Sightings for Thursday December 31

Beauharnois dam: 1 King Eider Observed for 1 hour. diving and feeding 100 meters from the rocky shore in front of the hydro dam, with gulls and others. Male first winter, no white visible on the wings. Black spotted white breast. White spot on the back, yellow bill and orange at the base at the end. No photo taken. Hoping that a photo will be taken!
Also 2 Canada Goose, 2 Mallard, 1 Common Merganser, 1 Double-crested Cormorant, 1 Ring-billed Gull, 25 Herring Gull, 8 Great Black-backed Gull, 120 Snow Bunting

Barrage, Beauharnois Eider à tête grise Observé pendant 1 hre. Plongeait et se nourrissait à 100 m de la berge rocheuse, en avant de la centrale, avec les goélands et autres. Mâle de 1er hiver. Aucun blanc apparent sur les ailes. Poitrine blanche tachetée noire. Spot blanc à l'arrière. Bec jaune à la base et orangé au bout. Aucune photo prise. En espérant qu'une photo sera prise! Lifer. 

Aussi 2 Bernache du Canada, 2 Canard colvert, 1 Grand Harle, 1 Cormoran à aigrettes, 1 Goéland à bec cerclé, Goéland argenté 25, 8 Goéland marin, 120 Bruant des neiges - Patrick Laniel
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Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard, intersection chemins Eagle Nest & Forest Hill: Varied Thrush / Grive à collier - Thierry Grandmont

Montreal Christmas Bird Count Report

Bird Protection Quebec conducted its annual Montreal Christmas Bird Count on December 19, 2015. These are the preliminary results of the total species and total birds seen in the Montreal count circle. One additional species, a Common Yellowthroat, was seen during the count week, on December 16. Thank you to everyone who participated.


2015 Montreal Christmas Bird Count - December 19, 2015
Summary – All Sectors

Canada Goose/Bernache du Canada 1,300
Snow Goose/Oie des neiges 16
American Black Duck/Canard noir 46
Mallard/Canard colvert 639
Gadwall/Canard chipeau 31
Northern Pintail/Canard pilet 1
Ring-necked Duck/Fuligule à collier 1
Greater Scaup/Fuligule milouinan 1,425
Lesser Scaup/Petit fuligule 100
White-winger Scoter/Macreuse brune 1
Common Goldeneye/Garrot à oeil d’or 287
Barrow's Goldeneye/Garrot d'Islande 3
Hooded Merganser/Harle couronné 92
Common Merganser/Grand Harle 154
Common Loon/Plongeon huard 1
Double-crested Cormorant/Cormoran à aigrettes 1
Cooper’s Hawk/Épervier de Cooper 9
Red-tailed Hawk/Buse à queue rousse 10
Rough-legged Hawk/Buse pattue 2
American Kestrel/Crécerelle d’Amérique 1
Merlin/Faucon émerillon 4
Peregrine Falcon/Faucon pèlerin 5
Ring-billed Gull/Goéland à bec cerclé 665
Herring Gull/Goéland argenté 112
Great Black-backed Gull/Goéland marin 85
Rock Pigeon/Pigeon biset 1,282
Mourning Dove/Tourterelle triste 53
Eastern Screech Owl/Petit-duc maculé 15
Snowy Owl/Harfang des neiges 5
Barred Owl/Chouette rayée 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker/Pic à ventre roux 1
Downy Woodpecker/Pic mineur 62
Hairy Woopecker /Pic chevelu 16
Northern Flicker/Pic flamboyant 8
Pileated Woodpecker/Grand Pic 13
Blue Jay/Geai bleu 22
American Crow/Corneille d’Amérique 453
Common Raven/Grand Corbeau 10
Black-capped Chickadee/Mésange à tête noire 534
Tufted Titmouse/Mésange bicolore 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch/Sittelle à poitrine rousse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch/Sittelle à poitrine blanche 106
Brown Creeper/Grimpereau brun 16
Carolina Wren/Troglodyte de Caroline 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet/Roitelet à couronne dorée 2
American Robin/Merle d’Amérique 268
Northern Mockingbird/Moquer polyglotte 1
European Starling/Étourneau sansonnet 1,556
Cedar Waxwing/Jaseur d’Amérique 11
Bohemian Waxwing/Jaseur boréal 4
American Tree Sparrow/Bruant hudsonien 13
Song Sparrow/Bruant chanteur 5
White-throated Sparrow/Bruant à gorge blanche 7
Dark-eyed Junco/Junco ardoisé 57
Snow Bunting/Bruant des neiges 2
Northern Cardinal/Cardinal rouge 118
Purple Finch/Roselin pourpré 3
House Finch/Roselin familier 119
American Goldfinch/Chardonneret jaune 185
House Sparrow/Moineau domestique 932
Great Blue Heron/Grand heron 2
Hermit Thrush/Grive solitaire 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler/Paruline à croupion jaune 1
Redhead/Fuligule à tete rouge 4
Canvasback/Fuligule à dos blanc 1
Bufflehead/Petit Garrot 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull/Goéland brun 1
Northern Harrier/Busard Saint-Martin 1
Red-shouldered Hawk/Buse à epaulettes 1

Total Birds 10,894
Total Species 69

Sheldon Harvey

Sightings for Saturday December 26

Terrebonne, rue St-Denis: Harris's sparrow / Bruant à gorge noire - Raymond Piché
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Longueuil:  female Hooded Warbler along the bike path at the intersection of rue Adoncourt & rue Pluviers.

Paruline à capuchon type femelle à Longueuil,  l'oiseau se tient le long de la piste cyclable à l'intersection de la rue Adoncourt et la rue Pluviers.- Louise Ladouceur
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Valleyfield, exit loop 132 & 530 MAP: Snowy owl

boucle route 132 & 530 CARTE: Harfangs des neiges - Jasmine Cantara

Sighting for Wednesday December 24

Longueuil:  female Hooded Warbler along the bike path at the intersection of rue Adoncourt & rue Pluviers.

Paruline à capuchon type femelle à Longueuil,  l'oiseau se tient le long de la piste cyclable à l'intersection de la rue Adoncourt et la rue Pluviers.- Chantal Trudel

Sighting for Wednesday December 23

Longueuil:  female Hooded Warbler along the bike path at the intersection of rue Adoncourt & rue Pluviers.

Paruline à capuchon type femelle à Longueuil,  l'oiseau se tient le long de la piste cyclable à l'intersection de la rue Adoncourt et la rue Pluviers. - Raymond Belhumeur, Lucien Lemay

Sightings for Tuesday December 2

Longueuil:  female Hooded Warbler The bird was along the bike path in the partially flooded, wooded area of Pratt and Whitney.  map

Paruline à capuchon type femelle à Longueuil,  l'oiseau se tient le long de la piste cyclable dans le boisé partiellement inondé de la Pratt and Whitney. CARTE

Sightings for Friday December 18

Longueuil:  Daniel Daignault at noon found a female Hooded Warbler on rue Lacombe at the corner of rue Lacoste. The bird was along the bike path in the partially flooded, wooded area of Pratt and Whitney. Yves Gauthier and I have seen it about 2:30 p.m.. Good luck and please respect the code of ethics. This is an incredible first, in December. Samuel Denault

Daniel Daigneault a trouvé ce midi une Paruline à capuchon type femelle à Longueuil sur la rue Lacombe au coin de la rue Lacoste. L'oiseau se tient le long de la piste cyclable dans le boisé partiellement inondé de la Pratt and Whitney. Yves Gauthier et moi l'avons revu vers 14:30. Bonne chance à tous et prière de respecter le code d'éthique. Il s'agit d'une incroyable première en décembre. - Samuel Denault

Montreal Christmas Bird Count - Dec. 19, 2015

A few more people needed

We are in need of a few extra bodies for the field teams for the Montreal Christmas Bird Count on December 19, 2015.

We are particularly looking for people to place on field teams covering the following areas:

South Shore - Sector 4 - Ste-Catherine Locks/Recre-o-parc/& points west along the Seaway dyke to Land's End on Kahnawake Territory

Montreal Downtown - Sector 2 - Westmount/Westmount Summit/Villa-Maria/Town of Mount Royal

It's not necessary to have participated in previous Christmas Counts. You will be placed with team leaders who are experienced and will help you along the way. It is a fun day of birding and you are playing an important role in one of the largest citizen science events of the year.

If you would like to participate, please contact me by e-mail at or on the BPQ phone line at 514-637-2141 as soon as possible and we'll get you set up.

Thanks

Sheldon Harvey

Bird Protection Quebec "Monthly Lecture, Meeting"

The Role of Intelligence and Personality in Avian Responses to Environmental Challenges 

Studies on Innovation and Learning in Wild Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
A Presentation by Dr Julie Morand-Ferron

Monday, December 7, 7:30 p.m. 

Kensington Presbyterian Church 

6225 Godfrey Ave, NDG

Animal populations can respond to environmental changes by changing their morphology, physiology or behaviour. Behavioural changes are especially important when responding to modern challenges resulting from human impact on the environment, such as climate change or urbanization, because behaviours can be adjusted quickly and fine-tuned to the current context with great precision. I will present different forms of behavioural plasticity exhibited by birds, with an accent on learning, memory and innovation, as well as associated personality traits. I will summarize some of our research on fitness consequences of the ability to solve novel problems in European tits of Oxford, UK, and on the effect of urbanization on the behaviour of Black-capped Chickadees in Ottawa. I will explain why behaviourally flexible birds such as members of the Paridae family are useful models to study the evolution of intelligence, and how this research can help understand why some species seem to thrive rather than decline in perturbed, rapidly changing environments.

Dr Julie Morand-Ferron is an assistant professor of Biology at the University of Ottawa, with an expertise in animal behaviour and ecology. The major goal of her research is to understand how cognitive processes, such as learning and decision-making, are shaped by natural selection. Her research is focused on avian foraging and social behaviour, using experiments in the field and in aviaries, as well as comparative methods. She uses an integrated approach, drawing from behavioural ecology, evolutionary ecology and experimental psychology.

Sightings for Saturday November 28

Etang, St-Louis-de-Gonzague map/carte

50 Snow Goose, 20 Canada Goose, 2 Gadwall, 2 American Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 1 Canvasback, 200 Ring-necked Duck, 5 Greater Scaup, 2 Lesser Scaup, 20 Greater/Lesser Scaup, 1 Common Goldeneye, 85 Hooded Merganser, 1 Common Merganser, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 3 Herring Gull, 2 American Crow, 2 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 American Goldfinch 

50 Oie des neiges, 20 Bernache du Canada, 2 Canard chipeau, 2 Canard d'Amérique, 5 Canard colvert, 1 Fuligule à dos blanc, 200 Fuligule à collier, 5 Fuligule milouinan, 2 Petits Fuligules, 20 Grand / Petits Fuligules, 1 Garrot à oeil d'or, 85 Harle couronné, 1 Grand Harle, 1 Harle huppé, 1 Grèbe jougris, 3 Goéland argenté, 2 Corneille d'Amérique, 2 Mésange à tête noire, 1 Chardonneret jaune - Frederic Hareau

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Aéroport de St-Hubert: 3 Snowy Owl seen from Boulevard Clairevue. There was a male in the field of airport and two juveniles in the field east of Clairevue

3 Harfangs des neiges Observés à partir du boulevard Clairevue. Il y avait un mâle sur le terrain de l'Aéroport et 2 juvéniles dans le champ à l'est de Clairevue - Gilles Ethier

BPQ's Annual Montreal Christmas Bird Count - Call for participants

The 2015 Montreal Christmas Bird Count – Saturday, December 19, 2015

One of Bird Protection Quebec’s (BPQ) most popular annual events, the Montreal Christmas Bird Count (CBC), will take place on Saturday, December 19, 2015. The annual bird counts play a vital role in tracking local and national birding trends and are one of the most important events on the citizen science calendar.

We are looking for more people to join us on the count this year. If you have not participated previously but are interested in doing so this year, please contact us and we'll set you up on a team. It’s not complicated and it’s a lot of fun. You will be placed on a team with some experienced Christmas counters who will show you the ropes!

The 24 km-wide circle for the Montreal area count is centred at the intersection of Sherbrooke Street West and Westminster Avenue in Montreal West. An overview of the count, a map of the count circle, and the results from past years are all available on our website. Teams of birders are assigned to specific territories to cover as much of the circle as possible. In order to do that, as many participants as possible are needed.

If you live anywhere within the count circle and have feeders installed, but are unable to join one of our field teams, you can still assist us without leaving the comfort of your home. Our website explains how you participate as a FeederWatcher.

Complete information on the Montreal Christmas Bird Count, as well as the Hudson Christmas Bird Count being held on Sunday, December 27, is available on the following BPQ webpagehttp://pqspb.org/bpq2/activities/christmas-bird-counts/

If you have any questions, or wish to register for the event, please contact Sheldon Harvey,  e-mail ... or telephone: 450-462-1459.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, November 28

Saturday November 28th

ST-LOUIS-DE-GONZAGUE/HUNGRY BAY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Leaders: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459  e-mail

Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498  e-mail

Cell (PLEASE use only on morning of trip)

514-774-0811

8:00AM Meet in the parking lot at the north end of the St-Louis-de-Gonzague Bridge.

https://goo.gl/maps/wVe4vDf6JL62

From the south shore take Highway 30 west. After approximately 40 km depending on your starting point take the 530 toward Salaberry de Valleyfield. After approximately 3km take exit 9 off the 530. Turn left onto Boulevard Pie-XII. Proceed 6km to the parking lot on the left side of the road just before the St-Louis-de-Gonzague Bridge.

From the West Island take Hwy 40 or 20 west then take highway 30 (toll $2.40 each way). Shortly after the toll take 530 toward Salaberry de Valleyfield. After approximately 3km take exit 9 off the 530. Turn left onto Boulevard Pie-XII. Proceed 6km to the parking lot on the left side of the road just before the St-Louis-de-Gonzague Bridge.

We will explore various areas in the Beauharnois/Valleyfield area looking for waterfowl, late migrants, and winter birds. Dress warmly as we will often be near the water. Half Day.

Sightings for Wednesday November 25

Chateaugauy, Ile Saint-Bernard

Northern shrike (Pie-grièche grise) 

with it's meal - T. Long, S. Veysey

click photo to enlarge

Sightings for Tuesday November 24

Montréal, Pointe-Claire - autoroute 40 between entre blvd Des Sources & St-Jean: Snowy owl On a lamppost, in the curve to at exit 40 east

Harfang des neiges Sur un lampadaire assez bas, dans la courbe pour la sortie 40 est - Julie Tremblay

Montréal, autoroute 13 near autoroute 40 2 Snowy owl A very white snowy before the exit for the 13 and a highly dark spotted one after the 13 on the south side of the highway, both on a lamppost.

2 Harfangs des neiges Un harfang très blanc avant la sortie pour la 13 et un très tacheté foncé après la 13, sur le côté sud de l'autoroute, les deux sur un lampadaire.- Julie Tremblay
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Yamachiche, 158-160 Chemin des Petites-Terres: Snowy owl  Harfang des neiges
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Saint-Joseph-de-Maskinongé, Route de la Rivière aux Pins - map/carte: 1 Rough-legged Hawk Buse pattue, 5 Snowy Owl Harfangs des neiges - Raymond Piché

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Sunday, November 21

18 birders met this morning for a three hour ramble through the Morgan Arboretum. The temperature started close to zero and didn’t get much warmer, though the sun did decide to shine towards the end of the morning.

Winkling birds out of hiding was seriously hard work today, but by the end we had seen some fifteen species in all as listed below. The Canada Geese, of course, were fly-overs and the Coopers Hawk was a putative Coopers Hawk as it didn’t stay still long enough in its distant tree for a 100% certain identification. This has been an unusually busy year on the West Island for Purple Finches which have been seen in several locations in small groups since the start of the month. Today we had two small groups of five or six each on different feeders and in the bushed around them. Usually House Finches are the predominant species, but not right now (one of our party posted a photo half an hour ago on the BPQ Facebook page). Excellent views of a Pileated Woodpecker were enjoyed. Of the smaller Woodpeckers, Hairies were more in evidence.

On a sadder note, the more northerly of the two McGill farm fields to the east of the arboretum in which Bobolinks have nested in recent years has now been totally occupied by one of the organic farming groups who have now ploughed it from one end to the other. A few years back they only occupied the far end of the field but now it is no longer going to be welcoming to Bobolinks as they have taken over completely.

Canada Goose 71, Cooper's Hawk 1, Downy Woodpecker 5, Hairy Woodpecker 7, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 8, American Crow 9, Black-capped Chickadee 25, White-breasted Nuthatch 14, Dark-eyed Junco 9, White-throated Sparrow 1, Northern Cardinal 2, House Finch 2, Purple Finch 8, American Goldfinch 40

Bernache du Canada 71, Épervier de Cooper 1, Pic mineur 5, Pic chevelu 7, Grand Pic 1, Geai bleu 8, Corneille d'Amérique 9, Mésange à tête noire 25, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 14, Junco ardoisé 9, Bruant à gorge blanche 1, Cardinal rouge 2, Roselin familier 2, Roselin pourpré 8, Chardonneret jaune 40 - Richard Gregson

Sightings for Wednesday November 18

Yesterday and today there was an alcid, possibly two, at the Beauharnois dam. One was a Ist-winter Razorbill (petits pingouins), the other seemingly smaller but given the conditions it was hard to be certain if it was indeed a different bird. It (they) are repeatedly flying in close to the channels after floating down almost out of sight. The viewing is particularly difficult due to the small size of the bird(s), the rapid flight, the constant bouncing around in the rough water and frequent disappearance between the waves, the almost constant diving, the distance involved, the wind, telescope shake, and my tearing eyes! Oh, and the gulls are harassing the birds for food. Besides the alcid(s) there was at least a dozen Common Loons (Plongeons huards) and a Horned Grebe Grèbe esclavon, plus the usual Double-crested cormorant (Cormorans à aigrettes) and Common merganser (Grand Harle). Since it is supposed to rain tomorrow I won't have a chance to get back until Friday at the earliest to check further. Hopefully, the conditions will be better and I can get a photo. - Bob Barnhurst

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, November 21

Saturday 21 November – samedi 21 novembre 

MORGAN ARBORETUM – ARBORETUM MORGAN

http://www.morganarboretum.org/

map/carte http://goo.gl/maps/etLSX

Guide: Richard Gregson  e-mail

8:00 a.m.  From Montreal take Highway 40 west. Take exit 44 (Morgan Blvd.). Turn left on Chemin Ste-Marie. Drive 1.4 km to second stop sign (at Arboretum road). Turn right. Drive 1 km to main parking on left. $6.00 admission charge for non-Arboretum-members.($4 for Seniors 65+ and students). Half day.

8 h 00.  De Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 40 ouest, sortie 44 (boul. Morgan). Tourner à gauche sur le chemin Ste-Marie et continuer sur une distance de 1,4 km jusqu’au second arrêt (rue Arboretum). Tourner à droite et rouler sur une distance de 1 km jusqu’au stationnement principal, situé à gauche. Frais d’entrée : 6,00 $ pour les non-membres. (4$ pour les ainés de 65 ans et plus et les étudiants, $3 pour les enfants de 14 ans et moins). Demi-journée

Sightings for Tuesday November 17

Montréal, Autoroute 13 map/carte: Snowy owl (Harfand des neiges) - Bernard Lavoie
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Chateaugauy, Ile Saint-Bernard: 3 Wild turkey (Dindons sauvage) T. Long, S. Veysey

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Hungry Bay map/carte
28 species: 4000 Snow Goose, 500 Canada Goose, 11 Greater Scaup, 1 Lesser Scaup, 2 White-winged Scoter, 1 Black Scoter, 25 Common Goldeneye, 3 Common Merganser, 1 Red-throated Loon, 6 Common Loon, 10 Red-necked Grebe, 1 Double-crested Cormorant, 2 Ring-billed Gull, 8 Herring Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 1 Blue Jay, 3 American Crow,  7 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, 9 American Robin, 3 European Starling, 4 American Tree Sparrow, 5 American Goldfinch

28 espèces: 4000 Oie des neiges, 500 Bernaches du Canada, 11 Fuligule milouinan, 1 Petit fuligule, 2 Macreuse brune, 1 Macreuse noire, 25 Garrot à oeil d'or, 3 Grand harle, 1 Plongeon catmarin, 6 Plongeon huard, 10 Grèbe jougris, 1 Cormoran à aigrettes, 2 Goéland à bec cerclé, 8 Goéland argenté, 2 Goéland marin, 1 Pic mineur, 1 Pic chevelu, 1 Pic flamboyant, 1 Grand Pic, 1 Geai bleu, 3 Corneille d'Amérique, 7 Mésange à tête noire, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 2, 1 Grimpereau brun, 9 Merle d'Amérique, 3 Étourneau sansonnet, 4 Bruant Hudsonien, 5 Chardonneret jaune - Patrick Laniel

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Sunday, November 15

We had a rare Bird Protection of Quebec, Sunday field trip in eastern Ontario.
Cloudy but a comfortable November morning to have a walk in this provincial park along the Outaouais river (45 minutes from Montreal). After we visited the Lafleche landfill area (exit 58 heading towards Ottawa on the 417) in search for a few rare bird species that were seen in the pass few days ( Pink-footed Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, etc.)
A group of 18 people (even a bird watcher from Germany) joined me on this trip, which is great considering the cool weather, location, time of year and all the events going on in and around Montreal. Also that rare Cave Swallow that all of Quebec's birdwatchers wanted to add on their life list.
A mix of songbirds and waterfowl species were observed in the morning (38 species) & Snow geese and other species in the afternoon (14 species) for a grand total of 44 species for the day. Bird of the morning was no doubt the close views of the adult & immature Bald Eagles. No doubt in the afternoon was the 10,000+ Snow Geese.

Voyageur Park Birds (AM)
Canada Geese (10,000) Gadwall (6) American Wigeon (3) American Black Duck (30) Mallard (24) Ring-necked Duck (100+) Lesser Scaup (60+) Bufflehead (10+) Common Goldeneye (3) (f) Hooded Merganser (60+) Common Merganser (10) Red-breasted Merganser (1) Common Loon (2) Great Blue Heron (2) Bald Eagle (2) Northern Goshawk (1) Rough-legged Hawk (1) Ring-billed Gull (xx)
Herring Gull (x) Great-backed Gull (2) Downy Woodpecker (3) Hairy Woodpecker (2) Pileated Woodpecker (2) Blue Jays (12) American Crow (10) Common raven (1) Black-capped Chickadee (24) Red-breasted Nuthatch (8 White-breasted Nuthatch (2) Brown creeper (1) Golden-crowned Kinglet (1) (m) American Robin (1) Cedar or Bohemian Waxwing species (6) American Tree Sparrow (6) Snow Bunting (150+) Purple Finch (2) Pine Siskin (40+) American Goldfinch (6)

Bernaches du Canada (10 000) Canard chipeau (6) Canard d'Amérique (3) Canard noir (30) Canard colvert (24) Fuligule à collier (100+) Fuligule à tête noire (60+) Petit Garrot (10+) Garrot à oeil d'or (3) (f ) Harle couronné (60+) Grand Harle (10) Harle huppé (1) Plongeon huard (2) Grand héron (2) Pygargue à tête blanche (2) Autour des palombes (1) Buse pattue (1) Goéland à bec cerclé (xx) Goéland argenté (x) Goéland marin (2) Pic mineur (3) Pic chevelu (2) Grand Pic (2) Geai Bleu (12) Corneille d'Amérique (10) Grand Corbeau (1) Mésange à tête noire (24) Sittelle à poitrine rousse (Sittelle à poitrine blanche 8 (2) Grimpereau brun (1) Roitelet à couronne dorée (1) (m) Merle d'Amérique (1) espèces Jaseur d'Amérique ou boréal (6) Bruant Hudsonien (6) Bruant des neiges (150 +) Roselin pourpré (2) Tarin des pins (40+) Chardonneret jaune (6)

Lafleche Landfill (PM)
Greater White-front Goose (1) Snow Goose (10,000+) Canada Goose (12) flyover) Cackling Goose (1) Northern Harrier (1) Rough-legged Hawk (1) (5 total between V & L on 417) Ring-billed Gull (x) Herring Gull (x) Great-backed Gull (x) Rock pigeon (4) Blue Jay (2) American Crow (6) Common Raven (2) Red-winged Blackbird (12)

Oie rieuse (1) Oie des neiges (10.000 +) Bernache du Canada (12) survol) Bernaches de Hutchins (1) Busard Saint-Martin (1) Buse pattue (1) (5 totale entre V & L sur 417) Goéland à bec cerclé (x) Goéland argenté (x) Goéland marin (x) Pigeon biset (4) Geai Bleu (2) Corneille d'Amérique (6) Grand Corbeau (2) Carouge à épaulettes (12)


Love Nature

Joël Coutuu

Sightings for Monday November 16

Ste-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte 1 Cave Swallow (1 Hirondelle à front brun) - Patrick Laniel

Sightings for Sunday November 15

Ste-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte
250 Canada Goose, 12 Mallard, 12 Common Merganser, 1 Common Loon, 4 Double-crested Cormorant, 125 Ring-billed Gull, 25 Herring Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 22 American Crow, 1 Common Raven, 1 Cave Swallow Seen by many observers. At 15:30 flying over the wooded area that encircles the bay to left of the stairs, 3 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 American Robin - Patrice Franche
1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Hairy Woodpecker - Jean-Francois Piche

250 Bernaches du Canada, 12 canard colvert, 12 Grand Harle, 1 Plongeon huard, 4 Cormoran à aigrettes, 125 Goéland à bec cerclé, 25 Goéland argenté, 12 Goéland marin, 22 Corneille d'Amérique, 1 Grand Corbeau, 1 Hirondelle à front brun Vu par plusieurs observateurs. À 15h30, survolait le boisé qui ceinture la baie à gauche de l'escalier. 3 mésange à tête noire, 1 Merle d'Amérique - Patrice Franche

1 Grand Héron, 1 Pic chevelu - Jean-Francois Piche

Sightings For Saturday November 14

After about 3 hours of searching without success both in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Chambly this morning and early afternoon for one of the Franklin's Gulls seen in the last few days, Darlene and I decided to check out the Ornitho-QC postings for today to see if anyone had come across the birds at any point other than very early this morning. There were no reports however there were two postings, one from Pierre Bannon and one from Samuel Denault.

Both were reporting one, and possibly two, Cave Swallows in the bay at Ste-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc - map/carte. We left St-Jean and upon arriving at the locks at Ste-Catherine, we saw a line-up of about 7 or 8 cars parked along the top of the cliff just past the bridge. We decided to go a little further along the road to a clearing on the right where we could see down into the bay. Darlene almost immediately noticed two swallow-like birds swooping around a bushy clump in the shallow water below. Seeing that they were the only two swallow-like birds visible, we figured it must be them. We returned to where the cars were parked. A birder returning to his car said that definitely the two birds were cave swallows. He suggested following the path off to the left at the bottom of the stairs and that we would eventually run into a large group of birders.

Success...a lifer for both of us! 2 Cave swallows Hirondelle à front brun at the western end of the bay we found a group of about a dozen birders, at water-level, just across from the bushy clump we had seen from above. The two birds were very active and, at times, very close to the shore, offering up great views.

Get them while you can. Who knows if they will stick around and, will they be able to find enough food to survive. If I were them I'd want to be heading off to warmer territory pretty quickly.

Thanks to Pierre and Samuel for tipping off the local birding community to their great discovery. - Sheldon Harvey
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Fort Chambly, map/carte: 16 species - 1500 Canada Goose, 3 American Black Duck, 50 Mallard, 10 Common Merganser, 1 Double-crested Cormorant, 20 Bonaparte's Gull, 1 Little Gull, 300 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 4 Rock Pigeon, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 3 Blue Jay, 2 American Crow, 1 Common Raven, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 5 European Starling

16 espèces - 1500 Bernache du Canada, 3 Canard noir, 50 Canard colvert, 10 Grand harle, 1 Cormoran à aigrettes, 20 Mouette de Bonaparte, 1 Mouette pygmée, 300 Goéland à bec cerclé, 1 Goéland argenté, 4 Pigeon biset, 1 Pic mineur, 3 Geai bleu, 2 Corneille d'Amérique, 1 Grand Corbeau, 1 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 5 Étourneau sansonnet - Pierre Bergeron Raymond Belhumeur

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Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu, Halte Cayer map/carte: 23 species - 300 Snow Goose, 1 Ross's Goose, 2000 Canada Goose, 12 American Black Duck, 35 Mallard, 3 Bufflehead, 250 Common Goldeneye, 3 Hooded Merganser, 50 Common Merganser, 1 Double-crested Cormorant, 8 Bonaparte's Gull, 3 Franklin's Gull, 75 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Rock Pigeon, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Blue Jay, 2 American Crow, 3 Black-capped Chickadee, 10 European Starling, 1 American Goldfinch, 2 House Sparrow

23 espèces - 300 Oies des neiges, 1 Oie de Ross, 2000 Bernaches du Canada , 12 Canard noir, 35 Canard colvert, 3 Petit Garrot, 250 Garrots à oeil d'or, 3 Harle couronné, 50 Grand Harle, 1 Cormoran à aigrettes, 8 Mouette de Bonaparte, 3 Mouette deFranklin , 75 Goéland à bec cerclé, 2 Goéland argenté, 1 Goéland marin 4 Pigeon biset, 1 Pic mineur, 2 Geai bleu, 2 Corneille d'Amérique, 3 Mésange à tête noire, 10 Étourneau sansonnet, 1 Chardonneret jaune, 2 Moineau domestique - Pierre Bergeron

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Sunday, November 15

Sunday, November 15 –  dimanche 15 novembre

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A SUNDAY TRIP – VEUILLEZ NOTER QUE CETTE SORTIE A LIEU UN DIMANCHE

Voyageur Provincial Park, Ontario 

https://goo.gl/maps/xVGbEjP62n42  (Meeting place- lieu de rencontre)

Guide: Joël Coutu  e-mail

8:00 a.m.  Meet at the Ontario Travel Information Centre on Highway 417. From Montreal take  Highway 40 west in the direction of Ottawa/Gatineau. The information centre is 2.6 km west of the Québec/Ontario border after Highway 40 changes to Highway 417. An interesting park with different habitats including mature forests, fields, small wooded areas and small bays on the Outaouais River. Looking for dabbling and diving ducks, geese, raptors, sparrows and possibly an owl. Please bring footwear (rubber boots/hiking boots) suitable for wet grass conditions…etc… Half day.

8 h 00.  Rendez-vous au Centre d’information des voyageurs de l’Ontario sur l’Autoroute 417. De Montréal, prendre l’ autoroute 40 ouest, en direction d’Ottawa / Gatineau . Le centre d’information est situé 2,6 km à l’ouest de la frontière Québec / Ontario après que l’autoroute 40 devienne l’autoroute 417. Un parc intéressant avec différents habitats, notamment des forêts matures, des champs, de petites zones boisées et de petites baies sur la rivière des Outaouais. Nous serons à la recherche des canards barboteurs et plongeurs, des oies, des rapaces, passereaux, et peut-être un hibou . Merci de vous munir de chaussures (bottes en caoutchouc / bottes de randonnée) adaptées aux conditions de prairie humide. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Sunday November 8

I saw a magnificent mature Bald eagle (Pygargue à tête blanche) soaring over the Riviere du Nord, just north of St. Jerome, today (Nov 8) at 3 pm. Dark wings broad as a plank, brilliant white head and tail. - Pat Stotland

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, November 7

17 people participated in today's field trip that started out under a light sprinkle in Chambly, but the skies quickly cleared and the rest of morning was mostly clear with sun and light winds, making for ideal lighting conditions. Thanks to everyone who found their way around the various construction headaches. I hope your tip home was uneventful!

Our total species count for the day was 33, with highlights being a Peregrine Falcon, a Red-necked Grebe and a White-winged Scoter, as well as a hybrid Mallard/Am. Black Duck, all in Chambly.

I'll split the numbers between the two locations. Note that the numbers particularly for the Canada Geese, Scaup, Common Goldeneye and Ring-billed Gulls:are rough estimates. - Sheldon Harvey

Chambly: Canada Goose - 2000 +, Wood Duck - 7, American Black Duck - 24, Mallard/Am. Black Duck Hybrid - 1, Mallard - 30, Northern Pintail - 2, Greater & Lesser Scaup - 150 - predominantly Lesser, White-winged Scoter - 1, Bufflehead - 3, Common Goldeneye - 30, Common Merganser - 25, Red-breasted Merganser - 3, Red-necked Grebe -1, Double-crested Cormorant - 5, Great Blue Heron - 2, Peregrine Falcon - 1, Bonaparte's Gull - 12, Ring-billed Gull - 125, Herring Gull - 3, Great Black-backed Gull - 2, Rock Pigeon - 20, American Crow - 4, White-breasted Nuthatch - 1, American Robin -2, European Starling - 10, Northern Cardinal - 2, American Goldfinch - 4, House Sparrow - 5

Bernache du Canada - 2 000 +, Canard branchu - 7, Canard noir - 24, Canard colvert / Canard noir, hybride - 1, Canard colvert - 30, Canard pilet - 2, Fuligule milouinan et Petit Fuligule - 150, Macreuse brune - 1, Petit Garrot - 3, Garrot - 30, Grand harle - 25, Harle huppé - 3, Grèbe jougris -1, Cormoran à aigrettes - 5, Grand héron - 2, Faucon pèlerin - 1, Mouette de Bonaparte - 12, Goéland à bec cerclé - 125, Goéland argenté - 3, Goéland marin - 2, Pigeon biset - 20, Corneille d'Amérique - 4, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 1, Merle d'Amérique -2, Étourneau sansonnet - 10, Cardinal rouge - 2, Chardonneret jaune - 4, Moineau domestique - 5

St-Jean-sur-Richelieu: Canada Goose - 5500+, Mallard - 30, Greater & Lesser Scaup - 100+ mixed, Common Goldeneye - 1000+, Hooded Merganser - 2, Common Merganser - 30, Double-crested Cormorant - 5, Ring-billed Gull - 300, Great Black-backed Gull - 8, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Blue Jay - 4, American Crow - 4, Black-capped Chickadee - 8, White-breasted Nuthatch - 1, House Sparrow - 8

Bernache du Canada - 5500+, Canard colvert - 30, Grand & Fuligule à tête noire - 100+ mélangé, Garrots à oeil d'or - 1000, Harle couronné - 2, Grand harle - 30, Cormoran à aigrettes - 5, Goéland à bec cerclé - 300, Goéland marin - 8, Pic mineur - 1, Geai bleue - 4, Corneille d'Amérique - 4, Mésange à tête noire - 8, Sittelle à poitrine blanche - 1, Moineau domestique - 8

Sightings for Wednesday November 4

Fort Chambly, 22 species: 800 Canada Goose, 2 American Wigeon, 32 American Black Duck, 350 Mallard, 1 White-winged Scoter, 4 Hooded Merganser, 90 Common Merganser, 4 Double-crested Cormorant, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Turkey Vulture, 136 Bonaparte's Gull, 100 Ring-billed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 7 Rock Pigeon, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Blue Jay, 1 American Crow, 2 Black-capped Chickadee, 6 European Starling, 11 Pine Siskin, 5 American Goldfinch, 3 House Sparrow - Patrick Laniel

2 Northern Pintail, 5 Greater Scaup, 150 Lesser Scaup, 25 Common Goldeneye - Michel Bertrand

22 espèces: 800 Bernaches du Canada, 2 Canard d'Amérique, 32 Canard noir, 350 Canard colvert, 1 Macreuse brune, 4 Harle couronné, 90 Grand Harle, 4 Cormoran à aigrettes, 1 Great Blue héron, 1 Urubu à tête rouge, Semblait Suivre La Rivière Vers le Sud, 136 Mouette de Bonaparte, 100 Goéland à bec cerclé, 2 Goéland argenté, 7 Pigeon biset, 1 Pic mineur, 1 Geai bleu, 1 Corneille d'Amérique, 2 Mésange à tête noire, 6 Étourneau sansonnet, 11 Tarin des pins, 5 Chardonneret jaune, 3 Moineau domestique - Patrick Laniel

2 Canard pilet, 5 Fuligule milouinan, 150 Petit Fuligule, 25 Garrot à oeil d'or - Michel Bertrand

Re: IMPORTANT NOTE RE: DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS FOR SATURDAY 7

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Re the adjusted directions, I have just been advised that a left turn off of de Perigny on to Bourgogne is not permitted. Instead do the following:

NOTE: A left turn is not permitted on Bourgogne off of de Perigny. Instead, take the exit on the right just before the traffic lights then turn left at the stop sign which puts you on to Bourgogne. Follow ave. Bourgogne to the main entrance to Fort Chambly, parking lot on the right.. Sorry for the inconvenience - Sheldon Harvey

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 31

Twenty-one birders were treated to sunny skies, moderate temperatures (peaking at 6C) and LIGHT WINDS for today's walk around Parc Nature Cap St Jacques. Maybe the weather was TOO nice. Bird life was quiet with very few ducks in the channel separating the park from Ile Bizard and a smaller than usual variety of passerine species. A large raft of Scaup was seen west of the park on the Lake of Two Mountains but were much, much too distant for trying to separate the two species.

For those interested in a little more information on two of the topics we discussed today here are a couple of links

Native versus Oriental Bittersweet
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_017307.pdf

Downy Woodpeckers and Goldenrod Gall
http://www.birdwatching.com/tips/goldenrod_bonus.html

Our complete list of 33 species included: Canada Goose - 100, American Black Duck - 4, Mallard - 20, Scaup sp. - 1000+, Black Scoter - 1, Bufflehead - 2, Common Goldeneye - 2, Hooded Merganser - 4, Red-breasted Merganser - 2, Great Blue Heron - 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1, Cooper's Hawk - 1, Red-tailed Hawk - 1, Ring-billed Gull - 12, Mourning Dove - 5, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Hairy Woodpecker - 6, Pileated Woodpecker - 1, Blue Jay - 4, American Crow - 20, Black-capped Chickadee - 15, White-breasted Nuthatch - 10, Brown Creeper - 10, American Robin - 100, European Starling - 100, Cedar Waxwing - 5, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1, American Tree Sparrow - 6, White-throated Sparrow - 2, Dark-eyed Junco - 10, Northern Cardinal 4, Common Grackle - 200 (All in one group), American Goldfinch - 20 

Bernache du Canada - 100, Canard noir - 4, Canard colvert - 20, Fuligule sp. - 1000, Macreuse noire - 1, Petit Garrot - 2, Garrot à oeil d'or - 2, Harle couronné - 4, Harle huppé - 2, Grand Héron - 1, Épervier brun - 1, Épervier de Cooper - 1, Buse à queue rousse - 1, Goéland à bec cerclé - 12, Tourterelle triste - 5, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu - 6, Grand Pic - 1, Geai bleu - 4, Corneille d'Amérique - 20, Mésange à tête noire - 15, Blanc Sittelle à poitrine - 10, Grimpereau brun - 10, Merle d'Amérique - 100, Étourneau sansonnet - 100, Jaseur d'Amérique - 5, Paruline à croupion jaune - 1, Bruant Hudsonien - 6, Bruant à gorge blanche - 2, Junco ardoisé - 10, Cardinal Rouge 4, Quiscale bronzé - 200 (Tout en un groupe), Chardonneret jaune - 20 - Wayne Grubert

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, October 31

Saturday, October 31 – samedi 31 octobre
Montréal, Pierrefonds: Parc Nature Du Cap-St-Jacques
map/carte https://goo.gl/maps/TLEH1

Guide: Wayne Grubert  450-458-5498
514-774-0811 (Cell – Morning of trip only)  e-mail 

8:00 am Take Highway 40 West. Exit Chemin Ste-Marie. Turn left to Anse-à-l’Orme Road. Turn right and continue to the end. Turn right on Senneville Road (Gouin Blvd.). Continue for 2 km to the chalet d’accueil of the park. Parking: $9.00. Half day.

8 h 00 Prendre l’autoroute 40 ouest. Prendre la sortie pour le chemin Ste-Marie et tourner à gauche sur celui-ci. Continuer jusqu’au chemin de l’Anse-à-l’Orme. Tourner à droite sur celui-ci et continuer jusqu’au bout. Tourner à droite sur le chemin Senneville (boul. Gouin) et continuer sur une distance de 2 km jusqu’au chalet d’accueil du parc. Frais de stationnement : 9,00 $. Demi-journée.

Sightings For Sunday October 25

Châteauguay, Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard: Lapland Longspur seen on the grand digue

Bruant lapon vu sur la Grande-Digue - T. Long, S. Veysey

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Cemetery: The Townsend’s Solitaire still present at the Oak ridge sector

Solitaire de Townsend toujours présent sur le secteur de Oak Ridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal  - Nicholas Acheson

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 24

Seventeen birders enjoyed a morning at Parc National d'Oka with a mix of sun and cloud, moderate temperatures (6-8C) and ESE winds of 15 - 30 kph.

Our morning started well with a flyby of a pair of calling Common Ravens as we waited in the parking lot for everyone to gather.

We then headed for the west beach at the end of Chemin du débarcadère where two Hudsonian Godwits had been reported and they did not disappoint. Despite some severe backlighting their distinctive silhouette and long upturned bills were very much in evidence. They were joined by six other shorebird species the most numerous being Dunlins and White-rumped Sandpipers with singles of Black-bellied Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover and Sanderling. In some instances these birds were arranged at very close quarters giving great side by side size comparisons. As we were leaving the area a Peregrine Falcon came winging by looking for brunch among the shorebirds but despite its best efforts went away empty "taloned". One of the shorebirds however should go buy a lottery ticket as we all thought its days/seconds were numbered. There were many "oohs" and"ahs" and "eeks" from all of us as the chase proceeded. Still not sure how it escaped. The falcon then flew over us at a binoculars optional range.

A quick visit to the main beach area produced a few more duck species along with great views of Canada Geese coming in too rest. Always a treat to watch them spilling air as they attempt to lose altitude rapidly.

From the beach the group travelled to the Sentier de La Grande Baie. There were many, many distant ducks but most will have to go unidentified due to poor lighting conditions and the usual problems of scoping from a floating boardwalk.

Thanks to all who came out for a very pleasant morning. Good birds, good company! - Wayne Grubert

Our complete list of 43 species includes: Canada Geese - 1000, Wood Duck - 10, Gadwall - 100, American Wigeon - 40, American Black Duck - 2, Mallard - 100, Northern Shoveler - 2, Ring-necked Duck - 200, Greater Scaup/Lesser Scaup - 200, White-winged Scoter - 6, Bufflehead - 12, Common Goldeneye - 6, Hooded Merganser - 2, Red-breasted Merganser - 1, Ruddy Duck - 2, Pied-billed Grebe - 1, Great Blue Heron - 2, Peregrine Falcon - 1, Black-bellied Plover - 1, Semipalmated Plover - 1, Hudsonian Godwit - 2, Sanderling - 1, White-rumped Sandpiper - 10, Pectoral Sandpiper - 1, Dunlin - 36, Ring-billed Gulls - 20, Herring Gull - 1, Great Black-backed Gull - 1, Downy Woodpecker - 1, Hairy Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 1, Pileated Woodpecker - 3, Blue Jay - 2, American Crow - 6, Common Raven - 2, Black-capped Chickadee - 6, White-breasted Nuthatch - 3, American Robin - 100, European Starling - 100, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2, Dark-eyed Junco - 6, Red-winged Blackbird - 100

Bernaches du Canada - 1000, Canard branchu - 10, Canard chipeau - 100, Canard d'Amérique - 40, Canard noir - 2, Canard colvert - 100, Canard souchet - 2, Fuligule à collier - 200, Fuligule milouinan / Petit Fuligule - 200, Macreuse brune - 6, Petit Garrot - 12, Garrot à oeil d'or - 6, Harle couronné - 2, Harle huppé - 1, Érismature rousse - 2, Grèbe à bec bigarré - 1, Grand Héron - 2, Faucon pèlerin - 1, Goélands à bec cerclé - 36, Pluvier argenté - 1, Pluvier semipalmé - 1, Barge hudsonienne - 2, Bécasseau sanderling - 1, Bécasseau à croupion blanc - 10, Bécasseau à poitrine cendrée - 1, Bécasseau variable 20, Goéland argenté - 1, Goélands marins - 1, Pic mineur - 1, Pic chevelu - 1, Pic flamboyant - 1, Grand Pic - 3, Geai Bleu - 2, Corneille d'Amérique - 6, Grand Corbeau - 2, Mésange à tête noire - 6, Sittelle à poitrine blanc - 3, Merle d'Amérique - 100, Étourneau sansonnet - 100, Paruline à croupion jaune - 2, Junco ardoisé - 6, Carouge à épaulettes - 100

Sightings for Saturday October 24

Châteauguay, Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard: Lapland Longspur seen on the grand digue

Bruant lapon vu sur la Grande-Digue - T. Long, S. Veysey

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Montréal, Mount Royal Cemetery: The Townsend’s Solitaire still present at the Oak ridge sector 
raptors: Cooper’s hawk, Merlin, Sharp-shinned hawk in the immediate area !
Several Purple Finches

Solitaire de Townsend toujours présent sur le secteur de Oak Ridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal  

rapaces: l'Épervier de Cooper, Faucon  émerillon, Épervier brun dans la région immédiate! Plusieurs Roselin pourpré

 - Chuck Kling

Sightings for Friday October 23

Châteauguay, Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard: Lapland Longspur seen on the grand digue

Bruant lapon vu sur la Grande-Digue - T. Long, S. Veysey

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Montréal, Mount Royal Cemetery: The Townsend’s Solitaire still present on the Oak ridge sector of the Mount-Royal Cemetery....8 am to 9:30 am, this morning.

Also several Purple Finches, many Juncos and American Robins, Northern Cardinal and Hermit Thrush....all in the same sector.

Solitaire de Townsend toujours présent sur le secteur de Oak Ridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal .... 8 heures-à-9:30, ce matin.

Aussi plusieurs Roselin pourpré, beaucoup de Juncos ardoisé et Merles d'Amérique, Cardinal rouge et Grive solitaire .... tous dans le même secteur.

Chuck Kling www.PBase.com/hootpix

Tomorrow's Oka Park Field Trip

Just a few items concerning tomorrow's field trip to Parc National d'Oka.

1. It seems that the rate of inflation is much higher for parks than for the general public. The fee for entrance to the park tomorrow is $7.50 per personand not the $6 we paid in the past.

2. Sometimes at this late date in the season the eastern gate to the park at the end of Highway 640 is not open as early as it should be. If this should be the case you can continue west along Highway 344 for another 6.5 km to the western entrance which is very close to our meeting spot at the Accueil du Camping.

This map (hopefully) will show the two entrances and the meeting place.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z8eXsXqxXWnk.kSGoOps8qzhA&usp=sharing

Wayne Grubert

Sightings for Thursday October 22

Montréal, Mount Royal Cemetery: A Townsend's Solitaire in the Oakridge area, on the hill with fruit trees, and still present

Un Solitaire de Townsend dans le secteur Oakridge du Cimetières Mont-Royal, sur la butte avec les arbres fruitiers, il était seul, et encore présent - Jean-Sebastien Mayer, Etienne Artigau

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, October 24

Saturday 24 October – samedi 24 octobre
Parc National d’Oka
map/carte  https://goo.gl/maps/sG8gG
Guide: Wayne Grubert  450-458-5498 - 514-774-0811 (Cell – morning of trip only)  -  e-mail

8:00 a.m. Take Hwy 13 north to Hwy 640. Go west on 640 to its intersection with Hwy 344. Cross 344 into Parc d’Oka. Proceed 6.2 km to the Accueil Camping. An entrance fee of approximately $6 will be charged. Looking for migrating passerines, raptors, waterfowl and shorebirds. Half day.

8 h 00 De Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 13 nord jusqu’à l’autoroute 640. Continuer sur l’autoroute 640 ouest jusqu’à l’intersection avec l’autoroute 344. Traverser la 344 et entrer dans le Parc d’Oka. Continuer sur une distance de 6,2 km jusqu’à l’Accueil Camping. Frais d’entrée: environ 6$. Espèces recherchées :passereaux en migration, rapaces, sauvagine et limicoles. Demi-journée.

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 17

Chateauguay, Ile Saint-Bernard: Temperature this morning was 3 C and raining, calm winds. The 11 birders who showed up decided to start birding, hoping that the rain would stop earlier than predicted. An hour or so later six decided to call it a day. About twenty minutes later the rest of us called it quits.

A total of 25 species were found which was not bad considering the weather and distance travelled. After the days count, Two Northern Harriers were spotted while we were finishing up our coffee.

Tufted Titmouse was the bird of the day, which was decided by the remaining 5 of us.

Thank you to those who braved the weather.

Tom Long

Canada Goose  X, Mallard  10, Long-tailed Duck  3, Bufflehead  2, Common Loon  1, Double-crested Cormorant  4, Northern Harrier  2, Lesser Yellowlegs  15, Ring-billed Gull  6, Great Black-backed Gull  3, Downy Woodpecker  3, Hairy Woodpecker  2, Merlin  1, American Crow  1, Black-capped Chickadee  15, Tufted Titmouse  1, White-breasted Nuthatch  5, Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1, American Robin  1, European Starling  6, American Tree Sparrow  20, Dark-eyed Junco  10, White-crowned Sparrow  8, Song Sparrow  6, Northern Cardinal  1

25 espèces: Bernache du Canada X, Canard colvert 10, Harelde Kakawi 3, Petit Garrot 2, Plongeon huard 1, Cormoran à aigrettes 4, Busard Saint-Martin 2, Petit Chevalier 15, Goéland à bec cerclé 6, Goéland marin 3, Pic mineur 3, Pic chevelu 2, Faucon émerillon 1, Corneille d'Amérique 1, Mésange à tête noire 15, Mésange bicolore 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 5, Roitelet à couronne rubis 1, Merle d'Amérique 1, Étourneau sansonnet 6, Bruant hudsonien 20, Junco ardoisé 10, Bruant à couronne blanche 8, Bruant chanteur 6, Cardinal rouge 1

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday, October 17

Saturday, October 17 – samedi 17 octobre
Refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville on Île Saint-Bernard
map/carte  https://goo.gl/maps/g5spD
Guide: Tom Long   450-692-1590   e-mail

8:00 a.m. Meet at the welcome centre of the Refuge Faunique Marguerite D’Youville on Île St-Bernard, Châteauguay. From Montreal, take Highway 138 and cross the Mercier Bridge. Stay right coming off the bridge and take Highway 138 through Kahnawake into Châteauguay. As you enter Châteauguay, turn right onto Boul. St-Francis. Follow St. Francis all the way to the end where it meets the Châteauguay River at Boulevard Salaberry Nord. Turn right onto Salaberry Nord. Continue past the railway bridge. The next bridge that crosses the road and river is Pont de la Sauvagine. Turn right just after the bridge. There will be a sign and an entrance ramp for the bridge for Beauharnois and Refuge Faunique Marquerite d’Youville. Cross the bridge and continue to Notre-Dame Nord. At the flashing red light turn right onto Notre-Dame and follow the signs to Refuge Faunique Marguerite D’Youville. Cross the small bridge onto Île St-Bernard. The parking area is to the right. Walking trip looking for waterbirds and late migrants. The grass paths are usually wet early in the morning so wear appropriate footwear. $3.00 admission fee. Half day.

8 h 00 Rassemblement à l’accueil du refuge faunique Marguerite-D’Youville, île Saint-Bernard, Châteauguay. De Montréal, prendre la route 138 et traverser le pont Mercier. A la sortie du pont, garder la droite et continuer sur la 138, passé Kahnawake, jusqu’à Châteauguay. A l’entrée de Châteauguay, tourner à droite sur le boul. St-Francis. Continuer sur celui-ci jusqu’à l’intersection avec le boul. Salaberry Nord, qui longe la rivière Châteauguay. Tourner à droite sur Salaberry nord, passer en-dessous du pont de la voie ferrée et continuer jusqu’à un deuxième pont : il s’agit du pont de la Sauvagine. Tourner à droite juste après avoir passé sous ce pont et accéder à une rampe d’accès au pont. Des indications pour le refuge faunique Marquerite-D’Youville y sont visibles. Traverser le pont et continuer jusqu’à la rue Notre-Dame Nord. Au feu rouge clignotant, tourner à droite sur Notre-Dame et suivre les indications pour le refuge. Traverser le petit pont qui mène à l’île Saint-Bernard. Le stationnement est à la droite. Excursion à pied, à la recherche d’oiseaux aquatiques et de migrateurs tardifs. Considérant que les sentiers gazonnés sont généralement humides le matin, il est conseillé de porte

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" - Saturday, October 10

22 birders attended the field trip to Laval Ouest this morning. The weather was close to perfect, sunny, a bit chilly but nice, and no wind. We visited 5 sites along the Rivières des Milles –Iles : Parc de l’Orée du Bois, Berge Camille Barbe, Berge des Goelands, Berge du Grand-Brochet et Barrage du Moulin.

The sites produced a good diversity of waterfowl and a number of other species. The Berge des Goelands was the most productive site, providing good views of a Surf Scoter, Red-necked Grebes, Blue-winged Teals and a nice flock of American Wigeons, among other.

45 species have been observed during the morning (list below).

Thanks to all for this very enjoyable field trip. - Frédéric Hareau.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 300, Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 30, Gadwall (Anas strepera) 2, American Wigeon (Anas americana) 17, American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 4, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 180, Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 8, Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) 1, Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 5, Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 1, Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1, Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 2
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 14, Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 5, Great Egret (Ardea alba) 4, Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1, American Coot (Fulica americana) 1, Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1, Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) 2, Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 100, Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 6, Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) 6, Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 80, Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1, Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1, Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1, Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6, American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 10, Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 20, Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 1, White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3, Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 4, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 1, American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 12, European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 5, Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 2, White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 2, Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 5, Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 3, Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 10, Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 100, American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2, House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 12

Bernache du Canada 300, Canard branchu 30, Canard chipeau 2, Canard d'Amérique 17, Canard noir 4, Canard colvert 180, Sarcelle à ailes bleues 8, Macreuse à front blanc 1, Harle couronné 5, Grand Harle 1, Grèbe à bec bigarré 1, Grèbe jougris 2, Cormoran à aigrettes 14, Grand héron 5, Grande Aigrette 4, Urubu à tête rouge 1, Foulque d'Amérique 1, Chevalier grivelé 1, Mouette de Bonaparte 2, Goéland à bec cerclé 100, Goéland argenté 6, Goéland marin 6, Pigeon biset 80, Pic chevelu 1, Pic flamboyant 1, Grand Pic 1, Geai Bleu 6, 10 Corneille d'Amérique, Mésange à tête noire 20, Sittelle à poitrine rousse 1, Sittelle à poitrine blanche 3, Grimpereau brun 1, Roitelet à couronnes doré 4, Roitelet à couronne rubis 1, Merle d'Amérique 12, Étourneau sansonnet 10, Paruline à croupion jaune 5, Junco ardoisé 2, Bruant à gorge blanche 2, Bruant chanteur 5, Cardinal rouge 3, Carouge à épaulettes 10, Quiscale bronzé 100, Chardonneret jaune 2, Moineau domestique 12