Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday February 27

21 birders joined the field trip in the Mirabel area this morning. We were lucky and had good weather, cold but with little wind – except at the end of the trip by the landfill where the wind picked up and made it a bit more challenging to scout the hundreds of gulls for the goodies…

 We started the morning in the fields on Rang St Marie and St Dominique, where we visited the Snow Bunting banding station. Thanks to Liette and Gay for organizing this and welcoming us! While no Snow Bunting was banded while we were at the station, the visit was greatly informative and fun.

Along rang St-Marie, we got good looks at 2 Snowy Owls perched on a roof and on a pole. Everyone also enjoyed great views of Horned Larks and of a Northen Shrike. On the way back, Sheldon and Darlene spotted 4 Gray Partridges flying away. After some time, we managed to locate a group of 13 birds and enjoyed them for a while while they were foraging and running in the fields.

We then headed to the Landfill where gulls, crow, ravens and bald eagles did not disappoint.  4, maybe 5, Bald Eagles were around and put up a great show. Difficult to estimate the number of gulls as most were hidden in the landfill but it was in the thousands. A number of Glaucus Gulls were around, easy to spot roosting or in flight, but it was only in the last minutes that we managed to get good views of an Iceland Gull that everyone could enjoy.

Thanks to all who joined and made it a great morning. Below is the list of 20 species of birds observed, including a group of Common Redpolls observed as we were leaving the landfill. - Frédéric Hareau

13 Gray Partridge, 1 Wild Turkey, 4 Bald Eagle, 2 Red-tailed Hawk, 50 Rock Pigeon, 200 Herring Gull, 3 Iceland Gull, 50 Glaucous Gull, 500 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Snowy Owl, 2 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Shrike, 44 American Crow, 32 Common Raven, 7 Horned Lark, 2 Black-capped Chickadee, 500 European Starling, 1 American Tree Sparrow, 2 Dark-eyed Junco, 200 Snow bunting, 20 Common Redpoll (seen as we were leaving the Landfill), 1 House Sparrow

13 Perdrix grise, 1 Dindon sauvage, 4 Pygargue à tête blanche, 2 Buse à queue rousse, 50 Pigeon biset, 200 Goéland argenté, 3 Goéland arctique, 50 Goéland bourgmestre, 500 Goéland marin, 2 Harfang des neiges, 2 Pic mineur, 1 Pie-grièche grise, 44 Corneille d'Amérique, 32 Grand corbeau, 7 Alouette hausse-col, 2 Mésange à tête noire, 500 Étourneau sansonnet, 1 Bruant Hudsonien, 2 Junco ardoisé, 200 Bruant des neiges, 20 Sizerin flammé, 1 Moineau domestique

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday February 27

Saturday, February 27 – samedi 27 février 

Mirabel – Lachute Area

map/carte https://goo.gl/maps/EZHf7Yfai8H2 (meeting place)

Guide: Frédéric Hareau  e-mail 

514-805-8491 (cell phone on the day of the trip only – cellulaire pour la sortie seulement)

8:00 a.m. From Montreal, take Highway 15 north, and then exit 31. We will meet at the Petro Canada station, just east of highway 15, at exit 31. Count 25 minutes from crossroads between highways 15 and 40 in Montreal.

We will explore a diversity of habitats in the area between Mirabel and Lachute. We will start with the fields near Mirabel which are known for Snowy Owls, Gray Partridges and Snow Buntings among others. We will then visit more wooded areas as well as a landfill where gulls, including Glaucous and Iceland Gulls concentrate. For people interested in extending the field trip, we will have lunch in Lachute and then visit diverse habitats in the afternoon, including woodlands, open fields and feeders looking for raptors, redpolls and other winter visitors. It will be a driving trip, with several short walks. Half day with possibility to extend it in the afternoon for those interested.

8h00. De Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 15 nord, puis la sortie 31. Nous nous rencontrerons à la station Pétro-Canada, juste à l’est de l’autoroute 15, sortie 31. Compter 25 minutes depuis le croisement entre la 15 et la 40 à Montréal.

Nous allons explorer une diversité d’habitats dans la région entre Mirabel et Lachute. Nous explorerons tout d’abord les champs de Mirabel qui sont connus pour le harfang des neiges, les perdrix grises et passereaux hivernaux. Nous allons ensuite visiter les zones boisées ainsi qu’un site d’enfouissement où les goélands, y compris les goélands bourgmestres et arctiques, se concentrent. Pour les personnes intéressées à poursuivre la sortie, nous dinerons à Lachute et visiterons ensuite divers habitats dans l’après-midi : habitats forestiers, champs et mangeoires à la recherche des rapaces, des passereaux hivernaux et d’autres visiteurs. La sortie s’effectuera principalement en voiture, avec plusieurs courtes marches. Demi-journée avec possibilité de prolonger dans l’après-midi pour les personnes intéressées.

Sightings for Friday February 19

Terrebonne, rue St-Denis map/carte: 1 Harris's Sparrow / Bruant de Harris - Patrice Franche

BPQ research grant applications

There are only ten days left in which to submit applications to BPQ for this year's research and other grants. Don't miss the opportunity.
http://pqspb.org/bpqpoq/research-grants/

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday February 20

Saturday, February 20 – samedi 20 février

Snowshoe Outing in Morgan Arboretum 

(Note: Snowshoes Required / Raquettes requises)

map/carte http://goo.gl/maps/etLSX

Guide: Richard Gregson greenbirding@gmail.com

http://www.morganarboretum.org/

8:00 a.m. Something Different! We will use snowshoes to explore areas of the Morgan Arboretum not usually accessible in summer. Expect a 5 km hike with numerous stops to listen for birds. Looking for winter forest species including woodpeckers, raptors and with luck an owl.

From Montreal take Highway 40 west. Take Exit 41. Keep right and bear right at the traffic light. Climb the hill. At the stop sign turn left onto Chemin des Pins and drive 1 km to the parking lot on the left. $6.00 admission charge for non- Arboretum members. Half day.

8h00. Quelque chose de différent, nous utiliserons des raquettes pour explorer des endroits qui ne sont pas normalement accessibles durant la période estivale. Attendez-vous à une randonnée de cinq kilomètres avec de fréquents arrêts pour écouter les oiseaux. Nous serons à la recherche d’oiseaux d’hiver, espèces forestières qui incluent les pics, rapaces et avec un peu de chance une chouette.

De Montréal de l’autoroute 40 Ouest, emprunter la sortie 41, garder la droite et garder la droite au feu de circulation. Monter la côte et au panneau d’arrêt tourner à gauche sur le chemin des Pins et continuer jusqu’au stationnement. Frais d’entrée : 6,00 $ pour les non-membres. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Sunday February 14

Val-Bélair, Rue des Bannières: Red-headed woodpecker / Pic à tête rouge immature- Chantal Trudel
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Chateauguay, rue Flanagan: Cooper's hawk / épervier de Cooper - Tom Long

Sightings for Wednesday February 10

Lasalle, Parc des Rapides - map/carte: 30 Canada Goose, 4 American Black Duck, 60 Mallard, 1 Bufflehead, 180 Common Goldeneye, 40 Common Merganser, 4 Wild Turkey (Île aux Hérons), 1 Bald Eagle, 8 Herring Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 6 American Crow, 1 Common Raven, 2 European Starling, 5 House Sparrow

30 Bernache du Canada, 4 Canard noir, 60 Canard colvert, 1 Petit Garrot, 180 Garrot à oeil d'or, 40 Grand Harle, 4 Dindon sauvage (l'île aux Hérons), 1 Pygargue à tête blanche, 8 Goéland argenté, 4 Goéland marin, 1 Pic mineur , 2 Faucon pèlerin, 6 Corneille d'Amérique, 1 Grand Corbeau, 2 Étourneau sansonnet, 5 Moineau domestique - Maxime Aubert

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday February 13

Saturday, February 13 – samedi 13 février

Ste-Marthe, St-Clet, Ste-Justine

https://goo.gl/maps/BDQDU
Guide: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 e-mail

8:00 a.m. Meet at Hudson Inn, exit 17 off Highway 40. From Montreal, take Highway 40 west towards Ottawa. Allow an hour’s drive from Montreal. Looking for Snowy Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Snow Buntings and other open-country winter birds. Bring warm clothes for standing around or taking short walks (or in case weather conditions dictate a complete change of itinerary). We will try to keep the number of cars to a minimum; therefore, car- pooling arranged ahead of time and/or at our rendez-vous point would be greatly appreciated. Half day.

8 h 00 Rassemblement au Hudson Inn, sortie 17 de l’autoroute 40. De Montréal, prendre l’autoroute 40 ouest, en direction d’Ottawa. Prévoir une heure à partir de Montréal. Espèces recherchées : Harfang des neiges, Buse pattue, Bruant des neiges et autres oiseaux d’hiver. Apporter des vêtements suffisamment chauds pour de courtes marches et permettant de passer du temps à l’extérieur; prévoir également d’éventuels changements de plans, dus à la météo. Nous vous encourageons à faire du covoiturage en vue de limiter le nombre de voitures. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Monday February 8

St-Jean-sur-Richelieu: Yellow-headed Blackbird and at the corner of Chênevert and Jean Talon, in the conifers exiting the bridge to Ile Sainte-Terese

Carouge à tête jaune au coin de Chênevert et Jean-Talon, dans les conifres en sortant du pont de Ile Sainte-Térese - Réal Boulet

http://gbbc.birdcount.org/

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip Report" Saturday February 6

Ten birders participated in the field trip to rue Higgins in Chateauguay and the Recre-o-parc in Sainte-Catherine was warmer than expected, which is usually quite cold this time of year.  A light snow was falling and the trails were a bit icy in spots. Visibility was not good when looking out onto the river because of the falling snow. Total species count was 19 including a pair of Red-bellied woodpeckers which were the bird of the day

Sainte-Catherine, Recre-o-parc: 10 Canada Goose, 145 Mallard, 32 Common Goldeneye, 41 Common Merganser, 2 Ring-billed Gull, 6 Herring Gull, 19 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Downy Woodpecker, 2 American Crow, 31 Black-capped Chickadee, 3 White-breasted Nuthatch, 2 White-throated Sparrow, 12 Northern Cardinal, 2 American Goldfinch

10 Bernache du Canada, 145 Canard colvert, 32 Garrot à oeil d'or, 41 Grand Harle, 2 Goéland à bec cerclé, 6 Goéland argenté, 19 Goéland marin, 2 Pic mineur, 2 Corneille d'Amérique, 31 Mésange à tête noire, 3 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 2 Bruant à gorge blanche, 12 Cardinal rouge, 2 Chardonneret jaune

Chateauguay, rue Higgins: 34 Mallard, 1 Mourning Dove, 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 9 Downy Woodpecker, 3 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Blue Jay, 2 American Crow, 8 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 American Robin, 18 European Starling, 3 Northern Cardinal, 25 American Goldfinch

34 Canard colvert, 1 Tourterelle triste, 2 Pic à ventre roux, 9 Pic mineur, 3 Pic chevelu, 1 Pic flamboyant, 1 Geai Bleu, 2 American Crow, 8 Mésange à tête noire, 2 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 1 Merle d'Amérique, 18 Étourneau sansonnet, 3 cardinal rouge, 25 Chardonneret jaune

Sightings for Thursday February 4

Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka, Hungry Bay map/carte: 3 Mallard, 1 Greater Scaup, 50 Common Goldeneye, 70 Common Merganser, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Common Loon, 3 Herring Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 14 Rock Pigeon, 1 Gyrfalcon  flew from the Larocque bridge to the beach at the Claire Fontaine campgrounds, 2 Amreican Crow, 4 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 Tufted Titmouse, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, 80 European Starling, 1 Northern Cardinal, 1 American Goldfinch

Canard colvert, 1 Fuligule milouinan, 50 Common Goldeneye, 70 Grand Harle, 2 Harle huppé, 1 Common Loon, 3 Goéland Argenté, 2 Goéland marin, 14 Pigeon biset, 1 Faucon gerfault Volait du pont Larocque vers la plage du Camping À la Claire Fontaine. 2 Corneille d'Amérique, 4 Mésange à tête noire, 2 Mésange bicolore, 1 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 1 Grimpereau brun, 80 Étourneau sansonnet, 1 Northern Cardinal, 1 Chardonneret jaune - Patrick Laniel

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Mirabel, Rgs Ste-Marie & Ste-Dominique map/carte: 2 Wild Turkey, 30 Rock Pigeon, 1 Gyrfalcon, 3 American Crow, 2 Black-capped Chickadee, 1 Lapland Longspur, 200 Snow Bunting 

2 Dindon sauvage, 30 Pigeon biset, 1 Faucon gerfault, 3 Corneille d'Amérique, 2 Mésange à tête noire, 1 Bruant lapon, 200 Bruant des neiges - Luc Laberge
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Ile Ste-Marie carte/map: Canvasback / Fuligule à dos blanc - Réal Boulet

Bird Protection Quebec "Field Trip" Saturday February 6

Saturday, February 6 – samedi 6 février

Rue Higgins, Chateâuguay, & Sainte-Catherine Récré-O- Parc

https://goo.gl/maps/MWFd2

Leader: Tom Long 450-692-1590  e-mail

8:00 a.m. Meet at rue Higgins in Châteauguay. At Higgins, the birds to look for include Red-bellied Woodpecker and Tufted Titmouse, but you never know what will show up. One Christmas Bird Count, 22 species were counted there in just over an hour including a Carolina Wren and an Eastern Towhee. After checking out Higgins area, we will go to the Récré-O-Parc in Sainte- Catherine and look for winter ducks and whatever else we can find. There are no facilities at the Récré-O-Parc. Half day. From Montreal, take Hwy 138 and cross the Mercier Bridge. Stay right coming off the bridge and take Hwy 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 Blvd. Salaberry Nord. Turn right on to Salaberry Nord and continue until rue Higgins and turn right. There is a small parking area on the left next to the cell-phone tower.

8 h 00. Rendez-vous à la rue Higgins à Châteauguay. Sur la rue Higgins, les espèces recherchées sont le Pic à ventre roux et la Mésange bicolore. Mais nous ne pouvons pas prévoir qui sera au rendez-vous. Lors d’un décompte de Noël, 22 espèces ont été dénombrées dans un peu plus d’une heure comprenant un Troglodyte de Caroline ainsi qu’un Tohi à flancs roux. Après avoir fait le tour de la zone Higgins, nous irons au Récré-O-Parc à Sainte- Catherine. Au Récré-O-Parc, nous y verrons presqu’exclusivement des canards d’hiver et peut-être d’autres surprises. Le Récré-O-Parc n’offre aucune installation sanitaire ni de restauration. Demi-journée.

Sightings for Tuesday February 2

Sainte-Catherine, Récré-O-Parc map/carte: 150 Canada Goose, 4 Gadwall, 3 American Black Duck, 90 Mallard, 3 Common Goldeneye, 2 Common Merganser, 12 Herring Gull, 18 Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Black-capped Chickadee, 2 White-breasted Nuthatch, 20 American Robin, 1 Gray Catbird seen in the area of the 2nd. feeder, 5 European Starling, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler seen in the area of the 1st. feeder, 1 Pine Warbler seen in the area of the 1st. feeder, 2 White-throated Sparrow, 3 Northern Cardinal

150 Bernache du Canada, 4 Canard chipeau, 3 Canard noir, 90 Canard colvert, 3 Garrot à oeil d'or,, 2 Grand Harle, 12 Goéland argenté, 18 Goéland marin, 6 Mésange à tête noire, 2 Sittelle à poitrine blanche, 20 Merle d'Amérique, 1 Moqueur chat vu dans la zone de la deuxième mangeoire, 5 Étourneau sansonnet, 1 Paruline verdâtre revue dans le secteur de la première mangeoire, 1 Paruline des pins revue dans le secteur de la première mangeoire, 2 Bruant à gorge blanche, 3 Cardinal rouge - Monique Groulx

2 Bald Eagle, 3 Ring-billed Gull, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 3 American Crow 

2 Pygargue à tête blanche, 3 Goéland à bec cerclé, 1 Pic mineur, 3 Corneille d'Amérique - Pierre Casavant