, Saturday, June 13th.

Twenty-four birders were greeted with sunny skies, light breezes and temperatures which ranged from 15 - 20 ° C that made for a very pleasant morning with relatively few mosquitoes.

As usual with this trip participants were spread out over long stretches of the boardwalk and adjacent woods so not all participants saw or heard all species. But our cumulative list of 57 species was a good total for a trip which had birders of all experience levels. We even enjoyed some non-avian related discussions of flowers, ferns, dragonflies, butterflies, frogs and turtles. The latter was stimulated by the sightings of many Painted Turtles and a probable large female Northern Map Turtle (Tortue géographique) in the marsh. Anyone wishing to verify our ID a photo is below, click to enlarge
photo Tom Long

Birding highlights of the day included a Cooper's Hawk low in the marsh being harassed by Tree Swallows and Red-winged Blackbirds. A Sharp-shinned Hawk put on a show overhead carrying prey. Least Bitterns were seen and heard by two participants. Several Eastern Kingbird nests were located and although we only saw one Barn Swallow he was very obliging as he sat on a branch at close range and chortled at us for a long period of time. Marsh Wrens played their usual game of hide and seek in the cattails. Several Virginia Rails "grunted" at us from the reeds.
Barn swallow / Hirondelle rustique
photo Tom Long


Although we had the successes mentioned above there was a general impression among regular visitors to the park that bird numbers had definitely declined. Notable for their absence were Pied-billed Grebes and Moorhens which can usually be found here. Many regular forest birds were also very quiet or not present. 

Thanks on behalf of Felix and myself for a very enjoyable morning spent in good company. - Wayne Grubert

Our complete list of 57 species seen or heard by at least some of our group members includes:

Canada Goose - 5, Wood Duck - 3, Mallard - 20, Double-crested Cormorant - 1, Least Bittern - 2, Great Blue Heron - 1, Green Heron - 2, Black-crowned Night-heron - 2, Turkey Vulture - 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1, Cooper's Hawk - 1, Red-shouldered Hawk - 2, Virginia Rail - 3 (heard only), Ring-billed Gull - 5, Common Tern - 2, Black Tern - 1, Chimney Swift - 2, Belted Kingfisher - 3, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 8, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Hairy Woodpecker -2, Northern Flicker - 1 (heard only), Pileated Woodpecker - 2, Eastern Wood-Pewee - 5 (mostly heard), Great -crested Flycatcher - 4, Eastern Kingbird - 12, Warbling Vireo - 2 (heard only), Red-eyed Vireo - 9 (heard only), Blue Jay - 4, American Crow - 1, Purple Martin - 1, Tree Swallow - 35, Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 2, Barn Swallow - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, White-breasted Nuthatch - 2, Brown Creeper - 2, Marsh Wren - 12 (mostly heard), Veery - 1, American Robin - 2, Gray Catbird - 2, Brown Thrasher - 1, European Starling - 6, Cedar Waxwing - 12, Yellow Warbler - 12, American Redstart - 8, Common Yellowthroat - 5, Song Sparrow - 9, Swamp Sparrow - 12, White-throated Sparrow - 1 (heard only), Northern Cardinal - 2, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1, Red-winged Blackbird 24, Common Grackle - 6, Brown-headed Cowbird - 2, Baltimore Oriole - 8, American Goldfinch - 10

Bernache du Canada - 5, Canard branchu - 3, Canard colvert - 20, Cormoran à aigrettes - 1, Petit Blongios - 2, Grand héron - 1, Héron vert - 2, Bihoreau gris - 2, Urubu à tête rouge - 1 , Épervier brun - 1, Épervier de Cooper - 1, Buse à épaulettes - 2, Râle de Virginie - 3 (entendu seulement), Goéland à bec cerclé - 5, Sterne pierregarin - 2, Guifette noire - 1, Martinet ramoneur - 2 , Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique - 3, Pic maculé - 8, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu -2, Pic flamboyant - 1 (entendu seulement), Grand Pic - 2, Pioui de l'Est - 5 (entendu), Tyran huppé - 4, Tyran de l'Est - 12, Viréo mélodieux - 2 (entendu seulement), Viréo aux yeux rouges - 9 (entendu seulement), Geai bleu - 4, Corneille d'Amérique - 1, Hirondelle noire - 1, Hirondelle bicolore - 35, Hirondelle à ailes hérissées Nord - 2, Hirondelle rustique - 1, Mésange à tête noire - 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 2, Grimpereau brun - 2, Troglodyte des marais - 12 (entendu), Grive fauve - 1, Merle d'Amérique - 2, Moqueur chat - 2, Moqueur roux - 1, Étourneau sansonnet - 6, Jaseur d'Amérique - 12, Paruline jaune - 12, Paruline flamboyante - 8, Paruline masquée - 5, Bruant chanteur - 9, Bruant des marais - 12, Bruant à gorge blanche - 1 (entendu seulement), Cardinal rouge - 2, Cardinal à poitrine rose - 1, Carouge à épaulettes 24, Quiscale bronzé - 6, Vacher à tête brune - 2, Oriole de Baltimore - 8, Chardonneret jaune - 10

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday 13 June – samedi 13 juin
Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard
Leader: Felix Hilton 514-631-3437  e-mail

7:30 AM Hwy 40; exit St. Jean Blvd north to Gouin Blvd; left (west) on Gouin to Jacques Bizard Blvd; right (north) on Jacques Bizard Blvd, over bridge to Blvd Chevremont; left (west) on Chevremont to Montée de l'Église; right (north) on de l'Église to Ch. Bord-du-Lac; right (east) on Bord-du-Lac to park entrance, approx. 1 km. Parking: $9.00. Half day.

7h30 De l'autoroute 40, prendre la sortie pour le boul. St-Jean nord et continuer sur celui-ci jusqu'au boul. Gouin. Tourner à gauche (ouest) sur Gouin et continuer jusqu'au boul. Jacques-Bizard. Tourner à droite (nord) sur Jacques-Bizard et traverser le pont. Tourner à gauche (ouest) sur le boul. Chevremont et continuer jusqu'à la Montée de l'Église. Tourner à droite (nord) sur celle-ci et continuer jusqu'au chemin du Bord-du-Lac. Tourner à droite (est) sur celui-ci et continuer jusqu'à l'entrée du parc (environ 1 km). Stationnement : 9,00 $. Demi-journée.

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

Aigrette garzette (Little Egret)

Depuis le 2 juin dernier, une Aigrette garzette (Little Egret) a été localisée dans la région d'Ottawa, d'abord à Carp, puis à Kanata (info site ontarien).
 
Hier soir, l'oiseau a été aperçue à Gatineau, sur l'Île Conroy, où se trouve une colonie de Goélands à bec cercé.
 
Conroy Island is in Quebec. The rookery (several pairs of Great Egret, many Black-crowned Night Heron and DC Cormorant, a multitude of RB Gull) is best viewed from Deschennes in QC. Easy to get to; take the Champlain Bridge to the QC side, turn left on Alymer Road. After a few kilometers turn left on Vanier Road, proceed all the way to the end of Vanier Road where it overlooks the Deschennes Rapids. There is parking here. From there walk approx. 100 meters to your left along the bike path (beware of fast moving bikes) to a view point over the islands (there is a guard rail with a sign that helpfully suggests one not swim in the rapids).
Regards
 
 
Quelle direction va-t-elle prendre ce matin...? - Raymond Belhumeur

Sunday, June 07, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" June 6

Thirteen birders came out for our walk in the west end of Hudson yesterday. They were greeted with a glorious weather day of sunny skies, light northerly breezes and temperatures ranging from 10 - 15°C. Mosquitoes and deer flies were minimal although we did not venture far into the woods.

From the rendezvous at Thompson Park we travelled west along the railroad tracks and past Finnegan's Market. We the explored a few of the fields and ponds to the south of the tracks.

This being early June it is not surprising that we have definitely gone from migration mode to nesting season with all the birds seen probably being local breeders. We had a number of new trip participants and it was nice to show them some colourful birds through the scope including Baltimore Orioles, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Purple Finches, Yellow Warblers, Bobolinks.....etc.... but we settled on an obliging Eastern Bluebird as our bird of the day. A close second may have been the graceful Common Terns hunting at close range over a small pond.

Non-avian highlights were a deer, good views of Black and Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, a Garter Snake on the railroad tracks and a rather large Snapping Turtle that dropped off a stream bank and was visible or a short time underwater before disappearing into the muddy depths.

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy such a glorious day. Good weather, good company and good birds! - Wayne Grubert

Our total of 52 bird species seen or heard by at least some members of the group included: Canada Goose - 8, Mallard - 4, Great Blue Heron - 1, Turkey Vulture - 2, Red-shouldered Hawk - 1, Red-tailed Hawk - 1, Merlin - 1 (heard), Ring-billed Gulls - 5, Common Tern - 3, Chimney Swift - 1, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 2, Downy Woodpecker - 2, Northern Flicker - 4, Eastern Wood Pewee - 1 (heard), Alder Flycatcher - 4, Great-crested Flycatcher - 2 (heard), Eastern Kingbird - 2, Warbling Vireo - 2 (heard), Red - eyed Vireo - 4, Blue Jay - 6, American Crow - 6, Tree Swallow - 12, Barn Swallow - 1, Black-capped Chickadee - 4, White-breasted Nuthatch - 1, House Wren - 1 (heard), Eastern Bluebird - 1, Veery - 4 (heard), American Robin - 3, Gray Catbird - 8, Brown Thrasher - 1 (heard), European Starling - 6, Cedar Waxwing - 12, Yellow Warbler - 15, Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1, Black-and-white Warbler - 1, Mourning Warbler - 1, Common Yellowthroat - 8, Chipping Sparrow - 2, Song Sparrow - 12, Swamp Sparrow - 1, White-throated Sparrow - 3 (heard), Northern cardinal - 2, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 6, Bobolink - 4, Red-winged Blackbird - 20, Common Grackle - 20, Brown-headed Cowbird - 10, Baltimore Oriole - 4, Purple Finch - 2, American Goldfinch - 12

Bernache du Canada - 8, Canard colvert - 4, Grand Bluehéron - 1, Urubu à tête rouge - 2, Buse à épaulettes - 1, Buse à queue rousse - 1, Faucon émerillon - 1 Goélands à bec cerclé - 5 (entendu), Sterne pierregarin - 3, Martinet ramoneur - 1, Colibri à gorge rubis - 4, Pic maculé - 2, Pic mineur - 2, Pic flamboyant - 4, Pioui de l'Est - 1 (entendu), Moucherolle des aulnes - 4, Tyran huppé - 2 (entendu), Tyran de l'Est - 2, Viréo mélodieux - 2 (entendu), Viréo aux yeux rouges - 4, Geai bleu - 6, Corneille d'Amérique - 6, Hirondelle bicolore - 12, Hirondelle rustique - 1, Mésange à tête noire - 4, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 1, Troglodyte familier - 1 (entendu), Merlebleu de l'Est - 1, Grive fauve - 4 (entendu), Merle d'Amérique - 3, Moqueur chat - 8, Moqueur roux - 1 (entendu), Étourneau sansonnet - 6, Jaseur d'Amérique - 12, Paruline jaune - 15, Paruline à flancs marron - 1, Paruline noir et blanc - 1, la Paruline triste - 1, Paruline masquée - 8, Bruant familier - 2, Bruant chanteur - 12, Bruant des marais - 1 , Bruant à gorge blanche - 3 (entendu), Cardinal rouge - 2, Cardinal à poitrine rose - 6, Goglu des prés - 4, Carouge à épaulettes - 20, Quiscale bronzé - 20, Cacher à tête brune - 10, Oriole de Baltimore - 4 , Roselin pourpré - 2, Chardonneret jaune - 12

Saturday, June 06, 2015

Sightings for Saturday June 6

I was conducting a survey of Marsh Birds in the Pointe Fortune carte/map area this morning.

I had heard about this area before, thanks to Mark Dennis in particular, but it was my first time birding marshy areas. Truly impressive by its diversity (fields, deciduous and mixed forests, marshes and wet prairies). Interesting to hear a Scarlet tanager, a Bobolink and a Sora, in just a few hundred meters walking...

Very good diversity of birds around. What was very nice in particular was to hear two Least bitterns calling. They remained hidden, but encountering this endangered specie is always a sign for hope, at least for me.

The good find of the day was a singing male Sedge wren. I first heard it but it was quite difficult to confirm in the lively and sometimes overwhelming sounds of the marshes. I was finally lucky enough to hear it very well and then spot it for a long time as today, he was very conspicuously singing on tops of grass and small bushes, in a wet prairie. There were possibly 2 singing males, but I was not able to confirm as this prairie is mostly hidden by surrounding forest and hays, so views are limited, bugs are much more 'in your face'. - Frédéric Hareau

50 species: 4 Canada Goose, 4 Wood Duck, 1 Mallard, 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Wild Turkey, 2 Least Bittern, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Virginia Rail, 1 Sora, 2 Belted Kingfisher, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 2 Northern Flicker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee, 2 Alder Flycatcher, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 3 Great Crested Flycatcher, 2 Eastern Kingbird, 1 Warbling Vireo, 3 Red-eyed Vireo, 5 Blue Jay, 2 American Crow, 2 Barn Swallow, 3 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Sedge Wren, 1 Marsh Wren, 3 Veery, 1 Wood Thrush, 5 American Robin, 2 Gray Catbird, 4 European Starling, 8 Cedar Waxwing, 5 Ovenbird, 2 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 Nashville Warbler, 4 Common Yellowthroat, 1 American Redstart, 5 Yellow Warbler, 3 Chestnut-sided Warbler, 5 Song Sparrow, 5 Swamp Sparrow, 1 Scarlet Tanager, 1 Indigo Bunting, 2 Bobolink, 18 Red-winged Blackbird, 12 Common Grackle, 6 Brown-headed Cowbird, 5 Baltimore Oriole, 8 American Goldfinch
50 espèces: 4 Bernache du Canada, 4 Canard branchu, 1 Canard colvert, 1 Gélinotte huppée, le 1 Dindon sauvage, 2 Petit Blongios, 1 Grand héron, 1 Buse à épaulettes, 1 Râle de Virginie, 1 Marouette de Caroline, 2 Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, 1 Pic chevelu, 2 Pic flamboyant, 1 Grand Pic, 1 Pioui de l'Est, 2 Moucherolle des aulnes, 1 Moucherolle phébi, 3 Tyran huppé, 2 Tyran de l'Est, 1 Viréo mélodieux, 3 Vireo aux yeux rouges, 5 Geai bleu, 2 Corneille d'Amérique, 2 Hirondelle rustique, 3 Mésange à tête noire, 1 Troglodyte à bec court, 1 Troglodyte des marais, 3 Grive fauve, 1 Grive des bois, 5 Merle d'Amérique, 2 Moqueur chat, 4 Étourneau sansonnet, 8 Jaseur d'Amérique , 5 Paruline couronnée, 2 Paruline noir et blanc, 1 Paruline à joues grises, 4 Paruline masquée, 1 Paruline flamboyante, 5 Paruline jaune, 3 Paruline à flancs marron, 5 Bruant chanteur, 5 Bruant des marais, 1 Tangara écarlate, 1 Passerin indigo, 2 Goglu des prés, 18 carouge à épaulettes, 12 Quiscale bronzé, 6 Vacher à tête brune, 5 Oriole de Baltimore, 8 Chardonneret jaune

Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip"

Saturday, June 6 – samedi 6 juin
Hudson, Thompson Park – Parc Thompson

map / carte https://goo.gl/maps/Hjiro


Guides: Wayne Grubert  450-458-5498  e-mail 
Cell (Please use only on morning of trip – SVP à utiliser seulement le matin de la sortie) 514-774-0811
Barbara MacDuff  514-457-2222  e-mail 


7:30 a.m. Meet at Thompson Park in Hudson. Hwy 40, exit 22. Turn right onto Côte St-Charles. Drive to its end at T-intersection with Main Road. Turn left. Drive (about 2.3 km) to the Thompson Park parking lot on left. Looking for breeding birds. Half day.

7 h 30. Rassemblement à Parc Thompson, Hudson. Prendre l’autoroute 40, sortie 22. Tourner à droite sur Côte St-Charles. Suivre cette route jusqu’au bout. Tourner à gauche sur la rue Main. Poursuivre (2.3 km environ) jusqu’au stationnement du Parc Thompson, situé à gauche. Espèces recherchées : oiseaux nicheurs. Demi-journée.
 
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